April Challenge

Hi Folks!  I hope you are all well and ready for the next Claritystamp Challenge!

This month's theme is 

MASKING!

My Design Sample for this challenge

Now this piece started out a little bit different from the finished result as you will see from the pictures that follow.  

As I mentioned, the theme is MASKING and I certainly did a bit of that!  I made use of a Clarity Square Stencil for centering my image and I used the innie part of it to cover the central area.  I used the Mask of the Large Postage Stamp underneath to keep this area clear as I had an idea rolling about in my head!

I coloured the outer background of my piece using Adirondack Ink: Caramel and  Cranberry. Applying the inks to the card with a couple of Smoothies, dabbing and rolling, overlapping and using the ink till it was no more!!.  I then spritzed  water onto my fingers and let it drip onto my work, left it for a few seconds and dabbed it dry with a clean kitchen roll.

I then replaced the Square Stencil and using the Caramel Ink I shaded in between the stencil and Stamp Mask.  After removing the Stamp Mask I stamped the owl (Black Archival) into the center and MASKED him (I love that Barbara had Masks made for her stamps) so that I could create a background for my owl. (more caramel and Torn Copy Paper for hills along with Low Tack Masking Tape to protect the outer background)

My owl was coloured using a selection of reds and orangey brown Spectrum Noir Pencils and I finished him off with a Henna ProMarker over his head, wings and body.  A quick polish with kitchen roll and he comes up a treat!  Just  pity the light was too bad to show the shine.

Now at this point I had definitely decided that I had taken a wrong turn with the colour choice for the center frame.  I originally wanted the card to look as though I had framed a stamp of an owl and then mount the piece on a canvas.  But it just wasn't working out for me!  But ever the resourceful crafter, I changed the central frame with the help of a black fineliner, ruler and a Black Sharpie!  

Then of course the central background was too pale for me so I had to play around with that. Low Tack Masking Tape around the center frame, a few Leaves and some foliage, more green (Pesto Adirondack) to the hills and of course blue to the sky. (Stonewashed Adirondack)  I used a damp paint brush to pick up some green ink from ink pad to colour the foliage.  Out came the black Sharpie and Ruler to add a Line around the whole piece.  Then using Strong Double Sided Tape I attached it to an 8 x 8 Card Blank.

Much happier with this!

So now it is up to you to get your thinking caps on and your MASKING Techniques on the go.

As usual you will find the RULES of the Challenge on the Claritystamp Challenge Website (they are very simple).  I look forward to seeing all your lovely creations and wish all who take part the very best of luck.

Happy Crafting!

Hugs

Emma x

All Stamps, Stencils and Masks used to make this card can be sourced from Claritystamp Ltd

To enter the Clarity Challenge, to see the Rules and of course to see the wonderful samples from the rest of the ladies on the design team click here: CHALLENGE 38 Masking