Emboss like a BOSS! Challenge #354

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to the newest challenge here on the Art Impressions blog!

Our latest challenge is one we think you'll really like.

You can make ANYTHING in ANY theme you like as long as it has

embossing on it.

We want you to Emboss Like a BOSS!

This can mean dry embossing with a folder or bone tool etc. or wet embossing with embossing powders.

Maybe you'll create you own embossing using dies or die cut images.

We can't wait to see what you make!

We have the lovely Lynn up as our featured designer but before we see her sweet project and video, let's see who won our last challenge, Midnight Snack.

Our Top Spot went to:
#11 Michelle Hoskins

She used sets #5426 Veggie set, #EKK0921 Fairy garden teacup- Mini mushrooms, 

Exclusive freebie mouse and drew in the chef's hat, bowl and teeny salt and pepper shakers.

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!

Our Lucky Random Winner was:
#8 Dori M.

She used 5279 – Be Happy Laugh Lines, 5455 – Birthday Buggy Set
and the 5097 – HM Birthday Set set for the cake and present.

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, let's take a look at what Lynn has created for you.

She was feeling ambitious and used both wet and dry embossing on her cute tag card.

Enjoy!

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 I'm so happy to be showing you a fun tag card which I created to kick off Ai's brand new blog challenge which is called "Emboss like a BOSS!". Any embossing will do...including both wet and dry techniques! We will be using both today!

For today's feature card we will be using the adorable Ai Baby Critters Set (5400) which includes several fun birthday critters along with several coordinating sentiments. We will be using many of these sentiments for this card!

Let's get started by stamping and coloring in all of our images using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Sugared Almond Pink, Pale Orange, Purple, Yellow, Bright Yellow, Persian Green, Lt Gray, Mid Gray, Beige, Mid Brown.

We'll also add some details to the balloons and little elephant using a white gel pen. This is a great way to personalized your images!

Next we will die cut a fun stitched tag from the Ai Tag Stitched Die Set (5132) using some Strathmore Bristol Smooth 100lb Cardstock. We will stamp and emboss several sentiments from this set using clear ink and white embossing powder. This will act as a resist for the layer of Distress Oxide Ink (Speckled Egg) that we will be applying over the top of these sentiments. Just be sure to grab a paper towel and wipe off any excess ink that is sitting on top of the sentiments because it will not dry and could rub off!

We will add a bit of a floral border at the bottom of the tag using the Ai Easter Journal Paper Pack (5742). This patterned paper will coordinate well with the coloring we have already done.

Next let's add a bit of baker's twine and a bow to the top of the tag!

Now we can add some texture and dimension to our card using a 3D Geometric Flowers Embossing Folder. We will keep this background in plain white so that the tag remains our focal point!

Finally, we can assemble the card and add a bit of sparkle with some pretty teal colored opalescent sequins!

It's really fun to combine the wet and dry embossing techniques for adding lots and lots of dimension and texture to your cards!

Thank you so much for joining me today!  Have a fun and crafty day!!!

Watch video tutorial here!!!

Baby Critters Set (5400)

Tag Stitched Dies (5132)

Easter Journal Paper Pack (5742)

Signo White Gel Pen

Post-it Labeling and Cover-up Tape

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Thank you so much Lynn!

What will YOU create?
Enter below for your chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.

✻ 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!

Click here to enter

Hot Mess Revival by Mercy Sauer

Hello Ai Folks, Mercy here another week, this time with a hot mess in my hands. So, buckle up and join me for the ride! 

My initial goal for this week was to make a one layer card using the https://www.artimpressions.com/shop/easter-chicks-set-5401/. I tried a chic with the hat without the dies and I loved it. I thought it would be a nice challenge to create a full scene by masking and coloring only, no die cutting. 

My journey began by using a border mask and stamping two Chics on the panel and masking paper. At this point, my crafty path seemed just peachy! 

 

I fussy cut the chic masks and applied them onto the panel. Proceeded to stamp and mask the basket and eggs. Then I used a stencil to ink the hill 

 

Went on to ink the sky using a stencil, followed by stamping the hats. Here’s my first mistake!!! I should have stamped the hats, masked and then ink the sky. The hats were blue! I "reversed" my mistake by rubbing off the ink from the hats and colored with Copics. 

 At this point I removed the masks and realized I made MORE mistakes...Second mistake, I didn’t cut the basket mask fully...No problem, I used a small brush to color in the green and blue areas.

 

Mistake three, I positioned the eggs in the wrong place, it looked as if the chic was kicking the eggs...it’s ok, I said to myself, I can add little flowers in that area. At this point I knew this card will no longer be a one-layer card 

The hat on the chic on the right was perfect, this was my initial inspiration, just love how cute it looks. The other chic however, did not share the same destiny. The hat looked awkward, mistake four! Once again, I will add little flowers to the hat/head...why not! 

I colored in my chicks and scene elements (they are so cute) and added a line on the chic’s head where I thought the hat should have been. 

Once I colored the hat, it looked muted (due to the inked background) so I decided to stamp another hat and cut out the flowers to pop up. 

Mistake five! The Copic colors bled onto the border....Now I knew this card will no longer have a one-layer border...oh well (once again). I trimmed the colored panel and mounted onto a gingham printed panel.

I thought about restarting for a split second...but I was actually having a fun time cleaning up my mess. Honestly at the end, the recipient won't know of any of these unfortunate events, even though I wish they would, it makes it so much more special. 

I bet you’re wondering what the final card looks like. But first, let’s recap! 

You can see here how I popped up the flowers on the chic’s hat. It really helped mask the muted colors of the hat. Also, the flowers in front of the eggs hide their poor placement (no more egg kicking!). 

This little chic looks so much better. The adorned hat with the flowers looks great. Oh, and the opening of the basket matches with the background. 

Here’s a close up. I shaded the hill, added some embellishments and glued onto a card base.  

Finally, this card is complete!!! 

I added a surprise on the inside.... I stamped both Chics as I originally intended. They are so cute with their fancy hats. 

 

It was a hot mess. There is nothing special about this card if you don’t know its history. I'm so glad I insisted, it was fun, a bit challenging, a lot frustrating and totally worth it! 

Thank you for sticking with me, I hope you get inspired and not give up right away. Give your not-so-perfect projects a chance....and see what happens. 

I will catch you next time