Sponge brayers and masking techniques for fun cards

Oh my goodness; it actually was 80 degrees here in Mesa, Arizona!  I wanted to share that this little tool can be one of the best and most useful ones to embellish your stamping projects with - it is a sponge brayer. It is one of those handy little gadgets that all stampers love to have in their tool box. To use it, simply roll it over your ink pad (gently roll the brayer across the ink pad, taking care not to press too hard (remember, if the handle touches the ink pad surface, it may scratch/dent it) then roll it over your background stamp or piece of cardstock. It lets you apply a thin, uniform layer of ink over broad areas—such as a background stamp or embossed cardstock. When rolling it over paper, you can even build up layers to create interesting, artistic effects, such as an ombre/rainbow effect, color a piece of designer paper/diecut figures, boxes, or glossy paper, etc.

Brayering with the sponge really makes embossed paper stand out beautifully as well – you just brayer the ink on one side of the embossing folder, insert the card stock or envelope flap into the folder, and then run it through the machine; be sure to wash the embossing folder off afterwards. You might think that your brayer doesn’t have enough ink on it, but usually there’s plenty. Try it out on a piece of scrap paper first to see if the brayer has the color saturation you want for your project - Sound like fun? It is! And it’s also a very simple technique that even beginning crafters can enjoy for stunning effects!

Tip: When you use the Brayer don’t just go back and forth on the ink pad, as that will only put ink on some of the brayer. Instead, roll lift, and keep roiling and lifting a few times, then roll onto your card stock.  Use a rubber mat underneath the ink pad to keep it in place. People have said the sponge brayers are more forgiving than the rubber brayers, and easier to use too. 

One other way you can use a sponge brayer is to run ink over card stock with a stencil/mask over it, giving you a cool pattern on the card stock. Sponge Brayers are also a great value—they include two handles and four sponges (1-3/4" wide)….try it and you will love it!  Sponge Brayers #141714 Price: $8.00 - Use for ink techniques. Easily wash the sponges with water to re-use. Check out Pinterest for more sponge brayer techniques and ideas, too.  

You can purchase sponge brayers in my online store:  https://marynoble.stampinup.net/

Masking:  To add dimension to your stamping, use the masking technique to layer the images. Or you can try Reverse Masking.

Here are a couple of youtube videos about masking and reverse masking so you can use the sponge brayer too:

https://youtu.be/HnPeB5y7bMU  - Create layered images using the masking technique and the Sitting Here Stamp Set. Combine the images to make the picture you want. Watch this video to learn how to using masking in your stamping.

https://youtu.be/hTHGQkolBIs - Brandi Barnard takes us through the "Reverse Masking" process while making the Butterfly Card. Enjoy this "techniques and training" video by Stampin' Up! Inc.

https://marynoble.stampinup.net/  Check out my online store for other Stampin' Up promotions!