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!!

A Masculine Watercolor Birthday Card and a Card for a Friend.

Hello Crafty Fiends and Happy Watercolor Weekend!

Today, I want to share two projects that are completely different in purpose.

For the first project, a friend asked me to create a masculine watercolor birthday card for her husband. Knowing he loves the ocean and owns a boat, I designed the card with that theme in mind.

To start, I used the lighthouse and cliff stamps from the Light of the World set (6126). I inked everything except the tree using Tombow markers 969 and 565, and stamped the tree using Tombow marker 177. I then pulled the colors from the stamp and painted the lighthouse and the cliff.
                     

Next, I painted the tree and some background foliage using branches from the Branches Set (4964) and the Large Tree Set (5373). I also added the sky.

To add the ocean, I drew a line and masked the sky to create a straight horizon. I built up the ocean using different shades of blue, and then added a few wave lines using bleed-proof white. I kept it looking like a calm ocean without too much foam or waves.

For the sentiment, I used the Large Letter Die Set (5910) to cut the letters "HPPY" three times—twice in white and once in blue. I layered and glued them together with the blue letters on top. For the letter "A", I used the sailboat from the Sail Mini Dies set (5325). I added a few lines to one of the sails using a red marker (856) and a little gray for shadow. Finally, I added a "Birthday" stamp and cut a coordinating blue mat to be glued around the card.

I am really happy with how this card turned out, and I hope you like it, too!

    

                                              My second card:  Thinking of You card

I want to share the details of the second card I made. I am making this card for a friend who is going through a difficult time, and I hope it brings a smile to her face and lets her know that I am thinking of and praying for her.

Since she loves birds, I designed this card specifically with her in mind:

  - Background & Stamping: I started by sketching the paper using the die from Story Tile Die Set (#6158) and then stamped the birds from the Mercy Set (#6216). I left one space open for a sentiment from the Cottage Charm Set (#6179). 

- Painting: To give the birds a realistic look, I researched different sparrow species online for reference. Once the painting was dry, I applied a thin layer of Distress Glaze to seal it.    

 - Assembly: I cut the frame twice—once in black and once in kraft paper for the top layer. Finally, I glued the frame and mat together onto a matching kraft-colored card base.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope these cards inspire your own creations. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Happy crafting and watercolor painting!

Spotlight Daffodils Card and Floral Corner Bird Bookmarks by Diane Mason

  Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend!

Hello, my Ai Watercolor friends and fans! Today I’m sharing two projects featuring stamps and dies from three of the newest releases: 6218 – BJ Long Stem, 6220 – Sing to the Lord Set, and 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark. I used the first set to create the Spotlight Daffodil Card, and combined the second and third sets to make the Floral Corner Bird Bookmarks.

Spotlight Daffodils Card:

I just love daffodils—their structure is so elegant, and they come in so many beautiful colors. My favorites are the bright yellow ones. Using the spotlight technique allowed me to highlight those beautiful yellow blooms and really draw the eye to the focal image.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Watercolor Paper

Cardstock: Black

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

Stamps & Dies:

• 6218 – BJ Long Stem
• 5588 – Journal Oval Frames Die Set
• 5724 – Nested Rectangle Dies

Ink for stamped images: Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Versamark

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 025, 026, 177, 403

Other: Foam squares, Ranger Super Embossing Powder – White, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, Heat Embossing Tool

Creating the Background

Using a stamp platform, I stamped each long‑stem image in Versafine Onyx Black to build the background. I made sure to position the daffodil exactly where the spotlighted oval would later be placed.

For the spotlight image, I inked the petals with 026 and the leaves/stems with 177, stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper, then pulled the color from the lines with a damp brush. I brightened the petals with 025 and deepened the shadows with more 026. The stems were shaded with a mix of 177 + 565.

For the background wash, I brushed a watery mix of 403 around the flowers using a No. 4 round brush. A few highlights were added with Bleed Proof White.

Assembly

I die‑cut the stamped background using the Nested Rectangle Dies (5724) and adhered it to an A2 black cardstock base. Next, I die‑cut the painted daffodil image with the oval from Journal Oval Frames (5588) and die-cut the scalloped oval from black cardstock. After layering them, I added foam squares and aligned the spotlight image over the background.

For the sentiment, I stamped the greeting from 6218 in Versamark clear embossing ink on black cardstock and heat‑embossed it with Ranger Super Fine White Embossing Powder. To complete the card, the sentiment was attached with foam squares.

I really enjoyed making this project. The simple black‑and‑white stamped background creates the perfect foundation for the spotlight technique. I can’t wait to try this approach with more Art Impressions images.

Floral Corner Bird Bookmarks:

The new 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark die is such a delight to use—and these bookmarks come together quickly. You can absolutely make them with cardstock and patterned papers, but I decided to create my own patterned papers using images from 6220 – Sing to the Lord and 6150 – His Love.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Mix Media Paper

Cardstock: Purple

Brush: No. 0 round brush

Ink for stamped images: Versafine Vintage Sepia

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 177, 606, 026, 969, N25

Stamps & Dies:

• 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark
• 6220 – Sing to the Lord Set
• 6150 – His Love Set

Stamping & Painting

I began by die‑cutting the tail, wings, and chest pieces from Canson Mix Media Paper.

Using Versafine Vintage Sepia, I stamped the floral vine from 6220 repeatedly across the tail and wings. For the chest, I stamped the mini hearts from 6150 to fill the shape.

The images were painted with 177 and 606, deepening the flower centers and leaves with additional layers. The eye was painted with 969, with a dot of N25 for the pupil. The beak was colored with 026.

Two Ways to Build the Bookmark

The standard construction (shown in the bottom-left finished sample) slides onto the bottom corner of a page.

To create a version that sits at the top of a page, follow these steps:

1.     Glue the folded cardstock body piece together.

2.     Attach the tail feathers to the outside, facing downward, gluing only at the top so the feathers remain open to slide over the page.

3.     Die‑cut two extra chest pieces from purple cardstock to extend the body and glue them over the tail feathers.

4.     Add the wing, chest, beak, and eye pieces as usual.

Now you have a second way to enjoy these adorable bookmarks!

Here are a few more bookmarks I’ve made for extra inspiration.

Thank you so much for spending a little creative time with me today. I can’t wait to see what you create with these new sets—be sure to tag us on social media. Until next time, Happy Painting!