Happy String

Okay, yes, happy spring, too. :) Today's tutorial was inspired by an image I, Vivian, pinned on Pinterest a while back:

(Click on image to see source and directions for making these eggs.)

I love the simple yet bold look of these egg designs and wanted to replicate that look with paper. Today I'm going to show you just how I did that, using string to mask off cardstock prior to spraying ink over it. Let's get started!

 

Step #1: Materials

Grab the "ingredients" needed:

• White cardstock
• String
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• Sprinkler color(s) of your choosing

Step #2: Mask Off the Paper

Cut several different lengths of string that will be used to make your design. Make sure each length is a little longer than either the length or width of your piece of white cardstock. Tape one end of the string to the back of the white cardstock and stretch it across the front of the cardstock, taping the other end under on the back of the cardstock. Repeat with as many pieces of string as desired. Here's what this looks like, front and back:

 

Step #3: Apply Sprinkler

Put your string-covered white cardstock inside an empty box. Spray the ink directly over the top of the string-covered cardstock, let dry, and then remove the string. Here's what this looks like immediately after applying the ink and then after removing the string:

 

Step #4: Use on a Layout (or Card)

I cut three 3.5" squares from the masked/misted piece above and used it to create this layout:

The lines looked a lot like clotheslines to me, so I used mini clothespins to "hang" stickers, Flower Sack elements, and die cuts from the Sidewalks and Cherry Hill collections.

I used this string-masking technique on another layout, creating a mat for my photo and using the string lines to draw attention to the subjects in the photo:

This layout features the new Woodland Park collection and the Cactus Sprinkler from the Sasparilla collection (which coordinates beautifully with Woodland Park). In addition to spraying ink, I also dripped some bigger blobs of ink on the cardstock for a different effect.

If you give this technique a go, please be sure to post your creation(s) to our October Afternoon Flickr Gallery for all to see!

Happy String/Spring!

Comments

[Michelle Kent]

LOVE this idea!! Going to use it on my eggs for sure and if that turns out OK, I'll try on a LO. Thanks for the idea!!

[Françoise]

Hello, collection woodland park is beautiful! Soon she arrived in Belgium, bravooooooooooo for creativity!

thank you to google for the translation

[emily pitts]

this is amazing viv, i love how your idea turned out!

[Debbie]

I love it! Thank you for sharing this. Your layouts are "simply" beautiful!
Happy string-spring to you. Debbie

[Check out report london]

Brilliant idea I would say that for sure will try that one this year for Easter decorations.

[kazoulis]

Great idea! TFS

[Megan Smith]

Very cool! Love the look!

[laurie lariviere]

this is really cool, imagine where you could go with this? you could use the string to make a flowers, some words for a title, spirals, I need to get going and try something...thanks so much !!

[Vivian Masket]

Christi, the fonts are Pacifico ("first") and Dock 11 ("daffodil").

[Renee VanEpps]

Very inspiring and informative post, such a clever idea and the LO's turned out beautifully! TFS

[Christi]

what fonts did you use for your title: first Daffodil?

[Roree]

What a wonderful tutorial, Vivian! I need to try this!

[danni reid]

amazing my friend♥

[Linda in Aus]

Oh wow that looks so good.

[soapHOUSEmama]

love this!!!! great tutorial!

[Mary Jo]

Great tutorial and idea.
Just pinned it! :)

[Denise Price]

Cool idea! It reminds me of tie-dyeing. I bet that rubber bands would also work as masks, just as they do in tie-dyeing.