AECP-Transcending Tattoo Techniques

 Hello! I hope you are having a great day.  I recently completed another Altenew class and really found this one fascinating.  The instructor, Jaycee Gaspar, researched different tattoo techniques and transferred them into card making techniques.  Not only did I pick up a few card making techniques, I learned a little about tattooing. I will note the tattoo technique that inspired each card as we move along.

The above card was inspired by the tattoo technique called Trash Polka.  I was so intrigued by this that I actually googled several tattoo images-give it a try yourself. I found some truly beautiful artwork. All images were stamped onto a sand colored cardstock from my stash and then adhered to a white A2 card.  The background was partially stenciled using black ink and the Woven Stencil. The circles were stamped in red and the image is from a bicycle stamp in my stash.  I also added black splatters.  The blooms are from the Wallpaper Art set (one of my favorites) and the leaves are from the Darling Rose set.  The sentiment is from the Halftone Happy set. 

Here is a close up of the flower.  I did rough up the edges of my background and lightly ink blend the edges in black to add to the organic feel of the card.

This card utilizes the Loose Watercolor Technique.  After stamping and heat embossing the butterflies from the Painted Butterflies set in black onto watercolor paper, I wet specific areas and scraped dry pigment from the 12 color pan watercolor set onto the wet areas.  I did move some of the pigment around with a wet brush.  I used the same method on another piece of watercolor paper, then stamped and heat embossed the word happy and the sentiment from the Halftone Happy set. The background is dry embossed using the 3D Cloudy Day Embossing Folder.  The clouds were enhanced by adding highlights with white craft ink.

I hope you can see the pigment in the enlargement.  Can you see the variation of pigment? 

This card refers to the tattoo technique called Old School/Graphic Coloring.  To do this, first stamp the outline and then stamp the most detailed layer.  Hand color using your preferred method and use to create your card. I added some splatters and black gems to complete my card.  

The blooms and leaves are from the Always There set and the sentiment is from the Japanese Mum set.  The small white and black images are the tips from the Starry Flowers set.

This card was inspired by the Dotwork/Pen Shading Details technique.  I was slightly intimidated at first, but found it relaxing as I went along. Below is the stamped image prior to any dot work.

I used the Dotted Scales Debossing Cover Die, the Fancy For You Die, and the Just Leaves Dies to complete my card.  The bloom is from the Build a Flower-Gardenia set.

I hope you enjoyed this post and will give this class a try.  

Happy Stamping!

AECP-Stunningly Simple Watercolor Techniques

 The journey to become a Certified Altenew Educator continues and so does my learning!  Another great class was just completed.  If you have ever considered taking one of Altenew's many classes, I encourage you to do it.  You do not have to be part of the Educator Program to do so and I assure you that you will love it!  This class is taught by Lydia Evans and simplifies watercoloring.  

This is a sample of no line watercoloring.  For the card base, I ink blended over the Classy Stripes Stencil using Gray Denim ink and then stamped partial images using the Tall Foliage stamp.  The sentiment and bloom are from the Build A Flower-Gardenia set.  

The bloom was stamped on watercolor paper and then colored with purple and blue ink pads. I smooshed some ink from the pads onto my worksurface.  

This card uses an embossed image to "catch" your watercolors.  The raised embossed outlines help to keep the colors from bleeding into each other.  For the background, I ink blended Aqualicious around the edges and left the center mostly untouched.  Using the Garden Trellis Cover Die and a circle die, I cut my cardfront. After adhering it in place, I stamped the sentiment from the Vintage Garden set in black ink.

 Again, the bloom was stamped onto watercolor paper. Ink colors used for my watercoloring were Hunter Green, Aqualicious, Heart Beat and Caramel Toffee.

The focus of this card is the background.  I wet the entire piece and then added my colors and allowed them to blend on their own. The butterflies are from the Painted Butterflies set and the sentiment is from the Tall Foliage set.

If you look closely, you can see that the butterflies have a slight blue tint.  After heat embossing them onto vellum, I ink blended light blue onto the backs.  They are adhered with tiny glue dots behind the gold embossed areas.

The birthday card above used ink smooshing for the background.  The card on the right uses an ombre technique for the background.

This class was fun and I hope to utilize more watercoloring techniques in the future.

Happy Stamping!

AECP-Layering 3D Dies & More

 Another class from Altenew has done it again!  This class focused on using dies and not stamps.  My plan was to make cards with minimal or no stamping-just using dies.  Let's get started.

I started this card by cutting the Floral In-N-Out Border die from masking paper and adhering it to my card front.  I then used Altenew Alcohol Markers R301, R206, R403 and G702 to color through the openings in the die.  I then removed the masking paper and touched up a few areas.  After using the same die to cut another out of black cardstock, I adhered it to my card front.  The strip along the left side and the sentiment are cut from Dazzling Diamond cardstock.  The sentiment is from the dies for the Majestic Bloom set.  A few crystal gems are added for a tiny bit of bling. I also rounded my top and bottom edges on the right side.

With Valentines Day close, we all could use "love" cards.  I will have to admit, this card got a little messy!  After cutting the hearts and the You Are Loved from heavy white cardstock, I covered them with VersaMark ink.  I then added Red, Black and Silver embossing powders in random order and heat set.  I then added 2 more layers of cardstock to my sentiment.  I had a cover plate in my stash to make the pierced heart background.  After adhering my pieces to the pierced background, I attached it to a red A2cardfront.

This card can be completed in about 10 minutes and is one of my favorites!  I looked through my scrap stash (we all have them) and found some bright, coordinating colors.  I then used the Waterbrush Hello die on each piece.  I adhered them to my cardfront  and then used the Mod Squares 3D Embossing Folder for dimension.  After this was done, I ran the Antique Gold Pigment Ink Pad over the card lightly.  This card is one that can be used for a wide variety of ages. 

This post was short but these cards were a joy to create.  Until next time-

Happy Stamping!

AECP-Level 3-Creative Coloring with Erum-Advanced Techniques

 OH MY! I so enjoyed this class and learned so much.  This is a class that I will take over and over again.  Erum is such a fantastic colorist. I hope to be half as good as she is one day.  She is easy to follow and so intriguing to watch as her blossoms come to life before your eyes. This class is another one you must try from Altenew!

This cards is more vibrant in person and uses the Stippling Technique and Drip Background Technique. I used the Wallpaper Art stamp set and the 12 Pan Watercolor Set.  After heat embossing my flowers and leaves in white onto watercolor paper, I followed Erum's instructions.  I really like the way this card turned out and decided to leave off a sentiment to let the background shine.

My next card combines alcohol markers and layering stamping to achieve my desired shading.  I stamped my outline image and only one of my layers. You can see how the flower petals look before adding the alcohol markers. 

After my coloring was done, I embossed a white piece of cardstock using the 3D Modern Squares embossing folder.  I then lightly ink blended over the top using Grape Agate and Silver Lake and added a few splatters.  The blossoms are from the Build A Flower-Gardenia set and my sentiment is from the Dotted Blooms set.

I also added a few solid silver sequins and adhered it to an A2 card front.  The sentiment is white heat embossed onto black cardstock.

The card below uses watercolor pencils and spritzing with water.  The next time I try this technique, I will used a stamp with larger petals. This stamp is from the set Japanese Mum. As you can see below, my coloring is sketchy and random. After spritzing with water, the strokes smooth out and blend.

I heat embossed my image onto watercolor paper using white embossing powder.

To finish the card, I embossed white cardstock using the 3D Floating Foliage embossing folder and the ink blended a light green ink over the leaves only. I wanted my blossoms to be the star of this card, so I chose a sentiment from the Tiny Sentiments-Hello set and stamped it directly onto my card front in black ink.

To finish the card, I added 2 small die cut leaves in mat gold from my stash.

My last card is a one layer card except for the sentiment. Erum shows you how to achieve dimension on your projects with the use of color.  I have a way to go, but am pleased with this card.  I chose to use pencils for my blooms and leaves, but ink blended the stripes using the Classy Stripes Stencil and Sea Forest ink.  I added a few splatters using Mangrove Root ink. The stamp set used is Perfectly Perfect.  I did mask off my stamped blooms and leaves before stenciling.

After die cutting hugs, I ran the Mangrove Root ink pad over the piece for added color and then attached it to a white shadow die cut.  Of course, I added a few gold jewels as well. 

I hope today's cards motivated you to take this class.  You will be glad you did!

Happy Stamping!

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!

AECP-Level2-With A Twist

 I have completed another fantastic class in the Altenew classroom!  These classes are wonderful and each one is filled with techniques and tips to take your cardmaking and crafting up a notch.  This class is named With A Twist and was such a delight.  Therese Calvird is the instructor and so easy to follow. 

My first example is using a stamp in a slightly different way than it's designed use.  I started by stamping the Ranunculus outline stamp with Versa Mark ink and heat embossing it onto a blue cardstock.  For the second layer, I used only one of the shadow stamps and stamped it in Sapphire Ink. For the background, I ran two pieces of cardstock (one silver and one white) through my die cutting machine using the Dotted Scales Debossing Die.  I adhered these to my card front and attached a matching cardstock strip for added detail.  I then popped my flower and added a sentiment from the same set heat embossed in silver as well.

Here is a close up of the Ranuculus bloom.  I really like how this turned out and have another one in my stash for another card.

The above card used a different cut from the normal A2 design.  I have had this Ornamental Bliss stamp set for awhile and only used the sentiments.  That is really the reason I purchased it, but decided to use it for this design.  I think it worked well.  It is very easy to line up the layers.  The most difficult part is deciding which colors to use!  My color choices were Vineyard Berry, Amethyst, Caramel Toffee, Maple Yellow, Sweet Leaf and Galactic Stream. A few of my colors were not bright enough for my liking, so I brightened them up with Prisma Color Pencils.  After die cutting my stamped pieces, I adhered them to my circle card front.  The card front is ink blended in Sweet Leaf and the sentiment is stamped in Galactic Stream. I also added a few gems.

My final card used the twist of "inside out".  The front of the card depicts an indoor scene and the inside of the card is an outdoor scene.  I used five different stamp sets for this card and some of them are discontinued.  I mix and match my sets and I encourage you to try it as well. I did place a piece of acetate in the window for my glass.

I used Kraft cardstock for my window and lightly ink blended a darker brown for added detail.

After stamping the inside, I colored my images and used a Versa Mark Pen to the trees. I then heat embossed some white for snow.  The sentiment is from the Holiday Flower set and the Altenew ink colors used were Hunter Green, Just Green and Heart Beat.  If you would like the details of this card, please email me and I will give them to you.

Happy Stamping!