Once again my determination to reorganise my craft studio has revealed an unused tool. Yesterday it was the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks that I found caught up in a stack of paperwork. These masks aren’t new but they are in the current Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue. They definitely hadn’t seen ink so when I finally stopped to play they were the first things I reached for. I loved how easy they were to use and couldn’t wait to turn the first one into a quick thank you card.

INK PAD AND A BRUSH

I began with a 6″ x 6″ piece of Basic White Card and taped it to the back of the decorative mask. Then using a Blending Brush I went over the mask with Smoky Slate ink. I deliberately added more ink in some places than others, so the finished design would have more interest.

With the card piece done I realised I’d need to decorate the envelope for my project. So I folded some scrap paper around a Basic White Medium Envelope leaving just the flap visible. Then using the same process I stencilled Smoky Slate ink onto the flap.

Creating the background was a really quick and easy process and took no more than five minutes. Once I was finished I rinsed the mask with water and set it aside to dry.

Next, using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored some Basic Gray Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create a card base.

Going back to my stencilled card I cut a piece 4″ x 5-1/4″ plus a 1″ x 5-1/4″ strip.

Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the larger piece onto a 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ layer of Magenta Madness Card. Then I glued that to the front of the card base,

After cutting a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card I glued the 1″ x 5-1/4″ strip down the right-hand side. Then I added a 1/8″ x 5-1/4″ strip of Magenta Madness Card up against the stencilled piece. Finally I glued the assembled layer inside the card base.

THANK YOU

Now I was ready to work on the focal point for my card and I began with the Ornate Thanks Stamp Set.

Using Basic Gray ink I stamped the large “Thank you” sentiment onto a 1/1/8″ x 4″ strip of Basic White Card. Then I glued that to a 1-1/4″ x 4″ strip of Magenta Madness Card and set it aside.

While I loved the stencilled background I decided that I needed an extra layer between that and the sentiment so I went looking for some options. In the end I chose the largest die from the Tasteful Labels Dies and used it to cut some Magenta Madness Card. The die also added a delicate embossed border just inside the edge which was a nice touch.

Using liquid glue again I attached the die-cut piece to the card front. Then I fixed the layered thank you sentiment across the middle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

To finish I added a single diamond shaped embellishment from the Silver & Clear Epoxy Essentials Pack. With that my first project using the Basic Patterns Decorative Masks was complete.

DECORATIVE MASKS

There are four different patterns in the pack and I tested each one out using an ink pad and a Blending Brush. This was such an easy process and I used a 6″ x 6″ piece of Basic White Card for each test. This way when I come to make a project using one of the stencilled pieces I’d have enough to decorate the inside of a card as well as the front.

I also used each one of the masks to decorate the flap on some Basic White Medium Envelopes. I’ll store these with the stencilled card pieces for later so I know the envelopes will match.

Have you used stencils on your paper projects? Leave a comment below with your favourite technique, I definitely want to explore other options for this under-used tool.

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