AECP: Level 1 Final Challenge

Hello Crafty Friends!

    Today I am happy to finally share my AECP final challenge for the level one courses… YAY!! For this project I was challenged to create a card gift set that contained both masculine and feminine designs. The cards within the set needed to incorporate skills learned within three of of the level one courses. I also needed to create some sort of packaging for the set and include some sort of recycled element within my project. 

I decided to focus on techniques taught within the following courses:

Let It Shine
Easy Ink Blending Techniques
Easy Die Cutting Techniques

    After choosing the techniques, I figured out a color scheme for both my masculine and the feminine cards. I wanted to make sure that there was cohesiveness between all the cards, so I used the same base colors for each set. For masculine cards I went with brown, off-white (cream), dark green, and gold. For the feminine cards I went with brown, off-white (cream), plum-pink, and gold.

    Next I picked out a few stamp sets, dies, and embossing folders that I wanted to use and set them to the side. From there I just let my creativity lead me. It’s rare for me to sketch out designs before creating.  My crafting style is more of a freestyle. I may see a few colors or images, get inspired, then play around until the design is complete. On the rare occasions, typically when I’m trying to go to bed, a card idea will pop into my head. In those situations I’ll draw the sketch out in the Notes app on my iPhone. This way I will remember the design when I have time to craft the next day.

Card One:

 

    For all of the cards that I will be sharing today I started with creating the masculine version first, then I created the feminine version using the same design. 

    For the first card I was really drawn to the bamboo within the Potted Plants stamp set. I placed the bamboo stamp within my misty and stamped three images times on white paper using the Moss ink. I then cut out each image using the coordinated die, and set them aside. Next, I took a sheet of the cream paper and cut it down to 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 using my trimmer. I then inked the edges in Almond Butter ink using a blending brush. Once that was complete, I die cut brown paper using the Stacked Diamonds Cover Die. My original plan was to place the cream paper under the Stacked Diamond paper but I didn’t like how it looked. I quickly pivoted the idea to using the die cut image as a stencil. I only wanted a hint of the Stacked Diamonds image so I lightly inked over the stencil with a blending brush in Almond Butter ink. Once that was complete figured out what sentiments I was going to use. I decided on the Fancy Hello Die along with a stamp from the Gracious Peonies stamp set. I cut the hello out using the Brushed Gold Metallic cardstock to incorporate the sparkle element. For a bit more sparkle I added some Antique Gold pigment ink, covered it with Antique Gold embossing power, then heat embossed. I then put my card together. Once complete, I created the feminine card in the same manner, however I switched the green to the plum-pink color, I used the leafy plant image from the stamp set, and I changed the orientation so that the plant image would better fit on the card.

Card Two:

    For my second card I used the Spellbinders Hummingbird Textures stencil to create the background. I stenciled a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 sheet of cream card stock then I used the Mix and Match Frames die to get the center piece. You will see that I used the outside frame later in the post. For the sparkle element, I used one of the frames from the Fine Frames Cover Die set that was cut from Brushed Gold Metallic cardstock. I also heat embossed the greeting with Antique Gold embossing powder. The “Thinking of You” sentiment is from the Gracious Peonies set and the “Know you are loved” is from the Tall Mushroom House mini stamp set. On the feminine card I also heat embossed the flower in Antique Gold as well. 

    The flower on the feminine card was colored using the coordinated stencil. The leafy plant on the masculine card was inked in Moss ink. However before I stamped the image, I used dark green water based ink to add the shadow effects to the image. I colored the stamp directly do achieve this look. I then stamped it onto white cardstock. Both the flower and leafy plant images were cut out using their coordinated die set. I then added foam tape to the back of both images and put my card together. 

Card Three:

    For my third card, I used embossing folders to create my focal image. For the masculine card I used the Bamboo Forest 3D embossing folder and for the feminine card I used the Happy Hummingbird 3D embossing folder. For both, I inked the raised side of the embossing folder in Antique Gold pigment ink. Then I ran the embossing folder though the die cut machine. The gold ink was pressed into the debossed side of the paper which created a shimmery imprint. I then stamped my greeting using the Antique Gold pigment ink. Lastly I took the left over frame from card two, inked the edges, and then put the card together.

Card Four:

    For my last card, I used the Wispy Feathers Layered Die Set for both of my cards. I die cut out both base layers in white. I then inked them using an ombre technique. I then took a piece Brushed Gold Metallic cardstock and placed double sided adhesive on the back of it. I then die cut the intricate layer using using that sheet and put both feather pieces together. Moving on to my background, I took that same Stacked Cover die stencil that I created for card one to ink on the background. I then took some of the left over borders from card two and added them onto the card. I used the ombré technique for the Thanks die image (this die comes from the Seasonal Blooms project kit). Lastly, I added foam tape to the back of both the feather image and the thanks and put my card together. 

The packaging:

    I created the packaging last because I really had no clue as to what I was going to use. The idea came to me as I was purging a few old items from the craft room. I have a tendency to keep boxes that electronics come in because they tend to be super sturdy. Last year I purchased some over the ear SkullCandy headphone as my in-ear headphones bother me from time to time. This box was such a well put together box that I just could not get rid of it. However I completely forgot I had it until I was in the process of purging lol. Needless to say, once I rediscovered it I realized it would make the perfect recycled packaging for my card set. 

    I first measured the the different areas of the box. Then I took some craft wrapping paper and cut it to the appropriate dimensions. For the outside of the box, I applied Mod Podge to the box as my glue then added the wrapping paper pieces to it. Once dry, I inked the edges of the top the the box. I wanted it give it a wooden look. I then die cut the “CARD BOX” letters using dies from the Classic Alphabet die set. I glued those down. Then I stamped the flowers to the bottom and heat embossed them using the Antique Gold embossing powder.  Once that was complete, I added about two layers of Mod Podge to the paper as a protectant layer. For the inside, I applied double sided tape, removed the backing, and then added my wrapping paper pieces on top of it. 

    Since I had room, I decided to add some tags to the set as well. I used a two older tag punches from my stash to create them. I then embossed the edges using the Antique Gold embossing powder. 

I really hope that you all enjoyed todays post! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by!!

List of Products Used:

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Bamboo Forest 3D Embossing Folder: (No longer sold on Altenew site)

Sunny Flowers Stamp, Die, and Stencil Set: (Apart of the March 2023 Mindfulness Retreat. Not sold individually)

Seasonal Blooms Project Kit: https://shrsl.com/453hk

Potted Plants Stamp Set: https://shrsl.com/453h2

Gracious Peonies: https://shrsl.com/3vmug

Billowing Peonies: https://shrsl.com/453fy

Stacked Diamonds Cover Die: https://shrsl.com/453i6

Fine Frames Cover Die: https://shrsl.com/41uw6

Mix and Match Frames Die Set: https://shrsl.com/3vmrg

Antique Gold Pigment Ink: https://shrsl.com/3x4za

Wispy Feathers Layered Die Set: https://shrsl.com/3x4z4

Classic Alphabet Die Set: https://shrsl.com/3x4z2

Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock: https://shrsl.com/3w4z0

Double Sided Adhesives Sheets: https://shrsl.com/3w4yh

Double Sided Tape: https://shrsl.com/453kk

Ink Blending Tool (Small): https://shrsl.com/3vmut

Altenew Inks: https://shrsl.com/3vmum

Fancy Hello Die: https://shrsl.com/3w4yh

Antique Gold Embossing Powder: https://shrsl.com/453ft

Happy Hummingbird: https://shrsl.com/453ga

Tall Mushroom House: http://shrsl.com/453kg

Stamp Conditioning Eraser Set: https://shrsl.com/453gi

Crafter’s Essential Micro-Tip Tweezers: https://shrsl.com/453gl

Tombow Glue: https://shrsl.com/3w502

Versamark Watermark Stamp Pad: https://shrsl.com/453i9

Hummingbird Textures Stencil: https://shrsl.com/453i1

Spellbinders Platinum: https://shrsl.com/3w4yp