Happy 4th of July by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  To our U.S. friends I am wishing you a Happy Independence Day.  Since my post actually falls on the 4^th, my cards are geared towards honoring the day.  (Someone please explain to me how it is already July?!)

I have always been fond of using the window and door stamps from Art Impressions, they always feel so inviting to me.  Kind of like…HI! I am so glad you are here! Come on in!  For my first card I used 5364 WC Ornate Window Set and 5494 Front Porch Patriotic Set.  Both the window and the bunting were stamped in Distress Ink Pumice Stone and stamped off once.  I started with the bunting and created a mask and then used my stamping platform and a piece of acetate first to make sure that I had the window lined up where I wanted it before stamping onto my watercolor paper.  I used 312 on the main frame and left the trim white.  Going lighter with the 312 close to the window box so it would not compete with the flowers and foliage I am putting in.  Darkening the more shadow areas with the same color and then adding in some 565 to enhance the shadowed areas.  I also added some 312 around the window for a background before adding any of the foliage.  Using a pencil and ruler I added in some windowpanes, and then added in some 526 and 565 around the edges of the window and under the lines I put in for the panes of glass.  A little 969 was used to put in the handles.  On the bunting I started by putting in some shadows in the folds with 565, and then added 569 around the stars and 856 for the red areas.  The daisy bunch from 4052 Flower Set 1 was used in 526 and 885.  I then added the ivy from 5007 WC Foliage Set 3 in 177.  I did use a stamp positioner for some of it because I wanted them in a specific spot and that allows me to do just that.  I softened both the flowers and ivy with a damp brush. After this I dropped in some water downed 555 in and around the vines for a bit more of a contrast.  I also added some 565 to create shadows where the ivy and flowers overhang the window and box.  565 and the dots from 5418 Bible Foliage Set 2 was added throughout the vines and then added in some Bleed Proof White amongst the flowers in the window box, finishing off my image.  

I then took the 2^nd largest die from 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies and cut out my image, matting this with a dark blue colored cardstock.  I used some paper from my stash to mat the card base and then attached my image to finish the card off.  I love this window, it has so much character about it, you should check out some of Bonnie’s tutorials with this set, I love the Halloween version she did.

 For my 2^nd card I started by placing my stamp from 5420 Frameworks Set 1 in my stamping platform after lining it up on my watercolor paper.  I took a very light gray and marked the spot on the stamp of where I wanted my star to be and stamped it on the WC paper.  This way I knew exactly where I needed to place the star and it wouldn’t interfere with the colors I was putting in.  I then stamped in the star from 5494 FP Patriotic Set in Distress Ink Pumice Stone after stamping off once.  I created a mask and covered the star before going in with 990 on the frame, keeping it really light so I had a guide to go by.  

I then added in leaves from 5795 Berries Set with a stamp positioner, also in Pumice Stone, and stamped off once.  I then used the stamp positioner to put in the berries from 5828 WC Poinsettia Set in Pumice Stone and stamping off once each time.  Once I had all of this in, I put it back in my stamping platform and carefully started adding in 977 on the frame, being careful to stay away from the items I just stamped in.  Then I added in 4964 WC Branches Set in 977 with the stamp positioner and put that in a couple of times going up the other side of the frame.  I then started with the leaves, first using 126 and then contouring and shading with 177.  055 was used first on the star, with 025 for depth, and then added a bit of 026 for the shading.  Keeping the highlights on the upper bends of the star.  I used 569 for the blue, and 856 on the red for the berries, then added just a touch of 837 for more contrast.  I then added 977 on the stems of the berries, also going over any of the lines on the frame that I didn’t darken before.  I then used a Marvy #89 Persimmon with the fine tip to add in the berries on the branches on the other side, softening just a touch with a damp brush.  I added in some 526 for the background, but for whatever reason, and no matter what I did, would not show up in the picture.  Using the 4^th from largest in the 5725 Nested Square dies I cut out my image and used a corner rounder so it would match up with the 6047 Scalloped Dies, 3^rd from largest that I cut out of dark blue for the mat.  I then matted my card base with paper from my stash and assembled my card.  Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you enjoyed my cards! Until next time, Create….Share….Inspire!

Christmas in July Challenge - Christmas Keepsake by Janet

It's July and that means I can break out the Christmas sets without ANY sheepishness for being into Christmas early! Like many of you, holiday cardmaking is my favorite time of the year so when July rolls around, it's time for Christmas in July projects. Conveniently, Art Impression's current challenge is Christmas in July so I'm taking full advantage of it!

This charming little Christmas Set is 6104 Christmas Keepsake. It come with matching dies so after I stamped and colored the images, I cut them out so I could place them in the frames of  6158 - Story Tile Template Die. Before I placed the frame and images on a card base, I used a stencil to create a background that reminds me of pine boughs. Then I put some of the images straight on to the card and others are lifted on foam tape for additional dimension. I stamped the sentiment from the 5566 - Christmas Sentiments set. I added some white highlights using a Signo White Ink Gel Pen. Finally I added some red and green bling in the corners and the middle to add a little more shine to the project.

I hope you'll join us for this super fun challenge. I look forward to seeing all the projects that are created.

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. 

Happy Crafting!

Let Freedom Ring! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions Friends!

Tasha here sharing a patriotic card to kick off the big Fourth of July weekend. This card features the fun 6077-Loungin' Linda Set and paper from the 6090-Patriotic Paper Pack. I love all the fireworks!

To begin this card, I stamped Linda and used the included die to cut her out before coloring. I used Copic Markers to color her and added details with a white gel pen; I think she looks awesome in her Red, White & Blue outfit.

To add to the Americana theme, I added the flag from the 5494-Front Porch Patriotic Set and used a piece of firework pattern paper for the sky. Linda looks like she is enjoying all the 4th of July festivities!

Lastly, I attached a "Let Freedom Ring" sentiment and layers of Red and Blue cardstock and silver glitter paper for sparkle.  I think this card is fun and perfect to send to someone this Summer. 

Happy 4th of July!

Challenge #431 Christmas in July

 Hello everyone and welcome to our Christmas in July challenge!

ALL things Christmas!

Show us your cards, tags, gift boxes and bags,
gift card holders, ornaments and more!

I'm the Featured Artist this time, and I created fun multi-domed shaker card.

I began by coloring and cutting out all of my little figures and sentiments.
The images needed to be fussy cut because they're watercolor stamps which
don't come with coordinating dies.

I then lined all the little circles up under the dome,
removed the dome and glued them down.

Once they were glued down I add little snowflakes using an embossing tool
and Dr. Ph Martin's white paint.

Once the snowflakes were dry I placed a variety of snowflakes and beads onto
each circle. I didn't use too many because I didn't want to cover up my cute images.

After placing my shaker bits I adhered the dome over them using teeny tiny glue dots.
I added a bow and a frame around it to add some interest.

The dome was an upcycled piece of packaging that I had lying around.
I had purchased some gems at the Dollar Tree and they came in little plastic

containers, each separated into one of the domes. I thought it would be fun to

use this leftover plastic as a shaker dome on a card.

On the inside I added a sentiment and a little bunny.
He's SO CUTE!!

With the heat wave we've been having here, near 100 degrees for around a week straight,

it's hard to imagine snow right now. Luckily, I have an air conditioner in my craft room.

I hope you like my card and that you'll enter a project into our Christmas in July challenge!

Now, let's see who won our Artful Architecture challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected #13 Patty S.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim your free stamp set.

Our Lucky Random Winner was #6 Shine your light

Please e-mail Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com
to claim your free set.

Congratulations to our winners.

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

4th of July Granny card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

In celebration of our freedom and this wonderful country we call home, I had to create one more card for this fabulous U.S. holiday. Thank you to all the brave service men and women who have fought for our country.  Your courage and sacrifice mean everything.  

Happy Independence Day to All!

This Granny is excited to be celebrating!  She's a rockin in her chair!

I placed her on a round card base, so she literally rocks.  LOL!

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers, listed below.  The accessories were die cut with the corresponding dies from the #5494 - Front Porch Patriotic set but the Granny was fussy cut.  I also paper pieced her outfit using the #6090 - Patriotic PP.  This paper pack is SO full of beautiful papers in the Red, White and Blue. 

 I placed the flag into her hand and curled her fingers around the pole so that she looked like she was waving it.  Just make sure to color the backside of her hand.  😀  I popped her up onto a white circle,

 cut with the #5064 - Double Stitched Circle dies.  I also popped up several of the accessories.

I die cut the numbers out of red cardstock using the #5911 - Large Numbers dies.  The sentiment is from the same set as the Granny (#5422 - Rock on Laugh Lines).

That's it for me today!  Hope you all have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E01, E11

E31, E33, E35, E51, E53

R20, R24, R27, R29

N0, N1, N2    B34    Y15, Y17

July 2026 Monthly Challenge with Guest Designer Debbie Hedges

Hello everyone and happy July!!
Welcome to our Monthly Challenge with Debbie Hedges. 

As always, this challenge has no theme, so anything you want to create is fine as long as you use something from Art Impressions on it. You might be the next winner of a free stamp set from Art Impressions. Winner is chosen randomly so all skill levels have a fair chance of winning. Two lucky winners will also receive a freebie from me.  (Renee) After viewing Debbie's beautiful card, scroll down to see the winners from last month.

Now let's see what Debbie created to inspire you.

Happy July everyone! July 4^th is just around the corner and this will be a
special celebration in the USA for our 250^th anniversary!

For my July project, I created a red, white and blue-theme watering can for 4^th of July. I stamped the watering can (#5012) with Pumice Stone Distress Ink, stamping off once on scrap WC paper and then onto my project. I then added the shading using a variety of grey tones. I then painted the center band in cherry (#65) and added the blue (#3) dots below it with the fine tip of my marker. I added my sky next with sky blue (#75), making sure that the areas where I planned to add flowers were very light.

Using Post-It Tape, I masked off the top of the watering can and added some ivy (#5418) on the left side. I used my stamp positioner for placement and stamped three times in olive green (#15). I then used my small vine (#5126) and added more foliage to fill the top of the watering can. I then removed the tape and stamped the vine a couple times so it was hanging over the front of the watering can.

I re-applied the Post-It Tape and added the red flowers (#6055 and #5475) next using my stamp positioner. The flowers in these sets are very similar, but one curves (L&R) and one is straight. So, I wanted the flowers to curve to the right over the handle and then I wanted taller flowers in the middle. Next, I added the blue flowers using the dot flower (#5009). I stamped in repeat so I had light and dark and made sure I filled empty areas around the foliage. I then touched my paint brush to the foliage, then the blue flowers, then the red flowers to soften the color – cleaning my brush between each color (especially the red). With the fine tip of my blue marker, I added a few more random blue dots where I wanted more contrast for my blue dot flowers.

I added grass next by applying the Post-It Tape to one side of the watering can and stamping the grass (#5826) in repeat to the edge of the project in olive green (#15), creating a slight incline. I then moved the tape to the other side and stamped the grass in repeat to the opposite edge of my project. I then used the teeny tiny grass (#4015) to fill in any areas that I felt needed it by inking and stamping off once before adding it to my project. I then added a green wash
for the foreground making sure there were light and dark areas.

The wildflowers are a mixture of small daisies using Dr PH Martin’s Bleed Proof White and blue flowers by adding dots with the fine tip on my blue marker. Once the white paint dries, I add a yellow dot (#43) in the center of each daisy. I then added more white dots with Dr PH Martin’s Bleed Proof white for the foliage in the watering can and a few extra dots in the grass at the base. To finish up, I added a few accents to the watering can with the fine tip of my
grey marker (#40) for anything that needed some extra definition.

I still use Marvy Le Plume markers for my projects.  Most of these can be converted to Tombow colors, but choose colors that work for you. These just happen to be some of my go-to
colors for any project I work on. (Here is the link for the Tombow conversion chart: https://www.artimpressions.com/shop/art-impressions-most-loved-color-conversion-chart/)

Happy Stamping! I would love it if you’d give this project a try. Also, don’t forget to
enter the Monthly Challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set! Wishing you and
your family a fun and safe holiday celebration if you have one planned!

Accessories:

Pumice Stone Distress Ink

Marvy Markers

Now let's see who our lucky winners were from June.

Okay folks!

This has never happened...lol.

Our winner was #5, but there is no 5 entered, so by default, #6 Pat S. becomes the winner
of the free stamp set from Art Impressions.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

#4 Mary S. wins a freebie stamp from me,

 and because I'm giving away two freebies, I drew again.

#15 Barb E. also wins a freebie.

Please email me at Renee@artimpressions.com

with your full name and address and I'll send you a photo of the freebies I have available for you to choose from.

Now for our new monthly challenge, 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.

One random winner will receive a free stamp set from Art Impressions and one random winner will receive a freebie stamp from me.

 ✻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

Watercolor Lighthouse by Dawn Wagner

 Lighthouse Hello! 

I am honored to be a substitute guest designer. You know when you were in school and had a substitute teacher, some were good, some not so good. Hopefully I tempt your creativity and give you a reason to try something new. I created a lighthouse scene for a Father’s Day card.

 

I used the following sets: 5465-Cliffs, 5466-Lighthouse, 5473- Seagull and a small grass from the foliage set, 4051. I used Canson watercolor paper, #4 and #0 brushes, Tombow colors 969, 565, 757, 990, N35, 177, 403 and 555, TwinTone colors chocolate, gray, Prussian blue, light blue, navy and turquoise blue, KingArt 132 - Blue, and a Zig Millennium Pure Black M5-005 micron-like pen for fine details. I inked the left facing cliff with 969 first, then 565. I did not stamp off as I wanted a bolder appearance. For the right facing cliff, I only inked the part I needed to make the cliff look complete using a stamp positioner. I then inked the lighthouse the same way and placed on the cliff. I wet my brush and started pulling the color out of the lines to begin the shading process. Using 757, I started adding color to the lighthouse very lightly, working from the outside toward the middle. I continued to add layers of the same color to get the effect I was looking for. I pulled the color out of the bottom only of the rocks and used a #0 brush to add 969 to the bottom and dragged upward to make the rocks look three dimensional and rounded. I used 757 to paint the bricks leaving some white space. I used 990 for the door and to fill in between the rocks. I used 990 on the small building and N35 lightly for the roof. I used the chocolate TwinTone to draw vertical lines on the door and used the gray TwinTone to draw roof lines. I used the Zig micron pen to draw in the windows and added minor shading for the bricks. I used 177 for the grassy areas. I added small grass from 4051. The cliffs used almost all colors except 757. I made sure the darkest parts of the cliffs were the parts where the rocks appeared to be stacked. I tried to leave some light parts with no color to create the highlights of the cliff side. For the water, I used a very light layer of 565 as the base of the water. I then added different TwinTone blues to different areas at the base of the rocks. I used just a wet brush and dragged the color out to create the depth of the water. I continued this process until I achieved the water I was looking for. I used 969 very lightly to create the reflection and the appearance of rocks in the water. I added the seagulls using 565, stamping off to make one set lighter than the other. I used KingArt 132 Blue for the rolling sky surrounding the lighthouse. I used 555 as the super light base for the rest of the sky. I went back through with TwinTones to make the shadows darker where needed. I used a Renke die cut for the best fit for the lighthouse, and color coordinated backgrounds for the card.

Thank you kindly for tuning in and get happy creating!

Tony's Tiny Joke Book (post #2) by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I had a request for a birthday card for a 9 year old boy.

One of the things I was told he likes was "9 year old boy humor."

I very much like lame dad jokes and instantly thought of making him his own little
journal full of jokes he can tell people.

I shared the cover and the first few pages a couple of weeks ago.

Here is the next installment of pages.

I found all of the jokes online and printed them from my computer.

The adorable fish are from the retired Submarine Cubbies set
and the alligator is a retired freebie stamp.