Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Flubs, Frustration, Fixes and Fun with Masking!

Hi there!

I was so happy to have the day off from work today so I could play along with day #2 of Clean and Simple Card Making 2!

Today's lesson was all about one layer cards and masking. I love masking techniques, don't get me wrong, but more times than not, I end up smearing or smudging or just having a difficult time. So today I told myself to slow down (one of the lessons talked about in yesterdays' class) and enjoy the process. Those of you who know me at all, know that slowing down isn't even a phrase ever used in my vocabulary, or my personality, or my cardmaking! :) That being said, I had a plan in my head and knew I had lots of time to play, so I was ready for some fun!

My first two cards use both negative and positive masks, which I easily created with die-cuts.


Don't let this first card deceive you! It was my third try and I STILL ended up with a few smudges. Even when the entire card was protected while shading in the masked flowers, I got smudges! I have no idea how it happened, I'm as stumped as you are. So, instead of a fourth try, I covered up some of the smudges with extra dots of white Enamel Accents. I do love the way the masking looks! The ink colors are all from Hero Arts - Soft Granite Shadow Ink, Poppy Chalk Ink and the yummy new, Cornflower, Mid-Tone Shadow Ink.

My second card uses the same sentiments, which are from Simon Says Stamp. They're in a set called Handwritten Sentiments from Kristina Werner. (Appropriate for this class, don't ya think?) I also used the Marshmallow Cloud dies from Memory Box, along with the String of Hearts die from SSS.

 

The negative die-cut (or mask) was used for the hearts - I just colored them with a pink marker over the masked clouds and then added the Glossy Accents. 

I was having too much fun to stop there and a cool idea popped into my head, which doesn't happen very often, so I ran with it! :) "Could I actually use glitter and masking at the same time?" I asked myself. "Why not? Let's give it a whirl!" (And yes, I talk to myself a lot!)  :)


 It's the same design as my first card, using the same three floral dies, but this time I used some double-sided sticky sheets for my masks! It's a bit too long to explain more than that, but if you have any questions, you can always send me an email. Here's a close-up of those glittery, masked flowers. They really are only one layer - that's the beauty of masking! :)

 
So there ya have it! My frustrating-at-first, but oh-so-fun day of masking for one layer cards! I am one happy gal today! 

Thanks for coming by! Have a great week! :)

40 comments:

Lin said...

BEAUTIFUL results, my friend! I so agree that masking produces spectaculer results, but can be so frustrating! I'll try to remember the lesson about slowing down.....

Donna B. said...

Beautiful cards Barb!! I'm very envious of your skills - I very rarely have the patience to mask!!

Michelle said...

Barb, these are great! Great use of the enamel accents, too. ;-) That last card is like those "sand art" things the kids use, only so much better!

Karen B. said...

What a productive day off, these cards are beautiful!

Lisa Lara said...

Wow Barb..........card making fest. I soooooooooooooooooooooo love the cloud one especially. Wow.

Greta said...

Well, I'd say your efforts were worth it, Barb! Love your cards, especially the gorgeous, glittered flowers--superb!

Cindy C. said...

They turned out beautifully, great job masking!!

Lisa said...

Hi Barb! Your post title is cracking me up! I had a few mess-ups myself today :) I really love how your masking and glittering turned out!! All your cards are great!!

Laurie Chilton said...

WOW Barb your cards are just beautiful! I love the way your masking turned out. Wonderful job on the challenge. :) I need to get going and get something created asap. Thanks for the inspiration.

rcwidow (Linda) said...

Great examples of masking!

Nancy said...

They are all just lovely, Barb!

Sue McRae said...

Great results with the masking Barb! I haven't tackled this lesson yet, masking and I aren't very good friends.

Rosemary said...

what a fun set of cards, barb... your masking looks great to me!

Linda said...

All three of your cards are great. Love your glittered flowers.

Unknown said...

Wow! Fabulous masking, Barb!!! I absolutely love that one with the heart garland!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Fabulous cards you created, Barb! I like the first one the best - especially those covered up smudges... cool cover-up!

sara said...

Beautiful cards my fav is the last one, great masking.

stamplover2011 said...

Awesome job, Barb! I didn't get time to play today. Will have to try tomorrow. Crazy time in my life right now. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

Virginia L. said...

Wow wow wow! These CAS cards are stunning! Masking with/without glitter is an awesome techniques to the card-making repertoire! Thanks fro sharing your work, Barb! Truly a labor of LOVE!

Tracey McNeely said...

Barb all of your cards are amazing and I am really impressed you did all three. I only managed one. LOL

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Barb
Í think you may have found a genre that you are going to excel in because these cards are just gorgeous.
CAS at it's best.
Smiles:)
Sue

Karin Åkesdotter said...

WOW!!! These are all FABULOUS!!! One layer is sooo difficult - double impressed!!!
So excited to see what you'll be making for next lesson.
Hugs, Karin

Barb Ghig said...

Your cards are absolutely GORGEOUS, Barb!!! I can't tell you how much you inspire me...I don't mean to sound 'corny', but I really love visiting your blog, and viewing (ahem...stalking) your gallery on Flicker :-)
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful creations and 'thoughts' with us!

maria f. said...

Looks like it was a good day :) I really like #3. The fun of glitter and the beauty of masking. And the balance between image and sentiment. So fun.

walchowDesign said...

Sounds like are you having fun making all these cards, Barb! All the cars are beautifully executed and I love the last card. Looking forward to see more of what you are doing in the class!

Robin K. said...

Slowing down and enjoying the process is definitely great advice:). I love the results of your frustrations Barb!! That glittery one is my fave!!!

Vicky said...

Wow Barb!!! You were busy!!! Love all the clean and simple cards you created! One layer cards are so difficult for me... i just can't stay away from layering! You rocked it!!!

Isha Gupta said...

All your cards are just superb Barb!!! Hope I get time to play soon.

LauraJane:) said...

your second card is SPECTACULAR!! love how dimesional the hearts are!

Helen F. said...

Three beautiful CAS cards, Barb...I love the glittery flowers and have never tried that with masking ~ TFS your fun ideas (and conversations with yourself :)
PS: thought I was the only one who did that ;)

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Love your fun masked flowers and clouds cards, Barb! That glittery one looks great!

alexandra s.m. said...

These are absolutely fantastic Barb!
You make me want to try this technique!
Thank You~

Tina said...

Oh, my! This is a bunch of three gorgeous cards! You are rocking this class, my dear!

Kelly Booth said...

I would Say...you do one layer just perfect in every way!!!!! LOVE these!! xoxoxo

Maureen Morton said...

Oh, my! Loving this technique in your wonderful hands. Smudges just happen - and you were able to salvage so expertly. These are so amazing - A+.

Brenda said...

Wow Barb, you were really on a roll there! Three cards! Love that last one with the masking and glitter, it is so beautiful!

Cat Craig said...

Fantastic cards. Loved your post!

sheila said...

great cards again Barb. I love the enamel dots...the white on white is really pretty gorgeous. And the glitter idea is spectacular.

Trinh said...

Great way to spend your day! These are beautiful. Lovin' the one with the clouds!

donna mikasa said...

Oh, they are all so gorgeous, no matter how many attempts it took! I love the color combo and the CAS design! Well done, Barb!