AECP Masking Unleashed

So my latest Altenew Educator Certification Program course is Masking Unleashed which features multiple techniques to use with masking, from creating depth in a one-layer scene, ink-blending, to negative masking. Now, anyone who follows me on social media knows I LOVE MASKING. It is a technique I use often. I was definitely excited about making this project.

Since I feel pretty expert in using masks I decided to set myself up with a bit of a challenge by selecting the Sketched Florals Layering Stamp Set for my feature project. This stamp set doesn’t rely on well defined floral images and the layers don’t fully align to create a “sketched” look so this added a little extra when creating masks and determining a layout.

To start, I decided to first create all of my masks first, which I could later use in helping me lay out my final design. When using a layering stamp set you usually create a mask using the outline stamp, but in this case, I chose to use the solid stamp as it would give me a better idea where I would need to cut out my masks. For my masks, I do typically use double sided masking paper versus copy paper or post it notes. It is really handy to have the benefit of the sticky surface.

Pro tip: If you want to use copy paper for all your masking and along with the benefit of the sticky surface, you can combine the copy paper with Pixie Spray from Thermo-Web. Just know Pixie Spray can sometimes leave a residue behind that you will need to remove with an adhesive eraser.

Once I completed stamping and fussing cutting my masks, I used them to help determine my stamp arrangement onto my card panel. Using my Misti, I stamped my feature image in the foreground using the solid stamp first and following with the outline stamp. I next applied my first mask and then I stamped my next images. I used beiges, soft peaches, and teals for my flowers, a color palette inspired by the March 2023 Altenew Inspriration Challenge.

After all of my images were stamped, I made sure all images were still masked. I then cut a rectangle stencil out of white cardstock using a frame die. I used the paper stencil to ink-blend a rectangle around my floral design to help frame the image and provide a place for my sentiment. Using my Altenew Metallic Watercolor Pan Set, I also decided to add a touch of gold spatter for a little sparkle. To finish everything off, I die cut a sentiment from the Timeless Sentiments Die Set in dark gold cardstock and added a few champagne colored embellishments. I am so pleased with how everything worked out.

Thanks for checking this out!