Category: Mother’s Day

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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 – All About Layering 7

Hello!

The next course for my AECP certification is All About Layering 7.  These were very interesting classes and I learned a lot. Using ink blending, water color, embossing folders, colored pencils, alcohol markers, embellishments, etc. you can add beautiful layers to your projects.

I chose Altenew’s Craft Your Life Set – Illuminated Scenes for this project. This set took me way out of my comfort zone.  It is intended to be a single layer card and is a beautiful set to work with, but I wanted to add layers.

I stamped the image on white cardstock with black ink.

The set includes stencils to color the components and create illumination of a portion of the image.

I worked through each stencil and added a little bit of darker shading in areas of the images. The inks used were Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Fresh Lemon on the window and some pink left in a blending brush, Wisteria and Ultraviolet on the pillows and Mocha and Fresh Lemon on the planter.

I continued working through the stencils and masking off sections so I did not over blend the ink.

I blended a bit of Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Silver Stone onto the blanket and then wanted to try a technique I saw Jen Raza use on a live a few weeks ago.  I masked everything off and using Altenew Shimmer Paste – Pearl, I added it to the image but made it textured so it looked like the blanket.

I really liked how it turned out.  Thanks Jen!!  I added Glossy Accents to the windows to make them look shiny like glass. I then fussy cut around the image to add more dimension.

Using colored pencils I added a bit of shading to the pillows, the couch, the table, the tray, the book and the planter.

Using a fine liner black marker I added a few lines on the blanket to create the folds in the material.

I added foam tape to the cutout image and added it to a white cardstock panel.

After masking off the image, I added just a bit of ink blending on the edges of the panel with Altenew Fresh Dye – Caribbean Sky ink and a large blending brush.

Then using Altenew Carbon Black Gauche, some water and a stamping block, I added splatter.

The fan brush worked well as I wanted fine splatter.

I also did a fine mist of shimmer spray for a bit of sparkle.

I trimmed the panel to 4″ x 5.25″ and added it to a black A2 sized card base.

I finished it with a sentiment from the stamp set and added dimension, as well as a few teal gems.

I hope you liked the card and look forward to seeing 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 – Level 2 Final Challenge – Altered Item/Upcycled Project (Part 2)

Thank you for continuing on my journey.

This is the second half of the final for my AECP – Level 2.  For this portion the challenge was:

  • Altered Item/Upcycled Project: Include an additional project that involves altering or upcycling an item.

I chose an old, dented metal box that has previously held nail clippers.

After lightly sanding the lid, I then painted it with light blue acrylic paint.  I made an arrangement of different flowers in various colors using the Altenew die sets: Pond Flowers, Lovely Floral Hat, and Zero-Waste 3D Floral Cover Die.

Using a piece of paper the size of the lid, I tested placement.

Once I had adjusted the flower placement, I covered the lid with a layer of Ranger Multi Medium Matte as my adhesive.

After adhering the flowers to the lid, I added bit of Glossy Accents to some of the flower centers for dimension.

I placed a piece of black foam on the inside of the box for a more finished look and to cover up the dents.

To complete it, I made a set of four matching gift tags using the Altenew Wild Daisies Press Plate and the following Altenew Fresh Dye Inks: Sapphire, Teal Cave, Berrylicious and Crystal Violet.  The inks were used on the press plate as well as ink blending the edges.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my upcycled box.  Wish me luck on my final!!

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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 – Magical Marker Techniques

Welcome Back!!  So happy to see you today!

The next set of classes in the AECP Certification are called Magical Marker Techniques.  It was a basic group of classes and  I used a couple of the techniques in my card.

I am using the newest Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Arched Foliage and it is an amazing set. So much goodness in here!

Using the Stampwheel 2.0, I stamped the large foliage image on Hammermill white cardstock a with black ink that is safe to use with alcohol ink markers, letting it completely dry before coloring. I also stamped it on vellum and clear heat embossed the vellum.

On the first set of leaves I used 3 different markers.  I will show you my step-by-step coloring on a single leaf.

Using Copic markers, I colored in the entire leaf with the YG17.

The next step, I outlined the veins with a darker green G17.

Then added just a touch of G99 at the base of the leaf for some shadow.

Then come back in and blend everything so that the harsh lines are gone.

The next set of leaves are done the same way but I used 4 colors this time.  Color the base with G14 and the first set on outlining with YG17.

Enhance the veins by outlining with a darker green, G17, and add a bit of shading at the base of the leaf.

Add the bit of G99 at the base of the leaf where the stem starts.

Then blend it all out with the G14.  As you can see they lighten a bit once they dry.

This is the entire stamped image after coloring it.  Using the included die I cut out the image.

The class taught how to use an alcohol marker on a craft mat and spray with 91% isopropyl alcohol, then smush the paper into the ink.

To be honest it was a failure, but how cool are all of those droplets?

I repeated the steps several times.  After it dried I embossed it using the Altenew – Arched Foliage 3D Embossing Folder.  It was interesting that it shrunk about a quarter of an inch from top to bottom.

I cut the foliage up into several different pieces and added them around the embossed back ground.

I stamped the JUST A NOTE stamp on both white card stock and vellum using black ink and heat embossed with clear powder.  I did not like either by themselves, so I glued the vellum over the white cardstock stamped image adding the glue behind the thicker part of the letters.

In some places I added foam tape for dimension, on others I glued it directly onto the card base.

I added some iridescent pearls to add a bit of interest.  Since my card base shrunk, I left a bit of white showing on the top and bottom of my card.

I hope you like today’s card.  Thank you for stopping by.  Hope to see you again soon.

 

 

 

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AECP – Impressive Heat Embossing

Hello and Welcome Back!

The latest set of AECP classes were Impressive Heat Embossing.  This gave me a reason to try out techniques that I thought would be fun and different from everyday heat embossing.

I chose the Altenew: Craft Your Life Project Kit: Wings & Petals for this card.  It has so many elements to it, but I chose the butterfly dies and the large focal stamp.

Like most crafters I have a lot of embossing powders, and if I am being honest, I rarely ever use any of them besides white, black and clear.  So I decided none of the basics would be used on this project.

Using 110 lbs. white card stock I die cut the base layers of the butterflies three times each.  Using repositionable adhesive I stuck popsicle sticks on the back of the card stock pieces to hold them for heat setting.

Using the stick and my fingers, I pushed the entire die cut into the embossing ink pad, making sure every bit had ink on it.

I wanted  the butterflies to have color combinations and not just single solid colors.

On some I added the powder with a small scoop in areas.

Then poured the second color on top of the whole die cut.

Changing up the color combinations on every set of butterflies.

Some I just stuck the die cut piece into pile a of embossing powder and then poured the second color on top.

Using a heat tool I heat set all of the die cuts.  Some turned out better than others.

Using black card stock I cut out all of the top layers and matched them to the base layers.

I assembled them using glue and a strong magnet to hold the pieces together while they dried.

Some of these the bottom layers were so pretty compared to the top.  It was sad to cover them up as they were being assembled.

On a couple, I added some dimensional foam in between the layers.

I heat embossed the floral stamp with Cast Iron embossing powder I found in my stash.  It has a hammered metal look to it.

I ink blended the bottom of the piece using Altenew Fresh Dye Ink – Arctic.  I went over the bottom with a blender brush that had some darker blue in it, to add a bit of an ombre effect.

After testing out which butterflies to use and where to place them, I came up with this.  I really wanted to use them all. Adhering it to an A2 size card base and added a heat embossed HELLO, using the cast iron embossing powder as well.  Then a few embellishments were added for some sparkle.

I hope you like today’s card.  Hope to see you again soon.

 

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AECP – Color Your Day

Howdy!!  Welcome Back!!

This set of classes was Color Your Day.  Lots of interesting ways to add color to your projects.

For today’s card, I used the February Craft Your Life Monthly Subscription Kit – Flower Arch.  The kit has stamps, dies, stencils and an embossing folder.  This whole kit was amazing and I could not wait to use it.

Using the Stampwheel 2.0, I stamped the floral twice on Hammermill cardstock in order color it with alcohol markers. I did it twice in case I made a mistake.

Using my Ohuhu alcohol markers, I colored the floral using the markers shown.  Then cut out the image with the coordinating die.

I sprayed 110 lb. white cardstock with some water and then embossed it with the Flower Arch embossing folder from the kit.

After the cardstock dried, I began ink blending the stone areas with Distress Oxide Inks in Pumice Stone, Gathered Twigs and Hickory Smoke using Altenew blending brushes and the stencil from the kit.

I kept adding color until it looked like stone.

I cut the sculpted upper piece from silver cardstock and aged it a bit with Distress Black Soot Ink. Then blended some blue ink onto  a small, scrap piece of cardstock to create a bit of sky.

I then fussy cut the arch, glued on the silver piece and then glued the entire piece onto the embossed card base.

On a scrap piece of kraft cardstock, I embossed the door section and inked it with the same Distress inks listed earlier.  I fussy cut it and glued it onto the card base as well.

The detail in this embossing folder is crazy. There is a lion’s head door knocker on the door!!

Not sure of the placement for the floral element, I moved the flower around several times before making a choice.  Added foam tape and adhered the floral element to the card base, trimming off the excess.

I used several of the cut off leaves to fill in some spots to make it look fuller against the stone wall.  Then adhered the entire piece to an A2 card base and a sentiment from the One-Go: Solid Sentiments Strips Press Plate.

The details in the embossing folder are just amazing.

This card was so much fun to create.  I look forward to finding new ways to use this floral stamp as well as this gorgeous embossing folder.  The kit also included beautiful door dies I haven’t even tried yet.

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