A Peaceful Bench by Neema

 

Hello my Art Impressions Friends

Before sharing my projects for this watercolor weekend, I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement. I can't believe July is already here! This is my second post, and I am so excited!!!

Also, I would love to invite you to check out my new series for World Watercolor Month on my YouTube channel, Crafts and Designs by Neema. Throughout July, I will be posting a new video every day featuring Art Impressions stamps. If you haven't had the chance to join me in Instagram @Neema_197 please do so, I share a picture of the watercolor painting for the day and many other projects. 

Now let's talk about Watercolor Weekend...

For my first project, I made an A6 card (4.5 x 6.25 inches) using a stamp from the Bible Journaling 5066-Light to My Path Set. I love this stamp; it always transports me to a place of peace and serenity.

I added a small pot from the 4869-WC Small Containers set. I stamped the images using Tombow markers 969 and 565, then pulled the colors from the stamp.  

I used brown t tones to paint the bench, and for the lamp post I used a mix of gray and lilac. I built up the glow in the lamp by adding layers of yellow. 

Once the base colors were set, I added foliage and the flowers, which I believe are carnations (I used pink because pink carnations were my mom's favorite). I put them on both sides of the bench. I also added small flowers from the 4052 set using the same blue as the pot. 

For the background, I used light brushstrokes of green, pink, and yellow, and finished with white flowers using Bleed Proof White.

Cutting the painting is always the hardest part for me, so I usually use the entire picture. However, I found a great multi-size frame that is perfect for layering. I cut the largest frame in light green, mounted it over a panel embossed with a leaf pattern, and wrapped a ribbon between the painting and the green layer. 

Inside, I added a sentiment using Versafine Clair pigment ink, and stamped a Bible and a few leaves from the 4051 Foliage Set to complete the card. Using the new silver (Sorry if it's hard to see it) I painted a few lines on the sides of the Bible and added some dots around, just for fun!

And finally, here is my completed card, YAY!...

For my second project, I tried something I've been thinking about for a long time. I usually paint rocks using acrylics, but this time I used a stamp and watercolors on a Santorini rock from my local nursery. Make sure you use a flat rock, it makes the stamping step easier. First, I applied Golden Absorbent Ground. Once dry, I used Versafine Clair to stamp two birds from the Mercy Set 6216 and colored them with Tombow markers. After letting it sit for 24 hours, I sealed the project twice, first with Distress Glaze from Tim Hortz, only over the painted areas, and after a few hours I sprayed a thin coat of Krylon Gallery series matte finish. My husband makes the wooden bases for my rocks so they can stand, but they can also be used as a paperweight. 

Sorry if this post if this post is a bit long, as I'm still figuring out how to bring this blog to life. 
I hope you enjoy these projects!

Have a wonderful watercolor weekend!

Neema

Blue Hydrangea Margin Card and Pink Hydrangea Frameworks Gift Enclosure Card by Diane Mason

 Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend!

Hello, my Ai Watercolor friends and fans! I’m excited to share some beautiful hydrangea cards with you today. These projects feature images from two of the newest releases: 6219 – Hydrangea Margin Set and 6222 – Frameworks Set 4. I had so much fun exploring different color palettes and layouts, and I can’t wait to show you how these came together.

Blue Hydrangea Margin Card:

Hydrangeas are some of my favorite flowers — we actually have four hydrangea bushes in our backyard, and the whole yard looks so pretty when they’re in bloom.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Watercolor Paper

Patterned Paper: 5955 – Encouragement Paper Pack

Cardstock: gold metallic, white

Brushes: No. 4 round brush, No. 0 round brush

Stamps and Dies: 6219 – Hydrangea Margin Set, 5952 – Portfolio Template Set

Ink for stamped images: 526, 606, 177

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 177, 526, 606

Other: Foam squares, Post-It Tape, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, Winsor Newton Gold Paint

I inked the flower petals in 526 and the leaves and stems in 177. After stamping the blue hydrangeas, I added 606 to the lower portions of the blooms and stamped again to create a soft blue‑purple blend.

Once all the elements were stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper, I pulled the color from the lines with a damp brush and added additional color from my palette. The blue and purple tones blend beautifully to create depth and dimension. Using the bullet tip of 526, I dotted in the floral centers.

For the background, I pulled color from the edges of the image with a damp brush. When the panel was dry, I added tiny gold paint dots to the background and selectively to the stems and leaves.

Next, I masked off the edges of the painting with Post‑It tape, pressing firmly to prevent any bleeding. I painted the border with 526, and once dry, blended in 606 for added richness. Finally, I trimmed the finished panel to 1 7/8 x 5 1/2 inches.

To create the gold borders, I used one edge of the scalloped rectangle die from the 5952 – Portfolio Template Die Set to die cut gold metallic cardstock. Since the die wasn’t long enough, I extended the length by selectively die‑cutting and repositioning — there are lots of helpful YouTube tutorials on this technique. I adhered the gold strips behind each side of the painted panel.

For the card front, I trimmed patterned paper from the Encouragement Paper Pack to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches and adhered it to a white A2 card base. The watercolored panel was then attached directly to the card front.

To add a little interest inside the card, I adhered a strip of coordinating patterned paper along the right edge. This design makes a lovely all‑purpose card, perfect for many occasions.

Pink Hydrangea Frameworks Gift Enclosure Card:

Sometimes it’s nice to have a small card for leaving a sweet note or attaching to a present or gift bag. This little enclosure card measures 3 1/2 x 2 6/8 inches (full card base: 5 1/4 x 2 6/8 inches).

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Mix Media Paper

Patterned Paper: 6010 – Basic Pink Paper Pack

Cardstock: White

Brush: No. 4 round brush, No. 0 round brush

Ink for stamped images: 743, 606, 177

Stamps and Dies: 6219 – Hydrangea Margin Set, 6222 – Frameworks Set 4, 6062 – Hydrangea Floral Set, 5062 – Rounded Rectangle A2 Double, Stitched Dies, and 5726 – Nested Circle Dies

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 743, 606, 177, N52, 403f

Other: Foam squares, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, sheer white ribbon, detail scissors, and envelope punch board.

I inked the frame and flower petals in 743, and the leaves and stems in 177. After stamping the pink hydrangeas, I added 606 to the lower portions of the flowers and stamped again to create a pink‑purple blend.

Once I pulled the color from the frame, I added touches of 606 for shading and used N52 to create shadows under the frame edge. For the background, I washed in a watery mix of 403 and added white dots with Bleed Proof White. Using the bullet tip of 743, I dotted in some floral centers.

I lightly sketched a cutting border with pencil and trimmed the image using detail scissors. Mix Media paper is thinner than watercolor paper, making it easy to cut cleanly. After attaching the sheer ribbon to the card front, I popped up the image with foam squares.

Inside the card, I die‑cut two panels from Mix Media paper using the Rounded Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies, plus a small circle from the Nested Circle Dies for the envelope seal. The sentiment is from the Hydrangea Floral Set, and the hydrangea images come from the top portion of the margin stamp. I created a coordinating envelope from white cardstock and patterned paper using an envelope punch board.

Thank you so much for spending a little creative time with me today. These hydrangea sets were such a joy to paint, and I hope they inspire you to pull out your favorite pinks, blues, purples, and greens this weekend. Whether you’re trying a new layout or revisiting a favorite technique, I can’t wait to see what you create. Be sure to tag us on social media. Until next time, Happy Painting!

Christmas In July Challenge - Santa Gift Card Holder by Janet

It's the second week of the Christmas in July Challenge. I love getting a jump start on holiday card making and it's also a good time to make some gifts like my Santa gift card holder. This is a fun little project you can make in so many ways. You can use any colors or kind of paper you want. For mine, I imagined him in his Christmas pajamas that have messages of peace, hope and joy. These are sentiments the world really needs right now. This cheerful paper pattern can be found in 5853 - Christmas Magic PP.

I made this using two Ai Gift Card Die Sets. The base is created using 5344 - Envelope GCH Set. The Santa face is created using the companion set 5339 - Santa GCH Set. I just love his mustache and his rosy cheeks! To make his cheeks a little more rosy, I broke out the old fashioned chalk set I've had for decades. It still comes in handy once in a while!

The gift card holder is pretty easy to assemble but once you glue the envelope together, I find that it's best to start by adding the hat pieces and next work from the bottom up. This way, I'm able to make sure his facial features are in the right places and not too crowded. I also added a tag to his hat. The die for that is included in the envelope set, along with other handy shapes you can cut and use on the gift card. I chose the sentiment from the 5566 - Christmas Sentiments set. Love how it turned out!

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!

Merry Christmas in July! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday, Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a card inspired by the current Art Impressions Christmas in July Challenge.

I love making holiday cards and finding ways to use my everyday stamp sets for Christmas. For this card, I used the piggy from the 5180-Barnyard Animal Cubbies stamp set and added a little Santa hat to make him holiday ready.

For the background scene, I used a stamp from the retired Sleigh Ride Circlet MTF set. I love the little wreath on the tree and the falling snow. It makes such a sweet winter scene.

I finished the card with pattern paper from the 6143-Woodland Christmas Paper Pack, layered it with red, gray, and white cardstock, and added a simple "Peace, Love & Joy" sentiment.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this card inspires you to give your non-holiday stamps a festive twist and join the Christmas in July Challenge. 

Challenge #431 Christmas in July Week #2

  Hello everyone and welcome to week #2 of our
Christmas in July challenge!

ALL things Christmas!

Show us your cards, tags, gift boxes and bags,
gift card holders, ornaments and more!

Before we get to our challenge inspiration, let's take a look at the newest releases.
It's always such an exciting time when there're new products!

Stay tuned in the coming days and weeks for lots of DT inspiration for these new items!

Now, back to our challenge.

I was the Featured Artist last week, and I created fun multi-domed shaker card.

Now let's take a look at what the rest of the Design Team created.

Simone lives in Florida so she went with a tropical, sandy snowman.

5120 Palm Tree Set
5571 Christmas Snowmen set
5461 Christmas Slimline set (sentiment)
WC 0426 Coastal Birds exclusive (retired)
substitute with 5473 – Seagull Set, 5069 – My Fortress Set 
or 5399 – Gull-Friends Set
5853 Christmas Magic pp
5063 double stitched rectangle die

Dori's snowman is wishing for snow.

Gennette created a snowy cabin scene.

5819 SF Snowy Cabin
5010 WC Tree Set 1
5372 WC Mini Foliage
5007 WC Foliage Set 3
4960 WC Fir Trees Set
Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White Paint
5712 Christmas Journal Paper Pack

Janet created a rosy-cheeked Santa gift card holder.
5339 Santa GCH Set
5344 Envelope GCH
5566 Christmas Sentiments Set
5853 Christmas Magic PP

Neema created this gorgeous ornament.

6066 Classic Truck Foundation

5372 Mini Foliage

5811 Gift card pocket dies

Sharon created this amazing Tiered Wiper Card.
The tutorial she followed is HERE.

6144 Woodland Christmas Cover PP

5785 Gnomes Set

5562 Journal Letter Die Set

SC0803 Santa Pop Card for sentiment (retired)

5809 Decorative Journal Page 2

5775 FB Santa

6048 Scalloped Rectangle Dies

5353 Large Snowflake Dies

5718 Mini Journal Template

 

  

Tasha made a darling Christmas pig.
5180 – Barnyard Animal Cubbies
6143 – Woodland Christmas Paper
5726 – Nested Circle Dies
5171 – Sleigh Ride Circlet MTF

✻ 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.

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✻ 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! 

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