Winter Wonderland by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I was having too much fun making cards for the current Blog challenge "In The Navy" so I'm sharing two of the them with you today.   I used the #5953 Woodland Critters and #5954 Woodland Bears.  These would make such a cute gift set for that special someone that has everything.  What's better than giving/receiving handmade gifts?

I started out by stamping the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  Each of the images in both sets come with corresponding dies.  As usual, I die cut an extra set from heavy cardstock.   I love the dimension and stability.

Card #1:  I created a fun pull tab interactive card where the critters slide down the hill when pulling the tab.  This is a square 4 3/4 inch card.  To make the stitch border, I partial cut two sides using the largest #5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitch die and then cut the other sides to make this large square.   I spattered Dr. PH Martin's Bleed Proof White paint onto the navy blue cardstock base to create a snowy background and also glued some of the snow die cuts that were left over from card #2.  The stitch snowy hills were using dies from my stash. 

Card #2:  I created a popped up frame card.  Using the #5782 Snowflake Frame die, I die cut two frames with heavy cardstock and glued them together.  Saved some of the snowflake pieces from the frame die cuts and used on card #1.  This card measures 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches.  I spattered Dr. PH Martin's Bleed Proof White paint onto the navy blue cardstock base to create a snowy background.  Again, I used a curvy stitched die from my stash to create the snowy hillside.  I popped the frame and the images up using foam tape onto the hillside.  Added a bow and the card is finished. 

Hope you enjoyed my cards today and you decide to join us in the Blog challenge.  See above tab for details and a chance to win a free stamp set.  We love to see your creations!

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E30, E33, D35, E37, E40, E41, E43, E44

E51, E53, E55, E57, E59

N1, N2, N3, N4

Y13, Y17, Y19, 23, Y26, 

R20, R22, R24, R27

BG90, BG93, BG96, BG99

BV20, BV23

NEW Art Impressions Halloween w/ Moonlit Midnight Sky by Lynn Dionne

 Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!!!

Watch video tutorial here!

I'm so happy to be showing you this brand-new Ai Pumpkin Parade Set (6112) that includes several little critters all dressed up for Halloween and it also includes several coordinating sentiments and some fun candy elements as well as the coordinating dies! Today's card was also inspired by the current Ai "In the Navy" Blog Challenge with our midnight blue sky and borders!

Let's set the stage for our little spooky critters by creating a moonlit sky! To do this we will die-cut a stitched rectangle from some smooth cardstock. We will create the moon using a two-part moon stencil, one is a solid circle, and the other provides some details to the moon.

We will place the solid circle mask onto the cardstock and start with some ink blending around the moon using the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire, Villainous Potion and Black Soot.

Next, leaving the mask in place we can add some stars using a stencil and some clear glitter paste. Some of the ink from under the stars will bleed up into the glitter paste for a really pretty look! Let's also add some additional sparkle using the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter.

Let's remove the circle mask and add the additional detail to the moon with the second stencil and some Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink in Hickory Smoke.

Now we can color and die-cut the critters and color them using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Sugared Almond Pink, Yellow, Orange, Gray, Gray Brown, Mid Brown, Sand, Beige, Dk Oatmeal, Lt Gray.

Now that the stenciling is dry we will die-cut a few borders from some navy-blue cardstock, this will tie in nicely with the dark blue and purple sky! We can ink the edges of the borders using that same Black Soot ink that we used on the blended sky.

We can add the borders using some foam tape and add all of our cute trick-or-treaters. I thought it would be fun to fussy cut some candy corn using the Ai Halloween S2 Paper Pack (5849) and add them to the Halloween buckets and also have it look like the owl is sprinkling some of the candy around as he flies near the moon!

For the sentiment we will use a label die with rounded corners from the Ai Journal Template Die Set (5543) and stamp a sentiment from that same stamp set. Let's also ink this with some more Chipped Sapphire ink!

For a finishing touch, we will add some pretty sparkly gems!

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

Ai Pumpkin Parade Set (6112)

Ai Journal Template Die Set (5543)

Ai Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies (5063)

Ai Halloween S2 PP (5849)

October 2025 Monthly Challenge with Simone Carr

 Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to our October Monthly Challenge.

This month we have Simone Carr as our Guest Designer.

Hey there, I’ve got a fresh project that’s perfect for the season to share with you.

On watercolor paper, I stamped the stump from the Woodland Critters Set (using the squirrel stamp) in Tombow 565 + 969, using my stamp positioner for precise placement. I then stamped the teapot from the Fairytale Houses Set with the same ink combo. To add a whimsical touch, I positioned the ladder from the Dwelling Foliage Set against the stump, again using the stamp positioner to get it just right.

Once the main elements were in place and stamped, I began coloring. After that, I stamped in the mushrooms from the Whimsical Mushroom Set and brushed in a soft blue sky using Tombow 526. To complete the scene, I stamped the pumpkin foliage and grass from the Harvest Pumpkin Set and Foliage Set 3, and finished with flowers from the Mini Flower Set. I saved the flowers for last to layer in extra detail and color.

For the card design, I die cut the scene with the 4th largest Nested Circle die and layered it on a scalloped circle die cut for a polished frame.

Materials Used

Stamps:

5600 Harvest Sentiments Set

5788 Whimsical Mushroom Set – Small Mushrooms

5595 Harvest Pumpkin Set – Leaves

5007 Foliage Set 3 – Grass

5009 Mini Flower Set

5989 Dwelling Foliage Set – Ladder

5953 Woodland Critters Set – Stump (Squirrel)

5935 Fairytale Houses Set – Teapot

Dies:

5726 Nested Circle Set – 4th Largest

6045 Scalloped Circle 3

Paper:

5973 Fall S2 PP

Canson Watercolor Paper

Inks & Markers:

Tombow: 565 + 969, 933, 993, 925, 905, 055, 403, 947, 117, 992 (teapot), 296 + 992 (mushrooms), 839 (flowers), 098 (grass), 526 (sky)

Bleed Proof White

TwinTone Brown

For my second card I chose to make a Halloween card.

I started by cutting a 2" circle from masking tape to use as a moon mask. To create the background, I placed a stencil measuring 3 ¼" x 4 ¾" over a 4 ¼" x 5 ½" piece of cardstock and taped it down so it wouldn’t shift. With the moon mask in place, I began ink blending—first with Twisted Citron around the moon, then layering Lucky Clover across the panel while leaving a glowing halo around the moon. To deepen the night sky, I blended Chipped Sapphire around the edges.

After blending the background, I watered down Bleed Proof White and then splattered it across the panel for stars, finishing with a mist of Fossil Amber Distress Spritz to add a soft, magical glow. Once everything was dry, I removed the moon mask and placed a moon stencil to add subtle texture with Lost Shadow ink. I then set the panel aside to dry completely.

Next, I stamped all my images from the Spooky Wagon Set (5456) onto Bristol Smooth cardstock using Shadow Grey Archival Ink. I colored them with Tombow markers, then die cut each piece. To assemble, I layered a frame die from my stash (cut twice for extra dimension) over the blended background, arranged my stamped elements, and popped them up with thin foam tape. Everything fits perfectly on an A2 card base (5 ½" x 4 ¼").

The end result is a playful Halloween scene with a glowing sky that makes the spooky wagon really stand out!

Materials Used

Stamps:

Spooky Wagon Set (5456)

Inks:

Distress Inks: Twisted Citron, Lucky Clover, Chipped Sapphire, Lost Shadow

Fossil Amber Distress Spritz

Shadow Grey Archival Ink

Markers:

Tombow: N55, N45, N35 (Truck & Cat); N89 (Ghost); 020, 991 (Truck); 969, 879, 947 (Truck, Sign, Pumpkins); 933, 195 (Hat); 933, 946, 925, 905, 055 (Pumpkins)

TwinTone: Black, Brown

Paper:

Bristol Smooth Cardstock

Glitter Cardstock

Other:

Bleed Proof White

2" Circle Mask (for Moon)

Stencil (3 ¼" x 4 ¾")

Frame Die (from stash)

Foam Tape

Card Base (5 ½" x 4 ¼")

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW! What adorable cards from Simone!

We're sure you're going to be inspired by these.

We hope you'll add your creations to our challenge. Remember, even though Simone created Fall themed cards, our Monthly Challenges have no theme. You may enter ANY crafty project as long as you use some Art Impressions products on what you create.

See below for all the details.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Dance it Out by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans! 

I know I've said it a gazillion times, but I adore Art Impressions characters! They just ooze fun and personality, don't they??!! I simply can't get enough of them. So, with that being said, I've got another card for you today that features #5278 Dance It Out Set. I stamped him onto a Copic friendly cardstock and then colored him in the colors listed below. My hubby loves to dance, so this would be perfect for him!!! (plus he actually IS an old fart!! LOL!) 

So that's it for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and until next time - stay crafty!!

Copics used:

E000, 00, 11, 35, 70, 71, 74, and 77

YR61, 65, and 68

R02 and 20

T1

C2

W5

Thankful for You and Vintage Christmas Cards by Jami Steiger

Hello, all watercolor friends! I'm happy to share my cards for this fall weekend. As usual, I have created holiday-themed cards. I hope you all enjoy.

I began by stamping the squirrel on my first card, followed by the greenery above and below. After that, I painted him using the Tombow markers 526, 969, 565, N55, 761, 947, 679, 177, 942, 977, 027, 856, 098, 933, 946, and 025. The oval nesting dies were then used to die-cut the artwork. I found a few small gemstones and stuck some to the flowers and leaves. First, I made the card's base by stamping a large brown word stamp onto a piece of craft-colored cardstock. I then used a stencil to apply pearl white texture paste. While the paste was drying, I die-cut rectangles using the 5973-Fall Series 2 Paper Pack. I used foam squares to raise the squirrel after attaching all the parts to the card base. The sentiment was taken from the 5191-Feast Mode set and die-cut from the banner in the 5543-Journal Template Die Set. Finally, I embellished it with brown sequins and a paperclip with a bow.

_____________________

I got the idea for my next card from Christmas paper I found online. Because I wanted this card to feel very vintage, it has a lot of glitter! After stamping the 5377-WC Fenced Scene, I created a sample of the house and barn placement using stamps from the 5371-WC Barn Set and 5370-WC Village. After establishing the scene, I proceeded to stamp every image in the scene onto watercolor paper. The houses were watercolored, and then I added the trees and other details. Next, I went over the houses with a clear glitter Wink of Stella pen. The girl with the red coat and the dog were taken from the 5380-WC Silhouettes. I used Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White to add snow to the scene. While the bleed-proof white was still wet, I applied a delicate white detail glitter. I used silver photo corners to matte the painting to red cardstock once it had dried. I added red tinsel, red sequins, and a red bow after mounting the completed painting on a card base. To hopefully show you the glitter, I've included a second close-up of my completed card.

____________________

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and the cooler weather until next month. 

Bear-y Loved by Janet

 It's always fun to make baby cards because there's such a joyful reason behind them. Today's card celebrates the birth of a new baby boy with a nautical theme and a Panda Bear twist!

This card has a bit of a surprise in it. On the front it looks like any standard card with a circle for the sentiment until you open it. Then suddenly a wonderful pop-up appears and the sentiment moves toward the interior of the card. Surprise! I'm not sure what the official name is for this card but I have dubbed it the Moving 3D Window Card. It's a charming fancy fold and fairly simple to make. The circles were created using 5064 -Circle Double Stitched Dies and 2726 - Nested Circle Dies.

The adorable panda in a pram and the cake is from the 6017 - Baby Panda Set. I also used patterned papers from 6058 - Baby Boy Paper Pack. I used three different patterns in this pad but it all looks great together because the colors coordinate together so well. 

Thanks for joining me here today. As always, don't forget to find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store! You'll always find something that calls to you. 

Happy Crafting!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest  

Magical Halloween Night! Card by Tasha

Hi Art Impressions friends! 

Tasha here sharing a new Halloween card featuring the sweet little witch from the 5037-Halloween Magic Set. Now that we’re officially in Fall, I’m so excited to start making fun Halloween projects!

For this card, I stamped the little witch and her kitty and colored them with Copic Markers. The background was created by layering brown paper over the starry print from the 6057-Baby Girl Paper Pack before cutting it out with a scalloped oval die. I love the soft purple sky with stars; it makes the scene playful instead of spooky!

To add extra color, I framed the design with a large scalloped oval cut from golden yellow cardstock, then layered a piece of black & white pattern paper, crisp white cardstock, and a pop of deep pink pink. A simple Happy Halloween sentiment finished the card.

This sweet witch is ready for a magical Halloween night! 🎃 

In the Navy! Challenge #413 Week #1

 Hello Ai fans and welcome to the Art Impressions

In the Navy challenge!

We want to see your projects using navy blue.

This week, I'm the Featured Designer, and I put together a matching Halloween

card and goodie box with a photo tutorial for you.

After you check out my feature, be sure to scroll down to see 

if you were one of our winners from the last challenge.

For my feature I created a matching card and treat box.
My images and sentiments are from 5352 – Halloween Critters Set.

I've put together a photo tutorial for the treat box.

Here's how I created it.

Start with a 6"x6" piece of heavier weight cardstock.

Score it at 1 1/2" and 4 1/2".

Rotate the paper 90 degrees and score at those measurements again.

On opposite sides, cut a little "V" to form the flaps that will fold up.

 

Bend on all of the score lines to prepare it to become the base of the box.
Glue the tabs to the inside for a neater look.

 

Now begin to create the panels that will act as the lid for the box.

Cut 2 pieces of cardstock that measure 3"x5".

Score both of the panels at 1/2" and 2".

I embossed one of the panels (see photo) to use as the inside flap
 and I cut a navy blue piece that 

measured 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" and I embossed that as well.

 

Now we're ready to adhere the box top panels to the base.

Be sure to only apply glue to the piece scored at 1/2".

You many glue the other part to the side but I felt it opened

neater if only the bottom was glued.

 

Next, you'll see that you can close these panels over the box base.

 

I added a Velcro tab to keep it closed using 
5967 – Hook & Loop Fasteners.

 
I closed it up and added a circle cut from 6045 – Scalloped Circle Dies.
Now I'm ready to decorate it.

After coloring and die-cutting the little bunny and bat I mounted the bunny

to a circle from 5726 – Nested Circle Dies.

Open it up to find a sweet treat.

Here's the card that goes with the treat box.
The sentiment was cut using 5133 – Flag Double Stitched Dies.

I don't normally think of navy blue as a Halloween color but it goes so well with orange

that I decided I wanted to make a Halloween themed project for my feature.

I love all wildlife but red foxes are one of my favorites. We are lucky enough to see them

in our yard once in a while.

I colored my images using...

TT Turquoise Blue

Copic Markers: T1, T2, C4, YR00, YR14, YR24, YR27

I hope you enjoyed my projects today and will join in our In the Navy challenge.

Now let's see who won our Wild About You challenge.

For our Top Spot we chose:

Rachel Bankes

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab our badge to display on your social media too!

Our Lucky Random Winner was:

Debbie H.

Please contact Leah at Feedback@artimpressions.com

to claim a free stamp set of your choice!!

Be sure to grab our badge to display on your social media too!

Congratulations to our winners!

We hope you had fun with that last challenge and that you enjoy this one. We always LOVE seeing what you create and treating a couple of people to a shiny new stamp set!

Be sure to enter your creation for the chance to win a free stamp set from Art Impressions. 

We award one Top Spot and one Lucky Random Winner, and each will win a free stamp set from Art Impressions.

✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards! (unless specified)

✻ Limit two submissions per person.

 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission. You may include your entire last name, but it's not necessary.

✻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