Pop Up Easter Easel Box

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I found this cute little easel box on youtube and thought I would create one for Easter.  Have you ever fallen down the rabbit hole (no pun intended) when viewing youtube videos or even pinterest?  I love seeing all the creative ideas out there but, man, I get hooked and then away I go.

One of my favorites sites and where I found this box is The Paper Pixie.  If you click on that link, it will take you to her box instructions.  Box measures 3" x 3".  

Here's my version using Art Impressions #5742 - Easter PP and the #5870 - Peeking Bunny set.

When you pull on the ribbon, the box opens and the easel pops up.  I wanted to grab some easter candies and fill the box before I took the picture, but I went to the store and forgot the candy.  😬

I just LOVE the easel on the box top and how it pops up.  Sooo fun!

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have a fantastic day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53, E55, E95

N0, N1,       R20, R81, R83

B12, B14       V12, V15

G40, G43         YR20, YR23

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

Wanna Build a Snowman

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I have a cute little snowman card for you today using the #6085 - Woodland Snowman Scene stamp set.  The stamp sets in this series fit nicely within the #4619 - Window die.  A great way to highlight the scene and add a touch of interactive to your card.

I began by stamping the scene onto copic friendly paper with Memento black and coloring with my copic markers listed below.   I cut the window die from red cardstock using the #4619 - Window die.  I cut the front panel and card base using the #5408 - Shadow box window to position the scene behind the window.  I created the sentiment using my computer and die cut with a tag die from my stash.  I placed a few red hearts onto the card for an extra touch of fun.

Lastly, I added a bit of wink of stella to the hillsides and the snowman.  It isn't noticeable in the above picture so I zoomed in to show below.

Thanks for joining me today!  

Have a great day!  Enjoy and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, N2, N4, N6, N7

R8, R20, R22, R24

E21, E23, E93, E95, E97

BG70, BG72

B0000, YR16, YR18

YG61, YG63, YG67

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!

Spider Mania

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Halloween was never one of my favorite holidays, but now, with all of these cute sets from Art Impressions, it has climbed the ladder to second.  I can't seem to stop creating with all of these images and since Halloween is tomorrow, I thought I'd share two projects.  Both of these were inspired by the "Along Came A Spider" challenge currently on the blog.  

The card below is a pop up frame card.  Push the sides in and the frame pop ups and away from Frankie.  When the sides are pulled out, the card flattens to a 5 x 7 for mailing.  Frankie's legs also wiggle side to side as well as his eyes.  I used #6120 - Frankenstein Puppet, #5604 - Halloween Journal dies and the #5462 - Web dies set to create this card plus added a few sets of wiggle eyes (check out the little spidey on the left).  LOL!

To make the card, cut two pieces of 5 x 7" black cardstock.  Score both pieces at 1/2", 1", 6" and 6 1/2" along the 7" side.  For the front, fold one piece as valley, mountain, mountain and valley (V,M,M,V) and the back piece, fold just the opposite (M,V,V,M).  I recommend you decorate both pieces at this point so you can lay flat to glue decorations securely.  You can place Frankie inside the frame at the end to position him just where you want him.  Glue the front and back ends together with the 1/2" tabs on each side.

To make the dancing Frankie, cut all the pieces with the puppet die set, but hold up on the pants.  You will need to cut an extra shirt piece from scrap cardstock.  For the pants, you will need to stretch his legs.  To do this, you will need to partial cut the legs up to the top of his pants by placing your cutting plate just under the cut line (of the top of the pants) so that it won't cut.  Then free hand cut an additional 1/2" for the top of the pants (see below).  I also rounded off the top corners of his pants.  At the top of the pants (about 1/4" from top), punch a hole big enough for a pop dot to fit through freely.  You may have to snip a little bit of the hole to make it larger.  Place one side of the pop dot to the back of his shirt.  Place the pants with the hole over the pop dot.  Place foam tape onto the back side of the shirt and adhere the extra shirt piece onto the pop dot and foam tape.  The legs should move freely at this point.  Decorate the rest of your Frankie as you desire.  Glue him into place inside your frame card.

To make the ghost tag, I used the scraps from my card above.  This is always a great way to use up your scraps and create an extra tag, card, etc. for future.   I die cut the ghost, spider and banner from the #6111 - Spooktacular set.  The bow from the #5811 - Gift card pocket die set and the spider webs from the #5604 - Halloween Journal die set.  I inked the ghost with black distress oxide ink and glued to a black die cut ghost to use as a shadow.  Decorated her with cute little wiggle eyes and a bow on top of her head.  I die cut two banners (one in black for the shadow) and wrote the word "spider!" across the white one.  I cut the bow from scraps and attached a spider web behind it and placed a spider on top.  Added a few more webs, spiders, ribbon on top and a little red heart and the tag is finished.

I hope you enjoyed my projects today.  Thanks for stopping by!  

Make sure to enter the challenge and show us your creation of "Along Came A Spider".  We love to see what you create!!

Happy Halloween!  Keep on Creating!

Copics used:  R20, T0, T2, T4

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

Bobble Head Frankenstein Coffin Treat Box

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

We have a new challenge going on called "Keep It Contained".  What a fun challenge!  Make sure to check out the tab above for details.

I created a coffin shaped treat box with the new #6120 - Frankenstein Puppet.   His head bobbles so he will entertain the little ones while they enjoy the goodies inside.  😀  

I stamped a few images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I punched a hole into the top of several of them and linked them onto a chain and created a dangle for the opening of the treat box.  I tied a "webbie" yarn to the top link and attached to the ghost eyelet at the treat box opening.

The Frankenstein puppet is sooo fun to create and decorate with scrap pieces of paper.  I two-tiered the pants by offsetting slightly and created a small patch piece onto his pants for an added touch.  For his face, I die cut the scar several times and glued into a mouth shape and then added some wiggle eyes for movement when his head bobbles.  To create the bobble head, I die cut an extra shirt piece and extended the length to attach the mini wobble base.  Then I attached the head to the top of the wobble. 

To create the coffin box, I followed a youtube tutorial by Positively Papercraft called "Spooky Coffin Treat Box".  I tweaked her measurements a bit but her tutorial works great and is fairly simple.

Wobble head video:

Thanks for checking out the blog today!  Hope you join in the AI Bi-weekly challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  

Have a great day and keep creating!

          Copics used:  T0, T2, T4, T6

G43, G46 

Y13, Y17 

YR12, YR14, YR16, YR18 

Playing in the Dirt

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Summer came and went soooo fast but I still want to play in the dirt.  We are definitely headed into fall here but some of you may still have some great summer weather left so hopefully you feel inspired to go play for those of us that can't.  😀

I combined #5000 - Gotta Garden set and #5817 - Potting Garden Shed to create this interactive card.  This is a larger than normal card but it's a fun size - 8 1/5 x 5.

I started out by stamping the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I fussy cut the images.  The garden shed is a watercolor stamp set and has a few garden pots at the base, so I just fussy cut them off and popped up the boots and garden hose over the cut area.  I also cut an opening in the door and placed some tools and garden gloves inside.  These accessories are from the #SC0650 - His & Hers Gardeners set.  I also colored and cut some flowers from the #5935 - Fairytale Houses set.  

I die cut a slider track into the dirt panel and placed the playful couple onto a disk that pops through both sides of the track to allow for the movement.  I then popped up the dirt panel, making sure not to place pop dots or foam tape to close to the slider track.  You could use a pull tab, but I chose to move the couple back and forth with my fingers.

Check out the video below to see the interactive movement.

That's it for me today.  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Keep on creating!!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E11

N0, N1, N2, N3, N4

B91, B93, B95

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YR12, YR14, YR16, YR18

G40, G43, G46

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

Bakery Matchbook

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Do you like little tiny cards?  If so, try out these cute little matchbook cards from Art Impressions.  There are approximately 30 to choose from for that special someone in your life.  I think Bonnie has hit every type of recipient with this line from golfer to musician, baby to pet shop and every holiday plus others.  Make sure to check out the website for all of the options.  Art Impressions Matchbook selection 

This matchbook card is perfect for the family member with the biggest sweet tooth.  Makes me ready for my morning coffee and a cinnamon roll.  😁

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  Each set comes with dies to cut out each section, however, you will need the matchbook template for the main base.  This template works for all of the matchbook stamp sets.  There is also a Matchbook Envelope template.  This template in not required to create this adorable little card but it finishes off the card so nicely.

Check out the YouTube tutorial.  There are many showing how these work but the link below will bring you to the very first introduction of these Art impressions little cards.  

Matchbook Tutorial

I hope you try one of these tiny cards out, if you haven't already.  They are so each and fun to make plus the recipient will just love the little cuteness.

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Keep creating!

Copics used:  C00, C0, C1, C2

E21, E23, E50, E53, E55, E57

Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

YR21, YR23

R01, R02, R05, B0000

Sit, Stay, Heal flip card by Dori Mendiola

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have an interactive get well card using the #AICS38 - Doggy Kisses set.  When you open the card, the image flips to the inside. 

 I started by stamping the images with Memento black ink onto copic friendly paper and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the images using the #5065 Oval Double Stitch and the #5135 Hexagon Double Stitch dies.  I fussy cut and popped up the kleenex and tea cup using foam tape.  I die cut an oval into the front of the card panel and used the blue inner panel for the flip base.

For the mechanism - cut a piece of cardstock 2 3/4" x 3" and score at 3/4, 1 1/2 and 2 1/4 along the 3" side.  Fold and crease the score lines to create a tube.  Place glue on the underside of the first fold area only.  Glue down to the inside fold of the card.  Fold the tube in half and place glue on the upper fold area only.  Bring the top half of the card over and shut on top of the tube piece.  The tube will show through the top of the card, but the image panel will cover when closed. 

 

Now cut a piece of cardstock 3/4" x 2 1/4".  Score in thirds along the long edge (3/4" each piece).  Glue one 3/4" tab to the top of the tube piece in the center.  Fold the other end upwards and lay the tube down flat so that the card is shut.  Place glue on the upwards tab only.  Place the blue image panel into the front oval cutout area and adhere it onto the tab with the glue.  The image panel will pop up thru the oval cutout on the front of the card when shut and it will pop thru to the inside of the card when opened.

Decorate your card with sentiments, ribbon, etc.

Thank you for joining me today!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1, R20

E50, E51, E53, E55

E41, E42, E44

E33, E35

BG70, BG72, BG75