AECP-Easy Die Cutting Techniques

 Hello! I am continuing to enjoy my Altenew classes.  I have just completed Easy Die Cutting Techniques.  The instructors make everything look so easy and provide great instructions. The above card uses a die to make an impression.  

I used 110 lb cardstock cut to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 & placed it over the Leaf Frame Die from Altenew. I ran it through my die cut machine following the directions for embossing.  My paper cracked in a few spots and I liked the effect.  If you prefer a smoother look, slightly spritz your cardstock before embossing.

After embossing, I ink blended Bundled Sage & Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide Inks onto the frame, covering the center as I went. I then stamped & cut several blooms & leaves from Altenew's Watercolor Blooms set. I used Pink Pearl & Coral Bliss for my blooms  & a green ink in my stash for the leaves.  After arranging them on my card front, I stamped some tiny dots using another of the stamps in that set in Antique Gold Pigment Ink.  Since this is a pigment ink, it dries slower than dye ink.  Use your heat tool to dry it or just wait on it.  The sentiment is stamped in black using a stamp from Altenew's Wispy Begonia. Of course, I had to add some Wink of Stella to the blooms.  This was adhered to a top folding A2 card base.

I really like the effect of the cracked cardstock on the leaves.  I think it adds a more realistic effect.

Another fantastic technique is to use Vellum for your die cut.  I stamped the outline image from Prettiest Pomander several times onto Vellum & white heat embossed. I colored the back of my stamped pieces using Copic Markers. I did several because I enjoyed this technique & I love to color. My first card uses B95, B97, YG67, YR04 & YR07. I cut the completed image using the matching die. I then used a slightly larger circle die to partially cut the side out of my card front.  I found a matching piece of blue cardstock, cut it slightly smaller than my card front & also partially cut it with the same circle die. This blue piece was then embossed to add a small amount of texture. The sentiment was white heat embossed & is from the Ranunculus stamp set.  I also added a few jewels.  I placed glue dots behind the more embossed areas of my Vellum so that they wouldn't show.

Below is another sample using the same technique, only in more muted tones. I added several layers to my die cut piece for dimension. The pink cardstock was partially embossed.  The sentiment is from the Paint A Flower-Hydrangea.

My last sample for this class is totally different & again, I really enjoyed the process.  It is called the Inlaid Technique.  I used a light grey cardstock & stamped a background using matching ink.  I then stamped the sentiment from the Big World set. All the other pieces for this card are from the same set. I die cut the globe & globe holder from the background piece & adhered it to an A2 card front. I then cut a globe holder from black cardstock & adhered it into my cut out. After stamping & die cutting the globe, I cut 4 more out of white cardstock, glued them all together & then into the cut out globe section of my background cardstock.  To complete the card, I inked around the edges & a little on the background.

This was a great class & I really enjoyed these techniques.
 

AECP-All About Layering 2

 

The All About Layering Class was helpful & inspired me to try layering stamps in new ways.  I usually  stamp my outline stamps in black but chose a different route this time.

It was so exciting to get some new ink colors from Altenew!  Yellow is not one of my favorite colors BUT I really love these colors in the Sunflower Field set.  The ink covers the stamps smoothly which creats beautiful layers for florals. I am so happy with the way this turned out. The layering stamp set used in today's card is Japanese Mum.

I usually stamp my outline stamp in black ink, but decided to use Caramel Toffee for today’s sample. The other layers were Citrus Burst, Maple Yellow, & Honey Drizzle.  I also decided to change up the colors for the leaves a little.  The outline was stamped using Hunter Green & the layers were stamped using Dew Drops, Sweet Leaf, & Teal Cove. This gave the leaves a hint of blue.

I then die cut the stamped images using a die cut machine.  I added 2 layers of cardstock to one of the flowers for dimension.  For the corner piece, I started with a circle die cut from Kraft card stock, embossed it with a basket weave embossing folder & then inked a few areas with Caramel Toffee for a slightly weathered look.

After adhering it to the corner of a top folding A2 card, I cut off the excess, arranged my florals & leaves & then cut off the excess of the Japanese Mum.  A few gold sequins were added for a finishing touch.

Wink of Stella adds a little sparkle to these flowers.  I hope you can see that in this close up. 

Thanks for stopping by!

AECP-All About Layering 1

 

The Altenew Classes are so helpful and informative.  The instructors give easy to follow instructions & the examples are so inspiring.  Layering stamps can be intimidating & this set of classes certainly gives you the confidence to give it a whirl.  I used the Ranunculus set  for today's card.  I think this is the first stamp set I purchased from Altenew.

I stamped the outline image using Black Memento Ink, then used Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss & Vineyard Berry for my other layers.  The leaves were stamped using Black Memento Ink, Sweet Leaf & Just Green.

I then cut out my stamped images with the coordinating dies. I cut 2 more flower images from white card stock & adhered them to the back of my stamped image for dimension.

For the background, I ink blended Dew Drops from the lower right corner into the center, going lighter as I came to the center. For more interest, I spattered the background by using back ink mixed with alittle water & tapped off the end of a small paint brush.

I adhered my stamped image & then stamped the sentiment using Black Memento Ink.

Thank you for visiting today.  I hope this has inspired you to give layering stamps a try.