Remembrance by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  My two cards today are in honor of Memorial Day, a time of remembrance.  Red Poppies, in particular, are a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance for those who lost their lives in conflict, they are also my husband’s favorite flower.  

The 6163 Poppy Margin Set comes with two stamps that mirror each other and are part of the Bible Journaling line.  There is also a beautiful Peony Set – 6164.  I started out by cutting down my watercolor paper to 3 inch by 7 inch and used my stamping platform.  I inked the stamp in Distress Ink Lost Shadow, this is a light enough ink that I did not stamp it off.  For the outer frame I used 026, going over the whole frame.  I then went in with another layer, darkening the more shaded areas to create dimension.  For the petals of the flowers, I started with a base layer of 885, and then went in with 856 to deepen and shade the darker areas.  969 was used on the centers, and shaded with N15. The stamens were done with a black micron pen.  For the stems and leaves I used 177.  The background was colored with 192, and I also added in a bit of 526.  I found that this blended in a bit to well with the floral image so I used 565 to shade around the frame and florals.  This broke up the green enough to set the image off.  I also went around the outside of the frame to help set if off and give it more dimension on the paper.  I used a solid muted green cardstock to mat the 5x7 card base, and used a border die from my stash.  My original intention was to add a sentiment, but I ended up liking the card just the way it is.    

For my 2^nd card I used the newly released 6187 FG Poppy Border with 6179 Cottage Charm.  I love how the birdbath looks with this set.  It is always good when sets can interchange together.  I started off by stamping in the poppies on my watercolor paper with Distress Ink Pumice Stone, after stamping off once.  For the stems and leaves I used 126 first and then contoured with 177, making sure to darken the shaded areas.  I then started with 905 as the base for the petals and then used 885 for contour and shading, being mindful of areas that overlap and darkening these areas a little bit more.  I then stamped in the birdbath, also with Pumice Stone, and stamping off once.  I used a stamp positioner for this and after I figured out where I wanted it, I made sure to mask off the flowers so as not to stamp over the top of them.  I painted the birdbath with a mix of 565 and 969 adding in a touch of 249 and shading with 565.  For the water I used a mix of 565 and 249 and then added a light layer of 526.  For the bird, I first went over the eye, beak, and legs with a black micron. I used 055 as a base layer and then added in layers of 025, 947, and 969.  I then add some of the 025 into the water as a reflection of the bird.  For the background I added 133 and 177 at the base, and 526 for the sky.  5724 Nested Rectangle Dies, 6^th from the largest, was used to cut the image out and I matted this with a dark green cardstock using 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitched dies, 3^rd from the largest.  I then matted this on to some gold cardstock.  The card base was matted with paper from 6033 Inspirational Easter Paper Pack.  Before mounting my image, I stamped in the sentiment in Versafine Clair Nocturne, in the bottom corner.  Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you liked my creations!  Until next time! Create….Share….Inspire!

Pansy Garden by Janet

Hi everyone! Today I'm participating in the current challenge, Mix and Match. To participate, your entry simply needs to include two or more Ai products. My challenge card actually uses four products. It's so easy to combine Ai sets to tell the customized story you want.

This card features two stamps that happen to be used together, although they also work well by themselves too. I started the card by choosing a house from the 6184-Euro Cottage Set. It comes with 2 houses and I really love the one I used here. It reminds me of the stucco homes and buildings that are traditional German and Swiss style. After stamping it, I added the 6187-FG Poppy Border. It looks like your card has pansies you say? Yes! By changing the way I colored them, it was easy to turn the poppies into pansies. My favorite pansy is lavender and yellow so that's the colors I chose to use. I was thrilled that I could adjust the image to come out this way. I colored this scene with Copic Markers. It doesn't show up well in the photo but I used a light gray marker to create swirl marks that you expect to see in stucco. Isn't it cool how the house is tucked into the pansy border. The perspective works so perfectly. 

Next, I created a fresh green 4 1/4" square card base and cut a peak-a-boo window in the front. Then inside, I added the scene that I cut out using the larges square in the 6047-Scalloped Squares Dies. By doing this I created a window that allows the image to show partially. Once opened, you see the whole image. I also stamped the sentiment in the Poppy Border set on clear vellum. I attached it to the inside of the card and covered my glue spots with butterfly cuts from the 5543-Journal Template Dies Set. Finally on the front of the card, I added a looped bow with a little purple button on top. 

Thanks for joining me on the blog today. As always, find your favorite stamps, dies, papers, and accessories at the Ai Store!

Happy Crafting!

 

Seek Wisdom Card by Tasha

Happy Friday Art Impressions friends!

Tasha here sharing a card created with the new 6203-Wisdom Set 1 and 6204-Wisdom Set 2. These sets are perfect for so many different projects, and the images can be used on their own or combined for completely different looks.

As soon as I looked through the stamps in Wisdom Set 1, I was drawn to the owl and jewels and knew I wanted to create something featuring both images. To make this scene, I stamped the owl first and covered him with masking paper before stamping the jewels. I also masked the jewels before stamping the large banner so it would sit nicely in the background. Masking paper is definitely one of my favorite crafting tools!

I usually reach for bright colors with lots of pink and white, but this time I wanted to try something a little different. I used shades of brown inspired by the owl and blended Distress Oxide inks around the center panel to give the card a soft vintage feel. For a little extra detail, I added a piece of Art Impressions patterned paper that worked perfectly with the colors and overall theme of the card.

To finish everything off, I stamped two sentiments from Wisdom Set 2. The longer sentiment fit beautifully across the banner, and the larger “Seek Wisdom” greeting was layered with the same tan and brown cardstock used throughout the design.

I hope you enjoyed today’s project and are having a wonderful start to your weekend!

Mix & Match Challenge #427 Week #2 plus Design Team Call

 Hello Ai fans and welcome to week #2 of our Mix & Match challenge.

Before we get to our DT cards we'd like to let you know that we are on the hunt for someone new!
We’re looking for a new member for our design team. Think you have what it takes? We need team members who are dedicated, creative, organized and self-motivated! If you have a passion for Art Impressions stamps, dies and paper and love cardmaking and paper crafting, we want to see your work!

Applications will be accepted May 16th-May 22nd 2026.

Please check our DT CALL post HERE if you're interested in applying.

Now, back to our challenge. Since it's week #2 we get to share the rest of our DT projects.

Last week Janet was our Featured Artist and she made this striking birthday card.

Lynn's trio of card can be found HERE.

Sharon's whimsical card can be found HERE.

My card can be found HERE.

Dori's card can be found HERE.

Simone used:

5939 Fairy Garden pp

5915 woodland fairy set

6062 Hydrangea floral set

5981 My Joy set

Tasha's card is HERE.

And, last but not least, Gennette used:

5785 Gnomes Set

5728 Mushroom Cubbies

5935 Fairytale Houses Set

5561 Birds and Bugs Set

5838 Fall PP

6158 Story Tile Template

 ✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation using either stamps, dies and or designer paper from Art Impressions. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards! (unless specified)

✻ Limit two submissions per person.

✻Top Spot Winner and Lucky Random Winner each receive a free stamp set from Art Impressions

 ✻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

Sweet Girls Playing by Dori Mendiola

Happy Thursday AI Friends!

This card came together perfectly for the Mix & Match challenge, which calls for using two or more stamp or die sets.  I ended up pulling from several favorites to build a three‑dimensional scene that feels fun and playful.  I created a 3D effect by layering several die‑cut fences together, scoring them to pop forward. 

 

I began by die cutting the base from heavy cardstock using the #6114 - Box Village Template die.  I embossed this panel using a brick embossing folder that I had in my stash.  I then die cut the roof and window pieces from pattern paper using the #6159 - Flower Shop die set.  I die cut several fence pieces from heavy cardstock and layered together to double up and also to extend the fence.  I wrapped it around the base card on one end and over the front to the other side.  This fence stands out about 1/2" from the base panel.  

Using the #5578 - Little Angels set, I stamped two of the angels with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I fussy cut them out, cutting off the wings.  I die cut some balloons using the #5722 = Birthday Journal set and tied some string to the ends.  I placed some acetate behind them and attached to the back of one of the angel's hands. 

  To make the card base, take a standard A2 card base and place the Box Village Template die shape slightly over the card fold so that it will cut all sides but the folded edge.  Adhere the base panel to the card base.  Decorate as desired.

I hope you enjoyed my card today and thank you for joining me.  I hope you play along with our blog challenge.  We love to see your creations!

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E01, E11    R20

YR00, YR02, YR04

V12, V15      Y15, Y17

DESIGN TEAM CALL! May 2026

Hello Ai fans!

We are on the hunt for someone new to add to our Design Team!
Think you have what it takes? We need team members who are dedicated, creative, organized and self-motivated! If you have a passion for Art Impressions stamps, dies and paper and love cardmaking and paper crafting, we want to see your work!

Applications will be accepted May 16th-May 22nd 2026.

We are looking for:

• Passionate stampers with a love for Ai designs.
• Great coloring, painting and stamp techniques. Watercolor stamping experience is a plus!
• Fabulous card coordination (ex. color combos, layers, accents).
• Able to take HIGH QUALITY, well lit, staged photos
• Creative and self-motivated designers.
• Friendly folks who are good at communication. We also have a FB group for our DT members and you will be expected to upload to folders there. New info is usually shared there.

Requirements:

• Weekly post on Art Impressions Challenge Blog on a designated day. Must include instructions and item SKUs. We use Inlinkz to link our products for the ease of the customers.
• Designers should also post to their personal social media on the same day.
• Videos are welcomed, but not required
• Participation in the Bi-Weekly challenge and Feature challenge project when it's your turn in the DT rotation. (approximately once every 3 months)
• You will be expected to post comments on challenge entries from our fans.
• We communicate through a private DT Facebook group where your photos for challenges will be uploaded
•  All projects will need to be uploaded to Art Impressions Google Drive
• Create samples for upcoming releases,  some of which may need to be mailed to Art Impressions. (postage paid by Ai) These may be used as your weekly posts once items are released.
• We require a 6 month commitment for design team members. If you need to resign for personal reasons, we request a 30-day notice so we can find a replacement in a reasonable time.
• We ask that projects posted on the blog or social media sites are mainly created with Ai stamps.
• Please take a few moments to scroll through our blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and online store to see what we are all about.
  
  Blog: https://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/
  FB: https://www.facebook.com/ArtImpressionsRubberStamps
  IG: https://www.instagram.com/artimpressions/?hl=en
  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF85hq6mI_F5R8L-kXpBoMQ
  Online Store: https://www.artimpressions.com/
  
  
  If you are interested in joining the Ai Design Team, please email Renee (Renee@artimpressions.com) the following information. 

• Please put “Ai DT Call” in the subject line of your email.
• Your name and a link to all social media outlets and/or your blog.
• A few sentences describing yourself and your creative interests.
• Why you are motivated to be a part of our DT, your favorite Ai stamps and how long you have been using Ai.
• What you would bring to the team and the blog as a whole.
• Your previous or current DT experience, if any. If you were part of a team and have since left, please explain why you chose to leave.

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend to spend in Art Impressions online store
• Birthday & holiday gift cards
• Regular shipments of our newest stamps, dies and paper
• Additional supply budget opportunities throughout the year
• We will promote you on our social media
  
• This is a REALLY fun team to on! These are some of the most supportive designers I know.

Due to shipping restrictions, applicants must live in the U.S.  

Any questions can be directed to Renee@artimpressions.com.

Picture Perfect Tulips by Lynn Dionne

Happy Wednesday Ai Fans!

Watch video tutorial here!

Let's have some fun today creating some "Picture Perfect Tulips" cards using the brand-new Ai Tulips Border Set. This set is part of a brand-new Countryside Series which includes three border sets and two cottage sets. The other sets include the Poppy Border set, the Tulip Border set, and the Swiss Village set. 

This card is perfect for the latest Ai "Mix and Match" Blog Challenge which is to use at least two stamp sets, and we will have no problem meeting and exceeding that number with today's card!

We can begin by stamping and then quickly die cutting the pretty frames using the Ai Mini Journal Template Die Set (5718). We will select certain areas of the stamp for each of the frames. Now we can color the tulips using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens in the following colors: Blender, Yellow, Orange, Sugared Almond Pink, Pink, Lt Green, Dk Green, English Lavender, Violet. And for the frames themselves we will use a gold metallic cardstock. This will add a beautiful, elegant look!

Next, we can add some sparkly spattering and then some white spattering to each of these panels.

For the frames we will add some clear acetate to give a more realistic look. We can quickly assemble the frames. And for the ribbons to create a wall hanging we will use the Ai Front Porch Farmhouse (5490). The pretty bow from this set is a perfect way to create a ribbon and bow for each of our little pictures/paintings.

Next, let's die cut some layers using the Ai Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies (5063) for the cards. Let's add some pretty patterned paper layers using the Ai Mother's Day PP (6051), and some black, Pink, Lavender, and Yellow 100lb cardstock for added layering.

For a finishing touch, we will add some beautiful sequins in some coordinating colors!

Please join us in the brand-new blog challenge.... we would love to see what you create!

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

Ai Tulip Border (6186)

Ai Poppy Border (6187)

Ai Daisy Border (6188)

Ai Mini Journal Template Die Set (5718)

Ai Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies (5063)

Ai Front Porch Farmhouse (5490)

Ai Mother's Day PP (6051)

Pretty Little Flower Shop by Reneé Matarese

 Hello Ai fans!

I created this card for our current Mix & Match challenge.
Use at least two different stamp/die sets on your card.

I used 2 stamp sets, 5 die sets and 2 paper pads on my card.
Variety is the spice of life, right?

I used my Arteza Real Brush Pens which are sort of between a marker and watercoloring the Art Impressions way.  Since I don't watercolor often, I decided to use die cut flowers and flowers painted with Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White Paint. I like the way they turned out.

The 6194 – Flower Shop is part of the new Holiday Lane series.

Arteza Real Brush Pens:

Sapphire Blue

Spearmint Blue

Turquoise

Pea Green

Tawny

Ginger

Honey

Currant Red

Ice Blue

Smoke Gray

Sending you a smile by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

I have a fun card to show you today that I hope makes you smile! I truly love mixing and matching Art Impressions stamp sets, so our current challenge was a breeze for me! It's a rare occasion that I only use one set!!  So many of their sets have awesome accessory stamps that can be combined with others!! I used four different sets to create this card. I stamped out several of the cute Fairytale Houses from #5935 and colored them with Copic markers and then I positioned a few of the trees and bushes from #5890 Village Accessories in between them to make it look like a cute little neighborhood. After creating a sidewalk in front of them by coloring a strip of gray, I stamped, colored, and die cut one of the cute gnomes from #5785. I just think he emits so much joy and was perfect to send a hello greeting to a friend.

I added a few die cut clouds and a sentiment from #5279 and it was all done! 

So that's it for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and I hope you're entering our Mix and Match challenge for a chance to win a free set!! Until next time - stay crafty!!

Copic markers used for coloring:

E000, 00, 11, 31, 33, 35, 41, and 43

V20, 22, and 25

BG10, 11, 70, 72, and 75

Y00, 02, 21, and 23

G20, 43, and 46

YG13, 17, and 21

RV91, 93, and 95

BV000, 01, and 02

T1 and 2

C1 and 2

N2 and 4

Cottage Cards by Jami Steiger

 

Good morning! I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely weekend. I have two cottage cards to submit this weekend.  

For the first card on the Art Impressions blog, I used the 5748-SF Cottage Creek stamp set. This is such a beautiful stamp. All of the additional floral and foliage stamps used are listed below in the Linkdeli list. 

Tombow markers used: 177, 969, 565, 606, 515, 526, 977, N55, N75, and 837

____________________

For the following card, I used the recently released 6185-Swiss Villa Set and the new 6186-FG Tulip Border.

Tombow markers used: 969, 565, 177, 192, 098, 606, 837, 025, 993, 933, 312, N65, N55, and 992

Mother's Day Tulips and Hi Honey! Bear Frame by Diane Mason

Hello, and welcome back for Watercolor Weekend! 

Hello, my Ai watercolor friends and fans — I’m so happy to be back! My lovely daughter was married last weekend, and it was such a beautiful celebration for our whole family. With the help of guest designers Kristen Brown and Julie Worthing, I was able to take some time off in April to finish up all the wedding preparations. I’m so grateful to these very talented ladies for stepping in and sharing their creativity while I was away.

Now that the festivities have wrapped up and life is settling back into its rhythm, I’m excited to jump back into the studio and share two new projects with you today. First is a Mother’s Day card featuring the newly released 6186 – FG Tulip Border. The second is an adorable honey bear frame using the 6170 – Exclusive Honey Bear 2026 Freebie.

Mother's Day Tulips Card:

Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the amazing moms celebrating this Mother’s Day!

The new Countryside Series includes two structure sets and three floral foreground border sets. These fabulous new sets make it easy to create endless mix‑and‑match watercolor scenes. You can use the Euro Cottage Set or Swiss Villa Set as your background focal points (or any other small structure that fits), then layer tulips, poppies, or daisies in the front to create depth.

 

For my card, I used 6186 – FG Tulip Border. Each floral border set includes a sentiment, but since this was a Mother’s Day card, I chose the sentiment from 6039 – Just For Her Set.

Using a stamp platform, I inked the tulip border stamp in 177 for the stems and leaves, and 603 and 743 for the tulips and stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper.

Colors and supplies used:

Tombow Dual Brush Pens: 

• 177, 177+565 – leaves and stems
• 603, 606 – purple tulips
• 743 – pink tulips
• 555 – sky

Tombow TwinTone Pens used for details:

• Fuchsia (80)

Dies: 

• 5065 – Oval Double Stitched Dies

Patterned Paper: 

• 5939 – Fairy Garden Paper Pack (purple gingham)

Other:

•  foam squares
•  purple cardstock
•  white organza ribbon

Hi Honey! Bear Frame:

How darling is this sweet little Honey Bear? To create this honey-themed framed scene, I used the frame die from 5901 – Mini Rectangle Frame Dies and the oval dies from 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies. I love how elements from each set work beautifully together.

The honey bear is one of six brand-new 2026 exclusive Art Impressions Freebies:

Using my stamp platform, I inked the 6170 – Exclusive Honey Bear in Versafine Onyx Black Ink and stamped onto Canson XL watercolor paper. On another piece of watercolor paper, I stamped the honeycomb from 5925 – Honey Bee Set in Versafine Vintage Sepia twice — once in the top left and once in the bottom right.

Colors and supplies used:

Honey Bear: 

• 947 – bear
• 856+947 – cheeks
• 025, 985 – honey pot
• 526 – honey pot lid
• 025 – bee body
• 526 – bee wings
• 177 – grass (4051 – WC Foliage Set 1, Teeny Tiny Grass)
• 555 – sky 
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White - highlights on nose and eyes

Honeycomb: 

•  985, 026 – honeycomb framework 
• 025, 985 – honeycomb cells

Dies:

• 5901 – Mini Rectangle Frame Dies
• 5902 – Mini Scalloped Frame Dies

Paper for frame:

• Coordinating Yellow cardstock

  

The die set includes a stand piece to keep the frame upright. The sentiments are from 5925, stamped in Versafine Onyx Black. This sweet little frame is perfect for gifting or slipping into a card to brighten someone’s day!

Thank you for joining me today for Watercolor Weekend. I can’t wait to see what you create with the new Countryside Series! When sharing your work, be sure to tag Art Impressions on social media. Until next time, Happy Painting!