In this guide I’m going to share with you a technique that has been around for a long time and is such a great way to create beautiful detailed one-layer cards. The fantastic thing about this technique is that you don’t have to buy any new products, you can use the stamps you already have and, with something as simple as copy paper and a temporary adhesive, you can create masks to help build a beautiful project.

There are lots of items you can use to mask and create an interesting background, from Washi tape and Post-it notes to drawing gums that allow you to paint an area to be masked off.

The cards you make with this technique can be as simple or as detailed as you wish. The main rule is to start with the image that you want to be in the foreground and work backwards from there, masking and stamping as you go.

Masking with Distress Ink is a great way to create vibrant one-layered cards and the ink can be used to make many interesting effects – try adding water to inked images for fun backgrounds or use Distress Ink blended with water to add an interesting splatter to your scenes.

Get out your stamps and some copy paper and have fun exploring new ways to make a beautiful cards without the bulk.

1

Cut a piece of white stamping card slightly smaller than the card blank. Cut a wave mask from copy paper, then place the bottom of the mask over the bottom of the panel and stamp the large boat.

2

Create a boat mask from a Post-it note and cover the boat, then blend Blue Print Sketch ink off the edge of the wave mask. Move the mask up the panel and stamp the smaller boat, then cover with a Post-it note mask and lightly blend Blue Print Sketch ink off the edge of the mask. Stamp the stars as shown.

3

Use a paintbrush to cover the stars with Pebeo Drawing Gum, then clean the brush using soapy water.

4

Switch to the top wave mask and blend Chipped Sapphire ink at the bottom, under the boat areas of the panel.

5

Move up the mask to where the top wave is and blend Seedless Preserves ink over the sky area, then blend Chipped Sapphire over the top. Remove the masks and gently rub away the drawing gum from the stars.

Waving hello- nautical swirly sea card
Simple one-layer stamped card with nautical theme and fun sentiment
Stamping1 min read29 Aug 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White 6”-square card blank
  • Black cardstock
  • White stamping card
  • Copy paper
  • Clearly Whimsy Stamps Splash stamp set
  • Chipped Sapphire, Blue Print Sketch, Mermaid Lagoon, Candied Apple & Ground Espresso Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
  • Watering Can & Cobalt Ranger Archival Ink
  • Post-it notes
  • Ink-blending tool
  • Water spritzer
  • Waterbrush
I Sea It’s Your Birthday, Fun Underwater Seahorse Card
Create this card using Lawn Fawn Seahorsin’ Around stamp set, Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Extreme Black inkpad & Water spritzer
Stamping1 min read29 Aug 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White A6 card blank
  • Black cardstock
  • White stamping card
  • Copy paper
  • Lawn Fawn Seahorsin’ Around stamp set
  • Mermaid Lagoon, Wilted Violet, Peacock Feathers, Blue Print Sketch, Wild Honey & Vintage Photo Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
  • Extreme Black My Favorite Things inkpad
  • Post-it notes
  • ZIG 2 Way glue pen
  • Ink-blending tool
  • Water spritzer
Smooth sailing- cute cartoon sailing bunny
Simple stamped nautical one-layer card with cute bunny rabbit character in sailing boat
Cute1 min read29 Aug 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White 5”-square card blank
  • Black cardstock
  • White stamping card
  • Copy paper
  • Lawn Fawn Smooth Sailing stamp set
  • Black Soot, Blue Print Sketch, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet, Mermaid Lagoon, Evergreen Bough,
  • Shaded Lilac, Candied Apple & Vintage Photo Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
  • Extreme Black My Favorite Things inkpad
  • White gel pen
  • Post-it Notes
  • Paintbrush
  • Water spritzer
  • Ink-blending tool
All a-boat you- cute cartoon nautical card
Simple one-layer nautical birthday card using stamping and image masks
Stamping1 min read29 Aug 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White A6 card blank
  • Black cardstock
  • White stamping card
  • Copy paper
  • Lawn Fawn Smooth Sailing stamp set
  • Chipped Sapphire, Blue Print Sketch, Mermaid Lagoon, Seedless Preserve, Peeled Paint, Festive
  • Berried, Ripe Persimmon & Mustard Seed Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
  • Extreme Black My Favorite Things ink
  • Pebeo Drawing Gum
  • Post-it notes
  • Paintbrush
  • Ink-blending tool
You are jawsome- adorable stamped shark and fishies card
Stamped kids under-the-sea card using an ink masking technique
Stamping1 min read29 Aug 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White 5”-square card blank
  • Black cardstock
  • White stamping card
  • Copy paper
  • Lawn Fawn Duh-Nu stamp set
  • Mermaid Lagoon, Stormy Sky, Hickory Smoke & Carved Pumpkin Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
  • Extreme Black My Favorite Things ink
  • Post-it Notes
  • Paintbrush
  • Ink-blending tool
  • Water spritzer
  • Stamp-positioning tool
6

Remove the masks and gently rub away the drawing gum from the stars