Tag Archives: masking

Basic Masking Techniques for Art Journaling, Scrapbooking, Card-making

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Please welcome my friend, Alice Boll! She is graciously doing a guest post for me, and you are going to enjoy the information on masking which she is sharing with us today! You’ll see in coming episodes, that her information on masks will tie in so well as we learn about all the things you can do with Gelatos and many other things!  So, here’s Alice!

Alice Boll from Scrapbook Wonderland

Hi! I’m Alice Boll from Scrapbook Wonderland. Thank you, Kristie for inviting me to share my passion for scrapbooking with you.

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby! I’m always surprised at the creative ways I can play with art supplies on my layouts. One technique I find myself using over and over again is the use of masks. I hope I’ll inspire you to use the wonder of masks for your next artful adventure!

Masks have two main purposes.

The 2 purposes of a mask:

1. To apply an art medium TO a specific area.

2. To prevent an art medium FROM being applied to a specific area.

What is an art medium? This sounds so technical! It’s simply the kind of material you are using or playing with. Examples of art mediums are:

  • ink
  • paint
  • spray or mist
  • modeling paste
  • glue (to add mica flakes, pearl beads, micro beads, confetti, glitter, etc!)
  • gesso

*This is not an exhaustive list… get creative and use your imagination!

Art medium ideas to get you started using masks.

The 2 Kinds of masks:

  1. Masks you buy. You can purchase pre-made masks or templates. Some of my favourites are from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. A great thing about a mask you purchase is that it is easy to wash it up and use it over and over again.

Here I used spray ink with a Balzer Designs template as a mask.

Here I used modeling paste with a Donna Downey template as a mask.

Close up of the modeling paste texture.

2. Masks you make or find. Create your own mask. Use a die-cut machine or punch to cut shapes out of paper or plastic. You can also use a ‘found object’ like a bottle cap or jar lid as a mask.

Here I cut scraps of chipboard with a punch before misting a background.

If I cut a custom mask out of lightweight plastic I mark the size and save both parts… now I have 2 masks to play with!

Once you start experimenting with masks you will find many more creative ideas!

Fun Idea! Use a mask to create a shape when clustering embellishments.

The large scalloped circle in the background was made, and stamped, with a mask!

Want to see a creative use of masks? Watch Chris Sebo, a spray paint artist in Hawaii. I was amazed when I saw him perform his spray paint magic on Waikiki beach in Hawaii.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcsogbWzd1c

I hope you have fun exploring the artistic wonders of masks! I welcome you to visit me at Scrapbook Wonderland for more great tips and tricks!

Happy Scrappin’

Use Alphabet Stickers or Die Cuts for Masking Technique

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Many of you said that you have problems finding ways to use some of the products you have in your stash.  Today’s project will show you how to use extra alphabet stickers, ribbon, and patterned paper!  I’m going to show you a masking technique to create an interesting element on a recycled project.  This project will also work if you want to use die cut letters, which is actually what I will use today.

You’ve probably heard me tell you many times that thrift stores, estate sales, and even garage sales are great places to find thing that you can alter or up cycle.  I was at the thrift store the other day and found two hinged boxes that I decided I would spruce up and use for handmade cards an envelopes, which I will probably use for gifts.

So, here is the before and after picture.

Learn to recycle a hinged tin box with patterned paper and alpha masking technique

 First, wipe down your item with rubbing alcohol to make sure it is clean and free of any dirt or oils.

Next, if the existing color on the outside rim of the lid, and the lip it closes over don’t coordinate with your choice of paper, you’ll want to recolor it. You’ll either need an alcohol ink, pigment ink, or in this case I used StazOn.  I opened the lid of the stamp pad, and squirted a few drops of the StazOn ink refill into the lid, and just used it like paint to cover the edged which would not be covered by paper.

stazon used to paint edges

StazOn ink refill in the lid of the stamp pad. Use it like paint on the rim of the lid.

Outer edge of lid painted

Paint outer edge of lid, and the lip that it will close over.

Select your paper and measure around the box for the length needed.  Measure the height of the area you will place the paper in.  This box needed 28 inches of paper to wrap around, with a height of 3.75 inches.  I was able to use a 12×12″ paper for the body; but had to use a second piece for the lid.   Place the tin upside down and trace around it for the top piece; or hold it in place and press the edges into the paper to mark where it will need to be cut.

Now, take your paper that will wrap around the body, and adhere it together for a single piece.

Next take some painters masking tape to mask off a boarder along your paper.  IMPORTANT TIP: Take the masking tape and tape it to your clothes and lift it off.  Repeat several times until you can tell the tape is still just a little bit tacky.  Be doing this, your masking tape will stick to the paper, but will easily come off the paper without ripping it!

Using painters masking tape to create border

IMPORTANT TIP: Take the masking tape and tape it to your clothes and lift it off. Repeat several times until you can tell the tape is still just a little bit tacky. Be doing this, your masking tape will stick to the paper, but will easily come off the paper!

Now we are going to put those alphabet stickers to work!  If you don’t have alphabet stickers, you can get the same effect by using die cut letters.  These were created with the Big Shot.  To use these as stickers for the masking technique, simple turn them upside down and apply non-permanent adhesive.  The 2-Way Glue Pen is perfect for this.  If the glue has a bit of a blue tint, it will bond items together.  If you let it dry, it becomes a non-permanent bond, like a sticky note.  So, that’s what you see here, the glue is drying so that I can make them removable.

alphabet stickers from die cuts

2-Way Glue Pen is perfect for making a permanent or temporary bond.  
Leaving them in the paper makes it easier to apply the adhesive.

Now apply your alphabet stickers between your two rows of masking tape.  If you are using alphabet stickers, use the same method as we used with the masking tape, before you stick them on the page.  We want to take the stickers off in a minute, so stick them on and off of your cloths or a cloth, before you stick them on the paper.  You can be as random or as planned as you want with the placement.

Alpha Stickers for masking
I used an ink pad and a sponge to apply the color. Be careful that you don’t knock the letters off the paper.  Gently sponge as much color on as you would like.  Notice that I only inked enough to add color, and left it somewhat transparent, and you can see the design of the paper still.

inking over the alphabet stickers

Ink along the length of your paper.

When your are finished inking, you can gently remove your alphas and your masked off borders.  Apply your paper to the tin!  I used Sticky Strip so that it would have a secure hold on the metal, and will be secure enough if this item is not going to see heavy action.  A few glue dots helped tack the paper in place to make it more manageable to deal with.  (If a super duper, all over hold is desired, you could use ModPodge to adhere the paper to your tin, but it will greatly increase the length of time before completion because you’ll have to wait on it to dry.)

I ran a length of ribbon around the body and added a bow.  I opted to not place anything else on the lid, although I had made a paper flower.  It just seemed that it looked best at this point without more embellishments.

hinged box projectI hope this will help you with some ideas to use your stash of supplies!  If you need something, feel free to shop my Stampin’Up! store for the items used above:

StazOn Ink Refill –  #102566

Stazon Ink Pad – #101406

Paper – “First Edition Specialty” – #121878,  digital version – #124408

2 Way Glue Pen – #100425

Stamping Sponges – #101610

Black Classic Ink Pad – #126980

Sticky Strip – #104294

Glue Dots – #103683

Black 3/8″ Ribbon – #119962

Now, get out there and have some Artful Adventures!  —Kristie

 

 

Freedom of Mixed Media

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As I was creating this piece, I realized how liberating it feels to use items I have on hand, and not worry about what specific medium I am using!  Mixed media has really allowed me to feel free to create!  Grab some supplies and see what you can create.

This red, white, and blue stripes on this piece are all made from torn paper, adhered to an 8×8 canvas.   The letters U S A, as well as the large star, were cut and used as a mask.  The image transfer is of the famous painting of Francis Scott Key, the author of the song, “Star Spangle Banner,” of which there are lyrics from a very old piece of music.  There are numerous layers of stamped images using both ink and paint.

For some reason, this is one of my favorite pieces!