Visions in Pink by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend! The new 6116 Thinking of Home Set in the Storybook Series is such a lovely set, the possibilities for this is amazing.  

I decided to go with a mix of browns and pinks, and I absolutely love how this turned out!  I was going to get a picture of the images after I colored them before assembly, but I got sidetracked, and when I returned to it and cut the images out with the included dies and started putting it together, is when I figured out that I had not.  This set comes with 5 images, one as the back piece and then 4 layers. I decided that I actually wanted to cut out the house so that I could pop it up on foam tape, so I stamped in a guide of the house on the piece of watercolor paper so that I could put in some flowering trees beside it.  I did a wash of 772 for the sky and then used 4964 WC Branches Set in 899, adding dots of 772, 817, and Bleed Proof White for the flowers.  I stamped a second image of the house, so that after coloring I could cut it out and pop it up over the guide I stamped on the back piece.  For the roof and the trim on the door and window, I used 899, and over that in areas 879. For the walls I did a light wash of 969, and also added details to the walls and roof using 4867 Foliage Set 2, the little foliage, in 990 on the walls and 969 on the roof. Which of course I figured out after assembly that you can’t see it.  I used 969 on the chimney and shaded with 565.  For the door and window panes I used 772, the handle on the door I used 947 and shaded with 969.  For the front porch I used the same colors as the house, a light wash of 969 with 899 and 879 on the roof, shading with 565.  Using the same foliage as before, I also added some details on the front post using 990. I did mask these off with post-it tape just in case.  For the next layer with the cat in the chair, I went a little darker with the 969 on the chair and shaded with 565.  For the cat I started with 565 to shade areas since part of the cat would be white, and then added some N52 for a light gray and a touch of 772 for the inside of the ears.  The flowers were done with 817 focusing more color in the center. 126 and 177 on the leaves and 899 on the pot.  For the stone I used N49 with N57 between the stones and then added shadows and shading with 565.  Next is the bird house, for the post 969, base color on the house is 772, adding details with 817.  The roof was done with 879, the perch 969.  For the hole, 969 and 879 was used.  The last layer with the mailbox, I started with 969 on the post, N60 for the base layer on the mailbox with some N52 in areas and shaded with 565.  For the flag I used 817. The little bird, I used a black micron on the eyes, beak, and legs first. I then did a base color of 772, contouring with 817, and then added a touch of 969.  Each of the stamp sets come with their own dies to cut out the images, but you will need 6121 Storybook Template Dies to create the ornament.  The Template has all of the dies you need to cut out the components to assemble it together.  The square to cut out the back piece and layers, and an oval to cut out the openings to line up with the opening in the outer casing.  Each of the stamp images stamp out a section that lines up with the oval opening that you glue behind the paper layer that just leaves the image visible through the opening.   Once you cut out the outer casing, you glue your back piece in, personally I prefer to put the layers together before attaching them over the back piece, a little easier for me that way.  You will want to use foam tape between the layers, usually a square in each corner does the trick. I used a double layer of foam tape for added dimension between the layers. Since I popped up the cut out image of the house, I wish I had added one more layer of foam tape to the back of the porch layer.  Just make sure as you are assembling that your layers are actually going to fit, I leave the backing on the foam tape and stack it inside to make sure there is enough room, then you can adjust from there if you’d like before putting it together.  Once I have my layers together I then fold along the crease lines and then attach my layers into place and then glue the edges down.  I used 6182 Valentines Series 2 Cover paper pack for the casing and the hanger.  Once the sides were set, I then attached the hanger and added a bow and ribbon.  I hope you will enjoy this set as much as I do!

I loved the color combo so much on my first project that I decided to continue with that color theme.  This time I used the 6179 Cottage Charm with the 6158 Story Tile Template Die. I cut down my watercolor paper down to 4 ¼ by 5 ½ and then placed the die over the paper to trace out some guides with a pencil. Just don’t make the same mistake I did, I put the die with the cut side up, which meant that I had to turn my paper over and cut from the backside to get it to line up with my images.  (Still shaking my head!) So place your die, cut side down before you trace your outlines. I then decided where I wanted to stamp each image. I used Distress Ink in Pumice Stone and stamped each one off first, if you are worried about the position you can always use a stamp positioner. For the sentiment I used Versafine Clair in Nocturne, using a permanent ink allowed me to watercolor the background in without causing the sentiment to bleed.

Flower pots: I used 879, 947. 4868 Flower Set 2/flower bunch in 177, 772, 817. 4052 Flower Set 1/ daisy bunch in 772, 817.  5126 Foliage Set 4/small vine in 249. 177 for the ground and 526 for the sky.

Bird Bath: 565 and 969 mixed with a touch of 526.  Water: 565 with a touch of 526 and 817 for the reflection.  Bird: 772, 817, and a touch of 969. 5126 Foliage Set 4 for the leafy branch in 126 and a line drawn up through the image with 177.  5008 Flower Set 3 with 772 and 817 at the base of the petals and 177. 

Fence: Background 526.  5826 Large Tree Set 2/grass: 177 with a touch of 969 in 2 small spots at the base.  5476 Foliage Set 5/grass, just inking the tips in 817. Fence: 565 for shading and a couple of touches of 947 in light wash for interest. 

House: Roof, window and door trim. 899 and 879. Walls, light wash of 969.  Chimney and steps, 565 and 969 mixed, 565 for shading.  Door and window panes 772. Door knob 969. Shutters, 772 and 817 for the slats.  Ground 177 and 526 for the sky. 5372 Mini Foliage Set/bush line in 249, Bleed Proof White for the flowers.  4964 Branches in 899, dots of 772, 817, and Bleed Proof White for the flowers.

Sentiment: 772 for the background.   

Bike: 772, 817, 969, N15, 565 for shading, pencil for spokes.  5126 Foliage 4/leafy branch in 126 with 177 right up the center.  947 for the ground, and 526 for the sky.

Always remember that sets like these can be used in so many ways. You can use each stamp individually, or create your own scenes.  I for one am looking forward to playing with the possibilities.  Thank you so much for joining me today, until next time! Create….Share….Inspire!

Remembrance by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  My two cards today are in honor of Memorial Day, a time of remembrance.  Red Poppies, in particular, are a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance for those who lost their lives in conflict, they are also my husband’s favorite flower.  

The 6163 Poppy Margin Set comes with two stamps that mirror each other and are part of the Bible Journaling line.  There is also a beautiful Peony Set – 6164.  I started out by cutting down my watercolor paper to 3 inch by 7 inch and used my stamping platform.  I inked the stamp in Distress Ink Lost Shadow, this is a light enough ink that I did not stamp it off.  For the outer frame I used 026, going over the whole frame.  I then went in with another layer, darkening the more shaded areas to create dimension.  For the petals of the flowers, I started with a base layer of 885, and then went in with 856 to deepen and shade the darker areas.  969 was used on the centers, and shaded with N15. The stamens were done with a black micron pen.  For the stems and leaves I used 177.  The background was colored with 192, and I also added in a bit of 526.  I found that this blended in a bit to well with the floral image so I used 565 to shade around the frame and florals.  This broke up the green enough to set the image off.  I also went around the outside of the frame to help set if off and give it more dimension on the paper.  I used a solid muted green cardstock to mat the 5x7 card base, and used a border die from my stash.  My original intention was to add a sentiment, but I ended up liking the card just the way it is.    

For my 2^nd card I used the newly released 6187 FG Poppy Border with 6179 Cottage Charm.  I love how the birdbath looks with this set.  It is always good when sets can interchange together.  I started off by stamping in the poppies on my watercolor paper with Distress Ink Pumice Stone, after stamping off once.  For the stems and leaves I used 126 first and then contoured with 177, making sure to darken the shaded areas.  I then started with 905 as the base for the petals and then used 885 for contour and shading, being mindful of areas that overlap and darkening these areas a little bit more.  I then stamped in the birdbath, also with Pumice Stone, and stamping off once.  I used a stamp positioner for this and after I figured out where I wanted it, I made sure to mask off the flowers so as not to stamp over the top of them.  I painted the birdbath with a mix of 565 and 969 adding in a touch of 249 and shading with 565.  For the water I used a mix of 565 and 249 and then added a light layer of 526.  For the bird, I first went over the eye, beak, and legs with a black micron. I used 055 as a base layer and then added in layers of 025, 947, and 969.  I then add some of the 025 into the water as a reflection of the bird.  For the background I added 133 and 177 at the base, and 526 for the sky.  5724 Nested Rectangle Dies, 6^th from the largest, was used to cut the image out and I matted this with a dark green cardstock using 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitched dies, 3^rd from the largest.  I then matted this on to some gold cardstock.  The card base was matted with paper from 6033 Inspirational Easter Paper Pack.  Before mounting my image, I stamped in the sentiment in Versafine Clair Nocturne, in the bottom corner.  Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you liked my creations!  Until next time! Create….Share….Inspire!

Thinking of You Shaker Card by Janet

 

Gemini said

Spring is around the corner, and there is no better way to welcome the season of renewal than with a card that literally dances when you move it! Today, I’m sharing a festive, multi-window shaker card that combines delicate florals with some of the newest treasures from Art Impressions.

This project features the fun 6158 – Story Tile Template Die, which creates a beautiful "window pane" effect—perfect for showing off the new stamp images and for housing the spring-themed sequins.

To recreate this look, here are the key supplies:

Dies: 6158 – Story Tile Template Die

Stamps: 6179 – Cottage Charm Stamp Set

Paper: 6140 – White Cardstock Paper Pack, 6082 – Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack (Floral), and silver metallic cardstock.

Essentials: Heat resistant acetate, 1/4" foam tape, Silver embossing powder, Watermark Ink, and pink sequins/glass drops.

I started by die-cutting the Story Tile Template from crisp white cardstock. This die is fantastic because it adds a delicate stitched detail to all six frames simultaneously. For the "glass," I trimmed a piece of heat-resistant acetate to fit perfectly behind the entire frame. Before sealing the windows, I took the "Thinking of You" sentiment and heat-embossed it in silver powder directly onto the acetate in the top-right window. This gives the sentiment a floating effect.

To give the shaker bits room to move, I layered two strips of 1/4" foam tape around the perimeter and the interior dividers. Tip: I added extra foam tape around the sentiment window specifically. This keeps that area clear of shaker bits so the message remains easy to read!

I made the card base using silver metallic paper for a hint of shimmer. For the background of the windows, I chose a stunning blue floral pattern from the Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack. I piled my spring shaker bits onto the floral paper, peeled the backing from my foam tape, and pressed the frame down to seal those sparkly pieces inside.

The Cottage Charm set is full of whimsical imagery. I stamped, colored, and fussy-cut the fence, the vintage bicycle, and the birdbath. I layered four fence pieces across the bottom to create a grounded scene, then tucked the bicycle and the thirsty little bird into place. To tie everything together, I adhered pink flower sequins and pink glass drops directly onto the white frame for an extra pop of dimension.

The combination of the silver metallic base and the interactive shaker windows makes this card feel like a little celebration in an envelope. It's a perfect way to remind someone that they matter.

Thanks for joining me on the blog today. As always, find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store!

Happy Crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest  

Thinking of You by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

There is a wonderful new die available from Art Impressions!
It can be used vertically or horizontally depending on what
stamps you decide to put inside of each panel.

Remember, the current challenge on the Art Impressions Challenge Blog 

is called It's in the Mail. You can click on the banner to be

taken to the challenge to enter your postal themed card. 

(Stamps, mailboxes, envelopes etc.)

There are 4 brand new sets made to coordinate with the die, 

but the great thing is that you can use any stamp, die cut 

or sentiment that will fit inside each rectangle.

 The possibilities are endless.
I chose to use the cottage scene because I love the bike.

One cool thing I discovered was that the window die from the MB Template fits perfectly inside the space for the window on the cottage. The intent is that you will paint or draw in the panes but I love the look of die-cutting the window panels out. So cool!

Copics used:

YG11, Y11, Y18, B01, B34, N2, E33, E40, E55