April Challenge at Inspiration Journal

Hello everyone! I have another challenge project to share with you. The new challenge at the Inspiration Journal is to create a project using stencils or masks. I created a steampunk birthday card and incorporated all sorts of fun techniques in addition to masking into it. Let the fun begin!

 

First I used the faux batik technique to create the balloon and blue base layer (see the link for a Tim tutorial on how to do it). After stamping and embossing the balloons, I blended different shades of blue Distress ink onto the background and also stamped some mechanical diagrams over the embossed images. I flicked some water droplets onto the background which reacts with the Distress ink and makes a cool spotty pattern. 

Next I made my custom mask to create the ray bursts. Tim Holtz has these really handy sheets of masking material that you can use to make custom masks. First I sketched the lines I wanted on a piece of scratch paper, then just laid the mask sheet over the sketch and drew in my "cut lines" with a Sharpie and ruler. Then, taking a nice sharp Xacto knife, I cut out my mask. You can use these sheets in a die cutting machine to make masks too. Anyway, here is what it looked like:

I placed the mask on the background and blended Stormy Sky over the non-masked areas to make the ray pattern darker. For a final layer and a little bling I spritzed it with Perfect Pearls Mist - Blue Smoke before I removed the mask. Cool! (should have taken a photo of it before assembling the card, oops) I hope that now you are inspired to experiment with masks and stencils. Link up your project to the April challenge post by the end of the month and you'll be eligible to win a $50 Inspiration Emporium shopping spree!

Most of the supplies I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium. Use my code JUICE at checkout and save 10% off your order. Have fun creating!