AECP Final Challenge - my virtual workshop

Just under a year ago I found out about Altenew's Educator Certification Program and applied for a spot immediately.  AECP is a self-paced online program for crafters who want to learn new techniques and refine their paper crafting skills. The program spans three levels of 25 courses in total, at progressing skill levels, containing many different techniques, tips and tricks. Participants are required to submit projects, pass challenges at the end of each level, and finally, teach in a workshop setting (virtual or in-person).

I started my AECP journey in September of 2023.  I considered myself an experienced crafter and wasn't sure how much I would learn but still thought the opportunity was worth taking.  To my surprise I have greatly improved my skills over this past year.  It has been a nice challenge for me to take the 25 classes required.

To finish my journey I needed to host a workshop with at least 4 people in attendance.  I chose to host a virtual workshop even though I had plenty of people who would attend a class for me.  I wasn't nervous about teaching a class but I was VERY nervous about the technology aspect of teaching an online class.  I was really concerned about keeping my project within the camera while teaching and using Zoom correctly.

It was my choice what projects I wanted to complete with a few parameters - the biggest being that we had to complete at least 2 cards within 2 hours.  The cards/techniques I chose to teach were based on cards I posted that had a lot of questions on how I prepared them.  My main two techniques were double stenciling with doodling and faux fabric.

I prepared two samples of each card as a way to show that just changing colors of ink (and/or stencil design) can change the project.

I prepared my samples and a PDF of instructions and supplies to "hand" out to my class participants.  I then prepared a Facebook Banner to extend an invitation to my workshop.  I had 11 people who signed up for the class.  Two people dropped out due to emergencies or sickness, 3 people didn't show up and 6 people actually attended.

To prepare for the class I taught to my office wall on camera, twice.  I videoed the classes in order to practice staying within the camera frame and to make sure that I could teach the class within the allotted time.  I intend to post one of the videos to YouTube for the couple of people who didn't sign up due to the timing of my class and one who signed up but was sick.

We started with the double stenciled and doodled card because I knew that card would take the longest.

CLASS CARD

PARTICIPANTS CARDS:

As you can see from the photos above 3 of the class participants used the same stencil but changed up the colors and the other 3 used a different floral stencil.  I think they turned out great and you can see that the double stenciling technique can be used across a variety of stencil types.  We started out by using stencils to complete our main floral image and then we chose a background stencil and added that over the top.  The final step for this card was to use a fine liner black pen and "doodle" lines using the floral stencil as a guide.  Most of the students tried this technique.  The doodle technique is very forgiving and one student (happy birthday card) said it actually saved her card as she wasn't sure she liked her initial stenciling.

For our next card we attempted a faux fabric technique.  This involved again stenciling our main floral image and then adding texture with a white pigment ink over the top to make it appear like fabric.  I used an embossing folder for my texture - inked it up and pressed the stenciled panel over the top to get the texture. 

You can see the textured added here in this closeup giving the appearance of fabric.  Below is the full image of the card I created during the workshop.

Next up you can see the cards my class participants created:

This first student, Bella, created the card twice in two colors and one with a slighter darker ink for the faux fabric.   I love that she tried it both ways with different colors for the flowers too.  A beautiful duo.

Maureen chose a different floral and her "faux fabric" design is also floral which created a really interesting effect.  I love how she added her sentiment in white on black.  Really makes the sentiment stand out while highlighting the beauty of her florals.

Lisa chose a blue green color and a stencil and added gold accents which created this beautiful card.

Liz used the same stencil I did and used Altenew's Linen embossing folder with a darker ink for the faux fabric look.  She achieved a really lovely look on this card.

Tamara also used the same stencil I did and the Hexagons embossing folder with white pigment ink.  I love the colors she chose which created this soft beautiful creation.  The lovely yellow center of the flower is highlighted with gold as well.

Traci chose beautiful yellow tones and a spiral image for her faux fabric.  

I also provided a 3rd card as a make on your own option and Traci created that card as well.  This card involved embossing paste, stenciling and die cutting or fussy cutting the stenciled image. 

  

Here is the third card I created and gave the participants instructions for - on my version I actually reversed the stencils for a mirror image of the original image.

All in all, I think the class was a success.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my creative journey and am so thankful to grown in this craft that I love so much.

Let me know your thoughts.

Altenew May Inspiration Challenge

 I recently signed up for an Altenew Dreamy Watercolor class that is being taught by Sarah Simon - The Mint Gardener.  A collaboration between The Mint Gardener and Altenew resulted in this beautiful stamp set - Garden Bouquet.  Right now this stamp set is only available with the purchase of the class found HERE.  The main image in the set is large and covers an entire 5x7 panel.  

I stamped the image in Obsidian ink and heat set with clear embossing powder.  I watercolored the image.  I let it dry and came back and added more color.  Let it dry and then added metallic watercolor to the leaves and flowers.  I used the Fine Tulle stencil with buttercream to add a little dimension to the background.  I finished by adding gold splatters from the Metallic watercolor set and Jet black splatters from the 36 pan watercolor set. 

This card is my entry into Altenew's May Inspiration Challege.  I took my inspiration from both the image and the colors.  In the image the tulips have pink and oranges so I gave my flowers multiple colors. My large florals are similar to the inspiration colors - as close as I could get using the watercolors.  I am really pleased with how this card turned out.

How do you think I did? 

Products used:  All Altenew unless otherwise noted

Garden Bouquet stamp set - comes with Dreamy Watercolor Flowers class
36 pan watercolor set

5x7 watercolor cardstock - cold pressed

Essential Sentiments - hot foiled in gold on black

Metallic watercolor set

Fine Tulle stencil

Small blending brush, micro blending brush

Buttercream ink cube

Pinkfresh Gems - clear with gold dust

My affliate link to Altenew

AECP Level 3 - Creative Coloring with Erum

 My last Altenew class for Level 3 in AECP is "Creative Coloring with Erum - Advanced Techniques" taught by Erum Tasneem.  This class covers many different ways to color.  From creative texture with embossing pastes and glitter to use of watercolor paints and alcohol markers - 6 different lessons and lots of inspiration - Erum gives you lots of examples of "Creative Coloring".

All of the products I used for these cards are from Altenew - except for colored cardstock from my stash.  For my first cards, I focused on the 2nd lesson which was "Playing with Texture".  In this lesson we applied embossing paste through a stencil (Bursting Dahlia) and on one of the images we added glitter to the embossing paste.  Then set the panels aside to dry.  Once they were dry, I got out my Altenew 36 color watercolor paint set and started adding color.  For the embossing paste with NO Glitter panel I did a rainbow of colors on the Dahlia petals and finished with same color of splatter around those petals. Once that was dry, I spritzed and splattered with Iridescent Shimmer Spray before adding my sentiment and clear dots.  

The second panel with the glitter I also watercolored but chose cool colors and tried a little of the dripping water technique around the edges of the dahlia.  As per my usual MO, I spritzed and splattered Iridescent Shimmer spray before adding a sentiment and black enamel dots.  This was a fun technique that I will need to play with more to be more confident in the process.

For my next card, I focused on Lesson 5 - Splatter Watercolor technique.  I started by embossing my floral image - Paint a Flower - Fashion Monger Dahlia - onto watercolor cardstock.  Then I wet the floral portions and splattered pinks and oranges - I did this numerous times drying in between to get the colors more vibrant.  I masked off the flowers and did the same with the leaves in shades of green. 

Once I had these where I wanted them, I went back to lesson 1 - adding detail to stamped images - in this lesson it was about using markers to add details, but I reached for my Woodless Colored pencils to add subtle shading and details to the flowers.  I finished this card by fussy cutting the bouquet and foam mounting it to a piece of green cardstock that I had stenciled the Sunburst onto in a slightly darker shade of green.  Once that was adhered, I added splatters in white and Puffy Heart.  This card was finished with 2 sentiments from the Bold Sentiment stamp set - one of my favorites.  The splatter technique is fun and a great way to "loosely" watercolor and get a really unique and fun looking image.

I think this is the last class I have to take before preparing for my Level 3 final - teaching a workshop.  Wish me luck...

Altenew Inspiration Challenge

 

Today, I am playing along with Altenew's Inspiration Challenge found HERE.  I used a coloring page fro. Altenew's Exotic Blooms marker coloring book. 

AECP Level 3 - Stencils

For this homework assignment I used Stencil Art: Charming Delight layering stencil set and Sketched Lines stencil. I created this card after taking #altenewacadamy class Stunningly Styled Stencils and All About Layering  - stencils edition. I incorporated several of the lessons in this card, including flipping the stencil over, using embossing paste through a stencil, stenciling the image, and fussy cutting. 

I colored the embossing paste with Desert Night Watercolor marker pigment. I used Fresh Dye inks that correspond to the colors in the #altenewinspirationchallenge and even added a little Iridescent Shimmer spray to the flower bouquet to account for the snow in the inspiration photo.

I really like how this turned out. What do you think?

Altenew April Inspiration Challenge found here 

Let's get Krafty Challenge #163

To participate in Double Trouble Challenge #163 - Let the Troubles Begin  I began by using Kraft cardstock as my card base. (Thing 1) I watercolored the debossed side of my card panel. Inspired by Inspiration Station Prompt #60 photo of the world in hands  I chose to color all the area around the florals (continents) blue ( Starlight Alcohol marker) symbolic of the water that fills our earth. (Thing 2- Double Dare) The blue around my image is for Thing 3 - shades of blue. Lastly I added Iridescent Shimmer Spray to simulate the shine of water.

 Let me know your thoughts.

AECP - Magic of 3D Embossing

What a fun class. I have had a lot of fun with my 3D embossing folders.  I have several cards to share today - a few of the cards I created were because of the teaching of Laurel Beard and a few were just ideas I had floating around in my head.  

For my first card I used Altenew's Mega Bloom stencil and with a few fresh dye inks I stenciled this beautiful flower onto white cardstock.  Then I took Peony Sunshine 3D embossing folder and ran it through so that the peony was EMBOSSED on the stenciled side.  Then I took the same inks I used to stencil the bloom I used to drag across the raised peony image.  I think this card turned out rather interesting and I will definitely be trying this again.  (stay tuned as I already have a card lined up with this technique).

Using a 3D Embossing folder packs a lot of punch for the amount of effort you put forth.

For my second card, I used the Reverse Blackout method. The reverse blackout method is done on the debossed side of the image.  The first thing I did was to apply ink with my blending brushes to the inside of the embossing folder so that the debossed image would be colored.  

Then taking a dark ink pad - typically black - you drag the ink pad across the debossed image.  This adds the black ink to the edges and to the raised areas of the debossed image creating some shading.

A close up of the debossed image

I used black for this method but in the next examples I was eager to try some other colors and see how they appeared.

This third card is using the Blackout Method on the Embossed side.  However, I chose to use blue ink to drag across the flower and greens for the leaves.  Then I used a really dark green across the rest of the cardstock.  After I had the entire image covered I used a dark green and black to ink blend the edges creating a halo effect around the flower.  I then used some shimmer sprays to splatter across the panel.  I also use some clear gemstones around the sentiment but I am not sure I like the gemstones.  I do like this combination of blue and green.

For this card, I again chose to do the Blackout Method but I wanted to see what it would look like if I used a different color that wasn't dark.  I REALLY love the effect on this one.  I really rubbed the embossed image with Navy Fresh Dye ink - this created great shading.  The edge of the card I used a mix of pinks - Rubellite and Razzleberry before ink blending the edges.  The last thing I did was to use Bold Alphabet dies for the HI - I used the woodgrain embossing folder and embossed the letters and then did ink blending with the pinks and hit the high points with navy.  You have to see this in person because it is really striking!

What do you think?  Which is your favorite?

Peony Sunshine - embossed and stenciled?

I had an idea I wanted to try and here's the result. I first ink blended the flower using Altenew's Mega Bloom stencil. Then I took the Peony Sunshine embossing folder and added some ink to the side that would emboss - reds and pinks to the flower and greens and easy breezy to the leaves. Once I had the ink added I then embossed the stenciled image.  I also dragged the ink cubes thst corresponded to the colors I used in ink blending across the embossed image.  My final step was to spray with Altenew's Iridescent shimmer spray. Love the shone it adds. 

I'm using this card as my entry into the Altenew March Inspiration Challenge.