Sunflowers, a Grateful Slimline & a Giveaway! by Karen Day

 Hello Ai Watercolour fans!

Scroll down to the end of my post to enter my Giveaway!

 

October crafting - it's a balance between fall & Christmas projects for me, so these will be the last of my fall Ai paintings for a while!  My first card features the tub from the recently released 5923 - Farmhouse Container Set, filled with different flowers and foliage.

I stamped the tub in N55 on my Canson XL Watercolour Paper, then masked the top edge of it and added the two sunflowers from 5594 - Harvest Scarecrow Set in #993/177/969.  The ferns from 5830 - WC Mini Wreath Set were added in #126, and the foxglove from 4052 - WC Flower Set 1 was stamped repeatedly in #565, angled in different directions.  Everything was touched with a damp brush, and layers of colour were painted on the flowers.  The small grass from 4051 - WC Foliage Set 1 was added in #158, and painted as a wash below the tub.  #496 was added as the sky.

The background paper is from 5835 Mini PP.

My second card is a slimline (8 1/2" x 3 1/2"), and I have cased this card by Marie Nicole, as I loved how she used a gnome for the A, and I knew how great this would look with the 5785 - Gnomes Set.  I die cut the letters from the 5072 - Block Letters Die Set in kraft paper to spell out Grateful, omitting the A.  I blended some Walnut Stain Distress Oxide ink onto the bottom of each letter to create a soft gradient effect.

All of my images are stamped in N55 on Canson XL Watercolour paper.  I used a mix of #565/249 to create the teal colour that I painted on his hat and pants, using several layers to create the darker tones.  N55 and N75 were painted on his boots and mits, and light tones of N55 were painted on the edge of his beard.  A little #850 coloured up his nose.  Some #947 is painted on his tunic, as I wanted it to match some of the shades on the pumpkins.

The two pumpkins from 5059 - WC Harvest Set are always my favourite pumpkins to use on projects!  They were painted in tones of #993/933/947/969 and #249/565 respectively, with #126/158 added to their stems.  I wanted a few leaves scattered around my project, so I used the two clusters from 5795 - Berries Set, colouring them with dabs of #993/126/905/933158.  After fussy cutting everything out, they were mounted to my project with some thin 3D foam tape, to add a little dimension.

I used the 5463 - Slimline Dies Set to cut out my background paper, which I matted with some teal cardstock, and then adhered it to my kraft cardstock base.

Giveaway time!

I have two of the recently released flower sets (5917 & 5918) to give to someone who leaves a comment here on the Watercolour Weekend blog post. **Please note** - the giveaway is open to Canadian residents only! - I'm afraid that's where I'm mailing from, and to keep mailing costs down, avoid duty etc... we're going to give our Canadian fans a chance this time.

Just leave a comment on this post before midnight ET, Sunday, October 13th - and I will update this post with the winner's name on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14th.

Gather Together by Janet

Hello and welcome to the weekend! Today my project is a set of large tags. I envision these being used to decorate a gifted wine bottle, on treat bags and boxes, or on packages for a fall birthday. These cute images come from 5507-Harvest Together Set. After coloring them with some deep fall colors, I cut them out with the included dies. Then I went to work on the tags themselves.

I cut the tags out of Kraft cardstock using 5132-Tag Stitched Dies. Using the set, I also cut gold glitter reinforcement circles for the holes at the top. I used Corduroy Distress Oxide ink on the tag edges. I stamped the sentiments on the tags next and then placed the scarecrows and crows on the tags. To add further decoration, I added a paper button and orange and gold glitter dots with Stickles to each. Once the Stickles had dried, I strung three different ribbons in each tag hole. These are super cute and make substantially sized tags that are perfect for gift giving.

  I made these tags to go with the current Ai challenge called, Farm Fresh. Enter your projects that have any farm related imagery HERE.

Thanks so much for joining me to see what I created for you today. Please visit the Ai store for the sets I used and all the things you need for your card, journal, and tag making projects. Have a great weekend!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

I Love Fall! by Tasha!

 Hi Art Impressions friends!

Tasha here sharing a Fall card inspired by the current "Farm Fresh" Challenge. Fall is my favorite season, so for this challenge I created a Fall scene featuring the 5507-Harvest Together Set and 5592-Harvest Journal Die Set.

The scarecrow image was stamped with black ink and colored with Copic Markers. I used a white gel pen to add little details to the patches, and gave each patch a different design. I also used the included coordinating die to cut the image out. I love that several Art Impressions sets include the dies.

Before attaching the scarecrow to the card, I created a Fall scene. The sky was created with Distress Oxide Ink and a Sunburst stencil. I also used the 5592-Harvest Journal Die Set to make some cool pumpkins for the background, I love pumpkins!

To complete the card, I stamped "I Love Fall Most of All" on to a stitched banner. This sentiment goes perfectly with this scene and I love the farmhouse style font. I also added layers of brown and yellow card stock, and a piece of Art Impressions pattern paper to complete the design.

I hope you enjoyed today's card and will join in the "Farm Fresh" Challenge!

Have a great day!

Farm Fresh Challenge #388 Week #2

Hello Ai fans and welcome to week #2 of our Farm Fresh challenge!

We want to see your farm themed projects.

Think hay bales, animals, barns, wagons, wheelbarrows, trucks, tractors, chicken coops, produce/veggies etc.

 

Last week Lynn was our Featured Artist and she made an adorable Ta Da Diorama card.

This week we get to see what the rest of the Design Team has created to inspire you!

First up we have Janet with 5507-Harvest Together and 5132-Tag Stitched Dies.

Janet created a second card which can be found here.

Sharon's adorable card can be found here.

Dori created a darling interactive card and you can read about it here.

Tasha's sweet scarecrow card used 5507-Harvest Together, 5592 – Harvest Journal Die Set, and 5838 – Fall Journal Paper Pack.

I made a slimline card that can be found here.

As a bonus, our Watercolor DT member Jami created a scarecrow card this week.

Every one of our designers created an amazing farm themed card. We LOVE all of the entries we've seen so far. Keep them coming! You might be the next winner of a free stamp set.

✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards! (unless specified)

✻ Limit two submissions per person. You will receive extra votes if you use Art Impressions stamps!

 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission.

✻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

Barnyard Fun by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

My card today was inspired by the current challenge "Farm Fresh".  I had a great time designing this interactive card with all of the little cubbie farm animals from the set #5180 - Barnyard Animal Cubbies and the truck from the #5596 - Harvest Farm Truck.

I began by stamping the images on copic friendly paper and coloring them with my copic markers listed below.  I also die cut several hay stacks from the #5838 - Fall PP and inked them with Distress Oxide Vintage Photo to give them texture.  Where did I get the die for the hay stacks, you ask?  I improvised and die cut the porch plant from the #5490 - Front Porch Farm House.  It had rough edges and without using the stamp, I thought it could pass for hay stacks.  Now that I told you, maybe it doesn't look quite like a hay stack?  😂  

To create the mechanism for the doors:  For an A2 size card, cut base cardstock at 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" (score at 4 1/4".  Cut two pieces of colored cardstock - 1 1/4" x 5".  Score down the middle lengthwise, turn and score at 1 1/4".  Fold one corner over to score line and then fold other corner over to score line.  Should create four scored triangles in that 1 1/4" square.  With right side facing you, cut 1 1/2 triangle off (as seen on left), then do the same on other piece but opposite side of piece.  As seen on the right side, fold long piece of triangles over the front.  Glue the tab (indicated on right by black marker).  Place point in fold and line up right side with white cardstock.  Fold down the top to adhere.  Then glue the bottom of the right half down to the base of the card (see Pic. 2).  

Pic. 1                                                                            Pic. 2

   

Fold back each side of the mechanism (Pic. 3).  Cut two pieces of colored cardstock for doors - 3 1/2" by 2 1/8".  Adhere in place (Pic. 4).

Pic. 3                                                                            Pic. 4

Hint:  youtube "Dual Pop Up Card" for video tutorial.  

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E21, E23, E50, E51, E53

R20, R24

Y15, Y17, Y35

C00, C0, C1, C3

B000, B91, B93, B95

YR16

    

Spooky Fun w/ Stenciling and Glitter Paste by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!!!

Watch video tutorial here!!!

Today we will be creating a spooky fun card using some beautiful glitter paste! But first, we will select some gray cardstock and apply some Distress Oxide Inks in Hickory Smoke and Black Soot. Sometimes it is fun to switch out your cardstock background colors when doing your stenciling and these two colors on the gray cardstock will give us a great look!

To set the scene, let's add some clear glitter paste over the top of the stencil. This will pick up a bit of the black and gray and add a perfect sparkle to our spiderweb. We can set this aside to dry...but be sure to take a little bit of time to clean off all of your tools and stencils right away!

Next, we will be using the new Ai Spooky Crew Set (5934). This set has several critters popping out of pumpkins as well as a spooky tree, cottage, and several coordinating sentiments. We will be using the little cat today but any of these would work great for this card design.

Let's go ahead and stamp, color and die cut all of the images. For the coloring we will be using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Sugared Almond Pink, Orange, Scarlet Red, Pale Green, May Green, Deep Violet, Beige, Mid Brown, Lt Gray, Dk Gray.

Before we add the stenciled background to the card, we will wrap some pretty purple twine around and tie it into a bow.

Next, we will die cut a black frame using the Journal Oval Frames Dies (5588) and for the inside of the frame we will use the purple and gold star paper from the Ai Halloween S2 Paper Pack (5849).

Let's assemble the card using some double-sided tape and pop up the framed cat using some 3D Foam Squares.

Now we can add a few sparkly stars and pretty sequins to this front panel, and this will just bring everything together nicely!

As a final step, let's lightly stencil the inside of the card and add a sentiment that says, "Wishing you a spooktacular Halloween!" and the spooky tree that we had previously colored and die cut. This will finish off the inside of the card perfectly. We can also add the "Spooky" sentiment to the front of the card!

Here is another card that I had previously done using this fun new stamp set:

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

Ai Spooky Crew Set (5934)

Ai Journal Oval Frames Dies (5588)

Ai Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies (5063)

Ai Halloween S2 Paper Pack (5849)

Wink of Stella Glitter Pen - Clear

Post-it Labeling and Cover-up Tape

Along Came a Spider! #10 October Monthly Guest Designer Challenge with Marianne Hansen

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our Monthly Guest Designer Challenge.

This month it's Along Came a Spider!

Our October Guest Designer is Marianne Hansen and she has a beautiful card to inspire you. Before we see what she created, let's see who won our September, We Don't Use Enough Purple Challenge.

We chose Simone Carr for her gorgeous fall card!

Congratulations Simone!

You will be the Art Impressions November Guest Designer.

Simone,  please contact me at Renee@artimpressions.com

so that we can discuss your challenge theme and to claim a free stamp set of your choice.

Now for the Lucky Random Winner of a freebie stamp from me.

#7 April J.

Please contact me at Renee@artimpressions.com with your address to see what freebies I have and claim your free stamp.

Now for our October Guest Designer.

Let's see what Marianne has to share.

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

 My Ai Friends,

I am absolutely delighted to have been chosen as October’s Guest Designer.

October is extra special to me because exactly two years ago, I stumbled upon a Bonnie Krebs Video Tutorial .  Since then, life has never been the same.

I have been a crafter since my first box of crayons, kiddie scissors and yellow Elmer’s glue.

I have been making cards since 2004 and since then have been published 6 times, won several Design Contests and last year, over a course of a 12 month voting process,  a design of mine was voted “2023 Card Of The Year” by Creative Scrapbooker Magazine.

Since discovering “Watercolour the Art Impressions Way” I never imagined in my wildest dreams the journey this would take me on.  Not only have I found my passion, but the friendships I have made through this wonderful site has brought great inspiration, creativity and joy into my life.

After 35 years in the Legal Field with one of the largest Law Firms in our city, I am now retired and have the blessing of being full time care giver for our 86 year old mom who lives with me.  Ai and the friends I have made here is the salve that nourishes my soul.

I love making wreath cards.  The versatility is endless.  Seasons, Holidays, Birthdays, Birds, Nature, and any other theme can be made into a wreath card.

For my “Along Came A Spider” card I made an Autumn themed wreath with fall foliage, pumpkins, a squirrel and a Spider dangling down from a branch.  

For depth and texture, I painted the pumpkins and squirrel separately,  and then popped them up with foam dots.  …….(ok…I did that because I messed up on the pumpkins…so had to improvise…..).  C’mon…we’ve all been there……right??

I hope you like it and that it inspires you to think of a wreath card for your next special design.

I lightly drew a 3” circle using a steel die as a guide, then after painting was done, erased the pencil marks.  I mounted the painting on co ordinating orange cards stock.  I ran brown card stock through die cutting machine with a deeply embossed Woodland Tree Embossing folder.  Finally mounted it on a card and it is ready for giving.  Don’t forget to sign your painting!!

Sets Used.

5946   Fall Bench Set

4964   Branches Set

4052   Flower Set 1

5828   Poinsettia Set

4963   Fall Foliage Set

4867   Foliage Set 2

5126   Foliage Set 4

5059  Harvest Set

And of course some “Kendra Dots” that are in Bible Journal Set 5418

Markers Used.

993,  933,  925,  946,  969,  947,  636,  

Brown Twin Tone 

Dr. P.H. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

For as long as I have duplicate stamps I will choose a random winner.

These will be for U.S. residents only since these will be mailed by me personally

and not Art Impressions.

If you are selected as the freebie winner I will send you a photo of what I have

and you can choose from that.

Here is the fine print...

✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation.
✻You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards!

✻ Limit two submissions per person. 

✻You MUST use Art Impressions stamps or dies! You may use other companies products but the main focus should be on Ai items.

✻If you win, you will receive one free stamp set of your choice. In return you will create a brief write up explaining how you made your item and email it to me. (Reneé) 
We will share your creation on Art Impressions social media.
✻If you would like to participate in the challenge but not be
considered to be a guest designer please place an X after your name.

 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission.

✻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 crafting!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter