Workshop Report

Hello creative friends! I am so excited to share that I recently completed the 5 required courses and projects for the Altenew Academy Educator’s Level 3 program, and qualified to host a virtual (or in-person) 2 hour workshop! Completing the necessary courses up through Level 3 definitely took a bit longer than I had planned (more on that later), but I also learned so much more than I expected. Plus, my actual cardmaking skills improved. More on that later too.

First, I’d like to share about my workshop. Hopefully, I’ll inspire someone else to step outside of their comfort zone, and share part of themselves with other lovely people who enjoy the same things. For anyone who knows me, or someone like me, it’s no surprise I was stressed and anxious leading up to my class. A touch of adrenaline helps me focus and pay attention to details, and think things through. So that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I had to develop a new temporary mantra called “It’s going to be fun!”.

I started to prepare for the workshop by creating an idea for a card. Let’s start with the inspiration for these cards… a vintage doily that I believe Great Aunt Ruby (1887-1986) would have made. That was my Grandmother’s father’s sister. I guess doilies are out of fashion, and not my style anymore, but I do treasure this keepsake that reminds me of my Grandmother, and visits with Aunt Ruby. I used three of the colors to select my inks. I chose to use the Altenew Crisp Dye Ink mini cube sets in Summer Afternoon (yellow and tans), Sugarplums (purples), and Tropical Forest (greens). I also like the way the pansies on the doily are made to ruffle, so I wanted to do something a little similar on my cards. I chose to do some paper sculpting with an optional paper sculpting kit. Optional, because fingers work just as well!

I know with our crazy economy, it’s not all about just using the newest products, but I really HAD to have the Gardenia Layering Die Set! The flowers were so lovely, I could almost smell them! So I thought – ok, I’m gonna splurge… maybe one of the themes to my workshop could be stretching your supplies, using the same supply in different ways, using a product in a potentially new way. And I didn’t want my attendees to feel like they had to buy a lot of product to come to my workshop. Along with that, I purposefully only used white paper, and inks to color it. I said that any Altenew layering die set would work, and any stencils.

I was worried about planning too much, or too little, for the 2 hour time slot. I ended up creating two cards to make, and then had a demonstration at the end, just in case I had extra time, and also to make it more fun – something unexpected! I finished the demo background into a card with leftover bits from my workshop.

I had 7 lovely ladies sign up for my workshop, plus Erum, our fearless leader! Unfortunately I missed a communication, and one lady did not get the Zoom link. I felt awful. This was a learning experience for me. From now on everyone gets my cell phone number! I hope she forgives me!

The texture paste picks up the ink that’s lying on top of the stencil, and drags it, coloring the paste in some spots but also letting the white show, in a variegated fashion.

While that was drying (mine never did!) we went on to the other card. This card is pretty straightforward, and anyone could probably copy the look pretty easily. What I would like to point out is that for the flower, we colored a piece of watercolor paper ON BOTH SIDES with the same color. We used this to cut out one of the flowers from our Gardenia Layering Die Set (or whichever set they were using). To color the paper, we ink smooshed onto a craft mat, added water, and dragged the paper through it to cover. Nothing fancy, just coloring paper with ink. We used a different “technique” to color the paper we would cut the leaves out of… we just randomly applied a few colors of green to a piece of white cardstock with a blending brush, and then die cut the leaves. More green can be added after diecutting, but it’s meant to be another quick and easy way to color paper, leaving some white and lighter sections for variation. Both the flower petals and the leaves were shaped using the Sizzix Tim Holtz Shaping Kit. I demonstrated that the same paper shaping effect can be created just by using your fingers to shape the petals.

I explained a few things I tried with the backrground that didn’t work out so well, and then how I blended Warm Sunshine ink through the Elegant Swirls Stencil. Using the same ink, I stamped tiny text from the Dynamic Duo: Dainty Roses Stamp Set multiple times over the stenciled background. Since the stencil was swirly, I followed that theme by curving my sentiments before stamping. This card was finished with a few Altenew Antique Gold sequins, and another sentiment from the same set, embossed in gold onto white cardstock.

An hour had passed, and it was time to move to the second card with the embossing paste. Mine still wasn’t dry! I live in Virginia, and in the summers, the humidity is usually as high as the temperature. 90 degrees? 90% humidity! Anticipating this, I had made another background with embossing paste the day before, that was dry. See that cute scalloped cut on the edge, behind the hugs sentiment? That was from a random rectangular die. I just used one side of it to cut the line where I wanted it. The rest of the card was very much the same to put together, except the leaves. For the leaves, I used a dark green Distress Oxide Ink on a piece of vellum, then layed another piece of vellum on top, making a vellum sandwich if you will. This keeps the ink from smearing around until it dries, which in Virginia, can take precisely forever and a day. I placed the leaf die cuts on top of the vellum, then cut them out as a sandwich. That keeps your cutting machine and dies clean too. Plus it gives more dimension when you add it to your card like that.

That didn’t take very long, so then I had extra time to talk about glitter. Glitter! How many of us have glitter? All of us! How many of us love to use it? or worse, get a card make with glitter?! So here’s my trick to use up some of it!

I was surpised at the color of the Grape Agate when it dried. I’m sure it was because it was so diluted by the paste. But in person it really is a gorgeous taupey color that highlights the glitter and blends with the flower. This extra card turned out to be my favorite of all!

Class Projects

I love the coloring that Ann added on her card to her flower! Absolutely gorgeous! I new would have thought to use purple to lowlight the edges of the leaves. I don’t remember the name of the stencil she used, but I heard it was discountinued. I’m definitely going to look for it! It looks like she used a top fold card, and also cut away the front of the card, leaving the flower to overlap. Nice detail! For her second card, she kept with the straight theme of her stencil instead of curving the smaller text that she repeated.

These two cards were created by Helen. She used the Altenew Flowing Drops Stencil, and the Craft-A-Flower Southern Magnolia Die Set. The geometric stencil gives me the feeling of a slate walkway! I love her choice of using blues for the flowers. These are beautiful birthday cards. I could also see using this color combination for a Thinking of You card… very peaceful and calm. She did a great job following along with my design!

Leslie knocked these out of the park! She went to town with her ink smooshing on the hugs card and got a lovely, layered texture on her flower petals. How did she do that with the Hugs Die? So Shiney! I guess I will have to join her Level 3 workshop (coming soon!) and find out! She also shared that she did some stamp surgery to get her sentiments to bend on the second card. Now there’s some “fearless” confidence! Special shoutout to Leslie, as she rallied the troops and helped let others know about my workshop!

Pam gets the award for the bravest crafter of my workshop. A fellow Rochesterian, she now lives in Florida and lost power due to Hurricane Debby. Nevertheless, she rejoined on her phone and finished the workshop! Her photos are a little dark, due to no power at the time! Bravo Pam! I love how she chose to use the same elements, but differently. Imagine putting the cards I designed and the cards she designed in a set together? Just a few changes like cutting down the embossed panel differently, and positioning things differently… totally fresh and different looks, in the same style! I think I’m CASEing hers for sure! Next time… seek shelter first, craft second!

Take a look at these beauties, made by my new friend Saskia from the Netherlands! That Craft-A-Flower Open Peony Die Set has been on my wishlist far too long… Hurry up Christmas! The coral pink flower is absoultely stunning. And I love the bigger flower with this card design than the one I used.I wish I could remember what colors she said she used. She used the Flowing Drops Stencil as well as an alternative to my Elegant Swirls, and it definitely gives a nice feeling of movement. Great job Saskia! Don’t you all think she should become an Educator too?

Can you believe we had to convince Alysia (from Alaska!) that we all loved her stripy texture paste background? That’s exactly how I pictured it in my mind! Except I didn’t try it with a striped stencil like she did. I like how she was able to get the darker to lighter colors, and the orientation that she used. I really like the choice of the “Thinking of you” sentiments, all in different fonts! The bright pink flower makes a super cheerful card, and I really like the greens she picked – I’m thinking It’s the beautiful Frosted Foliage (with Silver Sage – my favorite) Fresh Dye ink minicube set.

My Reflections

I was rather anxious and nervous about my workshop. Would anyone be interested enough in my cards to show up? Would I be able to teach them something spectacular? Impart some unbelievable cardmaking wisdom upon them? Would I panic and not be able to speak? As I said earlier, “this is supposed to be fun” quieted most of the silly thoughts.

First of all, everyone I have met in this hobby/industry/whatever is always SO NICE and kind, and happy. I do this because it is a creative outlet, and I can use what I produce to put a smile on someone’s face, let someone know I see them and they matter, or send a virtual hug. If you are preparing to host a similar workshop, create content for YouTube, or post a card to a Facebook group or Instagram, know that Our Community is loving, supportive, and caring! Put aside your doubts!

Next I’d like you all to know that this took far longer than I imagined. At the time I started with the Level 1 classes, I thought surely I could be done in a few months. Then life got lifey. Since I was accepted into the program in October of 2022, I began working full time again from home, my son got married, and my husband was diagnosed with a rare syndrome which caused his bone marrow to stop producing adequately, on the way to failing. We are preparing for his bone marrow transplant as I write this, and we cannot wait for him to be healthy again. So lots of life events got in the way, but I kept chugging along, course after course, enjoying the process, enjoying the learning, and improving my skills.

My reflections on the class? The biggest one is my thanks and gratitude for the lovely ladies/new friends who not only signed up, but showed up, and gave of their time to help support me. Wow! Y’all Rock! And Erum – who reviewed and commented on every single card I made, as well as those of many others who are participating in this program. She gave extra, and is extra appreciated! Thank you Erum! Thanks and gratitude are also due to Altenew for their one-of-a-kind, exceptionally fantastic and diverse Academy of courses available to everyone!

I was also so excited to see everyone’s photos show up in my inbox. It was like opening a gift – seeing what each person did with my initial design! WHen I made my cards, there was only one way in my mind. Seeing the small changes, which often resulted in a “better” design in my mind, was a great learning experience for me.

My “if I have time” idea with the glitter turned out to be the favorite card that I created, and it was just one of those “what if I tried…” kinda things. So I am definitely going to make time to do more of that – just sitting down the next time one of those ideas pops in my head, or I get inspired by the patterns of the Olympic gymnast’s outfits! Talk about colors and sparkles!

Yes, I had a plan, and I had things to share and steps to follow, but it really turned into just a very nice 2 hours of chatting, sharing, getting to know one another, and doing what we love, together. After all folks, we were not designed to be solitary beings. We’re pack animals. We thrive with connection, and there is not a better group of people to connect to in the world, in my opinion!

Thank you for stopping by my blog – I appreciate you! Give yourself permission to take care of yourself today and spend time doing what fills your heart! When your heart is full, there is more to give to others!

Altenew products used:
Altenew Craft-A-Flower: Gardenia Layering Die Set
Altenew Elegant Swirls Stencil
Altenew Leaf Drops Stencil
Altenew Feathery Stencil
Altenew Fancy Hugs Die
Altenew Dynamic Duo: Dainty Roses
Altenew ink pads – Summer Afternoon Fresh Dye Ink (Warm Sunshine), Sugarplums Fresh Dye Ink (Amethyst, Grape Agate, Plum), Tropical Forest Fresh Dye Ink (Olive, Moss)
Altenew Embossing Paste
Altenew Sequins – Antique Gold

Products also featured:
Ranger Transparent Matte Texture Paste
Sizzix Tim Holtz Shaping Kit