Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks - Layering and More!

Decorative Masks are what Stampin' Up! calls stencils and they are a cost effective way to add interest to your cards.  The newest ones are called Abundant Beauty and they were just released in our newest mini catalog!  This set has four layering masks that work together to make a sunflower grouping and three others patterns.  In my video, I demonstrate the layering mask to make a lovely flower (is it a sunflower if isn't the normal sunflower color??) card, but I show examples on using the houndstooth, autumn leaves and snowflake designs as well.  

Gather your supplies:

• Cardstock:  Berry Burst 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4"; Glorious Gingham 6" x 6" DSP 2-3/8" x 6" and 3/4" x 6"
• Stamp Set:  So Sincere
• Ink:  Bubble Bath, Berry Burst, Pecan Pie, Lemon Lime Twist, and Granny Apple Green
• Ribbon: Ribbon Duo Combo 20"
• Other:  Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks and Blending Brushes
• Adhesive and Tools

I like to put a tiny bit of adhesive under my white panel to hold it in place while stenciling and I use a piece of scrap paper as a backdrop.  Because the layering masks have a notch to help you align, I marked both the notch and the opposite corner on my scrap paper.  Starting with the flower mask, use the blending brush to add Bubble Bath and then Berry Burst to the outside edges of the flowers.  Next add the center of the flower with Pecan Pie, first with layer number 3 and then with the detail layer 4.   Lastly, add the leaves (layer 2) and blend with Lemon Lime Twist and Granny Apple Green.  If you want, add more leaves, or change the position of them.  (To clean your masks, just run them under the faucet and pat them dry with a towel.)

Stamp the sentiment in the center of the flower cluster with Berry Burst ink and tie a bow around the bottom portion of the panel before popping this up on the card front.  Use the Gingham DSP to decorate the flap of the envelope and the inside white panel - easy peasy!  This card is done!  Here is my original sample, make in traditional sunflower colors - which one do you prefer?

These sunflowers are big and lovely and you don't have to leave them one-dimensional!  You can fussy cut them out and pop them up like I did on this card.  I colored the flower petals with Bubble Bath, Magenta Madness and Blackberry Bliss and the center with Smoky Slate and Basic Gray.  I also used the new Modern Oval for the sentiment!

The next decorative mask is a collection of fall leaves and acorns.  I know you can visualize how to color a background using one, two or even three colors so I didn't show that.  What I wanted to try was coloring each one differently to see if I could without masking.  I think I was pretty successful!  I used my small blending brushes and it was actually quite easy to get this very colorful background.  The second sample shows another way to use the mask - tracing one of the shapes before coloring.  For this, I used one of my Stampin' Write markers to trace the outline before I used my blending brush.  Note - I did have to mask off the other parts of the stencil to avoid getting unwanted additional shapes!

The snowflakes are pretty basic as you can see by the flap of my envelope.  But they become pretty spectacular when you mix embossing paste with ink and spread this over the decorative mask!  I used Boho Blue and Shimmery White Embossing Paste.  Because it has glitter in it, the color looks lighter and didn't really match the card base of Boho Blue I had planned.  So I switched to Balmy Blue and was quite pleased with the result.  The edge was cut with the Basic Border dies and the sentiments are from the new Christmas Classics stamp set.

The last mask is the houndstooth (or herringbone as I liked to call it in the video!),  I colored a white panel with Pecan Pie as a background for my beautiful pumpkins made from the Pick of the Patch bundle.  Did you happen to catch the circle?  It has a deckled edge!!  And if you guessed that it's brand new, you would be right!  And the last card features some maple leaves cut from the Autumn Leaves dies in Pretty Peacock and Cherry Cobbler, then stenciled in the same color.  I've seen this color pairing so much in the last few weeks - I knew I had to make a card or two in this combo!  Hope you like it.

 So there you have it - plenty of inspiration to get and use the new Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks!  And quite a few snippets from the new Mini Catalog which was just released today.  Happy shopping!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net 

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Join my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker):  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042676296088278/?ref=share

My current host code for September is: TCVG6NPQ

Please use this for orders less than $150 and you’ll get a special treat from me.

For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

Product List

So Sincere Cling Stamp Set (English)

[162283]

$24.00

Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks

[162331]

$10.50

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[144243]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Glorious Gingham 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163170]

$10.50

Bubble Bath Classic Stampin' Pad

[161664]

$9.00

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

[147143]

$9.00

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[161665]

$9.00

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

[147095]

$9.00

Ribbon Duo Combo Pack

[161318]

$10.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

Small Blending Brushes

[160518]

$12.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Masking Techniques

Masking is a technique where you cover up your stamped image and stamp another image over it to give a layered look.  It is often used in one-layer cards, but is useful for other reasons as you'll see in the examples in my video.  I feature Masking Paper from Stampin' Up!, but also show how you can use a post-it note too.  I love the masking paper because it is super thin and has stickiness over the full sheet.

Gather your supplies:

• Cardstock:  Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 4" x 5-1/4", 3" x 4-1/4", and 1" x 3-1/8"; Gorgeous Grape 3-1/8" x 4-3/8"
• Stamp Set:  Beautiful Balloons
• Ink:  Gorgeous Grape, Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather, and Smoky Slate
• Other:  Masking Paper
• Adhesive and Tools

Masking paper has two sides - one that will feel like paper and the other with a more of a plastic feel.  You will want to stamp two balloons (the color does not matter) on the papery side and cut them out.  Cut right at the edge of the balloons - this is different from what we normally do when we fussy cut and leave a little bit of white space.  I also like to touch the sticky side a bit to remove some of the tack before using them on my cards.  This helps them peal off easily.

When you mask, the image you want in the foreground is actually the first image you will stamp.  On the 3" x 4-1/4" Basic White rectangle, stamp the first balloon (I used Bubble Bath).  Then place the first mask right over this balloon and stamp again, overlapping (Highland Heather).  Add the second mask over this balloon and stamp the final balloon with Fresh Freesia.  Unlike what I did in the video (I was just too excited for the big reveal!), stamp the strings with Smoky Slate, turning the stamp around to have them look different.  Then peal off the two masks and stick them in the stamp case to use again and again.

Adhere this balloon layer to the Gorgeous Grape rectangle.  Stamp the sentiment in Gorgeous Grape on the small rectangle and place this over the balloon strings with Dimensionals.

On the large Basic White layer, stamp the banners in each of the three balloon colors, once full ink and once stamped off.  Vary the angle and position to give it interest.  Add this directly to the card front and pop up the balloon layer in the center.

For the inside, add the Happy Birthday sentiment and a balloon in whichever color you want.  For the envelope (shown to the right), I layered two balloons and added another sentiment.  Remember, you can use your masks over and over again.  

If you don't have masking paper, you can use post-it notes.  If you are using the normal notes with stick only at the top, make sure you stamp your image all the way to the top so it will adhere to your layer.  These are a little thicker than the Masking Paper, but will work just fine.

When I was first thinking of masking examples, I knew I wanted to do a rainbow.  I chose five colors and used the mittens from the Celebrate with Tags set.  For a little sparkle, I added a rhinestone in the center of the snowflakes on each mitten.  A little gingham ribbon ties in with the Christmas sentiment which is stamped in black.  

My next card is perfect for any age!  I stamped the cement truck and construction worker from the Construction Zone stamp set on my masking paper and cut them out.  Next, I stamped the construction worker, followed by the truck right behind him and the one of the left on a strip of Basic White, using my masks.  The little cone balances out the layout and the lines of the ground are from the Trucking Along stamp set.  I embossed the card front with the Metal Plate 3D embossing folder.

The next card is a perfect example of a one-layer card (even though I did mat the white layer and pop that up).  I cut a label from the Something Fancy dies and placed that in the center of my layer.  I then stamped the three different leaves from the Layering Leaves stamp set in Garden Green,  Granny Apple Green and Lemon Lime Twist all over this piece.  Before taking off the mask, I added the dots in the darkest green.  After removing the mask, I stamped the sentiment.  I love how the masking paper leaves such a crisp, sharp edge!

My last example features one of my favorite sets, Hey Chuck.  I made a mask of the large bird in the center and then stamped his friends on either side  I love the bright, exciting colors in these roosters!  Not at realistic but oh so fun to color!  I know I could have stamped the two side birds and then used the die to cut out the big one to layer on top, but there is just something about masking that is appealing to me.

I had fun making these cards for you and showing you just how easy it is to mask.  The results can yield a continuous scene of several stamps, or just give a perfect space for a sentiment.  All are fun!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net 

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Join my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker):  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042676296088278/?ref=share

My current host code for August is: S7SYAJRG

Please use this for orders less than $150 and you’ll get a special treat from me.

For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

Product List

Beautiful Balloons Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[161450]

$24.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

$9.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146987]

$10.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Bubble Bath Classic Stampin' Pad

[161664]

$9.00

Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pad

[155611]

$9.00

Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad

[147103]

$9.00

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

[147113]

$9.00

Stampin' Up! Masking Paper

[155480]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Forever Friends Kit

I've shown you kits in the past because they are a great value, a fantastic way to introduce someone to card making and come with everything you need, delivered right to your mailbox!  Now there is an even bigger reason to be excited about the kits from Stampin' Up! - they are on sale during the month of August, 2023 (up to 30% off!)!!!

In this video, I am showing the Forever Friends Kit, which makes eight cards in two designs.  The envelopes have beautiful green foil stripes and the cards feature a floral design.  There is a little bit of stamping but not many pieces, so the cards go together quickly.  

The kit comes with everything you need (except scissors) - here are the two card designs.  The one difference is that I used more coral thread in the second card to add just a bit more color than the loop like the first card.

Although the kit comes with the Night of Navy Spot, it coordinates with these additional colors:  Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive.  In the video, I show how you can soften the look of the cards by using some of the other ink colors.  This is a nice way to customize your kit if you want to.  I also used a bone folder and Mini Glue Dots for these cards, which do not come with it.  I show a close up of what I did on the inside of each of them too - I stamped in the corners to leave more room for writing. You can move the position of the sentiment, or change up the orientation of the cards - both simple changes that will give you just a bit more variety.

I know this isn't my typical video where I show my original designs and often a technique, but I didn't want to miss the chance to share with you the fabulous opportunity to purchase kits this month for a great discount!  And just think - you could do some early Christmas shopping!  I bet you know a few people who would love to get one!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net 

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Join my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker):  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042676296088278/?ref=share

My current host code for August is: S7SYAJRG

Please use this for orders less than $150 and you’ll get a special treat from me.

For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

Product List (The kit is shown at regular price)

Forever Friends Kit (English)

[162363]

$21.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$5.75