AECP Third Course: Clean and Simple Boutique Cards


This course is a blast from the past - tools, in particular, are from earlier times and many have since been replaced by Altenew with newer versions.  The stamp-a-ma-jig was a real walk down memory lane! Having been stamping for many years, I have seen supplies come and go.  I sometimes feel the urge to buy the newer tools, even when my existing older tools are still perfectly serviceable. Stamping can be  expensive and I am forever figuring out ways to stay on a budget (Thank you, Altenew, for your sales and reward points).  These days I am particularly focusing on using older supplies.  Hence - today's card, Soar (Altenew stamp copyright 2021)!

Soar is an older Altenew mini stamp set that I have always loved. I've used it for home decor, graduation cards and birthday cards, especially for younger people. It's always been part of a much more elaborate card.  This course was my opportunity to make it clean and simple and yet still convey the same message.  I enjoyed the challenge.

I did some ink blending in the center to signify the sun and, in a way, the sunrise. I used Altenew's mini Soar stamping set together with mini blending brushes and Altenew's inks: Obsidian pigment ink, Crisp dye inks Marigold, Fresh Lemon, and Tanzanite. I layered the card with gold foil and dark blue cardstock. 



Two weeks later...  I was not that happy with this card.  I thought that it did't make the impact that I try for when I make cards.  I decided to make it again, but this time to deepen the colors, highlight the small words and add splatters to the background, in lieu of stars.  The words are so small that I thought they got lost, and the imagery, I felt, was not dramatic enough.  So here is my second try.  All the supplies remain the same except that I substituted Altenew Snapdragon Crisp Dye Ink for the Marigold, I used yellow cardstock rather than gold foil cardstock, and I made splatters with Altenew Amethyst Metallic Watercolors.  The metallic watercolors add a sparkle that doesn't show up in the photo, but in person it gives a shine to the card. After all that, I like the original card better!!!




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