American Crafts Studio Blog

Summer Layouts by Diana Waite

Summer is in full-swing with Diana Waite's pair of layouts:

WET PARADE by Diana Waite

Supplies: Remember Paper (35925) - Yes Please, Sentiment Paper (35928) - Yes Please, Reflect Paper (35938) - Yes Please, Productive Paper (35943) - Yes Please, Treasure Specialty Paper (35948) - Yes Please, Black (53455) - Thickers, Embroidery Stencil Kit (63070) - Embellishments, Organize (42364) - Stickers, Life (42365) - Remarks, Genuine (42368) - Remarks, Discover Puffy (42366) - Remarks, Authentic Roller Date Stamp (59175) - Stamps, Aspire Clear Stamps (59172) - Stamps, Dream Rub ons (42369) - Embellishments, Simplify Vellum Shapes (85628) Embellishments, Embrace Flair Badges (85624) - Embellishments, personal Elements Buttons (85630) - Embellishments, Premium Ribbon (58869) - Ribbon, Charcoal Memory Marker (6113) - Marker

4TH OF JULY  by Diana Waite

Diana says, " I love how versatile the Lucky Charm line is! It was perfect for these fun pictures of my boy!"

Supplies: Doting Dots Paper (35964) - Lucky Charm, Pretty Painterly Paper (35973) - Lucky Charm, Novelty Paper (35974) - Lucky Charm, Starlight (35981) - Lucky Charm, Stargazers Paper (35982) - Lucky Charm, Poppy (42387) - Thickers, Thickers Accent (42392) - Thickers, Accent and Phrase Stickers (42394) - Stickers, Phrase Roller Stamp (59177) - Stamp, Adhesive Buttons and Shapes (85650) - Embellishments, Wood Buttons and Epoxy Accents (85598) - Embellishments, Foam Dots (61709) - This To That, Charcoal Memory Marker (6113) - Marker

Nautical Place Setting Tutorial by Leah Farquharson

Today's fun summery tutorial is brought to you by Leah Farquharson!

NAUTICAL PLACE SETTING by Leah Farquharson

Supplies: Slate (71473) - AC 12x12 Cardstock, Cherry (71026) - 12x12 AC Cardstock, Stargazers Paper (35982) - Dear Lizzy, Berry Blossom Paper (36012) - Mayberry, Front Porch Paper (36016) - Mayberry, Miss Betty Paper (36020) - Mayberry, 6x6 paper pad (36026) - Mayberry, Berry Punch 6x12 Sticker Sheet (42400) - Mayberry, Raspberry Large Decorative Tags (85666) - Mayberry Bits, Sweet Tea Epoxy Sticker Sheet (42398) - Remarks, Ribbon 24 Pack (58877) - Mayberry Silhouette shapes: American Crafts Crab #19290, Amy Tan Filigree Circle #38536. Beach Lighthouse Craft Supplies: burlap, red wool felt, hot glue gun

Simple napkin rings: I loved layering up the gingham with the ric rac to make these simple burlap napkin rings. They came together quickly, but add a great touch to a place setting.

1. Cut a 6x1.5" piece of burlap making sure to cut between the threads to reduce fraying. Pull one thread on each side to add just a bit of fray. Cut a 6" piece of gingham ribbon and a 6" piece of ric rac. 

2. Layer the burlap and ribbons together and attach with a small amount of hot glue. (You can use other adhesive, but the hot glue will give the ring a bit of shape.)

3. Overlap the edges and add a bit of hot glue to create the circle.

Crab placecard:

1. Cut one sheet of 6x6" paper (I used a burlap patterned one) to 4x4". Fold it in half. Add a name using round alphabet stickers. Add half of a doily sticker. You could also use the Amy Tangerine Filigree circle cut on your silhouette for multiple placecards. Size the crab to about 2.5" and cut from red cardstock.

2. Add the crap to the top edge of the card.

Die cut a lighthouse from nautical papers for a fun centerpiece. 

Your place setting is ready to go!

Summer Week!

Guess what's this Friday? The first official day of Summer! So we thought we'd take the opportunity to have a Summer Week and put everybody in the mood for sunshine and lazy days :) Paige Evans has a pair of summery layouts to begin this week's festivities:

REUNION 2012 by Paige Evans

To make this layout I trimmed 2" squares from every patterned paper in the Yes Please collection by Amy Tangerine as well as some of the pages of the Original Daybook. After trimming each square in half to make triangles I placed them in circles to create pinwheels. With a pair of fun family reunion photos in the middle, I placed the pinwheels around the layout, stitched circles over them to attach them permanently, and trimmed the excess. A Thickers title was placed over the photos, a bit of journaling written on the side, and added drops of white Mister Hueys mist to finish it off!

Supplies: Currently Paper (35924) - Yes Please, Remember Paper (35925) - Yes Please, Play Paper (35926) - Yes Please, Sentiment Paper (35928) - Yes Please, Commit Paper (35929) - Yes Please, Share Paper (35930) - Yes Please, Consistent Paper (35931) - Yes Please, Perfect Paper (35932) - Yes Please, Confident Paper (35933) - Yes Please, Thoughtful Paper (35935) - Yes Please, Trust Paper (35935) - Yes Please, Fulfill Paper (35936) - Yes Please, Reflect Paper (35938) - Yes Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes Please, Heart Paper (35940) - Yes Please, Priority Paper (35941) - Yes Please, Hello Paper (35942) - Yes Please, Truth Paper (35944) - Yes Please, Glimmers Paper (35945) - Yes Please, Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes Please, Dreamy Paper (35947) - Yes Please, Treasure Corrugated Cardstock (35948) - Yes Please, Moments Corrugated Cardstock (35949) - Yes Please, Details Corrugated Cardstock (35950) - Yes Please, Goodness Woodgrain (53458) - Thickers, Wish White (53456) - Thickers, 6x6 Paper Pad (35954) - Yes Please, Organize (42364) - Remarks, Discover (42366) - Remarks Puffy Stickers, Origial (35957) - Daybook, Create (85626) - Bits Die Cut Shapes, .03 Black (62311) - Precision Pen, Shamrock (71059) - Cardstock, .5" Super-Sticky Tape (61754) - This to That, Dot Glue Runner (61713) - This to That

SWEET SUMMERTIME by Paige Evans

With a summer theme in mind, I trimmed papers from all of the most current 6x6 paper pads American Crafts makes into sunrays then placed them around a blue cardstock background as a large sun. To secure everything in place I sewed around and around the strips then bent up the edges for dimension. I tore a little section of the edges, tacked down the bent edges with a tiny puffy heart sticker, and backed those spots with floral border stickers. I framed a pair of black and white photos in the middle with stickers, die cuts, journaling, chipboard, and more. Drops of white spray mist mimic splashes - perfect for the pool photos!

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (35954) - Amy Tangerine Yes Please, 6x6 Paper Pad (36026) - Mayberry, 6x6 Paper Pad (751473) - Lakeside by Pebbles, 6x6 Paper Pad (683209) - The Pier by Crate Paper, 6x6 Paper Pad (331411) - Atlantic by Studio Calico, 6x6 Paper Pad (331286) - Sundrifter by Studio Calico, Lemon Fizz Cardstock Sticker Book (41396) - Remarks, Cherry Cola (42397) - Remarks Puffy Stickers, Sweet Tea (42398) - Remarks Epoxy Stickers, Orange Soda (42399) - Remarks Chalkboard Stickers, Berry Punch (42400) - Remarks Sticker Sheet, Pie (85667) - Bits Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Blue Jay (71072) - Cardstock, .5" Super-Sticky Tape (61754) - This to That, Dot Glue Runner (61713) - This to That

Want a chance to win the Mayberry collection filled with summer-themed products perfect for scrapping your summer photos?

Leave a comment on this post by Friday June 21st telling us your summer plans and we'll randomly select one winner to win the Mayberry collection! Good luck everyone!

Fathers Layout and Card by Monika Głód

Here is a pair of projects (a stunning layout and card) by Monika Głód to finish Fathers Week!

BEST DAD EVER CARD by Monika Głód

Supplies: Mayberry 6x6 Paper Pad (36026) Amy Tangerine Yes Please - Perfect (35932)- Paper, Sentiment (85663) - Clothespin Whittles, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Noteworthy (35963)- Paper

DADDY'S GIRL by Monika Głód

Supplies: Mayberry Keylime (36021) - Paper, Blossom (36021) - Daybook, Orange Soda (42399)- 6x12 Chalkboard Stickers - Remarks Pie- Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (85667)- Bits Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm: Accent & Phrases Stickers (42394)- Stickers XL Tags (85656)- Bits Mini Stamp Set (85653)-Stamp Goodness Watercolor (53459)- Chipboard Alpha Stickers- Thickers Amy Tangerine Yes, Please: Badges (85624)- Flair My girl Collection: Soda Pop- Fabric Sticker Sheet (42361)- Remarks 

Have a happy Father's Day on Sunday!

Cards for Fathers by Andrea Budjack

Andrea Budjack has done it again - made amazing cards that is! 

NO ONE IS AS SWEET LIKE YOU DAD CARD by Andrea Budjack

Supplies: Mayberry, cardstock sticker book (42396) - Mayberry, cardstock die cuts (85667) - Mayberry, Miss Betty (36020) - Mayberry, Huckleberry Pie (36019) - Mayberry, Raspberry large decorative tags (85666) - Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic, mini alpha tiles (42267) - Yes Please, element buttons (85630) - Thickers (variety) - twine - This and That Foam Tab Adhesive (AMF617-09)

LOVE YOU DAD CARD by Andrea Budjack

Supplies: Mayberry, cardstock sticker book (42396) - Mayberry, Huckleberry Pie (36019) - Mayberry, Raspberry large decorative tags (85666) - Dear Lizzy, mini alpha tiles (42267) - Yes Please, element buttons (85630) - twine - This and That Foam Tab Adhesive (AMF617-09) - Mayberry, Lemon Pockets with Cards (85672) - Mayberry, Flower Patch Clear Stamps (59180) - Mayberry, Sweet Splash (36023) - Mayberry, Shady Lane (36014) - Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic, Clear Stamps (59163) - My Girl, Whittles Clothes Pins Giggles (85664)

DAD LOVE YOU CARD by Andrea Budjack

Supplies: Mayberry, cardstock sticker book (42396) - Mayberry, Huckleberry Pie (36019) - Mayberry, Raspberry large decorative tags (85666) - Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic, mini alpha tiles (42267) - twine - This and That Foam Tab Adhesive (AMF617-09) - Mayberry, cardstock die cuts (85667) - Mayberry, Berry Blossom (36012) - Mayberry, Front Porch (36016) - Yes Please, element buttons (85630) - Mayberry, Shady Lane (36014) - Mayberry, Miss Betty (36020)

Fathers Week Guest Designer: Gina Lideros

The creative and lovely Guest Designer for Fathers Week is Gina Lideros!

Short bio: Hi! My name is Gina Lideros and I am so excited to have the opportunity to guest design for American Crafts! I have been married to my husband Frank for 15 years (this November) and we have two kids ages 14 and 10. We live in sunny California with our 3 fur babies (dogs). We love to enjoy the outdoors and like to go camping and biking. I have been scrapbooking since 1997 and have been fortunate to work with a lot of great companies and meet some awesome friends.

How did you get started scrapbooking? I was introduced to scrapbooking through a childhood friend. She told me about a local store in our area and after I went there I was hooked!

What is your favorite American Crafts product? That's a hard one! It would be a tie between Thickers and all of the patterned papers.

DADDY'S BEST FRIEND by Gina Lideros

It wouldn't be Father's Day in our house if I didn't include our 2-legged friends. This photo is special to me because Roxy is the first dog that we adopted together as a family and she has a special place in Daddy's heart. When working with a large photo I found that it is easiest to keep the embellishments simple and bringing in lots of color from different patterns compliments a black and white photo well.

Supplies: Stargazer (PLSP-51462) - Lakeside, Road Signs (PLSP-51466) - Lakeside, Zach (751424) - Love You More Boy, Blake (751420) - Love You More Boy, Project (680170) DIY Shop, Cake Batter (680157) - Party Day, Wish (680161) - Party Day, Brads & Buttons Assortment (683135) - Party Day, Ephemera Pack Cardstock Die-cuts (683148) - DIY Shop, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Cardstock Die-cuts (85655) - Bits, Flashcard (DIY-TH-83138) - Thickers, This To That (AM617-13) - Adhesive, .05 Point Black (62321) - Precision Pen 

THANK YOU CARD by Gina Lideros

For a simple and unique card, try a different shape, like the slanted rhombus I used here.

Supplies: Sky (AM710-67) - Cardstock, Zach (751424) - Love You More Boy, Blake (751420) - Love You More Boy, Chalkboard (PLSP-51468) Lakeside, POW! (751455) - Party Super Hero, Project (680170) DIY Shop, Brads & Buttons Assortment (683135) - Party Day, Chalkboard Stickers (732251) - Lakeside, This To That (AM617-13) - Adhesive

DADDY'S SHOES by Gina Lideros

Don't forget to look around the home to use "found items" on your layouts. To add texture to this layout I wrapped plain white paper straws with strips of alternating patterned papers. I love the visual interest that it adds.

Supplies: Project (680170) DIY Shop, Decor (680174)- DIY Shop, Stargazer (PLSP-51462) - Lakeside, Road Signs (PLSP-51466) - Lakeside, Zach (751424) - Love You More Boy, Blake (751420) - Love You More Boy, Jacob (751423) - Love You More Boy, Photo Overlays (683151) - DIY Shop, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Cardstock Die-cuts (85655) - Bits, Brads & Buttons Assortment (683135) - Party Day , Lakeside Alpha Stickers (732246) - Thickers, This To That (AM617-13) - Adhesive

WHAT A GUY MINI ALBUM by Gina Lideros

I documented some of our favorite memories of my husband in this album. It will make a great gift from the kids for Father's Day. I loved using the bright patterns from these collections to quickly put together this album.

Supplies: Blake (751420) - Love You More Boy, Zach (751424) - Love You More Boy, Chalkboard (PLSP-51468) - Lakeside, Stargazer (PLSP-51462) - Lakeside, Road Signs (PLSP-51466) - Lakeside, Cake Batter (680157) - Party Day, Celebrate (680160) - Party Day, Wish (680161) - Party Day, Decor (680174) - DIY Shop, Project (680170), Aperature (680198) - Maggie Holmes, Ephemera Pack Cardstock Die-cuts (683148) - DIY Shop, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Cardstock Die-cuts (85655)- Bits, Brads & Buttons Assortment (683135) - Party Day, Chalkboard Stickers (732251) - Lakeside, Cardstock Stickers mini alpha (DIY-STK-83140) - DIY Shop, Photo Overlays (683151) - DIY Shop, Flashcard (DIY-TH-83138) - Thickers, This To That (AM617-13) - Adhesive, .05 Point Black (62321) - Precision Pen

GONE FISHING by Gina Lideros

I cut this quotation bubble background with my Silhouette. It makes such a fun and interesting background for a layout. They were also super convenient for me to journal in.

Supplies: Coffee (AM710-49) - Cardstock, Wish (680161) - Party Day, Road Signs (PLSP-51466) - Lakeside, Decor (680174) - DIY Shop, Ephemera Pack Cardstock Die-cuts (683148) - DIY Shop, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm Cardstock Die-cuts (85655) - Bits, Brads & Buttons Assortment (683135) - Party Day, Chalkboard Stickers (732251) - Lakeside , Cardstock Stickers mini alpha (DIY-STK-83140) - DIY Shop, DIY Shop Photo Overlays (683151), Flashcard (DIY-TH-83138) - Thickers, This To That (AM617-13) - Adhesive

Find Gina in all of these different social media places to keep up with her, see what inspires her, and check out all of her amazing creations!

Blog: canoncreativegirl.blogspot.com
Twitter: @ginalideros
Pinterest: pinterest.com/gina_lideros
Instagram: @ginalideros

Breakfast in Bed by Allison Waken

Allison Waken shares, "My boys and I love breakfast in bed. Father's Day is yet another excuse for this fun tradition. Since it's a special day we wanted to spruce up his breakfast tray with some little notes about why we love him."

BREAKFAST IN BED by Allison Waken

Supplies: Black (AM710-82) - Cardstock, 6x6 Paper Pad (36026) - Mayberry, Canvas Fabric Chipboard Letters (53463) - Thickers, Cork Chipboard Letter Stickers (53464) - Thickers, Pink Goodness (53459) - Thickers, Trinket Printed Chipboard Stickers (42392) - Thickers, Chalkboard Stickers (42399) - Remarks, Accent & Phrase Stickers (42400) - Remarks, Cupcake Shaped Wood Buttons (85669) - Whittles, Pie Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (85667) - Bits, Sentiment Screen Printed Clothespins (85663) - Whittles 

To start out we pulled some supplies that we thought we might use.

Then we started on our main banner with 2 sticks and some twine.

To use the chalkboard sticker on our banner I stuck it onto a scrap piece of a paper bag and trimmed off the excess.

The boys helped by stringing the shaped wood buttons onto the twine and embellishing the chalkboard label.

We finished off the banner by tying the twine to the sticks.

Next we made a few tags by wrapping chalkboard stickers around toothpicks and embellished with reasons we love Dad.

We made a stand up card that says "We love you because" so he'd know what the flags were all about. The card started with a folded 6x6" sheet of paper and misting over Thickers.

We finished off the card with a few more Thickers and yet another chalkboard sticker (love those things!). A little pocket and clothespin with a love note finished off our breakfast tray embellishments.

With a placemat of black cardstock and the addition of our fun embellishments, our breakfast tray was complete!

Any dad would LOVE to wake up to this on Father's Day!

Fathers Week!

This Sunday, June 16th, we are celebrating the special men in our lives on Father's Day! So to coordinate with the holiday, this week our talented design team will be showcasing all-things DAD! Corrie Jones and Becky Williams each have a layout and card to start off this special week!

DAD'S DAY CARD by Corrie Jones

Supplies: Marine (71071) - Cardstock, Picket Fences Paper (36017) - Mayberry, Key Lime Paper (36021) - Mayberry, Goodness in Wood (53458) - Thickers, Chipboard Stickers (52396) - Remarks, Pie (85667) - Bits

 

WITH DAD by Corrie Jones
 

Supplies: Vanilla (71041) - Cardstock, Junk Drawer Paper (35968) - Lucky Charm, Sunny Day Paper (35977) - Lucky Charm, Starlight Paper (35981) - Lucky Charm, Treasured Terrace Paper (35822) - 5th & Frolic, Dream (42369) - MiniMarks, Adhesive Backed Shapes (85650) - Lucky Charm, Flay & Label Stickers (42393) - Lucky Charm, Baxter (42254) - Remarks, Life (42365) - Remarks, Hello in Burlap (53461) - Thickers, Scene in Cork (53465) - Thickers, Dazzle in Cork (53464) - Thickers, Trinket (42391) - Thickers, Accent & Phrase Stockers (85657) - Lucky Charm, Discover (42366) - Remarks

 

YOU ARE MY FAVORITE DAD CARD by Becky Williams

Supplies: Die Cut Cards (85649) - Lucky Charm, Treasure Corrugated Paper (35948) - Yes Please, White (71081) - Cardstock, Moss (71054) - Cardstock, Sweetie Accent & Phrase Stickers (42363) - Remarks, Black Wish Foam Letter Stickers (53455) - Thickers, XOXO Ribbon (58868) - Premium Ribbon

 

DADDY'S LOVE by Becky Williams
 

Supplies: Collector Paper (35975) - Lucky Charm, Starlight Paper (35981) - Lucky Charm, Blue Skies Paper (35979) - Lucky Charm, Doting Dots Paper (35964) - Lucky Charm, Noteworthy Paper (35963) - Lucky Charm, Lemon Pockets With Inserts (85672) - Bits, Pie Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (85667) - Bits, Cupcake Shaped Wooden Buttons (85669) - Whittles, Trinket Printed Chipboard Stickers (42392) - Thickers, Pink Goodness Printed Chipboard Stickers (53459) - Thickers, Black Wish Foam Letter Stickers (53455) - Thickers

Coasters by Heather Leopard

Here to wrap up Gifts for Friends week is Heather Leopard with a bunch of cute altered coasters:

COASTERS by Heather Leopard

Supplies: Little Trinket Paper (35983) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Lucky Coin (35978) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Blue Skies (35979) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Raindrops (35971) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Starlight (35981) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Printed Chipboard Shapes (85655) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Accent & Phrase Stickers (85657) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Die Cut Cards (85649) - Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm 

To create the coasters, I used wood glue to adhere popsicle sticks to a long piece of thin wood. Once the glue dried, my husband cut then into squares. I then applied Mod Podge to the top of the coasters, applied patterned paper and flat embellishments, and set them aside to dry. Once dried, I used a thin sander/file to distress the paper in all the grooves because I wanted to see the lines. I also applied complimentary strips of paper to the sides of the coasters and applied top and side layers of Mod Podge to protect the paper. These coasters can be used for drinks, a candle, artwork, or whatever the recipient desires.

Join us next week for the continuation of daily inspiration!

Embroidered Clutch by Sophie Crespy

Sophie Crespy used a simple tutorial found here to sew this adorable clutch and then embellished it with American Crafts supplies: 

EMBROIDERED CLUTCH by Sophie Crespy

Supplies: Embroidery Stencil Kit, Capture (63070) - Amy Tangerine Yes Please, Premium Ribbon Pack (58869)

One more gift for a friend is in the works for tomorrow! See you then!