Monoprinting

 

Thank you for hanging in there with me.  I hope you are enjoying the cards and that you will find something that may be helpful and or inspiring to you in your crafting journey.   This will be card number three (3) of my Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP) level III projects.   Card #3 is for the Monoprinting class.  Monoprinting or another name Gel Printing uses as the name is implies Gel like shapes to transfer different media like acrylic paint, dye inks, pigment inks to different sub straits such as tissue paper, vellum, cardstock, etc.  You can use other things such as stamps to take your Monoprinting to the next level.   You can purchase Gel pads on-line (Amazon) or at places like Hobby Lobby, JoAnn’s, or Michaels if you are in the U.S. 

I purchased a set of pads from Amazon last year but never had an opportunity to use them.  I was so excited to see the Monoprinting class in the Altenew crafting class library.   This was my first time doing Monoprinting; although I had seen it done many times on YouTube videos.  I will say it was not as easy as I thought it was going to be.  I did several and I do mean several practice prints before I got to one that I thought might work.  I found that I had difficulty with colour combinations.  A tip that was very helpful was to graduate one colour or you could use the colour combinations by Kristina Werner on Pinterest.  She has put together some amazing colour combinations.  After several what I called failed attempts, I decided to monoprint with a monocolour (lol).   Graduating one colour was a little less anxiety provoking for me.   Something to remember is your print experience is greatly influence by the sub strait and media you use.   Since this was my first attempt and not going as I expected, I kept it simple with dye ink and card stock.   I like the abstractness of the prints and using stamps and other items to give the print further definition really helped. 

I used a blue ink and graduated the colour starting with the most concentration of ink at the bottom.  I kept using what was on the pad until it was nearly gone.  I added droplets of water and square stenciling in gold to give it a grunge look.  After it was dried I used Altenew’s LeafCanopy stamp set add some leaves to the print.  I wasn’t happy with the print while I was creating, but what I learn during the AECP classes was to keep going eventually something will come to you.  I’m glad I kept going.  In the end I manage to come out with something I’m at least okay with.  For me what really made me like the card was the sentiment.  I think using Altenew’s “A Note Of Thanks” stamp from the Many Thanks Stamp Set trimmed in gold brought the card together.   Here are a few phots of my finished card.

Thank you for taking the time to visit.  Card #4 coming up.

Joyce

Muse

 

Moving along to card number four (4) from my Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP) level III projects submissions.   Now this card was inspired by the Korean artist Lee Ungno.  She was definitely my MUSE, which is also the name of the class for which this card was created.  Her “Bamboo” painting is just so peace to me.  When I look at her painting, I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a bamboo forest and I can hear the soft musical sounds of the culms and leaves moving in the wind.  I love this painting.  It’s very clean and simple like the card it inspired.  

I stamped several bamboo trees across the card front in Altenew’s Jet Black Ink.  I started off the card front and ended off the card front to give the look of an endless row of Bamboo trees.  There is no sentiment for this card externally.  My sentiment will be inside.   I think this would be a good sympathy or encouragement card.  Bamboo trees are strong, and both losing someone and being motivated in times of distress take a great deal of strength.  There is an implied message of strength in the image. 

I cut a frame four times in beige cardstock and clue them together.  I wanted the image to set back as if it was a picture in a frame like in the museum.   I really like the simplicity and the image that comes to my mind when I see it.   You can see a picture of Lee Ungno's painting below. 

Sometimes less is more...

Painting by Lee Ungno "Bamboo" 1971

Thanks for stopping by...

Mixed Media Page up next!

Joyce

Masking Unleashed

Hello,

And welcome back.  I am nearly finished with my Level 2 Altenew Educator Certification Program courses.  This card is for the Masking Unleashed class.  While I have done a lot of masking over my 9 years of crafting, I have to say, this class renewed the joy and magic of the masking technique.  The demonstration card is so very inspiring and beautiful.  I will say this card or rather the technique was a bit challenging, but if you take your time the results are amazing. 

I will not give the details on how to the make card for a couple of reasons.  One, I think your results will come out better if you hear the instructions and watch the person who taught the class and two, because it is a class.  You can take the class individually or you can apply for the Altenew Educator Certification Program.  The class is not expensive and the information you will receive will stick with you throughout your crafting years.  Click here for more information on this class other Altenew products.

This is my second attempt at this card.  My first attempt was okay, but I was not so happy with it and felt I could do a lot better.  I let it go for a couple of days, then gave it another try.  This one turned out beautiful!  Love, love, love it!  The card looks complicated, but it is not.  It is time-consuming; it took me about an hour and half to complete the card, but the result was worth it.  The finished card size 5 ½” x 4 ¼” (A2).   I think I am going to keep this one for myself…lol

I did not have the die that was used in the demonstration, so I used something similar.  Of course, you know I have ordered the die, it was just too pretty to pass up.   Many of the other products used to make this care you should have on hand if you have been crafting for a while or if you are just getting started the products such as vellum, acrylic paint, masking tape, and blending tool can be found at most major craft stores and many privately own craft stores.   I use Altenew’s Sand Dune and Rocky Shore Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube to ink the card stock.   See the list Altenew products below

 

Coffee Break Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set 

Leafy Wreath Die 

Leafy Garland Die 

Script Words Die Set 

Thanks for stopping by, see you next time. 

Joyce

 

With A Twist

 Hello everyone,

It has been a while since my last post for my Altenew Educator Certification Program.  Besides COVID in the world, there has been a lot going on with me personally.  Thankfully, things are slowly getting better and I can return to crafting.  Not quite crafting full time as before, but soon.   Today’s card is for the “With A Twist” class.  This card was inspired by one of the class demonstrations.  I really like the stamp set and the technique.  The technique was a kind of faux embossing.   

The images and the sentiment are from Altenew’s Bamboo Rose stamp set.  The instructor used the stamp set and matching dies.  I do not have the matching dies (yet…lol).  I used my cutting machine to cut out my images.  This stamp set has nice thick lines, so if you cannot get the dies and you do not have a cutting machine that will outline, fussy cutting is a breeze!  The card base is a standard A2 size (4 ½” x 5 ¼”).  I used Alcohol markers and pencils to colour the images.  Tip: to make sure my sentiment would fit in the space I wanted, after I cut the images out, I used some temporary adhesive on the back of my images to arrange and tack them down to the card base.  Then I lightly drew the outline of the inner edges (the part that would be closest to the sentiment) of the roses.   After I drew the outline, I took a picture of the arrangement so I could place them back once I stamped my sentiment.  I am usually not a wet glue person, but for this card I had to use glue to make sure all the edges of the images were fastened securely to the base card.  This way when I cut off any excess the image would not lift from the card; especially, the outer edge or borders of the card.    

I really enjoyed making this card because I got to practice combining markers with pencils.  The colouring was the most time-consuming part of the card; although, it did not take long at all to colour the roses.  If you plan to make this card, which I highly recommend you give it a try, I would definitely make more roses than you think you will need.  You could use any extras roses in the inside of the card or save them for another project.   

If you are interested in the Altenew Educator Certification Program or any of the Altenew products used to make this card, you can find information here. 

 Altenew Products:

Bamboo Rose Stamp Set 

Bamboo Rose Die Set

Obsidian Pigment Ink 

I did not use Altenew for my colouring; however, for your one stop shopping convenience Altenew has many options for colouring here 

 Until next time, stay safe

Joyce

Color Your Day!

***Having problems with Blogger, for this post I am unable to add links*** 

Hello my crafty people,

I am posting a card for the Altenew Academy Educator Certification Program’s “Color Your Day” class.

My style of card making is very simple, less is better and faster…lol.   For this card I used Altenew 2 x 3” Mini Delight: Bold Bloom Stamp and Die Bundle.  This stamp set contains 1 floral image of a set of joined posies with foliage and 2 sentiments.  This stamp and die bundle would be great for your stamping arsenal!  A simple elegant floral image with a bold statement depending on how you use it.  I know, I say that about a lot of the stamps…lol, but it is so true.  There are just some stamp sets that can do so many things, this will be one of those. 

This card is a little unique in that I was just practicing using my Polychromos pencils and Copic Markers.  I liked the outcome so much, I decided to use the image on a card.  Since this class was about colour, a yellow/gold card certainly fits the bill. 

The base for this card is a non-traditional size of 3 5/8” (w) x 5 1/8” (l).  I came up with size based on the size of the pierced scalloped frame die.  I used Momento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the floral image.  The image was coloured first with Copic Markers:  Y19, 17, 15, and 13 and for the shadow I used W3, W1, W00.  To add a little detail, I used the pencils.  This was my first attempt with the Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils…love, love, love.  I chose the following colours: Yellows 105, 106, 107, 108, Grey 273, 274, and Green 168, 174.   I used Fun Foam to lift the yellow mat up from the base.  I also popped the floral image up with foam tape.  The sentiment is from another 2 x 3” Altenew mini stamp set called Mini Branch.  For the inside I used Obsidian Pigment ink to stamp the image again in the bottom corner and left it un-coloured. 

Joyce

Hello Friend

Hello All,
Just popping in to say hi and share a card I did for a crafting group I belong to.  I hope everyone is well and keeping the faith.  It's like a delayed Spring thaw in Texas.  This past Friday, stores and other businesses began to open.  We are still following the health and law enforcement guidelines related to COVID-19 but people are getting out.  I am hoping that the spirits of the people will continue to rise.   Hear our prayers LORD...

The challenge theme for this card was Red, White, and Blue!  The best flag colours I do believe!     However much I love those colours, it is was a little tough for me to come up with a card idea at first.  I didn't want to do a military card because I want to save those ideas for later in the year.  It just so happened that I found a stamp company that has been around for sometime, but I just did not jump on board.  I've had a couple of their stamps sets from when I first started stamping but again, I was busy with something else and forgot all about them.   I happened to be looking for something on YouTube and came across one of their videos....and she was hooked again.   The company is called Rubber Stamp Tapestry.  You can either Google Rubber Stamp Tapestry or go to pegstamps.com.   You can also check out their YouTube channel here.  Their stamps make some really beautiful cards.  I really love stamps that do the work for you. 

I did a single layer (stamped directly on the card base), 4x4 inch Friend card.  The card base is 110# Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock.  The images are from Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamp set-Little Posy Basket.  I used Tim Holtz Distress ink colours Gathered Twigs, Fired Brick, Faded Jean, and Bundled Sage.  To achieve the lighter green for the sprigs I used second generation stamping.  To ground the basket I used Copic markers W3, W1, and W00.   The sentiment is from the Altenew stamp set Mini Atlas.  This is a 2 x 3 inch photo-polymer stamp with 3 total stamps, an image of the continents and 2 sentiments.  The sentiments were just perfect for this little card.  The sentiment was stamped with Altenew's Obsidian Black pigment ink.   To get the heart shape, I stamped the basket first, then I used a Spellbinder's Classic Heart Etched Die and lightly traced the outline of the heart around the basket.  After I was done stamping I used my electric eraser (purchased on Amazon) to remove the pencil trace.  I love, love, love these stamps!

Til next time...

Joyce

Irresistible Inking Techniques

Hello Everyone, 

Today I am posting my card for my last class in the level I courses for the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP)-Irresistible Inking Techniques.   I used ombre water colouring and direct to card stock dry inking to create my card.  My inspiration came from a photo I saw on the Altenew.com website.  It was a photo using the Altenew A Study in Watercolor cutting dies and a dotted background (I think they used a cover plate).   I love the images available for inspiration on the die description.   The A Study in Watercolor dies set comes with 8 cutting dies total consisting of silhouette floral, foliage, and floral with foliage attached images.

When I started the card, I really didn’t have an idea of where I was going, I just knew I wanted to use the stamp set and or the dies for my project.  It turned out to be a little more challenging than I thought but I was determined to make it happen and I love how the card turned out. 

 

I started with some Strathmore Watercolor cardstock (CS) 140#.   I wet the CS with a good amount of water.  I have found that in water colouring if you have a good water colour CS with a lot of tooth, giving it lots of hydration will give you a smoother colour appearance when it dries back (Heavy weight Strathmore and Arches Cold Press VS. Bristol Smooth-Joyce’s opinion only).  I wanted an Ombre affect without using many inks colours. Using less colours gives less of a chance of getting a muddy appearance or harsh demarcation lines when the CS dries.   I used Altenew’s Ruby Red ink cube to lay on some colour to the wet CS.  I concentrated the colour toward one end of my CS and added more (clean) water as I worked my way toward the opposite end.  On a second piece of the water coloured CS I followed the same technique but this time I used the Forest Glade ink cube.  Once I achieved the colour gradients I was looking for, I used my Tim Holtz Heating tool to dry the CS pieces.   When the pieces were dry, I chose two dies from the die set.  One which reminded me of an open flower, this one I used the pink water coloured CS and another that looked like a small branch of leaves I used the green water coloured CS.   After I cut the images out of the water coloured CS, I arranged the images the way I wanted.  I put the pink flower on top of the foliage die cut so that a small portion of the foliage stem was sticking out of the bottom of the pink flower die cut.  This gives the idea that the flower was snipped from a branch of foliage.  I took a picture with my phone to help me remember the arrangement.   When I placed the die cuts on the paper, they just looked too flat.  I took a white Gelly Roll Pen (something I remembered from the Seasonal Scene Building class) and added a few white dots on the foliage die cuts.  I thought the die cuts needed a bit more shading, so I used Altenew inks Coral Berry and Frayed Leaf and the Tim Holtz Distress Blending Brushes to deepen the colours of the flowers and the foliage.  That helped some but it was still too flat once I placed the images on the plain white CS background (see photo below).  I pulled out my Altenew Dainty Swiss Dot background stamp to create a 4” x 5 ¼ “dotted background.  This is a great background stamp.  It comes with 10 total images, 8 sentiments, 1 punctuation, and a 5 ½ x 5 ½ large dotted stamp.   After I re-arranged the flowers on the background it was like a totally different card!  Love, love, lovin’ the card now!  And the way the die cut images are arranged helped create its own dimension (no foam tape required). I added a small amount of the white Gelly Roll Pen on the pink flowers, to give them some animation.  Because of the bold colours, I needed a sentiment that did not overwhelm the card.  I used Altenew’s Label Love- “Happy Birthday” which I stamped with the Jet Black ink cube.  I cut the sentiment down without a border and popped it up on some 3M foam tape to finish the card.  Instead of using a standard A2 sized card based (4 ¼” x 5 ½ “), I cut the based flush with the card front to 4” x 5 ¼”.  I love this card!!! (I think I said that about the last one as well…lol).  For more card making and scrapbooking inspiration as well as information about the Altenew Educator Certification Program be sure to visit Altenew.com 

Next up…Level I challenge, can’t wait too excited

Here is a close up of the detail added to the foliage and you can see a smooth transition in colour from dark to light

Here you can see even with the detail on the foliage it was still pretty flat looking.

Altenew Products

A Study in Watercolor Die Set 

Dainty Swiss Dots Stamp Set 

Label Love Stamp Set 

Red Cosmos Mini Cube Set 

Green Fields Mini Cube Set 

 Joyce

Season Scene Building Revisited with Altenew

Hello, hello, hello!  I am so excited to share a re-do of one of my class submissions.  I got my Altenew Stamp Set GARDEN GROW in the mail and could not wait to do the card example from the class.  I got as close as I could to the demonstration.  I absolutely love how the card turned out!  I followed the class tutorial, so I won’t be able to give you step-by-step; you'll just have to take the course "Seasonal Scene Building" to see how this fabulous creation was made...lol.  I think you will really enjoy this class if you take it, it is sooooo worth it!

Altenew products:

Garden Grow Stamp Set 

Many Thanks Stamp Set

Here I am showing the dimension on the frame I created. 
I used my Cricut to create the frame and cut it out 4 times

On this photo I am showing the use of the black and white gel pens.

I used the following Copics to colour my image:

Terra Cotta Potts E13, 15, 17

Red Pot R59, 29, 27 plus Black Gel Pen

Table Pot E43, 42, 41

Ground Pot E53, 51, 50

Plant (Lg) G99, 85, 20 plus White Gel Pen

Table Plant G93

Under Table Plant G93, 95, 97

Blue Pot B91, 93, 95, 97

Sign W7, W4, W0

Ground E44, 43, 42

Table E49, 59

Seeds E49 plus White Gel Pen

Joyce