Tasha here sharing a birthday card featuring the 5916 -Woodland Castle Set. I love medieval and fairytale-themed stamps, and this card is perfect for celebrating a little princess or queen on her birthday.
The birthday greeting is from the 5735 -Birthday Sentiment Set, and it was the perfect fit for this design. I kept the center panel simple so the castle could take center stage. A little grass and soft ink blending were all it needed to create a sweet little scene.
To finish the card, I layered silver glitter paper with pink and purple cardstock and added a piece of beautiful Art Impressions floral patterned paper. The purple, white, and pink color combination complements the castle perfectly and adds a fun, whimsical feel.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
We want to see your cards using any sort of a building.
This can be houses, barns, castles, churches, lighthouses, schools, cabins, cottages
and more!
After seeing how creative you got with our Enjoy the Ride challenge, I'm sure
you'll come up with lots of things that I didn't think of.
Our featured designer this week is Lynn and you're going to LOVE her sweet card.
Once you finish checking it out, scroll down to see who won our last challenge.
Take it away Lynn!
Scalloped Tri-fold "Princess" Card by Lynn Dionne
Watch video tutorial here!
I’m excited to be the featured artist for the brand-new Ai “Architecture” Blog Challenge which is to include anything architectural in your card or project. This can include houses, barns, cottages, or even a castle like we will be using today!
To make this trifold card design really easy we will be using the Ai Tryfolds Cards and Envelopes Pack and add a pretty border to each flap on the card using a pretty scalloped edge die.
We will also add some beautiful, patterned papers to the two front flaps and the inside panel of the card. To do this we will be using the Ai Floral Shop PP 6205). I’ll show you in today’s video how to easily line these up to create the double scalloped edge on your card. The double-sided paper packs are perfect for mixing and matching the layers on your cards.
Next, we can stamp the cute little castle using the Ai Woodland Castle Set (5916) and quickly color it in using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Lt Pink, Pink, Sage Green, Aquamarine Blue, Gray Tint, Lt Beige, Beige. Now, using our detail scissors, we can fussy cut the castle.
Let’s also stamp our sweet “Princess” sentiments on the second flap and the inside panel of the card.
Now we can add our patterned papers, but before we add the focal image, we will add some Dusty Rose twine around the card for a pretty closure. To do this we will cut another panel from some white cardstock and sandwich the twine between these two layers. This will also thicken up the card a bit more and keep the twine from falling off when the card is opened by the recipient.
For the castle we will die cut two scalloped circles from the Ai Scalloped Circles Die Set (6045). This will coordinate nicely with the scallops on the flaps. Add your castle image and pop it up with some 3D Foam Squares.
Finally, let’s add some pretty sequins and tie a bow!
Thank you so much for joining me today! Have a fun and crafty day!
Please e-mail Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com to claim your free set.
Congratulations to our winners.
Now for our new challenge!
✻ 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.
✻Top Spot Winner and Lucky Random Winner each 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.
My niece is getting married soon and she'll be married at a castle.
My first thought was to use 5225 – Castle Cubbies, which is a favorite of mine, but then I remembered 5916 – Woodland Castle Set, and although I think I've used it several times, I don't think I've used the castles.
I'm very happy with how it turned out. She is very into flowers and I tried to incorporate all of the colors in her bouquet.
This card took a complete turn as I was creating it. I initially set out to use the 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies as intended, with a window and maybe something to pull out. For some reason I switched gears and decided to cut off the little flap and just use it as a mini card. The
I didn't use a wedding sentiment on it but I don't think it needs it. I think these verses are perfect and I can handwrite a wedding wish when I fill out the card.
I apologize that I don't have marker colors for this. This was my 3rd attempt and I had such a pile of markers that I don't know which ones I used for this final copy.
Don't forget to enter the current We 💚 Dads! Challenge
I've got a double slider card to show you today that I created for the current Highlights Challenge. So it looks like this small, unassuming card when you first look at it. But when you pull on the pull tabs, it turns into this amazing scene. I loved creating this and I really do like how it turned out. I started by stamping all these amazing images onto a Copic freindly paper using Memento Tuxedo black ink and then coloring them with Copic markers. The colors I used are listed below. I cut the three panels and stenciled a cloud background using distress oxide ink and a cloud stencil. This card might look impressive, but it's really quite easy to assemble. There's a piece on the inside that you wrap a slick piece of plastic baggie or something along those lines. (I acutally used one of my doggie waste bags - unused of course...yuck!! - LOL! Then you attach one of the pull panels to the front of the baggie, and the other panel to the back of the baggie. So when you pull on them, they slide right out of their little pockets! It's really quite awesome! There are lots of You Tube videos out there that show you how to make them. Just do a search for double slider cards. You can either use dies that are made for them, or create it yourself. Either way - they are lots of fun and impressive, I think! I used several Art Impressions sets to create this. They are all linked below for your convenience.
And the view with both sides pulled out to reveal the entire scene.
That's it for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and until next time - stay crafty!!
Happy New Year and welcome to Watercolor Weekend! I hope you
all had a wonderful holiday!
I love red barns in a winter scene, there is just
something about red surrounded by white.
I started out using a ruler to create guidelines for a strip on my
watercolor paper and then masked the edges with post-it tape. Using 5262 WC
Mini Cabins Set, I stamped one of my favorite barns in, close to the middle and
slightly offset, using 565/969 and stamping off once. I then used a pencil to
create guides for the hillside behind the barn.
I put a wash of color in 177, and above in N52, for some texture I used
the tree foliage from 5373 WC Large Tree Set. Over the 177 I added some 249,
and over the N52 I used N49 with the foliage blending it out with some water. 5372
WC Mini Foliage pine tree was used throughout the background. Over the N52
background I used 228, and the rest I used 249 and softened them with water. Around the barn I used the pine tree from 5010 WC Tree Set 1 in 249. I used both of the small trees from 5372 Mini
Foliage, and one from 5058 WC Church Set, using 228 on the first two and N49 on
the third one.
After pulling the color
out on the barn, I used a mix of 856 and 969 for the walls, 969 in the doorways,
windows and under the eaves. Adding 565
for the shadows. I then stamped in the single tree from 4808 Covered Bridge
Mini Set in the front, to the left in 879, and a small branch from 4964 WC
Branches Set to the right for a sapling also in 879. I used a light wash of 177, 947, and 526 on
the ground around the trees in the foreground. I then stamped the grass from
5826 WC Large Tree Set 2 in N57, softening it slightly with water, also adding
in some 565 over the ground area to create a snow effect. I then used Dr. Martin
PH Bleed Proof White on the barn, trees and ground areas adding a touch more
565 to give the “snow” more definition.
I also added 526 in for the sky. After erasing all my pencil lines, I
decided to use my ruler and the gray Twintone marker along the edges of the
strip and blended it out slightly with water to make it stand out more. Finishing it off by adding a sentiment from
5949 Encouragement Sentiment Set in black ink.
For my next card I used 5916 Woodland Castle Set in 565/969,
leaving off part of the door frame and door knob, and stamped it off once. Using
the stamp positioner, and masking the side of the door, to place in the mouse
from 5599 Mini Mice and Squirrel Set with 565/969 in the doorway after stamping
off once. I then added the second mouse to
the left, also in 565/969, after stamping it off once. I used a pencil to sketch in some shingles on
the roof and window panes on the windows without any. For the house trim and window frames I used
969. 565,526,969 was used on the roof. 565 was used for the shadows under the
roof line and window sills. 947 was used to create the look of bricks.
055,025,026 for the glow in the windows. N49 and a black micron on the mice
with a touch of 025 on the back of the one in the doorway. I used N52 and 947 on the chimney. I then added in the sky using a mix of 565 and 249. Masking
off the house, I stamped in the branch from 4964 WC Branches Set in 879 on both
sides, adding some leaves in 027, 947, and 969 from KH5951 Foxes Set.
I then stamped in the dried flower from 4701
Clay Pot Set with 027. I added in the
grass from 5826 WC Large Tree Set in 027.
I pulled a little bit of the color out of the flowers and grass, leaving
the leaves alone, and added some 969 for a path to the doorway. A little 565 was used around the base of the
house and then added some Dr. Martin’s Bleed Proof White throughout the scene
for snow, defining it with additional 565.
The largest die from 5064 Circle Double Stitched Dies was used to cut
the image out. Heat embossing the sentiment in white from 5949 Encouragement
Sentiment Set, and then used a die from 5543 Journal Template Die Set to cut it
out, mounting it with foam tape to complete the card. All other dies used were
from my stash. Thank you for joining me
today, and I hope you enjoyed my cards! Until next time. Create….Share….Inspire!
I'm kicking off the 2025 Watercolour Weekends with a wintry valentine card - or just a generic winter birthday card if you like. Here in Canada, it's still snowy way past Valentine's Day, so I decided to use 5060 - WC Snowman Set for my scene:
I stamped him in #N55 grey, as I didn't want a brownish cast at all, but since his twig arms are separate, I stamped them using #969, then pulled out the colour with a damp brush. I used a pencil to sketch in the heart dangling from his arm, and added a bow & string. I picked up some #847 that was on my palette to added layers of colour to the heart, keeping the center area lightest - and did the same on the small heart that I drew on his hatband. Layers of #N55 and #N25 were painted on his hat and coal buttons to suggest that they are shiny and black. #407 and #126 were painted onto his scarf and hatband for a bright pop of colour. I used my #933 marker directly on his nose, just colouring the underside, and softened it with a damp brush. To finish, I added a wash of #565 as the sky, and used it to add shadows to the snow and his body. I like to echo a few of the colours used, so there are faint areas of #847 painted onto the snowman's side nearest the heart.
I used the 5064 - Circle Double Stitched Dies to cut him, out and matted him on a larger dark grey circle. 5734 - Friend Sentiments Set provided the sentiment, and was cut out with the small tag from 5132 Tag Stitched Dies. A tiny heart from 5721 - Nested Heart Dies was added to the corner. The background paper is from 5853 - Christmas Magic PP, and the finished card size is 5 1/4" square.
My second card was a little more involved! Whimsical doesn't come naturally to me - I'm more of a realist when I paint, so I typed "Magical Fairy Houses" into Google images to get some inspiration. I wanted a warm colourful scene - and I think I achieved it!
I used two houses from the 5916 - Woodland Castle set, positioning them both on my block using the carrier sheet for 5377 - WC Fenced Scene to determine placement, and stamped them with #N55, then created masks of both houses. With the masks in place, I stamped the Scene overtop, colouring the hills in #158, and the fence in #969. I added two rocks from 5414 - WC Small Rocks Set around the houses in #N55. The stump from 5413 - WC Weathered Stumps was added in #969 in the foreground, then toadstools from 5788 - Whimsical Mushrooms were added near the house, and behind the stump.
Before adding any colour to my scene, I created my sunrise sky by adding a fair bit of water as a base, then dropped in #991/885/565 while it was still wet, so that the colours blended together seemlessly. With my mask still in place, I added the two eucalyptus sprigs from 5920 - Long Stem Foliage Set in #407 behind the larger house, and painted in the leaves using 407. A sprig from 4963 - WC Fall Set was added behind the smaller house with #245. I'm just going to list all of the marker colours used in the scene - not each location, so if you need any more info, just leave me a note in the comments.
I used two of the fairies from the 5345 - Fairy Cubbies Set, and stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on my Canson XL Watercolour paper. I used Copic markers to do their skin and hair, due to the fine nature of the areas I needed to colour in. They were cut out with their matching dies, and adhered to the scene with thin 3D foam adhesive. Oh - and a little Wink of Stella was added to their wings for some glimmer! The sentiment is from 5935 - Fairytale Houses Set, stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.
The scene was a little too large for an A2 card, so I matted in on black, and then used 3D foam adhesive to attach it to a 5 1/4" piece of paper from the 5873 - Mini Birthday PP. *I realized after photos were edited, that I forgot to add in the doorknobs! So just imagine they're dark grey... Happy painting!
Do you have a friend who could use a little extra encouragement or someone you’d like to remind just how special they are? Today, I’m sharing two "Friends Like You Make the World a Better Place" cards that are perfect for just that.
The first card showcases a beautiful floral wreath using the newly released 5937 - My Trust Set paired with an older set, 5420 - Framework Set 1. The second card features our sweet little gnome friend sitting on a park bench, enjoying a beautiful fall day in his quaint little village. For this card, I modified the 5745 - SF Stone Bridge set and inserted a woodland home from the newly released 5916 - Woodland Castle Set. Both cards include the "Friends Like You Make the World a Better Place" sentiment from 5734 - Friend Sentiments, making them perfect for spreading some cheer.
For the floral wreath card, I started by placing the wreath stamp from 5420 - Framework Set 1 onto my Canson XL watercolor paper and lightly traced around the outer shape of the stamp with a pencil to establish the shape of the wreath. I then stamped the flowers from 5937 – My Trust Set onto Post-It tape to make masks. The masks required a bit of fussy cutting, but you can save them to use again with future projects. I’m one of those strange people who doesn’t mind doing a bit of fussy cutting. Once I had my masks ready, I placed my watercolor paper in my MISTI stamp platform and positioned the double flower stamp onto the wreath area to the bottom left, matching the curvature of the pencil line. (If you don’t have a stamp platform, you could use a clear block to stamp the image). I inked the flowers in 815 and the leaves in 177 and stamped them in place. I then removed the stamp from my MISTI, placed the mask over the double flowers, and repeated the process with the additional flowers to the right and left, adding masks after each new image.
With all the
flowers stamped and masks in place, I added extra leaves around the center
flowers. I placed the vine wreath over the masked flowers, aligning with the
pencil line, and inked in 969. Next, I used a damp brush to pull color from the lines of the
flowers keeping in mind the direction of the light source for the shaded areas.
For these small areas, I used a number 4 round brush and a number 0 round
brush. I applied the same technique to the leaves and the vine wreath. To
enhance the contours and shadows, I added more color from my palette as needed.
For the leaves, I added highlights with 133. I darkened some of the areas of
the flowers with 835. In areas of the flowers where I might have been a little
heavy-handed, I used a small amount of our best friend, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed
Proof White, to add highlights. Next, I carefully painted in a dropped shadow along
the wreath and flowers in N52. Using a Strawberry Red (75) TwinTone marker, I
added dots to the flower centers and darkened some areas to enhance the
details. I also used a brown TwinTone marker to add details to the vine wreath.
The
painting was die-cut with a square die from 5061 – Square Double Stitched Dies
and matted and popped up with foam tape on a 4 ½ inch square card base. The
green-striped patterned paper is from 5606 – Harvest Journal Paper Pack. I
heat-embossed the sentiment “Friends like you make the world a better place”
from 5734 – Friend Sentiment Set in white and partially die-cut the banner
strip with a banner die from 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies. I used scissors
to cut the rest of the extended area and mounted it onto the card front with
foam tape.
For the inside
of the card, I inked and stamped a flower and placed it in the lower right-hand
corner. I think this design would make a nice card for a variety of occasions.
For my second
version of the “Friends Like You Make the World a Better Place” card, I placed
the sentiment on the inside. To create this whimsical scene, I modified the
Scenic Foundations stamp 5745 – SF Stone Bridge by omitting the house and
replacing it with one from the 5916 – Woodland Castle Set. I also added a sweet
little gnome sitting on the bench to complete the scene.
This photo
shows the original house image from the packaging and the one I replaced it
with for a more whimsical look.
The placement of the gnome on the bench took a bit of planning. On a piece
of printer paper, I mapped out the gnome placement by first stamping the scenic
foundations stamp (I accidentally inked the house, but it didn’t matter since
this was just a mock-up). Then I stamped the gnome on the bench. I used my
MISTI for the stamping. Next,
I stamped the gnome onto masking paper and carefully cut out a mask. In the
first photo, you can see where the masking needs to be done before stamping the
scenic foundation. The gnome’s hand needs to appear behind the arm of the
bench. To achieve this, I placed my mock-up back into my MISTI, positioned the
gnome mask in place, and aligned the scenic foundation stamp. I inked just
the arm of the bench and stamped it over the gnome mask.
I removed the mask and trimmed away the area where the bench arm had stamped
onto the mask. Then, I inked the gnome with 565/969, using the mask as a guide
to carefully add ink, leaving off parts of the sleeve and parts of the hand
where needed. Next, I stamped off the gnome once before stamping it onto my
watercolor paper, using the mock-up as a guide for placement.
I placed the mask over the gnome, positioned the scenic foundations stamp,
and inked everything but the house with 565/969. Again, I stamped it off once
before stamping it onto the watercolor paper. After removing the mask from the
gnome, I used a pencil to draw in any missing details.
I
traced around a rectangle die to establish the boundaries of the painting. Next, I added the
house from 5916 – Woodland Castle Set and
mushrooms from 5788 – Whimsical
Mushrooms Set. Using a pencil, I sketched some paths, stepping stones, and the
hillsides to the right of the house. Before starting the painting, I masked the
edges with Post-It tape.
The colors I used throughout the painting are 856, 933, 993, 177, 249,
526, 565, 850, 947, and 969. I used brown, navy, and strawberry red TwinTone
markers to add details. The stamps I used for the flowers and foliage are from
sets 5009 – WC Mini Flower Set, 5372 – WC Mini Foliage Set, and 5126 - WC
Foliage Set 4.
I stamped the
"Friends" sentiment on the inside of the card using blue ink and
added a stamped gnome to the bottom corner for a cute finishing touch.
Thank you for
joining me for Watercolor Weekend! I hope these cards have inspired you to
think outside the box and explore creative new ways to use your watercolor
stamps to create unique designs. Until next time, Happy Painting!
