Today, I am going to share a masculine birthday card. This is a part of the final challenge given to me for completing Level 1 of the Altenew Educator Certification Program. I do have a video tutorial too.
I was asked to create a masculine card using any three techniques learnt in the Level 1 classes held at the Altenew Academy. Here is the video tutorial:
I used the three basic techniques, Ink Blending, Layer Stamping and heat embossing to add shimmer and shine to my card.
For my card I have used Altenew’s Arabesque Medallion Stamp set. I really found this motif stamp very elegant and pretty.
Firstly, I took a 5”X 7” Neenah Solar White 80 pounds cardstock. I mounted the motif to my MISTI door and used the Versafine Onyx Black Ink, to stamp the image. As the stamp was already mounted, I also took a sheet of Inkadinkado masking paper and stamped the motif on that too.
Next, I selected the parts of the motif which I wanted to heat emboss. There are many small stamps in this set which can be used to add colour and these fit perfectly onto the big motif.
Using Versamark Ink and some Superfine Gold embossing powder, I then heat emboss the desired parts. For every portion I was heat embossing I was using the Anti-Static powder before-hand, to avoid getting the embossing powder everywhere.
Next, I took the masking paper on which I had stamped the motif. Using a pair of scissors first I fussy cut the outside border line and remove all the extra paper. Next, using a pencil I marked the parts through which I wanted the background colour to show. Now these were the parts I had to fussy cut. For this I used a paper knife. Here is a small tip, the parts which I wanted to remove, I cut slits into them. Then I could cut these using my pointy scissors easily.
As this motif is a repetitive pattern, I did not bother to cut it fully and decided to just flip the mask once half way through with the ink blending. I will make sense in few seconds so please bear with me.
Once the fussy cut was done, I adhered the mask to the heat embossed card base. I have recently swatched all my Altenew and Distress Oxides and these are really helpful in choosing the right ink for a project.
I choose the Distress Oxide Faded Jeans for the background color. Using my Picket Fence Studio Life Changing Brushes, I applied the ink to the background. I then used the Distress Spray bottle to spray water onto the background to create some textures. I did use my heat gun to dry the water. Next, I took the mask out and carefully flipped and adhered it to the other half and repeated all the steps. I then carefully peeled off the masking paper.
At this time, I noticed that there were some very thin portions at the margins still white. So, I took a thin brush and applied the distress oxide, this just made the inking very neat.
Next, I took three colours, which went well with the Faded Jeans distress oxide. I layered and stamped all the small images to create a pattern on the motif.
Once stamped I again used a brush and Altenew inks to cover up the portions which I had missed inking while layering.
At this point, I decided to add more shimmer to my card, but it was a failed attempt as the grey ink somehow turned all pink, so I did layer and stamp again with the grey ink. This added ink layer actually made those potions pop.
Next, I trimmed my panel to a 5” x 5” square, and also prepared a top folding card base 5.5” x 5.5”. I also took another piece of cardstock 5.25” X 5.25” for matting the stamped panel. To this matting, I added the Altenew ink to match the inked panel. I then used Art Glitter Glue to stick all the layers together.
For the sentiment, I used the Happy Birthday sentiment from Label Love Stamp set. After stamping and cutting the sentiment strip, I did use my copic marker in black color and went over all the edges of the sentiment strip. This just makes the strip pop up and hides the white cardstock.
I did use foam strips to create dimension and for adhering the sentiment strip to the card.
Finally, to finish off the card, I used some black sequins.
 Neenah 80lb Classic Crest Cardstock Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares Variety Pack Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Idea-Ology Design Ruler 12″ Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 ORIGINAL MISTI LASER ETCHED Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Neenah 110# Classic Crest Cardstock Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad Onyx Black Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Inkadinkado Stamping Mask Paper Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 EK Tools Mini Scoring Board Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Large Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Tim Holtz Guillotine Comfort Trimmer 8.5″ Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Crafters Companion – Go Machine Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Ranger Embossing Powder Super Fine Gold Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Altenew – Label Love Stamp Set Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Heat It Craft Tool Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Jewel Picker Double Ended Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Altenew – Arabesque Medallion Stamp Set Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Tim Holtz Ink Pad Distress Oxides Ink Pad Faded Jeans Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 CREATIVE CORNERS Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Goodbye Static! Anti-Static Pad Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro Serrated Mini Snips 5″ Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Picket Fence Studios Blender Brushes 10/Pkg Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer 4oz Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Art Impressions – WC Brush NO. 1 Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Altenew – Gentleman’s Gray Mini Cube Set Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Altenew – Delectable Delights Mini Cube Set Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Art Institute Glitter – Adhesive – Designer Dries Clear 2oz Shop at: Krafters Cart |
 Darice Double-Sided Foam Sticky Strips 33/Pkg White Shop at: Krafters Cart |