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masking

July 8, 2026 - by Gaylynn

Summer Beach Card Making with Whit-Kit

Hello friends.  Welcome to the Unity blog.  I’m Gaylynn.  Enjoy Summer beach card making with a seaside goose. To build the scene, I added beach stenciling, sweet duck stamping, masking, fussy cutting and alcohol ink coloring. It is close to a one layer card with the exception of the sentiment tag.

.

For this, ink blending was easy with the beach stencil. The featured Unity Stamp Company stamp and sentiment are from the July 2026 Whit-Kit card kit membership called Cool Goose Summer. To make the scene pop, I used die-cuts from Deckle and Stitches nesting dies.

To begin, here is a look at the finished card.
Sentiment:  Soak up the sunshine!

Additionally, this is a look at the Whit-Kit Membership for July 2026.  There is also a
one-time full kit and the stamps only.

Helpful Tips:

1.       Prepare a vertical scored white card base 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.
2.       Die-cut a rectangle on white cardstock using the next-to-largest Deckle & Stitches nesting die.
3.       Stamp the goose twice: once on the bottom right of the deckle rectangle piece and again on masking or scrap paper.
4.       Fussy cut (cut out) the extra duck.
5.       Color the duck using markers of choice.  I used shades of tan, yellow, light orange, red and light gray.
6.       Mask the duck.  Place repositionable adhesive behind the cut duck piece or use masking sheets.
7.       Temporarily adhere the cut duck piece over the colorful duck on the rectangle panel.
8.       Using By the Shore stencil, ink blend the beachy scene with light tan and three shades of teal dye ink.
9.       Remove the duck masking.
10.    Stamp then trim the sentiment onto white cardstock.
11.    Adhere the card front and sentiment tag over the card base using double-sided foam tape or glue.

 

Next, here is the first part of the process:


Finally, this shows the last part of the process.

 

Also, take another look at the finished project.

 

In summary, this was relatively simple to make.  Just pick your stamp and a complementary background and put them inside the same scene together.

 

 

Lastly, be sure to visit my other features here on the Unity Stamp Co. blog:
Technique Time and Watercolor Wednesday.

 

In closing, I hope you try this project and share your makes in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group.  Feel free to tag me so that I can see what you make.

Thanks so much for visiting.

Best,
Gaylynn

Filed Under: Card Making Techniques, Membership Kits, Stamping Fun Tagged With: Copic Coloring, Gaylynn Martling, masking, membership, Stenciling, summer, Technique Time, Whit-Kit Card Kit

January 23, 2026 - by Julissa Sargo

Just a Little Dramatic


Some days just call for a grumpy little critter and a single rain cloud overhead—and this card captures that mood perfectly. Today I’m sharing how I created this design using the new “Not Dramatic Pissy Kitty” stamp and a simple but powerful masking trick with post-it tape to give the illusion that only one rain cloud exists in the entire sky.

This card is all about controlled ink blending, intentional masking, and letting the focal image do the storytelling.


The Design Inspiration

The sentiment “Today feels like a prank.” sets the tone immediately—relatable, a little sarcastic, and perfect for those off days. I wanted the rain to feel focused and dramatic, like the universe chose this one character for the storm while everything else stayed calm and clear.

To achieve that effect, I isolated the coloring area vertically so the rain and sky would only appear beneath the cloud, creating a clean, modern illusion without needing multiple layers or complicated die cuts.


How I Created the Card

1. Masking for the Rain Effect

I placed post-it tape on both sides of my cardstock panel, leaving a narrow vertical opening where the rain would appear. This simple step is key—it keeps the background crisp while drawing the eye straight to the focal image.

2. Creating the Sky

Using Distress Inks, I blended a soft blue sky directly into the exposed area. Keeping the color slightly darker near the top helps ground the cloud and gives the rain a more natural look.

3. Stamping & Coloring

The grumpy character was stamped within the masked area and colored to match the moody tone of the card. Because the masking was already in place, everything stayed perfectly contained, reinforcing the “single rain cloud” illusion.

4. Finishing Touches

Once the tape was removed, the white space around the rain made the design feel intentional and clean. The sentiment was added across the rain panel for contrast and a little extra attitude.


Products Used

  • Stamp Set: Not Dramatic Pissy Kitty

  • Ink:

    • Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky & Faded Jeans

    • Black stamping ink

  • Coloring Medium: Copics – C6, C4, C2, YG91

  • Masking: Masking Paper

  • Cardstock:

    • White heavyweight cardstock

    • Blue cardstock for matting

  • Dies: Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies

  • Adhesive: Liquid Glue


This card proves you don’t need complicated supplies to make a strong visual statement. A little masking, some ink blending, and a perfectly snarky sentiment go a long way.

If you’ve ever felt like the rain cloud was following only you—this card gets it. ????

Happy crafting!

Filed Under: Stamping Fun Tagged With: Cloud, Copic Coloring, distress ink, masking, Not Dramatic, Pissy Kitty, Rain, Rain Cloud

November 22, 2024 - by Julissa Sargo

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:

  •  Purr-ty Cats Stamp Set

  •  Scallop & Stitched Rectangle Dies

  •  Scallop & Stitched Circle Dies

  •  Scallop & Stitched Arches Dies

  •  Easy Peel Masking Paper

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

Until next time… Happy Crafting

Filed Under: Stamping Fun Tagged With: Arches, Cats, Circle die, clean and simple, distress ink, focal point, Ink Blending, masking, Nesting Dies, Purr-ty Cats

November 8, 2024 - by Julissa Sargo

Easy Masking Using Stamps

Happy Friday! This is Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules on the blog today. This week we’re kicking off the biggest sale season for Unity Stamp Company starting with Brown Thursday. Today, I’m highlighting the new Guided by Grace stamp set. This beautifully detailed stamp is not just for Christmas. We can all used some graceful guidance right now. I also want to share an easy masking technique.

After coloring this image, I used the 3-in-1 Stencil to create rays behind the angel using Squeezed Lemonade and Mustard Seed Distress Ink.

Once done with coloring, I place the stamp over the image and spray the Distress Mica Stain in Harvest Moon over the image. Make sure to clean the stamp before putting it away.

The mica spray gives a golden metallic shine in spots with a distressed look, but not covering up the image.

Let’s do another one!

Once you’ve stamped the image and colored it, make sure to clean the stamp and dry it before laying it over the image to splatter ink over the background.

Using the stamp, or even the backing of the stamp, will create a mask without any effort.

Unity products used:

  • Guided by Grace Stamp Set
  • Scallop & Stitched Rectangle Nesting Die
  • Big Scallop & Stitched Rectangle Nesting Dies
  • Scallop & Stitched Sentiment Die
  • 3-in-1 Stencil

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you found some inspiration.  Until next time…

Happy Crafting!

 

Filed Under: Stamping Fun Tagged With: 3-in-1 Stencil, Angel, Big Scallop & Stitched Rectangles, Christmas, detailed stamps, distress ink, Guided by Grace, holiday, masking, Mica Spray, religious, Scallop and Stitched Rectangle Dies, Stenciling

August 2, 2024 - by Julissa Sargo

Pines of Endearment

Happy Friday, Unies! It’s Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules on the blog. It’s still summer, but we’re all trying to get ahead of these holiday cards.  The new Pines of Endearment stamp set (comes in clear and red rubber) is wonderful for all year round cards.  What is great are that the sentiments are perfect for those group cards.  Today’s blog has two cards using the same stamp set and the Fun Fold Die set in different ways.

Step 1.  I die cut both images using the Fun Fold Die using them in different ways.

Step 2.  I used masking tape and ripped it to create a stencil to create snow mounds on both cards.  I used Weathered Wood to create the sky and used BG96 to color the pines.  Then I splattered white Distress Paint over both panels.

Card #1 – For the rest of this card, I used the larger die to die cut a wooden patterned paper and layered that onto the card base. I used thin foam strips under the smaller panel to raise it for added dimension.  I added some ephemera for added details.

Card #2 – Since this die is 4″ x 5.25″ there wasn’t much room, but I did make a thin layer of the same wood patterned paper to mat it onto the card base.

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

Until next time… Happy Crafting!

 

Filed Under: Stamping Fun Tagged With: Christmas Card, Copic Coloring, distress ink, fun fold, Holiday Card, masking, Pines of Endearment, Simple, winter card

July 24, 2024 - by Gaylynn

Stamp In Color ~ Take care floral butterfly card

Hey there, it’s Gaylynn.  Thanks for stopping by.  Today I am sharing a way to stamp in color and use colored pencils on kraft cardstock for the Unity blog.  This provides a subtle look by combining the two techniques.

Stamping different ink colors with a touch of colored pencils works beautifully on kraft

Sentiment:  Take care.

Helpful tips:
In summary, stamp in color using different ink colors for stamping onto kraft cardstock.  Then, since this is one big stamp, tear paper into pieces to use as masking for the ink color sections or use mint tape to separate the inking.  Next, stamp one masked section at a time.  I used the Misti to reink in some areas.  Also, be sure to remove the masking or tape before stamping.  Repeat for all of the colors.  Then, heat set the stamping and trim or die-cut the stamped panel.  Next, trim or die-cut the stamped panel smaller than your card base.  Finally, adhere it to the card base using flat double-sided tape or glue plus add a die-cut sentiment and adhesive pearls.

Here is a closer look:

Also, here is the process.

Finally, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Card Maker Success Summit event.  It is holiday-themed and packed with lessons for early holiday card making.
It is online August 8-11, 2024 and registration is open now.

I invite you to register for your FREE TICKET.

Additionally, I will present a class using Unity Stamp Company stamps at the summit.  I teach how to use one background styled in two ways.  My presentation is on day one, August 8, 2024.  And, I will be live in the question and answer session on the same day at 11:30am.  Here is a peek at my projects.  I hope that you join me for some crafty fun over there.  Click CMSS to learn more about it.

If you would like to receive my crafty news by email, click HERE to subscribe to my updates.

Be sure to visit my other features here on the Unity Stamp Co. blog:
Technique Time and
Watercolor Wednesday.

I hope you try this project and share your makes in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook Group.  Feel free to tag me so that I can see what you make and then leave some love.

Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn


Filed Under: Stamping Fun Tagged With: colored pencils, coloring on kraft, Gaylynn Martling, Ink Blending, kraft cards, masking, stamp in color, stamp on kraft, Technique Time

March 30, 2024 - by Julissa Sargo

What’s Up, Chick?

Hey chicks! Have you seen the latest Chick Tribe stamp? Well, it’s the best selling new stamp for March and you’ll want to be part of this club.  Today I’m sharing how I used one of the four chickens in this stamp to create this fun image using a masking technique.

Most masking is done after you stamp, but you can mask your stamp and ink only one part of the stamp. That’s what I did here. Once you mask off the parts you’re not interested in using, ink the stamp up.  Remove the masks before stamping and using a clean shamy, wipe away any edges you might not want to see when you stamp… and then stamp your image! Tada!!!

The next technique is to do this a couple more times to create layers. You’ll be fussy cutting some of the layers and then adhering them over the main image using foam tape.  Watch the video below for all the details:

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO TUTORIAL

 

Unity Products Used:

  • Chick Tribe Stamp Set
  • Chicken Wire Background Stamp
  • Scallop & Stitched Rectangle Nesting Dies

Inks:

  • Wild Honey Archival Ink
  • Wild Honey Distress Ink
  • Copics: YR24, Y26, yR21, R27, R08, YR18, E37, E99, E34, BG07 & BG15

Adhesive: – Bearly Arts Glue: https://shrsl.com/4gjc3 – Scrapbook Adhesive Thin Foam Squares: https://shrsl.com/4gjc5

Thank you so much for watching and I hope you’ve been inspired. Until next time…

Happy Crafting!

Filed Under: Stamping Fun Tagged With: Chick Tribe, Chicken Wire, Chicken Wire Background, Copic Coloring, Dimension, distress ink, foam squares, layering, masking

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