At least you don't need a cone! by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing my mom's get well card.

She recently had surgery and I wanted to lighten the mood a bit. I think she enjoyed her card a lot.

Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Sweet and Spooky!

Hello, Ai Fans! We're back with a range of projects from sweet to spooky with our Watercolor Guest Design Team! Whether you are gearing up for Halloween, looking forward to winter, or dreaming about spring, we have inspiration for you! Let's take a look!

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Friends,

I am still busy playing with my favorite new stamp set - 5197 - WC Winter Kids. I am now using Strathmore Bristol smooth paper for all of my dye ink watercoloring because I just love how smooth the color blends on it. I stamped the snowman and kid after inking it up with brown 969, then blue 565. I stamped it off first on scratch paper (my usual way) so that the lines would not be so dark. I did the same thing with the light post and then I pulled the color out of the lines the same way Bonnie Krebs, Owner/Creator of Ai, always does on her YouTube videos. If you haven't subscribed yet, you should, I still learn from her every time. I used 565 off the palette to watercolor the snow, boots and sky. I colored the snowman's hat, the branch arm and the little girl's hair using brown 969. I used the Arteza TwiMarker in sage green to watercolor the hat band, the hat, the gloves, the pants and the scarf on the little girl. I inked up a branch from the 4960 - WC Fir Trees Set in green 249 and stamped it up and down the light pole then pulled the color out of the lines. I added the berries using the fine tip of the 55 iris purple pen. I dabbed in some of the sage green from the palette. I used the iris purple to watercolor the scarf, coat and hat band. I colored the nose with 88 terra cotta. I used the fine tip of a Copic Multi-liner pen to darken the eyes and buttons on the snowman. I used the fine tip of the Tombow TwinTone brown pen to draw hair on the girl. I cut it out using the large square die from the 5061 die set. I used watered down white Gouache to flick dots for the snow.

Karen Day - Blog - Facebook - Pinterest

I'm using all sorts of product from the Ai Bible Journaling collection today!

I began by cutting out my Canson XL watercolor paper with two sizes of the 5062 - Double Stitched Rounded Rectangle dies. I coloured the gate image from 5067 - Gates of Righteousness Set first in Tombow #565 Deep Blue, then #969 Chocolate overtop. I stamped it off on scrap paper, and then onto my panel. Since I knew that my card design would have the overlapping sentiment panel, the gate is positioned a little to the right of center. I added the clay pot image on the left side, slightly below the gate so that it would appear in front of it. With my damp #4 paintbrush, I softened the lines and pulled out the colour into the shadowed areas, as I wanted the gate to be white. I did the same stamping method with the medium scroll image from the 5202 Scroll Set on the smaller rectangle. I used a pencil to faintly sketch in the overlapping hillsides, having them meet right in the middle of the gate, as I wanted a sunrise to be centered there, and sketched in the narrow path also. Using the vine image from 5073 - Bible Foliage Set, and #158 Dark Olive, I stamped the vine so that it wrapped up and around the gate, and spilled over the top, sometimes colouring only part of the image if I wanted a smaller sprig of greenery. I filled in a few areas with the small leaf image from 5074 - Bible Flower Set, and used this to add foliage to the clay pot. The spiky trio of blooms from the same set was coloured with #946 Gold Ochre and stamped in the pot and around the vine to created the floral clusters. I used the Mini Foxglove stamp from Flower Set 4052 coloured in #565 to stamp the longer stems in the clay pot. I picked up #947 Burnt Sienna from my palette, and painted it onto the pot, adding several layers to the edges to deepen the colour. Using the shrubbery image from the Bible Foliage set, I coloured it in #249 Hunter Green, and stamped it on either side of the gate - wanting to create a bit of a hedge. I touched all of the flowers and foliage with my damp brush, then picked up #158 from my palette and painted in the hillsides and grassy foreground. I used it with the small grass image from the Bible Foliage set to add tufts of grass in and around the cobblestones. The path was painted with #992 Sand. I used #565 to add shadows between the slats of the gate, and as texture on the stones. With my scene pretty much complete, I used my fine point Twintone marker in 42 Navy to add definition and shadows to the stones, bushes and gate. I also used the finer point of my #946 to add darker yellow shades to the flowers. I used the #946 to paint the sun and it's glow, and added a wash of #565 to the sky.

My scroll was looking a little grey and gloomy next to my image, so I added in touches of the #946 Gold Ochre, which really brightened the scroll, and I added a little of the 565 and 158 around it to mimic the grass & sky - I quite like the effect. Both images were given an 1/8" soft grey matt, and glued onto a subtly patterned background paper. The sentiment is adhered with pop dots, and positioned about 3/8" above the top edge of the 5 1/2" square card.

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

Hey watercolor fans, welcome to another watercolor weekend over on the Art Impressions Blog. This weekend I decided to get into the Halloween spirit by creating a spooky window. It was so much fun using the water to create some really cool textures.

Card Details

First, I inked up the window with 969 and 569. I stamped it off and then stamped it on the watercolor paper. This window seemed to be perfect for this project as it looked like it was kind of hanging off its hinges. I added more water than I usually do to the hanging part. After it dried, I added some additional color with my Twintouch Brown and Blue to get some additional texture. I pulled the color out of the lines around the window and panes.

In order to place the cat inside of the window, I masked it off using post-it tape, inked it up with black and using my positioner, stamped it in the window opening. I added some additional black to my palette and slowly built the color up to a deep black.

Next, I inked up the brick texture with 969 and some 569, stamped it off and then stamped it to the left and right of the spooky window. I added water between the stones. Once that dried, I added some additional cracks in the background for some additional spookiness (LOL).

I wanted to create a lighted window so I added some 025 in between each pane from my palette. I left a small amount of white space and free handed a ghost into the window. I used my fine point to add some cracks to the window panes.

I inked up one of the branches with black and stamped it to the left of the window, for yes - additional spookiness. To finish it up I drew in some spider webs around the window. Finally, I signed and dated my work!

Card Assembly

I cut my painting out with a stitched square die. Using Connect Glue, I added it a mat, using the next size up stitched square die, from Gina K Designs Black Onyx card stock. Next, I inked up a Spider Web Cover-A-Card stamp from Impression Obsession inked with Gina K Whisper ink and stamped it on the background of my white card base.

I cut the spooky BOO out of the Black Onyx card stock with my Art Impressions alphabet dies. I cut it 4 times and glued them on top of each other to give them a little more depth. I added a spider web on the "O" with a white gel pen.

This was such a fun spooky project and I am so happy that you stopped by today. I hope you will join me and my fellow design team members this weekend. Post your projects on Instagram with #AIWatercolor so we can see your creations.

Have a crafty day!!!

Thanks, team! Such a great variety of projects here! It's amazing what you can create with Ai Watercolor Stamps, and how each stamper develops her own style! Do you watercolor the Art Impressions way? Be sure to let us know, and tag us @artimpressions and #aiwatercolor on Instagram so we can see your cards! Also, you can enter our card challenges for a chance to win Ai stamps!

Happy Stamping!

A little dirt don't hurt! by Sharon Caudle

Hello AI Fans!!

How many of you have amazing gardeners in your life?  If so, do you have this stamp set SC0650 His & Hers Gardeners?  It's perfect for those green thumbers you know! And he's right, don't ya think?  A little dirt really doesn't hurt! 

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today and until next time - stay crafty! 

Copics used:

E000. E00. E11. E33. E35
B000. B41. B45
YG13, YG17, YG23, YG25, YG67
C2, C3
R20, R22, R24, R27

Happy Haunting | By Jessica Shier

Hello Ai Fans!

This week I'm working on a last few Halloween card ideas. I'm using the Happy Haunting stamp set with some Copics markers.

I used the Art Impressions Banner Double Stitch die to die cut a piece of Neenah 80lb card stock and also a purple plaid pattern paper. I used Gina K amlagam ink to stamp the haunted house on Neenah card stock. Then colored in with Copic Markers, the ones I used are listed below. Before coloring the ground I stamped the trees. For this I used Tombow marker and stamped the front trees with the full ink using a stamp platform. For the trees in the back I stamped off to get a lighter color. I also used a copic marker to color them in slightly and then colored in the ground. 

I adhered the banners together and also trimmed a piece of dark green cardstock and layered them all on to a A2 size card base. For the sentiment I used several from the Happy Hauntings stamp set and heat embossed those on two different tones of purple card stock. After trimming those with a paper cutter I attached them to the little haunted house scene. 

Copic Markers Used:

BG18, BG15, C1, C3, C5

Y21, E35, E43, YG67

Thank you so much for joining me today! Happy Stamping!

Challenge 268 Tags or Ornaments WEEK 2! Plus, ONE MONTH Until the Ai Warehouse Sale in Keizer, OR!

It's week two of our Tags or Ornaments challenge, and we want to inspire you to enter for a chance to win! Last week we released five new Circlet Mini TryFolds, which are circular photopolymer stamps with dies to cut the interior making layering easy! Prepare for harvest with our Thanksgiving Circlet MTF, featuring an overflowing cornucopia, a delicious pie and a heartfelt sentiment. Send timeless Christmas wishes with our Sleigh Ride Set and sweet Nativity Circlet. Our Elk Circlet is perfect for year-round masculine cards and our Gardening Circlet could be colored for any season. These five sets are the perfect inspiration to make tags or ornaments, and our full design team is here to share their creations! Let's take a look - be sure to click the designer's name to visit their personal blog for more information on their creation!

Carol with Nativity Circlet MTF

Crystal with Elk Circlet MTF 

Jessica with Thanksgiving Circlet MTF

Jil with Gardening Circlet MTF

Niccole with Sleigh Ride Circlet MTF

Renee with Gardening Circlet MTF

Sharon with Thanksgiving Circlet MTF

Are these not the cutest tags you've ever seen?! There are just so many ways to use Circlets! You don't need to use Circlets in your challenge entry, but if you have them, wouldn't they be fun to play with? We are looking forward to seeing what you create, as always, and will be back next week with the lucky winners. What are you waiting for? Let's get crafting!

Here are the Challenge Rules...

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

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

✻ 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 by clicking and commenting 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

The Art Impressions Warehouse Sale is just one month away! If you are local or fortunate to travel, we would love to see you November 22-23 at the Keizer Civic Center in Keizer, Oregon, for a shopping extravaganza and classes galore! If you are able to come, we have TWO chances for you to win some goodies!

First, head over to our Facebook Event and enter our giveaway! We have a $30 certificate to use at the sale for a random winner who "likes" and comments on our post! Though it is not required for entry, you may like to let your friends know about this giveaway so they can have a chance to win, too! Giveaway closes Tuesday, October 22 at noon PT, so be sure to enter quick! Winner will be announced on the Facebook Event, so RSVP to be notified!

Second, we are giving a FREE GIFT to attendees who RSVP on our website! Visit our Warehouse Sale info page for all the event details, and scroll down to the bottom to RSVP if you're coming! Encourage your friend to RSVP as well! **One free gift per adult. Free gift must be claimed in person at the Warehouse Sale (no free gifts will be shipped).

BONUS! Did you know we include a coupon for a free stamp set (up to a $23 value) at the sale with your class ticket? Be sure to register for class to save your seat!

Not able to make it to our Warehouse Sale? Keep an eye on our newsletter to be notified about upcoming sales! We will have some deals and information in November you will not want to miss.

Happy Stamping!

Sign Up to be an Ai Affiliate! Accepted Applicants Receive a $30 Prize Pack! (Limited Time Offer)

We are excited to launch an affiliate program for Art Impressions crafters, bloggers, and video creators! Affiliates can share product links through Share-A-Sale, and when customers purchase through your links to our website, you will receive a commission. We have a limited time offer to celebrate the start of this program! Apply to be an Ai Affiliate through Share-A-Sale by October 23, and if you are accepted, we will send you a $30 gift pack for free! International applicants are welcome.

Apply Now

How to apply

1) Go to shareasale.com

2) Login or create an affiliate account

3) Search for "Art Impressions" to find our application and apply

View the full list of terms and conditions in our Share-A-Sale application. Apply through Share-A-Sale by October 23, 2019 11:59PM PT to be eligible for gift. Only accepted applicants will receive gift. Free gift is a $30 value of stamps and/or dies of our choice, and will be mailed via USPS. Art Impressions is not responsible for lost or damage packages. Receiver is responsible for any applicable custom fees or duties imposed by country of receipt, contact your local customs office for more information.

Happy Stamping!

Short and to the Point... by Crystal

Hi Ai Fans!

This week I made two cards using the same hedgehog image from the Hedgehogs stamp set.

Such perfect sentiment "Let me keep this short and to the point... Happy Bithrday!" 

For both cards I stamped the image with Memento black ink onto Smooth white card stock. 

I kept both cards very simple just layered the image onto pattern paper using different shapes of Art Impressions double stitched shape dies. 

Spectrum Noir Markers: 

DR2, DR5, DR7, TB1, TB7, AG2, AG3, AG5, TN1, TN2, TN5, GT1, GT2, GT3, EB2, EB4, EB6

Happy Stamping!

Gobble, Gobble by Niccole

Hello Ai fans!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I am sharing a card I made using the Gobble Set.  It is a really fun action set.  It uses an Action Wobble.

I started with a standard A2 Kraft card base.  I added some Halloween chevron paper I had to the bottom portion of my card. I trimmed it with a thin piece of gold glitter paper. I then cut two identical pieces of gold card stock with the Circle Double Stitched Dies. I also cut two identical smaller circles from white cards stock.  I glued them together and to the front of my card and also on the inside of my card.  

I Copic colored my two pieces of my turkey and fussy cut them out and added Wink of Stella to the feathers. I attached the turkey head to the front of my card with foam tape. 

I attached the turkey butt with the Action Wobble to the inside circle. 

I masked off my sentiment so I only stamped "Gobble" to the front of my card and then did the same on the inside to only say "til you Wobble." I finished off my card with some black enamel dots to the front.  I love how his little turkey butt wobbles when you open the card.

Here is one more look at the full card.  thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little time with me.  Please come back again soon to see what we are all sharing.

Copics used:

C1, C5, C6

E55, E57

R27, R29
Y15, Y17
YR14, YR16

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!