Well, we are back for another AECP class assignment. Imagine my joy when my favorite subject is one of the classes I have for my certification! Well, this class was all about color. I have completed many courses on color theory and one of my favorite ways to use color is in analogous color schemes. I do want to point out that while traditionally analogous colors are usually 3-5 colors you can have as many as you like. I also created the PDFs for this post, and they will be posted in the shoppe soon. I will add a link here once they are completed. Let’s get to the fun.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my card. Please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and subscribe to the blog if you don’t want to miss anything fun. leave me comment if you like I read every single one!
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!
Okay I think we have established I am a bit of a punster. I like to play on words and I love monochromatic color schemes. Hence, the silly title to this blog post. When I saw my level II of AECP had a class with monochromatic techniques I jumped on it. When I was an educator for scrapbooking, I would often tell people if you have a photo or group of photos that you are struggling with, try it on a monochromatic color scheme. It works everytime! Same is true with card making. Have a product you want to use but can’t seem to find that mojo… well pop something on a mono scheme and you will be a happy camper.
Let’s take a look at what I made for this challenge.
I put together a little fun for you on the making of this card with some fun tips and tricks. If you would like the PDF you can pop over to the shop and pick it up. Here is the link. It is $1 mostly to just off set cost of producing the PDFs.
Hey, can you believe it! I finished my Level I requirements on my road to a certified instructor for Altenew! Well, BELIEVE IT! I am leveling UP! Part of that process is to complete a pretty cool challenge. SO buckle up buttercup because I got A LOT to share!
My task, to create two cohesive gift card sets (Gift packaging too!) utilizing at least three concepts from our classes. One set is to be Feminine, the other Masculine. I have broken my cards up into individual sheets (PDFs available for you too!) and hope you will enjoy and share them. If you are interested in the PDF version, just send me a message.
Now here is my masculine take on the technique.
Up next is a concept that is near and dear to my heart. I love pen and ink drawings. In fact, I think it was the first style of art I was drawn to (yes, I am still feeling punny). Adding visual interest with pen detail. As we have seen a rise in stencils, this concept should be utilized
The third concept I chose was using layering stamps. There are so many great layering stamps and I found a fun way to help make sure your images line up. While this was not taught in my layering classes, I found it my classes were the springboard for developing this way of aligning stamps. Truth be told, when I started these classes the Stamp Wheel was possibly on the sketching table at Altenew, and while I have stepped a wee bit out of bounds with sharing the technique for using the Stamp Wheel, the concepts are still in range of my classes. If not for the alignment guides and how we were taught to use them in our classes, I never would have thought to use this method.
While I can’t be sure some other cardist hasn’t taught this method somewhere it was original in that I developed my style for using the Stamp Wheel and clear acetate (or stamp packaging) to better align my stamps ENJOY.d
Well, we have made it to the final card. These cards have a nice mix of focus concepts as well as many other ideas. Throughout these cards, I used many of my own ideas that have been inspired by my classes. I also have some advice for anyone that is going to attempt the AECP. It is a valuable and amazing experience. I can’t recommend it enough not just for people looking to improve their teaching but for every paper-crafter. Even if you don’t plan on teaching in a professional manner the classes and experience of the program will elevate your art and your teaching.
I think it would be good to share a few things I learned during the process. For anyone that may embark on this amazing, fun process:
Plan! I spent two days planning and conceptualizing the cards, the ideas, the techniques and the packaging. I sketched out a lot of ideas. At a retreat, I stayed up to almost 2am working out my plan to execute. I think planning is vital to ensure your work is cohesive and stands out. I have lots of ideas that made it onto the class sheet, some that didn’t and some that just plain failed. Don’t be discouraged if your first ideas don’t work. It’s okay, keep going. Here is a little peek at my planning sheets. Don’t forget to keep in mind how you will be photographing your final project pieces. Be sure to think about how to get maximum visual interest.
Next, give yourself enough time. While I spent several days creating the cards and packaging the blog post you see here today took at least 15 hours to complete. (Mind you I created PNGs for each card, but I don’t think that is a requirement, you will want to be sure you think about how you will present your cards.)
Take good notes while you create. I planned lots of ideas, but while creating, you need to keep notes on your tips and tricks, your color choices, the products and assembly of your cards. Take lots of photos or make a video. I realized by the time I finished I wish I had videos, if not to make a class for an online forum but to refer back to for my blog post.
Seek advice. Ask questions, if you are wondering, seek help from other like-minded people and find a friend that will tell you the truth. That will say, “No, that doesn’t work.” Need that friend but don’t have one, just message me. I am willing to support you through. YOU are amazing and I want all my crafty friends (both known and unknown to me yet) to succeed.
Here we are at the end of the journey. And as I promised here is the announcement.
Some of you know I am no a stranger to teaching classes. I’ve gone coast to coast teaching all over this great country. I have a deep love for teaching Papercrafting, Color Pencil, Copic and Color Theory. What I have never done and decided to try is doing a live Facebook class. YES, live and in person. What will I be teaching? Well, what I like to think is a fresh way to make your gift of cards stand out. I call it “The Never Ending Card Album”. (Yes, I am a child of the 80’s). I am planning for April 12,2024 to take this class live. I hope you can join me. I am asking for a small fee for this class but you will receive pdf instructions so you too can make as many Never Ending Card Albums as you would like. Supplies are pretty simple and you probably have everything you need already in your stash. All the information will be shared on the Facebook page. How do you sign up? Well, that’s as easy as can be. You can pay right through my shop. Never-Ending Card Album Sign Up HERE .
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!
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.
I love how in the papercrafting community we have products that ebb and flow. The mighty stencil has one of the strongest comebacks I have ever seen. While they have become multi-layered, create full images and remain one of the best ways to add texture to a project. Like the mighty stencil have made the comeback to the AECP with Altenew. I am excited to be back and to complete my program and become certified as an Altenew educator. I have been teaching art for years and years but I have discovered, as an educator, you must continue to learn.
Let’s talk stencils.
Altenew Celebration: Stencil Technique
They are versatile and you can really mix it up when using them. I was completely inspired from my Celebration: Stencil Techniques class to use paste on my card front.
The best part of this class was it inspired me to 1. use my products, 2. explore my products, 3. make a fun card that would bring joy to someone. đŸ™‚
Using texture paste can be intimadating, but don’t let it keep you from getting in there and making some fun textures. Stencils are a great investment as they are very easy to use. I have put together a step-by-step how to class and it is avaiblable in my store.
Interested in making this fun card, check this out! Use this code to get the class for free AECPEHKOI
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.
