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

Woodland Horse and Holiday Shaker Cards by Jami Steiger

Time is passing quickly as the holidays approach, and I have been enjoying the gingerbread craze, decorating with gingerbread houses. This inspired me to create a holiday gingerbread shaker snow globe card. I started by drawing a circle on watercolor paper and painting a gingerbread house from the Mini Christmas Village Set 5977. Unfortunately, this stamp set is no longer available, but I have included links at the bottom of the post to other available stamp sets, offering endless possibilities! 

After painting the gingerbread house, I added sequins, snowflakes, trees, and glitter. Then I added some foliage and a pink bow by hand using Winsor & Newton professional watercolor paint pans to give the snow globe a whimsical touch. To cover the snow globe, you will need 5808 Shaker Domes. On a different piece of watercolor paper, I painted the snow globe base before carefully cutting it out. Additionally, I used blue glitter paper to die-cut snowflakes from the 5791-WC Snow Globe Set. I used blue ink to stamp a large background stamp on white paper to add color to the base. In the end, I tied a bow, wrapped the card with ribbon, punched a hole at each end, and stamped the sentiment. I finished by decorating the card with a few snowflakes.

Tombow markers used are the following: 969, 856, 177, 991, 526, 312, 723, 817, and 192

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For my next card, I painted the Woodland Horse from set 6087. Years ago, my daughter and our family owned a horse named Kalem. He is the cutest horse with the sweetest personality, and he is now living his best life with a family that adores him. I have included a picture of him below.  When I saw this stamp, I knew I had to paint the horse to resemble Kalem. I stamped the image with black archival ink and then painted it entirely, adding snow, glitter, and tiny rhinestones for extra detail. I die-cut the painting using a banner die for the frame and chose paper from paper pack 5853—Christmas Magic for the background. For the final touches, I added a red bow made of seam binding and some pearls to the top of the card.

Tombow markers used are the following:  969, 947, 977, 856, N65, 723, 526, 177, and 565

Happy holidays to all of our Art Impressions family members and friends!

Hatty Birthday! Card by Tasha

Happy Friday Art Impressions friends!

Tasha here sharing a new shaker card featuring the fun 5404-Miss Set. I love making birthday cards, and adding a shaker element makes it feel extra festive and special!

To start, I stamped the lady and her birthday hat with black hybrid ink and colored them with Copic Markers. The coordinating dies included in this set made cutting the images quick and easy; and I love that the hat die is designed to fit perfectly on top of her head!

For the shaker, I used the 5063-Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies along with foam tape to create a raised frame. I added a piece of “Happy Birthday” patterned paper for the background and filled it with pretty sequins before sealing it up. On the acetate, I stamped “Hatty Birthday” and added a layer of silver glitter paper for extra sparkle.

To finish the card, I layered gray, white, and pink cardstock with more glitter paper for a coordinated look. A few white enamel dots were the perfect final touch to complete this fun, celebratory design.

Shake, Hop, and Celebrate! Card by Tasha

 Happy Friday Art Impressions Friends!

Sharing a new Easter card inspired by the current "I like to Move it, Move it!" Challenge. Easter will be here before we know it and Art Impressions has so many cute stamp sets for Easter cards and projects. I used the fun 5504-Happy Spring Set to create a shaker card and love this little bunny and chick!

To begin, I stamped the animals with black ink and colored them with Copic Markers. I also used the included die set to cut the images out making it super easy to layer on my project. This little chick with the Easter egg is adorable and the bunny looks so cheerful!

For the background, I used a clear shaker pocket and filled it with Spring themed shaker bits on top of an ombre blue paper. I also attached a green grass die cut to the ground and attached several enamel flowers to continue with the Spring theme.

For the greeting, I stamped "Happy Easter" with black ink on to bright white paper.  To add extra color, I attached a layer of teal paper; I love the pop of color behind the sentiment!

Lastly, I attached layers of gold, white, and deep pink card stock and purple glitter paper for sparkle. This card is bright, happy, and perfect to send to someone special this Spring/Easter! 

Thank you for checking out my card and I hope you will join in the "I like to Move it, Move it!" Challenge!

Bee Shakers by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

We're almost a week into our current I Like to Move It, Move It! challenge.

What ideas do YOU have for a card or project that has some sort of movement?

I chose to create two shaker cards.

I love bees and yellow and couldn't wait to make a shaker card duo using 5925 – Honey Bee Set.

For my first card, I turned my heart on its side to add a little interest.

Don't you just love the new 5972 – BJ Decorative Margin Dies? The 7" length makes them great for larger cards which I prefer to create. My cards today measure 6 1/4" x 5".

I've watched Karen Day from our Watercolor Design Team create wax seals over the last year and have finally gotten brave enough to begin trying them myself. I am in LOVE!

I have to cringe sometimes when I see enlarged versions of my coloring. My eyes aren't great and they look fine to me in person. Then I see them blown up and yikes! I maybe need to start thinking about one of those magnifiers that I've seen some crafters use.

This bee stamp seal was my first one and was gifted to me from Diane Mason.

I hope I've inspired you to try making a card with some movement on it. It can be a shaker, sliders, wobble, wiggle etc. There are so many possibilities. You might just win a free stamp set.

Happy Easter! Happy Spring! by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing an Easter shaker card.

The 5274 Easter Bunnies Set is just so cute and has many main images to choose from as well as lots of sentiments to compliment the images.

I've already made a ton of shaker cards using the snowglobe domes from Art Impressions and I see many more in my future!

Maybe I'm just a big kid at heart because I kept shaking and shaking this. I think anyone would appreciate receiving this card.