Masked Backgrounds with Reactive Inks

Jayne Nelson

Hi, do you keep extra anniversary cards in your card stash? I never seem to have them when I need them most so when I saw the beautiful new Anniversary Fancy Die, I was excited and motivated to make a few cards.

For my first card, I created a colorful background by simply masking stripes across a panel of white cardstock with strips of removable paper tape. After choosing six beautiful Reactive Inks, Fruit Punch, Taffy, Creamsicle, Lemon Drop, Key Lime Fizz and Pool Party, I used a sponge dauber to ink stripes across the cardstock. The vibrant, solid stripes were wonderful, but to add extra interest, I decided to splatter water drops across the panel with a small paintbrush. I never tire of the look of these unpredictable reactions.

After securing the panel to a white side folded card, I used the Anniversary Fancy Die to cut the sentiment three times from white cardstock. After gluing the layers together for added thickness, I secured the word to my inked panel, using the stripes to help align the sentiment. I found a small “happy” sentiment in the From the Vault Cute Animals set that I embossed onto a small piece of Paradise cardstock. To soften the design, I stamped and die cut a few of my favorite flowers from the Color Layering For You Flowers set and then secured them across the card. I also added a few Ombre Sunshine sequins for sparkle and texture.

For my second card, I cut multiple masks, from removable tape, using the large leaf die from the Color Layering For You Flowers Frame Cuts set. I placed the masks across two narrow panels of white cardstock and then, using the same Reactive Ink colors, I inked six leaves across each strip and once again, splattered them with water.

This time, before securing both panels to a card base, I used the Anniversary Fancy Die to die cut the sentiment from one of the inked strips. I also cut the sentiment three times from white cardstock. I glued the four layers together, placing the inked layer on top and positioning the layered sentiment into the inked panel. To secure the sentiment, I added some clear tape to the back side. After securing both panels to a card with foam tape, I stamped and embossed a "Happy" sentiment from the Irreverent Birthday Messages set. Then, similar to my first card, I finished this card with some scattered flowers and sequins.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you like this lovely Anniversary die as much as I do. As always, Happy Crafting!


  • Shirley Wallen

    I too like the anniversary die. I would have liked to see it in one of the solid colors on the second card. I liked the design of both especially the second one.

  • Karthikha Uday

    Beautiful and super colorful! :)

  • Bonnie Reyes

    Wonderful use of color

  • Anne hudgens

    This is beautiful! my wedding anniversary is in July! So bright and cheery!

  • Golda

    Love these bright colors!

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