Category: Wedding Cards

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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 – 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 – 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 – Beautiful Details

Welcome back.  I am so glad you are here.

The next class in my AECP journey is Beautiful Details.

The classes were very informative and taught wonderful techniques.  One class in particular was so intriguing I began searching for a retired stamp set just to be able to try the technique.  I was able to get the stamp set!  The technique was so cool.  It used parts of layering stamps but not as they were intended.

You colored the stamp with watercolor markers.

Stamped the image on a scrap piece of paper, then using 2nd and 3rd generation stamping create the most intriguing flowers.  Then using a micron pen you sketch a flower.

This was fascinating and inspiring.

For today’s card I decided to use my Altenew Press Plate Blossoming Bouquet as the class is Beautiful Details and nothing is more detailed than a press plate.  This is only the second time I have used a press plate, it was so much fun and the details on these plates are amazing.

The ink was Altenew Obsidian Black Ink, I let it dry completely before I began coloring.

I with the stencils that were in the bundle, and using Altenew blending brushes, I colored the flowers using Distress Inks in Villainous Potion, Wilted Violet, and Picked Raspberry.

The leaves were colored with Altenew Fresh Dye Inks in Oak Moss, Swamp Green and Match Tea.

I wanted there to be some organic elements to this card since we are looking for details.  I cut a piece of kraft cardstock down and sprayed it with water.  I wadded it up and then opened it up to dry.  I wanted a lot of wrinkles and ridges so I did not smooth it out and then left it overnight to dry.

I made my base layer using the Essential Textures: Rustic Burlap Press Plate from Altenew and Distress Ink – Brushed Corduroy. After ink blending the edges with Distress Ink Vintage Photo I ink splattered with Altenew’s Carbon Black Artist Gouache.  As you can see I made a messy mistake with a huge glob on the upper left corner on my base later.  I will cover that with my leaf later.

I decided not to use any foam tape on this card and only use glue and super sticky tape.  I found which parts of the wrinkled kraft layer would touch the base layer and added sticky tape to those areas.  I carefully added it to the base layer being careful to not smooth out the beautiful wrinkles.

The same technique was used to adhere the floral piece.

Altenew’s One-Go: Solid Sentiment Strips Press Plate was amazing for creating the sentiment strip along with Obsidian Black Ink.  It took a couple passes to get it as solid as I wanted, it but it came out beautifully and cuts a bunch at one time.  I used a black marker to color the edges of the strip to hide the white cardstock.

I attached it only using glue under the floral piece and a tiny bit on the edge of the wrinkled kraft paper.  No foam under the strip.

I took a pair of sharp scissors and ran them along the edge of the burlap press plate layer to roughen the edges as they looked too crisp for the organic look I was hoping for.

To finish it off I added three iridescent gems to bring a little shine.

I brightened the center of the flower with a little bit of white watercolor pencil.  The messy, black glob is hidden under the leaf in the top right corner (in case you were wondering).  I hope you liked today’s card and hope to see you again soon.

 

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AECP – Polychromatic

Welcome Back!!

Today’s class is Polychromatic, which means of two or more colors; multi-colored.  I am very excited about this class.  My mind immediately went to butterflies and flowers using two specific Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kits: Butterfly Garden and Seasonal Blooms.  These are both amazing and beautiful kits.

I used the stencils to color blend the butterflies from the kit with Altenew Fresh Dye Inks: Persian Blue, Caribbean Sky, Sapphire, Blush Rose, Mauve Toasted Mauve, Dew Drop, Aqualicious, Alpine Aster, Water Hyacinth and Alpine Aster.  The kit includes a Zero-Waste die to cut out the entire background.  I colored the flowers from the Seasonal Blooms using the stamp and stencils from the set, then cut them out using the die from the set.

Using an Altenew Large Blending Brush I ink blended using Arctic Fresh Dye Ink on a 5.25″ x 6″ card base.  This is a non-standard size but I wanted lots of room for the flowers and butterflies on this card.  I then ink splattered using Altenew Metallic Watercolor using Topaz.

I put the card base and all the pieces in my Misti to see how I wanted everything to be arranged and where I thought the sentiment would fit.

Using glue and dimensional foam tape I added everything at different heights.

I also added a couple Pinkfresh Studio glitter dots to add a bit more dimension and interest.

Using color is so much fun and in these winter months a bit of Spring makes me smile.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a fantastic day.  Thank you for stopping by.

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AECP – Creative Watercolor Media

Howdy!  Hope you are doing well today.  I am glad you stopped by.

My latest class from Altenew is Creative Watercolor Media.  I was very excited for this class as I love watercolor.  I chose the stamp set Painted Butterflies from Altenew.  The butterflies are so whimsical and have a beautiful flow to them.  It has a matching die set but I did not use those today.

I used the outline images of the butterflies and stamped the images on Canson XL Cold Press watercolor paper with watermark ink and embossed with gold embossing powder.  Since I was water coloring the images I did not use the layering stamps this time.

The water colors I used were a set I have had for a long time and I am not sure of the brand.  Use what you have, even if it’s your kids Crayola set for school.

I used blues and purples to paint the butterflies with the wet-on-wet technique.  This is a technique where you paint the image or area with clean water then come back with wet paint on a wet brush and tap the paint to the water you put on the paper.  The paint will flow and move magically, it is so much fun.  I added several colors and allowed them to mix.

Once dry I used the same technique on the background but with a very pale blue and lots of water.  Once dry, I added gold splattered paint for some shine.

I did not have a colored cardstock on hand that worked well with the colors of the butterflies.  I taped off A2 size card base and ink blended the edges with Altenew Sapphire Fresh Dye Ink. I felt it needed some green tones so I added some Altenew Teal Cove Fresh Dye Ink as well, then added some gold paint splatter for a little more sparkle.

I cut the card panel to 4″ x 5.25″ and added the sentiment from the stamp set “You Inspire Me”. and some sequins for embellishment.

I am inspired by so many crafters and artists.  We should take time to tell those people how much they mean to us because we could all use kindness and encouragement.

Thank you for being here today.  I hope your day is amazing.