Seas the Day | By Jessica Shier

Hello Ai Fans!

I have another Flip card to share with you today. This time I'm using the Octopus Flip card set. These flip card stamp sets make such cute little scenes and you can have them hold up the sentiment in so many different ways. This time I used a die from the Flag Double Stitch Die set to have the octopus hold a flag sentiment.

I started by stamping the octopus flip image on to a piece of Neenah 80lb Solar White card stock, with Amalgam ink. Using purple orange, pink and blue Copic markers to color in my image. I left just a bit of the image white like I do a lot when coloring. While coloring the Octopus I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the background. I decided on a simple underwater scene. 

All the Copic markers I used are listed below. The sand was easy, simple blending of some E markers adding a little definition and interest. I wanted this simple because I knew I was going to ink blend over the top of it. I added texture with a few of the darker markers by adding small dots through out the sand. For the water I did streaks or flicks of blue starting with the darkest color at the top, then fading to the lightest blue. Also adding more of the darker colors through out the panel.

I used Distress Oxide ink in Faded Jeans and Frayed Burlap to darken the edges. Using the makeup blending brushes I was able to get pretty close to the image with out masking or inking over it. I also blended Distress Oxide inks in Picked Raspberry and Spiced Marmalade on a piece of Bristol Smooth card stock, that I trimmed down with the second to largest Rectangle Double Stitch die. I concentrated the color around the outer edge because I knew it would mostly be covered by the Octopus copic colored panel.  I adhered those panels together then added a black card stock layer below the orange and pink blended card stock before gluing everything to a side fold A2 card base. 

I used both sentiments that come with the Octopus Flip stamp set. Stamping them onto Neenah 80lb card stock with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. I let the ink sit for a moment to dry before running it through my die cutting machine with the banner die from the Flag Double Stitch die set. 

I could have made the inside similar to the front but I kept it simple and easy. I used a smaller Art Impressions Rectangle Double Stitch die and stamped the flip image of the Octopus. Using the same Copic markers I mirrored the coloring. The points of the flag should be on the other side to make it more mirrored, but that is ok! 

Copic Markers Used:

BV04, BV02, BV01, BV00

YR04, Y21, RV55, RV52

B14, B02, B00, 

W3, W1, W0

B29, B16, B14, BG11, B02, B00

E43, E35, E34, W31, W3, W6

Thank you for joining me today! Happy Stamping!!

Ride the Wave | By Jessica Shier

Hello Ai Fans!

This week I'm playing with the NEW Loads of Fun set. I had to make this granny live her dream of surfing! There is a lot of crazy texture on this card and I'm loving the mix so much.

I first stamped and fussy cut the lady, trimming of her ironing board legs to make it a surf board. I used a lot of gray tones on her since she is facing away from the sun. Which, I think, threw my white balance on my camera off, into the cool tones. lol! One of my favorite ways to die cut waves is using a cloud border die but using the negative side, the side with the more pointy ridges. I used a cloud border die on some Tonic Luxury Embossed paper to get that effect.

The ink blending is made using masking tape to block off the middle section of a piece of Neenah solar white 110lb cardstock. I used my blending brushes for this, and also a wave stencil for the bottom area. This was trimmed down with a rectangle stitch die. For the slate cardstock, I used a larger rectangle stitch die to die cut first, then layered some Deco Foil Mettalix gel over it using the same wave stencil.

The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed using white embossing powder to the upper portion of the ink blending cardstock. Can you believe that I don't have a ampersand in any of my die sets! I was suprised!! Luckily, I have hung on to some Thickers, from years ago, and had a perfect one to use, made from white foam. 

Copic Markers Used:
W6, W3, W1, W0
E81, E34, E31
BV11, BV04, BV02, BV01, BV00
Y38, R83

Alright guys, that is it from me! Thank you for joining me today. Happy Stamping! 

Hop Till You Drop | By Jessica Shier

Hello Ai Fans!

The challenge #254 has started for the release of the new Girlfriends clear stamps sets. Perfect time to break out this Art Impression Hop Hop set! I thought these ladies looked like they were up to some spring picnic shenanigans with all their fun hopping objects. 

I stamped the ladies with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink on Arches watercolors paper. Using my Koi watercolor set I water colored these ladies and the background, adding in a bit of a finish line in white to seem like they are racing to win! 

Once my piece was dried I trimmed it down to attach to a A2 card base. I added a black and white stripe of pattern paper on the left and some lovely jewels that match the colors of the hopping ladies clothes. 

For the sentiment I die cut the smallest Double Stitched Oval die on white cardstock. Then stamped the sentiment from the Hop Hop Set with Distress Oxide ink. Placing on the top left of the card, then trimming off the top that overhangs.

That is it from me guys! Thank you so much for joining me today. Happy Stamping! ❤

I Wet my Plants By Jessica Shier

Hey Ai Fans!

Today I'm sharing a card using the Gotta Garden set. I know some of us are still experiencing freezing temperatures and snow falls, so hopefully this will remind you that spring is around the corner. Plus don't we all have a crazy garden person in our lives that would be tickled by this stamp set!? I know I do!

I first stamped the gnomes and the crazy garden lady, from the Gotta Garden set, with black ink and then colored them in, using copic markers, colors listed below. I also fussy cut those 4 images out using a craft knife to get into the smaller areas around the garden hose. 

The background I drew and colored with copic markers. I also drew the sign and trimmed it out then embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder. This set has so many good puns so I tried to incorporate as many as I could! I adhered the sign and the 2 gnomes on to my background and then stamped the "It's Birthday Thyme" with Salty Ocean Distress Oxide ink. 

I used one of the Art Impressions 4265 Action Wobbles behind this happy gardener, which makes me laugh every time she wobbles! She is just so excited. I love the bit of interaction these wobbles add to a card design!

I also used one of the gnomes on the inside. Which I had to cut and color again because I lost one, he is still MIA. I stamped two more sentiments that are full of puns and die cut them using one of the Flag Double Stitched Dies. 

Copic Markers Used:

W9, W6, W3, W1, W0

C1, Y18, Y02

R29, R17, R05, R02

E77, E74, E59, E51, E35, E34, E31, E15

G99, G94, G46, G17, G14

YG67, YG63, YG03

B12, B00

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

Challenge 219 Stamp a Scene WEEK 2!

Hello, Ai Fans!

Welcome back to our Thursday challenge post here on the blog! We're hosting week two of our "Stamp A Scene" challenge, featuring our THREE new Mini TryFolds! We did an early release of our Halloween Treats set and now is a great time to grab it for your fall crafting! In addition, we have two new sets perfect for Christmas! Our Winter Window set die cuts two panes that hinge open and close, revealing a curtain and sleeping kitty under a Christmas tree! The Magical Christmas set features a door that swings open to a fireplace adorned with stockings and Santa of course! All three of the Mini TryFolds contain clear stamps for easy positioning and dies to cut and score openings to reveal the layers underneath. Grab your set today at artimpressions.com!

Last week, fabulous Renee gave a sweet preview of a coordinating card and gift tag! Joining her today are the rest of our design team. Give them some love in the comments! You can always click their name to view more details, including pictures of their unfolded card, on their personal blog, as well. Enjoy!

Cheri with Halloween Treats MTF

Dana with Winter Window MTF

Diane with Magical Christmas MTF

Jil with Halloween Treats MTF

Karen with Halloween Treats MTF

Renee with Winter Window MTF

Sharon with Magical Christmas MTF

So fun to see all the different coloring and assembling from our design team! They sure do inspire our current challenge!

This challenge, show us how you like to stamp your scenes! Do you use one large stamp? Or combine several smaller stamps? Do you create layers in your scene with Tryfolds or Mini TryFolds?  Do you like indoor scenes or outdoor landscapes? There are numerous ways to make your own scene, so show us what you've got! It's easy to join, and winners receive stamp prizes!

Here are the Challenge Rules:

✻ 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 Wednesday, October 25 at 5:00 p.m. PST to enter your creations.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping!

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