AECP Level 2 Final Challenge - Part 1

 Hello friends!  I am so excited to FINALLY be posting my final challenge for Level 2 of the Altenew Educator Certification Program.  What does this mean?  I have now completed twenty courses for the Altenew Academy.  Level one consisted of ten courses and a final challenge, and level two included another ten courses and this final challenge.  

The requirements for the Level Two Challenge are as follows: 

• Select any 3 components from the Level 1 or 2 courses
• Explain the 3 components that you have chosen
• Share design tips (if any)
• Create 4 masculine cards with the following themes - Birthday, Love/Thinking of You, Anniversary, Encouragement
• Create an altered or up-cycled item
• Blog Post - Provide detailed step-by-step photo or YouTube tutorial, must have a minimum of 10 photos

Because this challenge was so involved, I am breaking this up into two posts (both long so please bear with me): one for the cards, and one for my altered/up-cycled item. 

I chose to focus on the following three courses:  Let it Shine, Celebration Stencil Techniques, and With a Twist.  I had a very difficult time choosing, because I enjoyed each and every course and have learned so many wonderful skills and techniques. 

For the components of Let it Shine, I incorporated heat embossing to add gloss or shine, and the use of metallic items (thread, washi tape, embossing) to take my cards to the next level. 

For the components of Celebration Stencil Techniques, I incorporated different embossing/ texture pastes to add dimension to my cards. 

For the components from With a Twist, I incorporated faux embossing using die-cuts and tone on tone stamping.  

Card One: 

 For my first card, I started with a panel of white card stock and I adhered my stencil down using some spray adhesive.  I mixed three shades of green ink to some Ranger Opaque Crackle Texture Paste and using a spatula, I spread a thin layer of the colored pastes over my stencil starting with the lightest color and moving to the darkest to produce a gradient effect.  Once I was satisfied with the layer of paste, I carefully peeled back the stencil and set the panel aside to dry.  This paste is a lot of fun because as it dries, it cracks and gives a unique texture to the background.  

I stamped the feathers in various shades of the Coffee Break family and I embossed the two smaller feathers using clear embossing powder to add another layer of dimension.  

To complete my card, I adhered my stenciled panel to a brown card base.  I embossed my sentiment on the same brown card stock and die-cut the sentiment strip into a flag.  Prior to adhering my elements, I looped some metallic gold thread around my fingers and placed it on the card stock with a glue dot.  I then attached my feather images and popped my sentiment strip up with foam tape. 

Tips:  

• If you have time, allow the embossing paste to dry naturally.  Do not use a heat tool.  This way the panel will not warp as much. 
• Using a heavier weight card stock with the embossing paste results in less warping. 
• Use a super-strong adhesive to adhere the stenciled panel to your card base or the edges may lift. 
• When embossing over an inked image, leave the stamp in your platform and line your card stock back up.  This will prevent having to line up your stamp again.
• Don't be afraid to mix and match your stamp sets!  It will open up a whole new world of possibilities. 

 Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock:  Brown
• Neenah Crest 80# Card Stock:  Solar White
• Altenew Feathery Stencil
• Ranger Texture Paste:  Opaque Crackle
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink Re-Inkers:  Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen
• Wow! Embossing Powder: Ultra Fine Detail Clear
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Altenew Golden Feather Stamps and Dies
• Altenew Happy Dreams Stamps and Dies
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Sand Dunes, Rocky Shores, Mocha, Espresso
• Altenew Metallic Thread:  Enchanted Gold
• Altenew Sentiment Strips 2 Stamp Set
• Stampin' Up Embossing Powder:  Gold
• The Greetery Slimline Dies
• Foam Tape

Card Two:

For my second card, I focused on the faux embossing using die-cuts technique.  I love this technique, as it gives your card the dimension and texture of having been embossed, but it is achieved by adhering die-cut images to your panel. 

I began by stamping a variety of the leaf images on white card stock and die-cutting them.  Are these leaves not the most beautiful, ever?!  I was truly blown away by how incredible these stamps are.  

I began arranging my die-cuts on a panel of white card stock, making sure to vary the direction and have them hanging over the edges so that they appeared random.   Once I was happy with the placement, I began adhering them down to the card stock.  I then trimmed off the over-hanging edges with my scissors and used the small pieces to fill in any large white spaces.  

I adhered my panel to a black card base.  I embossed my sentiment on a strip of black card stock in white and trimmed the edge at an angle.  I tied a loopy bow from black metallic thread and attached it to the card front with a glue dot.  Lastly, I popped up my sentiment strip with foam tape. 

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock:  Black, White
• Altenew Wild Ferns Stamps and Dies
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Limeade, Lime, Fresh Leaf
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Wow!  Embossing Powder:  Opaque Bright White
• Metallic Thread:  Black (purchased on Amazon)
• Foam Tape

Card Three:

For my third card, I adhered the Alphabet Stencil to a panel of Neenah Solar White with spray adhesive and taped it down to my work surface with painter's tape to prevent it from moving around.  I blended Distress Oxide Inks from lightest to darkest. Allowing the colors to blend.  I set my panel aside to dry.  

I stamped three balloons using the same distress oxide inks.  Once they were dry, I stamped them again with embossing ink and heat embossed them using ultra thick clear embossing powder and then used the coordinating die to cut them out. 

As I was getting ready to put the elements of my card together, I decided that it needed something more.  I pulled out my Bubble Wrap stencil and spread a thin layer of transparent gloss texture paste.  I gently removed the stencil and set the panel aside to dry.   

While waiting for it to dry, I embossed my sentiment on a strip of black card stock in white. I adhered black metallic thread to the back of each balloon.  I adhered my embossed panel to a black card base and adhered the balloons to the front of the card, and finally popped my sentiment strip up with foam tape. 

Tips:

• When using Distress Oxide Inks (or any inks really, but I found it especially true with the Oxides), be sure that your panel is completely dry before using a paste over it, otherwise the paste will pick up the tint of the ink.  
• I need to keep some Fray-Check on hand.  The Metallic Threads tend to unravel a good bit.  To combat this, I used a fairly liberal amount of clear liquid glue on the ends and twisted them.  I also used that glue to adhere the ends to the card front.  Find creative ways to use the supplies you  have on hand! 

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock:  Black
• Neenah Crest 80# Card Stock:  Solar White
• Altenew Stencils:  The Alphabet, Bubble Wrap
• Altenew Mini Delight:  Birthday Love Stamps and Dies
• Distress Oxide Ink:  Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon
• Ranger Texture Paste:  Transparent Gloss
• Ranger Embossing Powder:  Ultra Thick Clear
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Wow!  Embossing Powder:  Opaque Bright White
• Metallic Thread:  Black (Amazon)
• Foam Tape

Card Four:

I have to say that this card was the most frustrating for me to make, but it is my absolute favorite.  For this card, I focused on tone-on-tone stamping, with metallic elements, which created a really striking card. 

I began with a panel of gray card stock and stamped the largest leaf image.  I am so thankful that I used my stamping platform, as I really struggled to get a clean stamped image, even after conditioning my stamps.  I stamped the same image multiple times using ink the same shade as my card stock, until I was happy with it.  I moved my leaf stamp and repeated this process, followed by filling in the spaces with the smaller image.  

Once I was happy with the coverage of my panel, I heat embossed the outline image in gold.  I was not careful with my placement, as I was hoping for an abstract look.  I trimmed my panel down and set it aside. 

I added a strip of narrow gold washi tape to a panel of hunter green card stock and attached it to a white card base.  I then adhered my embossed panel to the right side of the green panel. 

I embossed my sentiment on a strip of green in gold and cut a strip of gray card stock.  I trimmed both of them at an angle and glued them together.  Before adhering them to the card front, I looped some gold metallic thread loosely around my fingers and adhered it to the card.  I then attached my sentiment strips.  Did I mention that I really love this card? 

Tip:

• Don't give up.  I almost did, and this card turned out to be amazing.  I just had to shift my perspective a bit. 
• When embossing the outline image over the solid images, don't freak out if your image isn't perfect.  Pull out an embossing pen (I use a Versamark pen) to fill in the areas where the lines may not be complete, add some embossing powder, and heat it up.  No one will be able to tell.  

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock:  White
• Stampin' Up Card Stock:  Gray Granite, Shades Spruce 
• Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set
• Altenew Sentiment Strips Stsmp Set
• Stampin' Up Ink:  Gray Granite
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Stampin' Up Embossing Powder:  Gold
• Altenew Washi Tape:  Golden Edge
• Altenew Metallic Thread:  Enchanted Gold
• Versamark Pen

Thanks so much for hanging with me for this exceptionally long blog post!  I hope that something inspired you to try something new, or to dust off an old technique that you had forgotten about!  Happy stamping!  

AECP Level 1 Final Challenge

Hello, crafty friends!  As you know, I am participating in the Altenew Educator Certification Program.  I completed all of the Level One courses, and had one final project to finish out this level.  I have to say that it was a real doozie!  I am so excited to share with you my journey through this final challenge.  I have to admit, when I first read the requirements, it was daunting, but I started by doing what I do best - making a plan.   (⚠️: Long post ahead!)

The basic requirements;

• Create his/hers sets of cards
• Sets must be 4 - 6 cards
• Choose any three components from the Level 1 courses
• The sets should be similar/cohesive
• Must use a recycled element on either the project or for the packaging
• Must include packaging

There are also requirements for the blog post, but I won’t bore you with the details.  As I said, this was daunting for me.  Masculine cards are a huge struggle, and a recycled element?  Figuring out how to incorporate that was freaking me out!  While I didn’t follow my initial plan and sketches exactly (creativity took over), mapping my project out proved to be extremely helpful for me.

  

I decided that my cohesive element would be all about my color palette.  For the masculine cards, I chose to stick with gray/silver, shades of blue and green.  For the most part, I stuck with the Icy Lake and Green Fields  color families.  For the feminine cards, I decided on gray/silver, and shades of pink and green.  Again, I mainly stuck with the Cherry Blossom and Green Fields color families.  Additionally, I created a masculine and feminine version of each card, which was a really fun exercise.  Really, the only variation between the two versions of the cards is the color scheme.   I had a very difficult time choosing the classes to focus on, as I learned so much in each one and the reality is that each card truly incorporates concepts from multiple courses.

Let’s take a look at the cards!  

Card 1:

For this card, I focused on the skills and techniques I learned in All About Layering 1 and 2.  These courses were so helpful for me, as I feel that they really helped me to become much more proficient at identifying the best points to line the images up.  Altenew’s Build A Flower stamps and dies are some of my absolute favorite because of their versatility, and I had just received this month’s release - the coneflower - and was dying to use it.  This seemed like the perfect opportunity. 

• I started with a card base cut to 4 1/4” x 11”, scored and folded at 5 1/2”.  I cut a panel of gray card stock to 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” and set it aside.  I cut another white panel to 5 1/4” x 4”.
• On the white panel, I stamped the outline images from the BAF: Coneflower stamp set in a mostly random fashion in gray ink to create a background and set it aside.
• For both the masculine and feminine versions, I stamped both outline images in gray on another sheet of white card stock.  (For the feminine version, I stamped two of the smaller images.)  
• For the larger image, I stamped the solid image in the lightest colors of my color families (Iceberg and Pink Diamond).  
• Next, I stamped the first detail image in Persian Blue and Pinkalicious, followed by the second detail image in Sapphire and Razzleberry.
• For the smaller flower, I stamped the solid image in Persian Blue and Pinkalicious, rather than using the lightest shade to give a little variation. 
• I stamped the detail image in Sapphire and Razzleberry.
• For both the masculine and feminine versions, I stamped the center images in Snapdragon and Marigold.
• Lastly, I stamped the leaves in Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade and Evergreen.
• I die-cut all of the images using the coordinating dies and set aside.
• I cut a strip of gray card stock to 3/4” x 4 1/4”.
• I heat embossed my sentiment in white and trimmed one side at an angle. 
• I adhered my two card panels to the card base so that I could arrange my flowers on the card front.  Once I was happy with the placement, I laid a sheet of Press ‘n Seal over the flowers, turned it over, added liquid glue, and adhered them to the card front.  Press ‘n Seal has to be the greatest invention ever! 
• I added foam squares to the back of my sentiment strip and attached it to my card.
• I placed a few clear dew drops down, arranging them in triangles, as we learned in one of the courses.

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Cardstock: White
• Stampin' Up Card Stock: Gray Granite
• Altenew Build A Flower: Coneflower Stamps and Dies
• Stampin’' Up Ink: Gray Granite
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• WOW! Embossing Powder:  Opaque Bright White
• Honey Bee Stamps Mini Dew Drops:  Clear
• Foam Tape

Masculine - 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Iceberg, Persian Blue, Ultramarine, Sapphire, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen, Snapdragon, Marigold

Feminine- 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubelite, Razzleberry, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen, Snapdragon, Marigold

Card 2:

Because I enjoyed the Seasonal Scene Builder course so much, I wanted to be sure to include another project using some of the lessons from it.  I really loved the galaxy background from For the Guys, and wanted to to have another go at creating a card using the Seattle Skyline.  I decided that I would incorporate lessons from both courses to create a shaker card. 

Using the same primary color palette as I did in the first card, but substituting yellow for the green, and adding Navy Blue to the masculine version, I created my galaxy backgrounds.  To make my shaker card, I didn’t want to mess with cutting down acetate sheets, so I cheated and I used a Stampin’ Up Clear Envelope.  I placed my background panel in the envelope, added some sequins, sealed it up, and Voila!  Instant shaker card.  I love how the masculine card looks like a night sky, and the feminine card looks much like some of the sunsets that we have been seeing lately.  Truth is, the photos don’t do these cards justice.  They are really magical! 

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock: White
• Recollections Shimmer Card Stock:  Silver
• Altenew Sketchy Cities America 2 Stamp Set
• Hero Arts Infinity Oval Dies
• Stampin' Up Clear Window Envelope
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Stampin' Up Embossing Powder: Silver
• Mini Ink Blending Tool
• Stampin' Up Shimmer Paint: White
• Sequins
• Foam Tape

Masculine - 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Iceberg, Persian Blue, Ultramarine, Sapphire, Fresh Lemon
• Stampin' Up Ink: Night of Navy
• Stampin' Up Card Stock:  Night of Navy

Feminine- 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubelite, Razzleberry, Fresh Lemon
• Park Lane Printed Card Stock: Pink

Card 3

For this card, I focused on some of the lessons from Celebration Stencil Techniques.  I wanted to use a twist on an old technique that I hadn’t used in years -  shaving cream and ink.  I have always used this technique to create my own background papers, using the direct to paper method; however I had not tried using it with a stencil.  Additionally, I had not tried it with alcohol inks, and I wasn’t sure how it would work, but I sure had fun getting messy! 

I started by putting shaving cream (it’s very important to use the old school foam shaving cream, not the gel) in a glsss baking dish,  (Shh...don’t tell my mom, but I couldn’t find a paper plate, so used what was handy.  It cleaned up beautifully, though!)

I added drops of alcohol inks randomly across the surface of the shaving cream.  I was a little concerned, as it fizzled and bubbled a bit when the ink came into contact with the shaving cream, but it wasn’t an issue.

I dragged a skewer through the foam to move the ink around, but not a lot, as I didn’t want to muddy it up.

I carefully scooped out a small amount of the inky foam and dragged it over the stencil that I had laid down over my card stock panel.  Once the mixture touches the card stock, the ink bonds with the paper.  It is so much fun to watch. 

I peeled off the stencil and set the panel aside to air dry (it doesn’t take long).  Once it had dried, I used a clean paper towel and rubbed off any remaining shaving cream.  Most of it had evaporated, but I wanted to get rid of as much of the residue as I could. 

The best part of this was that I had a ton of leftover shaving cream and ink left in the pan, so I took several panels of card stock and pressed them directly into the shaving cream, gently smooshing them in.  After removing them, I scraped the excess mixture off and set aside to dry,  I now have several beautiful marbled panels that I can use later.  

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock: White
• Recollections Shimmer Card Stock:  Silver
• Shaving Cream (Foam not gel)
• Altenew Deco Wallpaper Stencil
• Altenew Waterbrush Hello Die
• Altenew Fine Frames Circle Die
• Metallic Mixative:  Silver
• Clear Sequins

Masculine- 

• Stampin' Up Card Stock: Night of Navy
• Altenew Alcohol Ink:  Arctic, Sapphire
• Alcohol Ink: Limestone Green

Feminine - 

• Park Lane Printed Card Stock:  Pink
• Altenew Alcohol Ink:  Rose, Puffy Heart, Cosmic Berry

Card 4:

I almost didn’t include cards 3 and 4, as they are similar to the cards that I made for their respective course projects due to using the same stamp set and stencil (My supply of items that are suitable for masculine cards is pretty limited), but the techniques I used were very different, so I decided to include them. For this card, I again focused on the Geometrics lesson from For the Guys, as I really had a lot of fun, and wanted to showcase how great the basic shapes look in feminine colors, also. 

I was watching a Jennifer McGuire video and she was making a lovely floral card.  As I watched her technique, something clicked for me, and I knew it would work brilliantly for this card.  

By lining up the card stock panel in a stamp positioning tool, I was able to stamp one image, turn my card stock 180 degrees and stamp the same image again.  By repeating this each time, my images were perfectly aligned each time.  This made for such fun, clean and simple cards that I had to share them.

Products Used;

• Recollections 110# Cardstock: White
• Stampin' Up Card Stock: Gray Granite
• Altenew Sohcahtoa Stamp Set
• Stampin' Up Ink: Gray Granite, Smoky Slate

Masculine - 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Iceberg, Persian Blue, Ultramarine, Sapphire

Feminine- 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubelite, Razzleberry

Card 5:

For these cards, my primary focus was Seasonal Scene Builders, along with Clean and Simple Boutique Cards.  I am head over heels in love with the Tall Tale stamp set, and this presented the perfect opportunity to play with it again.  I had recently made a card for a friend using this set, and as I was coloring in the images, I noticed that I liked the look when it was only partially colored, so I recreated that effect. 

As with the previous cards, the only real difference between the masculine and feminine cards is the dominant color, and I love how it changes the mood of the card.

My intent with this card was to create the feeling of looking at a wall of bookshelves.  It works for me!  I can almost smell the books, and this stamp set really brings me back to my high school and college years, spending time in the library, sitting on the floor in the stacks of books for hours on end.  

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Cardstock: White
• Recollections Shimmer Card Stock:  Silver
• Spectrum Noir Premium Ultra Smooth Card Stock: White
• Stampin' Up Card Stock: Gray Granite, Night if Navy
• Park Lane Printed Card Stock: Pink
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• Memento Black Ink
• WOW! Embossing Powder: Opaque Bright White
• Altenew Artist Markers: BG3, B002, B016, R926, G709, G715, G554, C004, Y106, Y207, Y307, R502, R504, C003, R616

Card 6:

Last, but certainly not least, this card really focuses on some of the elements from the Let It Shine course. One of the techniques taught was to paint with sparkle pens, and I was really wanting to try it.  This card gave me that opportunity. This card also used my recycled element - bubble wrap.  I had saved the cellophane wrappers from my ink pads, thinking that I would use them in my packaging, but decided I didn’t want to do that.  Instead, I messaged my mom to see if she had some bubble wrap lying around from all of the Amazon packages we seem to receive on a daily basis,  Thank you, mom and Amazon for saving the day!  I had never used this technique, but decided I would give it a shot, and I am so thrilled with the results. 

I started with a sleeve of bubble wrap.  Because it had been through the mail, some of the bubbles had been popped (OK, I may have popped some of them... I never can resist!), but I didn’t worry too much about that, as I hoped it would give some variation to the background. 

I trimmed a few pieces down to approximately 6’ x 6’ and using temporary adhesive, I adhered it to my stamp positioning platform.  I laid down a 6” x 6” panel of card stock and using the darkest shade in my color families, applied ink directly to the bubble wrap and pressed it down onto my card stock carefully so that I didn’t pop any more bubbles.

I was not satisfied with the ink coverage (mostly in the areas where the bubbles had been popped) so I rotated my card stock, inked up the bubble wrap and repeated the process several times.  I was still not totally happy, so I repeated the process a few times using the mid tone shades for some variation. 

I decided to use my ink blending tool to add a bit of the lightest shade of ink to the background to eliminate the white space, and that did the trick for me,  I found that this also softened up some of the darkest areas. 

I die-cut several pieces of the greenery from Stampin’ Up’s Forever Flourishing dies from white card stock.  I felt that the white die-cuts were too much contrast for the background.  It was shocking actually, so using my ink blending tool, I added some Frayed Leaf and Forest Glade ink to the die-cuts, and then used my Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen to add some sparkle.  Once it was dry, the greenery still looked a bit flat, so using one of the techniques we learned in Let It Shine, I smooshed some Evergreen ink onto my pallet, and using the Sparkle Pen, I picked up the ink and painted it on to the greenery.  What a fun trick that was.  I was not particularly careful in this process, just added the dark shade somewhat randomly.  

I added a vellum oval to the panel, cut my sentiment from silver card stock and laid everything out and then adhered the,.  To finish up, I added a loopy bow of Altenew Metallic Thread (have I mentioned just how much I love this glorious product?!?!) and added some clear sequins.

Here is a close-up that shows the pretty sparkle.

I really had fun with the bubble wrap technique.  It was relatively quick and easy to create some fun and unusual backgrounds.  I think that the ink bubbles almost look like little roses. 

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Cardstock: White
• Stampin' Up Card Stock: Gray Granite
• Recollections Shimmer Card Stock:  Silver
• Vellum
• Bubble Wrap (Recycled Item)
• Altenew Signature Words Dies
• Stampin' Up Forever Flourishing Dies
• Altenew Metallic Thread
• Clear Sequins
• Tombow Removable Adhesive
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen: Transparent

Masculine - 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Iceberg, Persian Blue, Ultramarine, Sapphire, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen

Feminine - 

• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubelite, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen

I saved the packaging for last.  I had way too much fine designing these boxes to coordinate with the sets of cards and I am beyond proud of them.  I made several attempts at designing the box until I got it to just the right dimensions to fit (6) size A2 cards and envelopes. 

Once I had my dimensions, score lines, and cutting lines figured out, I cut the base out of 110# white card stock and assembled.  For each of the lids, I had a conundrum, as I didn’t feel that my patterned paper was sturdy enough, so I cut my panels to size, glued them to a panel of 80# white card stock of the same size, and then cut and scored appropriately. 

Here is a really rough diagram that I drew up, if you are interested in recreating this box. 

The process to make the base and lid is exactly the same.  The only difference is the size of the card stock piece, and the placement of the score lines. I found that cutting the small notches out of the tabs was extremely helpful in getting a clean edge. 

To decorate my boxes, I created a belly band to go around the box.  I cut two strips of card stock to 1 1/2” x 8 1/2”.  I added adhesive and overlapped the two strips at 1 3/4”.  The final measurement of the belly band strip will be 12 3/4” x 1 1/2”.  I scored the strip (from the left side) at 3 3/8", 5", 9 7/8", 11.5".  I put it in place around my box and determined where I should add adhesive (for me, it was at 2 1/2” from the end of the left side ) and connected the two ends of the strip.

I layered up several ovals of decreasing sizes cut from card stock and vellum.  I embossed my sentiment in white on a strip of gray card stock, trimmed the end at an angle, and layered a few strips of coordinating card stocks.  Using the same technique as in the previous card, I painted the greenery die-cuts  and arranged them on the top of the box.  Once everything was adhered to the belly band, I added a loopy bow of metallic thread and some clear sequins. 
Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Cardstock: White
• Recollections Shimmer Card Stock:  Silver
• Vellum
• Stampin' Up Card Stock: Gray Granite, Night of Navy
• Stampin' Up In Good Taste DSP
• Park Lane Printed Card Stock: Pink
• Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
• WOW! Embossing Powder: Opaque Bright White
• Hero Arts Infinity Oval Dies
• Stampin' Up Forever Flourishing Dies
• Altenew Metallic Thread
• Clear Sequins
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen: Transparent
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen

I can’t even describe to you the incredible sense of accomplishment that I feel having completed this challenge, not to mention the courses for level 1.  I have learned some amazing new techniques, felt like my creativity was being stretched to its limits, only to find it had further to go, and had to think outside the box - looking for new ways to use the supplies that I have on hand, incorporating everyday household items, including recycled items, into my crafting - and I have made some new friends in the process.   I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this amazing program!  

Thank you for sticking with me through this incredibly long post!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment, or click the email button and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  Happy stamping! 

Let It Shine - AECP Level 1

Happy Saturday!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend and that wherever you are, you got a bit of sunshine!  Today, I am excited to share with you some of the cards that I made for the next class I have taken for the Altenew Educator Certification Program - Let It Shine. 

 This class is all about adding sparkle and shine to your projects and I absolutely LOVED it!  I learned several new techniques, including some that I had completely avoided because I thought you needed special equipment to do it.  I was wrong!  We worked with glitter, specialty card stock, foils, and embossing powders to name a few.  I will let you in on a secret...  The first lesson focused on glitters and it gave me hives!  I just couldn’t bring myself to break out the glitter, but I did find several alternatives to the messy stuff.  

Some of these lessons were truly magical for me!  For my first card, I focused on Lesson 4 - Shimmer and Sparkle Pens.  I love any reason to break out my Wink of Stella pens. I started with a white card panel and using the largest die from Stampin’ Up’s Brilliant Wings dies, I embossed the panel.  I then painted all over the raised edges with my Wink of Stella pen and set it aside to dry. Using the Altenew Halftone Smile stamps and dies, I created an ombré sentiment.  This stamp already gives you a bit of an ombré look; however, I wanted it to be more pronounced, so I inked the entire stamp with Altenew Petal Pink and stamped it on a scrap of white.  Using a cosmetic sponge, I inked the lower 2/3 of the stamp using Coral Bliss and stamped it, and then using the same sponge, I inked the lower third of the stamp in Crimson.  I then die-cut my sentiment using the coordinating die.  I heat-embossed the remainder of my sentiment in white on a strip of vellum.

I adhered my butterfly panel to a strip of Stampin’ Up’s Butterfly Bijou Designer Series Paper, and then adhered the entire panel to my card base. I determined where my “Smile” sentiment would be placed on my vellum and I attached the vellum to the card panel by placing small dots of glue behind where the sentiment would be so that it didn’t show.  I then glued down my large sentiment and finished it off with some sequins. 

For my second (and favorite) card, I was a day late for St. Patrick’s Day, but seeing all the wonderful green cards posted on social media must have inspired me, because I just knew I needed to work with greens,  I was really struggling with this card, which focused on Lesson 5 - Metallic Paper.  It wasn’t coming together the way that I had hoped, and then I saw that Nicole at Pixel Maven’s Retreat had posted a sketch challenge, and the pieces all fell into place. 

I didn’t follow the sketch exactly, but it was fairly close.  I actually began my card with the sentiment and then selected components to go with it.  I used the Altenew Bold Thanks dies, and cut the background die from a scrap of Rose Gold card stock.  I cut the letters from a scrap of white.  I then taped them back into the negative space, and using my Stampin’ Blends in Granny Apple Green, (both light and dark) I colored the letters in starting with the light on the left and gradually getting darker as I moved to the right.  I then glued the letters into place on the background.  

I took a small white panel and adhered it to a slightly larger lime green panel of card stock. I then cut several banners out of various card stocks and printed papers.  I lined them up on my white panel and placed a piece of Press N Seal over them to keep them in place for adhering to the card panel.  This technique was a game changer for me,  I don’t know how I had never used it before.  

I wrapped some Altenew Metallic Thread around the entire panel a few times and added a loopy bow. I then adhered the panel to my card base, and added my sentiment, which is popped up with some foam squares. 

My final card was a lot of fun to make, but it was the most involved.  For this card, I focused on Lesson 6 -Foils. I love this because I learned how to use foils without any other supplies than what I have on hand - no additional equipment required.  I started with two narrow panels of white, but the same size.  From one, I cut a square window using Stampin’ Up’s Layering Square dies.  Using that as a template on the second panel, I marked the edges of my square faintly with a pencil.  I then used my Zig Two-Way Glue pen to add polka dots to the area.  I let the glue dry until it was tacky, placed a sheet of foil (not kitchen foil) over it and ran it through my die-cutting machine to add pressure.  I then peeled the foil sheet away and was amazed by how beautifully the foil had transferred to the card stock.  I also love how the polka dots are not uniform.

I cut my sentiment using the Altenew Waterbrush Hello die.  I taped the die-cut sentiment in to the negative space and using my ink blending tool, I created an ombré effect with Dew Drops, Aqualicious, and Galactic Stream.  I then inked up the lower portion of the sentiment with my Versamark pen and heat embossed it using Wow Vintage Peacock embossing powder. 

I added a square frame cut from a deep teal card stock and attached it behind my window.  Using foam tape (I am really not a fan of the stuff that I have here as it is terribly sticky), I attached it to my foiled panel.  I adhered a panel of brushed silver metallic card stock to a panel of the same teal (unfortunately, the photo does not do the color justice.  No matter what I did, the color would not come out true), and attached them to my card base.  I then attached my white window panel.  I added some foam strips to my sentiment and attached it.  Lastly, I added some clear sequins. 

Key Learnings:

• Loose glitter isn’t the only way to add sparkle!  
• You don’t need special equipment to foil your project.
• A little bit of sparkle goes a long way to dress up your card.

Products Used

• Recollections 110# White Card Stock
• Recollections Shimmer Metallic Card Stock:  Brushed Silver, Rose Gold
• Smpin’ Up Designer Series Paper:  Butterfly Bijou, Oh So Ombré, Berry Delightful
• Stampin’ Up Brilliant Wings Dies
• Altenew Halftone Smile Stamps and Dies
• Altenew Bold Thanks Dies
• Altenew Waterbrush Hello Die
• Stampin’ Up Layering Squares Dies
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Petal Pink, Coral Bliss, Crimson, Dew Drops, Aqualicious, Galactic Stream
• Versamark Pad
• Versamark Pen
• Wow Embossing Powder:  Opaque Bright White, Vintage Peacock
• Wink of Stella PenAltenew Metallic Thread
• Simon Says Samp Clear Sequins
• Zig Two-Way Glue
• Deco Foil Transfer Sheet :  Silver

I hope that you have found something that inspires you!  Thank your for popping by.  Happy stamping!