Poppy Belly Band Box & Bookmarks by Dori Mendiola

Happy Wednesday AI Friends!

I have two projects for you today that feature the same stamp set #6163 - Poppy Margin set.  One is a belly band using the #6043 - Bible Bookmark and the other is a set of bookmarks using the #6230 - Mini Decorative Bookmark set.

The poppy margin was stamped with Memento black ink onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I painted the scroll frame as well as the floral centers with the Winsor & Newton gold paint.  

The belly band fits nicely over the #6121 - Storybook box.  I created this box without cutting the oval center so that it was a solid closed box.  Wrap the belly band around the box to form the folds.  I then cut two small holes at each end, added the ribbon and sentiment and tied the bow.

Bookmark before matting and forming as a belly band:

Backside of the box with belly band:

Project 2:  The bookmarks below use several fussy cut florals from the poppy margin stamp set and placed on the sentiments.  The first bookmark is magnetic and the second one I used a covered paper clip.  

Paper Clip BM:  Take a lightweight piece of cardstock 3" x 2 1/2" (approx. the size of the bookmark) and fold in half.  Place the paper clip over the folded edge.  Cut a slit at the center fold of the bookmark cardstock and slip the top of the paper clip cardstock through the slit.  Glue the top layers together.  Do the same for the bottom layers.  The paper clip will then hold the pages together of the book.  

Hope you enjoy my projects today!

Have a great week and have fun creating!

Copics used:  G40, G43, G46

V20, V22, V25

Y32, Y35     B000

Country Church and Hydrangea Florals with Guest Designer Julie Worthing

Hello Ai fans and welcome to Watercolor Weekend!

Today we have our second Guest Designer for April in place of Diane who
needed some personal time off.

Please give a warm welcome to Julie Worthing and enjoy her BEAUTIFUL creations.

Julie Worthing

 I was honored to be asked to create a card for the Guest Designer series. Today I created a beautiful scene focusing on a stamp from the Church set. The list of stamps and supplies used are as follows:

5058 - Church Set

5009 - WC Mini Flower set

5007 - Foliage Set 3 - tall grass

4051 - Original Foliage set - Large grass

5372 - WC Mini Foliage Set - Hedge, small grass and Tree

5373 - WC Large Tree Set - Leaves

Pens & Other accessories:

Dr. PH Martins

Pencil

Post it Tape - 3 1/2 by 3 3/4

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

173

177

249

526

533

565

856

933

969

993

Brown Twin Tone

First I used Post it Tape to make a frame for the painting. Next I stamped the church first using 565, then 969 and stamped off twice as the stamp is rubber.

Then I free handed the mountain line and greenway on either side of the church. Next I pulled color from the church lines and then water colored it with 565 and 969 mixed together for the roof and steeple. I used 565 on the window and then used Dr PH Martins for the panes. Next I painted the mountains with a blend of 565 and 553.

Then I stamped the small trees using the mini foliage set and the hedges. For the larger tree I used the leaves from the large tree set. Then used water to dab all trees and hedges and pulled some of the green down to create a slope. Next I used the grass from the mini foliage and stamped with 177 at the base of the church and after dabbing it with water, I added 249 off my palette as well as adding a little 249 and 177 to the trees.

After that I used various greens (177, 249, 177), orange (933) and yellow (993) to create the field base. I used the tall grass (5007) in the field and the large grass (4051) at the base of the card.

For flowers I used the tiny dots from the mini flower set with red (856) at the base of the Church and scattered in the field. I also used the yellow (993) with the mini stamp in the field. I then used Dr Ph Martin to create daisies and after drying, added yellow (993) to the center. The also used the white paint to added small dots in the field and next to the Church.

For the sky I used 569, 533, 993, 856, and 933 and a small amount of diluted Ph Martins.

Lastly, I added the cross on the top of the steeple with the brown Twintone and accented with the Twintone where I thought would enhance the picture and 565 for o

I removed the post it tape and then cut edges about 1/4 inch to crate a border.

For my second card I made a lilac colored Hydrangea floral arrangement.

Sets used:

4870 - WC Ornate Container Set

5827 - Hydrangea Set
5742 - Easter Journal Paper Pack

I hope you enjoy my little paintings and thank you Renee for asking me to help out!

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Thank you so much to Julie for helping out this month.

We hope you enjoyed her inspiration on this Watercolor Weekend.

See you tomorrow for more wonderful paintings from Jami.

Julie Worthing

Easter Bunnies Storybook Frame and Easter Story Tile Card by Diane Mason

Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend! 

Hello, my Ai watercolor friends and fans. Easter is on its way, and I have two Easter projects to share with you! First up is a custom Easter Bunnies Storybook Frame. My second, is a square Easter card using the new Story Tile in a slightly different way.

Easter Bunnies Storybook Frame:

I love the concept of the Storybook Frame. Peering in at the tiny 3D scene fascinates me and the completed project makes a nice little gift to display! I’ve noticed that many of the images included in the Art Impressions Matchbook sets also work well with this frame.

 

To create this adorable Easter scene, I used the images from 6014 – Matchbook Easter Bunnies set. I stamped each image with Versafine Onyx Black ink onto Canson XL Mix Media paper.

 

I used the 6121 – Storybook Template die to die-cut the box, inserts and front and back mats. The patterned papers used are from 5742 – Easter Journal Paper Pack. For the purple background, I cut a piece of patterned paper to fit the interior of the box.

Once I had each image painted, I placed each die-cut behind the oval insert piece to determine it’s placement and trimmed away any parts I didn’t want to show through the opening. For the background, I trimmed away the side pieces of the image and popped up the image with foam squares. The shelf image was glued directly to the background. For the layer that goes just above the background piece, I doubled up on the corner foam squares to raise it above the background piece. For the rest of the inserts, I only used one layer of foam squares.

Colors and supplies used to paint the images:

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 177, 195, 817, 725, 606, 443, 947, 977, 969, N52, 912, 565, 555, and 055.
• Tombow TwinTone Pens used for details: Aqua (74), Fuchsia (80), Orange (28), Chrome Yellow (04), and Lime Green (50)
• Winsor & Newton Ink, Silver - for the paint cans
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

  

To decorate the back of the frame, I die-cut a piece of Canson XL Mix Media paper using the insert die and stamped onto the oval. The sentiment is from 5733 – Easter Sentiments Set. The cluster of eggs from 5738 – Easter Egg House Set was inked in N52. Colors used to decorate the eggs include 817, 443, and 606. Details were added using Dr. Ph. Martin’s, and Aqua, Fuchsia, and Lime Green TwinTone markers. For the grass, I used the small grass from 4051 – WC Foliage Set inked in 195, and 555 for the sky.

For a final decorative touch, I attached a purple bow to the front of the frame.

 

Easter Story Tile Card:

I think we can all agree, the newly released 6158 – Story Tile Template Die is just fabulous! There are four new stamp sets specifically designed to go with this die, but many other Art Impressions stamps work well too!

        

For this card, I changed things up a bit and only used a portion of the Story Tile Template to create a square card. To further “think outside the box”, I attached one of the images on top of the frame rather than inside the box!

 Colors and supplies used for this card:

• 6158 – Story Tile Template Die, removed two sections with scissors
• 6008 – Bunny Hugs Set, inked in Versafine Vintage Sepia Ink
• 6036 – Easter Bunny Paper Pack
• 5733 – Easter Sentiments Set, sentiment stamped onto vellum, inked with Versafine Onyx Black ink, and heat embossed with Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 173, 177, 403, 703, 993, 977, 565
• Micron Pen (005)-Black to define eyes
• Tombow TwinTone Pen: Orange (28) for flower centers
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White
• Foam squares to pop up the template square onto the card front

 

Thank you for joining me today for Watercolor Weekend! I hope you have enjoyed learning more about how these darling Easter projects were created. For those of you celebrating Easter - may this season of renewal bring you an abundance of peace and overwhelming love. Until next time, Happy Painting!

Hello Sunshine! by Janet

Today I've created a fanciful spring card with a pink bunny, spring tulips and cheerful paper patterns. The fun fold makes this card perfect for the current 3D challenge on the Ai blog. It's a horizontal double z-fold card that is perfect to showcase the beautiful paper patterns in the 5742 - Easter Journal PP.

The scallop shapes decorating the front and interior are from the 6046 - Scallop Oval Dies and 6048 - Scalloped Rectangle Dies. The sentiment piece inside is made with 5724 - Nested Rectangle Set.

The cute bunny and watering can are made with the 6106 - Spring Keepsake Set. The sentiment is also from the set. To make the main front piece, I stamped the watering can first and then I stamped and cut out the bunny and mounted it on foam tape so that it has dimension and appears closer to the front than the watering can. Copic markers were used to color these pieces. I used a Signo Pigment Ink Gel for the white accents. 5745 - Flower Set 6 was used to stamp the tulips in the watering can and adds some simple decoration to the interior sentiment piece.

While this card opens up widely, it still folds up to an A2 size and fits nicely into an envelope for mailing. It stands up well and has a big presentation. I had a lot of fun making it and I hope you have been inspired by the adorable images and spring colors and patterns in my project. 

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   

Pop Up Easter Easel Box by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I found this cute little easel box on youtube and thought I would create one for Easter.  Have you ever fallen down the rabbit hole (no pun intended) when viewing youtube videos or even pinterest?  I love seeing all the creative ideas out there but, man, I get hooked and then away I go.

One of my favorites sites and where I found this box is The Paper Pixie.  If you click on that link, it will take you to her box instructions.  Box measures 3" x 3".  

Here's my version using Art Impressions #5742 - Easter PP and the #5870 - Peeking Bunny set.

When you pull on the ribbon, the box opens and the easel pops up.  I wanted to grab some easter candies and fill the box before I took the picture, but I went to the store and forgot the candy.  😬

I just LOVE the easel on the box top and how it pops up.  Sooo fun!

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have a fantastic day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53, E55, E95

N0, N1,       R20, R81, R83

B12, B14       V12, V15

G40, G43         YR20, YR23

A colorful Happy Birthday using the new Story Tile Template Die

 Hello AI Fans!

I sure hope you're having a wonderful start to the new week! Did you get to see the new release last Wednesday from Art Impressions? Bonnie has done it again and come out with a Story Tile Template Die and four new sets that goes perfectly with it! I LOVE this new release! I've only been able to color one set so far, but I can't wait to get to the other three! My card today features the new die with #6178 Birthday Wishes. This is such a cute set containing a pinata, balloons, lots of presents and other fun and festive items. All the images fit perfectly in the tile sections of the die! I added some cute flowers from #5401 Easter Chicks Set into the pots. The icing on the cake is covered with Glossy Accents and there are pops of Stickles throughout. I just had to add some sparkle! I also used some purple Pops of Color from Scrapbook.com.  Those gorgeous papers are from #5742 Easter Journal PP. 

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

Bakery Matchbook by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Do you like little tiny cards?  If so, try out these cute little matchbook cards from Art Impressions.  There are approximately 30 to choose from for that special someone in your life.  I think Bonnie has hit every type of recipient with this line from golfer to musician, baby to pet shop and every holiday plus others.  Make sure to check out the website for all of the options.  Art Impressions Matchbook selection 

This matchbook card is perfect for the family member with the biggest sweet tooth.  Makes me ready for my morning coffee and a cinnamon roll.  😁

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  Each set comes with dies to cut out each section, however, you will need the matchbook template for the main base.  This template works for all of the matchbook stamp sets.  There is also a Matchbook Envelope template.  This template in not required to create this adorable little card but it finishes off the card so nicely.

Check out the YouTube tutorial.  There are many showing how these work but the link below will bring you to the very first introduction of these Art impressions little cards.  

Matchbook Tutorial

I hope you try one of these tiny cards out, if you haven't already.  They are so each and fun to make plus the recipient will just love the little cuteness.

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  C00, C0, C1, C2

E21, E23, E50, E53, E55, E57

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YR21, YR23

R01, R02, R05, B0000

Teeny Teapot by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

My card today was inspired by the current challenge "When a Door Closes" utilizing the #5935 Fairytail House set.  This is the cutest set and makes the cutest teeny cards.  Back in December 2024, I created a Teeny Shoe card utilizing this set.   Here is the link to that post.  https://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/search?q=teeny+shoe

For this challenge, I used the Teapot stamp and die and placed it on a teeny tiny hexagon card.  It's approx. 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches.  

I created the hexagon card by die cutting two pieces from heavy cardstock.  I scored one of the hexagons about 1/4" from the top and folded towards myself.  I placed glue on the scored fold and adhered the other hexagon to it creating the card base.  I then die cut another hexagon out of pattern paper from the #5742 Easter PP and glued that to the front of the card base.  I created a stitched frame and adhered that to the pattern paper front.

I stamped the teapot and the bee from the #5935 Fairytail Houses set onto copic friendly paper with memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the images and cut a second bee out of heavy cardstock to create a popped up effect.  I adhered the images to the card base and stamped a sentiment in the inside and the card is ready to adhere to a gift, hand deliver or send in the mail.  A fun little card to receive!

I hope you enjoyed my card today and you decide to play along in the blog challenge "When a Door Closes".  Any card/project with a door will qualify you for a chance to win a free stamp set.  Click on the tab above for details.  We love to see your creations!

Hope you have a wonderful day!  

Copics used:  E51, E53, E55

T0, T2, T4

Y00, Y11, Y13, Y15

V12, V15, G40, G43

Gardener Gail by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

WOW! WOW! WOW!  Have you seen the newest AI release?  OMGosh this release has got to be the best EVER!  I just LOVE the girlfriends line and this is right up that alley.  Add the papers to go with and WOW!  Bonnie and Joel knocked it out of the park with this release!

Picture a happy dance right now!!  Sorry, no video attached.  LOL!

My card for today uses #6076 - Gardener Gail.  These AI People are so fun to color and they are a great size (about 3 1/2 inches tall).  And the best part, they come with corresponding dies!  

I stamped each of the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers (colors listed below).  The bee and flowers come from the #5925 - Honey Bee stamp set and the papers are from two different paper packs - #5742 - Easter PP and #5939 - Fairy Garden PP.  

The watering can with the little flower is from the #5336 - Garden mini dies.  These mini dies make such a cute little addition to any card.  I love them as a simple accent or a charm hanging from a bow.  Adds a perfect extra little touch.

Make sure to check out yesterday's watercolor wednesday video  to see and hear all about the other sets.  Also, make sure to visit this blog daily for other inspirations.  There will be many more posts for these as well as other available sets.

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy creating!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E11, E21, E23, E25

E51, E53, E55

N1, N3, BG32

 R20, R22, R24

Y11, Y13, Y15, YR65, YR68

YG41, YG61, YG63

Sweet Baby Card and more Easter Treats by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I have a couple of projects for you today.  The first one was inspired by the current blog challenge - ABC, 123 and then a few more Easter treat containers for the holiday.  I got carried away and was having too much fun so I just had to share!

When I think ABC, 123, I think baby and block letters.  So, guess what I created for this challenge?  Yep, a baby card with block letters on the inside.  ;)

 My card features the #5904 So Sweet Armful Elephant as well as the #5911 Large Numbers and #5912 Large Alphabet dies.  I also used the paper packs - #5742 Easter PP and #5940 Journal Cover Plaid PP.  I started with the inside of the card by cutting an A2 card base, folding in half and placing two 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" pieces of pink cardstock onto each inner side.  Depending on the number of letters, measure an even space between each and allow 3/4" for each letter.  So, for four letters, I marked, on the folded white side, at 1/2", 1 1/4", 1 3/4", 2 1/4", and so on adding 1/2" then 3/4" along the remaining fold.  Cut, away from the fold, 1" on each of the marks.  See diagram below.

Open the card and fold the 3/4" tabs to the inside so that they pop up.  Add the dot pattern paper to the inside right and left sides.  Die cut the letters from heavy cardstock and pattern paper.  Glue together and mount onto the scallop frame and then onto the left and right sides of the 3/4" tabs.  The inside of the card is finished.

For the front of the card, cut a piece of plaid cover paper 5 1/2" x 8 1/2+" (slightly larger to allow for the fold).  Adhere to the outside A2 card base and trim off any excess.  Adhere the corner edges to the plaid paper.  Your card will be thick so to create a nice closure, place a piece of ribbon around the card and adhere under the front frame.  Decorate with the elephant, number and sentiment.

For the Easter Treat envelope and basket:

I used the #5869 Easter Bunny Puppet for both of these Easter projects as well as several of the Easter paper packs.  

The envelope above was created with a piece of 6 x 6 paper.  Fold one corner across to the other creating a triangle.  Take the left point and fold over the front to the middle.  Take the right point and fold to the left point.  Adhere both of these down.  Lastly, take the front piece of the top triangle, leaving the back, and fold down over the front.  Adhere down and glue your bunny over the top.  Fill the pouch with easter goodies.

The basket was also created with a 6 x 6 piece of paper.  This is the same fold as the box from last week's post except you don't bring the sides all the way up creating a basket vs. a box.  Score at 2" and 4", turn and score again at 2" and 4".   On one side, cut the two score lines to the first fold.  On the opposite side, cut the two score lines to that first fold.  You should have three connected squares on the left of the first cut score line and three on the right of the second cut score line.  Fold in the middle pieces and then fold in the sides until the two top points, on each side, come together.  Adhere down.  For strength, I cut three 2" x 2" pieces of heavy cardstock and glued one to the bottom of the basket and one to left and right inside ends.  Using the #5804 Decorative Belly Bands, I die cut a decorative band from pattern paper and also from heavy cardstock.  Layered them together and adhered the ends to the inside of the basket.  I adhered the bunny and filled the basket with treats.

I hope you enjoyed my projects today!  Thanks for joining me!  

Make sure to enter the blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set.

Have a wonderful day and a very blessed Easter weekend!