Good morning friends! I’m off to a rocky start today. I just broke my glasses so everything is a little blurry right now. So please excuse any typos! Hopefully my project photo is in focus!

I’m back today with my first project for the Altenew Educator Certification Program Level I classes. This project is based on a variation of Lesson Two in the Celebration: Stencil Techniques class. My project features Altenew’s Leaf Burst Stencil and Halftone Hello stamp and die set. I began by stenciling the leaf design on watercolor paper with Distress Inks. Then I applied transparent glossy embossing paste through the stencil which slightly mutes the colors of the Distress Ink. I purposely offset the sentiment and die cut to the right so that they would not distract from the central part of the stenciled design.

I’m not quite ready to let go of warm weather so I decided to use lighter spring colors instead of the golds, browns, and oranges that characterize fall. Besides, this is one of my favorite Distress Ink combinations. I also love using embossing paste for the extra texture and dimension it adds to a card design.

To create the stenciled image:

1. Cut a piece of watercolor paper to 4 inches x 5.25 inches.
2. Tape the Leaf Burst Stencil to the watercolor paper, offset to the left.
3. Working from the center outward, blend Distress Inks through the stencil in the following order: Salty Ocean, Cracked Pistachio, Shabby Shutters, and Mowed Lawn.
4. With the stencil still in place, apply an even coat of Ranger Texture Paste (transparent gloss) with a palette knife. The texture paste will appear milky in color but will dry clear and glossy.
5. Carefully remove the stencil. Rinse the stencil and palette knife to remove any remaining texture paste.
6. Set the stenciled image to the side to dry for at least 30 minutes.

To create the sentiment:

1. Cut a piece of vellum 5/8 inch x 5 inches.
2. Stamp the sentiment on the vellum using Ranger Archival Ink. Allow to dry.
3. Stamp the Hello image using Ranger Archival Ink. Cover with clear embossing powder and heat set.
4. Die cut the Hello image and glue to vellum strip.

To complete the card:

1. Adhere vellum strip with sentiments to card, wrapping edges of vellum around the edges of card.
2. Glue a piece of craft foam (cut to 3.75 inches x 5 inches) to the back of the stenciled image. I use craft foam rather than foam tape because it provides even support across the entire card.
3. Glue image layer to a top folding card base.

That’s all for today. Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you find some inspiration in the simplicity of this project.

Disclosure: Below are the supplies I’ve used for today’s project. All items were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were provided by a store or design team. I never share a product I do not like. All opinions are my own. Read more.

Where available I use compensated affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you I receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I use this money to support my blog. If you like my projects, please consider supporting me by clicking through these links when you shop. Thanks so much! Read more.

Supplies

Paper: Neenah Solar White 110#; Canson 140# Watercolor Paper; White Vellum by Bazzill
Stamp: Halftone Hello by Altenew
Die: Halftone Hello Die by Altenew
Stencil: Leaf Burst Stencil by Altenew
Inks: Distress Inks in Salty Ocean, Cracked Pistachio, Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn; Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Embellishments: Ranger Texture Paste – Transparent Gloss