Altenew Academy Level 1 Final Project

I've been working my way through Level 1 at The Altenew Academy and just completed my Final Project which was to create a set of "feminine" and "masculine" gifts sets.  I have to say I learned so much and had loads of ideas but I would like to show you the cards I created for my final project.  I incorporated lessons I learned in:

•  Let It Shine where we discovered how to add just the right amount of sparkle and shine to a card.  I used metallic heat embossing and  metallic watercolors on my feminine cards.
•   Easy Die Cutting where we learned to use die-cutting to up the "Wow" factor.  I used die-cuts on each of my cards as I think they add loads of impact and felt this unified both card sets.
•  Easy Ink Blending - I used several ink blending techniques on my masculine card set. My two favorites were the soft blue background on the Healing Wishes card and the die-cut spotlight circles on the Get Well Soon card.  

For my "feminine" cards I wanted subtle metallic touches combined with watercoloring. I kept the set cohesive by using cream card stock/watercolor paper, floral images, a pink and green watercolor palette and navy die-cut sentiments.

For this first card, I created a metallic watercolor background which is so pretty in person.  I then stamped, heat embossed and watercolored the floral images.  After the flowers dried I added a pearlescent  white gold watercolor wash over the top which gave the flowers a beautiful sheen.  I die cut the images and attached with foam tape. The next photo shows the first three card in process.

Here are the cards that round out the gift set.  On each card I used big bold die-cut occasion sentiments cut from navy cardstock. 

                     

I really like this feminine spray and think the navy die-cut sentiments are  beautiful and anchor the look of this set.

The painted Lotus die-cut is so pretty in person.

I did want to share this process photo as well.

The Feminine Set

For my "masculine" cards I chose to use an overall blue theme with ink blending techniques and Altenew's Garden Grow as the unifying elements.  For my first card, I ink blended a background and used peek-a-boo die cut  windows to spotlight my images.  During quarantine, I've been sending so many encouragement cards that I wanted to include one in this set. 

I made a companion card using the die-cut circles from the card above.  I ink blended the spotlight circle, added die-cut images and anchored with a strip of masculine brown paper.

The next two cards have a soft ink blended background to draw the eye to the die cut.

I thought a birthday and recovery card would round out the gift set.

Here is an in-progress photo.  The die cut elements were attached to each card with foam tape.

PRO TIP:  I blended one background on Neenah (Birthday) and the second on Bristol (Healing Wishes) to see which provided a smoother look.  The Neenah panel (below left panel that is now the Birthday Card) is whiter but the Bristol (right panel that is now the Healing Wishes card) is far easier to blend on and resulted in a smoother background.  In the future, I will remember to blend my backgrounds on Bristol cardstock.

And here is the masculine set.

We were challenged to use a recycled element in each set.  For the feminine set I recycled a small Kraft gift bag and for the masculine set I re-used an elegant chocolate brown box.  I heat embossed some tags to top each set.  

Altenew Products Used:

Altenew Weekend Doodles stamp and die bundle

Altenew Best Mom stamp and die bundle

Altenew Inked Lotus stamp and die bundle

Altenew Garden Grow stamp and die bundle

Altenew Mini Branch stamp

Altenew Jet Black Crisp Die Ink

I am so glad you stopped by.  I'd love to hear what you think about these card sets.  Thanks!

Karen

WWC222 - Helen's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hello and Happy Wednesday!   This week is "All About Occasions" on the Watercooler Wednesday Website where Helen is our hostess.

I've created a card I really like, in fact I did a series of four of them.   I came up with the idea of watercoloring each of the giraffe's "spots" with two colors and then letting them organically blend.  I knew that giraffes spots are all unique like human fingerprints, so I thought a vibrant rainbow giraffe would be fun to create.

On this card, I started by embossing (Impression Obsession Baby Giraffe) in black on Bristol paper and then selected bright Tombow watercolor hues.  For my series, I changed the look by using gold, black and brown embossing and using watercolors and Tombow markers.  It is impossible to create identical cards.  It reminds me of working with alcohol inks. On this card I also fussy cut the giraffe and made a spotlight background using distress inks (mustard seed,  squeezed lemonade and shimmer spray).

You can see my Clean and Simple Rainbow Giraffe card here.

I am pleased to enter this card in the following:
Craft Stamper's Take It Make It May "Anything Goes" Challenge

Update:  I was so pleased to learn I was selected as Craft Stampers Design Winner!

This is the cover of the August magazine where my card is featured:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

WWC220 - Kath's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Happy Wednesday and thank you for stopping by.  It is All About Occasions on the Watercooler Website and Kath is our hostess this week.

This is the Mother's Day card I made for my mother-in-law.  I embossed the  blooms and leaves from Create a Smile's In Bloom.  I love these large bold flowers!  Then I used distress ink (wilted violet, salty ocean, twisted citron, squeezed lemonade, carved pumpkin) on an ink blender to color each image.  I buffed and let dry. Finally, I fussy cut each image.  I really need to order the die cuts for this much used set.

Next, I stamped a background using SSS's Brush Stroke Messages.  I adhered the flowers and leaves using foam tape for dimension.  Last I popped on the sentiment and added SSS sequins  and Pretty Pink Posh jewels.

I am joining Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday "For a Special Lady" Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Impression Obsession Rainbow Giraffe

Hello and thank you for stopping by!  I am very excited about this bright fun card!

One of my most used and loved stamps is Impression Obsession Baby Giraffe.  I came up with the idea of watercoloring each "spot" with two colors and then letting them organically blend.  I knew that giraffes spots are all unique like human fingerprints, so I thought a vibrant rainbow giraffe would be fun to create.

I started by embossing in brown on watercolor paper and then selected bright watercolor hues.  I made four cards changing the look with gold and black embossing and whats fun is that it is impossible to create identical cards.  It reminds me of working with alcohol inks. I wanted to keep the design clean and simple so that the focus was on the giraffe with rainbow colors.    I matted on a neutral card base and it is ready to send.

Casology's Africa Challenge - Giraffes are definitely my favorite African animal and I have to say that  I LOVE hand feeding giraffes lettuce leaves.+

Happy Little Stampers "Bright" Watercolor Challenge


Karen

UPDATE:My card was selected: 

WWC216 - Dawn's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hello and welcome to Watercooler Wednesday's All About Occasions Challenge.  Dawn is our hostess this week.

I needed an Easter card so I challenged myself to use patterned paper with limited stamping.  I chose  bright cheery Lawn Fawn "Perfectly Plaid".  I used one pattern to cover an A2 card and then selected a second pattern to die-cut SSS's Plush Carrot.   The carrot top is die cut from green embossed paper for some added texture.   I think this would make a darling stuffed ornament, but I needed a card.  Next, I embossed Rubbernecker's Three Line Frame on sherbet colored card stock.  I assembled the card using craft foam and Gina K connect glue and then added Lily of the Valley Jewels from Little Things from Lucy.

I am entering this card in:  The Paper Players Plaid or Checks Challenge


Thanks for stopping by?
Karen

Handcrafted Easel Card

I came up with an idea to combine two of my favorite Hero Arts sets:  My Monthly Hero January 2019 kit and Hero Arts Fun in the Rain.

The pup from this set looks like my mini-Aussie so I colored her with markings like my "Scout".  I think it is so cute that she has a raincoat on and I thought this would be perfect for a Spring card.

Since this is an easel card, I die cut some thick leathery textured paper from The Paper Company.  I used black paper to simulate a blackboard and then heat embossed with a bold birthday sentiment to get that chalkboard look.

I am really pleased with the way this card came together.

I am entering this card in:

A Blog Named Hero Embossing Challenge

Cardz4Guyz "Let's Get Messy" - For me, I always make the biggest mess with embossing powder.  No matter how neat I try to be, little bits of powder wind up all over my work surface!

The Male Room "Spring" Challenge - This cute pup is sporting her raincoat for the spring showers.


Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

WWC211 - Kath's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

I always love our "Feminine" Challenge prompts!  Please be sure to pop over to The Watercooler Website to see what the other Artists have created this week.  

I have a fondness for pattern stamping, and when I received a new stamp set for Christmas, I thought this brightly colored layout would work well.  I used my new Inkblot Shop This & That stamp set along with images from SSS Hello Friends and Photoplay Thinking of You.  

I started by embossing the sentiment (Ranger Letter It Birthday)  on Bristol paper.  I then worked out from the sentiment and embossed the larger images first. Next I went in and filled in with the smaller details.  I colored/watercolored with Tombow Dual Tip markers and I like how bold the black embossing combined with the bright watercolor markers turned out.  I finished by adding a few black sequins to this otherwise one layer card. 

I really liked this layout and wanted to try it using different coloring techniques to see which I liked best.  

1. Today's card is embossed and water colored with Tombow markers
2. I did a Blog Post in January showing the same layout colored with Copic markers.
3. Inktense colored pencils
4. Kuretake Watercolors.

In the end, the Tombow markers and Copics were my favorite two.

If you look at both, leave me a comment and let me know whether you like the Copic or 
Tombow version best.

I am entering this card in:

Simon Says Stamp "Whatever the Weather" Monday Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Create A Smile Guest Designer - Spring Citrus

It's citrus season here in Texas and that inspired me to make a bright cheery citrus themed card.  I was invited to be a Guest Designer for Create-A-Smile stamps and I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Fruit Salad.  For this card, I chose to use only the citrus stamps.  The theme for their current challenge is "Stamp a Background".

I started by embossing the three citrus images on Brisol cardstock.  Next, I used my Kuretake Watercolors to paint a watery lemon-yellow base and then dropped in more concentrated lemon yellow.  I wanted a messy watercolor background so the lime green (sap green light) was placed here and there.

I let the panel dry overnight and then I used a stitched die to trim the card down slightly.  I also cut an interior stitched frame out of white cardstock.  I glued the white frame and the watercolor panel to a white A2 card.  I die cut the "thanks" sentiment twice, glued them together and placed it at the bottom of the frame.

Rainbow Card "Yellow Challenge"  My first time to enter this challenge...mostly yellow with a bit of yellow-green splashed in.


Pile it On Favorite Color Challenge I just love the color yellow because it is so happy and warm.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge It is citrus season in Texas so it is sunny and warm.  :-)

I love how bright and happy this card turned out.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

WWC203 - Karen's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Let The Bliss Begin!  My daughter just got married and this is the card I made for her shower.  I thought it was appropriate for my first time hosting a challenge for Watercooler Wednesday.

I bought this stamp set (Colorplay) at a card making expo. I embossed the delicate image in a glossy black and colored with Copic markers.  I also embossed the sentiment (SSS Floral Bliss) "Let The Bliss Begin".  I mounted this panel on a nice thick gray note card and then added a white insert inside.  My daughter loved the card.  :-)

Our Watercooler Artists have some lovely cards showcased this week...pop on over and take a look!

I entered my card in:

Stamping Sensations Fabulously Feminine Challenge  What is more feminine than a bridal shower card?

Crafty Creations Anything Goes Challenge  This is my first time entering this challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Masculine Get Well Card

I needed some more Get Well cards for men and decided this statement sentiment (Ranger Letter It Greetings) would be fun paired with the birds from SSS's Stacking Animals.  I thought the baby bird hanging upside added a light element to the card. I mounted my card base on a "gravel" colored card to add to the masculine theme.

Sunday Stamps has a Summer Splash Color Challenge and I used their color palette as my inspiration.

I love Watercooler Wednesday's prompts and am also entering this card in their Masculine Card Challenge.

Since this card features animals, I am also entering it in the current Sunny Day Challenge.

This is a CAS card and I wanted it bold so I embossed the sentiment and birds in a glossy black and then colored with Copic markers.  So fast and easy as I only used three colors:  B24, B29 and YR07.

UPDATE:  I was pleased to see this card was selected as a "Watercooler Rocker"!


Thanks for stopping by,

Karen

Ink Blending for Summertime

I was in the mood to do some ink blending and this fruit collection (Create a Smile Fruit Salad) was calling to me. This is such a fun summery stamp set and I wanted bright bold colors. 

I started by embossing 5 fruit images and then used distress inks to blend from pink (watermelon) to orange, yellow (lemons and bananas) and ended with green for a nice citrusy lime.  I wanted contrast so I mounted the fruit band on white cardstock then drew two black Sharpie lines to frame the colors.  Lastly, I mounted the card top on a black base.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

TGIF Summer Inspiration Challenge which features a photo of a bright Lemonade Stand for inspiration.  I went with the bright colors and citrus theme.

Addicted to Stamps Make Your Mark Challenge   so make your mark and play along.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Create a Smile Fruit Salad Card

I was invited to be a guest designer for the next Create a Smile Challenge so I've been  busy playing with their fun summery stamp set, Fruit Salad. Summer is my favorite season and I love bright bold colors which work perfectly with this stamp set.

I started by embossing 5 of the fruit stamps plus the sentiment on white card stock.  Next, I colored the images with Copic markers.  I love how bright and lively they turned out.  I wanted the sentiment to be vibrant and summery as well so I selected SSS Big Greetings so that I could color Happy Birthday.  Next I trimmed the card down and mounted on a black card so the embossing would really pop.

I am linking this card to the following challenges:
CAS on Friday Embossing Challenge
Dare2BArtsy Bright Colors

Update:  I was so excited to learn that I won the Dare2BArtzy Bold Colors Challenge (Winners Page)  They offer a beautiful prize of one stamp set and one ink pad.  I chose their whimsical Home Sweet Home Stamp set and Blue Sky Ink Pad.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Experimenting with New Techniques

Lots of experimentation on this card.  I was interested in entering the Muse Challenge #268 so I spent a day thinking about what direction my card should take.  I knew I would use the floral theme, but the rest came to me in bits and pieces.

Ultimately, I chose to focus on the following:

• Pink and Green Color Scheme
• Embossing
• Black Sentiment Band
• Floral Theme

What I changed:

• I've never done pink embossing but had been thinking about trying it for a while. The pink flowers seemed to be the perfect time.  I wasn't sure if my method would work, but I used Color Box Pink Pigment Ink and clear embossed on top.  I think it turned out bright and cheery, which is a plus for a Get Well card.
• The flower and  leaf looked bland on a white card base so I made a custom background.  Again, I've never done this before, but I used my Green Apple Inktense watercolor pencil and made a lightly striated background to complement the Copic greens.   

I used my new favorite stamp set:  Botanical Love By Create a Smile.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen