Saturday, March 27, 2021

AECP:: Level 1 Final Project


I'm so excited to share my final project for Level 1 of the Altenew Educator Certification Program. I've enjoyed all the classes in Level 1, learned new skills, was introduced and reintroduced to timeless techniques and created favorite cards...and now I have taken all the knowledge and created two card sets! 

My coursework for the final project includes the following criteria:
1. Select any 3 components from the classes in Level 1
2. Create two sets of cards... a "His" and a "Hers", to include coordinating gift packaging.
3. Cards need to be a cohesive set for various occasions
4. Incorporate a recycled element, either on the cards or packaging

To create a cohesive card set for both male and female recipients, I planned each card around a sentiment strip and each set had a similar color scheme. Each type of card within the sets also had a similar layout too. I used used mainly deep and bright blues, greens and yellows for the masculine set, then shades of pink, green and yellow for the feminine set. I started with the more difficult of the two cards, first creating the masculine card and then the feminine card. I also had to be really creative, as my current Altenew stash isn't really geared to masculine card-making. I hope that my cards will showcase that you don't need "masculine" sets to create masculine cards. The three classes that I used to inspire the majority of the cards were For The Guys, Let it Shine and All About Layering One and Two, although, truth be told, I used elements from all the classes in my card sets!

Let's start with the packaging! I created two open-faced boxes from a shoebox (the recycled element). 


1. I cut the top of the shoebox from the base, and then cut the top in half, forming the base for two open-faced card holders.
2. I unfolded the lip of the box, and traced each side onto the other to create a ledge 4.5 inches from the outer edge. This allowed a bit of wiggle room for my A2 cards and envelopes to fix width wise. I was careful to only score the inside of the box where the cardboard would be folded. I also trimmed the top of the cardboard to be 5.5 inches. 
3. I then folded my cut and score lines to create the open-faced card holders!
4. The final step was to spray paint the cardboard a matte black. I could have also covered each holder with scrapbook paper or wrapping paper, but I had neither on hand.
To hold the cards and envelopes, I wrapped each set with a sheer ribbon just like I would a holiday package.


I'll next showcase each type of card within the set, and let you know which class inspired me and what I learned! Please watch the video at the end of my post, as it showcases photos of each of the cards individually with a close-up as well!

Card One: Galaxy


The For The Guys class showcased creating galaxy cards. Just as the instructor said, you really do have to have faith in your creating, as the galaxy panels really do look messy until the final layer is done. As mentioned above, I started with the masculine card, with traditional galaxy colors. I used splatters of water, white and silver paint. Then, I pulled out brighter colors and created a feminine version of a galaxy card. I did learn that patience also plays a big key in creating galaxy cards as well...let the ink dry, let the water splatters dry, and let the paint dry.
Altenew products featured: Paint-A-Flower Carnation Outline as well as various Altenew Ink Cube sets

Card Two: Pop-Art


I used another fun technique taught in For The Guys this the second set of cards, the Andy Warhol Pop-Art technique focusing on blocks of color with bold images! I love how this set turned out for both the masculine and feminine. I used the direct ink to paper technique as well, where you rub your ink pad onto the cardstock to create a custom colored cardstock. The feminine version of this card set uses tone-on-tone inking to achieve the different colors of ink. I simply inked and stamped the layered stamp a few times in my MISTI tool to create a darker shades of leaves and portions of the tulip petals. I also pulled out foil on the feminine card...using iridescent foil with heat embossing ink and powder, and the detailed layer stamp, as taught in the Let it Shine class. Each card was also detailed with a black pen.
Altenew products featured: Modern Deer Stamp Set, Tulip Stamp SetSentiment Strips Stamp Set as well as various Altenew Ink Cube sets

Card Three: Custom Simple Layered Backgrounds


The All About Layering classes re-introduced me to the fun technique of creating a custom background, as well as understanding that you can achieve a beautiful look using only a few select stamps of a layered stamp set...you don't have to stamp every layer! Once again, I used the pink/green/yellow palette for the feminine card and a blue/green combination for the masculine card. I have a quick photo tutorial of how to create a custom background.


1. Pull out a favorite Altenew stamp set, ink, and a card panel or card base cut to A2 size (4.25x5.5 inches)
2. With the largest of the stamps, start stamping on the outside of the edges of the card. Leave enough space for the images to breathe.
3. Stamp the next largest stamp, beginning to fill in areas toward the middle and next to the edges. If your main image was a flower, make sure you stamp the leaves next to the flowers for a complete look. 
4. Continue to fill in the card front with your fourth largest stamp, I chose not to overlap my images, but you certainly can create a fun look with overlapping images too!
5. Stamp a select few flowers and leaves. Either choose the largest flower image and the smallest, or smaller flowers and leaves to stamp. Try to stamp where your color groupings end in odd numbers. Fill in gaps with the smallest stamps in the stamp set.
6. To create an organic look, splatter paint or ink!
Altenew products featuredHibiscus Bouquet Stamp Set, Beautiful Day Stamp Set, Peony Bouquet Stamp Set, Sentiment Strips Stamp Setas well as various Altenew Ink Cube sets

Card Four: Textured Die-Cuts


This card duo was influenced by the 
Let it Shine and Easy Die Cutting Techniques classes. I learned to conquer my fear of glitter from Let it Shine by using glitter paper, and how easy it is to die cut various products (other than cardstock) in the Easy Die Cutting Techniques class. Both classes taught me how a clean and simple card can be brought up a notch by an unexpected color or texture, such as glitter, or burlap! For the feminine card, I also used the technique again taught in All About Layering about not using all of the layered stamps included in the set. I used only three of the four stamps to create a flower. I also kept the masculine card bold and bright, choosing not to use any layers of the layered stamp, only the solid image, as taught in All About Layering.
Altenew products featuredBeautiful Day Stamp SetPeony Bouquet Stamp SetClimber Flowers Die Set, Painted Greetings Stamp Set as well as various Altenew Ink Cube sets

Card Five: Embellished Stencil


I used tips from Let it Shine and Celebrations Stencils Techniques Class for this next set of cards. Both classes really had me reach out of my comfort zone and I searched my crafty stash for products to use with a stencil. I used a glitter glaze as the top layer of the inked wreath on my feminine card, and gold stencil paste for the final layer on my masculine card. I really let the inks blend together when working with the stencil, and loved the reaction of the embellishment on top of the ink. I really need to pull out some shiny material more often, as I love the extra finishing touch that they give to a card. I learned that a little bit of shine can go a long way too, of which I most appreciate being a clean and simple card-maker. To tie these cards with the overall set I again used the same color scheme and added splatters.
Altenew products featuredWonderful Wreath StencilSentiment Strips Stamp Set as well as various Altenew Ink Cube sets

The following photographs showcase the five feminine cards together and the five masculine cards together. I used colors, the treatment of the sentiments, splatters and a similar design to create two cohesive sets that work together but work as a set when given individually as well.



Please also enjoy my video below as well, as it showcases the individual cards and close-up detail shots as well.


I'm excited to move on to the second level, I look forward to your feedback on this final project for Level 1. It's been an amazing journey so far!




Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!
Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
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CPD
Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes
Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes
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CPD
New Mini MISTI
New Mini MISTI
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CPD
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts
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CPD
Altenew Peony Bouquet Stamp Set
Altenew Peony Bouquet Stamp Set
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Altenew
Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set
Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set
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Altenew
Altenew Summer Afternoon Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Summer Afternoon Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew Rose Petal Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Rose Petal Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew Green Fields Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Green Fields Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew Tropical Forest Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Tropical Forest Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew Painted Greetings Stamp Set
Altenew Painted Greetings Stamp Set
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Altenew Paint a Flower: Carnations Outline Stamp Set
Altenew Paint a Flower: Carnations Outline Stamp Set
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Altenew Glacier Caves Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Glacier Caves Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew Sentiment Strips Stamp Set
Altenew Sentiment Strips Stamp Set
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Altenew
Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil
Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil
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Altenew
Royal Gold IzInk by Seth Apter
Royal Gold IzInk by Seth Apter
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Titanium IzInk by Seth Apter
Titanium IzInk by Seth Apter
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After Dark IzInk by Seth Apter
After Dark IzInk by Seth Apter
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Altenew Hibiscus Bouquet Stamp Set
Altenew Hibiscus Bouquet Stamp Set
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Altenew Modern Deer Stamp Set
Altenew Modern Deer Stamp Set
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Altenew Tulip Stamp Set
Altenew Tulip Stamp Set
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Altenew Climber Flowers Die Set
Altenew Climber Flowers Die Set
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Altenew

Thursday, March 25, 2021

AECP:: Irresistible Inking Techniques


Please let me present to you my most favorite card I've created yet in my journey in the Altenew Educator Certification Program! The Irresistible Inking Techniques online cardmaking class brought back the basics of what ink can do for a card. Sara offered tips on inking edges, layering and one technique that I haven't done for ages-inking up an acrylic block, spritzing with water and creating a beautiful background. I tried that on my card today. I just love the watercolored look with minimal effort, and the clean edges from the block that I wouldn't have gotten if freehanding.


I inked up some blush, yellow and orange inks onto a round block to create a circle background for the flower from Altenew's Beautiful Day Stamp Set. Before adhering the panel to a linen card base, I inked the edges with inks from the Coffee Break Ink Cubes for a vintage look. I added a panel of woodgrain cardstock as well. The flowers and leaves were colored with Copics, and then gold splatters added over the flowers and background. I finished the card with a sentiment from the Sentiment Strips Stamp Set.


I am so thankful that I took this class, as the techniques taught in it let me create a card that I just adore. I love the vintage feel of it... the textures from the splatters, the watercolor and paper choices...



Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!
Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Shop at:
CPD
Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes
Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes
Shop at:
CPD
New Mini MISTI
New Mini MISTI
Shop at:
CPD
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts
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CPD
Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set
Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set
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Altenew
Altenew Summer Afternoon Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Summer Afternoon Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew
Altenew Red Sunset Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Red Sunset Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew Coffee Break Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Coffee Break Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
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Altenew
Altenew Sentiment Strips Stamp Set
Altenew Sentiment Strips Stamp Set
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Altenew
Royal Gold IzInk by Seth Apter
Royal Gold IzInk by Seth Apter
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CPD

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

AECP:: Easy Die Cutting Techniques

I was super excited to take a class hosted by Yana for the Altenew Educator Certification Program, as she has been one of my favorite crafters for a long while. The Easy Die Cutting Techniques didn't disappoint, it was a great class! One of the techniques I learned I haven't ever done in my card making career (or I cannot remember creating a project with it!)...affixing dimensional adhesive behind a few select stamped images from a custom background to add interest and dimension. I was also motivated to try an unexpected color combination for the leaves.


What an impact this makes! I especially like how the color from the card base peeks up behind the raised selective die cuts. I started this card with a white card panel, stamping the base layer of the leaves from the lightest shade of ink from the Rose Petal pack and the Beautiful Day Stamp Set. I followed with the next shade of ink and the next layered stamp. I then filled in the gaps with another leaf stamp, only stamping the base layer. I then die cut a few select leaves, adhering the panel to a yellow card base, with the die cut leaves affixed with dimension.


I finished the card with a  die cut sentiment from Lil' Inker Designs and a few clear gems. This card was a booger to photograph as well, but I hope you can see a bit of the beauty in it! Once again, I enjoyed this class and was reminded of many die cut techniques and learned a few new techniques as well!


Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!
Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Shop at:
CPD
Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes
Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes
Shop at:
CPD
New Mini MISTI
New Mini MISTI
Shop at:
CPD
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts
Shop at:
CPD
Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set
Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set
Shop at:
Altenew
Altenew Rose Petal Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Altenew Rose Petal Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set
Shop at:
Altenew