Altenew Educator Certification Program - Final Challenge Level 2 - Part 1

 

Welcome to My Crafty Corner

 Level Two Challenge - Part 1

Hello Everyone!

Grab your favorite beverage and maybe a snack. This post is going to be long and divided into two parts.

I have completed the AECP Level Two Classes. The next step of the program is the Level Two Challenge. I have completed 20 classes total, and each one has been an incredible journey. I focused on pushing my boundaries and creating outside my comfort zone.

The Challenge

For this challenge, I will be sharing my experience and creations based on the guidelines provided. It's an exciting opportunity to showcase new skills and experiment with creative ideas.

Requirements

1. Select 3 Components from Any of the 20 Level 1 or 2 Classes

2. Explain the 3 Components

3. Share Design Tips

Create 4 Masculine Cards

The task is to create four masculine cards, each with a specific theme. Here's what I plan to design:

1. Birthday Card

2. Love/Thinking of You Card

3. Anniversary Card

4. Encouragement Card

Altered Item/Upcycled Project 

An additional part of the challenge involves creating a project that involves altering or upcycling an item. This is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into something old or unused, transforming it into a beautiful and functional piece.

Stay tuned as I dive deeper into each element of the challenge, sharing my creative process, insights, and the final results. I hope you find inspiration and joy in this crafty journey!

The Inspiration

The courses that inspired these cards:

• Let It Shine — all things sparkle and shine; foils, metallics, sequins, embossing powder

• With a Twist — unexpected, inventive ways to use supplies

• For The Guys — bold geometrics, repeating patterns and smart supply-stretching

I’ll walk through the techniques behind each card along the way.

The Cards

The Design Process

How can we create Altenew‑inspired cards without florals? Here’s my step‑by‑step approach.

I set a challenge to make four cohesive cards that each feel unique. The secret: let the background panels be the star, then build layers so every card stands on its own.

Going full mixed‑media today—letterpress, hot foil, and die‑cutting at the ready. On the desk:

• Press plates

• Embossing folders

• Hot foil

• Geometric triangle die set

• Non‑floral stamp and die sets

• Shimmer relief paste

• Black card stock

• Black mixed‑media cardstock

• Shimmer powders

• Gold embossing powder

• Sequins

• Paper crimper

• Heat tool

TIPS

• Read each manufacturer’s guide for foiling, letterpress, and die cutting

• Press plates are dual-purpose: hot foiling and letterpress

• Plates get hot during foiling—use caution and let them cool

• Keep it cohesive: match your background panels with the same color cardstock

• Pair positive and negative foiled pieces to tie backgrounds and embellishments together

• Mixed media thrives on play—test and explore

• It’s only paper—go beyond your comfort zone

Background Panels

Mixed Media is all about play—so I built eight backgrounds, then matched them into four cards. I finished with scrap embellishments for a cohesive look across the set. 

I will guide you through the techniques employed to assemble each panel as we work on the cards. This thought process will ensure that the information remains clear and organized.

Card 1 - Birthday Front Stair Step Card

Inspiration: Let it Shine and For the Guys took center stage—shimmery watercolor, sequins, and gold embossing meet sharp geometric shapes. Total win.

Supplies: Altenew: Tangerine Grove Stamp Set (Sentiment); Creative Labels Die Set; Garden Friend Die Set; Stellar Sequins - Sparkling Gold; Antique Gold Pigment Ink; Delightfully Dotty Press Plate; Gilded Marble Press plate

From my stash:  The Paper Cut Pewter 5.5" x 5.5" card base; gold embossing powder; Lindy's Stamp Gang Magicals - Milky Way White, Gleaming Gold, Bayou Boogie Gold; Vicki Boutin Black Mixed Media Paper; heat tool, anti static powder tool; water spray bottle, liquid glue; black glimmer foil; gold glimmer foil; Pinkfresh solid hot foil plate; splat box; paper towels; medium fan brush

Process:

• black mixed media cardstock - cut 2 6"x 6" panels
• place one panel into the splat box
• sprinkle magical powders randomly with the fan brush

• spray with water - be generous and watch the colors flow across the paper

• repeat with the second mixed media cardstock panel
• set both panels aside and let dry or dry with a heat tool

TIPS:

• Use mixed media cardstock that can handle lots of water
• Regular cardstock won’t work well for this technique
• Metallic powders or watercolor shine on dark cardstock
• Have fun and experiment — it’s only paper

• trim one panel to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2
• follow hot foil machine instructions
• apply black glimmer foil with the Gilded Marble Press Plate
• set aside the negative foil piece for later use

Card Assembly

• set the pewter card base flat on the work table
• trim 1 each; 4 1/4" x 3", 5 1/2" x 1" and 2 - 5 1/4" x 1" 
• use liquid glue to adhere pieces as shown below
• set aside the scraps for later use

• from the panels set aside earlier, die-cut a circle from the panel shown below
• make an A2 panel with 80lb black cardstock, then transfer leftover foil onto it using the solid hot foil plate - see panel shown below
• reserve the scrap for later use

• treat the circle die cut with anti static powder tool 
• stamp sentiment (tangerine grove stamp set) with Antique Gold Pigment Ink
• sprinkle with gold embossing powder
• melt embossing powder with heat tool

• the above panel was created with an extra negative space shimmer foil I had on hand from a previous project where I heat folded gold shimmer foil onto white cardstock with the Delightful Dotty press plate
• made an A2 panel with 80lb black cardstock, then transferred leftover foil onto it using the solid hot foil plate
• die cut the large leaf cluster out of the above panel
• reserve the scrap for future use

• assemble the embellishments as shown below
• add sequins

Card 2 -Love/Thinking of You

Inspiration: Let it Shine meets For the Guys, With A Twist. Think hot-foil shimmer, gold pigment glow, and clean triangles and rectangles to finish the look. 

Supplies:  Altenew: Antique Gold Pigment Ink; Gilded Marble Press Plate; Lovely Rose Peony Stamp set (Sentiment); Nesting Triangles Die Set; Stellar Sequins; - Sparkling Gold

From my stash: black cardstock, gold embossing powder, silver glimmer hot foil; liquid glue; A2 card base; anti static powder tool; heat tool

• first we need to create the two panels
• black cardstock - two panels 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2 size)
• gilded Marble Press Plate
• hot foil and better press machines
• black glimmer foil
• antique gold pigment ink

• place the gilded marble press plate onto the better press machine
• ink the plate with antique gold pigment ink
• adhere A2 size black cardstock to the clear better press plate
• place clear plate to the machine bottom
• run through the die cut machine - go slowly

• clean the ink off the gilded marble press plate
• move the plate over to the hot foil machine
• turn the black cardstock panel 180 degrees

• Transfer silver glimmer foil with the hot foil machine
• Remove the plate
• Make an A2 panel from 80lb black cardstock and transfer the remaining foil with a solid plate

The card is created with the two above panels, black cardstock, antique gold pigment ink, gold embossing powder and sequins.

Card Assembly

• trim a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" black cardstock panel 
• adhere to the A2 card base
• trim above right panel to 4" x 5 1/4"
• adhere to the card base - bottom right orientation
• trim 4 1/4" x 1/2" rectangle strip from black cardstock
• place strip in stamp positioner
• treat with anti static powder tool
• stamp sentiment with antique gold pigment ink
• sprinkle gold embossing powder over top
• melt embossing powder with heat tool
• adhere near bottom of panel with liquid glue
• add sequins

• die cut three nesting triangle from the panel created with the negative hot foil
• die cut three nesting triangles one size larger from black cardstock
• adhere triangles with liquid glue as shown in the above photo
• adhere triangles to the card panel

Card 3 - Anniversary Gate Fold Card

Inspiration: Let it Shine — shimmer relief paste on black cardstock with rose gold

cardstock accents

With a Twist — wood‑grain press plate over relief paste, gilded marble press plate, black hot‑foil overlay

Supplies:  Altenew: Brown Moonstone Shimmer Relief Paste; Gilded Marble Press Plate; Woodgrain Press Plate; Stellar Sequins - Dazzling Diamond; Bridge to My Heart Stamp & Die Set; Crispy Leaves Die Set; Creative Labels Die Set; Black Obsidian Pigment Ink

From my stash:  vellum; clear embossing powder; anti static powder tool; black cardstock; rose gold cardstock; black hot foil; palette knife

Process

• Cut black cardstock to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Apply brown Moonstone shimmer relief paste in an uneven layer.
• Allow to dry.
• Press a woodgrain plate over the paste with a Better Press for gentle texture.
• Hot foil with black foil and the Gilded Marble plate.

Gate Fold Card Base

• black cardstock cut to 8" x 5 1/2
• score at 2 1/8" each side as shown in below photo
• fold on creases with bone folder
• cut the decorated panel into two 2" x 5 1/2 strips as shown below

• adhere the strips to the card front so that the panels meet in the middle

Card Assembly

• Die-cut bridge (rose gold) using Bridge to My Heart Die Set
• Die-cut leaves: rose gold and black with black hot foil scrap using Crispy Leaves Die Set
• Die-cut a vellum rectangle with Creative Labels Die Set
• Place vellum in stamp positioner; apply anti-static powder
• Stamp sentiment (Bridge to My Heart Stamp Set) with black obsidian pigment ink
• Add clear embossing powder; heat emboss

Heat-embossing on vellum tips:

• Preheat your heat tool well
• Work fast to prevent scorching
• You don’t need every powder color
• Use clear powder over slow-drying colored ink to get any color you want

Vellum Glue Tips

Sticking vellum to cardstock can be tricky—here’s how to keep it neat:

• Map your layout first and build from back to front
• Adhere background layers first
• Add pieces that will sit on top of the vellum next
• Liquid glue and tape runner can show through vellum
• Hide adhesive under elements layered over the vellum panel
• This keeps everything crisp and clean

Finishing Touch

• assemble bridge die cuts
• adhere to left side of card front only

Card 4 - Encouragement

Inspiration: Let it Shine: Shimmer paste, sequins, and a glitter pen steal the spotlight. For the guys: clean circles and rectangles deliver sharp geometry. With a Twist: Add a twist with embossing paste pressed through an embossing folder for standout texture.

Supplies: Altenew: Brown Moonstone, Shimmer Relief Paste, Cozy Sweater Embossing Folder,  Strong Oak Add On die (sentiment), Creative Labels Dies, Stellar Sequins - Dazzling Diamond

From my stash:  Black Cardstock, pallet knife, shimmer pen, vellum, clear sparkle pen, liquid glue

Process:  with a palette knife, spread shimmer relief paste unevenly onto black cardstock panel.  Set aside to dry.  

Place the dry panel into the Cozy Sweater embossing folder and run though the die cut machine.  

• trim panel to 4"'x 5 1/4" and adhere to an A2 size black c/s panel.
• adhere panel to A2 Cars base
• creative labels die set - die cut rectangle tag/black card stock
• creative labels die set - die cut circle die/vellum
• strong oak add on die - die cut sentiment/black cs
• glue rectangle to bottom right of card
• glue the sentiment onto vellum and adhere to the middle of rectangle
• apply clear sparkle to sentiment
• add sequins

The Packaging

Inspiration:  Let it Shine, With a Twist, For The Guys

• Shine made masculine. Brushed gold meets embossed detail, subtle sequins, and shimmery layers, anchored by a strong geometric focal. Finished with a smart twist: a repurposed storage pocket.

Supplies:  Altenew: 6.5" x 8.5" Storage Pocket; brushed gold cardstock;  antique gold pigment ink; Stellar Sequins - Sparkling Gold; Garden Friend Die Set; Creative Labels Dies; Crispy Leaves Die Set

From my stash:  gold embossing powder; scrap from card #1; paper trimmer; liquid glue; score tape; paper crimper; bone folder

Resizing the storage pocket for a better fit:

• Width was perfect for cards and envelopes
• Height was too long, so I shortened it
• The original tab slit sits ~2" from the top
• Trimmed each side down to the slit, then cut across to remove that piece (and the old slit)
• Scored the new fold line
• Folded the top flap and burnished
• Added a new slit for the tab to close the pocket

Finishing Touch

Belly Band Instructions:

• cut brushed gold cardstock to about 8 1/2" x 2 1/2".
• crimp to add texture.
• wrap around the storage packet and secure with score tape.
• trim any excess.
• from card #1 scraps, die cut a rectangle and three crispy leaves.
• layer the leaves on the rectangle (one behind, two in front).
• add sequins
• stamp sentiment with Antique Gold Pigment Ink
• sprinkle gold embossing powder and melt with heat tool
• adhere the panel to the belly band.

Thank you for visiting today. I am grateful to Altenew for this wonderful program, and to Erum for your support and encouragement.

We’re not done yet—here’s the link to Part 2: The Altered Items. Level 2 Challenge - Part 2