American Crafts Studio Blog

Shoreline Projects by Pamella Brown

First we want to wish a big congratulations to the winner of the Shoreline collection, Genie Smith:

Wrapping up Shoreline week is Pamella Brown with a layout and a card:

RELAX & CATCH SOME RAYS by Pamella Brown

Supplies: Myrtle Paper (35725) - Shoreline, Oceanside Paper (35727) - Shoreline, Coronado Paper (35728) - Shoreline, Edgewater Paper (35739) - Shoreline, Dimensional Stickers (42247) - Shoreline, Die Cut Shapes (85585) - Bits

THIS IS THE LIFE by Pamella Brown

To create the sun on my layout, I used a 3" circle punch and punched the center of the Neptune patterned paper out. I then stitched four lines over the circle to make rays. I layered the sun die cut on the top.

Supplies: Vero Paper (35719) - Shoreline, Neptune Paper (35729) - Shoreline, Sea Isle Paper (35732) - Shoreline, Carpinteria Paper (35721) - Shoreline, Cascade Boardwalk (53363) - Thickers, Dimensional Stickers (42247) - Remarks, Flamingo (42249) - Remarks Books, Paper Flowers (85584) - Delights, Die Cut Shapes (85585) - Bits

We hope you've enjoyed seeing all of the Shoreline projects featured this week! We'll be back again on Monday with a brand new week of fun!

Reminder!

This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last day to submit your application to be on the 2012-2013 American Crafts Design Team! Find all of the details on THIS post. Thank you!

Shoreline Cards by Leah Farquharson

This trio of Shoreline cards was made by Leah Farquharson:

BEST WISHES by Leah Farquharson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! by Leah Farquharson

THANKS by Leah Farquharson

Supplies: Camera (59156) - Clear Stamps, Jar (59157) - Clear Stamps, Biscayne Paper (35720) - Shoreline, Melbourne Paper (35718) - Shoreline, Santa Monica Paper (35723) - Shoreline, Ventura Paper (35731) - Shoreline, Encinitas Paper (35735) - Shoreline, Belmont Shore Paper (35741) - Shoreline, Pebble Beach Paper (35741) - Shoreline, 6x6 Paper Pad (35742) - Shoreline, Pelican (42248) - Remarks, Flamingo (42249) - Remarks Sticker Book, Paper Flowers (85534) - Delights, Pinwheels (85536) - Shoreline, Sunflower (59514) - Pigment Ink, Denim (59502) - Pigment Ink, Aqua (59504) - Pigment Ink, Denim (71073) - Cardstock, Kraft (71464) - Cardstock, Grapefruit (71021) - Cardstock, Mustard (27137) - Zing! Embossing Powder

You can find the fun banner stamp that has become a staple in Leah's scrapbooking stash here on the American Crafts website!

Have you scrolled down to Monday's post and entered the giveaway for a chance to win the entire Shoreline collection?! There's still time so make sure you do!

Shoreline Guest Designer: Melanie Blackburn

I'm excited to introduce our Shoreline Guest Designer: Melanie Blackburn!

Short bio: Hello fellow crafters! My name is Melanie Blackburn, I’m a proud mom to two wonderful girls, soon three (I’m due in a couple of weeks!), and I'm married to my high school sweetheart Dan. I work full time outside of the home and when I have some free time I like to get crafty which includes, scrapbooking, photography, and gardening. It has been a dream and an honor to guest designer for American Crafts! 

How did you get started scrapbooking? I started scrapbooking after the birth of my first daughter, which was almost 8 years ago. I fell in love with this hobby and haven’t stopped since. I have met so many wonderful people because of this hobby and I am so thankful to be a part of it.

What is your favorite American Crafts product? This is such a tough question! I love a lot of the products and embellishments, but I’d have to say that I have a sweet spot for Thickers, any kind and any color! I have quite the collection to prove it.

STAY COOL by Melanie Blackburn

My inspiration for this card was the cardstock die cut shapes; I loved the snow cone and thought it would be a perfect accent on a card. I framed the shapes by creating a Polaroid frame which I then adhered to the card using foam dots.

Supplies: Paper Pad 6x6 (35743) – Shoreline, Cardstock Shapes (85585) – Bits, Pelican (42248) – Remarks, Boardwalk Fineberry (53365) - Thickers

KEEP CALM AND ENJOY SUMMER by Melanie Blackburn

This frame was inspired by a quote I saw on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/218635756880531662/. I thought it would make a nice teacher’s gift. I used a 8x10 frame, printed the quote on white cardstock, added some decorative stitching, and an embellishment. This makes for a quick and easy gift!

Supplies: Seaside Pinwheels (85586) – Delights, Boardwalk Cascade (53363) – Thickers

AT LAST by Melanie Blackburn

The accordion flowers were my inspiration for this layout. I decided to add multiple circles of various sizes to complete the accordion flowers. I love how the sun sticker fits perfectly in with this theme.

Supplies: Newport Paper (35724) – Shoreline, Solana Paper (35738) – Shoreline, Oceanside Paper (35727) – Shoreline, Venture Paper (35731) – Shoreline, Vero Paper (35719) – Shoreline, 6x6 Paper Pad (35743) – Shoreline, Surfboard Paper Flowers ( 85584) – Delights, Die Cuts Sand Dollar (85585) – Bits, Flamingo (42249) – Remarks, Sandpiper (42247) - Remarks,  Boardwalk Honeycomb (53364) – Thickers

SUMMER READ by Melanie Blackburn

To create this layout I decided to cut out the rectangle shapes from the Santa Monica paper. I randomly placed them on my layout to create a fun pattern, and then they were embellished with stitching and various embellishments from the Shoreline collection.

Supplies: Santa Monica Paper (35723) – Shoreline, Vero Paper (35719) – Shoreline, Melbourne Paper (35718) – Shoreline, Malibu Paper (35722) – Shoreline, Pelican (42248) – Remarks, Boardwalk Pool (5336) – Thickers, Boardwalk Honeycomb (53364) – Thickers, Flamingo (42249) – Remarks, Sandpiper (42247) – Remarks, Cardstock Shapes (85585) – Bits

INSTA-FUN by Melanie Blackburn

For this layout I really wanted to create a fun page that reflected how much of a blast my girls were having at the beach. To create little cluster of embellishments I used a lot of the cardstock die cut pieces and accordion flowers; I thought it added a playful touch to the layout.

Supplies: Belmont Shore Paper (35736) – Shoreline, Sea Isle Paper (35732) – Shoreline, Pelican Bay Paper (35733) – Shoreline, Pacific Beach Paper (35737) – Shoreline, Vero Paper (35719) – Shoreline, Boardwalk Taffy (53362) – Thickers, Cardstock Shapes (85585) – Bits, Surfboard Paper Flowers ( 85584) – Delights, Flamingo (42249) – Remarks

Click HERE to shop for Shorline supplies!

Make sure to visit Melanie's blog and see what inspires her in her Pinterest boards!

Shoreline Mini Album Tutorial by Shimelle Laine

Shimelle Laine is here to show you in a step-by-step photo tutorial how to make this mini album using Shoreline products:

HAWAII by Shimelle Laine

Supplies: Sand Dollar Die Cuts (85585) - Bits, 6x6 Paper Pad (35743) - Shoreline, Pelican Letter Stickers (42248) - Remarks, Amy Tangerine Ribbons (58718) - Premium Ribbon, Daydream Buttons (85573) - Elements, Chap Buttons (85569) - Elements, Super Sticky Tape (61755) - This to That, Foam Tab Circles (61709) - This to That

1. Start by selecting a variety of papers from the 6x6 paper pad, trimming them to 4x6 for each page. Then start dividing up the die cut accents to create a group of embellishments for each page of the mini book.

2. Using additional sheets from the 6x6 paper pad, cut a variety of basic shapes. I used plain and pinked circles in sizes that layered easily.

3. With the die cut papers, the printed die cut shapes and the 2x6 off-cuts from the patterned papers, layer the pieces to create a different design on each page. I added black ink to the edges of all the pieces to give them definition. Pick one or two elements on each piece to attach with This to That foam tabs for dimension.

4. Choose two or three buttons and a scrap of ribbon for each page. The ribbons from the Amy Tangerine collection look great with Shoreline!

5. Stitch the buttons and ribbon in place, sprinkle with a few dots of ink or paint, and use a set of American Crafts stamps to add a finishing detail to each design.

6. Select a 4x6 photo for each page and adhere it to the back. Hold it in place securely with This to That Super Sticky double-sided tape. Then add your writing to each card to coordinate with the photo opposite. Use a simple binding with a hole punch and ribbon to keep it all together!

This would be a great mini album to design before a trip and then all you have to do is add your photos!

Shoreline Week!

Shoreline is a retro beach party that invites you to put on your sandals and grab your sunglasses. This iconic summertime collection comes alive with sea birds, sail boats, bicycles, and surfboards in a palette infused with bold blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges. Shoreline features 24 double-sided patterned papers doused in color and the occasional light-leak effect — that dreamy look in vintage photos created when a poorly made camera case inadvertently lets light in, slightly overexposing the film. We're so excited to share with you what our designers have made using this new, fun line! Suzy Plantamura kicks off the week with a layout and card:

MISS YOU CARD by Suzy Plantamura

If you are on vacation and want to send a cute card home, whip up some of these easy ones to replace postcards on your trip. This way you can just enclose a cute photo and make it more personal. I used the 6x6 Shoreline paper pad for this card and just folded it over along the top edge. I used the I’s and exclamation points from the letter stickers to form a border on the card. This added lots of color and dimension (not to mention it’s a way to use up some of the letters you don’t use in your letter stickers – just cut them apart as needed!).

Supplies: Pebble Beach Paper (35742), Belmont Shore Paper (35736) - Shoreline, 6x6 Paper Pad (35742) - Shoreline, Boardwalk Pool (53361) - Thickers, Boardwalk Cascade (53363) - Thickers, Boardwalk Honeycomb (53364) - Thickers, Boardwalk Fireberry (53365) - Thickers, Paper Flowers (85584) - Delights, Die Cut Shapes (85585) - Bits, Pelican (42248) - Remarks

RIVER RACING by Suzy Plantamura

I used one of my favorite border punches on this layout to create the scalloped border as well as the circles around the layout. I used another circle punch to cut out the bottlecaps from another paper. The circles add some movement to the layout layered over the papers and background. I took one of the paper border strips and cut it in half to use on the bottom and top of the layout. A little stitching and I was done!!!

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Oceanside Paper (35727) - Shoreline, Pacific Beach Paper (35737) - Shoreline, Malibu Paper (35722) - Shoreline, Pebble Beach Paper (35741) - Shoreline, 6x6 Paper Pad (35742) - Shoreline, Pelican (42248) - Remarks, Flamingo (42249) - Remarks Sticker Book, Paper Flowers (85584) - Delights, Boardwalk Pool (53361) - Thickers, Boardwalk Fireberry (53365) - Thickers, Die Cut Shapes (85585) - Bits

Want a chance to win the Shoreline collection?

Let us know in a comment on this post by Friday June 29th 2012 what are your summer plans? We'll randomly select a winner and let them be known in Friday's post. GOOD LUCK!

Remarks Layouts by Leslie Ashe

CONGRATS to the winner of a selection of Remarks stickers, Valerie:

Leslie Ashe finishes Remarks week with a pair of fabulous layouts:

PUPPY LOVE by Leslie Ashe

Supplies: Robins Egg (71063) – Cardstock, Sweet Sundress Paper (35634) – Neapolitan, Lucky Laugh Paper (35640) – Neapolitan, Fabric & Epoxy Brads (78074) – Embellishments, Neapolitan Accents & Phrases (42232) – Remarks, Camilla (42230) – Remarks, Memo Note (53348) – Thickers, Neapolitan Printed & Specialty Ribbon (5885) – Premium Ribbon, Neapolitan Chipboard Shapes (7870) – Bits, Tarragon (86200) – Whittles, Foam Dots (6179) – This To That

MY REASONS by Leslie Ashe

I took four photos from my iPhone, used an app called “frametastic”,  then used another app called “postal pix” to order my pictures (I wanted a true 8x8 size). I think it looks GREAT with all the colorful elements on this page, such as the Remarks stickers. They’re great for a title, journaling, embellishments – anything!

Supplies: Here & There Paper (35562) – Amy Tangerine, Cobalt Composition Paper (35679) – Sketchbook,  Kristi’s Craft Paper (35682) – Sketchbook, Rose’s Rendering Paper (35583) – Sketchbook, Mixtape (61749) – Amy Tangerine, Silver Glitter Scene (53340) – Thickers, Camilla (42230) – Remarks, Sketchbook Accents & Phrases (42240) – Remarks, Draw Dimensional Stickers (42244) – Remarks, Doodle Dimensional Stickers (42243) – Remarks, Foam Dots (61709) – This To That

Shop here for Amy Tangerine products, here for Amy Tangerine Sketchbook products, here for Gardenia products, such as letter stickers and here for American Crafts adhesive.

Next week we'll focus on our newest collection - Shoreline!

Remarks Cards by Rahel Menig

Here are three quick & easy Remarks cards made by Rahel Menig:

IF FRIENDS WERE FLOWERS by Rahel Menig

CREATE ADVENTURE by Rahel Menig

OH JOY by Rahel Menig

Supplies: Sienna Spirit Paper (35672) - Sketchbook, Doodle (42243) - Remarks, Draw (42244) - Remarks, Kristi's Craft Paper (35682) - Paper, Juniper (42236) - Remarks

Find the colorful Sketchbook line here and the cute Remarks Sticker from the Gardenia line here.

Have you entered the giveaway for a bunch of Remarks on Monday's post? Make sure you do!

Remarks Projects by Mandy Koeppen

Here are a couple more projects showcasing Remarks made by Mandy Koeppen:

SPREAD THE LOVE by Mandy Koeppen

Supplies: Sienna Spirit Paper (35672) - Sketchbook, India Ink Paper (35685) - Sketchbook, Cindy's Sketch Paper (35680) - Sketchbook, Draw (42244) - Remarks, Paint (42242) - Remarks, Die Cut Shapes (77290) - Bits

SUMMER FUN by Mandy Koeppen

Supplies: Sadie's Story Paper (35695) - Sketchbook, Sienna Spirit Paper (35672) - Sketchbook, Camellia (42230) - Remarks, Palette (42240) - Remarks, Let's Go (42215) - Remarks, Dreaming (42217) - Remarks, Wishing (42216) - Remarks, Doodle (42243) - Remarks, Draw (42244) - Remarks, Paint (42242) - Remarks, Die Cut Shapes (77290) - Bits, Roller Date Stamp (59160) - Neapolitan

Thanks for stopping by - we'll be back tomorrow with a bounty of cards to share!

Remarks Mini Album Tutorial by Melissa Mann

Melissa Mann is going to show us step-by-step how to make this amazing mini album showcasing Remarks:

THE ONES I LOVE by Melissa Mann

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Aqua (27143) - Zing!, Falling for You Paper (35559) - Amy Tangerine, Draw (42244) - Remarks, Pelican (42248) - Remarks, Daybook (78073) - Amy Tangerine, Doodle (42243) - Sketchbook, Good Company Paper (35557) - Amy Tangerine, Stars, Stripes, & Stitches Paper (35550) - Amy Tangerine, Hanging Out Paper (35560) - Amy Tangerine, Yes Peas Paper (35549) - Amy Tangerine, Rouge (27123) - Zing!, Draft (59161) - Remarks, Pigment (42241) - Remarks, Palette (42240) - Remarks, Paint (42242) - Remarks, All Together (94433) - Amy Tangerine, Cardstock Shapes (77288) - Daybook, Let's Go (42215) - Remarks, Good Times (42213) - Remarks, Mixed Envelopes (78082) - Daybook

1) After gathering my chosen supplies, I disassembled my mini book and took the chipboard pages off the binding rings. I took the "LOVE" cover and using a watermark ink pad, I covered the entire front of the piece of chipboard with ink. Before it dried, I liberally poured Aqua Zing! all over the front on top of the ink and then shook off the excess.

2) I used a heat gun to melt the embossing powder on top of the chipboard. As it melted, it turned a nice glossy color and was permanently adhered to the chipboard.

3) I flipped over the LOVE chipboard piece and placed it upside down on a piece of Amy Tangerine fabric paper. I traced out the shape on the fabric paper and then cut that out. I adhered this down.

4) I repeated the same steps for the back cover of the mini book as well. Except on the back cover, I used a different color Zing!

5) I placed a Remarks sticker from the Sketchbook line in the middle of the O and placed my title using small alphabet stickers from the "Shoreline" collection. I also placed a small Remarks sticker from the Sketchbook collection on the backside for the middle of the O.

6) I then took one of the inside chipboard pieces and used it to trace around on a piece of patterned paper. I stuck a Daybook tab between the patterned paper and the piece of chipboard. This piece of paper was then stitched down using my sewing machine on the back side of the first chipboard piece. I wanted to have stitching on the paper sides of the chipboard, but I didn't want the backside of the stitching to show on the pictures. Make sure to stitch before you adhere down the picture on the front piece. I completed this for all five inside chipboard pieces.

7) On the opposite side of the patterned paper, I adhered down my pictures after tracing the chipboard shape out on them as well.

8) Once all my pages were put together, I bound them together with the book rings. Then, the fun part began of embellishing the mini book. I kept it simple, but was able to use a lot of different Remarks stickers all throughout the book. I placed them on top of the pictures and on the patterned papers. I typed out all of my journaling on white card stock, cut it out, and glued it down on the corresponding pages.

All done! I hope you enjoyed learning how to create this Remarks-filled mini album!