ALTENEW All about Layering and the AECP program

While on vacation in Europe, I received exciting news! I was accepted into the Altenew Educators Certificate Program (AECP). I’ve been paper crafting for ages and only fairly recently, for the last three years, got into cardmaking. An Altenew stamp was the first clear stamp I ever owned and have been hooked ever since. To learn about this program, you can visit http://www.altenewacademy.com

For the first class in the AECP program, All About Layering, I tackled the Build-a-flower Rose and Vintage Flowers stamps. My inspiration for this project came from my recent visit to southern Spain. The beauty of southern Spain — Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla — has largely Arabic influences from the time of the Moorish invasion. And, of course, I took the red and black color scheme as well as the floral elements of the Flamenco shawl called “Manton” which Flamenco dancers use, of which Southern Spain is also known for.

Before I took on making the actual card, I ventured to find the ink combination for that “perfect” red for the roses. Several trials later, this is the formula I came up with (Disclaimer: results will vary depending on paper and number of times stamped)

Altenew Ink color; no. of times stamped

First layer: Crimson; 2x

2nd layer: Ruby Red; 2x

3rd layer: Velvet; 1x

4th layer: Grapevine; 1x

5th layer: Grapevine 1x, Cloudy Night 1x

Note: if you like to avoid the center of the flower being too dark, you can skip the 4th layer altogether.

For the leaves, I use Frayed Leaf ink for the base or 1st layer, then Forest Glades ink for the 2nd layer, Evergreen for the 3rd layer, and for the 4th, Jet Black Ink.

Here is my first card:

I die cut Medallion Cover die A on a black cardstock and Medallion cover die B on a shiny gold cardstock. I layered them both one on top each other and mounted it on a red card base. The Medallion design gave the feel of the Arabic design elements present in the architecture in the region of southern Spain.

For the red roses, I wanted to avoid the white border, so I outlined the roses and leaves with a black Sharpie fine tip pen before die cutting. I did the same for the leaves.

Then worked out my placement on top of the layered cover die and adhered all the elements with liquid glue and popped up the top rose and leaf with foam tape. I didn’t add a sentiment on the card as I felt the card was good as is.

For my second card, I heat embossed the Rustic Linen background stamp with the Altenew Antique gold embossing powder on black cardstock. I used the Vintage Flowers stamp set for the flowers and leaves using the same ink formula above. I also outlined each image with a black fine tip sharpie pen before die cutting. I laid the flowers and leaves and adhered the sentiment. The sentiment is from the Wallpaper Art stamp set, heat embossed in the same antique gold embossing powder. I mounted and matted the panel on a matte gold cardstock then adhered it to a red card base. I finished it off with Copper Penny Nuvo drops.

I hope you found some inspiration and learned a few things from my post. If you have any questions, please comment below. Tell me also how your travels influence your art or card making.

‘Til next time!

❤️

Anna

Supplies:

Disclaimer: I am affiliated with some online stores including Altenew & Hero Arts. If you use any of the links above, I get a small commission from these wonderful shops at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!