Altenew Educator Certification Program - Final Challenge Level 1

 

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my Crafty Corner.  I have completed the AECP Level One Classes. The next step of the program is the Level One Challenge.

I was asked to create a gift set of "his and her cards" along with creative packaging.  A recycled element to be incorporated into either one set or the packaging.  The design elements should also be cohesive. 

The level one courses were amazing.  I enjoyed them all.  However, to keep my creative juices organized, I drew inspiration from the following courses:

Let it Shine, Irresistible Inking Techniques, Easy Ink Blending Techniques, Celebrations: Stencil Techniques, Easy Die Cutting Techniques and Clean & Simple Boutique Cards. I will discuss the techniques applied to each card as we progress.

Theme:  Thank You Cards  I will need thank you cards to send out after my wedding this fall. 

Cohesive Design Elements:  Packaging - I made two books to hold each set of cards.  The bases and interiors are identical.  The focal image on the front of each book coordinates with their corresponding cards.  Color: I used Lemonade Stand and Blue Horizon to make the green leaves on all eight cards. Sparkle and Shine: gold spatter galore on every item, sparkle gems and clear enamel dots tie each set together.

Design Process:  Choose the main element/focal point.  In this case I chose a stamp and die set for the "hers" and embossing folder and two die sets for the "his". The "Thank You" Sentiment is the same for all 8 cards.

Choose a color palate, keeping in mind that one or more colors can be used across all cards to maintain a cohesive look.  In this case I chose to mix a blue and yellow to make green for the leaves.  This technique allows the leaf colors to look similar but not exact.  The key is in the ink blending.  

The sentiments are stamped in the same blue used for the leaves and is incorporated differently into each card.  This creates a cohesive look between each card and within the individual card design.

Gather supplies and keep them handy.  I keep mine in a basket next to my desk. This keeps me focused on the project at hand. 

Plan card designs and work "assembly line style".

Stamp/Die Cut/Emboss elements needed to create cards.  Prepare more than needed and save extras for future projects.

Card Bases: I made 8 A2 top folded card bases.

Enjoy the process:  create something that makes you happy and that will show through in your work.

TIPS FOR DESIGN PROCESS

Recycled Element -  Shop your stash.

6 small jump rings left over from another project.

Many crafty companies package orders with cardboard panels to add stability to items that travel through the mail.  I save most of them for projects.  

I found a box of used file folders that I will never use as intended since I scan and file most things on my computer, which has replaced the need for paper filing.

I created the book exterior with cardboard panels and the interior with file folders.  I made pockets to hold each card. 

The books measure 6 1/4" x 5 1/2.  The interiors consist of 2 file folders - 10" x 8".  Score 2" from the bottom and fold to create the pockets, then fold in half.

Punch 3 holes each with a crop-a-dial to create holes to add jump rings.

SUPPLY LIST

INK:  Altenew Fresh Dye Ink Blue Horizon, Lemonade Stand, Blush Rose, Dreamy Periwinkle, Cotton Candy, Coral Red, Rhodolite, Cherry Sweet, Misty Morning and Evening Gray. White Cloud and Antique Gold Pigment Ink.

Watercolor:  Altenew Metallic 14 color pan set (both)

Stamp/Die/Stencil:  Altenew Peony & Lilac Swag  (hers)

Stamp/Die:  Alluring Orchids - Thank You Sentiment (Both)

Zero Waste Die/Stencil:  Zero Waste Chocolate Flowers (His)

Fresh Flowers Die: Leaf Cluster (coordinates with the below embossing Folder) (his)

Embossing Folder/Stencil: Leafy Splendor (his) 

Embossing Folder:  Luxurious Motifs 3D (hers)

Stencil:  Vintage Motifs (hers)

Altenew: Clear Gem Sparkles (his) and Clear Enamel Dots (hers)

Altenew: Mini Ink Blending Tool and Detail Blending Brushes

Altenew:  Stamp Wheel Original and 2.0

Altenew:  Fine Water Color Brush #4

Altenew Brushed Gold Cardstock

Black cardstock,  Neenah Solar White Cardstock 80lb and 110lb

Nuovo Sparkle Pen

Gold Posca Pen

Ruler

Small Jump Rings

"HIS CARDS"

White Cardstock - cut one panel 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 size A2, three 4 x 5 1/4 and one 6 x 6 panel.

Ink Blend the A2 Size panel with Blue Horizon Ink.  I varied the pressure as I blended to create dimension. (Easy Ink Blending Techniques)

Emboss one panel with Leafy Splendor 3D folder.  

Ink Blend the embossed image with the mini ink blending tool, first with Lemonade Stand, then with Blue Horizon.  Wipe the stencil clean between applications.  (Celebrations:  Stencil Techniques)

Next, use the same stencil and ink colors and ink blend the stencil on another blank panel. (Celebrations: Stencil Techniques)

Then, with the Zero Waste Chocolate Flowers Builder Stencil set, create a background with Blue Horizon and Lemonade stand inks. Blend both colors together to create the florals.  

Complete this process again on the 6 inch panel and die cut with the Zero Waste Chocolate Flowers Die. (Easy Die Cutting Techniques)

Card Assembly 

Put each panel aside and complete finishing touches at the end.

Card #1

Die cut the leafy die three times from the Fresh Flowers Die set.  Emboss with the Leafy Splendor Embossing folder.  Take the blue ink blended panel and die cut the leafy die image twice to create an outline. Adhere brushed gold cardstock panel to the back of the blue panel. (Let it Shine) I used a few scrap pieces that fit the image.  (Easy Die Cutting Techniques).  Add the pre-made sentiment and a few florals/leaves from the zero waste die cuts.

Card #2

Add the sentiment to the embossed/ink blended panel and set aside.

Card #3

This card features the stenciled background panel. The arch is from my "save for another project" stash.  I wanted to create a focal point for the sentiment to rest on.  Ink the edges of the arch with Blue Horizon Ink to help it stand out from the background. (Irresistible Inking Techniques) Add floral and leaves from the no waste elements.  Set the panel aside.

Card #4

This panel is the ink blended leafy splendor (not embossed).  Add the sentiment, flower from the no waste elements and set aside.

Finishing Touches

Create 8 top folding card bases with 110lb white Cardstock. Cut two 8 1/2 x 11 panels in half and score at 5 1/2.  Set aside 4 card bases for the "Hers" cards.

Ink all four panel edges with blue horizon ink using direct to paper technique (Irresistible Inking Techniques).

Adhere the panels to card bases.

Add shimmer to the florals and sentiments with the Nuvo Sparkle Pen. (Let it Shine)

Add clear sparkle gems. (Let it shine).

Ink Splatter gold metallic watercolor with a paint brush to all cards.

"HER CARDS"

Stamp the Peony Image five times on neenah solar white cardstock. I stamped two images in Black Ink, one in light grey ink and one in gold pigment ink.

Stamp one more image on watercolor paper with gold pigment ink.

Die cut all images with coordinating die.  My preference is to die cut the image then stencil as they adhere nicely to the sticky mat.

Next, ink blend all images.  I started with the two black images as I wanted to "color them white".  

TIP:  How do we color white images?  The key is to apply the ink to the shadows.  The shadows are where any two images meet or lay on top of the other.

I applied Misty Morning ink with the smallest angle detail blending brush. Next, I applied a small amount of ink with the detail blending brush to add additional dimension.  

I used different colors for the floral accents so the images don't look identical.

Prepare two A2 white panels and two black A2 panels for the card fronts.

TIP:  Stamp, Die cut and color all images first.  Next, create the background panels.  Then assemble the cards.  This works well anytime you want to use the same image for several cards.  

CARD #1

Ink blend white panel with ink tool and Blue Horizon Ink. (Easy Ink Blending Techniques)  Adhere the white peony and trim off excess.  Add sentiment.  Apply blue ink direct to paper to the panel's edges. (Irresistible Inking Techniques)  Add sentiment and set aside.  

CARD #2

TIP: To add interest, depth and dimension to a stenciled ink blended background, apply varied pressure with the ink blending tool.  

Apply Lemonade Stand Ink through the Vintage Motifs Background stencil, using the above tip. (Celebrations:  Stencil Techniques) Set the stencil aside as we will use it again.

TIP: Lights and Darks  Create a three dimensional image by applying more ink where two points meet or one petal lays on top of another. This pushes the image back.  To bring an image forward, apply ink lighter and leave the white of the paper visible.

To add visual appeal to the focal image, I pulled the lemonade stand from the stenciled background and colored the lilac flower yellow.  I colored the smaller florals purple as it is opposite to yellow on the color wheel, which creates contrast.

I ink blended the peony image with the blue ink and incorporated touches of purple to create a visually pleasing focal element.

Since the image is larger than an A2 card, I cut it into three pieces and adhered to the panel as shown above.

Add sentiment and set panel aside.

CARD #3

Apply gold embossing paste through the Vintage Motifs Stencil on to the black cardstock panel.  (Celebrations:  Stencil Techniques) Set aside to dry.

Cut the Peony image in half.  Arrange the pieces on the panel so they overlap.  Add foam tape to the image that is on "top" - see picture for reference.  

Ink the edges with the gold pigment ink. (Irresistible Inking Techniques)

Add sentiment and set panel aside.

CARD #4

TIP:  similar but different...metallic watercolors were used to color this image.  How do we ensure it is cohesive with the other cards?  Easy.  Altenew's color palates are similar across inks, watercolor and paper.  

Since the color palate was established for both sets, I pulled out the metallic water colors and carefully compared to the red and blue inks.  I used the #4 round water color brush and the wet on wet technique to color the image.  I enjoy the process of dropping the color into the color and watching the magic.  

Since the leaves are the same colors across all the cards, how did I make the metallic green?  I mixed the blue and yellow ink on my glass mat.  Then I mixed in the lightest neutral color from the metallic palate = same green.

Emboss the black panel with the Luxurious Motifs 3D embossing folder. 

Catch the raised areas by swiping, direct to paper, the gold pigment ink pad across the panel.  (Let it Shine).  Next, ink the edges of the panel with the gold ink. (Irresistible Inking Techniques).

Adhere the peony image as shown in the picture, trim the excess, add the sentiment and put aside.

Finishing Touches

Adhere the panels to card bases.

Add shimmer to the florals and sentiments with the Nuvo Sparkle Pen. (Let it Shine)

Add shimmer to the sentiment only for the watercolor card.

Add crystal clear enamel dots.  (Let it shine).

Ink Splatter gold metallic watercolor with a paint brush to all cards.

THE BOOKS

Last, but certainly not least, we have the packaging.

The book designs were 100% inspired by the Clean and Simple Boutique Cards course.  The design is simple, but elegant.

My vision was to create elegant packaging from recycled materials.  Recycle and Reuse!  

At the beginning of the post, I prepared the elements and set aside. Bring them out and lets get started.

Black Cardstock - cut eight panels 6 1/4" x 5 1/2. 

Emboss one panel with the Leafy Splendor 3D folder.

Using the crop-a-dial, punch three holes in all the panels.  Match the holes up with the holes in the cardboard.

Adhere the black cardstock to the front and back of all four cardboard panels.  Adhere the leafy splendor panel to the front of the book.

Front and Back panel:  Measure 3/4 inch from all sides.  Draw lines with the gold metallic pen to create an inside rectangle.

TIP:  A simple drawn in element adds a nice elegant touch and provides a place for the focal image to rest.

"HIS BOOK"

Gold Pigment Ink pad - swipe over the embossed element to accent the embossed image.

Let the ink dry....then...

White Pigment Ink pad - randomly swipe the embossed image and let some of the gold shine through.  (Irresistible Inking Techniques)

Ink edges of the front and back cover with the gold ink pad. (Irresistible Inking Techniques)

"HER BOOK"

Adhere the white peony image to the front cover and trim off the excess.

Splatter gold watercolor 

Ink edges of the front and back cover with the gold ink pad. (Irresistible Inking Techniques)

 BOOK ASSEMBLY

OUTSIDE:  Gold Watercolor - spatter front covers both books.

INSIDE:  File Folder Pockets - four total. Each card will have its own pocket.

Glue two folders together to create a half star look. Adhere the sides not adhered to each other to the inside of the front and back covers.

Thank you for stopping by today.