American Crafts Studio Blog

Embroidery Hoop Tutorial by Evelyn Yusuf

Perhaps you don't celebrate Halloween or just aren't a big fan of this holiday. No worries! Evelyn Yusuf (Blog: Evelyn Yusuf | Instagram: @geekgalz | Pinterest: @geekgalz | Twitter: @geekgalz | Facebook: Evelyn Yusuf) has a fun embroidery hoop tutorial to share with you that will give your home a little pick-me-up!

Supplies: Amy Tan Finders Keepers Token FKDS (40329), Dream Cather FKDS (40355), Kraft One In A Million FKDS (40321), Thickers Follow Alpha Multi Chipboard FKTH (40233), Thickers Today Phare White Foam FKTH (40324), Mounted Stamp (340240), Acrylic Stamp (340239), Wood Slice (340247), Washi Tapes (340250) 

I gathered some supplies to do this DIY:

1. Amy Tangerine Finders Keepers (patterned papers, washi tape, and clear stamps)

2. Some Wood Hoops

3. American Crafts White Cardstock

4. Ink Stamp

5. Glue and pop up tape (Sticky Thumbs Collection)

 

Here is a photo step-by-step:

1. Choose your favorite patterned papers from the collection that have fall color theme. Grab your hoops and start to trace outside the hoops. Cut the patterned papers according to it.

2. Use some glue before you paste the patterned papers to the wooden hoops. You can use paper glue or double sided glue.

3. To make my own embellishments, I chose a cute camera wooden stamp from the collection and chose brown ink to stamp. I stamped it on the white card stock then after that I do the fussy cutting and used pop up tape to give some dimension.

4. You can decorate each of your wooden hoops and get creative with it. I used some washi tape, wooden embellishments, and stamped cameras.

5. For another wooden hoop I chose to use my own leaf embellishments. This step is the same like the camera one. I chose to paste the leaves randomly to give a fall vibe.

Decorate your own wooden hoops by your own and try to make it simple but looks so cute.

Lets get closer looks at my final results!

It took less than 30 minutes to do this DIY! So much fun and you will love your final results! 

Fall Frame Tutorial with Nancy Damiano

Check out this gorgeous frame made by Nancy Damiano (Blog: Nancy Damiano | Instagram: @nancydamiano | Pinterest: @nancydamiano | Twitter: @DamianoNancy | Facebook: Nancy Damiano) and then follow along in a step-by-step photo tutorial so you can make one too!

Supplies: Finders Keepers (340247) – Wood Slices, Finders Keepers (340231) – 6x6 Paper Pad, Finders Keepers (40233) – Follow Thickers, Finders Keepers (340238) – Rub On, Serendipity (369206) – 6x6 Paper Pad, Sticky Thumb Adhesive (340264) – Double-Sided Super Sticky Red Tape .5”, Cardstock (71081) – White

1. Find an 8 1/2 x 11" white frame and remove the glass from the center. Place a sheet of white cardstock for the background of your project. You’ll also want to use an electronic die cut machine to cut two white leaves (7 x 3" and 6 x 2 1/2"). ​

2. Choose an assortment of patterned papers from a 6x6 pad. Don’t be afraid to use colors that aren’t traditionally Fall! This will give your project an eclectic look.

3. Cut strips from the patterned paper pad and glue them to the back of the leaf die cut. You can either cover every open space or just randomly place strips like I did here. I wanted some of the white background to show through, but either method works.

4. Next, place the Finders Keepers wood circles in the lower center of the frame just overlapping the leaves. Don’t glue them down just yet. We are simply measuring out the space for the title right now. Center the Finders Keepers Follow Thicker Alpha to create the ‘Autumn’ title.

5. Apply rub ons to add text or images to the wood slices. Remember to rub gently for the best results. Here I layered a pink watercolor rub on and then a white tree to create a shadow effect. 

​

6. Use double-sided Sticky Thumb red tape adhesive to securely attach the wood slices to the background.

Hang and enjoy!

Fall Week!

Happy fall ya'll! This week we're focusing on this season and sharing lovely ways to incorporate all things fall into your scrapbooks and projects. First up is a lovely embellished planner by Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros)

Supplies: Finders Keepers (FKTH-40232) - Memento Alpha/Green Puffy Thickers, Finders Keepers (340246) - Mylar Flair Embossed Gold, Finders Keepers (340249) Kraft Tags Embroidered, Finders Keepers (340250) - Mini Washi Tape Rolls, Finders Keepers (340251) - Washi Tape Booklet W/Gold Foil,Finders Keepers (340256) - Grab Bag Assorted Embellishments, Finders Keepers (340235) -  Accents & Phrases Transparent Stickers, Finders Keepers (340243) - Die-Cuts Cardstock & Acetate Shapes W/Foil, Finders Keepers (FKDS-40327) - Wild Goose Chase Paper, Finders Keepers (FKDS-40340) - Meant To Be Paper, DIY Shop Mini Stapler (366900) - Stapler, Precision Pen (PP05-62321) - .05 Open Stock Black , Designer Desktop Essentials (370819) - Paper Clips Heart, Designer Desktop Essentials (370821) - Paper Clips Arrow, Designer Desktop Essentials (370825) - Bowtie Jumbo Paper Clips, Pink Paislee Memorandum (310033) Memory Notebook, Pink Paislee Memorandum (310027) - Shapes Clear Sticker Book, Dear Lizzy Neopolitan (59160) - Roller Date Stamp

How to: On pages 1 and 2 use the Memorandum clear sticker numbers to fill out the calendar for the month of October. Use a Precision Pen to document important dates and activities. Use the alpha green puffy thickers to spell out "October" on the top left hand side. Trim a piece of pink ikat paper (included in the grab bag) and adhere to the left side column. Add a strip of washi to the bottom of paper. Clip on a jumbo bowtie paper clip. Use a die cut machine to trim a leaf die cut out from B side of Wild Goose Chase paper. Layer embroidered tag and die cut leaf to left hand side column. Fussy cut leaves from Meant To Be paper then adhere to top of right page. Add triangle stickers (included in the grab bag) to both calendar pages. Add a strip of washi to the right hand side of calendar page. Clip an arrow paper clip to bottom right hand side of page.

How to: On page 3, print three small square photos and adhere to page. Add "lovely" sticker to top of first photo, spell out the words "Fall Days" using alpha green puffy stickers next to first photo. Adhere "xoxo" banner die cut piece using mini stapler just below first photo. Add date stamp and journaling to center of page. Adhere a strip of washi tape to bottom photo. Add date stamp, journaling, and mylar flair embossed sticker to bottom right hand side of page. On page 4, adhere a photo to top left hand side of page and a photo to bottom ride hand side of page. Trim a piece of wood paper (included in the grab bag) and slip behind bottom photo. Add "brilliant" sticker just below top photo. Adhere a camera die cut to right side of top photo. Add date stamp just above die cut. Adhere heart paper clip to top right hand side of page. Use a Precision Pen to journal on today card (included in the die cut pack), trim off bottom of die cut, and adhere to bottom left hand side of page. Finish page by adding two strips of mini washi tape.

Under 30 Minutes Gift Bags by Evelyn Yusuf

Our final post with a theme of Under 30 Minutes comes from design team member Evelyn Yusuf (Blog: Evelyn Yusuf | Instagram: @geekgalz | Pinterest: @geekgalz | Twitter: @geekgalz | Facebook: Evelyn Yusuf)

Supplies: DIY Shop 3 Muslin Bag (370894), DIY Shop Circle Tags (370891), Metal Bobbies (370887), DIY Shop Phrase Stickers (370867), Enamel Dots (370888), Clothespins (370881), DIY Shop Gift Tags (370890)

I’m not celebrating Halloween or Fall because I’m living in Indonesia so we don’t have that season and those culture but I do really love everything about it. This time I want to share how we can create DIY Muslin Bags full of sweet and yum jelly perfect for Halloween or Fall less than 15 minutes.

1. First, put some jelly inside the muslin bags. Or you can use candy.

2. Decorate your muslin bags using a bobby pin, circle tag, and also some tags that you can find in the DIY Shop 3 collection.

3. Layer with the tags and also the gold stickers. I choose perfect words for the muslin bags and last make it perfect with enamels dots and a wooden clothespin.

4. Here is the result! No need for glue or scissors and still fun!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Under 30 Minutes Pumpkin Marquee Tutorial by Gina Lideros

Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros) makes the most of 30 minutes and creates some bewitchingly cute decor for the holidays! Watch and learn in a step-by-step photo tutorial!

Supplies: Dear Lizzy Documentary (340315) - Party Animal Paper, Halloween (340369) - Pom Pom Flowers Kit, Halloween (340375) - Cluster Party Decor Kit, Heidi Swapp Marquee (HS314884) - Love Halloween Kit Pumpkin, Crate Paper After Dark (AD680269) - Spooky Glitter Foam Thickers Shape Stickers, Crate Paper After Dark (AD680272) - Chipboard Stickers Glitter Accents, Heidi Swapp Minc (HSFOIL12-100) - Orange Reactive Foil, Heidi Swapp Minc (HS680288) - Ephemera Crate Paper Die Cuts, Heidi Swapp Minc (HS370124) - Applicator & Starter Kit, Crate Paper After Dark (AD680277) - Wood Veneer Shapes 

1. Take out the template included in the Heidi Swapp Marquee Love Halloween Pumpkin Kit, and trace onto Dear Lizzy Documentary Party Animal paper using a pencil. Use scissors to cut out.

2. Use a hole punch to cut out holes for marquee lights.

3. Place cut paper on top of marquee pumpkin. Place included marquee bulb lights inside cut holes.

4. Screw on plastic backs and place lights in each hole. Work in a step-by-step fashion, starting in the bottom middle and going right to left.

5. Next, place Thickers letters onto pumpkin surface spelling out the word "Boo". Run "Fun This Way" die cut piece through Minc machine using orange foil and adhere just above title.

6. Add chipboard, wood veneer, and Thickers shapes to complete design.

7. Once your marquee pumpkin is done, enjoy! Set up with other pieces to complete the look!

Halloween Collage Tutorial by Heather Leopard

Here is another spooktacular project with a Halloween-theme by Heather Leopard (Blog: Heather Leopard | Instagram: @heatherleopard | Pinterest: @heatherleopard | Twitter: @heatherleopard) along with a step-by-step tutorial, yay!

 
Supplies: Halloween collection: (340051) – Tags, (340362) – Washi Tape, (340366) – Washi Tape, (340367) – Pennant Banners, (340369) – Pom Pom Flowers, (340370) – Dimensional Stickers, (340372) – Notch Banners, (340377) – Adhesive ribbon bows, (340377) – Doilies, (340378) – Adhesive layered embellishments, (340381) – Tassels, (340382) – Brads, (340383) – Brads, (340384) – Tags, (340385) – Layered Tags, (340386) – Screen printed clothespins, (340386) – Screen printed clothespins, (340389) – Brads, (340390) – Buttons

1. Gather all your supplies – frame, tags, banners, embellishments, etc.

2. Select one piece of patterned paper for the background of your collage. I chose black and white and used watercolors to add color. Once dry, attach it to the back of the frame.

3. Next, select at least 3 backgrounds for your photos. I chose to use a combination of banners and tags. I layered spider web doilies, tags, washi tape, and more tags. Place your photos on top. I printed some of my photos 2x3” and others 3x3”.

4. Add tassels to the upper left portion of the frame and attach an embellished sentiment there as well.

5. Add paper flowers to the bottom right to help balance the outer frame. Add rosettes to the inside of the flowers.

6. Lastly, attach your photo tags to the frame.

So there we have it – scrapping off the page!

I can’t wait to show this to my girls. I just know they are going to love seeing all these photos from previous years. I wonder what or who they will choose to dress as this year?!

Watercoloring Wall Decor Tutorial by Ashley Horton

Who says watercoloring is limited to layouts and cards? Ashley Horton (Blog: Ashley Horton | Instagram: @ashleyhorton75 | Pinterest: @ahorton | Twitter: @ashleymh1675) takes her creativity to a new level creating a beautiful work of wall art and she has a step-by-step photo tutorial so you can create something just like it to decorate your home!

Supplies: Finders Keepers (340234) - Today Thickers, Finders Keepers (340243) - Printed Cardstock and Acetate Shapes with Gold Foil, Documentary (340199) - Snapshots Thickers, Documentary (340207) - Wood Buttons, Documentary (340204) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Dear Lizzy (370086) - Woodland Thickers

1. Grab a 12x12 piece of American Crafts white cardstock and a set of watercolors. You could also use watercolor paper if you are worried about the watercolors causing wrinkling on your paper.

2. Before adding the watercolors to your background paper, use the Silhouette Cameo sketch pens to draw a large heart on your cardstock or watercolor paper. If you don't have a Cameo, you can trace a printed heart shape or free hand your own heart shape.

3. After you have the heart shape drawn, start adding the watercolors to your background. I used a rainbow color scheme and a wide brush for the watercolors.

4. Once the watercolor paint is dry, use a paper piercer to punch holes around the heart shape. I spaced the holes at around 1/4" apart.  

 

5. Choose an embroidery floss color and back stitch around the outline of the heart shape.

6. After you have finished stitching around the edge of the heart, create a string art look, stitching from one hole to another on the heart shape. I used 6 different embroidery floss colors to create the string art effect.

7. Once you have finished the string art stitching, use a mix of Thickers and embellishments from Documentary and Finders Keepers to create a sentiment for your watercolor wall art!

 

 

 

 

Now you're ready to find the perfect spot in your home for your custom wall art! 

Back to School Clipboard Tutorial by Ashley Horton

Happy first day of September! We're continuing Back to School Week with a photo tutorial to make an awesome altered clipboard by Ashley Horton (Blog: Ashley Horton | Instagram: @ashleyhorton75 | Pinterest: @ahorton | Twitter: @ashleymh1675)!

Supplies: Designer Desktop Essentials (37080) - Clipboard with Print, Designer Desktop Essentials (370793) - Gallery Prints, Designer Desktop Essentials (370795) - Gallery Prints, Designer Desktop Essentials (370794) - Gallery Prints, Designer Desktop Essentials (37081) - Clothespins Dots, Designer Desktop Essentials (370834) - Dotted Pencils, Designer Desktop Essentials (370821) - Gold Arrow Paper Clip, Fine & Dandy (370086) - Woodland Thickers, Serendipity (366773) - Yo-Yo Thickers, True Stories (370740) - Wood Borders

1. Choose one of the Desktop Essentials gallery prints and place it on the clipboard. Arrange your photos over any design or type on the gallery print. Use a ruler to measure spacing for die cutting a date on the gallery print paper.

2. Cut the date with your electronic die cut machine according to the previous measurement. If you don't have an electronic die cut machine, you can use Thickers or letter stickers for adding your date.

3. Once the date is finished cutting, back it with a different color paper. Add some washi tape to hold the paper in place behind the date.

4. Place some double-sided adhesive on the back of the gallery print and then adhere it to the clipboard, placing the top edge under the clip.

5. Back each of your photos with adhesive foam dots and then adhere them to the paper. Once your photos are in place, add a clothespin to each one in varying colors.

6. Cut a 3x8.5" strip and a 1x8.5" strip to add to the bottom of the paper on your clipboard.  

7. Use a glue gun to attach one of the dotted pencils below your photos.

8. Place Thickers along the edge of the ruler to add the words "School Days" to the paper on the clipboard.

9. Finish by adding "ABC123" to the clip on the clipboard using Yo-Yo Thickers.

This is such a fun way to display your child's school year photos!

Favorite Photo Chicken Wire Frame Tutorial by Gina Lideros

Pretty sure this chicken wire favorite photo frame tutorial by Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros) is AMAZING!! 

Supplies: DIY Shop2 (369007) - Chalkboard Mason Jar, DIY Shop2 (369002) - Natural Burlap Pennant, DIY Shop2 (369005) - Large Chalkboard Clothespins, DIY Shop2 (369049) - Kraft W/ Chalkboard, DIY Shop2 (369051) - Glitter Stickers Gold Hearts, DIY Shop2 (369064) - Doilies White, DIY Shop2 (370059) - Printed Muslin Bags, DIYShop2 (368996) - Treat Bags w/ Gold Dots, Amy Tangerine Stitched (368980) - Cardstock Die Cut Shapes, Amy Tangerine Stitched (STCHTH-68966) - Today Accent Words/Black Foam, Heidi Swapp (HS370124) - Minc Foil Applicator & Starter Kit, Heidi Swapp (HSFOIL-69973) - Minc Reactive Foil Roll Gold, Heidi Swapp (HS70206) - Minc Jumbo Paper Alphabet, Heidi Swapp (HS370207) - MInc Die-Cut Jumbo Words, Heidi Swapp (HS370211) - Minc Binder Clips Gold, Heidi Swapp (HS30214) - Minc Jumbo Numbers, This To That (61754) - Double Sided Super Sticky Red Tape .5 In x 5yd, Other: Chicken Wire Frame

1. Arrange the Jumbo Alpha, Jumbo Numbers, and Jumbo Words that you would like to use in a Minc Folder (included in starter kit) with a piece of gold reactive foil and run through the Minc Foil applicator machine.

2. Gather supplies.

3. Run burlap banner pieces through a sewing machine and sew a straight stitch across the top of each banner. Leave thread pieces long on the ends and trim off excess thread.

4. Pin stitched burlap pieces to top of frame. Adhere an ampersand, the word "love", and a kraft/chalkboard tag with a gold heart sticker.

5. Use Super Sticky Red Tape to adhere mason jar tag to doily. Adhere heart gold glitter sticker on top.

6. Use sewing machine to stitch "Hello" die cut tag to treat bag. Adhere Thickers "love" sticker to bottom of treat bag. Print a small black and white photo and adhere to top right hand side of treat bag.

7. Adhere Jumbo number "2" to muslin bag using a gold binder clip.

8. Adhere three bottom pieces to frame using medium sized clothespins.

Your frame is now ready to enjoy!

This amazing display can be given as a gift or used to brighten up a room!

Favorite Photo Week!

Do you have a favorite photo? As memory keepers we love to take pictures and then scrap them or place them in DIY frames to look back on fun times! This week we're sharing our team's favorite photo and creative ways to display or scrapbook them. Check out this awesome frame with a favorite photo made by Nicole Samuels (Blog: Nicole Samuels | Instagram: @nicsamuels | Pinterest: @nsameuls | Twitter: @nicsamuels)

Here is Nicole's current favorite photo:

Supplies: DIY Party - Paper Straws, Blue and White (369821); Whittles - Glitter and Fashion Color Clothespins (373333); Cardstock - 8.5x11 White (AC71273)

How to: Start with a 6x6 piece of white cardstock. Use the DIY Party straws to create a border around the edges of the white cardstock, cutting the straws down smaller and smaller as you get towards the center of the frame. Glue a clothespin to the top frame border so that it hangs down into the photo area a bit. Cut a 2x4" rectangle of white yardstick to make the frame stand.  Make a score line from one corner diagonally across the rectangle to an opposite corner. Fold along the scored line and glue down one of the “triangles” to the back of the frame to form a little frame stand. Clip your latest favorite photo to the frame and enjoy!