You're SPOOK-Tacular!

Dear Crafty Friends,

With October just around the corner and the temperature in South Florida finally dropping into the 80s, cooler weather is on the way. It feels like a perfect time to make Halloween projects

First Project- Halloween Card

This week, I’m making a very non-traditional watercolor card using the 6111- SpookTacular stamp set, along with a matching bookmark. Here are the step-by-step instructions for both projects:

Watercolor Card Instructions:

1.  Die Cutting & Stamping Setup: After separating the dies, cut all the necessary pieces. Since the dies cut very close to the edges, cut a template first to help stamp after cutting the image.

2.  Cutting & Coloring Pieces:

      - Cut the house from black paper and heat-emboss it using Hero Arts white embossing powder.

      - Cut all other pieces from Canson watercolor paper, including a 1.5-inch circle for the moon.

      - Color all pieces using Tombow watercolor markers.

3.  Background & Card Base:

      - Create the background using watercolor paint, using shades of orange for the sky and green for the ground (starting about 1/3 from the bottom).

                         

      - Once dry, use an arch die to cut the background shape, and use a 1.5-inch circle die to create the opening for the moon.

      - To make the card base, cut paper to 11 x 4.25 inches and fold. Position the arch die slightly over the fold so it cuts two connected arches.

4.  Assembly:

      - Position the moon in the background cut-out.

      - Stamp the big tree onto the background, followed by grass on both sides of the tree.

      - Glue all remaining pieces onto the card.- Stamp the inside of the card.

 

5.  Finishing Touches: Add glitter accents to the sky, lamps, and door using Wink of Stella and Stickles.

Second Project: A Halloween Bookmark

Project Instructions:

1.  Cut a piece of watercolor paper to 2 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches.

2.  Paint the pumpkins using watercolor markers and use watercolor paint for the background.

3.  Distress the edges using Black Soot Distress Oxide ink.

4.  Add a bit of Wink of Stella to the moon and include a few glittery stars to finish.

I hope these projects inspire you to start making your own Halloween or Fall cards,

Enjoy your watercolor weekend

Thanks a lot!

Neema

From a Classic Door to a Blooming Garden

From a Classic Door to a Blooming Garden

Welcome to Watercolor Weekend; today is August 23, 2026

There’s something truly special about giving a classic stamp a new look. For this A2-size card, I combined the classic door stamp #5433 (WC Foundation Door) from 2021 with the recently released flower stamps #6270 and #6271 (Foliage Set 6 and  Flower Set 7) to recreate a charming scene filled with color and texture.

Painting the Door and Creating the Brick Wall

I began by stamping the door using Tombow markers #969 and #565. To color the door, I chose light shades of gray, purple, and blue to give it the appearance of weathered white wood. I then colored the flower pots and steps using very light shades of pink, purple, green, and blue.                   

                             

To create the background wall, I used a brick stencil paired with a dry-brush watercolor technique for a soft, artistic look. By applying a small amount of watercolor to a relatively dry brush and lightly sweeping it across the stencil, I achieved a beautiful, uneven texture that gives the wall an aged character.

                    


   
Adding the Flowers
Using Foliage Set 6 and Flower Set 7, I inked the stamps with markers and stamped the flowers directly into the pots. I also added foliage over the door and a wreath using stamp set 5830. Because the ink dilutes slightly with water, each flower features a unique blend of color, making it look as though a vibrant garden is growing right outside. To finish, I used PH Martin Bleed Proof White to add small white flowers. I painted the door hardware in gold and added a touch of grass to the bottom step using foliage set 1 (#4051).
                                                        

Putting the Card Together

Once completely dry, I trimmed the main panel to 4" x 5.25" and layered it over a 4.25" x 5.5" coordinated background from the Winter Woodland paper pack (#5964). Finally, I mounted the entire piece onto an A2 card base.

The watercolor effect from the Tombow markers brings everything together beautifully, creating a soft, hand-painted finish that looks completely custom.

A Quick Tip
When using Tombow markers with stamps, experiment with your water ratio. Less water preserves defined details, while more water creates softer, blended colors. Don't be afraid to let the colors mix and move naturally—those minor variations are what make each image look like a miniature watercolor painting.
 

Second Project: I will SEA you Soon

For my second card, I used stamps 5054 and 5509 along with Tombow markers to craft another watercolor-style scene. This image features a boy pausing during a playful day at the beach to watch a sailboat in the distance (featuring the exclusive sailboat stamp, WC0526).

I hope these projects inspire you to break out your classic favorite stamps and combine them with something new. Sometimes, the most unexpected combinations create the most beautiful cards!

Happy Crafting!

Neema 

Warmest Wishes from Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I'm starting out by sharing a winter card today.
Christmas may be over but we still have LOTS of winter ahead where I live and I know some people like to create Christmas cards all year round. It's never too early to start adding to your Christmas stash for December 2025!

My first card used

5419 – Bible Icons Set 1
5952 – Portfolio Template Die Set

5727 – Nested Oval Dies

5472 – Christmas Wreath

5063 – Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies

5963 – Winter Woodland Paper Pack

Canson XL WC Paper Pad – 9×12

All of the colors that I used are at the end of my InLinkz at the bottom of the page.

My next project was something put together to do with one of the 5th grade classes that I work with.

I thought a little snowglobe ornament would be fun for them. They tend to be a very "lively" class but they really focused on this and did a great job. One girl added a deer silhouette with hoof prints, several kids added smoke and some made the chimney brick or added Aurora Borealis to the background. They were so creative.

I used colored pencils for my sample since I knew that's what they'd be coloring with.

5977 – Mini Christmas Village Set

5808 – 5pk Snow Globe Shaker Dome
5726 – Nested Circle Dies

5718 – Mini Journal Template

My third project is my second attempt at making a Matchbook resembling the 5950 - Christmas Town MBE which quickly sold out. Don't despair. You can create something similar using current Art Impressions products. I think it might have been Caly Person who said she initially mistook the easel die that holds the MB up, for a snowbank. I decided to use it that way with the snowman.

5846 – Mini Christmas Set
5963 – Winter Woodland Paper Pack

5453 – Snowy Window Set

5527 – WC Cape Cod Village

5522 – WC Country Village

5977 – Mini Christmas Village Set

5317 – MB Template Dies

You can see my MB with the official Christmas Village set HERE.

You can find my other "knock off" version HERE.

My final project is two bookmarks.

I have two coworkers who are avid readers. I had a bunch of scraps laying around from other projects and decided to whip these up. They would have come together really quickly except that I decided to add text which took time to cut and glue.

5223 – Bookmark Dies

5353 – Large Snowflake Dies

5562 – Journal Letter Die Set

I hope your 2025 is off to a crafty start!

See you next Tuesday with my Craft Time is Golden card.

Christmas Wishes #12 December Monthly Guest Designer Challenge with Dot Freel

  Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our Monthly Challenge.

This month's theme is Christmas Wishes!

We want to see all of your handmade holiday projects.

Cards, journals, ornaments, gift boxes and bags, GC Holders...

You name it!

We're thrilled to have Dot Freel as our final Monthly Guest Designer.

This is our last monthly challenge but be sure to check out our Bi-Weekly challenges for lots of fun and the chance to win free stamps!

Before we see what Dot created, let's see who won our Frame It challenge!

We selected #5 Francesca for her adorable framed snowman.

She used 5802 – Joyful Snowman Set.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Congratulations!

Our Lucky Random Winner of a free stamp from me is #2 Amy M.

Please contact me at Renee@artimpressions.com with your address to see what freebies I have and claim your free stamp.

Now, onto Dot's gorgeous Christmas scene.

Her painted snow is incredible!

Hello,

I get to be a Guest Designer for my favorite stamp company Art Impressions! I am busy making Christmas cards. Last year I didn't send out cards for the first time ever so I'm happily getting them made and ready to send out this year. I used the church from the 5058 - Church Set and the bridge scene from the 5577 - Stone Bridge Simple Scene. The trees are from the 5372 - Mini Foliage Set. The snowflakes are from the 5353 Lg Snowflake Dies and I doubled them up then used a brad for the centers. The snow is made using the Dr. Ph. Martin's bleed proof white paint. Give this one a try and add some Wink of Stella glitter to make it even prettier! The 5063 - A2 rectangle dies and 5962 - Classic Christmas paper from Art Impressions finishes it off beautifully. 

Here is the fine print...

✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation.
✻You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards!

✻ Limit two submissions per person. 

✻You MUST use Art Impressions stamps or dies! You may use other companies products but the main focus should be on Ai items.

✻If you win, you will receive one free stamp set of your choice. 
✻We will share your creation on Art Impressions social media.
 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission.

✻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 crafting!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Watercolor Weekend with Ruthan and Simone!

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to Watercolor Weekend.

This weekend we have something a little different for you.

Jami needed to take some personal time off so we are sharing two cards from some special guest designers.

First up, we have Ruthan Plant who has been an Art Impressions fan for several years and co-founded the Facebook fan group The Art Impressions Way along with Kathy Acres.

Ruthan created this darling Christmas card.

I think we all can agree. There are few things cuter than a puppy in a Santa hat.

She painted the inside of her card as well, which is such a professional touch.

Ruthan was kind enough to show exactly which images from the sets she used helped create her adorable card.

 

 

Our next special Guest Designer is Simone Carr.

Simone has been very busy for us behind the scenes lately.  She will be our featured Monthly Guest Designer for November because she won our September, We Don't Use Enough Purple Challenge. Stay tuned to see what her challenge will be. Her card today gives you a little hint.

She will also be our November Watercolor Weekend artist for Jami next month as well. 

You're going to be so excited when you see all of the special cards she has created and I hear there may be more to come! Yippee!

Her little Christmas critter card is just TOO CUTE!

I just love the sparkle, the paper, the frame and the beautifully painted animals.

May I just ask...What on earth did we do before Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof white paint???

Thank you to both Ruthan and Simone for their beautiful inspiration for this Watercolor Weekend.

We hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Be sure to check out all of the newest releases at Art Impressions.

We have a fabulous new line of Christmas and Fall, paper, stamps and dies as well as several new online classes to choose from. Keep in mind that all of the sets in the bundles (which save you money if you want them all) can be purchased individually.

c5965 – Winter Woodland Bundle

5973 – Fall Series 2 Paper Pack

c5975 – 5pc Christmas Train Bundle

c5976 – Christmas Train Journal – Online Class with Bonnie

Online Woodland Christmas Portfolio Class with Kim