I cannot believe I am finally here, writing a post for Altenew Academy – AECP Level 1 – Final Challenge and am so excited to share my projects I have created for this challenge!

My challenge contained in

• Some components learned from the classes in Level 1,AECP
• Sets of Feminine cards and Masculine cards . (which is not easy for someone like me who loves flowers and try to incorporate them into most of my cards)
• Cards with similar and cohesive theme as the rest of the set
• a minimum of 4 to 12 cards per set
• Everything packed in a very nice way that can be give to your loved one
• Inserted a recycled thing in the project

As a part of basic planning, i decided to set a theme for my masculine and feminine card sets. For that i choose two color pallets from the internet.

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The male color palette includes colors such as black,light grey,dark grey,dark brown,light brown,dark turquoise etc.

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While the feminine color pallet includes colors like mulberry,dark pink, light pink, off white,red ,green etc.

Then i categorized the cards into different themes and occasions, each pair of cards were made with the same stamp set reciprocal to their color theme. Here, i am planning to introduce the cards according to their theme. and they are as follows:

1. Inspiration Card

Telling someone that they have been an inspiration for you is like making them feel happy of their existence in your life This inspiration card is something like that.

a) Masculine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Limestone crisp die ink from Altenew
silverlake crisp die ink from Altenew
Tsukineko Versa Mark Dazzle Pigment Ink
Hero Arts Unicorn Pigment Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Statement flower stamp set from Altenew
Halftone Circles stamp set from Altenew
Other:
Neenah classic crest white card stock
black card stock paper
Water color palette from altenew
watercolor brush from altenew
Misti stamping tool
Methods used-
Irresistible inking techniques( Painting with Ink pads )
Clean and simple boutique cards(simple styling /metallic details)
For The Guys

Sometimes all you need to create an amazing card is plain white cardstock, a stamp and some ink. So I trimmed a white card stock into 4*5 1/4 and stamped a flower from statement flower stamp set with Dazzle pigment ink. Then I stamped the crisp die inks on my watercolor pallet and blended them with my watercolor brush . i blended the outline of the flower with it from darker to lighter shade .Once done,I stamped a sentiment from the halftone circles stamp set ”you are my inspiration” on a black card stock paper and trimmed it into a sentiment strip and glued it to the middle of the flower. finally i stuck this card to a 4 1/4 *5 1/2 black card stock paper. If you focus on the card,you can find that the shadings are done in a particular direction. Its acombination of various horizontal lines. It helps us to get the gradient look on the card ,as well as the geometrical feature gets fullfilled. One of the best things about these cards are that they are the easiest to create, and perfect for beginners.

b) Feminine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Midnight violet Dye Ink from Altenew
lavender fields Dye Ink from Altenew
Deep iris Dye Ink from Altenew
Hunter Green Crisp Dye Ink from Altenew
Sweet leaf Crisp Dye Ink from Altenew
Just green CrispDye Ink from Altenew
Scattered straw distress ink
Hero Arts Unicorn Pigment Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Statement flower stamp set from Altenew
Halftone Circles stamp set from Altenew
Other:
Neenah classic crest white card stock
Misti stamping tool
Watercolor palette from altenew
Watercolor brush from altenew
Black card stock paper
Green card stock paper
Methods used-
Irresistible inking techniques( Painting with Ink pads )
Easy die cutting ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
Clean and simple boutique cards(simple styling)

I stamped a flower from statement flower stamp set with distress ink on a white card stock paper. After stamping my crisp die inks on my watercolor pallet I painted my flower with it. Then die cut it with its coordinating dies. And stuck it on a trimmed white card stock of 4*5 1/4. Once done,I stamped a sentiment from the halftone circles stamp set ”you color my world” with white pigment ink on a black card stock paper and trimmed it into a sentiment strip and glued it to the middle of the flower. finally i stuck this card to a 4 1/4 *5 1/2 green card stock paper.

2. Appreciation Card

A special way to tell your spouse how much you love and appreciate them.

a) Masculine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Sand Dunes Crisp Dye Ink
Rocky Shore Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Trophy Life Stamp set
Other:
Neenah classic crest white card stock
Embossing Ink from Altenew
Tinsel gold, Ranger Embossing powder
Round circle stencil
Sizzix bigshot die cutting machine
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Foam tape
Heat gun
Misti stamping tool
HeroArts Embossing heat gun
Methods used :
Clean and simple boutique cards(simple styling /metallic details)
Ink blending techniques (Ink Blend a cardstock)
Easy die cutting ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
All About Layering (1&2)
Let It Shine Lesson (Embossing Powder)
For The Guys(Geometrics)

I trimmed a white card stock into 4*5 1/4 and placed the circle round stencil on the card stock. I ink blended Sand Dunes Crisp Dye Ink and Rocky Shore Crisp Dye Ink over the card stock. I also blended a thin strip on the top and bottom of the card stock . These circles add to the geometrical element to the card.Then I took a white cardstock paper and dusted it with some sort of antistatic powder .This fine layer of powder will prevent embossing powder from sticking to areas where you don’t want it to stick.Then I stamped the trophy with clear embossing ink and then embossed it with Tinsel gold Embossing powder from Ranger. Before heat setting my embossing powder, I used a dry brush to sweep away any stray pieces of embossing powder. These little specs will expand as they heat and turn in to blobs. Quickly brushing away strays will give us great results every time. Then I heatset it with my heat gun. The base of the trophy was stamped with jet black. I choose a sentiment from the same set and stamped it on a white card stock paper i trimmed it down and stuck it to a black card stock paper.and later on trimmed that too, leaving a small black border. I stuck it on the base card using foam tape.

b) Feminine Card

Products used- Ink:
Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink
Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink
Rubellite Crisp DyeInk
Stamps and Dies:
Trophy Life Stamp set
Other:
Neenah classic crest white card stock
Embossing Ink from Altenew
clear Embossing powder from Altenew
Round circle stencil
sizzix bigshot diecutting machine
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Foam Tape
Misti stamping tool
HeroArts Embossing heat gun
Methods used-
Ink blending techniques (basic ink Blended background/emboss resist)
Easy die cutting ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
Irresistible inking techniques( Painting with Ink pads )
All About Layering (1&2)Let It Shine Lesson ( Embossing Powder)

I trimmed a white card stock into 4*5 1/4 and placed the stencil on the card stock. I ink blended it with Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink and Rubellite Crisp Dye ink. I also blended a thin strip on the top and bottom of the card stock . Then on a white card stock paper I stamped the trophy with the same crisp dye inks and then stamped clear embossing ink on it. It was a must to prep my surface with some sort of antistatic powder tool before clear embossing it. This fine layer of powder will prevent embossing powder from sticking to areas where you don’t want it to stick.
Then I embossed it with clear Embossing powder from Ranger. While heat setting it, I made sure to Heat it to the max. I made my heat tool to heat up to its hottest point before taking it to the paper. This will minimize the amount of time it takes for the powder to melt and will minimize warping. The base of the trophy was stamped with jet black. For the middle portion of the trophy ,I stamped my crisp die inks on my watercolor pallet and I painted that part with it. I choose a sentiment from the same set and stamped it on a white card stock paper i trimmed it down and stuck it to a black card stock paper.and later on trimmed that too, leaving a small black border. I stuck it on the base card using foam tape.

3. Eid Card

Eid has reached the corner, what else more do you want to celebrate.

a) Masculine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Evening Gray Crisp Dye Ink
Galactic Stream Crisp Dye Ink
Tsukineko Stazon  Jet black Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Eid Greetings Stamp Set
Eid al Adha Stamp Set
Other:
Sizzix big shot die cutting machine
Misti stamping tool
Neenah classic crest white card stock
Black card stock paper
Sizzix Embossing folder
recycled envelope
sticking pearls(white)
Methods used–
Used Recycled product
Easy Ink blending techniques ( ink Blend a cardstock)
Let It Shine Lesson (Embellishments)
For The Guys (Geometrics)

Initially I trimmed a white card stock paper into 4*5 1/4 and ink blended it with my Evening Gray Crisp Dye Ink and Galactic Stream Crisp Dye Inks. Then i kept it between an embossing folder from sizzix and ran it through my big shot die cutting machine. Then I trimmed the recycled paper(i trimmed it out from an envelope, found in my mom’s room) into 2 pieces. The smaller strip was stuck below the bigger one leaving few inches gap. Another reason for me to choose this envelope was due to the geometrical structure on that paper. It has got various number of triangles in diffrent grey shades.This enriches the masculine beauty of the card as a whole. I stamped the haram(mosque with kaaba) picture sentiment on the top piece and the sentiment of eid greetings on the paper below it. Then i stuck some pearls on the embossed areas.

b) Feminine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink
Coral Berry Crisp Dye Ink
Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Eid Greetings Stamp Set
Eid al Adha Stamp Set
Other:
Sizzix bigshot die cutting machine
Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Misti stamping tool
Embossing folder for aliexpress
recycled paper
sticking pearls (pink)
Methods used–
Used Recycled product
Easy Ink blending techniques ( ink Blend a cardstock)
Let It Shine Lesson (Embellishments)

Initially I trimmed a white card stock paper into 4*5 1/4 and ink blended it with my Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink and Coral Berry Crisp Dye Inks from altenew. Then i kept it between an floral embossing folder and ran it through my sizzix big shot. Then I trimmed the recycled paper(pink craft paper from a wedding invitation) into a size which fits the width of the card. Here my paper was smaller than the width of the actual card, so i stuck it on a black card stock strip.The pattern paper was an inch more in length than the black strip. Then i stamped the mosque stamp on the bottom part and the sentiment on the the top on the pattern paper with jet black ink. then i struck it on a black card stock paper of size 4 1/4*5 1/2. Then i stuck some pearls on the embossed areas.

4. Love you Card

Saying I love you with a greeting card is something which you can forever treasure in your life.

a) Masculine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Dew Drops Crisp Dye Ink
Aqualicious Crisp Dye Ink
Teal Cave Crisp Dye Ink
Galactic Stream Crisp Dye Ink
Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Build-A-Flower: Triumph Tulip Layering Stamp & Die Set
Build-A-Flower: Columbine Layering Stamp & Die Set
Apothecary Labels Stamp & Die Bundle
I love you calyptus from lawn fawn
Other:
Sizzix bigshot
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Foam tape
Misti stamping tool
Methods used-
Easy Die Cutting Techniques ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
All About Layering (1&2)
For The Guys

I trimmed a black card stock into 4*5 1/4 and kept it aside. Then stamped triumph tulip flowers on a white card stock paper with Dew Drops Crisp Dye Ink, Aqualicious Crisp Dye Ink, Teal Cave Crisp Dye Ink and Galactic Stream Crisp Dye Ink from Altenew. I stamped the leaves with the lightest shade. And then die cut it with the coordinating die set. Then I stamped a darker shade on my watercolor pallet and then colored the leafs by shading over it using a water color brush. The stem was from an another build a flower set(Columbine layering stamp set) The die cut pieces were stuck on the black cardstock paper which was kept aside in the beginning. Then I stamped an Apothecary Label using the same shade on a white card stock paper and die cut it with a coordinating die. That label add on to the beauty of the card. This can also be considered as the masculine geometcrical ellement of the card, apart from the color theme. Then I stamped a “I love you” sentiment with jet black ink on it using a stamp set from lawn fawn. I didn’t have a darker card stock paper matching to the theme. So I inkblended a white card stock with the same crisp die ink. I trimmed it out into 4 1/4* 5 1/2 and placed it behind the black cardstock paper.

b) Feminine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink
Rubellite Crisp Dye Ink
Pink diamond Crisp Dye Ink
Razzleberry Crisp Dye Ink
Firefly Crisp Dye Ink
Grass field Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Build-A-Flower: Triumph Tulip Layering Stamp & Die Set
Mega brush Alpha stamp set
I love you calyptus from lawn fawn
Other:
Sizzix bigshot die cutting machine
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Foam tape
Misti stamping tool
Methods used–
Easy die cutting ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
All About Layering (1&2)
Irresistible inking techniques( Painting with Ink pads )

I trimmed a Neenah classic crest white card stock paper into 4*5 1/4. Then I stamped my triumph tulips with Pinkalicious Crisp Dye Ink, Rubellite Crisp Dye Ink, Pink diamond Crisp Dye Ink and Razzleberry Crisp Dye Ink. And then I die cut it with its coordinating dies. The leaves were stamped in firefly Crisp Dye Ink on the white cardstock paper. Then I stamped a darker shade on my watercolor pallet and then colored the leafs by shading over it using a water color brush. The stem was also drawn using the same method. Then I stuck the Tulip flowers on the card using form tape. On the lower side of the card I stamped love using the alphabet stamps from Mega brush Alpha stamp set from Altenew. I prefered using the jet black crisp die ink for it. I also stamped “you” from I love you calyptus stamp set from lawn fawn. At the end I trimmed a pale pink cardstock paper into 4 1/4 *5 1/2 card. And stuck it behind the white one.

5.Congratulation Card

Events in life call for a congratulations such as: a job promotion, graduation or just about anything that is a really important achievement for someone . So here I make a job promotion feminine card and a graduation masculine card.

a) Masculine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Build-A-Flower :Begonia layering stamp and die set.
Other:
Black Artistic marker from Altenew
Neenah classic crest solar white card stock
Light green cardstock paper
Black card stock paper
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Misti stamping tool
Methods used–
Clean & Simple Boutique Cards (Simple Styling)
For The Guys

I trimmed a Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock into 4 *5 1/4 card stock. And stamped the outline stamp of build a flower begonia randomly on the cardstock. I choose this particular stamp set from Altenew because it gives a circle dimension to the flowers. Then leaving the inner part plain. I colored the outer part of the flowers with Jet black artistic markers.I did them as repeated thin strips.once that is done, I trimmed a Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock into thin strip and stamped “congratulations”, from sweetest peas stamp set on it. Then I covered that strip with black cardstock paper. And stuck it towards the middle of the card. The rectangle strip sentiment , horizontal marker lines, the black and white color code all together enriches the masculine look of the card. The technique used in making of the cards is really easy and simple . Any beginners can give a try on it

b) Feminine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink
Firefly Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Build-A-Flower: Begonia layering stamp and die set
Say it with love stamp set from Altenew
Other:
Velvet Artistic marker from Altenew
Crimson Artistic marker from Altenew
Ruby Red Artistic marker from Altenew
Sticky pearls (white)
Sizzix bigshot die cutting machine Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Misti stamping tool
Methods used–
Clean & Simple Boutique Cards (Simple Styling)
Let It Shine Lesson (Embellishments)
Seasonal Scene Building(Masking A Scene)

I trimmed a Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock into 3 3/4 *5 card stock. Then stamped Build-A-Flower: Begonia layering stamp on the left corner of the card with jet black crisp die ink from Altenew. Then masking it with a die cut piece of the same flower set, I stamped the next flower slightly above it. I stamped 3 begonias in the same way. Then I colored them with 3 variations of red artistic markers. Then I trimmed a green cardstock paper into 4 *5 1/4 and stuck it behind my cardstock paper. I also trimmed a black cardstock paper into 4 1/4 *5 1/2 and placed it behind the green cardstock paper. Thus the 3 layer of cardstock paper brings a little more dimension to the card. And at the end I stamped my sentiment with Firefly Crisp Dye Ink towards the right side of the card

6. Anniversary card

A Happy Anniversary card is usually given by a wives and husbands to each other. But here is something special for the most wonderful couple i have ever met in my life.

a) Masculine Card

Products used-
Ink–
Espresso Crisp Dye Ink
Mocha Crisp Dye Ink
Rocky Shore Crisp Dye Ink
Sand Dunes Crisp Dye Ink
Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Calming Reverie Stamp & Die Bundle from Altenew
Happy Pomegranates Stamp Set from Altenew
Other:
Sizzix bigshot die cutting machine
Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock
Kokuyo Dotliner strong adhesive Tape
Foam tape
Misti stamping tool
Methods used–
Easy die cutting ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
All About Layering (1&2)
For The Guys (Geometrics)

I trimmed a Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock into 4 *5 1/4 card stock. Then I took an another card stock paper and stamped Calming Reverie Stamp with Mocha and Rocky Shore Crisp Dye Ink (light shading) and the second layer was done with Jet black crisp die ink. Then I trimmed it with its coordinating dies. I stamped the leaves towards the right side of the flower. The flower by itself gives a semi circle geometric feature to the card. A similar flower stamp was done towards the top right corner of the card with. I stuck the die cut flower with foam tape and stamped happy anniversary with jet black ink towards the center of the card. Both “happy” and “anniversary” sentiments were from the happy pomegranates stamp set from Altenew.

b) Feminine Card

Products used-
Ink:
Heartbeat Crisp Dye Ink
Vineyard berry Crisp Dye Ink
Caribbean Sky Crisp Dye Ink
Firefly Crisp Dye Ink.
Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink
Stamps and Dies:
Calming Reverie Stamp & Die Bundle from Altenew
Happy Pomegranates Stamp Set from Altenew
Other:
Sizzix bigshot die cutting machine
Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock
Misti stamping tool
Embossing folder from Sizzix
Methods used–
Easy die cutting ( Stamps and Matching Dies )
All About Layering (1&2)
Irresistible inking techniques( Painting with Ink pads )
Seasonal Scene Building(Masking A Scene/Oversized Scenes)

Initially I trimmed a black cardstock into 4 1/4 *5 1/2. Then kept it between a sizzix embossing folder ran it through by sizzix big shot die cutting machine. In an another Neenah classic crest solar white cardstock I stamped the flower from Calming Reverie Stamp Set with Heartbeat Crisp Dye Ink and Vineyard berry Crisp Dye Ink. By masking it with its coordinating stencil, I stamped the leaf too with Firefly Crisp Dye Ink. I stamped the vase from versatile vases stamp set by masking both the flower and the leaf. I stamped Caribbean Sky Crisp Dye Ink on my watercolor pallet and I painted it using a water color brush. Then I trimmed it and pasted it into the black cardstock paper. The I stamped happy anniversary to a white card stock paper with jet black crisp die ink from Altenew. Trimmed it and pasted it to the side of the flower vase.

Wrapping up the cards

Alhamdulilah, done with the making of the cards. Now it’s time to set up a package for it. I have made a bundle of cards today. Each masculine as well as feminine card sets have almost 6 cards. I wanted to make a cover which can act as a storage as well as a display able package for my cards and I needed it fast.Like most crafters, space is precious to us, so I needed something narrow and tall rather than short and wide!This is what I came up with!
I took a cereal box from the kitchen and opened it up. Focusing on it’s length, I trimmed it into half. I did this for 2 reasons. Firstly I didn’t want something which was this tall. Secondly, as I trimmed it into half, I could make 2 of them with the same box.
Now focusing on the side of the box. I trimmed it into 2. This makes the width of our card holder reduced into half of its size. And the other half can be used for the opposite side of the card. Then I kept my greeting card of that cereal sheet, and marked its length. I just marked half inch extra so that the cards won’t be tight inside the box. I scored a line there with my scoring board. Then I measured the same width as on the left side and scored it on the right side too. Base parts can be trimmed as per our convince to fold. For the mascunine holder I stuck black cardstock inside thebox,while for the feminine holder i choose pink.Then I stuck the opposite part together to it by overlapping its sides. Now u can get a top opened box.
I didn’t want my package to be closed completely on the front. So I trimmed half way through the front of the card. (trimmed only the front portion). Then I drew, a diagonal line connecting the back portion and the front of the card. I trimmed it along the lines. Then I stuck the outer side of the box with recycled papers and pattern papers. To add more look, I stuck some sticky pearls too. That’s when I decided to add a personal touch to it. So I stamped an Apothecary label stamp on a white card stock paper with cohesive theme color code. I stamped a sentiment which says “capture every moment” (Say Cheese Stamp Set from Altenew) with jet black crisp die ink from Altenew.

So that’s it. Finally I have come to the end of my project at level 1 AECP. I am really glad to be a part of our aecp community. They just help us to get out the best in us in all the ways possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the most lovely lady of Altenew Academy, Erum. She is someone who always offered me encouragement every step of the way.I had some technical issues with my blog and it did took few days to get fixed. But she stood up by my side with all her support. A big shout out to her, for understanding. Thank you!

Finally I am very grateful to all of you visiting my blog, I truly appreciate the support.Hope to see you all soon with another project from AECP. Until then happy stamping and thanks for stopping by!

-shahi