American Crafts Studio Blog

Challenge: Create a Project Using Social Media

Happy Holidays!

It's Ann-Marie from the In-House Design Team and I'm here today with another challenge for you!

First Up: Create a layout or minibook from your social media feeds (i.e. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc).

@ammlovespaper by Ann-Marie Morris

Supplies: Wanderlust Paper (35548) - Amy Tangerine, You're a Star Paper (35552) –Amy Tangerine, Cedar River Trail Paper (35359) - Campy Trails, Jacob Paper (35568) - Chap, Cameron Paper (35570) - Chap, Mike Paper (35572) - Chap, Tim Paper (35577) - Chap, Remarks Journaling & Phrases (42220) - Chap, Premium Ribbon (89419) - Chap, Elements Plastic Buttons (85569) - Chap, Just Writes (64012) - Chap, Solid Glue Runner with Refill (61719) - Adhesive, Harvest Premium Ribbon (89409) - Nightfall

I don't know about you, but I can't remember life before social media...seriously! I'm especially fond of Twitter and Instagram because they are essentially a "scrapbook" of the the little moments that would otherwise be forgotten. For my project, I decided to make a minibook that features an Instagram photo to match each of my favorite tweets. I started out by gathering a bunch of patterned papers from different American Crafts lines and cut them down to 4x5.5." Then I printed my photos at 2.25x2.25" each and cut out my tweets into small strips. Finally, I embellished each page with a variety of papers, buttons, ribbons, stickers, and a few spritzes of Calico White Mister Huey. The whole project probably took less than an hour and I love having some of my social media highlights in one handmade book!

Other Options: Take a screenshot of one of your social media feeds and use it as a photo on your next layout. Base a project entirely off one of your favorite tweets. Have a bunch of Instagram photos printed and use them in your scrapbooks (I'm especially fond of PostalPix).

Leave a comment on this post with a link to your challenge by Thursday December 29th 2011, and we'll select one winner! Thanks for playing along!

 

Page Makeover by Cindy Stevens

Cindy Stevens shares her amazing layout makeover today:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Sweet Summer by Cindy Stevens

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Geyser (71469) - Cardstock, James Paper (35574) - Chap, Tim Paper (35577) - Chap, Mike Paper (35572) - Chap, Journaling Cards (64012) - Just Write, Plastic Buttons (85569) - Elements, Variety Tabs (77261) - Bits, Variety Tags (77260) - Bits, Emelio (42220) - Remarks Books, Sunny (72024) - Delights, Wonder Kale (53263) - Thickers, Lovely Straw (43243) - Thickers

Page Makeovers Week

Raise your hand if you have a layout that feels incomplete, unfinished, or not done yet? Or perhaps you have a layout that you want to completely re-do? This week our designers are giving their layouts makeovers and will showcase before and after shots! Starting with a layout makeover by Pamella Brown:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Two Months by Pamella Brown

Supplies: Cameron Paper (35570) - Chap, Jacob Paper (35568) - Chap, Mike Paper (35572) - Chap, Dave Paper (35569) - Chap, White (71081) - Cardstock, Josh Persimmon (53254) - Thickers, 4" x 6" Cards (64012) - Just Write, Plastic Buttons (85569) - Elements, Printed Variety Tags (77260) - Bits, Printed Variety Tabs (77261) - Bits, Emilio (42220) - Remarks Books

 

Want a chance to win our newest line, Chap (perfect for giving your layouts makeovers!)?

Leave a comment on this post by Friday December 23rd 2011 letting us know what you'd do with the Chap line and we'll announce the winner with that day's post. Good luck!

More layout makeovers are in the works for tomorrow!

Christmas Projects by Leah Farquharson

A big round of applause to the randomly selected winner of the Hollyday line, Miriam Prantner:

 

We're also excited to announce the In-House Challenge winner, serena!

Here is her fabulous take on the challenge using chevron:

 

Today Leah Farquharson is back to share a Christmasy layout and card!

Merry & Bright by Leah Farquharson

Supplies: Orchid Bistro Paper (35533) - Garden Cafe, Lily's Bakery Paper (35534) - Garden Cafe, Rose's Kitchen Paper (35540) - Garden Cafe, Kraft (71464) - AC Cardstock, White (71081) - AC Cardstock, Savor (42210) - Remarks Books, Little St. Nick Paper (35495) - Hollyday, Man with the Bag Paper (35494) - Hollyday, Babbo Natale Paper (35493) - Hollyday, Winter Wonderland (42201) - Remarks Books, Tinsel (89408) - Premium Ribbon, Medium Jewel Brads (85565) - Elements, Dear Lizzy Christmas Assorted Brads (85514) - Elements, Dear Lizzy Christmas Metal Assorted Brads (85513) - Elements, Wonder Pool (53265) - Thickers, Lovely Straw (53243) - Thickers, Black F (62001) - Slick Writer

Merry Christmas by Leah Farquharson

Supplies: Kris Kringle Paper (35492) - Hollyday, Father Christmas Paper (35484) - Hollyday, Black (71082) - AC Cardstock, Stocking (43393) - Minimarks, Shiny (78052) - Details, Variety Buttons (85559) - Elements, Tinsel (89408) - Premium Ribbon

We've got a unique theme for the week on the AC blog next week so make sure you stop by again on Monday! Happy weekend!

Christmas Cards by Leah Farquharson

Today's trio of Christmas cards were made by Leah Farquharson!

Christmas Cards by Leah Farquharson

Supplies: Red Suit Paper (35499) - Hollyday, Whiskers Paper (35502) - Hollyday, Kris Kringle Paper (35492) - Hollyday, Santa Baby Paper (35482) - Hollyday, Christmas Gnome Paper (35498) - Hollyday, Pere Noel Paper (35483) - Hollyday, Rose Lips Paper (35491) - Hollyday, Elf Green (53212) - Thickers, Tinsel (89408) - Premium Ribbon, Winter Wonderland (42201) - Remarks Books, Dear Lizzy Christmas Assorted Brads (85514) - Elements, Wishes (59204) - Stamps Collection, Wonderland (59205) - Stamp Collection, Black (59500) - Pigment Ink

If you haven't entered the giveaway for this week make sure you scroll down to Monday's post! Christmas weeks wraps up tomorrow!

Guest Designer: Vee Jennings

Our special guest designer this week is Vee Jennings!

Short bio: Vee lives in the suburbs of Washington, DC with her two children - Saadiq and Synai, who are a major source of her inspiration. Her designs are simple with lots of “artsy” elements added in such as paint, sewing, and spray ink to make it just on the verge of messy chic. Her motto is nothing is fully compete if it doesn't have paint or mist on it! She's been published in various magazines and idea books including Memory Makers, Somerset Memories, Scrapbook m.m, and Scrapbook Trends. She also enjoys hosting and teaching custom online workshops, designs for Studio Calico,a 2009 Memory Makers Master, and member of The Dares.

How did you get started scrapbooking: I started scrapbooking after the birth of my son, Saadiq. Once I started I never looked back and that was 10+ years ago!

What is your favorite American Crafts product: This is tough one, but since I have to choose... hands down Thickers!! I love them and will never ever get tired of using them! :)

A by Vee Jennings

To crete a fun ribbon design, use a stapler to create a pattern to tack it in place and for a bit of shine.

Supplies: Tim Paper (35577) - Chap, Jolly Old Elf Paper (35501) - Hollyday, Babouschka Paper (35490) - Hollyday, Bellsnickel Paper (35487) - Hollyday, Cameron Paper (35570) - Chap, Bowl Full of Jelly Paper (35488) - Hollyday, Red (71558) - Cardstock, Elf (53211) - Thickers, Chap Fabric Brads (85571) - Elements, Decorative Tags (77261) - Bits, Chap Premium Ribbon (89419) - Ribbon, Slick Writer Pen (62001) - Pen, Foam Adhesive (61709) - This to That, Strip Glue Runner (61712) - This to That

Happy Holidays Card by Vee Jennings

Use no more than three coordinating colors on smaller spaces in order to keep design fluid.

Supplies: Bowl Full of Jelly Paper (35488) - Hollyday, Santa Claus Paper (35481) - Hollyday,
Red (71558) - Cardstock, White (71081) - Cardstock, Holladay Decorative Tags (85555) - Bits, White Christmas (42203) - Remarks, Shiny (78052) - Details, Foam Adhesive (61709) - This to That

Vintage by Vee Jennings

Make a title more whimsical and fun by slightly stacking the letters on top of each other, I love this look!

Supplies: Richard Paper (35570) - Chap, Man with All the Toys Paper (35500) - Hollyday, Kris Kringle Paper (35493) - Hollyday, Tim Paper (35577) - Chap, Holladay Decorative Tags (85555) - Bits, Memory Marker - Charcoal (6113) - Pen, Cherry (62620) - Stamp Marker, Hollyday Buttons (85559) - Elements, Let It Snow (59219) - Clear Stamps, Reindeer (53206) - Thickers, Foam Adhesive (61709) - This to That, Strip Glue Runner (61712) - This to That

Altered Wooden Blocks by Vee Jennings

An easy way to use up extra photos and make quick presents is to adhere small photos to wooden blocks with coordinating papers and embellishments. A good place to find these blocks are thrift stores in the toy section!

Supplies: Twinkling Eyes Paper (35485) - Hollyday, Sinterklaas Paper (35479) - Hollyday, White Christmas (42203) - Remarks, Shiny (78052) - Details

Find out more about Vee on her blog, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Christmas Notebook Tutorial by Mandy Koeppen

Mandy Koeppen shares how to make this adorable Christmas Notebook in a step-by-step photo tutorial!

Christmas Notebook by Mandy Koeppen

Supplies: Opaque Rouge (27123) - Zing! Embossing Powder, Kris Kringle Paper (35492) - Hollyday, Babbo Natale Paper (35493)  - Hollyday, Be Good (59217) - Clear Stamps, Hollyday Variety Buttons (85559) - Elements

Step 1: Cut Avery plastic dividers to 9 x 6.5" then fold them in half.

Step 2: Cut patterned paper to 8.75 x 6.25" then fold them in half. Cut graph or lined paper to 8.5 x 6" and fold them in half.

Step 3: To make pockets, cut patterned paper to 8.5 x 8". Fold at the bottom 3". Fold 1/2" on both sides. You'll want to mark just above the 3" on the side folds and snip it with your scissors. I stitched the sides of my pocket with a sewing machine or just use adhesive.

Step 4: Glue the pocket inside one of the folded page spreads.

Step 5: Using ribbon or bias tape as a guide, stitch down the middle of book. You could also do this by hand.

Step 6: Adhere the leftover bias tape to the spine of the book and tie it in a bow.

Step 7: Stamp a Christmas image with watermark ink onto the plastic notebook cover, sprinkle with Zing! embossing powder, then tap the back of the cover to remove the excess powder.

Step 8: Heat the image with heat gun to set.

Step 9: Sew a button on front cover.

Step 10: Punch a hole in the back cover. Make a loop with baker's twine, hook it over the button, then go through the back cover hole and tie it in knot. This will help hold the book closed.

Your Christmas notebook is complete! You can add more embellishments if you'd like, I kept this one pretty simple.

Write down wishlists, special recipes, and more in this one-of-a-kind handmade notebook and carry it with you throughout the holidays so you can write things in it and refer back to it as you need to!

Christmas Week!

Just two weeks until Christmas! We'll show you how to use your holidays pictures on layouts, create fesitve cards to send out (better late than never!) and feature an awesome step-by-step tutorial! First up, Suzy Plantamura made a darling layout and matching card:

Gingerbread House by Suzy Plantamura

Supplies: Pow Glitter Paper Pacific (71520) - AC Cardstock, Kraft 12x12 Cardstock (71464) - AC Cardstock, White 12x12 Cardstock (71081) - AC Cardstock, Babouschka Paper (35490) - Hollyday, Babbo Natale Paper (35493) - Hollyday, Man With The Bag Paper (35494) - Hollyday, Merry Dimples Paper (35496) - Hollyday, Kris Kringle Paper (35492) - Hollyday, Garland Card Ribbon (89407) - Ribbon, Bright (78053) - Details, Hollyday Buttons (85559) - Elements, Winter Wonderland (42201) - Remarks Books, Stocking (43393) - Minimarks, Mini Jewel Brads (85282) - Elements, Elf Red (53210) - Thickers, Elf Green (53211) - Thickers, Glitter Christmas Shapes (77253) - House Collection, White Christmas (42203) - Remarks

Last year, my father was in the hospital over the holidays, so my daughter and I created a big banner with gingerbread houses all over it for his hospital wall so he could look at it all day. This made me think it would be fun to use some of these houses on a page as well. I cut my houses out of kraft cardstock using my Making Memories Slice and the Noel design card, but you could print them from online or cut out your own in basic shapes. I then decorated them with all kinds of stickers, rub ons, buttons and ribbon from the Hollyday collection. Lastly, I added some glitter glue to finish off the houses. I layered the houses over the gorgeous Pow glitter paper and cut snow hills out of white cardstock. The felt trees, snowman Details, and the glitter white Christmas snowflakes finished off my little gingerbread house scene.

A Merry Little Card by Suzy Plantamura

Supplies: Father Christmas Paper (35484) - Hollyday, Kraft 12x12 Cardstock (71464) - AC Cardstock, White 12x12 Cardstock (71081) - AC Cardstock, Winter Wonderland (42201) - Remarks Books, Hollyday Buttons (85559) - Elements, Elf Red (53210) - Thickers,  Garland Card Ribbon (89407) - Ribbon, White Christmas (42203) - Remarks, Medium Jewel Brads Primaries (85285) - Elements, Glitter Christmas Shapes (77253) - House Collection

While in the gingerbread house decorating mood, I decided to make a card with a house on it as well. For the card base, I utilized the two sided paper with the cute matching borders. I folded the paper over with the border along the edge so one side of the paper is on the inside of the card. On the backside of the border, I added another border strip to cover the writing. I decorated the gingerbread house in the same fashion I did for the pages and added it over a piece of tied ribbon. I finished off the card with a small sticker as the greeting.

For one final chance to win the entire Hollyday line:

leave a comment on this post by Friday December 16th 2011 and we'll randomly draw one winner. See you again tomorrow!

Christmas Blog Blinkies!

Check out our new Christmas-themed American Crafts blog blinkies:

Take 'em, post 'em, share em! Let us know if you've posted one on your blog, with a link to your blog, in the comments on this post!

Challenge: Create a Layout Inspired by an Image

Hi Everyone! It's Lindsey, from the In-House design team, and today we are kicking off a fun, new segment for you guys that we have lovingly titled: In-House Inspiration. Twice a month, my fellow In-House scrapbooker Ann-Marie and I will host a new challenge to kickstart your mojo and put you in the running for a hand-picked prize pack. We hope you will play along!

First up: Create a layout inspired by an image. This is a picture of a mixed media collage by Erin Loechner.

 

When I came across this photo on Pinterest, I was instantly drawn to the chevrons. I then realized that I could apply the same basic shape to my layout to create a paper-pieced tree and a mountain range. From there, I chose a random assortment of patterned papers and cardstock and started cutting and gluing. To add even more interest, I sewed a few running stitches sporadically along the tree branches and the mountain range and used embellishments from various AC lines. 

Other Options: Tilt all the elements of your project diagonally. Take inspiration from the color scheme. Cannot wait to see what you come up with.

Best Seat in the House by Lindsey Hansen

Supplies: White (71081) –AC Cardstock, Spinach (75051) –AC Cardstock, Kale (71564) –AC Cardstock, Fountain (71510) –AC Cardstock, Cedar River Trail Paper (35359) – Campy Trails, Yes Peas Paper (35549) –Amy Tangerine, Clover Cantina Paper (35537) –Garden Café, Jolly Jingle Paper (35216) –Dear Lizzy Christmas, Sleighing Song Paper (35200) –Dear Lizzy Christmas, Scott Paper (35575) – Chap, Sign on the Dotted Paper (35553) – Amy Tangerine, Holiday House (77253) – Hollyday, Kale Wonder (53263) –Thickers, John Flair (70074) – Chap, Emilio Remarks Stickers (42220) – Chap, Shane Letter Stickers (42221) – Chap, Hans Ribbon (89419) – Chap, Man of the House Chipboard Frames (77262) – Chap, Bits (77288) – Amy Tangerine

 

Leave a comment on this post with a link to your challenge by Friday morning, December 16th 2011, and we'll select one winner for the kit above that we chose just for you!