American Crafts Studio Blog

Yes, Please Cards by Heather Leopard

This cute trio of cards featuring Yes, Please were made by Heather Leopard:

YES, PLEASE CARDS by Heather Leopard
HI CARD By Heather Leopard

Supplies: Reflect Paper (35938) - Yes, Please, Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes, Please, Create Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (84626) - Bits, Inspire (63069) - Alphabet Embroidery Stencil Kit, Capture (63070) -  Icon Embroidery Stencil Kit, Noteworthy Accents & Phrases Stickers (42367) - Remarks

SIMPLY WONDERFUL CARD by Heather Leopard

Supplies: Priority Paper (35941) - Yes, Please, Note (35952) - Just Write Mini Cards & Envelopes, Embrace Adhesive Badges (85624) - Flair, Sentiment Screenprinted Clothespins (85663) - Whittles, Genuine Dimensional Stickers (42368) - Remarks, Aspire Acrylic Stamps (59172) - Stamps

LET'S GO SOME WHERE FUN CARD by Heather Leopard

Supplies: Dreamy Paper (35947) - Yes, Please, Hello Paper (35942) - Yes, Please, Commit Paper (35929) - Yes, Please, Glimmers Paper (35945) - Yes, Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Wood Veneer Tags (85627) - Bits, Opportunity Dimensional Embellishments (85625) - Details, Accent & Phrase Stickers (42367) - Remarks

Have you entered the Yes, Please giveaway from Monday's intro to the week post? Make sure you do! The winner will be selected and announced tomorrow morning!

Yes, Please Guest Designer: Laurie LaRiviere

I'm excited to introduce our Yes, Please Guest Designer: Laurie LaRiviere!

Short bio: I am a wife and mother to three children, Ben age 15, Analise age 13 and Zachary age 5. I have been scrapbooking and card making for about 14 years now. 

How did you get started scrapbooking? I was invited to a Stampin' Up! party when my oldest son was a year old. I had no idea that you could make your own cards, I just went to the party to get out of the house! By the end of the night, I had purchased some stamps, made a few cards, and was at our local Michaels store the next day buying more stuff. That's when I noticed all the product available for scrapbooking. Since I love to take photos, it seemed like a natural fit for me to be creating something beautiful with photos and I have been scrapping and card making ever since. The best part of this hobby are the friends that I have made online - the ladies who get it and love this art form as much as I do.

What is your favorite American Crafts product? I would have to say my favorite American Crafts products are the Thickers and the paper, always such fun patterns and bright colors, just what I love! 

A by Laurie LaRiviere

The little clothespins inspired the idea for this layout, I wanted the tags to look like they were hanging on a wall. I love how the mix of products go so well with the outfit my daughter is wearing in the photo.

Supplies: Play Paper (35926) - Yes, Please, Hello Paper (35942) - Yes, Please, Reflect Paper (35938) - Yes, Please, Sentiment Paper (35928) - Yes, Please, Goodness Woodgrain (53458) - Thickers, Yes, Please Ribbon (58869) - Ribbon, Discover (42366) - Remarks, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Please Pow! Glitter Paper (35951) - Yes, Please, Clothespins (85663) Whittles, Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes, Please, Commit Paper (35929) - Yes, Please, Dream Rub Ons (42369) - Remarks, Other: Mr Hueyes Calico, Bluegrass, Buttercup, and Piglet

ALTERED FRAME by Laurie LaRiviere

The corrugated paper gave my frame nice texture and the ribbon gave it some shine. I created the flower using my Cricut and put the "13" right in the center. I kept it simple to make sure the photo was the main focal point.

Supplies: Details Corrugated Paper (35950) - Yes, Please, Yes, Please Ribbon (58869) - Ribbon, Commit Paper (35929) - Yes, Please, Foam Tabs (61710) - This to That, Sincere Ash (53454) - Thickers, Personal (85630) - Elements, Sentiment Paper (35928) - Yes, Please

HELLO CARD by Laurie LaRiviere

I love all the dimension and texture on this card, the sparkle, wood buttons, the shiny Flair badge, and the corrugated paper. I created this flower with my Cricut and the leaves are hand cut.

Supplies: Life (42365) - Remarks, Heart Paper (35940) - Yes, Please, Buttons (85630) - Elements, Embrace (85624) - Flair, Glimmers Paper (35945) - Yes, Please, Details Corrugated Paper (35950) - Yes, Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Fulfill Paper (35936) - Yes, Please

13 by Laurie LaRiviere

I love this photo of my daughter on her 13th birthday. I did a block design to highlight all the little things about her that she loves, flowers, taking photos, and her happy fun personality.

Supplies: Bundle Paper (35927) - Yes, Please, Create (85626) - Bits, Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes, Please, Hello Paper (35942) - Yes, Please, Truth Paper (35944) - Yes, Please, Play Paper (35926) - Yes, Please, Currently Paper (35924) - Yes, Please, Aspire (59172) - Stamps, White (27124) - Zing!, Share Paper (35930) - Yes, Please, Understand Paper (35939) - Yes, Please, Simplify (85628) - Details, Confident Paper (35933) - Yes, Please,Genuine (42368) - Remarks, Personal (85630) - Elements, Wish Black (53455) - Thickers, Authentic (59175)  - Stamps, Foam Tabs (61710) - This to That

A&Z by Laurie LaRiviere

I used a slightly larger photo of my daughter and her little brother Zachary because I love this photo so much. I really love the glitter paper and the contrast with the soft ribbon, the sewing and the flower accents are perfect, and it makes for a lot of fun texture on this page.

Supplies: Dreamy Paper (35947) - Yes, Please, Play Paper (35926) - Yes, Please, Glimmers Paper (35945) - Yes, Please, Enjoy Pow! Glitter Paper (35951) - Yes, Please, Yes, Please Ribbon (58869) - Ribbon, Create (85626) - Bits, Discover (42366) - Remarks, Goodness Woodgrain (53459) - Thickers, Embrace (85624) - Flair, Foam Tabs (61710) - This to That

Make sure to stop by Laurie's blog and visit her Pinterest pages to see more of her incredible creations and what inspires her!

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

Yes, Please Week

You'll love this brand new collection by Amy Tangerine: Yes, Please! Adventure through city park landscapes with the hand-drawn playfulness of Amy Tangerine Yes, Please. Watercolors accent the canvas, with a pleasing mix of soft and bold hues depicting scenes of the city, nature and that classic Amy Tangerine camera. Paint the town fun with Amy Tangerine Yes, Please.

Twenty-four patterned papers, Thickers, stickers, stamps, and Daybooks are just the base of this lovely and extensive new line. Amy Tangerine Yes, Please also includes new embellishments like wood veneer tags, embroidery stencil kits, and a calendar stamp unlike anything else. Check it out:

Paige Evans and Allison Waken are here to start Yes, Please week!

J & A by Paige Evans

Supplies: Remember Paper (35925) - Yes, Please, Play Paper (35926) - Yes, Please, Bundle Paper (35927) - Yes, Please, Commit Paper (35929) - Yes, Please, Share Paper (35930) - Yes, Please, Hopeful Paper (35946) - Yes, Please, Treasure Corrugated Cardstock (35948) - Yes, Please, Moments Corrugated Cardstock (35949) - Yes, Please, Details Corrugated Cardstock (35950) - Yes, Please, Enjoy Pow! Glitter Paper (35951) - Yes, Please, Goodness Woodgrain (53458) - Thickers, 6x6 Paper Pad (35954) - Yes, Please, Noteworthy Accent and Phrase Stickers (42367) - Remarks Book, Discover Puffy Stickers (42366) - Remarks, Original (35957) - Daybook, Create DIe Cut Shapes (85626) - Bits, Border Value Kit (63013) - Knock Outs, Contribute Slick Writers (62066) - Pens, Today (59220) - Roller Date Stamp

TODAY I AM 30 by Allison Waken

Supplies: Ash (710178) - Cardstock, Currently Paper (35924) - Yes, Please, Thoughtful Paper (35934) - Yes, Please, Commit (35929) - Yes, Please, Remember (35925) - Ye,s Please, Perfect (35932) - Yes, Please, Consistent (35931) - Yes, Please, Inspire Embroidery Stencil Kit (63069) - Yes, Please, Opportunity Dimensional Mix (85625) - Details, Discover Tiny Matte Puffy Accent Stickers (42366) - Remarks, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (85626) - Bits, Simplify Stitched Vellum Embellishments (85628) - Details, Wish White (53456) - Thickers, Roller Stamp (59175) - Stamps

I LOVE THIS CITY by Allison Waken

Supplies: Glimmers Paper (35945) - Yess Please, Enjoy Silver Glitter Paper (35951) - POW!, Treasure Corrugated Cardstock (35948) - Yes, Please, Wish Black (53455) - Thickers, Sincere Ash (53454) - Thickers, Capture Embroidery Stencil Kit (63070) - Yes, Please, Self Adhesive Badges (85624) - Flair, Opportunity Dimensional Mix (85625) - Details, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (85626) - Bits, Discover Tiny Matte Puffy Accent Stickers (42366) - Remarks, Noteworthy Accent & Phrase Sticker Book (42367) - Remarks, Document Wooden Alphabet Stamps (59173) - Stamps, Roller Stamp (59175) - Stamps

Here's a chance to win the ENTIRE Yes, Please line!

Simply leave a comment on this post by Friday February 22nd 2013 letting us know what your favorite part of the Yes, Please collection is and we'll select one lucky winner and announce them with Friday's post! Good luck!

XOXO Layout & Cards by Kimberly Neddo

We hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day and enjoyed the hop! Here is the list of all the winners from this week:

From Monday February 11th - 1 prize pack winner (valued at over $45):

From Tuesday February 12th - 2 prize pack winners (valued at over $45):

From Wednesday February 13th - 2 prize pack winners (valued at over $45):

From Thursday February 14th - 1 grand prize pack winner (valued at over $60):

Winners - please email your address to acstudioblog@gmail.com! CONGRATS!

Kimberly Neddo wraps up XOXO week with a lovely layout and pair of cards:

YOU'RE MINE CARD by Kimberly Neddo

I love to cut up embellishments to create something different with them. For this card, I cut one of the die cut Bits to create a folder tab at the top of this card.

Supplies: Love Note Paper (35898) - XOXO, Crush Paper (35893) - XOXO, Kitten Black (53448) - Thickers, Ashley (42358) - Remarks, Kiss Me (85616) - Bits, XOXO Ribbon Value Pack (58868) - Premium Ribbon

I LOVE U CARD by Kimberly Neddo

For this card, I wanted to keep it simple, with the patterned background. To create a little more dimension to this, I used a pop dot behind the circle where I stamped "I love you." The ribbon was just the extra little touch I needed to complete this card.

Supplies: Smitten Paper (35890) - XOXO, Me & You Paper (35895) - XOXO, Kiss Me (85616) - Bits, Valentine (85614) - Stamps, XOXO Ribbon Value Pack (58868) - Premium Ribbon, Lollipop (71500) - Cardstock

JUST ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY @ THE BEACH by Kimberly Neddo

I've been wanting to create a layout with this picture for such a long time! I love how we are shaped like a heart with how we are standing. At least this is what I see when I look at this picture. I like to mix up title work with different fonts and these two fonts look just perfect for this layout. The stickers are just the perfect dimensional embellishment to add a fun cluster with too.

Supplies: Ru De Love Stitched Ruffle Paper (35823) - Neopolitan, Ashley (42358) - Remarks, Hardcover Red (683091) - Thickers, Hugs Corrugated Letter Stickers (732147) - Thickers, Black/White Twine (58868) - Premium Ribbon, Kiss Me (85616) - Bits

Have a wonderful weekend! We're debuting the rest of our newest lines all month long and Yes, Please by Amy Tangerine is up next! See you Monday!

Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to the American Crafts Design Team Valentine's Day Blog Hop! Hop, skip, and jump along to each designer's blog to see the love-themed creations they've made for this special event, drop them a note of love, then come back here and leave a comment for a chance to win an XOXO prize pack worth over $60! Here is a little teaser of all the projects you are about to see:

HOP LIST:
Leslie Ashe
Andrea Budjack
Jen Chesnick
Jill Cornell
Sophie Crespy
Lilith Eeckels
Paige Evans
Leah Farquharson
Monika Głód
Angie Gutshall
Corrie Jones
Michiko Kato
Heather Leopard
Carina Lindholm
Melissa Mann
Kimberly Neddo
Patricia Roebuck
Erin Stewart
Diana Waite
Allison Waken
Becky Williams
American Crafts

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Love, American Crafts

XOXO Guest Designer: Sarah Hill

Our XOXO Guest Designer is the talented Sarah Hill!

Short bio: Hello! I'm Sarah Hill and have been scrapbooking for about 12 years. My craftiness started when I decorated my notebooks in high school with magazine cutouts. I then went to a local craft store to make an entire sketchbook with magazine cutouts and pictures of me and my friend. I had no idea how that one trip would spiral me into the depths of the scrapbook industry! In the past two years I have started my own kit club The Paper Bakery, been published many times, been on many design teams, and I just keep learning more and more! I am getting more into projects and mixed media nowadays. I just love how the scrapbook industry keeps evolving with more fun goodies to play with!

What is your favorite American Crafts product? That is easy... THICKERS! I am a Thickers nut! And I love how American Crafts keeps developing new and fun designs.

I LIKE YOU, A LOT. CARD by Sarah Hill

Tip: Sewing on your cards gives them fun texture with the paper.

Supplies: Rouge (71024) - Cardstock, Love Note Paper (35898) - XOXO, Love is in the Air Paper (35900) - XOXO, Accents & Phrases Stickers (42358) - Remarks, Kiss Me Shapes (85616) - Bits, This to That (61709) - Foam Adhesive

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE. by Sarah Hill

Tip: Give your layout a large title next to the picture for a fun focal point.

Supplies: Sweetie Pie Paper (35891) - XOXO, Rouge (71024) - Cardstock, Kiss Me Shapes (85616) - Bits, Accents & Phrases Stickers (42358) - Remarks, Transparent Letter Stickers (42359) - Remarks, Dear Black (53442) - Thickers

OUR LOVE NOTES PROJECT BOOK by Sarah Hill

Tip: Altering cheap notebooks (I found this one for $1) gives you a fun way to express yourself and keep it with you every day!

Supplies: Funny Valentine Paper (35899) - XOXO, Kiss Me Shapes (85616) - Bits, This to That (61709) - Foam Adhesive, Accents & Phrases Stickers (42358) - Remarks, Transparent Letter Stickers (42359) - Remarks, Dear Robin's Egg (53443) - Thickers, Dear Black (53442) - Thickers

LOVE U by Sarah Hill

Tip: Try printing out smaller photos to put more photos on your layout while still keeping the white space.

Supplies: All My Heart Paper (35889) - XOXO, White (71081) - Cardstock, Love is in the Air Paper (35900)  -XOXO, Accents & Phrases Stickers (42358) - Remarks, Kiss Me Shapes (85616) - Bits, Dear Black (53442) - Thickers

 

OPERATION DECKHAND by Sarah Hill

Tip: Have fun with stamps and stamp right on your layout!

Supplies: Aqua (71058) - Cardstock, Hugs & Kisses Paper (35894) - XOXO, Adore Paper (35897) - XOXO, Kiss Paper (35896) - XOXO, Kiss Me Shapes (85616) - Bits, Accents & Phrases Stickers (42358) - Remarks, Dear Robin's Egg (53443) - Thickers, Transparent Letter Stickers (42359) - Remarks, Valentine (85614) - Clear Stamps

Visit Sarah's blog, her kit club, and Pinterest to see more of her lovely creations and what she finds inspiring!

And, BONUS, leave a comment on this post by Friday February 15th 2013 for yet another TWO chances to win an XOXO prize pack worth over $45!

PS - come back bright and early tomorrow morning for an American Crafts Design Team Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

XOXO Canvas Tutorial by Erin Stewart

Erin Stewart created a stunning canvas and is nice enough to share in a step-by-step tutorial how she made it!

LOVE CANVAS by Erin Stewart

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (35901) - XOXO, Valentine (58868) - Ribbon, White (AM710-81) Cardstock, Embroidery Stencil Kit (63069) - Yes Please

1) To make this love-themed heart canvas you will need: American Crafts XOXO Paper Pad, 1.5" circle punch, Amy Tangerine Embroidery Stencil Kit, 12x12 cardstock, glue, white pen, and a 16x20" canvas.

2) Start by making a large heart heart template from 12x12 cardstock. This heart is 11 inches in length and I used my die cut machine.

3) Use the 1.5" circle punch to cut your circles that will make up the scallops. I completely punched one of each paper from the 6x6 XOXO paper pad as well as a few circles from gold glittered paper.

3) Start at the bottom of the cardstock heart and adhere the punched circles in rows. Each row should overlap the previous one. This creates a scalloped effect.

4) After the cardstock heart is completely covered in punched circles, trim the excess with a craft knife or scissors.

5) Add white pen stitching to the edge of some of the punched circles.

6) Adhere the heart to the canvas.

7) Use the Amy Tangerine Embroidery Kit to stitch the word "LOVE" at the bottom of the canvas then admire your work!

Today there is another chance to win an XOXO prize pack worth over $45! In fact, we'll pick TWO winners from today!

Leave a comment on this post by Friday February 15th 2013 and we'll choose a winner and let them be known in Friday morning's post!

XOXO Week

Valentine's Day is on Thursday and what better way to celebrate than a week full of love? We'll be featuring our latest and greatest Valentine's Day-themed collection - XOXO. As a special treat, each day we'll have a giveaway, all leading up to an American Crafts Design Team Blog Hop on Valentine's Day with a big giveaway prize! So make sure to stop by every day this week for lots of chances to win! Showcasing XOXO first is Michiko Kato with a layout and card:

LOVE by Michiko Kato

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (35901) - XOXO, XOXO Accents & Phrases (42358) - Remarks, Sweetie Pie Paper (35891) - XOXO, Me & You Paper (35895) - XOXO, XOXO Wood Buttons (35998) - Embellishments, Ruffle Crepe Paper (35901) - 5th & Frolic

BE MINE CARD by Michiko Kato

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (35901) - XOXO, XOXO Accents & Phrases (42358) - Remarks, XOXO Ribbon (58868) - Ribbon

Today's giveaway is an XOXO prize pack worth over $45. Here is a refresher of what's included in this line, and keep reading to see how to win some of these items:

For a chance to win an XOXO prize pack worth over $45, leave a comment on this post by Friday February 15th 2013 letting us know what your favorite part of this line is. We'll randomly select a winner and announce them with Friday's post. Good luck and have a LOVELY day!

Inspired by Ads Layouts by Erin Stewart

Erin Stewart made these final two layouts inspired by ads:

YOU'RE MY FAVORITE by Erin Stewart

This ad inspired the large words with a lot of white space. I also liked how the interest was at the bottom of the page, which is where I placed the photos. I cut the large title with my electronic cutting machine and added strips of paper from the 5th & Frolic Paper Pad behind my cut cardstock.

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Treasured Terrance Vellum (35822) - 5th & Frolic, 6th & Maple Paper (35809) - 5th & Frolic, Paper Pad 6x6 (35827) - 5th & Frolic, Aspen Place Paper (35813) - 5th & Frolic, 25th & Sparrow Paper (35817) - 5th & Frolic, Dream Drive Paper (35820) - 5th & Frolic, Cozy Court Paper (35814) - 5th & Frolic, Storytime Street Paper (35807) - 5th & Frolic, Pretty Parkway Paper (35800) 5th & Frolic, 5th & Frolic Fabric & Epoxy Brads (85597) - Elements, 5th & Frolic Buttons (85598) - Elements, 5th & Frolic Accent Phrase Stickers (42265) - Remarks, 5th & Frolic Chipboard Shapes (85601) - Bits, Fox Gold (53414) - Thickers

SWEET LOVE by Erin Stewart

The inspiration for this layout was a grid made of 12 squares into na 8.5 x 11 layout. To create the pocket of confetti on this layout I took two pieces of vellum and made a pocket by sewing around three sides of the square. Then I added the confetti that I cut from cardstock. To finish the pocket I sewed the top. The confetti is paper sprinkles and the circles with the middles as hearts help to complement the theme of the donut shop photos.

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, 6x6 Paper Pad (35814) - Soho Garden, Orchard Street Paper (35828) - Soho Garden, Grande Street Paper (35830) - Soho Garden, Lafayette Paper (35833) - Soho Garden, Canal Street Paper (35837) - Soho Garden, Poppy District Accent & Phrase Stickers (42273) - Soho Garden Remarks, Hudson Square Die Cut Shapes (85608) - Soho Garden Bits

Thanks for stopping by and have a marvelous weekend!