Sweet Frogs! by Simone Carr

 Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to my first Watercolor Weekend!

I can’t even tell you how excited I was when I saw the new Story Tile Template Die and stamp set release! The Story Tile Template Die works beautifully with so many sets you may already own, making it such a versatile addition to your collection.

Let me show you what I created. For my first card, I used the Frog Set (5283). 

I ran the Story Tile Template Die through my cutting machine twice using Canson Watercolor Paper. Before stamping, I laid out my images on the tiles to see how they would fit and to decide on the overall layout. I highly recommend this step since the tiles only fit together in a specific way.

Once I was happy with the placement, I stamped the images using Archival Ink Shadow Grey and began coloring.

For the frogs, I started with 173, then added 195 in the shadow areas. To deepen the shadows further, I used 177, and finished with 133 for highlights.

The tulips were colored with 933, intentionally leaving some lighter areas, followed by 925, and darkened with 905 where needed.

For the leaves, I used 177, again leaving some lighter areas for dimension.

The daffodil was colored with 025, followed by 985, and 933 for the center.

The mushroom stem was colored with 992, with 912 and 565 added for shading. The mushroom top was colored with 856 and shaded with 565.

I used 526 for the sky, and a black TwinTone marker for the eyes and to add definition wherever needed.

To assemble the card, I glued two frames together for added dimension, then cut a third frame from 6033 Inspirational Patterned Paper and adhered it on top. The layered frame was attached to an A2 card base, and finally, I glued the tile pieces into place to complete the design.

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies

• 5283 Frog Set

• 6158 Story Tile Template Die

Paper

• 6033 Inspirational Easter Patterned Paper

• Canson Watercolor Paper

Tombow Markers

• 933, 925, 905 – Tulips

• 025, 985, 933 – Daffodil

• 177 – Leaves

• 133, 173, 195, 177 – Frog

• 856, 992, 912, 565 – Mushroom

• 526 – Sky

Bonus Card – Materials Used

Stamps & Dies

• 6106 Spring Keepsake Set (Frog)

• 5424 Pond Set

• 5283 Frog Set (The Fly)

• 6048 Scalloped Rectangle Die

• 5724 Nested Rectangle Die

• 5952 Portfolio Template Die Set

Paper

• 6072 Father’s Day Patterned Paper

• Canson Watercolor Paper

Tombow Markers

• 173, 195, 098, 131, 177 – Frog & Lily Pad

• 177, 947 – Cattail

• 565, 526 – Water & Sky

March 2026 Monthly Guest Designer Challenge with Debbie Hedges

Hello Ai fans and welcome to our March Monthly Guest Designer Challenge!

As you may have heard...Simone Carr has become our newest Watercolor Design Team Member.

That left an opening for our Monthly Guest Designer Challenge.

We were THRILLED when Debbie Hedges agreed to accept that position!

For her first card, she created a BEAUTIFUL beach themed card,
because, aren't we all ready for a little sunshine?

 I feel so honored that Renee offered me the opportunity to be guest designer throughout the year now that Simone has moved to the Design Team. Simone does such an amazing job with her projects! I am a huge fan of Art Impressions and have been for years! I hope I can provide inspiration for you to use these amazing products. For this project, I cut out my rectangle with the die from the #5543 Journal Die set (2.75”x4”). I normally cut the project at the end, but I wanted this project to have a border. I then used my ruler to add a horizon line for the ocean approximately 1.25” from the top of the rectangle. I had stamped and cut masks for the beach ball and the tote bag from #5509 Beach Accessories, so I used them to determine where they should be stamped in the foreground. It helps to figure out placement before you start stamping. Once I had the masks in place, I added the dunes in pencil in the middle and then also drew the shoreline in pencil as a guide. My next step was to stamp the tote bag and beach ball. I started with the tote bag by inking it in #40 Brownish Grey so that I could avoid inking the tropical scene on bag. I then applied the mask and used my positioner to stamp the beach ball in Shadow Grey Archival ink so it looks like it is slightly behind the bag. With my positioner, I then added the seagull – also stamped in Shadow Grey Archival Ink. 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/) 

 I started with the tote bag by pulling out the color along the edges. Then added color using #17 Steel Blue, letting layers dry in between. I added more color along the edges, leaving the center of the tote bag lighter. I then used a mix of #45 Sepia and #86 African Violet to apply color to the handle and the accents on the bag. Marvy Markers have a fine tip, and I used #40 Brownish Grey to add some darker areas on the handle, stitching accents and the buttons. For the beach ball, I used #65 Cherry and #3 Blue. For the white area, I carefully added shadows with the same grey mixture I used for the tote bag. My next step was the ocean. I mixed #14 Turquoise with #17 Steel Blue to soften the color. I started with the horizon line and then filled in the area with horizontal strokes making sure to have light and dark areas for interest. I let layers dry in between. For the sand, I used #30 Rosewood for the area near the shore and #45 Sepia for the dunes and foreground. I added layers along the top of the dunes to define them and the other areas used more of a wash to just show the “idea” of sand. For the grass, I used the grass from #5826 WC Large Tree Set 2, starting at the edge of the project and stamping a couple times down the hill I created. I also placed my mask on the tote bag and stamped the grass along the edge of the project to show the foreground. With Post-it tape, I covered the “sand” and stamped the teeny t iny grass stamp from #4051 WC Foliage Set 1 to add some smaller grass to taper off down the dunes. I wanted some tall grass as well, so I used my positioner and stamped tall grass from #KH5820 My Favorite Birds Set a couple times on each side. All of the grass was stamped with #17 Olive Green. I then used the fine tip on the marker to add some “tufts” on top of some of the tall stems. Using #75 Sky Blue, I added sky. I made sure to apply the color so there were light and dark areas and also some white space to show clouds. With seagulls being white on the underside, I mainly just added grey shadows at the bottom edges of his wings and his tail feathers, along with shadows on his body. I darkened his eye with a Micron pen. I used the fine tip of #43 Brilliant Yellow to add color to his beak. With Dr Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White, I added waves to my ocean. I also added some dots along the water’s edge to show how the waves can froth as they reach the shoreline. Next to the tote bag, I added some larger white dots for daisies along with some smaller dots as well. When they were dry, I added yellow centers with the fine tip of #43 Brilliant Yellow. With #45 Sepia, I painted an uneven line under the grass, tote bag and beach ball to anchor them in the foreground. I also used the fine tip to add some dots for sand and then signed and dated my project. I hope you’ll give this project a try. The monthly challenge does not have a theme, so please be sure to enter your projects using Art Impressions products for a chance to win! Who doesn’t love a chance to win free stamps??

Now let's see who won our February Challenge!

Our Lucky Random Winner was:

#14 Gabriella B.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

The winner of a freebie from be is #11 Lynn C.

Lynn, please email me at Renee@artimpressions.com
with your full name and address and I'll send you a photo of the freebies I have available for you to choose from.

Now for our new monthly challenge, 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.

One random winner will receive a free stamp set from Art Impressions and one random winner will receive a freebie stamp from me.

 ✻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

Thinking of You Shaker Card by Janet

 

Gemini said

Spring is around the corner, and there is no better way to welcome the season of renewal than with a card that literally dances when you move it! Today, I’m sharing a festive, multi-window shaker card that combines delicate florals with some of the newest treasures from Art Impressions.

This project features the fun 6158 – Story Tile Template Die, which creates a beautiful "window pane" effect—perfect for showing off the new stamp images and for housing the spring-themed sequins.

To recreate this look, here are the key supplies:

Dies: 6158 – Story Tile Template Die

Stamps: 6179 – Cottage Charm Stamp Set

Paper: 6140 – White Cardstock Paper Pack, 6082 – Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack (Floral), and silver metallic cardstock.

Essentials: Heat resistant acetate, 1/4" foam tape, Silver embossing powder, Watermark Ink, and pink sequins/glass drops.

I started by die-cutting the Story Tile Template from crisp white cardstock. This die is fantastic because it adds a delicate stitched detail to all six frames simultaneously. For the "glass," I trimmed a piece of heat-resistant acetate to fit perfectly behind the entire frame. Before sealing the windows, I took the "Thinking of You" sentiment and heat-embossed it in silver powder directly onto the acetate in the top-right window. This gives the sentiment a floating effect.

To give the shaker bits room to move, I layered two strips of 1/4" foam tape around the perimeter and the interior dividers. Tip: I added extra foam tape around the sentiment window specifically. This keeps that area clear of shaker bits so the message remains easy to read!

I made the card base using silver metallic paper for a hint of shimmer. For the background of the windows, I chose a stunning blue floral pattern from the Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack. I piled my spring shaker bits onto the floral paper, peeled the backing from my foam tape, and pressed the frame down to seal those sparkly pieces inside.

The Cottage Charm set is full of whimsical imagery. I stamped, colored, and fussy-cut the fence, the vintage bicycle, and the birdbath. I layered four fence pieces across the bottom to create a grounded scene, then tucked the bicycle and the thirsty little bird into place. To tie everything together, I adhered pink flower sequins and pink glass drops directly onto the white frame for an extra pop of dimension.

The combination of the silver metallic base and the interactive shaker windows makes this card feel like a little celebration in an envelope. It's a perfect way to remind someone that they matter.

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  

Happy Bee-Day! by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions Friends!

Tasha here sharing a bee-themed birthday card featuring the sweet little Honey Bear Freebie Stamp along with the new 6158-Story Tile Template Die, which has quickly become my new favorite die.

This whole card was inspired by the honey bear. I love all bee-themed items, and once I stamped the little bear image, I thought it would be fun to create a tile card filled with bee-themed elements. The 5925-Honey Bee Set was perfect for this design, and the stamps fit into the tiles beautifully.

To fill the tiles, I stamped honeycomb images to tie everything together and used Distress Oxide Ink to add extra yellow color. The bright yellow really gives the card a cheerful feel.

To finish the design, I added the tile frame cut from honeycomb pattern paper along with layers of gold glitter paper and black cardstock before adhering everything to a white card base.

For the greeting, I stamped "Happy Bee-Day!" and blended yellow ink around the edges to create a soft glow effect on the panel. This set includes several bee-themed greetings, but this one fit nicely into the smaller tile and I really like the script front style.

Lastly, I added the tile frame cut from a honeycomb pattern paper, layers of gold glitter paper, and black card stock to complete the design before adhering it to a white card base.

Thank you for checking out my card today and I hope you are inspired to create a tile card.

The People In Your Neighborhood Challenge #422

 Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to the new challenge here on the Art Impressions Challenge Blog.

We want to see your crafty projects using stamps with PEOPLE.
Enter your handmade project using something from Art Impressions and featuring people!

You just might win a free stamp set.

Our amazing Featured Artist this week is Sharon.

After you look through her lovely photos and tutorial, be sure to

scroll down to see who won our 'It's in the Mail' challenge.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Hello AI Fans! 

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE all the amazing people characters that Bonnie creates for us! So I'm super excited to have a feature for our new challenge "The People in Your Neighborhood". I wanted to show you a fun fold card today, so lets get busy. I have a ton of pictures and measurements for you, so grab your favorite drink! I started by grabbing #5798 Gardening Girlfriends Set and stamping her onto a Copic friendly paper. To be honest, I was originally planning on putting flowers into those baskets she's carrying. But as you can see, my plans changed. LOL! I really can't even remember why I thought about putting the Gnomes into the baskets. I was stamping and coloring with Dori, so she very well might have had something to do with it. LOL! But I tried fitting them in there and they fit perfectly! All I could picture was her going out to her garden to gather vegetables, and found Gnomes instead. I couldn't stop giggling while I was creating it! After adding the Gnomes into the baskets, I just HAD to add the curious pup that wants a Gnome for him/herself. The Copic colors I used to color them are listed at the bottom of this post. First, here's a picture of the completed card. 

So anyway, on to how to create this card. I started with a piece of cardstock measuring 5 1/2" by 7 1/2". With the longer side on the top of your score board, score at 3 1/4" and 6 1/2". Create a Z fold by folding the 3 1/4" flap away from you creating the card base, then fold the 1" piece towards you so it looks like the picture below this next one. 

You will then want to cut your mats. I created my mats using another layer of cardstock and then a layer of pattern paper. I did this because the cardstock I was using was quite thin. If you don't want to create another layer of cardstock, just cut your pattern paper to the cardstock sizes listed below and eliminate the 3rd size. You can go ahead and glue the pattern paper mats into place, but don't glue your sentiment panel into place yet.

colored cardstock - 3 pieces measuring 5 3/8" x 3 1/8"

                               1 piece measuring 7/8" x 5 3/8"

pattern paper:  2 pieces measuring 5 1/4" x 3"

                        1 piece measuring 3/4" x 5 1/4"

white cardstock: 1 piece measuring 5 1/4" x 3"

After getting my card base completed, I turned my attention to my colored image. I pulled out #5725 Nested Square Dies and #6047 Scalloped Square Dies and picked the ones that fit it best. I die cut the image with the Nested Square Dies, then used another piece of cardstock to cut out the coordinating mat for the image, then glued them together. 

I wanted to stamp a sentiment onto the image panel before putting it on the card. Both the front and inside sentiments are from #5935 Fairytale Houses Set. I thought finding Gnomes in your garden was pretty magical. 

Once that was done, I put foam tape only on the right side of the back of the image. You only want to adhere it to the 1" flap. 

Figure out where you want to place the image on the card and go ahead and adhere it into place. Also glue your sentiment panel into place. 

A view from the top...

I wanted to add something else to the front, so I pulled out #5972 BJ Decorative Margins Die Set and created a small strip for the top and bottom of the front panel and added a little bow. I was quite surprised and how quickly and effortlessly this card went together. 

So that's it for me today! I hope you play along with the challenge for a chance to win a free set from Art Impressions! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and until next time - stay crafty!!

Copic markers used:

E000, 00, 11, 31, 33, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 95, 97, and 99

YG11, 13, 17, and 21

B00, 91, 93, and 95

R12

C1 and 2

Y32, 35, and 38

Now, let's see who won our It's in the Mail challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected:

Michelle Hoskins

She used a wide variety of Art Impressions stamps from the more whimsical series like the mushrooms and gnomes.

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:

#13 Andrea W.

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

Nurse's Prescription by Dori Mendiola

Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a fun card using the #4899 - Proud Nurse stamp set.  A friend of mine is a nurse and I knew she would appreciate this birthday card and the funny sentiment included in this stamp set.  She may use that line for some of her patients.  LOL!

I made this a fun fold card using a magnet for the closure.  I hid it under the paper layers so you only hear the snap when it closes.  What is it about that sound that makes it so fun to open and close the card?  😂

To make the card base, I cut a piece of 5 1/2" x 7 1/4 " heavy cardstock.  I scored it along the 7 1/4" side at 3" and 6".  This will make it an A2 card size.  Fold and burnish each score line in opposite directions.  Create your mat panels for each of the sections.   I used the #5873 - Mini Birthday PP for the pattern paper panels.    

For the front panel, I stamped the image onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I then die cut the panel using the #6048 - Scalloped Rectangle dies as well as the larger pink panel.  The blue panel in the middle is cut to fit between the two scallop rectangles.   I adhered the matted image panel to the folded right side only of the card.  The left side of the card will close under the image panel.

The sentiment on the left side of the card is from my stash.   I figured that went perfectly with the front sentiment, plus I got to include myself in on the wine splurge.  LOL!

Thanks for joining me today!  Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E01, E11, E21, E23

C00, C1, C3,  Y12

R20, R81, R83, R85

B000, B12, B14

***NEW*** Story Tile Frame w/ Birthday Wishes Set by Lynn Dionne

 Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

Watch video tutorial here!

Today we will be using the brand-new Ai Story Tile Template Die Set (6158) and a fun, festive Ai Birthday Wishes Stamp Set (6178).  The 6 little images in this set include a pinata, balloons, presents, layered cake, party hat, and a birthday sentiment.  This set along with the new tile frame die will make the card making process super simple!

I thought it would be really fun to use a colorful rainbow theme on this card. So, let's begin by die cutting the brand-new Ai Story Tile Template Die (6158) from some white cardstock. This will cut out each of the rectangles separately with a pretty stitched border around all of the openings. Now we can add color to each of the rectangles using our Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in rainbow colors. Once we have added the color around the edges we can spatter each panel with its coordinating color.

Next, let's stamp and color each of the images using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Wine Red, Orange, Yellow, Lt Green, Cornflower Blue, Violet, Lt Gray, Dk Gray, Beige, Mid Brown. Now we can fussy cut the images, leaving a little white border all the way around.

For added interest, we will use a variety of gel pen colors to add polka dots, stripes, plaids, etc. to each of the images.

Let's create a standard A2 size card base and attach the frame, colored inserts, and pop-up each of the images.

Finally, we can add some sparkly gems and tie on a pretty bow!

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

Art Impressions Story Tile Template Die Set (6158)

Art Impressions Birthday Wishes (6178)

Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen

Thinking of You by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

There is a wonderful new die available from Art Impressions!
It can be used vertically or horizontally depending on what
stamps you decide to put inside of each panel.

Remember, the current challenge on the Art Impressions Challenge Blog 

is called It's in the Mail. You can click on the banner to be

taken to the challenge to enter your postal themed card. 

(Stamps, mailboxes, envelopes etc.)

There are 4 brand new sets made to coordinate with the die, 

but the great thing is that you can use any stamp, die cut 

or sentiment that will fit inside each rectangle.

 The possibilities are endless.
I chose to use the cottage scene because I love the bike.

One cool thing I discovered was that the window die from the MB Template fits perfectly inside the space for the window on the cottage. The intent is that you will paint or draw in the panes but I love the look of die-cutting the window panels out. So cool!

Copics used:

YG11, Y11, Y18, B01, B34, N2, E33, E40, E55