Tony's Tiny Joke Book (Post 3) by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to my last installment of Tony's Tiny Joke Book.

I shared the previous pages, cover and box in prior posts.
Those can be found HERE and HERE.

I was asked to make a birthday card for a 9 year old boy with a 9 year old sense of humor.
I thought a little journal filled with silly dad jokes and riddles would be perfect for him.



The questions are on top of a flap and the answers are underneath.

I paired a cute animal with each joke.

I mean, how cute are these little guys?!

I loved that the Art Impressions Designer Paper
makes it so easy to coordinate an entire journal.

I hope you enjoyed Tony's Tiny Joke Book.
I'm told that he did.

His mercies bookmark by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

If you haven't purchased the new #6216 Mercy Set from Art Impressions yet, what are you waiting for? This set is so gorgeous and has beautiful sentiments too! For this bookmark I used #6043 Bible Bookmark Dies. After die cutting the white portion, I centered the two bird stamps with the sentiment in the middle of the bookmark with my Misti stamp platform. That made it super easy to line them all up and stamp them without worry that I could stamp them in the exact same place if needed (and of course I needed). I stamped them using Memento Tuxedo Black ink so I could color them with Copic markers. I'm sorry I forgot to write down the colors I used. After coloring them, I simply adhered it to the Bookmark base that I cut using #6205 Floral Shop PP and added a ribbon. I ended up with an amazingly quick gift that I would be proud to give to anyone! And who doesn't need more bookmarks?? This would also qualify for the current challenge Floral Frenzy!! I hope you're entering with your fabulous creations! 

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

Circles of Creativity with a Shaker and a Baby Shower card by Neema

                         

Hello Ai Friends

I can't believe August is already here; July went by so fast! It was a busy month for me because I participated in World Watercolor Month, creating a daily video featuring stamps from Art Impressions. You can watch the entire series on my YouTube channel, Crafts and Designs by Neema: https://youtube.com/@craftsanddesignsbyneema?si=Pjt4hG9TRIHgFmBf

This week, I took a break from videos to paint a few pictures and create the two cards I am sharing with you today.

                               

Card 1: Easy Shaker Card
I love shaker cards because they are fun, elegant, and perfect for any celebration. For this card, I used a flower from the newest release, 6218 BJ Long Stem Set. However, you can easily customize this project by using a different focal point, shape, color scheme, or shaker bits.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1.  Cut an A2-size card base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and another layer of the same size from patterned paper.
2.  Cut a front panel from watercolor paper to 3 3/4" x 5".
3.  Select a circle die for your shaker opening and lightly trace the circle with a pencil.

4.  Flex the long-stem flower stamp to create a curved shape that fits along one side of the circle, then stamp the image. I used Archival ink, Shadow gray.

                       


5.  Color the stamped image. I used Tombow markers, but you can use any medium.

6.  Use a partial die-cutting technique to cut the circle up to the point where the stamped image begins by positioning the upper cutting plate only over the area you want to cut. Fussy cut the flower side on the inner circle.

                     


7.  Cover the back of the opening with acetate, then frame it with foam tape.

8.  Place your shaker bits on the card and adhere the front panel to the card base.

                     


9.  Decorate the card by adding a few golden dots and a bow to the flower stem. Finish by adding a strip sentiment.

                    

Card 2: Simple and Sweet Baby Shower Card
Note: For this card, I used the Artistro Watercolor Paint Set.

                                                   

Step-by-Step Guide:

1.  Cut an A2-size card base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and another layer of the same size from watercolor paper.
2.  Create the background by layering dark blue paint (Midnight Blue, Cobalt, and Azure) on the watercolor paper, letting each layer dry before applying the next. Once completely dry, add splatters using Windsor & Newton silver ink.
3.  On a separate piece of watercolor paper, stamp a little lamb toward the center, leaving enough space for the moon.
4.  Use a 3" circle die to draw around the stamp, then draw a crescent moon using a smaller circle die as a template. Paint the moon using different shades of yellow (I used Artistro colors: Pineapple, Yellow Tulip, and Apricot). Once dry, use the 3" die to cut around it, and fussy cut the crescent moon and the lamb. Paint the border of the moon with the Windsor & Newton gold ink (do not paint around the lamb).

5.  Paint a piece of paper with Windsor & Newton gold ink, cut out a star, and tie it to the moon using embroidery floss.
6.  Assemble the card by gluing the moon down. To create dimension, add a cardstock layer under the moon, leave the star hanging freely, and add your sentiment.

I hope you enjoy my cards and get inspired to make your own. Don't forget to visit my YouTube channel and check out the videos for the July World Watercolor Series. In the meantime, here are some pictures of the 31 little paintings.

                                                          

Happy crafting,

Neema

Friendship Mini Journal and Box Featuring Bear Freebies by Diane Mason

  Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend!

Hello, my Ai Watercolor friends and fans! I’m excited to share a sweet Mini Journal & Box project featuring all six of the new Bear Freebies. If your Art Impressions order totals $30 or more, you get to pick one of these exclusive little bears — and each one is absolutely adorable.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Watercolor Paper, Canson XL Mix Media Paper

Cardstock: Blue

Patterned Paper: 6205 – Floral Shop Paper Pack

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

Stamps & Dies:

• Exclusive Bear Freebies – Part 2
• 5718 – Mini Journal Template
• 5805 – Mini Journal Box Dies
• 6220 – Sing to the Lord Set
• 5797 – Little Things Sentiment Set (Hi Friend!)
• 5734 – Friend Sentiment Set (You brighten my day!)
• 5904 – So Sweet Armful Set (You’re so sweet)
• 5817 – Potting Garden Shed Set (A true friend…)
• 5949 – Encouragement Sentiments Set (You’re stronger than…)
• 6107 – Snowman Hugs Set (You warm my heart)

 Ink for stamped images: Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Versafine Vintage Sepia & N52

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 723, 772, 856, 912, 993, 177, 555, 656, 606, 947, 969

Other: White, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, Brown and Gray TwinTone Markers, Micron 005 Black Pen

Assembly

I die‑cut the base for the mini journal from blue cardstock using the 5718 – Mini Journal Template die. I attached small Neodymium Flat Disc magnets with mini glue dots to the interior front and back cover to keep the completed journal closed. Patterned paper is glued to the interior and will hide the magnets.

The following photos show the papers I chose from 6205 – Floral Shop Paper Pack for the interior of the journal.

Decorating the Mini Journal

I had so much fun decorating the mini journal. For the cover image, I only used part of the Birdie Bear so I could add a sentiment above the image. The following photos walk you through the journal. Sentiments are from the sets listed above.

All the bear images were inked with Versafine Vintage Sepia and painted with 947. The sky is a watery mix of 555.

And here’s a view of the completed journal.

Creating the Patterned Paper for the Box

I traced the interiors of the box template (5805) with a pencil to mark the pieces I would need to cover the box top, flap and sides. Using a stamp platform, I stamped the floral vine image from 6220 in N52 multiple times to build the patterned paper.

The leaves and vines were painted in 177. For the flowers, I used 723, 993 and 555. I used the bullet tip of each coordinating color to add dots to the flower centers.

Building and Decorating the Box

I die-cut a piece of blue cardstock with the box template die. Before assembling the box, I cut out all the patterned paper pieces and glued them to the box making sure all the pieces were in the right spots and correct orientation. Next, I die cut the opening on the box top using a decorative label die from 5718 – Mini Journal Template.

Again, I attached small Neodymium Flat Disc magnets with mini glue dots to the back of the flap and the inside of the box to keep the box closed.

Now place the Friendship Mini Journal into the box and gift to a special friend!

Thank you so much for joining me for Watercolor Weekend. I hope today’s project will inspire you to make your own mini journal! Until next time, Happy Painting!

All Things Beautiful by Janet

Hello Ai fans and welcome to the weekend and the Ai blog! Today's project features several new sets now available at the store. It shows off images from several sets and how they can be combined to create pretty collages and scenes.

My card starts with an aqua A2 card base. I cut a slightly smaller rectangle out of the 6205 Floral Shop PP. Then I used a die from the 5727- Nested Oval Set to cut out a frame which nests all my card elements nicely. I used a punch to the shaped corners on the soft striped paper which I mounted with foam tape on the blue card base.

Next I stamped and colored the flower image from the 6220-Sing to the Lord set. I colored the flowers to resemble one of my garden favorites, blue hydrangeas. I stamped the bible verse from the 6218-BJ Long Stems set in a frame found in the 6222-Frameworks Set 4. Then I colored a bird from the 6216-Mercy Set. I fussy cut all the images and arranged them in the oval window. As filler, I added a few silk leaves and a matching bright blue and white polka dot bow. Finally a few blue glitter enamel dots were added as accents.   

This card is full of dimension, pretty colors, nature images and a reminder of God's role in making all things in the world including the earth's bountiful and beautiful natural birds and fauna.

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, including all the supplies I used in this card. 

Happy Crafting!

Happy Birthday Gnomie! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a cheerful birthday card inspired by the current Floral Frenzy Challenge. I couldn't resist pairing colorful spring tulips with one of the adorable garden gnomes for a fun birthday design.

I started by stamping the sweet gnome from the 5000-Gotta Garden Stamp Set (Retired) and surrounded him with beautiful tulips from the 6220-Sing to the Lord Set. I colored everything with Copic markers, keeping the flowers bright with shades of purple and orange for a happy spring feel. A soft blue sky and grassy background help bring the scene to life.

To frame the image, I layered it with gold glitter cardstock and added coordinating yellow and orange mats. The pretty floral pattern paper from the 6205-Floral Shop Paper Pack ties all of the colors together while keeping the focus on the stamped scene. I finished the card with a simple Happy Birthday greeting to make it perfect for celebrating someone special.

If you're looking for inspiration, be sure to join the Art Impressions Floral Frenzy Challenge. It's a fun way to pull out your favorite floral stamps and create something beautiful. 

Have a wonderful Day!