Pretty Little Flower Shop by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I created this card for our current Mix & Match challenge.
Use at least two different stamp/die sets on your card.

I used 2 stamp sets, 5 die sets and 2 paper pads on my card.
Variety is the spice of life, right?

I used my Arteza Real Brush Pens which are sort of between a marker and watercoloring the Art Impressions way.  Since I don't watercolor often, I decided to use die cut flowers and flowers painted with Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White Paint. I like the way they turned out.

The 6194 – Flower Shop is part of the new Holiday Lane series.

Arteza Real Brush Pens:

Sapphire Blue

Spearmint Blue

Turquoise

Pea Green

Tawny

Ginger

Honey

Currant Red

Ice Blue

Smoke Gray

Hedgehog Tuck Flap card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

We have a new blog challenge currently going on called "Let Them Eat Cake".  Any card, project with cakes or cupcakes, etc.   I decided to make a cute little Hedgehog Tuck Flap card using the #5112 - Hedgehogs set with the cake from the #4980 - Birthday Circlet MTF and the presents from the #5491 - Front Porch Party set as accents. 

I stamped all of the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  The hedgehog was stamped onto a 3.5 inch square.  The other images are cut using the dies, so can be stamped onto any size paper.  

I die cut the cake and balloons with the corresponding die (#4980 Birthday Circlet) and then fussy cut the portion that wasn't cut out with the die.  The presents (#5491 - Front Porch Party) were cut with the dies included in that set.  I mounted each of those onto a white circle die cut and then layered onto a blue circle die cut.  I cut two corner bookmarks using the new #6042 - Corner Bookmark dies.  I assembled the bookmarks and adhered the circle die cuts onto each of the fronts of the bookmarks. 

For the card base and fold, I cut a top folding A2 card size 4.25 by 8.25 inches and scored at 5.5 inches.  This will leave a 2.75 inch flap for the front.  Using the #6011 - Basic Teal PP, cut two pieces (front -

2.5 x 4 inch and the inside - 5.25 x 4) to be layered onto blue cardstock.  Place the corner bookmarks over the bottom edges of the inside layer and adhere this layer to the inside of the card base.  This will glue the bookmarks to the inside of the card and leave the back of the card white.  Mount the hedgehog image onto blue cardstock.  Place glue onto the backside of the top half only and adhere to the front flap of the card base.  Add the sentiment from the Hedgehog set and die cut with the #6046 - Scallop Oval dies with a blue layer cut from the #5065 - Nested Oval dies.

Create an easel with the #5902 - Mini Scallop Frame die and glue to the back of the card base.  Tuck the hedgehog image piece inside the bookmark edges and you have a Tuck Flap card that stands on display, thanks to the easel.

Hope you join us in this "Let Them Eat Cake" challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  We LOVE to see your creations!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and keep creating!

Copics used:  E01, E02, E11, E21, E23, E25

R20, N0, N1, N2

B000, B00, B01, B02

Y13, Y15, Y17, Y21

YG21, YG23, YG25 

Baby Boy Panda by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a cute little baby boy card for you using the #6017 - Baby Panda set.  This is the absolute cutest little set and makes the cutest baby cards!  

I started out stamping the images on copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I cut each out with the corresponding dies that come with the stamp set.  To create the background, I using my cloud stencil and Distress Oxide Broken China ink.  The papers for the frame and the grass are from the #6011 - Basic Teal PP and the #6009 - Basic Green PP.  I paper pieced one of the balloons and the carriage sun cover using the #6036 - Easter Bunny PP.

The upper panda moves as if floating in air (see video).  This is a simple interactive mechanism. 

To provide more stability to the swinging panda, I suggest die cutting a second panda w/balloons out of heavy cardstock and adhere to the backside of the colored image.  Punch a circle in the cloud background, small enough to hide behind the balloon.  Place a foam dot in the center, adhering the bottom side to the card base, and the top side of the foam dot to the back of the top balloon.  The panda will swing back and forth as if he is floating in air.   

I hope you are having a wonderful start to your summer!  Have a great weekend and thanks for joining me today!

Copics used:  C00, C0, C3, C5, C7

B00, B12, B14

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YR12, YR14, YR16

G40, G43

R20, R22

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.

Let the Party Begin by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

Before I say anything at all, I want to say that today is a day we honor all our fallen U.S. military. They sacrificed their lives for the lives of others. From the depths of my soul, thank you so very much for your service. May your sacrifice never be in vain, nor forgotten. 

Today I have a super fun card to show you that uses one of the sets from Art Impressions Girlfriends line! I don't know about you, but I ADORE the Girlfriends line of stamps!! They just are the ultimate display of what it's like to have the best Girlfriends in your life!! They are always having fun and laughing and just enjoying life!! This set, #5280 Practically Perfect, is no exception!! I want to attend the party they're at, don't you??!! LOL! I started with stamping the image onto a Copic friendly paper and then colored them using Copic markers. I've listed the markers below for your convenience. After getting it colored, I cut it out using the Nested Square Die set and then framed it using the brand new Scalloped square dies. I love how the largest of the dies has that decorative edge around it!! 

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

Copic markers used:

E000, 00, 11, 23, 25, 27, 33, 39, 97, and 99

Y26, 35 and 38

R20, 22, 24, 27, 81, and 83

BG11, 13, 15, 18, 32, and 57

YR23, 24, 27, 65, and 68

T1, 2, 5, and 6

C1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7

W3, 5, and 7

Just a Mermaid and Her Treasures! by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I've loved this little mermaid since the moment I saw her.

How precious is this card for a little girl's birthday?

Or a big girl...we can all love mermaids!

I know we often hear about octopuses collecting little trinkets and sparkly things but I kind of feel like mermaids probably do that too. I made sure to deck out her space with all sorts of shells and treasures.

Even though my card has a lot going on, I feel like she is still the star. The dies that come with this set cut a little opening in her arms to hold her beloved conch shell or treasure chest or anything else you might think she'd enjoy.

I recently did an Easter craft at school and took one of my chalk palettes. It reignited my interest in them. I used them to add some subtle color to my embossing folder and die cuts.

Do you repurpose items from around your house for your cards? For the fish netting here, I used a sleeve that 3 heads of garlic came in.

This last photo is just for fun. When my daughter saw my card she remarked that it looked like our tissue box.  LOL! Maybe Joel uses Kleenex too and was inspired by the box for his paper! 

P.S. Let me tell you! I DID NOT SPEND ALMOST $9.00 on this tiny bag of shells that I added to my card. Over 10 years ago, these were gifted to me by a co-worker. I can't believe they're still available and I can't believe how expensive they are. Thank goodness for Art Impressions VERY reasonably priced 5329 – Beach Mini Dies. I can color those however I like and make as many as I want.

I made a second, slightly different version because I remembered that I had the nautical wax melt stamper and wanted to add that. I like this version too.

Copics used:

G40, BG02, BG07, E34, RV42, RV52, R000, R85, Y04, Y15

Marvy LePlume:

R810 IVORY, R812 APRICOT, OR821 BEIGE

"OH! Were you going to eat this?" by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!!

I hope you had a beautiful Easter and that you don't have a belly ache from eating too many jelly beans yesterday! One of the many things I absolutely love about Bonnie's art is her amazing sense of humor! She is a master at it! Her characters and humor have had me addicted for sooooo many years!!! For today's card, I tried to do her art justice using 5369 Feline Set. I mean, if you know cats, they rule the roost, and I could totally see this happening! LOL! I started out stamping this hilarious image onto a Copic friendly paper and then colored it using Copic markers which I've listed below. Along with the stamp set, I also utilized 5726 Nested Circle Dies, 5972 BJ Decorative Margin Dies, and 6011 Basic Teal PP. I added some stickles to the candles and some Glossy Accents to the cake icing. Sorry - the lights gave a funny glare off the edges of the glossy accents. It doesn't look like that in person. 

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:

#21, 23, 50, 51, and 53

R02

BG02, 05, and 09

YG03, 05, and 07

Y13, 17, and 19

YR04, 07, 09, 12, 14, 18, and 31

ABC, 123 Challenge #401 Week #1 and MILESTONE BIRTHDAY WINNERS from Challenge #400

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our newest challenge.

This time it's ABC,123

We want to see your crafty creations using either Letter or Number dies on them.
Spell out someone's name. Use a # on a birthday or anniversary card. Maybe you know a new BABY on the way or want to make a SPRING card. People always need HUGS too! Maybe you'll create a WC stencil with them??  Whatever your heart desires, as long as you use letter or number dies.

Art Impressions has several Letter and Number Die sets to choose from.

5910 – Large Letter Die Set

        

5911 – Large Number Die Set

5072 – Block Letters Die Set

5562 – Journal Letter Die Set

I'm sure you've all been waiting to find out who our 5 lucky random winners are from the Milestone Birthday challenge where we celebrated our 400th challenge on the Art Impressions blog. Talk about a MILESTONE!!

I won't keep you waiting any longer.
Our 5 winners are 13, 14, 20, 5, 2

#13 came up first and Betty will be receiving 5900 Garden Bench Set.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

and let her know you won the Bench set.

#14 came up next so Irene will be able to choose a current stamp set from Art Impressions.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

#20 was selected 3rd and Sara will be receiving 6025 – Fear Not Set

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim your Fear Not set!!

#5 was next and Terry C. will receive 5868 Daffodil & Tulip Set

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

and let her know you won the Daffodil & Tulip set!!

Our 5th and final winner was #2 Marianne H. and she will receive 5876 Watercolor Lilies Set.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

and let her know you won the Lilies Set!!

We were so excited to see all of these amazing birthday cards and hope you will all continue to enter. If you didn't win, don't be discouraged. Be sure to take those cards or create something new, and then, enter them in the Monthly Challenge that's going on right now. There is no theme, and it's a random drawing. You can win a free stamp set from Art Impressions, or, if you're in the US, you have the chance to win a freebie from me. Or...create something new for this week's challenge. ABC, 123.

It was my turn as our Featured Artist and I made a Z fold baby card.

All of my measurements are listed below.

My coworker and friend is expecting her very first grandchild.
I decided to make an ABC, 123 WWBB card. (What Will Baby Be?)

Her son and his wife will be finding out later this month and I know how excited she is to find out.

I just love all of the dies from Art Impressions. The mini dies are some of my favorites and fit so well with the new letter and number dies.

For all of the scoring I did, I used my Martha Stewart scoreboard. This helps me get crisp lines on my card folds.

Joel's new papers were so perfect for the card that I envisioned.

This is a pretty straight forward card so I didn't take many pictures of the process. It's really just about having the measurements.

For the white card base I measured cardstock out to be 8 5/8" long x 5 1/2" high/wide.

I then scored the white cardstock at 2 1/8" and then again at 4 1/4".

Next, I cut all of my panels.

The Teal panel was made using the 2nd largest die from the double stitched rectangle die set. 
The gingham insert page measured 4 3/4" x 3 1/2".
The yellow matte around those two panels measured 5 1/8" x 3 15/16".

For the panels on the smaller Z sections, these are the measurements.

Yellow cardstock: 5 1/8" x 1 3/4"

Teal paper: 4 3/4" x 1 3/8"

Gingham paper: 4 5/8" x 1 1/4"

I hope you like my card. I can't wait to see what you create using letter and number dies.

✻ 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.

✻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