by Jowilna Nolte

Masking is one of those age-old techniques that we often neglect, but when it comes to creating quick and easy Christmas cards I love using this technique for great impact. The layers of Christmas trees have a great look and adding masking gives them fabulou depth and dimension. Combine this simple technique with an elegantly colored ink palette and you have a winner.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 1 hour

Directions

Step 1

Stamp several small and large trees onto a card panel using Morning Mist VersaFine Clair ink. Stamp one each of the same trees onto scrap paper or cardstock. The thinner the better. And if you have sticky notes around that is first prize.

Step 2

Cut out the trees that you are going to use for your masking – the thin paper ones. Notice how I cut only the triangle piece of the tree.

Step 3

Place the masked trees onto the stamped panel layering them onto the matching trees using some temporary adhesive.

Step 4

Now stamp more trees and make sure that the stamped images already on the base are covered with the masks.

Step 5

Remove the masks to reveal your layered trees that now sit behind the trees that you first stamped.

Step 6

Use the Shady Lane VersaFine Clair ink and ink only half of the large tree.

Step 7

Use washi tape to mask off one half of the tree and then ink the stamp, but remember to remove the tape before stamping or otherwise the inked tape will also stamp onto your panel. Stamp the image on top of one of the large trees for added interest. Stamp an additional small tree with VersaFine Clair in Shady Lane onto white, cut out and use foam tape to layer onto a smaller stamped tree. Add other embellishments and paint splats to finish off your card.

Supplies

Imagine

• VersaFine Clair – Morning Mist, Shady Lane
• Craft Mat
• On Point Glue

Other

• White cardstock
• Kaisercraft – Christmas tree stamps
• Embellishments
• Card base
• Pattern Paper
• Watercolor paint