Level II – AECP Final Challenge – Masculine Cards

I have completed the Level II – Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP) Final Challenge. When I meet these goals, I feel like I have learned so much. This challenge has been so enjoyable, in spite of really going out of my box and comfort zone, I felt like the creative process really came through.

I needed to select 3 components in Level 1 or 2 classes and explain why they had inspired me. Also, I needed to create 4 masculine cards that encompassed, birthday, love/thinking of you, anniversary, and encouragement. And, lastly to create an altered item/upcycled project.

For the three components, I chose the elements from Clean and Simple Boutique Cards, Let It Shine Cards, and For the Guys cards. These classes were great, and so many tips were a such a help and changed the way I think about designing cards. Clean and simple to me in this project means white background, less is more. Using metallics and embossing was also discussed in different ways. Let it Shine, well, it is what it is. Bling, metallics, embossing, perfect pearls, and using embellishments to make your cards shine. Lastly For the Guys, I got the most from this. Using geometrics is a perfect way to showcase a card for a guy. In previous cards, I always tried to have a foresty scene. However, you can do so much with basic lines, triangles, rectangles, etc.

For consistency in colors I chose the Altenew Inks. I also used the Altenew stamps and stencils for the main focal components. Another consistency element I tried to use geometric elements. For guy cards, the flowers don’t really cut it. I think that is why people tend to shy away from these types of cards. I also think that guys need their own set of cards. A few days ago my husband came in and said “can you make a card for Larry, something with a car for his birthday.” I was concentrating on something so different, I didn’t want to change gears. But, I did, because he asks so little from me, and I love him. But with this set I’m giving him. He has a little stash to choose from.

Below are the items I used to create these cards.

Inks:
Altenew Silver Lake, Cloudy Night, Charcoal Suit, Mountain Mist, Volcano Lake, Lagoon

Media:
Dreamweaver Pearlescent Paste
Embossing Powder
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Metallic paper
Ranger – Woodgrain Cardstock
Altenew – Enamel Dots

Stamps, Dies and Stencils:
Diamond Frame Cover Die
Hello Die
Mega Alpha “J” Die
Trigonometry Stamp and Die
All Things “A” Stamp and Die
Cube Builder Stencils
Dot Botanicals Stamp and Die
Diamond Stars 3D Embossing Folder

The first card was an encouragement card which I used the All Things A Stamp and Die. I used the Volcano Lake to create the background for the A.

I cut the pattern out of the metallic paper. I wanted something different so I just used a part of it to cover the A. I used a little craft foam to give it some dimension.

I covered the A with a little perfect pearls in water to give it a little shine. To complete I added a sentiment, and a few enamel dots. This went on a grey card base.

My second card was a Thank You card.

I mixed up some Pearlescent Paste and Mountain Mist Ink. I used the Mighty Corners Stencil and covered the lines with the paste. The paste was already pearlescent, so this added a little shine. I waited a few hours and created the triangles out of the Trigonometry Stamps and Dies.

I played around with the placement and glued down. Added a sentiment cut out of the metallic paper and adhered to a white card base.

My third card was a simpler card once I figured out what to do. I used the metallic paper and embossed the Diamond Stars 3D Embossing Folder. For the sentiment I did the same in a teal color. Attached a Love sentiment which I glued to some foam for dimension. On top of that I adhered “From the Heart.”

I loved how simple this was to make and how it looks. A few enamel dots finish it off.

My fourth card is probably my favorite. It turned out totally different than what I had started out doing. I first used the Diamond Frame Cover Die with the metallic cardstock.

I used the Shine Like a Diamond Stamp and then cut out the J.

I used some foam and put behind the J for dimension and popped it back into the white woodgrain paper. I then layed the Diamond Frame Cover over the J. On top of that I cut a hello and arranged some foam squares where it needed some height. A few enamel dots and the card was finished. This is what clean and simple means to me.

The last card I completed was another fun one. I used the Cube Builders Stencil. I absolutely loved this. The possibilities are endless. I also love this color combination. I adhered the cubes background to a white card base.

I used the Dot Botanicals Stamp and Die, and embossed a clear coating on the dots to add a little shine. I used the die to cut out and adhere to the cubes. I cut the Happy sentiment out of the metallic cardstock and stamped Anniversary on piece of white cardstock. Added a few enamel dots and the card was finished.

So that concludes the card portion of this project.

I also needed to recyle a product, so I chose a clear plastic box that has been sitting on my desk forever. I didn’t want to throw away so I thought I would use a little alcohol ink. I put some on the plastic, spritzed with alcohol, and used my Tim Holtz blower to move the ink around. Left overnight to make sure it was dry.

The next day I didn’t want to take the chance to mess my card up by putting it in the newly painted holder, so I ironed a piece of tissue paper, wrapped the cards up and put in the holder. Tied a bow around it, and created a tag.

I hope you enjoy!