Cute & Cuddles - a small gift card tag by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

Today I have a small gift card to show you that I created using the new  #6230 Mini Decorative Bookmark Sets. It's not just for bookmarks! I think this is the perfect little card to attach to any gift! It's so quick to decorate and I think it adds a great accent piece! Just cut your card piece out of any pattern paper, or you can use white and just layer pattern paper on top. I grabbed this sweet lamb from #6103 Baby Keepsake Set as well as the sentiment. He's stamped onto a Copic friendly paper and colored up with a few grey pens. It just doesn't get any easier cause the dies to cut him out come in the set as well. I also created my own envelope and added some layered hearts from #5721 Nested Heart Dies and a bow to top it off. So quick and easy!!! 

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

"LOVE" Birds by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

It's a release day here at Art Impressions and you're going to love the
new items! There are new word dies, frame stamps, florals and silver paint!!

I used a frame on the inside of my card and I love the touch of elegance that it adds.

 

I love these little word dies.
They look great on their own or make a great addition to your stamped images.
I used 2 birds because with the word LOVE you need 2 little "love birds!"

I'm Wild About You by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I'm Wild about you!

And, I'm wild about the 5400 – Baby Critters Set and of course the new
6158 – Story Tile Template Die.

I started by die cutting the Story Tile die with 6140 – White Cardstock Paper Pack 
and I saved the cut out pieces for later when I embossed some of them.

Next, I took some scraps from 6012 – Basic Yellow Paper Pack
and placed them in the windows that weren't getting embossed.

Then, I just layered on my hearts, giraffe and sentiment with some 3D
foam tape. I place that onto a matte from the same yellow pack and then
onto my card base. Links for all Art Impressions products are below.

Copics used:

BG01, Y23, Y26, Y28, Y32, YG13, RV02

Valentine Gnome and treat box by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Valentines Day AI Friends!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a treat box within my "Sunshine" post dated Jan. 22, 2026.  I used the front and back gnomes from the #5785 - Gnomes set.  My daughter loves gnomes so I filled it with the scotchmallow from See's candy, also her favorite.  She fell in love with the little treat box and asked if I would make some for my granddaughter's preschool teachers as well as her co-workers.  Needless to say, I will do anything for my grandbabies.  😍  So, I made several (see below).  They are fun and easy to put together.  Check out my post from January. 

I decided to make a card to match the little treat box using the same stamp set.  It's a card within a card that adds a nice twist to the standard A2 card. 

To start, I stamped and colored the images with copic markers listed below.  I die cut the images with the corresponding dies that are included in the sets.

I created a standard A2 card using the #5741 - Valentine PP.   I also die cut 3 red panels using the stitched square dies #5061 and a square side-fold card from white cardstock, just slightly larger than one of the red panels to provide a border.  I positioned the smaller card to open from left to right and adhered the back side to the inside of the A2 card.  The right side of the smaller card will then close over the front of the A2 card.  I adhered a red panel to the front of the square card, one to the inside front and one to the front of the A2 card to be covered by the smaller card front.  I then decorated with the gnome images and the heart dies.  Placed a small white string bow on the front with a few scattered mini hearts to finalize the card.

Here are the 10 little treat boxes.  I used the #5721 - Nested Heart dies to cover the front and back of the treat box.  I just love the way these turned out. 

Hope you all have a wonderful day today and a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Copics used:  C0, C1, C2, C3

 E93

R20, R22, R24, R27

R81, R83, R85

G40, G43, G46

Y13, Y15, Y17

Lots of Love Card pack by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I have a fun card gift pack for you today that fits in perfectly for Valentine's day and for the bi-weekly challenge "Love, Love Me Do".  Do you have a friend that loves to give their family members a card for Valentine's day?  What a perfect little gift for you to give them.  My mind instantly goes to our elderly in the senior homes or your cute little elderly neighbor.   I created a fun, quick gift set of six cards all bundled in a sweet pouch.   The cards do not have a sentiment, so they can fit any occasion, if Valentine's day is not your thing.

For the images, I used the Armful stamp sets - #5903 Treasured Armful and #5904 - So Sweet Armful.  The arms of each animal have a slit cut to allow you to slip a cute little heart, flower, star, etc.  These sets also include the corresponding dies.

I stamped each of the images twice on copic friendly cardstock with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I also stamped, colored and die cut the heart, that is included in the "So Sweet Armful" set, 6 times - one for each card.  I learned a little copic technique from my fabulous copic teacher and friend, Sharon Caudle, many years ago in a class and I use it whenever I can.  For the little bear image, I color him in the browns leaving the overalls until later.  I then take a little piece of wash cloth and dab some blender solution onto it.  Lightly tap that part of the cloth onto the colored part of the bear and it will make him look fuzzy (see the individual card below for a better visual).  Let it sit for a little bit and then finish coloring the overalls.

It's a great effect!  Many thanks, Sharon!  

Above is the A2 Card Gift pouch that will hold up to 6 cards (with minimal dimension) and 6 envelopes.  I found the template for this on The Paper Pixie or you can youtube A2 card gift pouch.  It uses one 12x12 piece of heavy weight pattern paper.   I then decorated using the #5972 - Bible Journal Decorative Margin dies and #5721 - Nested Heart dies.   The sentiment is from the #5817 - Potting Garden Shed set.  Lastly, I used one of the #5967 - Hook and Loop Fasteners to keep the pouch shut.

Here are the six cards in the pack:

That's it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Make sure to check out the bi-weekly challenge and play along for a chance to win a free stamp set.  

We love to see your creations!

Copics used:  C0, C1, C3

R20, R11, R12, R14

E21, E23, E25, E31, E33, E35

February 2026 Monthly Challenge with Simone

 Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our February Monthly Challenge.
We have a gorgeous LOVE themed card from Guest Designer Simone to inspire you.

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. One lucky winner will also receive a freebie from me.

After admiring Simone's beautiful work, be sure to scroll down to see the winners of our last challenge.

Then, be sure to read our very special announcement.

Hello Friends,

February is the perfect time to celebrate love, warmth, and a little creative joy, and I’m excited to share today’s card with you. I began on Canson Watercolor Paper by tracing the 4th largest heart-shaped die, then lightly penciling in the bow and stem to guide my layout.

I stamped both the sitting gnome and the standing gnome using Archival Ink Shadow Grey. The sitting gnome was first stamped onto masking paper and fussy cut, then placed over the stamped image. Using a stamp positioner, I inked the flower pot with Tombow 565 + 969 directly onto the acrylic plate, then stamping it off twice for a softer look. Once I had the placement just right, I removed the acrylic plate and stamped the pot onto the paper.

After removing the mask from the sitting gnome, I began coloring. I colored the bow first, then covered it with masking tape before stamping foliage inside the heart. With a #4 brush and a touch of water, I gently dabbed the foliage to soften the look. Once the mask was removed from the bow, I stamped a few additional foliage pieces so they slightly overlapped the bow for added depth.

After painting the pot and gnomes, I placed the mask back over the sitting gnome to stamp flowers and grass inside the pot. I also stamped grass around the pot and near the standing gnome to ground the scene. To finish, I used Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White to paint delicate white flowers within the heart and grass, and added tiny white hearts to the bow for a sweet final touch.

I hope you give this project a try and have fun creating your own cozy, love-filled scene.

Materials Used

Stamps

Gnomes Set (5785)

Flower Set 2 (4868)

Foliage Set 1 (4051)

Foliage Set 3 (5007)

Bible Foliage Set – Small Grass (5073)

Ornate Container (4870)

Dies

Nested Heart Die – 4th Largest (5721)

Paper

Canson Watercolor Paper

Valentine’s Patterned Paper (5741)

Inks & Coloring Mediums

Archival Ink – Shadow Grey (for stamping gnomes)

Tombow Markers:

933 – Gnome shirt, flowers

856 – Bow, pot, flower centers

245 – Gnome hat

555 – Gnome pants

942, 912 – Gnome nose and hands

027 – Pot

947 – Gnome shoes, shirt

N55 – Gnome beard

177 – Grass, heart

526 – Sky

969 + 565 – Stamped pot

Other

Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

Lovely Simone. Thank you so much for your inspiration.

Now, let's see who won our January 2026 challenge.

The winner of a free stamp set from Art Impressions is:
#10 Ellen M and the winner of the free stamp set from me is #8 Julie W.

Ellen, 

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Julie,

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.

Congratulations to both of our January winners. We LOVED all of the entries and we hope you'll continue to enter. We can't wait to see your beautiful art each month.

Now for our special announcement.

Though we've loved having Simone as a special Guest Designer, it's time for her to move on.

Don't be too sad though...

She's moving on to become a full time Watercolor Design Team member!!

You'll now get to see her on a more regular basis!
She'll have her own Watercolor Weekend posts as well as participating in one of our Bi-Weekly challenges each month. Are you as excited as we are??

We're very excited for all of the new changes coming soon and of course, all of the new releases!

See the rules below and then be sure to come back and enter your crafty creation. You might just win a free stamp set!

 ✻ 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.

 ✻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

Bundle of Joy by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

There are some adorable new stamp sets on the Art Impressions Website right now!

This new 6103 – Baby Keepsake Set came at the perfect time.
A family friend and her husband are expecting their first child.

I took inspiration from her shower invitation. Blue and white stripes with a teddy bear on it.

My bear is colored a little differently for me. I've used the same white cardstock for probably 15 years. I decided to try coloring on the new Ai 6140 – White Cardstock Paper Pack. Pros and cons I found were this. It doesn't allow for blending like I'm used to when I use my Copic markers. I did love how vibrant the colors came out and I'm assuming it's using much less ink because it's a more glossy paper. My take away is that I love this paper for layering and die cutting mats and all sorts of things and definitely sometimes coloring. It's a different look and for this card I was very happy with it.

I won't be attending the out of town shower so I'll send this card along with a gift.

I'm sure they'll love it.

Snow much fun in 2026 by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!!

I was inspired by a card posted by Kathy in the Art Impressions Way Facebook group that was a Valentine's Day card from a few years ago. I just loved it, and it had a heart as a hot air balloon. I thought it was so clever and adorable that I just had to make one for myself. I wanted to make this one where it could be used for anything during a winter month. So I grabbed the new #6104 Christmas Keepsake Set and #5721 Nested Heart Die Set and went to work. It really went together very easily. I think the hardest part was trying to get the rope attached to both the balloon and the bushel basket that the snowman is in where it didn't droop. So that took a little finagling, but I think it worked out well. I just inked a background panel using a cloud stenck abd the balloon and snowman are popped up off that panel. I just scattered a few clouds around the image and added a button right in the middle of the balloon with a cute little bow. So it fits right in with the Button Up Challenge that is going on right now! I hope you're entering for a chance to win a free set of your choice!! 

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

Button Baby Panda card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a cute little baby card for the "Button Up" challenge.  Check out the "Bi-weekly Challenge" tab above for the simple requirements to qualify for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  

I created this fun shaped card using the 6017 - Baby Panda set with the 6057 - Baby Girl PP.

I stamped the image onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the image using the coordinating die that is included with the stamp set.  As per my usual, I die cut a second image out of basic white cardstock and adhered it to the back of the colored image to give it more strength.  I like to do this because it adds a little extra "pop up" as well.

To create the card front, I die cut a scalloped circle using the largest die from the 6045 - Scalloped Circle die set.  I then die cut two circles (one pink cardstock and one patterned paper) that fit nicely over the other giving it a slight border.   I then die cut the heart scallop from the 5721 - Nested Heart dies and a 1" piece of white cardstock with a slightly smaller strip of patterned paper to fit over the white cardstock.  I layered these all onto the white scalloped circle as shown above.

For the card base, I folded a piece of cardstock in half (approx. 4 x 4 inches) and die cut the second largest circle from the 5726 - Nested Circle die set placing the die over the fold so that approx. 1/2" of the top does not cut.  This will create the fold for the opening of the card.  Glue one side to the back of the scalloped circle card front.  Pop up the image with foam tape.  Add two small black buttons for the wheels (I threaded white string through the button holes for added detail).  Tie a three loop string and adhere to the button bow with glue dots or liquid glue and then adhere just below the sentiment.

After I put this together and took my pictures, I realized that I didn't add shading to the buggy base or canopy.  Oops!  LOL!  Simple coloring works just as well, yet we always think we need to add more.  Maybe we don't!  😀 

Thanks for joining me today!  Make sure to check out the current challenge and play along.  We love to see what you create!  

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N3

R20, R81, R83, R85

I'm Your Love Bug by Janet

Hello everyone! I hope your weekend is off to a great start. This week, I dove headfirst into the "Spritz, Splatter AND PAINT!" challenge on the Ai Blog, and let me tell you, I was thrilled! There's nothing I love more than making a creative mess, especially when it's for a good cause – like winning free stamps!

My card is a vibrant message of love, centered around an adorable ladybug from the 6041 - Flower and Bug set. She's perched on a beautifully stacked and layered heart, crafted from seven layers of pink and navy cardstock using the 5721 - Nested Heart Dies. Building it up with foam tape really makes this heart pop right off the card, creating a bold statement. In the four corners, I spelled out "LOVE" using gold cardstock letters from the 5910 - Large Letter Die Set, placing them strategically above and below the prominent heart.

Before adding these elements, I had some serious fun creating the background. The colorful mat started with a three-layer stencil, blending cheerful blue and pink Oxide inks. For the dazzling third layer, I painted it with Winsor Newton Gold paint from Art Impressions – pure metallic magic! Once that was done, I watered down some blue watercolor paint and generously splattered it across the panel. Then, I followed up with simple water droplets. Because the bright pink and blue inks are water-reactive, these drops created a fantastic bleached-out, textured effect where they landed. To push the texture even further, I ran the whole panel through an embossing folder.

After arranging and gluing all the pieces, I felt it needed one final touch. A sweet pink and white polka dot bow, complete with a heart gem in the middle, was the perfect complement to the main heart and ladybug.

I truly hope you'll join in on the "Spritz, Splatter AND PAINT!" challenge! It's a fantastic excuse to play and create, and you'll get a chance to win free stamps just by uploading your creation to the challenge post on the blog. I can't wait to see what amazing things you create!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Don't forget to find your favorite stamps, dies, and accessories at the Ai Store! Make a visit today.

Happy crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest