Thursday, March 5, 2020

Certified Altenew Educator Blog Hop - For the Love of Flowers


Hello everyone!  Today's Certified Altenew Educator Blog Hop is a special event with Altenew - a blog hop with the theme of "For the Love of Flowers".  This hop is different than others we've done before; there is a linky party over at the Altenew Card Blog so that all the customers can join in and show off their skills.

You should have arrived here from Amy Hill's Blog found here.  I've included the full Blog List for you below.


I wish I was better with Watercolor, but I keep plugging along as time allows.  I think I finally realized what it is that I'm doing wrong but I haven't had time to test that theory yet.  I do have real watercolors - about three different sets, but I'm a lot more comfortable using reinkers with a water brush.  Unfortunately, I think this is my problem - I'm using colors that are too similar and I need to add more contrast in my color selections.

I have several real watercolors to work with including the Altenew 36 Half Pan Set but I just signed up for a new class that Emily Midgett is teaching over at Altenew Academy.  Its called "Artist Watercolor 101 for Paper Crafters" and you can sign up here: https://altenew.com/products/artists-watercolor-101-for-paper-crafters.

When I was in grade school, the teacher told me I had no artistic ability whatsoever, so I never took art classes during school.  Until 2015,(more than 40 years after grade school) when I started seeing YouTube Videos where people who aren't traditionally "artists" making beautiful cards, I never tried making cards, only scrapbooks.  So the moral of this story is, don't listen to what others say, just listen to your heart.  If it's something you want, keep trying.  I got this stamp set specifically for watercolor because they are line images.  For today's card, I chose Perfectly Perfect Stamps and Coordinating Dies along with a sentiment from Kind Words, which is one that I have collaborated on with Altenew.

I stamped several of the flowers and leaves onto bristol cardstock using Versamark Ink since I was going to use reinkers to paint with.  I heat embossed in Altenew Antique Gold Embossing Powder.  This provides that little channel to paint into that keeps the color from spilling over onto areas where it shouldn't.


I used Altenew Coral Berry (one of my absolute favorites) for the outside edges of the petals with Altenew Heartbeat toward the base of the petals.  I think I needed more water for the Coral Berry which is why I signed up for a watercolor class over at Altenew Academy that Emily Midget is teaching.  One of the things I have learned is that high-quality watercolor has less opacity and more transparency, which is why I have a tendency to use reinkers - they are transparent.  I am anxious to do some homework for my class and try out some of the things I have been learning about.  But first, deadlines. *Ü*


For the leaves, I used Frayed Leaf and Forest Glades reinkers.  I painted these using my little porcelain dish with a drop of reinker and a water brush.

I did ink blending on another panel of the Bristol Paper and added Finetech Gold Spatter to it.  Then I die cut the full A2 size panel for my background.  Adding a sentiment from Kind Words, I stamped it in Versarmark and heat set it with the same Antique Gold EP as well.


After I arranged my flowers, I used the Press-N-Seal trick to pick the whole arrange up and turn it over.  That way you can put glue on the whole backside, then flip it back over and turn the arrangement until it looks how you want it, then laying it in place.  I let my adhesive set for a couple of minutes before I removed the Press-N-Seal.  Then I put adhesive wherever the arrangement is not stuck down well.  It's such a great way to keep your arrangement how you had it, without having to try and duplicate it from a picture on your phone.  A nifty little trick I learned from Laurie Willison.

Don't forget to share your own creation over at the Linky Party on the Altenew Card Blog!  There will be prizes given away!  

Prize info: Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment here on the Altenew Card Blog by 3/11/2020 for a chance to win. We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog on 3/14/2020.

There’s MORE! We will pick 2 of our favorite handmade creations from those who joined the linky party and they will each receive a $15 gift certificate to our store!

Special offer: Save 15% off on ALL Stamp & Die Bundles from 3/5/2020 at 12:01 AM EST until 3/6/2020 at 11:59 PM EST. No code needed to enjoy this sale! Not valid on previous purchases. Excludes February 2020 release products. 



Laurel Beard is your next stop along the hop!  If you've lost your way, you can find the list here on my blog, on the Altenew Card Blog and at any of the stops along the way!  

Update:  I wanted to put a little update here for you regarding the Watercolor 101 for Paper Crafters Class at Altenew Academy.  So I'm only a couple of lessons in and have only practiced a couple of times for the first homework assignment.  My watercolor has come a very long way since I started the class this week!  Here's a little peek for you.  I'm practicing in every spare moment I have, so be sure to watch and see my progress.  I'm not quite right yet, but I have made huge strides.  Let me just say - It is truly all about the paper if you want to learn to do artist style watercoloring.  The class wasn't even available when I made and uploaded this card way back in January.  February was such a busy month for me, so I had to do my project very early!  I plan to paint the little blooms again that I used on today's card, from the (Perfectly Perfect Set) using the best quality watercolor paper!  The Sentiment is from Kind Words.  Links are my affiliate Links.  Be sure to watch for my projects on Instagram as you'll be able to watch how I'm progressing in my Watercolor Class.  

For Altenew Academy Classes, or to learn more about the Altenew Educators Program, check it out here:  https://academy.altenew.com/.  

48 comments:

  1. I love the color combo, it feels fresh and bright. Just like spring!

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  2. I love your card! Great coloring! Thank you.

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  3. I love the look of water coloring and it looks like you are learning loads Vicki, I still really like your initial card though.

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  4. What a beautiful card and design! Water color intimidates me also. Emily to the rescue for me too (one of these days)

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    1. The class is really awesome. Just do one lesson at a time and master that day's techniques before you move to the next day. I'm still practicing for day two!

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    2. Also - The Altenew Academy Class with Emily is $9.00!!!

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  5. Such a pretty card. I'm in the water color class too. I love it.

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  6. Beautiful. Thank you for showing your progress.

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  7. Girl, you're too hard on yourself! Your watercolored these blooms beautifully! Be kind to yourself and you're right, it's all about the paper!! Finding the right paper for me was a game changer.

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  8. I'm not sure anyone every conquers water color. It is a practice in patience

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  9. Vikki your watercolor flowers are beautiful, I really wish I could colour like you. Your card is stunning.

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  10. Love the bright color, I need to branch out. Thanks for the inspiration

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  11. Lovely card, Vicki!!! So true!!! The paper really matters😊 I also fell in love with watercolor but the struggle is real😂 You’ll just have to discover what watercolor/Brush/paper works best for you. ❤️

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  12. Love your card! You have a wonderful inner artist. I too struggle with watercolor - I need to find time to watch more tutorials and practice practice practice.

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  13. Your shading of the flowers looks wonderful. I am new to watercoloring, and am not very good. But I am picking up tips from others.

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  14. Congrats on completing the AEC program and thank you for the amazing inspiration! Your card is gorgeous Vicky, I love that Altenew Class too, well done, your flower looks awesome!

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  15. Gorgeous card! Love the beautiful flowers and the sentiment!
    Congrats on the certification! The watercolor class sounds awesome and I look forward to seeing more cards from you!

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  16. what a lovely creation. Love your work and your card. Lots of love Neha

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  17. What a beautiful floral card!! Great design and colors! Looks so refreshing :)

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  18. I think your flowers are just beautiful!

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  19. Okay, 1 - That card is GORGEOUS. 2 - That teacher should be spanked. 3 - Your watercolors are beautiful! Can't wait to see more.

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  20. Wow! Stunning and very elegant card.

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  21. Hi Vicki! I think your card is my favorite in the blog. It is just gorgeous!!

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  22. The watercolor class was good for some tips and much needed practice. Every attempt will just keep getting better.

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  23. This is gorgeous!! Love the background and the gold embossing!

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  24. So pretty with the gold embossing.

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  25. Your card is beautiful! Love how you put all those flowers together!

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  26. Very pretty and fun. I like the curve of the flower layering and your color choice!

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  27. I LOVE the flowers. The colouring is stunning and the design is superb. Fantastic card

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  28. Gorgeous card, Vicki. I love the pretty colors.

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  29. This is gorgeous! I love the vibrant coral color!

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  30. Love that gold embossing with the watercolors!

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  31. Wow, what a beautiful card! I like how you arranged and layered the flowers. The red is vibrant and I love the color.

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  32. I LOVE the vibrant colors! What a gorgeous card and design!

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  33. Love the image placement in your beautiful card. BTW, your watercolor update....fantastic job. Watercolor is so fun and can be so rewarding and relaxing.

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    1. I do find it very relaxing, which is why I keep trying. With the proper supplies, I fell like I am getting there. Practice, practice, practice, just like everything that you want to be good at.

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  34. I think your flowers look lovely. I'm not very good at coloring and am getting ready to take Emily's class also. Unfortunately, I don't have many of the necessary supplies so it's going to take me a while. I just got my first shipment today. Good luck with your progress.

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  35. Your card is beautiful! I may have to checkout the watercolor class, thanks for sharing the Update.

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  36. The floral spray you created is beautiful. I love how it cascades across the card.

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  37. I love your beautiful card. Your water coloring is wonderful.

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  38. Hi Vicki. I’m with you, I’m still working on my watercoloring and thanks for sharing your journey. The flowers do look lovely

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  39. You are too hard on yourself Vicki! I think your card looks gorgeous and you have coloured it beautifully. I love the colour combination too!
    Thank you for being part of this hop!

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  40. your design and coloring is really lovely - i'm like you trying to get better at watercoloring - one of these days....

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  41. Beautiful card! I love all of the layers and great red color you used.

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  42. Watercolor is definitely a different skill set and one I have yet to master. When my life slows down, I will take a couple of watercolor classes. Your card is lovely and the background beautifully lets the flowers be center stage.

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    1. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see how far I've come in the last few weeks. There's another Altenew Hop and I have several watercolor cards! I hope you enjoy and get inspired to try some yourself.

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Thank you so much for making my day by leaving an encouraging comment! It means the world to me when you do. Hugs!