With a Twist | AECP Level 2 – Class 3

What I Learned

This class really challenged me to step outside my usual way of creating. It made me look differently at both the products I use and the color combinations I naturally gravitate toward.

What I enjoyed most was that it felt like both a playground and a challenge at the same time. By looking at supplies in a different way, I discovered new possibilities within products I already own. It was a great reminder that creativity often starts when we move beyond our first instinct.

One of the key lessons was that a "twist" can be introduced in many different ways. It can be as simple as using a product for a purpose other than its original intention, or combining techniques and supplies in unexpected ways.

A twist can also be found in the card design itself, for example by creating an unusual card shape, adding interactive elements such as a shaker or pop-up feature, or experimenting with a different layout.

Another interesting approach is introducing a twist through style and color. Combining vintage and modern elements, working with unexpected color palettes, or changing the mood of a design can completely transform the final result.

Exploring all these possibilities reminded me how versatile cardmaking can be and how much creative potential there is in the supplies we already have.

My Cards

For this class I created two very different cards to explore several types of twists. One card has a richer and more detailed design, while the second card has a much lighter and more airy feel. Using two projects allowed me to experiment with different approaches and clearly see how design choices can influence the overall look and feel of a card.

Card 1

The first card combines several twists in one design.

The main feature is the acetate panel placed behind the frame. Instead of using it for a shaker card, I heat embossed a stencil onto the acetate. This created an additional layer of texture and visual interest while maintaining the elegant look of the design.

I also stepped outside my usual color combinations by combining pink florals with grey leaves and background elements, accented with touches of brown, gold and silver. The distressed and darkened edges add depth and help draw the eye toward the focal point.

Each element was chosen intentionally to contribute to the rich, layered and slightly vintage-inspired feel of the card.

Card 2

For the second card I wanted to create a much lighter and more playful design.

The main twist on this card is the background. Instead of using sentiment dies as focal points, I used multiple sentiment dies to create texture and interest across the entire background panel. This gave a completely different purpose to supplies that would normally only be used for greetings.

The soft background allows the brightly colored, ink-blended flowers to become the focal point of the design. Although the color combination is not one I use often, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the orange, purple and aqua-green tones work together.

By leaving plenty of open space around the arrangement, the design feels balanced and airy. A few sequins add subtle sparkle and help finish the card without overwhelming the composition.

Reflection

This class taught me much more than simply finding new ways to use my supplies. It challenged some of my assumptions about color, composition and design.

For example, using grey on a card does not automatically create a dark or heavy design. The overall feeling depends on how the color is combined with the other elements. The same applies to color combinations. Before this class, I might have expected a combination of purple, orange and aqua-green to feel quite bold, but by keeping the rest of the design soft and balanced, the result feels fresh and airy instead.

I learned that every design decision contributes to the final look and feel of a card. A busy design can still feel balanced, a clean design can still have strong impact, and the focal point alone does not determine the mood of a project.

The biggest lesson for me was realizing that it is not one individual design choice that determines the feeling of a card, but the combination of all those choices working together.

Combined with what I learned in the previous class about color psychology, this lesson has given me a broader perspective on cardmaking. I now find myself thinking more intentionally about how colors, composition and supplies work together to create a certain feeling or message.

Used Products