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Create an Easy 4th of July Banner

Hello AC fans! It’s me, Sandra, welcoming you to the American Crafts Blog today. I’m sharing a 4th of July star banner that I created with the Let’s Wander Collection by Vicki Boutin. The main decorative elements on the banner are stars. To me, stars are a perfect symbol for projects related to Independence Day. I cut five pennants and decorated them with a variety of stars: star stickers, die-cut and fussy cut stars, and 3D star elements. Let’s have a look at the banner: 

First, I created the base elements for my star banner. I cut five pennants from patterned paper from the Let’s Wander 6 x 8 Paper Pad (355315). Next, I die-cut and fussy cut a lot of star embellishments. I particularly like the stars from the Printed Vellum (355313). They come with champagne gold foil accents - just the perfect way to create a glamorous banner to celebrate the 4th of July. 

In addition to the fussy cut stars, I created two 3D star elements. I used a star die from my stash. If you don’t have a 3D star die, you can use a bone folder to create lines and fold the star to achieve a 3D-look. 

For the final pennant ‘2020’, I used the 8.5 x 6 Starstruck Stencil (354112) and a thick paste to create a star background. As a finishing touch I added some wood veneer stars from Let’s Wander.

‘Let’s Wander’ comes with a lot of stars: paper stars, star-dies in three different sizes, and also great star stickers. So I would consider this to be a great collection for 4th of July projects. 

I hope you like my star banner inspiration and are ready to create your own.

Supplies: American Crafts - Vicki Boutin Let's Wander Collection | 6 x 8 Paper Pad (355315), Stamps and Dies Set - Let's Go (352261), Thickers - Alpha - Paperwork (355333), 8.5 x 6 Stencil Pack - Starstruck (354112), Embellishments (355340), 12 x 12 Champagne Gold Foil on Printed Vellum (355313)

How to Create Adorable Cards and Invitations

Hello crafty friends, it’ Lucile! The sun is finally here and it's getting hot. It's the perfect time to organize garden parties! I love to invite a few friends over for a barbecue and spend the afternoon in the sun laughing. What could be better for the occasion than the Picnic in the park collection by Amy Tangerine? It is colorful and there are lots of decorations that can remind you of summertime festivities. 

For my invitations, I chose a fruit theme. For the first card, I chose a pastel paper that reminded me of the picnic tablecloths. I started by cutting "garden party" in the center with my cutting machine. Then, I glued my card onto white cardstock. Next, I sewed the outline of my card to add volume. And last but not least, I had fun decorating it! I used a die-cut ice cream stand that I cut in half. I cut peaches from a paper from the collection and I glued them diagonally to break the too linear side of my card. I also glued smaller stickers. The final touch will be adding the date and information.

For my second card I chose a watermelon theme. I also chose a gingham paper but in red tones. In the center, I cut "you're invited" with my cutting machine and I repeated the same process as for the first card: I glued white cardstock  and sewed around my card. I glued a bag and finished adding my watermelons with 3D foam.

To make my envelopes, I used the 1 2 3 punch board from We're Memory Keepers. It is super practical because you can easily and quickly make your envelopes with the papers you want. So I started by cutting my envelopes and matching my paper to the cards. I added a little bow on the front of my card. Then, I finished by creating a decoration by hanging an embellishment. I used my Crop A Dile to make it more solid. Now I have some really nice envelopes ready to be sent!

I hope that these cards and envelopes made with the Picnic in the park collection by Amy Tangerine will inspire you for your future garden party, see you soon!

Supplies Used:

• Picnic in the Park Collection : Sticker Rolls (ac-356667), Shaker Stickers - Iridescent Glitter (ac-355385), Ephemera - Iridescent Glitter (ac-355384), Paper Bows Stickers (ac-355381), 6 x 8 Paper Pad (ac-355374), Paper- You're Peachy (ac-355368), Paper- Peach Pit (ac-355365), Paper- Pretty Patches (ac-355352), Paper- One in a Melon (ac-355350)
• We R Memory Keepers : Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite (wr-70911-4), 123 Punch Board (ac-662530)

Create a Father's Day Layout with Flóra

Hi Ladies! It’s Flóra, back with a brand new 12x12 scrapbook layout. My page is dedicated for Father’s Day as it is around the corner. I used the Never Grow Up collection by Shimelle. This line is filled with blue, green and brown colors so it’s perfect for creating masculine pages. I am not that masculine so I couldn’t resist adding some pink and flowers.

I picked a teal cardstock for the background and created a classic, layered style montage behind the photo. I cut apart the Forever Young patterned paper and used some of the 4x6 cards. I also trimmed 4x6 pieces from the beautiful Flower Meadow paper and arranged all on the background. After, I added my photo with foam dots.

I fussy cut floral elements from Face The Sun paper and picked leaves and flowers from Floral Ephemera and placed them here and there. The Floral Layered Stickers pack also contains matching flowers so I picked the most beautiful  to put next to my photo. I love the speech bubbles from Everyday Magic paper, so I cut a few out and added them to my page. The butterflies are from the Ephemera pack and from the Flutter By 12x12 Paper.

Under the photo, I place the title using the super fun Here We Go Foam Alpha Thickers. In the end, I added tiny Puffy Stickers and Epoxy Dots to my layout.

That was it for today! How do you celebrate Father's Day? Do you make layouts, cards or mini albums as a gift? I can’t wait to see on social media what you make! Happy Crafting! 

Products used: 

Shimelle - Never Grow Up: 12x12 Paper Forever Young (SKU 356151), 12x12 Paper Flower Meadow (SKU 356166), 12x12 Paper Everyday Magic (SKU 356164 ),12x12 Paper Face The Sun (SKU 356152), 12x12 Paper Flutter By (SKU 356162), Ephemera (SKU 356182), Floral Ephemera (SKU 356183), Floral Layered Stickers (SKU 356186), Everyday Magic (SKU 356164), Here We Go Foam Alpha Thickers (SKU 356179), Epoxy Stickers (SKU 356188), Puffy Stickers (SKU 356185)

Create a Father's Day Mini Album with Fanni

Hello American Crafts fans! Hi from Mexico, it's Fanni Mayo! It's almost Father's Day! Do you have a gift ready for the fathers in your life? This year, I made my dad a gift. Today is the perfect day to get creative. I'm here to show you a great Father's Day gift idea. Let's get started! 

Hola amigos de American Crafts, les saluda Fanni Mayo desde México. Llegó el momento de preparar los regalos para el día del padre y hoy es un buen día para ponernos creativos, usando una colección muy linda de Dear Lizzy y transformarla en un proyecto especial para que nuestros padres recuerden sus mejores épocas jugando algún deporte o su hobby favorito. 

As I told you a few weeks ago, I really enjoy using collections to come up with men's projects. I love the result and hope my dad likes it too!

Como ya les había contado hace algunas semanas las celebraciones me tomaron por sorpresa y he tenido que recurrir a la imaginación para poder darle vida a proyectos masculinos con colecciones tiernas, el resultado me encantó y espero que a mi papá también le guste en cuanto lo reciba. 

I wrapped the gift with a paper from the collection. I decided to choose easy to combine textures with plain colors of cardstock papers. I made the name with the planner punch board and tied it to a twine as if it were a package.

El regalo lo envolví con un papel de la colección, decidí elegir texturas fáciles de combinar con colores lisos de papeles cardstock, el nombre lo hice con la planner punch board y lo até a un twine como si fuera un empaque.

When opening the gift, my dad will receive a mini album with his favorite photos of the seasons that have more emotional value for him. The gold foil Thickers are perfect with the washi tape of the same tone. 

Al abrir el regalo mi papá recibirá un mini álbum con sus fotos favoritas de las temporadas que tienen más valor emocional para el, las letras de la colección en tono dorado quedan perfectas con el washi tape del mismo tono, el encuadernado es mi primera aventura en el mundo de encuadernados copta, la disfruté mucho y siento que a mi papá le encantará. 

The inner sheets are colored cardstock combined with cards from the same collection so that my dad can write memories inside. The decoration is really minimal because that is the style my dad likes.

Las hojas interiores son de cardstock de colores combinadas con tarjetas de la misma colección para que mi papá pueda escribir en el interior los recuerdos que le llegan a la mente al tener esas fotos en sus manos, la decoración es realmente delicada por que ese es el estilo que a mi papá le gusta.

I hope you love my Father's Day mini album idea! You will love creating one for yourself. 

Espero que les guste esta idea muy linda para poder darle a nuestro papá un regalo especial en su día, nada mejor que los recuerdos mas preciados para él juntos en un mini álbum. Le encantará. 

Materials

• American Crafts - Colección Here and Now - Tarjetas en caja ac-356662
• American Crafts - Here and Now Collection - Thickers - Puffy Vinyl - Phrase - Heat Wave with Foil Accents ac-356655
• American Crafts - Here and Now Collection - Washi Tape with Foil Accents ac-356657
• American Crafts - Here and Now Collection - 12 x 12 Paper Pad with Gold Foil Accents ac-356651

How to Make an Innovative Layered Card

Hi again! It’s Obed here on the AC blog! It’s almost Father’s Day and I sure love celebrating special occasions. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas… I love all the holidays and special days around the year. I think they’re the perfect reason to get crafty and make something for that special day.  I’ll be showing you a layered card I made for Father’s day. There isn’t a card giving tradition here in Spain but I love making cards for special occasions. I think giving a card is  a gesture of love and kindness. Do you love making and giving cards?

Hola de nuevo soy Obed aquí en el blog de nuevo! Es casi el día del Padre en EEUU y si me conoces sabes que me encanta celebrar ocasiones especiales. Cumpleaños, el día de la madre, Acción de Gracias, Navidad... Me encantan todas las fiestas y días especiales durante todo el año. Creo que son la excusa perfecta para hacer algo hecho a mano para esos días especiales. Hoy, te enseño como hice una tarjeta en capas para el día del Padre. En España no hay una tradición de regalar tarjetas como en otros países pero a mí me encanta hacer tarjetas para ocasiones especiales, creo que dar una tarjeta es un gesto lleno de amor. ¿Te encanta hacer y dar cartas?

I used the latest collection by Dear Lizzy. The “Here & Now” collection has gives off a summertime vibe. I love all the colors! I combined three cards to make a multiple layered heart card. I chose three cards from the boxed cards form the collection. I then cut three concentric hearts, one from each card. The side with the cut out heart from each card will be the cover of the card.

Usé la última colección de Dear Lizzy "Here & Now" Me encantan todos los colores y el ambiente de verano que tiene. Usé tres tarjetas combinadas para hacer una tarjeta en varias capas. Elegí tres tarjetas de la caja de tarjetas de la colección. Luego, recorté tres corazones concéntricos, uno en cada tarjeta. El lado con el corazón cortado de la tarjeta, será la portada de la tarjeta.

All we have to do now is adhere the opposite side of the card (the side without the heart) one on top of the other. Combine all three cards, adhere them and making them into one card. Once we’ve got that done, now all we have left is decorating. 

Lo único que tenemos que hacer ahora es adherir el lado opuesto de la tarjeta, (el lado sin el corazón) una encima del otro. Combinando las tres tarjetas, adhiriéndolas y convirtiéndolas en una sola tarjeta. Una vez que lo hayamos hecho, ahora todo lo que nos queda por hacer es decorar nuestra tarjeta.

On the cover, I added alphabet thickers to write out the sentence: (I love u Dad). You can add embellishments, words, and stickers on each layer. I love how this multi layered card turned out. Raise your hand if you want to make a layered card now?

En la portada, escribí la frase: (I love u dad). Puedes añadir adornos, palabras y pegatinas en cada capa. Me encanta cómo resultó esta tarjeta de varias capas. Levanta la mano si te han entrado ganas de hacer una tarjeta en capas?

Supplies: Boxed Card Set (AC-356662), Sticker Book (AC-356665), Thickers- Heat wave (AC-356655)

Create a Whimsical Layout with Lucile

Hello crafty friends, it’s Lucile! Today, I'm here to show you a new layout. When I begun, I knew exactly how I wanted this layout to turn out. I wanted it to be very colorful and childlike, because I had some funny photos to use. I ended up using the magnificent Never Grow Up collection by Shimelle. This layout was so much fun to create.

For the background, I used the cardstock that had a lined paper pattern to add a childish vibe to my layout. However, it was too plain for what I had in mind so I got creative with my watercolors. I am by no means a professional watercolor, but I do have fun mixing colors. It added such a fun and colorful background. First I added blue tones, then pink, then orange. I waited for each color to dry before I added the next. 

Once the paint was completely dry,  I took out my die cuts, stickers, and other embellishments from the collection. I created lines of flowers, leaves, animals, and you name it! I stuck the animals with 3D backs to add volume to my page.

I also added a journaling die cut to the page. I finished by pasting holographic sequins to add shine to my layout.

Some of you might know how much I love butterflies! Of course I added a few to my layout to link the stripes. 

I started by folding them in half. Next, I took my white thread and my needle and sewed down the middle of the butterfly. I had fun creating loops and I sewed my butterfly at the same time.

This last step also adds a lot of volume to my layout, I love the effect.

I hope that this layout made with the Never Grow Up collection by Shimelle and my watercolor palette will have pleased you! I can't wait to see your creations! See you soon!

SUPPLIES :
- Never Grow Up collection by Shimelle : Stickers - Layered - Floral (ac-356186), Embellishments Mini with Foil Accents (ac-356190), Floral Ephemera (ac-356183), Stickers - Accent and Phrase with Foil Accents (ac-356181), Paper - Enchanted Sky (ac-356169), Ephemera (ac-356182)

- American Crafts - Art Supply Basics Collection: Professional Watercolor Cake Tray Set - 37 Pieces (ac-356055), Paint Brushes - Watercolor Paint - Natural Bristles - 11 Pieces (ac-354839)

Quick and Easy Handmade Summertime Cards

Hi American Crafts fans! It’s Flóra here today with a set of spring cards. For this project I used Shimelle's Never Grow Up line. It’s perfect for something cute and spring/summer. I created mini scenes on the cards with the lovely critters and other fun icons.

I picked the Flower Meadow paper for the base of my cards. On them, I layered cards which I trimmed from the Dreams Come True paper.

The first card is butterfly themed. I placed the 3x4 phrase card in the middle. Next, I added leaves and flowers from the Floral Ephemera pack on the sides. On the right, I placed a butterfly net from the 6x12 Stickers sheet. I used foam dots to create a 3D look. I fussy cut more butterflies from the Flutter By paper and completed the scene with a tiny puffy butterfly.

The second card is completely different from. First, I placed a journaling card trimmed from Dreams Come True patterned paper. Then, I added a huge speech bubble from the Everyday Magic paper. I completed the phrase with Here We Go Foam Alpha Thickers, as the design is the same but the 3D look makes it more fun. The cute frog is from the ephemera pack and the flowers next to it are from the Grow Wild paper. On the bottom, I added tiny details using puffy and epoxy Stickers.

I love Shimelle's Never Grow Up collection so much! The designs and all the coordinating products are so much fun. It is super easy to make cards or even layouts with this line. I hope you will try it out! Thanks for stopping by today! 

Products used:

Shimelle - Never Grow Up: 12x12 Paper Flower Meadow (SKU 356166), 12x12 Paper Everyday Magic (SKU 356164), 12x12 Paper Dreams Come True (SKU 356170), 12x12 Paper Flutter By (SKU 356162),  12x12 Paper Grow Wild (SKU 356156), Ephemera (SKU 356182), Floral Ephemera (SKU 356183), Floral Layered Stickers (SKU 356186), Everyday Magic (SKU 356164), Here We Go Foam Alpha Thickers (SKU 356179), Epoxy Stickers (SKU 356188), Puffy Stickers (SKU 356185),  6x12 Stickers (SKU 356181)

3 Ways to Use Watercolors on a Scrapbook Page

 

Hello everyone, it’s Terhi here! Are you ready for some color therapy!? I know I am!

Watercolors are my favorite wet media. I’m not great at painting images with watercolors, but I sure love using them to give my creations extra detail. You can use them for so many techniques that I would dare say they are the most versatile media ever. 

Today I want to share a scrapbook layout with you! I created it with Shimelle’s Never Grow Up line. The layout features three different ways to include watercolors to a scrapbook page.

Watercolor Tip #1: The Flicking Method

The first and most visible tip I have for you is to simply flick the watercolor onto the background. The smaller brush you flick with, the smaller the drops will be and vice versa. As I don’t plan my layouts in advance, I always add the flicks as the finishing touch instead of adding them first.

To avoid messing up your whole creation, I highly recommend covering all important areas (such as the photo) with left over papers or tissues before starting the flicking process.

Watercolor Tip #2: Combine Watercolors with Other Media 

Here, I stamped tons of beautiful butterflies to the background and used the American Crafts Moxy Embossing Powder to emboss the images. Once everything else was on place, I colored the butterflies on the background. As the embossed images resist the wet watercolors, the pretty butterflies pop up even though they are as white as the background is. How fun!

Watercolor Tip #3: Use Watercolors to Make your own Embellishments.

Once I had the embossing powders on hand, I thought to use it for another technique as well. Again, I stamped on white paper, this time with the same butterfly stamp but also with a leaf stamp found from the same Never Grow Up Stamp Set. Then I activated the embossing powder by heating it up. Once it cooled down again, I colored all images with watercolors and fussy cut them. I attached all fussy cut elements with foam dots to make them even more dimensional. What a perfect way to make your own embellishments!

Thank you for joining us today! Hope you’ve learned something new from watercolors. Happy scrapping!

Products used:

American Crafts Kelly Creates Plastic Palette (354725), Kelly Creates Round Brush Set (354722), American Crafts Paper Fashion Watercolors Basics (349306), American Crafts Never Grow Up Patterned Papers Fly Free (356155), Spring Awakening (356158), Flutter by (356162), Flower Meadow (356166), Dreams Come True (356170), Never Grow Up Embellishments with Foil Accents (356190), Never Grow Up Floral Ephemera (356183), American Crafts Cardstock White (71259), American Crafts Moxy Embossing Powder Opaque White (379570), Sticky Thumb Dots (340272), Sticky Thumb Runner (342039).

Create A Sporty Father's Day Layout with Fanni

Hello to all my American Crafts friends! It's Fanni Mayo here, and I hope you are doing well. Father's Day is just around the corner, and I have been preparing. I know that many of us have women's paper collections in stock, and it is often difficult to create more masculine looking projects. However, it is very easy to combine collections and achieve something more masculine. 

¡Hola a todos mis amigos de American Crafts! Les saluda Fanni Mayo, deseando que se encuentren de lo mejor y ya preparados para los regalos del día del padre, sé que muchos tenemos colecciones femeninas en nuestro stock y nos cuesta un poco convertirlas a otro estilo por que de repente nos sorprende un regalo para alguien especial y solo pensamos en los tonos pasteles o rosas que tienen, pero es muy fácil combinar colecciones con diseños de estampados básicos que nos ayudarán a lograr un proyecto masculino y muy lindo. 

To make this layout, I used Shimelle's Never Grow Up collection. It has lots of nice textures and outdoor scenes. My dad likes baseball, so I used a paper that reminds me of grass. For the baseball diamond,  used paper that has a wood texture. I also used red cardstock to add a little contrast. 

Para realizar este layout yo elegí la colección Never Grown Up de Shimelle que tiene texturas muy bonitas inspiradas en momentos al aire libre que tanto extrañamos ahora estando en casa, a mi papá le gusta el béisbol así que decidí elegir un papel que tuviera esa textura de pasto para dar el aspecto del campo, para la parte del diamante seleccioné el papel que tiene textura de madera y por el fondo donde está el diseño de los bates puse un cardstock rojo para que tuviera un poco de contraste.

My dad's style is very simple, and it doesn't take much to please him. It was quite an adventure fo rme to achieve a clean layout, but also allow the photo to stand out. I cut the word Papa with some white cardstock and backed it with a polka-dot paper from the collection. I wanted it to look like it was from a jersey! 

El estilo de mi papá es muy sencillo y no le gustan las cosas muy llenas de elementos así que fue toda una aventura para lograr un layout limpio pero con los elementos necesarios que identificaran a la foto. La palabra Papá la corté con un papel de puntos de la misma colección en tono azul marino y encima con una tipografía de béisbol en cardstock blanco la pegué para que diera ese aspecto de fondo oscuro con texto claro como si fuera un bordado en un jersey de un jugador. 

The photo was taken in 1995, so I included some thickers with the date. I am hoping that when my father receives it, he can capture the journaling himself and keep the memory forever. This photo was taken when his baseball team won a championship, and my sister and I were there to cheer him on.  

La fecha 1995 en que fue tomada la foto la puse con unos thickers de la misma colección, la idea es que mi papá al recibirlo pueda plasmar con su puño y letra el journaling para guardar por siempre este recuerdo, en el que su equipo de béisbol llegó al campeonato, y si ahí estoy yo junto con mi hermana en esta fotografía por que también somos fan del rey de los deportes. 

I hope that I gave you some ideas for your sports-loving fathers! Have a great day! 

Espero que les haya gustado esta idea para regalar a todos los papás amantes del béisbol y no olviden elegir sus colores favoritos o bien los de su equipo, les aseguro que lo sorprenderán. 

Materials Used: 

• American Crafts - Colección Never Grow Up - Pegatinas – Puffy ac-356185
• American Crafts - Colección Never Grow Up - Efímeras florals ac-356183
• American Crafts - Colección Never Grow Up – Ephemera ac-356182
• American Crafts - Colección Never Grow Up - Almohadilla de papel 12 x 12 con detalles en papel de aluminio ac-356176