Sunny Scarecrow Friend Card and Thinking of Home 3D Storybook Frame by Diane Mason

   Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend!

Hello, my Ai Watercolor friends and fans! I have two projects to share with you today. The first is a book-binding fun fold card featuring a friendly scarecrow surrounded by a field of sunflowers in full bloom. The second project highlights one of the newest additions to the Storybook Box Series – Thinking of Home.

Sunny Scarecrow Friend Card:

I just love this time of year. Everything about fall makes me happy—the cooler temperatures, the colorful autumn leaves, the festivals, the comfort food, and of course the golden sunflowers. Today’s book‑binding fun fold card was inspired by all the good things autumn brings. The friendly little scarecrow stands in a bright field of sunflowers, capturing the cheerful, cozy spirit of the season.

Colors and Supplies Used:

Paper: Canson XL Watercolor Paper

Cardstock: Green and white

Patterned Paper: 5973 – Fall Series 2 Paper Pack

Brushes: No. 4 round brush, No. 0 round brush

Stamps & Dies:

• 6255 – FG Sunflower Border

• 5594 – Harvest Scarecrow Set

• 5734 – Friend Sentiment Set (You brighten my day! - sentiment)

• 5507 – Harvest Together Set (Hay Friend! - sentiment)

• 5061 – Square Double Stitched Dies

Ink for stamped images: Versafine Vintage Sepia

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 026, 055, 177, 228, 555, 565, 772, 837, 912, 925, 933, 942, 946, 969, 993

Other: Post-It tape or Masking Paper, foam squares, Brown and Orange TwinTone Markers, and twine.

Stamping:

To begin, I die‑cut a 3.25" x 3.25" stitched square from Canson XL watercolor paper using the second‑largest die in 5061 – Square Double Stitched Dies. Since masking would be needed for this scene, I first stamped the sunflower border (6255) in Versafine Vintage Sepia onto the die‑cut square, then stamped it again onto masking paper to create a mask (Step 1). Refer to the step‑by‑step photo above for Steps 2–5.

Painting:

I brushed in the sky with a watery mix of 555 and painted the foliage with 177. The sunflowers were painted using 055, 993, 946, and 933, with centers in 969.

For the scarecrow:

• Face & neck: 912
• Cheeks: 772
• Nose: 933
• Hair & hands: 026
• Hat: 228
• Wine‑colored patches & shirt stripes: 837
• Overalls: 942
• Yellow‑orange patch: 993 + 933
• Shadows under the hat brim and collar: 565
• The robins were painted with 969, 933, and 925.

To finish the details, I added small stitching lines to the scarecrow and darkened the eyes of both the scarecrow and robins with a Brown TwinTone marker. The Orange TwinTone marker was used to add plaid lines to the yellow‑orange patch.

Card Assembly:

I matted the finished painting with green cardstock, leaving a narrow 1/16" border.

For the book‑binding card base:

• Cut white cardstock to 4.25" x 11.5"
• Score at 4.25" and 5.5"
• Fold at the 5.5" score line

For the green book‑binding panel:

• Cut green cardstock to 4.25" x 5.5"
• Score at 1.25"
• Adhere to the card front, aligning score marks
• Add glue only inside the book‑binding section

Decorate the front with patterned paper:

• Leaf paper: 1 1/8" x 4 1/8"
• Red/brown check paper: 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" 
• Leave a small border around each piece.

Mount the painted panel with foam squares for dimension. Wrap twine around the book‑binding three times and tie in a bow.

Interior:

Die‑cut a stitched square of white cardstock using the largest square die from 5061. Add a decorative strip of green cardstock and leaf patterned paper along the bottom edge. Stamp the sentiments from 5507 – Harvest Together Set and 5734 – Friend Sentiment Set.

This sweet fall sunflower and scarecrow card is now ready to brighten the day of a friend who loves autumn as much as you!

Thinking of Home 3D Storybook Frame:

My bonus project features the recently released 6116 – Thinking of Home Storybook Set. This set has been very popular among the Design Team lately—here’s my take!

I stamped the images onto Canson XL Mix Media paper using Versafine Onyx Black Ink. Colors used: 026, 177, 555, 565, 856, 993, 947, 969, N52, N25. The decorative paper is from 5963 – Winter Woodland Paper Pack.

For the back of the box, I used the same patterned paper and added the “hello” die cut from 5718 – Mini Journal Template. These little 3D Storybook Boxes make wonderful gifts for a friend or anyone who loves miniature scenes!

Thank you so much for joining me for Watercolor Weekend. I hope you have enjoyed today’s projects! Until next time, Happy Painting!

Garden Scenes & Storybook Dreams by Simone Carr

 

Hello Fellow Crafters!

Welcome to another Watercolor Weekend! I’m excited to share this week’s card with you. I was especially excited to use the new Flower and Foliage Sets with this image. I love when one stamp can create an entire scene, and this image has so many fun little details to bring to life with watercolor.

On Canson Watercolor Paper, I stamped the image using 565 + 969, stamping off twice for a softer impression. With a damp #4 brush, I pulled out the stamped color first. Before I added color to the pots, I started with the larger elements of the scene and worked my way through each of the smaller details. The Tombow colors I used for each element are listed below.

After I had my pots colored. I started to stamp in the flowers and foliage. With a damp #4 brush, I dabbed the flowers and foliage to soften the look.

Once I finished the flowers and foliage, I added the final details to complete the scene. I really enjoyed bringing all the little elements of this image to life.

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies
• 5435 – WC Foundations: Potting Bench
• 6270 – Foliage Set 6
• 6271 – Flower Set 7
• 5009 – Mini Flower Set (Dots)
• 4051 – Foliage Set 1 (Grass)

Paper
• Canson Watercolor Paper

Inks & Mediums
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White
• TwinTone Markers – Brown, Gray

Tombow Markers
• N52, 757, 158, 177, 565 – Bucket with Foliage
• 026, 177, 565 – Pot, Bottom Shelf
• 947, 158, 565 – Birdhouse
• 947, 946, 177, 026 – Pot
• 158, 026, 757 – Watering Can
• N89, 177, 817, 526 – Crate
• 991 – Hat
• N89, 565, 177, 757 – Pot Next to Hat
• 947, 946, 565, 177 – Double Pots
• 026, 757, 158, 526 – Last Pot

For an extra project this week, I decided to create a little storybook scene using the new Whimsical Storybook Set.

I stamped all of the images onto Canson Watercolor Paper using Distress Ink Lost Shadow. Once the images were stamped, I colored each piece using the Tombow markers listed below and then used the coordinating dies to cut them out.

I chose a heavier cardstock to build the main outer box as well as the three inner layers.

I used the square die that comes with the set to cut three squares. I then stacked the three squares together and used the included oval die to cut the center opening. I attached an image to each inner layer and then stacked the layers together using foam dots in the corners to create dimension.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s projects and found some inspiration for your next watercolor creation. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you again next time!

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies
• 6121 – Storybook Template
• 6223 – Whimsical Storybook

Paper
• 5832 – Gnome PP
• Canson Watercolor Paper

Inks & Mediums
• Distress Ink – Lost Shadow
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White
• TwinTone Marker – Brown
• 2mm Foam Dots

Tombow Markers
• 126, 757, 565, 947 – House
• 856, 947, N49, 606, N15, 757, 177 – Wheelbarrow
• 947, 969, 177, 856, 985 – Stump
• 757, 126, 947, 969, 942, 912 – Gnome

Shadowbox Gift Card Holder by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I'm sharing my creation for the Furry Friends challenge today.

I used the 6121 – Storybook Template because I love the look of the shadowbox.

Tucked in a little bear from 6017 – Baby Panda Set and accessorized with several other sets which are all linked below.

On the back, I added a pocket to tuck in a gift card.
The gift card pocket wasn't meant to go with this set so the card does

stick out over the top a bit, but that didn't bother me.

I think it's a cute way to present a gift card to an expectant parent.

Thinking of Home by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

I don't have a card for you today. Instead I created a little box that would be so cute to tuck into a small corner of a shelf in your home. All you have to do is change up the colors that would complement your decor! I used the new #6116 Thinking of Home Storybook stamp and die set just released by Art Impressions! It's perfect for a decoration around your home, or imagine how cute it would be to gift it to someone that is moving into a new house or apartment? For the base, I used #6121 Storybook Box Template. These pieces are so easy to put together once you stamp, color, and die cut the pieces! I stamped the images onto a Copic friendly cardstock and then colored and die cut them out. I added a fence die cut with #5807 Journal Fence Dies and then I cut out an easel stand for the back out of heavy cardstock using #5901 Mini Rectangle Frame die set. The grass and clouds were cut from dies in my stash. That cute cloud paper came from #6058 Baby Boy PP.  That cute sleeping kitty helps this fit our current challenge #435 Furry Friends too! 

So that's it for me today! I hope this inspires you to join in on our Furry Friends challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and until next time - stay crafty. 

Last Days of Summer Card and Interactive Whimsical Storybook Box by Diane Mason

  Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend!

 

Hello, my Ai Watercolor friends and fans! I have two projects to share with you today. The first is a card featuring a darling, sleepy little girl resting in her favorite rocking chair, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the last days of summer. The second project highlights one of the newest additions to the Storybook Box Series.

Last Days of Summer Card: 

This square card was inspired by all the kids heading back to school. I was always a little sad when Summer Break came to an end — it always seemed to fly by too quickly. This sweet little girl is nestled in her rocking chair in the garden, soaking up the sunshine and savoring those final, carefree days of summer.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Watercolor Paper

Cardstock: Purple

Patterned Paper: 5939 – Fairy Garden Paper Pack

Brushes: No. 4 round brush, No. 0 round brush

Stamps & Dies:

• 5360 – WC Rocking Chair Set
• 5578 – Little Angels Set
• 5475 – Flower Set 6
• 6271 – Flower Set 7
• 4051 – WC Foliage Set 1
• 6270 – Foliage Set 6
• 6047 – Scalloped Square Dies

Ink for stamped images: Versafine Smokey Gray & N52

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 177, 249, 555, 565, 603, 606, 910, 912, 977, 969, 772

Other: Post-It tape, Masking Paper, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, Brown TwinTone Markers

Since I knew I’d need to do some masking for this scene, I first stamped the rocking chair (5360 – WC Rocking Chair Set) and the girl (5578 – Little Angels Set) on scrap paper. This helped me see exactly where to place the masks so the girl would look naturally seated in the chair. I also left off her wings for this design. The rocking chair was inked with Versafine Smokey Gray, and the girl was selectively inked with N52. Once I had the placement figured out, I stamped the images on to Canson XL watercolor paper.

Painting:

I brushed in the sky with a watery mix of 555. For the foliage, I stamped with 177 and 249, and the flowers were stamped in 555 and 606. I used 603 for the girl’s dress and 277 for her hair and shoes. Her skin was painted with 910 and 912, with 172 added to her cheeks. The rocking chair was shaded with 565.

White highlights were added with Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, and I finished the scene by adding small details where needed with a brown TwinTone marker.

I matted the painting using the largest square scalloped die (6047 – Scalloped Square Dies), cut from purple cardstock, and layered it onto a 4¼ x 4¼‑inch piece of patterned paper from the 5939 – Fairy Garden Paper Pack. The panel was then adhered to a square white card base of the same size.

Interactive Whimsical Storybook Box:

My next project features the newly released 6223 – Whimsical Storybook Set. This set includes both a fairy and a gnome that can perch on the wooden stump, and I couldn’t choose between them — so I used both and made the box interactive! I attached tiny magnets to the backs of the fairy and the gnome, as well as to the inside front and back of the box, so you can swap them out whenever you like. It’s such a fun little detail that brings the whole Storybook scene to life.

Here are all the images painted and die cut. Colors used: 679, 177, 249, 885, 847, N25, N52, 565, 555, 905, 845, 992, 977, 925,192,133, 526, 912, and 942. I used branches from 4964 – WC Branches Set for the trees and leaves from 5372 – WC Mini Foliage Set. The grass is from 4051 – WC Foliage Set 1. The images were stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia Ink. Red, blue and brown TwinTone markers were used to add detail.

Adding the magnets:

 

Interactive Options (front):

Interactive Options (back):

The gnome and fairy can be attached magnetically to the back too!

The sentiment is from 5935 – Fairytale Houses Set. Patterned paper is from 5832 – Gnome Paper Pack.

I think anyone would be super excited to receive this adorable interactive Storybook Box as a gift! Reminder: Safety First - this should not be given to a small child – tiny magnets are a chocking hazard and should not be ingested!

Thank you so much for joining me for Watercolor Weekend. I hope you have enjoyed today’s projects! Until next time, Happy Painting!

Valentine Wreath Gate-fold Card and Sweet Wishes Storybook Frame by Diane Mason

 Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend! 

Hello all my Ai watercolor friends and fans, and Happy 2026! This is my first post of the year, and January 1st is always special to me—not only does it mark the start of a new year, but it’s also my Art Impressions Watercolor Design Team anniversary. I can’t believe it’s already been three years!

Today I’m excited to share two Valentine’s Day projects with you: a Valentine Wreath Gate‑fold Card and a cute little Valentine’s Storybook Frame.

Valentine Wreath Gate-fold Card:

This soft, romantic gate‑fold card features images from the recently released Bible Journaling Set 6150 – His Love. Although it’s designed for Bible journaling, it’s also perfect for all kinds of love‑themed projects. I always enjoy sharing ideas for stretching your stamp collection and using sets in unexpected ways.

Using my stamp platform, I inked the wreath image with Memento Desert Sand and stamped it onto Canson XL watercolor paper. This light ink keeps the lines soft while still preserving the details. (You can ink the flowers and foliage separately in pink and green, but this particular stamp is quite detailed.)

I began by adding a light wash of 703 to each rose, leaving white space for highlights. To deepen the petals, I layered additional 703 into the shadowed areas until I was happy with the value. The hearts on the vine were also painted with 703.

For the rose centers, I dotted in a touch of TwinTone Chrome Yellow and softened it with a damp brush. The leaves were painted with 177, deepening the bases for contrast.

To create a soft, ethereal glow, I brushed a watery mix of 403 around both the inside and outside edges of the wreath. Once dry, I used a fine #0 brush to scatter tiny hearts in 703—just two simple strokes forming a little “V” shape. I also used the #0 brush to add 177 to the vines and refine the leaf details.

Where needed, I added definition to the roses with a Fuchsia Pink TwinTone and blended lightly with water. A touch of Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White restored any missing highlights.

I cut a piece of blue shimmer cardstock to 8½” x 5½”, scored at 1½” and 5¾”, and folded in the sides.

• Left panel: pink patterned paper from 5892 – Easter S2 Paper Pack, cut to 1¼” x 5¼”
• Right panel: blue‑green vine pattern from the same pack, cut to 2½” x 5¼”

Both panels were adhered with double‑sided tape.

The watercolor panel and its mat were die‑cut using 5725 – Nested Square Dies (3” x 3” and 3¼” x 3¼”). I mounted the finished piece to the card front, applying adhesive only to the left side so the gate‑fold can open properly.

Inside the card, I added a 4” x 5¼” pink mat and a 3¾” x 5” white panel.

• The Valentine sentiment from 4848 – Sweet Wishes MTF was inked in 703.
• The heart stems from 6150 were inked in 703 and 401.
• The small heart border was stamped repeatedly along the bottom in 401.

Sweet Wishes Storybook Frame:

Late last year, Art Impressions released the Storybook Template Die along with two coordinating stamp sets for creating adorable Christmas ornaments. The template forms a 3D box where you can build a little scene inside. At the time, Bonnie hinted that more coordinating sets might be coming—I can’t wait to see what she dreams up next!

That got me thinking: why not use the Valentine images from the Sweet Wishes Mini TryFold to create a little Valentine storybook scene?

For this sweet frame, I combined the 4848 – Sweet Wishes MTF set with the 6121 – Storybook Template. The tag was created using a banner die from 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies. The box is cut from white shimmer cardstock, and the heart patterned paper is from the 5741 – Valentines Paper Pack.

All images were stamped in Memento Desert Sand onto Canson XL Mix Media Paper.

Here’s the color palette I used for each element:

Rose Wreath

• 177 (vine and leaves)
• 856 (roses)
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White

Mailbox

• 256 (mailbox and interior lid)
• 565 (post, flag clips, slot, knob)
• 856 (ribbon, flag)
• N52 (flag post)
• 403 (sky)

Bird with Letters & Candy

• 856 (heart and letter)
• 703 (letter)
• 403 (letter)
• 703 + 565 (bird, mailbox interior)

      

Once everything was painted, I die‑cut the center from the wreath and die-cut the opening for the mailbox lid. The mailbox piece was trimmed to match the die size of the die with the oval opening (approximately 2⅝” x 3”). I cut a second piece the same size to mount the bird image on.

The included die cuts the interior of the wreath, but not the outer edge, so I fussy‑cut the wreath with fine detail scissors, leaving a small white border. Mix Media paper cuts easily, so this step went quickly.

The oval opening on the Storybook die was slightly too large for the wreath to sit neatly on top. To fix this, I cut the heart patterned paper again at 2⅝” x 3” and used a smaller oval from 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies to create a better‑sized opening. The wreath was then adhered to the box front with double‑sided tape.

      

To assemble the layers, I used foam squares to pop up each piece, starting with the bird layer and working forward. I positioned the bird so it peeks out when the mailbox lid is opened—such a fun little surprise for the recipient. Once all the layers were in place, I glued the box closed.

I die‑cut an ornament topper from white shimmer cardstock and attached it to the top of the box to hold the ribbon and tag. I folded and glued the topper about two‑thirds of the way down, then folded out small tabs on each side so it could be secured to the box.

For the tag, I stamped a sentiment from 4848, die‑cut it with the banner die from 5902, and tied it on with red baker’s twine. A double bow of red ribbon was added with a glue dot.

To finish the back, I layered more red heart paper with Mix Media paper. The Valentine sentiment and heart border from 6150 were stamped in 856, and the rose was painted using the same colors as the wreath.

Just look at that cute little guy peeping at you from the mailbox! I think it will be fun for the recipient to open the mailbox lid and get a sweet little surprise.

That’s all for now—thanks so much for stopping by for Watercolor Weekend! I hope these ideas inspire you to experiment with some “out of the box thinking” and create something fun for Valentine’s Day with your stamp collection.

Until next time, Happy Painting!