AECP-Level 2 Challenge-Part 2

The next part of the challenge was an upcycled/recycled project.  I had a certain project in mind, but as I was decorating for Christmas, I found an old decoration and decided to make something to inspire me in my craft area.  I don't have a craft room as such-my husband and I share our unfinished basement space for our hobbies. Here is the decoration I used.

I began by painting the interior white.  I then heat embossed 2 of the flower images from Vintage Garden stamp set using Rose Gold  Embossing powder onto watercolor paper.  I adore this stamp set!

Using the Watercolor Essential 12 pan set, I colored the stamped images.  After letting them dry, I used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  I also used 3 of the leaves in the set using the same technique.

For the background, I ink blended Stormy Sky and Tattered Rose Distress Oxide inks onto white cardstock.  For added interest, I stamped a text background using Silver Lake ink.  I wanted the sentiment to pop, so I used the same background technique on a separate piece of cardstock. I then stamped the sentiment, using gray and black inks to achieve a vintage look.  After cutting the sentiment piece, I dipped the edges into Versa Mark ink and heat embossed them using Rose Gold.  TIP-BE SURE TO HEAT FRONT AND BACK SIDES OF THE SENTIMENT PIECE.  

I did cut one of the flower images and arranged them onto the stamped cardstock.  The center flower image has one layer of cardstock behind it for some added dimension.  I also added 2 layers of cardstock behind the sentiment.  A few sequins finishes the project.

I really like the way this turned out and the sentiment helps me to try new things.  I am nervous with any watercolor technique, so these flower images also encourage me.

I hope this inspires you to try new things!  And the Altenew classes are a great place to start. 

Happy Stamping!

AECP-Level 2 Final Challenge-Part 1

 I received my Level 2 Final Challenge  and knew it would take me awhile to complete. And then my husband and I both became ill with sinus congestion/head colds.  That put us out of commission for about a week.  But it did give me some time to think about my planned projects.  

If you have been thinking about applying to the Altenew Educator Program, I would recommend it!  I have learned a great deal and really enjoyed each class.  

The above cards are my set of masculine cards for the challenge.  I will go into detail for each card creation and mention the classes that taught a specific technique or inspired me.

Techniques/Classes

*For The Guys-geometric design

*Easy Die Cutting-inlaid technique

*Let It Shine-brushed silver cardstock

*Magical Marker-coloring inlaid pieces

Instructions

*Cut 2 pieces of midweight white cardstock 4 1/8 x 5 3/8

*Position triangle die cuts on one piece and run through die cut machine TIP-KEEP INTERIOR TRIANGLE PIECES OF EACH TRIANGLE TOGETHER FOR EASIER ASSEMBLY LATER

*Adhere die cut cardstock to solid cardstock

*Cut matching triangles from brushed silver cardstock TIP-SAVE INSIDE PIECES FOR CARDFRONT

*Inlay silver triangle frames into triangle cut outs 

*Color white inside triangle pieces with 3 shades of alcohol markers and adhere to matching triangle cut out

*Cut "happy" 3 times from navy cardstock and adhere together. Adhere to card front.

*Silver emboss "birthday", trim and color edges with alcohol marker. Adhere to card front with foam.

*Attach white piece to navy cardstock measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and adhere to an A2 card

*Adhere brushed silver inside triangle pieces randomly on card front

Techniques/Classes

*Easy Die Cutting-leaves

*Celebrations-stencil technique

*With A Twist-color combination

*For The Guys-geometric design

*Let It Shine-silver embossed sentiment

Instructions

*Using the diamond builder stencil, follow the included guide and ink using Gentleman Gray ink set.

*TIP-CUT CARDSTOCK LARGER THAN WHAT YO NEED  AND TRIM TO SIZE AFTER COMPLETING STENCILING

*Trim stenciled cardstock to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

*Adhere to an A2 card front.

*Use leaf die to die cut 2 pieces from matching cardstock.

*Stamp sentiment and heat emboss in silver.

*Adhere pieces to card front

Techniques/Classes

*All About Layering-stamped globe

*Let It Shine-heat embossing sentiment

*Beyond Basic Backgrounds- stenciled and heat embossed background

*Impressive Heat Embossing-background

*Polychromatic-color choice

Instructions

*Using Stacked Diamonds Cover Die, cut from masking paper the size of your card front.

*Adhere mask to gray cardstock cut to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

* Cover entire card front with Versa Mark ink.

*Remove mask and apply embossing powder. TIP-USE A SCRAP PIECE OF CARDSTOCK TO SAMPLE DIFFERENT COLORS OF EMBOSSING POWDERS TO ACHEIVE YOUR DESIRED COLOR.

*Stamp one layer of world stamp using black ink and another layer using Versa Mark ink. Heat emboss. I used silver.

*Cover a piece of cardstock heavily with Versa Mark ink and heat emboss with silver. Cut the word "world" from this. Cut 2 more from plain cardstock and adhere all 3 together.

*Stamp remaining sentiments in black ink on gray cardstock.

*Cut globe piece from cardstock. (I inked it slightly for an aged look).

*Adhere pieces to card front. TIP-USE A STRONG ADHESIVE AS CARDSTOCK MAY WARP SLIGHTLY FROM THE HEAT EMBOSSING.

Techniques/Classes

*Let It Shine-sequins

*Irresistible Inking Techniques-ink blended background

*Beyond Basic Backgrounds-bokeh technique

*Easy die Cutting-card front

*Masking Unleased-inside of card

Instructions

*Ink blend colors onto card front. I used Gray Denim, Galactic Stream and Vineyard Berry. TIP-INK BLEND LIGHTLY AT FIRST AND THEN GO OVER AS OFTEN AS NEEDED TO ACHEIVE THE COLOR DEPTH THAT YOU DESIRE.

*Cut circles in varying sizes from scrap cardstock.

*Apply white craft ink with a sponge dauber into circles. TIP-WALK AWAY TO LET THE CRAFT INK DRY OR USE YOUR HEAT TOOL, BUT MAKE SURE IT IS DRY BEFORE CONTINUING.

*Use a circle die large enough to contain your sentiment and cut it out of card front in desired position.

*Lightly trace the opening onto a piece of masking paper cut to the size of the inside of your card.  Cut the circle out of the masking paper.

*Adhere masking paper to inside of card.  Ink this circle in the same way that you inked the card front. TIP-AGAIN, LET THE CRAFT INK DRY BEFORE CONTINUING.

*Remove masking paper and stamp sentiment on the inside of the card.

*Adhere sequins.

I hope you received some inspiration from today's post. I really enjoyed the creative process for these.  This is Part 1 of the challenge.  Stay tuned for Part 2. Happy Stamping!