Altenew Educator Certification Program – Final Workshop

Hey there! Welcome to my blog. I am super thrilled to share my projects for the AECP final level 3 challenge. This course has been extremely beneficial in my crafting journey and has helped me take my card making skills to another level. Right from being accepted to the Altenew Educators program to now, I have learned so much from all the courses and the fabulously talented teachers. Each and every course was well-planned and well explained. These courses motivated me to start thinking out of the box and create cards outside my comfort zone. I am truly grateful for all the motivation I received from Erum, Virginia and everyone in the crafty community as this kept me going even during those times when getting inspired to craft was difficult.

After completing my level three courses, Virginia emailed the details of the final workshop challenge. Since Covid, everyone has an option to have either a physical or virtual workshop. I decided to have a virtual one since I have held a couple of physical workshops before and also I was quite terrified with the idea of having a virtual workshop. However, I was certain I wanted to get over my fear. I was also hoping to meet other amazing crafters all around the world and make new friends and this definitely helped me get over my fear.

I thought of conducting the virtual workshop on Monday the 14th of June and started planning my cards for it. I listed down a few different ideas I had, after which I narrowed it down to Stamp layering and creating dramatic backgrounds with one ink colour. Once I was done with my cards, I emailed them to Virginia and Erum along with the date of the workshop for approval. 

After receiving their approval, I created a post sharing the details and a sneak peek of my cards on the AECP Family Facebook page asking my fellow crafters to join my workshop. Every time someone was interested in joining my workshop, I did a happy dance, EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! My excitement had reached sky level by then and I couldn’t wait for the workshop date to arrive. I no longer feared it; I was nervous but not scared anymore.

On 8th June, I sent an email to all the participants with the pdf of the cards and the supply list. I worked together with those who didn’t have the stamps to figure out an alternate stamp set that would work well with the requirements of the workshop.

On 10th June, I emailed the participants the details of the prep they needed to do for the workshop so that on the day we could concentrate on the techniques.

On 12th June, I send them all a zoom invitation. My workshop day was getting close and I was excited that I would be finally seeing and interacting with all the participants.

On 14th June – the day of the workshop – I logged in by 7.45 am (Hong Kong time) and ensured that my camera was in the proper position. After a little chat with Erum, I began admitting the participants to the call. Virginia asked everyone to give a little introduction, and then I took over and started explaining the cards and the process.

Below are the cards we made during the workshop.

Card 1 – Beginner 

Techniques:
* Tips and tricks for getting perfectly layered images
* Background – Simple ink blending

Process:
I stamped the flowers using Tea Party Crisp Dye Ink Set and leaves using Green Valley Crisp Dye Ink Set. For the centre of the flowers, I used Firefly, Mountain Pine and Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye Inks. To create the background, I inked an A2 card base using Just Green Ink and an ink blending tool.

Then I splattered the card front with Mountain Pine and Jet Black Crisp Dye Inks using a round brush to add texture. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from the Simply Spring Stamp Set using Obsidian Pigment Ink.

Card 2 – Intermediate

Techniques:
* Using inks from different colour families to stamp the flowers – warm colours
* Background – swiping the ink pad on the card panel to create texture

Process:
First, I stamped the flowers using Maple Yellow, Autumn Blaze, Grapevine, Minty Mint, Mountain Pine and Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye Inks. Next, I stamped the leaves using Minty Mint, Just Green and Mountain Pine Crisp Dye Inks.

For the background, I used the Jet Black Ink Pad and dragged it on an A2 card base to create the wooden panel look.Then I splattered Jet Black Ink for more texture.

After that, I stamped the sentiment from the Best Sentiments Stamp Set using Obsidian Pigment Ink on a piece of white cardstock, cut it to a thin strip with a trimmer, leaving a white border around it

Next, I assembled the flowers and leaves on the card panel using liquid glue. I added a couple of layers of cardstock behind the sentiment to add dimension and stuck it on the card front. Lastly, I foam mounted the flower near the sentiment.

Card 3 – Advanced

Techniques:
* Using inks from different colour families to stamp the flowers
* Stamping the first layer with 2 different inks (using an ink blending tool for the second ink)
* Background – watercolour lift technique

Process:
I started by stamping the flowers using Pinkalicious, Hydrangea, Starlight, Sweet Leaf, Mountain Pine and Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye Inks, and for the leaves, I used Sweet Leaf, Fresh Lemon, Just Green and Mountain Pine Crisp Dye Inks.

Next, I inked an A2 watercolour cardstock using Just Green Crisp Dye ink along with a blending tool. Then I placed the Wavy Grid Stencil on it and stuck it in place with washi tape. After that, I dipped a paper towels in water and dabbed it on the card to lift off the ink. Then I removed the stencil and splattered water on the card front and dabbed off the excess. Next, I splattered Jet Black ink for more texture.

I then stamped the sentiment from the Label Love Stamp Set and trimmed it using my trimmer. To complete the sentiment, I die cut the word “You” using the word die from the Craft-A-Flower: Buttercup Layering Die Set from Jet Black cardstock. I then die cut this sentiment three more times and stuck them together. As the last step, I assembled the card and stuck the flower in front using foam tape.

I am so grateful that these wonderful and talented crafters joined my workshop. I was overwhelmed when I saw each of their stunning masterpieces. Don’t you agree their cards are absolutely gorgeous! 

Bridget’s cards

Penny’s cards

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Rosie’s cards

Jennifer’s cards

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Mandi’s cards

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Below are the details of the additional cards I made using layering stamps along with unique backgrounds.

Card 1

Techniques:
* Creating backgrounds using one of the layers of the layering stamp set

Process:
First, I used the third layer of the flower image from the Beautiful Day Stamp Set and randomly stamped it on an A2 card panel using Sunkissed Crisp Ink. Next, I stamped the flower and leaves from the same stamp set and used the coordinating dies to die cut them.

Then I embossed the sentiment from the Paint-A-Flower: Hydrangea Outline Stamp Set on Jet Black Cardstock. Lastly, I assembled the card panel.

Card 2

Techniques:
* Using just one of the layers of the layering stamp to create unique cards

Process:
I stamped the third layer of the flowers from the Build-A-Flower: Coneflower Stamp Set on an A2 card panel using Autumn Blaze Crisp Ink. Next, I stamped the second layer of the centre of the flowers using Fresh Lemon Crisp Ink and stamped the leaves using Shadow Creek Crisp Ink.

Then I inked the sky using the Cloud Scene Stencil and Tide Blue Ink. I also splattered this ink in the background to create more texture. After that, I inked the ground using Shadow Creek Crisp Ink and splattered it on the card panel. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from the Something Wonderful Stamp Set using Obsidian Pigment Ink.

Card 3

Techniques:
* Creating a watercolour effect with layering stamp sets

Process:
I inked the second layer of the Blooming Tulips Stamp Set using Crisp Ink, sprayed water on it and stamped it on the wet A2 watercolour cardstock. I repeated this process a couple of times. Then I stamped the leaves and stems following the same steps as above.

Once the panel was dry, I stamped the detail layer using Vineyard Berry Crisp Ink. Next, I stamped the sentiment from the Paint-A-Flower: Chamomile Outline Stamp Set using Obsidian Pigment Ink. Lastly, I splattered Heart Beat and Jet Black Crisp Dye Inks on the card panel.

Card 4

Techniques:
* Selective stamping using layering stamps for a unique look

Process:
First, I embossed the flowers from the Peony Bouquet Stamp Set with Pure White Embossing Powder. Next, I stamped the highlights using white pigment ink. I also stamped the leaves using white pigment ink. Then I die cut all the images using coordinating dies.

After that, I heat embossed the sentiment from the Paint-A-Flower: Lotus Outline Stamp Set, splattered white ink on the card panel and then stuck the images on it.

Card 5

Techniques:
* Masking
* Inlaid die cutting

Process:
First, I stamped the images from the Majestic Bouquet Stamp Set on an A2 card panel. Next, I placed the Hugs Die on it and ran it through my die cutting machine.

I die cut this sentiment 4 more times from white cardstock. Then I stuck the die cut pieces together and assembled the card panel.

Card 6

Techniques:
* Layered heat embossing
* Creating backgrounds using one of the layers of the layering stamp set

Process:
I embossed the different layers of the phone image from the It’s For You Stamp Set using 3 different embossing powders- Layer 1 – Antique Silver, Layer 2 – Antique Gold, Layer 3 – Black Glitter. Next, I fussy cut the image.

For the background, I one of the layering stamps from the Birch Impression Stamp Set. Lastly, I stamped the sentiments using Obsidian Pigment Ink.

Card 7

Techniques:
* Stamping on vellum
* Watercolour lift technique

Process:
I stamped the solid layer of the flowers and leaves from the Build-A-Flower: Indian Lotus Stamp Set using Heart Beat and Shadow Creek Crisp Dye Ink respectively.

Then I stamped the detailed layer on vellum using the same inks, sprinkled clear embossing powder and heat set with my heat gun. Next, I stuck the vellum piece to the cardstock and used the coordinating die cut to cut the images.

To create the background, I coloured an A2 watercolour cardstock using Sea Breeze and Persian Blue Watercolour Brush Markers. Once the panel was dry, I used the detailed layer of the leaf image to lift off ink using water. After that, I splattered water on the panel and dabbed off the excess. Lastly, I assembled the card and stuck it on an A2 card base.

I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire’s video to make the vellum stamp layering flowers. Click here to see her video.

Card 8

Techniques:
* Masking
* Adding details with coloured pencils

Process:
First, I stamped the flower from the Blooming Tulips Stamp Set on an A2 cardstock using Silver Stone, Industrial Diamond and Pure Graphite Crisp Inks. Then I masked it and stamped the stem and the leaves using the same inks.

After masking them, I stamped the rainbow background using the stamps from the Painted Rainbow Stamp Set with Vineyard Berry, Orange Cream, Fresh Lemon, Just Green, Tide Blue, Azurite and Hydrangea Crisp Dye Inks. Next, I splattered Jet Black Watercolor on the card panel.

I then unmasked the image and added details on it using my coloured pencils. After that, I stamped the sentiment from the Stone Mosaic Stamp Set using Obsidian Pigment Ink and stuck this panel on an A2 card base.

All of this now feels like a beautiful dream and I am certain I will conduct more workshops to experience this amazing feeling over and over again. The reason I was quite nervous was because I was not only going to see my mentors and people I admired but also meet new crafty friends from different parts of the world. Crafting is one of my passions and, as I mentioned earlier, so is teaching. Since being an Educator combines two of my passions, it is a perfect role for me. Though I get nervous every time I have to teach or give a public speech, and the day of my workshop was no different, but the experience is truly satisfying and I enjoyed it to the fullest. Everyone was extremely motivating and kind during my workshop and I really appreciate the feedback I received from each participant at the end of the workshop. I am also thankful to Erum and Virginia for guiding me through the workshop and for giving me their invaluable feedback. I have always believed that teaching is one of the noblest professions as you get to share your knowledge with others and I am so grateful to all the teachers I have met along my journey, especially all the Altenew Educators who have imparted so much knowledge to me. I can’t thank you all enough for being such amazing teachers and I truly feel blessed that I got the chance to be your student.

I am thrilled that I not only managed to finish the final challenge but I also got to meet an amazing bunch of crafters as well as my mentors – Erum and Virginia – in the process. I can go on and on about my surreal experience, but I guess I should end my long blog post now. If you are still reading this, I am incredibly grateful you stuck by. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.