AECP Creative Coloring with Erum

Well, I have made it to Academy 3 for the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP). I am getting so close to the finish line and I just can’t wait!

For my first advanced techniques class, I signed up for Creative Coloring with Erum. She is definitely one of my favorite Altenew designers and I could not wait to check out her tips and tricks for making beautiful cards with watercolor.

For my project I am featuring the Cape Marguerite Layering Die Set and the techniques I am using from the course include:

• Splatter Watercolor
• Creating textures with embossing powder and embossing pastes
• Using multiple shades and colors to create visual appeal

To start, I die cut all of my pieces using a good watercolor cardstock. I have Arches Cold Press watercolor cardstock on hand so that I what I chose. Once I die cut my pieces, I grabbed water, paint brushes, and my Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set. For my flower petals, I started with a light wash of Caribbean Sky before splattering my die cuts in varying shades of Persian Blue, Dusk, and Ocean Waves. For my leaves, I took a similar approach using a wash of Frayed Leaf, before splattering in shades of Forest Glades, Evergreen, and a touch of Mountain Mist. I finished the centers using Moon Rock and Espresso, the same shades of brown I later used for my background.

Once my die cuts had completely dried, I grabbed my pick-up tool and curled the petals and leaves for added shape and dimension. I assembled each flower using the layering guide on the back of the die set before deciding to add a little more texture with some whit acrylic paint splatters.

Now it was time for my background.

I started with an A2 sized panel of water color cardstock and I began with a light wash of Espresso colored paint. I used a size-16 round brush which allowed me to add color in quick broad strokes. I layered the paint using Espresso and Moon Rock and also added in some light strokes of Jet Black. Once dry it was time for embossing paste.

Using a stencil with a picket shape, I roughly applied the embossing paste over partial sections of my painted card panel. Next, I removed the stencil and applied Rose Gold Embossing Powder and set it with my heat tool. I then went back to layering on splatter using Jet Black paint along with Bronze paint from my Metallic Watercolor 14 Pan Set. I also added more splatter with the Bronze paint to my leaves and the centers of my flowers. Once everything was dry, I die cut my card panel using the deckle edge die from my Mix and Match Frames Die Set. Lastly, I grabbed Ground Espresso Distress Oxide ink and darkened each of the edges of my card panel.

To assemble my card, I adhered my deckle-edged card panel to a white A2 card base using some thin foam tape. Next, I arranged my flowers and leaves and adhered them with a combination of glue and foam tape. Lastly, I stamped a Happy Birthday sentiment in espresso ink using a stamp from the Dainty Flowers stamp set, and added a few gold sequins.

My card is complete and I have the perfect person in mind to send it to. I hope you like my project. Thanks for reading!