For the Guys AECP Course

Hello Crafty Friends! Happy Easter!

Today I am sharing my latest card for the Altenew Education Certification Program, For The Guys, with Jennifer Rzasa. She was a delightful instructor and a source of inspiration for me to explore new possibilities. To be candid, I must admit that masculine cards are not my preferred type of cards. But I used what I learned in class to make this card, which is very different from what I usually do.

For this particular card, I had to think outside the box because I have nothing masculine in my Altenew collection. I went through everything a few times and thought to myself, I am going to have to order something and hold off on this assignment. 

Jennifer suggests that you look at your dies differently and stretch out their use in one of the lessons. While I was putting everything away, I pulled out the Altenew Plum Blossoms Layering Die Set. There are several petal dies in this set; however, one of them actually resembles a bow tie, which prompted me to create my card. 

I started my card by die cutting four petals on Altenew Love for Stripes Paper Pack.  From there I die cut a few stitched circles in assorted colors. I cut a panel of orange cardstock using My Favorite Things A2 Stitched Rectangles STAX Die-namics. I adhered that to a foam pad for a little dimension and pieced everything together.

I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Fairy Tale Florals Bundle in Versafine Onyx Black Ink, cut it out using a Sentiments Strip Die, and attached it to the panel with foam strips. 

Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful Easter with your families. 

CHALLENGES:

Word Art Wednesday #641-642

Digichoosday - WK12

Polkadoodles - WK13

Penny's Paper - #568

Di's Digi Challenge - Lots of Layers

Have a Wonderful Easter!

Good morning, Crafty Friends!

Today I am sharing a floral Easter card featuring Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Dynamic Blooms Bundle.

I started my card on a panel of Neenah Solar White #110 and stamped the image using Memento Black Ink. I colored the image with the coordinating layering stencils and stamps using Altenew Fresh Dye Inks Sunny, Warm Sunshine, Caramel Toffee, Frayed Leaf and Forest Glades. 

From there, I cut the panel to 4 × 5 1/14 and adhered it directly to a yellow panel, which was then placed directly on the card base. I stamped the sentiment with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I then fussy cut it out and mounted it with a foam strip. The card was finished off with some Altenew gems. 

Thank you so much for visiting. Please leave a comment as I really enjoy hearing from you. Have a lovely day!

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Emboss it *sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - AG

Word Art Wednesday - #641-642

Gem of a Challenge - WK6

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2412 AG

Polkadoodles - WK12

Allsorts - #773/4 Keep it Simple

Penny's Paper Challenge - #568 AG

Beautiful Blossoms - #15

The Paper Shelter - #589 Easter

Happy Easter

Good morning Fellow Crafters!

Today I am sharing another Easter card that was inspired by the Instagram Hop that I am a participant in, called KISS ME... I AM... We had two optional themes: Easter or Red Wagons/Walks. I chose Easter since I needed a few more cards for Sunday.

Today my card features Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate. I began by stamping the images, die-cutting them with the coordinating dies, and coloring them with Copic Markers. I die-cut a panel of Neenah Solar White with the smallest die from the set, You've Been Framed by The Rabbit Hole Designs. I then blended some Distress Oxide Inks, Twisted Citron and Squeezed Lemonade from the bottom of the panel up, leaving some white space at the top for an ombre look.

From there, I pulled out this fun colorful paper pad from Pink and Main Sunshine and Smiles. I die-cut it using PhotoPlay Nested Stitched Scallops Die Set. From there, I adhered my sentiment and flowers directly to the framed panel with glue, adhered the little chicks with foam dots, attached the panel to the patterned paper, and adhered to the card base. A few pink gems finished off the card.

Thank you so much for visiting. Please kindly leave a comment. I would love to hear from you!

CHALLENGES:

Word Art Wednesday - #641-642

Digichoosday - WK12

Gem of a Challenge - WK6

Polkadoodles - WK12

My Favorite Things Sketch #691

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Egg-spress Ride

Allsorts - #773/4 AG

Paper Funday - #63

Beautiful Blossoms - #15

Di's Digi Challenge - Welcome Spring

Creative Crafting Uncles - #51

Penny's Paper Challenge - #568 AG

The Paper Shelter - #589 Easter 

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge - AG

Easy Ink Blending Techniques AECP

Good morning Crafty Friends! 

Today, I am sharing a card after completing the Ink Blending Techniques course with Amy Lee. I really love how Amy explained everything that she was doing and why. In this course, I have learned how to layer with ink blending, watercoloring techniques, and most importantly, have fun experimenting!

For this technique, I chose to use Altenew Fairy Tale Florals Stamp Set. It's a beautiful set with three flowers and some leafy greens, so it was just what I needed to give this new technique a try with a variety of colors. My card was inspired by the Altenew March Inspirational Challenge.

Before I proceed, I would like to provide a brief overview of my background in watercoloring. I make a mess! Not a mess in my craft area, but my creations are always messy. Seriously! I actually gave up watercoloring, but after taking this course, I found the confidence to try again, and I am so glad that I did. This would be my first baby steps into the world of watercoloring.

I prepared a panel of Canson XL Watercolor Paper with my embossing buddy for heat embossing. I stamped my image using Versamark Ink and applied white embossing powder and heat set. I blended some Altenew Fresh Dye Inks, Forest Glades, Sunny, Coral Red, and Purple Wine. From there, I took out my Artistry by Altenew Watercolor Brush #3 and placed it in a cup of water. I spritzed my panel with the Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer and lightly applied the same inks listed above for a loose watercolor look. Remember, to wipe your brush after each ink application to avoid a muddy look. I heat set my panel to speed up the drying process.

The next steps are my favorites. I applied some new shades of ink for more variations to achieve that subtle watercolored look. I used Altenew Fresh Dye Inks: Evergreen, Chamomile, Snapdragon, Crimson, and Distress Oxide Ink, Seedless Preserve. For each color, I dipped my brush into my water and applied a generous amount over the images. At the end, I splattered a little seedless preserve over my image.

I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Oxide Black Ink, but had a smudge on the top portion. In order to save the card, I heat embossed it on black cardstock with white embossing powder, fussy cut it, and then placed it over the smudge on the panel with foam dots. Whew! After all of that, I was worried there for a minute. To finish the card, I added some blush sequins. I could have gone with black sequins, but I wanted a softer look to my card. 

How simple was this? If anyone has a challenge with watercoloring, I would highly suggest this technique. It was super easy! I am finally happy with a watercolored card!

Thanks for visiting and for following me on this amazing educational journey. Be well!

CHALLENGES:

Altenew March Inspiration Challenge

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2412 AG

Word Art Wednesday - #641-642

Happy Easter

Good morning Crafty Friends!

This card was inspired by My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #690. It came together so quickly. 

The critter images are from Clearly Besotted Spring Plushies. This set is retiring, so hurry up and grab them before they are gone! I had already stamped and colored them and cut them out using my Scan N Cut machine. Now, usually I would choose the paper first to coordinate the color, but since I had already colored them, it wasn't too hard to find spring-colored paper. I just recently purchased a colorful paper pad from Pink and Main Sunshine and Smiles. It was perfect for my cute images.

Next, I colored a panel with Distress Oxide Inks and die-cut it with Stampin' Up! Stitched Shapes (retired). I placed images directly on the square die cuts, placed them onto the patterned paper, and adhered them directly to my card base. I stamped the sentiment from Waffle Flower Crafts Happy Easter Due Combo in Memento Black Ink, die cut it twice with the coordinating die and adhered together for dimension using Art Glitter glue. The sentiment was colored using my Copic Markers in the same spring colors as my paper. I then adhered everything together for the cutest Easter card. It is such a fun and cheerful card.

Thank yo for visiting! Please kindly leave a comment as I do love to hear from you. Have a wonderful day!

CHALLENGES:

Word Art Wednesday - #639-640

Digichoosday - WK11

Gem of a Challenge - WK6

Polkadoodles - WK11

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Egg-spress Ride

Allsorts - #773-4 AG

Paper Funday - #63 use dies

Di's Digi Challenge - Welcome Spring 

Classic Design - #3-2024

Creations in Pink - #68

The Crafting Challenge - Spring is in the Air

Creative Crafting Uncles - #51 Easter

Happy Birthday - Have a Bubby Day

Good morning Crafty Friends!

Welcome back to a new challenge at Cut it Up! Challenge Blog It's a BIG Day for Cut it Up! Challenge Blog, as it's our 300th challenge post. With that being said, our theme is Happy Birthday! Let's celebrate, and don't forget your die cut!

My card features Picket Fence Studios Kylee Boo (retired). I stamped the image on a panel of Neenah Solar White #80 and colored it using Copic Markers. I used My Favorite Things Stitched Circles Die-namics. Next, I pulled out some fun pink pattern paper, adhered it to my base and mounted my image on foam strips for dimension. I stamped two sentiments, one is included with the set and was stamped directly to my panel and the other from My Favorite Things Label Maker Sentiments (retired) in Versafine Onyx Black Ink. To finish my card, I added some pink sequins in different sizes for added interest. 

Please head over to our Blog and check out the rest of the wonderful inspirational work from the DT! I look forward to seeing your creation!

Thank you for visiting! Have a great day!

CHALLENGES:

Word Art Wednesday - #639-640

Digichoosday - WK11

Polkadoodles - WK11

Paper Funday - #63 the dies have it

Creations in Pink - #68

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2411 AG

Craft Rocket Challenge - #112 For the Girls

You Are Out Of This World

Good morning, fellow crafters!

Today I am sharing a card featuring Tracey Hey Stamp Set Out of This World. If I ever met an alien, this cutie would be the one I'd like to meet. Look at that face. He definitely comes in peace.

I started my card with ink blending a panel with Distress Oxide Inks,  Faded Jeans, Blueprint Sketch, Mermaid Lagoon and Peacock Feathers. I splattered some water to create a Galaxy background. 

While my panel was drying, I began to stamp and color my images using Copic Markers. I cut the images out using my Scan N Cut machine. I placed all the images on the panel with foam dots for dimension.

From there I stamped the sentiment using Versamark Ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I placed my sentiment onto the panel and adhered it to a cardbase. I added some stars to finish off the universal scene. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit! Thanks for visiting!

CHALLENGES:

Word Art Wednesday - #639-#640

Gem of a Challenge - WK5

Digichoosday - WK10

Penny's Paper Challenge - #567 AG

Crafty Gals Corner - #253 AG

Let's Craft & Create - #205 AG

Colorful Options - Green

Park Hopping My Happy Place - MIB Ride

Double D Challenges  - Green

Allsorts - #772 AG

Paper Funday - #63 

Leigh SB Designs - #27 AG Green

Clean & Simple Boutique AECP

Good morning and Welcome!

Today I am sharing A Clean and Simple card after completing my third course, Clean and Simple Boutique, at the Altenew Education Certification Program (AECP). This course features the many simple ways a card can come together with only a stamp, some ink and paper. My colors were inspired by the change in season, Spring is in the air.

For my card, I am using Altenew Dainty Sprig. I chose to use two of the solid layering images and the small single leaf image. I cut a panel of Neenah Solar White 80# cardstock measuring 4 1/4 x 5.5. Next, I masked off the bottom of my panel with washi tape to separate the area to avoid any accidents. 

I worked my way around the bottom of the card under the mask with both layered images using Altenew Warm Sunshine and Buttercream inks. Once my florals were in place, I began adding the solid leaf using Altenew Forest Glades.

I added some detail to the leaf images with a Cricut fine point black pen. I then removed the mask tape and wrapped yellow ribbon around the panel, stamped my sentiment, adhered it to my card base, and there you have it! 

This card was created with 3 images, 3 shades of ink, a pen and some ribbon. Clean and Simple! I do hope you like my card and are inspired to give it a try. Thank you for visiting!

CHALLENGES:

AAA Cards - #261 Spring/Spring Colors

Beautiful Blossoms - #15

All About Layering 4 - AECP

Good Morning Crafty Friends!

Today I am sharing my 2nd card as a participant in the Altenew Education Certification Program, All About Layering 4 Course. This course is an extension to All About Layering 3 which teaches you layering techniques with die cutting and how to place your images. 

For this card, I used Altenew Peony Bouquet. This is a lovely set which includes a few layered images of peonies, leaves, berries & branches and the coordinating dies.

I began my card by stamping all the images and using Altenew Fresh Dye Inks Water Hyacinth, Alpine Aster and Crystal Violet for my florals. I did not use a third color for my smaller flower. For my leaves, I used Silver Sage and Eucalyptus. For this set, I do not have the layering instructions, but I was able to follow along easily with the tips Lydia Evans shared and what to look for with each image. 

I dry embossed a panel using Stampin' Up! Layered Leaves 3D Embossing Folder (retired) and ran it through my Big Shot Plus. I cut it down to 4 X 5 1/4 and adhered it to a black panel measuring 4 1/8 X 5 3/8, which I then adhered to my A2 base.

For my sentiments, I used Altenew Versatile Greetings Die Set Hugs with Shadow Die. I cut the shadow twice for dimension and My Favorite Things - Bitty Thanks & Gratitude (retired). I adhered the images in place with foam strips and adhesive tape, which overlapped the card base, and I trimmed down for added interest. Another helpful tip from Lydia Evans. I adhered my sentiments directly to the panel with glue. 

Afterward, I decided to add some splatter, so I covered up my sentiment with a post-it, splattered some gray and white ink over my card, and added three violet  gems to finish off my card.

Thank you for visiting and sharing in my Altenew education journey. Please kindly leave a comment and follow me for more tips and inspiration. 

 

All About Layering 3 - AECP

Good Morning Crafty Friends!

Today I am sharing my first post as a participant in the Altenew Education Certification Program, All About Layering 3 Course. This course teaches you the easy steps of matching your images for quick and easy layered stamping. It also shares tips and card inspiration at the end of each course. I was so inspired by what I had learned throughout the tutorials that I jumped right in and started creating. 

My first card applies to what I have learned in All About Layering 3 Course. I wanted to use a set that I could apply some of the techniques and tips so I decided to apply them to Altenew Beautiful Day set. This set includes a 4-step peony flower and a few leaf images and two sentiments and the coordinating dies. 

I started by stamping the peony and leaf images and followed the steps for easy layered coloring. Next, I cut my images using my Scan N Cut machine, but this set also includes the coordinating dies which I recently purchased but haven't received yet. I stamped a panel of Neenah Solar White #110 with a few of the other multi-floral images in a light gray ink to give my card some detail and interest. 

From there, I stamped my sentiment in Versamark Ink on Black cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I then cut out my sentiment using a sentiment strips die. I began to place my floral images on my panel with foam strips, and I placed the leaves directly to the panel with adhesive tape and added some foam dots to my sentiment. To finish off my card, I added some dark gray splatter and added a few black gems. I really love how this card turned out.

Thank you for visiting and sharing in my Altenew education journey. Please kindly leave a comment and follow me for more tips and inspiration. 

CHALLENGES:

AAA Cards - #261 Spring Colors 

Paper Funday - #63 use dies

Beautiful Blossoms - #15 AG w/Florals

Welcome Spring!

Good morning and Happy Friday Crafty Friends!

Today's card features My Favorite Things Freshly Picked Bouquet. What better way to welcome spring than with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers?!

I stamped the image on a panel of Neenah Solar White #110. I colored with Copic Markers and cut using My Favorite Things Torn Paper Edges Dienamics. I stamped my sentiment directly to my panel using Versafine Onyx Black Ink. I then placed the panel with foam mounts onto My Favorite Things Lemon Drop card base. To finish my card, I added three yellow gems.

CHALLENGES:

Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge - A Bit O' Green

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge - A Bit O' Green

Word Art Wednesday - #639-640

Double D Challenges - First Signs of Spring

Penny's Paper Challenge - #567 AG

Crafty Gals Corner - #253 AG

The Paper Shelter - #587 Spring Colors

Let's Craft & Create - #205 AG

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2410 AG

The Crafting Challenge - Spring Air

Di's Digi Challenge - Welcome Spring

Creative Crafting Uncles - #51 Spring

Thank you so much for visiting! Have a great day!

For You, My Sweet

Good morning Crafty Friends!

My card today features a new digital image from Angie Blom Digital Designs You're So Good For Me. This card was inspired by an Instagram Hop KISS ME I AM -- HOP. It's a really fun group of crafty friends that meet weekly to share a fun theme. This week's theme choices was Irish or Pie. 

I printed and colored using Copic Markers. I masked the bottom of a panel of Neenah Solar White #110 using Distress Oxide Ink Iced Spruce. I adhered the image with foam strips for dimension. Next, I stamped the sentiment from Picket Fence Sugar and Calorie Free set on Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock using Versamark Ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I die cut using My Favorite Things Essential Stitched Sentiment Strips and adhered with foam dots. To finish my card, I added a little hint of Wink of Stellar to the cherries.

CHALLENGES:

Word Art Wednesday - #639-640

Crafty Catz - #667 AG

Digichoosday - WK10

Gem of a Challenge - WK5

Polkadoodles - WK10

Allsorts - #771 AG

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2410 AG

Crafty Gals Corner - #253 AG

Let's Craft & Create - #205 AG

Penny's Paper Challenge - #567 AG

Thank you so much for visiting. Have a great day!

For the Bride To Be

Good morning. Yes, I am back again! I just realized that my future DIL's Bridal Shower is tomorrow and I didn't have a card ready for her. I almost thought I was going to have to pick one up at a store OMG! Just the thought of that brings chills!!

My card today was inspired by Altenew March Inspiration Challenge. It features Altenew Ambridge Rose Bundle which includes the stamp, coordinating Dies & Stencil and Embossing Folder. A really lovely set!

I started by stamping the image on a panel of Neenah Solar White #110. I took out the coordinating stencils and began ink blending Blush, Crimson and Velvet and decided to add a little Buttercream to the edges for the Rose and Forest Green & Evergreen for the leaves. I then cut all of the images with the coordinating Dies.

Next I die cut a panel using The Rabbit Hole Designs You've Been Framed and dry embossed it using Stampin' Up! Layered Leaves 3D Embossing Folder. I decided to add some color so I began blending some Frayed Leaf with my mini brush but didn't like how it looked so I took the mini cube itself and gently swiped it down the raised areas and I really love the look and texture it brought to it. I mounted the rose on foam strips and adhered the leaves with glue directly to the panel under the rose.

Now, I didn't have any sentiments that I liked for this card. I was looking for something specific SO I turned on my Cricut and created one!  I flattened it and then sent it to my printer. I used Avery Elle Sentiment Strip Dies to cut it out and adhered it on foam dots. I finished off the card with some sparkly frosted gems. I am very happy with the way this card turned out and know that my future DIL will be too!

CHALLENGES:

Altenew March Inspiration Challenge 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Word Art Wednesday - #637-638

Gem of a Challenge - WK5

Colorful Options - March *Green

Can You Handle the Pressure - AG

Double D Challenges - First Signs of Spring

Creative Knockouts - #516

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2409

Beautiful Blossoms - AG w/Florals

Stencil Fun - Easter/Spring *flowers

Thank you so much for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend!