Level 1 Challenge ~ Altenew Academy

At the end of the Level 1 courses with Altenew Academy, you are given a challenge to see if you are ready for the next level of courses.  I was assigned to use 3 techniques from the 10 courses and to create gift sets with both masculine and feminine themes or colors. When creating the packaging for these sets, you are also required to use a recycled element in some way.  

I created 5 cards for each set.  The cards were created using the techniques from quite a few of the courses, so the main three that I focused on are, Celebration Stencil Techniques, Clean & Simple Boutique Cards, and Let It Shine. 

Celebration Stencil Techniques gave me the idea that I could Stamp an image, emboss it and then use the stencils to add color while still having image be visible being the main focal point.  Clean and Simple Boutique Cards helped me to realize that it doesn't have to have a ton of elements to be a card you are proud to give to someone.  The course also touched on presentation which was a great help when I was struggling to choose a way to package the cards.  With Let It Shine, I used heat embossing for the main stamped image, glitter cardstock for a die cut sentiment, some Altenew metallic watercolor paints on another sentiment plus jewels and enamel dots to add to the mix. I also used washi tape for some of the sentiments. As far as I can recall, it wasn't a technique or item used in any of the level one courses but it was perfect for breaking up all the black color that was starting to take over in my opinion... 😉

 Each card is A2 in overall size.  I love dimension so they are all popped up with a layer of Altenew instant dimension foam tape.  The All 4 but one of Masculine cards were made before I had the stamp wheel.  So the issue was that I had a routine of how I was making them using the Misti.  When I switched to the stamp wheel, I had a problem with not being able to fit an entire 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 piece of paper into it to stamp on.  My dimensions were off, but I wasn't about to start over stamping again.  I improvised by trimming down the paper where I could and adding a strip of washi tape covered paper to the edges of  a few of the cards and a panel of black glitter cardstock to another.  In all the time that I have been making cards, I haven't given up on any of them or thrown them out.  There's always a way to "fix" any mistakes you think you might have made.  I always say that there is no such thing as a mistake when it comes to creativity or art.

List of the products I used as well as links to each product if applicable

1. Stamp Wheel
2. Blooming Mandalas Stamp and Die set
3. Obsidian Pigment Ink
4. Clear Embossing Powder
5. Neenah Classic Crest Smooth Solar White 110lb. Cardstock (Amazon)
6. Neenah White index 110lb. Cardstock (Amazon)
7. Black Cardstock 92lb.  (Amazon)
8. A2 Card Bases 
9. Instant Dimension Foam Tape
10. Double sided Tape
11. Scrapbook Adhesives By 3L foam squares (Amazon)
12. Linear Stencil
13. Henna Square Stencil
14. Layered Medallion A Stencil 
15. Sunburst Stencil
16. Doily Frame Stencil
17. Intricate Mandala Stencil
18. YOU Matter die set
19. Healthcare Heroes Stamp Set
20. Halftone Happy Stamp and Die Set
21. Dotted Blooms Stamp Set
22. Beautiful Quotes Stamp Set
23. Congrats Die Set
24. Double-sided Adhesive Sheets
25. Hang In There Die Set
26. Jet Black Alcohol Ink Marker
27. Cosmic Berry Alcohol Ink Marker
28. Grapevine Alcohol Ink Marker
29. Volcano Lake Alcohol Ink Marker
30. Waterbrush Hello Die Det
31. Fancy Enjoy Die
32. Way To Go Die Set
33. Branches And Berries Die Set
34. All About Wishes Die Set
35. Metallic Watercolor 14 Pan Set
36. Create A Wreath Die Set
37. Watercolor Essential 12 Pan Set
38. Rose Petal Washi Tape Set
39. Seashore Washi Tape
40. Cool Summer Night Enamel Dots
41. Essential Black and White Enamel Dots
42. Rose Petal Enamel Dots
43. Cherry Blossom Enamel Dots 
44. Essentials Jewels Mix (Pink Fresh Studio)
45. Mini Blending Brush Set
46. Large Ink Blending Tool
47. Cool Summer Night Crisp Dye Inks
48. Rose Petal Crisp Dye Inks
49. Sugarplums Crisp Dye Inks
50. Pink Brilliance Glitter Cardstock
51. Dazzling Diamond Glitter Cardstock
52. Black Glitter Cardstock Panel  (Amazon)
53. Seashore Gradient Cardstock
54. Rose Petal Gradient Cardstock
55. Reflections 6x6 Paper Pad {no longer available}
56. Terrific Tags Die Set
57. Mini Blossom Die-Cutting Machine
58. Fancy For You Die 
59. Tombow Mono Liquid Glue (Amazon)
60. Transparency Film (my own stash)
61. Teal Glitter Cardstock (company unknown)
62. Basic Grey Bling It Pink Rhinestones (discontinued)
63. Altenew Padded Shipping envelopes 

I am in awe at the number of products it took to create these sets.  You don't realize the time or the many tools and products you use to create cards. I think it took me longer to list and link them, than it did to make them...JK.

Also, there are a ton of photos.  I so appreciate the time taken to read and see what I have made.  (thank you)

So, to explain my process, I had made a single card some months back and as time went on, I wanted to make a set with the products and such for a gift.  When I got the email to start the challenge, I had already made 4 of the masculine-colored cards, so setting up and choosing colors for the feminine cards came easy.  When I explain the process, I will be including all the cards at once instead of explaining the process for each individual card, even though I don't have a process down on creating cards in an assembly line type of situation.  I tend to create each one differently and try not to make them too similar.  

For the cards, I made them in a standard A2 size card while trimming the panel to 5 and 1/4 by 4 inches.  I stamped the mandala image 5 times with obsidian pigment ink and heat embossed each image with clear embossing powder. I cut the mandala image in half and chose various stencils to lay over the embossed image for ink blending.  After they were inked, I used the black watercolor from the essential 12 pan set with a little water and fine liner watercolor brush to create ink splatters on each of the panels.   

 

Next were the die cut sentiments.  I cut out quite a few from the above listed.  I added 110lb white cardstock to all of them to give them strength and an added dimension.  With two of the sentiments, I opted to use craft foam with double-sided adhesive, which in the end was not my best idea. The adhesive was fine, but if I had had black foam, it would have been easier.  I ended up using the Jet Black Alcohol Ink Marker with the brush tip to fill in any white showing on the sentiment.  In the end it worked great.  It was just more time-consuming than anything.

Here is where individuality comes in.   I wanted to make each card special with a little bit of its own flair. So, the next few photos are of the process in making the sentiments.

 

After I was done cutting out all of the sentiments, I laid them out to see how I wanted them to look on each card.   I worked on each one separately, creating one after the other.  I added some  jewels, enamels dots or glitter die-cut elements to finish off each card.

For the presentation of the cards I chose to use the Altenew padded envelopes for my recycled item.  I wanted to create a belly band around the box with the beautiful envelope prints and these were perfect!!!  I cut the envelopes open for a vertical piece that would give me as much length as possible without any wording or tape.  I cut a piece approximately 16 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide.  I sewed each piece so as to have a finished edge to bring around a hand made box bottom to hold the cards in.  

I then used the larger piece of each envelope to cut out the shape of the mandala with the coordinating die.  I added 2 additional shapes to it with 110lb. cardstock and a second piece of the envelope for the back of the piece. I measured around the box and adhered the pieces to the mandala shape with hot glue.  I cut out the die words for you in Glitter cardstock and well as about 4 110lb cardstock pieces and glued them together with liquid glue.  I used the Volcano Lake and Cosmic Berry alcohol markers to color the edge of each die-cut.  In the end on the masculine card, I had to use and different glitter paper for the die.  The blues in the paper pack weren't matching the way I wanted them to.  The larger tags got nixed as well.  I used the smaller tags tying them to the side of the mandala with 1/4 inch organza ribbon.  

The box was made out of 110lb. cardstock as well. I made quite a few to get the hang of it and how I wanted it to look and fit with the band.  I made it with a piece measuring 9 3/4 inches by 8 1/5 inch scoring at 1 inch and 2 inches all the way around each side.  I then cut the square corner off of each side, at the 1 inch mark and cut a diagonal line at each corner.  I folded each side as shown in the photos.  Using adhesive tape and liquid glue, I attached and tucked all four corners to complete the box base. 

With lids

I made two additional boxes to use for lids to protect them when I give them as gifts.  I also made 2 more bands and tags to go with them.  I think I like the closed boxes with the different bands more because of the clean look it has.  Below are more photos of the boxed cards and envelopes.  

Thank you again for taking the time to check out my level 1 challenge submission.

Have a beautiful rest of the week!