Easter Bunnies Storybook Frame and Easter Story Tile Card by Diane Mason

Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend! 

Hello, my Ai watercolor friends and fans. Easter is on its way, and I have two Easter projects to share with you! First up is a custom Easter Bunnies Storybook Frame. My second, is a square Easter card using the new Story Tile in a slightly different way.

Easter Bunnies Storybook Frame:

I love the concept of the Storybook Frame. Peering in at the tiny 3D scene fascinates me and the completed project makes a nice little gift to display! I’ve noticed that many of the images included in the Art Impressions Matchbook sets also work well with this frame.

 

To create this adorable Easter scene, I used the images from 6014 – Matchbook Easter Bunnies set. I stamped each image with Versafine Onyx Black ink onto Canson XL Mix Media paper.

 

I used the 6121 – Storybook Template die to die-cut the box, inserts and front and back mats. The patterned papers used are from 5742 – Easter Journal Paper Pack. For the purple background, I cut a piece of patterned paper to fit the interior of the box.

Once I had each image painted, I placed each die-cut behind the oval insert piece to determine it’s placement and trimmed away any parts I didn’t want to show through the opening. For the background, I trimmed away the side pieces of the image and popped up the image with foam squares. The shelf image was glued directly to the background. For the layer that goes just above the background piece, I doubled up on the corner foam squares to raise it above the background piece. For the rest of the inserts, I only used one layer of foam squares.

Colors and supplies used to paint the images:

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 177, 195, 817, 725, 606, 443, 947, 977, 969, N52, 912, 565, 555, and 055.
• Tombow TwinTone Pens used for details: Aqua (74), Fuchsia (80), Orange (28), Chrome Yellow (04), and Lime Green (50)
• Winsor & Newton Ink, Silver - for the paint cans
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

  

To decorate the back of the frame, I die-cut a piece of Canson XL Mix Media paper using the insert die and stamped onto the oval. The sentiment is from 5733 – Easter Sentiments Set. The cluster of eggs from 5738 – Easter Egg House Set was inked in N52. Colors used to decorate the eggs include 817, 443, and 606. Details were added using Dr. Ph. Martin’s, and Aqua, Fuchsia, and Lime Green TwinTone markers. For the grass, I used the small grass from 4051 – WC Foliage Set inked in 195, and 555 for the sky.

For a final decorative touch, I attached a purple bow to the front of the frame.

 

Easter Story Tile Card:

I think we can all agree, the newly released 6158 – Story Tile Template Die is just fabulous! There are four new stamp sets specifically designed to go with this die, but many other Art Impressions stamps work well too!

        

For this card, I changed things up a bit and only used a portion of the Story Tile Template to create a square card. To further “think outside the box”, I attached one of the images on top of the frame rather than inside the box!

 Colors and supplies used for this card:

• 6158 – Story Tile Template Die, removed two sections with scissors
• 6008 – Bunny Hugs Set, inked in Versafine Vintage Sepia Ink
• 6036 – Easter Bunny Paper Pack
• 5733 – Easter Sentiments Set, sentiment stamped onto vellum, inked with Versafine Onyx Black ink, and heat embossed with Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 173, 177, 403, 703, 993, 977, 565
• Micron Pen (005)-Black to define eyes
• Tombow TwinTone Pen: Orange (28) for flower centers
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White
• Foam squares to pop up the template square onto the card front

 

Thank you for joining me today for Watercolor Weekend! I hope you have enjoyed learning more about how these darling Easter projects were created. For those of you celebrating Easter - may this season of renewal bring you an abundance of peace and overwhelming love. Until next time, Happy Painting!

Poppy Power by Janet

I'm loving the new Bible Journaling sets. The dies and stamps are truly beautiful but they're not just for bible journaling as this card shows. The margin sets are the perfect size for 5 x 7 cards so I started by creating a creamy card base. For this one, I wanted deep and rich colors so I chose to color the stamped image with pencils and add accents with white pen. I used Copics to add a very pale light blue background and light pink to the top and bottom of the image. Once I finished coloring, I trimmed it into a rectangle and rounded the corners. Next I cut out orange margin pieces with the swirl stitching and I cut the words hope and faith from gold metallic cardstock. I added clear jewel bling strategically to the orange margin pieces to add a touch of shine and elegance.  

To create a dramatic backdrop for these rich images, I added a panel of reddish orange glimmer cardstock. I adhered the margin pieces and added another strip of the glimmer cardstock in the middle creating a ribbon effect. The poppies were centered on the strip and I added the gold script words to the top and bottom. 

This card is rich and dramatic and I'm very happy with how it turned out. The flower images in the margin sets are so beautifully done. I enjoyed working with the poppy set and I encourage everyone to give it a try.

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   

Bee Happy! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions Friends!

Tasha here sharing a fun new card featuring the Freebie-Honey Bear and 6047-Scalloped Square Dies. I love bee-themed cards and this sweet stamp is perfect for Spring! 

To create this card, I stamped the little bear on to a stitched square before ink blending the edges to bring in more color. I was inspired by the colors of the bee, so I added layers of black card stock, yellow plaid pattern paper, and used white for the largest scalloped frame. I love how the bright white shows the pretty edge and separates the darker colors.

For the greeting, I stamped "Bee Happy!" from the 5925-Honey Bee Set. This set has several greetings that can be used for year-round cards and projects. I also used two scalloped round dies to frame the greeting and coordinate with the scalloped squares.

Lastly, I attached layers of dark yellow and black card stock and another piece of pattern paper and attached three gold dots to complete the design.

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!