Hello and Welcome,
I am on my final challenge for the Level 1 Altenew Educator Certification Program.
For this challenge I was to create one set of Masculine and one set of Feminine cards. For these I had to use at least three techniques I learned from AECP level 1 courses. Both sets must be cohesive and I was to use a recycled item as part of the challenge. The AECP techniques I used are as follows:
1. All about ink Blending
2. Easy Die Cut Techniques
3. Let it Shine
4. Stencil Techniques
For my first set of cards, I used the following items:
Stackable circle die set (any)
Altenew - Gold foil card stock
Distress Oxide inks
Altenew - Hello die set
Altenew - Monsteria 3D die set
To begin my card I selected the size from my stackable circle die set to cut the center of my card stock. Once the center is cut, I use the same size circle and one size larger to make the center frame. I cut my frame using the Altenew gold foil card stock. As a reminder, when cutting the center of the card, make sure to open the card so you do not accidentally cut the back of the card; unless that is the look you are going for.
Once my frame was adhered, I used the one size larger circle die to cut the center background. After my background was cut, I used my Distress Oxide inks (Speckled Egg, Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon, Spun sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry) to create an ombre of colors.
Masculine card - I used the Altenew monsteria 3D die set, layered the leaves, and adhered them to the background. Using the Altenew hello die, I cut three hellos from white card stock and one from the Altenew gold foil card stock. I adhered all the Hello die cuts together and glued them on top of the leaves for added dimension.
Feminine card - I followed the same process leaving out the center leaves and added jewels for added sparkle.
For my second set of cards, I used the following items:
Altenew - Hello die set
Altenew - Gold foil card stock
Altenew - Dotted Blooms stamp set with coordinating dies
Altenew - Stone wall stencil
Altenew - Metallic water Color
Stackable rectangle die set (any)
Distress Oxide inks
My first process when creating both cards was to cut all my layering pieces out using any stackable rectangle die set you have.
Masculine card - I made sure to cut one of the layering pieces out of the Altenew gold card stock. Once the layers were cut, I used my Altenew stone wall stencil and embossed the stencil into the card stock. To achieve the embossed look, I used my die-cutting machine and followed the manufacture recommendations for embossing. Once the paper was embossed, I used Distress Oxide inks to create another ombre background. Be careful not to blend too hard since the paper has been embossed. After I was done with ink blending, I used the Altenew metallic watercolors to flick gold splatters across the ink blending. I cut three Hellos out of white card stock and one out of the Altenew gold card stock and adhered them together for added dimension.
Feminine card - Using the coordinating die set from the Altenew dotted blooms stamp set, I cut one of my layering rectangle pieces. I stamped the flower onto the cutout. I used the same pink colors of Distress ink to create one of my panels while matching the colors of the flower petals. I embossed the die cut background using the Altenew stone wall stencil. To achieve the embossed look, I used my die cutting machine and followed the manufacture recommendations for embossing. After embossing, I inlayed the flower into the cutout. I cut three Hellos out of white card stock and one out of the Altenew gold card stock and adhered them together for added dimension. Once I adhered to all the panels, I added some jewels for added sparkle.
For my third set of cards, I used the following items:
Altenew - Thank You die set
Altenew - Gold washi tape
Altenew - Stone wall stencil
Altenew - Gold foil card stock
Altenew - Mariposa die set
Distress Oxide ink
Stackable rectangle die set (any)
Glitter paper
For both sets of cards, I used the Altenew thank you die set. I cut three thank yous out of white card stock and one out of the Altenew gold card stock and adhered them together for added dimension. I also used Distress Oxide ink to create a thank you shadow by adhering the colored thank you offset.
Masculine card - I used the Altenew gold foil for my card base. Using the same rectangle die set, I cut my layering pieces out of white card stock. Using the same Distress ink colors, I created my blue panel. I embossed the die cut background using the Altenew stone wall stencil. To achieve the embossed look, I used my die-cutting machine and followed the manufacture recommendations for embossing. To finish the card, I added the thank you die cuts for added dimension.
Feminine card - I cut a 1.5" strip of card stock and used my Distress ink to create the pink panel. Using the Altenew gold washi tape to separate the colored panel from the white base of the card. I cut two butterflies out of white card stock and one out of pink glitter paper. I adhered to the center of the butterflies making sure not the adhere the wings to give the effect of them getting ready to fly off the card and it helps give the card more dimension. To finish the card by adding the thank you die cuts to the center of the card.
For my fourth and final set, I used the following items:
Altenew - Monsteria 3D die set
Altenew - Metallic watercolor set
Altenew - Build-A-Flower Balloon Flower stamp set with coordinating die
Altenew - Antique gold embossing powder
Altenew - Gold foil card stock
Altenew Gold washi tape
Copic markers
Distress Oxide ink
Masculine card - I used the Altenew gold foil card stock for my card base. Using the same stackable rectangle die set, I cut my layering pieces out of white card stock. For the focal point of my card, I used the Altenew monsteria 3D die set. Once I cut all the leaves and pot out of white card stock, I decided to use my Copic markers for added color. I matched my markers to the Distress ink I was using and finished by using the Altenew metallic watercolors for added shimmer. Using the same watercolors, I splattered the color onto a smaller white layering panel and stamped the hello sentiment from the Altenew Build-A-Flower Balloon Flower stamp set.
Feminine card - I started by cutting a 2" panel out of white card stock. Once the panel was cut, I used the same Distress Oxide ink colors to create a pink panel. After the ink dried, I used an anti-static powder tool to remove all static from the panel before heat embossing. Using a dotted stencil and clear sticky ink, I heat embossed the dots using the Altenew antique embossing power. To finish the panel, I used the Altenew gold washi tape. To create the focal point of the card I decided to use the same Balloon Flower stamp set from Altenew along with the sentiment from the stamp set.
For the final piece of the challenge, I created a window box set for both my masculine and feminine cards out of recycled thin cardboard that was wrapped in white cardstock and created an acetate window out of the Altenew packaging. I adhered the acetate to the box using a tape runner. The box measures 7 1/2 X 6 1/2 and all four sides scored at 1".
Since the box was wrapped in white card stock, it gave me the ability to use the same Distress ink colors to make sure everything stays in a cohesive manner. To separate the colors, I decided to use the same Altenew gold washi tape.
For the white panel, I wanted to give the recipient an opportunity to see through the box to get a glimpse at the cards awaiting them.
I hope you enjoyed the journey with me as I had fun sharing my creations with you. I hope this will inspire you to join the Altenew Academy and as always, I can't wait to see what you create.
