AECP Level 3 Challenge

Hello! Welcome back and thanks so much for joining me! I have made it to my AECP Level 3 Challenge! Woohoo! If this is your first time visiting, I am in the process of getting an Altenew Educator Certification and have been going through their 3-Level program. If you are an avid crafter and have not gone through it, I highly suggest it! It will get your creativity going and challenge you to make unique cards. I have grown as a card maker while participating in this program. There are many techniques I learned that I now use in many of my new cards. While participating in it, I received helpful feedback from top crafters and educators in the industry. This has been the best program! Let’s delve into this Level 3 Challenge!

First, I had to select three different techniques I learned throughout the entirety of the course. Then, I had to create 2-3 prototypes to send for feedback. Once my cards were approved, I selected a date to host my card making workshop. I chose an in-person workshop, but virtual was an option as well. For my class, there needed to be at least 4 participants and we had to make at least two of the cards I had created for the challenge.

Our first card was a simple, classy slimline greeting card. You can never go wrong with a black and gold simple card. If you are new to card making, this is a perfect way to create an elegant card to give to someone. Here are the steps to create this gem:

1. Create 3.5″ x 8.5″ slimline card base from 130lb heavy weight black cardstock by cutting cardstock to 8.5″ x 7” and reinforce score line at 3.5″ using bone folder.
2. Cut gold panel from gold foil cardstock to 3″ x 8″.
3. Use Altenew Elegant floral motifs embossing folder on gold panel.
4. Add foam dimensional tape to the back of the embossed panel, then adhere to black card base.
5. Taking a small piece of the black cardstock, gently rub an embossing pouch over the sentiment strip.
6. Stamp “Thinking of You” sentiment using Versamark ink.
7. Sprinkle gold embossing powder over it and melt it.
8. Add adhesive to the back and place in the center of panel.
9. Use a one-hole punch on the side of the card where it opens to create a hole for the ribbon.
10. With ribbon, tie a bow and the card is complete.

What I love about this card is how quick and simple it is to make. The sentiment could be interchanged for Thank You or anything else. Rounding the corners was a finishing touch I had learned from an Altenew course to step-up the cards we create. Below are the items used for this card.

1st card – slimline – beginner

1. Altenew Elegant floral motifs embossing folder
2. Black heavyweight cardstock
3. Gold mirror cardstock
4. Black ribbon
5. Single hole punch
6. Thinking of you stamp
7. Gold embossing powder
8. Versamark clear ink
9. Foam dimensional tape

When I was deciding on an intermediate level card to make, my mind quickly went to a shaker card. These are always fun to create and the design possibilities are endless! After I created my first shaker card, I was in complete awe. Fast forward to several years later and each time I teach a new crafter how to create a shaker card, they have the same look of awe on their face as I’m sure I had.

The key to this card was to create a background that would compliment the inside of the shaker window. I started with a 4.25″x5.5″ card base made from 130lb heavyweight cardstock. Personally, I use 120lb or 130lb cardstock for card bases. It helps the card to hold up nicely after adding thick foam tape and shaker elements. Next, I created a 4″x5.25″ card panel out of the same cardstock. I die cut a circle out of the center of the panel. After that, I used Altenew Pattern Play: Diamonds Background stamp to create the diamond lines. I went over the diamonds, in the middle of those, with the solid stamp using a different color.

Taking the shaker window panel, I placed it on top of the card base. Using a pencil, I traced the outline of the circle where my shaker window design should go. For the background of the window, I used Altenew Stained Glass stamp. This stamp set is fun to use because you can add swirls or leave it plain. There are different layers so that you can easily color the flowers, leaves, and dots in different colors. For the first layer, I stamped it using Altenew Persian Blue ink. For the flowers and leaves, I used Altenew Pink Blush and Frayed Leaf inks. Once I finished stamping the dots, I let the ink dry and erased the pencil outline.

Then, I placed the sequins on top of the stamped image before creating the enclosure of the window. Taking the card panel, on the back of the circle opening, I adhered a clear acetate piece. I lightly rubbed it with an embossing pouch so that the beads would not stick to it once it was enclosed. Next, I added a double layer of foam dimensional tape around the outside of the circle opening. I made sure the foam tape was not visible from the other side. After that, I added double layer foam dimensional tape the the edges of the back of the panel. Finally, I placed the shaker window panel on top of the shaker design and adhered it. To complete the card, I die cut “Hello” from the Altenew Calming Reverie die set and adhered it to my card.

When thinking out my design for this one, I knew I wanted it to be simple enough that a beginner crafter could create. An advanced crafter could take this one step further and create a completely see-through shaker window and stamp a focal image on the inside of the card. Also, and intermediate crafter could use more in-depth layering stamps for the shaker window design. Truly the design possibilities are limitless. Below are the items I used to create this card.

2nd card – shaker card – intermediate

1. Altenew pattern play: diamond background stamp
2. Altenew Rock ink
3. Altenew stained glass stamp & die set
4. Altenew pink blush ink, Persian blue ink, frayed leaf ink
5. Acetate – small square
6. Beads and sequins
7. Altenew calming reverie “hello” stamp
8. White cardstock – 130lb
9. Foam dimensional tape

For the third card, I created a slider interactive card. There are different companies which sell slider dies, but I created this one from scratch. To begin, I started with a kraft cardstock card base cut to 4.25″x5.5″. Then for the paper feature, I created a panel from white 130lb heavyweight cardstock. First, I stamped the card panel with a striped background stamp from My Pretty Stamps. Then, using the Altenew Educators Rule Stamp set, I stamped the apple using the layering set. Altenew has a really nifty notebook edges die that I used on one side of it to create the notebook look.

For the slider feature, at the bottom of the stamped notebook background, die cut a pencil shape from the Altenew Educators Rule Die set. Place this panel on top of the kraft card base and trace the outline of the pencil opening. This traced pencil will be our guide when we stamp the sentiment the recipient will see once pulling on the slide feature. To hide the pencil opening, stamp and die cut the pencil from the Educators Rule stamp and die set. I die cut several blank pencils to glue together to create a sturdy pull feature. You can stamp any sentiment you choose, but you’d need to find one small enough to fit the pencil opening so that it can easily be seen once you pull on the outer pencil.

Let’s start putting this card together! After stamping the hidden sentiment, take the notebook panel and turn to the back of it. Using a small dimensional dot, adhere the dot to a dime (or any small metal piece). Before attaching the dime to the card or the pencil, we need to create a slider channel. This will keep the dime in place. You’ll need to cut about eight strips of thick cardstock and glue four together to create two strips, one for the top and bottom. Make sure the channel is wide enough for the dime to move freely, but not too loose. Once the channels are adhered, add foam dimensional tape to the back of it so that once we place this panel on the card base, it will have room to move.

Place the dot side of the dime inside the pencil opening in between the channels. Turn the panel over and place the pencil on top of the dime adhering it to the dimensional dot. Slide the pencil back and forth to check the sturdiness. If you have a “pull” or “pull here” stamp, that is also good to stamp beside the pencil so your recipient will know to pull it.

Finally, on a strip of cardstock, rub the embossing pouch over it. Then stamp the teacher stamp using Versamark ink. Pour black embossing powder over it and heat it to melt it. Die cut the teacher shadow die out four times and glue together to create dimension. Place this on the front of the card. Add a few blue gems to it and adhere the panel to the card base.

I loved how this little teacher card turned out. This could be made using other supplies you have on hand to coordinate for a different theme. I’d love to hear your thoughts about these cards! Below are the materials used for the third card.

3rd card – sliding interactive card – advanced

1. Altenew Educators Rule stamp & die set
2. Background Line stamp (to create notebook lines)
3. Altenew notebook edges die
4. Blue gems
5. Kraft card stock
6. White cardstock
7. Altenew vintage red inks
8. Foam dimensional tape and dots
9. Dime

I’ve said this in many other posts, but if you are a crafter and want to improve your creativity and cardmaking skills, I strongly suggest enrolling in the Altenew Educator Certification Program. Even if you do crafting as a hobby, it will give you ideas to spark your creativity. One of my favorite classes from all three levels was the magic marker class. In this one, I learned how to think outside of the box to create beautiful cards using alcohol markers. There are so many great classes that challenged me.

Another benefit of this program is that you are able to complete it at your own pace. I love how I received feedback on my work to improve my cards, my technique, and the photos of my cards. I am still working on the photos to fine tune those, but the AECP program has been so beneficial for me. I cannot thank the Altenew team enough for their support, their encouragement, and their feedback.

Teaching this was so much fun with beginner crafters. They loved the cards they made and we had a blast laughing and crafting.

I would love to know what you thought about these cards. What ideas do you have for using the supplies you have on hand? Don’t forget to watch the blooper videos!