Bonus Watercolor Weekend with Simone Carr

 Hello Ai fans!

We're so lucky that August has 5 Sundays!

That means a bonus Watercolor Weekend which means even more inspiration for you.

Let's welcome Guest Designer Simone Carr and see what pretty things she's created.

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Hello fellow crafters!

I’m excited to be back on the blog to share my latest cards with you. Since fall is right around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to create a project that could work as either a Welcome Fall card or even a Thanksgiving card.

For this design, I reached for one of my favorite sets from last year—the Woodland Critters Set. I knew right away that the sweet little hedgehog needed to take center stage!

I started by inking the wheelbarrow (from the Harvest Wheelbarrow Set) with Tombow 565 and 969. I stamped it first onto masking paper, then onto Canson watercolor paper. To make room for the hedgehog, I left off the second handle when stamping the wheelbarrow. After cutting the wheelbarrow mask, I placed it over the stamped image.

Next, I used the stamp positioner to tuck the hedgehog perfectly into place and inked him with the same 565 and 969. Then I added in the small pumpkin, creating another mask so I could easily layer over it. Using the stamp positioner again, I built up the scene with pumpkins and apples, inking them with 565 and 969 (stamped off) for a softer look.

Once the stamping was complete, I removed the masks and began adding color to bring the entire image to life.

Materials Used

Tombow Dual Brush Pens:

856, 905, 925, 946, 933, 055, 098, 026, 312, 879, 947, 027, 992, 526, 177, 969, 565

Stamp Sets:

5597 Harvest Wheelbarrow

5059 Harvest Set (Apples + Grass)

4051 Foliage Set

5487 Front Porch Halloween Set (Small Pumpkin)

5953 Woodland Critters Set

5063 Rectangle A2 Die Set

5838 Fall Patterned Paper

For my second card, I went with a more wintery theme—not necessarily Christmas, but something versatile that could work as a birthday card, a thank you card, or really just a cheerful design for the colder months. It’s also a fun way to use up those paper scraps we all have on hand!

I began by stamping the sleigh image on Canson watercolor paper using Memento Toffee Crunch ink. For coloring, I used:

Sleigh: 026, 947, N55

Mouse: a mix of 969 + 565, plus 725, 025, 296

Hedgehog: 992, 947, 555

Present: 493, 195 + white gel pen for highlights

The finished card measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". To build the background, I ran a piece of white cardstock through a snowflake embossing folder, then trimmed it down to 3" x 4 1/4".

Next, I dug into my scrap pile and pulled out a few pieces from the Winter Woodland patterned paper pack. I cut them into flags and arranged them over the embossed panel to decide on their placement. Once I was happy with the layout, I glued them down, then added a thin strip cut from the leftover embossed paper on top for a clean finish.

The top panel is 2 1/2" x 4 1/4", and I popped the die-cut critters up with foam tape for extra dimension. To finish the card, I cut a small tag, stamped my sentiment (masking part of the stamp so it would fit), and tied a bit of string to it. I tucked the string under the present so it looks like part of the image, which adds a fun little detail.

Materials Used

Dies & Stamps

5133 Flag Double Stitched Dies

5953 Woodland Critters Set

5566 Christmas Sentiments

5543 Journal Template Set

5963 Winter Woodland Patterned Paper

Markers & Paper

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 026, 947, 992, N55, 555, 493, 296, 195, 725, 025, 969, 565

Canson Watercolor Paper

Bonus Card

I wanted to share a little extra inspiration to show another way of creating this second card using the same methods. For this version, I used the 5191 Feast Mode set. Instead of patterned paper, I stamped my image on Bristol Smooth cardstock and simply adhered the flags underneath.

It’s a quick variation that gives the design a fresh look—and a great reminder that you can easily adapt these techniques with the supplies you already have on hand.

I hope I’ve inspired you to give it a try!

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Thank you so much Simone for these darling cards.

We hope you're inspired to try something like these. While you're here, be sure to enter our Bi-Weekly Challenge. The theme this time is "When One Door Closes." Make something with a door on it, whether it's stamped or die cut.

Lovely 3D Cross Card by Janet

I love the newest Bible Journaling sets from Art Impressions, and when I saw the cross card from Iced Images on YouTube, I knew it would be a perfect setting for my favorite Bible Journaling Set, 6055 - Water of Life Set.

This 3D card folds flat to fit in a standard 5" x 7" envelope, which is so cool! I created the base card and cross with mint and light pink cardstock, colors that coordinated perfectly with the pretty designs from the 6052 - Mother's Day Cover Paper Pack.

For the center of the cross, I framed a sentiment within a circle from the 6026 - Frameworks Set 2. I then cut it out with a die from the 5726 - Nested Circle Dies and matted it with a larger circle from the 6045 - Scalloped Circle Dies, which I then placed on the center of the cross. Next, I stamped and colored the charming bird bath image from the Bible Journaling Set. I added some green grass with stamps from the 4051 - Foliage Set, then fussy cut the whole piece and glued it to the bottom right corner of my card.

This is such a dramatic card, and it's quite simple to construct. I think this format will make many great cards for lots of occasions that have a spiritual component.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Don't forget to find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store! You'll always find something that calls to you. 

Happy Crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest  

Swingin’ Through Retirement! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends!

Tasha here sharing a fun golf-themed card created with the new 6080-Birdie Betty Stamp Set and the 6101-Golf Paper Pack.

I started by stamping Betty and her golf bag with black ink, cutting them out with the included dies, and coloring them up. One of my favorite things about Art Impressions is how cute the outfits always are; I had so much fun giving Betty a purple and white look with pops of pink on her shoes and glasses. Honestly, I’d love to have an outfit like this for a day on the golf course!

To build the card, I layered Betty and her bag over a patterned paper from the Golf Pack; I love the little golf scene design. 

For the sentiment, I stamped “Swingin’ Through Retirement” and die-cut it with a circle, then added a small purple heart to tie in with her outfit. A mix of green, tan, and plaid layers finished everything off with that classic golf vibe.

Hope you enjoyed today's project and are having a wonderful day!

When One Door Closes Challenge #412

Hello and welcome to our newest challenge!

This one is called When One Door Closes.

We want to see your projects using stamped or die cut doors.
Wait until you see what Featured Designer Dori has created.

She made her own, elaborate chicken coop door!

SO CREATIVE!!

After you check out her card and tutorial, be sure to
scroll down to see who won our last challenge.

Take it away Dori!

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Hello AI Friends!

Welcome to my feature for the "When One Door Closes" bi-weekly challenge.

I thought it would be fun to make a chicken coop and create a fun fold door card.  

I used the AICS40 Spring Chicken and the 5731 - MB Chicken set for this interactive card.  How does the saying go "When one door closes, another one opens"?  Who would have thought that it opens to a CHICKEN PARTY!  😁 

I did the usual by stamping the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I used the 5135 - Hexagon Double Stitch largest die to cut the chicken image and then I used the 5063 - Rectangle A2 Double Stitch largest die to cut the straight edge at the bottom.  The images on the front of the card were cut with the matchbook dies that come with the set.  I fussy cut the tabs off for the matchbook.  I also fussy cut the 6003 - Exclusive Coop freebie.  

To make the fun fold coop card - start with a 4 1/2 x 11 piece of colored cardstock.  Score and fold 

at 2 3/4 and 8 1/4".  Fold the card shut to make an A2 size card.  Use the hexagon die to make a template out of scrap cardstock.  Place the point of the template on the inside edges of the front flaps of the card.  Either draw a cut line for the angle cuts at the top of the card or place the card base into your cutter holding the template in place and cut the angle cuts.  

For the inside pattern pieces, middle - cut a gingham piece 4 1/4 x 5 1/4.  Cut the angles at the top using the cut off angle pieces for the template then cut off the bottom edge to fit.  Do the same for the sides but cut two pattern paper pieces at 4 1/4 x 2 1/2.  Adhere the inside pattern pieces.  To cut the windows, use the template for the angles and draw your window.  Cut using an exacto knife.  Glue some screen material to the inside panel just along the window hole.  Take narrow pieces of cardstock to frame the inside of the window (see below).

For the valance at the top of the windows (inside and out), I cut several edges from pattern paper using the scallop edge from the 5543 - Journal Template die set.  For the front of the card, I placed thicker edges along the bottom and popped up the top thinner layer.  I used thinner edges for the inside windows.

The sentiments came with the AICS40 - Spring Chicken stamp set.  I cut two of them with the 6046 - Scallop Oval dies and adhered them to the inside flaps.  The one on the front, I used the 5063 - Rectangle A2 Double Stitch die.  The eggs on the inside are from the 5738 - Easter Egg House set and are fussy cut and placed onto a straw piece cut using a die from my stash.

As for the front of the card, I used the 5731 - Matchbook Chicken set along with the 6003 - Exclusive Coop freebie (available now with a $30 order).  The fence and grass are dies from my stash.  

The latch was created using several layers of cardstock with a wood grain cardstock as the top layer.  I cut three strips of wood grain cardstock at 3/8 x 1 1/4".  I cut one in half and placed a piece of cardstock behind each.  I folded both of these to make the hooks and glued in place.  

I layered several pieces of scrap cardstock behind one of the other wood grain pieces and placed a brad into one end.  I used the heart die cut as the anchor so that the latch would turn.  Punch a small hole into the heart die cut and place the brad prongs through it.  Secure the brad but make sure it is not too tight so that it can rotate.  

I cut about 1/4" off one end of the last wood grain piece and layered with several pieces of scrap cardstock.  I then glued this to the back of the other (scrap to scrap) avoiding the brad.  You want the wood grain to show from both the inside and the front.  Glue down the heart and check that the latch will move up and over.  See video below.

I hope you enjoyed my card today.  Thanks for joining me!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  T0, T2, T4

E21, E23, R22, R24, R27

YR16, YR18, YR20, YR21, YR24, YR27

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YG06, YG17, G40

B000, B12, B14

Your card is amazing Dori and what a great idea.

Now, let's see who won our Sports & Leisure challenge...

For our Top Spot we chose:

#10 Michelle H.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab our badge to display on your social media too!

Our Lucky Random Winner was #3 Sue V.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab our badge to display on your social media too!

Congratulations to our winners!

Have YOU entered one of our challenges yet??

You might be one of our next winners.
What's holding you back??

Is it the free stamps?

I didn't think so.

LOL!

Enter below. It's fast, easy and you just might be our next winner.
For this challenge, we want to see your projects that have a door on them. It can be stamped or die cut or part of an image. It doesn't have to be a "front door" like the front door series or the slew of watercolor doors Art Impressions carries. You can also use the Cubbies which have doors or any vehicle that has a door on it. Use your imagination! Dori even created her OWN door so there's no excuse if you don't own one.

Be sure to enter your creation for the chance to win a free stamp set from Art Impressions. 

We award one Top Spot and one Lucky Random Winner, and each will win a free stamp set from Art Impressions.

✻ 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.

 ✻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

Loungin' Linda Bday by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I know I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again.  These new AI ladies are a HOOT!

I made this card for a friend of mine and, yes, she will always be older than me so I'm going to rub it in when I can.  😁  But, I can say with sadness, she doesn't look older! 😛

I stamped the images on copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.   I used the 6077 - Loungin' Linda stamp set along with the 5509 - Beach Accessories stamp set (handbag).

I also used the 5873 Mini Birthday PP and the 5132 - Tag Stitched dies.  The sentiment, balloons and scallop stitch edges are from my stash.

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E01, E11

C0, C1, C3, C5, C7

R20, R22, R24

Y13, Y15, V20, V22, V25

BG10, B0000, B000, B12, B14

Inspirational Floral Bookmarks w/ Keys! - by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!!!

Watch video tutorial here!!!

Let's create some pretty inspirational bookmarks today using the new Ai Bible Bookmark Dies (6043). This set includes two bookmark dies and a few layering dies, as well as three separate word dies. We will die cut the bookmarks from some pretty patterned paper using the Ai Bible Journaling Paper Pack S1 (6082).

Now using some white cardstock, we can die cut the largest layering die. On these layers we will stamp our pretty floral designs using the Ai Hydrangea Floral Set (6062). While we are doing our stamping, we will also stamp the inspirational sentiment using the Ai You Are (6054) Stamp.

Now let's color the floral images using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Sugared Almond Pink, Lt Violet, Lilac, Mid Green, Ever Green, Yellow.

To add the look of sky, and soften these panels a bit, we will ink around the edges of the panels using the TH Distress Oxide Ink in Tumbled Glass. Let's also spatter the panels with this same ink. We will also add some Bundled Sage ink along the bottom of each panel.

Now we can add a bit of sparkle to the flowers using the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen and we can also add some highlights with a white gel pen.

Next, we can attach these floral panels to the bookmarks and add a pretty white border using the Ai Decorative Belly Band Die Set (5804). This will give the look of a little fence!

Let's add a sheer green ribbon to the top of each bookmark and a sparkly little key. The key will be die cut using the Ai BJ Icon Die Set (5987). This set has so many little icon images that can be used on lots of your cards. We will die cut the key from the sparkle cardstock for the front and back of the keys and from some white cardstock to thicken up the keys.

Now we can tie the keys to the tops of the bookmarks using some white hemp twine!

These are fun to make and give to your friends, family or co-workers who love to read. They make a wonderful gift when paired with a great book!

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

Ai Bible Bookmark Dies (6043)

Ai Decorative Belly Bands (5804)

Ai BJ Icon Die Set (5987)

Ai Hydrangea Floral Set (6062)

Ai You Are (6054)

Ai Bible Journaling PP S1 (6082)

Steel Die Cutter

Wink of Stella Glitter Pen - Clear

 

Let's Hit the Slopes! by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Here is my 2nd card for the current Sports & Leisure challenge.
This one is a little different for me. I watercolored some parts and used Copic markers for some of it. The skier and deer were done with Tombow and Marvy markers and water. The mountains, sky and chalet are Copic colored. The snow was done using Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White Paint.

Let it Snow was stamped with Shadow Grey Archival ink as were the mountains and Winding Scene.
The chalet was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I penciled in areas where the snow covered the stamped lines and to add some texture and shading to the mountains.

We hope you'll join us for the challenge and maybe you'll win a free stamp set.

Copics used:

E04, E43, C00, C0, C1, N2, B0000, B000, B01, B41, BV23

Twin Tone Markers: Black

Marvy Markers:

75 Sky Blue

Tombow Markers:

N52, 992, 403

Too cute to scare away crows - by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

I know we are still into full blown summer, but the season is definitely starting to change. The leaves on the trees have already started to change and September is right around the corner! So I've created my first fall card of the season. I started out by stamping the adorable scarecrow from #5594 Harvest Scarecrow set onto a Copic friendly cardstock. After coloring him up, I cut him out using #6046 Scalloped Oval Dies and then matted that with one of the larger dies in brown. I wanted to see him from the front, but I wanted to place him on the inside of the card. So using #5770 Farm FB Set, I cut a hole through all three layers on the top of my card and then added the fence frame on both the front and then again on the inside. 

All of the pieces that are on the front of the card came from #5598 Harvest Set and #5592 Harvest Journal Die Set. The gorgeous paper is from #5973 Fall S2 PP. 

I also used one of those hay bales to prop up the scarecrow.

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:

E13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 31, 33, 35, 40, 42, 43, 47, 51, 53, 55, and 97

YR01, 02, 12, 14, 23, and 31

R12, 32, 35, and 37

YG61, 91, 93, and 97

C1, 2, and 3

Y32

Fall and Christmas cards by Jami Steiger

 

Wow! I can't believe it is August already! I am ready for cool days and nights. I love the holidays and look forward to making cards and decorating my home.

My first card has a fall theme. For this card, I started by stamping the bicycle from set 5186—Enjoy the Ride—and then created a mask for the bike to stamp the tree behind it. When I stamped the bike, I did not stamp the bow on top of the package, so I could change the gift box into a basket and add a pumpkin. For the bow on the front of the bicycle, I used Winsor & Newton gold ink. I stamped a few pumpkins in the foreground to add depth. For final touches, I added a jute knot and popped up the sentiment from the same stamp set. I used paper from the 5973-Fall S2 paper pack.

Tombow markers used:  452, 565, 837, 098, 977, N55, 312,  N35, 993, 946, 177, 992

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For my second card, I couldn't resist painting a vintage Christmas tree! I love the Christmas colors of the 1950s. 

This was an easy card because it only required three stamp sets. I started by stamping a pot from set 4870 - WC Ornate Containers. For the container I stamped, I didn't color the entire stamp, so the container would fit better with the tree. After stamping the container, I lightly drew some lines with a pencil to create a base for where I wanted to stamp the fir branches from set 4960 - WC Fir Trees. I stamped a few branches to get an idea of the shape, then used drawing gum to paint the ornaments where I wanted them on the tree. This allows you to watercolor without affecting the ornaments until you remove the gum and hand-paint them. I used Winsor & Newton gold ink at the top of the ornaments to give them a hanger for the tree. To add shimmer to the ornaments, I used a clear Wink of Stella pen.

 Next, I used Dr. Ph. Martin's bleed-proof white to add highlights and snow to the tree. I then splattered some green and pink ink onto the card. I die-cut the tree into an oval and glued it onto paper from the 6036 - Easter Bunny paper pack. I added a few buttons and a bow to finish the vintage look. 

Tombow Markers used:  565, 772, 526, 969, 312, 177

Gardening Gail Pop-Up Card by Janet

Hello Ai Friends! Today I was inspired to create a pop-up card featuring the new 6076 - Gardener Gail Ai People Set. Isn't she fabulous! Or should I say, "She's So Bloomin' Cute!"

Before I go into how this was constructed, I want to show you the front of my card which is simple but still hints at what might be inside. It features a scene from the 6099 - Garden PP along with a sentiment cut out with the 5727 - Nested Oval Dies. It couldn't be more simple!

This is a top fold card. When it's opened, the fabulous pop-up scene appears. The background garden scene inside really sets the theme. It's another piece from the Garden Paper Pack. I colored and cut cute Gail and two pots with flowers. I also cut two fence pieces from the 5807 - Journal Fence Dies and used a full fence in the middle and half of a fence on each side to make the fence go across the width of the card. I added some grass and used the 5063 - Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies and another sentiment from the Gail set to create the inside sentiment.

To create the raised stage of the pop up, I folded the bottom half of the A2 top folding card base to form the stage. Then I glued another 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel to the bottom of the raised base. This gives the illusion of the card being a single piece. Once the raised stage was formed, I went about adding the pop-up mechanisms to support Gail, the grass, fences and flower pots. You can see below that there's nothing complex about the 3D mechanism. I did not use any special dies to create it. I just measured and folded before gluing it in place.

I had fun making this card and I hope it inspires you to try this pop-up mechanism to stage any of your favorite Ai sets. It's really fun and it allows you to use your imagination to create some really unique scenes.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Don't forget to find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store! You'll always find something that calls to you.

Happy Crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest