August 2026 Monthly Challenge

 

Hello everyone! InLinkz/Linkdeli have been glitching on and off since last week. If you'd like to enter the challenge and you can't get your photo to upload, scroll down to the comments section. Paste a link to your project there. I'll count it just like as if you had uploaded your photo. When the random winner is selected I'll begin counting the comments in order received continuing on from the ones entered with photos through InLinkz. For example, right now, 2 people managed to get their photos uploaded. The first person to leave their link in the comments would be #3 and so forth. So sorry for the inconvenience. I hope they work things out soon.

Happy August everyone! August is one of those months where everything is
blooming in Oregon and the flowers are loving the warm weather.

For my August project, I wanted something simple with flowers. This project could be used for multiple themes and it would be easy to add a sentiment as well as the hummingbird. I started by inking the daisy flower corner in Pumice Stone ink. I stamped if off once on WC paper and then stamped it in the bottom right of my watercolor paper. Once that was in place, I lined up the border die and cut that out so I would have my square to plan the rest of the flower placement. I cut a mask for the flower with Post-It Note tape and then used my stamp positioner to line up the flower bud along the bottom right edge. With my stamp positioner, I also carefully added a few extra leaves here and there to fill in areas with more foliage.

For the upper left corner, I used Post-I Note tape to cover up the square cut-outs. I used my stamp positioner to stamp the first flower bud and leaves, then covered that with a mask and stamped the second bud. Once those were in place, I then used the positioner for placement of the hummingbird. I painted the daisies first in shades of purple. I started with a deep lilac (#61) wash and then added layers of color in violet (#8) – keeping the darker areas closer to the center and staying within each petal. For the flower centers, I started with a wash of brilliant yellow (#43) and then added shading with pumpkin (#87). For the buds, I followed the same process with purple and kept the darker area closest to the stem. Leaves were next and I used three colors. I started with a brilliant yellow (#43) wash, then added light green (#11) where I wanted to show the light hitting the leaf. Then I added more than one layer of olive green (#15) for the darker accents, making sure to let the layers dry in between.

My next step was to add a wash of sky blue (#75) around the flowers and foliage, leaving light and dark areas. I mainly use a #1 brush when I paint, but once I get to the larger areas, I switch to my #4 brush. I left the area around the hummingbird lighter. My last step was the hummingbird. I started with an olive green (#15) wash on the wings and the upper part of the body. I added aubergine (#93) on the body and a little blue (#3) to the wings for added color. Hummingbirds can have so many color combinations! I then carefully kept layering color, making sure to keep the area around the eyes lighter. I used my Micron to darken the eye and even with it so small, left a highlight. I also added the feet and a little black on the beak with

my Micron for definition. Then I signed and dated the project!

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! As always, I hope you will give this project a try! Don’t forget to
enter the Monthly Challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice!

Other supplies:

Pumice Stone Distress Ink

#1 Connoisseur Brush

#4 Connoisseur Brush

Marvy Markers

Here are our July 2026 winners.

#9 came up first so 

Lynn C. wins an Ai Stamp Set: 

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

#1 and #13 came up next.

Freebie: Michelle H.

Freebie: Andrea W.

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.

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.

✻Lucky Random Winner will 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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Bird Thank You card by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans and happy Tuesday!

I'm a huge bird lover so I was thrilled when I saw the new 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark and, as you can see, it doesn't have to be used just as a bookmark. I chose to put it on a card for a co-worker.

At the school I work at, we had a child assigned aide this year. He did a lot for the 5th grade kids so I made a card for them to sign and give to him.

Since the bird is squared off, I chose to mount him on the 5725 – Nested Square Dies framed by the 6047 – Scalloped Square Dies. I added a little fence border at the bottom using 4967 – WC Fence Dies. All of my patterned papers came from two paper packs, 5832 – Gnome Paper Pack and 5973 – Fall Series 2 Paper Pack.

I can see myself using this sweet little bird a lot, whether it be on cards or as
bookmarks for all of my friends who love to read.

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!

Freebie Bears Are Here! by Janet

Have you noticed the newest Bear Freebies at Art Impressions? They are truly adorable! I'm always a fan of the freebies but these are special. You can't buy them though. One is included in every order you place over $30. The beauty of it is that you get to choose which one you want! These stamps are the same great quality as all of Ai's polymer stamps too. All in all, they are a great perk for being a loyal shopper of Art Impressions.

There are many ways you can use these stamps but today, I've used three of them to make cute little 3 x 3 note cards. They are 6170 - Honey Bear, 6168 - Sundae Bear, and 6165 - Rainy Bear. 

These started by making the card base. Each one measure 3" x 6" and scored at 3". On top of the card base, I cut a yellow square that leaves a 1/8" inch border all around the card using 5725 - Nested Square Dies. Then I cut Copic friendly cardstock with one of the 5061 - Square Double Stitched Dies.

The next step is stamping on the white cardstock and picking your favorite markers, pencils or paint to color them. Once mine were all done, I centered each panel on top of the yellow mat. Then I added two clear enamel dots to decorate them.

These were super fun to work with. Grab one at the store with your next order. Then get another one every time you reach a $30 order. 

Thanks for joining me on the blog today. As always, find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store!

Happy Crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest  

 

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.

No. 1 Book and Gnome bookmark by Dori Mendiola

 Happy New Year AI Friends!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are ready for the New Year!

 Can't wait to see all the fabulous creations from Bonnie and Kim.  I have no doubt that they will have lots of fun products for us again this year!

I'm starting off the New Year using #6114 - Box Village Template dies from the Holiday Lane series.  

I slightly changed the book cover to make it look like a number 1 for my granddaughter's first birthday.  Hope it's clear for you to see - made with the #5940 Journal Cover Paper Pack - Purple Plaid paper.  

I used #5873 - Mini Birthday Journal Paper pack for the inside of the book.  The inside contains pictures, pockets, notes and details from her first year and as much as I would love to show her off, my daughter asked that I didn't, so, unfortunately I don't have many pages to show.  However, my main purpose in showing this book was to emphasize how you can make slight changes to extend the die sets to fit your occasion.  Let your mind go!  Mine sometimes goes in odd directions but it's fun to see what can be created.  LOL!   

  Her birthday was S'mores themed so I created a S'mores with a square die from the #5725 Nested square dies set and the #5407 Birthday Cake GCH frosting die.  The graham cracker part was cut in rectangle shape and rounded the corners with a corner punch.  I inked the edges, stamped a cute little face on it and added a bow.  The sentiment tag is from the #6121 Storybook template.

Gnome Bookmark:  Another slight alteration of dies - here's a bookmark I made into a Gnome using the #5931 Santa Puppet die set.  The only real change that I made was that I added an additional beard layer by partial die cutting to make it slightly smaller so that it fit on top of the bottom one.  Then the nose fit nicely in between the top beard layer and the rim of his cap.  I omitted the brows, mustache and eyes.  Since he isn't a Santa, I also omitted the belt and fur parts of his outfit.  I die cut his outfit using the #5832 Gnome PP.  This paper choice made him look like he was wearing PJs so I added a cookie and coffee mug (from my stash) in his hands.  I placed him onto a bookmark made with the #5223 - Bookmark die.  He actually resembled me after Christmas.  I was a complete couch potato with my PJs on and my coffee mug in hand.  Life is good! 

Welcome to 2026 and another fun year with Art Impressions. 

Thanks for joining me today!  

Have a great day and keep creating!

Friends Make Our Hearts Warm by Janet

 Hi everyone! I'm very excited to share a card made with a new line of stamps just released. They are called Woodland Christmas Foundations. This image is 6085-Woodland Snowman Scene. Isn't this snowman and his friends precious? The stamps are square in size so I created a square card for it. I used the 6047-Nested Scalloped Square dies for the layered background.

I first created the card base and the layers before I started on the stamped image. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly how large the focal point needed to be before I started it. I layered berry blue and white glitter cardstock to form the background.

Once done, I stamped the image on alcohol ink friendly paper and cut it out using one of the nested scallop dies. Then I got to work coloring it. To add a little sparkle, I coated the snowman with glitter ink using a Wink of Stella  pen from the Ai Store. It adds just the right amount of shine to snow!

As a finish, I tied a white satin bow and glued it to the top of the card. It's a charming image with an equally charming background.

Thanks for joining me on the blog today. As always, 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  

Golden Mermaid by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

My card today was inspired by the current blog challenge "Spritz, Splatter and Paint!"  A perfect way to showcase the new Winsor Newton Ink 14ml - Gold Paint sold now on the Art Impressions website.  Although the challenge does not stipulate that you have to use gold, you can use any spritz, splatter or any color paint.  I chose to use the new product, since it was new to me too.

This gold paint is awesome and adds such glimmer and shimmer to your project.  I played with it a little bit to see how I wanted to use it.  I loved the look with stencils and a makeup sponge, smooshed onto the paper and spritzed or splattered.  For my card, I chose to paint with it, stamp it and also used it in a mister (mix with a touch of water in a mister).  

I stamped the #5903 - Treasured Armful Mermaid images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I then die cut each of the images using the coordinating dies that come with the stamp set.  I'm using a background that I made awhile back but thought it would be perfect for this card.   Using the backside of photo paper, I believe I used Ranger alcohol inks - Mermaid and Glacier - but any blues will work.  I also used a bubble frame die that I had in my stash.    

I painted the treasure chest with the Winsor Newton gold paint as well as the middle of the flower in her hair.  When you zoom in, you can really see the result.  I painted some gold onto the sentiment stamp and stamped it onto white cardstock.   But, I liked the use of the gold paint in a mister the best.  This produced the best shimmer and still left the color underneath showing through.  See the sand in the picture above and the mermaid tail and hair in the picture below.  One or two mists will do the trick, but it's hard to stop.  I actually sprayed too much the first time but was able to wipe some of it off.  Wait until it slightly dries first, then wipe a paper towel lightly over it.    

After all the images were colored, painted and sprayed, I assembled the card.  This little mermaid actually swings back and forth as if swimming.  

Punch a hole in the background behind where her head will be, large enough for a foam pop dot.  Glue a penny, button or paper disc to one side of the pop dot.  Place the pop dot through the hole from the backside and adhere the mermaid (approx. forehead) to the pop dot poking through.  She should rock nicely at this point.  Place a thicker layer of foam tape on the backside of the background avoiding the penny, button, or disc.  Adhere onto your card base.  Test to make sure that she moves freely.  Pop up the frame so it is slightly higher than the inner square.  This will help stop her movement so she doesn't flip all the way around.

I hope you join in our blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set.  We love to see what you create!

Have a wonderful day and keep crafting!

Copics used:  E000, E01, E11, R20

E30, E31, E33, E35, E37, YR31

RV63, RV66; V05

YG09, BG05

Toad Birthday card by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

I've been toad you're having a birthday!

Well, maybe not you, but someone is.
 

I adore all of the Funny Farm Series sets but the 5283 – Frog Set is one of my favorites.

I created two versions of the same card using a similar, yet different color palette. I'm really loving the new 6047 – Scalloped Square Dies.

I used the Basics Yellow and Teal paper packs and you can find to those below.

Hydrangea Window by Dori Mendiola

 Hello AI Friends!

I have a window card for you today inspired by the newest floral set #6062 - Hydrangea Floral.  These flower sets are so pretty!  

I decided to try a new coloring medium for me.  I usually color using copic markers, but this time, I thought I'd try my hand at a little water coloring using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens.   Needless to say, I need a lot more practice but it still was fun playing and I feel like this turned well.  I used the water color technique where you color the stamp with the markers and then stamp it onto the paper.   I colored the leaves using the #41 Light Green and the blooms with the #81 Light Violet and stamped the image onto a 3 1/2" (top) x 3" piece of Strathmore Bristol Smooth cardstock.   Using the blender brush, I pulled out some of the color on the leaves and the flower blooms.  

Ta da, that's it!  Fairly simple coloring!  

For the card, I cut a 4 1/4 x 11" piece of heavy cardstock and scored at 4 3/4" along the 11" side.   I turned the cardstock and scored from the other end at 1/2", 1", 1 1/2".   I burnished each of the score lines creating a top fold card with a valley, mountain, valley fold at the bottom.   I also cut a narrow 2" piece of cardstock and created a spring-like piece with the same valley, mountain, valley fold to fit behind the image and onto the back side.  See picture below.

 This spring-like piece is optional, but it helps hold the image slightly back from the window opening.

 

I die cut the window, using #4619 - Window die, from the base card front (the longer side with the scored V, M, V edge).  I adhered a lavender pattern piece of paper from the #5955 - Encouragement PP to the front of the base, over the window opening.  I then took a die from the #5725 - Nested Square die set, that is slightly larger than the window opening, and placed it over the pattern paper where the window opening will be.  Tape down temporarily and run through your die cut machine.  I scored the window panes on the window die cut and folded them open.  I then adhered the window to the pattern paper centering over the square hole.  I then sealed up the card by gluing down the bottom edge to the back panel.  The scored mountain should be in the center.  See above.

On the image panel, I scored a tab 1/4" - 1/2" from the top.  Fold it towards the back and adhere it to the inside back of the card, centering it behind the window.  If needed, take the spring-like piece and  adhere to the back of the image and the other end to the back inside of the card.  

Now, to finish the front, I created the fringe-like grass by cutting a strip of green pattern paper and snipping the long edge every 1/8 of an inch (approx.).   I then slightly curled the fringe edge so that it came over the fence.   I weaved a piece of ribbon through the fence, popped up a sentiment from the #6062 - Hydrangea Floral set and added a few small white hearts for the finishing touch.

Thanks for joining me today!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!