Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Picture Perfect Tulips by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

Watch video tutorial here!

Let's have some fun today creating some "Picture Perfect Tulips" cards using the brand-new Ai Tulips Border Set. This set is part of a brand-new Countryside Series which includes three border sets and two cottage sets. The other sets include the Poppy Border set, the Tulip Border set, and the Swiss Village set. 

This card is perfect for the latest Ai "Mix and Match" Blog Challenge which is to use at least two stamp sets, and we will have no problem meeting and exceeding that number with today's card!

We can begin by stamping and then quickly die cutting the pretty frames using the Ai Mini Journal Template Die Set (5718). We will select certain areas of the stamp for each of the frames. Now we can color the tulips using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Yellow, Orange, Sugared Almond Pink, Pink, Lt Green, Dk Green, English Lavender, Violet. And for the frames themselves we will use a gold metallic cardstock. This will add a beautiful, elegant look!

Next, we can add some sparkly spattering and then some white spattering to each of these panels.

For the frames we will add some clear acetate to give a more realistic look. We can quickly assemble the frames. And for the ribbons to create a wall hanging we will use the Ai Front Porch Farmhouse (5490). The pretty bow from this set is a perfect way to create a ribbon and bow for each of our little pictures/paintings.

Next, let's die cut some layers using the Ai Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies (5063) for the cards. Let's add some pretty patterned paper layers using the Ai Mother's Day PP (6051), and some black, Pink, Lavender, and Yellow 100lb cardstock for added layering.

For a finishing touch, we will add some beautiful sequins in some coordinating colors!

Please join us in the brand-new blog challenge.... we would love to see what you create!

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


Ai Tulip Border (6186)

Ai Poppy Border (6187)

Ai Daisy Border (6188)

Ai Mini Journal Template Die Set (5718)

Ai Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies (5063)

Ai Front Porch Farmhouse (5490)

Ai Mother's Day PP (6051)


Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Pretty Little Flower Shop by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!



I created this card for our current Mix & Match challenge.
Use at least two different stamp/die sets on your card.


I used 2 stamp sets, 5 die sets and 2 paper pads on my card.
Variety is the spice of life, right?

I used my Arteza Real Brush Pens which are sort of between a marker and watercoloring the Art Impressions way.  Since I don't watercolor often, I decided to use die cut flowers and flowers painted with Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White Paint. I like the way they turned out.


The 6194 – Flower Shop is part of the new Holiday Lane series.



Arteza Real Brush Pens:

Sapphire Blue
Spearmint Blue
Turquoise
Pea Green
Tawny
Ginger
Honey
Currant Red
Ice Blue
Smoke Gray



Monday, May 11, 2026

Sending you a smile by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

I have a fun card to show you today that I hope makes you smile! I truly love mixing and matching Art Impressions stamp sets, so our current challenge was a breeze for me! It's a rare occasion that I only use one set!!  So many of their sets have awesome accessory stamps that can be combined with others!! I used four different sets to create this card. I stamped out several of the cute Fairytale Houses from #5935 and colored them with Copic markers and then I positioned a few of the trees and bushes from #5890 Village Accessories in between them to make it look like a cute little neighborhood. After creating a sidewalk in front of them by coloring a strip of gray, I stamped, colored, and die cut one of the cute gnomes from #5785. I just think he emits so much joy and was perfect to send a hello greeting to a friend.



I added a few die cut clouds and a sentiment from #5279 and it was all done! 



So that's it for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and I hope you're entering our Mix and Match challenge for a chance to win a free set!! Until next time - stay crafty!!

Copic markers used for coloring:
E000, 00, 11, 31, 33, 35, 41, and 43
V20, 22, and 25
BG10, 11, 70, 72, and 75
Y00, 02, 21, and 23
G20, 43, and 46
YG13, 17, and 21
RV91, 93, and 95
BV000, 01, and 02
T1 and 2
C1 and 2
N2 and 4




Sunday, May 10, 2026

Cottage Cards by Jami Steiger


 

Good morning! I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely weekend. I have two cottage cards to submit this weekend.  

For the first card on the Art Impressions blog, I used the 5748-SF Cottage Creek stamp set. This is such a beautiful stamp. All of the additional floral and foliage stamps used are listed below in the Linkdeli list. 

Tombow markers used: 177, 969, 565, 606, 515, 526, 977, N55, N75, and 837


____________________

For the following card, I used the recently released 6185-Swiss Villa Set and the new 6186-FG Tulip Border.

Tombow markers used: 969, 565, 177, 192, 098, 606, 837, 025, 993, 933, 312, N65, N55, and 992








Saturday, May 9, 2026

Mother's Day Tulips and Hi Honey! Bear Frame by Diane Mason

Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend! 

Hello, my Ai watercolor friends and fans — I’m so happy to be back! My lovely daughter was married last weekend, and it was such a beautiful celebration for our whole family. With the help of guest designers Kristen Brown and Julie Worthing, I was able to take some time off in April to finish up all the wedding preparations. I’m so grateful to these very talented ladies for stepping in and sharing their creativity while I was away.

Now that the festivities have wrapped up and life is settling back into its rhythm, I’m excited to jump back into the studio and share two new projects with you today. First is a Mother’s Day card featuring the newly released 6186 – FG Tulip Border. The second is an adorable honey bear frame using the 6170 – Exclusive Honey Bear 2026 Freebie.

Mother's Day Tulips Card:

Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the amazing moms celebrating this Mother’s Day!

The new Countryside Series includes two structure sets and three floral foreground border sets. These fabulous new sets make it easy to create endless mix‑and‑match watercolor scenes. You can use the Euro Cottage Set or Swiss Villa Set as your background focal points (or any other small structure that fits), then layer tulips, poppies, or daisies in the front to create depth.

 

For my card, I used 6186 – FG Tulip Border. Each floral border set includes a sentiment, but since this was a Mother’s Day card, I chose the sentiment from 6039 – Just For Her Set.

Using a stamp platform, I inked the tulip border stamp in 177 for the stems and leaves, and 603 and 743 for the tulips and stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper.

Colors and supplies used:

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 

  • 177, 177+565 – leaves and stems
  • 603, 606 – purple tulips
  • 743 – pink tulips
  • 555 – sky

Tombow TwinTone Pens used for details:

  • Fuchsia (80)

Dies: 

  • 5065 – Oval Double Stitched Dies

Patterned Paper: 

  • 5939 – Fairy Garden Paper Pack (purple gingham)

Other:

  •  foam squares
  •  purple cardstock
  •  white organza ribbon

Hi Honey! Bear Frame:

How darling is this sweet little Honey Bear? To create this honey-themed framed scene, I used the frame die from 5901 – Mini Rectangle Frame Dies and the oval dies from 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies. I love how elements from each set work beautifully together.

The honey bear is one of six brand-new 2026 exclusive Art Impressions Freebies:

Using my stamp platform, I inked the 6170 – Exclusive Honey Bear in Versafine Onyx Black Ink and stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper. On another piece of watercolor paper, I stamped the honeycomb from 5925 – Honey Bee Set in Versafine Vintage Sepia twice — once in the top left and once in the bottom right.

Colors and supplies used:

Honey Bear: 

  • 947 – bear
  • 856+947 – cheeks
  • 025, 985 – honey pot
  • 526 – honey pot lid
  • 025 – bee body
  • 526 – bee wings
  • 177 – grass (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, Teeny Tiny Grass)
  • 555 – sky 
  • Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White - highlights on nose and eyes

Honeycomb: 

  •  985, 026 – honeycomb framework 
  • 025, 985 – honeycomb cells

Dies:

  • 5901 – Mini Rectangle Frame Dies
  • 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies

Paper for frame:

  • Coordinating Yellow cardstock

  

The die set includes a stand piece to keep the frame upright. The sentiments are from 5925, stamped in Versafine Onyx Black. This sweet little frame is perfect for gifting or slipping into a card to brighten someone’s day!


Thank you for joining me today for Watercolor Weekend. I can’t wait to see what you create with the new Countryside Series! When sharing your work, be sure to tag Art Impressions on social media. Until next time, Happy Painting!




Pretty Peonies by Janet


I love peonies. They are so pretty but unfortunately so fleeting. They bloom for such a short time, usually no more than about 2 weeks. Yet peonies have captured our imaginations. That's pretty amazing for a flower that comes and goes so quickly. Good thing we can make the magic and beauty of peonies last a long time in images like the 6164 Peony Margin Set from Art Impressions!

I made my card by stamping the ornate and beautiful margin stamps on a single piece of alcohol friendly cardstock. I left enough room in the middle so that I could put the golden words of loved and grace in the center. These beautiful scripted words come from the 6155 - Ornate Margin Dies set. 

I colored the peonies in dark pinks and reds. I filled in the delicate scrollwork around the peony images with a gold Signo Pigment Ink Gel Pen from the Ai Store. Then I used the most pale pink marker in my collection to create the light pink background on the panel. I used a very pale blue marker to apply the background surrounding the peonies. 

Although lovely, I thought a splash of gold over the panel was a nice final touch. To do that, I added water to Winsor Newton Gold Ink and flicked it on the panel with a brush. After drying, I cut out the words from gold metallic cardstock and applied them in the middle. I used the same gold cardstock as a mat as well and then applied the two pieces on my dark pink card base. Finally, I used a white Signo Pigment Ink Gel to add highlights to the peonies. I used it liberally and it makes the flowers seem to glisten. 

Thanks for joining me on the blog today. As always, find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store!

Happy Crafting!

Friday, May 8, 2026

Many Thanks Friend! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions Friends!

Tasha here sharing a bright Spring card created with the new 6188-FG Daisy Border Stamp Set. Now that we are in the month of May, this stamp set is making me excited for the pretty flowers to start popping up. I have a variety of flowers, one flowering tree, and a lilac bush at my house and just love when everything is in full bloom. 

To make this card, I stamped the floral image and colored the flowers with Copic Markers. I was going to have white petals, but wanted more color and love the pop of blue.  To embellish, I used a white gel pen to add little accents and ink blended around the border with orange Distress Oxide ink. I also used foam tape to raise the center card up; I think the foam makes the inked edges really stand out nicely.

For the greeting, I stamped "Many Thanks" from the 6186-FG Tulip Border Set and matted it with gold glitter paper. To add more detail, I used the 6048-Scalloped Rectangle Dies; the two smallest dies created this layered look.

Lastly, I attached pretty yellow floral pattern paper, and orange, white, and pink cardstock. I wanted to coordinate with the colors used on the flowers and keep the colors light and bright to complete the design.

Thank you so much for checking out my card and I hope you are having a wonderful day!






Thursday, May 7, 2026

Mix & Match Challenge #427 Week #1

Hello Ai fans and welcome to our latest challenge.


All you need to do is use at least 2 different items from Art Impressions.
2 different stamp sets, a stamp and a die set, papers and dies...etc.
Mix & Match all your favorite products.

Our Featured Designer this week is Janet and she has a really fun birthday card to share with you.
After you check out her lovely card and tutorial, be sure to look and see if you were one of our winners from the last challenge.

Welcome to Art Impression's newest challenge, Mix and Match! It's an opportunity to mix at least 2 Art Impression's sets together in a creation. For this challenge I've chosen two sets for my card. The first is 6178 - Birthday Wishes. This set has several cute birthday related images to choose from and I picked the cake with a pot that's waiting to be filled with the flowers of your choice. To fill the pot, I picked a stamp from the 4868 - WC Flower Set 2.


This card is full of many layers. Below are all the pieces that I cut to make the card front. These are layered on an A2 card base in order from 1 to 6, with the bottom layer starting with 1. The circle layer is cut with 5726-Nested Circle Dies and the scallop circle is cut with 6045-Scalloped Circle Dies. 

I stamped the birthday cake image on the plain circle. I masked off the top of the pot and stamped the flowers into it. I added a full stamped flower image and then added another 1/2 of the flowers in order to fill the pot entirely. I used Tombow Dual Brush markers, #346 and #526 for the flowers. The cake and pot was colored with Copic markers.

Copic Markers Used:
BV000, BV02, BV04
BG000, BG11, BG15
BG01, BG5
BV23, BV31, C1, Y17, 
plus Tombow Twin Tone-Blue

While I was working on the cake, my darkest blue Copic marker leaked a large drop of ink as shown in the picture below. I'm sharing this boo boo to show that I made this work by placing blue enamel dots to cover this and saving the time and work that I'd put into the card. When something unexpected like this happens, think creatively on how you can recover. Usually there is a way to strategically recover as I did in this example.


Next I stamped the balloons and sentiment from the birthday set and colored them with markers. The sentiment was cut out with 6048-Scalloped Rectangle Dies and layered with a piece of light brown cardstock. I fussy cut the balloon image. I then arranged all the elements on the card to complete the project.
I hope you've enjoyed today's tutorial. I invite you show off your own creation using two or more Ai sets and upload it to the Mix and Match Challenge. You can win free stamps for your efforts!

For our Top Spot we selected: Kathy R.
We loved her gorgeous little hummingbird!




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: Lynn C.




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 and thank you
Janet for the amazing inspiration for the new challenge!


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