American Crafts Studio Blog

Families Week Wrap-Up

  Congrats to the randomly selected winner of their favorite line, Karrie:

And the winner of the tote full of Amy Tangerine product, Pamela Young:

We'll start having giveaways with our newest releases soon! Thanks for your participation!

To wrap up Families week, Maggie Holmes and Mahlin Wiggur have each created a card and a layout:

Supplies: Cool Cat Paper (35389)  - Peachy Keen, Mother Always Says Paper (35388) - Peachy Keen, Baby Doll Paper (35384) - Peachy Keen, Thing of Beauty Paper (35370) - Peachy Keen, No Sweat Paper (35378) - Peachy Keen, Jitter Paper (35373) - Peachy Keen, Good Golly Gee Paper (35375) - Peachy Keen, Honey Fellow (53174) - Thickers, Dear Borders (53176) - Thickers, Plastic Rose Brads (85539) - Elements, Reinforced Decorative Tags (85543) - Bits, Bow Tie (89398) - Ribbon, Gee Golly (42192) - Remarks, Charcoal (6113) - Memory Markers, Love Set Cards & Envelopes (64001) - Just Write

Maggie says, "Since I am a new mother again - we just had our 5th baby at the end of May - I have been feeling especially grateful for our little (well it's actually quite big now) family. Even though it is a lot to manage at times and there are definitely challenges, I do feel incredibly blessed each and every day to be a mother. I've had these photos since last fall and thought it would be perfect to create a layout with them to document these sentiments. The card came together quickly and easily using the scraps that were still out on my desk. I punched various size circles and wrapped them over the top folded part of the card, then stitched them in place. It's a fun way to use up those scraps!"

Supplies: 12x12 White Cardstock (71081) - AC Cardstock, The Classics Bookplates (64007) - Just Write, Enchanted 4x6 Journaling Tickets (64005) - Just Write, Samba Paper (35442) – Margarita, Gossamer Paper (35409) - Hello Sunshine, Lakeside Park Paper (35224) - City Park, Tamale Paper (35434) - Margarita, Mojito Paper (35423) - Margarita, Dandy Paper (35397) – Hello Sunshine, Skyline Park Paper (35235) - City Park,  Havana Paper (35435) - Margarita, Hyacinth (78041) - Details, Peachy Keen Borders (53176) – Thickers, Shoebox White (42882) - Thickers

Mahlin shares, "It's a touchy subject for me, family, since I recently separated from my DH, so this is a layout about how family always is family, even if it's a bit different than before... I found a new love amongst the Just Write cards. They're so usable in many ways, the super cute tickets and the journaling spots which can be used as frames!"

Supplies: 12x12 White Cardstock (71081) - AC Cardstock, City Park Journaling Cards (64003) – Just Write, Sunshine (72012) - Delights, Made in the Shade Paper (35379) - Peachy Keen, Fancy Free Paper (35377) - Peachy Keen

"This card is meant for a newborn and his/her family. My thought is to use Thickers and spell the new little family member's name in the speech bubble!"

We hope you've enjoyed Families week and get to spend time with yours this weekend! Ta-ta for now!

PS - Design Team submissions are due to stephanies@americancrafts.com today!

Family Cards

Becky Williams is the creator of this trio of family-themed cards!

Supplies: 12x12 Kraft Cardstock (71464) - AC Cardstock, Storm 12x12 Cardstock (71472) - AC Cardstock, Zippy Paper (35411) - Hello Sunshine, Gleam Paper (35414) - Hello Sunshine, Dandy Paper (35397) - Hello Sunshine, Sparkle Paper (35410) - Hello Sunshine, Glow Paper (35408) - Hello Sunshine, Coffee Twine (58503) - Ribbon, Hello Sunshine Decorative Tags (85546) - Bits, Forest Chestnut (53159) - Thickers, Serenade Strawberry (53151) - Thickers

Supplies: 12x12 Charcoal Cardstock (71077) - AC Cardstock, 12x12 Raspberry Cardstock (71019) - AC Cardstock, Super Swell (42193) - Remarks, Audrey (42191) - Remarks, Golly Gee (42192) - Remarks, Caramel Twine (58510) - Ribbon, Foam Dimensional Adhesive (61710) - This to That

Supplies: Silver Lake Trail Paper (35346) - Campy Trails, Appleton Cove Paper (35348) - Campy Trails, Buffalo Lake Paper (35350) - Campy Trails, Snake River Trail Paper (35352) - Campy Trails, Wolf Creek Paper (35362) - Campy Trails, Sweetwater Cabin Paper (35367) - Campy Trails, Coffee Twine (58503) - Ribbon, Path (42189) - Remarks, Meadow Black (53163) - Thickers, Hardcover Aquatic (53138) - Thickers,  Foam Dimensional Adhesive (61710) - This to That

Becky shares, "I come from a family of six girls and I have four daughters of my own so I thought it would be fun to create some cards I could use for the girls in my family and for my sweet husband."

Tomorrow the winner of the weekly giveaway will be announced and we've got a few more family-themed layouts and cards to wrap up the week!

Amy Tangerine Videos and GIVEAWAY!

This afternoon, we wanted to share a few of the best CHA videos and posts we’ve found of the new Amy Tangerine line from around the web.

First, let’s talk videos.

If you didn’t see this last week, make sure you take a look. It’s cute, fun and gives a close-up of one of the most popular products at CHA—the Amy Tangerine Mini Book. 

 

In this video, Amy shows her line to Jamie Sorenson of Two Peas in a Bucket.

Kraftin Kate gives you an exclusive close-up look at the papers and some embellishments in the collection here.

On Scraptime, Amy talks about her adhesive-backed fabric paper and shows how she used it to line the inside of a suitcase.

And last, but not least, Amy shares the Mini Book she created during CHA with Blue Moon Scrapbooking here.

Want to see more? We know you do!

Shimelle posted some great pictures of the Amy Tangerine collection here.

And Scrapbook & Cards Today is giving away the Amy Tangerine collection PLUS an autographed Amy Tangerine tote! They posted a few sneak peeks of our other collections, too.

Are you dying to get your scrappy little hands on the Amy Tangerine collection? Here’s your chance!  Simply subscribe to our YouTube Channel (click on the yellow “subscribe button on the top of the page), and leave a comment below telling us which new Amy Tangerine product you’re the most excited about. We’ll choose one winner on Friday, July 29 to walk away with a tote full of Amy Tangerine goodies!

Guest Designer of the Week: Mandy Koeppen

I'm excited to introduce our Guest Designer of the Week: Mandy Koeppen!

Her family-themed layouts, cards, and projects are going to leave you with a smile on your face and have you rushing to your scrapspace to get working!

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Good Golly (70068) - Flair, Frisbee (78038) - Details, Journaling Cards (64010) - JustWrite, Brilliance Paper (35415) - Hello Sunshine, Iguana Melon (53193) - Thickers, Empanada Paper (35429) - Margarita, Long Variety Tags (85530) - Bits

"I love all those bright colors and fun patterns of the Margarita line so what better way to use those products then to document all my family's sweet summer time happenings that we will miss when the snow starts flying here in Michigan in just a few short months again."

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Easy Peasy Paper (35382) - Peachy Keen, Gee Whiz Paper (35383) - Peachy Keen, Bliss Paper (35395) - Hello Sunshine, Fluttery Paper (35417) - Hello Sunshine, Good Golly (70068) - Flair, Forest Vanilla (53162) - Thickers

"My silly girls are always bickering back and forth but all that gets set aside if something happens or someone else messes with one of them the other is always there. It's crazy how they can bicker one minute then be so loving and besties the next. The title says it all - it truly is a love of a sister."

Supplies: Good Golly (70068) - Flair, Forest Vanilla (53162) - Thickers, Easy Peasy Paper (35382) - Peachy Keen, Neat-O Paper (35392) - Peachy Keen, Jitter Paper (35373) - Peachy Keen, Stumpy Meadow Paper (35347) - Campy Trails, Snake River Paper (35352) - Campy Trails, Oak Point Paper (35364) - Campy Trails, Gossamer Paper (35409) - Hello Sunshine, Dusk Paper (58673) - Hello Sunshine, Fluttery Paper (35417) - Hello Sunshine, Empanda Paper (35429) - Margarita, Frisbee (78038) - Details, Super Swell (42193) - Remarks

"This layout came together super quick and easy. I decided to use the 2 in the together rather than changing the title all together after running out of t's. I really like creating layouts using little bits and scraps that I have leftover after completing projects and this is one of those layouts. I didn't realize 'til my husband read the journaling then looked at the layout again that the bumps down in the bottom and the hot air balloon at the top actually go great with the journaling about life's journey and its ups and downs."
Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Suzie Strawberry Paper (35330) - Confetti, Holly Hazelnut Paper (35323) - Confetti, Peppermint Penny Paper (35343) - Confetti, Brilliance Paper (35415) - Hello Sunshine, Sunnyside (72010) - Delights, Sunrise Geranium (53178) - Thickers, Iguana Melon (53193) - Thickers

"One look at the Confetti line it screams birthday cupcakes and that’s how the idea of these cards came about. The cute Delights used with the strips at the bottom of the pattern paper remind me of sparkling candles. Simple easy and fun!"

Supplies: Samba Paper (35442) - Margarita, Ned (43130) - Minimarks

"Love this paper - it screams fussy cut and layer up to me. Add a rub on from my stash and you have a really quick card to put a smile on someone's face."

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Antonio (42196) - Remarks, Stumpy Meadow Paper (35347) - Campy Trails, Havana Paper (35435) - Margarita

"'Brush your teeth!' I don't know about you, but in my house I repeat that phrase every day at least 2-3 times. I'm pretty sure my kids think summer break means a break from all things, even brushing your teeth. So to remind them I made this cute little wall art with the awesome Antonio Remarks. I love the bright colors and they work great in a bathroom that belongs to two little girls. Now every time they are in the bathroom they are reminded to scrub their pearly whites."

Supplies: Decorative Tags (85553) - Bits, Margarita Diamond Brads (85549) - Elements

"Framed tag art is a simple way to add some fun and bright colors to our sitting room this summer."

Here's a little questionnaire to get to know Mandy even better:

How did you get started scrapbooking?
I was given a pad of 12x12 paper at my first child's baby shower. I made a little mini album filled with Teagan's first photos and that was it. I picked scrapbooking up again after Mav was born but with two children under two I was way too busy so I gave it up again. Then in 2006 within months of Avery's birth Mav was diagnosed with Autism and I needed something for me, something to get those emotions out and be able to deal with all the things I was going through - a sort of therapy without having to go lay on some couch to talk to a total stranger. So I turned to scrapbooking again, this time a whole new spark was lit in me. Since then I have had this passion for documenting our lives and stories in this fun and creative way called scrapbooking!

What would you say your scrapbooking “style” is?
My style? This a question I always stumble with because I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinda gal. When I create I just go with the flow. If it comes to mind and I can make it work I'm good with that. I always focus on my photos and add paper and bits that fit so today I'm going to say I'm a 'Modern Paper Piecing Mix'. No there is no definition for that in the dictionary and google probably can't find it out there on the web either but if you could find it I'm pretty sure you'd say, "Yep, that's totally her style".

What is your favorite technique?
To be honest I don't consider myself super techniquey. I wish I were but I'm not. I'm not sure this is really a technique but I love to use a mix of photo sizes on my layouts as you can see in my work posted here.

When do you find time to scrap?
Ha this one made me giggle a bit because scrap time varies especially during the summer with all three kiddos home. I always seem to find time whether it's during the kid's movie time, when my hubs gets home, on the weekends, or when my night owl habits kick in I always find some time to scrap. Sometimes the kiddos come create with me or they watch a movie on the laptop while I create.

On average, how long does it take you to complete a project?
I usually can get a layout done in 30 minutes to an hour. After an hour if it's just not working I move on. Altered stuff and mini albums usually take 30 minutes to a few hours. I usually have something in mind when I go to create. Most of the time that is never how it comes out but it's a good place to start.

What is your favorite thing about American Crafts?   
I must admit I have loved American Crafts for awhile and have a nice stash of AC items. I love the products, patterns, colors, and quality AC products have year after year. As for a favorite product American Crafts I have so many so I'll narrow it down to my top three: Precision Pens (the best), Flair (so cool), and Thickers are AWESOME I absolutely love love love the Lullaby thickers it's my number #1 fav font!

Visit Mandy's blog to learn even more about her and take in her fresh style!

Families Week Giveaway!

Here's your last chance to get your hands on your favorite line released at CHA Winter 2011 - we're making room for all of our newest releases!

Let us know by Friday, July 29th in a comment on this post what your favorite line is from the above selection and we'll randomly select one winner to receive that entire line! Good luck and come back again tomorrow for the Guest Designer of the Week!

Embossed Handprints Wall Hanging Tutorial

Jen Jockisch is always creating fun projects to share with you and today is no exception! We're going to learn how to make this embossed handprints wall hanging with step-by-step photos:

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock White (71081) - AC Cardstock, Aqua Opaque Finish (27143) - Zing!, Grapefruit Opaque Finish (27135) - Zing!, Hardcover Aqautic (53138) - Thickers, Sunshine (72012) - Delights

Jen says, "I created a fun and simple project you can easily recreate and I love that you can make it with your kids. I will warn you that if you have a baby, it's a little more difficult to get a good image, but our 4 year old Ayla had a blast making this and it's something that I will treasure for years to come." 

What you need:

Foil (to catch messes made by kiddos who think embossing powder is fun to play in!)

American Crafts cardstock

Embossing Ink Pad

American Crafts Zing!

Wet wipes (for cleaning messy hands) 

Heat tool

Thickers

American Crafts Delights

Frame with or without glass

Step 1 - Set some foil down and place a sheet of 12x12 cardstock on top. Have your inkpad and Zing close by. 

Step 2 - Ink your kiddos hands. My 4 year old Ayla wanted to do hers herself, but I helped and made sure her hand was really well covered in ink.

Step 3 - Place hand on cardstock. I pressed down on top to make sure we got a really good image. 

Step 4 - Sprinkle on Zing! embossing powder and shake off the excess back into the jar.

Step 5 - Emboss with a heat tool.

Step 6 - Cut the cardstock to fit your frame (alternately, you can start with the correct size cardstock).

Step 7 - Add Thickers with the names and ages of the participants.

Step 8 - Add a Delights dimensional sticker to the bottom right corner.

Step 9 - Place the cardstock in the frame and adhere with tape to the matboard. I took the glass out because of the dimension of the Delights embellishment. 

Now your children's handprints will be preserved forever in a cute and adorable frame!

Thanks for stopping by! The weekly giveaway is coming up in a few hours - see you then!

Families Week!

What do you scrapbook about? Daily adventures? Place you've been? Your favorite things? Your family? This week we're going to focus on that last topic - families! What better way to remember the times (good and bad - we tell it all!) you've had with those you love most than with the hobby known as scrapbooking? Leslie Ashe and Melanie Louette, both moms to darling kids, kick off the week with a pair of layouts and cards:

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Vanilla Damask (71159) – AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Vanilla (71502) – AC Cardstock, Stumpy Meadow Paper (35347) – Campy Trails, Caribou Creek Paper (35351) – Campy Trails, Cherry Chip Paper (35336) – Confetti, Glee Paper (35402) – Hello Sunshine, Many Splendored Paper (35180) – Love, Aquatic Hardcover (53138) – Thickers, Chestnut Poolside (53075) – Thickers, Aquatic Paperback (53132) – Thickers, The Classics Medium Brads (85525) – Elements, Confetti Assorted Buttons (85530) – Elements, Love Buttons (85509) – Elements, Just Dandy (82304) – Mementos, Peachy Keen Reinforced Tags (85543) – Bits, Hyacinth (78041) – Details, Caramel (58510) – Ribbon, Black (62600) – Stamp Marker

 

Leslie remarks, "Clustering is one of my favorite things to do when it comes to embellishments. By mixing different elements, I think it gives a playful, fun and youthful effect. I used bright and colorful clusters that remind me of my sweet kids."

Supplies: 12x12 Cardstock Banana (71502) – AC Cardstock, 12x12 Cardstock Kraft (71464) – AC Cardstock, Gee Whiz Paper (35283) – Peachy Keen, Hamlet Paper (35302) – The Classics, Chestnut Nutmeg (43045) – Thickers, The Classics Buttons (85523) – Elements, Love Buttons (85509) – Elements, Hello Sunshine Fabric Brads (85544) – Elements, Caramel (58510) – Ribbon, Heartstrings (89384) – Ribbon, Black (62600) – Stamp Marker, Charcoal (62601) – Stamp Marker

"This card is very simple to re-create. I simply made a house by punching two 1 inch squares and trimming a triangle from one of the squares for my house. I added several punched hearts along a border and added ribbon with a tiny knotted bow for a dimensional effect. I also added twine to the buttons before placing them on the hearts. This card represents a family of love."

Supplies: 8 1/2 x 11 White (71273) - AC Cardstock, Hardcover Aquatic (53138) - Thickers, A Wrinkle in Time Paper(35301) - The Classics, The Classics Large Pearl Brads (85527) - Elements, Foreward (43389) - Minimarks, 4x6 Cards (64006) - Just Write, .03 Black (62311) - Precision Pen

Melanie shares, "Since I got my iPhone I don't carry my 'big' camera around nearly as much. I snapped these photos of my son with his grandfather on my phone last week and was inspired to scrap them because I have never done a page about him. He is 81 years young and a wonderful Grandpa. I used The Classics line of paper for this page since I wanted to give my layout a timeless feel. I kept it simple (once again!) because of the funky photo treatment and added only a few small red accents as my embellishments."
Supplies: Bookmarks (64006) - Just Write, Bookplates (64007) - Just Write, Hardcover Aquatic (53138) - Thickers, The Classics Large Pearl Brads (85527) - Elements, Foreward(43389) - Minimarks, Brown Fine (62006) - Slick Writer, Bow Tie( 89398) - Ribbon

"I really like the blank 4x6 Just Write cards, they're perfect for a quick card that you can dress up for any occasion. I made this one with my husband in mind, as our 16th wedding anniversary is coming up this month. I took two identical cards, scored one of them at the top and folded it, and then joined them together at the fold with the AC tape. I placed the rub on title in the middle and then embellished the rest of the card from there."

Stay tuned for even more family-themed projects tomorrow plus our weekly giveaway!

Thickers Week Wrap-Up

A big congratulations to the randomly selected winner of a whole bunch of Thickers, Jennifer Chapin:

In-House Scrapbooker Sarah Champion and Design Team Member Leah Farquharson wrap-up Thickers week with their fun projects:
Supplies: No Sweat Paper (35378) - Peachy Keen, Dandelion (71037) - AC Cardstock, Parfait (71499) - AC Cardstock, Pool (71069) - AC Cardstock, Subway White (42918) - Thickers, Mini Brads White (8472) - Elements, Black Fine (62001) - Slick Writers, Dimensional Dots (61709) - This to That

Sarah remarks, "I wanted to do a layout that focused on type and using Thickers is the easiest way to do that. I also wanted to add a little more interest to the Thickers so I put colors behind the centers of the letters."

Supplies: Easy Peasy Paper (35382) - Peachy Keen, Gee Whiz Paper (35383) - Peachy Keen, Fancy Free Paper (35377) - Peachy Keen, Fellow Sherbet (53173) - Thickers, Fellow Fog (53175) - Thickers, Black .03 (62311) - Precision Pens, Dimensional Dots (61709) - This to That

"I love the Peachy Keen line, especially the Thickers. So, I just used a song lyric and emphasized a few of the important words using Thickers and hand wrote the rest!"

Supplies: Appleton Cove Paper (35348) - Campy Trails, Elk Creek Trail Paper (35354) - Campy Trails, Kale Forest (53161) - Thickers, Popcorn Meadow (53166) - Thickers, Smores (89396) - Ribbon, Hot Dog (89397) - Ribbon, Path (42189) - Remarks, Hike (42190) - Remarks, Reinforced Decorative Tags (85534) - Bits, River (78044) - Details, Brown Fine (62006) - Slick Writer

Leah shares, "Recently, our oldest son began asking about the Harry Potter series of books, and thinking it over, I decided that he's ready. I know the timing is different for every kid, so I didn't take this lightly. Fantasy fiction is one of my very favorite genres of literature - so needless to say, I'm enjoying our nightly reading times just as much {maybe even more!} than he is. There's something about sharing our personal loves with our children and passing them on to see their own wonder as they discover them..."

Supplies: Fox Park Forest Paper (35353) - Campy Trails, Salmon Cove Paper (35366) - Campy Trails, Dainty Paper (35404) - Hello Sunshine, Delicate Paper (35413) - Hello Sunshine, Sunrise Borders (53185) - Thickers, Brown Sugar Hardcover (53137) - Thickers, Aquatic Hardcover (53138) - Thickers, Natural Sunrise (53180) - Thickers, Aqua (59504) - Pigment Ink, Clear (27170) - Zing!,  Dimensional Tabs (61710) - This to That; Other supplies: Extra thick foam core board

"I recently came across something similar while browsing (or, should I say, running down the aisles with the kids?) at Target, and thought it was really, really clever! I couldn't find any samples, and since I didn't grab a pic, I opened up photoshop to plan out this little piece. Once I played around on the computer, putting it together was really quick!"

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comments every day! See you back here again on Monday!

Thickers Cards

Michelle Lanning made three happy cards featuring Thickers - check 'em out now:

Supplies: Frankie Fudge Paper (35342) - Confetti, Coconut Cody Paper (35328) - Confetti, Sadie Spice Cake Paper (35333) - Confetti, White (71081) - Cardstock, Pin The Tail (42186) - Remarks, Delight Robin's Egg (53073) - Thickers

Michelle explains, "For this card I was inspired by birthday donkey. I wanted to draw focus to it so I kept it at the center of the card. I created a fringe border to go along with the birthday theme (I was thinking pinata here). I finished it off with my favorite sized Thickers! This is such a fun card to give a child for their birthday."

Supplies: Sadie Spice Cake Paper (35333) - Confetti, Darbie Devil's Food Paper (35339) - Confetti,Frankie Fudge Paper (35342) - Confetti, Bows (87648) - Ribbon, Frankie Fudge Paper (35342) - Confetti, Pin The Tail (42186) - Remarks, Subway White (42918) - Thickers   

"I love the colors in this line so much. I decided to make a non-birthday card to have in my stash, just in case. I kept it pretty simple, letting the greeting take up most of the design of the card. I think this makes it nice and friendly :)"

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Neopolitan Nellie Paper (35327) - Confetti, Peppermint Penny Paper (35343) - Confetti, Cheer Banana (53156) - Thickers, Serenade Strawberry (53151) - Thickers, Hooray (70064) - Flair, Cheer Accents (53157) - Thickers

"With this card I really wanted to play up the glitter Thickers. They are so fun and I have not used them enough. To make them fit I used them vertically. I cut strips of patterned paper to make a ribbon-like border on the left."

Tomorrow I'll announce the winner of the plethora of Thickers and showcase a few more Thickers projects!

Guest Designer of the Week: Jenni Hufford

Jenni Hufford is the extraordinarly talented guest designer this week!

  The way she used Thickers on her 3 layouts, 2 cards, and mini album will inspire you!
Supplies: Nifty Paper (35386 - Peachy Keen, Good Golly Gee Paper (35375) - Peachy Keen, Radiant Paper (35396 - Hello Sunshine, Easy Peasy Paper (35382) - Peachy Keen, Lovely Lady (78047) - Details, Iguana Azure (53192) - Thickers, Fellow Fog (53175) - Thickers, Meadow Popcorn (53166) - Thickers, Sunrise Geranium (53178) - Thickers, Macaw White (53186) - Thickers

"My new favorite source of inspiration is Pinterest! I could spend hours on Pinterest finding countless numbers of inspirational pieces (and then bookmarking them!)  Recently I saw a wall art piece floating around Pinterest with all the sayings in this layout.  I love the meaning behind it and thought it would make for a fabulous scrapbook layout with a picture of my family. I used seven different Thickers styles to highlight the different phrases. I love the typography feel the various Thickers add to the layout!"

Supplies: Stumpy Meadow Paper (35347) - Campy Trails, Fox Park Forest Paper (35353) - Campy Trails, Zippy Paper (35411) - Hello Sunshine, Hot Dog (89397) - Ribbon, Hike (42190) - Remarks, Meadow Popcorn (53166) - Thickers, Margaria Diamond Brads (85549) - Lovely Lady (78047) - Details, 12x12 Sand (71043) - Cardstock, 12x12 Melon (71033) - Cardstock, 12x12 White (71081) - Cardstock

"I created this layout after a recent visit with family at a State Park. Naturally the Campy Trails line was a perfect match for this theme and the colors in my photos. (I may or may not have dressed my son in an orange shirt that day to match this specific line!) I took SO many photos and knew this would be a multi-photo layout. I created a photo grid with eight wallet sized photos and included various American Crafts embellishments, trims, and brads behind the photo grids. For the title I mounted Thickers onto orange American Crafts paper and outlined them with a pen. After trimming, I mounted the Thickers on white American Crafts cardstock and trimmed. This really made the title pop against the photo backdrop!"

Supplies: Meadow Popcorn (53166) - Thickers, Sunrise Geranium (53178) - Thickers, Macaw Sunshine (53188) - Thickers, Iguana Melon (53193) - Thickers, Iguana Azure (53192) - Thickers, Fantastic Salmon (53108) - Thickers, Forest Kale (53161) - Thickers, Sunset Blush (53182) - Thickers, Nutmeg Black (43042) - Thickers, Charming Chap (78046) - Details, 12x12 White (71081) - Cardstock, .03 Black (62311) - Precision Pen

"I made this quick and easy card using the adorable typewriter Details sticker and some odds and ends in my Thickers stash! I always seem to have a few loose letters leftover in a pack and this is a great way to use them up!" Supplies: Iguana Azure (53192) - Thickers, Fellow Fog (53175) - Thickers, Margarita Journaling Cards (64010) - JustWrite, Flamenco Paper (35419) - Margarita, Decorative Tags (85553) - Bits, Sangria Paper (35441) - Margarita

"This photo cracks me up and I couldn't wait to put it in a layout. My two kids and I had spent some time running through the sprinkler and setting the timer to get some fun action shots. I kept checking the view finder to see what the images looked like and that's when I turned to see my daughter doing the same thing on her play camera (checking a pretend viewfinder!) It was so funny and thankfully my camera was already in my hands so I could capture the moment! It really made me laugh and was a great reminder those little eyes are always watching me!! I made a grid with the Just Write Journaling Cards and added a border title with the Thickers. I added a second border around the photo - it was just the right touch to finish the layout."
Supplies: Easy Peasy Paper (35382) - Peachy Keen, Nifty Paper (35386) - Peachy Keen, Peppermint Penny Paper (35343) - Confetti, Bow Tie (89398) - Ribbon, Fantastic Salmon (53108) - Thickers, Serenade Spearmint (53152) - Thickers

"For this card I hand drew a heart and covered it in teal Thickers, then I layered the word "love" on top. It's a neat/different way to add dimension and a pattern to a project! And, once again, a great way to use leftover Thickers in a packet!"

Supplies: Margarita Journaling Cards (64010) - JustWrite, Decorative Tags (85553) - Bits, Empanada Paper (35429) - Margarita, Merengue Paper (35438) - Margarita, Tamale Paper (35434) - Margarita, Jovial Paper (35398) - Hello Sunshine, Dandy Paper (35397) - Hello Sunshine, Splendor Paper (35401) - Hello Sunshine, Zippy Paper (35411) - Hello Sunshine, Brilliance Paper (35415) - Hello Sunshine, Spree Paper (35400) - Hello Sunshine, Glow Paper (35408) - Hello Sunshine, Banana Cream Brady Paper (35326) - Confetti, Marley Mocha Paper (35331) - Confetti, Ruby Raspberry Ripple Paper (35345) - Confetti, Deer Creek Paper (35349) - Campy Trails, Black Fork Paper (35363) - Campy Trails, Hike (42190) - Remarks, Hot Dog (89397) - Ribbon, Fox Park Forest Paper (35353) - Campy Trails, Iguana Azure (53192) - Thickers, Iguana Melon (53193) - Thickers, Meadow Popcorn (53166) - Thickers, Sunrise Geranium (53178) - Thickers, Rockabye White (42954) - Thickers, Forest Kale (53161) - Thickers, Rockabye Powder (42955) - Thickers, Macaw White (53186) - Thickers, Macaw Sunshine (53188) - Thickers, Sunset Blush (53182) - Thickers, Nutmeg Black (43042) - Thickers, Subway Bubblegum (43150) - Thickers, Rockabye Taffy (43029) - Thickers, Lovely Lady (78047) - Details, 12x12 White (71081) - Cardstock, 12x12 Sapphire (71074) - Cardstock

"Right now, it's VBS (Vacation Bible School) week for my kids and I thought it would be perfect to create a little mini album for them highlighting the Creation Week (as found in Genesis 1) to compliment with what they are learning at VBS. I had SO much fun putting this together and it was so fun to use the American Crafts products in a creative way in order to coordinate with each day of Creation's theme. I used many different kinds of Thickers for each day's title and description. My kids LOVE this and they are learning at the same time!"

We asked Jenni some questions to get to know her a little bit better and here are her responses:

How did you get started scrapbooking?
I was first introduced to the hobby by my mom when I was in high school. She surprised me with three huge scrapbooks of my birth until high school at my high school open house. It was SO neat to look through the books at my life-time memories. It wasn't until I had my first child five years ago that I began to scrapbook. When he was born he had some unexpected complications and spent 12 days in the NICU (everything turned out fine). Once we were home safe and sound, I was left with so many thoughts and stories I wanted to document and share, so I began to scrapbook. In a sense, scrapbooking was my therapy as I process those 12 days.  I have been scrapbooking ever since.

What would you say your scrapbooking “style” is?
Describing my style is so hard for me to do - I feel like it's always changing. But, at the moment I would say I am really into textures, details, grids, and layering. You will usually find staples somewhere on my layouts and always handwritten journaling.

What is your favorite technique?
Like my style, I feel like my favorite techniques are always changing - right now I am really enjoying misting - there is so much you can do with a bottle of mist! I also LOVE punches and my circle punch. I probably use it too much, but there is a special place in my heart for circle punch grids.

When do you find time to scrap?
I stay at home with our 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter so I usually scrap either in the evening or while my daughter is napping (while my son is at school), but the summertime is a whole new ball game and is a little trickier!

On average, how long does it take you to complete a project?
A project can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours! Much of it depends on how inspired I am for the particular projects. I have had times where the layout just falls into place easily and there are times where I feel like I am pushing paper around and nothing looks right. Usually when that happens I step away from my craft desk and do something different. After a little break I usually come back refreshed with ideas and inspiration.

What is your favorite thing about American Crafts?
Do I have to pick just one?? There are so many things I love about American Crafts, but if I had to choose one I would have to say the Thickers!! I have a CRAZY amount of Thickers in my stash - yet I always seem to need (want) more.

Make sure you stop by Jenni's blog to see all kinds of wonderful creations and inspiration - you'll be glad you did!