VanGoghChica Studio

Have you ever liked fashion or art that was made up of elements you would not think "go together"? Have you ever heard someone describe something as "beautifully ugly"? I can not tell you why or how but sometimes you can go afoul of basic design principles and come out with something appealing. Well, I set out to create a visually pleasing card with elements that normally clash. I think I succeeded in designing a fun card that illustrates this point. I used non-analogous and non-complimentary dominant colors of purple and green and mixed vintage style florals with a modern graphic of thick stripes.  The sentiment set I used was perfect as it paired a lilting cursive "You" with a modern computer-ish block type. And the end result... I like it! it's quirky and fanciful. Supplies Altenew's Scalloped Ornaments layering stamp set. This set is not  available anymore but there are several other Altenew layering stamp sets to choose from. Altenew's  Y...

As a card designer, one of the most powerful ways to create mood is with color. With this card, I demonstrate how atmosphere transforms a design by recreating an artist’s work table filled with inspiration, quiet focus, and creative energy. A dramatic overhead light source and minimal surrounding light helped me achieve the emotional tone I wanted.  Using the Altenew Craft Your Life Kit: Illuminated Scenes, I show how to work with multi-layered stencils and coordinating dies to build a bold composition. Techniques for stencil layering, inking, die cutting, and thoughtful color choices elevate the card's design. Supplies Altenew's Craft Your Life Illuminated Scenes kit with coordinating stamps, dies, embossing folder and layering stencils Altenew's fresh dye ink in  warm sunshine ,  caramel toffee ,  olive ,  rocky shore ,  mocha ,  lavender fields  and  azurite Altenew's crisp ink in  parrot Altenew's pigment ink in  permanent bla...

Note: I am writing a separate post on the process of creating these  cards. This post looks at the design of the project as a whole. My teacher in the Altenew Educator Card Making (AECP) Program, Erum Tasneem , issued me a challenge one third of the way through the program. The challenge consists of designing two sets of cards drawing on similar motifs and theme, but making one for men and the other for women.  I need to incorporate and explain three technical components I learned so far. These his and hers sets were to be packaged creatively and I should incorporate the use of at least one recycled item in the packaging. Everything was to be hand made. If you ask most people what a his and hers set means, the majority would come up with similar characteristics: durable vs delicate, plain vs frilly, bold vs soft, flowery vs architectural, you get the idea.  Now, I know exactly what my teacher meant. On a personal level, I lean towards traditional feminine aesthetics. But ...

This is my third card that I have made to illustrate how I use vellum (tracing paper) in my die cutting machines for an airy effect on my cards. And what better imagery than a hot air balloon for airiness. In my last post, I addressed the mistake of not having a strong focal point with my design. Wouldn't you know it, I made the same mistake with my second card. D'oh! In an effort to correct it,  I colored in my sentiment with marker, as well as as my vellum cut out butterflies. But the look was muddled up close. So, onto card number three. My sailing balloon theme is perfect for incorporating vellum. the sheer paper brings to life the balloon's fabric. Supplies Altenew's Up and Away bundle of stamp, dies and stencils Altenew's fresh dye inks in aqualicious , caramel toffee , mocha ,  crimson  and ultramarine Altenew's  white card stock   Altenew's white embossing powder Embossing ink Heat tool Vellum or tracing paper Die cutting machine Glue  Cut an A2...

  While those of us who love, love, love Halloween are already crafting cards for our holiday, my topic of masks today does  not refer to those kinds of masks we hide behind at Halloween. I am talking about masks in card making, which conceal a portion of your card so that ink or blending done over that area does not take to the portion covered. This creates depth and a natural look to your composition.  When crafting a mask, you can use specialty masking paper, masking fluid or even a stencil. But I chose to simply stamp and cut out the image I wanted to cover from a post-it. Here, you can see I stamped a monstera leaf, then I stamped and cut out the same image  from a post-it and placed that post-it over my initially stamped image. My next stamped image will overlap the first one and appear partially hidden, under the first stamped image.   Now, do not be scared by my supplies list. I used quite a bit for this card, mainly different inks. You can streaml...

I made another card illustrating how repetitively stamped backgrounds can create a visual rhythm to your design. This simple layout had me stamping, blending, cutting and glueing. I felt like a school kid with my big glue stick. Now, when you look at my supply list, you're going to smack your head when you look at all the inks. Rest assured, you only need a red, a green and a black. I like to mix colors. I often use different shades of a same color to create small variations. Another tip I can give you regarding supplies is to purchase coordinating sets when you can. Especially for beginners, this actually lessens the amount of supplies you're going to need because most of the main elements will be included.  Supplies Altenew Mini Delight One in a Melon stamps and die set Altenew fresh dye inks in frayed leaf, olive, crimson, coral berry, permanent black A striped stencil Two Altenew blending brushes Altenew Glitter cardstock set 3"X6" White cardstock Altenew  Sciss...

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 bla...