A Masculine Watercolor Birthday Card and a Card for a Friend.

Hello Crafty Fiends and Happy Watercolor Weekend!

Today, I want to share two projects that are completely different in purpose.

For the first project, a friend asked me to create a masculine watercolor birthday card for her husband. Knowing he loves the ocean and owns a boat, I designed the card with that theme in mind.

To start, I used the lighthouse and cliff stamps from the Light of the World set (6126). I inked everything except the tree using Tombow markers 969 and 565, and stamped the tree using Tombow marker 177. I then pulled the colors from the stamp and painted the lighthouse and the cliff.
                     

Next, I painted the tree and some background foliage using branches from the Branches Set (4964) and the Large Tree Set (5373). I also added the sky.

To add the ocean, I drew a line and masked the sky to create a straight horizon. I built up the ocean using different shades of blue, and then added a few wave lines using bleed-proof white. I kept it looking like a calm ocean without too much foam or waves.

For the sentiment, I used the Large Letter Die Set (5910) to cut the letters "HPPY" three times—twice in white and once in blue. I layered and glued them together with the blue letters on top. For the letter "A", I used the sailboat from the Sail Mini Dies set (5325). I added a few lines to one of the sails using a red marker (856) and a little gray for shadow. Finally, I added a "Birthday" stamp and cut a coordinating blue mat to be glued around the card.

I am really happy with how this card turned out, and I hope you like it, too!

    

                                              My second card:  Thinking of You card

I want to share the details of the second card I made. I am making this card for a friend who is going through a difficult time, and I hope it brings a smile to her face and lets her know that I am thinking of and praying for her.

Since she loves birds, I designed this card specifically with her in mind:

  - Background & Stamping: I started by sketching the paper using the die from Story Tile Die Set (#6158) and then stamped the birds from the Mercy Set (#6216). I left one space open for a sentiment from the Cottage Charm Set (#6179). 

- Painting: To give the birds a realistic look, I researched different sparrow species online for reference. Once the painting was dry, I applied a thin layer of Distress Glaze to seal it.    

 - Assembly: I cut the frame twice—once in black and once in kraft paper for the top layer. Finally, I glued the frame and mat together onto a matching kraft-colored card base.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope these cards inspire your own creations. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Happy crafting and watercolor painting!

Thinking of You card by Tasha

 Happy Friday, Art Impressions Friends!

Tasha here sharing a fun and cheerful card featuring the lovely 5130-On The Sparrow Set and the brand new 6047-Scalloped Square Dies!

Although the On The Sparrow set is from the Ai Bible Journaling collection, it’s such a versatile stamp that it can be used on all types of projects; cards, journals, bookmarks, you name it! I love the peaceful vibe of the birds and floral branches; it’s such a gentle, uplifting image to work with.

To begin, I stamped the two sweet birds using black hybrid ink, then brought them to life with markers. I used the small included stamps to build up the flowering trees around them; so fun! The pink and purple blossoms really pop next to the pretty blue tones I used for the birds. It’s such a dreamy spring combo!

For the background, I wanted to add something light and happy, so I grabbed a stencil and blended in some yellow Distress Oxide ink to create soft, puffy clouds. The yellow gives everything a sunny, cheerful feel; just perfect for this card!

Next, I stamped a sentiment from the 5949-Encouragement Sentiments Set. This set is packed with thoughtful and beautifully designed sentiments in a variety of fonts and styles. It’s one of my go-to sets when I need just the right words!

To finish the card, I framed the design using the new Scalloped Square Dies and cut it from a metallic purple cardstock; I love the shine! Then I layered it with pink, white, and gray cardstock and added a panel of patterned paper from the Art Impressions collection. A few tiny pearls were the final touch to complete the look.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and feel inspired to try mixing your Ai Bible Journaling stamps into everyday projects. It’s such a great way to stretch your stash!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Beautiful Succulents by Janet

 

I happen to love succulents and I've been eyeing Art Impressions 5102 - Succulents Set for a while. Today I have a card for you using this beautiful set. I colored the images using pencils and cut the images out using the included dies. 

I used 5063 - Rectangle Double Stitched Dies to cut a stitched rectangle card front. The window and a frame for the window was created using 5064 - Circle Double Stitched Dies.

To finish this card, I stamped the sentiment, "Praying for you" sentiment from the set. Lastly, I added small gems and clear sequins to add a touch of shine.

Thanks for stopping by the Ai blog today. I hope I've inspired you to try this gorgeous set of Succulent images. It's a pleasure to color and a pleasure to be here with you!

Happy Creating!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest 

Thinking of You Roses by Niccole

Hello Ai fans!!

I am stopping by today to share a card I made using the Roses stamp set from Art Impressions sold exclusively at Scrapbook.com.  

Isn't this a beautiful image of a bouquet of roses?  I like that takes up most of a card front without being overpowering.

I started by trimming my Strathmore Watercolor paper to 4.25" x 4.25" and heat embossing my roses.  I used my Color Bursts to watercolor the roses.  I then added it to my Neenah Desert Storm card base, which I trimmed so I could angle my watercolor piece and have it still fit in an A2 envelope. I glued it to my base.  

I wanted to keep my sentiment rather vague so it could be used for a multitude of occasions.  This "Thinking of You" stamp from the set fit in the corner perfectly.  I used my rectangle die to cut out the hunter green paper and frame my roses. 

Here is one more look at the finished card.  I love the look of the loose watercolor.  I like the organic feel it gives the roses. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little time with me.  Make sure you come back soon to the Ai blog and see what the team has been up to.  

No Copics used this time, only Color Bursts.

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Elegant Floral Twist Card by Carol Hintermeier

Hello Ai fans!

My card today features the beautiful Floral Twist Set.  This is one of eight sets in the new Twist Line!  Be sure to check them all out in the Art Impressions' shop!

I began by building my card base:

1. Use a Copic (V06) to add color to the edge of an 4-¼" x 5-½" white card stock piece.
2. Attach this to a top-folding A2 card base.
3. Position the Twist Frame die onto another A2 white piece of card stock and die cut.  Then lay that on top of your card base and trace the opening with a pencil.
4. Emboss this with an embossing folder.  The one I used is listed in the supplies below.  Trim it to 4" x 5-¼".
5. Unfold the card and line up the Twist Frame die with the pencil lines on the base.  Run it through your die cutting machine.
6. Adhere the embossed piece to the card base.

Now all you need to do is stamp the two floral images with Copic safe ink.  I colored it with the markers listed below.

I stamped the sentiment and die cut it with the smallest dies from the Rectangle A2 Double Stitched dies.  I layered this onto a piece I colored with one of the yellow Copic markers I used.  Pop it up with thin foam tape and add a few yellow sequins to finish.



As always, I so appreciate you stopping by today!  Have a fun, crafty week!

Copic markers:

C3, C1, C00, V09, V06, V05, RV63, 

Y19, Y15, Y13, Y11,

YG67, YG17, YG25, YG03, YG01

Day Spent by Carol Hintermeier

Hello Ai Fans!

My card today features the so sweet Day Spent Window set.  This is such a quick and easy stamp to use, so I made two cards!  One card is a simple easel style and the other has a die cut window in the card front to show the image that's adhered to the inside.  The sentiment on this stamp is perfect to use to send to a friend:  "A day spent with a friend is a day well spent indeed."

Have you noticed how so many of the stamps that are in the watercolor line also work with traditional cards?  The WC Sentiments Set was used for both of these cards.  I thought that the sentiments went perfectly with the sentiment that is around the scene.

For this card I used one of the Square Double Stitched dies to cut a window in the card front.  I used the same size die to cut the yellow paper to layer behind the stamped image.  I colored both images with Copic markers listed below.

This next card is a simple easel card.  I used an A2 card base that I added a second score line to at 2-¾" to create the easel.

The main thing to remember is to add adhesive only to the bottom portion of the square so that the image will pop up with the card open.

I used one of the Flag Double Stitched dies to make the piece for the inside of the card that will help the easel to stand open.  I added some Nuvo Crystal Drops to both cards for a bit of embellishment.

Thank you very much for stopping by today!  I hope your week is filled with a lot of crafty fun!

Copic markers:

G03, G07, G09, G14, G19, G20, G28, G29, 

YG01, YG03, YG11, YG13, YG63, YG67,

B0000, B000, B00, N0, N2, E33, E35, E39,

R30, R32, R35, R37, Y11, Y13, Y15

Fur-Ever Friends by Renee Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing a card that could be used for several different occasions.  I think I may send it to the woman who runs the rescue that we adopted our dogs through as a thank you for all the work she does.  It would also make a cute birthday card or just a thinking of you for a friend!

The image and verse are called Fur-Ever Set #4220.

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