You melt my heart! by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing
5041 – Snow Friend Set
It's one of the new for 2018 Christmas sets at Art Impressions

I also used 4804 – Snowflake Dies
Although the green is very traditional for Christmas I thought it might look cute with the grey for something a little unexpected at Christmas time.

Copics used: E35, B66,RV022,R46,Y13,Y28

YR16, T1,T5, YG03,YG07, Y13, Y17

Group Hug by Dana Warren

Hello AI fans!!

Today I am sharing two cards featuring the Bench Set! Figured I better get these up while its still winter! Well, maybe not technically still winter but here in Western Michigan in snowed 7 inches last week, soooo... I think these cards are still relevant!! LOL!!

To color both images I used my Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor pencils. I can't find my list of colors I used (I'm sure I'll find it next week!, LOL), but it was a lot! I usually color with a darker pencil for the shadows and lighter for the other areas. Instead of using water to activate the pencil, I used a colorless blender marker. You can pick up a basic one at Micheals, but know that it will stain your nib. After coloring I fussy cut out each image.

For the first card, I used some blueish woodgrain pattern paper and added it to a white card base. Then I added a strip of brown cardstock and added the Bench image with foam tape.

I found a watercolor doily on my desk from another project and stamped the Group Hug sentiment. Then I added it to the top of the card with foam tape and trimmed off the excess. Last I added two snowflake brads, but I cut off the legs and used foam tape and glue to adhere them to the card.

The second card I found some star constellation pattern paper and cut it with a stitched rectangle. Then I white embossed the sentiment Sending Hugs Your Way!

From the same pattern paper, I added some colorful strip paper and then added the image with foam tape. This one I kept a little more simple buy not adding any embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!!

Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Welcome 2018!

Happy Saturday, Ai friends! The design team is back this new year with fresh and fun ideas! For those of you looking forward to spring, you will love Dot's floral arrangement! If you are still enjoying winter, Tricia K.'s inventive snowman and Tricia O.'s snowy neighborhood on a hill will inspire new ways to use your favorite supplies! Check out these ideas below, and be sure to visit their personal social accounts for more fabulous ideas!

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Watercolor Friends,

I'm excited for 2018 and so glad that I've had some time to watercolor now that the holidays are over. I made this card using the 4959 - WC Dogs Set, 4871 - WC Rustic Container Set. I used flowers from 4868 - WC Flower Set 2 and the 4761 - Watering Can and the grass and leaves from the 4051 - WC Foliage Set 1. The pink paper looked too plain so I was going to sew a stitched border but when I was looking at the decorative stitches on my sewing machine, I found this dog stitch and thought, how cute would that be? Happy New Year and happy crafting!

Art Impressions Product: 4959 WC Dogs Set, 4871 Rustic Container Set, 4868 WC Flower Set 2, 4761 Watering Can Set, 4051 WC Foliage Set 1, Acrylic Block 5 Pack, 4774 Stamp Positioner

Marvy LePlume II Markers: 86 African Violet, 72 Pine Green, 45 Sepia, 8 Violet, 29 Prussian Blue, 55 Iris Purple

Other Supplies: Canson WC Paper, No. 4 Brush

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

My project for today’s Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend is a “40¢ Snowman”.

Gather 40¢ - one quarter, one nickel and one dime - trace the coins onto a 4x6 piece of Canson watercolor paper. Using a Molotow masking pen, place dots all over the paper for snow, let dry. Stamp the snowman’s arms using the smallest branch from the 4963-WC Fall Set in 45 Sepia with the Stamp Positioner. Stamp the snowman’s hat using a pot from the 4869-WC Small Container Set in 1 Black also with the Stamp Positioner. The Stamp Positioner is very helpful for placing items exactly where you want them. Pull the color from the lines. Scribble 86 African Violet onto your Watercolor Palette and brush onto the background going up to the pencil lines of the snowman and around the arms and hat. Remove the masking snow dots and the pencil lines with an eraser. Add the eyes and buttons with 45 Sepia and the nose with 88 Terra Cotta. Complete the snowy scene by brushing a Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Pen onto the background.

Art Impressions Products: Acrylic Block 5 Pack,Stamp Positioner, Watercolor Palette, Watercolor Brush No. 6, Canson XL WC Paper Pad, Molotow Grafx Art Masking Liquid Pump, Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Pen

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 1 Black, 45 Sepia, 86 African Violet, 88 Terra Cotta

Other Supplies: Quarter, Nickel, Dime

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

First I stamped the WC Mini Cottage in the front in Sepia. I cut a mask out of post-it notes, covered it to protect it while I stamped the next cottage in Sepia as well. I placed this cottage do the left and overlapping the first cottage slightly. I cut another mask and covered this cottage. I then stamped the third cottage to the left and slightly higher than the second cottage, and overlapped it slightly. I followed the same procedure for the last cottage. I used a stamp positioner to place each cottage where I wanted them.

I pulled the color out of the lines and added color from the palette to each cottage. I added a small amount of texture to the front of the first cottage using Sepia. I added snow with African Violet. 

I replaced the masks over each of the cottage. I used the large fir top from the WC Fir Tree Set to stamp the trees behind the cottages in Bottle Green and Pine Green. I added Black and Sepia to the left side of the cottages to create the idea of a snowy street. Using Blue I added the sky.

I cut the water colored piece to 3.75 x 5 and adhered it to a Gina K Designs – Christmas Pine Cardstock that measured 4 x 5.25.

Art Impressions Products: WC Mini Cottages, WC Fir Trees Set, No 6 Paintbrush, Acrylic Blocks, Watercolor Paper, Watercolor Palette, 4774 Stamp Positioner

Marvy Markers: 45 Sepia, 86 African Violet, 72 Pine Green, 25 Bottle Green, 26 Prussian Blue, 3 Blue, 28 English Red, 1 Black

Other Supplies: Post-it notes, Scissors, Gina K Designs – Christmas Pine Cardstock

Let us know what you think of our project in the comments below! Do you have projects to share with us? Be sure to hasthtag ##AiWatercolor on your online projects, and you can also post pictures to our Facebook Page! Happy Stamping!

Holiday Mansion by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing the Art Impressions Holiday Mansion and HM Accessories.

I also used the Ai Snowflake Dies.

I fell in love with Diane's idea to use a tea light behind the mansion and just had to give it a try.

Since she made a Halloween card I thought I'd make a Christmas version.

You can see her card I was inspired by HERE.

I used an acetate card base so that the tea light would glow more.  I liked feeling like the house was set in it's yard and you could see the front and back yards making it more dimensional.

Open the front door and you see the verse.

Here's the inside.

I also made a coordinating gift box with some more of the HM Accessories.

One little pointer if you decide to try something like this. I wanted the house to be all silver because I thought it was festive.  You can't see the lines enough for them to matter but you can see them enough to bug me...Next time I'll probably stamp the image on cardstock first.  Then I'll cut it out and use it as a template to cut out the specialty paper.

Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Holiday Inspiration

Have you started your holiday cards? Our Watercolor Guest Design Team sure has! Glean some new ideas for your projects here on Watercolor Weekend! Take a look and leave a little comment love about how the team has inspired you today!

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

I made a shaker card for the Watercolor Weekend Round-up on the Art Impressions blog this weekend. I used the - Wooden Door stamps for this one. I love purple and green together so I made the door purple. I knew I wanted to add multi-colored lights on the house, wreath and fir trees which I made using the new 4960 - WC Fir Trees Set. I used a Sakura Gelly Roll pen to add that little bit of sparkle to the lights and the snow.  I just used the fine tip of the Marvy LePlume II pens to draw the multi-colored lights.

Art Impressions Products: 4702 Wooden Door , 4960 WC Fir Trees, Canson XL WC Paper Pad, 4773 Acrylic Block Variety Pack, NO. 4 Brush, Signo White Pigment Ink Gel Pen

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 13 Ochre, 45 Sepia, 46 Crimson Lake, 48 Leaf Green, 72 Pine Green 75 Sky Blue, 79 Grape, 86 African Violet

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

I’m excited to share this fun and festive last minute Thanksgiving project for today’s Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend – Personalized Turkey Place Cards. 

Using a 3”x4” piece of watercolor paper, trace around a 7/8” button, set the button aside. Take the large straight pine bough from the WC Fir Trees Set and stamp one on each side of the circle (slightly overlapping the pencil line) in 82 Mustard, 13 Ochre, 88 Terra Cotta, 27 Olive Brownand 45 Sepia to create the turkey feathers. The final center feather is stamped once in 18 Dark Brown. Erase the pencil line. Pull the color with your watercolor brush and water. You can either hand write, stamp or print the name on the place card. I opted to print it. Measure down 1½” and score a line lengthwise across avoiding the stamped image. Use an xacto knife to cut out the top few feathers so they pop up once folded. On a small scrap piece of watercolor paper, stamp the large straight pine bough from the WC Fir Trees Set in 13 Ochre then cut into a tiny triangle for the beak. Next stamp the large branches vine WC Foliage Set 1 in 28 English Red then cut out one teeny tiny leaf for the snood (yes, I looked that up, it’s the red dangly thing on the beak). To assemble the turkey body, place two self adhesive pearls onto the button as eyes, use a small glue dot or glue to add the beak and snood. And finally, attach the body onto the feathers with a glue dot and your turkey is complete. Happy Thanksgiving!

Art Impressions Products: WC Fir Trees Set, WC Foliage Set 1, Acrylic Block 5 Pack, Acrylic 3” Square Block, Watercolor Brush No. 6, Canson XL WC Paper Pad

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 82 Mustard, 13 Ochre, 88 Terra Cotta, 27 Olive Brown, 45 Sepia, 18 Dark Brown, 28 English Red

Other Supplies: Want 2 Scrap Self Adhesive Pearl Bling, 7/8” Black Buttons, Glue Dots, Xacto Knife, Stylus, T-Square Ruler, Printer, Blossoms Script Font

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

I used the pumpkin stamp as a container for the fall flowers. I first inked half of the pumpkin stamp with African Violet and Sepia. I wanted my pumpkins to be white, leaving off the top of the pumpkin to allow for the flowers to spill out the front and sides.

I added the leaves in Brilliant Yellow, Orange and English Red. I softened each layer after I stamped it so that I could layer each color easily. I stamped the wheat (I think that i what it is LOL) in Brilliant Yellow. I softened it and then inked the Lily stamp up with Terra Cotta and Olive Green. I then added the branch with the red berries inked with Sepia and English Red.

I cut these out using a square stitched die. I cut a piece of Sweet Mango cardstock to back the middle image.

I created the background by using alcohol inks on photo paper. I cut the shadow of the Thankful die out of this layer. I backed it on a piece of Cranberry Tart cardstock. I cut the word thankful from Sweet Mango cardstock. 

Art Impressions Stamps: 4052 – WC Flower Set 1, 4056 – WC Series 3 Set 1, 4867 – WC Foliage Set 2 New, 4052 – WC Flower Set 1, 4701 – Clay Pot, 4763 – Southwest, 4773 – Acrylic Block 5 Pack (Variety), Canson XL WC Paper Pad

Marvy Markers: 86 African Violet, 45 Sepia, 15 Olive Green, 43 Brilliant Yellow, 28 English Red, 7 Orange, 88 Terra Cotta

Other Supplies: Silver Brush 3000S-4 Black Velvet, Gina K Designs Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Cranberry Tart, Gina K Designs Stitched Leaves Mini Kit, Gina K Designs Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Sweet Mango, Gina K Designs "Thankful" Die, Simon Says Stamp STITCHED SQUARES Wafer Dies

Love these festive projects! What do you think? Let us know in the comments below, and share your own projects with us with #AiWatercolor on Instagram, or posting pictures on our Facebook Page! If you are looking for even more inspiration, be sure to visit the designer's other social media pages below:

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

Happy Watercolor Weekend!

Challenge 194 The Perfect Pair Week 2!

Hello, Ai Fans!

Getting ready for the holidays? Last week we announced the perfect pairs for your holiday stamping, from Ai to a store near you! Our three new stamp and die cut sets, produced in collaboration with Hampton Art, are wonderful for creating easy cards for your favorite time of year! AC Moore now offers our adorable Fright Night set and will receive our Snow Much Fun set in October! And don't forget to stop by your local Michaels store in October to check out our new Warm Wishes set! Keep an eye out for them in stores near you!

Our design team is here to bring you plenty of inspiration for these exciting new sets, from Halloween to Christmas and other wintery goodness!

Cheri with Warm Wishes (available at Michaels in October)

Dana with Fright Night (available now at AC Moore)

Diane with Snow Much Fun (available at AC Moore in October)

Karen with Snow Much Fun (available at AC Moore in October)

Karen with Fright Night (available now at AC Moore)

Kerry with Fright Night (available now at AC Moore)

Renee with Fright Night (available now at AC Moore)

Sharon with Snow Much Fun (available at AC Moore in October)

Awesome projects, DT! We're loving these fabulous holiday cards!

Will you join our challenge? We want to see how you use a stamp with a matching die! The craft can be for any occasion. Top spot and honorable mentions win Ai stamps!

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 12th at 5:00 p.m. PST to enter your creations.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping!

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