AECP: Can’t Stop with the Stencils

by | Jun 1, 2019 | Birthday Cards | 3 comments

Altenew Educator Certification Program Participant Badge

Yes – seriously, another stencil technique

Every time I see a new stencil now, I want to buy it. They are so versatile and absolutely fun, fun, fun to experiment with! My latest crush is the Flowing Drops stencil from Altenew. Let’s check out the results of my last Altenew Educator class!

(affiliate links are used in this post. When you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!)

Class #5: Watercolor Basics & Beyond

This is my last class for my Altenew Level 3 certification! I really loved taking a class with Jen Rzasa again. She’s got such a great design eye, and shares fantastic techniques that are easy to achieve. This class focused on using the 36 Pan Set of watercolors that coordinates with other Altenew colors. 

My Project

I just can’t get enough of stencils! I honed in on a technique right away that was very similar to one I’d shared with you previously. It got me having fun with blending watercolors in a very easy way!

The Technique & Design

I feel like I’m coming full circle here since this technique is so closely related to the very first project I shared for my Educator certification! If you don’t remember the technique, be sure to check out the post. In order to achieve the background, instead of smooshing the stencil into distress ink, I created a watercolor panel using the 36 Pan Set and Hot Press watercolor paper. Hot Press paper will take oodles of water, so it’s very easy to create these loose blends. Then, I laid the stencil into the super watery panel and let it dry. The water liked to pool around the edges and into the spaces.

  • Paint

  • Mist with more water

  • Add Stencil

  • Weight and wait!

This technique is a definite waiting game as the panel needs to dry. You can do some heat setting, but need to be careful to not melt your stencil! 

To make the results of the panel stand out even more, I added some white gouache to the stencil and overlaid it to make those paths lighter. Then, I outlined the drops with a Sakura White Gel Pen, and added in depth with some graphite pencil shading.

Don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the post to qualify for my monthly giveaway!

Crafter’s Toolbox Video

The stencil and watercolor technique is explained further in the Altenew Academy class. It’s a great one, so I suggest you add it to your watch-list. Instead, for today’s video, I thought I would share how I added in the extra depth to the droplets using graphite pencils.

One journey ends, another begins…

I have truly treasured this journey through the Altenew Educator Certification Program. I have learned new techniques, refined old techniques and really pushed my creative skills over the last four months. I’m really excited about conducting a live class again as it’s been about a year since my last one. I can’t wait to introduce my friends to these amazing products and share with them some fun new techniques they can add to their projects!

Don’t Forget about my monthly GIVEAWAY!

Every month, I give away a sweet surprise to one lucky commenter. So, don’t forget to leave a COMMENT on today’s post to enter!

If you loved today’s project, I’d love to know! The blogosphere can be a lonely place, so please don’t lurk! Leave a quick word or two to tell me you were here!

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The supply list is right here! Just click a product to get started. The links I'm sharing are Affiliate Links, meaning that I will receive a small commission on your sale, at no additional cost to you.
This helps keep the lights on and the inspiration flowing here at Pixel Maven's Retreat!

The Latest...

  • FREEBIES!!! There's no catch - check out my Freebies Page for all sorts of downloadable resources to help take your crafting up a notch!
  • Need a Color Coordinator to inspire color choices for your projects? Get yours today! 2019-20 Coordinators are NOW SHIPPING!
    "I love this! I have a hard time getting color combos together and this takes all the guess work out so I can start creating right away! I think every stamper should have one thank you for this amazing product." - Sandra

Here's some other projects you'll like!

 

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

Happy Hump Day! Got time for a quick CASE?
Oooh! I’m so in love with my take on today’s Inspiration CASE! I’ve noticed that I’m not so into patterned paper anymore. Actually, I don’t think I ever was.

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

Welcome to a new feature here at The Retreat – My Favorite Things!
I’m always trying out new products, tools, brands, mediums, etc. and I’m sure it can be hard to keep up with everything that I like. So, I thought I would do an occasional roundup of those items that make it onto my craft desk over and over so you can see what I recommend.

AECP: Another Reason to LOVE Stencils

by | May 28, 2019 | Friendship Cards | 19 comments

Altenew Educator Certification Program Participant Badge

If you don’t already love stencils, you will…

I am seriously in love with these cards and seriously addicted to how easy they are. Don’t be surprised if you see some variations pop up here sooner rather than later. The bonus? I didn’t have to buy anything new! I love a serious multitasking craft tool, and I think stencils have topped the list!

(affiliate links are used in this post. When you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!)

Class #4: Stenciled – Multiple Ways

I’m circling back around to a stencil class – the latest in the Altenew Academy! It literally just finished on Sunday 😀 Did you know that Altenew publishes a new class every month?! There’s no end to the learning! Perhaps when I become an Educator, they’ll ask me to do a class! What do you think? I girl can hope!

Anyway, in each lesson, Laurel shares different ways that you can use stencils. She has an outside-the-box approach that will have you flipping and turning your stencils, wondering how you can use them differently than originally intended! I also love that she shares her oops moments along the way and how she fixes them to come up with a successful card. Hey – we’re not perfect crafters! 

My Project

I didn’t think this would take the monochrome white twist that it did, but once I saw my embossed result, I couldn’t hide this beautiful panel behind anything else!

The Technique & Design

This technique is super simple and yet another way that you can use stencils! I love that this already versatile tool just got another use 😀

Like I said, I just couldn’t cover up those patterned panels and thought that a dramatic white with a simple sentiment would be the most amazing look. So, there they are – no spatter, no ink, no graphite shadows, no metallic thread swirls. Just something that you will want to run your fingers over, over and over again!

Don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the post to qualify for my monthly giveaway!

5-minute Card Video

These cards are so simple to make, you can do up a PAIR in 5 minutes! I share how in today’s video. Enjoy!

This journey is almost over!

Don’t be sad though! I’ve got one more AECP Level 3 project on Saturday! Then, I’ll be doing a live class to complete the Educator process. I’m working on some new projects to fill in for these Tuesday & Saturday posts, so stay tuned!

Don’t Forget about my monthly GIVEAWAY!

Every month, I give away a sweet surprise to one lucky commenter. So, don’t forget to leave a COMMENT on today’s post to enter!

If you loved today’s project, I’d love to know! The blogosphere can be a lonely place, so please don’t lurk! Leave a quick word or two to tell me you were here!

Kick-start Your Creativity

Subscribe for for exclusive specials, updates and free tutorials & sketches

Subscribe!

Share and Inspire Someone Today!
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2 Shares

Get everything you need to make this project!

The supply list is right here! Just click a product to get started. The links I'm sharing are Affiliate Links, meaning that I will receive a small commission on your sale, at no additional cost to you.
This helps keep the lights on and the inspiration flowing here at Pixel Maven's Retreat!

The Latest...

  • FREEBIES!!! There's no catch - check out my Freebies Page for all sorts of downloadable resources to help take your crafting up a notch!
  • Need a Color Coordinator to inspire color choices for your projects? Get yours today! 2019-20 Coordinators are NOW SHIPPING!
    "I love this! I have a hard time getting color combos together and this takes all the guess work out so I can start creating right away! I think every stamper should have one thank you for this amazing product." - Sandra

Here's some other projects you'll like!

 

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

Happy Hump Day! Got time for a quick CASE?
Oooh! I’m so in love with my take on today’s Inspiration CASE! I’ve noticed that I’m not so into patterned paper anymore. Actually, I don’t think I ever was.

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

Welcome to a new feature here at The Retreat – My Favorite Things!
I’m always trying out new products, tools, brands, mediums, etc. and I’m sure it can be hard to keep up with everything that I like. So, I thought I would do an occasional roundup of those items that make it onto my craft desk over and over so you can see what I recommend.

AECP: Zen & Tangled

by | May 25, 2019 | Hello, Just Because & For You Cards | 3 comments

Altenew Educator Certification Program Participant Badge

Do you like to doodle?

I used to doodle a lot! I would doodle during meetings and back in college – you know, when you’re supposed to be paying attention! Well, now that I work for myself and don’t have to go to any boring meetings, I find that I don’t really doodle anymore. Zentangling isn’t really doodling, but it leads to a similar, calming effect. When I saw there was a class at Altenew that covered Zentangling and cardmaking, I thought I needed to check it out!

(affiliate links are used in this post. When you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!)

Class #3: Zentangle for Cardmakers

I have to admit – though I was interested in checking out this class, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to draw well enough to succeed! I bet some of you have that concern too! Well, let me tell you, it’s not as hard as it looks! All Zentangle patterns (or tangles) are broken down into steps, so as long as you take it a step at a time, you can get the gist of it pretty quick. I quickly discovered that “tangling” is a great way to add extra detail to a card design!

My Project

The class covers a handful of tangles, but I thought I would explore the Internet for others! I had an idea that I wanted to fill in the spaces of the Feathered Leaves stencil, so I would need tangles that were designed to work along as a string. I found a great website that has hundreds of tangles you can learn – tanglepatterns.com.

The Technique & Design

I started my project by using the “stencil smoosh” technique on a piece of Brea Reese Mix Media paper. I chose this over watercolor as I knew I’d be doing a lot of work with fineline pens and I didn’t want to worry about the texture of the paper, or it sucking up too much ink. Mix Media paper will take a small amount of water without adverse effects, so it was a great choice. I dabbed the ink cubes onto the stencil, then spritzed the stencil with water to allow it to move and blend a bit, then placed it on the paper and lifted. 

I was super happy with the outcome! Once dry, I started in on the tangling. I had four patterns picked out (Shirley, Sea Wave, Liuliu Dashun and Sampa), but no plan on where they would go or how many I would do. In hindsight, I would have been better served outlining the stencil so I didn’t have to keep overlaying it.

Don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the post to qualify for my monthly giveaway!

Speed Coloring Video

 It took me a couple of hours to do this, so even though the video is only about 10 minutes, know that it’s sped up 7x! After I finished the tangles, I cut down the design and mounted it up on a square card base with two border pieces. A strip of Golden Trim Washi helped the sentiment pop!

How did you like today’s video?

This is the second speed coloring video I’ve done. I thought that I might make it a regular Saturday feature after I complete my AECP Certification. What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Don’t Forget about my monthly GIVEAWAY!

Every month, I give away a sweet surprise to one lucky commenter. So, don’t forget to leave a COMMENT on today’s post to enter!

If you loved today’s project, I’d love to know! The blogosphere can be a lonely place, so please don’t lurk! Leave a quick word or two to tell me you were here!

Kick-start Your Creativity

Subscribe for for exclusive specials, updates and free tutorials & sketches

Subscribe!

Share and Inspire Someone Today!
Pin1
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Get everything you need to make this project!

The supply list is right here! Just click a product to get started. The links I'm sharing are Affiliate Links, meaning that I will receive a small commission on your sale, at no additional cost to you.
This helps keep the lights on and the inspiration flowing here at Pixel Maven's Retreat!

The Latest...

  • FREEBIES!!! There's no catch - check out my Freebies Page for all sorts of downloadable resources to help take your crafting up a notch!
  • Need a Color Coordinator to inspire color choices for your projects? Get yours today! 2019-20 Coordinators are NOW SHIPPING!
    "I love this! I have a hard time getting color combos together and this takes all the guess work out so I can start creating right away! I think every stamper should have one thank you for this amazing product." - Sandra

Here's some other projects you'll like!

 

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

Happy Hump Day! Got time for a quick CASE?
Oooh! I’m so in love with my take on today’s Inspiration CASE! I’ve noticed that I’m not so into patterned paper anymore. Actually, I don’t think I ever was.

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

Welcome to a new feature here at The Retreat – My Favorite Things!
I’m always trying out new products, tools, brands, mediums, etc. and I’m sure it can be hard to keep up with everything that I like. So, I thought I would do an occasional roundup of those items that make it onto my craft desk over and over so you can see what I recommend.

AECP: Will It Emboss?

by | May 21, 2019 | Gratitude, Thank You & Thanksgiving Cards | 6 comments

Altenew Educator Certification Program Participant Badge

I wonder…. will it…?

Ever hold a craft supply in your hand wondering if it will take on a certain technique or medium? That’s how I come up with all of my crazy, innovative ideas! I have an idea in my mind, or I pick up an item or two and I wonder “Will it do that?”. Do you do that too? Even though it might lead to failure, or a less-than-stellar outcome, more often than not, I end up with something pretty cool!

(affiliate links are used in this post. When you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!)

Class #2: A Touch of Texture

The second class I picked out for my Level 3 training was A Touch of Texture. As you might guess, its lessons focus on adding texture and textural elements to your projects. If you feel like your designs are looking a little flat, this class will get you heading the right direction.

My Project

I started my project off with a “will it?” idea – will the Altenew wood sheets work with an embossing folder? If it’s yes, how well? Would I be happy with it? No use pondering too long – let’s just try it!

The Technique & Design

Yes! Wood sheets DO emboss! I really wanted the pattern to pop, so I added some shading with a graphite pencil and blending stump. I love the contrast of the cool white & subtle purple ink blending along with the geometric embossing paste dots – all against that warm, organic wood element with floral pattern.

I didn’t want to cover up an inch of the background, so I opted to do some stamp masking to make the Thank You sentiment from the Dearest Friend stamp set a stacked layout that would fit into a small diecut circle. I added some linen twine to bring in more organic textures and to tie together all the circles in the design.

 

Don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the post to qualify for my monthly giveaway!

Will It?

This project gave me a great idea to start a new video series called “Will It?”. I’ll explore combining various techniques and mediums to see if they’ll work out!

3 projects left!

The countdown is on! Only three more projects to go. Stay tuned as I wrap up this journey over the next few week!

Soooooo EXCITING!!

Don’t Forget about my monthly GIVEAWAY!

Every month, I give away a sweet surprise to one lucky commenter. So, don’t forget to leave a COMMENT on today’s post to enter!

If you loved today’s project, I’d love to know! The blogosphere can be a lonely place, so please don’t lurk! Leave a quick word or two to tell me you were here!

Kick-start Your Creativity

Subscribe for for exclusive specials, updates and free tutorials & sketches

Subscribe!

Share and Inspire Someone Today!
Pin1
Share
Tweet
Email
WhatsApp
Share
1 Shares

Get everything you need to make this project!

The supply list is right here! Just click a product to get started. The links I'm sharing are Affiliate Links, meaning that I will receive a small commission on your sale, at no additional cost to you.
This helps keep the lights on and the inspiration flowing here at Pixel Maven's Retreat!

The Latest...

  • FREEBIES!!! There's no catch - check out my Freebies Page for all sorts of downloadable resources to help take your crafting up a notch!
  • Need a Color Coordinator to inspire color choices for your projects? Get yours today! 2019-20 Coordinators are NOW SHIPPING!
    "I love this! I have a hard time getting color combos together and this takes all the guess work out so I can start creating right away! I think every stamper should have one thank you for this amazing product." - Sandra

Here's some other projects you'll like!

 

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

Happy Hump Day! Got time for a quick CASE?
Oooh! I’m so in love with my take on today’s Inspiration CASE! I’ve noticed that I’m not so into patterned paper anymore. Actually, I don’t think I ever was.

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

Welcome to a new feature here at The Retreat – My Favorite Things!
I’m always trying out new products, tools, brands, mediums, etc. and I’m sure it can be hard to keep up with everything that I like. So, I thought I would do an occasional roundup of those items that make it onto my craft desk over and over so you can see what I recommend.

AECP: Adding More Detail to Detailed Flowers

by | May 18, 2019 | Encouragement Cards | 4 comments

Altenew Educator Certification Program Participant Badge

Be adventurous – take a pen to your stamped images!

I’m on to Level 3 of my Altenew Educator journey. I have five classes to complete, and then a capstone project – a live event where I will teach a class how to make some projects in person, with my AECP team watching via live stream. FUN!!!

Anyway, for my first project, I thought I would revisit the idea of layered stamps as that is a core Altenew product, and I want to get better with them and find fun ways to use all the layers. 

(Be sure to check the end of the post for last week’s Blog Candy Giveaway winners!)

(affiliate links are used in this post. When you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!)

Class #1: All About Layering 3

The All About Layering series are FREE classes that help people get comfortable with the Altenew layered Build-a-Flower stamps. Each class features a different stamp set, so it seems to me that they will continue publishing new Layering classes as they add more stamp sets to their lineup. Getting these stamps aligned can take patience and practice, which is why I wanted to revisit this technique.

My Project

I pulled out the Beautiful Day stamp set since that has four distinct layers. I wanted to do a fun floral arrangement – another style where I need more practice. After I had all the pieces stamped, I felt like I still needed even more detail, so I reached back to a previous class (Beautiful Details) for an idea on how I could add even more detail to these already depth-filled stamps. 

The Technique & Design

The first step when working a paper bouquet is to decide on a color palette. I decided to go with pinks and purples picking out both the Spring Bouquet and Shades of Purple cube sets. The Green Fields cube set is a go-to for greenery. I knew that I would probably want to make up more floral pieces than I needed, so I didn’t hesitate to fill up a full sheet of Solar White cardstock with blooms, leaves and buds. After diecutting them out, I could start arranging.

But, I felt like something was missing. Though the flowers and leaves looked fairly detailed, they were still missing a “pop” that would make the dimension really come to life. So, I thought about what I learned in the Beautiful Details class and pulled out a precision pen to add even more detail to the images. To really make the stamen come to life, I added dots of All-Purpose Ink in Vegas Gold. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

A simple ink blended vellum background brought the layout together in a way that lets the florals shine.

Don’t forget to leave a comment at the end of the post to qualify for my monthly giveaway!

Crafter’s Toolbox Video

Let’s take a closer look at how easy it is to add extra detail to stamped images!

The End is Near!

No, not the apocalypse – the end of my AECP journey! It’s not really the end, but the beginning of what will hopefully be a great, ongoing relationship with the Altenew brand. If you love Altenew products, or are just discovering and think it’s love at first sight, then, I encourage you to check out all their classes and the AECP program.

Blog Candy Winners!!

Thanks to everyone who left comments on last week’s roundup here and on Instagram.

The GRAND PRIZE winner is:

Sue D

Runners Up:

truthinlove_2001 (Instagram)
Traci Davis

Congratulations! Please email me with your mailing address and I’ll have your prize shipped out right away!

Kick-start Your Creativity

Subscribe for for exclusive specials, updates and free tutorials & sketches

Subscribe!

Share and Inspire Someone Today!
Pin4
Share
Tweet
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WhatsApp
Share
4 Shares

The Latest...

  • FREEBIES!!! There's no catch - check out my Freebies Page for all sorts of downloadable resources to help take your crafting up a notch!
  • Need a Color Coordinator to inspire color choices for your projects? Get yours today! 2019-20 Coordinators are NOW SHIPPING!
    "I love this! I have a hard time getting color combos together and this takes all the guess work out so I can start creating right away! I think every stamper should have one thank you for this amazing product." - Sandra

Get everything you need to make this project!

The supply list is right here! Just click a product to get started. The links I'm sharing are Affiliate Links, meaning that I will receive a small commission on your sale, at no additional cost to you.
This helps keep the lights on and the inspiration flowing here at Pixel Maven's Retreat!

Here's some other projects you'll like!

 

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

On the CASE: All Lined Up Hello

Happy Hump Day! Got time for a quick CASE?
Oooh! I’m so in love with my take on today’s Inspiration CASE! I’ve noticed that I’m not so into patterned paper anymore. Actually, I don’t think I ever was.

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

MFT: 7 Basics to Start Stamping & Cardmaking

Welcome to a new feature here at The Retreat – My Favorite Things!
I’m always trying out new products, tools, brands, mediums, etc. and I’m sure it can be hard to keep up with everything that I like. So, I thought I would do an occasional roundup of those items that make it onto my craft desk over and over so you can see what I recommend.