Hi there!

My Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP) Final Challenge Project for Level 1 was accepted (Woooo Hooo!) and I’m now able to move on to Level 2!

My first Level 2 class was called “Beyond Basic Backgrounds” and taught some fun techniques for taking my backgrounds to the next level. There was one technique in this class that I’d never even heard of before – using freezer paper as a stencil – so I decided to try my hand at it and see if I could create something fun. You’ll have to tell me what you think!

In full disclosure, I should tell you that this was a hard class for me. My style typically has more subtle backgrounds and I tried several (er…ah…ahem…about six!!) versions of this card before I found one that I really like. Sometimes card-making is like that. You just have to keep trying and come back the next day and look at it all again…and again…and maybe again…to see if your opinion of it changes.

My attempts to use this technique for a more subtle background failed miserably. Watercolors are still fairly new to me, so I haven’t quite gotten the hang of lighter shades and getting the water mix just right. That said, this class was not about water coloring – so I decided to give myself a little grace and make my heavier hand work.

Supplies:

This list may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. 

• Altenew Layered Plaid (B) Cover Die
• Altenew Circled Sentiments Stamp and Die
• Altenew Frosted Garden Stamp Set (for the “sweet friend” sentiment)
• Watercolors
• Freezer Paper
• Taylored Expressions Drip Drops
• Adhesive
• Heat Gun
• Laminator or Heidi Swapp Minc

Instructions:
1. Die cut the Plaid cover plate out of freezer paper.
2. Place the plaid background over a piece of watercolor paper, making sure the shiny/waxy side of the freezer paper is facing the watercolor paper.
3. Place the plaid/watercolor sheets inside a carrier and run them through your laminator or Heidi Swapp Minc so that the wax on the freezer paper binds/adheres to the watercolor paper. Note: Even on my highest setting and running it through multiple times, I could not get my laminator hot enough for the freezer paper die cut to “stick” to the watercolor paper; however, I have a very old laminator so you may be able to make this work. I ended up using my Heidi Swapp Minc on the highest setting (5) and running it through twice.
4. Put down a layer of clear water over your plaid/watercolor background and then gently drop in colors. I did mine in a rainbow fashion using bold colors. Use your brush to move the color or add more water as needed. Once you are happy with the color, set the panel aside to dry.
5. While the panel is drying, stamp the Circle Sentiment in black ink and cut it out with the coordinating die.
6. Cover the circle sentiment with Journey Glaze and set it aside to dry. Note: Journey Glaze will be cloudy until it dries.
7. Heat emboss the banner sentiment (“sweet friend”) on a strip of white paper and make a banner on one end.
8. Once you panel is completely dry, you need to remove the freezer paper by using your heat gun to loosen the wax. Work in small sections, heating and then gently pulling the freezer paper off the watercolor cardstock.
9. Trim your panel to your desired size for your card front and pop it up on the card base using foam tape.
10. Adhere your banner sentiment directly to the card front, and, once it’s completely dry, adhere the glazed circle sentiment with foam adhesive.
11. Add a few clear gems for added shine.

Since my background for this card was so colorful and bold, I didn’t want to detract from it by using another focal image so, instead, I used simple black and white sentiments with a bit of shine to make the card complete.

I’d love to hear what you think of it!

All the best,