Fall Vibes by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  I love old barns, they give such a peaceful vibe in a landscape.  Open fields and swaying grass add to that feeling.  

For my 1^st card I started by penciling in a wavy horizon line. I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to put the barn, so I used the stamp positioner to help me with that.  I was able to figure out exactly where I wanted to place it this way.  I could see what it would look off to either side, or the center.  I used Distress Ink Pumice Stone on the barn and stamped off twice and then stamped it on my project, slightly off center to the left.  I erased any pencil lines that ran through the barn after my ink was dry.  For the roof I used a mix of 947 and 177, and then adding a little bit of 969.  For the walls I used a mix of 856/969, adding a bit more of 969 in vertical stripes and used 565 for shading on the side and under the roof.  A mix of 565 and 969 was used in the windows and doors.  I then added in the sky, going for a sunset look I started with 055 at the horizon line, then adding in layers I added 025, 993, and a touch of 905.  Before putting in any foliage I added 177 for the ground and 969 for the path. 

The next 5 stamps all came from 5372 WC Mini Foliage Set, starting with the pine tree in 249.  Then the tree trunks in 969, the tree foliage in 126, adding a bit of 177 on the stamp as well.  I then added in the grass in 177.  After softening everything with a damp brush I added in some 565 along the ground for shadows.  I then added some Bleed Proof White for the flowers.  I also added some highlights to the barn.  I used a die from my stash to cut out the image, and then used a cloud border die to create a mat for it.  I matted my card base with paper from the 6033 Inspirational Easter Paper Pack.  I then decided to add the hello from the 5718 Mini Journal Template Set, which I felt gave it a nice finishing touch to the card. 

 

For my 2^nd card I took some inspiration from Pinterest of a late autumn forest scene.  Unfortunately there wasn’t a link so I wasn’t able to credit the original creator. I started with 5064 Circle Double Stitched Dies, 2^nd from largest, tracing around it with pencil for a guide.  I will also use this die to cut out the image when I am done.  Using Distress Ink in Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, and Vintage photo.  I ink blended the background, utilizing a wedge cut from a piece of paper for light rays.  Starting with the largest tree first, I then used a stamp positioner to help place the other trees working back to the smallest.   The trees and colors are as follows….

5388 Rugged Tree – 899

5373 WC Large Tree Set – 969

5826 WC Large Tree Set 2 – larger tree – 977, smaller tree – 098

4960 WC Fir Tree Set – 076

I added more color into each tree as needed, going lighter in color the farther back they went.  4051 Foliage Set 1, large foliage was used for the ground cover, using the same colors to match the colors of the trees or the background.  076, 098, 977, 969, 899, 026, and 025, I then softened everything with a damp brush.  I then used some Bleed Proof White for some light beams, I tried to soften them a bit but the color saturated background was a problem so I left them the way they were. After cutting out my image, I then matted my card base with a solid brown.  Using the same color paper and a texture die for the 2^nd piece, I then used 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies, 2^nd from largest to cut out my center piece.  I then attached a ribbon to the panel before popping it up on foam tape and placing it on the card base.   I also popped up my circle image with foam tape and placed it over the ribbon.  I then used 3 leaves from 5783 Fall Leaf Frame Set and colored the die cuts with a mixture of 025, 026, 098, and 933. I finished off the card by gluing 2 in one corner and 1 in the opposite corner.  Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Until next time!  Create….Share….Inspire!

Sing His Praises by Janet

Hello everyone! I stepped out of my comfort zone a little with this week's card. I created this soft yet textured card with the new 6278 - Praise Set.

To begin, I used a stencil from my stash and ink blended a textured and soft background using Ranger Distress Oxide in Fired Brick on a 4" x 5 1/4" ivory panel. Then I used five stamps in the set to create a collage in the opposing corners of the panel. The main stamp is the music staff image. I filled in with two flower sprigs. Then I used the two music note stamps to fill in areas I felt were too blank. Using black ink to stamp these images on top of the stenciling adds a bit of crispness which is a nice contrast to the soft stenciling.

Next I cut an ivory oval from 5065 - Oval Double Stitched Dies. I used a small script stamp in my stash to stamp a random background on it. Then I stamped both the singer with flowers and the Sing word. I colored the flowers with a Copic marker that matches the oxide ink perfectly - E95 Tea Orange. I colored the letters in the sentiment with this marker also. I also colored the leaves in green. I decided to accent the word with a touch of gold using gold Winsor Newton Ink. I use it also to paint the note that forms the i in the sing. Although this doesn't show up that well in the photo, it is stunning in real life. The letters and note seem to glow!

I assembled this by placing the white oval on a black shadow mat. I cut out the image and the word with my Brother ScanNCut and mounted the image with foam tape. I glued the word directly to the oval as I wanted it to be part of the background. Then I mounted the finished oval to the middle of the stenciled panel. I added another black mat behind the finished panel and then mounted that on a white card base.

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 journal and box set. 

Happy Crafting!

Thanks So Much! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a Fall card inspired by the current Art Impressions challenge!

For today's card, I used the new 6263-Farm Fresh Stamp Set, and I just love the adorable golden retriever riding in the back of the truck! He is just too cute with his little plaid bandana!

I stamped the image in black ink and colored everything with my Copic markers. I also added some soft ink blended clouds to the background and a little green along the bottom for the grass.

The stamp includes two pumpkins, but to continue with the pumpkin theme, I added a piece of fun Fall patterned paper. I love all the little pumpkins, leaves, and candy corn! I layered everything with orange, cream, and blue cardstock to bring out the colors in the design.

Lastly, I added the "Thanks So Much" greeting on a black banner to finish the card.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hey Pumpkin Challenge #440

  Hello AI Fans!

Welcome to our 

"Hey Pumpkin" 

challenge!

Show us your Fall or Thanksgiving themed crafty creations.

They don't have to be cards. Place cards, gift bags/boxes, fall décor;
anything works as long as you use something from Art Impressions to create it.

Our Featured Artist for this challenge is Sharon.

You're going to LOVE her fun, dimensional card.
After you check out her amazing creation, be sure to scroll down to see
who won our Glitter all the Way challenge.

Take it away Sharon!

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

I just love the crisp weather of fall, even though I really do hate to see the warm weather leave. But there's just something about the feeling in the air during these fall months! So I was excited to get to present our feature for the new challenge "Hey Pumpkin".  We would love to see anything Fall or Thanksgiving related. Remember it doesn't have to be a card. So if you like to make little decorations for around the house, we would love to see you enter them for a chance to win a free set of your choice! Today, I'm featuring a project that can be used as either a card to send someone in the mail (it folds flat) or as a fall decoration in your home. I love that it has more than one function. I used a die set that is available on Amazon and will be linked below in the Link Deli list. 

After choosing what papers I wanted to use from #6273 Country Barn PP and a coordinating cardstock, I die cut the main base along with the connecting pieces. I stamped and colored the fabulous 6266 Country Cow image onto a Copic friendly cardstock. The colors I used for everything are listed below.  I then die cut it with the arched scalloped die and adhered it to the base. But before adhering it since I don't watercolor, I took my craft knife and cut a slit along the top edges of the bushel basket and the milk can. The gorgeous arrangement of flowers in the bushel basket and the pretty leaves that are popping out of the milk can are from #6274 Country Barn Accessory Pack. I just fussy cut the leaves from one of them. I took one of the connecting pieces and glued it to the front of the base. After die cutting the scalloped panel for the front, I took a piece of the coordinating cardstock and cut out a piece of grass to glue to the bottom of the front panel. I then stamped and colored a couple images from #6257 ST Happy Fall set and fussy cut them out to place on the front panel as well. 

I wanted to add a cute little fence to the center to hold some pumpkins and the birdhouse, so I used #5807 Journal Fence Dies and pieced one together to fit across the front.. After using a grass die on the center panel, I attached the fence and then glued it to the inside of the base frame as shown below. 

And finally, here's a picture of the final project.

I cut another scalloped panel and adhered it to the back after stamping a sentiment from #5600 Harvest Sentiment Set

So that completes my feature for the new "Hey Pumpkin" Challenge! I hope I inspired you to create something to enter for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today and until next time - stay crafty!!

Copic markers used:

R00, 02, and 20

B000, 00, 01, and 02

BG000, 01, 10, and 11

Y00, 02, 26, 28, and 32

T1, 2, 5, and 6

E04, 11, 13, 15, 33, 35, 37, 51, and 53

C0, 1, 2, and 4

YR12, 14, 18, 21, 24, and 97

W0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

     

   

What an incredible, 3D card Sharon!

We LOVE it so much!

Now, let's see who won our previous challenge.

Our Top Spot went to: #12 Lynn C.

Be sure to grab and share your Top Spot banner and then,

please contact Leah at

Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim your free stamp set.

Our Lucky Random Winner was #7

Felicia S.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim your free stamp set.

Congratulations to our winners!

Now...get creating those fabulous fall creations!
You might be the next winner of a free stamp set.

                                          

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

Victorian Snowman Scene

Hello, everyone! I thought I would share a little wintery Christmas card today! Anyone ready for the holidays yet? I tend to get ready pretty early. I don't like rushing it all at the end. My husband is a December, 23rd shopper! LOL! Not me!! 

For this card, I used 6251 Merry Borders and 6250 Victorian Shop set. I love these new countryside sets because they mix and match so well. You can use any combo you wish and they all look nice together. I decided to stamp these cuties on craft paper and use my colored pencils and OMS on them. I also added a ton of sparkly glitter for some snow. I love using the colored pencil and OMS because it is usually pretty forgiving and you can color in layers. I used a spellbinders die for the shaped background. I also used a gelly roll pen for the snowflake dots and windows. The larger snowflakes are buttons from my stash. A little bow finished it off. 

 

I hope you like my project and I hope you have a wonderful day! 

         

Birthday Story Tile card by Dori Mendiola

Happy Wednesday AI Friends!

I have been making so many holiday cards/projects that I decided I needed to change it up and make a happy birthday card.  Wow, this was a nice change from all the ghosts and goblins.  Although it was fun, I had gotten a little crazy!  😀

I love these storybook tile stamp sets and this #6178 - Birthday Wishes one might be my favorite.  However, now the newest one #6259 - ST Let it Snow is right up there too.  Oh geez!  I think I'm just going to say that all Art Impressions stamp sets are my favorites.  LOL!

I stamped all of the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I fussy cut the images so that I was able to pop them up.  I love dimension!

As for the flowers, these came from currently discontinued sets (Honey Bee and Front Porch Garden set), but look through some of your other sets as there are many that will work.  I cut a slit in the top of the pots and tucked the bottom stems or portion of the pot into the slit.  I also placed a small pop dot/foam tape behind the blooms so that they popped up.

I used the #6158 - Storybook Tile die for the frame around the images and the #6051 - Mother's Day paper pack for the pattern papers.

I hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  E21, E23, E25, E50, E51, E53

B12, B14       G40, G43

RV52, RV55      Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

Focus on Faith with Sara Furr: Vivid Fall Wreath

Blessings my dear friends, and welcome to my first edition of "Focus on Faith" for the month of November. 

I have been in absolute bliss this fall with the spectacular weather we have been having here in the North East. The trees have been so incredibly vibrant this year, and I just love it! 

I wanted to incorporate those bright, vibrant, fall hues into my creation this month, so without further ado, here is my creation... 

To begin, I stamped the grapevine wreath from "Frameworks Set 1" on heavy weight cardstock directly in the center with Versafine Sepia ink. I then started stamping my foliage around the wreath in multiple generations. I used the leafy foliage from "Foliage Set 1," and stamped that in 5 generations of yellow ink, working my way around the wreath, and extending the foliage to the edges of my 5x5 panel. Then, I stamped the fern foliage from "Bible Foliage Set 2" in a dark orange, stamping off first, and then I stamped 2 generations. I stamped one of the smaller leafy foliage from "Bible Foliage set 2" in a bright red, stamping 3 generations. Lastly, I stamped the daisy flowers from "Flower Set 1" twice in orange, and 3x in a dark cherry red.

I colored the vine wreath with a light brown alcohol marker, and then took a dark yellow alcohol marker and using a flicking motion I started drawing out color from the vine wreath into the stamped foliage. This served to add in and blend my colors a bit that I had stamped in dye ink.

When I was happy with my wreath I moved on to stamping my bird from "Mercy Set". I stamped him on heavy weight cardstock with Versafine Onyx black ink, and then colored him with a mix of Prismacolor, and Crayola colored pencils. I love using colored pencils to color in small images as I feel much more in control. When I was done coloring him, I fussy cut it out, and popped it up on tiny foam squares. I placed the cut out bird where I wanted him on my wreath, but didn't stick it down. Leaving him in place I stamped 3 music notes from the "Praise Set 1" in black ink and also the sentiment "Praise Him" from the "Praise Set 2". Then, I stuck down the bird and applied some yellow rhinestone gems to the centers of the flowers, and here and there on my card front. I distressed the edges of my panel and then adhered that to a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 white panel that I also distressed the edges of. I popped the whole focal piece up on white fun foam, and adhered it to my 6x6 white card base.

I created a panel for the inside stamping the G Clef, and the SING from "Praise Set 1", and I also stamped in a sentiment from "Praise Set 2" with Versafine Onyx black ink. I again colored my images with colored pencils. 

That finishes my card for today. I hope you enjoyed it, and that you are inspired to create a Faith filled card with the colors of fall.

God bless you all, and I pray you enjoy the rest of our beautiful autumn weather while it lasts. Get out and enjoy the beauty of God's Earth!

Sara Furr- The Crafty Farm Chick

Additional supplies used:

White heavyweight cardstock 

Versafine Onyx black ink 

Versafine Sepia ink

Dye ink pads in bright red, dark red, dark orange, orange, and dark yellow

Alcohol ink markers in light brown and dark yellow

Colored pencils

Scissors 

Yellow rhinestone gems

Happy Fall from Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and I have a quick and simple card to share.

I absolutely love the 5072 – Block Letters Die Set

because you can spell out anything at all that you want to.

I chose THANKS-GIVING and then added a squirrel and sentiment

from the new 6257 – ST Happy Fall 
and the beautiful new 6286 – Country Barn Cover PP.

Autumn Greetings by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

My card today features the beautiful Foxes set #5951 KH. As much as I tried, I just could not get a really good picture of this one, so my apologies that the colors look so harsh. But in person, I really do like how it turned out.  I stamped the image onto a Copic friendly cardstock and then colored it with the images below. I used a die set that is made for a shadow box, but I just used it on the front of the card base instead. It was pretty quick and easy to throw it together. I stamped a greeting from #5600 Harvest Sentiments Set on both the front and the inside. 

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

Copic markers used:

E17, 21, 23, 95, 97, and 99

W0, 2, 5, 6, and 7

R01

B00

A Little Fall, A Little Christmas by Simone Carr

 

Hello AI Friends!

Welcome back for another Watercolor Weekend!

How can it be November already? With autumn in full swing, it’s the perfect time to bring out the warm fall colors and create something seasonal. For this week’s card, I used the Harvest Together Set to create a fun harvest-themed project.

I started by stamping my image onto Canson Watercolor Paper using Distress Ink Pumice Stone. I then began coloring the image with my Tombow markers. I used warm shades for the pumpkin and added contrasting colors to the scarecrow’s clothing to bring the image to life. The Tombow colors I used for each element are listed below.

Once the coloring was complete, I added some finishing details with Bleed Proof White to give the image a little extra interest.

For the card layout, I used the Double Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut the panels and chose patterned paper from the Fall S2 PP collection to complement the autumn colors. I set the scarecrow aside while I worked on the background.

I placed my card panel in my MISTI stamping platform and centered my sentiment. Once I was happy with the placement, I inked the stamp using Versafine Clair Acorn. I then moved my paper up about ½ inch, using the measurements on the MISTI as a guide, and stamped the sentiment again.

I repeated this process seven times, then switched to Versafine Clair Summertime for the eighth impression to add a little variation.

After stamping all the sentiments, I taped off the card panel to create a border. I placed a piece of paper over the sentiments to protect them and splattered gold paint onto the panel.

Once everything was dry, I added foam tape to the back of the scarecrow and adhered him to the panel, bringing the whole design together.

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies

• 5507 Harvest Together Set

• 6274 Country Barn Accessory Set

• 5063 Double Stitched Rectangle Die (largest and second largest)

Paper

• 5973 Fall S2 PP

• Canson Watercolor Paper

• Strathmore Bristol Smooth Paper

Inks & Mediums

• Versafine Clair Acorn

• Versafine Clair Summertime

• Versafine Clair Golden Meadow

• Distress Ink Pumice Stone

• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

• Winsor & Newton Gold

• Masking Tape

• Foam Tape

Tombow Markers

• Hat – 837, 947

• Shirt – 026

• Pants – 528

• Patches – 098

• Shoes – 899

• Face, Hands – 992, 761

• Pumpkin – 993, 933, 925, 177, 969

For my second card, I thought I’d make it a Christmas one since I know many of you have already started making your Christmas cards!

I started by inking the bird from the Mercy Set with Distress Ink Lost Shadow and stamping it onto Canson Watercolor Paper. I then hand-drew a Santa hat on the bird. Once I was happy with the hat, I began coloring the bird using the Tombow markers listed below.

After the bird was colored, I stamped in the pinecones and the rest of the foliage using the Christmas Wreath Set. I colored the berries, and softened the greenery using a damp brush.

I added Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White to a few areas to create snowy details. Once it was dry, I used Tombow 565 to add shadows where needed.

For the card layout, I used the Scalloped Oval Dies to frame my image and layered it onto patterned paper from the Christmas S2 PP collection. I finished assembling the card and had a festive little Christmas design ready to share.

I hope these projects inspire you to bring out your favorite stamps and try something a little different, whether you’re creating for fall or getting a head start on your Christmas cards. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you again next time!

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies

• 6216 Mercy Set

• 5472 Christmas Wreath Set

• 6046 Scalloped Oval Dies (4th and 5th Largest)

• 5063 Double Stitched Rectangle Die (2nd Largest)

• 5566 Christmas Sentiments

Paper

• Canson Watercolor Paper

• 5812 Christmas S2 PP

Inks & Mediums

• Distress Ink Lost Shadow

• TwinTone Brown

• Pitt Artist Pen Black

• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

Tombow Markers

• Bird – 977, 452, 905, 856

• Pinecone – 969

• Greenery – 249, 192

• Berries – 856

• Sky – 565

• Snow Shadow – 565