Altenew Educator Certification Program: Polychromatic

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my Crafty Corner.  

Today's card is inspired by Altenew Academy's "Polychromatic" class, offered by Nina-Marie Trapani.

In this class, Nina-Marie shows us different ways to use color in our cardmaking.  The class offers a wide range of techniques such as white with pops of color, faux watercolor, no line pastel looks and much more.

 As I was working through the lessons, one topic jumped out at me. Pastel Polychromatics and Faux No Line Coloring.  This lesson really caught my interest as I was in the mood for a challenge.

My preference is to create with bold, vibrant colors.   

Creating with pastel colors is a great challenge for me. I gladly accepted the challenge but with my own twists.

• choose colors that are opposites on the color wheel.  I chose Yellow and Purple
• instead of stamping the images for a no line look, I created the same look using an embossing folder
• I used super juicy OLO markers to color the focal image.

It took me some time to get this blog post up, because I jumped right out of my comfort zone into a new-to-me technique.  I spent a lot of time practicing my coloring with only pastels.  It was hard to resist the urge to grab the darker colors.  

I used OLO Markers to color the focal image.  These markers are built differently than most alcohol markers on the market.  They are a straight flow marker, which makes them a bit more juicy than other brands.  Not only are they juicy, the colors are so vibrant, even the light ones. 

Here is the card I made.  I am happy with the outcome. 

Supply List

Altenew:  Antique Gold Pigment Ink,  Dazzling Diamond Stellar Sequins, Farmhouse Florals 3D Embossing Folder, Sweet Jasmine Press Plates (Sentiment)

Essential Textures: Gilded Marble Press Plate, 

From my stash:  glue pen, glitter, Olo Markers, Copic Express It paper, purple cardstock, Dare 2B Artzy Horizontal A2 Center Step Die, paper trimmer, tweezers, Olo Markers - pastel yellows and greens, Betterpress System

Instructions - Floral Image

• Trim alcohol ink friendly paper to 6"x6"
• Place panel inside the Farmhouse Florals 3D Embossing Folder and run it through your die cut machine
• remove the embossed panel and start coloring
• choose the color palate - I used pastel yellows and greens:  three of each color
• color all three focal images with the light marker
• allow the ink to dry - about 5 minutes
• go in with the medium pastel color, where two points meet and where one petal lays over another. The embossing makes this step easy.
• go in next with the darkest pastel color and sharpen up the petal details.  This step allows the 3D image to really pop.
• allow the ink to dry - about 5 minutes and go in again with the darkest pastel marker to deepen the recessed areas and add more detail to the petals
• You can see how the petals take shape in the below photo.
• color the leaves with green markers using the same technique as used with the floral image.  Add some of the medium yellow to the tips of the leaves.
• fussy cut the image.  
• apply adhesive with the glue pen to the center of the florals and sprinkle glitter over top.
• put aside to dry.

Instructions - Card Base

• trim purple cardstock to 5" x 8 1/2", score at 4 1/4"
• die cut the cardstock panel with the horizontal step die
• fold the cardstock following the score lines to create the base (see above photo)
• place the Gilded Marble press plate lengthwise near the bottom of the better press base
• line up the card base so that the score lines at the top line up be with the edge of the press plate.
• adhere the base to the plastic better press mat
• apply the Antique Gold pigment ink to the Gilded Marble press plate (there will be a small area that the press plate didn't cover)
• attach the plastic mat to the base and run it through the die cut machine
• remove card base and set aside
• trim a piece of purple cardstock to 5 1/2" x 1" 
• trim a piece of purple cardstock for the sentiment
• place the sentiment onto the better press base (the marble plate is still in the machine)
• apply Antique Gold pigment ink to the sentiment and an area large enough to cover the cardstock strip
• line up the paper to the plates, adhere to the plastic mat and run through the die cut machine
• adhere the strip to the bottom of the card base

Finishing Touches

• Adhere the focal point to the center of the card base
• add the sentiment to the center of the floral element
• add sequence

I learned that I can step way outside my comfort zone and create something that makes me happy.  I enjoyed the class and all that I learned.  

Thank you for stopping by! 

Bonus Card