Studio

Favorite Photos Week

Hope everyone had a fun (and warm!) weekend.  The theme this week on the AC Studio Blog is one I'm so excited to share with you...

As you've seen from their layouts, the fabulous Design Team is multi-talented and takes some pretty amazing photos.  This week we wanted to share even more with you.  Let's start with a wonderful layout from Design Team member Melanie...

Supplies: Marshmallow paper (34916) - Merrymint, Candy Cane Lane paper (34898) – Merrymint, 8.5x11 Cardstock White (71273) - AC Cardstock, Glitter white (71415) -AC Specialty Cardstock, Nutmeg White (43043) - Thickers, Rockabye White (42954) –Thickers, Jewel Brads clear (85230) - Elements, Frosting Accents and Phrases (42576) - Remarks, .o5 Black (62321) - Precision Pen

Melanie says: "I love these completely candid photos of my son from last winter’s first snowfall, and how they paired up so perfectly with the Merrymint line, which is completely adorable. The Nutmeg Thickers are possibly one of my favourites ever- they have a slightly ‘retro’ look to them that I’m crazy about."

I absolutely love the series of snapshots... they perfect capture a special winter moment.  As a special treat this week, the Design Team also wanted to share some of their favorite photos taken in 2009.  We'll be sharing a few each day...




We'll be back tomorrow with more favorite photos!

Merrymint Week Challenge!

It's Friday and we're going to kick the weekend off right with another wonderful winner!  Congratulations to Tenia for winning our Holiday Cards and Gifts Week Challenge!  It was awesome to see all your entries... the ideas just blew me away.  We've got a chance for you to win a prize pack full of Merrymint this week.

Here's a great layout from Design Team member Shannon with some more inspiration for you...
Supplies: Fudge Paper (34918) - Merrymint, Toffee Paper (34914) - Merrymint, Candy Cane Lane Paper (34898) - Merrrymint, Caramel Paper (34913) - Merrymint, Pecan Pie Paper (34900) - Merrymint, Jewelry Box- Chestnut (42848)- Chipboard Thickers, Patchwork Aqua (42974) - Fabric Thickers, Egg Nog Flair (70041) - Merrymint,  Merrymint Foil (77220) - HolidayHouse, Schedule Journaling (42634) - Remarks Sticker Sheets

Shannon says: "Sometimes all you need to make a super quick layout a little extra special is to jazz up the title a little bit, and my favorite way to do that is to replace letters with shapes.  The Flair pieces are the perfect embellishments to replace an O in any word!"

Love seeing those cookie making photos - making me hungry to whip up some treats and a layout of my own!  Can't wait to see what you come up with...

1. The layout must be posted to an online gallery or blog with American Crafts in your supply list.

2.  You must leave a comment on this blog post with a link to your layout online.  You also must fill in your email address when posting your comment on this blog post.

3. Layouts and links must be posted by midnight PST on Thursday, December 17.

Have a great weekend everyone!

In-House Designer Spotlight - Richard Murdock

It's time to turn the spotlight on another one of the amazing In-House Designers.  This month, get to know the talented guy behind many of my favorite AC designs!

Name: Richard Murdock
Hometown: Selah,Washington
Occupation: Graphic/Product Designer

When I grow up I want to be... old and gray with my wife Bre and a couple of great-grandchildren.
If I had a million dollars I would... buy a red farmhouse and a silver Infiniti QX 56 and save whatever was left.
I never miss an episode of... my baby girl doing new tricks.
On my iPod... A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector, A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi, When My Heart Finds Christmas - Harry Connick, Jr., and A Christmas Together - John Dever and the Muppets.
I get inspiration from... Design Sponge, The Dieline, Etsy, Photography Blogs, Movies, Botanical Prints, Pottery Barn, Land of Nod, and Martha Stewart Weddings - just to name a few.

My favorite day at work would include... arriving early, participating in fun conversation, receiving new product that we've just designed and trying it out, all while munching on an Einstein Bagel - Cinnamon Raisin.

The best AC product is...  flair and patterned paper.
What I love the most about my job is...  spending the day with fun and creative people, working on something new everyday, being informed about current events - thanks Ben, and seeing all fun products we've worked on hit the shelves in stores.

And here's a little peek into Richard's (neat and tidy!) workspace in the AC Studio...

Thanks Richard for sharing your talent with all of us!  AC wouldn't be the same without you.

Postmarked Wednesday

It's Wednesday and you know what that means... Postmarked day here on the AC Studio Blog!  We've got two awesome cards using the Merrymint line to share today from our fabulous Design Team members Piradee and Kim A.

First up is this cute one from Piradee...

Supplies: 12 x 12 Cardstock White (71259) - AC Cardstock, Mullberry Glitter Paper (71432) - Specialty Paper, Candy Cane Lane Paper (34898) - Merry Mint, Candy Stripe Paper (34908) - Merry Mint, Peanut Brittle Paper (34909) - Merry Mint, Neutrals Mini Jewel Brads (85276) - Elements, Merrymint Foil (77220)  - Holiday House Chipboard, Yummy Rub-Ons (43358) - MiniMarks Sheets and Mint Truffle Ribbon (89207) - Ribbon 

Piradee says: "Who wouldn't love a candy cane, right? And these papers from the Merry Mint collection are just perfect and super yummy to include along with the candy canes that I got for my colleagues.  The only catch is that I have another 19 more cards to go..."

Such a great idea to pair with a little gift for co-workers.  Sure to put a smile on their faces!

And Kim A. created this fun card to share...

Supplies: 12x12 cardstock Brown Sugar (71044) – AC Cardstock, 12x12 cardstock Pomegranate (71025) – AC Cardstock, Peppermint Paper (34906) – Merrymint, Candy Cane Lane Paper (34998) – Merrymint, Primaries Large Jewel Brad (85285) – Elements, Icing Journaling Sticker Sheet (42658) – Remarks, Fruitcake Sticker Sheet (42578) – Remarks, Yummy Rubons (43358) – Minimarks Sheets, Mint Truffle (87641) – Ribbon, Merrymint Glitter Chipboard (77224) – Holidayhouse

Kim says: "I covered the design on the journaling sticker by using the large Jewel Brads – the brads add much more interest to the page and I think that they look like candy!  The candy chipboard shape is attached to the card by tying a piece of floss through the centre of the bow and then through a small hole that I pierced in the end of the candy shape.  I love how it hangs and swings from the card."

I love the floss paired with the House piece!  That's such a unique idea for using those chipboard items to create your own charms.  Very cool.

Hope these have inspired you to get creating some holiday Merrymint cards of your own!  Have a great Wednesday!

Santa Girls

The Merrymint fun continues with this awesome layout from Design Team member Lory...

Supplies: Wintergreen paper (34896) - Merrymint , Gingersnap paper (34901) - Merrymint, Figgy Pudding paper (34904) - Merrymint, Licorice paper (34905) - Merrymint, Candy shoppe paper (34912) - Merrymint, Milk & coockies paper (34915) - Merrymint, Debate teen paper (34642)- Teen, Cinnamon silver (43047)Thickers, Merrymint glitter (77224) - House, Mint truffle (89202) - Ribbons, Let it snow (70043) - Flair, Large glitter brads metallic (85364) - Elements, Baby dots (59016) - Wood stamp, Circle calendar  (59031) - Wood stamp,Yummy (43358) - MiniMarks,  Black (62001) - Slick writers Pen, Nutmeg Black (43042) - Thickers

Lory says: "Christmas is arriving and finally I have the occasion to make a page for this picture that waited to be inserted in my Christmas memories album!I love Christmas, I think that december is the most beautiful month of the year! Don't you think?

This collection make me feel the CHristmas warm and atmosphere! The colors and the designs are perfect! I loved to use many different materials from this collection to celebrate my old friends, and the strong friendship that join us from a long time! I love them so much! And this page is dedicated to them! I love you guys! You have a special place in my heart! Girls this collection is really awesome! All products, the papers, the ribbons, the rub ons, the stamps.. my God you have absolutely to have them in your hands!!! ;)  To all of you a very merry Christmas with your families close to a christmas tree ;)"

Don't forget to get in front of the camera when document this holiday season like Lory did.  You'll definitely enjoy looking back on photos with you in them as well!