American Crafts Studio Blog

Flowerpot Tutorial by Patricia Roebuck

FLOWERPOTS by Patricia Roebuck

Supplies: Corrugated Cardstock 12x12 (35949) - Yes, Please, Little Trinket Paper (35983) - Lucky Charm, Perfect Paper (35932) - Yes, Please, Noteworthy Paper (35963) - Lucky Charm, Blue Skies Paper (35979) - Lucky Charm, Sweet Sadie Paper (35913) - My Girl, Starlight Paper (35981) - Lucky Charm, Trinkets & Phrases/Multi Chip Thickers Accent (42391) - Lucky Charm, Trinkets & Phrases/Neutral Chip Thickers Accent (42392) - Lucky Charm, Whittles Clothes Pins (85664) - My Girl, Double-Sided Red Tape (61754) - This to That, Silhouette, 3d Flower, Design ID #27361, Silhouette, Dear Lizzy Bee, Design ID #9946, Silhouette, Dogwood Blossom, Design ID #12151 

1) I gathered wire cutters, green 26 gauge wire, needle nose pliers, along with a tin and foam I purchased at the Dollar Tree. 

2) I cut flowers and a bee from patterned paper and gathered a few buttons. I picked colors and patterns that would stand out and work well together. 

3) Cut thin strips of patterned paper for the “grass.”

4) Fill your flowerpot with the green foam and the crumpled grass. As you add flowers, you can add more if needed to cover the foam.

5) When I cut the flowers out with the Silhouette, I ungrouped them and removed the center circle so I could pierce a smaller hole for the wire to go through. Cut the desired length of wire. TIP: Cut it longer and then shorten as needed. To keep the flower on the wire, loop the wire around the needle nose pliers a few times below the flower to rest on. 

6) So the flower doesn’t come off from the top, do the same thing above the flower and loop the wire around the needle nose pliers.

7) I mixed in some flowers with buttons on top. Repeat step 5, but for step 6, add the button. Loop the wire back through the button and the pierced hole on the flower. Then twist it around the stem. The twisting and how the wire comes out does not have to be perfect. It adds to the whimsy. 

8) Cut various lengths and widths of paper for the leaves.

9) Apply double-sided super sticky red tape to one or both sides, and adhere wire.

10) Sandwich the other piece of paper on top (so the leaves are the same on both sides), trim to make them look like leaves.

11) Cut desired length of wire. TIP: Make it longer and shorten as needed. Make a loop at one end. 

12) Apply a strong liquid glue to the wire and/or bee and hold until dry.

13) Now the fun part of arranging your flowerpot. Trim some of the wires down if needed as you push them into the foam.

14) Fill in more leaves and/or grass. Since the leaves are on wire, you can bend them to hang out of the flowerpot a little. For a finishing touch, I added chipboard and a clothespin to the front.

These are perfect for Mother’s Day and/or Teacher Appreciation gifts. They are also adorable in your kitchen window with no watering needed!

Mom Frame Tutorial by Jill Cornell

This adorable frame for Mom was made by Jill Cornell:

OH SO LOVELY FRAME by Jill Cornell

Supplies: Lucky Charm - Stargazers (35982), Lucky Charm - Noteworthy (35963), Lucky Charm - Collector (35975), Knock Outs Interchangeable Border Punch System (63013), Lucky Charm Thickers Accents (42391), Lucky Charm - Bit Die Cuts Shapes (85655), Lucky Charm Flair (85658), My Girl Details Ribbon Bows - Skip (85621)

Step 1: Use a black 5" x 12" frame (I believe I picked mine up at Wal-Mart). Remove the glass and papers inside. Use the glass as a template on the Lucky Charm Stargazers (35982) patterned paper to cut out the center so the rounded edges are visible on either end. Adhere the paper to the glass. 

Step 2: Punch three border strips (with the same patterned paper) using the Knock Outs Border Punch System. Layer, adhere, and bend up the scalloped edges.

Step 3: Adhere the punched border strips at the top of the glass. Cut an arrow strip of patterned paper and adhere it to the bottom of the glass.

Step 4: Layer die cuts along with flair and chipboard hearts. Use foam adhesive for added dimension.

Step 5: Adhere a star die cut to the frame and add chipboard stars. Adhere chevron chipboard pieces to the patterned paper.

Step 6: Adhere a circle die cut piece to the frame. Adhere a small black and white photo with foam adhesive. Adhere an "Oh so lovely" die cut and burlap bow.

Step 7: Dry brush white paint onto the frame.

All finished!

Thanks for sharing how you made this adorable frame Jill! 

Mixed Media Canvas Favorite Technique Tutorial by Angie Gutshall

Angie Gutshall made this gorgeous mixed media canvas featuring the Lucky Charm line and her favorite techniques:

ALTERED CANVAS by Angie Gutshall

Supplies: Cardstock Tags (85656) - Bits, Doing Dots (35964) - Lucky Charm, Float Away (35965) - Lucky Charm, Lucky You (35967) - Lucky Charm, Bright Bauble (35970) - Lucky Charm, Lucky Charm Badges (85658) - Flair, Lucky Cahrm 4x6 Diecut Cards (85649) - Bits, Rubons (42395) - Lucky Charm, Lucky Charm Clear Acrylic Stamp (85653) - Stamp, Lucky Charm Clear Acrylic Stamps (59178) - Stamp 

First step is to cut out a background paper for your canvas. I used Lucky Charm paper. Make sure to put Mod Podge on the bottom and top of the patterned paper.

Then I took some gesso and covered the paper using a piece of cardboard I tore off a box.

I then took a mask and misted whereever I wanted.

After the mist dried I painted around the edge of the canvas.

After the canvas dried I took a stamp and ink and stamped all over the canvas. There is no wrong way of doing this!

Here is a picture of the canvas so far:

Now it's time to add a little more color with some more paint and mist splatters.

I added some of the Lucky Charm tags for more color. Remember to add Mod Podge to the bottom and the back.

Now for my favorite technique... using textured paint! I took one of the die cut sheets and used it as a mask.

I covered the entire wording with the textured paint.

Here is a picture of the words with the textured paint. I love how this looks!

Here is my finished canvas! I punched out some butterflies from various Lucky Charm papers. I love the Lucky Charm rub ons and flairs! They make it so easy to decorate small spaces on the canvas. Also you can see another place I used one of the die cuts with the textured paint. I also added a cute sticker and painted around it.

Thanks so much for taking the time to look at my tutorial. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope it inspires you to make a mixed media piece!

Mini Album Display Frame Stamping Tutorial by Lilith Eeckels

Lilith Eeckels has a fun and creative tutorial to show everyone today!

MINI ALBUM DISPLAY FRAME by Lilith Eeckels

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Perfect Paper (35932) – Yes Please, Trust Paper (35935) – Yes Please, Wild hearts Paper (35962) – Lucky Charm, Stargazers paper (35982) – Lucky Charm, Happy Place speciality paper (35986) – Lucky charm, Noteworthy Stickers (42367) – Remarks Sticker book, Discover puffy accent stickers (42366) – Remarks Puffy Stickers, Yes please ribbon (58869) – premium ribbon, Sugar Puffy Accent stickers (42362) – Remarks puffy stickers,  Noteworthy stamp set (59170) – Clear Stamps

Step 1: Gather your supplies: A frame (to hold a 7 x 9 ½'' picture) patterned papers from the Lucky Charm and Yes Please collections, stamps from Yes Please and My Girl, and a whole bunch of embellishments from all three collections mentioned above. Some of the supplies I pulled out in the beginning weren't used.

Step 2: Cut a piece of patterned paper to fit the frame.

Step 3: Create the mini book: cut out 6 rectangles from patterned paper each measuring 4x6". I also added two die cuts from the Lucky Charm collection (cut out from a patterned paper). The 3x4 pieces are glued together.

Step 4: Choose a roll of washi tape that matches and attach the first and last page of the mini book together.

Step 5: Open the minibook and adhere each of the pages together using the washi tape.

Step 6: Once the pages are attached, flip the minibook over and glue ribbon to the last page. Make sure to leave enough ribbon on either side to be able to tie a bow.

Step 7: Add embellishments! Take out the My Girl stamps. Divide a piece of white cardstock into four and stamp the design in 4 different colours.

Step 8: Cut out flowers and butterflies from the stamped cardstock as well as some patterned paper, using a die cut machine. If you don't own a die cut machine you can always punch out circles and create flowers with them. There are also a few butterfly punches that you can use.

Step 9: Embellish the cover of your mini using 2 butterfly and a puffy accent stickesr. I noticed when assembling the mini that the big butterfly was a bit too large and made it difficult to open the minibook. I would advise to make it smaller.

Step 10: Embellish the interior of the minibook. I added a few drops of mist, some more stamps, and continued the butterfly and flower theme.

Step 11: The frame is a bit plain in my opinion and I really wanted to add some colour. I used the stamped and patterned paper cut outs to add a summery feel to the frame. I created 2 clusters of flowers in the top left hand corner as well as in the bottom right hand one. To add a bit of green (foliage) I folded some green ribbon from the Yes Please collection and adhered them to the frame with hot glue. The centre parts of the flowers are embellished with puffy acccent stickers from the Amy Tangerine and My Girl collections. All I have to do is add my pictures!

I hope you'll get out your stamps and create your own colourful creation!

Stitching on a T-Shirt Tutorial by Kimblery Neddo

Kimberly Neddo embellished a plain t-shirt and is going to show us how to make one too in this step-by-step tutorial!

EMBROIDERED T-SHIRT by Kimberly Neddo

Supplies: Inspire (63069) - Embroidery Stencil Kit, Capture (63070) - Embroidery Stencil Kit; Other: needle, thread, scissors, fine tip pen, pencil, eye dropper, spray inks, t-shirt

I decided I wanted to make a t-shirt with my stencil kits and I LOVE how it turned out! I can't wait to wear it. I am a huge fan of Amy's creative tools and color pallet.

The first thing you will want to do is line up the template designs you want to use on your t-shirt and start marking it with your pen through the holes given on the template.

After you have marked through all the holes, then you will want to take your pencil and lightly trace lines from the holes where you are going to be stitching.

Then pick the thread colors you want to use and where you are going to use them, and begin stitching. 

When you are all done stitching, you will have your finished t-shirt ready to wear!

I wanted to add some splatters of color to my shirt, so I used one of the eye droppers to complete the look I wanted. Here is my finished t-shirt. 

I hope you're inspired to make some t-shirts of your own using the Embroidery Stencil Kits!

White Space Welcome Sign Tutorial by Diana Waite

Diana Waite is the creator of this ultra cute welcome sign that incorporates the design principle of white space and, good news, she's going to show us how to make one just like it!

WELCOME SIGN by Diana Waite

Supplies: Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes Please, Share Paper (35930) - Yes Please, Treasure Specialty Paper (35948) - Yes Please, Embroidery Stencil Kit (63070) - Embellishments, Discover Puffy Stickers (42366) - Remarks, Sentiment Clothespin Set (85663) - Whittles, Premium Ribbon (58869) - Ribbon, Personal Elements Buttons (85630) - Embellishments, Tab Adhesive (61709) - This to That

1) Gather your supplies - I happened to pick everything from the Yes, Please line, and a chipboard album page.

2) Cut the corrugated piece sheet of paper down to 6 1/4 x 4” and add it to the front of the album page.

3) Cut the gray woodrain paper to 3 1/2” x 5 3/4”.

4) Using the Embroidery Stencil Kit I selected the sun and cloud.

5) I then pierced the patterned paper. If you don’t want the stencil to slide, use adhesive squares and lightly pressed the stencil on the paper. I didn’t worry about the stencil sliding off and losing my place!

6) I personally like to use three of the pieces of floss for my stitching.

7) After the stitching is done, tie the knot weaving the thread with the needle under then over.

8) Once the stitching is completed, back the paper with pop dots and adhere it to the corrugated sheet.

9) Add the punched photo corners, stickers, clothespins, and button as embellishments and add ribbon at the top so that it can hang. All done!

Thanks for sharing this fun project Diana! It would definitely brighten anyone's day!

Confetti Banner Tutorial by Corrie Jones

This fun confetti banner tutorial is brought to you by Corrie Jones:

MADDIE BANNER by Corrie Jones

Supplies: Treasured Terrace Paper (35822) - 5th & Frolic, Smitten Paper (35890) - XOXO, Me & You Paper (35895) - XOXO, Kiss Paper (35896) - XOXO, Sweetie Pie Paper (35891) - XOXO, Love Note Paper (35898) - XOXO, Blue Skies Paper (35979) - Lucky Charm, Wild Hearts Paper (35962) - Lucky Charm, Doting Dots Paper (35964) - Lucky Charm, Novelty Paper (35974) - Lucky Charm, Wishing Well Paper (35961) - Lucky Charm, Adhesive Backed Flowers (85651) - Lucky Charm, Hula Hoop (85619) - Delights, Trinket (42391) - Thickers, Premium Ribbon (58869) - Amy Tangerine, Dimensional Mix (85625) - Details

1. Cut the letters of a name out with a Cameo.

2. Gather paper and a small punch to make confetti. Scrap paper works great here. Punch a lot of confetti!

3. Cut a banner shape out of cardstock to trace onto vellum.

4. Cut out two vellum banner shapes for each letter. Stitch the two pieces together on the sides leaving the top open, creating a pocket for your confetti.

5. Pour in the confetti.

6. Stitch the top of the banner piece closed to keep all the confetti inside.

7. Choose a pretty ribbon and attach this to the banner pieces. I machine stitched mine to keep them securely attached.

8. Adhere one letter per banner piece.

9. Embellish as much or a little as you like and you will have a pretty banner!

10. Hang up and enjoy!

We hope you liked this cute, fun, and easy confetti tutorial!

BONUS - we have a special giveaway from Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine: a copy of CardMaps Vol. 3!

CardMaps Vol. 3 is brimming with inspiration, techniques, and creative ideas for your next cardmaking adventure. It features over 70 gorgeous cards from some of today’s top designers, more than 40 card sketches from PageMaps, step-by-step instructions for every card, and eight photo technique how-to’s!  All this in a high quality, beautifully photographed resource book you’ll keep for years to come!

Leave a comment on this post by tomorrow, March 13th 2013 and we'll randomly select and announce one winner then!

My Girl Flower Bouquet Tutorial by Melissa Mann

This adorable flower bouquet using My Girl products was made by Melissa Mann, and, good news, she's going to show us step-by-step how to make it!

FLOWER BOUQUET by Melissa Mann

Supplies: Silly Sarah Paper (35915) - My Girl, Tender Tessa Paper (35912) - My Girl, Somersault Paper (85622) - My Girl, Hula Hoop Paper (85619) - My Girl, Loveable Lily Paper (35906) - My Girl, Skip Paper (85621) - My Girl; Other supplies: Flowerpot, wooden skewers, paint, hot glue gun, paintbrush, Silhouette Cameo, flower cut files, floral moss, floral foam

1) Cut out petals for five flowers using a Silhouette Cameo then, using a hot glue gun, glue the petals together by layering the biggest petals on the bottom and working your way to the smallest petals. Scrunch up the petals to give them more dimension.

2) Remove the paper clips from the "Somersault" embellishments and glue the yo-yo flower onto the middles of two of the flowers. On the other three flowers, use the pinwheel embellishments and glue them in the middles.

3) Paint your flowerpot. I painted mine a lovely teal color and used a foam brush.

4) While the paint is drying, cut a strip of patterned paper to fit around the upper part of your flower pot. I cut two strips to 1"x12" and glued them on. It overlapped a little bit and I just cut that off with a pair of scissors. Glue down.

5) Next, take a tiny ribbon bow from the "My Girl" collection and glue it over the seam where the paper strips meet. 

6) Take a block of floral foam and push securely down into the flowerpot. 

7) Cut out leaves for the flowers using a Silhouette Cameo. I cut enough for at least two leaves per flower and on a couple of them, I used three leaves.

8) Gather wood skewers and leaves and hot glue the leaves onto the skewer. I had some skewers that had a flat end and they worked great!

9) Glue your flower onto the skewer on top of the leaves. Firmly hold the flower against the skewer until the glue has dried and the flower is secure.

10) Push the pointy end of the skewer into the floral foam. Repeat with the remaining flowers until all are glued together and placed in your flowerpot.

11) Stuff the top of the flowerpot with floral moss to fill in the gaps.

12) Enjoy!

If you get a chance to make this fun flower bouquet, make sure you link up here in the comments so we can see and share them!

Lucky Charm Magic Wand Tutorial by Jen Chesnick

Jen Chesnick created an adorable magic wand and crown using the Lucky Charm line for her sweet daughter and now she's going to show us how to make them in a step-by-step tutorial:

MAGIC WAND AND CROWN by Jen Chesnick

Wand supplies: Starlight Paper (35981) - Lucky Charm, Stargazers Paper (35982) - Lucky Charm, Accents & Phrases (42394) - Remarks, Trinket Accents (42391) - Thickers, Premium Ribbon (58870) - Dear Lizzy Value Ribbon, Christmas (35624) - AC Cardstock Assortment, Ribbon (84929) - SoHo Ribbon

Crown supplies: Starlight Paper (35981) - Lucky Charm, Stargazers Paper (35982) - Lucky Charm, 6x6 Paper Pad (35990) - Lucky Charm, Adhesive Badges (85658) - Flair, Spring (71253) - AC Cardstock Assortment, Mixed Glitter 12pk (27395) - WOW!

1) To start I found a file in the Silhouette store that made a round box and die cut them from cardstock. I wanted my wand to be sort of a rattle too since my girl is so little still.

2) I glued the sides together as shown and assembled the top and bottom pieces.  

3) Before I secured the top I filled my wand with small buttons and confetti from scrap paper.

4) Punch a hole in the sides to insert your dowel. I secured my dowel using hot glue on the top and the bottom. 

5) Next up is the ribbon! This is the part I was very excited to figure out. Thanks to Pinterest I found a tutorial on how to permanently curl ribbon: Wrap ribbon around excess dowels and secure with clothespins. Bake the ribbon-wrapped dowels at 250 degrees for 20 minutes then let them fully cool.

6) The heat sets the ribbon and you are good to go! So cool!

7) Once I had the ribbon set I decorated the front of my wand with Lucky Charm papers and stickers. I wrapped my dowel with more ribbon and secured it with hot glue.

8) I attached my ribbon tails with hot glue and covered the top with a small piece of ribbon to finish it off.

9) Once I had the wand together I decided she needs a crown, of course. I simply cut one from the Silhouette store and decorated it.

10) I added a sparkly touch using Wow! Glitter to the tips of the crown. 

So stinkin' cute!

Yes, Please Tutorial and Layouts by Monika Głód and Lilith Eeckels

Continuing on with Yes, Please week, Lilith Eeckels has a pair of layouts and Monika Głód has a fast and fabulous tutorial. Check 'em out:

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF TODAY by Lilith Eeckels

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, White (71719) - Vellum, Share Paper (35930) - Yes, Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Organize Stickers (42364) - Remarks, Discover Puffy Stickers (42366) - Remarks, Opportunity Dimensional Mix Embellishments (85625) - Details, Amy Tangerine Ribbon (58869) - Premium Ribbon, Personal Buttons (85630) - Elements, Other: Silhouette cut file ENJOY EVERY MOMENT, Silhouette Cameo

YOU by Lilith Eeckels

Supplies: Currently Paper (35924) – Yes, Please, Sentiment Paper (35928) - Yes, Please, Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes, Please, Share Paper (35930) - Yes, Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Embroidery Stencil Kit (63069) - Yes, Please, Embroidery Stencil Kit (63070) - Yes, Please, Organize Stickers (42364) - Remarks, Life Sticker Book (72365) - Remarks, Noteworthy Sticker Book (42367) - Remarks, Discover Puffy Stickers (42366) - Remarks, Opportunity Dimensional Mix Embellishments (85625) - Details, Embrace Badges (85624) - Flair, Amy Tangerine Ribbon (58869) - Premium Ribbon, Black Fine Slick Writer (62001) - Pens

PHOTO FRIDGE MAGNETS by Monika Głód

Supplies: Perfect Paper (35932) - Yes, Please, Trust Paper (35935) - Yes, Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Hello Paper (35942) - Yes, Please, Truth Paper (35944) - Yes, Please, Glimmers Paper (35945) - Yes, Please, Noteworthy (42367) - Remarks, Create (85626) - Bits, Embrace (85624) - Flair, Personal (85630) - Elements, Wish Black (53455) - Thickers