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.