Summer Vibes by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  Ah….August….the hurrah before fall.  Don’t mind me while I sit in the air conditioning until fall arrives.  LOL!  However, I do love all of the green and flowers, and I’m in no hurry for the cold I know is coming.  I am a mid-temp kind of gal.

 For my 1^st card I decided to go with several sets using the 6158 Story Tile Template.  The possibilities with this die is never ending.  I started off cutting down my watercolor paper to 4 ¼ by 5 ½, I keep a cutout of the template with my die that I use to trace the outline of the boxes on my paper.  I then stamped in all of my images with Distress Ink Pumice Stone, and then stamped them off once before placing them on my project, masking off the guides where needed.  I used 6106 Spring Keepsake Set for the birdhouse, and used a pencil to create a guide for the hanging line.  A mix of 565 and 969 for the wood, mixing these creates a more weathered look to the wood.  I then added 403 to the main part of the birdhouse, decorating with Bleed Proof White with a touch of 025 for the centers of the flowers.  526 was used on the sky before adding in the leafy branch from 5126 WC Foliage Set 4 in 126 and 177.  I also used a mix of 565 and 969 to the hanging line.  5981 My Joy Set was used for the Black-eyed Susans, I started with 126 on the leaves and contoured with 177.  For the petals I started with a base layer of 055, adding contours with 025.  I use a small amount of 026 for the deeper shading.  The centers I use 947 and shade with 969, also adding a couple of dots with 969 on each center.  For the background I used 403, and then added some gold dots with Winsor & Newton Gold Ink with 5418 Bible Foliage Set 2.  For the next section I used 6195 Love Blooms Set with a stamp positioner to make sure I had it centered where I wanted it.  A pencil and ruler was used to map out the guidelines for the windows before I started coloring.  For the windows I used a mix of 526 and 565, shading with more 565 along the edges.  For the wood I did a mix of 565 and 969 for this one as well.  Darkening around the bases of everything sitting on the bench.  For the curtains I used 025, and the tie backs I used 403.  For the pillow on the right I used 676 and 947 for the button, the left pillow I used 403 and 969 for the button.  I colored the left pot with 905, adding stripes and dots, and then shadowed with 947.  The right pot I used 126 and also shaded this with 947.  I started with adding in the shadows on the cat with 565 and then colored him in with N15.  I used a black micron on his facial features and a pencil for his whiskers.  I added in the foliage with 5126 WC Foliage Set 4, vines, in the right pot with a mix of 126 and 177.  For the left pot, I used 4868 WC Flower Set 2 in 676 and 177.  I also added in some Bleed Proof White for flowers on the vine.  For the birds, I used the 6196 Fresh Flowers Set.  A black micron was used on the eyes, beaks, and feet before coloring.  I extended the line across the opening with a pencil as well, to create a ledge that I colored with a mix of 565 and 969, adding some extra 565 for the shadows.  For the birds I started with 526 and 905, but then decided to add additional color with 565 and 856 because I felt they were too light.  403 was used for the sky, and then I added the little leafy branch from 5007 WC Foliage Set 3 with 249.  Adding in some flowers with Bleed Proof White.  

The FG Flower Borders are so useful in so many ways, so I used the 6186 FG Tulip Border for my next section.  For the leaves and stems I started with a base layer of 126 and then shaded and contoured with 177.  For the tulips I used: Purple – 676 and 947, Blue – 403 and 407, Yellow – 055 and 025, and Peachy Red – 905 and 947, making sure I deepened the colors in the more shaded spots.  I hate to admit this, but this is the very first time I have used the little girl from 5717 Little Girl FB Set.  For her hair I used 947.  For the skin I used 850 as the base, contouring with 910, and shadow with 912, with just a touch of 772 on the cheeks.  I used a black micron for her eyes, and 912 to define her nose and mouth with a touch of 947 on her eyebrows.  I decided to go all fancy with her dress and used a pencil to map in the guides for the checkered pattern, and used 905 on her hat, buttons, and dress.  I don’t know what it is about this color, but I love it.  It can be a strong orange/red, or when it’s watered down can be a peachy pink.  I used some 565 for a shadow under the brim of her hat.  969 was used on the basket, and then created a mask before adding in the daisy bunch from 5074 Bible Flower Set in 403.  I also added in the vines from 5126 WC Foliage Set 4 in a mix of 126, and 177, adding in some Bleed Proof White.  I shaded the arms and basket on the apron with 565.  I decided to add boards behind her with a pencil and ruler, using a mix of 565 and 969 to add definition, plus added a shadow behind the girl with 565.  Using the 6158 Story Tile Template I cut out the frame from 6082 Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack, mounting this over my images and assembling my card. 

 For my 2^nd card I used 6184 Euro Cottage Set with Distress Ink Pumice Stone after stamping off once and then stamped onto my watercolor paper. I also created a mask for later.  I started with 947 on the roof, adding a bit of 969 for the darker areas and added shading with 565.  I used a mix of 565 and 969, with a touch of 249 on the chimney, door frame, and steps, shading these with 565.  For the walls I watered down some 969 just to give them a bit of tint, and then darker for the suggestion of bricks.  For the trim around the windows I used 947 and a bit of 969.  526 and 565 was used on the windows, and then I used some 969 for the panes.  I used 969 on the door, shading with 565, and then used 947 for the door knob.  For the lantern, I started with 526 for the glass, and finished it off with 026.  

I then used the mask I created and masked off the cottage to add in the foliage for the trees.  4051 Foliage Set 1, the large foliage, I covered the stamp with 126 and then added 177 in random areas, stamping and re-inking multiple times for both sides.  I softened this with a damp brush before adding in the branches.  I used one of the larger branches from 4964 WC Branches Set in 977, using the stamp positioner to figure out where I wanted the branches of the trees to be.  I then added in some 526 for the sky.  Removing the mask, I then used one of the smaller branches from the same set for the vines going up around the house.  From 4051, I used the small grass in 177 along both sides of the house, and then used 5126 WC Foliage Set 4 and the vines in 126 and 177.  I also softened the vines and grass with a damp brush, before adding in some Bleed Proof White.  Just a touch of 969 for the path for the door.  I cut out my image with the 3^rd from largest die from the 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies.  After matting my card base with paper from 6033 Inspirational Easter Paper Pack, I matted my image with a darker green and then silver, before assembling my card.  Thank you so much for joining me today, and I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Until next time, Create….Share….Inspire!

August 2026 Monthly Challenge

 

Happy August everyone! August is one of those months where everything is
blooming in Oregon and the flowers are loving the warm weather.

For my August project, I wanted something simple with flowers. This project could be used for multiple themes and it would be easy to add a sentiment as well as the hummingbird. I started by inking the daisy flower corner in Pumice Stone ink. I stamped if off once on WC paper and then stamped it in the bottom right of my watercolor paper. Once that was in place, I lined up the border die and cut that out so I would have my square to plan the rest of the flower placement. I cut a mask for the flower with Post-It Note tape and then used my stamp positioner to line up the flower bud along the bottom right edge. With my stamp positioner, I also carefully added a few extra leaves here and there to fill in areas with more foliage.

For the upper left corner, I used Post-I Note tape to cover up the square cut-outs. I used my stamp positioner to stamp the first flower bud and leaves, then covered that with a mask and stamped the second bud. Once those were in place, I then used the positioner for placement of the hummingbird. I painted the daisies first in shades of purple. I started with a deep lilac (#61) wash and then added layers of color in violet (#8) – keeping the darker areas closer to the center and staying within each petal. For the flower centers, I started with a wash of brilliant yellow (#43) and then added shading with pumpkin (#87). For the buds, I followed the same process with purple and kept the darker area closest to the stem. Leaves were next and I used three colors. I started with a brilliant yellow (#43) wash, then added light green (#11) where I wanted to show the light hitting the leaf. Then I added more than one layer of olive green (#15) for the darker accents, making sure to let the layers dry in between.

My next step was to add a wash of sky blue (#75) around the flowers and foliage, leaving light and dark areas. I mainly use a #1 brush when I paint, but once I get to the larger areas, I switch to my #4 brush. I left the area around the hummingbird lighter. My last step was the hummingbird. I started with an olive green (#15) wash on the wings and the upper part of the body. I added aubergine (#93) on the body and a little blue (#3) to the wings for added color. Hummingbirds can have so many color combinations! I then carefully kept layering color, making sure to keep the area around the eyes lighter. I used my Micron to darken the eye and even with it so small, left a highlight. I also added the feet and a little black on the beak with

my Micron for definition. Then I signed and dated the project!

I still use Marvy Le Plume markers for my projects.  Most of these can be converted to Tombow colors, but choose colors that work for you. These just happen to be some of my go-to
colors for any project I work on. (Here is the link for the Tombow conversion chart: https://www.artimpressions.com/shop/art-impressions-most-loved-color-conversion-chart/)

Happy Stamping! As always, I hope you will give this project a try! Don’t forget to
enter the Monthly Challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice!

Other supplies:

Pumice Stone Distress Ink

#1 Connoisseur Brush

#4 Connoisseur Brush

Marvy Markers

Here are the rules...

✻ 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.

✻Lucky Random Winner will 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

Bee Inspired - Floral Frenzy Challenge

I've got one more card fitting the Floral Frenzy challenge on the blog. For this one, I primarily used 5925 - Honey Bee Set. I also added the 6170 - Honey Bear Freebie from the first half of the year. If you don't have this one, you could use another bear freebie from 2026, including the 2nd set of bears now available as gifts with purchase.

I started this with a piece of gold cardstock cut 4 1/2" square. I embossed it with a honeycomb folder and then brushed orange ink across it to darken the raised portion of the pattern. Once done, I trimmed it down to 4" square. Next I stamped and colored all the stamps that I had chosen. I cut them them out with the included dies. I fussy cut the Honey Bear. Then I cut a piece of grass out of  cardstock and blended two colors of green ink on the piece so it didn't look so flat and lifeless. I arranged the images to my liking and glued them all in place making sure there was a little room at the top of the grass to tuck in the pieces. I stamped the sentiment in orange ink from the stamp set. I added some vines from the set and then decided to add three more bees and mount them on foam tape. The last step was to cut a 5" white top fold card base. I added a gold metallic and additional white mat before placing the focal panel on top with foam tape.

I like the colors in this card and how it turned out. I hope you're inspired to enter your entry for the Floral Frenzy challenge. Link up your creation here.

Thanks for stopping by and spending time with me and Art Impressions today. Please visit the Ai store to pick up your favorite stamps, dies, papers, accessories, and supplies. 

Happy Crafting!

 

Birds of a Feather! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a card inspired by the current Floral Frenzy Challenge. Art Impressions has so many beautiful floral sets, and I had fun combining two new sets to create this colorful design.

I started with one of my favorite dies, the 6158-Story Tile Template Die, and selected flowers that would fit perfectly into each tile. The floral images I used are from the 6218-BJ Long Stem Set and the 6220-Sing to the Lord Set. Both sets include so many pretty flower stamps, and they work beautifully together!

Instead of filling every tile with flowers, I added two little birds from the 6216-Mercy Set. These sweet birds were the perfect addition and helped bring the design together. To finish the card, I stamped a bird-themed greeting from the 5980-Song Birds and Feeders Set to coordinate with the stamped images.

I love how the mix of flowers and little birds created a cheerful card full of color and springtime inspiration. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are inspired to create something beautiful for the Floral Frenzy Challenge!

Floral Frenzy Challenge #433

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our new challenge.

FLORAL FRENZY

Let's see your floral creations.

Remember, they don't have to be cards. You can create anything you like as long as you use something from Art Impressions. We'd love to see your gift card holders, gift tags, boxes and bags, bookmarks, place cards, cake picks, designer paper, framed art and more. Anything with flowers.

This week Janet is our Featured Artist and she took the theme to heart,
creating the most amazing floral card.
After you browse through her photos and picture tutorial,
be sure to see who the winners from our last challenge are.

Hi everyone! It's time for the newest Ai Challenge - Floral Frenzy. With so many floral stamps and dies to work with, this one is super easy to participate in. For inspiration I've created a card made almost entirely with dies. The only stampingare the two sentiments. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from coloring and with all the great die sets in the store, it's not hard to make something awesome out of imagination and cardstock! For my challenge project, I used 6041 - Flower and Bug Dies with a little help from some other Ai sets.

This card starts with a unique fancy fold. I learned about it from Tarabeth Stamps' blog. It folds flat for mailing but when open, the right front flap tucks under something, in my case buttons. When tucked, the card pops forward thanks to the scored folds in the front panel. When the card is open, there is lots of room to stamp a message and a strip of cardstock plus the buttons just makes it even more charming to open.

Here you can see the dimension of this card when it's opened for display. The center portions of the card front pop out to move the focal point of the card out. It's a little bit surprising as you don't necessarily expect that at first. Tuck the right edges of the card under the buttons and the magic happens!

Start with a 4 1/4" x 11" of cardstock and score 6 lines moving from right to left: 3/4", 2", 3 1/2", 4 3/4", and 5 1'2" as shown here.

Fold the scores so that you create a flat mountain shape in the center of the card front.

Then glue the last scored section and close the card. This creates a flat left edge to the card base.

Next come the mats. Since it's a floral challenge I naturally chose 6205 - Floral Shop Paper Pack. Pick three patterns that coordinate and cut them all at 4 1/8" high. Cut the strips in these widths in the order shown: 5/8", 1 1/8", 1 3/8", 1 1/8", 5/8", and 3/4". This is the same order the strips go on your folds moving from left to right.

Here are the first five strips. The sixth strip is used on the inside but will peak through when the card is tucked and displayed.

Next I created the mats where the flower and bugs will rest. For this I used a die from 6047 - Scalloped Square Dies and another square from 5061 -Square Double Stitched Dies which nests on top of the scallop square.

I cut all the cardstock shapes from the 6041 - Flower and Bug Dies set. I cut two of the flower pieces and once of everything else. I cut the gold cardstock circle for the flower but decided to use a brad instead at the last minute. For the bee's wings, I used vellum so they would be translucent.

I assembled the flower, the bee and the ladybug. I secured the two flowers together with a clear jewel brad and placed the pieces on the matted square. You might think my buttons are real but they're just cardstock! I used woodgrain paper from the 5812 - Christmas S2 Paper Pack. For this, I used a button die found in the 5543 - Journal Template Die Set. I cut two more buttons which I glued under the woodgrain button. One layer was brown to give the buttons a little more rigidity and I cut a round circle in blue cardstock which peaks through the button holes. For this I used the flower center in the Flower and Bugs set. I also cut the tag from a die in this set and matted it on green cardstock. I cut out the interior white piece 4 9/16" x 4 1/8" and glued the sixth paper strip on the right side. I stamped BFF and the inside sentiment using stamps from 5734 - Friend Sentiment Set.

To finish the card, I glued the finished focal point at a slight angle only to the striped center panel. Don't let your glue go beyond this because if you do, it'll stop the pop-out feature from working. Then I glued the inside sentiment piece. Just the right edges of each button on the inside strip of patterned cardstock are glued. Do not adhere the entire button down because you need room to slip the right front edge of the card under the buttons. Here's another look at the card in case you've forgotten after all the instructions!

This is a simple but unique fancy fold that I think is a fun presentation to someone. You can use anything for the tuck pieces. I used buttons but you could use hearts, stars, flower shapes - basically whatever your heart desires or will work with your theme.

I hope you enjoyed my creation for the Floral Frenzy challenge! I invite you to join in and enter your floral creation in this challenge. Just link it this post in the next two weeks to participate. Easy peasy! 

Thanks for stopping by and spending time with me and Art Impressions today. Please visit the Ai store to pick up your favorite stamps, dies, papers, accessories, and supplies. 

Happy Crafting!

 

This is such a pretty card and the fun fold just enhances its beauty.

Thank you Janet!

Now, let's see who won our Christmas in July challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected #5
Marianne H.
for her amazing spooky scene.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim your free stamp set.

Our Lucky Random Winner was #13 Lynn C.
(which proves the #13 isn't always unlucky...lol!)

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim your free stamp set.

Congratulations to our winners!

Enjoy your new stamps.

Now, onto the details of our new challenge.

Please make a new project featuring any floral themed
stamps, dies or paper from Art Impressions.
We can't wait to see what your beautiful creations.

Here are the rules...

✻ 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

Three Sheets To The Wind by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Wednesday AI Friends!

I have another "Summerween" card for you.  Today is your last day to enter the blog challenge so make sure you enter for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.

The image for my card is from the #5190 - Fright Night set, one of my favorite sets.  These ghosts look like they are just having a fabulous time!  😀

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  The pumpkin is from the #6111 - Spooktacular set and comes with the coordinating die so makes for a great accessory to the card.  The spider and bat are from the #5604 - Halloween Journal die set.

Thanks for joining me today!  Have a wonderful day!

Keep Creating!

Copics used:  T0, T2, T6     B000

E42, E44, E47

YR20, YR21, YR23

R22, R24, R37, R56

RV32, RV34

G40, G43, G46

Bird Thank You card by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans and happy Tuesday!

I'm a huge bird lover so I was thrilled when I saw the new 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark and, as you can see, it doesn't have to be used just as a bookmark. I chose to put it on a card for a co-worker.

At the school I work at, we had a child assigned aide this year. He did a lot for the 5th grade kids so I made a card for them to sign and give to him.

Since the bird is squared off, I chose to mount him on the 5725 – Nested Square Dies framed by the 6047 – Scalloped Square Dies. I added a little fence border at the bottom using 4967 – WC Fence Dies. All of my patterned papers came from two paper packs, 5832 – Gnome Paper Pack and 5973 – Fall Series 2 Paper Pack.

I can see myself using this sweet little bird a lot, whether it be on cards or as
bookmarks for all of my friends who love to read.

Cute & Cuddles - a small gift card tag by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

Today I have a small gift card to show you that I created using the new  #6230 Mini Decorative Bookmark Sets. It's not just for bookmarks! I think this is the perfect little card to attach to any gift! It's so quick to decorate and I think it adds a great accent piece! Just cut your card piece out of any pattern paper, or you can use white and just layer pattern paper on top. I grabbed this sweet lamb from #6103 Baby Keepsake Set as well as the sentiment. He's stamped onto a Copic friendly paper and colored up with a few grey pens. It just doesn't get any easier cause the dies to cut him out come in the set as well. I also created my own envelope and added some layered hearts from #5721 Nested Heart Dies and a bow to top it off. So quick and easy!!! 

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