Level I AECP Challenge

OK! let me start this post by saying wow! I finally finished my level 1 Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP) challenge assignment.  My assignment was to create a male and female set of cards for various occasions to give away as a gift and to create the packaging from some recycled item(s). Both sets had to tie-in with a similar theme. The similarities are they both use geometric images and they are sets of note cards.  I decided to create a set of masculine and feminine notes cards with matching gift bags for each set made from scraps of Muslin I had from a quilting project.   My inspiration for the masculine set of gift cards came from a card I saw in the AECP gallery.  The inspiration for the feminine note cards came from the stamp set insert that I used to make the cards.  The techniques I used from the level I courses where dye ink stamping, stamp layering, and die cutting.   Tip: As I went through the program, I would often go into the previous galleries and I also visited the previous examples of Level I challenge examples to get ideas (think ahead).  I started building my stamp inventory in this way.

Another tip: To get started with the project, I created a Level I Challenge Work plan.  This helped me to focus and group the necessary items needed to complete each card.  You might end up deviating from or adjusting your plan a bit, but it will at least keep you on target.  By creating a work plan, even with interruptions to my workflow or limited time to work on the project, I was able to map out what I could get done, when I could do parts of the project, and at times come back and pickup where I left off.   You are probably thinking this is supposed to be fun and a “work plan” does not sound like fun at all.  It makes the project fun because (1) you can envision the end results and (2) the plan cuts down on confusion, frustration, and anxiety.  You know exactly what technique, colours, stamp set(s), etc.  you are going to use.  Once I had my plan, I was able to work quickly through the cards.  In following the work plan, I could look at it and estimate what I could complete each day that I worked on the project.  

For both the card sets I used various Altenew stamp sets and ink families.  One of my goals was to use only Altenew products if possible (goal met).  Tip: when you are doing a large project like this one, minimizing manufacturers certainly helps.  Familiarity with a manufacturer and their product characteristics means more consistent outcomes with your project.  You know what you can do, on what type of medium, with whatever product, and the most likely results.

Creating the female cards

Techniques:  Dye Ink stamping and Stamp Layering

The female cards are a little smaller than the male cards.  The finished size was 4x4 inches.  I started with a card front that was 3 ¾ x 3 ¾ inches.  I used 65# (pound) white card stock for the front panel and card base.  Tip: Even with high quality photo polymer stamps you are going to get beading from dye inks.  The best way to minimize (not resolve) this and to do less repeated stamping is to use a heavier weighted card stock like #80-#110.  I used Altenew’s Crystal Frames to stamp the geometric shape on the card fronts.   Crystal Frames is an awesome stamp set.  Altenew has a few good geometric stamp sets all of which can be used for both male and female cards and projects.  This stamp set comes with 14 total stamps, 9 sentiments and 5 multi-jointed geometric shapes.  I used Altenew Crisp Dye Inks to stamp the shapes in the lightest colour in the colour families.  For two of the cards I did not use an ink from the same colour family (the purple and the blue cards), instead I used inks in the gray families.  I just liked the grays better for those two.  I stamped the branches on the card fronts using the Delicate Cluster stamp set and the Tropical Forest mini cube set.   The Delicate Clusters stamp set comes with 17 total stamps.  You get 2 long stemmed flower cluster sets composed of 14 stamps, 2 sentiments and 1 connecting word.  This is an alpha-numeric guided layering stamp set which makes it so easy to use.   The colour families I used for the cards were: Pocket Full of Sunshine, Warm and Cozy, Tranquility, Cherry Blossom, Enchanted Garden, and Delectable Delights.  Once the card fronts were completed, I matched up some scrap cardstock from my stash to the ink and cut the mats 1/8^th larger than the card fronts.  I adhered the coloured cardstock to the card fronts and attached them to the card bases.  For the inside of the card, I stamped a cluster of flowers to match the card front colour in a different position on each card.  And no card is complete without the matching envelope, so I stamped another cluster on the outside front of the envelopes.  See the links below for all the supplies used to make this set of cards.  

 

Supplies used for the feminine note cards: 
CrystalFrames Stamp Set

DelicateClusters Stamp Set
PocketFull of Sunshine Mini Cube Set
Warm and Cozy Mini Cube Set
Tranquility Mini Cube Set
CherryBlossom Mini Cube Set
EnchantedGarden Mini Cube Set
DelectableDelights Mini Cube Set
RockCollection Mini Cube Set
WarmGray Mini Cube Set

Sentiments for feminine cards:
ObsidianPigment Ink
Friend-Crystal Frames Stamp Set
Birthday-Dotted Blooms Stamp Set
Thanks-Mod Vases Stamp Set
Encouragement-Floral Sprig Stamp Set
Congratulations-Precious Peony Stamp Set
Prayers-Dotted Blooms Stamp Set

Male Cards 

Techniques: Dye Ink stamping, Die Cutting

The male cards started with 2 card fronts cut to 3 ¾ x 3 ¾ inches.  I centered Altenew’s Geo Frames dies on one set of the card fronts to cut the various shapes creating a window.  I used a thin shim to make sure I got a good embossing on the windows (the negative piece).   I used some temporary adhesive to attach the windowed card fronts to the second set of card fronts.  Then, I used the Geo Frames stamp set in the corresponding shape to stamp the image within the window of the card front.  The Geo Frames stamp set has 4 bordered frames with a combination of sentiments and connecting words, you get 17 stamps in all. The stamps are great by themselves, but If you are looking for a good bundle, this is definitely one to purchase!  Just like the Crystal Frames, you can use this set for both male and female cards.  With the matching dies you can achieve a crisp deep etching for depth and dimension on your projects.  Since I had to make 6 cards, I decided to use 2 of the 4 geometric shapes and repeat them each 3 times but in different colours.  The colour families I used for the male cards are: Black Obsidian pigment ink, Cool Summer Night, Gentlemen’s Gray, Warm and Cozy, Deep Blue Seas, and Fall Harvest.  I followed the same plan for the masculine cards as I did for the feminine cards.  I used some scraps of cardstock in (nearly) matching colours to create a ¼ inch mat and adhered them to a 4 ¼ x 4 ¼ inches card base.   I stamped the same shape on the inside of each card in random places.  I created a matching envelope for each card by stamping the image again on the outside front of the envelope.   

Here is  a little walk through of how to make the masculine cards:

Cut the card base 8 1/2 in. x 4 1/4 in. and score on the 8 1/2 in. side at 4 1/4 in to create the card base.  Cut 2 pieces of white CS at 3 3/4 in. x 3 3/4 in., cut 1 pieces black CS at 4 in. x 4 in. 

Center the die on one (1) of the 3 3/4 in. pieces and tape down with a light tack adhesive such as Washi Tape.  Run it through your die cutting machine.  Follow the manufacturer instructions to get a deeper embossing.  You can save the  positive piece for another project or you can use it for the inside of this card.

Adhere the two (2) pieces together.

Center the matching stamp from the Geo Frames stamp set in the center of the die cut area and stamp. A stamp re-positioner is helpful but you do not have to use one.  An acrylic block will do.

After you have stamped your shape image, you can stamp your greeting/sentiment.  For this card I liked the straight lines of this stamp, so I used one of Altenew's 2 x 3 in. sets called Rosie Posy (see link below)

Center the card front on to the 4 x 4 in. black piece of CS. I used 1/8 in. score tape.  You can use the adhesive of your choice.

Center the matted card front on to a 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 in card base.  Since I made note cards, the only thing I stamped inside is the geometric image (see earlier images of  card inside).

Supplies used to make the masculine note cards: 

Geo Frames Stamp & Die Bundle

Obsidian Pigment Ink

Cool Summer Night Mini Cube Set

Gentleman's Gray Mini Cube Set
Warm and Cozy Mini Cube Set
Deep Blue Seas Mini Cube Set
Fall Harvest Mini Cube Set

Sentiments for masculine cards:
Birthday- Floral Sprig Stamp Set
Thank You- Many Thanks Stamp Set
Prayers- Dotted Blooms Stamp Set
Encouragement- Floral Sprig Stamp Set
Friend- Crystal Frames Stamp Set
Congratulations- Precious Peony Stamp Set

* Sentiment for Masculine Demo Card
HELLO- Rosie Posy Stamp Set

One last tip (I am sure I will think of more after I post this)- Keep your expectations realistic, remembering life happens!  It would be great if we could sit everything else aside and just play in the craft room, but more than likely it's not going to happen.  In the program you are going to get sooo many good ideas, you will want to do everyone on every card, you will purchase great products, and you will want to use them all.  Just keep it simple, but noteworthy, and most of all remember to have fun. 

Envelopes for both sets of cards

The Muslin bags are simple to construct--sew a sleeve of the muslin, pull it inside out, fold down the top to create a cuff and tie with Jute.  I stamped the shaped images on the bag just to see how they would look.  I did not seal the stamping onto the bag, so if the bags are washed more than likely the colour will fade.

Close up of muslin bag for the female cards.  

On to the next...

Joyce