AECP:: Seasonal Scene Building

I'm back today with another card for the Altenew Educator Certification Program, this entry is for the Seasonal Scene Building online card class.

When I was scrolling through my bin of Altenew stamps with how to create a scene with skills taught in the class in mind, the branch from Vintage Flowers popped out at me. I decided to create a branch of lovely cherry blossoms that can be seen blowing in the wind outside a window. A window card was one of the ideas that Nicole, the instructor, taught in the class, along with great tips on masking and coloring!

I started by creating my branch with flowers, using the Vintage Flowers Stamps and inks from the Coffee Break, Tropical Forest, Red Sunset packs. I inked the edges of the panel with blue inks from Glacier Caves. I then added the Adore Die from Catherine Pooler Designs on top of the panel, as it created the look of a window. This was then mounted to a brown card base. I finished the card with a stamped sentiment from Sentiment Strips.

There were more fabulous tips and tricks in this class as well. A couple of takeaways that I had is powerful use of borders and to keep things fairly simple as to not overwhelm the scene. I really think I was successful in creating a scene, with keeping the window frame and border in neutral colors and letting the pretty blossoms shine.

I am almost finished showcasing cards I created for Level One of the Altenew Educator Certification Program, I can't wait to show the rest!

Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!

Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock Shop at: CPD	Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes Shop at: CPD	New Mini MISTI Shop at: CPD	Catherine Pooler Designs Adore Die Shop at: CPD
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts Shop at: CPD	Altenew Red Sunset Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Tropical Forest Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Coffee Break Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew
Altenew Shades of Purple Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Glacier Caves Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Sentiment Strips Stamp Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Vintage Flowers Stamp Set Shop at: Altenew

AECP:: Celebration Stencil Techniques

Stencils...who knew there could be so many different ways to use them, with so many supplies that sat unused in my craft area? The Celebrations: Stencil Techniques online card class that I completed for the Altenew Educator Certification Program showcased different mediums to use with your stencils as one lesson in the class. I had some embossing paste tucked away in a drawer and mixed it with ink from the Shades of Purple pack. This opened up a whole new world, as one jar of paste goes a long way (and clearly lasts a long time, in my case!) and now I can color it any hue that I want! One of the many lessons went through creating your own stencils from dies-which I can't wait to try too!

I used the Wonderful Wreath Stencil for my project. I stenciled purple ink from the  Shades of Purple pack onto a white panel. I then shifted the stencil and added the colored embossing paste over the stencil. I mounted the panel with silver glitter paper and then embossed in silver a sentiment from Paint A Flower: Carnations Outline. I finished the card with silver Nuvo drops.

I love the soft, angelic feel of this card. I will be playing with this Wonderful Wreath Stencil for sure some more in the near future!

Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!

Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock Shop at: CPD	Catherine Pooler Designs Blending Brushes Shop at: CPD	New Mini MISTI Shop at: CPD	Embossing Stamp Pad by Wow Shop at: CPD
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts Shop at: CPD	Altenew Paint a Flower: Carnations Outline Stamp Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Shades of Purple Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil Shop at: Altenew

Letterpress Peony

I think it is great when you can use one crafty item in multiple ways. The Peony in Bloom Cover Plate Die from Catherine Pooler Designs is not only gorgeous when die cut, but super elegant when dry embossed as well!

I'm super bummed that my photo doesn't do the embossing justice, but please trust me when I say that embossing this cover plate is the way to go! Especially when embossed on Ultra Smooth White Cardstock, you get a letterpressed look.

This card was easy to put together as well. I embossed the top portion of the Peony in Bloom Cover Plate Die on to the bottom portion of the card base front. I then foiled the word "Blessed" from  Abundantly Blessed Stamp Set in rose gold foil onto a panel, adhering to the card base with dimensional adhesive onto a strip of cardstock colored with Juniper Mist Ink. I then stamped a sentiment from Abundantly Blessed Stamp Set to finish the card.

I was recently reintroduced to foiling on cards, and am excited that Catherine Pooler Designs carries foiling products. Did you know that Catherine Pooler Designs has an awesome essential tools collection? New items and restocks are usually added every Wednesday...check out the whole collection of new items here!!

Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!

Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock Shop at: CPD	Catherine Pooler Designs Juniper Mist Ink Shop at: CPD	New Mini MISTI Shop at: CPD	Embossing Stamp Pad by Wow Shop at: CPD
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts Shop at: CPD	Catherine Pooler Designs Peony in Bloom Cover Plate Die Shop at: CPD	Catherine Pooler Designs Abundantly Blessed Sentiments Stamp Set Shop at: CPD

AECP:: Let it Shine

If there ever was a class that had me get items out from my crafty stash that I haven't ever used, it is the Let it Shine online card class that I took as part of the Altenew Educator Certification Program! Carissa, the instructor, was so energetic and offered so many fun ideas to really make your cards shine! The class showcased many tips to use glitter...loose glitter with double sided tape, glitter paper, foil and then even offered tips on application of all shiny embellishments.

Carissa showcased how to use glitter in small doses to make a big impact. I used some silver glitter paper, die cut a frame from it, and mounted woodgrain paper behind the panel. I thought that the two textures played well together. I then stamped an arrangement with images from Beautiful Day in Shades of Purple ink. I thought that with the different textures, then a monochromatic arrangement would only accent the glitter and woodgrain, not distract. I also added some subtle score lines on the card base and finished with a two step stamped sentiment from Paint A Flower: Carnations Outline.

Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!

Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock Shop at: CPD	New Mini MISTI Shop at: CPD	Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts Shop at: CPD	Altenew Beautiful Day Stamp Set Shop at: Altenew
Altenew Paint a Flower: Carnations Outline Stamp Set Shop at: Altenew	Altenew Shades of Purple Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set Shop at: Altenew

AECP:: For the Guys

Masculine cards have always been tough to make. But wow, the For the Guys online card class that I completed as part of the  Altenew Educator Certification Program was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to incorporate ALL the techniques shown during the class in future cards. I highly, highly recommend this class if you struggle with creating cards for guys! My favorite techniques were reintroducing (to me!) how to create a galaxy background and the Warhol design style. Although I didn't use any of those techniques on this card today, I was able to learn how the details really make a simple card shine, like using a green/blue color palette and dry embossing with dies. Also, the class really made sentiments shine (i.e. incorporating puns!)

Unfortunately, I do not own many masculine stamp sets, and none of my beloved Altenew sets are of a masculine theme, so I played off a sentiment from the Sentiment Strips Stamp Set. I dry embossed a rectangle onto a white card front, then die cut a rectangle frame from dark green paper. I covered the frame with a bit of gold paint, then added a wood veneer heart to the card as well. I finished the card with a gold heat embossed sentiment from Sentiment Strips. The card is simple, but still holds a lot of detail!

Affiliate links are used, I appreciate your support!

Catherine Pooler Designs Ultra Smooth White Cardstock Shop at: CPD	New Mini MISTI Shop at: CPD	Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Arts Shop at: CPD	Altenew Sentiment Strips Stamp Set Shop at: Altenew