One Layer Cards with Masking

So it's the start of a new week!... I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. My post today consists of two single layer cards that I made up last night for the OLW#8 Challenge which required us to include "masking" within our backgrounds. My first card above is a sympathy card that I made with stamps from Repeat Impressions. In order to make the sunset in the background, I simply masked off the circle cut-out shape by using one of my Nestabilities. Then I applied two shades of ink by using a sponge dauber. I made sure to blend my colors into each other, in order to acheive the "sunset" look.

This next card, shown below, was made up with Argyle diamond image from Papertrey Ink and the sentiment is from Stapmin' Up. I incorporated the masking technique around the edges. As you can see in the pictures, I made a border using a blue marker and then I masked off the border before I stamped the diamonds, so that the ink would not cross over to the edges of the card.

The sketch design for this card is from this week's CPS Sketch #171.

I have to tell you that I have really been enjoying these "One-Layer Card Challenges" over on Susan's blog. I am so used to always reaching for a ton of embellishments and always adding on lots of dimension and layers to my cards, which I still love to do, of course. But it's also nice to participate in these unique challenges that make you "step-back" for a sec and realize that you can still create a wonderful card just by keeping things "simple". These cards don't usually take much time to make at all, which is certainly NOT something that I can say for the rest of my cards! haha... So if you haven't tried making one of these single-layer cards yet, I definitely think it's something you should try! I didn't think I would enjoy making them, at first... but surprisingly I do very much! =)

Oh, and one more thing, before I end this post... I just want to let you know that there is currently a new "Stamp of the Week" being offered over on the Repeat Impressions Blog. Make sure you check out their post for today for more details, along with some great new samples from my fellow design team members.

Ok, that's all for today! Thanks so much for stopping by and spending some of your day with me! =)

SUPPLIES:

Sympathy One-Layer Card

Paper: Neenah Paper (Solar White)
Stamps: "Divi-Divi Tree" & sentiment (Repeat Impressions)
Ink: "Summer Sun", "Pumpkin Pie"," Garden Green", & "Close to Cocoa" (Stampin' Up)
Other: circle Nestabilities, sponge dauber, ruler, and permanent marker

Argyle Congrats One-Layer Card

Paper: Neenah Paper (Solar White)
Stamps: "A Little Argyle"(Papertrey Ink) & sentiment from Stampin' Up
Ink: "Summer Sunrise" (Papertrey Ink) & "Pixie Pink", "Brilliant Blue" (Stampin' Up)
Other: ruler, blue marker, & post-it notes for masking