Ink Techniques: Mirror Image

I used two different techniques for creating mirror images on this card.

The land areas were made by masking with scrap paper. Then, I flipped the masks over to ink the reflection on the water.

After stamping the trees on the mat, I stamped them on my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig clear plastic square, flipped it over and pressed the inked reflected image onto the water.

This scene was inspired by a card made by Sharon Field. Also, take a look at the work of Michelle Zindorf.

Below the supplies list you'll find some samples I made in the past. Some of the supplies have been discontinued, but I hope they inspire you.

Use repositionable adhesive on all the masks.

Start with a Whisper White 3 1/2 X 4 3/4 mat and cover 2 in. from the bottom with scrap paper. I used graph paper to keep things square.

Punch a 1 in. circle from card stock and adhere it left of centre and just slightly overlapping the edge of the first mat.

I used Sponge Daubers to apply So Saffron ink to the edge of the mat, followed by Pink Pirouette and Bashful Blue inks. Apply the inks lightly for the sky.

Remove the masks and sponge So Saffron ink in the circle for the sun. Overlap into the sky a little and into the area that will be the water.

The left area of land is already done. To make the right area, mask off the water again with scrap paper. Tear a slight curve in scrap paper and place the torn edge above the waterline and slightly over the sun.

Apply Garden Green ink followed by Always Artichoke ink with Sponge Daubers.

Remove the masks and save them for the reflections.

Use scrap paper to cover the sky and land areas.

Apply Marina Mist ink lightly to the water, leaving the area below the sun very faint and building up the colour to the left and right. Follow with Pacific Point ink.

Lightly apply So Saffron ink to the light section for the sun's reflection and remove the mask above the water.




Using the saved torn mask for the right land area, flip it over and match the shape to make the land reflection. Lightly apply Always Artichoke ink.

Repeat for the left land area.

I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to place the tree images.

To keep the bottom of the trees from showing, place a mask on the land area and stamp with Always Artichoke ink.

Use a mask to shorten the trees on the left side in the same way.

I turned my mat upside-down on graph paper and counted how many squares the top of the tallest tree measures from the horizon into the sky (9), and also from the side edge of the mat (2). These coordinates determine the placement for the reflection.

Place a mask on the reflected land area.

Stamp the trees with Always Artichoke ink onto the clear plastic square of the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. Flip it over and position the trees using the coordinates from the previous step and press the ink onto the mat.

Follow these steps for the trees on the left side of the sun.

Use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the sentiment with Pacific Point ink.


Supplies
Stamps
-Plant Hope 117042
Ink
-Pacific Point pad 111837
-So Saffron pad 105213
-Pink Pirouette pad 111838
-Bashful Blue pad 105209
-Marina Mist pad 119668
-Always Artichoke pad 105219
-Garden Green pad 102272
Paper
-Whisper White card stock
-Pear Pizzazz card stock
-Marina Mist card stock
Tools
-1 in. circle punch 119868
-Sponge Daubers 102892
-Stamp-A-Ma-Jig 101049

More Masking and Mirror Image Samples

This was my first attempt and is an unabashed copy of  a card made by Linda Bullard.

This shadow box card was just begging for shells.

Branch Out is still one of my favourite tree stamp sets. Too bad it was discontinued.