I recently finished all the Level 1 classes for AECP through Altenew Academy . The final challenge to finish and move to the next level was to create a card set as gift for a guy and a cards set as a gift for a lady. In this post I have 6 cards made for the guys version.I was asked to choose, three components for my cards from the classes. I chose galaxy backgrounds from the "For the Guys" class, multiple die cutting ideas from the "Easy Die Cutting Techniques" class and adding shine to the cards from the "Let it Shine" class.
I started of by creating a galaxy background using watercolors pan set from Altenew on Tim Holtz watercolor paper. My Inspiration for the colors was from an image of a beautiful aurora Borealis.The paper size on which I colored was 51/2x81/2 as I knew I would need a lot of this. I chose deep purples and blue for the galaxy sky. To start the painting it is always better to wet the surface, this helps to move the paints easily on the surface. I layered the colors multiple times as I wanted the sky to look really vibrant. The image above shows the first layer of colors on the left and on the right after the 3rd layer. Also remember the water color always dries back lighter, so add colors accordingly.
TIP: When layering colors make sure you are either layering on the same colors or on colors that are next to each other on the color wheel as this is will avoid mudding up of you colors.
After I was satisfied with the color saturation, it was time to add some texture to the painting. I used a recycled bubble wrap, which I had left over from our move to NY from MN. I added some water down white gouache paint over the surg=face of the bubble wrap and pounced it gently on the watercolored painting. The bubble wrap created some faint circles on the painting as well as gave a large splatter look. Using the bubble wrap gave me enough control. After I had used the bubble wrap I let it dry and then added additional splatters using a smaller brush and gouache to give it a galaxy sky look.
I also did a galaxy sky using both the Distress oxide on the left and Distress inks on the right. The distress inks are much vibrant as you can see and I have used exactly the same colors as the oxide inks. The bubble texture is very easily visible on the oxide panel than it is on the distress ink panel. For bothe the blended panels I spritzed plain water onto the bubble wrap for adding texture as I knew the distress inks would lift and create the texture I needed. After I tried this step, I added splatter using a brush and white gouache to give it the galaxy sky look.Afer My panels were ready it was time to get started with cards.
Distress Oxide and Disterss Inks Used:
Mermaid Lagoon, Picked Raspberry, Dusty Concord, Blue Print Sketch,Wiltted Violet and Hickory Smoke
I Used the Brilliant Baubles stamp and dies from Altenew as my main stamp set and used additional stamps sets and dies, mainly for their sentiments as this set had only one sentiment in it.
Card No 1- I used the distress ink panel to make this cards. I added some shimmering star over the panel to add to the night effect. If you look closely you can see the ink lift from the bubble wrap which almost creates a bokeh look as I want the ornament to shine and the background behind it to help with night time illusion. I die cut the largest bauble from the set on a white cardstock, stamp, embossed and die cut the bow with gold embossing powder and also die cut the ornament topper on white cards stock. I drew in some pine branches with black arteza marker for my ornament to hang from. The die cut the word Peace on gold foil card stock and the additional sentiment is from the Peaceful Wreath stamp and Die set.
Cards No 2- I die cut various shaped baubles from the Brilliant Baubles die set and adhere it using foam tape onto a watercolored galaxy panel. I added double foam to one of the positive die cut baubles and adhered it to the card front and also added the gold bow for the shine element. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the cards using my MISTI with Versafine Black ink. The sentiment is from the Festive Poinsettia stamp set.
Tip: As these set of card are for guys, I did not want to add too much of shine to them at the same time I wanted enough to give it a lot of impact. So adding touches of gold was my way of adding some shine. You could also add silver and it would look awesome as well.
Card No 4- For this cards I used the Fine Alphabet die set to cut out the words Joy, Love and Peace on a white card stock. I also die cut these words on fun foam add some dimensions to these cut out letters. I linden the words suit a ruler on to a white cardstock to make sure they were in a straight line. I replaced the letters O, O and A with die cut galaxy ornaments. I foam mounted these ornaments and added the gold bows on top of each of them. The sentiment is from the Peaceful Wreath stamp set. The complete sentiment reads "Wishing you Joy. Love, Peace".
Card No 5- For this card the idea was very similar as the last one, only difference is that I used the negative die cut of the words and backed it with one of the galaxy back grounds I created earlier. I ornaments were kept white with gold bows. The sentiments are from the Festive Poinsettia set and the sentiment reads " Wishing you this holiday season Joy, Love Peace".
Card No 5: This is was a very simple and easy card to make, I die cut three same baubles using the galaxy background and foam adhered them in a line on a top folding white note card. i also added the gold bows for the shimmer. the sentiment was stamped directly onto the notecards using Versfine black ink. The sentiment is form the Brilliant Baubles stamp set.
Card No 6- For this card I first created a mask using the largest baubles on a masking sheet which I cut to the size of the front of the card. I used the negative of the mask which allowed me to blend distress inks inside the baubles cut out shape. After inking I added white splatter using a paint brush. I removed the mask to reveal this beautifully blended ornaments. I added the ornament tops and the gold blue to the ornaments. I stamped the sentiments with black ink overlapping the bottom ornament. The sentiment is from the Peaceful Wreath set.
That completed the set of cards and now it was time to package it. For that I used an old recycled plastic box (use a recycle element was one of the criteria for the final challenge), which was used for a stamp set that I had bought many years ago. I like to store all my stamps in a plastic sleeve as it occupies less space.Any way I had kept these boxes to use them later, and that well later is today:). I removed the label from the box and and wiped it clean .
To decorate the box I adhered one of my galaxy backgrounds onto a white card stock and inserted it in the box. On a piece of white card stock I stamped the sentiment from he Brilliant Baubles set and adhered it using a strong adhesive on top on the box. I put the cards and 6 navy blue envelopes inside the box. I shut the box on the top end and tied a rustic cord and some jingle bells with gold to finish of the gift box. Here is a video showing how I made these cards
Hope you liked these set of cards, leave me comment , I always love reading your comments and inputs. See you in my next post, until then keep shining and spreading handmade love.