Dude! Masks!

Welcome to the next installment of Tuesday Techniques on Memories Always-Forever. My technique challenge to you this time around: Make a layout using masks.

Now, mind you, I'm not talking about party masks or facial masques. I'm referring to those items which, when placed on your layout, will mask off an area, leaving it untouched by whatever medium you layer over it.

October/November 2010 issue

Note, the theme of this layout was inspired by The Pink Ninjas prompt this week: "Dudes!".

There are several great masking products on the market these days including those by Tim Holtz and Heidi Swapp (of which I used for this layout). You can also create your own masks by temporarily adhering a die cut, sticker, or other object to your layout.

You can layer several medium over masks, too: Glimmer Mist, paint, adhesive and glitter or beads, ink, etc. You are only limited by your imagination.

Here you can see what the applied flames mask looks like before I've layered Glimmer Mist and glitter over it.

And the after:

I'm going to show you how I used the Heidi Swapp letters masks. First, the letter masks are applied to my layout in their desired position. The great thing about these types of masks is they hold onto your layout with a repositionable adhesive backing.

Once you've applied your medium (in this case, paint) you simply peel off the mask and return it to its backing sheet. There's no need to clean off the mask front for medium can be layered over and over again on it without interfering with the results. Should you get something on the adhesive backing you only need to wash quickly in mild soap and water and then dry the mask upside down.

Here's a little tip I learned the hard way: do not allow the masks to fall upon lightweight, fiberous paper (such as newspaper) for it will adhere itself to the adhesive and prove quite difficult to remove.

So, let's see what you've got! Don't hide your masks! Display them proudly over on Memories Always-Forever.

This installment of the challenge ends Monday, August 31.

Details: Autumn Leaves paper; Heidi Swapp masks; Glimmer Mist; Making Memories paint & letter stickers; Martha Stewart glitter; Stickles; Stampin' Up! circle punch.

Thanks for looking and for playing along with me!

Heidi