This is my third AECP class and I loved it! For this class, the goal was to pull inspiration from something around you that you like and bring those colors or patterns into your card making. There were also some tips on adding watercolors to your cards. The instructor, Therese Calvird, did a great job.

For this class, I decided to use Midsummer Bouquet. Thisis stamp is a gorgeous lined stamp by Altenew.

To start, I stamped the stamp on watercolor paper and embossed with some WOW! White embossing powder. One of the techniques Therese showed was the wet on wet water coloring techniques. After attempting this 4 times, (photo below with purple flowers shows 3rd attempt) I realized I needed to figure out the amount of watercolor paint I should have on my brush. I have a better handle on it, but I decided to try something else. Instead of watercolor paint, I used my Tombow markers. I am hooked on this technique! Another thing the instructor mentioned was a 70/20/10 color ratio when creating. I kept that in the back of my mind as well.

My inspiration for the red flowers was inspired by my mom’s love of red Geraniums. She loved that color! So I took my embossed panel and put down some water and then put the tip of my Tombow in the water and let the water move the pigment where ever it wanted. I used the darkest color by the embossed lines, let it dry and then added the next darkest, etc. I used Tombow 847, 837, 885 and 856 for the red flowers. For the yellow, I used 905, 985 and 933. For the leaves I used 098, 228 and 177. For the background , I used 476. When everything was dry, I went over the entire flower with a slightly wet paint brush to blend every thing together.

I added the Thank You from the Dodecagram stamp set and that completed my card. Time wise, the drying time took a bit. I could have dried it with my heat tool in between colors, but I enjoyed starting on another card and working on it in between painting this card.

I really like how this turned out and am thrilled that I have a new way to use an item that was already in my stash!

Take Care,

Patty

Hello,

For today’s card share, I decided to make a Christmas card but not use traditional Christmas colors. I have younger male family members on my Christmas card list that would enjoy something more fun and bright and a little less traditional. I also feel like this could be a Hanukkah card with a different sentiment.

I completed my second Altenew Educator Certification Program class, All About Layering 2. In this class, the instructor shared ways to move beyond basic layered stamping. There were a few items I decided to focus on from this class; using a small stamp to create a background, you don’t need to use every layer of a stamp group to create a nice looking image and use dimension to make the focal point stand out.

For this Christmas card, I used Altenew’s Bells and Bows stamp set. It also comes with co-ordinating dies. I found this set so easy to line up and stamp. The stamping went very quickly. I was able to make multiples in an hour.

I stamped the background using Altenew’s Crisp Dye Inks in Artic, Persian Blue and Sapphire (my favorite color)! I then stamped the large bow using the same colors. I did not use the outline stamp for any of the bows, I did not feel like they needed it. I cut the large bow out using the matching die. I cut the tag out using My Favorite Things Scallop Cross Stitch die.

I used some left over gold and silver threads and tied them to the tag. I added foam adhesive to the back of the tag. I used Hero Art’s Hero Hues gems and added foam tape to the bow and added the bow to the tag. I embossed the sentiment using Wow! Metallic Brass.

I know Altenew has incredible layering flower stamps, and I own my fair share of them, but I like that there are other layering stamps that present masculine possibilities as well.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Take Care,

Patty

All About Layering Lesson 2

Hello!

For this project, we were asked to create a card using a layering stamp set, but to just try using the lined images. The rule of thirds was also discussed. Keeping these points in mind, I actually created 2 cards.

The first card was made with a layering stamp set called Dodecagram. I remember having to create these in art class. The stamp set is really fun. You have the geometric shapes that are lined images and the ability to fill them in with stamps provided in the set. You can also create additional lined images using the little stamps included in the set. How fun would it be to use embossing powders to create celebratory images on your cards using theses different stamps together!

I used the smaller lined image as a flower. I stamped it in Altenew Crisp Dye Inks Cotton Candy for the Pink and Ruby Red for the red. For the leaf, I used Altenew Crisp Dye Ink Shadow Creek. To add just a little something more, I added splatters. I really tried to keep the splatter colors in the same area as the stamped colors.

I just stamped the inks on my glass mat, squirted them with water and used a really small paint brush to create the splatter.

To finish this card, I stamped the Congratulations sentiment on some card stock and cut it out. I used foam tape to adhere it to the card panel and give the card some dimension. I stamped the sub-sentiment directly to the card panel.

The second card I made using the sun ray out of the Rain or Shine Stamp Set. I think this is a great masculine card. I can see stamping the sun ray across a card panel in a rainbow and using the Thank You from the Best Sentiments Stamp Set to create an “any person” Thank you card.

I used the Sweet Dreams Altenew Crisp Dye Ink set. I used the three darker inks, Aqualicious, Teal Care and Galactic Stream. I stamped the sentiment in Teal Care, fussy cut it out and used some foam tape to add some dimension. It took about 8 minutes to make that card and I love how it looks.

Thanks so much for stopping by and viewing my cards. On to Lesson 3!

Patty

Hi Everyone,

I am participating in Altenew’s Educator Certification Program.

I am really excited and ready to get to work. It’s something I have wanted to do for several years and finally took the plunge.

I started my first class at Altenew Academy, All About Layering 1 and want to show you my first project.

One of the requirements for the card besides using a layering stamp set was to be clean and simple. This style of card is so difficult for me to do, I am a technique junkie and to edit myself can be difficult.

I used Altenew’s Vintage Roses stamp set (which is on sale right now (06/07/2022). I enjoy coloring so that is what I typically do when I create a card. It was nice to allow the stamps and inks to do the creating.

I used the rose layers in the lower left corner of the stamp set. I also used the leaf branch that is on the bottom in the center. There aren’t any layers that go exactly with the leaves, but you use the layers from the single leaves to create the dimension.

I made 2 card samples, one as a typical A2 and one with an arched top. I used a dome die on the card panel and the card base. I, of course, smeared ink on the A2 as soon as I finished, but I am posting so you can decide which style you prefer. The domed card was my original

I enjoyed creating a simple card. It reminded me what I love about this hobby.

Take Care!

Patty

Hello,

I should really title this card ”Wish I was There”. It’s Hero Arts stamps and dies. I used what I received from a My Monthly Hero kit, but the stamps are available on Hero Arts Website. The set is called ”Life Is Better at the Lake. There is another set that has a dock and kids jumping in the lake that is a great companion stamp.

I die cut the trees and mountains with the co-ordinating dies. I fussy cut the base of the trees so it looked wavy so that the lake looked like it met the trees. I adhered the mountains with Bearly Arts glue, then glued the trees on top of that. I stamped the sentiment, the birds, the fish, the duck and the weeds with Versafine Black ink. I stamped the lake waves with Cove Blue.

I did some partial die cutting with the Hero Arts Infinity Cloud dies on the front portion of the card base and on the card panel. I adhered the card panel to the card base and called it complete.

This card did not take long, but I feel this has a visual impact.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your week.

patty

Hello! I made a more whimsical card for Mother’s Day using Pawsome Stamps Hoppy Easter stamp set and the heart stamp from Pawsome Stamps Oopsy Daisy stamp set.

I colored the bear with Copic markers using E74, E77 and E79 for the fur and E51 for the snout. I used Catherine Pooler inks in Glitz and Pucker up for the hearts and did ink to paper to create the matching mats. The Polaroid frame is Catherine Pooler’s Instant Happy. The crystals are from BB Crystal Co.

It was a really quick and easy card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Patty

Today’s card projects were made using Simon Hurley’s Bold Blossom stencils and stamp, Catherine Pooler inks, Bearly Art glue and Brutus Monroe embossing powder. These cards came together so quickly! The stencils were very easy to use.

These cards were made using Catherine Pooler’s Party Inks and Catherine Pooler’s Spa inks. For the top card, party inks. I used Be Mine and Pucker Up on the Pink flowers, Chiffon and Tiara on the yellow flowers and Glitz and Tiki Torch for the orange flowers. For the greenery, I used Lime Rickey and Grass Skirt. The sentiment is from Pink Fresh Studio’s Sunflowers Stamp Sets. I used Brutus Monroe’s Gilded embossing powder on the sentiment and in the center portion of the flowers. I cut the sentiment out using Lawn Fawn’s Scalloped Rectangle Die. I finished it with Doodle Bugs Lily White Glitter Drops.

The bottom was made using Catherine Pooler’s Spa Inks. I used Pink Champagne and Sugared Lavender on the purple-ish flowers, Shea Butter and Ginger for the Golden Flowers and Orange Peel and Mandarin Spice for the burnt orange-ish florals. For the greenery, I used Eucalyptus and Martini. I used embossing powder for the third layer of the stencils as well as the floral centers and the sentiment. The Sentiment is from Catherine Poolers Grateful Heart stamp set and I cut it out using Catherine Poolers Merry Labels. I again used Doodle Bugs Lily White Glitter Drops.

Using Simon Hurley’s Bold Blossoms stamp

Finished Cards

These are literally 15 minute cards. I love the results.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your week!

patty

I created all four of these cards using colored cardstock (Catherine Pooler is the tan and the gray is from Michael’s) and stamping with Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment Ink. The smaller flowers, I used Altenew’s Flower Vine stamp. The other three cards were made by using Hello Bluebird’s Send Flowers stamps. You can tell that the Altenew stamp is a lined image and the Hello Bluebird stamp is a solid image. I used Altenew Alcohol Markers or Luminance Colored Pencil’s or both on each design. I use Bearly Art Glue on all of the cards.

Let’s look at each one individually.

First is the Altenew Flower Vine. Stamped on Catherine Pooler’s Sand Dune Cardstock, which is no longer sold. It is a big bummer, that was my favorite cardstock. I stamped the pattern using my Mistis and the Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment ink. I used Luminance colored Pencils. I love how the white lines give the colored images a bright look.

I used Spring Green and Grass Green on the leaves and vines. Lemon yellow, Maganesee Violet and Crimson Aubergine on the flowers. I did not do much shading because the lined stamp added so much interest. I used Honey Bee Stamps And Essentials by Ellen for the sentiment. Nuvo Crystal Drops for the bling.

For this card, I used a combination of markers and colored pencils. I used the same colors as listed above. I started by laying down the Altenew Markers for the base layer, then adding the colored pencils on top of it. The marker base did allow the pencils to blend smoothly. The sequins are Catherine Pooler’s Sofia Sequins. The Happy is from Simon Says Stamp’s Big Happy and Homey Bee Stamps Bitty BuzzWords.

This card is my favorite. I colored it with the colored pencils first and then added touches with the Alcohol Markers. I used all of the same coloring items as listed above, but I feel this was the winning combo for me. Probably because it’s the brightest. Same sentiments as the previous card. I used Catherine Pooler’s Shea Butter to color the sentiments. I used BB Crystal Co’s Gold Jewels as the final touch.

This is what I have been doing to relax. I finally took the time to turn these into cards so I could blog about them.

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

patty

Hello!

I decided to use up some of the images I colored from the 30 Day Coloring Challenge. I made a background for the card using a product that I have neglected…my Color Bursts!

Other than drying time, the background took less than 10 minutes to make. I tapped the powder onto watercolor paper that I had taped down and then sprayed the paper. I used a paint brush to move the color to areas that needed it. It took less than 3 minutes to complete the Color Burst step.

After the Color Bursts dried, I used low tack tape and Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment ink to create the sun rays filtering through the water. I then took Dr. P.H. Martins Bleed Proof White and a little water and a small paint brush to create the white floaty things in the water. I also used my Signol White Gel Pen to draw dots where I felt there was to one a space. The rays and splashes took maybe 5 minutes. It took me longer to clean up all of my wayward splashes. I am a very enthusiastic paint brush tapper.

All of the images were colored with Copics. The Octopus was colored using RV66, V15, RV55, RV63 and V12. I also colored the white edges around the Octopus so it would blend in to the background better. I used Suede Shoes and Mardi Gras inks to complete the edges.

To color the turtle, I used G14, G17, G07 and G05. I again used Suede Shoes and Mardi Gras ink to color round the white edges of the turtle. I used these same colors on the sea plants and clams so there would be continuity through out the design. I used my Signol White Gel pen for the white dots on the coral and the Octopus’ legs.

I heat embossed the sentiment using WOW! White embossing powder and Ink on 3 embossing ink. The sandy bottom is scrap card stock with Icing on the Cake ink blended on top of it. I also used Icing on the cake around the white edges of the plants.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your day!

Patty