You Radiate Awesome

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Saturday!  Today I have a quick share featuring some dimensional Gerber Daisies and a highly textured card made with 2 lovely young women in mind.

My nieces are celebrating milestones this week.  My older niece graduated college with a degree in Respiratory Therapy.  The younger one graduated High School and will soon be in Atlanta Georgia studying Design.  I'm so proud of them, they have the world by the Tail!

I've created this card with them in mind, because they both radiate awesomeness.  One is studious and the other is adventurous.  They are both hard workers with the sweetest personalities, obedient, caring and helpful.  Oh what it would be like to be their age again...would you change anything?  

The flowers are from Spellbinders and I've colored them with Distress Oxide and Catherine Pooler Inks, the background is smooshed with Salty Ocean Distress Ink.  The Pink and Orange flowers are popped on craft foam for dimension, the sentiment is a premade strip from Simon Says Stamp, I've splattered everything with white acrylic paint and added some confetti sequins for that extra WOW factor.  I also tucked in an Altenew Crosshatch die cut but it's hard to see.

McKenna and Madison - Congratulations on your achievements!  The world is your Oyster! Remember to love and protect yourselves, enjoy life and Make Your Mark!  We love you!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Night Owls

All Sorts

Crafty Catz

Creative Fingers

Cut It Up

Outlawz Festive Friday

CRAFT Challenge

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Blue. Free, Any Shape

AYLI - Feminine because I have WAY more stash for feminine than masculine, and I love Florals

Cardz 4 Galz

Through the Purple Haze

Sisterhood of Crafters

The Four Seasons Challenge

613 Avenue Create

Altenew Academy Level 1 Course: Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Hello Friends!  Today I'm sharing my project for the Altenew Educator Certification Program Level 1 Course:  Easy Die Cutting Techniques.  This is a great course, loaded with ideas and tips for easy but effective die-cutting.  My card features layered die cuts and ink blending.

I've used the Altenew Craft-A-Flower Morning Glory Die Set to create 4 Morning Glories and leaves in shades of Purples and Greens.  This is a lovely set and appears intimidating, but actually it was enjoyable and therapuetic putting the pieces together.

To start, I ink blended 80 lb. white card in the shades I wanted for the flowers and leaves.  I'll admit I have colored card to use but I was in the crafting zone, home alone, candle lit and ink blending just sounded relaxing.

After allowing the inked card to dry completely, I proceeded to die cut the pieces and here's a Tip:  I used small tin trays to keep all the die cuts separated; organizing by color.  Once all pieces were cut, I started adhering the pieces together with liquid adhesive.  The die set has a guide to assist you in putting the elements together so it was not intimidating at all.  Once the die pieces are together, they become dimensional, chipboard-like embellishments, which I like a lot!

Naturally, no card of mine would be complete without sparkle and/or shine so I brought out some gold foil Washi tape I've had in my stash for several holidays but why wait for the Christmas Season?  I applied the Washi to a 2" panel in a diagonal pattern and adhered to the 110 lb. card base.  

I did a dry run layout for the floral and leaves and once I was pleased with the look, using Press and Seal Plastic Wrap, I picked up the die cuts and applied liquid adhesive to the backs.  The Press and Seal keeps everything together and makes adhering the layout to the card quick and easy.

I stamped the sentiment, which is from the Altenew Amaryllis Layering Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle, die cut with a circle die and mounted on craft foam before adhering to the card front.  Lastly, I applied enamel glitter dots for additional interest.

I enjoyed the process of creating this card and the course was very informative and inspiring.  This is the first layering die set I've put together and probably wouldn't have tried using these types of sets had it not been for the course.  I'm glad I took that step...now I do believe I'm hooked!

Thanks for visiting today and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Creative Knockouts

Aud Sentiments

Cardz 4 Galz

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Time Out Challenges

Cute Card Thursday

Lil Red Wagon

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

NBUS

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