American Crafts Studio Blog

Daybook Guest Designer: Elise Blaha

Elise Blaha is the guest designer this week and she's sharing one amazing Daybook!

Short bio: Elise Blaha Cripe is a crafter and blogger who lives in Southern California with her husband Paul. You can connect with her on her blog, twitter or pinterest.

How did you get started scrapbooking? When I was eight or so, I asked for a scrapbook for Christmas. Ever since then I have played with photos and paper.

What is your favorite American Crafts product? I'm a fan of every patterned paper AC comes out with. And I love writing with Slickwriters. 

Choose Your Own Adventure by Elise Blaha

When I was done adding all my photos and embellishments to the album it was huge! I stapled a long piece of ribbon to the back of the book and wrapped it around the front and tied it into a bow. This holds it closed and looks cute.

Supplies: The Little Things (76213) - Daybook, Sign on the Dotted Paper (35553) - Amy Tangerine, Goodness Slate (53249) - Thickers, Goodness White (53250) - Thickers, Let's Go (42215) - Remarks, All Together (42219) - Remarks, Live & Love (77257) - Patchems, Let's Hang (78059) - Details, Hi Friend (42214) - Remarks, Chap (89419) - Ribbon, Enjoy (89417) - Ribbon

We hope you're inspired to delve into a Daybook and make something fun today!

Daybook by Cindy Stevens

Cindy Stevens is going to share her completed Daybook with you today:

New York 2010 by Cindy Stevens

Supplies: Off the Map (76212) - Daybook, Mustard (71036) - Cardstock, Is it Any Wonder Paper (35556) - Amy Tangerine, Daisy's Diner Paper (35539) - Garden Cafe, Mark Paper (35576) - Chap, Jim Paper (35567) - Chap, Scott Paper (35575) - Chap, Maple Pineapple (53221) - Thickers, Wonder Kale (53263) - Thickers, Mixed Envelopes (78082) - Daybook, Plastic Buttons (85573) - Elements, Enjoy (89417) - Premium Ribbon, Decorative Tape (61748) - Mixtape, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (77288) - Daybook, Border Punch Value Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Stay tuned for the Daybook guest designer tomorrow!

Daybook Week

Part of the collaboration with Amy Tangerine, Daybooks are a fun way to scrapbook on-the-go. They come in two sizes and multiple designs, all bursting with an eclectic mix of multi-shaped papers, textiles, and patterns that are sewn or spiral bound together. Crafters of all skill-levels can easily personalize these books with tickets, photos, journaling, and mementos from trips across town or across the world.

Here are the covers of a few finished Daybooks made by Amy Tan herself:

This week our design team and a special guest designer will showcase their finished Daybooks so you can see how fun and versatile these creative mini albums can be! Amy Heller kicks off the fun:

Sew Fun by Amy Heller

Supplies: Noteworthy (76214) - Daybook, Nothin' But Fun (78058) - Details, Enjoy (89417) - Premium Ribbon, Paper Tabs (78083) - Daybook, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (77259) - Bits, Mixed Envelopes (78082) - Daybook, Live & Love (77257) - Patchems, Wishing (42216) - Remarks Fabric Stickers, Hi Friend (42214) - Remarks, Good Times (42213) - Remarks, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (77288) - Daybook, Fabric Brads (85567) - Elements, Lovely Mulberry (53245) - Thickers, Lovely Straw (53243) - Thickers, Goodnesss Slate (53249) - Thickers, Goodnesss White (53250) - Thickers

Want a chance to win a set of Daybooks?

Leave a comment on this post by Friday March 2nd letting us know what you'd like to use a Daybook for and we'll randomly select a winner and announce them with Friday's post!

Knock Outs Projects by Melissa Mann

A big round of applause to the two randomly selected winners of Knock Outs Starter Kits, Julie Mitchell and Catherine:

Finishing up Knock Outs week, Melissa Mann has a final layout and card to share with you today:

I Love Family by Melissa Mann

Supplies: Kraft (71464) - Cardstock, Pool (71069) - Cardstock, Sunflower (71113) - Cardstock, Tabs (77261) - Bits, Good Times (42213) - Remarks, Lovely Peacock (53244) - Thickers, Fantastic White (53110) - Thickers, Rockabye Powder (42955) - Thickers, Rose Brads (85513) - Elements, Pearl Brads (85318) - Elements, Charming Chap (78046) - Details, Daybook (77288) - Amy Tangerine, Epoxy Brads (85568) - Elements, Fabric Brads (85567) - Elements, Jewel Brads (85301) - Elements, Decorative Tape (61749) - Mixtape, Hi Friend (42214) - Remarks, Friends (42228) - Remarks, Hello (70075) - Flair, Plastic Rose Brads (85539)-  Elements, All Together (42219) - Remarks

Hello Card by Melissa Mann

Supplies: Kraft (71464) - Cardstock, Fine Day Paper (35606) - Daydreams, Playful Day Paper (35607) -  Daydreams, Joyful Day Paper (35603) - Daydreams, Wonderful Day Paper (35601) - Daydreams, Great Day Paper (35602) - Daydreams, Border Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs, This to That (61713) - Adhesive, Hello (59150) - Clear Stamps, Grapefruit (27135) - Zing!, Chipper (78061) - Details, Good Times (42213) - Remarks

Thanks for stopping by - have a great weekend and see you again in a few days!

Knock Outs Cards by Jenny Chesnick

Continuing with Knock Outs week, Jenny Chensick created a cute trio of cards!

Thanks Card by Jenny Chesnick

Supplies: Blissful Day Paper (35605) - Daydreams, Cards & Envelopes (64103) - Just Write, Smile (42227) - Remarks Books, Bright (72025) - Delights, Border Punch Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Surprise by Jenny Chesnick

Supplies: Blissful Day Paper (35605) - Daydreams, Cards & Envelopes (64103) - Just Write, Smile (42227) - Remarks Books, Bright (72025) - Delights, Border Punch Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Hello by Jenny Chesnick

Supplies: Wonderful Day Paper (35601) - Daydreams, Cards & Envelopes (64103) - Just Write, Friends (42228) - Remarks, Decorative Tags (77263) - Bits, Hello (70075) - Flair, Border Punch Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs, Cream (58510) - Ribbon

Have you entered the giveaway for the week? For your chance to win a Knock Outs Starter Kit, scroll down to Monday's post and enter - winners will be announced tomorrow morning!

Knock Outs Guest Designer: Sophie Crespy

I'm excited to announce our latest and greatest guest designer: Sophie Crespy! She created a handful of layouts, a card, and a few pages of her project life - all featuring Knock Outs border punches!

Short bio: I am a 33 year old part-time teacher, mother of two very lively kiddos, and I live in the French Alps. I never ski, but I spend a lot of time scrapbooking and way too much time on the internet! When I am not scrapbooking, I am trying to learn a bit more about photography and sewing. I spend a lot of time playing with my kids and I really enjoy crafty Wednesday activities with my girl! My blog is bilingual as I lived in England for four years during my studies. It was in another life now (10 years ago!) therefore I don't absolutly master the English language! but I love to connect with English and American speakers.

How did you get started scrapbooking? I started scrapbooking four and a half years ago in order to record our daily life and to preserve our family memories. I heard about it from a friend and after a quick search on the internet, I was hooked! Journaling is an important part of my creative process as I would like my children to know how important they are to me when they grow up.

What is your favorite American Crafts product? There is no great layout whithout some American Crafts Thickers! They are just perfection. But I am also in love with Delights and all stickers! And last but not least, I am a great fan of Dear Lizzy collections and I have bought some items up to five times! I can't wait to play with the new collections! 

Bright by Sophie Crespy

On this layout I used the punches to create layers under the main photo. I added ribbon in the layering for more texture. I also punched the sides of the layout to create a "mask" effect. The Daydreams papers were perfectly fit for my subject! I punched out some circles to balance with the straight borders.

Supplies: Taffy (71022) - Cardstock, Wishful Day Paper (35610) - Daydreams, Fine Day Paper (35606) - Daydreams, Sunny Day Paper (35608) - Amy Tangerine, Work in Progress Paper (35546) - Amy Tangerine, Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, Is it Any Wonder Fabric Paper (35556) - Amy Tangerine, Enjoy (89417) - Delights, Sunny (72025) - Delights, Epoxy Brads (85568) - Elements, Hi Friend (42214) - Remarks, Smile (42227) - Remarks, Shaped Paper Clips (85566) - Elements, Goodness Slate (53249) - Thickers, Shane Letter Stickers (42221) -  Remarks, Slickwriter Fine Black (62001) - Pen, Border Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

It Runs in the Family by Sophie Crespy

These photos crack me up! My boy loves getting artsy and very dirty in the process! The punches were perfect to create two fun rosettes and to give a notepad look to my borders. I machine stitched on my page to create an "artsy" look that fits the photo!

Supplies: Vanilla (71041) - Cardstock, Wishful Day Paper (35610) - Daydreams, Fine Day Paper (35606) - Daydreams, Good Company Paper (35557) - Amy Tangerine, Yes Peas Paper (35549) - Amy Tangerine, Wanderlust Paper (35548) - Amy Tangerine, Rose Ave Paper (35551) - Amy Tangerine, Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, Work in Progress Paper (35546) - Amy Tangerine, Sunny (72025) - Delights, Wonder Black (53262) - Thickers, Wonder Pool (53265) - Thickers, Shaped Paper Clips (85566) - Elements, Border Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Warm & Cozy by Sophie Crespy

I created frames with the punches for this layout. It is a simple layout but it took me ages to figure out how to make the frames properly all around! I think a little tutorial will be soon up on my blog!

Supplies: Black (71082) - Cardstock, Hello Doily Paper (35558) - Amy Tangerine, Good Company Paper (35557) - Amy Tangerine, Wishful Day Paper (35610) - Daydreams, Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, Love Struck (59151) - Clear Stamps, Goodness Slate (53246) -  Thickers, Shane Letter Stickers (42221) - Remarks, Fabric Brads (85572) - Elements, Epoxy Brads (85568) - Elements, Alex (72023) - Delights, Enjoy (89417) - Ribbon, Slickwriter Fine Black (62001) - Pen, Border Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Hello Friend Card by Sophie Crespy

This is just me playing with layers of punched out paper and my sewing machine! Nothing is straight but that is on purpose. I made this card for a crafty friend of mine who loves clouds.

Supplies: Stars, Stripes & Stitches Paper (35550) - Amy Tangerine, Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, Yes Peas Paper (35549) - Amy Tangerine, The Good Life Paper (35543) - Amy Tangerine, Smile (42227) - Remarks, Love Struck (59151) - Clear Stamps, Border Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Project Life Week 2 and 3 by Sophie Crespy

I found that it was so easy to create fun and easy Project Life layouts with the product I recieved. The small letter stickers are perfect for quick titling and journaling. The punches are great to embellish photos. Using only American Crafts products helped me to give some personality to my project because the collections work really well together.

Supplies: Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, You Are Golden Fabric Paper (35563) - Amy Tangerine, Stars, Stripes & Stitches Paper (35550) - Amy Tangerine, Great Day Paper (35602) - Daydreams, Scatter Sunshine Paper (35554)- Amy Tangerine, The Good Life Paper (35543) - Amy Tangerine, Woodness Gracious Paper ( 35555) - Amy Tangerine, Sign On The Dotted Paper (35553) - Amy Tangerine, Tim Paper (35577) - Chap, Is it Any Wonder Fabric Paper (35556) - Amy Tangerine, Live & Love (77257) - Pathcems, Love Struck (59151) - Clear Stamps, Shaped Paper Clips (85566) - Elements, Hi Friend (42214) - Remarks, Smile (42227) - Remarks, Enjoy (89417) - Ribbon, Fabric Brads (85572) - Elements, Wonder Black (53262) - Thickers, Wonder Pool (53265) - Thickers, Shane Letter Stickers (42221) - Remarks, Goodness Slate (53249) - Thickers, Hello Ash (53246) - Thickers, Slickwriter Black Fine (62001) - Pen, Border Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Make sure and stop by Sophie's blog to see more of her incredible work and see what inspires her on her Pinterest boards!

Knock Outs Tutorial by Suzy Plantamura

Do you have a birthday coming up? Want to create something fresh and fun to celebrate? Look no further - Suzy Plantamura made a step-by-step photo tutorial showing you how to dress up your special occasion:

Birthday Party by Suzy Plantamura

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (35658) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Dear Lizzy Ribbon (58805) - Premium Ribbon, Shout (72009) - Delights, Musical Chairs (42188) - Remarks, Ephemera Flowers (78065) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Pinwheel (78171) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan; Border Punch Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Step 1: Take a 6x6 pad of paper and draw cupcake wrappers on the backside; cut them out.

Step 2: Attach the two pieces together to create one long strip.

Step 3: Punch a decorative border along the top edge.

Step 4: Wrap the paper around a cupcake and attach in the back; add decorations to the front like Detail and Delights.


Step 5: Cut two 2” wide pieces of paper from a 6x6 sheet and use a Knock Outs punch along one long end of each; attach them together and accordion fold in pleats.

Step 6: Attach the accordion flowers to the backside of Dear Lizzy pinwheel and flower embellishments; attach the embellishments to a stick and put in the center of a cupcake.

Make sure to come back tomorrow a special guest designer!

Knock Outs Week

Add a decorative edge to your projects with Knock Outs Border Punches! With a variety of designs and an interchangeable system, these punches are sure to fulfill all your border needs! This week our talented design team will show you the versatile ways these punches can be used on your scrapbooking projects. Starting with layouts and cards by Corrie Jones and Lilith Eeckels:

Silly Silly Silly by Corrie Jones

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Happy Day Paper (35600) - Daydreams, Cherry Day Paper (35611) - Daydreams, Great Day Paper (35602) - Daydreams, Elm Vanilla (53216) - Thickers, Maple Chocolate (53219) - Thickers, Eclair Strawberry (53225) - Thickers, Lovely Straw (53243) - Thickers, Decorative Tape (61749) - Mixtape, Chirpy (78060) - Details, Friends (42228) - Remarks, Smile (42227) - Remarks, Decoartive Tags (77263) - Bits, Plastic Buttons (85573) - Elements, Fabric Brads (85572) - Elements, Border Punch Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Outs

Be Mine Card by Corrie Jones

Supplies: White (71081) - Cardstock, Wonderful Day Paper (35601) - Daydreams, Chipper (78061) - Details, Subway Bubble Gum (53150) - Thickers, Border Punch Starter Kit (63013) - Knock Out

Sharing a Slice of the Good Life by Lilith Eeckels

Supplies: White (71081) – Cardstock, Lily's Bakery Paper (35534) – Garden Café, Clover Cantina Paper (35537) – Garden Café, Carnation Corner Paper (35538) – Garden Café, Daisy's Diner Paper (35539) – Garden Café, Poppy's Pub Paper (35542) – Garden Café, Meringue (42211) – Remarks, Trifle (78056) – Details, Garden Café Flat Box (89416) – Premium Ribbon, Daybook Die Cut Cardstock Shapes (77288) – Bits, Wonder Kale (52363) – Thickers, Border Value Kit (63013) – Knock Outs

Thank You Very Much for Everything Card by Lilith Eeckels

Supplies: White (71081) – Cardstock, Magnolia Market Paper (35536) - Garden Cafe, Journaling Cards (64011) – Just Write, Savor (42210) – Remarks Books, Border Value Kit (63013) – Knock Outs

For a chance to win a Border Punch Value Kit - complete with everything you need to get started punching fanastic borders right away - leave a comment on this post letting us know what your favorite shape of border punch is by Friday February 24th. We'll randomly select TWO winners and announce them with Friday's post! Good luck!

Silhouette Projects by Paige Evans and Piradee Talvanna

A big congrats to the randomly selected winner of the $50 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store, marianne-g:

To wrap up Silhouette Week, Paige Evans and Piradee Talvanna made a couple of layouts and a card focusing on American Crafts die cuts available through Silhouette.

Already In Love by Paige Evans

Supplies: Dear Lizzy Doilies from Silhouette, Fresh Blooms Paper (35630) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Heart Song Paper (35631) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Sweet Sundress Paper (35634) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Lovely Afternoon Paper (35638) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, At First Sight Paper (35641) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Sea Breeze Paper (35643) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Simple Romance Paper (35645) - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan, Serendipity Parakeet (53293) - Thickers, Splendid Smoke (53295) - Thickers, Printed Variety Tags (78069) - Bits, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan (43395) - MInimarks, Roller Date Stamp (59160) - Stamps, Mini Fair Ribbons (78066) - Delights, Happy Chance Pennant (35648) - Flutterbys, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Ribbon Card (58805) - Premium Ribbon, Dot Glue Runner (61713) - This to That, Dimensional Dots (61709) - This to That, White (71081) - Cardstock, .03 Brown (62316) - Precision Pen

Exploring by Piradee Talvanna

Supplies: Dark Kraft (71563) - Cardstock, Orange You Glad Paper (35544) - Amy Tangerine, Here and There Paper (35562) - Amy Tangerine, Die Cut Shapes (77259) - Bits, Die Cut Shapes (77288) - Bits, Good Times (42213) - Remarks Books, Amy Letter Stickers (42212) - Remarks Books, Decorative Tape (61748) - Mixtape, Decorative Tape (61749) - Mixtape,  Mini Album (78082) - Daybooks, Dimensional Dots (61709) - This To That, Dot Glue Runner (61713) - This To That, Silhouette Shapes from American Crafts (Heart and Bicycle)

Hello Friend Card by Piradee Talvanna

Supplies: Truffle (71504) - Cardstock, White (71346) - Cards, Daisy's Dinner Paper (35539) - Garden Cafe, Rose's Kitchen Paper (35540) - Garden Cafe, Petunia's Pastries Paper (35532) - Garden Cafe, Savor (42210) - Remarks Books, Glitter Buttons (85563) - Elements, Dimensional Dots (61709) - This To That, Dot Glue Runner (61713) - This To That, Silhouette Shapes from American Crafts (Butterfly)

Have a great weekend and we'll see you back here again on Monday for an all new week of fun!

Silhouette Projects by Heidi Sonboul and Leslie Ashe

Even more great Silhouette projects are coming your way today! First up, Heidi Sonboul shares a stunning Valentine's Day-themed layout:

The Keys to My Heart by Heidi Sonboul

Supplies: Paper: Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, Rose's Kitchen Paper (35540) - Garden Cafe, Cameron Paper (35570) - Chap, Scott Paper (35575) - Chap, Jolly Old Elf Paper (35501) - Hollyday, Santa Baby Paper (35482) - Hollyday, Hello Ash (53246) - Thickers, Decorative Tags (77260) - Bits, Heart & Scallp Border Punch (63000) - Knock Outs

Next, Leslie Ashe created a stunning layout and card featuring American Crafts die cuts downloaded from Silhouette:

Pretty is as Pretty Does by Leslie Ashe

Supplies: Sear Lizzy Doily Silhouette die cut, Ash (71078) – Cardstock, Rose’s Kitchen Paper (35540) – Garden Café, Amy Tangerine Fabric Brads (85567) – Elements, Garden Café Buttons (85564) – Elements, Daydreams Plastic Buttons (85573) – Elements, Good Times (42213) – Remarks Books, Smile (42227) – Remarks Books, Decorative Tape (61749) – Mixtape, Basic Ribbon Spools (58510) – Ribbon, Basic Ribbon Spools (58228) – Ribbon, Black (62600) – Stamp Marker, Pool Wonder (53265) – Thickers, Dimensional Dots (61709) – This To That Adhesive

Hello Card by Leslie Ashe

Cameras are one of my favorite things to either create with or display in my home. I was so excited to see this Amy Tangerine camera die for my new Cameo, I couldn’t WAIT to use it. I especially loved making the “hello” pop by using 3D adhesive around the heart.

Supplies: Amy Tangerine Heart Border Silhouette die cut, Aqua (71058) – Cardstock, Get Around Paper (35561) – Amy Tangerine, Woodness Gracious Paper (35555) – Amy Tangerine, Mark Paper (35576) – Chap, Amy Tangerine Fabric Brads (85567) – Elements, Basic Ribbon Spool (58409) – Ribbon, Charcoal (62601) Stamp Marker, Dimensonal Dots (61709) – This To That Adhesive, Open Scallop Border Punch (63008) – Knock Outs

The winner of the $50 gift card to Silhouette will be announced tomorrow morning as well as the reveal of a couple more Silhouette projects!