Studio

Celebration Week Challenge!

TGIF!  That's reason enough for a celebration, right?  And how about some applause for our winner from last weeks Cardstock Challenge, Heather Ruwe!  Congratulations!  Please email us your address and we'll get your prize sent right out to you.

And now here's another one that we hope you'll try!

Pull out those Thickers to whip up a birthday card for the chance to win a complete set of the Celebration Gift Wrapping Paper.  It's an easy one this week, so let's see those entries come flooding in!

Here's a delightful example from Design Team member Mel...
Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Blush (71014) - AC Cardstock, Sadie Hawkins Paper (34647) - Teen Collection, Drill Team Paper (34637) - Teen Collection, Fire Drill Paper (34650) - Teen Collection, Tiara Accents Aqua (42951) - Thickers, Tiara Accents Tangerine (42953) - Thickers, Tiara Letters Aqua (42947) -  Thickers, Chit Chat White (34650) -Thickers

Mel used four different sets of Thickers on her card - super cool!

To be qualified to win: 
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, June 4.

Can't wait to see all your beautiful birthday cards! 

Also a big thank you to our friends over on the Cards Magazine blog for featuring us on their blog!  Check it out for a chance to win a great prize pack.

Celebrate with a Gift

Want to create a handmade gift but stuck on ideas?  Design Team members Celine and Jill came up with these fun ideas!

Celine created this cool wall hanging for displaying photos...

Supplies: Preppy (34605) - Moda Bella, Timeless (34617) - Moda Bella, Feminine (34621) - Moda Bella, Retro (34623) - Moda Bella, Chic (34626) - Moda Bella, Cherry (8206) - Buttons, Powder (82135) - Buttons, Posh (70011) - Flair, Elle (58031) - Ribbon, Cosmo (58013) - Ribbon, Subway cherry (42919) - Thickers, Fashion Accents 2 Multi (42529) - Remarks

Who wouldn't love this creative way to store photos!  It's such a great idea that I'd want to keep one for myself too.

Jill created this fun inspirational altered frame...

Supplies: Tribune Paper (34751) - Character, Typo Peacock (42980) - Thickers, Typo Mustard (42979) - Thickers, Text Mulberry (42981) - Thickers

She says she had her son in mind when making this... a great gift for him to put on display.  Altered frames are always a fun and useful item to get as a present!

What other things have you created with AC products to give as gifts?  We'd love to hear and see your ideas!

Postmarked Wednesday + A Surprise Giveaway

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on the Gift post yesterday!  Because of your awesome enthusiasm we decided to do a surprise giveaway and send out a prize pack of Gift items.  The lucky commenter is...

Kristyn, please email your address and we'll get some Baby items sent right out to you!  And keep those comments coming in, you never know when we'll do another surprise giveaway!

Today for Postmarked Wednesday we have two more card ideas.  The first one is from Design Team member Kathy...

Supplies: Hannah and Henry (42540) – Remarks, Munchkin Phrases (43322) - MiniMarks, Little Bo-Peep Paper (34662) - Baby, Mary Quite Contrary Paper (34658) - Baby, 5x7” Cards – White (71338) - AC Cardstock, Lagoon 12x12 Cardstock (71066) - AC Cardstock

Her adorable card is the perfect match to accompany a baby gift.  And so sweet and definitely one to save.

I put together my own card to hold a gift card...

Supplies: Beep Beep paper (34704) - Backyard, Faye Needleworth paper (34730) - Craft Fair, Hannah & Henry Book (42541) - Remarks, Oscar Black (42414) - Remarks

The Beep Beep ice cream paper was a perfect match!  The tri-fold card was easy to create, just remember to cut out a bump to tuck in to close up the card when cutting it out.

And tomorrow we have some awesome ideas for creating gifts using AC supplies.  See you then!

Gift

Yesterday we shared a great way to create your own cool gift bag by using AC products, but did you know that we've also done the work for you?  American Crafts has its own Gift line full of wrapping paper, bags, bows, ribbon, boxes, and much more!

We've taken some of our favorite patterns and colors used in our scrapbook products and applied them to a unique Gift line.  Here's a little peek at ways AC helps you dress up your presents...

The Baby line combines a pretty pink and blue with warm chestnut and brown sugar.  An adorable way to celebrate the arrival of a new little one!

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, promotions... there are so many reasons to party!  The bright colors from the Celebration line are perfect for packaging up your gift.

Help a new couple start off on the right foot with a wonderful present wrapped up in a stylish way.  Use the Wedding line with its classy black and white, metallic silver, and beautiful spot varnish.

You don't need a special occasion to give.  Use the trendy Everyday line for those gifts that come straight from your heart just because you care.

And even though it's months away, is it ever too early to start planning for Christmas?  Vow to be prepared this year with our fun Christmas line.

Have a smaller gift to pass along?  We also offer great little boxes that make wrapping easy.  Try one of the adorable take-out or ribbon boxes.

Take a closer peek at the Gift catalog by downloading it here.

Which line would you most likely stock up on for your gift wrap stash?

Celebration Week

Happy Memorial Day to all our friends in the US!  Hope that you've got the day off today and some time to do some scrapping.

This week we're going to take a cue from Kool & the Gang and celebrate good times!
We've got some awesome ideas from the Design Team will be bringing you fun ideas for using your American Crafts products in your next celebration. 

To start it off, check out these cool ideas from Design Team member Belinda...

Supplies: Ribbit Paper (34688) - Backyard Collection, Fannie Mendell Paper (34715) - Craft Fair Collection, Elanore Battington Paper (34719) Craft Fair Collection, Patchwork Ladybug (42973) - Fabric Letter Thickers, Journaling Veggies (42546) Remarks sticker book, Hannah & Henry  (42541) - Remarks sticker book, 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock

She created an adorable bag and matching card to use for a birthday gift.  Just adding some patterned paper and Thickers to a plain white bag dresses it up and adds a unique homemade touch.  Too cute!

See you back here tomorrow for more ways to celebrate with AC!

AC Cardstock Week Challenge!

TGIF and time for our weekly challenge winner!  Congratulations to Bethany for her amazing wedding layout.  So many great entries for that challenge, it was fun to see all your wedding photos.  This week we've got another fun one for you to try...
Pull out your AC Cardstock to create a monochromatic layout this week for the chance to win two packs of new carstock!  Monochromatic color schemes are derived from a single base hue, and extended using its shades,tones and tints (that is, a hue modified by the addition of black, gray (black + white) and white).

Here's an example from Design Team member Shannon to give you some inspiration...

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Powder (71064) - AC Cardstock, Shoe Box Glitter White (42882) - Thickers, Miniature Accents (43324) - Thickers, Dots (59016) - Wood Stamps, Sentiments Large Set (59004) - Clear Staqmps, Large Block (59010) - Acrylic Blocks, Opaque Powder (27144) - Zing! Embossing Powder, Black .01 (62301) - Precision Pen

I love the way she used the different shades of blue on the page, even overlapping dots onto the blue cardstock.  Ready to give it a try?

To be qualified to win: 
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, May 28.

Good luck and have fun!

Flora Mini Album

I promised you a new video from the Stationery Show and unfortunately because of a mix-up I'm not able to deliver.  So sorry!  We do have plans to keep bringing you more videos in the future.  Please let me know if there's anything you'd like to see!

Today I have a super cool project to share from In-House Designer Paige.  Check out this cool mini album using AC Cardstock as the base...


So creative and an amazing use of supplies!  Hope this gives you some ideas you can apply to your next project.

And for all of you who guessed Linda's favorite product was C. Daiquiri Thickers, you were right!  She definitely rocks those on every layout she does.

Postmarked Wednesday

It's time for Postmarked Wednesday once again!  This week we're sharing some ideas for using AC Cardstock pre-cut cards.  Made out of the same great texture as AC Cardstock, our cards and envelopes come in 13 core colors. The cards are available in three sizes … 5.25x5.25; 5.25x5.25 (trifold); 4x5.5 and 5x7. Matching paper envelopes will be available as well. So easy to whip up a greeting when using these pre-cut cards.

Check out this adorable card Design Team member Bridgette created using a pre-cut card...

Supplies: 4x5.5 Vanilla 12 pack (71361) - Cards, 4.375x5.75 White 12 pack (71370) - Envelopes, Cricket (27142) - Zing Opaque Embossing Powder, White (27124) - Zing Opaque Embossing Powder, Purple (27163) - Zing Metallic Embossing Powder, Black (27148) - Zing Glitter Embossing Powder, Birthday small (59009) - Clear Stamps, BFF (88987) - Teen Occasions Four Ribbon, 3x3 Baby Dots (59016) - Wood Stamps, Celebration (71003) - Patterned Paper Box, Romance (34563) - Patterned Paper Box

She cleverly cut out part of the cake plate stamped image and adhered the cake on the inside of the card, so that it popped through the front flap.  And she made a great matching envelope...

I love it!

I also created one using the white pre-cut card...

Supplies: Marge Hemmingway (34716) - Craft Fair, Craft Fair Knit (89097) - Occasions Ribbon, Small Baby (59001) - Clear Stamps, Typo Mustard (42979) - Thickers, 4x5.5 Card Pack White (713362) - AC Cardstock

So easy to put together using the pre-cut card and AC stamps.

Tomorrow I've got a new video to share with you... a peek at the American Crafts booth from the National Stationery Show in New York City.  See you then!

Designer Spotlight: Linda Barber

This month we've got the spotlight on our wonderful Design Team member Linda Barber!  A talented grahic designer and one of the girls we loved seeing regularly in Simple Scrapbooks, Linda has been on the ACDT since August 2007.

I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know this awesome gal a little bit better...

Name: Linda Barber
Hometown: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Super hero (when I put my glasses back on, I'm a freelance graphic designer and SAHM.)

I never miss an episode of... Entourage.
My dessert of choice is... flan. Nom nom nom.
In my closet... lots of black, grey, and white. Two pairs of yellow shoes.
On my desk... my Mac, lots of scissors, and American Crafts' "Eat Cake" stamp (appropriate for any occasion or situation.)
On my iPod... every single song ever recorded by Green Day, Spoon, and the Beatles.
What I love the most about American Crafts is... its ability to stay true to its graphic style, while creating something fresh and exciting every six months. And oh, the nicest bunch of people to work with!

Supplies: Word (34557) - Everyday Collection, Tangerine (71034) - AC Cardstock, Wedding Wood Stamp (59017) - Wood Stamps, Thank You Wood Stamp (59031) - Wood Stamps, Opaque Finish Wave (27145) - Zing, Metal Photo Turn Cricket (85186) - Elements, Rockabye -Thickers Powder (42955), Hannah & Henry (42540) - Remarks Letter Book Multi

Thanks, Linda!  She also shared some great photos of her scrap space and how she has things organized.  I want to move into this room!
 

Can you guess what Linda's favorite product is?  She says she owns about 20 packs of these in all colors... is it buttons, Details, or Daiquiri Thickers?

Cardstock Week

Good morning and welcome to another fabulous week on the AC Studio Blog.  This week we're focusing on one of the newest products... AC cardstock!

Available in open stock (12x12 and 8.5x11) or boxed variety packs (5 sizes), it’s heavyweight (80 lb. cover), solid core, and textured. In fact, AC Cardstock's unique texture works like a dream in die-cutting machines and is more printer-friendly.

We offer 75 stylish colors in primaries, brights, pastels, tropicals, earth tones and naturals.  A word or two about AC Cardstock variety packs. They not only allow you to buy premium cardstock at a great value, but they’re also housed in our innovative patent-pending packaging. The box’s open-but-reinforced corner lets you feel the weight and texture, as well as see every color prior to purchase. Loose sheets mean no messy glue binding and no accidental rips.

Have you tried AC Cardstock?  We'd love to know what you think!

Here's a delightful new layout from Design Team member Jen using lots of pretty AC Cardstock...

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock White, (71081) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Orchid (71012) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Grape (71010) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Wine (71009) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Shamrock (71059) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Grapefruit (71021) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Melon (71033) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Ocean (71068) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Lemon (71039) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Vanilla (71041) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Brown Sugar (71044) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Aqua (71058) - AC cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Grass (71053) - AC cardstock, Rainboots Puffy Daisy (42965) - Thickers, Baby Wood Stamps (59016) - Wood Stamps, Hannah and Henry Letter Book (42541) - Remarks, Round Lavendar (8204) - Buttons, Round Shamrock (82134) - Buttons, Round Grapefruit (82129) - Buttons, Round Dandelion (8208) - Buttons, Round Blush (82128) - Buttons, Round Cricket (82131) - Buttons, Miniature Accents (43324) - Minimarks, Black 0.1 (62301) - Precision Pens

She really knows how to work that cardstock!  See you back here tomorrow for more great ideas!