Hello Crafters! How are you? Today’s post is part 1 of my submission for my level 2 assessment for my Altenew Educator Programme. For this part of the challenge I need to create 4 masculine cards (I’ve actually created 5 as I had a tonne of ideas I wanted to include) using 3 components that have been taught in the course so far. I decided to focus mainly on one module that really spoke to me – Beyond Basic Backgrounds – and so I’ve done something a little different and created 5 cards with the same layout that showcase different background techniques that can become the star of your card! I’ve then supported this with a bunch of techniques, but key within this are some heat embossing techniques inspired by the module “impressive heat embossing” and twists on the different techniques to fit in with the “with a twist” module.

I’ll show each of the cards below, but if you’ve prefer to skip to the video tutorial, you can find that under the photos!

For this first card, I created the background using Altenew’s Masonry Wall 3D Embossing Folder. I inked up the embossing folder with navy ink, and then for the twist, I added some copper gilding wax after. I usually go for a cleaner look than this on my cards but I really like how this one turned out!

It was so much fun playing with alcohol inks for one of the cards I made for one of the modules within the level 2 course, that I had to use this again for these Men’s cards. It’s such a fun technique and I’d encourage everyone to have a go!

For this third card I did an emboss resist technique, but the “twist” to this technique was that I blended the paper under the embossing first so that it wasn’t just a flat colour underneath. This one DID NOT go to plan! I used my embossing buddy, but my clear embossing powder just went right ahead and stuck where I didn’t want it anyway! Very frustrating! I cleaned it up a little with my paint brush but there was still embossing powder all over the place. I was ready to give up and start again, but I thought “well I’ve got this far, let’s just see what it looks like” and guess what?! I kind of love the more distressed feel that the extra specks of embossing powder gave for a Masculine card, so I went with it!! Sometimes what seems like a disaster isn’t so bad after all!!

This next card uses an ombre heat embossing technique that was taught in the Impressive Heat Embossing class. However, I put a twist on this, and did the technique using a stencil rather than a stamp.

For my final card, I decided to go with a simple die-cut leaf background – just look at the detail on those leaves from the Boho Vases Dies!

I think creating different backgrounds is a really fun thing to do, especially if your mojo is running low and you just want to have a play. They’re great for more masculine cards as they don’t need to have a “theme” which can sometimes be more tricky whilst making cards for men.

I hope that you’ve been inspired to create some backgrounds of your own!! If you’d like to see the video tutorial for all of these cards you can find that just below, or you can scroll a bit further and find the supply list!

Video Tutorial – Simply Stunning Backgrounds

I hope you enjoyed this project. Click the links below to shop the products used to create it. Please note that if you shop any of the below links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to continue to create projects to share with you. Thank you for your support. Please note that some of the products used may have been gifted to me by the relevant companies.