Recently I took a class at Online Card Classes, and we did some fun techniques with alcohol inks. I mentioned that you can make you own alcohol inks and promised a video on how to make them. I decided to make very quick not so professional video for my classmates. I thought maybe others would benefit from it, so I am posting a link here to my YouTube channel so you can watch it if you like.
If you have any questions, let me know. I made two quickie cards with the panel from this video which I also posted here.
Without a doubt, scene building cards are my favorite to create! I think it is the writer in me. I feel like I can set a mood for the card receiver when I create a card with a scene. Pop up a card and add some mood colors and wha-la you have given a story to your loved one.
Adding deminsion to any card will bring a sense of depth, but in scene building you need to have more than pop up of deminson you really want to tell a story. I think successful scenes will hold a backdrop and a focal point and a sentiment that supports the story. One reason I chose the sets I did is they supported one another to complete a calm feeling. I chose my ink colors based on the feeling as well. More on that in an upcoming class. Color theory is very important as well in scene buliding cards. I will be going over that more later in a class I am creating for this type of card making.
I am working on creating a class for this card, but I think it will be video so I am still shooting the footage… I will update this post once it is available and as always,
Here is a sneak peek of whats to be covered!
Thanks for taking time to check out my journey! I am excited as this is my last level one assignment for the AECP ! WHOOO HOOO! More to be shared soon on this card as it will be coming soon as a class for you!!!
Excited for the future!
Erika Hayes
For me, it’s all about education. I am self-taught designer and artist. I made the choice to stay home and be a mom for almost 25 years and during that time, I studied graphic design, color theory and visual arts through online learning opportunities. I am a published artist and writer. I returned to college as an adult and studied American Sign Language, German and creative writing. I am a lifelong learner and love sharing what I learn with anyone with interest. Currently gaining certification in Adobe Illustrator. Soon to be AEC educator! YAY!
Ink Blending may be the greatest thing to come to stamping in a long time. It has been around for while and it has prompted all kinds of products and inking techniques.
Ink blending is a fast and beautiful way to add the wow factor to your cards. A few other techniques that you can see in this card include what is called resist inking where you heat emboss your stamp then ink over it,
This stamp from Altenew (Beautiful You) is fine lined and one way to add some umph to those kinds of stamps is to ink blend with a white resist. White pops off the card because well– its white and it will force it way to the forground where the darker a color gets, the more it likes to fade or receed to the background. That’s just a design concept to keep in your pocket. In this card, you can see even against the yellow (which is darker than white) the white makes its way to the forground, and moreso in the pink. In this case, I was able to pull the stamp lines out because of my color choices.
Altenew Blending brushes come in many sizes
Another little fun thing is that I wanted dots, in a class over at Altenew, I saw some Bokeh on a card and I loved how it looked, I didn’t really completely use this techinque but I did like the look of the spots so I went for it. Fun Fact. The Altenew blending brushes were just perfect size for what I wanted too! Take a look.
Take a look at the Project Sheet Class over in the shoppe for detailed instructions on how to recreate this card. You will also learn a few tips & trick on using vellum for your sentiment.
As you know I am all about the edcuation so you can not just replicate a card but can grow in confidence and soon be incorporating these techinques into your daily cardmaking.
Here is a code for you to get this class for free! INKADOOAECP
Sometimes, I think I am part crow, or really, just any bird. All the shiny things just pull me in. I just love how metallic paint adds that shiny beauty to just about any project. It seems to me metallic paint is a wonderful way to add just the right bling to a card. The problem I have is I am not a watercolor artist. That is why using this fun technique and some beautiful, in this case, floral stamps anyone can be a watercolor artist!
I am excited to share this fun techinque in another class available HERE over at the shop. Use this coupon code to get it for FREE! SSAECPEH
Here’s a peek at some of what you’ll find in the class.
I hope you enjoy the class, and be sure to leave a comment.
Erika Hayes
For me, it’s all about education. I am self-taught designer and artist. I made the choice to stay home and be a mom for almost 25 years and during that time, I studied graphic design, color theory and visual arts through online learning opportunities. I am a published artist and writer. I returned to college as an adult and studied American Sign Language, German and creative writing. I am a lifelong learner and love sharing what I learn with anyone with interest. Currently gaining certification in Adobe Illustrator.
We are seeing so many more gentlemen join the cardmaking world (yay!). However, cards with a masculine feel can be a challenge. It is because of this , I think we have Pinterest boards and other forums dedicated to ideas for masculine cards. While most of the cards in those board are filled with camping, tools, boats, dinosaurs and other assumed masculine “style”. I wanted to create something that fell more into a masculine style but didn’t fall into the “traditional” masculine styles.
I began this project thinking I would use geometrical designs. While shopping supplies in my art space, I was flipping through my Altenew designs and in the third basket, I got inspired. Simply Fruit. Not exactly geometric, but I think the solid shapes of the fruit was close to the image in my head . I coupled this fun set with a color combo I had text myself that said simply “mint & navy”. —
Here are a few images of my card being created. Interested in learning more? Good news! I created a Project Sheet for this card so you can make it too! Check it out here. Use the coupon code FRHMEH to get it for free!
Thank you so much for joining me on my journey. The Craft Dash is a place to find information and inspiration. Please share with your friends as we make it grow into a source for cardist everywhere!
Erika Hayes
For me, it’s all about education. I am self-taught designer and artist. I made the choice to stay home and be a mom for almost 25 years and during that time, I studied graphic design, color theory and visual arts through online learning opportunities. I am a published artist and writer. I returned to college as an adult and studied American Sign Language, German and creative writing. I am a lifelong learner and love sharing what I learn with anyone with interest. Currently gaining certification in Adobe Illustrator.
