AECP - Easy Ink Blending Techniques

Since I have been stamping and making cards since the mid 90s, I have tried a lot of different techniques. The faux watercolor with ink blending is one that I had not tried although I have probably seen it many times and didn't realize that is what it was. So of course for my project for the Easy Ink Blending Techniques class by Amy Lee I had to try it out.

I have had this stamp set for a while and could not figure out the best way to color it but when I saw this faux watercolor technique this stamp immediately came to mind.

At first when I was done I wasn't sure I liked how it turned out but once I got it mounted on a card base it started to grow on me. And while I do still need some practice on this technique and my splattering technique I think this turned out pretty well.

I followed along with Amy while doing this technique and it was very helpful to be able to stop and start the video while doing each of the step. 

Once I had the watercolor paper panel embossed with white embossing powder I then ink blended it with 4 Altenew Crisp Dye Inks.  Then using a watercolor paint brush and the same 4 colors of ink I added another layer to the image. Once that was dried using my heat tool, I then used 6 Distress Ink colors that coordinated with my Altenew ink colors to add a 3rd layer of ink to get more dimension and texture. When the final layer of ink was dry I used the purple Distress ink and gold watercolor paint to splatter the panel. 

Finally I die cut the panel using the My Favorite Things Stitched A2 Rectangle die and using some fun foam I attached the panel to a layer of dark purple cardstock and then on to my card base.

I learned that a bigger brush gives a much better look to the looseness of the "watercolor" than a smaller one I tried at first. And I am also learning that more layers of ink gives such a fun texture to my images.
 

SUPPLIES USED:

Stamps: Altenew Sketchy Floral and Birthday Builder

Paper: Strathmore watercolor, Bazzill and Neenah cardstock
Die: My Favorite Things A2 Stitched Rectangle
Inks: Altenew Crisp Dye Inks, Ranger Distress Inks, VersaFine Clair, 
Misc Tools: Yasutomo Pale Gold Japanese watercolor, fun foam

 

AECP - Easy Die Cutting Techniques

I really enjoyed the Easy Die Cutting Techniques class taught by Yana Smakula. For this class I chose to do a few of the techniques that Yana shared.

1. Using a cover die to emboss the background

2. Ink Blending the die cuts

3. Die cutting with vellum

SUPPLIES:

Dies: Altenew Simple Shapes Cover Die, Altenew Craft-A-Flower: Fragrant Peony Layering Die Set

Paper: Bazzill Canvas Texture and smooth cardstocks, vellum
Inks: Altenew Fresh Dye Inks
Tools: Spellbinders Platinum Six with embossing mat, liquid glue, ATG tape

I used the Simple Shapes Cover Die and the embossing mat for my die cut machine to emboss the background for this card. Then I die cut the flowers out of cardstock and the leaves from vellum using the Fragrant Peony Layering Die Set. 

After die cutting the flowers I used inks in the colors Crimson and Velvet to ink blend the flowers for additional color and depth. Altenew's keyhole system makes assembling the Craft-A-Flower dies so easy and quick.

Using liquid glue I assembled the flowers. While the flowers dried, I used ATG tape to glue the background onto a card base. Then I arranged the flowers and leaves on the card and used Press N Seal to pick up the dies to maintain the arrangement so that I could apply liquid glue to them and attach them to the card front. I then used some small adhesive foam dots under some of the flower petals to keep them raised.

AECP - Clean & Simple Boutique

My card for the Clean & Simple Boutique class taught by Jennifer Rzasa. I love clean and simple card designs and this has probably been my most used design style for the past 27 years of card making. The clean and simple lines just speak to my soul in all areas of life.

When creating a clean and simple look you want to remember that the small things can give you an extra little something. You want to think simple design with not a lot of extra layers or too much dimension. 

For this card I used a card sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch. I used sketch #305 as my jumping off point. When I saw this sketch I knew that Altenew's Paint-a-Flower: Sweet Pea stamp would be perfect.  I love using card sketches as a starting place. Some times it is nice not to have to make all of the decisions.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Altenew Paint-a-Flower: Sweet Peat Outline Stamp, Label Love Add-on

Cardstock: Bazzill Dark Seas, Altenew Brush Gold

Other Products: Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink and VersaFine Clair Nocturne, Yasutomo Pale Gold Japanese Watercolor

For this card I stamped the Bazzill cardstock with the Sweet Pea flower image using Versamark Embossing Ink. Then I embossed the image with Brutus Monroe Gilded embossing powder. Using the Yasutomo Watercolor paint and a small paint brush I splatter the card front. I offset the blue cardstock and gold cardstock and used ATG tape to attach the card front to a card base.

The final touch was to stamp the sentiment from Label Love Add-on with Versamark Clair Nocturne ink and used a black Copic marker along the edges to cover up the white cardstock edge. Then I attached the sentiment using foam squares.

Jen gives lots of different tips for doing clean and simple projects. If you are interested in learning more you can find the class here - Clean & Simple Boutique Cards.

AECP - All About Layering 4

My project from the All About Layering 4 class taught by Lydia Evans. Lydia gives so many great tips in her layering classes for using layering stamps and putting them together with other products to give something extra. 

Supplies Used:

Cora Louise Peony Layering Stamp set

Simply Hello Die

Inks: Frosty Pink, Coral Berry, Warm Sunshine, Firefly, Grass Fields, and Shadow Creek Dye inks

Gold Embossing Powder

I started out with stamping my flowers using the Cora Louise Layering stamp set and die cutting the hello die from black cardstock. The flowers are layered on the card front using foam tape to pop some of them up and liquid glue on some to give some extra dimension. 

Then I used a couple of post-it notes to cover the Hello die at approximately the halfway point. And used Altenew Clear Embossing Ink and pressed it over the die. Once it was well coated with embossing ink I covered it with gold embossing powder and heat set it giving the die a little something extra before placing it on the card with liquid glue.

The 2 tone embossed die give this simple card a little extra shine and polish.

I have to admit that even though I have been stamping and making cards for 27 years learning to use the layering stamps was definitely a challenge for me and outside of my usual choice for designs or images. But I think it is a good thing for your creative mind to stretch yourself and try something new and different. 

Here are a few more cards I did while playing with my layering stamp sets and getting to learn how to layer and use them.

Card 1: Ornamental Flowers and Garden Hydrangea

Card 2: Vintage Flowers, Radial Circles Cover Die, and Essential Sentiments Hot Foil Plate
Card 3: Poppy Fields and Essential Sentiments Hot Foil Plate

AECP - All about Layering 3

Here is my first project I have submitted for the Altenew Educator Certificate Program from the All About Layering 3 class taught by Lydia Evans. I have purchased a number of layering stamp sets from Altenew but had never used any of them so it was definitely pass time to do so. This class was the push I needed.

Supplies Used: Peony Bouquet stamps & dies

                Sweet Expressions Sentiment die

                Red Sunset Fresh Dye inks

                 Green Valley Fresh Dye inks

                Ocean Waves Crisp Dye ink from the Cool Summer Nights set

                Jet Black Crisp Dye ink 

                Neenah White and Stampin' Up Black cardstock 

 

 

I used the Ocean Waves to ink blend the card front and after stamping the peonies from Peony Bouquet Layering Stamp set using Altenew inks. Then the flowers were glued down with the top flower being layered on using foam tape. Using the Sweet Expressions sentiment dies I cut the thanks from Stampin' Up black cardstock.

Here are a few more cards that I made during the class using various Altenew Layering stamp sets.

Card 1: Peony Bouquet and Poppy Fields stamp sets
Card 2: Vintage Roses and Labels Love stamp sets. Playful Leaves Embossing Folder

Card 3: Watercolor Wonders and Heartfelt Sentiments stamp sets. Linear Crossroads die

Card 4: Garden Hydrangea. Hero Arts Glorious Petals stencil