MY JOURNEY TO THE LEVEL 3 FINAL CHALLENGE IN THE
ALTENEW EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (AECP)
I have always, been the creative type, which was mostly done using fabric and threads such as, sewing, quilting, embroidery. I even taught sewing full time for 5 years (later in life). I designed and wrote many (about 25) sewing patterns that I sold to students, and all over the world via many websites.
But, quilts are very large and take a lot of space and money, so in the spring of 2021, I participated in a card making class. One of the women in my sewing group taught card-making once a month, so I finally decided to try it out. I enjoyed the change, and quickly decided to look into this craft more often than her monthly classes. I watched a lot of videos on the internet. When I came upon Altenew, I found their layering stamps, which I figured would help me to be able to make prettier flowers without coloring skills. This began my relationship with Altenew and the many crafty friends I found through them in online classes.
I discovered their AECP program one day, while on their web site. Later, after participating in come online group lessons from AECP teachers, I decided to register for two reasons. First, to speed up my learning process in an organized way. My other purpose was that possibly I could teach some of my fellow local card class members, along with or alternating with the previous teacher, and maybe go to some other local, small groups to teach at, such as assisted living activity centers, senior centers, church groups.
AECP Challenges. Each of the 25 AECP courses has at least 6 video lessons. I felt that, for me most seemed fairly easy or quick to learn, but some took more effort. However, the 3 challenges at the end of each level in the program are truly that – challenges. There is no class on how to make your challenge projects and write your blog about it. The challenges required a lot more time and effort. Making up projects all on my own, planning, making decisions, making prototypes (some failures), then a set of actual finished projects, photographing the results effectively, in addition to writing a blog post about this project, including photos for each level final were truly challenges.
This Challenge. After a year of diligently applying myself, I have now completed my final challenge in AECP. This required coming up with at least 2 card designs and teaching how to make them in 2 hours to a group of 4-10 students. I had to be hostess and presenter. To my surprise, I also needed to learn how to do this in an online platform, which in itself was quite a learning process. However, on the bright side - I learned more than I was expecting to when I enrolled.
As I learned while I was teaching sewing classes, people have a lot of their own desires and ideas of things they want to make, they just don’t know how to go about doing it. So, for this challenge, I did like I did for my sewing students. Stepping out on a limb for these card-makers, I created a basic design they (probably) don’t know, that is different than the usual type. I added a few basic techniques that I felt were a little unusual but not difficult to accomplish. This allows room for each individual add their own creative ideas to it. Then I made up digital drawings to add to the step-by-step instructions, so that after the workshop, they could refer to it and continue making more with their additional creative ideas. I put these drawings in a document I prepared for the students, which included a list of supplies. At the end of it I added many photos of options they could add, to help get their creative juices flowing. To my joy, my idea was well received!
I wanted to use only a few supplies to make it easier on students, and keep the cost reasonably low, so I chose 1 stencil set and 1 stamp set. Of course, they’d need the usual supplies such as cardstock, ink, glue, etc. that they most likely already have.
My main objectives were to show students how to use a stencil set differently than it was designed for, make a booklet style card with pocket and tags, and make a card with a little doodling added. All stepping out of the box, so to speak. I wanted them to have a stress-free feeling of freedom in creating and have fun in learning something different. I think I also gave them space to allow their creative minds to think up future ways to change this up. After experiencing this class and the positive and affirming comments I received afterwards, I feel as though I accomplished my goal.
Projects. By now you’re probably wondering what the projects were… These are the ones I made.
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I used Altenew’s Enjoy Life stamp set and Playful Patterns set of 4 stencils. However, by the time it was close to the actual class, this stencil set was no longer available. Therefore, you will see some different stencils used in the student’s projects. Some students also chose to use different stamps.
I showed how to use the stencils to create our own sheet of double-sided patterned paper in light colors in an free & easy method.
After we did that, I showed them how to cut and fold it to make the card with a pocket in the middle, and cut the two tags. Then we stamped every page and tag.
On the traditional card, I also demonstrated how to outline some bright inked flowers with a black fine point pen, and add dashed lines around the edge to look like sewing stitches. They would then adhere it to their card base, which I knew they all could do.
To summarize, there were both enjoyable processes and challenges in learning, and I am satisfied (and proud) that I have accomplished what I set out to do, which was to increase my artistic card making skills through AECP. (It has been a very long time since I’ve been in a school type program.) However, I also got the extra benefits of connecting with other card makers through Altenew & making new friends. I continue to enjoy creating together in live classes online, as we are learning from one another, and encouraging each other.
Thank you to all of you who helped me in this final challenge; by participating in this class, or by being my practice students, I could not have done it without your help.
Here are some of the photos that students took of their completed cards.
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