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Holiday Cards & Gifts Week

Happy Monday! Many apologies for the delay in getting today's blog post up... I think my brain is still sleepy from all that turkey.  But we've got a week full of holiday fun in store for you here on the AC Studio Blog, so let's get to it!

This week will be filled with ideas to help you get a jump start on your holiday cards and gifts.  To start it out, here's a fantastic idea from Design Team member Paige...
Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Rouge (71027) AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Brown Sugar (71044) AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Coffee (71049) AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Spinach (71051) AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Robin’s Egg (71063) AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) AC Cardstock, 12x12 Foil: Linen Silver (71184) AC Specialty Paper, Wintergreen Paper (34896) Merrymint, Divinity Paper (34902) Merrymint, Figgy Pudding Paper (34904) Merrymint, Caramel Paper (34913) Merrymint, Marshmallow Paper (34916) Merrymint, Fudge Paper (34918) Merrymint, Snickerdoodle Large Set (59089) Clear Stamps, Small Acrylic Block (59011) Stamp Collection, Zap! Tool (90502) Stamp Collection, Rouge (27123) Zing!, Chestnut (27140) Zing!, Aqua (27143) Zing!, Metallic Green (27164) Zing!, Metallic Silver (27157) Zing!, HolidayHouse Merrymint Foil (77220) House, Seventh Heaven (89240) Ribbon, Mint Truffle (89203) Ribbon, Mint Truffle (89207) Ribbon, Mint Truffle (89202) Ribbon, Marzipan (89205) Ribbon, Merrymint Ribbon (89206) RibbonPaige says: "My blog assignment this month was to create either a holiday card or gift, so I thought, why not combine the two? These six cards featuring mostly product from the Merrymint line can be sent individually or packaged together along with envelopes and given as a sweet handmade gift. The best part? From start to finish I made these cards while watching the classic holiday movie Home Alone – with plenty of movie leftover!"

A perfect present, Paige!  We've got a lot more holiday ideas to share this week... see you tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Week Challenge!

Did you get out and do some Black Friday shopping this morning?  Eating leftovers for breakfast?  Hope you enjoy whatever is on your agenda today!  Before we hit the weekend, let's give a round of applause for the winner of last weeks Glitter Cardstock Challenge.  Congratulations Betsy... we loved your bling-tastic layout!  Here's a chance to win a prize pack of the beautiful new Letterbox collection...

So easy, right?  Here's some a perfect example from Design Team member Mary Jo...

Supply List: 12x12 Cardstock Caramel (71045) – AC Cardstock, Sunny Day Paper (34974) – Blue Skies, Zip A Dee Doo Dah Paper (34990) – Blue Skies, Defense! Paper (34954) – Junior, Ta Da! Paper (34963) – Junior, Rock On! Paper (34960) – Junior, Chocolate Rockateer (43069) – Chipboard Thickers, Leaf Delight (43060) – Fabric Chipboard Thickers, Earth Tones Mini Glitter Brads (85335) – Elements

Mary Jo says: "When I think about Thanksgiving and fall seasonal projects I’m always reminded of very warm and more subtle colors, like green, orange and brown.  I wanted to create a layout about how thankful I am for my adorable husband, but not necessarily give it a Thanksgiving theme.  The Junior and Blue Skies lines have such bright and beautiful patterns, but also a great mixture of those warm colors I was searching for.  I was able to mix those three central colors that remind me of the holiday and use fabric and chipboard thickers for my title, matching the same color scheme.  I have so many things to be thankful for and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!"

The design is awesome, but the simple journaling is definitely my favorite part of this page.

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 3.

Can't wait to see all your pages and what you're thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends in the US!  Hope you are having a wonderful day full of family, friends, and lots of good food.  Okay and maybe some football too!  Still scrambling to create some placecards for your table?  We've got some help for you this morning... check out these great ones from Design Team members Susan and Beth.

Supplies: Medium Jewel Brads Metallics (85289) - Elements, Mini Heart You Font Chestnut (43346) - MiniMarks, Chestnut (71428) - Glitter Cardstock, Yay! Paper (34966) - Junior, Defense! Paper (34954) - Junior, Elenore Battington Paper (34719) - Craft Fair, 12x12 Cardstock Leaf (71052) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Vanilla (71041) - AC Cardstock

Susan says: "Try adding a little sparkle to your place settings - both with a glitter cardstock base and added rhinestone brads!"

Fabulous - love the bling!  And here's one more from Beth...

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Vanilla (71041) - AC Cardstock, FieldHouse Blue Skies fleece (77225) - House, metallic mini glitter brad (85334) - Elements

Beth says: "To create a place card that compliments the formal yet simplistic table setting, I enclosed layered fleece shapes and an elegant script font within a simple  text box. Space on the inside of the card allows guests to write what they love about each other so everyone goes home with a full belly and a full heart. :)"

So stylish, as always! 

We wanted to take the time to say thank you to all our fabulous blog readers and for your continued support of American Crafts.  We are thankful for each and every one of you!

Postmarked Wednesday

 
Welcome to Postmarked Wednesday!  There's still time before Thanksgiving to whip up some great cards to say thanks tomorrow.  Take a peek at these great ones from Design Team member Amy and Wendy Sue!

First up is Amy with her cute card...

Supplies: Faye Needleworth Paper (34730) - Craft Fair, Haunted Paper (34774) - Halloween, Let's Trade! Paper (34956) - Junior, 12X12 Lagoon (71066) - Cardstock, Chestnut (71428) - Glitter Cardstock, Nutmeg White (43043) - Thickers, Spooky (70028) - Flair, Baby Boy (85293) - Medium Jewel Brad

Amy says: "This card is for my friends who I love visiting. They let us stay in their lovely house and we have the best time just hanging out there. I couldn't resist trying to add some stitches to the glitter paper. I always use my paper piercer first, which makes it easy to sew through thick layers."

Love the little house used on a thank you card - so cute!  And here's a fabulous one from Wendy Sue...

Supplies: White Cardstock (71081) – AC Cardstock, Here Comes the Sun Paper (34982) – Blue Skies, Zip A Dee Doo Dah Paper (34990) –  Blue Skies Paper, So Happy Together Paper (34973) – Blue Skies, Neutrals Mini Jewel Brads (85276) – Elements, Seventh Heaven Ribbon (89231) – Blue Skies, Rockabye Leaf Foam (42956) – Thickers, Alex (43362) – Minimark Rubons

Wendy Sue says: "While I don’t usually send out Thanksgiving cards –there’s never a bad time to tell someone you’re thankful for them.   I thought these fun papers looked “fallish” and worked well for a special thank – you card for this time of year."

A perfect card to send any time of the year.  Hope you can put these ideas to use and tell someone special you're thankful for them.

Holly's Placecards

Creative Design Team member Holly came up with picture perfect placecards for your Thanksgiving table...

Supply list: 12x12 Cardstock Vanilla (71041) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Glittered Cardstock Mint (71434) - Specialty Paper, 12x12 Glittered Cardstock Chestnut (71428) - Specialty Paper, With Love Paper (35011) - Letterbox, Warm Wishes Paper (35007) - Letterbox, Greetings Paper (35009) - Letterbox, Compliments Paper (35026) - Letterbox, Adieu Paper (35022) - Letterbox, Sir Paper (35014) - Letterbox, Hello Paper (35018) - Letterbox, LetterHouse Printed Chipboard Shapes (77229) - Letterbox, LetterHouse Fleece Shapes (77227) - Letterbox, Letterbox Pearl Brads (85496) - Elements, Marilyn Chestnut (43346) - Minimarks

Holly says: "With everything else on your to-do list for the holidays, who has time to spend hours making elaborate placecards for your dining room table?  Not me!  These little placecards can be whipped up in under an hour.  The brand new Letterbox line will add such an elegant touch to your table setting... nobody will guess that you didn't spend hours on them.  And, the glitter cardstock adds that perfect sparkly touch we all so love during the holiday season!"

Aren't they gorgeous?  That will be one beautiful Thanksgiving table.  Thanks for the inspiration, Holly!

Thanksgiving Week

Good Monday morning! We've got lots to be thankful for this year and are ready to celebrate the holiday all week.

Here's Design Team member Katrina with some wonderful inspiration for you...

Supplies: 8.5 x 11 Cardstock White (71273) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Autumn (71255) - AC Cardstock, Boing paper (34705) - Backyard, Wouldn't it be Nice paper (34978) - Blue Skies, Miss You (70047) - Flair, Merry Mint (89202) - Ribbon, Chestnut Puffy (42901) - Thickers

Katrina says: "Thanksgiving is a time for counting one's blessings. One of our traditions is to go around the table & name at least one thing that we are grateful for. With two great kids, I have SO much to be thankful for! I chose Wouldn't it be Nice paper from the Blue Skies collection because I liked the suggestion of "family tree" to complement the photos."

Glitter Cardstock Week Challenge!

Woo hoo it's Friday!  Let's kick it off with another great winner from last weeks Junior Week Challenge.  Congratulations to Michelle StClair!  So fun to see everyone's projects.  Ready for the next challenge?  Here it comes...
Let's see you bling up those pages... feel free to use glitter cardstock, jewels, gems, glitter brads, whatever bling bling you want to add!  The winner will receive a prize pack full of AC glitter cardstock.

Check out one more rockin' page from Design Team member Loredana using the glitter cardstock...

Supplies: Grape (71435) - Glitter paper, Cricket (71426) - Glitter paper, Lipgloss (71437) - Glitter paper, Mustard (71420) - Glitter paper, Aqua Jewel Brads (71424) -Elements, Brights Jewel Brads (85303) - Elements, Baby Girl Buttons (85277) - Elements, Tropicals Buttons (85422) - Elements, Blue skies (70048) - Flair, White (229) - Ultimate Gel Pen, Nutmeg Black (43042) - Thickers, Mirror Mirror Thistle (43040) - Thickers

Loredana says: "Hello everyone! I love this kind of papers, brilliant , perfect to make emphasis to black and white photo.They are in so vibrant colors!!!Different stripes of colorful papers give a real glamour effect at your page.  This picture was taken by my lovely boyfriend I was in Liberty Island and I was observing Manhattan from there, a wonderful, an incredible feeling. New York is in my heart, I felt so much emotions, I was so happy there, different kinds of cultures, of persons! All is incredible there!"

Now it's your turn...

1. The layout or card 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, November 26.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Designer Spotlight - Dustin Nakamura

It's time to shine the spotlight on one our our marvelous Design Team members.  She's not only beautiful and talented, but she makes some delicious cupcakes too!  Who wouldn't love to have Dusti as a best friend...

Name: Dustin Nakamura
Hometown: Rocklin, California
Occupation: SAHM

When I grow up I want to be...more relaxed.
If I had a million dollars I would...buy a big farmhouse in the country (one that has already been remodeled.....just in case my husband is reading this).
I never miss an episode of...Entourage.
On Saturday mornings I like to...sleep in!
On my iPod...Metallica, Linkin Park, Justin Timberlake....yes, I know it's a weird mix!
What I love the most about American Crafts is...the modern and fun designs and colors.

Check out these incredible cupcake wrappers Dusti put together - be still my heart!

Supplies: Beautiful Day Paper (34972) - Blue Skies, Happy Happy Joy Joy Paper (34975) - Blue Skies, Here Comes The Sun Paper (34982) - Blue Skies, Feeling Alright Paper (34984) - Blue Skies, Pocketful Of Sunshine Paper (34986) - Blue Skies, Oh Happy Day Paper (34987) - Blue Skies,  Zip A Dee Doo Dah Paper (34990) - Blue Skies, Good Vibrations Paper (34993) - Blue Skies, Skip To My Lou Paper (34994) - Blue Skies, Over The Rainbow Paper (34989) - Blue Skies

Dusti says: "I made these cupcakes for a friend's birthday. I love to dress up cupcakes with handmade cupcake wrappers. These wrappers were made using  Blue Skies papers. You can use a Starbucks cup wrapper as a template to make these.  You may need to trim town the template, depending on the height of your cupcakes. I used decorative scissors for the tops of my wrappers."

And here's a little peek into her fun craft area...

Very fun getting to know you better, Dusti!  Let us know when you need someone to taste test some cupcakes for you, ok?

Postmarked Wednesday

Happy Postmarked Wednesday!  This one's extra sparkly with two pretty cards featuring the glitter cardstock.

Check out this one from Design Team member Kim...

Supplies: Cricket (71426) - Glitter Cardstock, Chestnut (71428) - Glitter Cardstock, White (71415) - Glitter Cardstock, Aqua (71424) - Glitter Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Clay (71046) - AC Cardstock, Fudge (34918) - Merrymint,  Aqua( 62604) - Stamp Markers, Rue Large set (59134) - Clear Stamps, Mint Truffle (87641) - Ribbon

Kim says: "I have to say that opening a pack of this glitter paper in all it's glorious color, is like candy to a baby!  I can't even say which of the colors is my favorite....I LOVE them all. I wanted to make a card for a friend who is going on a long awaited overseas trip and what better way to send her on her way, than with a sweet glittery hot air balloon card, with a little note inside the double cover page. It was surprisingly easy to make too with 3D pop dots making the balloon seem like it is flying off the page!I stamped my title...oh yes I did! I am generally not much a stamper...over the years I just never seemed to have just the right colors for a project, & I hate compromising on color...that was before I reached for my AC stamp markers. Not only do the colors match the papers perfectly, but they are so easy to use too, which is saying something for me who is generally stamping challenged. I can say with certainty, that I am definitely a stamping convert!"


That is definitely one of the most creative cards I've ever seen!  Super cool, Kim.  And check out this adorable one from Design Team member Amber...

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Sand (71043) - AC Cardstock, Leaf (71427) Glitter Cardstock, Ocean (71423) - Glitter Cardstock, Sleepy Hollow (34794) - Halloween, Patisserie (34327) -  Metropolitan, Marilyn Mini Heart You Chesnut (43346)- Minimarks, Fieldhouse Fleece (77225) - Blue Skies 

Amber says: "I have never been much of a card maker but I wanted to make a quick little card about my love for fall. I love the glitter cardstock! To punch out the butterflies, I actually peeled one of the layers off of the cardstock because it was too thick for my punch. Once I peeled a layer off, it was perfect and the glitter looks so great punched out into shapes! I just wish I had more punches so I can punch all kinds of things w/the glitter cardstock! It adds the perfect dimension to any project!"

The little details of the card are perfect!  Hope both of these inspire you to use some glitter cardstock to glam of your next card.

Projects from Piradee!

I've got two incredible projects from wonderful Design Team member Piradee to share today!  You're going to love both of them!

First up is this incredible calendar page she created using AC glitter cardstock...

Supplies: 12 x 12 Cardstock White (71259) - AC Cardstock, Leaf Glitter Paper (71427) - Specialty Paper, Marine Glitter Paper (71422) - Specialty Paper, Mustard Glitter Paper (71420) - Specialty Paper, Let's Trade Paper (34956) - Junior, Tag-You're It Paper (34951) - Junior, Blast Off Paper (34959) - Junior, Shazami Paper (34969) - Junior, Fun Small Set - Clear Stamps, Earth Tones Large Jewel Brads (85305) - Elements, Pow! Junior (70045) - Flair Badges, Junior Flocked Chipboard (77221) - Treehouse Chipboard, Letterman Crimson (43071) - Flocked Chipboard Thickers, Toy Chest Junior (43359) - Rub-On Tranfers, Junior Ribbon (58147) - Ribbon

Piradee says: " It's starting to be a tradition for every month, grabing all the yummy american crafts goodies and putting together something special for that one. This month, I just adore the vibrant colors from the junior collection and the amazing glitter cardstock! So much fun! I've been addicted to make these calendars and just adore all the collections from american crafts - the december one is in the works and can't seem to stop adding more the the page!"




This is such a cool project!  So creative.  Can't wait to see your December page, Piradee.  Hope you'll share with us all. 

She also created this beautiful bouquet using the glitter cardstock...

Supplies: 12 x 12 Cardstock Spinach (71051) - AC Cardstock, Mustard Glitter Paper (71420) - Specialty Paper, Aqua Glitter Paper (71424) - Specialty Paper, Rouge Glitter Paper (71419) - Specialty Paper, Silver Glitter Paper (71416) - Specialty Paper, Pocketful of Sunshine Paper (34986) - Blue Skies, Yay! Paper (34966) - Junior, Up Up and Away Paper (34950) - Junior, Fudge Paper (34918) - Merry Mint, Divinity Paper (34902) - Merry Mint, Tropicals Mini Jewel Brads (85272) - Elements, Tropicals Medium Jewel Brads (85287) - Elements, Elegant Medium Jewel Brads (85294) - Elements, Tropicals Large Jewel Brads (85302) - Elements, Elegant Large Jewel Brads (85309) - Elements, Tropicals Glitter Mini Brads (85332) - Elements, Metallic Glitter Mini Brads (85334) - Elements, Mint Truffle Ribbon - Merry Mint

Piradee says: "With christmas not too far away, I thought I would start on fun christmas present that could be use for any season and who wouldn't love flowers? I used the glitter cardstock to cut out the larger layers and then pattern papers from junior, merry mint and blue skies collections for the front layers, to provide the flexibility to curl the papers.  And last but not least, the most addictive embellishments (my favorite) - those gorgeous jewel and glitter brads for the perfect touch!"

Simply gorgeous! The glitter cardstock paired with the jewel and glitter brads is a stunning combination.  Thanks for all the inspiration, Piradee!