A friendly card utilizing layers of color

I am in the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP). It has three levels and little ole me is on the first class (All About Layering 3), in the first level. There are ten classes per level. 

My first class really inspired me to see how many different effects are easily possible when crafting cards. I used to only stamp an image in one color; if I was being fancy, I hand colored other elements. Now, I see how to produce images that look more cohesive and complicated. I learned how to layer colors using stamps and stencils. And I practiced cutting dies. 

For this class' homework, I chose to make a card featuring two women, lost in thought, day dreaming. I can picture myself writing my reflections inside and sending it off to a dear friend. Yes, several of my friends enjoy written correspondences and we have been pen pals for decades. It is so fun getting mail and handwritten notes!

Supplies used:    

• Altenew white cardstock
• Altenew pigment ink, permanent black
• Altenew Fresh dye ink in grapevine, coral berry, teal cave, dew drops, espresso, rocky shore, warm sunshine and paper bag
• Altenew layer stamp set Daydreams, with stamps, dies and stencil
• Flowering embossing folder 
• Foam stickie drops
• Altenew glue tape
• Die cutting machine
• Stamping daubers

I used four-cube mini ink sets. Eventually, as an educator, I will need to have a large inventory with full size products. I shop sales and deals. I will get there. 

I love the daydream bundle that came with stamps, dies, and a stencil. I love that one of the women has dark, curly hair, just like me.  And I love that the other woman is shown wearing a hijab, especially in these times when our Muslim friends are often negatively stereotyped by 

Americans. (A hijab is a head covering worn by some Muslim women in public.)

I should say that I had about five or six attempts with this same design. I kept having to start over because of inky blotches or smudges or the stamp did not stamp all of the design, etc.  And creating an embossing pattern that was not overwhelming to the overall picture was tricky.

Layering the stamps was little challenging as well. But I am sure that the more I work with these things, the easier it will become. I should let you know that my left hand is not 100% healed from the spinal cord compressions I had that resulted in two serious spinal neurosurgeries the past nine months. I had severe neuropathy in both hands and arms (as well as my legs and feet) before the surgery. Now, my hands have pretty much healed except for my left one which was left with numb fingers. But I rejoice that my dominant hand, the right one, is 90-95% back to normal.*

Here is a detail that shows the textured background up close as well as my inking. I used two colors for the layers on my brunette's hair and pants. As well as the hijab of her friend. I think it adds some depth.

One thing I added, taught by Tim Holtz, was buffing the sides of my die cutouts with ink to make them kind of pop. 

You can create a similar card with similar supplies. 

1. First step is to stamp your main pieces. I usually do this in a crisp, smudge-resistant black. With the main figures stamped, I played around with compositions on my card. I selected a composition and a color scheme. I used the sets' die to cut out the figures and cloud for the sentiment, which I would stamp and stick on last.

If you are at a loss as to what I am referring to when I speak of "cutting with dies", here is a brief explanation I videotaped on my YouTube channel.

2. Then, I chose the stamps to layer (in this case, the hair and pants of the brunette and the hijab and lips of the other woman). I then carefully stamped the secondary and tertiary layers onto my main figures. There were several tiny, tiny stamps for things like eyes, floating hearts and clouds. My hands could not manipulate such small items. I tried but my disability prevented me from being that dexterous with my hands. You can add all the tiny elements in your set, no doubt; and it will look better.

This is where I now need to make a confession. I tried stamping secondary and tertiary layers on white card stock that I subsequently cut out with dies and affixed to the main figures. I kept messing the alignment up and my ink ran with the tiny stamps for eyes and lips. After making several attempts, I decided to use the sets' stencil to create the layers on my main figure. This turned out well, even with tiny areas like lips. 

3. I picked an embossing folder that I felt would complement but not take over the card's main image. I embossed the front of my blank card. Again, see link above to explain how to use dies and embossing folders.

4. Next, I chose two colors from my inks to smudge lightly over the embossed front of my card. I used two daubers to rub the inks over the embossed card front. 

5. After buffing the sides of all my cutouts, I used foam dots to adhere the figures and the sentiment to the card. 

And there you have it!

* The back story to my two neurosurgeries is that I have bad rheumatoid arthritis that has really damaged my spine. I am now trying to regain my walking ability. I use a walker and wheelchair now. Last year, I prayed to be able to create with my hands again, and that is what was given back to me!  I may not be able to walk, but I can make art, crafts and write. So I am grateful.