Tulip Frog Frame and Box by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

The frogs are a croaking in our backyard, which means summer is here!  We have just the cute little ones, so I can handle them.  It's the big ones that are yucky!  😝  In celebration of summer, I went frog crazy and made a cute little frame as well as gift boxes that housed a cute little porcelain frog.

  Both fun little projects!

Let's start with the mini frame:

    I cut the scallop frame using the #5902 - Mini Scallop Frame die with a piece of pattern paper from the #6205 - Floral Shop PP.  I die cut an oval frame to cover the opening.  The poppies are from the new countryside series set #6187 - FG Poppy Border and the frog in the tulip is from the #5283 - Frog set.  I stamped these images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I then fussy cut these images and popped up inside the frame.  I stamped the sentiment and die cut with the small scallop die from the #5543 - Journal Template die set.  Lastly, I added a bow and an easel piece for the back of the frame. 

For the box:

    This is made from a 6 x 6 piece of paper.  Final dimensions are 2 1/4"W by 2"D x 2 1/8"H.  

    Place your 6 x 6 piece of pattern paper diagonally onto your scoreboard at the 6" mark.  Score at 5" and 7".  Turn your paper 1/4 turn and score at 4 7/8" and 7 1/8".  Burnish all of the score lines.  Cut along score lines on both sides of two ends to make tabs.  See picture below.  Score at the top of each pointed end where the triangle meets the square.  Fold up the edges and place glue on the tabs and line up nicely to form the box.  

  Using the scraps that you cut off to make the tabs and the die from the #5718 - Mini Journal Template (see pic below), I die cut decorative edges for each pointed end.   I had to cut one side and then the other and piece them together onto the box (one on outside and one on inside).  This will add strength for the ribbon closure.   Lastly, I cut a 1/4" hole for the ribbon.  Fill the box with your treat or gift and tie up with your ribbon.

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have fun making these gift boxes and frames.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  R24, R27, R81, R83, R85

B000,    G40, G43, G46

Y32, Y35, Y38

3D Tunnel card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I’m sharing a 3D tunnel card featuring two of the newest Countryside series stamp sets: #6186 – FG Tulip Border and #6185 – Swiss Villa.  This beautiful release includes four cottages and three floral borders, all designed to mix and match for creating layered scenic cards.  Each of these images also works wonderfully on its own, making it easy to craft a simple yet striking card with just a single image.  Be sure to check out the sample projects posted on the website under each set.

To create this tunnel card, cut two 2 1/4" x 5" pieces of heavy cardstock.  Score and burnish along short side at 1/2", 1", 1 1/2", and 2".  Fold to create a tube and adhere the 1/4" tab to the inside of the tube. See pic below.  

Cut two 1 1/2" x 8 1/4" pieces of heavy cardstock and score along the long side at 1", 4", 5" and 8".  Fold (all valley) and burnish.  Adhere the 1/4" tab to the inside of the 1" tab.  Glue the two tubes inside one of these tower panels, centering within the 1" sides.  See pic below.  Flatten the card back and forth to adhere the glue in place.  Take the other tower panel and glue the bottom of the two tubes to the inside of this panel.  Make sure to line up so that the card will lay flat, by folding the card back and forth.

Cut pattern paper pieces to fit each of the outer edges and the inside tubes.  Cut arches or ovals using nesting dies to create the tunnel effect.  I also cut a fence using the #5807 - Journal Fence set and layered that between the cottage and the floral border layer.  

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I fussy cut both the cottage and the flower border.  I adhered the floral border to the front oval die and the cottage to the back panel made up of the inside oval piece and cloud pattern paper.  I added the sentiment onto a banner die from the #5543 - Journal Template die set.  Lastly, I added some grass die cut pieces, a frog from the #5283 - Frog set, and the sun die from my stash.

This card will fit nicely into an A2 envelope when flat.

I hope you enjoyed my card today and I thank you for joining me.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E51, E53, E55

Y13, Y15, Y17

B21, B24

G20, G21, G24

Sweet Frogs! by Simone Carr

 Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to my first Watercolor Weekend!

I can’t even tell you how excited I was when I saw the new Story Tile Template Die and stamp set release! The Story Tile Template Die works beautifully with so many sets you may already own, making it such a versatile addition to your collection.

Let me show you what I created. For my first card, I used the Frog Set (5283). 

I ran the Story Tile Template Die through my cutting machine twice using Canson Watercolor Paper. Before stamping, I laid out my images on the tiles to see how they would fit and to decide on the overall layout. I highly recommend this step since the tiles only fit together in a specific way.

Once I was happy with the placement, I stamped the images using Archival Ink Shadow Grey and began coloring.

For the frogs, I started with 173, then added 195 in the shadow areas. To deepen the shadows further, I used 177, and finished with 133 for highlights.

The tulips were colored with 933, intentionally leaving some lighter areas, followed by 925, and darkened with 905 where needed.

For the leaves, I used 177, again leaving some lighter areas for dimension.

The daffodil was colored with 025, followed by 985, and 933 for the center.

The mushroom stem was colored with 992, with 912 and 565 added for shading. The mushroom top was colored with 856 and shaded with 565.

I used 526 for the sky, and a black TwinTone marker for the eyes and to add definition wherever needed.

To assemble the card, I glued two frames together for added dimension, then cut a third frame from 6033 Inspirational Patterned Paper and adhered it on top. The layered frame was attached to an A2 card base, and finally, I glued the tile pieces into place to complete the design.

Materials Used

Stamps & Dies

• 5283 Frog Set

• 6158 Story Tile Template Die

Paper

• 6033 Inspirational Easter Patterned Paper

• Canson Watercolor Paper

Tombow Markers

• 933, 925, 905 – Tulips

• 025, 985, 933 – Daffodil

• 177 – Leaves

• 133, 173, 195, 177 – Frog

• 856, 992, 912, 565 – Mushroom

• 526 – Sky

Bonus Card – Materials Used

Stamps & Dies

• 6106 Spring Keepsake Set (Frog)

• 5424 Pond Set

• 5283 Frog Set (The Fly)

• 6048 Scalloped Rectangle Die

• 5724 Nested Rectangle Die

• 5952 Portfolio Template Die Set

Paper

• 6072 Father’s Day Patterned Paper

• Canson Watercolor Paper

Tombow Markers

• 173, 195, 098, 131, 177 – Frog & Lily Pad

• 177, 947 – Cattail

• 565, 526 – Water & Sky

Toad Birthday card by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

I've been toad you're having a birthday!

Well, maybe not you, but someone is.
 

I adore all of the Funny Farm Series sets but the 5283 – Frog Set is one of my favorites.

I created two versions of the same card using a similar, yet different color palette. I'm really loving the new 6047 – Scalloped Square Dies.

I used the Basics Yellow and Teal paper packs and you can find to those below.

I Find You Ribbiting by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing the card that I made for our current Highlights challenge.

We're using white gel pens and paint to add highlights to our projects.

I adore this frog set and thought it would be perfect for this challenge and this time of year.

Not everyone loves red for Valentine's Day. This yellow and black card may be non-traditional but the I Find You Ribbiting sentiment makes it a perfect Valentine.

The little frog on the sentiment tag looked like he was sleeping and floating when I first stamped him so I drew in a flower for him to hold and changed his eyes with my micron pen. I love the way it perked him up for this card.

We hope you'll join our Highlights challenge. You may just win a free stamp set.

Copics used:

YG06. YG09, Y13, RV17, RV55

 

Making Spirits Bright Challenge #364

 Hello everyone!

Happy Thursday and welcome to our last challenge before we close for Thanksgiving break.

This time we are Making Spirits Bright!

We're switching things up a bit this week. Janet is our featured artist but we'll be sharing her card next week.  For now, this week, I'll be sharing my card that I  made for the challenge.

Before we get to my project let's announce the winners of our You're Such a Square challenge.

For our Top Spot we selected:
Gennette Houghton

She used:
5576 – Little Trucks Set among many others.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!

Also, be sure to grab our badge to display on your blog, Facebook or Instagram!

Our Lucky Random Winner was:

Stephanie Serrano

She used: 

5283 – Frog Set

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!

Also, be sure to grab our badge to display on your blog, Facebook or Instagram!

Now, without further adieu, here is my snowy, merry and bright card!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I really love all of the cutesy style Christmas stamps that Art Impressions offers but sometimes I want something a little more elegant. I felt that these snowflakes were just the thing.

When I saw this set I snatched it up immediately!  It's one of my all-time favorite die sets.

5353 – Large Snowflake Dies

I used the Canson XL WC Paper Pad – 9×12 paper because I wanted something more cream colored rather than bright white.  I also wanted it to have a little texture.

For the snowflakes I die cut some and left them in.  For some I die cut it a second time and glued a second layer on top so they are a little popped up.

I used Wink of Stella and Prima Marketing 584276 Watercolor Confections: Decadent Pies to make some clear and gold sparkle splatters on it with a paint brush.

For some, I removed the inside pieces of the white paper and added gold inside. A few rhinestones and pieces of confetti completed the look.

Now for our challenge!

We want to see your holiday projects.  They don't need to be Christmas.  Maybe you celebrate Hanukah or something else.  As long as your creation will brighten someone's spirits then it applies.

✻ 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 will receive extra votes if you use Art Impressions stamps!

 ✻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 stamping!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

All Wrapped Up! Challenge #358 Week 1

 Hello Ai fans!

It's time for a new challenge and this time we're All Wrapped Up!

Use ribbon or bows. Can be real or stamped like on a balloon bouquet, wreath, gift, in a girls hair etc.

Wait until you see what Featured Designer Sharon has created.  You're going to fall out of your chair!!

But, FIRST...we must announce the lucky winners of our last challenge, which was Tag, You're It!

For our Top Spot, we selected Tasie.

She made not just a tag, but a SHAKER tag!  How adorable and creative!
She used the retired 4949 – Dog Mouthful Set.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!

Also, be sure to grab our badge to display on your blog, Facebook or Instagram!

Now for our Lucky Random Winner.



#4 Marianne H.

She used 4966 – WC Bird Bath Set and various foliage.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!

Also, be sure to grab our badge to display on your blog, Facebook or Instagram!

Now for the MAIN FEAUTURE!

Sharon outdid herself with this project which was JUST released yesterday!

Hello AI Fans! 

I'm so excited to get to show you the brand new Mini Journal Set from Art Impressions! Oh my gosh, it's so much fun and love all wrapped up in a small package!!  I have to tell you that I had so much fun making this journal!! I hope you can grab a cup of your favorite beverage and look through all the pages I created! There are quite a few pics to go through. I really hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed making it!!! The images were stamped onto Cryogen white paper and then colored with Copic markers. I used the following sets to make this: 5832 Gnome Paper Pack, 5788 WC Whimsical mushrooms, 5794 WC Whimsical flowers, 5785 Gnomes, Mini Journal Dies, 5543 Journal Template Die Set, 5728 Mushroom Cubbies Set, 5346 Birdhouse Cubbies Set, and 5283 Frog Set

Thank you so very much for taking the time to visit! Be sure and check out all the wonderful new stamp and die sets at Art Impressions! Until next time - stay crafty!! 

You can find all of the new releases by clicking the links below.  These just couldn't be any cuter!!

Thank you for your inspiration Sharon!

 

✻ 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 will receive extra votes if you use Art Impressions stamps!

 ✻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 stamping!

Join our challenge by linking up below.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter