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.

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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

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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

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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 .