Round & Round Challenge #424 Week #1

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our latest challenge.

This time we're thinking circles.

Round & Round

We want to see your circle cards, cards with circle dies or stamps, circular gems and embellishments,  dotted embossing folders...anything round!

Our Featured Designer this week is Lynn and she created a gorgeous floral wreath card.

Simple and Easy Watercolor Floral Wreath!

After you admire her card be sure to watch her tutorial and then,

check out who won our last challenge.

 

Watch video tutorial here!

I'm excited to be the featured artist for the new Ai "Round and Round" Blog Challenge! For today's card, we will be using the double roses stamp from the Ai His Love Stamp Set (6150). This pretty duo of roses has a natural curve to it so it will be really easy to add these roses to a circular shaped wreath.

We will stamp 8 sets of the roses using the stamp positioner because once we have colored these roses, we will be stamping them again...just to darken them up a bit more!

For the water coloring, we will be using the Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pads in Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry and Candied Apple. This watercolor technique is so easy and simple to do. We will apply of the inks directly onto the glass mat, add a spritz of water and place the stamped images directly into the ink. This will pick up a variety of the pinks and reds onto the roses. I'll show you exactly how to do this in today's video!

Now we can heat set the images and with the Candied Apple Ink we will apply a little bit onto each of the flowers using a #0 paintbrush. No need to be fussy.... just add a bit of this color onto the centers of the flowers for a bit of shadowing.

Let's heat set these again and now we can place each of the flower duos into the stamp positioner and re-stamp them. They will line up perfectly because we have left them in the stamp positioner while we were coloring the images. By stamping the images again, we will get a nice dark black and crisp image! Now let's fussy cut the roses with our detail scissors. We can also add some highlights using a white gel pen!

We will add a watercolor panel to the card by just spattering each of those same inks onto a white panel and them adding a bit of ink around the edges and add a black layer behind this panel. This will frame everything nicely!

Let's die cut the Ai Scalloped Circle (6045) onto some pink cardstock and add a black circle behind it.

We can assemble the layers on the card but first let's stamp the sentiment using the Ai Birthday Sentiments Set (5735). We will also go back to the Ai His Love Set and add the pretty heart and swirl border just below the "Birthday Blessings" sentiment.

We can pop-up the roses and add them to the scalloped circle. Let's add a cute little black and white ribbon using some baker's twine.

For a finishing touch, let's add a few clear "iridescent" gems for a bit of sparkle!

If you love this Ai His Love Stamp Set then you may enjoy this video using that same set:

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

Ai His Love Set (6150)

Ai Birthday Sentiments Set (5735)

Ai Scalloped Circle Dies (6045)

What a beautiful card Lynn!

Now, let's see who won our 3D challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected:

Cathlyn A.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab your winner's badge to display on your social media.

Our Lucky Random Winner was:

#11 Kathy A.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com
to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab your winner's badge to display on your social media.

Congratulations to both of our winners!

Now for our new challenge!

 ✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation using either stamps, dies and or designer paper from Art Impressions. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards! (unless specified)

✻ Limit two submissions per person.

✻Top Spot Winner and Lucky Random Winner each receive a free stamp set from Art Impressions

 ✻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

Chicks Bookmark card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

We definitely are getting to enjoy the Spring air here and just in time for Easter.  Yay!  However, I'm hearing that it's suppose to change next week.  Let's hope the weathermen are wrong.  Fingers crossed!  

Maybe my card for today will inspire the nice Spring weather to continue.  🤞

I created a comical corner bookmark that slides over the card.  When removed it reveals the "Spring is in the Air" sentiment from the #5867 - Mini Easter Sentiment set.  This bookmark is sure to give someone a chuckle every time they open their book.  I just love him and the funny saying!  I hope I don't offend anyone with that sentiment, but it just fit this image perfectly.  😁

The polka dots on the egg was a Sharon inspiration.  Thank you Sharon for the cute idea!

I used the #5401 - Easter Chicks stamp set for the images and the #6042 - Corner Bookmark die set for the detachable bookmark.  I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  The images were then cut using the coordinating dies within the set.

For the pattern papers, I used the #6036 - Easter Bunny PP and the #5892 - Easter S2 PP.  The Art Impressions paper packs coordinate well together.   I cut several circles using the #5064 - Double stitched circle dies and also the #5726 - Nested Circle dies.

I started with a base card panel made with heavy cardstock and cut to an A2 size - 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  I then created a smaller card (size 4 3/4 x 3 3/8) that will be adhered to the front.  I layered the mats and pattern paper panels to the base and also to the front of the card.  I then layered the circle panels and adhered the images to the top layers.  I popped up the bottom chick but not the one on the bookmark.  I didn't want to add any more bulk to the bookmark.  I placed the bookmark onto the card corner and adhered the egg chick panel to the bookmark.  I then adhered the other chick panel to the card base.  The last circle panel was adhered to the card base, lining it up directly under the circle of the bookmark.

I attached the card to the base, lining up to the bottom edge so that the card will stand up on its own.

That's it for me today!  Thanks for joining me and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  Y13, Y15, Y17    R20

YR61, YR65, YR68

G20, G21, G24

R81, R83, R85

Ornate Poppy Margin Gatefold Card by Lynn Dionne

 Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

Watch video tutorial here!

Let's get started by die cutting the brand-new beautiful Ai Ornate Margin Dies (6155). There are two borders in this set, so choose whatever one you like best! We will be doing a partial die cutting with this die so that we can get a wider border.

Now we can stamp the brand-new elegant Ai Poppy Margin Set (6163). This absolutely gorgeous stamp set contains two stamps with scroll borders. I love how the borders are the reverse of each other!

We are only going to use the floral portion of the stamp set for today's card. To do that we will be masking off the scroll border using some temporary tape. Let's also stamp a few cute bees using the Ai Honey Bee Set (5925).

Now we can color all of our images using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Yellow, Br Yellow, Orange, Red, Wine Red, Haze Blue, Ever Green, Moss Green, Dk Gray. There are coordinating dies for the bees, so let's die cut those and set them aside.

Once the border is completely colored, we will add some ink blending around the edges of this border using some Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Mustard Seed and Gathered Twigs. We will also spatter the panel using the Mustard Seed ink!

Next, we will emboss the entire gatefold yellow card panel using this beautiful "Quilted Stars" embossing folder from Scrapbook.com. (I'll show you how to create the gatefold design in today's video). Once it is embossed, we will then rub a bit of pigment white ink over the high spots for added interest and to soften the look!

We will pop up the floral border onto the front of the card and add a nice gold border with some sparkly gold cardstock. Also, let's will pop up the little bees and add a few "gypsy confetti" gems.

Let's quickly finish the inside of the card by die cutting a scalloped rectangle panel using the Ai Scalloped Rectangle Dies (6048) and add some ink blending around the edges. Next, using the Ai Encouragement Sentiments Promo Set (5956) we will stamp and emboss the sentiment with some gold embossing powder. For a finishing look on the inside of the card we will add some of those same sequins and a few bees!

Finally, we will add an elegant white sheer ribbon. This will also act as a nice closure for the card; however, you could also create a belly band if you prefer!

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

Ai Poppy Margin Set (6163)

Ai Ornate Margin Dies (6155)

Ai Scalloped Rectangle Dies (6048)

Ai Honey Bee Set (5925)

Ai Encouragement Sentiments Promo (5956)

Easter Bunnies for the 3D challenge by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I made this Easter card with the current
3D challenge in mind.

It has lots of layers and images popped up.

I hope you enjoy it.

I like the way the neutral paper in the background
makes the sweet bunnies and flowers kind of pop.

Here you can see how all of my layers are popped

up for the 3D challenge. Be sure to enter soon! The challenge ends

tomorrow. You don't want to miss out on the chance to win a free stamp set.

Pop up arch card Retired and Rehydrated by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

So I have almost reached my one year retirement and I will just say that I do love a good cocktail! HAHA  So I had a blast making this card. It's a dimensional card that lays flat so it's easy to put in the mail. To start with, I stamped #6075 Cruisin' Carol onto a Copic friendly cardstock. After coloring her, I cut her out with the included die. A few daisies from #5925 Honey Bee Set framed her nicely with a strip of grass and a few clouds. The sentiment from #6077 Loungin' Linda fit perfectly on the banner from #5809 Decorative Journal Page 2. It's actually my favorite banner die. The printed papers are from #6033 Inspirational Easter PP. The margarita glasses are just dies I had in my stash, but I thought they went perfectly with the card.

To create this card, you just want to create as many different size layers of your arches (or any shape) and then attach them with an open ended box like you can see in the picture below. You just want to make sure they aren't wider than the panel you're attaching to the front of it. So with these arches, I cut one panel that measured 3 1/4" x 3 1/4".  The second piece was cut to 3 1/4" x 2 1/2. Both pieces were scored at 3/4", 1 1/2", 2 1/4", and 3". fold into a long box by adding adhesive to the 1/4" flap. 

This shows how it folds flat to fit into an envelope. 

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

Vintage Easter Cards by Jami Steiger

 

My goodness, it's already my turn for Watercolor Weekend! We've made a few updates with Art Impressions, and now I will post cards twice a month for WC Weekend, plus a card at the end of the month for a monthly Challenge. The new changes are definitely keeping me busy, but it is also a lot of fun creating new cards.

I have been watching Bridgerton on Netflix and love the show's vintage style, so when I made my cards this month, I thought the 5116-Basket of Blessings Set would be perfect. 

I started by stamping the rabbit with Archival Ground Espresso. I used the following Tombow markers to paint: 992, 977, 528, 312, 817, 772, 969, N75, 177, 025, and 933. To paint the buttons on his jacket, I used a Signo Pigment Ink Gel Pen in gold. To die-cut the rabbit, I used the lacy rectangle from 5804-Decorative Belly Bands, and the small decorative die-cut in the upper left corner came from 5591-Journal Rectangle Frames Die. Next, I used the 5724-Nested Rectangle Dies to cut a pale blue mat. The decorative paper for the card base came from 6036-Easter Bunny PP. Before I assembled the card, I used Simon Hurley's die ink pad in Grrr!, which is a very light beige, and a small dauber to antique the edges of all the elements. To complete the design, I added a small paper doily, a vintage button, and a piece of vintage flower lace.

 

____________________

Items used to create the Easter Egg card: 5116-Basket of Blessings, 5809-Decorative Journal Page Set 2, 5724-Nested Rectangle Dies, 6082-Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack, Archival Ink in Ground Espresso, Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White, Small Dot Stencil, and Pearl Embossing Paste, Small Pearls, Vintage Green Lace, Corner Rounder Paper Punch, Foam Adhesive Dots

Tombow Markers used: 526, 933, 025, 312, 837, and 177

____________________

I hope you all enjoy the Easter cards as much as I enjoyed creating them!

Over the Garden Wall by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend! Spring fever hit me early this year, we have had one of the coldest winters ever. Unfortunately for us, winter tends to hang its claws in. So I am dreaming of warm days and no more snow!  

For my first card I used the 5817 Potting Garden Shed, I stamped it on my watercolor paper in Distress Ink, Pumice Stone, after stamping off once. 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitch Dies, using the 3^rd largest to trace out a frame around the Potting Shed for a guide. After dealing with the back and forth of snow and what becomes a mud fest, I wanted strong colors.  So starting with the roof I mixed N15 in with 856, which makes the red more of a burgundy color. I also used this on the door.  For the main part I added some washes of 947 and 565 for the shadows.  For the glass on the door I used 526 and shaded the top and one side with 565.  I then put in the sky with 526 and a wash on the ground of 177, darkening this color around the pot, shed, and watering can.  528 for the birds, along with adding 025 and 026 for the beaks, and a black micron for the eyes and legs.  I started with the bottom left pot and used post-it tape to mask the side guideline and the pot. 4051 Foliage Set 1 with the large foliage, turned so I was using one of the short ends in 126 and filled in the area I wanted covered.  I then colored just a small portion of this stamp and added 177 in different areas. Using a damp brush, I softened these 2 colors together.  856 mixed with 969 for the pot creating a darker terracotta pot, leaving a highlight in the center and darkening the sides.  For the hanging basket, I shaded the sides with 565, I also left the mask on the side just in case.  I then used 4052 Flower Set 1, the daisy bunch, in 905, coloring only a couple of the flowers in 885 and adding that in areas to create more of a definition, also softening this with a damp brush.  For the watering can, I used a mix of 565 and 969, and then added a touch of 249. 947 is great for creating rust, I just continue adding layers until I am happy with it.  For the pot on the right, I shaded this as well with 565, and added stripes in 528.  The daisy bunch was also used for this one, but with 025, a couple in 026, and some in 993. Before adding the foliage I softened this with a damp brush and then used 5126 Foliage Set 4, small vines, in 177 to add in some greenery, lightly touching these with a damp brush.  The leafy branch from the same set, up in both corners after taping them off, with 126 and a line drawn through with 177, which gives a two-toned look on the leaves. I touched each of the leaves with a damp brush.  I then added some grass at the base of the image after taping off by the guide lines, with the grass from 5826 Large Tree Set 2.  This is, by far, my favorite grass stamp, and I like to use 177 with just a touch of 969 in 2 spots at the base of the stamp.  Once softened with a damp brush, to me anyway, gives a more natural look to the grass.  Using the dots from 5418 Bible Foliage Set 2, I added some dots in 177 throughout the scene. Bleed Proof White was added in with each of the florals. I matted my card base with paper from 5873 Mini Birthday Paper Pack and cut out my image with the same die I used for my guidelines. I matted the image with a solid green cardstock and mounted it onto the card base. 

For my 2^nd card I used 6112 Pumpkin Parade. I always look at sets to see if something can be used in a different way, and the bunny in this set with her witches costume gave me the Lord of the Rings vibe. I was talking with my son about it and he said it reminded him of Over the Garden Wall, a 2014 animated Mini TV Series, so I ran with it. So, I turned the little rabbit and owl into little adventurers traveling down a forest path. I found the perfect paper in the 6072 Father’s Day Paper Pack, and the dies I used are from my stash. When I inked the stamps, I just left off the lantern faces on both of them.  For the Rabbit I used N57, N49, N79, 772, 856. The hat, cape, and shirt I used 027, 249, 947 and the basket 969, 947. The Owl I used 947, 879. 879 was a little duller than I wanted so I glazed over this with Marvy 108 Black Cherry.  For the beak and talons I used, 025, 026.  I then used the flowers, mushrooms, bee, and butterfly from 5935 Fairytale Houses Set.  For the flower heads I used, 526, 676, 725, and 565. The centers, 055, 025, 026. The leaves and stems, 126, 177.  The mushrooms, 992, 969, 856, 837, and Bleed Proof White was used.  The bee 055, 026, N15, 526, 565. The butterfly, 025, 985, 856, 679, N15.  I cut a slit in both of the baskets for the flowers, and the Rabbit, bee, and butterfly are popped up with foam tape.

Thank you for joining me today, until next time! Create….Share….Inspire!

Hello Sunshine! by Janet

Today I've created a fanciful spring card with a pink bunny, spring tulips and cheerful paper patterns. The fun fold makes this card perfect for the current 3D challenge on the Ai blog. It's a horizontal double z-fold card that is perfect to showcase the beautiful paper patterns in the 5742 - Easter Journal PP.

The scallop shapes decorating the front and interior are from the 6046 - Scallop Oval Dies and 6048 - Scalloped Rectangle Dies. The sentiment piece inside is made with 5724 - Nested Rectangle Set.

The cute bunny and watering can are made with the 6106 - Spring Keepsake Set. The sentiment is also from the set. To make the main front piece, I stamped the watering can first and then I stamped and cut out the bunny and mounted it on foam tape so that it has dimension and appears closer to the front than the watering can. Copic markers were used to color these pieces. I used a Signo Pigment Ink Gel for the white accents. 5745 - Flower Set 6 was used to stamp the tulips in the watering can and adds some simple decoration to the interior sentiment piece.

While this card opens up widely, it still folds up to an A2 size and fits nicely into an envelope for mailing. It stands up well and has a big presentation. I had a lot of fun making it and I hope you have been inspired by the adorable images and spring colors and patterns in my project. 

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   

Hello Spring! Card by Tasha

Happy Friday Art Impressions friends!

Tasha here sharing a Spring card featuring the super cute 6008 Bunny Hugs Set and 6046 Scalloped Oval Dies. Now that we are in the Spring season, I have been pulling out my Spring and Easter sets and I cannot stop coloring the bunny stamps. I love all of them, but this sweet bunny with the tulips felt just right for this time of year.

For this card, I stamped the image in black ink and colored it with Copic Markers. I chose a pretty floral pattern paper for the background and matched the tulip colors to the soft pastel shades in the paper. I really love how those colors came together.

For the center, I used cloud and grass stencils to create a simple outdoor scene. I added a few glitter enamel sparkles to the clouds for a little texture and shine. I always like adding a bit of sparkle.

To finish the card, I used a scalloped oval die cut from metallic pink cardstock and layered it with dark purple, white, and lavender cardstock to coordinate with the flowers.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and that it inspires you to start working on your Spring projects!

Have a wonderful day!