Welcome Little One! card by Tasha

Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Today I’m excited to share this sweet baby card inspired by the current Art Impressions Pocket Full of Sunshine challenge. I wanted the design to feel cheerful and welcoming, with lots of bright color and happy details.

The adorable little bear comes from the 6017-Baby Panda Set, and it fits perfectly in the playful scene. The floral frame was created using stamps from the 5981-My Joy Set, which adds such a fun and sunny touch around frame. 

For the background, I used patterned paper from the 5835-Mini Journal Paper Pack, and added layers of White, Pink, and Yellow paper to coordinate with the colors used on the flowers. I love the pink & yellow color combination!

This card was a joy to create and is perfect for welcoming a new little one. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope this brings a little sunshine to your day!

Pocket Full of Sunshine Challenge #419 Week #1

Hello Ai fans and welcome to the new challenge here on the Art Impressions Challenge Blog!

This time we have a Pocket Full of Sunshine!

This challenge is pretty flexible.

We want to see SUNSHINE, YELLOW and/or POCKETS.

Show us your interpretation of what a Pocket Full of Sunshine means to you.

Maybe it's a bouquet of yellow flowers?
Maybe it's your favorite yellow Designer Paper?
Perhaps you love making cards or journals with pockets on them.

After viewing my little house, be sure to scroll down to see if you were one of our winners from our Button Up challenge.

I'm the featured artist this week and I chose to create a yellow house with a sunshine to brighten it. Inside of the house is a mini journal that contains pockets. (You'll see that on Tuesday)

For my project, I used the new 6114 – Box Village Template Dies.
Please see the InLinkz below for a complete list of all of the Art Impressions supplies that I used.

This box die set is just the cutest! It comes with a cover and pages to create a little journal or booklet that tucks up inside of it. 

I also love how customizable the house is. It was marketed as a Christmas house to hold the Woodland Scene series but it is so much more than that. Two days ago, I shared it as a Valentine house that I created for my fireplace mantel.

This is the cover of my little journal which you'll see the inside of on Tuesday.
Gail looks so happy tending to her garden.

I hope I've inspired you to enter our Pocket Full of Sunshine Challenge.

You might be the next person to win a free stamp set.

See details below.

Also, be sure to scroll down to see the winners of the previous challenge.

Copics used:

G40, G43, E01, E31, E35, E42, E93,

Y000, Y21, YR12, YR15, YR61

Now let's see who won our Button Up challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected Stephanie S.

Be sure to grab our Top Spot badge and share it on your social media, 

letting people know that you're a winner!

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Our Lucky Random Winner was Terry C.

Be sure to grab our Lucky Random Winner badge and share it on your social media, 

letting people know that you're a winner!

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Congratulations to both artists. We LOVED seeing so many beautiful entries.

KEEP THEM COMING!

 ✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards! (unless specified)

✻ Limit two submissions per person.

 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission. You may include your entire last name, but it's not necessary.

✻We love to comment on your entries, but keep in mind if you use a private group or a platform that you need to sign up for, we probably won't be able to.

✻ The Ai Challenge is open to everyone, international submissions are welcome!

✻ Include a link back to the Ai Blog or grab our button on the top right of our sidebar!

✻ Share the Ai love if you can, by clicking and commenting on your fellow crafters.

✻ Make sure to get your link up by the deadline to enter your creations.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wanna Build a Snowman by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I have a cute little snowman card for you today using the #6085 - Woodland Snowman Scene stamp set.  The stamp sets in this series fit nicely within the #4619 - Window die.  A great way to highlight the scene and add a touch of interactive to your card.

I began by stamping the scene onto copic friendly paper with Memento black and coloring with my copic markers listed below.   I cut the window die from red cardstock using the #4619 - Window die.  I cut the front panel and card base using the #5408 - Shadow box window to position the scene behind the window.  I created the sentiment using my computer and die cut with a tag die from my stash.  I placed a few red hearts onto the card for an extra touch of fun.

Lastly, I added a bit of wink of stella to the hillsides and the snowman.  It isn't noticeable in the above picture so I zoomed in to show below.

Thanks for joining me today!  

Have a great day!  Enjoy and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N2, N4, N6, N7

R8, R20, R22, R24

E21, E23, E93, E95, E97

BG70, BG72

B0000, YR16, YR18

YG61, YG63, YG67

Creating a Party Favor/Gift Card Holder using the Ai Box Village Set by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

 

Watch video tutorial here!

Today we will be using the brand-new Ai Box Village Template Die Set (6114) to create a fun Party Favor/Gift Card Holder! This project would be a great Valentine's gift or housewarming gift.

We will die cut with all of the dies needed to create the village box and then I will show you how to create a box insert to house your candies and gift card ... or anything else you might want to put in here. Maybe a card or a small gift! I will give you all of the dimensions in the video so that your box insert will fit snuggly in the bottom of the house and I will also show you how to make it easy to slide this in and out of the house!

For decorative papers, we will be using the Ai Valentine's Paper Pack (5741). For some added interest to the front door, we will use the tiny heart wreath from the Ai Front Porch Valentine's Set (5493) and add a cute little twine bow!

Let's also add a sentiment behind the front door using the Ai Front Porch Set (5512) and it will say "Home Sweet Home"... but again you could substitute this with any sentiment that suits the occasion.

To create some sparkle lets add a few pale pink gems along the roof line and some red hearts to each of the windows.

For my little box insert, I used some paper shreds in pink, added some candies, and a gift card!

Thank you so much for joining me today!  Have a fun and crafty day!

Ai Box Village Template (6114)

Ai Front Porch Valentine's Set (5493)

Ai Front Porch Set (5512)

Ai Valentine's Paper Pack (5741)

Ai Christmas S2 PP (5812)

Ai Nested Heart Dies (5721)

Ai Nested Circle Dies (5726)

 

Valentine House by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I've created a little Valentine décor for my fireplace mantle.

I fell in love with the 6114 – Box Village Template Dies the second I saw them.
I envisioned so many different seasons and themes for it.

This time, I went with a Valentine's Day theme and added a button door knob because this was also created for our Button Up challenge.

I added a large heart from the 5952 – Portfolio Template Die Set.

One really cute feature of the house is that the front door opens if you want it to. I didn't put anything inside the door this time so I just glued it shut.

So far we've seen lots of winter/gingerbread house versions of this set.
I can't wait to see some with some spring colors and flowers.

Snow much fun in 2026 by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!!

I was inspired by a card posted by Kathy in the Art Impressions Way Facebook group that was a Valentine's Day card from a few years ago. I just loved it, and it had a heart as a hot air balloon. I thought it was so clever and adorable that I just had to make one for myself. I wanted to make this one where it could be used for anything during a winter month. So I grabbed the new #6104 Christmas Keepsake Set and #5721 Nested Heart Die Set and went to work. It really went together very easily. I think the hardest part was trying to get the rope attached to both the balloon and the bushel basket that the snowman is in where it didn't droop. So that took a little finagling, but I think it worked out well. I just inked a background panel using a cloud stenck abd the balloon and snowman are popped up off that panel. I just scattered a few clouds around the image and added a button right in the middle of the balloon with a cute little bow. So it fits right in with the Button Up Challenge that is going on right now! I hope you're entering for a chance to win a free set of your choice!! 

So that's it for met today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and until next time - stay crafty!!!

Snow Days by Gennette Houghton

 

Happy New Year and welcome back to Watercolor Weekend! Where I live the weather usually isn’t very conductive for building snowmen (too cold), but it is usually a good bet that there are snow days. My kids may be grown but I remember the excitement they had when school was cancelled for the day. I might dream of spring but I absolutely love snowmen! So? Do you want to build a snowman? LOL!

My first card I used 6107 Snowman Hugs Set, I used Distress Ink Pumice Stone and stamped off once, and then stamped it on my watercolor paper. I have been using this ink for a while with the clear sets and I actually prefer it over the Archival, and used a black micron for the facial features. I can’t help but smile looking at this happy trio. Starting from the left, I painted the jacket with Marvy 17 Steel Blue and added more color in the shadowed areas. I painted the pockets light and added stripes with the same color. For a deeper shadow I added some 565, and used 969 on the buttons.  For the hat I started with 565 to get the shadows in before adding any more color to it, and used 992, and Marvy 17 in stripes on the hat and scarf. I also darkened the shadows on the scarf with 565.  For the bells I used 025, and 026. For the snowman I used N52 to start, to create a bit more depth since I didn’t have color to pull out and then added some 565 in the darker areas. 772 was used on the cheeks and 993, and 933 for the nose, all 3 snowmen were painted the same way.  For the middle snowman I used 969 and 177 on the hat adding more color to the sides and a highlight in the middle. 177 was also used on the scarf, painted light, adding a bit more in the shadowed areas and then painted in the lines following the curves of the scarf. With a touch of watery 969 I darkened some of the shadowed areas.  For the jacket I used N15, going in layers until I was happy with it and then darkened the areas that needed it. I used 947 on the buttons. For the snowman on the right I used 947 on the jacket with a touch of 565 for the shadows, the lines on the pocket were also done with 947.  The scarf was painted with Marvy 17 adding more color in the shadowed areas. The main part of the hat was also done with 947, the brim and pom-pom I started with 990 and then used 879 for the shading. Since this one has its eyes opened I added a touch of 565 along the right edges, which I feel give the eyes a little more dimension.  I then used the included die to cut out my image, using dies from my stash to create a frame and snow drift I assembled my card using paper from 5892 Easter S2 Paper Pack. This just goes to show that paper from other seasons or occasions can be used on all kinds of cards.  I decided at this point to stamp one of the included sentiments and hand cut the flag banner, popping it up with foam tape.

Since I used a newer set for my first card I decided to give one of the older sets some love and it’s perfect for this time of year, and fits the “Snow Day” theme I decided to go with. 5197 WC Winter Kids Set is rubber so I used 565 all over the stamp and added 969 to the “non” snow areas, aka, hat, scarves, etc. Huffing on the stamp first I then stamped off twice before stamping on my watercolor project paper.  I used a black micron on the eyes and mouth of the snowman, and the eyelash of the little boy. I began pulling color out of the lines, making sure my brush was clean when doing the blue only areas. Starting with the snowman I used N15 and 856 on the hat, darkening the edges and leaving a highlight in the middle.  856 was also used on the scarf.  For the body of the snowman I added in 565 in the shadowed areas to help give dimension, being very careful around the areas I already colored. I should have done this step first, but I was able to do it without getting any bleed out from the stronger colors. I then used 993 and 933 on the nose, N15 for the coal buttons, 969 on the stick arm.  Starting with the face of the little boy, I used 850 for the base and 910 to contour, with a touch of 772 on the cheek. For his hat I used 177 adding ribs onto the brim of the hat with the same color. For the pom-poms I added just a touch more 565.  For the scarf, I started with 565 to get the shadow in first and then added stripes with 177 in two different widths. 177 was also used on the mitten.  For the pants I used 565 and the boots N15.  I had been undecided on the jacket and the more I looked at it the more I wanted to leave it white, so I darkened the shadowed areas with a mix of 565/969 and a touch more 565 in the darkest areas.  I then used 526 on the background, darkening around the image a bit so that when I splattered with Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White it would show up better.  I used some 565 to ground the snowman and the little boy.  I then masked my image so that I could add trees from 5826 WC Large Tree Set 2. I first figured out what circle die I was going to use to cut my image out and penciled in some guidelines.  Using the stamp positioner to help me place the trees where I wanted them, I used 249 and 969 and stamped in the tree in 3 areas.  Using water to soften and blend the colors, once dry, I used the bleed proof white to add snow to the trees and at the base of the two on each side.  I used 565 to shade the snow to give more texture and dimension.  After erasing the pencil lines I then splattered a watery mix of the bleed proof white to give the effect of snow. When it was dry I used the same die I used for my guidelines and cut my image out and then used the largest die from 6045 Scalloped Circles Die Set and finished my card with paper from my stash.    Thank you for joining me today and I hope you enjoyed my cards. Until next time, Create….Share….Inspire!

Prayers for You by Janet

 The flu and cold season has been pretty brutal so far. Sometimes prayers and special card is just the thing to let someone know you are thinking of them during a hospital stay for any reason.

This card is from the Matchbook line and it's called 5499 - MB Get Well. It features a hospital room with cheerful touches of flowers, card, and blankets. I colored the images with Copic markers after stamping them. I cut the pieces out with the included dies and then placed them inside the card base 5317 - MB Template Die. I also cut a coordinating envelope made just for these tiny treasures from 5318 - MB Envelope Dies. 

The papers for the card base and envelope are from 5955 - Encouragement Paper Pack. I chose the friendship pattern for the envelope, and I love that it's an option to use as a reminder of friendship to the recipient. All folded up and in the envelope, this card is an incredibly small 2" x 2 1/2" packet. All cards from the matchbook line are incredibly charming.

Thanks for joining me on the blog today. As always, find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store!

Happy Crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest 

Bright and Happy Birthday Card by Tasha

Happy Friday Art Impressions friends!

Tasha here sharing a birthday card inspired by the current Button Up Challenge.

For this card I used two cute animal stamps from the 5400 Baby Critters Set. I love coloring little animal characters and this card totally looks like they are ready for a birthday celebration. 

To go with the button challenge theme, I added a flower with a button in the middle. The orange color and shape reminded me of the sun and I love that pop of color. 

Lastly, I added layers of pink and white card stock along with a polka dot pattern paper to complete the design.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and are having a great day.

Button Up Challenge #418 week #2

Hello Ai fans and welcome to week #2 of our Button Up challenge!

We're so excited to be back into the swing of things and to see what you create for the upcoming challenges. You might be the next lucky winner of a free stamp set!

This week we want to see your projects using buttons.

These can be real buttons, button embossing folders or dies or even characters with buttons on their clothing. If it's a button, it counts.

Last week our Featured Designer was Lynn. 

Watch video tutorial here!

Next up, we have the rest of the Design Team.

There are so many cute projects here. We just know that one of them will inspire you to give this challenge a try.

Janet used a heart shaped button die on her cute GC holder.

5343 - Java GCH Set
5344 - Envelope GCH Set
6052 - Mother's Day Cover Paper Pack

Dori created this darling little panda card with the cutest button wheels!
(I think the bow might be a button too...)

I created a little Valentine house with a button for a doorknob.
6114 – Box Village Template Dies
5952 – Portfolio Template Die Set

Sharon created a darling little shaker box ornament with a bunny that has a button on his jacket.

Sharon also created this sweet little snowman card.
6104 Christmas Keepsake Set
5721 Nested Heart Dies
6051 Mother's Day PP

Tasha has a sweet little animal card.

5400 – Baby Critters Set

5838 – Fall Journal Paper Pack

Thank you to all of our wonderful designers for their great ideas and hard work.

Let's see YOUR button creations.

✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards! (unless specified)

✻ Limit two submissions per person.

 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission. You may include your entire last name, but it's not necessary.

✻We love to comment on your entries, but keep in mind if you use a private group or a platform that you need to sign up for, we probably won't be able to.

✻ The Ai Challenge is open to everyone, international submissions are welcome!

✻ Include a link back to the Ai Blog or grab our button on the top right of our sidebar!

✻ Share the Ai love if you can, by clicking and commenting on your fellow crafters.

✻ Make sure to get your link up by the deadline to enter your creations.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter