Technique Spotlight: Masked Blended Background

Sometimes a simple technique comes along that can provide a WOW for an otherwise simple card. Backgrounds are fun to play with because typically it's just an embossing folder or stamps and ink or Designer Series Paper or like this one: just ink applied with a Blending Brush to a reverse mask.

I hear your brain..."What's a reverse mask?"

For this one, I took printer paper (because it's thinner than cardstock) that measures 4" x 5 1/4", and cut a hole in the center using the largest label from the Seasonal Labels Dies.

Then, I lightly adhered that printer piece to a piece of Basic White cardstock.

I then masked off half of that opening, using a large sticky note.

And used Blending Brushes to add color.First I used Smoky slake for the entire open section. Then I blended Basic Gray ink over the top half of the section, followed by Night of Navy at the very top.

When the top half looked like I envisioned it to look, it was time to flip the sticky note, so I was covering the top half instead of the bottom. I added Smoky Slate ink with a Blending Brush again, followed by Balmy Blue and Pool Party ink, as I worked my way to the bottom of the reverse masked opening.

I removed the mask, and voila! Gorgeous!

I then added this layer to the Smoky Slate card base cut 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", and then some yellow rain boots from the Flowering Rain Boots stamp set. It's looking pretty sweet.

I finished it off with a hand-cut sentiment banner made from a piece of 2 1/2" x 5/8" Basic White cardstock, then finished it all off with one of my favorite packages of accessories: Classic Matte Dots. The gray ones are perfect for this card!

You can watch every detail in my video tutorial:

And for a list of supplies I used on this card, see below. Each item also has a link to my online store. Pay special attention to the items on the Last Chance list. Just a few days remain to take advantage of all the great deals...available just until Thursday!

Stamping blessings!

Amy