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 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-Level 2-In The Mood for Color

 These cards are inspired my my latest Altenew class- In The Mood for Color.  Did you know that your color choices relay a message to the recipient?  I had never considered this when card making.  This class was another good one in the Altenew lineup.  

My first card uses blue as the main color.  Blue is calming and tranquil. I think this is a good color for a sympathy card and this one is going to my cousin in North Carolina who recently lost his wife.

I stamped each of the blooms in the Wallpaper Art set and colored them with various blue Copic markers.  After stamping the leaf stamp from that set onto my cardstock using Hunter Green ink, I ink blended Arctic blue ink around the edges. I then arranged my blooms.  I attached my cardstock piece to a black piece of cardstock slightly larger.  My sentiment is stamped in black and is from the Starry Flowers stamp set.  This piece was also backed with black cardstock.  All were then adhered to an A2 card base.  The blooms were trimmed as they were hanging over the edge in places.

The color red signifies love, passion or energy.  The Watercolor Blooms stamp set if full of blooms and is easy to stamp.  I stamped several of the images using a base layer of pink with the second layer in red.  The foliage is stamped using Just Green ink.  The sentiment is from the Paint A Flower Anemone set and stamped in red.  

The circle of black and white is preprinted vellum from my stash backed with a white piece of cardstock.  I dry embossed my card front with an embossing folder in my stash as well.  I thought the tiny dots continued the theme of my card.  After die cutting and attaching all of my pieces, I adhered my card front to an A2 card base.

Yellow is a color that can demonstrate energy, optimism, or cheer.  I think this card does that.  It utilizes a partial die cut technique that I have been wanting to try.  The bloom in the Ranunculus set is perfect for this. I used Mocha, Citrus Burst, Maple Yellow, Honey Drizzle and Caramel Toffee for the flower.  The foliage was stamped using Galactic Stream, Dew Drops and Aqualicious inks. I then ink blended the edges using Maple Yellow.  The sentiment is stamped in Galactic Stream, then in Versa Mark and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. To finish off the card, I added tiny gold splatters.

The next two cards are quick and easy ones using embossing folders.  Altenew has some amazing folders.  I received this one in my last order and love it!  This is the Floating Foliage embossing folder.  I used a very light green cardstock from my stash.  After the panel was embossed, I lightly ran Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Ink over the raised portions.  I used Lucky Clover Distress Oxide ink to darken the centers of the leaves. I cut a 1 1/2" strip off one end of my panel and after white heat embossing my sentiment, I attached it to black cardstock.  I then attached the top portion, added a few pearls and attached to an A2 card base.

Words associated with the color green are growth, soothing and natural.  This embossing folder seems to use those words as well.  The card below uses the same technique as above with a slight color change.  I used Mowed Lawn and Luck Clover Distress Oxide inks.  I completed the card using the Fancy For You die cut out of some gold card stock in my stash. I did add a few matching gems from my stash as well.

Two slightly different looks using the same embossing folder.  I hope you enjoyed today's cards.

Happy Stamping!

AECP-Level 2-Impressive Heat Embossing

 Hello! Another wonderful Altenew class is the inspiration for today's cards.  Impressive Heat Embossing is another must take class.  After finishing the lessons, I pulled out ALL of the embossing powders in my stash.  And of course, there were quite a few.  But what fun it was to play with them all.  The card below is the first of my Christmas cards for this year.  I embossed the Amaryllis outline in Gold.  The second layer was stamped using a dark red ink.  The third layer was embossed using an Iridescent Embossing Powder and the fourth layer was embossed using Gold Embossing Powder. I opted to not use the stamen for this flower.  The greenery die cuts were embossed using a Green and Gold Embossing Powder.  I die cut all the pieces along with a Gold foil frame.  For added interest, I die cut the Garden Trellis Cover Die out of white cardstock and used this as my background. All pieces were adhered to an A2 card front.

Below is a close up spotlighting all that glitter and sparkle!

The card below uses several colors of embossing powders-Gold, Silver, Copper, Clear, and Holographic. I heat embossed each color separately.  It wasn't hard, just a slow process.  I think it was worth the effort.  

I used several stamp sets as well.  The sentiment is Copper embossed on Vellum and from the Ornamental Bliss set.  The leaves are from the Darling Rose set and the small branches and dots are from the Watercolor Blooms set.  I enjoy mixing stamp sets to get more out of them.

Here is a close up of all the different colors on this card.  I added a few matching gems, adhered the piece to a copper foil cardstock and then to an A2 cardfront.

This technique turned out to be a 2 for 1 card.  Using my stamp positioner was a great help.  Using 2 pieces of cardstock (one white and the other colored) cut to the same size, I stamped the white cardstock in an ink that matched my colored cardstock.  I then stamped in VersaMark Ink and heat embossed in Clear Embossing Ink. I then stamped my colored cardstock in VersaMark Ink and heat embossed using Silver Pearl Embossing Powder.  I die cut the center out of the colored cardstock and die cut a sentiment to match. A few clear gems were added to the front as well.

The close up shows how the stamping is continuous on the colored cardstock.  I also added some liquid glitter into the flower centers.  I really like how this card and the next one turned out.

This card uses the leftover frame from my previous card and is a very simple card. I stamped my flower in matching ink and Clear Embossing Powder as before. The flower images are from the Starry Flowers set and the sentiment is from the Always There set.

I added color to the flower centers and blooms.  The tiny butterflies were in my stash and just matched my flower centers.  I hope you enjoyed today's post.

Happy Stamping!

Level 2-Color Your Day

 Hello! It has been awhile since I posted because I have been traveling some.  I am home now and am again so enjoying my Altnew classes! I just finished with the Color Your Day classes and was so inspired by Therese.  Her accent is lovely as well. You should definitely give this class a try as there are so many tips to help you with color choices. Below is one of the cards I made utilizing these tips.

I chose the colors for this card by using the color wheel.  These are colors that I probably would have not used together before this class.  I stamped the blooms and leaves from the Majestic Bloom stamp set in coordinating red inks.  I used Misty Moor and Sea Forest inks for my leaves.  The background was created using the Stacked Diamonds Cover Die. I loosely used the 70/20/10 rule for the design.  (You will have to take this class to get this tip). 

I also used the Color Wheel for the color choices for this card.  I was surprised at how well I liked this color combo and will probably use it again. The background was stamped using the Antique Roses set and the sentiment is from the Ornamental Bliss set. This was a fun quick card to make.  I did add a few clear gems as well.

I received the Coneflower set before we traveled but did not have time to use it.  This was the first set I used when we returned!  I absolutely love it and will use it often. Therese encouraged us to look around for inspiration and also to participate in challenges.  These two cards were made with the October Color Challenge from Altenew in mind.  The inks used came from the Sweet Dreams, Sunflower Fields, and Coffee Break sets. My sentiments are from the Smiles and Hugs set and the Japanese Mum set. I used a few enamel dots made with Nuvo Crystal Drops in Buttermilk for the card on the right.

For this set of cards, I used the same stamp set-Delicate Bouquet.  Therese encouraged us to use different coloring mediums to achieve different looks from the same stamp.  The card on the left was colored using Copic Markers and the card on the right was painted with Altenew watercolors.  My watercoloring needs a great deal of improvement. I white heat embossed the stamp but may try this again using a darker embossing powder.  I did use the colors in my stamped image to color the sentiment strip and white heat embossed the words.  I added a die cut using the Burlap Texture Die to the background of the card on the left for more dimension.  A few gems were also added to each card. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Stamping!

AECP Level 1Final Challenge-Feminine Card Set

 

Oh my, what fun I have had creating! This post contains my submission for the feminine set of my Level 1 Final Challenge. The Level 1 classes are so full of wonderful inspiration and ideas.  If you have the chance, you should enroll in these classes.  I guarantee you will not be disappointed and will increase your crafting skills. This card set incorporates lessons learned from the following classes-All About Layering 1 and 2, Easy Die Cutting Techniques, Irresistible Ink Blending Techniques and Let It Shine.

For my color palate, Purple or Lilac was a must as it was my mother's favorite color. I experimented with different combinations of inks and cardstocks. I fell in love with the ink blending of Antique Linen and Old Paper Distress Oxide Inks. TIP-When using Distress Oxide Inks, let your inks dry well before using your inked piece. 

CARD#1-My ink colors for this Ranunculus bloom (and all my flowers) are Pale Mauve, Amethyst, Grape Agate, and Plum.  The leaves color palate are Marshland, Sea Forest and Mangrove Root.  I ink blended Old Paper Distress Oxide Ink onto the lower left corner, letting it fade away toward the center.  I had some foil tape, but it was too wide, so I made my own. TIP-Make your own tape by adhering a double sided adhesive sheet to a foil sheet of cardstock and then cut it to your desired width. Remove the backing and attach it to the desired area of your card front.  I attached a few gold sequins for more shine.

My sentiment is from the Ranunculus set as well.  I also added some Wink of Stella to the bloom but try as I might, I couldn't capture it in a picture.

CARD#2-I used the Dotted Scales Debossing Plate to add interest to my ink blended background.  The tulips are from the Build A Flower-Bearded Iris Set.  I continued with the same purple color palate for the bloom and green color palate for the leaves.  The sentiment is from the Ranunculus Set. I backed it with purple card stock and adhered it with foam squares. 

I added a few purple gem stones from my stash for some bling.  I truly wish the color of this ink blended background was more defined in the photo.  It is such a soft background. 

CARD#3-This card uses a pale green cardstock as its background and also a recycled element-a used dryer sheet!  I used an oval die to cut out the center area of the pale green card stock and then ran it through an embossing folder.  I then placed it on my card front and traced the inside lightly in pencil.  After stamping and die cutting several blossoms from the Stunning Cosmos Set, I adhered them in place to peak through the oval.  I then covered the blossoms with a glue stick, topped this with my dryer sheet and then rubbed a tiny bit of fine glitter into the sheet and wet glue. When this was dry, I trimmed my excess and attached my embossed cardstock using foam tape. Tiny pearls were added as well.

Above is a close up to see all the glitter and sparkle.  The sentiment is from the Bearded Iris Set.

CARD#4-The ink blended background is more visible in the picture of this card ( I may need a better camera/phone-ha). I used the Gem Frame Die to cut out the center and then cut a second one from my Gold Mirror Cardstock.  The ink blended piece was adhered using foam tape to an A2 card front.  Using the inlaid technique, I then adhered the gem die cut to the card. The bloom and leaves utilize the same color palate and are from the Antique Roses Set.  Wink of Stella was added for more sparkle.

The above picture more closely shows the effect of the inlaid technique.  I also added some purple enamel dots from my stash that are just the right color.  The sentiment is from the Majestic Bloom Set.

CARD#5-The Japanese Mum Set is one of my very favorite sets from Altenew!  This card just makes me smile.  I first ran a piece of white cardstock through an embossing folder very much like Altenew's Organic Linen 3D Embossing Folder.  However, this folder is not 3D or Altenew, so it did not emboss as deeply. I then backed this piece with a Gold Mirror Cardstock. My blooms & leaves were adhered & trimmed to fit the A2 card front.

The sentiment is from the Ornamental Bliss Set.  I adhered a purple strip of cardstock to a Gold Mirror piece and after white heat embossing the sentiment to a Vellum strip, I adhered it by wrapping it around to the back of my Gold cardstock and adhering it with tape.

CARD#6-This is by far the easiest of the set when it comes to creating!  I am a huge fan of Altenew's 3D embossing folders.  I only have 2, but my wish list is VERY LONG!  I ran a piece of dark purple cardstock through my machine using the  Daisy Bed 3D Embossing Folder.  Using a VersaMark pen, I inked the center of each flower, applied Iridescent Embossing Powder and heat embossed with my heat tool.  When this was dry, I applied White Pigment Ink over the raised parts of the petals using a (you guessed it) finger dauber. TIP-Pigment Ink takes longer to dry, so either heat set it with your heat gun or wait about 30 minutes.  

I absolutely love the way this card turned out and plan to make several more in different colors.  

Above is the hand made gift box for my cards.  I used the gold foil cardstock for the "ribbon".  I just cut my strips wider than the ones I used on my card and adhered them to the box top. Below are instructions for the box.

Measure the depth that you need for your box. I wanted my box to be 1 1/2" deep.  This measurement is placed in the end blanks of the equation. Since my cards are 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", I chose 4 1/2" as my width and 6" as my length.  This gives you the measurement for your cardstock.  Cut your cardstock 7 1/2" x 9" and score at 1 1/2" on all 4 sides. TIP-FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX ONLY-Before you score, cut a smidge (1/16") off of 2 sides that share a corner.  This helps your top to fit better and doesn't affect your end result.

Since I wanted my box top to be shorter in depth than my box bottom, I used 1" for my depth.  See the equation above.  Below is a screen shot to show you how to cut and adhere your box together.

See how nicely the cards fit into the box!  I made the box for my masculine set in the same way.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you found some inspiration and enjoyment. And give Altenew classes a look, you will not be disappointed.