card making Archives - Paper Explosion

Easy Ink Blending Techniques: AECP Level 1

Continuing in my Altenew Educator Certification Program journey, the next session I completed was Easy Ink Blending Techniques. I love the soft and dreamy backgrounds I create with just a bit of ink and a blending brush. The lessons included in this class block are Basic Ink Blended Backgrounds, Ink Blend Card Stock, Adding Details […]

AECP Level 1: Celebration: Stencil Techniques

My next session in the Altenew Educator Certification Program is all about stencils. The lessons included creating your own stencils using dies, using embossing paste through a stencil, stamping with stencils, and stencil overlays. For my homework assignment, I chose to make a card using embossing paste through a stencil. Background Stencil There are tons […]

AECP Level 1: All About Layering 4

The past week has been quiet. I’ve been working on birthday cards and thinking about doing some fall and Halloween ATCs. I also worked on my second Altenew Educator Certification Program homework assignment. This lesson was also focused on layering stamps. Honeysuckle Layering Stamps One of my recently purchased stamp sets is the Build-A-Flower: Honeysuckle […]

AECP Level 1: All About Layering 3

The past month has been a bit busy with welcome visits from family and friends. It truly feels as if life is returning to a new normal. We took quick trips to Las Vegas and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We’ve had rain, which is welcome since we are desert dwellers. Anyway, it’s […]

Altenew Craft Your Life Bouquet Bonanza

The last month has been challenging. I had cataract surgeries on both eyes, so crafting was off the table for a bit. This past Saturday, I participated in the Altenew Craft Your Life Virtual Retreat – Bouquet Bonanza 2022, focused on using one of their new stamp sets, Timeless Tulips, and pigment inks. The kit […]

Father’s Day Card

This year, I chose to make Father’s Day cards with files from svgcuts.com. The resulting cards have a retro Route 66 design that is fun, and the files also include the envelope. I eliminated the lines in the files for the folds, as I have been having trouble with the paper ripping during assembly. The […]

Jeep Card

To date, I have only used my Brother Scan ‘n Cut to scan images I’ve stamped and cut them, because I have a hard time fussy cutting due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Recently, I decided I need to try the different techniques available with this machine. To that end, I downloaded some files from svgcuts.com. This […]

Altenew Craft Your Life Retreat Color Pop 2022

Since doing two weeks of classes didn’t seem to be enough (hahaha), I also enrolled in Altenew’s Color Pop retreat, 12 hours of crafting. This one really stretched my boundaries. There was a lot of watercoloring, which I haven’t done in quite awhile. I enjoyed the projects, but I can’t say they turned out very […]

Day 10 – Rainbows and Patterns

I had fun with this day’s techniques. Who doesn’t like rainbows? I used a David Tutera Sizzix die for the leafy spray, and Gina K stamps for the birthday greeting on the square card. The bling embellishments are Starform stickers.

Day 9 – Inlay Die Cutting

Today is inlay die cutting. I skipped Day 8 – Die Cut Flowers. I have done plenty of the dimensional florals, and I’m not a big fan. I mail 99% of my cards, and those shaped florals simply do not stand up to the treatment of the USPS. So anyway, inlay die cutting is actually […]