AECP Beyond Basic Backgrounds Lesson 5

This was such a fun technique to use to make this background.  Lydia called it water bleaching and I love the look you create.  Using my blending brushes to apply the different ink colors, I used one of the layers in the Build-A-Flower:  Hyacinth stamp set to make the pattern.  I sponged water on the stamp and pressed it down on the watercolor paper and continued to do so all over the paper.  You can see where the water lifted the ink off the paper and left a subtle image behind.

The Distress Oxide inks I used for the background are Candied Apple, Worn Lipstick and Wild Honey.  It sure makes that thinking of you cut from Blackberry Bliss cardstock really stand out.  I make a lot of thinking of you cards and I really like this die from Altenew.  For the finishing touch, I added some rhinestones.

When looking for a challenge to join, I came across the Just Us Girls Challenge and it was a perfect match.  If you'd like to join the challenge, click the image below. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

AECP - Beyond Basic Backgrounds Lesson 3

This lesson was all about foiling without a laminator.  Last week I spend some time creating different backgrounds and this leafy background is one of them.  It was perfect to add a frame of foil to and it qualifies for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge..

This way of foiling is done using Sticky Strip.  I added the sticky strips around the card, then laid the foil onto and carefully rubbed it so the foil would adhere to the sticky strip.  It is an easy way to add foil to your projects. 

The technique of adding foil accents using bonding powder was the one I wanted to share but, alas, I didn't have any bonding powder so it's on order and once it arrives, I'll share a project using it to add the foil.

The sketch I used is from the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Altenw Educator Certification Program Level 2

The next lesson in the Beyond Basic Backgrounds class is all about Perfect Spacing.  Lydia showed an easy way to make a grid on your cardstock to get just the right spacing.  Using that technique and Altenew's Simple Flowers stamp set, this is the background I came up with for this masculine birthday card.

This was such a fun card to make.  Next time I make a background like it again, I'll be sure to share more photos with you.  A visual of how I made the background.  I took time out from making wedding invitations for my granddaughter to get this one done and now I have to get busy again.  I've only got a little over a week to finish them up and I only have 320 hearts to cut out.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

AECP - Let It Shine

As promised, I'm back today to share the card I made for my Let It Shine class in the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP).  I love adding shine and sparkle to my cards.  For this design I used heat embossing and shimmer pen to add the shine.

For my flower image, I stamped the image from the Mother's Love stamp set from Altenew onto a piece of watercolor paper and stamped it with VersaMark.  I covered it with Copper embossing powder and heat set it.  It made a pretty outline for the water-coloring.  The colors I used to watercolor the image and background are Persian Blue and Coral Berry inks from Altenew.  I think they look so pretty together.  Then, I die cut it using the Labels Collection Framelits Dies by Stampin' Up!

To finish the card, I a 1" strip of Scor-Tape down the left side of a piece of Elegant Eggplant cardstock.  After I peeled the protective layer off, I added Enchanted Gold Embossing Powder by Ranger and set it with the heat tool.  I attached it to a card base of Sugar Cube cardstock using Art Glitter Glue.  The patterned paper and second piece of Elegant Eggplant were both cut using the Labels Collection Framelits Dies.  To the Elegant Eggplant label I went around the edge with a Clear Wink of Stella Brush which gave it a very nice shimmer.  For the finishing touch, I added three Pearl Basic Jewels from Stampin' Up!

At first, I wasn't going to add a sentiment but decided that I couldn't have too many birthday cards, right?  I used a sentiment from the Another Year Older stamp set from Taylored Expressions.

And, that, as they say, is that.  Well, at least for today.  Thanks for visiting today and I look forward to seeing you again soon at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

Marsha

AECP - For The Guys

Today I'm back to share the card I made for my For The Guys class in the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP).  I loved the city skyline silhouette that the instructor did using the Galaxy Technique.  So, this is somewhat of a CASE (Copy And Share Everything) of her card.  I used a different cityline and insted of gold foil, I used copper foil cardstock.  I've not done may galaxies.  I think this is like my third one and it's by far, the best one I've done.  It was fun create and I'm still cleaning up little flecks of white from my crafting area.  I did get a wee bit messy.

I didn't have a stamp or die of a city skyline so, I found a free image online, printed it onto white cardstock and traced it onto the back of the galaxy background and did some fussy cutting.  I love the way it turned out.  I didn't add a sentiment, as I'm not sure what occasion I'll use it for but sometimes I don't add one and just write a note or stamp one on the inside of the card.

Inks:  Maple Yellow, Persian Blue (Altenew)

Distress Oxide Inks:  Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Fired Brick, Black Soot (Tim Holtz)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Copper Foil (Stampin' Up!)

Other:  Picket Fence Distress Paint (Tim Holtz)

Tomorrow I'll share my next class project with you.  Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

Marsha

AECP - Easy Ink Blending Techniques

Today finds me sharing another card I made for my Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP).  This one was all about Easy Ink Blending Techniques.  While I have done my share of ink blending, it was nice to go back over and to get some fresh perspective on blending.

The Build-A-Flower: Cattleya stamp set from Altenew is quickly becoming a favorite.  These orchids are so lovely.  To start, I took a piece of Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube cardstock cut to 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" and blended Altenew Buttercream ink around the edges leaving an oval in the center.  Next, I stamped my sentiment from the Colorful Seasons stamp set by Stampin' Up! in Jet Black ink.  I added a few splatters before adding my flowers.

Then, it was on to making those beautiful orchids.  I used the blues from Altenew's Secret Garden set of mini ink cubes for the flowers.  The leaves were done using Altenew's green mini ink cubes from the Floral Ink Set.  I didn't have a darker green in Altenew colors so used Garden Green from Stampin' Up!  For the flower centers I used Altenew's Buttercream ink.from the Sunflower Field mini cube ink set.  Once stamped, I cut them out using the Build-A-Flower: Cattleya Die.  I attached them directly to the card front rather than adding dimension.  This layer was attached to an A2 card base that measures 4-1/4" by 5-1/2".  The finishing touch was adding a few sequins.  I love how those orchids pop against that pretty yellow.

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower: Cattleya (Altenew); Colorful Seasons - sentiment (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  Buttercream, Caribbean Sky, Persian Blue, Sapphire, Frayed Leaf Forest Glades, Jet Black, Maple Yellow (Altenew); Garden Green (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Build-A-Flower: Cattleya Die (Altenew)

Other:  Sequins

Now it's on to my next class.  Hope you all have a grand day,

Marsha

Altenew Educator Certification Program - Clean & Simple Boutique Cards

Clean and simple cards have always been a favorite of mine so, of course, I really enjoyed the Clean & Simple Boutique Cards class which is a required class for certification with Altenew.  Their class are very informative and I've learned a lot from those I have taken.

The stamp set I used is the Build-A-Flower:  Cattleya and it is gorgeous.  The only thing I did was stamp the flower to the Sugar Cube layer and when done, attached it to the card base.   And, that was all there was to it.  My son and his wife have been helping me do some rearranging of furniture so I had them in mind when I made the card.
 

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower:  Cattleya, Painted Encouragement (Altenew)

Inks:  Jet Black, Fresh Lemon, Maple Yellow, Caramel Toffee, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades (Altenew); Mossy Meadow (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Calypso Coral (Stampin' Up!); Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

I'm entering my card in the Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Altenew Educator Certification Program - All About Layering 2

Today I'm back with another card I made for my second class in the Altenew Educator Certification Program.  This time I used the Bold Blossom by Altenew stamp set.  It's a very pretty rose stamp set with coordinating dies.  It's one of my favorites.

After stamping and cutting the rose and leaves out, I placed the images on the card where I wanted them and used some post-it tape to hold it all together.  That way I could lift the whole thing without it falling apart.  I glued the bits and pieces together on the backside and added foam tape to pop it up.  Before replacing it, I took some Jet Black ink, added a little water and did a wee bit of splattering to the layer.  I must admit that I nearly forgot a sentiment but pulled this one out of the drawer and heat embossed it using black embossing powder.

It's basically another clean and simple card but I tend to go that way when I'm making my cards.  To the Mint Macron card base, I added a layer of Mossy Meadow cardstock and placed the stamped layer on top of that.  I really like the lighter card base and I think the bit of dark green makes that top layer stand out much better.

Stamp Sets:  Bold Blossom (Altenew); Secret Garden Collage - sentiment (TPC Studio)

Ink:  Jet Black (Altenew); VersaMark

Distress Ink:  Crushed Olive (Tim Holtz)

Distress Oxide Inks:  Wild Honey, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Frayed Burlap, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)

Cardstock:  Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow (Stampin' Up!); Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Bold Blossom Die (Altenew)

Other:  Black Embossing Powder (Ranger); Jewels

Now it's on to my next class.  Stay tuned as I'll share that class project with you when it's all done.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Altenew Educator Certification Program - All About Layering 1

Exciting news to share!  Recently I applied for and was accepted into the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP).  I'm looking forward to learning more about my craft from all the great instructors teaching these classes.

The first class I took is the All About Layering 1 Class.  It gave many good points on how to layer with the Altenew stamps.  For my card, I used the Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory Stamp and Die set.  These sets are wonderful as they come with the stamp and the die.  It was the first time I've used the Altenew Crisp Dye Inks and I love them!  As you can see, the colors are vivid and cover well.

The card is a very simple one as it is all about stamping the various layers of the morning glory images.  To the card base I added a layer of black cardstock and placed my stamped layer on top of that.   

Stamp Sets:  Build-A-Flower:  Morning Glory, Painted Encouragement (Altenew)

Inks:  Caribbean Sky, Persian Blue, Sapphire, Sweet Leaf, Just Green, Jet Black (Altenew)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Other:  Clear Wink of Stella Brush

In future, I'll be sharing more of the cards I make for the various classes I'm taking for certification.  I can't wait to share them all with you.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha