St. Patrick’s Day Gnome Card and Z-fold Birthday Card by Diane Mason

 Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend! 

Hello, my Ai watercolor friends and fans! I have two watercolor cards to share with you today. First up is a St. Patrick’s Day Gnome card. My bonus card is a sweet little Z-fold Birthday card.

St. Patrick’s Day Gnome Card:

I know not everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, but I like to think everyone feels a little Irish on March 17th. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to pull out one of my favorite sets (5785 – Gnomes Set) and create an adorable St. Patrick’s Day gnome. For this card, I’m also using the newly released 6158 – Story Tile Template Die.

For this painting, I started by preparing a piece of Canson XL watercolor paper. Using the Storybook Tile Template Die itself—not the die‑cut—I lightly traced the interior of each section with a pencil. This leaves a clean white border around each painted panel once everything is finished.

Next, I stamped each gnome into its section using a stamp platform and N79 ink. I sketched the pile of gold inside the planter pot with a pencil, then used a large oval die to trace a smooth curve for the rainbow rising from the pot of gold. I used Post-it tape to mask each section to maintain the white border around the paintings.

Section 1

• Gnome: 195, 177 (hat and clothing), 850, 942 (hands and nose), 977 (shoes), 933, 925 (beard). All gnomes will be painted with these same colors.
• Rainbow: 856, 933, 025, 195, 476, 606 (used also in Section 4)
• Sky: 555 (all sections)

Section 2

Mask the gnome and stamp leaf from 5795 – Berries in 177, and drooping flower from 5794 – Whimsical Flowers inked in 177 (stem), 025 (flowers).

• Gnome’s belt: 025
• Leaf and flower stem: 177, a touch of 195 for highlights
• Flower: 025
• Grass: 177 (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, small grass)
• Tiny white flowers: Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

Section 3

Mask the gnome’s foot and stamp vine from 5794 in 177.

• Vine: 177, a touch of 195 for highlights
• Grass: 177 (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, small grass)
• Tiny white flowers: Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

Section 4

• Rainbow: same as Section 1
• Planter pot: N25
• Gold: Winsor Newton Ink 14ml – Gold Paint, Brown TwinTone marker
• Grass: 177 (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, small grass)
• Tiny White Flowers: Dr. Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White

Section 5

Ink vines (177), flower (933) from 5794 and stamp into section.

• Vines: 177, a touch of 195 for highlights
• Flower: 933 (petals), 025, 026 (center)

Section 6

Mask the gnome and stamp the mushroom inked in 969. Stamp vines from 5794 in 177.

• Gnome’s belt: 025
• Mushroom cap: 025, 026
• Dots on mushroom cap: Dr. Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White, 565 for shading
• Underside of mushroom and stem: 977, Brown TwinTone marker
• Vines: 177, a touch of 195 for highlights
• Grass: 177 (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, small grass)

Next, I die cut the frame (6158 – Story Tile Template Die) from patterned paper, erased the pencil lines and adhered the painting and frame onto an A2 card base.

I used fonts from my computer in coordinating shades of orange and green to create the sentiment for the inside of the card. To finish the interior panel, I adhered a half‑inch strip of patterned paper along the bottom edge of the white mat.

This card is ready to send to a friend to wish them a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! PSA – Don’t forget to wear green. Legend has it that wearing green on the holiday prevents a leprechaun’s pinch or from a pesky friend - lol!

Bonus Card: Z-fold Birthday Card

For this A2 fun fold birthday card, I chose a birthday cake image from the recently released 6178 – Birthday Wishes set. The set was designed to coordinate with the Story Tile Template Die, but all the images work great on their own too!

Frame for finished painting

5591 – Journal Rectangle Frames Die Set watercolor mat decorated with the Daisy Bunch stamp from 4052 – WC Flower Set 1 and the small vine from 4051 – WC Foliage Set 1

• Daisy bunches: 743 and 565
• Vines: 177
• Happy Birthday: 6039 – Just for Her Set, black ink
• Foam tape for mounting

Painting

The image was inked in N52.

• Cake: candles (403), flames (025, 933), candle glow (025) icing (743, Fuchsia TwinTone, Dr. Ph. Martin’s), cake (977, Brown TwinTone)
• Pedestal: 403 and 565 for shadows
• Planter: shaded with 565 and also for the stripes
• Flowers and foliage: 4051 small vine (177), 4052 daisy bunch (565), 5009 single flower (743, 177)
• Tiny white flowers: Dr. Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White, Chrome Yellow TwinTone marker for centers.
• Grass: 177 (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, small grass)
• Sky: 555

Purple Card Base

• 8 ½ x 5 ½, scored and folded at 2 ⅛ and 4 ¼
• Front panel strip: 2 x 5 ¼
• Interior sentiment inked in purple:  Dessert pedestal (6180 – Dear Friend), sentiment (5735 – Birthday Sentiment Set)

  

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s cards and found a little inspiration along the way. That’s all for now—thank you so much for stopping by for Watercolor Weekend. Until next time, Happy Painting!

Dearest Friend by Janet

Today I had some fun with three items recently added to the Ai store. This cheerful friendship card is fresh and ready for spring. The images are from the 6180 - Dear Friend Set. This set includes vases that you can use as-is or with added flowers. I added flowers, butterfly, and hummingbird embellishments are from 5981 - My Joy Set. While this one is a Bible Journaling set, there are many images in it that are useful for any cardmaking project with or without a faith focus. 

The lime frame surrounding the images was made with the new 6158 - Story Tile Die. This die is a new style to the line and I really like it. There are so many images and sets that can be used with it! The stitching imprinted in the frames add a lovely finishing and professional touch to your cards. 

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  

There's No Bunny Like You! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a Spring card featuring the 6008-Bunny Hugs Set and the 6099-Garden Paper Pack.

Spring is almost here and I am so excited for warmer weather and seeing all the beautiful flowers again. This sweet bunny looks so happy walking through her garden with a basket full of flowers. The pattern paper from the Garden Paper Pack creates the perfect Spring garden scene for the background.

For the greeting, I stamped “There’s no bunny like you” from the 5733-Easter Sentiments Set. I love that this sentiment works perfectly with the bunny image and can be used beyond Easter as well.

To finish the card, I added a butterfly with foam tape for a little dimension and layered orange, white, and blue cardstock to frame the scene. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope this card brings a little Spring inspiration your way!

Have a wonderful day!

3D Challenge #423 Week #1

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our newest challenge!

We want to see your 3D projects or your cards using something that is 3 dimensional like
embellishments, embossing folders, foam tape or something that pops up. We know you guys are so creative and we can't wait to see what you make.
Two people will win a free stamp set of their choice.

One Top Spot and one Lucky Random Winner.

Our Featured Designer is Dori and you're going to LOVE her 3D Easter card!
After viewing her card and tutorial, be sure to scroll down to see who won our
The People In Your Neighborhood challenge.

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

 Hello AI Friends!

I'm soooo excited!  I drew the lucky straw when I was picked to be the feature for this challenge.  I love making interactive/fun fold cards so when they said "3D", I said "Oh Yeah".  I decided to make an Easter Pop-up card.  What I love about this type of card, is you get to add soooo many images all on one card.   I used the #6008 - Bunny Hugs and the #5870 - Peeking Bunny sets.  So many of Art Impressions stamp sets go together so it's great to mix and match.  Makes for endless design possibilities!

Here is my finished card but follow below for more pics and instructions on how I created it.

I began by stamping several images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  Once all of these images were colored, I cut each of them out with their corresponding dies that are included in the stamp sets.  

Remember decorating Easter eggs when you were little?  Trying to decide what design to paint was always problematic for me.  It seems that dilemma has carried into my adult years.  😬  However, it is still just as fun but not nearly as messy.  LOL!

To create this standing pop up card, I cut four panels (staggered heights) of heavy weight green cardstock.  Each panel is 7 3/4" long.  I then scored, along the long side, at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 and 2 from both sides.   I used a few different grassy dies from my stash and cut each panel so that you have varied heights.  I then folded and burnished each of the score lines.  I cut the grass part off on each panel to the third score line on each side.  Leave the last score section in place so, when folded, that section will wrap around the side.

This picture shows how each layer will overlap the one behind.  If any seem too high for you, trim off the bottom of that panel.  

I made four layers, but when I did a test assemble, I decided to omit the front layer and cut off the scored sections.  I adhered it directly to the second layer leaving the grassy part unglued so that I could tuck in the chicks. This is a matter of your preference.  You could include more layers or reduce, like I ended up doing.

Now we are going to wrap the sides creating a little box shape on either side of each panel.  

Turn the panel upside down and fold two of the score sections upwards.  Place glue on the end section (see below - Pic 1) and fold over to meet the last score line (Pic 2) creating the box shape (see Pic 3).

                    Pic 1                                                            Pic 2

                                                        Pic 3

Do that last step for each of the green panels.  They should look like this when standing together.

I added a few extra grassy panels so I could tuck eggs and such into them like a pocket.   

 If you choose to do like I did, die cut a few grassy flat panels that are 3 3/4" wide.  These should fit perfectly on the front of any of these sections.  I adhered one of the extra grassy pieces to the second panel.  Glue that piece directly to the panel, but leave the grassy tips unglued so you have room to tuck. 

  Now, adhere each layer together by placing glue to the back of the box shape only and make sure to line up the sides nicely with the next panel. 

  For the very back panel, I cut a piece of 3 3/4" x 5 of white heavy cardstock and adhered a piece of 3 x 3 3/4" of the cloud pattern paper from the #5873 - Mini Birthday PP to the top.  I then cut a piece of heavy green cardstock with the grassy die and adhered to the back panel leaving the top grassy tips unglued, again for tucking.  I also added one of the extra grassy pieces to this layer.  

Now, for the really fun part - decorating!  Place your images on/in the layers, tucking as you choose.  Make sure to glue them down unless you want the recipient to be able to rearrange the eggs.  LOL! 

This card will lay flat and fit an A2 size envelope.  Also, the back has plenty of room for your sentiment.  

Thanks for joining me today!  I hope you will enter your "3D" creation in this challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  We love seeing your creations!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53, E55, E95

N0, N1     R11, R20, R81, R83

Y00, Y23      YR20, YR12, YR31

RV42      G40, G43

V12, V15    B0000, B00, B12, B14

Thank you so much Dori. Did you get a load of all those layers?

What a fabulous, dimensional card.

Now, let's see who won our last challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected:
Beverly Sizemore

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:

Barb Edmondson

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

Pickleball Wobble by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

The Art Impressions people stamps are a huge hit with me!  Bonnie does such a fantastic job with the characters and their facial expressions.  When she created this last set of AI People, I was in love and then she added papers to fit each.  What a wonderful way to create a card in a hurry!  Plus I added a wobble behind her and now she plays with a wiggle.  LOL!

My card today uses #6074 - Pickleball Patty and #6097 - Pickleball PP.

I started by stamping the image onto copic friendly paper with memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I cut the image out using the corresponding die included with the stamp set.  I also cut a second one with blank cardstock and glued to the back of the colored image.  I then added an action wobble to her back and adhered to the pattern paper.  She actually wobbles when she plays now.  

 Lastly, I added the sentiment, a bow and a pickleball pin.

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E00, E01, E11, E21, E23

T0, T2, T4, T6

R20, R22, R24

Y000, Y13, Y15

YG41, YG45

Spring Keepsake Frame Card by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!!!

Watch video tutorial here!

We will be using the most adorable Ai Spring Keepsake Set (6106) today. It contains so many cute critters including a little rabbit, duck, and frog. And because it is part of the Keepsake Series it includes a pretty little clay pot and some tulips, a watering can, a birdhouse and there are also some fun coordinating sentiments in this set.

Let's go ahead and stamp, die cut and color all of the images using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Pink Flamingo, Pale Rose, Pink Haze, Tea Rose, Yellow, Bright Yellow, Orange, Lt Brown, Beige, Sand, Mid Brown, Pale Green, Lt Green, Green, Smoky Teal, Plum Gray, Dk Gray. Using a white gel pen we can add some highlights and polka dots!

We will also be using the brand-new Ai Story Tile Template Die (6158). This will give us some nicely sized stitched openings to showcase each of our little images. We will die cut that from some kraft cardstock and again from some white cardstock.

For the white inserts, we will be adding a pretty cloudy background using the Lawn Fawn Cloudy Stencil. Then we will spatter a bit of ink on each of the panels.

Let's quickly assemble the card by adding each of the white panels to the inside of the kraft cardstock frames. We will pop-up the images for some added interest and dimension. For the little birdhouse, we will add a ribbon using a black permanent marker and a pretty pink bow. 

Finally, let's add a few cute sentiments from this same set and then scatter some clear iridescent drops all around the card panel!

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

Art Impressions Spring Keepsake Set (6106)

Art Impressions Story Tile Template Die (6158)

Art Impressions Scalloped Square Dies (6047)

 

I'm Wild About You by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I'm Wild about you!

And, I'm wild about the 5400 – Baby Critters Set and of course the new
6158 – Story Tile Template Die.

I started by die cutting the Story Tile die with 6140 – White Cardstock Paper Pack 
and I saved the cut out pieces for later when I embossed some of them.

Next, I took some scraps from 6012 – Basic Yellow Paper Pack
and placed them in the windows that weren't getting embossed.

Then, I just layered on my hearts, giraffe and sentiment with some 3D
foam tape. I place that onto a matte from the same yellow pack and then
onto my card base. Links for all Art Impressions products are below.

Copics used:

BG01, Y23, Y26, Y28, Y32, YG13, RV02

Thinking of You by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

Happy Monday! I think there's only like 11 or 12 days before it is officially Spring - on the calendar anyway! So I've got a card for you today that has flowers and cute little bugs in hopes that Spring arrives soon! I turned this one into a spinner card, so the ladybug spins all the way around the flowers. I wanted to start with some flowers, so I used the flower stamp and die from #5346 Birdhouse Cubbies. I used a grass die from my stash for the center panel, then layered the flowers by popping up the ones in front. The butterfly, dragonfly, and snail are all from #5728 Mushroom Cubbies. Don't forget to look at all your Cubbies sets, Front Door Sets, Matchbook Sets, and so on. They all have such amazing pieces that can be either used alone or combined with other stamps to create amazing scenes!! Isn't that the cutest fence? It's from #5807 Journal Fence Dies. In order to create the open track for the ladybug to spin around, I used both 5726 Nested Circle Dies and 5064 Circle Double Stitched Dies. I had to be careful popping them up to make sure nothing got in the way of the ladybug moving around the track. Lastly, I created the sentiment using one of my very favorite banner dies from #5809 Decorative Journal Page Set 2. I just love the look of the stitching around the edge. 

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

Doggy Kisses Get Well Card and Spring Keepsake Card by Jami Steiger

 

Good morning! The sun is shining, and it is warmer here in Ohio than it has been in a long time. I am ready for spring and all the flowers to start blooming.

I definitely get a "spring" feeling from my next two cards. The first one is a get-well card. Since I first saw the AiCS38 Doggy Kisses stamp set on the Art Impressions website, I have been a huge fan. I've always had a deep affection for animals, and dogs in particular are very special to me. At one point, we had five dogs. It was enjoyable but crazy! 

I really wanted to use at least two of the dogs to create a joyful scene for my card. I started by stamping the dog lying down with his sweet bear. Then I hand-drew a doggie bed for him to rest in. Both dogs, the tissue box, and the teacup were all stamped using an Archival Black stamp pad. To paint the images, I used the following Tombow markers: 177, 817, 772, 515, 565, N65, N55, 879, 969, 837, 025, 977, 942, 947, and 526. To complete the scene, I painted a pink, floral wallpaper and a wooden baseboard. Then I die-cut the entire scene using the new 6048-Scalloped Rectangle dies and mounted it on light pink cardstock. I added a few sequins to add some depth to the card.

_____________________

For my second card, I used the new 6106-Spring Keepsake set. The scalloped rectangle dies were also used to die-cut this scene. The paper was from the 5742-Easter paper pack.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! I will be seeing you all again in just a few weeks.