Cloud 9 Newbie Center

**Topics of Interest**
Basic Supplies	Techniques	Reference Library

Techniques - Masking
The Mortise Mask

Any time you cut out a Standard Mask, you almost always have a Mortise Mask as well. The Mortise Mask is the "shape" of the Standard Mask, but it does not "cover up" an area, it gives you a small window to work in that is the same shape as the Standard Mask you cut. There are certain times when a Mortise Mask can come in quite handy. Just so you understand what exactly a Mortise (or Reverse) Mask is, here's a little visual aid for you!


This is a standard mask on a Post-It Note Pad	This is the butterfly (or standard mask) you cut out of the Post-It Note Pad	This the butterfly shaped that is left on the Post-It Note after you cut out the Standard Mask and it is called the "MORTISE MASK", also called a Reverse Mask.
The Butterfly stamp is from Stamp Cabana

Necessary supplies:

1. Post-It Notes
2. Exacto Knife or Scissors (whichever you are most comfortable using)
3. Stamps of Choice
4. Inks of Choice
5. Paper or cardstock to stamp on.

NOTES:
Keep in mind that the Mortise Mask will only give you a "general shape" to work with, no detail.

Technique:

1. Cut the Mortise Mask in any shape you want. For ease of instruction, we'll use a square shape.

2. Take the Mortise Mask and press it to your cardstock.
3. Add color as desired to the open window of the Mortise Mask.
4. The beauty of a Mortise Mask is that it gives you a defined work area and protects the rest of your surface. Take a pattern or background stamp of choice and stamp it over the Mortise Mask. Use a slightly darker or different color of ink than you used to add color to the open window.
5. Remove the Mortise Mask and you find that you have a very interesting patterned shape that took very litlte effort to create!

Mortise Masks are often used in combination with Standard Masks. When you need to have a repeating shape that stays the same size, Mortise Masks are the best!

1. Place the mortise mask at the top of the cardstock, sponge and stamp as desired.
2. Remove the mortise mask, place the Standard Mask that was created when you made the mortise mask over the first square you made. Move the mortise mask to the second location, color and stamp as desired.
3. Repeat #2.
4. Remove all masks and now you have an enchanting concept for a card front. You could easily use glitter pens and other embellishments to finish it off!!!

The Butterfly and Background stamp are both from Stamp Cabana

I do not use a Mortise Mask all that often, but there are times when they sure can come in handy! I have found that a Mortise Mask is most useful in creating shadows and sometimes reflections on water.

Note that there are two other types of masks you may want to familiarize youself with:

1. The Standard Mask - listed under "Techniques" at the top or simply click HERE

2. The Torn Paper Mask - listed under "Techniques" at the top or simply click HERE

You can also refer to "Masking" in the Tips & Techniques section of this web site.

Copyright Tyra Smith 2005 Cloud9@netnet.net
NOTE: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM BY ANY MEANS ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING OR OTHERWISE, WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER.