AECP Level 1 - Final Challenge (Her Set)

Hello, crafty friends! I am so excited to share my Altenew AECP Level 1 final challenge (Her set) with you today. It feels like just yesterday I was starting my crafting journey with Altenew classes, and now here I am, ready to put all those wonderful lessons into practice. Let’s dive right in!

Challenge Overview

For this final challenge, I was tasked with creating a cohesive project that incorporates techniques from three AECP Level 1 classes. The goal is to showcase what I’ve learned while creating something meaningful and visually appealing. Here are the challenge criterias:

• Any 3 components from Level 1 classes to be incorporated in the challenge
• Two sets of cards_ Masculine and Feminine
• Each sets contains 4-6 cards
• Cards in each sets needs to be cohesive
• Cards can be of any themes (Birthday, graduation and so on...)
• Use one recycled element in packaging or any card.
• Design packaging for the sets

My Thought Process

When brainstorming, I knew I wanted to create a project that feels cohesive but also showcases a variety of techniques. I decided on a floral theme because flowers are timeless and versatile. 

Since all the cards needed to be cohesive, I had to plan my cards. I normally do not draw my cards, but for this final challenge, I had to get out of my comfort zone and plan my cards. I knew I needed to keep some elements cohesive, so I decided on the color palette first. Since it was for a "Her" set, and girls are often fond of pink shades, I decided to use the beautiful Rose Petal Fresh Dye Ink and the Sun-kissed delights Fresh Dye Ink Bundles. Then, I went through my small Altenew stash to find the crafts I could use and came across beautiful peonies sets. I selected the Billowing Peonies and Pristine Peonies stamp sets, as well as the Frilly Peonies embossing folder. I immediately chose the Forest Trail Fresh Dye Ink Bundle for the leaves.

For the theme and sentiments, I actually kept it as the last task. At this point, I did not know how and where I wanted my sentiments.

Overall Components Used

• All About Layering 3: Fussy Cutting
• All About Layering 4: Peek through design
• Easy Ink Blending Techniques: Emboss Resis and Faux watercoloring
• Easy Die Cutting Techniques: Die cut stenciling
• Let It Shine: Heat Embossing and custom glitter paper
• Seasonal Scene Building: Frame
• Celebration: Stencil Techniques: Die cut stenciling and Overlay with Vellum

Overall Product Used

• Rose Petal, Sun-Kissed Delight and Forest Trail Fresh Dye inks
• Billowing Peonies bundle
• Pristine Peonies bundle
• Frilly Peonies 3d embossing folder
• Hickory smoke distress oxide ink
• Versamark clear embossing ink
• Gold Ranger embossing powder
• Archival black jet ink
• Mirror gold paper
• Classic Fluted Rectangle dies
• Dotted Swirl debossing cover die
• Layered Plaid Cover Die B

My Card-Making Agenda

To keep everything organized, I approached the challenge with a step-by-step plan:

1. Describe Common Steps: First, I’ll outline the basic steps I followed for all the cards in the set. These are foundational techniques that helped me maintain consistency.
2. Card Descriptions: After the common steps, I’ll walk you through the specific details of each card. Each card has its own personality but ties back to the cohesive theme.

Common Steps

To create a harmonious set of cards, I began by selecting the Peonies Stamp Set and embossing folder as my focal point. I used a consistent color palette, layering techniques, and sentiments across all four cards:

• Heat embossing: For my cards, I decided to heat emboss the images using gold embossing powder instead of a basic black outline.This gave the cards a subtle and elegant shine inspired from the Let It Shine class. I placed my images in my Original Stampwheel and prepped the paper with a homemade anti-static powder pouch made using baby powder. This step ensures clean embossing without stray powder sticking to unwanted areas.  I inked up the stamp with Versamark clear ink and stamped it onto the paper. Next, I added gold embossing powder and carefully heat set the image using a heat gun. 
  
  * Tips for Heat Embossing on Vellum: Heat Embossing on vellum was taught in the Celebration: Stencil Techniques class. Heat embossing on vellum can be tricky because vellum tends to burn under high heat. To avoid this, Let your heat gun heat up for about 1 minute before using it on the vellum. This ensures the embossing powder melts quickly and minimizes the exposure time. Once the heat gun is ready, bring it to the vellum and move it quickly across the surface. Avoid staying in one spot for too long to prevent the vellum from warping or burning. The embossing powder should begin to melt as soon as you apply heat. Once an area is melted, remove the heat gun briefly to let the vellum cool down slightly before continuing to heat set the rest of the images.
  
  
  

  
  

   

  
  
• Stenciling and Layering: Using coordinating stencils, I colored the flowers with the Rose Petal      Fresh Dye Ink Bundle and the leaves with Forest Trail Fresh Dye Ink. I applied the ink by working         from the lightest to the darkest shades during the ink blending process. For example, on Stencil 1, I             used the lightest shade, progressing to the darkest shade by Stencil 4. I also, used the Sun-kissed Delights Fresh Dye Ink bundle to color the center of each layered flower, using same principle from lightest to darkest.
  
  
  * Tips for Stenciling: I used the sticky mat from my Stampwheel to hold the stencils and paper in place while ink blending. When removing paper or vellum from the sticky mat, avoid pulling directly, as this can cause the vellum to warp or curve. Instead, lift the sticky mat from your workspace and gently curl it away from yourself. This technique releases the paper or vellum without bending or damaging it.
  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  
• Sentiment Preparation: All sentiments were stamped using Black Archival Ink on white cardstock. Some sentiments were trimmed into strips, while others were cut using their coordinating dies.
  
  * Tips for Cutting Sentiment Strips: I used my Tim Holtz Guillotine Paper Trimmer to ensure precise cuts.To trim the sentiment into a strip, I first aligned the sentiment vertically along the cutting edge so the font lined up perfectly with the clear plastic guide on the trimmer. This alignment leaves about 1/4 inch of space from the cutting edge to the text.After cutting one side, I repeated the same process on the other side to create the sentiment strip.For an easier way to line up the second cut, I recommend adhering the newly cut edge of the sentiment to a scrap piece of paper. This helps position the sentiment precisely for the second cut, ensuring even and straight edges.
  
  
  

  
  

  

  
  
  
  
• Card Bases: All 4 cards are standard white A2 size of which 2  are top folding and the other 2 are side folding card bases.

Got it! Here's how we can present the individual card descriptions while referring back to the shared techniques to avoid repetition:

Card 1: The Vellum-Framed Card

This card was the most challenging of the set, as I worked with vellum—a tricky medium due to adhesive visibility. Inspired by the Seasonal Scene Building class, I designed a framed vellum card where the adhesive is cleverly concealed, and the result is stunning.

• Making the Frame: First, I die-cut a gold frame using the middle dies of the Spellbinders Fluted Classic Rectangle die. I heat-embossed and inked the smaller flower from the Billowing Peonies Stamp Set on vellum.Then, I used the frame to decide where to cut the vellum and marked it. I die-cut the vellum using the largest frame die to make sure it fit perfectly. I used the inner frame die to cut a window in my front card base and and A2 panel.
  
  
    
  
  
• Colorful Background Inside: To make the vellum opening visually interesting, I created a smaller card base (matching the window size) for the inside. Inspired by the Irresistible Inking Techniques class, I used the direct-to-paper technique with the three lightest shades from the Rose Petal Fresh Dye Ink set. I swiped the ink pads horizontally and vertically on scrap paper, creating a vibrant, textured background. After cutting the background to size, I felt it needed more detail. I heat-embossed the same peony image from the vellum onto the background making sure the same piece of flower is on the background.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Aligning the Elements: To align the smaller card base and background with the vellum window, I used a temporary adhesive (rolled masking tape). I positioned the smaller card base inside the larger card so it aligned perfectly with the window. Similarly, I aligned the background with the flower and trimmed it to fit the smaller card base. Once aligned, I permanently adhered the smaller card base to the inside of the card using liquid glue.
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Adding Details: Before adhering the vellum, I stamped a sentiment inside the smaller card base and added inked edges using the direct-to-paper technique for added interest.The vellum was attached by applying double-sided tape to the front of the card base (near the window opening) and securing the vellum making sure the flower on the vellum is exactly ontop of the flower from the inner card. I then sandwiched the vellum between the A2 panel and the front card base for a clean finish.Finally, the gold frame was glued on top of the vellum for an elegant touch.
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
• Finishing Touches: A "Just a Note" sentiment was added to the front window with a small fishtail banner, completing the design.
  
  
   

  
  

Even though this card was a challenge, I’m really happy with how it turned out. It shows the vellum beautifully, and the layered design feels extra special.

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Card 2: Layered Petal Charm

For this card, I incorporated the peek-through effect technique from the All About Layering 4 class. The card front is smaller than the base, allowing a glimpse of the inside when the card is closed. The oversized peony from the Billowing Peonies stamp set takes center stage with added texture and hidden sentiments to surprise the recipient.

• Stamping, Heat Embossing, and Stenciling: I used the Big Peony from the Billowing Peonies stamp set. After heat embossing the image, I die-cut it to make stenciling easier. By adhering the die-cut and stencil to the Stampwheel sticky mat, I was able to stencil the image seamlessly.
  
  
  
  
  
• Creating the Peek-Through Design: Once stenciled, I positioned the oversized peony on the front of the card where I wanted it to appear. Holding it in place, I flipped the card over and marked the parts of the image that needed trimming to fit the card front. After trimming, I adhered the peony to the card front.
  
  
   
  To create the peek-through effect, I carefully fussy-cut along the edge of the die-cut flower, using it as a guide. This ensured the flower aligned perfectly with the card base.
  
  
   
  
  
• Adding texture to the Inside: To add texture and interest to the inside panel, I used the Dotted Swirl debossing cover die on an A2-sized panel. This panel was adhered inside the card, ensuring the peek-through effect highlights the debossed texture beautifully.
  
  
• Sentiments: To complete the card, I added a hidden sentiment strip inside the card, positioned so it’s concealed by the peony when the card is closed. For the front, I added a bold "Hello" sentiment to tie everything together.
  
  
   
  
  
  
   

This card was so much fun to make! The peek-through effect and layered design make it feel extra special. I love how the hidden sentiments inside add an element of surprise, and the embossed panel gives it a polished finish.

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Card 3: Embossed Bloom Beauty

For this card, I used the Frilly Peonies 3D Embossing Folder to create a textured focal point

• Creating the Embossed Image: I dry-embossed a piece of watercolor paper using the Frilly Peonies embossing folder. To add color, I used the faux watercolor technique from the Easy Ink Blending Technique class by smushing Rose Petal, Sun-kissed Delight, and Forest Trail Fresh Dye Ink pads onto my work surface. I picked up the ink with water and a brush, starting with the lightest shade to cover the whole flower and building shading with darker colors. I added the orange color to the center of the flower so it cohesive with the other 2 cards above. For the leaves, I used the same technique, blending the colors for a natural look using the Forest Trail Fresh Dye Ink Bundle.To highlight the raised areas, I ran the embossed image through the folder again and swiped a white ink pad gently over the top of the raised image.
  
  
   
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
• Fussy Cutting the Image: I carefully fussy cut (from All about layering 3 class) the 3D embossed and colored image to make it the focal point of the card.
  
  
  

  
  
  
• Adding the Background: When I placed the flower on the card base, the background felt too plain. To add subtle interest, I die-cut the Layered Plaid Cover Die B from paper to create a stencil as learned from the Easy Die Cutting class. I lightly blended the Hickory Smoke distress oxide inkthrough the stencil to make a soft pattern on the background.
  
  
• Finishing Touches: One of the leaf clusters was overhanging when I placed the flower in the position I wanted it on the panel, so I snapped it off and repositioned it at the top of the flower for better balance. I adhered the flower to the card base using foam tape, placing it in the lower-left corner for dimension. To add sparkle (from the Let It Shine class), I used two strips of custom glitter paper (made with Platinum Glitter from Tim Holtz) and glued them to the card base. Finally, I added a "Hi" sentiment to complete the design.
  
  
   

  
  

This card combines texture, shimmer, and subtle background details for a balanced and elegant look. It was fun experimenting with faux watercoloring and creating my own stenciled background!

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Card 4: Golden Glow Elegance

This card features a combination of heat embossing, ink blending, and splatter techniques to create a vibrant and eye-catching design.

• Heat Embossing the Flower: I started by heat embossing one of the flowers from the Pristine Peonies Stamp Set using gold embossing powder on an A2 panel.
  
  
  

  
  
• Ink Blending with an Emboss Resist Technique: To draw attention to the center of the flower, I used the emboss resist technique from the Easy Ink Blending Techniques class. I began by covering the entire panel with a light base color (Rose Quartz fresh dye ink). Next, I built up color by blending Puffy Heart from the edges of all four sides, fading it toward the center. I repeated the process two more times with Purple Wine and Cosmic Berry Fresh Dye inks, deepening the edges and creating a gradient that faded into the pale center of the flower. To ensure smooth blending, I went over the lighter shades again, making sure the colors transitioned seamlessly.
  
  
   

  
  
• Adding the Leaves: Using the coordinating stencils, I ink-blended the leaves with Swamp green and Oak Moss Fresh Dye inks.
  
  
  

  
  
• Finishing Touches: The panel still felt a bit plain, so I added white splatter using the Irresistible Inking Techniques class method for added texture and interest. Finally, I completed the card with a die-cut sentiment from the Billowing Peonies Set, adding a clean and simple focal point to balance the vibrant background.
  
  
  

This card's dramatic color blending, paired with the shine of gold embossing and delicate splatter, gives it a bold yet elegant look!

 

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Packaging

Last but not least, it’s time to unveil the packaging! Since I created packaging for both "His" and "Her" card sets, I dedicated this other post entirely to the packaging process to avoid repetition and an overly long explanation in the "His" and "Hers" posts.

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This was the first part of the challenge—the "Hers" card set—which was quite easy to design compared to the "His" set of cards. Thank you for staying with me so far! Please join me for the second part of the challenge, where I tackle the "His" card set.

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