Art Impressions Blog: Windows to the World Challenge #343

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to week two of our Windows to the World Challenge.

That means you have one more week to create a handmade project with a window on it.
(see rules at bottom of post)

Last week Janet (Sugarshine Designs) was our featured artist and she put together a wonderful tutorial showing you how to use the 5408-ShadowBox Window Die Set.
You can view that HERE.

This week she has a second card for you using the M4691 – With Love Window

Now we have the cards from the rest of the Design Team.

Sharon used M4588 – Pleasures window, 5408 – ShadowBox Window Die, 4900 – Reel Great Guys Set and two Freebie stamps.

Reneé used the same 5408 – ShadowBox Window Die, along with M4586 – Memories Window and several pieces from the 5543 – Journal Template Die Set.

Reneé also made a 5512 – Front Porch Door Set and added elements from 5490 – Front Porch Farm House Set.

Tasha used 4619 – Window Die along with 5349 – Koalas Set.
Her sweet sentiment is from 5136 – WC Sentiment Set 2.

Nina's card featured a window die from the 5543 – Journal Template Die Set combined with 5458 – Llama Set.

Mercy shared some more pages from her Freebie Journal.
She used the journal cover, pages, windows, mattes and borders from the 5543 – Journal Template Die Set along with several Freebie animals.

Lynn is wrapping things up with an affectionate window card for a valued co-worker.

She used the 5543 – Journal Template Die Set and matted her entire 4998 – Office Party Set scene on 5063 – Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies.

She creates amazing tutorials to help you learn how to recreate her beautiful cards. You can view this tutorial here. I recently called Lynn the Queen of video tutorials and someone said... Nope, there is only one queen...Bonnie. I'm 1010% sure if you asked Bonnie, she'd say Lynn reigns supreme for marker tutorials. I don't think Bonnie has ever even done a marker tutorial. She is OF COURSE, the ultimate Queen Bee. None of us would be here without her, but there are queens all around on our two design teams. Some are the queen of cute, soft colors, bold colors, bows, backgrounds, combining sets, fantasy, new techniques, interactive cards ... every member of Ai's two teams is a queen and don't say they aren't! Bonnie agrees and tells me CONSTANTLY how much she appreciates them all.

Now for the new challenge rules.

Though our challenge is called Windows to the World you don't need to use one of the WTTW stamp sets. Maybe you have a window die? A car or truck with a window or a porch stamp with a window. A lighthouse or cottage... Any window will do!

If you'd like to join in our challenge be sure to link your project below...

✻ 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!

Hello Ai fans!

It's time for a new challenge!

But...as always...we need to tell you who will be receiving a new stamp set.

We always award a Top Spot and a Lucky Random Winner.

For our last challenge, "Let's Celebrate," we selected Reetta H. for our Top Spot.

She used 4998 – Office Party 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, Lucky Random Winner!

Vicki Gray is our winner!

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 that we've announced our winners from the last challenge, let's check out what Janet has made for our new challenge!

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Hello Ai Fans! It's Janet and I'm here today to kick off our latest challenge - Windows To The World. This is both easy and hard. Easy because there's so many great Window To The World stamps to choose from and hard because there's so many to choose from! Ultimately I selected one of my favorites, M3310-Heart in the Park

Before getting into the details, here's a closer look at the finished Windows To The World image all colored up and on the card. It sure makes me yearn for warmer weather and a day in the park soaking in some sunshine! I also love, love, love that huge heart balloon. Wouldn't that be fun to receive?

To begin, I made a white A2 card base by folding an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" piece of white cardstock in half. I cut a panel of patterned paper to 4" x 5 1/4." Then I used the square die in the 5408-ShadowBox Window Die Set and cut it out of the patterned paper. I place the cut patterned paper on the white card front and traced the open square on the white cardstock. Then I removed the patterned paper and cut out the window in the card base, being careful to secure the die so that the square was perfectly placed. I glued the patterned paper on the card front to create a perfect window in the card. You could save some time and cut the patterned paper and white cardstock out all at once but I prefer this method to avoid indenting the card with the edges of the die. In this case that doesn't matter that much because I cover up the edges of the window.

One of the fun things to do with the Windows To The World stamps is to pair them with the 5408-ShadowBox Window Die Set. It cuts a window frame and a window sill. For this I chose a white woodgrain cardstock for a clean look. After cutting, I glued the pieces in place. This not only creates a perfect setting for the stamped image but finishes the raw edges of the cut square.

A great feature of the ShadowBox Die Set is that it includes a mechanism that will create a reverse pop-up element for the stamped image. When it's attached behind the window, it gives dimension by appearing to be a more realistic view into the window for the scene. I folded it as shown and set it aside to work on the stamped image which will be attached.

Next, I stamped the image and cut it out with the included die in the WindowBox Die Set.

I colored this fun stamp with the Copic markers shown here. Additionally, I used V17, V15, V12 and V01 on the park bench. These are little scenes but are full of wonderful details.

I glued the finished image to the Pop-Up mechanism and attached to the inside of the card as show. Be sure you test the placement to confirm you can fold the mechanism flat for mailing but that it will also pop back up when the card is opened.

I wanted to make this a Valentine so I used dies from 5072-Block Letters Die Set to cut the word Love out of chipboard. I cut the letters again out of matching paper from the same pack as the patterned paper on the card front. I glued the paper to the chipboard to make thicker letters with more substance.

I cut out and attached a wide lacy border and glued it to the bottom of the card. I placed the letters on top. Finally I added a few heart shaped enamels for accents.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed my project and that you have been inspired to enter our Windows To The World challenge!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

Thank you Janet for this wonderful tutorial and beautiful card. You never disappoint!