NEW VIDEO! Christmas Hanging Sign by Kendra Krebs

Hello Ai Fans!

Watercolor Wednesday is upon us! You ready?!

Guest artist, Kendra Krebs is here again this week with a VERY cool idea using our WC Serif Letters Set! She created a hanging sign, perfect for a door or home decor, and featured the word Noel with a designed wreath for the letter O. Kendra added red and purple flowers from our WC Mini Flower, the pine branch from our WC Foliage Set 2 New, and the thin branch from our WC Foliage Set 4.

If you grabbed last week's Bundle Discount, this week's Christmas Hanging Sign Bundle is a great extension using two of the same foliage sets! Use the link to save 20% on the Serif Letters and Foliage Set 4 stamps until November 26, 2019, at 11:59pm PT! As a reminder, after the week is up, our video bundles will still be listed at a 10% discount!

We want to know where you would hang a sign this pretty? Leave a comment on the video over on YouTube!

Happy Watercolor Wednesday!

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xYTVXgG2KJw

Penguin Wave by Niccole

Hello Ai fans!!

Like I said last week ... we have an exclusive stamp set only available at Simon Says Stamp called SSS Exclusive Holiday Flip Card - 5207.  I LOVE this set.  It is so fun! And what a bonus ... it's a Flip Card! Although this week I am not showing you another flip card.

I am showing you a spinner card.  Yes, a spinner card!  When you have a front and back identical stamped images, it is a MUST in my opinion to make a spinner card! 

No you are not seeing things LOL and no it is not a mistake.  I am showing you the image rolled over so you are seeing the back side.  See how they fit perfectly together?  

I cut two rectangles using the Rounded Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies.  I cut the smaller one from the red and black paper.  I used one bigger along with the smaller one to make a frame with the turquoise paper.  

I sandwiched the thread between the two images and the frame so everything is hidden.  You can twirl it to make it spin when it opens or you can leave it and when it opens it waves at you.  Both are adorable! I finished it off with a few crystal gems since I did not add a sentiment.

Here is a close up of the adorable colored penguins.  Aren't they the cutest little penguins you have every seen?  You could color these in so many combinations.

Here is a video of the spinner in action.  What do you guys think?  It is really not hard at all.  People will think it took forever to make, when in reality the hardest part is getting your frame and card base to line up LOL

Here is one more picture of the card.  I absolutely LOVE how this card turned out.  I love that it is not your traditional Christmas/winter colors. I love that this set is so versatile.  I have shown you a flip card and a spinner card, but yet you still could make a standard card as well ... oh the possibilities!

Thank you for stopping by today!  Please head on over to Simon Says Stamp to pick up this adorable SSS Exclusive Holiday Flip Card before it is sold out.  It will not return once it is sold out.

Copics used:

BG11, BG45, BG49

C1, C3, C5, C7, C9

G07, G09

N0, N3, N5, N7

R21, R22, R24, R29

W00, W1, W3

Y13, Y18

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

Snowman Flip by Niccole

Hello Ai fans!!
Do you spot something new ... SSS Exclusive Holiday Flip Card Set 5207! 

As you can see we have an exclusive stamp set only available at Simon Says Stamp.  I LOVE this set.  It is so fun! And what a bonus ... it's a Flip Card!

I started by using my flip die to cut my red card base. I trimmed the bottom with rose gold glitter paper.  I added a diagonal stripe paper to my sentiment square to frame it out.  I randomly added white Nuvo Drops to give the impression of snow. I added my forward facing snowmen as if they were holding up the "Wishing You" sign.

I did exactly the same to the inside of the card.  Except for this time the sentiment says "A very Merry Christmas." Isn't it cool how the sentiment flips when you open the card up?

Here is a close up of the front of my card and my colored snowmen.  I used my Copic markers to color these cute fellas! I also popped up my snowmen with foam tape for added dimension. Doesn't the glitter really make it sparkle?

Here is a close up of the inside with the cute lil' snowman butts! I also raised up these guys with foam tape as well. I actually did everything identical to the front of the card except the snowmen.

Here is one more of the front of the card laying flat so you can see where the flip die cuts along with the placement of everything.

And a flat one of the inside as well.  I love how this card looks more complex than it really is.  Using the flip feature is SO easy.  Everyone should have this die in their stash!

Thank you for stopping by today!  Please head on over to Simon Says Stamp to pick up this adorable SSS Exclusive Holiday Flip Card.

Make sure you come back next week.  I just might have another adorable card using this fun SSS Exclusive stamp set. 

Copics used:

BG11, BG45, BG49

C1, C3, C5, C7, C9

G07, G09

N0, N1, N3

R21, R22

R24, R27, R29, R35, R37

V20, V22, V25

W00, W1, W3

Y13, Y18

Until next time ... Hugs & inky fingers!

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.