Altenew Educator’s Certification Program Level One Challenge

Hello friends! As many of you know I have been steadily working on obtaining certification through Altenew’s AECP. I have worked my way through level one, and now it is time for me to submit my challenge work to pass. The challenge I received was to create two sets of cohesive cards one being feminine and the other masculine while incorporating three components found in the Level One Courses. In addition to these guidelines I was to incorporate a recycled element in the cards or the packaging. While this may seem daunting at first this was absolutely the most fun I have had making cards in a very long time. I loved that it challenged me, but allowed me to be as creative as I wanted to be. My favorite color scheme while creating cards is white/black/gray with a pop of color, which I typically gravitate to red. I decided to use this scheme for the masculine cards, while incorporating pinks into the feminine cards and using the same design elements for each pair. I also chose to do an all occasion set of cards, because when I used to sell my cards at craft fairs I was often asked for “all occasion’ sets that would carry the customer throughout the year.

For the masculine cards I used cool greys, black, and various reds. For the feminine cards I used various colors of blush/pinks with cool greys, black, and white and you will see that throughout the sets with touches of gold and silver metallics to accent them. I used more than three techniques for these cards but I focused on the Easy Die Cutting Techniques, Let It Shine, and All About Layering 1/2 Techniques that were taught throughout Level One. I’m excited so let’s gets started!

Layer It UP! with easy die cutting, easy ink layering, and let it shine with embossing

For this set of cards I used the Layered Plaid Die Bundle to create the background for these cards. You will notice I die cut one of the layers twice in a different color offsetting it to add texture and a third layer. I also stamped the giraffe from the Baby Zoo stamp set in the lightest color of each the masculine (London Fog by Memento) and feminine colors (Altenew’s Frosty Pink). The intricate detail was stamped in a contrasting color to make their spots pop! The sentiment for each card was heat embossed one in silver and the other in white onto vellum creating contrast. The embossing and the added metallic gems really let these cards shine!

Tip: Creating contrast is key in creating cards to keep your eye moving and interested. For instance in the next photo you will see how washed out the giraffe became because I chose a lighter ink with no contrast. So this is what NOT to do:

Contrasting Layers with easy die cutting, layered stenciling, and let it shine details.

On my first card I really learned that contrast was key when creating these cards so I took extra measures to make that happen. For the Feminine card or the light grey and pink I used used the same color grey cardstock for both the die cut Garden Trellis Cover Plate die layer and the solid panel, but I applied a white pigment ink to the solid panel so that the trellis would pop. For the layering Bitter Root stencil, I applied Frosty Pink, Coral Bliss, and Ruby Red inks through the flowers and used Memento London Fog and Gray Flannel for the leaves. Using the accompanying die set, I cut out the floral to arrange it onto the cards. For the masculine version, I used a dark grey carstock, and inked the bottom layer with the Gray Flannel. The floral was inked with Coral Bliss, Ruby Red, and Grapevine Crisp Dye inks from Altenew, and the leaves with Memento London Fog and Gray Flannel. For the die cut sentiment I used the word Love stacked together three times creating dimension from the Script Words Die. The sub sentiment was heat embossed in black using the Sentiments Strips stamp set. For the let it shine element I added silver embossing on the love die cut on the masculine card, and added silver gemstone to both cards. I thought it could use just a little more shine so I added Pewter Distress Stain splatters over both cards to finish them off.

Geometrical Design, easy die cutting, let it shine and for the guys

For this project I veered off just a hair because I thought it was important to touch on the For the Guys class since making a masculine set was one of the key parts of the challenge. I really enjoyed the class on Geometrics, but I typically struggle in this area, so I wanted to explore it just a bit more, that and it was my husband’s birthday on the day I made this card. So it was a two-fer for me. I used the exact same inks as the card above, so I won’t continue to list them. I used the Sohcahtoa stamp set to create this fabulous geometric design which consists of multiple sized triangles some of which are solid, striped and outlined images. I used my Misti stamping positioning tool for this design because I wanted both the pink and the red cards to be exact, except for the color scheme. I started by stamping the bottom design first and then stamped and embossed the birthday sentiment from the Layered Cupcakes stamp set before moving on to the upper design. To add shimmer and shine I added the Pewter splatter again, and shiny enamel dots in the same triangle design. Since this was a birthday card, I just had to have a balloon, so I used a heart die cut from my stash and added shading with a Copic maker and white gel pen, and of course tucked the tail of the balloon under the focal panel. By the way he loved the card!

Monochromatic with Pops of Color: Let it shine, Easy Die Cutting, All About Layering 1

I often forget to use my Mini Delights, and really wanted to put the Mini Delight Poppy stamp and die set into use because I think it is stunning! One of the techniques that I was reminded of in Let it shine was adding shine using adhesive tape and embossing powder or glitter with it. For these two cards I used silver embossing powder applied over double sided adhesive tape. I used the grid lines on my cutting mat to line up the tape to get it straight and then burnished it with a bonefolder before removing the backing. Next I applied and melted the silver embossing powder. I used both of the Memento grey colors to stamp two flowers each and then Coral Bliss and Grapevine for the other two. I then stamped and embossed the the leaves multiple times to create the bouquet. Before adhering the florals to the panel, I added more shine by heat embossing the sentiment from Coral Sunset in black and added white splatter for added texture. I then popped up the floral with foam tape because I love all things with dimension on my cards.

Tip: Use a T- Ruler to set up your sentiments to get them straight!

Infinity Shaker: let it shine, all about layering, re-purposed packing

I honestly almost didn’t create this card, and I am so glad I did. I had too much fun! I started out by stamping the two layers of To the Moon stamp set to create the beautiful moon using Memento London Fog and Gray Flannel and then masked it with a circle die to blend the sky. What surprised me was how similar the skies turned out. I used Grapevine, both grays and Tuxedo black for the masculine card, but used the Coral Bliss for the feminine card. Both look similar because the black ink tinted them to almost the same degree but, I think they turned out great. I like elements of three in my design, so I stamped the Firework stamp twice because with the moon it made three! I of course added shine by embossing them in silver! To create the infinity shaker I used old stamp packaging and cut it to approximate 5×6 inches and applied double sided adhesive to the back of the panel. I folded over three sides and burnished the plastic to the adhesive creating a pocket. I added silver sequins before sealing up the fourth side. Next I lined up the City Scene stencil so that I would ink up the lightest color about 2.5 inches up and then flipped the stencil and applied black ink for the next layer. The feminine card was inked using Frosty Pink and the masculine card with Ruby Red. Once the panel was dry, I embossed the sentiment from the Firework stamp set in silver and then fussy cut the entire image out. I applied the city on top of the plastic layer using foam tape for added dimension and then adhered the entire panel onto a card base.

Tip: miter the corners of the packaging so that the infinity shaker stays tight, secure, and flat.

Shimmer, Shine, Contrast, and Dimension: let it shine, all about layering 1/ easy die cutting

These two cards are probably my favorite of the bunch. I kept with the color scheme of using blushes for the feminine card and reds for the masculine, but it came back down to contrast and that design element always wins. Because of that determination I went with a red banner sentiment for both cards. If you remember in my three cards above, I used geometric designs either by stamping or die cutting and to carry that theme along I chose to stencil the background for these cards. For the maculine card I used a red cardstock and blush for the other, but then I took a turn. I used the Grapevine Crisp Dye Ink for both and blended it heavily through the Sunburst stencil and embossed it in gold. I think this worked because I used 65 pound cardstock and had a very wet ink. Once I applied the embossing powder sporadically I then brushed some of it away leaving different levels of coverage and color peeking through.

Once the backgrounds were complete I stamped the Enchanting Beauty images using Versafine Nocturne and Morning Mist and heat embossed them in clear. For Both cards I did this on the blush cardstock for the most contrast in color. I blended Frosty Pink over some of the images going on the feminine card, but left the masculine card alone. Once the pieces were all die cut with the accompanying die, I arranged the florals popping some up with foam tape to add dimension. I finally stamped and embossed the greeting from the African Daisy stamp set in gold and die cut it into a banner before adhering to the font panel. Not that these cards really needed anymore shine, but I just had to mat them with gold mirror cardstock before adhering them to their card bases. If you notice the contrast on the masculine card is more apparent because I used a dark gray card base compared to the blush card base of the feminine card. I think the take away with all of these projects is Contrast is key!

His and Her Gift Sets: repurposed packaging

Since Christmas and Valentine’s Day are right around the corner I couldn’t resist using a big, red, bright bow to top off my card sets. I used two acrylic card boxes that I received from a friend a few years ago for my packaging and created a simple tag to go on them. I used my Scan n Cut to cut out a tag from their patterns and then embossed them using the Garden Harmony embossing folder. I heat embossed a simple greeting onto a circle die cut using the Leaf Canopy stamp set (my all time favorite stamp set). I used some red gingham ribbon from my stash to wrap up these beautiful cards sets and attached the tag. Easy peasy, but what a wonderful gift to give this time of year!

Masculine Cards

Feminine Cards

Thank you for sticking with me to the end! I hope that you have enjoyed my collection of cards and would love to know your thoughts and feedback. Keep your fingers crossed that I pass my Level One Challenge!

Just a small disclaimer! All items used in all of my projects are (or have been) purchased with my own funds, but this does not include design team items that I have received or otherwise stated.