Unity Blog

account

focal point

- by

Masking Purr-ty Cats

Happy Friday Crafty Friends! This is Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules on the blog ready to kick off a purr-fect weekend with the new Purr-ty Cats stamp set. These super easy cards are made using the {Easy Peel} Masking Paper and your favorite Unity Nesting Dies!

I started with two white pieces of card stock die cut using the Stitched Rectangles.  I also die cut a sheet of masking paper using the same die and then use the Stitched Circle to die cut a focal point. Placing the mask piece on the rectangular piece, use your favorite color to ink blend around the mask. I used Distress Ink with a light touch.

These two cards are using the same technique, but with the Stitched Arch Nesting Dies. As you can see, you can use both interior and exterior of the masks. Leave the mask on an add ink splatters or even stenciling.  Once you remove the mask, stamp the Purr-ty Cat and sentiment.

For this last one, I just inked the edges and used a torn mask to add a light layer, but it doesn’t show well. That’s alright… just wanted to try something else. These cats are too cool and make even a blending blunder look good!

Unity supplies used:

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you found some inspiration.

Until next time… Happy Crafting

Love this look? Browse all of Unity’s cat stamps for more inspiration.

- by

Blessed Adventures

Happy Friday!  This is Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules back on the blog this week after a week away mountain biking.  I spent a week in Vermont with my husband and we rode almost 100 miles in 5 days.  The best part was getting to high points and being able to see so much.  It was inspiring.  So for today’s blog (and my hubby’s birthday), I’ve created some nature based cards featuring the Blessed Adventures stamp set with sentiments from the Art & Possibilities stamp set.

This series of cards are super simple to make, yet still have a very bold look.  The key in these cards is to create a focal point using distress inks.  All three cards are using two Distress Ink colors:  Iced Spruce and Gathered Twigs.  This first card is the easiest.  Center a square stencil in the upper section of the card front and blend the two colors.  Using Versafine Clair in Pinecone, stamp the tree line image in the center.  Using the same Versafine Clair ink, stamp the sentiment.  Super simple to make, but the image really stands out.

For this next card, I stamped the buck from the Blessed Adventures using a Copic friendly ink first.  I colored it with Copic markers and then created a mask before using an oval stencil to create the focal point.  Then I restamped the buck using Versafine Clair and also stamped the simple sentiment.  This buck is perfect for a masculine card.

Even though I layered this image card front on a few layers of paper, this is still a slim/flat card that would be easy to mail.

For this card, I wanted to take the bend in the image of the fox to be mirrored in the shape behind it.  The oval would have worked, but I liked the heart a little more.  And you can make these kind of stencils using any of your shape dies.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope you found some inspiration.  I hope you’re not only inspired to create, but to explore.  There is so much inspiration in nature, whether it be colors, scenery or animals… you are surrounded in beauty.

Until next time… Happy Crafting!

(And happy birthday Joe!)

- by

Looking Back – Masking to Focus

Happy Friday!  This is Jules of Paper Gems by Jules here on the blog just sharing a little more about my creative journey.  I’ve been struggling to create lately and spent a weekend away crafting and I didn’t produce much, but I did get to rest… my soul needed to rest.  This weekend, I wanted to share something a little different for me… a one layer card (kind of).

This card features the Aleah Girl stamp set in a bold way.  By masking a specific spot, she comes to life.  Here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial on how to use masking to create a bold scene.

Step 1.  Stamp the image in the area that you’d like to highlight.  I opted to utilize the cornered sentiment and create a rectangular mask.

Step 2.  Create a mask for Aleah Girl and cover her up.  Next, create a shape mask.  I used a stencil that allows me to highlight a rectangular section.  Using micropore tape, I adhered the stencil to the card so that I had less chances of messing it up… because it happens to the best of us.

Step 3.  Using Frayed Burlap and Weathered Wood, I inked up the background.  I selected colors that complimented the colors of her outfit and applied them to opposite areas.  Her jeans were blue, so I highlighted the top using the blue Weathered Wood ink.  Her sweater was a grey/brown, so I used the Frayed Burlap on the bottom.

Step 4.  Before removing the stencil or masks, layer the highlighted section with a stencil.  I used a darker brown ink over the lower edge and right hand edge.  You can also use a mixed media gel or do some heat embossing over the edges too.

Last step:  Remove the stencil and masks and wow!  Aleah Girl stands boldly on this card and highlights the beautiful sentiment.  I layered it on navy card stock before adhering it on a wooden plank card base.

By creating this blocked off section, you reduce bulk and still create dimension.  And it’s super easy to do!  You can create your own masking stencils using shape dies as well.  This is a great way to create a focus point on your next card.

I happened to find some navy sequins and added them for a little bling to finish off this card. Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope you found some inspiration.  We all have days that we struggle to create and that’s okay.  Just give your creativity some space and it will soon bloom again.

Until next time… Happy Crafting!

Jules