At Taylored Expressions, we love learning new and unexpected ways to use our products. Today we are thrilled to share a step-by-step tutorial from Blog Team designer Sharon Harnist, who shares how to use coordinating dies to create masks that will take your stamping to a whole new level!


 
A Note from Sharon
Today I'm excited to share how to use the coordinating dies for stamp sets to create the perfect mask! As you read this tutorial, my family and I will be settling into a new home we recently purchased, so I decided to create a piece of artwork to commemorate the occasion using the Happy New Home stamp set, which includes coordinating dies! I wanted to use the three small house images to build and create a larger house:   



 
Now let's get started!



Step 1: Die-cut masking paper with the dies. (Tip: Apply the sticky-backed masking paper to a piece of scrap cardstock, to make die-cutting easier.)
 
  
  Step 2: Stamp the first tallest house in the middle of a 4" x 4" piece of Sugar Cube cardstock. The coordinating dies leave a nice white area/border around the stamped image when you die-cut it. (Here, Sharon die-cut green cardstock and placed it over the stamped image so you can see the white border.)


Step 3: For simple, stamped images, the border is terrific. However, in today's project, we are trying to create a seamless, larger image from three smaller images. In order to create a seamless image, place the mask slightly to the side, in the opposite direction from where the second image will go.
In this example, place the mask to the right of the stamped image, so the left line of the first stamped house shows slightly.


Step 4: Stamp the second house, omitting the door, chimney, and right-hand bushes. (When the house is stamped on the left side of the first house, it will meet up to the center house.)


Step 5: Re-position the mask to the left of the center house, so the right side of the center house is now slightly showing. Stamp the third house (omitting the door).


Step 6: Remove the mask and now you have a larger house!


Step 7: Another way to use your die-cut masks is for airbrushing or sponging sky and grass. To do this, apply all three house masks over their coordinating stamped images, shifting the masks downward and inward, so only the top stamped lines barely show.


Step 8: Sharon also die-cut several clouds from masking paper and applied those in the sky area, then airbrushed with Copic color BG000.


Step 9: To airbrush or sponge grass, shift the masks upward. Sharon used an airbrush and Copic color YG03.


Step 10: After coloring the houses with Copic markers, Sharon used a Misti tool to stamp the sentiment in three different colors of Memento Dew Drop inks. (You can find the Misti HERE.)

Step 11: Stamp the top portion of the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black.


Step 12: Ink the heart with Memento Rose Bud and stamp.


Step 13: Ink the bottom "new home" portion of the sentiment with Memento Teal Zeal and stamp.

 
Final Step: The stamped piece was placed in a white frame with a 4-inch opening Sharon had on hand. Sharon told us she'll be swapping it for a cute grey decorative frame from We R that can be found HERE as soon as it arrives at her new home!

We hope you are inspired to try using your coordinating dies to create masks! When you have made your project, visit our Facebook Page and share with us!
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