Masking Tutorial with Stamps and Die-cuts

Today’s tutorial is using Masks to add interest and visual depth to your stamping projects. So, I’m going to take you through the step-by-step stages to creating the following stamped topper.

You will need:
Tonic Pick of the Bunch Chrysanthemum Clear Stamp
Tonic Simplicity Doily Square Die
Tonic Glass Cutting Mat
Tonic Kushgrip Art Knife
Ink Pads (Memento, Encore, Fluid Chalk)
Hero Arts Script Stamp
Cardstock
Masking Paper
Repositionable Spray Adhesive


First we need to create two masks, one for the Doily Square Die and the other for the Chrysanthemum Clear Stamp. To make to die mask, use an off-cut of strong card stock and a section of thin stamping cardstock. Layer the die up with the thin cardstock next to the die and the thicker cardstock behind it. This is because, ideally, you want to only cut out the die outline and not the lattice detail on your mask, but it this is not essential. Only use this double layer of card if your die-cutting machine will take this thicker sandwich without damaging it. Otherwise just cut out each single layer of card separately.

Once you have cut out the die, put aside the thin card die cut layer and reposition back into the die the thicker cardstock layer. Flip this over, and lay it down on your Tonic glass cutting mat. Using the Kushgrip Art Knife, cut out the centre section of the die cut. Trim close to the die edge with your craft knife, but it doesn’t need to be absolutely exact. You will now be left with a frame that matches your die cut. Spray the reverse of this with Repositionable Adhesive.

You can now place this mask over your stamping cardstock die-cut. Ink up the Chrysanthemum Clear Stamp with Momento Ink (I used Sweet Plum) secured to a clear acrylic stamping block. Stamp into the centre of the frame. As you can see, the stamp is slightly larger than the frame aperture, but your mask means that only the centre will be stamped. Remove the frame mask.

Re-ink your stamp and stamp out the image onto a piece of Masking Paper. (If you do not have Masking Paper, stamp onto an offcut of paper and once cut out, spray the reverse with repositionable adhesive). Cut out this image using your craft knife and glass mat. Take care not to cut into the stamped image and remember to cut-out any land-locked elements.

Carefully place the flower mask over the stamped image and use an ink pad to colour the die cut.

Finally, replace the die cut frame back over the coloured image, leaving the flower mask in place too. Ink up a random script stamp with a different coloured ink, and stamp over the entire die cut.

When you remove both masks, you will have your stamped flower in relief, a coloured frame and background script on the inside section of the die cut only.

To finish this project, I coloured the flower stem with a promarker pen, then used an embossing pen to fill the flower petals, then used clear embossing powder to heighten the relief effect of the flower.

Although there are several stages to this technique, if you follow them step-by-step, it is not too difficult. And you can use the masks you’ve made time and again. Just store them carefully for the next time you need them. Please let me know if you’ve had a try at this and how you got on. Pin It Now!