The end of a journey…

Today is the day I share my experience as a participant completing the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP). It has been a long journey… new techniques have been learned… many projects have been made… and at the end, I am a better more versatile crafter.

About AECP

The AECP is an Altenew-sponsored program that requires participants to complete a series of classes and assignments in preparation for teaching your own workshop. The classes are divided across three different academy levels and, not only do you have to complete a project demonstrating the an understanding of the techniques taught in each class, you also have to complete an extensive final project before moving to the next level.

When I started this program I was an experienced card crafter and wasn’t sure that I had much left to learn, The classes within this program showed me how wrong I was. Each class provided me with a view into new ways of approaching card crafting, helped me to sharpen skills I already used, and forced me outside of my comfort zone and pushed me to try techniques I had never used. At the end of the journey, I am a better, more well-rounded crafter, and happy to share what I have learned with others.

The Ultimate Final Project

The very last AECP assignment was to host a two hour workshop with four to ten participants, either in person or virtually, and to share a technique to be used to make two cards. All participants were required to create their own projects using the workshop guidelines and send their samples back to me for inclusion in my final post. You will see everyone’s gorgeous creations down below.

For my featured technique I chose pattern paper piecing using it both with layered die-cuts and with stamps and stencils.

The process to set up my workshop went as follows:

1. Identify the workshop theme and create samples: It is important to time yourself when making your project samples so you can ensure you have adequate time in the workshop to demonstrate your techniques.
2. Create a lesson plan: I created detailed lesson plans including all products used, recommendations for substitutions, homework guidelines, and a step-by-step set of instructions on how to make the cards.
3. Advertise the workshop: I posted a workshop notice to the AECP Facebook group and I was amazed at the response. I had nine lovely ladies join my class.
4. Send out lesson plan materials and a calendar invite for the virtual session.
5. Test your technology: Before hosting a virtual workshop I highly recommend testing your technology and your camera set-up to make sure everyone will easily be able to follow along. I actually tested my camera set up a few times before I got everything just right!
6. Do your own homework and be prepared for the class.
7. Conduct the class and have fun!

I do think overall my class was a success. I received much positive feedback from all of the participants and the project submissions were lovely. I am able to see that attendees enjoyed the paper piecing technique with die cuts most and a few expressed some challenges with the stencil techniques. Great feedback for future workshops.

Card 1 – Paper Piecing with Die Cutting Techniques

For my first project, I chose to feature pattern paper piecing using the gorgeous Sulfur Cosmos Die Set. I demonstrated how to selectively use patterned paper to create eye-catching petals in the die cut layers and I chose different colors and pattern paper from my original class samples in an effort to demonstrate the versatility of this technique.

Additional products used include:

• Itty Bitty Branches Die
• Essential Black & White 6×6 Paper Pack
• Versatile Greetings

Participant Cards

Card 2 – Paper Piecing with a Stamp and Layering Stencils

For my second card, I demonstrated how to use paper piecing in combination with layering stencils and I featured one of the stamps included within the Billowing Peonies Bundle. As with the first card, I went with a black, white, and pink color combination just to mix things up.

Gray inks were used to create shadows in the petals stamped on the pattern paper; however, a few in the class many chose to either use their bright petal inks on the pattern paper or a combination of grays with colored inks. The topic of what color inks to use resulted in a lively discussion and class participation, but of course the ultimate decision on what to use is always up to the card designer!

Additional products used include:

• Essential Black & White 6×6 Paper Pack
• Versatile Greetings

Participant Cards

In Conclusion

This Altenew journey has been such a positive experience. I have stretched myself creatively in ways I did not know I had in me. I have learned new techniques I will carry forward into the future, and I have met some very wonderful people who have supported me along the way. I was so nervous leading up to this workshop, but it was such a funexperience, and has given me the confidence to teach again in the future. I just look at all of the beautiful samples made by my attendees, and I could not be more proud.

A special thanks to Debbie, Aditi, Donna, Liz, Ishani, Mugdha, Brenda, Karen, and Claudia for sharing their time in helping me out. And lastly a call out the to the AMAZING Erum Tasneem! She has been a wonderful leader guiding me through this journey!

Thanks to everyone who has followed along!