Create your own Masks

Create your own masks with Idea-Ology Mask Sheets.  You get 2 sheets in the packet, which gives you 4 dies if you are using sizzix dies (like I am for this post).  It has a sticky back, so you can re-use them over and over and they will hold their position due to the sticky back.

Plus you get 2 storage sheets, which your masks stick to for protections when not in use 

Before you go crazy die-cutting - First, read the instructions on the packaging.
(not that I talking from experience!!!)

A customer asked me to order them in a Tim Holtz Alterations Weathered Clock Die and I thought I would get one for myself (and for in-store customers to use during Classes and Time Out Tuesdays). So of course I had to play with this as soon as it came in.

After reading the instructions, I put the die through the Cuttlebug and now I have an instant mask. Yipee!!! 

DON'T THROW OUT THE OUTER PIECES - good lord don't - imagine using the positive image of this die and putting all those little bits on your creations!  I have kept the middle circle and outer pieces just for this reason.

Now for a Grunge / Male Birthday Card!

Grab a Twiddleybitz Black 13x13 Card and place die in the centre of card.  Using Spiced Marmalade Distress Paint , paint over the mark LIGHTLY then dab with a tissue - because there are thin shapes on this die and if you use too much paint it will bleed, thus distorting the numbers (not speaking from experience of course!!!).

LEAVE template on while the paint dries.

 

Once dry, which is approximately 10 minutes - because you only painted a LIGHT coat of paint remember, get a stamp which is great for backgrounds - like the Kaisercraft Numbers or Kaisercraft Alphabets (actually lots of the new Kaiser background stamps are perfect for this technique) and get stamping.

On this card I have dabbed Brushed Pewter Distress Stain onto the Kaisercraft Grafitti stamp and then stamped it all over the card (over top of the template).   

Now peel your template off and you are left with this - pretty cool ah?

Now cut out the clock hands from the die, using Bazzill Metallic Silver Cardstock 8.5"X11" 

 (the light was fading when I took photo, it is a bright shiny metallic silver card I promise)

Pop them in the centre of your clock with a silver clock charm.  The hands and clock both a swipe of Black Archival Ink and Spice Marmalade Distress Paint to tone done the "brightness" and add abit of grunge

  
with a scrap piece of orange cardstock I put it through my cuttlebug using the Tattered Banners Die.  Stamped the word party using Black Archival Ink, stickers for Time and added a silver arrow charm

To finish I distressed the edges with my craft knife, added a bit of Spiced Marmalade Distress Paint and ta da 

one card using the positive of a mask.

As I've mentioned many times, I don't do cards! 
 No reason why these techniques can't be applied to layouts or OTPs though.

I've cut myself a set of masks using the tattered flowers and gadget gears die as well,
 but that's for another day...

 

Design Team Angel Jennifer has used the Idea-Ology Mask Sheets for this next card - but used the 'negative' of her die cut.   

Taping the edges of the mask down with tape was unnecessary as the mask is sticky backed BUT as the mask did not have a large border, the washi tape protected the card a little like masking tape on walls when painting!

First colour of distress ink - Milled Lavender, sponged on top:

 Then the second  - Dusty Concord; and third - Seedless Preserve:

Black Archival Ink from Ranger on the Kaiser Stamp for a lovely crisp image:

And then again on a 'verse stamp' - removing the mask first and stamping outside the inked area creates another focal point:

Use a section of your mask to use the same inking effect to tie-in your envelope, BUT ink with the central colour first and then you can blend the colours either side into the middle and you will avoid the colour "halo" you can see through the top colour on the card.

 And the finished card - inked around the edges with the three colours too!

Jennifer :-)

and then,

 DT Jen couldn't help visiting our Tuesday Ladies today while on her lunch break, and couldn't resist getting all creative - with a lolly bag!!!

Grab a paper bag (eat the lollies!!) 

spray with Key Lime Pie Glimmer Mist 

then with a stencil cover a thin coat of Blackberry Ferro

sprinkle purple passion sugar beads while wet. press in with a sheet of chippy and a heavy book lol

add small daisy flower charm to pin and curl end over - attach with glossy accents

spray the green gardenia with olive glimmer mist and attach with glossy accents over the same place as the pin

add a bit of claudine hellmuth multi-medium on the flower and sprinkle over with diamond dust.

add white opals liquid pearls to centre of flower charm

Now I hear you asking why can't I just use my chipboard as a mask?

Well, first you can WASH your mask and reuse it.  Chipboard will eventually give way to the amount of fluid it has been given.

Masks are thin, so you won't get a build up of paint, ink or stains in the edges and thus allowing you to add more medium if necessary.  And handy if using your ink blending took, many types of chipboard are too thick to be able to use your tool effectively

Why not give some mask cutting a go. We have the Idea-Ology Mask Sheets available here.