Single Flower to Story Tile by Simone Carr

Hello Fellow Crafters!

For today’s card, I wanted to create something soft and elegant with a touch of vintage charm. I love how a simple floral image can be transformed with a little watercolor, texture, and a few special details.

Using Canson Watercolor Paper, I stamped the image using N95. I colored the stems and leaves first with 177. Then I colored the flower, starting with 985. I used 055 to add highlights to the bloom and 933 in the center of the flower. I used 526 around the flower to add a soft touch of color to the background.

Once the coloring was dry, I splattered some Winsor & Newton Gold paint over the flower for a little extra shimmer. I then used the Antique Frame Die (from a different company) to cut out my panel.

Using Memento Toffee Crunch, I distressed the edges of the panel to enhance the vintage look. Next, I stamped my sentiment using Versafine Clair Nocturne.

I then selected a frame that would fit around the sentiment from the Frameworks Set 4 and stamped it using Memento Toffee Crunch. Using a small brush, I painted over the stamped frame with Winsor & Newton Gold paint to add a subtle metallic accent.

I felt the card still needed a little something extra, so I used a textured stamp with Distress Ink Antique Linen and stamped it randomly over the card panel. This added just the right amount of texture and finished off the vintage feel of the card.

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies
• 6218 – BJ Long Stem Set
• 6222 – Frameworks Set 4
• 5063 – Double Stitched Rectangle Die (Largest)

Paper
• Canson Watercolor Paper

Inks & Mediums
• Distress Ink – Antique Linen
• Memento Toffee Crunch
• Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Winsor & Newton Gold Paint

Tombow Markers
• N95 – Stamped Image
• 985 – Flower
• 055 – Flower Highlights
• 933 – Flower Center
• 177 – Stems & Leaves
• 526 – Background

For my second card, I used the Story Tile Die to cut a piece of Canson Watercolor Paper. I then arranged my flowers onto each section and stamped the images using Distress Ink Antique Linen.

Once the images were stamped, I colored each section using the Tombow markers listed below. I then cut another frame from patterned paper and adhered it to the watercolor frame. After attaching the layered frame to my card base, I glued each watercolor tile back into place to complete the card.

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies
• 6158 – Story Tile Die
• 6220 – Sing to the Lord
• 6218 – BJ Long Stem
• 5735 – Birthday Sentiments Set

Paper
• 6012 – Basic Yellow Patterned Paper
• Canson Watercolor Paper

Inks & Mediums
• TwinTone Marker – Purple
• Pitt Artist Pen – Black
• Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Distress Ink – Antique Linen

Tombow Markers
• 177, 985, 025, 925, 526 – Tulips
• 606, 177, 526 – Petunia
• 856, 177, N15, 526 – Poppy Flower
• 312, 685, 837, 985, 856, 555, 565, 177, 526 – Wildflowers

Thanks for stopping by, and happy crafting!

Love Blooms Here by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

The current challenge is YELLOW and I couldn't be happier about that.

Yellow isn't my favorite color, however, I do feel it's the most CHEERFUL color there is.

Today I'm sharing a card with a cat sunning himself amongst some beautiful flowers.
This is a new release, 6195 – Love Blooms, and part of the Holiday Lane series.
These little scenes make putting a card together so easy. No figuring out placement or perspective. The work is done for you. You just fill in the blanks and personalize it.

Be sure to enter your project using yellow and you just might win a free stamp set. Click the photo below to be taken to the challenge.

Arteza Real Brush Pens:

Ice Blue

Bubble Gum Pink

Chocolate

Pea Green

Arctic Blue

Spearmint Blue

Sunset Yellow Honey

Pale Skin

Acid Yellow

Yellow! Challenge #428 Week #1

Welcome to our newest challenge!

I feel like this one is pretty self explanatory. Use yellow on your project.
The second I decided to do a yellow challenge, I knew that I wanted it to be Sharon's feature.

Her favorite color is and always has been yellow. After you check out her adorable interactive card, be sure to scroll down and find out who won our last challenge.

Also, don't forget you have one more day to apply to our Design Team call.

Details are below.

 Hello AI Fans! 

If you know me, you know my favorite color is yellow. Just ask my sister, she still hasn't forgiven me for making her wear yellow in my wedding in the 70's. HAHA Oops...I just gave my age away, didn't I. LOL! Anyway, I am super excited to get to introduce our new Challenge #428 Yellow! Whoot Whoot!! I can't wait to see all your amazing creations using the beautiful color of yellow! For my feature, I created a slider card where an adorable frog surprises the birthday girl by popping up out of her birthday cake! First a look at the finished card...

So to make the card, I started with #5407 Birthday Cake GCH. This cake die can be used for so many things!! I cut the pieces using #6012 Basic Yellow PP and then inked the edges to give it a little depth. 

After assembling the cake, I grabbed #6046 Scalloped Oval Die Set and chose the correct sizes so the cake and frog had enough room. If you have a channel die, you can use that. If not, you can also cut a slot with a ruler and your craft knife. I wanted a larger channel than what my die provided so I improvised. Once I cut the one slot, I lined the die up and cut it again to the length I needed as shown in the pics below. You want a slot that is long enough to allow your image to be hidden behind the cake and also reveal it once it's pulled up. 

I cut a pull tab twice out of heavy cardstock and glued them together so they would be strong enough to hold up to the pushing and pulling it was going to receive. (I always play with the interactive cards I create!)

It really helps to keep the pull tab on track if you create a little sleeve for it to slide through. Just take a light weight paper and cut a strip around 1/4" wide and fold it loosely around the pull tab. Glue it down to the back of the card. 

I wanted the frog to "talk" when he jumped out of the cake, so I die cut a word bubble and used a sentiment from #5866 Mini Birthday Sentiment Set. I die cut both the word bubble and the frog 3 times and glued them together for stability. Then, to attach it to the frog, I just cut a small strip of acetate and doubled it up for strength. 

After lining up the pull tab with the channel, I used a strong glue to attach a slider disc to both the pull tab on the back side and the frog on the front side. Be sure to use a strong glue and allow lots of time for drying. You don't want it separating from either of them after you've assembled the entire card!! 

I used two layers of foam tape on the back of green and white slider panel as well as the cake that goes over the top of the slider to give plenty of room for the frog to slide. I added some dots from Scrapbook.com Pops of Color and some of those cute candles that are in the set with the cake. For a touch of sparkle, I went over the Happy Birthday die cut and candle flames with Wink of Stella and then popped a bow on there. I do love interactive cards, so I hope the person that ends up with this enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it. 

So that's it for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit, and I can't wait to see what yellow creations you'll be making for the challenge. Until next time - stay crafty!!! 

I knew Sharon would have fun with this challenge. What an adorable card! That frog is just TOO CUTE!!

Now for the winners of our Mix & Match challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected Neema M.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab your winner's badge to display on your social media.

Our Lucky Random Winner was:

Chrissyxx

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com
to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab your winner's badge to display on your social media.

Congratulations to both of our winners and thank you
Sharon for the amazing inspiration for the new challenge!

If you're interested in applying for our Design Team please view all of the details below.

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.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

For My Friend by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing a new release with you.

I used the new

6188 – FG Daisy Border
along with one of the current BEAR Freebies (an assortment of little bears to choose as a freebie when you spend $30 or more on the Art Impressions Website)

My card was created with the current Feeling Crafty challenge in mind.

Just enter your project using Kraft paper and Art Impressions products and you'll be entered to win a free stamp set from Art Impressions. 

These daisies are so pretty and they look wonderful in other colors too.

Spring Front Porch & Easel Card with Guest Designer Kristen Brown

 Hello Ai fans!

Today we have a special treat for you...

Guest Designer Kristen Brown.
She's filling in for Diane Mason who needed the day off.

She created two GORGEOUS Spring cards to inspire you.

Please enjoy...

I love using the front porch sets, they are so easy to use. I just stamp, color, die cut, arrange and then attach with any adhesive handy.  The stamp sets I used are 5486 and 5512 and the sentiment is from 6062. The Tombow pen colors I used are 177, 977, 969, 526, 703, 025 and 933. The brick paper is from the 6072 Father’s Day paper pack.

Very quick project using the mini scalloped frame die set #5902 and the hydrangea floral set #6062 for the daisies and sentiment. I used only three Tombow pen colors #177, #565 and #933 and the paper is from the Yellow paper pack #6012. Butterfly is from #6008.

Springtime Keepsakes by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I have two cute cards to share with you.

One, is what I intended, and one...well, have you ever done something really stupid silly
only to shake your head and say "What was I thinking?" If you have, then you're not alone.

My "boo boo" card is this one. The duck. He was meant to be a lift flap card just like my pink one below but...nope. I made sure THAT didn't happen...lol!

I created the flap, decorated the inside and then remembered I had this new, really cute yellow pom-pom ribbon. Wouldn't that be cute with this card? It sure would. So, without thinking, I threw down some glue strips and stuck in on. Super cute right? But then...yep. You certainly can't open it anymore.

I just shook my head and chalked it up to a learning experience. Oh well.

For my next card, you can see what the duck was also supposed to look like.

This time I used the adorable bunny.

Here is the inside with the flap open.

I hope you like these and I hope that my little mistake will feel better about something you may have done in the past. We all make mistakes and you really can move on with what you have. Most of the time, you're the only one who will notice.

Have a great week everyone!

Copics used:

Y06, Y17, Y38

RV00, RV0000, RV21, RV93, E31, E40, E53

Hoppy Spring! by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I've always loved frogs, possibly because they're green, which is my favorite color.
This newest frog from Art Impressions is just the most darling little creature ever!

I layered up lots of Ai dies to add some fun dimension to my card.
We've been in a deep freeze here in the northeast. I can't wait for spring and flowers
and green grass again.