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AECP – With A Twist

Welcome back!

This set of classes was “With A Twist” and so much fun. I was very inspired. I am using the Altenew – Bamboo Roses stamp and die set.  One of the classes taught us how to make a double sided shaker card.  I had never seen this before and knew I wanted to try it.

I watched a video from Jennifer McGuire showing how to do mirror stamping.  I tried it and it worked.  I am using the mirrored images on the inside of the card.

I colored the images with Zig brush markers and die cut them out.  For the mirror images I held the colored image up to a light.  With the die on the opposite side I lined up the image and taped it down, then ran it through my die cutting machine.

After cutting all of my images I cut the frame for my card out of a card base and an A2 size piece of cardstock.  Testing out the placement of the die cuts on the front and the inside, then glued them down.

I created the shaker with 2 layers of foam tape and packaging plastic.

I filled the shaker with chunky glitter as well as red and clear sequins.  I sealed it up with the second piece of packaging plastic and then added the panel to my card base that I cut the shaker window from as well.

I added a butterfly and a sentiment inside with a little ink blending with Altenew – Caribbean Sky.

The inside of the card is the mirror image with a couple yellow roses to change it up slightly.

I learned a lot with this set of classes and and it has inspired me to get out of my comfort zone.  This is not the card I first envisioned when I started but with change comes growth.

 

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AECP – In The Mood For Color

Welcome back!  Thank you for being here.

This set of courses for Level 2 are In The Mood For Color. I always struggle with color combinations.  For this card I chose the Altenew – Lovely Rose Peony stamp set.

The images were stamped onto Strathmore Bristol smooth watercolor paper with black ink and heat set with clear embossing powder. The flowers were ink blended with Distress Ink – Worn Lipstick.  The color variation is from lighter and darker saturations of the same color.  The leaves are a combination of Distress Inks – Rustic Wilderness and Mowed Lawn blended with the Altenew Detail Blending Brushes 7 & 5.  The vase was blended with Altenew Fresh Dye Inks – Caribbean Sky and Blue Horizon, then covered with Glossy Accents to give it the glassy look.

The background was masked off to create the table and wall line.  The table is a blend of Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Teal Cave and Distress Ink  – Prize Ribbon.  The wall is a blend of Distress Ink – Fossilized Amber and Scattered Straw.  I did not like how dark it blended so I took a wet 3/4″ flat brush and brushed the top only going from the middle out to the sides to lighten the colors.  I did this several times drying in between to check the colors.  The added a bit of gold splatter using Brutus Monroe – Gilded Aqua Pigment.  I fussy cut the images and attached them with dimensional foam tape 1 mm and 2 mm to have different levels.  The sentiment is from the Altenew Lovely Rose Peony stamp set.  I stamped it onto a tiny card and put foam tape inside to make it look like it was open and that it came with the flowers.  I added the panel to an A2 size light blue card base.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope to see you again soon.

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AECP – Beyond Basic Backgrounds

Welcome Back!!

Today is the beginning of my Level 2 journey.

This set of courses centered on making different backgrounds using non-traditional methods.  I learned something from every lesson.  I chose to make a background using the Altenew – Mini Delight: Strength stamp and die set.  I really like the feather image and the sentiment.

I repeatedly cut the feather image out of a 4.25″ x 5.5″ A2 white card panel.  I placed a new white cardstock panel of the same size in my Misti and placed the cut panel on top.  I then lined up the feather stamp through the cut panel onto the full panel below.   I stamped the feather image with black ink into every cut opening.  I smushed some of Altenew’s Fresh Dye Inks – Teal Cave and Aqualicious onto my glass mat and using water brush I colored the images.

Using a combination of the two inks, I splattered the top cut layer.  The after adding dimensional foam to the back of the cut layer I adhered the two layers together.  Adding a few colored sequins for a bit of sparkle.

I hope you liked todays card.  I look forward to see you again very soon.  Have a great day.

 

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AECP – Final Challenge: Gift Card Sets

Welcome Back!!

I am very excited to share that I made it to the Level One AECP Final Challenge Project.  This is going to be a lengthy post as I will be sharing some instructions and insight.  Grab a snack and your favorite beverage, relax and ride along with me.

The rules for the final challenge are as follows:  Make 2 gift card sets – one masculine and one feminine.  Use three components from the classes taken, and create unique packaging for each gift set using one recycled element.

Step One:

I decided to make sets of personalized note cards that could be used for any occasion, a note to say hi or a thank you.  The central design for each set will be around the Altenew – Mega Alphabet Dies K (feminine) and M (masculine).  I wanted each card to be unique but with a masculine or feminine feel to them not necessarily a single-color pallet.

I went through my stamps and dies and sorted them to what was masculine  and feminine.  I sketched out some ideas that I was excited to try out.

I also created templates in order to keep everything uniform and centered.  This was very helpful when using both the negative and positive die cuts on a card.

Step Two:

Trying to narrow the components down to three was harder than I expected it to be.  In all honesty, I am sure I used some aspect of all 10 classes in these cards but these are the components I chose and why:

  • Clean & Simple Boutique Cards – This technique creates classic cards and works well when making sets.
  • Celebration: Stencil Techniques – Using stencils was something I felt would work well when making masculine cards.
  • Easy Die Cutting Techniques – This was an element I could use in every card whether it was the initial (both the positive and the negative cuts) or added die cut images.
  • Let It Shine – We all love a little shine!

Masculine Cards

Using the Altenew – Banana Leaves 3D Embossing Folder I inked the folder with white ink, then sprayed it lightly with water, placed my dark blue cardstock in the folder and ran it through the die cutting machine. This gives the leaves more dimension and colors the background.

Cut the card stock panel to 4” x 5.25” and adhered it to a gray A2 size card base.  I added a brushed silver die cut using the Altenew – Mega Alphabet Dies M.

I used stencils on the next 3 cards.  The first is the Altenew – Mountain scene building stencil.  Using different shades of browns, blues and greens I ink blended the scene.  I cut the panel to 4” x 5.25” and added it to dark teal green A2 card base.  I used the Altenew – Wood Pallet stamp and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink on brown card stock to create the wood grain M for the front of this card.

Using the Altenew – Pine Forest 3D Embossing folder and stencil set I inked the embossed panel with Altenew Crisp Dye Inks – Hunter Green, Just Green and Sweet Leaf.  Placing the negative stencils over the trees I used the Altenew – Cloud stencil to create the sky behind the trees with Arctic Fresh Dye Ink.  To add more dimension, I added a bit of pink with an Altenew #7 detail blending brush.

This one uses the Altenew – Aztec Motif Stencil and Clear Skies Lunar Paste.  After creating the background, I struggled with what color the M should be.  I cut it out of heavy vellum, and it was ok but not what I was looking for.  I then decided to crumple up some lightweight vellum and cut the M from that.  I loved that look.  Once it was adhered it to the card panel the love was lost.

I cut a brushed silver M and used the vellum as a shadow instead.  I cut the panel to 3 7/8” x 5”, added a brushed silver panel cut to 4’ x 5.25” and added this to an A2 black card base.

The final card was inspired by an Instagram post I saw from Jaycee Gaspar.  I loved how he colored his koi fish.  I cut the fish out of white card stock using Altenew’s – Calming Koi stamp and die set.  I stamped the spots for one with VersaMark ink and embossed it with clear embossing power then inked it with Altenew – Crimson Crisp Dye Ink.  The second I stamped the spots with Altenew – Crimson Crisp Dye Ink.  I cut the fins from vellum and glued the pieces together.  I embossed a blue card panel with the Altenew – Ribbon Waves embossing folder and splattered it with white gouache mixed with a bit of water and using a paint brush and a stamping block.  Once dried I sprayed the panel with a shimmer spritz and inked the edges with Altenew – Sapphire Fresh Dye Ink.  The panel was cut to 4”x5.25” and added to a black A2 card base.  The M was cut from matte copper cardstock and added to the panel along with the koi fish using dimensional adhesive.

I decided to make the packaging for the masculine cards a rustic, manly looking envelope made from the inner paper core from a roll of wrapping paper as well as a Guinness bottle cap for my recycled elements.  The twine is glued under the bottle cap that is on 6 stacked layers of foam tape.  It wraps around the envelope and then around the bottle cap for closure.

Feminine Cards:

I am going to be very honest.  I had so many “great” ideas for the feminine cards and so many of them failed.  A couple I salvaged and used but others remain in the garbage can.  It makes me have even more respect for all of those crafters out there that make it look so easy.

I tried to stretch my creativity with the feminine cards.  Each one is very different but they all had a technique I learned in the classes.

I started with the Altenew Build-A-Garden Pristine Peonies stamp set.  I stamped and heat embossed the large image on gold card stock with black embossing and then on black card stock with gold embossing.  I taped the template I created onto each panel.  Using the Altenew – Mega Alphabet Dies I cut the K out of each.  I used a nested frame die to cut the frame from each.

I alternated the gold and black to create the layers and then adhered them to an A2 card base.  I chose the black background card to add to the set as I felt it was cleaner and had nice shine.

For this card, I chose a piece of floral patterned paper I thought was pretty.  I really like the Altenew – Woven Basket 3D embossing folder and felt they worked well together.  I cut the K from the floral paper.  I covered the embossing folder with Vintage Photo Distress Ink, misted a piece of kraft card stock cut to 4.25″ x 5.5″, added it to the folder, then ran it through the die cutting machine.  Using the same brown ink, I blended the edges a bit darker to show more detail.  Using Altenew inks Hunter Green, Just Green and Teal Tempest I blended them onto card stock and cut the leaves out using the Altenew Fresh Flowers die set.  After gluing the leaves around the K, I added veins to the leaves with an embossing tool and some Wink of Stella for some shine.  The panel was then attached at a kraft A2 sized card base.

Using Altenew Mauve Fresh Dye Ink I used a technique learned in the Irresistible Inking Techniques class to color a piece of card stock.  You use the ink pad directly to the paper.  Then using Altenew Antique Gold pigment ink I inked the edges of the card stock.  I cut a K from gold and patterned card stock.  Using the gold as a shadow I added them to the card front using dimensional foam.  The panel was cut to 4″x 5.25″ and added to a white A2 sized card base.

The next card uses a similar technique as I used on the gold and black card but I added an embossing folder to the mix.  I embossed 2 pieces of white card stock using Altenew’s Charming Heliconia 3D embossing folder.  I used the coordinating stencils and ink blended one of the panels.  After I finished I felt the background was too white.  I inked the embossing folder with Altenew Arctic Fresh Dye Ink and misted the folder.  Placing the panel back in the folder I ran it through the die cutting machine to add the ink.  I did not think about how the misted water would react with the ink that was already on the panel, it created a unique droplet effect (happy accident).

As I did before, I taped the templets onto both panels and cut out the K using the die.  I swapped the colored and white die cut K’s, then embossed everything again as the die cutting flattened the images.

Once embossed the panels were attached to a orange A2 card bases.  I added only one to the set.  I chose the white background as it looked more unique to me and showed off the beautiful embossed image.

My final card had a bunch of learned techniques in it – layering, shine, ink blending, scene building, die cutting, embossing and stenciling.  Using Altenew’s Dancing Sunflowers stamp set with matching dies and stencils I stamped the image on white card stock and heat embossed it with gold.  Using the stencils I colored the sunflowers with Altenew’s Warm Sunshine and Velvet inks and the leaves with Just Green ink. The centers were colored using Hero Arts Cup O’ Joe and Caramel inks.  While that dried I ink blended a panel with Altenew Sapphire Fresh Dye Ink and splattered it with white gouache. The butterfly was stamped using Altenew’s Dream Big stamp and colored with the same inks used in the sunflowers.

For the packaging, I created a template to be sure the packing for both sets were the same.  In the end I did not round the edges as I liked the rustic envelope look.

After much contemplation about the feminine packaging I decided to make them cohesive but use a button instead of a beer cap.  I used the remainder of the inner roll from the wrapping paper to create this packaging. I considered a large gem but did not feel it went with the simplicity of the packaging.  I did watercolor and cut out a hummingbird from Altenew and add shimmer spray to it in order to add a little something extra to the feminine packaging.

This experience has been one of failure and liberation, excitement and defeat, happiness and disappointment.  I loved every minute of it.  I have tested and experimented with ideas that were in my head that I thought would be fabulous and failed miserably.  Others I was so happy with and took one step further and completely ruined.  Some I hated and then tried again and loved.  It has been a wild ride so far and I am only at the end of Level One.  I cannot wait to see what is around the next curve of this ride.  Thank you for joining me!

 

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AECP – Irresistible Inking Techniques

This is the final course in Level 1 AECP.  This set of classes included several very interesting techniques.  One was to add ink with a brayer.  Another was to add ink to the paper by placing the ink pad directly on the paper.  Yet another was to add color to the edges of your paper by dragging the ink pad along the edge at different angles and pressures.  I used all three of these techniques in this card.

The green layer is made using Sweet Leaf Crisp Dye Ink from Altenew onto a craft mat, adding a bit of water and then using a brayer to add it onto the card stock.  The pink layer is the straight to card stock method using Pink Pearl Crisp Dye Ink mini cube.  I rubbed it back and forth all over the card stock until it was the saturation I wanted.

I then stamped the pink layer, as well as, a blank piece of white card stock with Altenew’s Paint-A-Flower: Spider Mums stamp set using black ink.  I water colored the image on the white card stock only with Altenew’s Crisp Dye Inks Lavender Fields and Sweet Leaf.  I also added each of the corresponding inks along the outer edge of the layers as well as the Lavender Fields on the outer layer.  I stacked the layers and finished it off with a few clear sequins.

This first level of courses has been very interesting and I learned a lot.  It was also a refresher for several techniques I have not used in a long time.  This has been so inspiring for me.  I hope you enjoyed it as well.  Hope to see you on the next level.

 

 

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AECP – Easy Die Cutting Techniques

This course is Easy Die Cutting Techniques.  I very much enjoyed this set of classes and gave me new perspective on die cutting.  I chose two new dies I had recently purchased and thought they would work well together.

The die sets are Itty Bitty Flowers and Bird of the Mountain from Altenew.  I looked up pictures of Moussier and tried to match the colors as closely as possible,  I ink blended a small amount of red onto the front of the bird .  I cut the flowers out of white card stock and ink blended them using a number 10 detail blending brush from Altenew and their Mauve Fresh Dye Ink.  I started light and then inked heavier for the different layers.  I ink blended the background with Caribbean Sky Fresh Dye Ink from Altenew, a large bending brush and a cloud stencil.

 

I used 1mm dots behind the flowers to add dimension and then used 2mm dimensional foam tape behind the bird for it to stand a little higher off of the card.

 

The sentiment is from Altenew’s Elegant Sayings stamp and die set.  I added a little Wink of Stella on the wings and on the flower centers.  I finished it off with a few clear sequins.

I hope you enjoyed this card as much as I enjoyed making it.  See you soon.

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AECP – Seasonal Scene Building

The next course in the AECP Level One Certification is Seasonal Scene Building.  This set of classes was a lot of fun and really got the creative juices flowing.  I have a die set I have been so excited to try and a concept that has been in my head I was hoping I could bring to life.  The die set was Altenew’s Calming Koi.

My concept was to add an acetate panel to create a portion of the front of the card.  One Koi fish is attached to the acetate and the other is on the inside card base.  The acetate is sandwiched between a cutaway front panel and a cutaway card base.

I created the water effect with the Altenew Water Builder Stencil and Caribbean Sky, Blue Horizon, Aqualicious and Teal Tempest Fresh Dye Inks.  The Koi fish were cut from white card stock and velum and colored with Fresh Lemon, Honey Drizzle, Maple Yellow, Caramel Toffee and Jet Black Inks from Altenew.

I cut and colored an addition body piece of the Koi in order to hide the adhesive holding it to the acetate panel so you can see the fish from the top and the bottom.  I handcuff the opening and then used that piece as a guide for the cutting of the card base as well as the inside water piece. 

I used the cut out as a mask when I ink blended onto the card front so I did not get any ink on the acetate.  The sentiment is from Altenew’s Billowing Peonies stamp set.

This card was so much fun to create and I was excited that I was able to make something that has been swimming around in my brain for a while (pun intended).

I finished the card off with a couple Stickle dots.

I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did.  See you soon at the next course.  Have an amazing day!!

 

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AECP – Celebration: Stencil Techniques

Today’s course is Altenew’s Celebration: Stencil Techniques.  So many fun ways to use stencils.  I wanted to try out a new stencil I have from Altenew called Modern Circles.

I used an Altenew color family of inks – Sweet Dreams.  I applied  Aqualicious, Teal Cave and Galactic Stream with Altenew mini blending brushes.  The Ultra Sticky Mat is great for holding down the stencils and cardstock.  No need for tape.

I added a thank you sentiment from the Altenew Timeless Sentiments Die Set cut from Altenew Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock and backed it in white.  I popped the sentiment with foam tape and finished it off with a couple of gems.

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AECP – Easy Ink Blending

This course from Altenew is Easy Ink Blending.  I looked forward to this one as I tend to struggle with the smooth blend of ink and which ink colors to use.  I learned a lot!

 

For this card I chose the Altenew Spoon Daisy 3D Embossing Folder.  The embossed dimension of this folder is just stunning.  I pulled out my color cubes to get the inspiration for which colors to pick.  I decided on Altenew’s Soft Lilac, Lavender Fields and Teal Cave, and added MFT’s Boysenberry.  These colors were blended onto white cardstock using the Altenew medium blending brushes and the Ultra Sticky Mat.

I then embossed the blended panel, as well as, one cut out of white cardstock. I cut down the blended panel and placed it on top of the white embossed panel.  The images “locked” into one another and then I glued them down.

I went over the raised areas with a white ink pad to enhance the embossed image.  I popped up the embossed panel with foam tape and then added a simple hello sentiment to finish it off.