American Crafts Studio Blog

Blue Skies Week

Happy Monday!  Let's not waste any time announcing the winner's from QuicKutz week!  Congratulations goes out to...

Please use the Email Me link on the right to send us your shipping address and we'll get those prizes sent right out.  Thank you again to our friends at QuicKutz and for all of our awesome blog readers for playing along!  We had a blast and hope you did too.

This week we've got another inspiration packed week for you focusing on one of our new lines from CHA.

Design Team member Wendy Sue is back to help kick off the week with a fun layout. 

Wendy says: "This is such a great line to work with...I love it!  I came across these pictures of my husband and two oldest kids outside playing catch in the field last April and I thought the Blue Skies line was perfect.  The whole line just emanates spring and happy...just what I wanted!"
Supplies: 12x12 cardstock chestnut (71048) - AC Cardstock, Come on Get Happy Paper (34983) - Blue Skies, One Fine Day Paper (34985) - Blue Skies, Wouldn’t it Be Nice Paper (34978) - Blue Skies, Here Comes the Sun Paper (34982) - Blue Skies, So Fun (70049) - Flair, , Seventh Heaven (89234) - Ribbon, Watermelon Delight (43059) - Thickers, Chestnut Daydream (43063) - Thickers, Twirl (43365) - MiniMarks, .03 black (62311) - Precision Pen

Fabulous as always!  Stick around for lots more Blue Skies projects coming up this week.

QuicKutz Week: Day 5

Welcome to the final day of QuicKutz Week!  So sad that the fun has to come to an end.  It's been great teaming up with the talented girls over on the QuicKutz blog.  Before we wrap up the week, we do have a winner of last weeks Sewing Challenge to announce.  Let's give a round of applause to Sarah W. and her awesome stitching skills.  Congratulations!

And we've got a great layout from Design Team member Wendy Sue to share with you today...
Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Olive (71050) – AC Cardstock, Millie Singer (34731) – Craft Fair Paper, Ethel Dartsmith (34735) – Craft Fair Paper, Marge Hemmingway (34716) – Craft Fair Paper, Crochet (89096) – Occasions Four Ribbon, Accents Fruit Chestnut & Leaf (42549) – Remarks Books, Black Fine (62001) – Slick Writer Pen, Monogram Play 1981, Print & Cut – Quickutz, Phrase Play 1982, Print & Cut – Quickutz, Tab Play 1916, Print & Cut – Quickutz

Absolutely love how Wendy used the Print & Cut and Phrase Play from QuicKutz.  Goes perfectly with her fun photos.  She also created these awesome boxes from patterned paper and tags with stamping using the QuicKutz box and tag templates...

So cute.  Thanks for these cool ideas, Wendy!

To celebrate the last day of the party we have two huge giveaways today.  The first is a complete set of American Crafts 12x12 cardstock packs.  That's 14 packs of the best cardstock out there, packaged in our innovative open corner boxes.  AC Cardstock works perfectly with all the QuicKutz tools - they are such a great match!

 And have we got an amazing prize from QuicKutz to give away today...
Yes indeed that is a Silhouette SD!  We've got one to ship out along with a roll of transfer paper and two rolls of adhesive vinyl.  Who wouldn't want a Silhouette to show up on their doorstep?

Just leave a comment on this blog post and we'll get you entered to win our grand prize giveaways.  Don't forget to check out the QuicKutz blog to see their giveaways today as well.  Thanks to our friends over there for their generous prize donations and for rocking the AC this week!  We've loved seeing all your awesome projects.  Thanks to all of you for joining us for the party! Check back Monday when we'll announce the winners from each day and maybe a couple of surprise giveaways to add to the mix!

QuicKutz Week: Day 4

Hope you're enjoying QuicKutz Week as much as we are!  Don't forget to stop over at their blog to see all the awesome projects and giveaways there too.

Today I get to share a couple projects I made with the cool Silhouette SD.  Love this machine!
Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Powder (71064) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Leaf (71052) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Grapefruit (71021) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock, Skip to My Lou Paper (34994) - Blue Skies, Here Comes the Sun (34982) - Blue Skies, Happy Happy Joy Joy (34975) - Blue Skies, Fudge (34918) - MerryMint

I designed the builidngs in Adobe Illustrator then used my Silhouette to cut them out.  So fast and easy!  I also used Illustrator to create some word art and cut that out with the Silhouette as well...
Supplies: Fudge (34918) - MerryMint, 12x12 Cardstock Leaf (71052) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Cherry (71026) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Pool (71069) - AC Cardstock, We're Number 1! paper (34947) - Junior, Ta-Da! paper (34963) - Junior, Junior Large Fabric Brads (85263) - Elements

With the Silhouette you can cut out any font that's on your computer so it's perfect for creating titles or word art!

Are you ready for more giveaways?  Today we're going to pick one lucky winner to receive a prize pack full of products from the new Junior line...

And we've got a QuicKutz prize pack to give away as well...

Awesome nesting stars cookie cutter, embossing flowers plate, and a butterflies border die.  Just leave a comment on the blog post for a chance to win one of these prize packs!

Quickutz Week: Day 3

We're back with more inspiration and fun with our friends over at QuicKutz!  Check out this adorable card from In-House Design Team member Alisha...
Supplies: 12 x 12 Cardstock White (71081), 12 x 12 Cardstock Robin's Egg (71063), 12 x 12 Cardstock Chestnut (71048), 12 x 12 Cardstock Grapefruit (71021), 12 x 12 Cardstock Tangerine (71034)- AC Cardstock, Pocketful of Sunshine Paper (34986) - Blue Skies, Blue Skies (89232) Ribbon, Giddy Dimensional (42659) Remarks, Skip (43364) Minimarks, .03 Black (62311) - Precision Pen, Quickutz Clouds die, Quickutz, Anime Birds die

Is that the cutest card ever?  I love the adorable little birdies!  She also created this beautiful layout...
Supplies: 12 x 12 Cardstock White (71081) AC Cardstock, Peaceful Easy Feeling (34992) Blue Skies, One Fine Day (34985) Blue Skies, Happy Happy Joy Joy (34975) Blue Skies, Pocketful of Sunshine (34986) Blue Skies, Brown Sugar Mini Brads (84875) Elements, Chestnut Mini Brads (8480) Elements, Grapefruit Mini Brads (8477) Elements, Shamrock Mini Brads (8484) Elements, Blue Skies Pearl Brads (85267) Elements, White Pearl Brads (85327) Elements, Blue Skies (89232) Ribbon, Watermelon Delight Fabric (43059) Thickers, Cheerful Accents & Phrases (42661) Remarks, Bubbly Journaling Stickers (42660) Remarks, .03 Black (62311) - Precision Pen, Quickutz Butterfly die

The layered butterflies are so gorgeous!

In honor of Alisha's awesome projects using the Blue Skies line, we're going to give away a prize pack full of Blue Skies products.

And today's QuicKutz giveaway is three Revolution plates...

Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win either of these fabulous prizes!  Don't forget to swing by the QuicKutz Blog for more inspiration and giveaways!

QuicKutz Week: Day 2

Are you loving the QuicKutz party so far?  Well, we've got more to share and more to give away!

Design Team member Linda rocked out the QuicKutz on this beautiful layout...
Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Apricot (72155) - AC Cardstock, Long Time No See (34552) - Everyday paper, No. 73 Number Set  and butterfly dies (Quickutz)

So gorgeous and what a great color scheme!  She also combined AC with Quickutz to finish off this delicious looking flourless chocolate cake...

Supplies:Faye Needleworth (34730) - Craft Fair paper, Little Bo-Peep (34662) - Baby paper, Humpty Dumpty (34665) - Baby paper, Daiquiri white (42743) - Thickers, Flower and Butterfly and Nesting Flowers dies (Quickutz)

Yum!  I love the idea of using Thickers as a "mask" on top of the cake.  Almost looks too good to eat, right?

In honor of Linda's awesome Thickers idea, we're giving away a prize pack of our new Thickers...

And we're also giving away a great prize of embossing folders from QuicKutz...

Remember you have all week to post a comment - winners will be drawn Sunday night!

QuicKutz Week!

I'm very excited to announce that we've teamed up with our fabulous friends over at QuicKutz to throw a party this week!  Join in the fun here on the AC blog and over on the QuicKutz blog as well - tons of ideas and prizes.

QuicKutz was founded in 2001 and since then has gone on to be a leader of tools in the scrapbooking industry.  Die-cutting is fast, fun and easy with QuicKutz products! Everyone from first-time crafters to trendsetters can create stylish, sophisticated projects with little effort.  Forget about cutting out titles and shapes by hand. Stay on the cutting edge of paper crafts with personal die-cutting systems from QuicKutz!

Each day we'll be sharing samples combining our favorite AC products with our favorite QuicKutz tools.  And there will be two giveaways here on our blog and more if you head over to the QuicKutz blog.  So let's get the party started!

Check out these awesome samples from Design Team member Moon...
Supplies: Quickutz Blossom die, Quickutz speech bubble, Faye Needleworth Paper (34730)- Craft Fair, Boing Paper (34705)-Backyard, Observer Paper (34747)-Character, Fruit Accents Book (42548)-Remarks, Quickutz Blossom die, Quickutz speech bubble

Moon never fails to make me laugh!  I love the big Blossom font taking center stage on her card.  She also created this adorable page...

Supplies: Quickutz Metro die, Quickutz Marigold die, Fannie Mendell Paper (34715)-Craft Fair, Mona Trimenez Paper (34732)- Craft Fair, 12x12 Cardstock Coffee (71049)- AC Cardstock, Lola Threadgood Paper (34726)- Craft Fair, Mini Brads Cherry (8475)-Elements, Backyard vinyl (77196)- Fieldhouse

Love how she combined the big bold Marigold font with the smaller Metro for the title... works so well!

 

And now it's giveaway time!  Leave a comment on today's post and you'll be entered to win a prize pack of brand new stamps from American Crafts. 
We'll also pick a winner for an awesome Halloween prize pack from QuicKutz...

You'll win the Revolution branches, 2x2 embossing folders featuring a bat, spider web, spider, and trick or treat, and also the Spooky Scroll cookie cutter.

We'll leave all the drawings for the giveaways open until Sunday night and annouce the winners on Monday.  Good luck!

Sewing Week Challenge!

TGIF!  We've got another fabulous winner to announce from last weeks Remarks Stickers Sheets challenge.  Congratulations to Claude for her fabulous page!  Keep those entries coming in - we love seeing them every week.

This week we've got another fun one for you to try for the chance to win a prize pack of our NEW Blue Skies line!
All you have to do is create a layout with two AC products on it and some sewing.  No sewing machine to use?  Take a cue from Design Team member Belinda and create some awesome faux stitching with a pen...
Supplies: Telegraph paper (34753) – Character, Hey There paper (34550) – Everyday, Gidday (34544) – Everyday, Friends (70008) – Flair, Black & Peacock (42551) – Remarks book, White Darling (42910) – Thickers

So easy and looks great!

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, August 27.

Next week we're teaming up with our friends at QuicKutz to throw a week long party full of projects and GIVEAWAYS!  Woohoo!  Be sure to stop by on Monday to join in the fun.

In-House Designer Spotlight - Courtney Blair

Today we've got the spotlight on another one of our amazing In-House Designers... Courtney Blair!  She just plain rocks.  Literally.  Besides bringing her creativity to AC, Courtney hosts a radio show called Afternoon Delight on KRCL 90.9 FM.  Let's get to know a little more about Courtney...

Name: Courtney Blair
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Occupation: Designer / Volunteer DJ / Music Writer

When I grow up I want to be... when I was young I wanted to be an architect. Now I would like to own a restaurant/cafe with my husband.

If I had a million dollars I would... buy my own record shop

If I could buy only one thing at Target it would be... one of those expensive Dyson vacuums... weird

In my closet... painting easel, yoga ball, filing cabinet, a few boxes of CD's, a couple of film cameras, oh and clothes. This sounds like a rather large closet but I promise it's not.

On my desk... at work probably a few empty coffee cups. At home, one Mac + one PC (the best of both worlds) and the latest albums that I am reviewing for Salt Lake Underground.

My favorite day at work would include... I love the beginning stages of new lines and seeing them come to life. 

The best AC product is... was Details... now it's Flair.

What I love the most about my job is... being creative everyday with the best group of people.

Check out Courtney's IKEA filled home office...

Thanks for sharing, Courtney!

Postmarked Wednesday

It's Postmarked Wednesday and we've got to cards with lots of stitching to share today!

First up is this adorable card by Design Team member Jill...
Supplies: Edith Fitzbolt paper (34733) - Craft Fair, Sentiment Phrases (43335) - MiniMarks, 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock

Use your sewing machine to stitch in cool details like Jill did with her flower!


I also created a card pairing machine stitching and fabric with AC products...

Supplies: Myrtle O'Seam paper (34727) - Craft Fair, Vera White (42930) - Thickers, Carrot Round Button Assortment (8207) - Elements

Stitch on your favorite fabric to use as a background and build from there.

Hope that supplies you with some fun stitching ideas for your next cards!

Three Ideas from Amy Tan

Did you know Design Team member Amy has a clothing line that features embroidery called Amy Tangerine?  What better person to offer some great tips on adding stitching to your page.  She came up with these three awesome examples for you...

Supplies: Study Hall paper (34645) - Teen Collection, Subway Accents (42921) - Thickers, Texting Journaling Assortment (42534) - Remarks Books, Hannah & Henry (42541) - Remarks Books

12x12 Cardstock Caramel (71045) - AC Cardstock

Amy says: "Create cross-stitched letters with embroidery floss for your title!  This is the cover of a mini book for the trip I am on now... it's bound by 2 rings and looking forward to filling the book as I go. I brought some supplies with me, including a hole punch, adhesive and a stapler."

Check out this fun layout...
Supplies: Photo by www.PoliteinPublic.com, Planet paper (34745) - Character Collection, Herald paper (34755) - Character Collection, Awesome Accents (42535) - Remarks Books, Tilde Journaling (42550) - Remarks Books, Hannah & Henry (42541) - Remarks Books, Friends (70008) - Flair, Backyard Paper (77196) - Fieldhouse, Character Chipboard (77200) - Greenhouse

Amy says: "Machine stitch on your title.  Draw the letters in pencil and go over with the machine.  The photo by PoliteinPublic.com was from an amazing event at Fox Studios and the title's inspired by the silly phone prop."

And sample number three...

Supplies: Photo by www.LAPhotoParty.com, Quack paper (34691) - Backyard Collection, Ribbit paper (34688) - Backyard Collection, Pop paper (34690) - Backyard Collection, Tweet paper (34687) - Backyard Collection, Typo Peacock (42980) - Thickers, Rockabye Leaf (42956) - Thickers, Shade Journaling (42542) - Remarks Books, Fruit Accents (42548) - Remarks Books, Sun Accents (42545) - Remarks Book, Friends (70008) - Flair, Chit Chat (42908) - Thickers, Black .05 (62321) - Precision Pens

Amy says: "Create your own handstitched flourishes.  I took a cue from the Thickers Accents flourish and created some of my own.  This layout is about how Cindy and I enjoyed working with LAPhotoParty.com at numerous events. This party was held at the Four Seasons. I had fun recording all the highlights of her 3 week trip."

Awesome ideas, Amy!  I can't wait to try these on my next page!