Using Masks

I have a new technique I want to share with you. It's really easy and really fun too! If you haven't tried masking you have to give it a try. No, I don't mean mask like in Zorro, I mean something else entirely. Although if you have a Zorro mask please feel free to wear it while scrapping; I won't judge you!

Heidi Swapp has come up with the greatest masks for Scrapbooking. These masks are designs or letters that you place on your layout and then apply color (such as chalk, paint, watercolor, or ink) for a unique title or embellishment. The masks have a temporary adhesive on the back to keep them in place. When you remove the mask, the area that it covered will still be the color of your background paper, and thus the design will be visible.

You are not limited to store-bought masks. You can create your own using low-tack painter's tape and a matte knife. Cut out strips or shapes and use them to create one-of-a-kind backgrounds, titles, borders and more. The possibilities are endless.

Here are a few layouts I've created using masks.

Enduring Faith:

On this layout I used the Heidi Swapp letters directly on the cardstock. I dry-brushed the blue acrylic paint over the letters ("faith") and let it dry. Once I removed the letters I was able to put the rub-on word over it to create my title.

Choose to Be Happy:

For this layout I used the Heidi Swapp small heart masks to create the background. I dry-brushed acrylic paint over the hearts and made a subtle background pattern that wouldn't compete with my photo, but still supported the theme of the layout.

You can use this technique with many different color mediums. Try using paints, chalks, watercolors, or stamp pads to create the negative image. You can put dye or walnut inks in a spray bottle and mist your paper as well. This creates a very soft negative image. If you are feeling daring you can get a really nice, textural look by applying faux gold leaf or embossing paste over your masks. Once dry the stencil paste leaves a hardened, raised image. The gold leaf looks luxurious and adds some glamour to your layout.

Glow:

This is one of my favorite layouts I've created using masks. Once again I used the Heidi Swapp letters to create a title. This time I painted white paper with a custom mix of yellow and peach paints. Once dry I placed my letters beside the photo and then painted a second layer over them. I'm really happy with how this turned out, because the title really reflects the feeling I wanted to portray.

Are you ready to give this technique a try? It's really quite fool proof. The best tip I can give you is to make sure that you firmly stick your mask to the background and that you remove it carefully. With acrylic or watercolor paints I like to remove it once the paint has dried. With something like stencil paste I suggest you remove it before it gets dry and hard.

With a little experimentation on your part you'll master the fine art of masking, even if you don't have a Zorro mask of your own!

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