Altenew Educator Certification Program - Irresistible Inking Techniques

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back! Today, I have another project from AECP to share with you - I am finally getting close to finishing the first level, only 2 more projects to go before the final challenge, woohoo!

Irresistible Inking Techniques led by Sara Naumann is a fun class full of great ideas on how you can stretch your supplies, especially ink pads. Do you have a lot of ink pads in your craft-room, and maybe you're not too sure what potential they have, other than straight forward stamping? Then this class is for you! Of course, Sara only touches the tip of a mountain, really, as there are loads of things and techniques you can use your ink pads for, but this class is a great start, especially if you're new to crafting and card making. 

I was quite inspired to use a few of the techniques showcased by Sara on my project! As you will see in a moment, however, I ended up only using one or two of her suggestions - that's simply where the card design took me! 

I have wanted to give stamp block inking a go for a long while now, and this class and assignment finally gave me the push to do it. Funnily enough, however, my first attempt at it was a bit of a fail, as I used a wrong type of paper (it does't take water well at all, I should have thought about that!) & I don't think I used enough water --> The result? I ended up with a splotchy and rather ugly-looking pattern on my card-stock. But, you know me - I don't like giving up on any projects, so I decided to keep going, just for practice... 

... and I couldn't be happier that I did! I opted for colouring my image with Polychromos Pencils, and... just look at the close up photos! The ugly splotchy pattern added so much fabulous detail and texture to my florals! Once I finished colouring the whole image, I decided that it was perfect just the way it was, hence I opted not to add additional "inky" details to it - the gorgeous sentiment and a few enamel dots were in my eyes more than sufficient. 

What are your thoughts?

I will most definitely use this technique in the future, and I hope to achieve both my initial desired effect (of a smoother background for my focal image), but I also hope that I'll remember every now and again to go for this "failed" splotchy look, as - oh my - I love this texture so much! 

Have a great day,

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Altenew Enamel Dots
Acrylic block - Impresso by Mudra Craft Stamps

Altenew Educator Certification Program - Let it shine

Hi Everyone,

I am back with another project for the Altenew Educator Certification Program. This time, the class was called "Let it shine", and the instructor was of course Carissa Wiley - the Queen of Sparkle ;o)

Carissa's videos would be perfect for any newbie to the crafty world - she shares a lot of tips and tricks along the way, from some very basic ones, to more complex ideas and techniques. She also shared a lot of additional inspirational designs after each class, which was nice to see. 

When it goes to sparkle and shine - I don't need to be hugely encouraged to incorporate them into my designs, LOL! I love sequins, embellishments, glitter paper, glittery embossing powders, foils, shimmer sprays and all the other sparkly stuff. In fact, it's rather difficult for me NOT to have any of these on my cards! Therefore, "homework" for this class was easy-peasy for me :o)

Funnily enough, the card I am sharing today was also hugely inspired by another Altenew class I was attending whilst doing the mandatory AECP ones - All about layering 3 by Lydia Evans [which, as I am writing it, is a FREE class, so definitely worth checking out!]. 

Now, if you struggle with layering Altenew stamps - I highly recommend the "All about layering" series - they will help you with understanding how to best approach these stamp sets. Lydia's class was fabulous - I thoroughly enjoyed her videos and clear instructions, and her inspirational pieces were totally up my alley, which was a great bonus. I personally don't have any issues with aligning the layering stamp sets by Altenew, but I still found the class very inspirational. 

The moment I saw Lydia's card with the gorgeous Leaf Frame Cover Die, I knew I had to try something similar. Lydia used vellum on her design, and I opted for... you guessed it, glitter paper! I stamped the fabulous flower and leaves from the Hope stamp set, using some Catherine Pooler, Distress Oxide and Altenew inks (I didn't have all the colours I wanted in the Altenew range), and then fussy cut them. Note that I also stamped the final layer of the center of the flower with Versamark ink, and then used a gold embossing powder instead of colourful ink - this was another bow towards the "Let it shine" class :o)

At this point, all that was left to do was to assemble the card, and add the sentiment. I added some sparkle to the sentiment also (notice that super thin strip of glitter paper?)! I was going to add some sequins/enamel dots around the sentiment, but I couldn't find anything in my stash that matched nicely with the shade of gold of my glitter paper, so in the end opted to leave additional embellishments out - the card is pretty sparkly already, anyway! 

And here it is, in all its sparkly glory - isn't it fabulous?

I am entering the card into the following challenges:

Altenew - January inspiration challenge

I am truly happy with how this turned out, and I will be using this trick with the Leaf Frame in the future, for sure!

Do you like using sparkle on your cards? Do share!

In the meantime, have a great weekend,

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Gold glitter paper - from my stash, bought in the local paper store
Catherine Pooler - Tiki Torch ink

Altenew Red Sunset Inkpad Set at CraftStash
Peacock Feather DIstress Oxide Ink at CraftStash
Cracked Pistachio DIstress Oxide Ink at CraftStash
Salty Ocean DIstress Oxide Ink at CraftStash

Altenew Educator Certification Program - Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Hi Everyone,

Today I am back with another card I made for the AECP. This time, the class was all about Easy Die Cutting Techniques, and the videos and ideas were led by the one and only Yana Smakula. I adore Yana's creations, so I was delighted to see what she had to share with us. 

Yana did not disappoint - in the class, she shares some great ideas on how we can stretch the dies we already have in our stash. She also *might have* encouraged me to get a die or two, haha! I will admit, I was familiar with most of the techniques Yana showcased, however it was great to be reminded of some of them, and to learn a few new tips along the way. Plus, let's face it, her inspiration was fantastic, too! 

One technique that I really like seeing, and usually forget using myself, is embossing with dies. Whenever I dry emboss, I tend to reach for my embossing folders straight away. Which is a bit limiting, seeing that I only own a few of them... However, I have a plethora of dies, and I really need to remember that for the future, as my dry embossing options are so much wider thanks to the dies! 

For my card, I opted for a rather simplistic design, but I am really happy with how it turned out. And, it pretty much uses only dies, with just a bit of bling and some colouring/ink blending. I used the gorgeous Rose Filament die set for both the focal image on my card, as well as the dry embossing of my background. The fantastic Fine Frames came handy to draw the eye to the sentiment. I honestly don't think this designs needs anything more!

This is a perfect feminine card, and I am sure it will make any special woman in my life happy on her birthday!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

I hope you like this design as much as I do, and that you give dry embossing with dies a go, if you haven't already!

Have a great crafty day,
Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Vellum: Crafter's Companion, Printable vellum
Enamel dots: from my stash