Last Blooms by Gennette Houghton

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  The last threads of summer are just about over and fall is settling in.  We are still having some warm days but have seen our first frost here.

There have been so many pretty sets that have been released lately!!  For my first card I used 6218 BJ Long Stem Set, and 5921 Glass Container Set.  I stamped the container first in Distress Ink Vintage Photo and cleaned off part of the top rim after stamping off twice.  I then used a stamp positioner to put in the florals, also in Vintage Photo, cleaning off just the very bottom of the stem after stamping off once, so I could overhang the leaves over the container.  I started with the flowers by putting in a base layer with 020, darkening the areas that would be shadowed before putting in 837 in the center and coming up part way.  For the leaves and stems I started with a base layer in 126, and then using 177 to contour and shade.  I used 076 on the container making sure I left a highlight in the middle, and then created some texture by adding in some darker sections.  I started with 526 for the background, dropping in shadows on the underside of all of the flowers and leaves, I then added in some 133.  969 was used at the base with a touch of 565 right under the container.  Cutting out my image with a die from 6114 Box Village Template and matted my image on a solid cardstock that matches the paper I chose from 5835 Mini Paper Pack.  The die I used on the solid cardstock is from 5768 Decorative Journal Page 1.

Fall is my favorite season, I just wish the best of it wasn’t so short lived.  There is nothing like the crisp air and watching all of the trees change color.  For this card I used 5935 Fairytale Houses and 5594 Harvest Scarecrow (sunflowers).  The house, fence, and sunflowers were all stamped in Distress Ink Pumice Stone after stamping off once.  Starting with a sheet of watercolor paper, I stamped in the house first and covered it with a mask.  I then added the fence and sunflowers, using a stamp positioner.  I then used the 6^th from the largest die from 5724 Nested Rectangle Dies to trace a guide, and also for cutting out my image once done. For the main body of the house I used N57, I then went over this, in areas, with some 249 for a patina look.  947 was used to create a rusty look.  For the wood trim and roof I used 969.  905 was used on the door and dormer.  I used a mix of 565 and 969 for the windows and chimney, adding in the details with the same mix.  I added in some 565 for the more shaded areas for shadows.  565 was also used to shade the fence, leaving the bulk of it white.  For the sunflowers, I started with the petals.  055 was used as the base, contouring with 025, and for the darkest areas a little bit of 026.  For the leaves and stems I used 126 first and then shaded with 177.  For the centers I started with 947, darkening a section with 969, and then added a touch of N15 for the deeper shadows.  I also added a couple of white dots with Bleed Proof White.  For the sky I used 403 watered down, and 177 for the ground with a bit of 969 for the path to the door.  I then took the tall grass from KH5951 Foxes Set in 177 and stamped several times on both sides in front of the fence.  I then used the grass from 5826 WC Large Tree Set 2 in 4 places stamping several times each in 177 with just a touch of 969 at the base.  I then added in some white flowers with Bleed Proof White.  My card base was matted with paper from 5838 Fall Paper Pack, and matted my image with matching solid cardstock using a die from my stash.  Thank you for joining me today and I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Until next time!  Create….Share….Inspire!!

 

Long Stemmed Daisies by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Is everyone enjoying these long stemmed flowers as much as me?

Daisies are one of my favorite flowers.

I initially began by stamping this image just once. When I placed it on my card, it just didn't feel like it filled it up enough. My card is pretty large. I stamped it two more times and fussy cut out all of the flowers. I then stuck sprigs here and there until it seemed like a full bouquet.

I stamped one of the sentiments on a nested oval for the front of the card, framed it with a scalloped oval and then popped it up on dimensional foam tape.

On the inside, I stamped another sentiment from the set and also stamped the daisies again. The bottom border was made with some of Art Impressions designer paper and the largest die in the scalloped rectangle set.

Blessings in Poppies by Janet

Hello Ai fans. If you come here enough, you will know that I favor bright and bold colors. Today is a perfect example of it. Color makes me happy and somehow pastels and light shades alone rarely work for me. It's true from wardrobe, my home, and my artistic card making. Today's card once again showcases a dark fuchsia that's tamed down by some quiet yellow, cream and kraft cardstock choices.

To create my project, I started by stamping an oval frame from the 6221 - Frameworks Set 3. Then I stamped in the poppy flowers using one of the floral images in 6218 - BJ Long Stems. I colored the poppies and the frame in reddish orange colors with Copic markers. I also colored a light blue background into the blank space in the frame. I stamped another round frame from the same set and stamped a sentiment from the 6216 - Mercy Set. I colored the background in blue here as well. Once complete, I fussy cut the frames and set them aside.

The next step was to use two dies from the 6048 - Scalloped Rectangle Dies. The inner mat was cut out of a nice pale yellow and cream striped paper design found in the 6205 - Floral Shop Paper Pack. The exterior scalloped frame was cut from from Stardream Metallic cardstock in Jupiter. I stacked these two mats on top of a kraft A2 card base. Then I mounted the two frames on the card. To add a delicate touch and additional texture, I included a cream chiffon bow enhanced with a cream ribbon rose. 

While this card has a strong burst of color, it doesn't take away from the flower image and sentiment. In fact, it enhances the colors in the poppy and ties the entire card together. I hope you agree that the neutral cardstock colors play nicely with the dark fuchsia cardstock and reddish orange hues.

Thanks for stopping by and spending time with me and Art Impressions today. Please visit the Ai store to pick up your favorite stamps, dies, papers, accessories, and supplies, including all the supplies I used in this card. 

Happy Crafting!

 

Circles of Creativity with a Shaker and a Baby Shower card by Neema

                         

Hello Ai Friends

I can't believe August is already here; July went by so fast! It was a busy month for me because I participated in World Watercolor Month, creating a daily video featuring stamps from Art Impressions. You can watch the entire series on my YouTube channel, Crafts and Designs by Neema: https://youtube.com/@craftsanddesignsbyneema?si=Pjt4hG9TRIHgFmBf

This week, I took a break from videos to paint a few pictures and create the two cards I am sharing with you today.

                               

Card 1: Easy Shaker Card
I love shaker cards because they are fun, elegant, and perfect for any celebration. For this card, I used a flower from the newest release, 6218 BJ Long Stem Set. However, you can easily customize this project by using a different focal point, shape, color scheme, or shaker bits.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1.  Cut an A2-size card base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and another layer of the same size from patterned paper.
2.  Cut a front panel from watercolor paper to 3 3/4" x 5".
3.  Select a circle die for your shaker opening and lightly trace the circle with a pencil.

4.  Flex the long-stem flower stamp to create a curved shape that fits along one side of the circle, then stamp the image. I used Archival ink, Shadow gray.

                       


5.  Color the stamped image. I used Tombow markers, but you can use any medium.

6.  Use a partial die-cutting technique to cut the circle up to the point where the stamped image begins by positioning the upper cutting plate only over the area you want to cut. Fussy cut the flower side on the inner circle.

                     


7.  Cover the back of the opening with acetate, then frame it with foam tape.

8.  Place your shaker bits on the card and adhere the front panel to the card base.

                     


9.  Decorate the card by adding a few golden dots and a bow to the flower stem. Finish by adding a strip sentiment.

                    

Card 2: Simple and Sweet Baby Shower Card
Note: For this card, I used the Artistro Watercolor Paint Set.

                                                   

Step-by-Step Guide:

1.  Cut an A2-size card base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and another layer of the same size from watercolor paper.
2.  Create the background by layering dark blue paint (Midnight Blue, Cobalt, and Azure) on the watercolor paper, letting each layer dry before applying the next. Once completely dry, add splatters using Windsor & Newton silver ink.
3.  On a separate piece of watercolor paper, stamp a little lamb toward the center, leaving enough space for the moon.
4.  Use a 3" circle die to draw around the stamp, then draw a crescent moon using a smaller circle die as a template. Paint the moon using different shades of yellow (I used Artistro colors: Pineapple, Yellow Tulip, and Apricot). Once dry, use the 3" die to cut around it, and fussy cut the crescent moon and the lamb. Paint the border of the moon with the Windsor & Newton gold ink (do not paint around the lamb).

5.  Paint a piece of paper with Windsor & Newton gold ink, cut out a star, and tie it to the moon using embroidery floss.
6.  Assemble the card by gluing the moon down. To create dimension, add a cardstock layer under the moon, leave the star hanging freely, and add your sentiment.

I hope you enjoy my cards and get inspired to make your own. Don't forget to visit my YouTube channel and check out the videos for the July World Watercolor Series. In the meantime, here are some pictures of the 31 little paintings.

                                                          

Happy crafting,

Neema

All Things Beautiful by Janet

Hello Ai fans and welcome to the weekend and the Ai blog! Today's project features several new sets now available at the store. It shows off images from several sets and how they can be combined to create pretty collages and scenes.

My card starts with an aqua A2 card base. I cut a slightly smaller rectangle out of the 6205 Floral Shop PP. Then I used a die from the 5727- Nested Oval Set to cut out a frame which nests all my card elements nicely. I used a punch to the shaped corners on the soft striped paper which I mounted with foam tape on the blue card base.

Next I stamped and colored the flower image from the 6220-Sing to the Lord set. I colored the flowers to resemble one of my garden favorites, blue hydrangeas. I stamped the bible verse from the 6218-BJ Long Stems set in a frame found in the 6222-Frameworks Set 4. Then I colored a bird from the 6216-Mercy Set. I fussy cut all the images and arranged them in the oval window. As filler, I added a few silk leaves and a matching bright blue and white polka dot bow. Finally a few blue glitter enamel dots were added as accents.   

This card is full of dimension, pretty colors, nature images and a reminder of God's role in making all things in the world including the earth's bountiful and beautiful natural birds and fauna.

Thanks for stopping by and spending time with me and Art Impressions today. Please visit the Ai store to pick up your favorite stamps, dies, papers, accessories, and supplies, including all the supplies I used in this card. 

Happy Crafting!

I'll always be here for you by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

My card today features a couple of new releases by Art Impressions, #6221 Frameworks Set 3 & #6218 BJ Long Stem flowers. I have always loved daffodils (maybe because they're yellow?? LOL), so I was excited to see these! I thing the flowers fit beautifully inside the new frames, so they're a perfect match in my book! I stamped them onto a Copic friendly cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored them up. I used one of the slimline dies to die cut it as I love the stitched edges. For the sentiment, I used the beautiful banner from the Decorate Journal Page 2 set. 

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

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!

Birds of a Feather! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a card inspired by the current Floral Frenzy Challenge. Art Impressions has so many beautiful floral sets, and I had fun combining two new sets to create this colorful design.

I started with one of my favorite dies, the 6158-Story Tile Template Die, and selected flowers that would fit perfectly into each tile. The floral images I used are from the 6218-BJ Long Stem Set and the 6220-Sing to the Lord Set. Both sets include so many pretty flower stamps, and they work beautifully together!

Instead of filling every tile with flowers, I added two little birds from the 6216-Mercy Set. These sweet birds were the perfect addition and helped bring the design together. To finish the card, I stamped a bird-themed greeting from the 5980-Song Birds and Feeders Set to coordinate with the stamped images.

I love how the mix of flowers and little birds created a cheerful card full of color and springtime inspiration. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are inspired to create something beautiful for the Floral Frenzy Challenge!

Spotlight Daffodils Card and Floral Corner Bird Bookmarks by Diane Mason

  Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend!

Hello, my Ai Watercolor friends and fans! Today I’m sharing two projects featuring stamps and dies from three of the newest releases: 6218 – BJ Long Stem, 6220 – Sing to the Lord Set, and 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark. I used the first set to create the Spotlight Daffodil Card, and combined the second and third sets to make the Floral Corner Bird Bookmarks.

Spotlight Daffodils Card:

I just love daffodils—their structure is so elegant, and they come in so many beautiful colors. My favorites are the bright yellow ones. Using the spotlight technique allowed me to highlight those beautiful yellow blooms and really draw the eye to the focal image.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Watercolor Paper

Cardstock: Black

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

Stamps & Dies:

• 6218 – BJ Long Stem
• 5588 – Journal Oval Frames Die Set
• 5724 – Nested Rectangle Dies

Ink for stamped images: Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Versamark

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 025, 026, 177, 403

Other: Foam squares, Ranger Super Embossing Powder – White, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White, Heat Embossing Tool

Creating the Background

Using a stamp platform, I stamped each long‑stem image in Versafine Onyx Black to build the background. I made sure to position the daffodil exactly where the spotlighted oval would later be placed.

For the spotlight image, I inked the petals with 026 and the leaves/stems with 177, stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper, then pulled the color from the lines with a damp brush. I brightened the petals with 025 and deepened the shadows with more 026. The stems were shaded with a mix of 177 + 565.

For the background wash, I brushed a watery mix of 403 around the flowers using a No. 4 round brush. A few highlights were added with Bleed Proof White.

Assembly

I die‑cut the stamped background using the Nested Rectangle Dies (5724) and adhered it to an A2 black cardstock base. Next, I die‑cut the painted daffodil image with the oval from Journal Oval Frames (5588) and die-cut the scalloped oval from black cardstock. After layering them, I added foam squares and aligned the spotlight image over the background.

For the sentiment, I stamped the greeting from 6218 in Versamark clear embossing ink on black cardstock and heat‑embossed it with Ranger Super Fine White Embossing Powder. To complete the card, the sentiment was attached with foam squares.

I really enjoyed making this project. The simple black‑and‑white stamped background creates the perfect foundation for the spotlight technique. I can’t wait to try this approach with more Art Impressions images.

Floral Corner Bird Bookmarks:

The new 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark die is such a delight to use—and these bookmarks come together quickly. You can absolutely make them with cardstock and patterned papers, but I decided to create my own patterned papers using images from 6220 – Sing to the Lord and 6150 – His Love.

Colors and Supplies Used

Paper: Canson XL Mix Media Paper

Cardstock: Purple

Brush: No. 0 round brush

Ink for stamped images: Versafine Vintage Sepia

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 177, 606, 026, 969, N25

Stamps & Dies:

• 6209 – Corner Bird Bookmark
• 6220 – Sing to the Lord Set
• 6150 – His Love Set

Stamping & Painting

I began by die‑cutting the tail, wings, and chest pieces from Canson Mix Media Paper.

Using Versafine Vintage Sepia, I stamped the floral vine from 6220 repeatedly across the tail and wings. For the chest, I stamped the mini hearts from 6150 to fill the shape.

The images were painted with 177 and 606, deepening the flower centers and leaves with additional layers. The eye was painted with 969, with a dot of N25 for the pupil. The beak was colored with 026.

Two Ways to Build the Bookmark

The standard construction (shown in the bottom-left finished sample) slides onto the bottom corner of a page.

To create a version that sits at the top of a page, follow these steps:

1.     Glue the folded cardstock body piece together.

2.     Attach the tail feathers to the outside, facing downward, gluing only at the top so the feathers remain open to slide over the page.

3.     Die‑cut two extra chest pieces from purple cardstock to extend the body and glue them over the tail feathers.

4.     Add the wing, chest, beak, and eye pieces as usual.

Now you have a second way to enjoy these adorable bookmarks!

Here are a few more bookmarks I’ve made for extra inspiration.

Thank you so much for spending a little creative time with me today. I can’t wait to see what you create with these new sets—be sure to tag us on social media. Until next time, Happy Painting!