Panda Love by Janet

 Welcome to the weekend! Today I bring you a card with two huggable pandas from the set designed by Kim Hein. It's called KH5821 - Panda Set. This is a 12 piece set that includes several panda images as well as bamboo, leaves and sentiments.

My card is a simple design and easy to do with just two Copic markers (C1 and C7). After coloring and shading, I fussy cut the two sitting panda images and set them aside. I then made a mask for the center of the card by cutting a circle in masking paper. If you're not familiar with masking paper, it is paper with a repositionable adhesive on one side. After cutting the circle out of a sheet using 5726 - Nested Circle Dies, I peeled the protective backing and stuck it to my card panel which I had cut at 4" x 5 1/4". I blended Peeled Paint Distress Oxide ink with a blending brush in the bottom half of the circle and Tumbled Glass on the top half. 

At this point I stamped several stalks of bamboo from the stamp set along with leaves placed where I wanted them. I also stamped the sentiment. Once done, I peeled the mask off the cardstock. What remained is a perfect circle of color with bamboo. The circle of color forms a perfect background to place the two sitting pandas mounted on foam tape. Then the finished panel was mounted with foam tape to an A2 card base made in matching white cardstock. This technique creates a simple but effective card that's perfect for anyone who like pandas and all that they symbolize.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope my card gives you some ideas of your own. Please visit the store to see all the things you need for your card, journal, and tag making projects. Have a great Saturday!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest  

Gnome Magnet Treat Box by Dori Mendiola

Happy Friday AI Friends!

Today I have a fun little treat (pun totally intended - LOL) that goes with the "Just For You" challenge.  Who doesn't LOVE Gnomes?  I decided to make a little gnome magnet to go with this treat box.  He's tucked away in a little pocket but can be removed to reside on the fridge, a teacher's whiteboard or in your scrapbook room on a magnetic surface.  

He's so darn cute!  

  

I used the Art Impressions #5832 Gnome paper pack for the treat box as well as the pocket that the gnome sits in.  The Gnome is from the #5785 Gnome set which has the matching dies.  I stamped the front only of this little gnome onto copic friendly paper and colored him with copic markers (see color list below).  After coloring the gnome, I covered him with a piece of clear packing tape to protect the coloring and make him sturdy.  I then die cut him with the coordinating dies and also cut a corresponding piece of adhesive magnet to attach to his back side.  I colored and die cut a few other images from #5728 Mushroom Cubbies and #5221 Sending Love Cubbies to decorate the pocket, which is from the #5718 Mini Journal Template set.  

Treat box:  Dimensions 5 x 1 1/4 x 1.  Use one piece of 6x6 paper.  Score (pattern facing up) at 1, 2 3/4, 3 3/4 and 5 1/2.  Turn clockwise (pattern facing to the right) and score at 1, 4 1/2 and 5 1/2.  Score each of the lines with your bone folder.  With pattern facing up, cut off the bottom right corner piece (s/b 1/2" x 1"). Then across that same row, snip each score point up to the nearest fold to create the bottom of the box when folded in.  Put glue on the pattern side right edge 1/2" piece (above the cut off corner).  Fold into a box shape and seal the glued edge inside.  Lastly fold in the slit pieces (small pieces first) then glue inside of one large piece and seal to create the bottom.

Fill the box with candies and give to a teacher, friend or just for you.   

Hope this brings you a smile!  Thanks for stopping by!

Copics used:  C00, C01, C02

E00, E02, E11, E53, E55, E57

 B91, B93, B95

R22, R24, R27 

YR21, YR23, YR24

YG03, YG17, YG63

Just For You Challenge #378 Week #2

 Welcome back to our Just For You challenge!

There is still a week left to enter your project made for someone else.

Something just for them.

We're calling it Just For You!

We want to see your Gift Card Holders and Gift Pockets, Gift Boxes and Bags, gifts like bookmarks, something made just for them... treat holders...anything that says this is Just For You!

This is perfect with graduations coming up. Or, create something for a birthday, wedding, retirement, housewarming, new baby or just because you care about someone.

Tasha was our Featured Designer and she made a beautiful gift card box that holds multiple gift card pockets. GENIUS!

You can see her post and tutorial HERE. 

I created 5 Gift Card Pockets. You can see my post HERE.

Janet made a sweet housewarming tag with a gift card holder on the back.

She used:
5132 Tag Stitched Dies

5811 Gift Card Pocket Set

5878 Exclusive Café Freebie

5890 Village Accessories

5512 Front Porch Set

Lynn made an elegant gift box and has a video tutorial HERE.

Sharon used:

5811 Gift Card Pocket Dies

5835 Mini PP

5320 MB Kitchen Set

5798 Gardening Girlfriends Set

5323 MB Wall Accessories

5324 MB Cat Accessories

5318 MB Envelope Dies

5335 Kitchen Mini Dies

Dori used:

5785 - Gnomes set
5718 - Mini Journal Template
5728 - Mushroom Cubbies
5221 - Sending Love Cubbies
5832 - Gnomes PP

So many great ideas! Let's see what YOU create!

✻ 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

Elegant Party Favor Box w/ Texture Paste and Stenciling! by Lynn Dionne

 Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!!!

Watch video tutorial here!!!

We are going to use this fun Ai Mini Journal Box Die Set (5805) today to create and elegant box design. This box could be used for a wedding, shower, anniversary party, or even for Mother's Day! You could place some sweet treats in the box...as I will do for mine. But you could also put some money, jewelry, or any other small gifts inside. However, keep in mind that this box was designed to hold your Mini Journals. The possibilities are endless!!!

These party favor boxes were inspired by the current Art Impressions Blog Challenge - Just for You - which is to create GC holders, pockets, gift bags, or boxes!

Let's die cut a couple of boxes with some white 100lb cardstock. We can fold on the score lines and tape this together using some 1/8" double-sided tape.

Now let's add a beautiful liner to the inside of the boxes using some pretty Gold Stencil Paste and using a Leaf & Floral Ornate Stencil. This will add some texture, shimmer, and elegance!

While those liners are drying, we can die cut the Heart Clasp Die which is included in the Ai Slim Journal Template Dies (5806). We will die cut the clasp using some pretty metallic gold paper. We can easily assemble the clasp and we will be gluing it together to give the illusion of a faux clasp. Let's center the clasp on the front of the box and trim away and excess. But....keep that excess because we are going to add this to the side of the boxes. This just finishes the look perfectly!

Going back the Ai Mini Journal Box Set we will die cut the lattice border 4 times. We will add these to the front and back panels of each of the boxes.

For a few finishing touches, let's add a pretty white heart on the center of the hearts and then a few gold dust gems for added sparkle!

Please join us in this fun new challenge...we would love to see what you create!

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

Ai Mini Journal Box (5805)

Ai Slim Journal Template Dies (5806)

Ai Watercolor Travel Box (4924)

Steel Die Cutters

Graduation Gift Card Holders by Reneé Matarese

 Happy Tuesday everyone!

The current challenge here on the Art Impressions blog is Just For You!

We are creating gifts to give to someone.

Gift bags, boxes, gift card holders and pockets, treat boxes and bags...etc.

I created several graduation themed GC holders because...tis the season.

You could also make a project for a retirement, wedding, 

birthday, housewarming, new baby, new job etc.

I've had this set for a while now. My favorite is the owl and then the giraffe.

This time I used the elephant too and I have decided he's also my favorite...lol!

I love animals.

Look at that wise owl...so CUTE!!

The balloons are not part of the grad set but I felt they went really well

with the Aim High sentiment.

This gift card pocket is so versatile.

I absolutely love it. You can also attach it to the inside or outside of

a card or include it on a journal page. Whatever suits your needs.

Copics used: B12 (little bird)

LePen 0.1 Black

Red Pilot Extra Fine

Royal Round Detail Brush #4 

Staedtler WC Pencils:
124, 80, 16, 76, 3

Derwent WC Pencils:
6 Deep Cadmium, 19 Madder Carmine, 58 Raw Sienna, 66 Chocolate

You Glow Girl by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

So do you love the Art Impressions Matchbook Sets? They are so cute and so tiny!! I just really love how you can tuck them into a lunch pail or a jacket pocket!! For my post today, I used 5498 MB Salon Set to create this adorable little card. How perfect to treat your stylist or to accompany a cute gift card to someone's favorite salon! I stamped the images onto alcohol ink friendly paper and colored them with Copic markers which are listed below. I also added the clock and lamp sconces from 5323 Matchbook Wall Accessories. I used some digital salon paper to create the wallpaper for the shop and the envelope. I also cut out some cute accessories using glitter paper and the adorable 5334 Salon Mini Die set.  

I added some clear Nuvo Crystal Drops to the front of the mirror. Unfortunately it dried making it look like the mirror was cracked. Sure hope I don't get seven years of bad luck! LOL! Look at that adorable bobby pin!!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit today and until next time - stay crafty!!

Copics used:

B00, 01, and 02

YG01 and 03

T1 and 4

Y04 and 35

E40, 41, 51, 53, and 55

R81, 83, and 85

N1

Alice Journal and An Announcement

Hi watercolor fans, welcome back to Watercolor Weekend here on the Art Impressions Blog. Today I have my Alice in Wonderland journal and I have an announcement. I will start with the announcement, which is, after a lot of soul searching, it is bittersweet that I have decided to retire from my Watercolor Design Team position. I have been so blessed to have been part of this amazing watercolor team since Bonnie’s vision of expanding the regular line design team in 2017.

I started using Art Impressions stamps in 2016 after I attended a scrapbook show and thought it looked fun. I have always been drawn to watercolor. I jumped in FULL FORCE. It was also my first experience with social media (Instagram).  I set a goal to work with Art Impressions and in July of 2017, I was invited to be a part of the New Art Impressions Guest Design Team. I was beyond excited!

Well, it’s been 7 years and this watercolor community has grown in leaps and bounds. It has been such a pleasure watching you all blossom into your art and encourage each other along the way. I have been inspired, lifted up and humbled by all of you. I sincerely wish each and every one of you joy in your journey and know that I will still be around watching and encouraging you. I am so proud to be part of your tribe.

For now, my heart is telling me that I need to move forward. I will continue to make art in all forms and continue on my journey to see what my next chapter looks like. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world. Thank you for joining me on this wonderful journey!

Alice in Wonderland Journal

Here is the complete Alice journal that I created a while ago.  A couple of the dies are not released yet so I have blurred them here.  I hope you enjoy!

Cheshire Cat / Alice

I started out inking the Rugged Tree and stamping it diagonally to create a tree branch for the cat to sit on.  I used my positioner to place him perfectly on the tree. Next, I added long vines and leaves.  I did this in a couple of layers to get some depth and interest.  I pulled the color out of the tree and added some additional darker values.

For the cat, I pulled the color out of the lines first to create the shadows. Next, I drew in the stripes and face with a pencil.  I stayed with the contours of the cat.  I used my palette to add color.

For Alice, I used the standing Angel stamp without the wings.  I stamped her in brown stamped off to get a light image.  I added color to her from my palette. I extended her hair down, tip: Do her hair first so you don’t fill in color where you want hair.  I grounded her with gray using a back and forth stroke.

Finally, I added in the sky.  To get the really blurry look, use more water than normal.

Dormouse

I started out by stamping in the peeking mouse.  I then masked him off and using my positioner stamped the teapot (inked with blue and brown and stamped off).  I pulled the color out of the where the shadowed areas would be.  Once it was dry, I added the flowers and leaves free hand along with the lace below.  I pulled the color out of the mouse and added some additional color from my palette. To finish it off, I added some brown for the table and blue for the sky.

I used 1 10x14 piece of watercolor paper to create all the paintings. I cut them out with the journal template dies.  I picked some coordinating papers and cut those as well.  I assembled the journal and printed the parts of the story I thought went well with the paintings.  

This was so much fun to do and I loved stretching my stamps.  I hope you have been inspired to create a journal too!

 Here is the entire journal:

 

Again, I have been so blessed these last 7 years and I am so excited to see what the next chapter brings. Have a great day!

 SUPPLIES: