Christmas 2021

 The challenge at Art Impressions this week is Happy Happy Holidays.  This is always my favorite time of year.  I LOVE to create Christmas cards and I usually make about 75 to send out.  So, I started this card back in May but, of course, I am still working on getting them done.  Why is that?  Seems the time just gets away from me (or maybe a little procrastination - cuz there wasn't a hurry back then)!  Even though it has taken me a long time to finish these, it was worth it because this is probably my favorite one of all!

 I used the Reindeer Flutter set from Art Impressions.  This is an interactive card - pull the tab down and the penguin's feet flutter up and down.  Sooooo darn cute!!  I stamped the image on copic friendly cardstock and colored with my copic markers.  I used stickles on the jingle bells around the reindeer's neck and glossy accents on the reindeer's nose to give them a little shine.  I inked the background with tumbled glass distress oxide ink and cut it out with the Art Impressions stitched rectangle die.  I also cut the Art Impressions little snowflake dies out of white glitter cardstock for accents.  I die cut the hilltop and the snowy hill from white glitter cardstock from dies I had in my stash and inked the hilltops using mowed lawn and pine needles oxide ink for the trees and tumbled glass for the snow banks.  Lastly, I used white glitter cardstock on a black cardstock base to frame the scene.  The sentiment is included in the Reindeer Flutter set.

Hope you enjoy my card!  

Happy Happy Holidays!

 

Enjoy the Ride

 Art Impression's is celebrating their "Rides" new release with a challenge called "Planes, Trains and automobiles".  Actually, the challenge is anything that you ride on.  There are so many Art Impression's stamp sets to choose from for this challenge but I just LOVE the gal on the skateboard in their "Got Style" stamp set.  This is my kind of gal - on a mission with shopping bags in hand (headed to the next store) 😀.

I stamped the image on cryogen white paper and colored her with copic markers.  I fussy cut her out and placed her on a stitched circle die cut.  The framed circle was also cut out with the stitched circle dies.  The sentiment came from the "Got Style" set as well.

Hope you have a great day and Enjoy the Ride!

Halloween Slimline

 This week's Art Impression's challenge is a "Slimline" card.  This was another fun challenge since I have never made a slimline card.  It has been in my projects list to attempt but just haven't gotten around to it so this challenge made me do it.  I'm so use to making A2 or 6x6 cards so to create a 9x4 was unusual but I really enjoyed it.  

  I thought I would make a Halloween slimline card since we are nearing that holiday next and who doesn't like Halloween.  I utilized several Art Impression's stamp and die sets.  The main one being the Haunted Mansion Popcard.  Unfortunately, this one has been discontinued but it's very similar to the Holiday mansion that is still in their store.  This Haunted Mansion set was intended to be an inside Popup card but I just took each piece and used foam tape to create the dimension.  I also utilized the Art Impression's fence dies, Quivery Mini Shaker spider and bat dies, and The Old Bat set saying and cluster of bats in the top corner.  I colored the images with copic markers and used Distress Oxide inks to create the background.  The pumpkins, witch, ghosts, and mansion dies are part of the Haunted Mansion Popcard set.  

  Hope you have a wonderful and fun Halloween.

Going Batty

 This two week challenge at Art Impressions is "Going Batty" so I used the Bat Flutter stamp set from Art Impressions.  This makes the cutest Halloween card.  It is interactive - when you pull the tab, the wings on the bat flutter.   Soooo cute!!  I also used the Art Impressions double stitched rounded rectangle die, the bat dies from the AI Quivery Mini Shaker set and the sentiment from AI The Old Bat set.  

The background was made utilizing distress oxide inks and a splatter of water.  Soooo easy to make any background using these inks.  So, if you don't have the perfect match patterned paper, no worries, ink up your background and you're good to go.  

This was a fun card to make and so cute to play with.  Hope you enjoy this card and try out the Art Impressions flutter stamp sets.  

Wine Time

 Art Impression's is having their challenge of "Shaken, Not Stirred".  Any drink is the theme.  Of course, I chose wine!  I used the image from the Wine Divas stamp set.  She just says it all!

  I used the Art Impressions double stitch rectangle die to cut out the frames and the flag double stitch die to cut out the saying.  I paper pieced the chair and colored the rest of the image with copic markers.  Paper piecing is so fun and easy.  It makes the chair look like fabric.  

  Hope you enjoy this simple and fun card.

  Have a great day!

Kangaroo Pouch

 The Art Impression's challenge for this two-week period is "Lion, Tigers, Bears Oh My".  It is a challenge showcasing any animal image.  I chose the Art Impressions Kangaroo Mouthful set.  I love this set!  It comes with a mama kangaroo, baby kangaroo, a bunch of flowers, a present, a cluster of balloons, a blow horn and a birthday hat.  I used them all except for the flowers.  Such a great set!! The dies are also included, which is always a plus.  

I made a shaker gift tag with the Art Impressions double stitch tag die.  I die cut the tag out of pattern paper and then cut two pieces of page protector plastic using the tag die as a template to cut around.  I then sealed three sides of the plastic with the WeR Fuse tool to create the shaker tag.  I glued two sets of the balloons to the inside tag and placed sequins in the pouch to make it a shaker.  I then fused the top of the tag together.  

To finish the tag, I colored all of the images with copic markers.  I made a slit in the mama kangaroo's mouth and pouch to place the blow horn and present within.  I then glued the images to the outside of the tag and tied some ribbons to the top.   

What little one wouldn't have fun playing with this tag?  Probably will enjoy the tag more than the present.  😁

Cloudy skies

 Art Impression's challenge for this week is "Cloudy with a Chance..." so I used the Art Impressions Panda Slider set.  This little guy is soooo darn cute and useful for sooo many occasions. It's also a stamp and die set so no fussy cutting necessary.  I added mini google eyes to him for fun.

I've been playing with my alcohol inks and made the background using the smooshing technique.  What an easy and fun way to create a background.  Thought it made for a great cloudy sky look. 

I used a 4.25 x 5.5 piece of poster board.  A dribbled a few drops of blue alcohol ink on my glass mat and then added some alcohol blending solution.  Then I laid the poster board piece down on the mat (glossy side down) and twirled it around in the ink.  Added more ink and/or blending solution and repeated the process until I got the look that I wanted.  Let it dry and tada - that's it, background created!  Easy peasy!

Enjoy and Hope your day is Awesome!

Box fold card

 Art Impressions is having a "Funky Fold" card challenge this week.  What a fun way to get your creative juices flowing.  I love cards that are out of the ordinary.  Check out the challenge entries on the Art Impressions Blog for some great ideas.  I used the "Airplane Birthday" stamp set from Art Impressions for the image and colored with copic markers.  I utilized the Silhouette Cameo to cut the box card that folds into a 4.25 x 5.5 inch envelope.  This card pops up into a box shape and displays nicely on a shelf.  

 This stamp set is so much fun and even includes a dog image with a parachute on his back as well as a cloud stamp.  Soooo cute!

Fairy Flutter

 It's a "Birthday" challenge at Art Impressions this week.  Who doesn't love making, giving and especially receiving Birthday cards?  It's a present in and of itself!  I love to see the creativeness of others so I'm looking forward to viewing all the entries in this challenge.  Always inspiring!

  My card this week features the Fairy Flutter stamp set from Art Impressions.  Unfortunately, she is discontinued, but she is a very used stamp set at my house.  I love interactive cards and this one has the wings fly up and down when you pull the tab.  Sooooo darn cute and fun!

  The sentiment is included with this set (as well as the fairy die) and it's perfect especially for those of us who wish to be 29 again.  Such a great age!  I've been 29 for MANY years.  😉

  Hope you enjoy.  Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

  

Ride the Wave

 The Art Impressions challenge for this week is "Under the Sea".  I love the new critter cubbie release sets (Under the Sea and The Hen House) but I haven't purchased them yet.  So, for the challenge, I used the 2020 Art Impressions freebie stamps.  Love love love the puffer fish and the crab.  Well, actually, I love them all but these two are my favorites.  I also used the Hero Arts wave background die to make the ocean scene.  The sea creatures tuck right into the die openings.

  I colored the images with copic markers and then fussy cut them out.  Art Impressions make their images so easy to fussy cut and when you pop them up with foam tape, they just come alive.  

  Hope we all get to go ride the waves this summer.  Sooooo looking forward to some sun and fun!

Barn Dance

This week's challenge at Art Impressions is Barn Dance.   I used an old Art Impressions stamp called Wallowing Pig along with a sentiment from the current Be Happy Laugh Lines (#5279) stamp set.  I thought this saying was perfect for this image.  There are so many great sayings in that set!

I love Barn dances and this image is a perfect reflection of me the day after. 😁  I have way TOO much fun but I sure pay for it the next day.  I'm tuckered out and my legs do not want to hold me up. 😀

Isn't this just the cutest stamp?  Kind of says it all, doesn't it?

Personality

   This week's Art Impressions challenge is "Personality".  Wow, fun challenge but very hard to decide just which stamp fits my personality the best.  I'd say almost all of the AI girlfriends sets will do but this one is the top contender.  This stamp set is called Ballerina Eunice and I find it a definite go to when you need a card that will put life into perspective.  I also thought this saying was perfect for this image and a total expression of me!  My usual motto is "Life is short, so enjoy it!" but I think this one might come in handy.  😉

Just to set the record straight, see those feet on Eunice?  Well, those also represent me.  Besides big, I have two left feet.  😄  Soooo, if you were wondering, am I a Ballerina, answer is definitely not.  

Not lucky enough to be that coordinated.  But what girl doesn't dream of wearing a Tutu?

All about Squares

Happy Easter!!  This week's Art Impressions challenge is to use a Square shape.  So, I went all out squares.  I made a square card with square frames.    These challenges are great for pulling out some of your supplies that you forget you have.  I used a few different square dies from my stash.  If I use them, I can justify buying more.  😏

I recently purchased this Bunny PopUp stamp set from Art Impressions so that I could make my Easter cards.  Decided to make this one without the PopUp feature.  Although the feature is adorable, I like to go outside the box and utilize my supplies in other ways too.  I stamped this image on cryogen white cardstock, colored it with copic markers and fussy cut it out to fit in the square frame. I also used the bow stamp and die that comes with the set to make my bunny a girl.  

I love the bright colors of Spring.  This set isn't just for Easter but it sure screams Spring.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Easter!

Mini card

 This week's Art Impression challenge is "Itty Bitty" so I decided to make a mini card out of the Art Impression's Gingerbread house from the Gingerbread Cubbies set.  

  To make this a card, I folded a piece of cardstock and then placed the house die with the left side just over the edge of the fold so that when you cut the house, the left edge doesn't cut, but instead, is the fold of the card.  To finish the inside of the card (no windows or door cuts), I made another die cut of the house on scrap paper and traced it onto plain white cardstock, then I fussy cut it out, trimming the left side to accommodate for the fold and glued it to the inside.  Now you have a plain inside for your sentiment.

 You can make almost any die cut a card by using this technique.   I think the Art Impression's school bus from the School Bus Cubbies set would be adorable as a flip up card.  Gotta try that one next!  I've been wanting to make this Gingerbread cubbies since Christmas and just never found the time, so who says you can't make Christmas cards in March.  😂  This would make a great tag on a Christmas bag!  Can't wait to make more!  Too stinkin' cute!!

  These little cubbie sets are soooo fun to make and play with.  Hope you get to try them out for yourself! 

  Enjoy! 

Love is in the Air

 Art Impressions current challenge is "Love is in the Air" so what better stamp set to use than Art Impressions "In the Air" set.  These little guys are sooooo stickin' 😉cute.  I used this set to make valentine cards for my family this year.  This is the one I made for my mom.    She loves receiving my cards and it's always great to show your love on the best day of the year!  She's the best Mom ever and I'm so lucky to have her!  Love you ALWAYS Mom!!

This stamp set is so easy to color and makes for such cute cards.  I used the largest double stitched heart die from my stash and cut it in the center of the pattern paper to get the outline stitch.  I then cut a red heart and a black heart and used them to outline the image since I didn't have a larger double stitch heart for the frame.  Sometimes you need to improvise.  No one is the wiser unless you tell them.  😁  

Best of 2020

 Art Impressions challenge this week is  "Best of 2020".  The stamp set that I used for several birthday cards this past year was Sally swimmer.  Unfortunately, she is retired, but I just love this image.  The duck inner tube is classic and I love the look on his face.  I had fun using some of my dies in my stash as well as the sun stencil.  I love it when I can create and use more of my products.  I have sooooo many so I better use them.  😂

Hope you like this card from 2020.  Looking forward to creating many more in 2021 using Art Impressions stamps.

Celebration

 Art Impressions is celebrating their 300th challenge.  Wow, that's a lot of challenges!  Congrats to AI!!

For this challenge, I wanted to utilize a stamp set with the biggest cake and the most candles, however, not quite 300 ( I'd still be coloring if that was the case). 😄  This stamp set is called Giant Cake Set and it's perfect for any celebration.  This is a great stamp set and so easy and fun to color.  Such great happy expressions on their faces!

Congratulations AI!!  I've been enjoying participating in your challenges.  Love seeing all of the projects that are entered.  Very inspiring!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Resolution

 Happy New Year!  Hope you had a wonderful Holiday season!  Although quiet, it was nice!

You guessed it - the challenge at Art Impression's this week is "New Year's Resolution".  In soooo many years past, I have always made the typical new years resolution of losing weight.  Well, after last years pandemic and quiet life, I decided that my new year's resolution for 2021 is to celebrate and party like no one is watching.  If we are still stuck in COVID, no one will be watching. 😂  My hope is that everyone will get to join me in party mode and soon!!

 I used the retired "Party Group" stamp set from Art Impressions which is actually a stamp with a group of 5 people.  I LOVE this image but thought I would change it up and only stamped and colored the two people on the left.  This totally depicts my husband and I.  I'm the loud crazy one and he's the more quiet type.  😄  

I hope you enjoy my card and that 2021 is a year of celebration with family and friends!! 

Stay safe and healthy until we can party together again!