In the clouds...

I've had many requests for a tutorial on how I make my clouds, so I decided to try and get one made. I'm sure it's like anything, a million different ways to do it but this is how I do mine. ( you can click on the photos to make them larger)

First I stamp the base image and also make a mask of it. I used the new image, Lazy Days from Victoria Case for SCACD here. 

If you're not familiar with making a mask, it is very simple. Stamp your image on a post it note or a regular piece of paper and then cut out the image--the post it note will stick on it's own and I use removable tape to hold down masks made out of regular paper. I also save all my masks so that the next time I need one for that image, I have it.

Next I place the mask over the base image and make sure it is secure and no tape is showing.

Then I take my stencil--which I've had forever--I'm thinking if you don't have a stencil, you could print out a cloud and cut it out as your stencil, and then I start at the bottom of my image and begin sponging. First I use SU Bashful Blue but you could use a lighter blue that is comparable.

As I go up towards the top of the image, I always flip the stencil over so that it's not the exact clouds over and over. I also try to be sure that the clouds extend a few inches beyond the image so they look okay when you cut the image out.

Next I take SU Brocade Blue--or a comparable darker blue--and lightly sponge over the top of the areas I just did without the stencil--just to define it a bit. I've also used a lighter purple for a different effect too.

And that's all I do. After that I remove the mask, color and finish like normal. 

Hope this helps a bit!

supplies:

• card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4
• stamps: Lazy Days,
• paper: Basic Grey June Bug- on sale!,
• ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bashful Blue, SU Brocade Blue,
• others: copics, American Crafts white pen, Martha Stewart butterfly punch,