Blog Archives

Using Die Cuts on Cards

12/31/2018

For today’s card, I used dies and die cuts to make this card stand out. This card is another submission for the Altenew Educator Certification Program for the Easy Die Cutting class. The instructor in this class had a lot of unique ideas for how to use dies in different ways to achieve various looks on a card. For this card, I am using the Altenew Plaid A cover die and the Altenew inline alphabet dies. Please read along for how I made this card.

Building a scene

12/21/2018

AECP Build a Scene Class

For the latest installment of my journey with Altenew Educator Academy, I used the Under the Cherry Blossom Tree stamp set to build a scene. The build a scene class had a lot of great ideas of how to put together stamps to create a vignette. The stamp set I’m using today has some lovely blossoms that would add an air of elegance to any scene. Please read on for how I assembled this card.

Using Layered Stencils

12/20/2018

AECP class: Celebration Stencils

Today on the blog, I am using Altenew Layered Stencils to create unique looks to cards. I am using different blends of ink, texture paste and DecoFoil Transfer Gel. I love how the layered stencils give such a realistic impression. Please read on for how I accomplished each of these looks and tricks and tips I learned along the way.

Let it shine

12/17/2018

AECP class on using shiny elements to a card

For the next class in the Altenew educator program, Let it shine, the instructor introduced a lot of ways to add shine to a card. The class inspired me to try a few different elements to add shine including: heat embossing, adding foil with tape and glitter. I noticed that all the card examples were very clean and simple with a lot of white to balance the metallic elements on the example cards. For the card I made, I used Altenew’s Vintage Teacup Stamp set. This is a layering stamp set with a lot of cute coordinating sentiments. Please read on for how I assembled this card.

AECPGROUP class: For the boys

12/16/2018

Masculine Cards

I like to make cards. Masculine cards are typically defined by being more geometric, patterned and less flowery. In the Altenew class, For The Boys, the instructor gave a lot of different ways to interpret masculine cards. Most of my stamps from Altenew are floral so this course made me move out of my comfort zone and made me think outside the box. I recently purchased the Warp Speed stencil from Altenew and figured this would a good time to use it. Read on for two cards I made using this stencil.

Ink Blending Class

12/10/2018

Altenew Ink Blending Techniques Class

Todays post is on my inspiration from Altenew’s Easy Ink Blending Techniques class. I’m not new to ink blending but still have trouble with dark edges and selecting colors. My go to ink for ink blending is Distress Ink although any ink would do. Using a dye based ink helps if you’d like to do watercolor or water techniques after the blending. For today’s cards I did an emboss resist, ink blending and then added watercolor for extra detail. I was really inspired by this class and made three cards using the Altenew Botanical Garden Stamp Set.

Clean and Simple

12/9/2018

Clean & Simple Boutique Cards

For my next Altenew Educator Certification Program submission, we were challenged to make clean and simple cards. Clean and simple can be tough because those embellishments are just screaming to be adhered to your project. The toughest thing with clean and simple is less is more. The Altenew class, Clean and Simple Boutique Cards gave me some great ideas of how to achieve this difficult look. Using metallic elements and lots of white space lends to a great clean and simple card. Using Altenew's great floral sets helps because they come in such intricate and wonderful designs that you don't need much else on the card. Click below to read more about how I made this card.

Using Layering Stamps

12/4/2018

All About Layering 2

This is my second course for Altenew’s AECP certification program. The second course showcased many of Altenew’s layering stamp sets. Many of the layering stamp sets are very large florals and due to the intricate designs, can really be the focal point of a card. For today’s post, I am building a sympathy card with the large layered hydrangea image being the focus of the card. Thank you for stopping by and read on for how I put this card together.