Chicks Bookmark card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

We definitely are getting to enjoy the Spring air here and just in time for Easter.  Yay!  However, I'm hearing that it's suppose to change next week.  Let's hope the weathermen are wrong.  Fingers crossed!  

Maybe my card for today will inspire the nice Spring weather to continue.  🤞

I created a comical corner bookmark that slides over the card.  When removed it reveals the "Spring is in the Air" sentiment from the #5867 - Mini Easter Sentiment set.  This bookmark is sure to give someone a chuckle every time they open their book.  I just love him and the funny saying!  I hope I don't offend anyone with that sentiment, but it just fit this image perfectly.  😁

The polka dots on the egg was a Sharon inspiration.  Thank you Sharon for the cute idea!

I used the #5401 - Easter Chicks stamp set for the images and the #6042 - Corner Bookmark die set for the detachable bookmark.  I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  The images were then cut using the coordinating dies within the set.

For the pattern papers, I used the #6036 - Easter Bunny PP and the #5892 - Easter S2 PP.  The Art Impressions paper packs coordinate well together.   I cut several circles using the #5064 - Double stitched circle dies and also the #5726 - Nested Circle dies.

I started with a base card panel made with heavy cardstock and cut to an A2 size - 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  I then created a smaller card (size 4 3/4 x 3 3/8) that will be adhered to the front.  I layered the mats and pattern paper panels to the base and also to the front of the card.  I then layered the circle panels and adhered the images to the top layers.  I popped up the bottom chick but not the one on the bookmark.  I didn't want to add any more bulk to the bookmark.  I placed the bookmark onto the card corner and adhered the egg chick panel to the bookmark.  I then adhered the other chick panel to the card base.  The last circle panel was adhered to the card base, lining it up directly under the circle of the bookmark.

I attached the card to the base, lining up to the bottom edge so that the card will stand up on its own.

That's it for me today!  Thanks for joining me and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  Y13, Y15, Y17    R20

YR61, YR65, YR68

G20, G21, G24

R81, R83, R85

Cozy & Chic: Two Ways to Craft Luxury Corner Bookmarks by Janet

 If you’ve ever looked at your metal dies and wondered if they could handle more than just cardstock, this project is for you! I took the 6042 - Corner Bookmark Dies for a spin, but instead of reaching for paper, I experimented with pleather and felt.

The result? Two distinct, high-end bookmarks that feel much more substantial than your average paper version. Here is how I tackled the different textures and materials to get a professional finish.

Pro-Tip: The Secret to a Clean Cut

While these dies are designed for paper, they cut beautifully through thicker materials like felt and pleather if you use the right "sandwich." To ensure every edge was crisp using my die cut machine, I adjusted my setup:

• The Sandwich: Normal plate on the bottom.

• The Secret Weapon: Place a metal shim directly on top of the cutting surface.

• The Material: Lay your pleather or felt over the shim.

• The Die: Place the die face-down on the material.

• Top Plate: Normal plate on the top.

Cutting against the metal shim provides the extra firmness needed to slice through fabric fibers cleanly every time.

Bookmark #1: Cozy Felt Flowers

Felt and fuzzy materials are notoriously difficult to glue—the glue just soaks into the fibers. To solve this, I turned to HeatnBond iron-on adhesive.

1. Prep the Material: Before die-cutting, iron the HeatnBond onto your felt or pleather pieces following the package directions. I used my Cricut Easy Press, but a standard iron works perfectly too.

2. The "Pocket" Trick: For the main bookmark base, I didn't coat the whole thing. I only applied a strip of HeatnBond to the tab portion. This ensures that when you iron the pieces together, the "pocket" remains open so you can actually slide it onto your book pages!

3. Assembly: Once the pieces were cut, I followed the HeatnBond instructions to fuse the felt flowers and leaves onto the base.

4. The Finish: I added a bit of "wow" factor using glitter and crystal drops for a textured, handmade, whimsical look.

Bookmark #2: Iridescent Elegance

The second bookmark is a more sophisticated take, perfect for an adult reader or a thoughtful gift.

• The Base: I cut the main piece from a stunning iridescent and embossed pleather that I found in my stash. It's a good feeling to find some uses for things you've had for a long time. Win!

• The Detail: I cut two additional flowers from a another pleather with a slightly different color story to create a subtle contrast.

• The Adhesive: Since the back of this material is also fuzzy, I used Reptile Glue on it too. It’s incredibly versatile and creates a permanent bond on pleather without the need for heat.

• The Centerpiece: To finish it off, I nestled an ivory glitter enamel dot in the center of the flowers. It’s simple, clean, and very elegant.

Wasn't this a fun one? I certainly enjoyed playing with something different than paper. It's great to know that Ai Dies can work on thick materials like pleather and felt. I'm looking at my dies in a whole new way now! Whether you want something fun and floral or sleek and chic, switching from paper to fabric opens up a whole new world for your die collection.

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 

New Corner Bookmark Dies by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

If you haven't seen the new Corner Bookmark Die set from Art Impressions, I think you're in for a real treat!! These are so beautiful and look amazing when you slip it into your book to mark your page. Just grab a few pages in your book and slip it right over the corner.  They go together so easily and I think they make a big impression when you see them. They're beautiful either painted with your water colors or with Copic markers as these are. I just had fun and chose some cute images from the Mushroom Cubbies to use on this batch.  But I really love the one I made just using the flower dies that come with the Bookmark Set. I think a set of these would be a perfect gift for that book lover in your life!! 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today and until next time - stay crafty!!

SPRITZ, SPLATTER AND PAINT! Challenge #407

 Hello Ai fans and welcome to the latest Bi-Weekly Challenge.

This one is Spritz, Splatter AND PAINT!

The reason behind this fun new challenge?

There is amazing new gold paint available at Art Impressions!

Winsor Newton Ink 14ml – Gold Paint

You can splatter this on your projects, add highlights, paint paper, stamp with it...yes, you heard me...It is SO gorgeous and versatile.

To enter our challenge it doesn't have to be gold. You can use the ever popular Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White, some spritzes you may have on hand or any other paint that you like to craft with.

Today I've created a card where I painted Canson XL WC Paper Pad – 9×12 and then die cut a frame from 5588 – Journal Oval Frames Die Set. Then, when I was almost finished, I took a paint brush and spattered little dots all over.

Read my post to hear all about it.

I die cut my frame and then painted it gold with a large brush. I used watercolor paper so that there would be less warping and then I cut a second piece to glue it to so that it would lay flatter and be thicker so that I could pop it up on dimensional foam tape.

My layered flower is from the new 6042 – Corner Bookmark Dies.

That beautiful gold border peeking out from under the frame was a happy accident. I used the 5972 – BJ Decorative Margin Dies on my recent PEACE Christmas card and this was the leftover remnant. I liked the way the "throw away" part looked so I embossed it and also painted that gold.

  

I die cut my two Hellos from 5408 – ShadowBox Window Die and 5718 – Mini Journal Template and the bees are from 5805 – Mini Journal Box Dies. See those tiny little pink hearts near the hello? Read on to see where those came from.

After I die cut the butterfly from 5811 – Gift Card Pocket Dies I was cleaning up the scraps. I noticed that two of the little pieces looked like hearts so I saved those.

After my card was completely assembled, I took my Royal Round Detail Brush #1, dipped into the paint and used my finger to TAP on the brush, spattering beautiful gold dots all over.

Look at all that golden goodness!! I feel like this is one of those things that you never missed because you didn't have it, but then once you have it, you wonder what on Earth you did without it!??? LOL!
I used the end of my paintbrush to curl the petals and leaves after I used brown ink to "age" the edges a bit.

Before we get to the current challenge let's see who won our last challenge, LEON Day!

For our Top Spot we selected Cindy P.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab our badge to display on your social media too!

Our Lucky Random Winner was Mary Bernard

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab our badge to display on your social media too!

Now onto our challenge!

I hope I've inspired you to try out some paint on your projects! It doesn't have to be gold. You can use the ever popular Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White, some spritzes you may have on hand or any other paint that you like to craft with.

Be sure to enter your creation for the chance to win a free stamp set from Art Impressions. 

We award one Top Spot and one Lucky Random Winner and each will win a free stamp set from Art Impressions.

✻ 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. 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