Category: Holidays

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AECP – Level 3 – Elements of Floral Composition

Hello.  Welcome back.  I am so happy you are here.

This is course 5 for my level 3 certification called Elements of Floral Composition.  These classes were extremely educational as I have never had a formal art or floral class outside of grade school.  Jaycee Gaspar taught us about Color, Value, Line, Shape, Form, Texture, Space and the Rule of 3.  Let’s dive in!

For my card I chose the Altenew Stencil Art: White Cap Peonies with the add-on die. This card had more ink colors than any card I have ever made, using 14 not including the watercolors used on the background. This stencil set was so much fun to use.

My apologies as my photo for the first stencil using Altenew Fresh Dye Ink -Buttercream came out blurry.  On to stencil 2.  After positioning stencil 2 on top of the previously inked image, we ink blend Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Pumpkin Pie. Blending a bit darker towards the center of the large flower and the right side of the smaller flower.

We continue to stencil 3, using Altenew Fresh Dye Ink –  Sicilian Amber and the same technique as before.  This stencil has more than one stenciling layer so we covered the section we are not using with low tack tape, but a Post-It note would work well also.

We shift the stencil and our tape, then blend this section with Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Red Jasper.

Stencil 4 also has several sections to it.  The section on the large flower was ink blended with Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Misty Moor.

As before, we shifted the stencil and taped over areas to keep us from over blending into them.  This section was inked with Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Marshland.

The first later of the stem and leaves was blended using Altenew Crisp Dye Ink – Misty Mint.

We blended the first layer of the smaller flower using Altenew Fresh Dye Ink -Morning Frost, applying it a bit heavier towards the stem of the flower.

On to stencil 5, using Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Sea Forest on the detail of the large flower.  Then moving to the stem and leaves using Altenew Crisp Dye Ink – Sweet Leaf. Continuing the same technique as we did earlier with taping off sections to keep from over blending.

Finished with stencil 5 blending Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Evening Gray onto the smaller flower.

Stencil 6 is the final layers of the flowers. Using Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Mangrove Root on the large flower, Altenew Crisp Dye Ink – Hunter Green on the leaves and stems and the Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Moon Rock on the smaller flower.

The final results using this stencil set are just beautiful. You can’t go wrong with this one!

I went back and ink blended another image using the same inks and techniques as we did on the first.

Now we die cut both images using the coordination die for this set.

These are so pretty.

Starting on our background, we tape a piece of watercolor paper to our board. We are using painters tape.

Wanting to try a technique I saw on Instagram where you put water droplets of color on your dry watercolor paper and then come in with a wet mop brush and move the color.

Mine dried faster than I expected but I went back over the color with the brush and the droplets smoothed out nicely.

Staying with a very night wash.

Before setting it aside to dry, we checked the color saturation on our background with our flowers.

The glitter watercolor added a nice shimmer and dried nicely.

Deciding not to keep the whole floral images we fussy cut one large flower apart and also removed some of the leaves and stems.

We began test placement of the flowers on our dry background.  Adding low tack tape to the arrangement so it can be moved without having to rearrange again.

I use a piece of cardstock that I cut a 5.5″ x 4.25″ rectangle out of the center.  This allows me to see what the final card will look like when all of the excess is cut off.

Testing a couple different arrangements.

Turning the entire taped arrangement over we add glue to the lower right leaves and then low dimension foam to the partial flower on the right.  Adding a bit of liquid glue to the foam gives a bit of wiggle time before adhering to the panel.

Removing all but one piece of low tack tape, which we can use as a hinge, we add dimensional foam tape that is thicker to the back of the large flower. We saved all of the cut off leaves, even creating a couple leaves out of the cut off stems incase they are needed.

Everything has been adhered to the panel, now it is time to flip the panel over and trim off all of the excess that is hanging over the edges.

We added some splatter using Altenew Metallic Watercolor Enchanted Gold and tested out a sentiment found in our stash.

The shimmer from the metallic splatter and the watercolor background is very pretty and adds a bit of texture.

Adding a couple of Champagne clear drops from PinkFresh Studio adds some additional texture.

I hope you like my final card for my AECP certification.  Wish me luck on my final.  Thank you for coming on this journey with me.

 

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AECP – Level 3 – Botanical Illustration Inspired Watercolor – Advanced Techniques

Hello.  It is wonderful to have you back to my blog.

My new set of classes were taught by Jaycee Gaspar entitled Botanical Illustration Inspired Watercolor – Advanced Techniques.  They were inspiring. As I am not an artist, I did not do these classes justice, but I thoroughly enjoyed them.

My inspiration was this picture of purple coneflowers.

I used the Altenew Build-A-Flower: Coneflower stamp set.  I started by stamping the floral images onto masking paper and then fussy cut them out.

Using Altenew Limestone Fresh Dye Ink, I stamped the first floral image onto smooth watercolor paper.

I placed the mask over the image and stamped the next flower.

Using the next mask, placing it over the stamped image and then stamped the third flower.

I did this twice, arranging the flowers in two different configurations, as I was not sure which I liked better.

I chose one of the arrangements and taped the watercolor paper to my board using painters tape to keep the paper from warping during painting.

Using a very diluted wash of purple and the wet-on-dry technique, I began painting the flower petals.

After the petals were dry I did the same to the leaves with a wash of diluted yellow-green.

I slowly added layers of detail to both the petals and the leaves with darker more saturated colors.

Using brown, orange and black I stippled the color onto the flower centers to try to recreate the prickly cone center of the flowers.

I enlarged the center of the flower on the bottom left and added a light wash of yellow to the background, fading from bottom to top.

Before removing the paper from the board, I added some splatter using black watercolor instead of gouache so contrast would not be so stark.

Using my A2 sized die I tested to see which orientation looked better.

After cutting the image using the die, I stamped a sentiment from the stamp set in black ink, using the Stampwheel 2.0 and my T-square to get it straight.

Then added it to a black A2 sized card base using dimensional foam tape to add a bit of lift since this is a one layer card.

I have learned so much in these watercolor classes.  Having a new appreciation for the medium, I plan to continue to take more watercolor classes.  Hope you liked today’s card.  See you soon.

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AECP – Level 3 – Creative Coloring With Erum

Hello!

Todays course is called Creative Coloring With Erum and it was amazing!  I learn so many new and exciting techniques in these classes.

I chose the Altenew Bold Bouquet Stamp, Stencil and Die Set.  I stamped the image on water color paper with watermark ink using the Stampwheel 2.0.

Then heat embossed the image Pearl embossing powder. I did it twice just in case I needed an additional image or elements for my card.

The technique I am doing calls for woodless watercolor pencils and a stencil. I used Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Pencils in Festive Berries, Abandoned Coral, Mowed Lawn and Broken China.  You messy color through the stencil and then add water.

After removing the stencil you spritz the colored image with water.

The color movement with the water was very cool.  I moved the color around slightly with a brush.

I did this technique again on the second image but I did not use the stencil.  I feel the color flow was better with the stencil on the left.  I left these to dry and started on the background panel.

Using embossing paste I covered a panel of watercolor paper using a palette knife.  I wanted it to look rough and textured.  Using a technique from the class, I covered the wet paste with Tim Holtz Distress Rock Candy Glitter.

I left everything to dry completely over night.  The next technique was to add drips to the panel with watercolor paint.  I chose a medium blue which may have been too dark, in hind sight.

I mixed the watercolor with a lot of water and painted it on the paste covered panel, allowing the water to run as it pleased. I then added a bit of splatter using the same color.

Using the die from the set, I cut out both images and worked on the arrangement for the card.

I trimmed the background panel to 5.5″ x 4.25″ and added it to an A2 sized white card base. After adhering the floral images, I trimmed them to the size of the base. I pulled a couple sentiments from my stash and attached them with dimensional foam tape. I also added a couple gems for some added sparkle.

The glitter, paste and watercolor create the most amazing effect. I hope you like the card using today’s techniques.

Before I go, I wanted to pass along a tip about stencils.  The etching is always hard for me to see and I saw this tip from Tim Holtz a long time ago.  If you take black acrylic paint, any brand, and paint if over the etching (I use my finger), then let it sit for a few seconds.

Then take a paper towel and rub it off.  The paint will stay in the etched areas and not wash off.  I have done this to all of my stencils.  You can see it on my earlier picture with the stencil above.  Hope this tip helps you.  Have a great day and hope to see you again soon!

 

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AECP- Level 3 – Artists Watercolor 101 for Papercrafters

Welcome back to my blog.

This course is Artists Watercolor 101 for Papercrafters. I am really enjoying the watercolor classes and learning so much.

For this card I started by taping down the watercolor paper to my board to keep the warping to a minimum.

I tried the ombre technique with pink and blue watercolor paint with wet-on-wet painting.  You begin with a color on their side and then blend them to the center and create a third color. You try not to leave harsh lines and also not to overwork the color or paper.

I let it dry overnight and was very happy with the result.  When removing the tape be sure to pull it at an angle as to limit the tape tearing the paper.

I decided to add a floral stamp from Altenew’s Flower Arch – Craft Your Life Project Kit with white pigment ink and white embossing powder.

The white ink alone was pretty but the embossing powder adds such nice contrast.

After heat embossing I tested a couple colors of ink to see which looked better with the watercolor background. In the end I went with Altenew Berrylicious Fresh Dye Ink.

I cut the word “sending” from the Altenew Versatile Greeting 2 Die Set in two different areas of the blended ink, as I was planning on using an ombre on the word as well.  I did not like it as it did not contrast well enough.

I tested the orientation of the floral background as well as the sentiment placement in both horizontal and vertical directions.  I also heat embossed “BIG HUGS” from the stamp set on the scrap from the ink blended cardstock.

I cut the background down to 5.25″ x 4″ and used dimensional foam tape to add dimension to the back before adding it to an A2 card base. I cut 5 more sentiments from white cardstock, gluing and stacking them for dimension.  The BIG HUGS is popped up with dimensional foam tape.

I finished the card off with Altenew Mother of Pearl Gem Sparkles.  This is a simple card but I feel it shows off the ombre background very well.

This technique was challenging but so much fun to learn.  I hope you like the card and will see you back again soon.

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AECP – Masking Unleashed

Hello!!  So glad to see you today!

Today’s card is based on the classes from AECP – Masking Unleashed.

I used two different stamp sets for this card.  A retired stamp set from Altenew called Tulip and another stamp set called Versatile Vases.

I stamped out the tulip images and some of the leaves onto masking paper using Altenew – Permanent Black ink..

Then fussy cut them out staying close to the black stamped lines.  These will be my masks for the layers of stamping.  I needed more than I originally created so I stamped more tulips and one of the vase as well in green ink.

I tested out several ink combinations for my tulips as I wanted 3 to 4 different colored flowers in my vase.

I created a template for my stamping on a plain piece of paper and tested the placement.

Placing the template into the Misti stamping tool I set the bottom stamp later in position on the template.  Closed the door and picked up the stamp, removed the template and placed down my card stock piece.  Inked and stamped that bottom stamp.

Then lined up the detail stamp on the bottom stamped layer.  Ink and stamp the detail, repeat that for the other flowers.  I also placed the mask for the outer edge of the vase.

Once most of the flowers were stamped, I add the masks and begin stamping the leaves and stems.

Placing more masks I added an additional flower in the back at the top that would be behind a leaf.

After removing the flower masks.

I added a large piece of masking paper to create the table line at the bottom adding a bit of color from a blending brush.  I also added a bit of Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Arctic to the vase to add water in the vase.

I cropped the image down and adhered it to an A2 sized card base from kraft card stock.

Stamped the “hello” from the Versatile Vases stamp set onto light blue card stock to create a sentiment strip, added some foam tape and adhered it to the card front.

Then finished it off with some colored gems.  It turned out more with a  watercolor look than I had planned.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Hope you liked this card.

 

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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 – 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.