I am so excited to share this post today. This is my FINAL for the Altenew Educators Certification Program! This has been a year in the making, and I have learned so much, and I’m really happy to move forward.
There are specific criteria that is required for the final assignment challenge. One of those criteria is to teach a 2 hour class in a classroom or workshop setting. Because of COVID-19 I was given the option to either wait and do an in-person class, or to move forward and conduct on online virtual class. I chose to do the virtual class.
I approached my final class project with a lot of excitement because I knew I wanted to put my focus on “The Versatility of Inks” for beginners. To really be able to show there are several different ways to use these types of ink on cards for all occasions.
I included a supply bag of the items the participants would need as well as PDF instructions for each of the 3 cards we would be creating in a 2 hour time frame. I did some die cutting, and some embossing on the card fronts (top layer) for the class ahead of time. Since all the participants had never stamped or made cards previously to this class, I knew they would not have all those tools available to create the cards I designed. I also provided them a “snapshot” of how to set up their workstation that would allow everything to be right there for them.
For the first card, it was simply stamping the ombre effect “happy” from the Halftone Happy Stamp set with the Northern Lights ink cubes, creating a splatter background using the watercolor paint brush, and adding some embellishments. Fairly simple and straightforward.
For the second card, we advanced a bit further by creating an ink blended background and water colored the butterfly using the dye inks as a watercolor medium. For this card I embossed the open script “happy” from the Halftone Happy” Stamp set in black ahead of time for the participants. I pre-cut the butterfly from watercolor paper as well.
For my third and final card I pre-cut the “happy” from the Halftone Happy matching die with a foam adhesive backing, and pre-cut the Halftone Cover Die to use as a stencil for creating the background. I then used the dye ink to color in the background and the “happy”. Lastly, I added some gold washi tape strips to the edge for a bit of shine.
The class participants have been kind enough to share their creations!
My friend Rachel (Ashley’s mom) and her cards! “Ashley and I had a blast! The class was so well organized and easy to follow. You were amazing. It was actually shocking to see how easy it was to make such beautiful cards. You are a natural at this! ~Rachel
Ashley with her beautiful smile and cards!
My friends Ann and Judy
“Judy and I had delightful time yesterday. Here’s the picture of our cards. We actually each gave one away already, and I plan to send one to Patsy today. Gotta go make more!
Thank you for making it all so easy and fun. I see more crafting in my near future.”
This is Desiree. She took the time out from a 3 year old and an infant to participate! ” I had a great time. ❤️”
“These are my cards. I believe you did a fantastic job. It was fun and easy and creative. Thanks for the kit!” From my friend Catherine
I have had such a positive experience with the Altenew Educators Certification Program. I definitely have advanced in my personal card making skills. For me the best part of this experience has been getting the feedback from Erum Tasneem and Virginia Wu on the individual project submissions. Even when I had to re-create a project because it fell outside the class parameters, their input was done in a positive way to help me grow as a creator and artist!
I feel so grateful for this experience in helping me build my confidence and skill level to a point where I felt like I could teach a class. That can be overwhelming to someone not trained to teach! However, I had both of them with me during my online class, and I got real time feedback. That was so helpful, and valuable moving forward. I want to say “Thank You So Much” to Erum and Virginia, but also to all the Altenew instructors I have taken classes from. You’re all very talented, and creative!
Thank you for stopping by the blog today! I hope you’ll leave me a comment.
Rachael
Each class participant received a supply kit with the following:
Halftone Happy Stamp Set
Northern Lights Mini Ink Cube Set
Altenew Mixed Media Craft Mat
Permanent Black Ink
Med Acrylic Block
5 ½ x 4 ¼ Card Fronts
5 ½ x 4 ¼ Folded Card Bases & Envelopes
Pre-Cut Die Cuts
Altenew Med Watercolor Brush
Ink Blending Tool w/applicator sponges
Tape Runner
Removable Tape Runner
Liquid Glue
Gold Washi Tape
Rhinestone Embellishments
Stamp Cleaning Wipes
Oh Rachael, I can not begin to tell you how proud that I am with you finishing the program with flying colors! From your course work, challenges and now workshop, you have shown us the progression and aptitude for the Altenew Educator program. It was awesome to observe your virtual workshop. I am pleased that you worked through the tech challenges and were able to conduct a fun and informative class. So glad that you share your experience as you summarize with this meaningful post with us. The participants’ smiles and results are proofs of the successful workshop. Thank you and congrats!
I appreciate the encouraging words. It means a lot to me.
Thank you!
So excited for you! You rock!
Rachel, I loved having you and Ashley! You both are just amazing, thanks so much for participating.
Great job! The effort really paid off and the cards look great! 😘
Thanks Nick
Sissy your cards just keep getting better and better. I love you so much and your cards. I miss everyone. Keep doing what you live.
You made this so effortless for us, from the organized kit, picture of our work area layout, to the honest directions given, this whole experience was refreshing and fun. I hope that you’ll be presenting more card making webinars. Just tell us what to get and we’ll be there.
Catherine, thanks for the wonderful comments. I appreciate it, and I’m happy to do another class for you!
But it needs to be fee based. A set of stamps we order, you design the cards then teach us how to do it.
Next time, you’re so sweet! It was a great experience for me, and my pleasure to provide the supplies.
Victoria, you’re so sweet, thank you.
Rachel is a great instructor and I love the way you can create so many different cards and looks. Thanks for sharing your talents with me!!!
Thank you Desiree, enjoyed having you in the class.