American Crafts Studio Blog

Dear 2009 from Amy Tan

Happy New Year's Eve!  As we start the countdown to 2010, we've got one more awesome layout from Design Team member Amy to share with you...

Supply List: Hello Paper (35018) – Letterbox, Adieu Paper (35022) – Letterbox, Sincerely Paper (35005) – Letterbox, Faye Needleworth Paper (34730) – Craft Fair, Touchdown! Paper (34957) – Junior, Chocolate Rockateer (43069) – Chipboard Thickers, Apricot Dolce (42927) – Fabric Chipboard Thickers, White Nutmeg (43043) – Glossy Thickers, Aqua Patchwork (42974) – Fabric Chipboard Thickers, Ladybug Patchwork (42973) – Fabric Chipboard Thickers, Black Nutmeg (43042) – Glossy Thickers, Powder Lax (42887) – Glitter Chipboard Thickers, Sunflower Lullaby (42959) – Foam Thickers, Telegram (70052) – Flair, Parcel Accents (43368) – MiniMarks, White (229) - Ultimate Gel Pen, Green (62324) - Precision Pen

Amy says: "This year was amazing in many ways, I had no idea how to best capture it all on 1 scrapbook page. I am sure I left out a lot of good things, but I tried to get down as many highlights as possible. I put together a collage of some of my favorite photos of the year (not in any particular order) and journaled the memorable moments below. It was fun mixing and matching bits and using a bunch of colors for this bright year. I love this idea and may try and do a page similar to this for every month of 2010. Cheers to a healthy and Happy New Year!!"

This layout is pure happiness.  I hope it inspires you (as much as it does me!) to take some time and create a page that contains all your favorite photos and moments from the year.  Thanks for sharing, Amy... looks like a wonderful year!

Hope you all have a happy and safe New Years Eve!  Wishing all our amazing blog readers the best for 2010!!!

Postmarked Wednesday

Happy Postmarked Wednesday!  End the year on a creative note by whipping up a wonderful card.  We have two great ideas for New Years cards for you today from our fabulous Design Team members, Dusti and Elizabeth. 

First up is this beauty by Dusti...

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Chestnut (71048) - AC Cardstock, Sincerely Paper (35005) - Letterbox, Honey Dew Salutations (53002) - Thickers, Mini Jewel Brads (85495) - Elements, Dandelion Beckett (426170 - Remarks, Note (70051) - Flair

Dusti says: "I think it will be fun to send out some New Years cards this year! For this card, I cut out two different designs from the Letterbox Sincerely paper. I added some Mini Jewel Brads for a bit of sparkle."

I would love to get a New Years card like this - would start the year off on a gorgeous foot.  And check out this cool one from Elizabeth...

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Rouge Glitter Pailettes (71419) - AC Glitter Cardstock, 5x7 White Cards (71338) - AC Cardstock Cards, Patchwork Fabric Stickers (42975) - Thickers, 12x12 Jolly (34946) - AC Patterned cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Black (71260) - AC Cardstock, Glee clear stamps (59098) - Clear Stamp Collection, Medium Jewel Brads Primaries (85285) - Elements, Medium Jewel Brads Brights (85288) - Elements, Black (62600) - Stamp Markers

Elizabeth says: "What a fun card to celebrate the New Year! I wanted to make a festive card for some friends of ours that we are going to celebrate with this year! So it's a card and invitation for a party!  I loved using the Jolly line for this and the great glitter cardstock for a fun combo it made for the perfect card!"

I think some glitter and glam is just what my 2010 needs!  Thanks for the amazing ideas, ladies.  Hope this inspires you to create some New Years cards of your own.

2010 Everyday Musings

Design Team Beth always comes up with the most creative ideas.  I love this little mini book she made to help document 2010...

Supplies:  Hello Paper (35018) – Letterbox, Yours Ever Paper (35020) – Letterbox, Goodbye Paper (35012) – Letterbox, With Love Paper (35011) – Letterbox, Dear Paper (35008) – Letterbox, Signed Paper (35024) – Letterbox, See You Paper (35019) – Letterbox, Kind Thoughts Paper (35027) – Letterbox, Cheers Paper (35016) – Letterbox, Sir Paper (35014) – Letterbox, Adieu Paper (35022) – Letterbox, Signature Paper (35017) – Letterbox, Greetings Paper (35009) – Letterbox, Truly Yours Paper (35015) – Letterbox, Reply Paper (35010) – Letterbox, Warm Wishes Paper (35007) – Letterbox, Respectfully Paper (35006) – Letterbox, Compliments Paper (35026) – Letterbox, Faithfully Paper (35021) – Letterbox, Many Thanks Paper (35013) – Letterbox, Regards (53007) –  Thickers, Letterbox buttons (85497) - Elements

Beth says: "Looking ahead to 2010, one of my goals is to document day to day life more consistently. With the help of The Simple Woman’s Daybook, (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) I created a list of prompts to help me to do just that. Using Letterbox paper and buttons I designed twelve pages (one for each month), so that by the end of the year, with a simple binder ring, I’ll have a cute mini book of my 2010 everyday musings."

Here are Beth's instructions to create a book of your own!

For individual lists:

1.  Create list of prompts in Word.

2.  Print 12 copies of list and crop to 3” x 10”, leaving about 2” above the text and 3 ¼” below the text.

3. Cut twelve 3 x 2 ¾” blocks of coordinating patterned paper and adhere to the bottom of each list.

4. Cut twelve 3 x 1 ¾” blocks of coordinating patterned paper and adhere to the top of each list.

5. Round the corners of each page.

6. Add a coordinating button or embellishment to each page.

For cover:

1.  Create title in Word.

2. Print and trim title page to 3” x 10”.

3. Add two 3 x 2 ¾” blocks of patterned paper to the top and bottom of the cover page.

4. Round corners.

5. Add number stickers and button.

Farewell, 2009 Week

Hope everyone had a great holiday!  We're back to work here on the AC Studio Blog and getting ready to celebrate again this week.  I always love the excitement that comes with a fresh new year.  It's fun to think of new resolutions, plans, and ideas for the days ahead.

So before we welcome in 2010, let's say goodbye and celebrate 2009!

Design Team member Sarah created this wonderful page to reflect on the past year...

Supplies: Yours Ever (35020) - Letterbox, Response (35028) - Letterbox, Correspond Remarks Journaling Stickers (42668) - Letterbox, Regards Thickers (53004) - Letterbox Patterned Chipboard

Sarah says: "I had a hard time trying to pick photos for an "end of the year" page so instead I just typed up all the things I did throughout the year and printed it out for a background. Then I used my 2010 picture from my New Year's cards in an "out with the old, in with the new" way. The Letterbox paper's slight retro feel went great with the photos and the journaling stickers were the perfect touch for my small handwritten parts."

Borrow Sarah's idea of journaling all the things you did throughout the year and getting it all down in your scrapbook.  I know you'll love looking back on this page in the future.  What was the best thing you've done in 2009?  We'd love to hear your fun memories!

Christmas Week Challenge!

Merry Christmas from all your friends at American Crafts!  Hope that you are having a safe and happy holiday!  Let's celebrate by announcing the winner of last weeks Favorite Photos Challenge... congratulations to Penny. 

It was amazing to see all of your favorite photos from the year, thanks for playing along.  Now here's another chance to win a wonderful Merrymint prize pack...

Here's a perfect example from Design Team member Katrina...

Supplies:12x12 Cardstock Autumn (71255) - AC Cardstock, touchdown paper (34957) - Junior, Caramel paper (34913) - Merrymint, Alex (43362) - Minimarks, Journaling Book 1 (42506) - Remarks, Metallic Mini Brads (85334) - Elements, Hocus Pocus (42990) - Thickers

Katrina says: "Who says holiday layouts have to be red & green? This festive layout shows off some of my holiday decor, using a mix of collections. It's great to mix & match collections to play up the colors in photos. Happy holidays (and happy scrapping!) to you & yours!" 

So fabulous!  I love the idea of a fresh color scheme for holiday photos.  Now let's see your projects!

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, December 31.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Merry Texas Christmas from Doris

Merry Christmas Eve!  We've got some more holiday fun to share with you today.  Design Team member Doris created this awesome layout...

Supplies: White 12 x 12 Cardstock (71081) - AC Neutrals Cardstock, Wintergreen Paper (34896) - Merrymint, Pomegranite Cinnamon (43048) - Foil Thickers, Cricket Tinsel (42896) - Foil Thickers, Cricket Tinsel Accents (42900) - Foil Thickers, Egg Nog (70041) Merrymint Flair, Teen Glitter (77190) Teen Friendshouse, Yummy Accents & Phrases (43358) Minimmarks Sheets, Chestnut Marilyn (43346) Minimarks Sheets, Frosty Color Accents (43292) Minimarks Books, Frosty Color Phrases (43294) Minimarks Books, Black 03 (62311) - Precision Pen

Doris says: "I am never at a loss for titles when I'm working on Christmas layouts.  Christmas carols work wonderfully for this purpose.  "Merry Texas Christams You All" gets me humming every time I look at it.  It brings back fun memories of my own childhood singing along with my mom's old Gene Autry Christmas album with my brothers and sisters."

All of the detail in this layout makes my toes curl!  The title treatment is too cool.  Thanks so much for sharing your fun layout, Doris!  Hope you all have a fabulous night!

Postmarked Wednesday

So, we're only two days away from Christmas and I've yet to wrap my presents.  Ok ok, I actually still have a couple to buy too!  But once I'm ready to wrap I always like to have fun gift tags to include before I putting them under the tree.  Here are a couple ideas for gift tags that I came up with...

Supplies: Faye Needleworth paper (34730) - Craft Fair, Tardy Slip paper (34646) - Teen, Roller Rink Tangerine (42866) - Thickers, 8.5x11 Cardstock White (71273) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Robin's Egg (71063) - AC Cardstock, Snickerdoodle Large Set (59089) - Clear Stamps

Use pinking deco scissors to create an easy layered tree and adhere together with foam adhesive.

Supplies: Snickerdoodle Large Set (59089) - Clear Stamps, 8.5x11 Cardstock White (71273) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Spinach (71051) - AC Cardstock, Honor Roll Paper (34632) - Teen, Drill Team paper (34637) - Teen, Earth Tones Mini Glitter Brads (85335) – Elements

Cut and combine some simple circles out of cardstock and patterned paper, then stamp on your greeting.

Supplies: Tardy Slip paper (34646) - Teen, Rose McGrain paper (34722) - Craft Fair, Junior Round Button Assortment (8526y) - Elements

A little bit of holly combined with pink patterned paper gives your gift a fun color scheme.

Supplies: Honor Roll Paper (34632) - Teen, 8.5x11 Cardstock White (71273) - AC Cardstock, Seventh Heaven (87644) - Ribbon

Build a cute snowman with three punched circles and layered buttons.  Don't forget to add a ribbon scarf to keep him warm.

Hope these give you some ideas for whipping up some tags for your gifts.  And don't tell anyone I was scrapping instead of shopping!

Teacher's Gift

Need a last minute gift idea?  Well we've got an amazing one for you from Design Team member Kim W. - check this out...

Supplies: Marshmallow Paper (34916) –Merrymint, Candy Cane Lane Paper (34898) - Merrymint, Toffee Paper (34914) – Merrymint, Peppermint Paper (34906) – Merrymint, Thin Mint Paper (34910) – Merrymint, Candy Stripe Paper (34908) – Merrymint, Let it snow (70043) – Flair, Mint Truffle (87641) – Ribbon, Neutrals Large Jewel Brads (85306) – Elements, Yummy Accents & Phrases (43358) - Mini marks sheets, Earth Tones Mini Eyelets (85455)- Elements

Kim says: "This year I decided to give my children's teachers hand made Christmas gifts, & what better range to use than Merrymint! There is something so refreshing about red & blue together as a color combination, which perfectly suited my paper purse gift bag.  Do yourself a favor & make up one of these baby's...it so rewarding to see something so cute emerge from one piece of paper, some off cuts & a few embellishments. The template can be found here."

"The surprise when she opened her little bag was that it was filled with little gift tags!"

"It was surprisingly easy to make & took me just over an hour with all the note cards."

"The flower is also hand made & again super easy.  I thought it added a bit of glam to the bag together, with some gorgeous NEW jewel brads.  It is nothing more than 5 different flower sizes with the petals rolled underneath, secured together with a brad & decorated with silver ribbon & a Flair! button."

This is perfect, Kim!  I am definitely going to put together some of those flowers to top the presents I wrap this week. 

Christmas Week

Ho ho ho!  We're only four days away from Christmas and in the mood to celebrate!  Who is with us?

It's Christmas week around here too and we've got some inspiration to deliver before the big day.  Let's start with this fabulous layout from Design Team member Amber...

Supplies: Sugar Land (34895) - MerryMint, Figgy Pudding (34904) - MerryMint, Popcorn (34903) - MerryMint, Nutmeg (43042) - Thickers, Frosty Accents clear (43292) - Minimarks

Amber says: "Since we don’t have any Christmas photos from this year yet, I chose a photo from last year that we took by making a mask of a heart out of black construction paper and holding it on the lens of our DSLR & putting it in manual focus & shooting our Christmas lights that are strung on our railing of our staircase. It creates heart shapes out of the lights! I got the inspiration for the photo & journaling design by looking through some polaroids. I just took another piece of matte photo paper that I printed my photo on & placed it below the photo to create a larger Polaroid look & to have some good journaling room. I stitched them together w/some yarn. I am so excited about this Christmas w/our new lil family that I wanted to journal about the things I want to cherish."

I'm absolutely on board with Amber about journaling the things you cherish around the holidays.  We'd love to see your favorite holiday layouts, please link us up!

Favorite Photos Week Challenge!

Yahoo it's Friday!  We've got another fun challenge for you to try, but first let's announce the wonderful winner of last weeks Merrymint challenge.  Congrats Lea to for your awesome card!  Thanks everyone for playing along... you definitely had me in the holiday spirit.  And without further adieu, here's this weeks challenge...

Here's another layout from Design Team Martha to give you some more inspiration...

Supplies:  Sugar Cookies paper (34917) - Merrymint, Marshmallow paper (34916) - Merrymint, Licorice paper (34905) - Merrymint, Candy Cane Lane paper (34898) - Merrymint, Glitter Cardstock silver (71416) - Glitter Cardstock, Ocean (71423) - Glitter Cardstock, Merrymint Marzipan (89205) - Ribbon, Let It Snow (70043) - Flair, Nutmeg White (43043) - Thickers, Letterbox printed chipboard shapes (77229) - LetterHouse

Martha says: "For my birthday this year my father collected a bunch of my childhood photos and had them put together in a book for me, it was the best gift ever as it brought back so many memories.  This photo in particular stood out to me, especially this time of year.  It is my brother in I standing in front of the Christmas tree way back in 1973 or so.  As we have grown older and moved to different states it has been years since we have been able to spend Christmas together so being able to pull out this photo and scrap it brought back so many happy memories and right now it is definitely one of my favorite photos!"

This is such an incredible layout, Martha.  I love that you scrapped an older photo and it's fun how just one picture can bring back so many sweet memories.

Now let's see your favorite photos!

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 24.

And we'll finish the week with a few more favorite photos from the Design Team... hope you've enjoyed taking a peek at these!