No. 1 Book and Gnome Bookmark

 Happy New Year AI Friends!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are ready for the New Year!

 Can't wait to see all the fabulous creations from Bonnie and Kim.  I have no doubt that they will have lots of fun products for us again this year!

I'm starting off the New Year using #6114 - Box Village Template dies from the Holiday Lane series.  

I slightly changed the book cover to make it look like a number 1 for my granddaughter's first birthday.  Hope it's clear for you to see - made with the #5940 Journal Cover Paper Pack - Purple Plaid paper.  

I used #5873 - Mini Birthday Journal Paper pack for the inside of the book.  The inside contains pictures, pockets, notes and details from her first year and as much as I would love to show her off, my daughter asked that I didn't, so, unfortunately I don't have many pages to show.  However, my main purpose in showing this book was to emphasize how you can make slight changes to extend the die sets to fit your occasion.  Let your mind go!  Mine sometimes goes in odd directions but it's fun to see what can be created.  LOL!   

  Her birthday was S'mores themed so I created a S'mores with a square die from the #5725 Nested square dies set and the #5407 Birthday Cake GCH frosting die.  The graham cracker part was cut in rectangle shape and rounded the corners with a corner punch.  I inked the edges, stamped a cute little face on it and added a bow.  The sentiment tag is from the #6121 Storybook template.

Gnome Bookmark:  Another slight alteration of dies - here's a bookmark I made into a Gnome using the #5931 Santa Puppet die set.  The only real change that I made was that I added an additional beard layer by partial die cutting to make it slightly smaller so that it fit on top of the bottom one.  Then the nose fit nicely in between the top beard layer and the rim of his cap.  I omitted the brows, mustache and eyes.  Since he isn't a Santa, I also omitted the belt and fur parts of his outfit.  I die cut his outfit using the #5832 Gnome PP.  This paper choice made him look like he was wearing PJs so I added a cookie and coffee mug (from my stash) in his hands.  I placed him onto a bookmark made with the #5223 - Bookmark die.  He actually resembled me after Christmas.  I was a complete couch potato with my PJs on and my coffee mug in hand.  Life is good! 

Welcome to 2026 and another fun year with Art Impressions. 

Thanks for joining me today!  

Have a great day and keep creating!

Dancing Elf Box

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a fun gift bag for you featuring the new #6119 - Elf Puppet set.  These puppet sets are so fun to make and so dang adorable!  I did my usual and stretched his legs to make him dance.

I made one of these boxes last year decorated with a gnome.  You can find the dimensions and instructions on how to make the box here.  

To stretch the Elf legs:  partial cut the bottom of the legs with the die and then hand cut an additional 1/2" or so for the top of the legs.  Punch a hole towards the top for a foam dot to fit.  Place the foam dot on the back of the shirt and slip the legs over the foam dot.  Die cut an extra shirt out of cardstock and adhere that to the other sticky side of the foam dot (the legs should be in between the shirts).  The legs will swing back and forth.

I die cut all of the other pattern pieces out of #5853 - Christmas Magic PP.  For the face of the Elf, I die cut it from a copic friendly paper and colored it with copic markers listed below.  I stamped the eyes from a set in my stash and I drew the nose and mouth.  

I finished decorating the box with bells and baker's twine and closed it with a red clothes pin.

That's it for me today.  Hope you find yourself creating some of these boxes and filling with little treats for Christmas.

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  R20, E11, E01, E000

Black Zig pen for drawing face features.

Reindeer Box

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving week celebrated with friends and family!  

December is here and that means holiday creating!  Clearly, I'm one of those that doesn't get started until now.  Yikes!  Guess I love the pressure of the holiday season.  😏 

I've got a fun project for you today and you'll find yourself wanting to make lots of these.  I used the new #6104 Christmas Keepsake set for this cute little box.  I found a quick video on Pinterest by SammyDemmy displaying this box, but it is in a foreign language.  I was able to improvise and create a version for you with English instructions.  I want to give credit to Sharon for helping me perfect the nose mechanism.  Thanks, bestie!

Cutest little box EVER!  

To open the box, you pull the reindeer's nose.

The finished box size is 3 1/2" tall x 2 3/4" wide x 1/2" deep.  This will fit a gift card nicely or you can place money or a small gift inside.

To make the box:  Cut a piece of 100 lb cardstock at 5 1/2" x 4 3/4".  Score along the 5 1/2" side at 

1/2", 1", 3 1/4" and 4 1/4".  Turn and score at 1/2", 1", 3 3/4" and 4 1/4".  On each of the corners, cut off the 3 small outer squares and snip up to the fold on the remaining small square (see below).

Fold and burnish all score lines remaining.  Tuck in each of the small tab squares and glue to the inside lower fold creating the box shape.  Before glueing the top 1/2" flap, check to see if you need to snip off a little so that it fits just to the bottom of the box when tucked inside.  Place glue on the top 1/2" flap and fold into the box to give the box stability (see below).  Do this for all four sides.  Your inside box is ready.

For the box cover:  Cut a piece of pattern paper at 7 1/4" x 3 5/8".  

Score along longest side at 1/2", 1 1/8", 3 7/8" and 4 1/2".  Fold and burnish.

To create the nose pull:  Color your reindeer and adhere it on a red circle base.  Punch a 1/8" circle into his nose.  Place the reindeer over your pattern paper box cover and mark where you want the nose.  Note:  I found that the lower you place the reindeer on the box, the farther the box will open.  

Punch a hole into the pattern paper for the nose.  If you have a crop a dile that will reach, you can adhere the reindeer onto the pattern paper and then punch the hole through all three layers at one time vs. marking it.  

Once the hole is punched onto the pattern paper, line up the hole with the reindeer and adhere the circle in place.  Thread the ribbon or embroidery thread through the bell.  Tie the thread so bell stays in place.  Place the two ends of the thread through the hole to the inside.  Hold the inside box into place and bring the thread up the front of the box and over the top.  Glue the thread on the top and again on the back of the box (towards the top).  After the glue has dried completely, snip off the loose thread from the back and glue the box cover together.  Make sure the cover does not adhere to the box.  

If you want the box to hang from the tree or a gift, place a tag topper to the back side of the box cover.  Tie some ribbon or string and a To/From tag to the topper and it's ready for your gift or tree.

Once you make one of these, you will find yourself making so many more!  Have fun pulling his nose!

Thanks for joining me today!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53, E55, E57, E59

R20, R22, R24, R27

Y28, Y32, Y35

Let it Snow - Pop out Interactive card

       Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I'm so excited to be the one to introduce the new AI blog challenge called "Flurries Forecasted"!  I'm not quite ready for the snowy weather but I'm sure ready to add snow flurries to my cards, tags and projects.  Hope you are just as ready as I am and decide to play along with us!

You may have noticed that I love interactive cards, so yep, I have a fun one for you today using the 

#5929 - Christmas Train set along with some accessories from the #5489 - Front Porch Christmas set.

I love the way these sets work together so that you can combine and stretch their use.

The video below will show how this card opens and stores.  When folded it's an A2 card, but pops open to be approx. 5 1/2 x 12" wide.  Because of the panels that extend out, the card is much thicker than a standard A2 card and will need a larger envelope plus additional postage, if mailing.  

So to get started - I stamped the images with Memento black ink onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I then die cut each of the images with the coordinating dies that are included in both of the stamp sets.  For the two penguins rolling down the snowy hill (on the front of the card), I die cut an extra one, out of heavy cardstock, and adhered to each to give a little extra weight for them to roll better.  I die cut various size snowflakes using the #5353 - Large Snowflake dies from glitter cardstock.  I also cut several trees out of the #5853 - Christmas Magic PP using a die set from my stash but any pine tree dies will work nicely. 

Now, we're ready to build the card.  I started with a standard top fold A2 card from heavy cardstock.  I scored at 5 3/8" as well as the 5 1/2".  This will allow the folds to come up and over the thickness of the final card.  Fold and burnish these score lines really well.  Hint:  I found that my card stood up better if I trimmed off about 1/2" from the bottom of the back panel.  The inside pop out card is cut from heavy cardstock and measures 4 3/4" x 9 1/4".  Score at 1", 3 3/4" and 6 1/2".  This will provide you with three panels that are 2 3/4" wide.  This is a nice size for each of the train cars.  Score and burnish these folds quite a few times back and forth to help breakdown the fibers.

For the front of the card, cut two slider tracks in blue cardstock, far enough apart so that the penguins won't bump into each other when then roll.  I also cut three blue panels to fit each panel of the fold out base.  I spattered Dr. PH Martin Bleed Proof white paint over each of the blue panels to create the snow-like look.  While those were drying, I cut two panels of glitter cardstock (larger than the front A2 blue panel) and cut the same tracks to match up to the ones on the blue base and I fussy cut each to extend the top of the hill.  I found it easier to cut the glitter panels down after lining the tracks up with the blue panel.  I inked the edges with Ranger Distress Oxide ink - Broken China before adhering and used foam tape for the bottom hillside.  Adhere the hillsides down onto the blue base panel matching up the corresponding tracks and leaving some areas to tuck the trees.  The bottom glitter panel will be stacked over the top panel to create a forward hill.  

To create the rolling penguins, I die cut six 5/8" discs from heavy cardstock (or you can use a penny, button or anything flat and round).  Glue one set of three discs together for each penguin.  Stack and glue two foam dots in the middle of each disc (making sure the dot will fit freely in the slider track).  Place the dots through the slider track from back to front and glue the penguin to the top of the dot poking through the track.  Do the same for the other penguin and track.  You should be able to test to make sure they roll freely at this point.  If all is good, place two layers of foam tape to the back of the blue panel.  Be careful not to place foam tape too close to either slider track as this will prevent the penguins from rolling.  Test again before adhering.  Place a piece of glitter cardstock face down over the tape, so that the glitter will show through the tracks, and then glue down to the front of the A2 card. 

Now, for the extended pop out card.  Glue the one inch tab to the inside back panel of the A2 card base.  See below.

Cut several snow drifts from glitter cardstock.  For the two main snow hills, I cut two long ones (different heights), ink the top edges and then cut into thirds so that the hillsides with match up from one panel to the next.  I put foam tape under the front hillside so that the train cars will fit behind with a little dimension.  This is the only dimension I did so that the panels would fold nicely.  If there are too many pop up items, the panels will not fold.  I added a few scrap pieces in back for added snowy hills. 

 

I added a blue panel to the inside as well as a sentiment panel.  Fold your panels in to make sure it is closing nicely.  They should fold in as follows:  right panel closes onto center, then under left and then into the card.  If you are having any trouble, you may have to trim down the blue panels slightly. 

Now the fun, you are ready to decorate the front and each of the panels.  Remember not to add any more dimension to the inside panels.  Foam tape, at this point, is not your friend.  ;)  

However, the front is fair game.  Have fun!

I hope you enjoyed my card today to kick off the new blog challenge "Flurries Forecasted".  

Hope you play along for a chance to win a free stamp set.  We love to see your creations!

Have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!!

Copics used:  C00, C1, C3, C5

B0000, B000, B00, B01

E21, E23

R20, R22, R24, R27

Y32, Y35    YR16, YR18

G40, G43, G46

Floating Snowman Snow Globe GCH

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Simon Says Stamp has an exclusive Art Impressions stamp set available only on the Simon Says Stamp website.  This set was just released Monday, November 17, 2025 and is available for a limited time only and once sold, it will be gone.  So, hurry up and get yours before they are gone.  You have to go see all of the cute samples!  Sooo many fun and different ways to use this set!

I made it as a tag/ornament with a gift card holder on the back.  Check out my video below to see how the snowman moves within the snow globe.

To make him float within the globe, I used invisible thread/fishing line and attached the body and hat to the string separately from each other.  

Glue the string to the back of the snowman's body.  Place a second die cut to his back over the string to secure it in place.  Position the hat over his head (DO NOT glue in place), making sure he fits nicely within the globe.  Glue the string to the back of the hat.  The hat should be held only by the string with the body dangling below on the same string.  Adhere a scrap piece of hat over the string to secure the string in place behind the hat.  At this point, the string should be the only thing holding the hat and snowman together.   Glue the end of the string between the globe layers.  Fill the globe and attach the acetate layer.  Decorate the outside of the snowglobe and attach a tag holder to the back between the globe and the gift card holder.  

Have fun watching the kiddos play with the snowglobe (if you are able to hand it over). ;)

Thanks for joining me today!  Make sure to grab your snowglobe from Simon Says Stamp before they are gone.  These exclusives go fast!

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Fall Placecards

Happy Thurday AI Friends! 

Have you checked out the newest challenge called "Gobble Gobble" on the AI blog?  Super fun and simple to play.  Just anything fall or thanksgiving themed.  I thought placecards would be fun for this challenge especially using the newly released stamp set #6105 - Fall Keepsake set.  Perfect for your thanksgiving table!

I began by stamping the images with Memento black ink onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I then die cut each with the coordinating dies (yep, they're included with this stamp set).  I also cut an extra set of all images with scrap cardstock.  I like to adhere to the back of the colored image for stability plus dimension instead of foam tape.  

The placecard is made by cutting a 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of cardstock.  Score at 2", 4" and 4 3/4" along the 5 1/2" side.  Fold and burnish as mountain, valley, mountain.  Place your images as desired and die cut the letters for each name with the #5562 - Journal Letter die set.  

And there you go, easy peasy, you're ready for your table setting!

Thanks for joining me and I hope you join along with the blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set.   We love to see your creations!

Have a wonderful day and keep crafting!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53, E55, E57, E95, E97

R20    YR02, YR04, YR07, YR20, YR21, YR23

You're A Hoot

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I have a gate-fold card for you today with a decorative closure.  

I used the newly released #6105 - Fall Keepsake set along with the #5973 - Fall S2 PP.  

I love all of the little critters and accessories that come in this set as well as the coordinating dies.

I began by stamping all of the images with Memento black ink onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I cut each of them using the coordinating dies.  I cut two panels with the leaf paper from the Fall S2 PP using a die from my stash, but any die will do.  I placed one of the panels behind the critters and the other popped up to tuck some of the images behind.  

For the gate-fold closure, I cut two pieces of scrap cardstock approx. 1" x 1/2" and scored both at 3/8" and 5/8".  I folded the scored lines the same direction.  I butted up the scored pieces together and adhered them behind the owl, making sure to place the scored line horizontally behind the owl.  The flap openings should be to the top and bottom on the back of the owl.  I then adhered a circle to the other side.  See picture below.  Sorry that it isn't clearer, but hopefully you can see it well enough.

When you've added the owl and the circle to either side of the scored pieces, it will slide over the opening of the gate-fold to keep it closed.

Thanks for joining me.  I hope you have a wonderful day.  Keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N2, N4

E00, E11, E50, E51, E53, E55, E95, E97, E99

R20, R24, R27

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y19

YR12, YR14, YR16, YR18

G21, G24