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