American Crafts Studio Blog

Baby Guest Designer: Stephanie Dang

Stephanie Dang (Blog: Stephanie Dang | Instagram: @paperandi | Pinterest: @paperandi | Twitter: @stephanieddang) is our Baby Week guest designer and her projects are simply beautiful!

Short bio: Hi! I'm Stephanie! I am married to my wonderful husband, have two beautiful boys, and two adorable dogs. I love Jesus! And I also love all things rustic, vintage, cutesy, retro, colorful, soft, modern, monkeys, watermelons, mangos, and the color yellow. It is such a pleasure to meet you! :)

How did you get started with scrapbooking? I started scrapbooking soon after finding out I was pregnant with my 1st child and ever since then it has been my passion to document life in the most creative way.

What is your favorite American Crafts product? To pick a favorite AC product is really hard! I love them all!! But I guess if I have to narrow them down, AC cardstock and the Dear Lizzy collections are my favorite. I also love Amy Tangerine for her retro chic style!

I LOVE HIM by Stephanie Dang

I wanted to show off the wood veneer background, so I decided to use the least amount of patterned papers. I also lightly sprayed some mist on it and layered it on top of a bold solid pattern.

Supplies: White (71259)- Cardstock, Hula Hoop (366760)- Day Dreamer, Tic Tac Toe (366765)- Cay Dreamer, Wood Veneer Hearts ( 366866)- Day Dreamer, Lemon Drop ( 366769)- Thickers, Acrylic Stamps (366797)- Day Dreamer, Rub-On Transfer Sheets (366783)- Day Dreamer, Enamel Dots (366785)- Day Dreamer, Dimensional Embellishments (366786)- Day Dreamer, Dies (366731)- Day Dreamer, Matte Puffy Accents (366777)- Day Dreamer, Accent & Phrase Stickers ( 366776)- Day Dreamer, Printed Chipboard Shapes (366789)- Day Dreamer, Ribbon Spools (366798)- Day Dreamer

LIFE IS GOOD CARD by Stephanie Dang

Mix up your stamped image with a pre-printed sticker/die cut for a more appealing card.

Supplies: Cartwheels (366763)- Day Dreamer, Acrylic Stamps (366797)- Day Dreamer, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366776)- Day Dreamer, Enamel Dots (366785)- Day Dreamer, Wood Buttons (366796)- Day Dreamer, Ribbon Spools (366798)- Day Dreamer, Rub-On Transfer Sheets (366783)- Day Dreamer

I'LL BE YOURS by Stephanie Dang

If you want to make a more non-organized "fun" layout, just slightly tilt all your photos and embellishments around. If you find that you have too much space on top, just add a thin piece of paper border.

Supplies: Hula Hoop ( 366760)- Day Dreamer, Red Rover (366744)- Day Dreamer, Love Notes (366764)- Day Dreamer, Printed Chipboard Shapes (366789)- Day Dreamer, Wood Buttons (366796)- Day Dreamer, Acrylic Stamps (366797)- Day Dreamer, Enamel Dots (366785)- Day Dreamer

MEMO BOARD by Stephanie Dang

Look for items in the attic that will never be used and re-create them with a purpose. In this case, I found a pre-made baby frame, took out everything inside, and remade it into a dry-erase memo board.

Supplies: Bike Ride ( 366751)- Day Dreamer, Cartwheels ( 366763)- Day Dreamer, Clothespins (366787)- Day Dreamer, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366776)- Day Dreamer, Lemon Drop (366769)- Thickers, Pockets With Inserts (366790)- Day Dreamer

BABY LOVE by Stephanie Dang

Throw off a "too straight/organized" kind of layout by tilting a part of your layout for more dimension. In this case, I tilted my journaling pocket inserts with the attached embellishments.

Supplies: Juggling (366757)- Day Dreamer, White (71259)- Cardstock, Paper Planes (366748)- Day Dreamer, Sandbox (366756)- Day Dreamer, Treasure Hunt (366752)- Day Dreamer, Pocket With Inserts ( 366791)- Day Dreamer, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366778)- Remarks, Printed Chipboard Shapes (366789)- Day Dreamer, Wood Buttons (366796)- Day Dreamer, Enamel Dots (366785)- Day Dreamer, Rub-On Transfer Sheets (366783)- Day Dreamer, Lemon Drop (366769)- Thickers

Thank you so much for sharing your talent Stephanie!

Baby Mobile Tutorial by Erin Stewart

Erin Stewart (Blog: Erin Stewart | Instagram: @erinstewart | Pinterest: @erinstewrt) made this one-of-a-kind baby mobile and has created a step-by-step photo tutorial so you can see exactly how it came together so you can make one of your own:

Supplies: DIY Shop (366665) - Paper Pad, Daydreamer 6x6 (366767) - Paper Pad, Star 1.5 (KOP63104) - Knock Outs

 

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

 

Step 2: Punch shapes from patterned paper. Punch 25 large stars and 50 small stars. Then separate and sort punched stars into 5 piles. Create a pattern and line them up in order for later ease of sewing.

 

Step 3: Sew! Keeping the stars in order by stacking, start sewing the stars into garlands. Add a star one at a time, leaving an even gap between, until you have sewn each star. Continue until each of the 5 strands are sewn.

 

Step 4: Using tree branches and hemp, make a cross or X. Using the hemp, tightly wrap many times to secure the branches together.

 

Step 5: Tie the star garlands onto the branches.

 

Step 6: Hang and admire!

Such a sweet piece of decor that the baby is also sure to love!

Baby Week!

Sugar and spice and everything nice! Snips and snails and puppy dog tails! That's what little boys and girls are made of! We love sweet bundles of joy and we're tickled pink (or blue!) to showcase these precious ones this week.

Angie Gutshall (Blog: Angie Gutshall | Pinterest: @agutshall81 | Twitter: @angelagutshall) made a pair of oh-so-sweet layouts to start us off on our Baby Week adventure:

Supplies: Double Dutch Paper (366759) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Hop Scotch Paper (366743) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Flying Kites (366754) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Veneer Set (366781) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366778) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Paper Pad (366767) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer

Supplies: Skipping Along (366761) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Hop Scotch Paper (366743) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Paper Planes (366748) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366778) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Paper Pad (366767) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Pocket With Insert (366791) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Printed Chipboard Shapes (366789) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Accent & Phase Sticker (366776) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Printed Chipboard Stickers Yo-Yo (366771) - Thickers, Dimensional Embellishments (366786) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Enamel Dots (366785) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer

Sports Layouts by Heather Leopard

Here are two final sports-themed layouts made by Heather Leopard (Blog: Heather Leopard | Instagram: @heatherleopard | Pinterest: @heatherleopard | Twitter: @heatherleopard):

Supplies: Combo 12x12 paper (366804) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Sidekick 12x12 paper (366813) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Duet 12x12 paper (366817) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Pair 12x12 paper (366821) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Companion 12x12 paper (366824) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Thickers Twins Foam Stickers (366837) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Remarks Accent & Phrase Stickers (366840) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Remarks Us Tiny Matte Puffy Accents (366842) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Adhesive badges flair (366906) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Teammate Icon Embroidery Stencil Kit (366848) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Thread Kit / Spools (366864) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Mixtape Washi Tape (366839) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Studio Calico Mr Hueys Mist – Lemonade, Heidi Swapp Color Shine – Primrose

Supplies: Love Notes 12x12 Paper (366764) – Dear Lizzy Day Dreamer, Companion 12x12 paper (366824) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Counterpart 12x12 paper (366807) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Date 12x12 paper (366811) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Duet 12x12 paper (366817) – Amy Tangerine Plus One, Twosome 12x12 paper (366820) – Amy Tangerine Plus One

Have an ultra awesome weekend - we hope you can fill it with lots of scrapbooking and creative time! See you again on Monday!

Sports Cards by Lilith Eeckels

Lilith Eeckels (Blog: Lilith Eeckels | Instagram: @lilitheeckels | Pinterest: @lilith | Twitter: @lilitheeckels) has THREE fun sports-themed cards up to bat today!

Supplies: Washi Tape Black&White (66615)-DIY SHOP; DIY SHOP 6x6 paper pad (366983)- DIY SHOP; Daydreamer enamel dots (366785)-Dear Lizzy Daydreamer;Amy Tan Plus One Washi (366839)-Amy Tangerine Plus One; Amy Tan Embroidery Stencil thread kit (366864)-Amy Tangerine;Amy Tan Plus One Cardstock Stickers (366840)-Remarks Accents & Phrases

Supplies: Polka Dot Party 6x6 Paper Pad (366214)-Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Party; Amy Tan Plus One Thickers Phrase Stickers (366837)-Thickers

Supplies: Aqua textured cardstock (71058)-Cardstock; TwoSome Paper (66820)-Amy Tangerine Plus One; Amy Tan Plus One Bits Cardstock Die Cut shapes (366849)-BITS; DIY shop Banner Kraft Notch(66649)-DIY shop; Amy Tan Plus One Puffy Stickers (366842)-Remarks Mini Accents; Fancy Lables Chalkboard (366622)-DIY SHOP; Amy Tane Plus One Whittles Clothespins(366907)-Whittles

Our last sports projects will debut tomorrow morning - see you then! 

Sports Layout & Card by Allison Waken

How awesome are these sports-themed projects (a layout & card) by Allison Waken? (Blog: Allison Waken | Instagram: @allisonwaken | Pinterest: @allison_waken | Twitter: @allisonwaken)

Supplies: Peer Paper (366826) - Plus One, Pair Paper (366821) - Plus One, Pockets with Inserts (366791) - Day Dreamer, Puffy Matte Stickers (366842) - Remarks, Cardstock Die Cut Shapes (366849) - Bits, Accent and Phrase Stickers (366778) - Day Dreamer, Scee Cork (53465) - Thickers, Teammate Stitching Template (366848) Plus One, Wooden Clothespins (366620) - DIY Shop, Newspaper Tags (366639) - DIY Shop

Supplies: White (366014) - Cards with Envelopes, White (71081) - Cardstock, Twosome Paper (366820) - Plus One, Banner Stickers (366635) - DIY Shop, Foam Adhesive Tabs (61710) - This to That

Sports Insulated Cup Tutorial by Diana Waite

Diana Waite (Blog: Diana Waite | Instagram: @dianawaite3 | Pinterest: @dianaw3) has a clever sports-themed project today and good news - she's got step-by-step photos to show you how to make one too!

Supplies: 12x12 Paper Pad (366665) - DIY Shop, Chalkboard File Tabs (366610) - DIY Shop, Sequins (366609) - DIY Shop, Star Cork Stickers (366630), Black/White Washi Tape (366615) DIY Shop, 2" Star Paper Punch (63114) - Punches, Gold Lame (HS00791) - Color Shine

1. Gather supplies to use on the project. Make sure that your supplies aren't too bulky as their is a limited amount of space that it can fit in to. Clear insulated cups can be purchased at craft and hobby stores and online.

 

2. I printed my pictures at 2x3" then cut them down to 2x2 1/2". If you are using just one picture you can leave it at 4x6".

 

3. I carefully removed the mask that came with the clear cup. Then using a pencil I traced it on my background paper and cut it out.

 

4. After I cut it out I carefully folded it and inserted in the cup to make sure everything lined up, and to see which part of the paper would be covered over, I measured about 1/4" and traced a line which I covered with a piece of patterned paper. This let me have a visual of how much space I had to scrap on.

 

5. I matted each photo with patterned paper and adhered it to the background making sure to follow the curve of the cut of paper. 

 

6. I then embellished the "page" with cork stars, sequins, patterned paper, washi tape, punches, and mist. I then sewed on my page to add another layer of dimension but not bulk.

 

7. Before placing my page in the cup I carefully rolled it so that it would have some "memory" to be placed in the cup.  

 

8. I then placed my page inside the space of the cup. This part is tricky but I was patient and pushed slowly.

 

Everyone will admire your cup when you're at your next sports event!

Sports Week!

What to do with all the pictures you take at sporting events? Scrapbook them of course! Or want to send a card of encouragement/congrats to a little superstar? We've got you covered! This week we're focusing on SPORTS and I can't wait to share what our team has made! Elizabeth Gardner (Blog: Elizabeth Gardner | Instagram: @myscrappylife | Pinterest: @elizgardner) created two ultra awesome layouts to kick off Sports Week:

Supplies: Tandem (3666805) - Plus One, Pockets w/Inserts (366790) - Dear Lizzy, Dimensional Embellishments (366786) - Dear Lizzy, Fabric Flowers (366202) - Dear Lizzy, Large Tags (366206) - Dear Lizzy, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366778) - Dear Lizzy, Die Cut Shapes (366068) - Bits, Enamel Dots (336785) - Dear Lizzy, Wood Buttons (366796) - Dear Lizzy, Adhesive Badges (366795) - Dear Lizzy, Chalk Toothpick Pennants (366625) - DIY Shop, Kal Barteski (3666830) - Thickers, Match (366833) - Thickers, 6x6 Paper Pad (366214) - Polka Dot Party, Kraft Tags (366640) - DIY Shop, Chalkboard Tags (366641) - DIY Shop

How to: Splatter Ink across the page. Adhere photo and two embellished cards just below the halfway point of the page. Crinkle tissue paper and slide it into place under the photo and cards, adhere. Begin to layer stickers, tags, patterned paper and die cuts under the top two layers, adhering as you go. Cut a strip of the striped patterned paper and trim the edges, crinkle and layer with flower and heart embellishment. Adhere to page. Place the toothpick flags. Place enamel dots and other embellishments. Add the title and follow up with journaling.

Supplies: Word Up (366035) - Cut & Paste, Thread Kit (366864) - Plus One, Chalk Labels (366623) - DIY Shop, Banner Stickers (366635) - DIY Shop, Chalk Toothpick Pennants (366625) - DIY Shop, Chalkboard Tags (355541) - DIY Shop, Typed (366065) - Remarks, Wood Veneer Tags (366072) - Bits, Clothespins (366907) - Whittles, Chalkboard Tags (366608) - DIY Shop, Oh Darling (683391) - Crate Paper, Stamp Collection (366079) - Amy Tangerine, Wood Buttons (366796) - Dear Lizzy, Dots (332075) - Studio Calico, Enamel Dots (366785) - Dear Lizzy, Kal Barteski Black (366830) - Thickers, Addition (366851) - Details

How to: Watercolor five of the patterned paper boxes and allow to dry. Punch holes and stitch around the boxes to create colorful borders. Place enamel dots. Cut varying lengths of thread and swirl around in corresponding color areas. Stamp heart word bubble and dots along the edges of the page. Begin to place embellishments, this will aid in adhering the string into place. Staple down areas of string. Write on the chalkboard labels with a white pen and allow to dry. Adhere wood veneer element. Adhere labels. Adhere photo and tags layered underneath the photo. Place clip to upper right hand of the photo, fold upper corner back. Place title in the center of the photo. Doodle two lines to border the layout.

Stamping Layout & Card by Madeline Fox

Congrats to the randomly chosen winner of some current American Crafts stamps, Kanan Pandya:

 

Madeline Fox (Blog: Madeline Fox | Instagram: @madelineafox | Pinterest: @madeline | Twitter: @madeline_fox) has a wonderful layout and card with stamping to finish Stamping Week:

Supplies: Supplies: Sidekick Paper (PLUDS-66813) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Accomplice Paper (PLUDS-66822) -  Amy Tangerine Plus One, Copilot Paper ( PLUDS-66810) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Buddy Paper (PLUDS-66812) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Twosome Paper (PLUDS-66820) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Combo Paper (PLUDS-66804) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Pair Paper (PLUDS-66821) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Pal Paper (PLUDS-66809) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Couple Paper (PLUDS-66816) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Couple Paper (PLUDS-66816) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Clear Acrylic Stamps (36679) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Accompany Clear Acrylic Stamps (366856) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Good Stuff Clear Acrylic Stamps (366078) - Amy Tangerine Cut & Paste, Apricot Opaque Embossing Powder (ZOE-27136) - Zing!, Cricket Opaque Embossing Powder (ZOE-27142) - Zing!, Aqua Opaque Embossing Powder (ZOE-27143) - Zing!, Charcoal Opaque Embossing Powder (ZOE-27147) - Zing!, Silver Metallic Embossing Powder (ZME-27157) - Zing!, Flair Adhesive Metal Badges (366906) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Washi Tape (366839) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Twins Font Black Foam (366837) - Thickers, Fabric brads (366852) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Chipboard Stars (ESS-CHP-32099) - Essentials

How to: Emboss clear vellum with a variety of colorful powders, using bicycle, camera, and circular “Good Stuff” stamps. Cut out images and adhere bicycles and washi tape on the bottom third of Sidekick paper, slightly overlapping the images. Tear strips of Copilot, Buddy, Twosome, and Accomplice and layer on top third of page. Add a strip from the Couple paper at the top and bottom of the layout. Round edges of journal cards and adhere with photos on top. Arrange vellum shapes, clear sticker, brad and enamel dot over photo. Adhere phrases cut from Pal paper. Add clear stickers and enamel dot at bottom of page. Attach flair and chipboard stars. Journal and stamp date.

Supplies: 12”x12” Black (AC712P12-60) - Cardstock, Juggling Paper (DAYDS-66757) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Paper Planes Paper (DAYDS-66748) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer,   Duo Paper (PLUDS-66823) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, Couple Paper (PLUDS-66816) - Amy Tangerine Plus One, 6” x 6” Paper Pad (366767) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, Chalkboard Die-cut Frames (366637) - DIY Shop, Flair Badges (683348) - Love Notes, Border Punch Value Kit (63013) - Knock Outs, Clear Acrylic Stamps (36679) - Dear Lizzy Daydreamer, White Opaque Embossing Powder (ZOE-27124) - Zing!

How to: Cut and fold black cardstock into 5” x 7” card. Cut 4 1/2” wide strips of Juggling, Duo, the tear strip of Paper Planes, the pink print from the 6” x 6” paper pad, and Couple papers, in approximate lengths as shown. Leaving 1/4” at top and bottom of card, adhere layers from top to bottom, tucking in two border punched strips of black cardstock. Emboss chalkboard frame with opaque white embossing powder. Adhere frame to center of card. Add fussy cut flower and flair badge. Cut and adhere coordinating solid light color cardstock to inside of card and write sentiments.

We'll be back on Monday with SPORTS Week!

Stamping Cards by Ashley Horton

Here are three cards featuring stamping made by Ashley Horton (Blog: Ashley Horton | Instagram: @ashleyhorton75# | Pinterest: @ahorton | Twitter: @ashleymh1675):

The Stamping Week giveaway winner will be announced tomorrow - have you entered??