Die Masking with Art Squares

In conjunction with the Art 'n Soul newsletter article Technique of the Week, this is a tutorial on die masking with Art Squares.  Art Squares by Inchie Arts are precision cut from the highest artist grade mat board.  They come in 7 colors and sizes are 1", 1.5", 2", 3", 4", and ATC size.  This technique was invented by Lisa Lee of Inchie Arts.

I used a 4" black Art Square, which is a new addition to the Art Square line.  It's always been my opinion that there's nothing not to like about black Art Squares.  They make anything you are doing elegant and beautiful.  You can just mount your photos on them and they will frame them beautifully.

Here's the card I made using the die masking technique;

Lisa Lee really came up with a genius way to use dies with Art Squares.  The dies don't cut the Art Squares, but they do emboss them.  If you cover the Art Square with masking paper, the die will cut the masking paper and you can selectively peel off the masking paper and color the different parts with different colors.

Here are the steps:

1.  Take your Art Square and cover it with masking paper, cutting it flush on all sides.

Showing you the black Art Square under the masking paper.  Gaahh, isn't it pretty?

2. Choose a die to use that has some detail to it, and place your die face down on the Art Square.  I use a Big Shot, and the sandwich I use is (from bottom up) platform, metal shim, 2 pieces of card stock, a spare Art Square the same size as the one you're working with, your Art Square that is covered with masking paper, your die, face down, and one cutting plate.  This is what worked for me, but you should experiment a little to see what works best for you.  The pressure should be firm, but not too difficult to crank through.

3. Run it through your machine, and remove the die from your Art Square, checking to be sure that it cut the masking paper properly.

4. At this point, you have a lot of possibilities.  You can color your Art Square with anything you like:  paint, color pencils, ink, markers, etc.  If your die is detailed and cuts multiple places, you can choose which pieces to pull off, and color multiple areas separately.

Peeling the masking paper off the background

I have to admit to you...maybe it's the Zentangler in me, but I LOVE black and white.  I very nearly stopped right here.  This was SOOO beautiful!  I may still go back and do another one and stop here.  I love this look!

5.  Peel off selected sections of your masking paper, and color with your desired medium.  In this case, I chose Inka Gold, in Gold and Magenta colors.  I peeled the masking paper off the background areas, and applied the Gold Inka Gold with a round blending tool (these work great with Inka Gold).

Removing masking paper from the flower pieces

6. When I peeled the paper off the flowers, I had to use something smaller to color with because the mask was already off the background area.  I decided to water down a bit of the Magenta inka Gold and use it as paint.  Since it's a water based product, this works beautifully.  I painted the flowers with the Magenta Inka Gold, and when it dried, I buffed the whole heart and added a little sparkle with sparkle pens.

7. Lastly, I removed the mask from the rest of the Art Square.  I wanted to leave this part black to elegantly frame the heart.

This technique is stunning with any color or size of Art Square, and is just another way to use your dies in a beautiful way.  I hope you try it!

Magenta Stamp Used

07.731.I

Other Products Used:

Memory Box die Vernay Heart 99080

Inka Gold: Gold and Magenta

Inkadinkado Masking Paper

Big Shot die cutting machine

Ranger round blending tool

Ranger Black Sparkle embossing powder

Versamark Ink