Author: Susan Little

Posted on

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.

 

 

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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!!

 

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

 

Posted on

AECP – Let It Shine

This course is Let It Shine.  I wanted to try something in matte silver as shiny gold or glitter paper are my go to for adding shine.  My last class was about masculine cards and I am still a bit in that mindset.  I love gems, glitter and shiny paper but I wanted to try to add shine but also stay masculine.

I used the Altenew Edged Wildflower Die.  It cuts beautifully and has endless possibilities.  Sympathy cards can sometimes be hard. I struggle with it being too simple or too much.  I tried to stay in the middle of the road with this one.  The sentiment is from Altenew’s Elegant Sayings stamp set embossed with silver embossing powder and splattered with Brutus Monroe’s Sterling Shimmer Splash.

Sometimes matte shine can still shine if you add a little splatter!

Posted on

AECP – For The Guys

This project was for the Altenew course – For The Guys.  Masculine cards can be tough as I always want to add bling or shine.  There were so many great ideas and techniques in this course, I learned so much.

I decided to use the Altenew Step Builder Stencil.  The design on this really intimidated me.  I first tried ink blending and had so much fun I then decided to try it with paste.  I used Lunar Paste in the colors of Midnight Snack and Clear Skies.  I had never used these before and was very happy with the results.

I added a simple hello on the front as well as a couple black enamel dots.

There is still s good bit of shine on this card, but the dimension from the stencil and the paste were so cool.  This will be a technique I will be using again and again.

Posted on

AECP – Clean & Simple Boutique Cards

This card is my project from the Altenew course Clean & Simple Boutique Cards. I sometimes struggle with clean and simple so this class was great for me.

I used the Altenew Peony Sunshine 3D Embossing Folder as well as the Mini Delight Bee Kind stamp and die set. Using the mini blending brush I did light ink blending on the peony with Altenew Blush Rose Fresh Dye Ink.  The bee is stamped with Altenew Permanent Black Ink and Lemonade Stand Fresh Dye Ink.  The sentiment is from the Statement Flowers stamp set.

I cut the panel with the Stitched Indented Rectangles & Fitted Indented Rectangles both from Elizabeth Craft Designs.  I added foam tape to pop up the center panel for added dimension.

I embellished the wings of the bee with  Wink of Stella Clear & added a some mini gems.

Posted on

AECP – All About Layering 4

Today’s card is my project after completing Altenew’s All About Layering 4 course.  Be sure to check out this free class.

I used two Altenew layering stamp sets – Peony Bouquet and Dream Big.  These both were so much fun and easy to line up.

For the flowers I used Altenew Crisp Die Ink Pink Pearl – Coral Bliss – Heart Beat, for the leaves Altenew Fresh Dye Ink Matcha Tea – Swamp Green, and for the butterfly Altenew Fresh Dye Ink: Warm Sunshine – Tangerine Dream.  I cut out the flowers using the Peony Bouquet die set but fussy cut the butterfly.  The sentiment is from the Altenew Scripty Sentiments Die Set.

I used Pink Pearl to ink blend a halo in the center of the card panel and then added some gold ink spatter.  The flowers  and the sentiment are popped up with Dimension Foam Tape.  The butterfly has 2 layers so it would stand up a little taller.

I really enjoyed this class and these stamp sets.  I will be using these again very soon.

Posted on

AECP – All About Layering 3

Howdy!!  It has been a while.  Welcome to a new chapter.

I am excited to be accepted into Altenew’s AECP.  I will be making cards and posting them for different levels of the certification.  So let’s get started.

I am making a card today for my first course – All About Layering 3.  I decided that my first project would center around my mom.  She was my inspiration as a child and my cheerleader throughout my life.  Yellow roses were her favorite, and being a Texan, it just seemed appropriate.

The class explains how to use and line up layering stamp sets.  These layering sets can be a little tough to use at times but this class gives you great instruction on how to use them very easily.  I started with gray ink for my outline later to keep the lines of the flower soft.  Then using three different shades of yellow Altenew Ink (Lemonade Stand, Honey Drizzle & Maple Yellow) and two of green (Oak Moss & Matcha Tea) for each additional layer.  I used the die set to cut out the roses and leaves.  I stamped some of the other flowers from the set, also with gray ink, and cut them out using the die set as well.  I used dimensional tape to bring the layers off of the card base.  I stamped the sentiment with Altenew’s Permanent Black Pigment Ink.

I wanted to keep this card simple to show off the two beautiful yellow roses.

All About Layering 3 – Altenew – Beautiful Day Stamp Set