Altenew Education Certification Program Workshop: My “Final”

Today I am sharing my “Final” project for the Altenew Education Certification Program. For this project I created 3 cards using Altenew products then did a live workshop with 4 attendees. Virginia Lu and Erum Tasneem from Altenew attended the workshop via Zoom.

The AECP program has been amazing. I love creating and designing. I also love sharing this creativity with others. As I progressed through this program I not only learned designing and stamping techniques, but I learned about my creative style. Out of necessity, I created this blog (huge learning curve for me) and learned how to create videos (enormously huge learning curve for me) so I can share my creative style with others. The whole program, from when I was first accepted to the completion of this “final”, took approximately 18 months. The first year I was completing about one project a week, then my work life changed and my progress slowed tremendously. If you have been following my blog then you have watched this happen. That was one of the beauties about this program: go at your own pace. The AECP team has been incredibly helpful throughout the program. I cannot say enough positive things about the AECP program. As you can see by looking back through my blog, there is a lot involved in completing this program. Each step was invaluable to my creative education. If you are inspired by what you have seen in my blog and you think this program is for you, GO FOR IT! Yes, it takes commitment; yes, you will likely be stretched outside of your comfort zone (isn’t that how we learn?); and yes, you will receive something in the end that money cannot buy: incredible guidance and education, personal growth, and creativity growth. Now, let me share the workshop creative process and outcomes.

Below are the cards created for the workshop. First, I will review the instructions for each card. I will then discuss the process of scheduling and holding the workshop. So relax and enjoy…

HUGS: I AM HERE FOR YOU

• SUPPLIES:
• STAMP SETS: Altenew “Thinking of You”
• CARD STOCK: Stampin’Up! Real Red, Neenah White, Basic Black
• INKS: Versamark Watermark Ink
• DIES: Altenew “Hugs” Die
• OTHER: Rhinestones, White embossing powder, Glimmer Hot Foil System, Black glimmer foil, Altenew Exquisite Marble Hot Foil Plate, foam tape

Using the Glimmer Hot Foil System, emboss the Altenew Exquisite Marble Hot Foil Plate with the Glimmer Black Foil onto a piece of 5 1/8″ x 3 7/8″ Neenah white card stock. There are two types of embossing foil so be sure to use the product for hot foiling. Hot Foil creates a beautiful shiny look.

Attach this panel to a piece of 5 1/4″ x 4″ basic black card stock. Attach this to a Neenah white card base using foam tape. Next, attach the 2 1/2″ x 1 7/8″ Neenah white card stock to a piece of 2 5/8″ x 2″ basic black card stock. Attach to left lower section of hot foil embossed panel with foam tape. Die cut the Altenew “Hugs” image in Real Red card stock, glue to this small panel. Using Versamark ink and white embossing powder, emboss the sentiment “I am here for you” from the Thinking of You stamp set onto a piece of 2 1/2″ x 1/4″ black card stock. Attach to this small panel with glue. Attach rhinestones as seen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

• SUPPLIES:
• STAMP SET: Birthday Builder
• CARD STOCK: Neenah white, basic black
• INKS: Altenew Permanent Black, Green Opal, Lavender Fields, Desert Night, Champagne Mist All-Purpose for fantast/x
• EMBOSSING FOLDER: Hello Beautiful
• OTHER: Clear enamel dots from The Ton, Stamping Foam, Blending Brushes, water spritzer, foam tape. 70% isopropyl alcohol

Stamping Foam is a firm foam that will hold an image until the foam is heated. In this case I used the foam to pick up an image from an embossing folder which was then colored and stamped. Heat the surface of the foam with your heating tool. Hold the heating end of the heating tool about 1/4″ from the surface of the foam for 15-20 seconds, slowly moving it around the whole surface for even heating. Immediately press the heated foam firmly onto the raised side of the Hello Beautiful embossing folder.

You will notice the arrow at the top of the foam. I penciled this in to keep the orientation of the stamp once placed on the card stock.

Using a blending brush, color the flower petals with Lavender Fields, color the leaf images with Green Opal. You will notice I was not careful about “staying in the lines” with this coloring.

Next, place the Desert Night ink pad, ink side down, onto the stamping foam. Without applying any more pressure than needed to move the ink pad, move the ink pad around the surface of the stamping foam in small circular motions. You will notice the Desert Night ink is not evenly spread. This is the expected outcome and is what you want. Do not overwork this…allow it to become what it is…trust the process.

Hold the stamping foam arms length from you and spritz lightly with water. You do not want to over-wet or have large water droplets on the image. Press the image onto a piece of 5 1/8″ x 3 7/8″ Neenah White card stock and press firmly to fully stamp. Place the stamping foam with the previously penciled arrow on the back of the foam pointing to the top of the card panel. Place the card stock back into the embossing folder, lining up the stamped image with the embossing folder image and run through the embossing machine.

Apply sparkle to the flower image using you choice of product. I intended to use the SpectrumNoir Crystal Clear Sparkle pen but realized it was too dry for the class. I used a few drops of the champagne mist with 2 ounces of 70% isopropyl alcohol and spread with a paint brush. Apply the clear enamel dots.

Attach the inked panel to a piece of 5 1/4″ x 4″ basic black card stock. Attach this to a Neenah white card base using foam tape. Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment onto a piece of 2 5/8″ x 1/4″ of Neenah white card stock and attach to a 2 3/4″ x 3/8″ basic black card stock. Attach to card front.

THERE IS ALWAYS A RESON TO SMILE

• SUPPLIES
• STAMP SETS: Altenew Fresh Bloom, Altenew Enjoy Life
• CARD STOCK: Neenah White card stock, Stampin’Up! Sahara Sand
• INKS: Altenew Silver Lake, Gray Denim, Cloudy Night, Versamark Watermark Ink, COPICS: V000, V01, V04, G20, G21, G24
• DIES: Enjoy Life flower die, 3″ circle die
• OTHER: black embossing powder, heat tool, foam tape, black matte dots

To create the background for this card I used the A5 layering flower stamp from Altenew’s Fresh Bloom stamp set.

This image will be stamped randomly on a 5″ x 3 3/4″ Neenah White card stock with Silver Lake, Gray Denim, and Cloudy Night inks. Rotate the stamp each time you stamp to keep the pattern random. Also, stamp each color with enough spacing so the finished panel is not over-stamped.

Using a 3″ circle die, die cut a circle just above the middle of the card. Place the panel on a piece of light gray card stock, in this case the Sahara Sand card stock. Using a pencil, make a light mark to the right edge of the circle to help guide you on where to stamp the “smile” sentiment.

Once the flower is added to the card there is limited room for the “smile” sentiment. Stamp the “smile” stamp in Versamark Ink and heat emboss with black embossing powder. Hint: have you ever attempted to emboss on colored card stock only to end up with a partially shiny and partially dull stamped/embossed image? Card stock is more absorptive than white card stock, so the Versamark does not stay as sticky for as long on colored card stock. When using colored card stock, use a well inked Versamark pad, immediately apply powder and heat set. You will get beautifully embossed images each time.

Attach the stamped, die cut panel to the Sarah Sand card stock using foam tape. Stamp the flower image in Permanent black ink, color with COPIC V000, V01, V04, G20, G21, G24. Die cut the image. Attach to the above panel using foam tape. Heat emboss in black embossing powder on a 2 1/8″ x 1/4″ Neenah white card stock the sentiment “There is always a reason to”. Attache to card front. Attach this completed panel to the Neenah white card base. Apply black matte dots.

THE WORKSHOP

After completing the assignments for the three levels of the AECP program I was tasked with holding a workshop. The workshop would be 2 hours long, could be either in person or virtual, would need at least 4 attendees. The workshop would be attended virtually by Erum and Virginia. I chose an in person workshop and designed the three cards above. A lesson plan was submitted to Virginia for review along with photos of the card. I initially had 6 attendees but, as happens in life, 2 could not attend. During the workshop Erum and Virginia requested a view of the attendees and a view of the work area. I set up my computer on a high shelf pointed to the craft area to give a view of the attendees working. My phone was attached to a stand which was positioned on the corner of the craft table to give a view of the work area. Prior to the workshop I was nervous about Erum and Virginia “watching”. But they were wonderful, they talked with the attendees and me, putting me at ease. They shared some of their story and provided feedback and guidance throughout the workshop. I feel the attendees enjoyed their participation as much as I did.

I started the workshop with the “There is always a reason to smile” card as I knew this would be the most involved card. As it turns out it took the better part of an hour for everyone to complete this card. Virginia reminded me that 2 cards would complete the assignment, in case we didn’t get to the third card. I was anxious about this as I was tasked with creating a successful workshop to be done in 2 hours. I chose these three cards. I would have considered the workshop unsuccessful if we had not completed all three cards. I knew the other two cards would not take as much time to complete and as it turns out we had time to complete all cards, with a few minutes to spare.

I want to give a shout out the all the educators with Altenew who created the education videos for the program, to all the staff at Altenew and their wonderful products. And specifically to Erum and Virginia. Erum was available throughout the program for questions and guidance. Virginia was available throughout the workshop process for questions and guidance. The whole program is a quality production.

Next, thank you to the ladies who attended the workshop. See the completed projects below:

With a mild and friendly “push”, the ladies agreed to be photographed with their finished projects. Thanks to Sandy, Connie, Sharon, and Mickie…love you all!

I hope you have enjoyed the blog posts as I went through this program. I look forward to continuing to share with you. I now look forward to being an educator for Altenew. If you should choose to do the program perhaps I will be a part of your education.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments.

Aimee