
AECP Level 2 Final Challenge
Oh Happy Day fellow paper crafters! I am so happy to be here with you today, and look forward to showing you all of the cards I have created for the Altenew Level 2 Challenge. These courses have helped me tremendously in card making, and I have learned so many new techniques that will stay with me for life. If you are wanting to enhance your card making skills or just looking for some fresh ideas, I highly recommend this course! Without further ado; lets get started!

The Details
Part 1: Create 4 different masculine cards for the following themes (Birthday, Love/Thinking of you, Anniversary, and Encouragement) using any 3 components from the video lessons.
Part 2: Create a craft with a recycled item
Card #1: Encouragement Card
This A2 sized card features a bouquet of water colored die cuts layered up, and placed on an embossed 3d folder. I used the techniques I learned from the Altenew Videos All About Layering, Easy Die Cutting Techniques, and For The Guys to create this beauty. The die cuts are embossed with Glossy Accents, which really pulled the colors out from the watercolor, leaving a stunning, dimensional piece of art!

Supplies Needed:
Black Cardstock
Rows of Squares 3d Embossing Folder
Altenew Water Colors
Watercolor brush
Watercolor paper
Altenew Branches and Berries Die Set
Altenew Circular Elements Die Set
Altenew Nesting Slim Rectanges Die Set
Glossy Acccents
Altenew Antique Rose Embossing Powder
Versamark Embossing Ink
Altenew Antique Rose Sequins
double sided tape
Mirrored Gold cardstock
Fine tip glue
Foam Tape
Die Cutting Machine
Card Assembly:
Prepare A2 sized card tent with black card stock
Die cut several pieces from the Altenew Branches and Berries Die Set in watercolor paper, and apply several coats of watercolors in your choice. Once dried, apply glossy accents to bring the colors out. (This completely changed things up in this card!) I also cut pieces using several different pieces of paper to add some different textures in my centerpiece.
Die cut the Circle using the Altenew Circular Elements Die Set and the smallest rectangle from the Altenew Nesting Slim Rectangles die set
Cut a piece of Ivory cardstock and emboss it using the Altenew Rows of Squares 3d embossing folder, and swipe it using a black ink pad. Trim down to 3 3/4" x 5".
Apply the card front (embossed piece) to the card base using dimensional foam tape
Build your centerpiece by arranging the die cuts using a piece of foam tape/2 sided tape to adhere the pieces. Keep layering die cuts until you are satisfied with results, and adhere it to the front panel of the card.
Treat the die cut rectangle with corn starch or your anti static tool and heat emboss your sentiment. I used Antique Rose embossing powder by Altenew, Adhere to the center of the bouquet.
Add sequins in random places for some extra sparkle.
Card Hacks
When layering your die cut pieces alternate between the watercolored and solid pieces to give a good array of texture, and color.
Use 100% cotton water color paper, and allow each layer of paint to dry before adding the next.
To run the 3D embossing folder through my sizzix, I used (1) regular cutting sheet, 2 pieces of water color paper, (1) Big Shot Plus Adapter B sheet cut in half
Have fun and relax!
Supplies Used
I have listed the supplies below with affiliate links. I make a small commission without a charge to you when you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I have purchased all of the supplies used for this card, and truly appreciate your support when using these links to shop. Thank you so much!
Card #2: Thinking of You/Love
I had a blast making this card, and imagining my hubby and I snuggled up together in front of a fire this Fall sitting at the Beach. I cannot wait! This card features an A2 sized card with an ink blended background, and a mirrored stamped image of the chair! (It's so easy). I used techniques I learned from the Altenew Videos Easy Ink Blending Techniques, Seasonal Scene Building, and Masking Unleashed.

Supplies Needed:
Neenah Solar White 110# card stock
Altenew Camping Life Stamp and Die Set
Altenew Mix & Match Frames Die Set
Black ink suitable for Copic markers
Masking Paper (sticky notes will also work fine)
White and Metallic Gold Acrylic Paint
MISTI stamping tool
Die Cutting Machine
Silicone Mat
Distress Oxide Ink (Prize Ribbon, Squeezed Lemonade, Seedless Preserves, Faded Jeans, Black Soot, Mowed Lawn)
Ink Blending Tools
Foam Tape
Card Assembly:
Prepare an A2 sized card tent
Die cut medium sized frame from the Altenew Mix & Match frames die set
Stamp the fire image at the bottom of the die cut frame, and make a mask to cover image
Ink blend your night sky starting with the darkest shade of blue and working your way down to the lightest shade. Blend green ink at the bottom to represent grass. Once you have your inky sky to your content, take the black soot ink, and blend it at the corners to darken it a tad.
Splatter white and gold acrylic paint to the background and set aside to dry
Remove masking paper and color the fire image in your favorite medium
Adhere background to card tent using foam tape
Stamp your sentiment and cut to size. I chose to leave the length of the strip longer to add a little something more to look at.
Mirrored Chair Image:
Place a silicone sheet in your Misti and stamp the chair image directly on the silicone mat
Place a piece of white cardstock over the stamped image to pick up the ink from the silicone, and stamp the image on the opposite side of the cardstock with your Misti. (This allows you to die cut your image without having to guess where it is stamped on the other side of the paper)
Color your chairs with your favorite medium, and outline with a fine tipped black pen
Die Cut Image and Voila!
Place chair images next to one another with foam tape so they appear to be away from the fire a bit.
Card Hacks:
Start with the lightest color of ink when blending a night sky, and add your darker colors
Dilue Acrylic paint by simply spritzing it with some water and mix with a paint brush
Make sure your silicone mat is clean before stamping your image
Supplies Used
I have listed the supplies below with affiliate links. I make a small commission without a charge to you when you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I have purchased all of the supplies used for this card, and truly appreciate your support when using these links to shop. Thank you so much!
Card #3: Birthday Card
My baby brother celebrated his 40th birthday on September 11th, and I thought of him as I created this card. When I think of my brother I think of bright, and quirky; which is what I think this card represents! It features a stenciled background and colored die-cut cake. For a little bit extra I debased the background using Altenew String Art Stars Die Set. I used the techniques I acquired from the Altenew Videos Celebration: Stencil Techniques, Clean and Simple Botique Cards, and Easy Die-Cutting Techniques.

Supplies Needed:
Altenew String Art Stars Die Set
Altenew Mini Crepe Cake Stamp and Die Set
Altenew Illusion Spiral Stencil
Altenew Crisp Inks (Honey Drizzle, Maple Yellow, Fresh Lemon)
Black Ink Gel Pen
Happy Birthday Sentiment (I used the one from Altenew Bergenia Builder Stamp Set)
Black Card Stock
Black Ink
Blending Brush
Your Favorite coloring Medium ( I used Copic Markers R05, R08, R89, E13, E18, Y11, Y13)
Die Cutting Machine
Card Assembly:
Prepare A2 Sized card base using black card stock cut at 4 1/4, and scored at 5 1/2
Cut a black square measuring 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"
Cut a white square 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Cut white card panel 3 3/4" x 5"
Stencil both white card panels using your favorite stencil ( I used Altenew Illusion Spiral Stencil and created an ombre effect using 3 different tones of yellow ink.
Outline your stencil with a black gel pen on both stenciled pieces
Arrange the String Art Stars Die to large card panel and run through die cutting machine
Adhere smaller stenciled square to black mat, and adhere to center of card with foam tape.
Stamp "Happy Birthday" Sentiment on a white strip of paper, and run it to the edge of the card panel
Apply die cut cake to the side of the square off centered using foam tape
Adhere to black card base with foam tape
Card Hacks
Use Pixie Spray to hold your stencil in place on the paper
When creating your ombre effect start with the lightest color of ink
Use a ruler when outlining your stencil to create straight, crisp lines
Supplies Used
I have listed the supplies below with affiliate links. I make a small commission without a charge to you when you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I have purchased all of the supplies used for this card, and truly appreciate your support when using these links to shop. Thank you so much!
Card #4: Anniversary Card
This is my final card for this project, and it features a smooshed watercolored background with some stenciled texture paste. I didn't want to cover up the background, so I heat embossed my sentiment on a piece of vellum. I used bubble wrap to lay my water colors down, and placed the corners directly into the paint to pick up the darker tones. I used techniques learned from the Altenew videos: Creative Watercolor Media, Beyond Basic Backgrounds, and For the Guys. The hardest part about making this card was waiting for everything to dry so I could move on to the next step!

Supplies Needed:
Black Cardstock
Vellum
Watercolor Paper
Embossing Ink (I used Versamark)
Anti Static embossing tool or Corn Starch
Water Colors (I used Altenew Brush Marker Refills)
Texture Paste and Craft putty knife
Altenew On the Plus Side Stencil
Foam Tape
Bubble Wrap or another method to apply watercolor
Card Assembly:
Prepare A2 sized card base using black cardstock cut at 4 1/4" and scored at 5 1/2"
Cut a piece of watercolor paper 4" x 5 1/4"
Dilute watercolors on silicone mat, and pick up some color with bubble wrap (Saran Wrap will also work well) smooshing it on the paper. Continue to layer until you have achieved the desire look.
Cut a piece of vellum just thick enough for the sentiment, and stamp your sentiment using Versamark Ink (Don't forget to use your anti-static embossing tool before stamping)
Once the watercolored panel has dried, use a stencil of your choice and apply texture paste
Adhere vellum to front card panel
Adhere card front to the base of the card
Card Hacks:
Using liquid watercolor is best for this technique, but if you only have a pan you can pick up color and dilute it on a mat.
Don't be afraid to add more layers
Make sure the paint is completely dry before adding texture paste
Supplies Used
I have listed the supplies below with affiliate links. I make a small commission without a charge to you when you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I have purchased all of the supplies used for this card, and truly appreciate your support when using these links to shop. Thank you so much!
PART 2: Recycled Project
For my recycled project I decided to make coasters with some left over ceramic coasters I had laying around. With the Holidays just around the corner, I thought these would make a perfect gift. They are simple to make, and I used the new Altenew Mixed Media Ink to create them. The image I used is from the Altenew Bergenia Builder Stamp set.

Supplies Needed:
Ceramic Coaster Discs
Altenew Multi Media Ink (Glacier Caves)
Altenew Bergenia Builder Stamp Set
Large Acrylic Stamp Block
Paintbrush
Modpodge waterproof sealer
Directions:
Ink up your stamp image using Saphire Ink color
Stamp image on ceramic tile
Stamp several ink colors on a silicone mat, and lightly mist with water
Pick up color with paint brush and paint image
Heat dry and set aside overnight to dry. Apply waterproof sealer and cork backing
Supplies Used
I have listed the supplies below with affiliate links. I make a small commission without a charge to you when you make a purchase after clicking on my link. I have purchased all of the supplies used for this card, and truly appreciate your support when using these links to shop. Thank you so much!
Thank you so very much for stopping by to visit today. I have so enjoyed having you here, and would love if you would leave a comment and tell me what you think. I can't end without giving a quick shout out to my husband for his belief in me to succeed in this endeavor and encouraging me to take one more step closer to my goal! Don't give up on your dreams! Have an excellent afternoon today, and don't forget to leave a comment.