Hello Sunshine by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Have you seen the newest AI release?  This one is fantastic!  I know, I probably say that about every one of them, but let's be real - they ALL are fantastic!  This is definitely a fave of mine!

Two new stamp sets were released - #6103 - Baby Keepsake and #6106 - Spring Keepsake, which is the one I used for my pop out card.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I cut each of them out with the corresponding dies that are included in the set.  Love it when dies are included, don't you?  Adds so much dimension!  Check out this cute little frog!  He is definitely my favorite, however, the bunny and duck are just as adorable.  

I created a pop up card so that I could layer each of these cute little images.  I added a few images from other sets, like the flowers in the water can (#5935 Fairytale Houses), the Easter basket (#5869 - Easter Bunny Puppet) and the bird (#5100 - Woodland Tree cubbies).  The sun was from my stash.

I used the #6009 - Basic Green PP for the grass and the #5873 - Mini Birthday PP for the cloud background.

That's it for me today!  Make sure to check out the new release!   It includes some beautiful valentine papers and a new scalloped rectangle die set.  Great bundle!

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N2, B000

G20, G21, G24      V12, V15

R02, R05, R08, R20

B12, B14           YR12, YR16

Y11, Y13, Y17, Y19, Y32, Y35, Y38

Baby Keepsake Easel Card by Lynn Dionne

 Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

Watch video tutorial here!

Let's take a look at this fun new Ai Baby Keepsake Set (6109) which includes a little teddy bear, lamb, adorable giraffe and several sweet sentiments! This set is part of the "Keepsake" series of stamp and die sets. I have done a few cards with two of the other sets including the Fall and Christmas Keepsake Sets and I will link those videos below for you. The best part is that you can mix and match these sets for a unique look. Each set includes a bucket, barrel or basket that can be filled with the floral arrangements in the set or any of the critters!

To begin, we will stamp, color and die cut the images. All of the coloring will be done using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Pink Haze, Sugared Almond Pink, Peach Pink, Flesh Colour, Yellow, Orange, Mustard, Beige, Mid Brown, Lt Gray, Warm Gray #4, Sea Green, Lilac, Lt Green.

We will be creating a fun easel card so that the recipient can display it in a baby's room or on any table! For the card base, let's die cut the pretty scalloped oval from the Ai Scalloped Oval Dies (6046) using some sparkle cardstock. Also, using some cute "clouds" patterned paper from the Ai Baby Girl PP (6057) we will die cut a smaller oval using the Ai Nested Oval Dies (5727). And let's die cut a small portion of that same oval die from some pink and white gingham paper. This will ground our little scene nicely!

Let's go ahead and layer up the card using a combination of 3D Foam Squares and adhesive. This will give us lots of dimension and interest.

For the sentiment we will use the Ai Scalloped Circle Dies (6045) and this will say "Cuddles and Cuteness".

Let's also add some pretty ribbon to the top of the scalloped oval and tie a sweet little bow! We can also die cut the easel using the Ai Mini Rectangle Frame Dies (5901). You may want to die cut this a few times, once with some plaid pattern paper and once with some heavyweight white cardstock. This will give a bit more stability to your easel design.

Finally, we will add some Diamond Confetti for sparkle and added cuteness!

Here are the two video that I spoke about earlier where I used the Fall and Christmas Keepsake sets:

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

Ai Baby Keepsake Set (6103)

Ai Scalloped Circle Dies (6045)

Ai Scalloped Oval Dies (6046)

Ai Mini Rectangle Frame Dies (5901)

Ai Nested Oval Dies (5727)

Ai Baby Girl PP (6057)

Bundle of Joy by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

There are some adorable new stamp sets on the Art Impressions Website right now!

This new 6103 – Baby Keepsake Set came at the perfect time.
A family friend and her husband are expecting their first child.

I took inspiration from her shower invitation. Blue and white stripes with a teddy bear on it.

My bear is colored a little differently for me. I've used the same white cardstock for probably 15 years. I decided to try coloring on the new Ai 6140 – White Cardstock Paper Pack. Pros and cons I found were this. It doesn't allow for blending like I'm used to when I use my Copic markers. I did love how vibrant the colors came out and I'm assuming it's using much less ink because it's a more glossy paper. My take away is that I love this paper for layering and die cutting mats and all sorts of things and definitely sometimes coloring. It's a different look and for this card I was very happy with it.

I won't be attending the out of town shower so I'll send this card along with a gift.

I'm sure they'll love it.

A cute Valentine by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

It's getting close to Valentine's Day, do you know where your hearts are? LOL! I have a cute little Valentine card today to show you. I love using the reds and pinks after the Christmas season. Do you make Valentine cards for the loves of your life? 

I started by grabbing the cute elephant from 5219 Loveable Animals Set. I'm sure you've heard of pink elephants on parade (LOL). I told you I love the pinks and reds!! I colored it with Copic markers which are listed below. The dies are included with the stamp sets, so it made it super easy to die cut it. It also cuts around the paws so it can hold whatever you want to put there. I added a couple of balloons that were from dies in my stash. I wrapped the balloon strings around his arm too. The mat was created using #6047 Scalloped Square Dies and placed on the diagonal. I then grabbed #5721 Nested Heart Dies to cut several sizes of hearts. There's lots of dimension as I popped up just about everything from the layer underneath it. I placed a die cut heart into the hands of the pink ellie and tied the balloon strings to one of the arms. Finally, I used #5910 to cut out four X's and four O's (two each in red and then pink) and used them to finish the card. 

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

Copic markers used:

R24, 81, 83, and 85

YG13 and 17

C1 and 2

Valentine Cards by Jami Steiger

Good morning, Art Impressions friends! My goodness, this winter weather has been crazy! We are expecting a lot of snow tomorrow, and it will be the perfect day to stay inside and craft. I personally love days like that! 

I made two Valentine's Day watercolor cards this month. I began by using Tombow markers 565 and 969 to stamp the gnome with the flowerpot from set 5785—Gnomes onto watercolor paper. I made a mask for the pot using a Post-it note, and then I stamped the greenery and flowers from set 6150—His Love. After painting those, I added grass from set 4051—WC Foliage and additional flowers from His Love set to the ground. I used Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White to paint the heart on his red hat. I stamped a design from set 5123—WC Decorative Jar set—to add detail to the flowerpot.

I began by cutting a piece of white cardstock to A2 size for the background. I then used a red pigment stamp pad to stamp the little hearts from set 6150—His Love Set—row by row. I then covered the hearts with clear embossing powder and heated them with a heat gun. I kept doing this until the whole piece of paper was covered in glossy red hearts. I love how this turned out, and it was really simple to do. To add further detail, I die-cut a sentiment and added some tiny red hearts that were die-cuts as well.

Tombow markers that were used with both cards:  177, 228, 942, 817, 992, 856, 528, 401, 515, 837, 772, N65, 977, 565, 969

______________________

For my next card, I stamped the heart image from set 6150—His Love—onto watercolor paper using Tombow markers 565 and 969. I then watercolored the heart and cut the design down to a 3x3" piece of paper. For the background, I used an embossing folder to emboss hearts onto pale pink cardstock. The pink-dotted rectangle paper and the striped piece of paper came from 6036 - Easter Bunny PP. I used a dauber and a very light brown stamp pad to darken the edges of all the papers, giving them a vintage design. I added ribbon, a pink flower, and pink dots to finish the card.

I hope everyone stays safe and warm during this winter weather. I look forward to seeing you all here again in February.

A Pocket Full of Sunshine: Creating a Faith‑Inspired Portfolio by Janet

Creative portfolios can feel a little daunting at first, but when you’re working with the right tools, the process becomes pure enjoyment. Art Impressions has a way of turning big ideas into approachable, joyful projects, and this sunshine‑filled portfolio is the perfect example.

For this piece, I used the 5952 – Portfolio Template Die Set paired with the bright and cheerful 6012 – Basic Yellow Paper Pack. The combination couldn’t be more fitting for the current AI Challenge: A Pocket Full of Sunshine. I also leaned into a religious theme, making this a meaningful way to feature the 6134 – Light of the World Series Verse Pack. 

I began by cutting the portfolio from yellow cardstock and folding it along the score lines. The sunny color instantly set the tone. Using the coordinating dies in the set, I cut additional shapes from the patterned papers in the Basic Yellow pack to layer onto the cover and interior.

To bring in a touch of elegance, I added gold accents using the 5987 – BJ Icon Die Set. These metallic details catch the light beautifully and elevate the entire design.

The front of the portfolio features a small pocket holding two coordinating tags — a sweet little interactive element that adds charm and dimension.

Inside, I decorated the panels with flowers, a Bible, and a lighthouse image, all stamped and colored from the 6126 – Light of the World set. These images pair wonderfully with the verse pack and reinforce the comforting, faith‑centered theme. I closed the center envelope and the portfolio itself with velcro dots. This keeps it secure but opens easily.

On the inside left side, I added another pocket and tag, this time adorned with a delicate cross from the 5909 – Crosses Die Set. For the finishing touch, I included a large gold “Jesus” die cut from the 5986 – Jesus & Joy Dies, which adds a bold and beautiful focal point.

This portfolio came together so smoothly, and the final result brings me both joy and comfort. It’s a bright, faith‑filled piece that feels like a little pocket of sunshine — exactly what the challenge called for.

If you’re looking for a project that blends creativity, meaning, and a touch of sparkle, this one is a wonderful place to start.

Let It Snow! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a card featuring the 6088-Woodland Bench Scene stamp. It has been snowing a lot where I live and the Winter weather inspired me to create a snowy little scene. These furry friends look happy enjoying the falling snow.

The card was stamped with black hybrid ink and colored with Copic Markers. The stamped image already had some snow, but I added more with a white gel pen. I also used the same gel pen to create random snowflakes making sure some of the flakes went on top both of the critters. 

Lastly, I used a black liner pen to create a pattern on each scarf; I love the pop of color! I also attached several paper layers to complete the design. 

I hope you enjoyed today's card and are having a wonderful day!

Pocket Full of Sunshine Challenge 419 Week#2

Hello Ai fans and welcome to week #2 of the Pocket Full of Sunshine challenge here on the
Art Impressions Challenge Blog!

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.

I was the featured artist last 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 and see the more photos of the house and the journal inside of it here)

Now let's see what our other DT members have created!

So many cute and beautiful creations.

Check out Sharon's snowman sunning himself HERE.

Tasha has an "outside the box" baby card. Love those colors.

Be SURE to visit Dori's post from this morning to
see up close photos of her card and gift set!

Lynn's lovely heart wreath has a full YouTube tutorial HERE.

What a cheery, sunshiny yellow card Janet created!
And, there's more...Full Portfolio Reveal on Saturday!

She used:

Portfolio & Cover made with:

5952 - Portfolio Template Dies

5987 - BJ Icon Dies Set

6126 - Light of the World Stamp Set

6134 - Light of the World Series Verse Pack

Thank you to all of our amazing designers!
We're sure that you've seen something here that will inspire you.

We can't wait to see what you create and share for our challenge.

Good luck to you! Maybe you'll be one of our next winners.

 ✻ 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

You are My Sunshine by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Well, the current challenge "Pocket Full of Sunshine" just shouts warm and happy to me, so I got carried away!  I apologize, but, how can you not love the color of yellow and the feel of sunshine?  It just makes you smile, doesn't it?

I created several projects today, but I couldn't stop!  I just kind of kept on going.  😊

I started out with a card, then a pouch and finally a box.  As long as I had paper, I kept on playing.

Card:  Stamped the images from #5925 - Honey Bee stamp set onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I created a pocket by cutting a rectangle and scoring 1/2" around three edges.  Fold and burnish each edge.  Snip off a bit of each of the folded corners creating tabs to glue down to the base.  I added a scallop top from the #5952 - Portfolio Template die set for the top of the pocket.  I then created a bookmark using the #5723 - Journal Cover and Bookmark die set as well as the #6043 - Bible Bookmark and Word die set to insert into the pocket.  The sentiment die is from the #6114 - Holiday Lane Village Template.  The sun die is from my stash.  

Treat Pouch:  created from a 6 x 6" piece of cardstock.  Fold and burnish one corner diagonally to the other creating a triangle.  Fold and burnish the front corner down halfway towards you.  Lift that corner back up and fold the left bottom corner up and align with the halfway fold line.  Do the same for the right bottom corner.  Glue those in place.  Fold the top front corner back down towards you and tack into place.  The pouch is now ready to decorate and fill with treats.  

Box:   I saw this video on youtube for The Paper Pixie.  Julie Dimatteo is the host of this youtube and she is fantastic.  Her explanations are soooo well done.  This video is called the Sweet Jar Treat box.  

I thought this was the cutest thing so I had to try it out.  I created the box the same but used the Art Impressions #5785 - Gnomes stamp set as well as the #5925 - Honey Bee set.  It calls for two strips of plain card stock - one at 1 5/8" x 6 1/4" and the other is 1 5/8" x 5 15/16" (see says 5 5/16" but s/b 5 15/16").  The box holds one Ferrero Rocher candy and would be a sweet treat for a teacher, special friend or any other special person in your life.  

Well, that's it for me today.  I hope you decide to enter the challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  Your entry only needs to have a pocket, sunshine or the color yellow on it (see details above under Bi-Weekly Challenge).  We LOVE to see your creations!

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  N3, N4

R20, E21

G43, G46, B21, B23

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

"Love" Postage Stamp Card by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

Watch video tutorial here!

Let's create our very own "Love" Postage Stamp today using the beautiful new Ai His Love Stamp Set (6150), which is part of the Bible Journaling Series. From this wonderful set we will be using the heart-shaped roses wreath, the "Love" sentiment, and the tiny hearts background stamp!

To begin, we will stamp and color the heart wreath using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Lemon Yellow, Yellow, Scarlet Red, Ever Green, Mid Green, Deep Green.

Once the wreath is colored, we can die cut the fun postal design using the Scrapbook.com Nested Stitched Stamp Die Set. This die will cut the center separately from the frame, which I absolutely love, because we can easily ink around the edges of the rectangle without having to mask off any of the postage stamp.

We will ink the edges using the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Antique Linen and Gathered Twigs. This will frame the design nicely.

We can attach the frame and the center piece together using some 1/4" Double Sided Tape and then we can pop up the entire postage stamp using some 3D Foam Tape.

But before we attach this to the card, let's create the standard A2 size card base and a kraft colored layer which we will stamp with the tiny hearts background stamp from this same set.

Once the panel is stamped, we will spatter the panel with some Wink of Stella Clear Glitter and also some white ink. We will also add some of the Gathered Twigs ink around the edges.

Now let's pop-up the postage stamp onto the card, on a little bit of an angle and add a few "gold" sparkly gems to the wreath and around the edges of the card. This will add some dimension and pretty sparkle!

Thank you so much for joining me today! If you enjoyed today’s video, please select the Like and Subscribe buttons and don’t forget to hit that notification bell so that you don't miss a single video!

All of the supplies used in today’s video are listed below. Click the products below to make a purchase. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which are at no additional costs to you.

Ai His Love Set (6150)

Ai Watercolor Travel Box (4924)

Post-it Labeling and Cover-up Tape

Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen

Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof Ink - White

Focus on Faith: Joy Comes in the Morning by Sara Furr

 Greetings my dear Art Impressions friends!

God gives us so many blessings! Besides the gift of his love, one of his greatest gifts is that of this beautiful world that we live in! His blessings are new everyday. Every morning we wake up to the beauty of the sunrise.

I'm here today to share with you a card inspired by a photograph of a sunrise that I took on our farmstead. I have been wanting to use the stamp set #5129- "He Leads Me", so I "imagined" a covered bridge that would have crossed over the creek next to our barn. This was my inspiration photo..

And this is my Faith Inspired "Joy Comes In The Morning" creation...

As you can tell, this is watercolor, and Sara is NOT a watercolor artist, haha, but I am trying, so bear with me on this, ok? I will be showing my process photos of how I have created this scene.

To start, I stamped my covered bridge and a single tree from the stamp set with a combo of Starry Sky and Soft Suede markers onto a140# cold press watercolor card front.

Then I applied Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, and Cherry Cobbler ink to create my sun. I watered down some Starry Sky and dabbed that in to create some moody blue sky, making sure to leave some bits of white showing. I also added a bit that to the inside of the bridge for shadow.

I then used some post it tape to mask off my sun and added a mixture Basic Black and Chocolate Chip ink to create my skyline silhouette and I added in some slightly watered down Starry Sky for the creek water and some Evening Evergreen for the grass and landscape fading down to the creek, and for the foliage on my tree. I added a bit of brown inside the bridge, roof, tree, and fence posts.

Next, I added in some pine trees, shrubs, and grasses using #5372- WC Mini Foliage Set in Evening Evergreen and Mossy Meadow ink (darker in background and lighter in foreground), and I added some watered down Baked Brown Sugar for the dirt on the road. 

I blended those out a tiny bit with a damp brush, and then added in another tree on the right side and I added a bit of yellow and red to the water to be a reflection of the sunrise. I then added in the the very tops of the shrubs with Starry Sky and repeatedly stamped some little "blue wildflowers" in the grass and on the edge of the creek. Once that was dry I added some sparkle pen "dots" to the flowers for accents. You can't see them in my photo, but you can in real life! Haha. There is also a shimmery dew of sparkle on the water and the objects in the foreground that I was unable to capture, but you can see when tilted in the light.

I then finished by adding the shadows and a bit of color to the covered bridge, and then I stamped the sentiment "Joy comes in the morning", from the #5417-Frameworks Sentiments set in Black Versafine Ink.

I then signed my creation and cut the panel down to 5x3 3/4" and mounted it to a white Postage Stamp die cut, and then popped that up on a piece of Silver Holographic cardstock. I again added funfoam to the back of that panel. I created a 5x7card Base of Soft Succulent cardstock and added a panel of vellum that I embossed with a Pinecones & Berries embossing folder. Before adding my main focal panel, I added a small piece of floral lace so that when the panel is applied the lace is just peeking out of the edge.

For the inside of card I watercolored another sunrise panel and added the sentiments "Jesus", from #5986-Jesus & Joy Dies, and stamped "Light of the world" from the Frameworks Sentiments with Black Versafine ink.

And that finishes my project for today. Here is a list of all the supplies I used:
(All Art Impressions products are linked below)

♡Stamp sets:
#5129-He Leads Me,
#5417- Frameworks Sentiments,
#5372- WC Mini Foliage

♡Dies:
#5986- Jesus & Joy Dies (AI)

Postage Stamp die- (Unity)

♡Inks:
 Stampin' Write markers in: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Evening Evergreen, Mossy Meadow, and Starry Sky.

Black Versafine ink

♡Cardstock:
S.U. Soft Succulent

Your Paper Insider: Ultra White Smooth cardstock 100#,
Glama Natural Clean vellum,
Silver Holographic Diamonds 12pt cover,
Cold press Watercolor card fronts 140#,
Dark Blue Curious Skin 91#

♡ Misc.: 

Double sided tape,
paintbrush, water,
Spellbinders Pine branches & Berries embossing folder,
Gelly Roll Sparkle Pen

Pheeeww, that was a lot, I know! If you are still with me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this! Please know that I truly cherish you!

God's blessings to you all, and I pray you have a very blessed week! I hope you will join me again February 3rd for another Faith Inspired project!

Blessings,

Sara Furr- The Crafty Farm Chick

Ps. If you visit my Instagram page @sarae.furr_thecraftyfarmchick you can see a video of my card up close and in action.