Furry Friends

 Hello AI Friends!

Welcome to our new challenge #435 called "Furry Friends".  I chose the #5400 - Baby Critters set to feature for this challenge.  I used every one of the images since they are all SO cute.  I couldn't pick so why not use them all!  I also decided to make it a triple tunnel card so the animals could sit on display in each panel.

First, I stamped all of the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  Using the corresponding dies, I die cut each of the colored images out. 

With plain cardstock, I also die cut a second one of each image.  I like to layer the plain die cut behind the colored one for stability and extra dimension.

Now that the images are colored, it's time to create the tunnel card.

Using heavy cardstock, I cut one panel at 5" x 10" and scored in half along long side (5" mark).  I also cut another panel at 5" x 5 1/2" and scored at the 5" mark along the longer side leaving a 1/2" tab.  I layered a piece of pattern paper (cut at 4 7/8" square) over the top of the smaller panel leaving the 1/2" blank (see Pic 1).  I cut the same size of a second piece of pattern paper and adhered to the right of the fold on the double panel (see Pic 2).

Any shape die will work but I took a partial circle die (from my stash) and placed it in the center of the smaller panel (Pic 1) and ran it through my die cut machine.  I then lined this page up with the second panel and die cut the partial circle out of that panel. 

             Pic 1

               Pic 2

Now we can adhere the two panels together by gluing the 1/2" tab inside the double panel to create the triple panel card.

To finish up this card, I placed another piece of pattern paper to the inside of the back panel and also created frames around the partial circle openings.  I then adhered the animals on the panels making sure that they don't overlap each other when looking thru the windows.

And here is the final card again.

I hope you enjoy my card and it gives you inspiration to join in on the challenge.  Any animal will work for the challenge so grab a stamp set and play along for a chance to win a free stamp set.  Look forward to seeing your creations!  

Have a Happy Day!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N3, N5

E21, E23, E50, E51, E53, E55, E57

Y13, Y15, Y17, Y21

G40, G43, G46

R20, R22, R24, R27

B0000, B00, B12, B14

Sweet As Can Be

 Happy Wednesday AI Friends!

For the current blog challenge "Boy, Oh Boy", I couldn't resist using the #6103 - Baby Keepsake stamp set and the #6060 - Baby Boy Cover PP for my card today.  This stamp set has got to be the most darling set EVER!  Plus, the dies are included!!!  Yay!

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I matted baby boy paper onto a blue piece of cardstock and die cut each of the images out.  I popped the images up with foam tape and placed within the windows of this slimline card.  Added the matted sentiments and a little piece of twine and the card is finished.

How fun and easy is that?  

Hope you enjoyed my card and it inspires you to join the blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  We love to see your creations!

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, R20

E000, E21, E23, E25, E50, E51, E53, E55

Y11, Y13, Y19

G20, G21, G24, G40, G43, G46

B12, B14

Squirrel!!

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

My card today is inspired by the current challenge "Artful Architect".  What is better than a treehouse?  Well, I can think of alot of other houses I'd rather live in, but these cute little critters are happiest in their treehouse.

I made this as a shape card by using the tree die and partial cutting only the right edge of the card front.  After cutting only the right edge, I used my scissors to cut from the top down to meet the first cut of the tree and did the same on the bottom.  Depending on how far in from the right side that you make your partial die cut, you may need to cut in between to get a continual cut all the way down the right side.  I hope that makes sense.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.   I then cut each of them with the coordinating dies included with the stamp set.

I adhered some of the images into the windows and doors before adhering the colored tree onto the partial cut right edge.   The bunny and the birds were popped up with foam dots. 

The Squirrel! sentiment was die cut using the tag die from the #5718 - Mini Journal Template.  I glued only the right edge down so that this tag could latch onto the front for a nice closure.  See video below.

That's it for me today!  I hope you enjoyed my card and it gives you inspiration to enter our current blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  C00, C0, C1, C2      R20

E30, E31, E33, E35, E55, E57

Y13, Y15, Y17    G40, G43, G46 

B000, B12, B14, B21, B23, B24

OUCH - Doggy Cone

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a fun fold wellness card with this cute little injured dog from the #AiCS38 - Doggy Kisses set.  This set has the most adorable little pups with the funnest little "get well" sentiments.  Definitely a cute, fun set!  Who wouldn't find this little guy to be uplifting and a fast "cure" for any illness?

I started by stamping the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the letters out with the #5910 - Large Alphabet set and colored around the edges with my copic marker (E53) to add that extra pop from the pattern paper.  I also popped up the letters with foam tape.

I cut the image panel with a circle die.  I adhered pattern paper to the card base and then die cut a circle into the top panel, using a larger circle die than the image panel.  I cut a narrow circle frame to give a nice finish to the opening.  For the pop through panel, I cut a strip 4 3/4" x 2" in white cardstock and scored along the long side at 1/2".  I adhered the 1/2" tab to the inside back of the card base, making sure that the strip will be centered when shutting the card.  I adhered a piece of pattern paper to the inside back underneath the strip piece and covered up the tab.  I then die cut a decorative edge to one side of a piece of pattern paper and cut to fit on top of the strip.  Placing the strip panel through the front circle, adhere the image panel onto the strip so that it fits nicely.  

I used a magnetic closure to keep the card closed, but this is optional.  I placed one under the bandaid on the front cover and the other under the paw heart inside.  

Video below shows how the card opens and closes.

Hope you enjoyed my card today.  Thanks for joining me!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1

R20,    B000

E50, E51, E53, E55

Chick Bookmark Card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

We definitely are getting to enjoy the Spring air here and just in time for Easter.  Yay!  However, I'm hearing that it's suppose to change next week.  Let's hope the weathermen are wrong.  Fingers crossed!  

Maybe my card for today will inspire the nice Spring weather to continue.  🤞

I created a comical corner bookmark that slides over the card.  When removed it reveals the "Spring is in the Air" sentiment from the #5867 - Mini Easter Sentiment set.  This bookmark is sure to give someone a chuckle every time they open their book.  I just love him and the funny saying!  I hope I don't offend anyone with that sentiment, but it just fit this image perfectly.  😁

The polka dots on the egg was a Sharon inspiration.  Thank you Sharon for the cute idea!

I used the #5401 - Easter Chicks stamp set for the images and the #6042 - Corner Bookmark die set for the detachable bookmark.  I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  The images were then cut using the coordinating dies within the set.

For the pattern papers, I used the #6036 - Easter Bunny PP and the #5892 - Easter S2 PP.  The Art Impressions paper packs coordinate well together.   I cut several circles using the #5064 - Double stitched circle dies and also the #5726 - Nested Circle dies.

I started with a base card panel made with heavy cardstock and cut to an A2 size - 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  I then created a smaller card (size 4 3/4 x 3 3/8) that will be adhered to the front.  I layered the mats and pattern paper panels to the base and also to the front of the card.  I then layered the circle panels and adhered the images to the top layers.  I popped up the bottom chick but not the one on the bookmark.  I didn't want to add any more bulk to the bookmark.  I placed the bookmark onto the card corner and adhered the egg chick panel to the bookmark.  I then adhered the other chick panel to the card base.  The last circle panel was adhered to the card base, lining it up directly under the circle of the bookmark.

I attached the card to the base, lining up to the bottom edge so that the card will stand up on its own.

That's it for me today!  Thanks for joining me and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  Y13, Y15, Y17    R20

YR61, YR65, YR68

G20, G21, G24

R81, R83, R85

Lots of Love card pack

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I have a fun card gift pack for you today that fits in perfectly for Valentine's day and for the bi-weekly challenge "Love, Love Me Do".  Do you have a friend that loves to give their family members a card for Valentine's day?  What a perfect little gift for you to give them.  My mind instantly goes to our elderly in the senior homes or your cute little elderly neighbor.   I created a fun, quick gift set of six cards all bundled in a sweet pouch.   The cards do not have a sentiment, so they can fit any occasion, if Valentine's day is not your thing.

For the images, I used the Armful stamp sets - #5903 Treasured Armful and #5904 - So Sweet Armful.  The arms of each animal have a slit cut to allow you to slip a cute little heart, flower, star, etc.  These sets also include the corresponding dies.

I stamped each of the images twice on copic friendly cardstock with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I also stamped, colored and die cut the heart, that is included in the "So Sweet Armful" set, 6 times - one for each card.  I learned a little copic technique from my fabulous copic teacher and friend, Sharon Caudle, many years ago in a class and I use it whenever I can.  For the little bear image, I color him in the browns leaving the overalls until later.  I then take a little piece of wash cloth and dab some blender solution onto it.  Lightly tap that part of the cloth onto the colored part of the bear and it will make him look fuzzy (see the individual card below for a better visual).  Let it sit for a little bit and then finish coloring the overalls.

It's a great effect!  Many thanks, Sharon!  

Above is the A2 Card Gift pouch that will hold up to 6 cards (with minimal dimension) and 6 envelopes.  I found the template for this on The Paper Pixie or you can youtube A2 card gift pouch.  It uses one 12x12 piece of heavy weight pattern paper.   I then decorated using the #5972 - Bible Journal Decorative Margin dies and #5721 - Nested Heart dies.   The sentiment is from the #5817 - Potting Garden Shed set.  Lastly, I used one of the #5967 - Hook and Loop Fasteners to keep the pouch shut.

Here are the six cards in the pack:

That's it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Make sure to check out the bi-weekly challenge and play along for a chance to win a free stamp set.  

We love to see your creations!

Copics used:  C0, C1, C3

R20, R11, R12, R14

E21, E23, E25, E31, E33, E35

Hello Sunshine

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Have you seen the newest AI release?  This one is fantastic!  I know, I probably say that about every one of them, but let's be real - they ALL are fantastic!  This is definitely a fave of mine!

Two new stamp sets were released - #6103 - Baby Keepsake and #6106 - Spring Keepsake, which is the one I used for my pop out card.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I cut each of them out with the corresponding dies that are included in the set.  Love it when dies are included, don't you?  Adds so much dimension!  Check out this cute little frog!  He is definitely my favorite, however, the bunny and duck are just as adorable.  

I created a pop out card so that I could layer each of these cute little images.  I added a few images from other sets, like the flowers in the water can (#5935 Fairytale Houses), the Easter basket (#5869 - Easter Bunny Puppet) and the bird (#5100 - Woodland Tree cubbies).  The sun was from my stash.

I used the #6009 - Basic Green PP for the grass and the #5873 - Mini Birthday PP for the cloud background.

That's it for me today!  Make sure to check out the new release!   It includes some beautiful valentine papers and a new scalloped rectangle die set.  Great bundle!

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N2, B000

G20, G21, G24      V12, V15

R02, R05, R08, R20

B12, B14           YR12, YR16

Y11, Y13, Y17, Y19, Y32, Y35, Y38

Button Baby Panda card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a cute little baby card for the "Button Up" challenge.  Check out the "Bi-weekly Challenge" tab on the Art Impressions blog for the simple requirements to qualify for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  

I created this fun shaped card using the 6017 - Baby Panda set with the 6057 - Baby Girl PP.

I stamped the image onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the image using the coordinating die that is included with the stamp set.  As per my usual, I die cut a second image out of basic white cardstock and adhered it to the back of the colored image to give it more strength.  I like to do this because it adds a little extra "pop up" as well.

To create the card front, I die cut a scalloped circle using the largest die from the 6045 - Scalloped Circle die set.  I then die cut two circles (one pink cardstock and one patterned paper) that fit nicely over the other giving it a slight border.   I then die cut the heart scallop from the 5721 - Nested Heart dies and a 1" piece of white cardstock with a slightly smaller strip of patterned paper to fit over the white cardstock.  I layered these all onto the white scalloped circle as shown above.

For the card base, I folded a piece of cardstock in half (approx. 4 x 4 inches) and die cut the second largest circle from the 5726 - Nested Circle die set placing the die over the fold so that approx. 1/2" of the top does not cut.  This will create the fold for the opening of the card.  Glue one side to the back of the scalloped circle card front.  Pop up the image with foam tape.  Add two small black buttons for the wheels (I threaded white string through the button holes for added detail).  Tie a three loop string and adhere to the button bow with glue dots or liquid glue and then adhere just below the sentiment.

After I put this together and took my pictures, I realized that I didn't add shading to the buggy base or canopy.  Oops!  LOL!  Simple coloring works just as well, yet we always think we need to add more.  Maybe we don't!  😀 

Thanks for joining me today!  Make sure to check out the current challenge and play along.  We love to see what you create!  

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N3

R20, R81, R83, R85

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

Full of Surprises Halloween Card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I had soooo much fun creating this card today!  Cute little interactive surprises using the stamp sets #6111 - Spooktacular and #6112 - Pumpkin Parade sets. 

Before I get started, I want to thank design team member, Sharon Caudle, for her great sidewalk idea.    She used this on one of her cards, of late, and I loved it.  What a cute and easy ground panel!  Simple, but effective!  Thanks, Sharon! 

Okay, back to my card.  I created a corner fun fold card.  You can find this fold design on Pinterest but it's pretty simple.  Start with a 5 3/4" x 7" piece of pattern paper.  Front of card design face up, score at 2" along the left edge of the 7" side.  Turn paper to the left and score along the 5 3/4" side at 2".  This will create a square in the bottom left corner.  Turn the paper over, fold and burnish the score lines towards you so that the front side is coming forward.  Make a small mark at 2" from each of the folds of the square.  Score diagonally from mark to mark.  Fold and burnish this score line in opposite direction of the others.  Unfold all and with inside paper face up, bring in the diagonal folds and let the square come up over the top creating a square in the top left corner.  See Pic 3 showing the fold opening.

Pic 1:

Top Panel - create how you choose (mine is 3" x 3 3/4").  Adhere to top square only.  Do not place glue on the full panel as this is how it opens.  See video below.

Pic 2:

The peek a boo ghost is from the #6111 - Spooktacular set.  The die cut will score and cut the ghost so it folds as intended.  The arms fold in similar to the card.  Stamp your sentiment onto the moon.  Adhere the bottom of the ghost to the fold of the moon.  Place glue on the top half of the ghost and shut the moon down to adhere.  Do NOT glue the arms of the ghost.  When you lift the moon, the arms will fold outward.  I placed a magnet under the "lift" cloud and the other one under the inside cloud.  

Pic 3:

The inside panel has a sentiment and another cute surprise image with treats.

Thanks for joining me today!  I hope you enjoyed my card!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  T0, T2, T4, R20

Y13, Y15, Y17

YR12, YR14, YR16, YR18

V12, V15, V17

BG32, BG45

Winter Wonderland

 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