AECP Level 1 Card 10 - Irresistible Inking Techniques

 

This was another clean and simple card but one which ended up being one of my favourites! I will definitely be using this idea again in many more cards, I'm sure!

I used the Altenew Floral Art Layering Stamp set for this card. I used black ink to stamp all over the card with a smaller image and left a focal area to stamp a coloured larger flower. I cut the A2 panel down by 1/8" on all sides and inked the background panel all around the edges using the direct to paper inking method with the same coloured ink to frame the card and create some cohesiveness to the overall effect.

I used a scrap of black card stock for the sentiment strip and white heat embossed the sentiment. I off-set the sentiment to the left and cut a fish tail on the right side for some extra interest.

A few silver gems from my stash adhered randomly added some bling and the finishing touch. 

AECP Level 1 Card 9 - Easy Die Cutting Techniques

 

The videos in this course were very inspirational and one technique I particularly like doing is die cut inlay. Although it can be a little time consuming, it is also rather therapeutic and great to do while watching a movie on TV!

I started with an A2 panel and ink blended a pink background using 3 shades of pink and blending them so that the ink was darkest at the edges and became very light in the middle. This helps to lead the eye towards the focal area of the card. From another piece of the same card stock I die cut the design using the Altenew Layered Geo Cover Die A.  The pink panel was also die cut with the same die but before I allowed any of the many small pieces to fall out of the die, I used a piece of Glad Press 'n Seal to keep all the pieces in their correct placement. The white die cut was adhered to the base panel with liquid glue then each small coloured piece was adhered into the correct position also using liquid glue.

As this was die cut technique showcase, I decided to use only die cut images on this card. For the floral arrangement I used the Altenew Layered Floral Elements die set. I die cut all the pieces from white card stock but this time I coloured each piece with alcohol markers. I used the rule of 3's to arrange 3 different flowers and 3 sets of leaves in the bottom left corner and each element was popped up using foam tape to create more depth and dimension on the card. Placing the floral arrangement to the side left the middle lighter area for the sentiment which I die cut from black cardstock and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

A few clear sequins which change colour according to the colour they are placed on were adhered in a scattered manner to provide a finishing touch and the flowers were made sparkly with the addition of some clear Wink of Stella.

AECP Level 1 Card 8 - Seasonal Scene Building

 

Scene building is a bit out of my comfort zone but I embraced the challenge as if you don't try something you never know if it will be successful or not! 

I decided to create a male birthday card this time and seeing as I had the Altenew Mountain Scene stencil in my collection, this was the perfect choice. 

I also decided to change it up a bit and create a slimline card which is all the rage currently and also creat a peek-a-boo window to frame the scene. 

The stencilling was actually really easy to achieve and I just extended the scene to cover the longer card. I cut another base panel the same size and used a large oval die from my stash to cut out a window in the middle. To add some texture and interest, I used a wood grain stencil and embossed this onto the front panel, repeating this until the whole panel was embossed - another way to stretch your supplies. to further enhance the outdoor theme, I used a brown ink pad and dragged it lightly over the whole panel to ink up just the embossed/raised areas, thus creating a bark look. Some die cut leaves coloured with alcohol markers and arranged on opposite sides of the card added some interest and more texture and I finished off with a simple sentiment using the Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips die set and black and white card stock. This panel was popped up with lots of foam tape to create some depth and the window look.

AECP Level 1 Card 7 - Celebration Stencil Techniques

 

I created 2 fun and colourful cards after watching the video tutorials. 

It is great to stretch your supplies by creating stencils from die cuts and for these 2-for-1 cards I used the Altenew Tangled Loops Cover Die. 

I die cut the panel in 80 lb Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock, used some Pixie spray on the back and placed it firmly onto the A2 card base. I love creating rainbows so decided that a celebration birthday card was the perfect occasion for a rainbow! I blended 6 colours of Distress Oxide inks in Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Salty Ocean and Wilted Violet. I then removed the paper "stencil" to reveal the pattern created by masking the pattern on the background. The panel also left a thin white border around the card. 

For the sentiment, I used the Altenew Mega Label Love stamp set. I inked the stamp in Versafine Onyx black ink and heat embossed with fine detail clear embossing powder. These were popped up with foam tape for dimention and off-set to the left side of the card so that most of the background which is the hero of the card would still show. A few iridescent sequins completed the card.

I used the positive left over coloured paper die cut to create another similar card. This time I used the Altenew Mega Hello die for the sentiment. I wanted to add some sparkle to the sentiment but had run out of black glitter card stock so instead used plain black card stock and added Black Diamond Stickles to the die cut and left it to dry completely while stamping and heat embossing the sub-sentiment with white embossing powder onto black card stock. A few black enamel dots from my stash completed this card. 

I love how on both cards the use of black as an accent just pops against the very colourful card backgrounds. 

AECP Level 1 Card 6 - Let it Shine

 

I always love to add some bling and sparkle to my designs so this card was fun to create. 

I used the Altenew Peony Dream 3D Die Set to create this card. I decided to die cut all the elements in white card stock and colour them accordingly, rather than trying to find lots of coordinating card in the correct colours in my stash! There are 6 layers to the flowers but this set is very easy to put together with some stunning results. I can't wait to use it again in different colour combinations next time!

I used pink tones for each layer and to add some bling to the top layer of the flower I heat embossed this layer with rose gold shimmer embossing powder which is quite beautiful in real life. 

For the background, I used the Altenew Trellis Die and cut a panel from some pearl shimmer card stock and adhered this layer to the A2 size card base. In order to keep the soft pink tones consistent, I used some rose gold mirror cardstock for the sentiment panel and heat embossed the sentiment from the Altenew Fancy Greetings stamp set using Versafine Onyx back ink and clear fine detail embossing powder. 

Some diamond gems from my huge bling stash completed this very pretty card.

AECP Level 1 Card 5 - For the Guys

 

I enjoyed this class and decided to showcase the galaxy background technique in my male card.

Galaxy backgrounds are actually very easy to create. I used an 80 lb Neenah Classic Crest Solar White piece for my card panel. I used a few colours of Distress Oxide ink to blend in different colours over the background - blue, pink, yellow, green, purple. Once that layer was dry I added a light layer of black soot ink over the whole panel to create the "galaxy" look. I added splatters of silver mist spray all over the panel to look like stars. 

To create a card which would appeal to a young boy, I wanted to create a gaming theme but as I did not own a suitable Altenew stamp set I used a die from my stash to create the gaming console using black and silver card stock. A piece of black and white twine was added for texture and interest. 

In order to "ground" the focal die cut, I used the Altenew Fine Frames Diamonds die set to cut out 2 silver diamonds to use in the background. The sentiment was cut from the Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips die set using silver card stock and backing this with black card stock. A simple card but one that I'm sure any young boy would love to receive!

AECP Level 1 Card 4 - Easy Ink Blending Techniques

 

I am a big fan of ink blending! I find it very relaxing and the results are always beautiful. This video tutorial was fun to watch and this is my card creation inspired by the videos.

I decided to do the embossed resist technique and used an image from the Altenew Rose Blossom stamp set for this condolence card as the image was soft and delicate. I cut down a A2 card base to 3 1/2" wide and stamped the image repeatedly in 2 vertical row with Versamark embossing ink and added white fine detail embossing powder to this before heat setting the images. 

This panel was then ink blended with 3 Distress Oxide inks in Tumbled Glass, Iced Spruce and Peacock Feathers. I wiped excess ink which had accumulated on top of the white heat embossing with a dry cloth. I then added water splatters to the background and dabbed with a dry cloth to create some texture and interest to the background. 

To assemble the card, I cut both long edges of the inked panel at 1/4" and attached these off-centre to the Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb card panel. I stamped a sentiment from the Altenew Starry Blossoms stamp set onto some white pearl velum with Versafine Black Onyx ink, trimmed it down and attached it to the card. 

I completed the card with some Nuvo Jewel drops in Sea Breeze on the right side to add the finishing touch.

AECP Level 1 Card 3 - Clean and Simple Boutique Cards

 

I think my style of crafting, whether it is card making or any other paper craft, is clean and simple. Fussy cards with lots of different layers and textures and paper flowers are stunning but sometimes less is more and an understated, simple card is so elegant.

         For this card I used the Altenew Dot Botanicals Stamp Layering set and I stamped repeatedly in             various directions on the A2 card panel using a light green ink. I made sure that some of the                   images were stamped off the card as this looks more natural. I stamped the second layer over the             green layer using Versamark embossing ink. I then sprinkled a gold embossing powder over the             wet ink and heat set this. 

         I embossed the sentiments onto a piece of black card stock which provided a cohesive look to the           card. I cut the left end into a fish tail for added interest.

         I cut this piece down to 4 1/4 x 5"  and added a black layer 1/16" larger than the main panel.                   These were then attached to a standard top fold A2 card base. I felt that there was enough detail             in the design so did not feel the need for any further embellishing.

         

 

 

AECP Level 1 Card 2 - All about Layering Part 2

 

This card was such fun to create! I chose the Altenew Peony Bouquet layering stamp set as I love classic beauty of this stamp set. I used my stamping platform to create the flowers and leaves as I find this easier, especially if you are making more than 1 flower. I used Distress Oxide inks in three complimentary colours to create these beautiful dusty pink blooms and buds and also 3 green inks for the leaves.

 I used Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock for my card base. This card was folded into a top fold landscape card. The background was dry embossed using an embossing folder from my stash which created a lovely tone-on-tone textured background which provides interest but does not detract from the focal point of the flowers. I cut 1/8" off the top and bottom of the card base so that I could add some extra interest by adding this to a layer of rose gold mirror card stock cut to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" - a standard A2 size card. 

For the sentiment, I used the Altenew Layered Poppy stamp and stencil set, stamped the words onto white card stock using Versafine Onxy Black ink and heat embossing with clear embossing powder.

To finish off this pretty card, I added some pearl embellishments from my stash.

AECP Level 1 Card 1 - All about layering Part 1

 

I am very excited to be part of the Altenew Education Certification Program. I am on Level 1 currently.

This first card is my interpretation from the "All About Layering 1" video tutorial.

I chose to use the Build-a-Flower Stargazer layering stamp set for this card. I love Altenew layering stamps as the end result is so realistic. I used my stamping platform to stamp the flowers and used various inks from my stash. I splattered some Altenew black ink spray on the card base which was made from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock. I die-cut a sentiment using gold mirror card stock, added dimension to the flowers by bending the petals and leaves slightly, popping them up with foam tape and arranging in a triangle shape which is more pleasing to the eye. For the finishing touch, I used some bronze gems from my stash to embellish the card.