Hello Sunshine by Niccole Kulig

Hello Ai fans!!

I am stopping by today to share an eclipse card using the Watering Can stamp set along with the Block Letters Dies. I love how it ended up with sort of a tropical feel.

I started by stamping my fern/palm leaf randomly over my white card stock.  I used my marker on the stamp and then spritzed it with water before I stamped it.  I love how it turned out.

The color of the Marvy marker is No. 34 Pale Green.

I lined up my Block letter dies.  I wanted to show you how you'll have to die cut a second time with the "L" since there is only one in the set.

It is very easy to go back in and line up the second "L".

Here it is all cut out ready to go. I added the word "sunshine" underneath the hello.  I thought "Hello Sunshine" was the perfect sentiment for this card. I added my yellow Nuvo Drops randomly all over the card. I just love how sunny and cheery this card is.

I placed my letters back in and raised them up with foam tape.  I also added Wink of Stella to the letters to separate them just a little bit more from the background.

Here is one more look at the finished card.  I think I will be making more of these cards in the future.  Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little time with me.

Marvy Markers used:

No. 34 Pale Green

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Something BIG is Coming! Celebrate Ai's Birthday Month! PLUS Challenge 260 Birthday Cards!

Happy 4th of July, Ai Fans!

We are kicking off our birthday month in a BIG way, and we do not want you to miss out! Be sure that you are signed up for our email and check your email next Thursday, July 11 to be the first notified about our huge surprise! Don't forget to tell your crafty friends so they can click here and subscribe to our newsletter for the announcement as well!

To celebrate our 32nd birthday, we are hosting a special card challenge on our blog! Let's take a look at what Niccole has made with our challenge in mind!

Hello Ai fans!!

I am here today to share a super fun card I made using the new Never Too Old Laugh Lines stamp set.

I started by die cutting my card base out of Neenah Desert Storm  card stock. I used my bone folder to give it a crisp fold and line up the scallops together evenly.

I started by stamping my sentiment on a 3/4" white strip of paper of centered to the left of my card.  I added a yellow border to the top and bottom of my sentiment strip. I added it to my card base, but only to the stitched border around the card so the scallops stood out. 

I colored my  birthday lady with my Copic markers.  I cut her out with my Scan-N-Cut to giver her an even cut.  I wanted to giver her some dimension so I used glue to attach her only at her feet.  I used foam tape on her upper body to make her stand out. I attached her to my card on the right side of the card, to help even out my sentiment.

I finished it with some Crushed Grapes Nuvo Drops.  This helps draw out the purple in her dress.  You know how some people always have to add Wink of Stella to a card? I am that way with Nuvo Drops. I love adding Nuvo Drops to my cards. 

Here is one more look at the finished card.  Thank you for stopping by.  Please make sure you play along with the challenge.  You can win an awesome prize!!

Copics used:

BG01

C1, C3, C5, C7, C9

E00, E11

RV11

V1, V4, V6, V12, V15, V17

W1, W3, W5

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YR09

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Aren't birthday cards so fun to make? They're even more fun to receive! Make a special birthday card for someone in your life - or just to have on-hand for when a birthday sneaks up on you! Join our challenge, you have until July 17 to enter!

✻ Please make a new card or creation. You can make any crafty 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!

✻ 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 by clicking and commenting 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

Let's recognize the winners of last week's Shaker Cards challenge! This was such a fun challenge, and we always love to see your entries!

Top Spot goes to...

Charne!

Congrats, Charne! We adore your open shaker window that peeks at the sentiment inside! The way you used just a few images from your Floral Birdhouse PopCard was a great way to make your stamp set stretch! Email annelise@artimpressions.com with your address to claim your prize pack!

Honorable Mentions go to...

Funtography!

Amy Marshall! 

Way to go, you two! We love the pretty backdrops for your sequins and shaker bits! These cards are really creative uses of our Reel Great Guys and Road Trip sets! Be sure to email annelise@artimpressions.com with your address and stamp set of your choice!

Have a Happy 4th of July and Happy Stamping!

Succulent Space by Niccole Kulig

Hello Ai fans!!

Today I am stopping by to share a card using the Succulents stamp set from Art Impressions.  I know what you are thinking ... ANOTHER Succulent card?  Can you tell this is my favorite stamp set at the moment?  I promise this is the last card using the Succulent set for a while.  It is just to darn cute and versatile. 

I started by Copic coloring my Succulent.  I die cut the image and set it aside.

I Trimmed .5" off of the card front and cut it 2" in. I added two tiny green trim pieces to define the cut space. I lined it up with my card base and then glued my Succulent onto the two pieces. I stamped the sentiment "Just For You" from the same Succulent set.

I finished it off with some Apple Green Nuvo Drops to balance out the card.  

Here is another look at the card.  I love how bright the card is. Doesn't the strip missing from the middle really give it some dimension? 

Copics Used:
G99
YG00, YG03, YG25, YG67

Thank you so much for stopping by.  See you again soon -

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Succulent Terrarium by Niccole Kulig

Hello Ai fans!!

Today I am stopping by to share a card using the Succulents stamp set from Art Impressions. This card is clean and simple that is for sure.  But it sure makes an impact.

I started by coloring my Succulents with my Copic markers and using the coordinating dies to cut them out.  

I used my Hexagon Double Stitched Dies from Ai to cut out my make shift terrarium.  I have not cut apart my hexagons yet.  I love that I can cut multiple frames in the hexagon shape. I only used the biggest three sizes for my frame.

I added my Succulents last and arranged one flat with glue, the big one in the middle I used glue on the bottom half and raised the top half with foam tape.  For the last smaller one in front; I popped him up with foam tape. 

I finished it with a few light green confetti sequins.  And a small stamp in the bottom corner of the inside of the card.  I love the offset of the sentiment in the corner. It really was a card that came together quickly.  

I love how it looks like you are looking down into a terrarium. Wouldn't you agree ... a perfect birds eye view??

COPICS Used:  
G99
YG00, YG03, YG25, YG67

Thank you so much for stopping and spending a little time with me. See you soon!

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Desert Window Frame by Niccole Kulig

Hello Ai fans!!

"To my friend ... The warmest of wished for a day filled with sunshine"

I am stopping by today to share a quick card/gift for someone special. I am using the Desert Window from Ai along with the 3D Frame die.

As you can see there isn't much to this card.  It is nice to make something that doesn't require a million steps to create something beautiful.  This literally didn't even take one full sheet of paper.

I colored my Desert Window stamped image with my Copic markers.  I loved using the variation of pinks for the sky and the reflection onto the ground and water.  Don't be afraid to try something new with your markers.  Out of the whole process the coloring took me the longest. 

 I cut a piece of paper with the 3D frame die.  Make sure though to use a piece a little wider than 5.5".  I cut mine at 6" to be safe.  and my die fit perfect.  Once you have the shape cut, the directions on the package of the 3D Frame die are very easy to follow and you can exactly see where to fold everything.  Once everything is glued in the stand is very easy to put on as seen above.  The only tip I have is do not flush it with the bottom of your square, raise it up a little so when it stands it leans a tiny bit back and not so perfectly straight up and down.

Once again here is the finished card, or should I say gift?  I know the perfect person I am giving this to.  It will look great at work on her desk.  Everyone needs a little something to look at that brightens their day! 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I can't wait to spend more time with you soon!

Copics used:

E43, E44

G43, G46

R27

RV11, RV13, RV14

Y13, Y15, Y17, Y26

YG13, YG17

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Succulents Window by Niccole Kulig

Hello Ai fans!!

"Your friendship brightens my day and adds color to my life"

Don't you just love it when a vision turns out even better that you pictured? Today I am sharing a card that I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how it turned out.  I  am using the Succulents Window stamp set from Ai.

I started by using one of my stencils to make my green squared background.  I like how it trails off on the right side. I trimmed down my panel so the card base showed.  I love the look of white on white.

I colored my Succulents Window stamped image with my Copic markers.  It really pairs well with the green stenciled background, don't you think? I added it to the left side of my card. 

I finished it off with some Nuvo Drops in the color English Mustard.  I wanted to draw out another color in my colored Succulents Window.  There is already enough green.  I really like the green and yellow together.

Once again here is the completed card.  There are so many other wonderful Windows to the World stamps over at the Ai website.  Check'em out, you won't be sorry!!

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today.  Come back again soon to see what we have been up to.

Copics used:

B0000

E51, E53, E55, E57

G99

R27

V04, V17, V99

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YG00, YG03, YG13, YG17, YG25, YG67

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!