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!

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! 

Instagram Mini Album Tutorial by Gina Lideros

Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros) has a fun step-by-step photo tutorial featuring Instagram photos - check it out:

Supplies: Finders Keepers (HS340259) - Minc Postcard Kit, Documentary (340198) - Thickers Noted/Cork, Documentary (340202) - Thickers Desktop/Gold Foil Puffy, Documentary (340196) - Paper Pad, Documentary (340247) - Wooden Button Shapes Assorted W/Gold Foil Accents, Documentary (340249) - Washi Tape Booklet W/Gold Foil, Documentary (340310) - Foiled Vellum Stargaze W/Gold, Documentary (340293) - Foiled Acetate 12"x12" Heart Of Gold W/Gold, Sticky Thumb (ST340275) - Flat Adhesive Dots .5", Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss (PP70661) - Instagram Chipboard Album 4"x4", Heidi Swapp Minc (HS370124) - Foil Applicator & Starter Kit, Heidi Swapp Minc (HSFOIL-69973) - Gold

1. Gather your mini album and supplies.

2. Trim "On An Adventure" title from acetate paper and attach to album cover with adhesive. Finish by adding a strip of washi tape.

3. Measure the inserts of your album. The inserts in the Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss Album that I'm using measure exactly 4x4", so I trimmed my patterned papers to 4x4".

4. Add paper and Instagram photos to the album. Embellish photo by adding rub ons.

5. Use the Heidi Swapp Minc machine to add gold foil to Finders Keepers postcards. After foiling, trim postcards to 4x4".

6. Add postcards to album. Embellish photo by adding washi tape.

7. Use a tab punch to punch out tabs from various patterned papers. Adhere tabs to each page of the album.

8. Use Sticky Thumb adhesive to adhere rub ons and wooden buttons throughout album.

 

9. Embellish the pages throughout!

Easy, breezy, beautiful! 

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!

Hosting a Fun Puppy Party

 Happy National Dog Day! We're celebrating with a fabulous puppy party for you and your favorite furry friend! We hope you have a ball planning your own paw-ty! 

We know you love your furry friends as much as we do, so we thought what better way to celebrate than with a party?! We created a banner, party favor jar, hats and pupcake toppers. Take a look!

 

Provide all your furry guests with a souvenir to take home—they'll love you!

Cupcake wrappers for dog-friendly snacks are easy to create. Add fun toppers to straws for a coordinated look. 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by! We hope you have a wonderful National Dog Day. How are you celebrating?

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!

Fun in the Sun Mini Album Tutorial by Heather Leopard

This amazing mini album was created by Heather Leopard (Blog: Heather Leopard | Instagram: @heatherleopard | Pinterest: @heatherleopard | Twitter: @heatherleopard) and GOOD NEWS! She has a step-by-step tutorial so you can create one too!

Supplies: Rise & Shine collection: (370000) – Rachel Paper, (370002) – Kylie Paper, (370008) – Stella Paper, (370011) – Lucy Paper, (370017) – Samantha Paper, (370038) – Bits Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, (370032) – Remarks Accent & Phrase Stickers, (370034) – Remarks Epoxy Stickers, (370035) – Remarks Alpha Stickers, (370045) – Ticket Memo Pad, (370054) – Chipboard Frames

1. I created this 4 x 6" mini album with the help of my Silhouette software and CAMEO and I am offering the cut file for free on my BLOG! Cut your cover out of patterned paper and set aside.

 

2. Cut 3 - 4 pieces of patterned paper for the inside pages of the book. This is included in the cut file so it's all pre-measured. Stack them on top of each other, making sure the patterns are in the right directions. Upside down hearts are cute and all but I prefer mine right side up :)

 

3. Stitch the cover to the inside pages. Again, make sure the cover and pages are all in the same direction. Add a strip of paper to the cover if you prefer. 

 

4. Embellish the inside with sentiments, frames, accordion pull-outs, etc.  

With the base ready, this album will be a snap to fill up with memories!