More Weekend crafting

 It's Easter Monday here in NZ and today we will be heading back home later today.  I managed some more crafting yesterday and another trip to the beach for a swim.  This morning it's a bit cooler and cloudy so before packing up I did another card for homework on my class - Creative Colouring with Erum.

I tried out the splatter watercolour look.  Didn't work out as well as I wanted as I didn't have a spray water bottle and had to just use a big brush.  However I was really happy with the card I made. 

I used a mixture of Woodless Watercolour pencils and the 36-pan set of watercolours. My flowers are from Nature's Blossom set and the leaves from Leaf Canopy set. I added some depth with Prismacolor pencils- a technique that Erum uses.  I used the Woodless Watercolour pencils for the background.  The sentiment is from a Gina K Wreath Builder set. 

Yesterday I played with the Wreath Builder stencil and stamps.  I had forgotten to bring my normal MISTI and only had my mini one and thought I might not be able to use it.... but managed it 

The edge hung out but it worked well. 

I did a few more cards yesterday but will share them over the next few days.   Take care all

Homework for Erum's Creative Colouring class

 Happy Easter to you all.  I'm spending some time up at my friend's place in Mangawhai and happily have brought some crafty supplies and a couple of WIP projects from the my class at Altenew Academy.  I'm doing Creative Coloring with Erum - Advanced Techniques Online Class

The other day on my Facebook I showed this WIP 

Yesterday afternoon I finished it off.  

This was Day 3's class - Watercolouring and Stencils.  I used this gorgeous stencil called Rose Bouquet and after stamping it with Vanilla Cream ink, I used some of the Woodless Watercolor pencils.  Added some splatters for texture.   I had forgotten my coloured card so used a darker pink ink to blend some ink around the edge of my layer piece.  Turned out perfect.  Finished with a black sentiment from Sentiment Stripes 2 stamped directly on my main panel. 

My second project started last Wednesday with me adding some Texture paste and sparkle glitter Embossing Powder to my white card.  Once it dried, I used the heat gun to set the powder.  Another one I completed yesterday 

This one was inspired by Day 2 - Playing with Textures.  I used the same stencil as my first card.  I added some WOW Sparkle Embossing powder over the paste.  I then took some purple watercolour paints (from the 36 pan set) and added it all over the watercolour card.   I case'd Erum's idea of stamping a sentiment in black on white card and fussy cutting around it for a shadow layer.   I got the Birthday stamp set this week... I was tired of trying to find a Happy Birthday sentiment so was super pleased to see this one on sale.  I added a little "girl" sentiment to finish

Our Easter weekend has had lovely weather so far.  We travelled up north Good Friday morning.  After finishing these two cards in the afternoon we headed to a local beach to enjoy the afternoon sun and even I managed to hit the water.   Then today after doing two more cards we "beached" again.  We went a little later in the day but still got some sun and yes another swim for me.  Two more days of the holiday break so hoping the nice weather continues. 

Happy Easter to you all.  

Exploring Watercolour Mediums...Day 1 homework

I have been taking an Altenew Academy class called "Exploring Watercolour Mediums"  - so far I've watch Day 1 and Day 2 videos  and I've done my Day 1 homework.

Day 1 technique was to use inks as a watercolour medium by stamping and then spritzing with water.

I used Leaf Canopy for the leaves and Fabulous Florets for the flowers.  I used the same technique to stamp the flowers.  Once they were dry I used the outline layer to gold emboss the flowers before die cutting.  I used the same technique to colour some white card.  I used a MFT reverse stamp to add ink and water.  I used the Bold Thanks die to cut out the pink piece.  Finished with part of a sentiment from Sentiment Stripes 2 and a few green sequins and added some gems to the flower centres.

Now to catch up on Days 3-6 videos and the homework.

WWC # 259 Dawn's Challenge - Anything Goes with a Masculine Twist

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge. It's my turn to host this week and our challenge is Anything Goes with a Masculine Twist.  

 I recently look part in an Altenew Academy class called Mission: Impossible with tutor  Nicole Watts.  It was all about using different ideas to inspire you including using a sketch.  Nicole showed how she made her sketches.   Here is one of the sketches she designed. 

 For my card I changed up the oblongs to circles.

My base is a dark grey card which I splattered with some diluted white paint.  I used a variety of blue Altenew inks with the Halftone Circles stamp to make my circles.  I added the little sentiment in silver embossing powder also from Altenew.  

Come and join the fun.  Check out the projects that the other artists at Watercooler Wednesday

Challenge have created.  Then take our challenge and link your creation to the challenge post.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time ) to link up your project.

Mission: Inspiration - Altenew Academy Day 1

I have recently taken the latest Altenew Academy class - Mission: Inspiration.  Nicole Watt was the tutor and I have to say... it was a cool class.  Nicole gave us lots of ideas about finding and using inspiration in all sorts of ways.   Day 1 was about organising your inspiration, be in on pinterest, or in a notebook.  Nicole did a project using a Style - based on a magazine photo.  Her is her project...

I took inspiration of the white on white samples she made with the pop of colour with the sentiment.  Nicole's cards used stencils and embossing paste - but I decided to dry emboss with the stencil.

I used Altenew Layer Medallion B stencil and dry embossed it.  I added a pop of blue with the sentiment from Sentiment Strips. 

I have started a second one using some embossing paste and glitter with the Flowing Hearts stencil but need to let it dry.

I can highly recommend taking this class.  It really is inspiring!

AECP - Magical Markers Techniques.

I'm slowly getting to the end of my Level 2 classes.  Today I had a go at the Magical Markers Technique class.  I originally took this class some time ago, but only recently purchased some Altenew Markers.   The class was lead by Sara Naumann and it was all about Markers.  Not just using them to colour in with, but lots of incredible techniques for other ways to use your markers.    Each lesson gave different ideas and of course, Sara explained and demonstrated them beautifully.   I went through every lesson again and came up with a card that used several different ways to use my Markers,

So what did I do?  First off I used my ruler and the R217 Velvet marker to make the frame around my panel.  Next was to make the splatters. - How you ask?  Well it's quite easy.  Scribble some maker onto a craft sheet and spritz with Isopropyl Alcohol.  Quickly use a stippling brush to pick up and flick the colour onto the card.

I used the R217 Velvet, R705 Midnight Violet and some Black Copic marker.  Just love the misty look I achieved.

My final technique was again to scribble some of the markers onto the craft mat and spritz with the Isopropyl Alcohol and then taking some glossy card stock, smooshing it on the mat.  This give an amazing watercolour look.

I was very impressed with the idea of doing this for backgrounds.  My next step was to stamp a flower from the Wallpaper Art stamp set onto the pink piece.  (actually was the Velvet ink but the diluting with the IA makes it softer)  I added clear embossing over the stamping and carefully used the heat gun to set.  I fussy cut it out.

I added a leaf from the Wallpaper Arts set with some Industrial Diamond ink and a sentiment from the Leaf Canopy set.   I don't have a small Hello from Altenew so cut one from another die I have.  A few pink sequins and I called it a day.

I learnt so much from Sara and this class.  Alcohol Markers can be used for so many different techniques and ideas other than straight colouring.  This class was excellently presented and I can highly recommend it.

I am entering this into the Anything Goes challenge at The Flower Challenge.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  All visitors are welcome.  If you liked this post, feel free to leave me a comment.  

AECP - Impressive Heat Embossing.

I have been a bit slack at doing my Level 2 classes at the Altenew Academy - so yesterday and today I worked on Impressive Heat Embossing.  This awesome class was lead by Svetlana Marchenko and challenge you with ways to use Heat Embossing.  The classes covered a number of different ways to use Heat Embossing. I learnt a lot taking this class when I first did it back in 2017.  I spend some time over the weekend reacquainting myself with the class.

My first idea was to use layering on vellum and I decided to use my Peony Bouquet set.  I got this set back in 2016 when it came out and have to say it is very well used - so well used I struggled to see through the staining to line up my layers...

 

I tried so many times, then asked advice from the Facebook page - Altenew Fan Group... Tried out what was suggest but still had not success.  Think I'll have to purchase a new set!   However I will be trying out the technique I was using with a newer set in the near future.

So onto idea number two.  This was using a stencil to do some embossing.  I ended up doing a very simple embossing and then used embossing powder to make a die sentiment embellishment. 

 I started my blending Baby Pink and Firefly inks through the Floral Garden stencils.  Once it had dried I used the stencil and a Versamark pen to added some dots of Altenew Rose Gold embossing powder.   I die cut the Mega Hello die and added versamark all over it and sprinkled the Rose Gold powder twice to get a lovely smooth die cut element.    I finished with a sentiment from Versatile Vases set, stamped with Obsidian Black ink (best ink EVER!) 

I really enjoyed re doing the class this weekend.   Svetlana was an awesome tutor and showed us 6 great ways to use Heat embossing on our cards.  

Thanks for stopping by today...

Runway Inspired - Homework Day 3 ~ Prints

I've have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Altenew Academy class, Runway Inspired Card Making.  I haven't had a chance to try out all of the lessons yet, but today was home sick (got sent home after an hour as I was coughing so much) and took some time to play with Day 3 lesson.  It was all about Prints. 

I have a pretty summer shirt that was my inspiration for my card today

 I love the colours and pattern on my shirt.  

I used Altenew Wallpaper Art stamps and did some masking. The leaves from the set were stamped with Evergreen Altenew ink.   I used Altenew Alcohol Markers - R217 Velvet and R206 Crimson to do some very basic colouring.  I used a sentiment from More Than Words stamped in Obsidian Ink.
I did the stamping and colouring on a layer the same size as my card base to give the impression of a one layer card.

Still got lots of ideas based on Jen's class.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Runway Inspired - Altenew Academy Class Day 1

I was intrigued with the promos for Jen Razza's latest class at Altenew Academy so decided I need to take the class... and I'm happy I have.  Day 1 is all about LINES.... Jen had some incredible inspiration in the video with lots of couture photos - with lots of ways that Lines can be used in design.

So onto my card.

 I saw some great outfits with lines that inspired this piece.  I did some ombre triangles in different sizes.  I used the inks from the Tea Party set - Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss, Heart Beat and Vineyard Berry and the stamps from Sohcahtoa stamp set.  The sentiment is from More Than Words set.  I finished with some 3D liquid pearls in a crimson colour. 

Day two theme is COLOUR and I've got lots of ideas - but not enough time to get something done... I'm way for the weekend at the beach, but haven't brought my craft stuff, other than my knitting.  A relaxing weekend is in order.  Just what I need as I had a check up today and my blood pressure was a tad high.   A restful weekend is call for. 

thanks for stopping by.

Monoprinting Made Easy - home work

I signed up for the Altenew Academy class "Monoprinting Made Easy" with Sara Naumann  and have watched all your tutorial videos.  This afternoon I got to play.  I have a 3" x 5" gelli plate - the same size as Sara used.   I tried a number of the different ways to use Inks - dye inks and pigment inks, Alcohol inks, watercolour paints and sprays.  I did not have much success with the AI - the glossy card stuck to me gelli plate and left it ruined, luckily either side of the plate can be used.

As you see lots of background made.  Some I'm happy with, some not so happy but I'm sure I'll be able to do something with them.

I made two cards so far.  Both are from Day 1 - using Dye inks

This one uses three inks dragged across the gelli plate and spritzed with water and then a print pulled onto copy paper.    I copied Sara's design - adding my favourite Beautiful Day stamp.

With this one, I used two green inks - and then used the leaf stamp from the Beautiful Day set to pull off some of the inks.  I stamped this ink onto white card to make another background.  Used copy paper to pull the background.  I used a darker green ink to stamp onto the background.  I trimmed and added to the green mat.  Sentiment from Altenew Sentiment Stripes.

this is the leaves I stamped off.  I loved this idea so I did a few more backgrounds in different colours.

So lots more backgrounds to keep me going for a while.

As I was trying out a new technique, I am adding this to Virginia's Show and Share....
Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy crafting to you all.

Day 2 - 3D Floral Focus - monochrome

Day 2 of the class, Therese talked about using a monochromatic theme to your flowers.   For my monochromatic colours, I chose various cream cardstock... one textured, one dark cream and one a more lighter cream colour.

I used Floral Fantasy 3D dies for this one.   To allow the creams to shine, I used a black pearlescent card.  I took some white acrylic paint and water it down to add splatters onto the black.   I white embossed the sentiment from Build a Flower - Rose set.  I added the black panel to a grey card.  Added a few clear gems.

Today I made a quick card for a friend.  I was inspired by a card I saw from the lovely Lin where she made her flowers green.

I used Lime. Limeade and Fresh Leaf inks together with Forest Glandes and Evergreen inks for the leaves.   I made the background by blending some grey inks through a TCW brick stencil and added some black and white paint splatters. Love the real grungy look I achieved.   I added a little sentiment embossed in white on some of the black pearlescent card and a little washi added above.  This sentiment is perfect for my friend as she really is unique. 

Had a lovely visit from Kieran, Erin and Grace today.  Grace was awake when they arrived so I got some Nanny cuddles before she had a feed and went to sleep.  I had to stretch lunch a little as they arrived just before, but did come with some yummy little bread pizzas. 

3D Floral Focus class - Altenew Academy

After seeing the delightful cards made by my friend, Betty, I signed up for the Altenew Academy class, 3D Floral Focus being tutored by the amazing Therese Calvid.   I only have two Altenew 3D floral dies... one was  a freebie with a magazine a while back and the other is Floral Fantasy. 

Day one was about basic layering of the 3D dies.   I don't have any of the Altenew card stock and not a lot of matching colours... have heaps of card but often in random colours.  So I got around that by using my inks to colour the dies

For this card I CASE'd Therese card.  I used the freebie die and cut all the layers from some pink card and then used Altenew inks - Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss, and Heart Beat.   I swapped up the second and third layers for the rose that sits on the top.  I used the leaves from the die to make the smaller leaves, and used the leaves from Build a Flower - Roses for the larger single layer leaves.  Added some branches die cut with a Memory Box die.   I added some texture paste through the Altenew Broken Chevron stencil on my background.  I used a sentiment from Adore You set to finish off.  

I've done Day 2 - monochromatic - homework but still need to take a photograph of it.  I still have a couple of days worth of videos to view as well. 

And to finish off here's the latest pic of Grace..... 7 weeks now

 Such a wee sweetie.   Mum is doing well after having her appendix removed early Tuesday. 

Stencilled Multiple Ways...

I've been taking part in the latest Altenew Academy class "Stencilled Multiple Ways" with tutor Laurel Beard.  Such a fun class

 

I've watched Day 1-5 but been quite busy and only have done homework for Day 1 - which was all about masking while stenciling. 

I don't have many Altenew stencils (although my stash of stencils is quite large) so started by using the Cube Builder stencil.

I masked off some of my panel.  Can you pick up the boo boo I did?  I lined up my stencil with the masked area and ended up with my stencil a bit skew-iff.   I used inks from the Spring Bouquet set and my blending brushes.  I added a blended flower from the Wallpaper Art stamp set with a leaf from the set and a sentiment from Sincere Greetings.

As I wasn't overly happy with this one, I tried another one. 

For this one I used Classy Stripes stencil and the same inks.  I masked off a portion of the panel and blended the pink stripes first, then turned the stencil 90 degrees and blended the green ink.   Was liking this stenciling much more.  I used the Painted Flowers stamp set, to make the flowers and leaves using the Spring Bouquet inks.  I die cut a Simon Says Stamp stitched circle and added the flowers to it before adding to the panel.  A simple thank you sentiment finished the card.

I'm hoping to have some time this week to get some crafting done as my daughter and her family arrived for two weeks from next Saturday.  It's a long weekend - Queens Birthday weekend - so I get to spend three days with them, then they are heading south to the snow for a few days and to visit relatives before I take the second week off to spend with them.    

Thanks for stopping by

Progressive Card Making - Day 6 Washi Tape

Well after starting and going rip, s**t and bust on this class... I haven't had time to do much on the last few days of classes.  Work has been hectic...working 8 - 81/2 hours each day.  The transformation went well on the whole, but a few little niggles.  Our front of house area has increased it's opening hours so longer days. 

Today, I can a little bit of time to have a play, after doing a DT card, I did a card for the Washi Tape class.  I was inspired by some of the blog hop participants for the latest Altenew washi tapes.  I've got one of the new ones on order... so used an older one I have called  "Monochrome"

I started by adding the washi to some white card stock and then fussy cut out this spray.  I used some ink blending and stenciling as well as some ink splattering for the background.  I used Altenew Morning Frost to blend then add more ink through a Memory Box Textured Diamonds stencil.  I used some Lava Rock and  Midnight Velvet to add the splatters.   I added the cut out washi and then added a Hero Arts Hello die cut - cut once in white and once in navy blue card.

This class has been one of my favourite Altenew classes.  Justine Hovey was an excellent tutor and I thoroughly enjoyed taking part.  I still have a few days homework to do.

We are still waiting for our little Princess.  One week overdue tomorrow.  Hopefully by the end of next weekend we will be able to cuddle her.

Altenew Academy - Progressive Cardmaking Day 2

Warning - long post today...

I'm off work for a few more days after Easter.  We get Monday as a Public Holiday and then again we have Thursday off as it's ANZAC Day.  As my work (Inland Revenue) is going through a major systems upgrade over this time, there is hardly anyone in... most of us taking the opportunity to take a few extra days leave.  Friday is D-Day so I'll be back at work - I'm a Key User - we are the help for our colleagues for the new system, so it will be full on for a while.  I'm enjoying the break as it means that I get onto the Altenew class as soon as it arrives in my inbox  (4.00pm NZ time)
So on to Day 2 from Justine's class.  Yesterday I drove into the class which is all about stencils.   Now I have to tell you that I don't have many Altenew stencils... actually only 4 - two of which are a layering set... so I had to pull out some other stencils.  All are coloured with Altenew inks and the sentiments are all Altenew so hope that counts.  It's all about trying out the techniques, I'm sure.

Beginner:

For the beginner, Justine showed us some simple stenciling... I chose a Ultimate Crafts stencil called Rolling Mesh.  I went for a bit of an ombre look using Blush, Rouge, Crimson and Velvet inks blended with my brushes.  To finish a sentiment from Amazing You and a few random dots of gold glitter pen.  (Hard to see in the pic but lovely in real life)

Intermediate:

Justine used a lovely layered flower for her sample.  This Layering Medallion is the only layering set I have.  I chose to use Mountain Mist and Volcano Lake to blend the ink together.  It really gives an interesting background.  I mounted it onto some teal card and then used a hello die which I cut from the teal and a dark green card.  The sentiment is from Versatile Vases.

Advanced:

Justine's advanced card used a two layered flower stencils and she used some paste to add the second layer.  Nothing like this in my stash, so I improvised.  I took the Classy Stripe stencil and used two colours of cream inks... Hazelnut and Almond Butter to swipe through the stencil in random spots.  Then I did the same random swipes with Versamark ink and used a Platinum embossing powder to add the gold bits.  I grabbed a flower and some leaves that have been sitting in my "will use someday" bowl and added to the background.  I used the Platinum EP to embossed the sentiment from Adore You set onto some shimmery cream card.

Then this morning I decided to try the advanced technique - this time adding pencils to an ink blended stenciled background.  It's not completely finished yet..

I used a Penny Black stencil with the Altenew inks - Coral Bliss, Hydrangea,  Green Fields and Firefly.  Once I had finished the stenciling, I gently blended some of the Coral Bliss and Firefly over the entire roses and leaves to give a glow.  I then used a Coral and Green Prismacolor pencil to add some detailing.  Add the Nuvo white drops.  Once they dry I'll add a sentiment and mount onto a base card.

Thanks for stopping by today, I do appreciate if you've made it to the end.  It's photo heavy today!
Now I'm off to do Day 3 - Masking.  I've watched the video and my mind is churning with ideas. 

Have a great day

Atlenew Acadmey - Progressive Cardmaking - Day 1

I am taking the latest Altenew Academy class - Progressive Cardmaking with Justine Hovey as the tutor... Day one was all about Stamping with techniques for beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Justine is an excellent tutor and her cards were delightful.

Here is my homework....

Beginner - Justine shows us how to draw a diagonal line through the card and then using the MISTI putting stamps on one side, stamping and turning around and stamp the other side....

  I didn't have the stamps Justine used, but found this set "Adore Me" worked for me.  Once I had done the stamping it looked a bit bare, so used the smaller stamps from the set to fill in some of the spaces.  I then added the sentiment. 

Intermediate.

Justine used the new stamp set called "A Study in Watercolor" - a silhouette stamp set, but again, it's not one I own.  I looked through my Altenew sets and decided the base layer of the leaves in "Beautiful Day" stamp set would suffice.

I used some Mountain Mist and Volcano Lake inks to stamp the leaves.  One layer light and then the second layer slightly off-set in the darker colour.  Really love the look I achieved here.   Added the sentiment over the leaves and then added pale gold and white Nuvo drop. 

Advanced

For the advanced stamping Justine did some masking and watercolouring with Altenew watercolor makers.   She used "Wallpaper Art" stamp set.  This has lovely flower outlines.   I don't have this one either (me thinks an Altenew order needs to be made!)  I chose once again to try out the technique using the "Adore Me" set. 

I started by stamping and embossing the first flower, masked it and then stamped and embossed the other flowers.  With all the masks still in place, I used Altenew Caribbean Shores ink to blend around the flowers.  I used Altenew pan watercolours to add colour to the flowers.  When I had finished, my flowers look out of scale on the card... too little so made the card a 4-bar card (3.5" x 5")  now it look more to scale.   

Totally enjoyed the Day 1 and am excited to see what Day 2 brings - it's about using stencils.

Thanks for stopping by today. 

AECP - Beautiful Details...

Well my good intentions to get my level 2 accreditation done quickly this year have fallen by the wayside!  Life and other obligations seem to have side-tracked me.   I recently purchased some Altenew Academy classes which prompted me to review some of my older classes and get another class project done for the AECP.  I chose to review the "Beautiful Details" class lead by Marika Rahtu.  Marika is a beautiful colourist and her class was enlightening.  I learnt alot about different ways to use your stamps and colouring mediums.

I chose to CASE Marika's day two card.  The emphasis on this day was about detailed leaves.... She used Zig Markers to stamp and add detailing to the leaves from the "Beautiful Day" stamp set.   I took the outline leaves stamp and used a Gray marker to "paint" onto the stamp and add to some watercolour paper.  Next was using two other gray makers (Light Gray and Blue Gray) with a little water to add the detail.

The best tip from Marika was to ensure you worked in layers... and let the layers dry in between each one.  I really enjoyed doing this and love the darker blue gray layer.  It really popped.  These colours were quite different to the ones Marika used.

For my base card, I chose to use blues for my sponging

I used two different blues - Altenew Caribbean Sky and Persian Blue to sponge the card with a bit of an ombre look with more colour in the lower left hand side of the card.  I also added some splatter ith the Persian Blue ink.  I liked the blue as it tied nicely with the Blue Grey in the leaves.  I chose to use a sentiment from "More than Words" set at the top of the card, and like Marika noted, added a stripe of some bright blue card at the bottom to balance the card.   In order to have the focus on the detailed leaves I left the flower uncoloured.   Some blue and clear sequins finished the card.

Although I CASE's Marika's card, I feel that I added my own touch with my colour choices.  I will be using this idea again as it really produces an elegant card. 

Here's one last view of my card.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope your weekend is going to be crafty.  I'm enjoying my Saturdays as Rugby season has started and hubby heads out to watch the Senior team from his club play, giving me the afternoon to myself!