I chose the Altenew Educator Certification Program to build on my card knowledge. It was the best investment I could make for myself, because the knowledge that I received took my card making skills to another level. The classes were well planned and informative. In total I completed 25 courses for Level 1, 2 and 3, which also involved completing 25 cards and blog posts along the way.
The Altenew Academy Level Courses provided me the opportunity to meet other like minded crafters. Walter and I started our AECP Journey together in the same Group and he became a good friend. He was like my crafting compass. When I first loaded my card, Walter was well ahead and I decided he would be my motivation to keep going and finish my classes. We started it together and ended it together by attending each other's workshops.
Planning the Workshop
After I completed all 5 courses for Level 3, Erum emailed me the Final Challenge of Level 3 (Educator).
From all the knowledge I accumulated from the program, I had to decide on the following for approval, a topic, 2 hour step by step instruction lesson plan, create a banner to advertise the Workshop, confirm and schedule a time and date to host the Workshop.
After a lot of planning and brainstorming on paper. (To be quite honest it was not just one, but several papers.) When I finally decided on the topic all the other things just started falling in place. I created the two cards, wrote up the step by step instructions and prep work to be completed before the workshop.
I sent it through to Erum for approval and was so happy when I heard back that it has been approved. She thanked me for coordinating all the documents and then I confirmed and scheduled a time and date with Erum.
Focus of the Workshop
The focus of my Workshop was on the Altenew Simple Shapes Cover Die and using the die-cut as a DIY Stencil. I wanted to teach the participants that, by using the same DIY Stencil together with different stencil techniques, one can create a feminine and masculine card. I also like to use my craft supplies in more than one way.
Card 1
I concentrated on using the DIY Stencil together with the Double Overlay Stencil Technique. The focal point would be the beautiful ink blend background and I added a gold cardstock Altenew Rose Queen die-cut. This just created a beautiful and elegant feminine card.
Card 2
I then concentrated on the Stencil Stacking Technique with the DIY Stencil. The focal point would be the beautiful ink blend background with added embossing paste texture. I used the Emboss Resist Technique with the Altenew Seas The Day Boat and Seagulls stamped images. The end result was a fabulous masculine card with a textured background.
Bonus Cards
As a bonus I added two cards in the Step by Step Instructions with links to the posts on how to use the Altenew Simple Shapes Cover Die, in two more ways.
Workshop Banner
To get participants to sign up for the Workshop, I created a banner and advertised it on the Altenew Groups and on my Facebook. A minimum of 4 participants had to attend up to a maximum of 10. I was so happy that 10 people signed up, but unfortunately 2 people could not make it on the day. Still I had 8 participants that attended my Workshop.
Zoom
I received the best advice from my friend Walter, to subscribe to Zoom for a month. This meant I could host my workshop with out interruptions during the workshop. I emailed the Zoom link to Erum and the participants a day before the Workshop.
Workshop - Saturday, 14th September 2024
Then the big day arrived, my 2 hour Workshop took place on Saturday, 14th September 2024. It was my first Zoom Workshop. I have done a physical workshop before. I had my step by step instructions to follow during the Workshop and emailed it to all the participants an hour before the workshop. My participants have done all their prep work beforehand and had all the supplies they needed ready. During the workshop the participants gave me feedback on the prep work instructions. They appreciated the well prepared prep work instructions and felt that the reminders about the class kept them updated.
I set-up 2 hours before the Workshop so there would not be any hiccups or surprises with technology. I felt confident and prepared for the Workshop. Erum and I had the opportunity to discuss things before the workshop and I started to relax. By the time we finished all the nerves went away. The participants then started joining Zoom and I accepted them in.
I have received such wonderful feedback during and after the workshop from the participants. They felt that the workshop was fun, engaging and ran at a good pace. The inspiration and techniques sparked more ideas and they will use it time and again. After receiving this feedback I knew I achieved what I wanted with my Workshop.
There was enough time at the end to answer questions and to engage with all the participants. The workshop ended with happiness and a feeling of great achievement.
Participant Gallery
I want to thank Walter, Suna, Miranda, Ishani, Sarah, Liz, Irene and Aarthi for attending my workshop. I could not have done it without you and do appreciate all of you. And to Erum, thank you for your patience, kindness and support you have shown me.
Here are all the amazing and beautiful cards the participants created in the Workshop:
Sarah enjoyed the card technique so much that she created another beautiful card.
Aarthi made another feminine card with the techniques used in Card 2.
Conclude
I had the opportunity to guest design once for Altenew and am now ready and looking forward to any new chapter it might bring forth. Watch this space, because in future there just might be more workshops in the pipeline :).
Happy crafting and most of all find joy in crafting.
Supply list:
Affiliate links are used
Just in case you want to do a little shopping I have added the links below (they are affiliate links which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of my card adventures!
Other:
- Die-cut Machine
- All-in-One Magnetic Platform
- Heat Tool
- Palette Knife
- Blending Brush
- Liquid Glue
- Sequins
- Scissors
- 3D Foam Dots
Cardstock:
- Neenah Solar White Cardstock
- Gold Cardstock
- Black Cardstock
- Navy Cardstock
My Personal blog here:
My YouTube here:
My Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/AnetVanZyl/
Thank you for visiting me and until next time, happy crafting. I always appreciate you taking the time to leave a lovely comment.
Anet x
