Retired from the Ai Watercolor Design Team December 2022

Hi!

As I receive a Christmas card, I have to hurry and make one to send in return. I try to be ahead of the game and have enough made but this year, the arthritis and carpal tunnel in my hands has prevented me from making so many cards. After three years of trying gloves, creams and pills, the daily pain wore me down and I knew I had to do something about it. I finally saw a hand specialist who injected steroids in my thumbs. Let me tell you, that is a painful thing but so worth it! After a few hours, my left one stopped hurting and it was the worst one. It took a few days for the right one to stop hurting but it DID! Now they only hurt when I use them too much. No more hurting every single day and night. We don't know how long the steroids will last but I pray it will be a long time. I wish I had done it sooner. I had to give up being on the Art Impressions Watercolor Design Team which gave me so much pleasure for many years. I love everyone at Ai and will miss being a part of that wonderful team. But I hope to still make cards, that's for certain. I tell you all this not for sympathy or attention but because I want to help anyone else whose hands hurt all the time. There is relief available. 

Back to the Santa card. It's colored with that new Ranger Distress Ink color Lumber Jack Plaid. Such a perfect color! Red is my favorite and I've never used one I liked better. The stamp is from Ai of course and it's the 5572 Santa and Workshop Set. I used the 5472 Christmas Wreath Set to create the foliage around the Santa. I cut it out with the 5065 Oval Double Stitched Die Set. Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Christmas card Dec 12, 2022

I made this card for my friend Carolyn. A group of us bake treats and exchange them every Christmas. I love Art Impressions stamps and love to watercolor them.  This set was an exclusive only available on Simon Says Stamp. 

Happy birthday Brad!

 Hello,

Just sharing a card I made for my December son, Brad. That little dog is his best friend Sgt. I love this truck and birthday stamps and dies from Art Impressions. Very good for making masculine cards. 

Sisters Christmas Card December 9, 2022

 

Hi!

This is the 2021 Art Impressions Stamptember Exclusive stamp set sold only at SimonSaysStamp.com that I used to make this card for my sister Tisha. Kendra Krebs colored one like this last year. So fun to combine our watercoloring stamps on this set for the sweaters, scarf and hats. I also made one using the fall colors for a cup of Pumpkin Spice coffee with my dear friend in a previous post. Check it out here!

December 1, 2022

 

Hello,

I loved the Facebook tutorial on this card by Bonnie Krebs - Owner/Creator of Art Impressions. Red is my favorite color and she used more than she usually does on this card. I love everything about this one. Give it a try!

Ai Watercolor Weekend December 2, 2022

Hello,

I was inspired by Bonnie Krebs, the Owner/Creator or Art Impressions to have an angel putting a star on a Christmas tree which was on her Advent Journal tutorial on Facebook. The 5578 Little Angels set is truly one of my favorites that I'm sure I will use again and again. There are 6 different angels included! To make this one, stamp the 5597 Harvest Wheelbarrow on watercolor paper. Stamp the tree from the 5010 WC Tree Set 1. Stamp the top gift next to the tree from the 5571 Christmas Snowman Set. Stamp the smallest foliage from the 5009 Mini Flower Set in a circle to make the wreath. Using the fine tip of the Red TwinTone pen, add some berries. Stamp the angels from the Little Angels set. Cut out a star from glittery gold card stock using the star die from the 5543 Journal Die Set. Use Dr Ph Martin's Bleed Proof white paint to add the snow. Cut it out with the 5063 Double Stitched Rectangle die set. 

Supplies used:

2022 Christmas Exclusive

 

Hello,

I just love the annual Art Impressions 2022 Simon Says Stamp Christmas Exclusive set this year (and every year)! So fun and easy to watercolor! This stamp set is only available on the simonsaysstamp.com website. If you haven't used their website for craft supplies - check them out. They have the biggest selection I've ever seen on one website. To make this card, just stamp it in Archival Ink on watercolor paper using a Misti stamp platform. Use Tombow markers to color it up. Tip: Do the red last because if you touch it with a wet brush, it can spread where you don't want it to be. I love to use a very fine point black pen to add eyelashes. I also used a glitter pen to add some extra shine to the bulbs, star and bells. There are so many great sentiments included in the set that I will be using on many of my holiday cards. Cut it out with the 5063 Rectangle Double Stitched Die set. Have fun!

Ai Watercolor Weekend Nov 19, 2022

Hello,

Who else feels the holidays sneak up on you? I better get busy making Christmas cards. I used this adorable snowman stamp for my card for the Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend. Give this one a try. It's pretty fast and easy. Make an oval mask with masking paper and the 5065 Oval Double Stitched dies set then stamp the snowman from the 5571 Christmas Snowman Set. Pull the color out of the lines. Next stamp the birdhouse from the 5575 Mailbox Birdhouse Set and pull the color out of the lines. Stamp the tree branch from the 5010 Tree Set 1. Watercolor the images and the sky. Use a ruler and a fine tip pen to make the wire for the birdhouse to hang from the branch. Darken the birdhouse holes and the eyes and mouth of the snowman and bird. Water down some of the Dr Ph Martin's bleed proof white paint on the palette. Splatter the white for the snow using your No. 4 brush then paint some snow on the top of the images. When dry, paint shadows under the snow. Cut it out with the largest oval die. Cut out a back ground piece with the largest die from the 5062 Rounded Rectangle Die set. Happy stamping!

Supplied used:

Ai Watercolor Weekend November 5, 2022

 

Hello,

Art Impressions has made some fabulous new Fall stamp sets! There are two wonderful scenes in the new 5593 Harvest Scenes Set. So easy to color up and fill with whatever plants or flowers you want to use. To make this one, stamp the scene inked with both 565 and 969 Tombow pens. Pull the color out of the lines. Another great set is the brand new 5599 Mini Mice and Squirrel set. I stamped a squirrel on the ground after inking him with the 969. I added the wheat from the brand new 5598 Harvest Set inked in 026 inside the watering can. I used the lavender from the 5476 Foliage Set 5 inside the bucket inked in both 158 and 565. I used the small grass from the 4051 Foliage Set 1 inked in 158 inside the pail and on the ground. I inked the flowers from the 5008 Flower Set 3 inked in 837 inside the pail. I stamped the pumpkin leaf and vine from the brand new 5595 Harvest Pumpkin Set inked in 158 on the outside pumpkin. Color the birds with the 026 and 969. Color the watering can, bands on the bucket and pail with N45. The chair is painted with N52. The orange pumpkin is colored with 933. The other pumpkin is colored with the 312. Use 969 on the squirrel, pail handle and on the wood of the bucket. Use 565 for shadows. Use N52 for the sky. The sentiment is from the brand new 5600 Harvest Sentiments Set inked in 969. I cut out the sentiment with the tag from the 5543 Journal Template Die Set. The curvy edge for my watercolor paper is cut with a die from that same set. The other dies are from the 5063 Rectangle Double Stitched Die set. 

Supplies used:

Hug in a Mug for my friend Gaylynn

 

Hi!

This is the 2021 Art Impressions Stamptember Exclusive stamp set sold only at SimonSaysStamp.com  I made this card for my friend Gaylynn. Kendra Krebs colored one like this for Christmas time. So fun to use our watercoloring stamps on this set. The Art Impressions 2022 Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Christmas stamp will be out soon so make sure to get it before it's gone! There's one out there that I still wish that I had gotten a few years ago. 

Halloween Journal for Aubrey

 

Hello,

Have you guys seen Art Impression's Bonnie Krebs' Halloween YouTube tutorials for the brand new journal set? So much fun to make and I highly recommend that journal template set. This is my second journal and next I will be doing a fall one, then I will be doing a flowery summer one. I'm sure a patriotic one is also in my future. The possibilities are pretty endless. 

Ai Watercolor Weekend October 15, 2022

Hello,

So happy to have new Fall stamps from Art Impressions! I've always loved scarecrows so I made this card for the Ai Watercolor Weekend. To make it, stamp the scarecrow from the 5594 Harvest Scarecrow Set inked in Tombow 565 and 969 onto watercolor paper. I wanted only one bird so only ink one if you don't want both birds. Ink the container the same way and stamp it. Stamp the flowers inked in 969. Color them with 228, 969 and 026. Stamp the grass from the 4051 Foliage Set 1 inked in 228. Color the can with N25 and the handle with 969. Use 565 to make the shadow under the handle. Color the post in 969, the shoes in N25, the overalls with 946 and the gloves and hair with 026. The hat and one patch is colored with the 228. The shirt and other 2 patches are colored with the 555. Use the bleed proof white paint to make the plaid and dots. Color the face with 992 and his cheeks with 946. Color the birds beak with 026 and the bird with the N25. Use the fine point of the Tombow TwinTone brown pen to darken the eyes, nose and mouth of the scarecrow. The sky is 555. Cut it out with the 5062 Rounded Corner die set. The sentiment is from the brand new 5600 Harvest Sentiments Set inked in N25. 

Supplies used:

Ai Watercolor Weekend October 1, 2022

 

Hello,

I'm so happy Autumn has arrived. I love everything about it. I hope you want to give this cute scene a try. You can do it fairly fast and use any containers, fillers and animal you have but if you want to make this one, start by stamping the fox from the 5016 Mini Critters set inked in Tombow 969. Cover him with a mask then stamp the pumpkin next to him from the 5426 Veggies set inked in the 969. Cover that with a mask so you can stamp the other pumpkin. Then stamp the basket from the 5059 Harvest Set in 969 and 565 behind the fox. Stamp the pot from the 4701 Clay Pot set inked in both 969 and 565. Pull the color out of the lines. Color the pumpkins with the 933, 993 and 947. The stems are 969 then use the fine point tip of the brown TwinTone to darken the stems. The fox is colored with 947, N25 and 969. Darken his eyes and nose with the brown TwinTone. The basket is colored with 312 and N25. Darken the nails with the fine tip of a gray pen. Stamp the flower from the 5264 Decorative Post Set inked in N52. Then use the large grass from the 4051 Foliage Set 1 inked in 312 inside the basket. Ink the vines from the 5474 Flower Set 5 in the 312 and stamp them on either side of the basket. Clean the stamp off then ink just the flowers in 993 and stamp them above the grass. Color the clay pot in N52 and the band in 312. Stamp the branch from that same set inked in 969. Stamp the flower in 947. Stamp the berries in 933 and their stems in 312. Color the sky with the N52. Stamp the small grass from the foliage Set 1 inked in 026 in front and pull the color out. Use the 5062 Rounded Corner Rectangles to cut it out along with background pieces. 

Supplies used:

Ai Watercolor Weekend Sep 17, 2022

 Hello,

I'm so in love with the brand new Art Impression's 5567 Victorian House and Barn Set. I've always loved barns and have renewed my love of barns by redecorating my dining room in a barn theme recently. If you don't have the 5561 Birds and Bugs set that comes with dies, you must get it! You know how you just feel you need a little something alive on your scene? These are so fun to color and add some dimension with foam tape! Bonnie Krebs, Owner/Creator of Ai has a tutorial on Facebook on the birds and bugs. Check it out. 

To make this card, first ink the barn and fence with the Tombow 565 and then the 969 and stamp it off on scratch paper before stamping it onto your watercolor paper. Pull the color out of the lines. Ink the flowers from the 5008 Flower Set 3 in 026 and stamp them in front of the fence posts. Then ink the foliage from the 5126 Foliage Set 4 in 947 and stamp them over the other flowers. Ink the tree from the 4808 Covered Bridge Mini Set in 969 and stamp it by the barn. Next use the foliage from the 4051 Foliage Set 1 inked in 3 colors, 993, 933 and 947 to make your leaves on the tree. Add water. Color the barn with 969 and 526. Create the windows with the fine tip of theTombow TwinTone pen. Use a pencil and ruler to make the lines on the white part of the barn. Use the Dr Ph Martin's white paint to add the exes on the barn doors. Ink the smallest foliage in the 4867 Foliage Set 2 in 947 to make the bushes by the barn. color the ground with 947 and 026. Color the sky with the 526. Don't forget your bird and butterfly and cut it out with the 5063 A2 Double Stitched Die Set. 

Simple yet beautiful! Sep 9, 2022

 

Hello,

If you haven't tried this one, you must! So easy yet so beautiful and fun! Bonnie Krebs, Owner/Creator of Art Impressions did a tutorial on this one Wednesday. You have to get this set 5561 Birds and Bugs because it comes with the dies and the images are so perfect to add some dimension and something alive to your scenes! You need the bucket from the 5416 Vintage Car Set or any container and some flowers and grass, too. Have fun.

Ai Watercolor Weekend Sep 3, 2022

 

Hello,

I made this Christmas card using the new 5013 Doors and Stockings Set from Art Impressions for my project for the Watercolor Weekend. I got the idea to add the lighted window above the door from a Christmas Card I saw on Pinterest so I used a ruler and drew the top part in with a pencil. So if you want to try this one, first ink the door using Tombow 969 then 565, stamp it off on scrap paper first, then stamp it on your watercolor paper. I wanted a light on both sides so I cleaned off the stamp, then used a positioner, inked up just the light and put it on the left side of the door. I used the siding from the 5019 Wall Texture Set inked in 565 but stamped it off first. The trees are from the 4960 Fir Trees Set. Ink up the trunks in the 969 and stamp them on either side. Use the branches inked in 249. Use a ruler to add lines to the door with 565. Color the portico with 158.  Color the windows and lights with 055 and 993. Color the light housings with N25. Color the door handle with 969. Use the foliage from the 5009 Mini Flower Set inked in 249 to create the wreath and garland. Use the 856 fine tip point to make the red berries. Use 856 to create the wreath bow. Use Dr Ph Martin's bleed proof paint to add the snow on the roof, trees and garland. Use 565 to create the shadows. The bunny from the 4874 Bunnies Set is inked with 565 and then colored with a little mix of 969 and 565. The ear and cheek are 803. Darken the eye and nose of the bunny with a black or grey fine tip pen. Cut it out with the 5063 A2 Double Stitched Dies.

Supplies used:

Ai Watercolor Weekend August 20, 2022

Hello,

I made this card for the Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend using the Tombow TwinTone pen set available on the Ai website. The colors are bright and I wanted to try something different so I had planned on only using the TwinTone set but I didn't like the unnatural greens though so I used the 249 and 173 of the regular Tombow pens for the green areas and I used the 850 for the girl's skin tone. If you want to make this one, start by inking up the well from the 5012 Wishing Well Set inked in the TwinTone Navy and Chocolate pens, like you would with the other Tombows. Stamp it off first on scratch paper then stamp it on your watercolor paper. Ink the girl from the 5053 Little Girls Set in the Chocolate and stamp it off first as well. Stamp the cat from the 4873 Cats Set inked in the Black. Pull the color out of the lines then color the top of the well with the Blue pen. Color underneath the roof with the Navy. Color the pail and the bottom of the rocks with the Navy, Chocolate and Black. Ink the vine and grass from the 4051 Foliage Set in 249 then ink the vine with the 173 and stamp over the other leaves. Ink the flowers from the 4052 Flowers Set in the Cherry Pink. Dab at them with a wet brush, then use the fine point tip to add dots on the flowers. Use that same pen to add dots above the grass. The sky is Navy. The trial is Black. Paint the cat black. Color the girl's hat and shirt with the Emerald Green. The hat label and top are Mint Green. The skirt is Cherry Pink and then use the fine tip to add the plaid lines. Her hair is Chocolate. Use the 5065 Rounded Corner Dies to cut it out. 

Supplies used:

New Barn from Art Impressions August 11, 2022

 

Hello,

I love barns and red is my favorite color so this new brand new 5567 - Victorian House and Barn Stamp set and tutorial from Bonnie Krebs, Ai Owner/Creator was one of my most favorites ever! You have to try it! Check out her tutorial on YouTube. 

Ai Watercolor Weekend August 6, 2022

Hello,

I made this card for the Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend. I'm seeing fall stuff on Pinterest and wishing the summer was over since it's so hot here in Las Vegas but this card isn't exactly fall looking, right? Anyway, I hope you want to give this one a go so if you do, stamp the mailbox from the brand new 5575 Mailbox Birdhouse set inked with Tombow N25 and stamped off once. Use the stamp positioner to stamp the owl from the 5425 Peeking Animals. Stamp the branch from the 4964 inked in 969 next to the mailbox then stamp the foliage from the 4051 Foliage Set inked in 837. Stamp the large grass from that same set inked in 027 and 158. Then stamp the flower from the 5475 Flower Set inked in 249 and 947. Use a pencil to draw an envelope poking out of the mailbox then color it with the 837. Color the owl with the 947, N25 and 969. Be sure to use the TwinTone black fine tip to darken the eyes. The sky is 526. The sentiment is from the 5455 Birthday Buggy Set. Cut it out with the 5063 Double Stitched Dies Set. 

Supplies used:

Christmas Journal July 21, 2022

 

Hello,

Have you guys seen the brand new Art Impressions 5543 - Journal Template Die Set? Bonnie Krebs, the Owner/Creator of Art impressions did a tutorial on Facebook that you should check out immediately if you haven't seen it yet, click here! I'm planning on making these journals for my granddaughters for Christmas. It's going to be so fun! Think of all of the possibilities. 

Well Brinley's journal is finished now. Just have to get the gift card to put inside this one. Decided to make the Halloween journal for the Aubrey, the other granddaughter. So much fun! Have you guys seen Kim's floral journal class? Have to make one of those, too. So in love with the journal set!