American Crafts Studio Blog

Watercolor Layout by Gina Lideros

Our final project featuring watercoloring was made by Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros)

Supplies: Dear Lizzy Documentary (340295) - #Mondays, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340301) - Bear Hug, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340302) - Blossom, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340303) - Fresh Start, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340305) - Fancy Free, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340307) - Snail Mail, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340312) - Ever After, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340204) Ephemera W/ Gold Foil, Dear Lizzy Documentary (340209) - Washi Tape Booklet W/ Gold Foil, Maggie Holmes Confetti (683718) - Dies Flowers, Cardstock (AM71-793) - White, Sticky Thumb (ST340261) - Permanent Solid 

How to: Using a brush and watercolors, paint a light pink background against a white cardstock page then set aside to dry. Use flower die to make six sets of flowers out of various patterned papers and white cardstock. Using a paint brush, paint the cut cardstock flowers with watercolors, set aside to dry. Create flowers by grouping watercolor flowers and patterned paper flowers together, layer on the leaves, and adhere to layout. Gather pieces of white thread and place behind two of the flowers before adhering down. Flick black spray ink across the page. Print an instagram photo, trim, and adhere to center of layout. Place a thin strip of ruler washi tape on the bottom left hand side of photo. Finish by adhering die cuts to page.

Have a wonderful weekend filled with happy scrapping!

Watercoloring Week!

How about a little mixed media this week?! Watercoloring on layouts is a surefire way to add bursts of color and creativity! Paige Evans (Blog: Paige Evans | Instagram: @paigetaylorevans | Pinterest: @paigeevans) starts off what is sure to be an artistic week with a layout:

Supplies: Amy Tangerine Finders Keepers 12x12 Paper Pad (340230), Today Phrases (FKTH-40234) - Thickers, Puffy Stickers (340237), Cardstock & Acetate Shapes (340243), Stamped Mylar Flair (340246)

How to: Trim patterned paper strips then sew them with black thread across a kraft cardstock background; bend up the edges for dimension. Watercolor inside the die cut words and bring out the colors of the papers by watercoloring on top. Layer a photo over a journaling card and embellish with stickers, mylar flair, a Thickers title, puffy stickers, journaling, and more! Create a floral cluster using a die cut trimmed in half on the top right and bottom left corners. 

Lots more inspiring ways to use watercolors coming up this week!

Instagram Layout by Paige Evans

Here is a layout incorporating instagram photos created by Paige Evans (Blog: Paige Evans | Instagram: @paigetaylorevans | Pinterest: @paigeevans)

Supplies: Dear Lizzy Documentary Papers (340294-340316), Phrase Stickers (340199) - Thickers, Foiled Stickers (340200), Puffy Stickers (340201), Cardstock Die Cuts (340204), Wooden Buttons (340207), Ticket Roll (340208)

How to: I started by creating a "half hearts" cut file:

You can download and use this cut file too by clicking HERE! I cut the half hearts from the Ever After paper (Dear Lizzy/Documentary collection) and then folded and glued the half hearts open. I backed the open heart halves with all of the patterned papers from Documentary. I printed 10 favorite instagram photos to 1" square and then adhered them over the hearts. Next I created a title with foam Thickers and embellished with bits and pieces from Documentary.

 
This is a fun way to display a bunch of your favorite instagram pics!

Instagram Photos Week!

We love instagram, in case you didn't already know :) And we have a feeling millions of others love it too! The cute square format and easy sharing capabilities make it a great app for documenting memories - digitally and on paper too! This week we'll focus on how to incorporate instagram photos onto layouts, cards, and a fun DIY project starting with a layout by Heather Leopard (Blog: Heather Leopard | Instagram: @heatherleopard | Pinterest: @heatherleopard | Twitter: @heatherleopard)

Supplies: Documentary collection: (340294) – Me & You Paper, (340296) – Confetti Paper, (340302) – Blossom Paper, (340303) – Fresh Start Paper, (340305) – Fancy Free Paper, (340307) – Snail Mail Paper, (340316) – Dreamer Paper, (340205) - Cork Bows, (340204) - Die-cut cardstock shapes, (340203) - Rub-on transfer sheets, (340207) - Wood buttons, (340200) – Accent & Phrase Stickers, (340199) – Snapshots Thickers; Cut file from JustNick

How to: Download and cut out your favorite background cut file and choose one where the outer perimeter somewhat resembles a circle. Pick various patterned papers to back the different cuts and adhere to the page. Hand or machine stitch a large circle around the outside of your new background. Add 2 – 3 layers of coordinating patterned paper behind your photo, layering in tags, labels, tickets, etc. and adhere to the bottom left of the page. Next, add your title and journaling and finish off the page with the remaining embellishments.

A fun DIY project with step-by-step photos featuring instagram photos is in the works for tomorrow! See you then!

Ashley's Favorite Layout

Ashley Horton (Blog: Ashley Horton | Instagram: @ashleyhorton75 | Pinterest: @ahorton | Twitter: @ashleymh1675) says, "It's not always easy to choose a favorite project, but sometimes there are those that just pop out at you. It could hold a special memory, a favorite photo or your favorite design, which is the exact reason I am in love with scrapbooking!"

Supplies: Serendipity (369189) - Lucky Love, Serendipity (369184) - XOXO, Serendipity (369203) - I Heart You, Serendipity (369187) - One Fine Day, Serendipity (369217) - Pleather Bows, Serendipity (369213) - Puffy Stickers, Serendipity (369215) - Enamel Dots, Serendipity (369218) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Serendipity (369220) - Watercolor Words, Serendipity (369210) - Phrases & Letter Stickers, Serendipity (369211) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Fine & Dandy (370086) - Woodland Thickers, Fine & Dandy (370088) - Colorful Confetti Thickers

How to: Die cut a large heart shape on white cardstock. Back the hearts with various patterned papers from the Serendipity collection. Machine or hand stitch around the heart design. Use a mix of the Woodland Thickers and Colorful Confetti Thickers to add your title around the heart design. Add your photo to the center of the die cut design. Layer with Bits, stickers, and a watercolor word phrase.  Finish embellishing around the die cut design with Bits, stickers, puffy stickers, and enamel dots.

Paige's Favorite Layout

Paige Evans (Blog: Paige Evans | Instagram: @paigetaylorevans | Pinterest: @paigeevans) shares her favorite American Crafts layout with us today:

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers (arrow, car, hearts, letters, pennants), die cuts (ampersand, pie chart circle, "pull here" card, ticket), spiral notebook page, stamps (arrows, date), pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Floss: DMC; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Ink: StazOn; Pinking shears: Fiskars; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

How to: Trim papers and photos into pennants, layer them in three banners across a gray grid paper background, and stitch across the tops using straight and zigzag stitching. Add a few stickers and die cuts to the banners to embellish. Drop clusters of dark blue spray mist here and there. Create a journaling spot on the bottom left corner, hand stitch a star over it using blue floss, then add a title above the longest banner.

Heather's Favorite Layout

Today Heather Leopard (Blog: Heather Leopard | Instagram: @heatherleopard | Pinterest: @heatherleopard | Twitter: @heatherleopard) is sharing her favorite American Crafts layout:

Supplies: Serendipity collection: (370095) – Clear shapes, (370087) – Printed Cardstock Phrases & Accents, (370091) – Accent & Phrase Stickers, (370096) – Plastic Bows, (370099) – Die Cut Cardstock Shapes; Rise & Shine collection: (370044) – Shaped Paper Clips, (370027) – Grace Foam Stickers

How to: Cut 4 hearts with the tips facing each other and multiple circles using your electronic die cut machine. Use the cut out circles to create a border around the negative circles and stitch over them to create a border around the page. Choose a photo to insert in one of the hearts. Add embellishments in and around the remaining hearts. Add pattern paper under the border of the layout. Add your title to the top right hand of the page.

Team Favorites Week!

This week we're throwing it back and showcasing the team's favorite American Crafts creations! Starting us off is an eye-catching layout by Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros)

Supplies: Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370013) - Claire Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370004) - Ella Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370006) - Emery Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370009) - Emma Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370002) - Kylie Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370011) - Lucy Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370016) - Madison Paper, Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370012) - Olivia Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370000) - Rachel Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370017) - Samantha Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370008) - Stella Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370018) - Sophia Paper; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370034) - Epoxy Stickers; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370039) - Wood Veneer Tags; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (3700450) - Memo Pad; Amy Tangerine Rise And Shine: (370035) - Phrase Stickers; Cardstock: (7104) - Vanilla 

How to: Use a 1" square punch to punch out pieces of assorted patterned papers and white cardstock. Use watercolor paints to apply watercolors to the punched pieces of white cardstock, set aside. Arrange punched pieces in a diamond format, use a ruler to line pieces up and adhere down. Flick drops of white paint across the page. Print a small photo and adhere to top left hand side of page and back with die cuts, note pad page, paper clip and stickers. Fussy cut a flower from overlay sheet and tuck in behind photo. Finish page by adhering wood veneer and stickers. 

Back to School Layout by Gina Lideros

Gina Lideros (Blog: Gina Lideros | Instagram: @ginalideros | Pinterest: @gina_lideros | Twitter: @ginalideros) created this colorful Back to School-themed layout to share today!

Supplies: Documentary (340294) - Me & You, Documentary (340295) - #Mondays, Documentary (340296) - Confetti, Documentary (340299) - Hello Love, Documentary (340301) - Bear Hug, Documentary (340302) - Blossom, Documentary (340303) - Fresh Start, Documentary (340304) - New Day, Documentary (340305) - Fancy Free, Documentary (340307) - Snail Mail, Documentary (340309) - Happy Dance, Documentary (340311) - Love This, Documentary (340312) - Ever Ever, Documentary (340313) - Happy Happy, Documentary (340314) - On My Desk, Documentary (340314) - Party Animal, Documentary (340316) - Dreamer, Documentary (340200) - Accent & Phrases Stickers, Documentary (340198) - Thickers Noted Cork, Documentary (340203) - Rubons, Documentary (340204) - Cardstock Shapes, Documentary (340207) - Painted Wood Buttons, Documentary (340217) - Watercolor Tags,  Documentary (340211) - Phrase Stamp, Cardstock (AM71-563) - Kraft, This To That (AM617-13) - Adhesive, Precision Pen (PP03-621) - .03 Black

How to: Cut background from 12x12 kraft cardstock using a Silhouette Cameo, set aside. Use a 2 1/2" square punch to punch out different patterned paper pieces (you will need about 30 squares). Use scissors or a paper trimmer to cut each square in half diagonally to make two triangles. Repeat this step until all the squares are cut. Fill in the empty spaces by arranging squares inside the pattern in an up and down fashion, do this until all the spaces are filled. Use a sewing machine and white thread to add straight stitching to your page. Print a 4x6" photo and trim into the shape of a diamond, adhere to top of design. Spell out the words "Back To School" using cork Thickers in the middle of the page diagonally. Place a "The Future Is Bright" cardstock sticker and rub ons just below title. Use date stamp and black Precision Pen to add journaling. Run the "hello" watercolor Minc tag through the Minc using gold foil then adhere to page with two wood buttons just below photo. Finish by adhering "Live" cardstock die cut piece just above title.

Back to School Week!

Many kids have already started school again (or will shortly!) so this week we're sharing all the fun things you can do to celebrate this momentous occasion! Starting with a layout by Gillian Nelson (Blog: Gillian Nelson | Instagram: @gnelson05 | Pinterest: @gilliann | Twitter: @GillianNelson05) using the new Amy Tangerine Finders Keepers line:

Supplies: Amy Tangerine Finders Keepers (340320) - Field Trip Paper, (340324) - Bright Eyes Paper, (340335) - Dreamcatcher Paper, (340341) - Magnify Paper, (340343) - Seeker Paper, (340232) - Memento Thickers, (340237) - Puffy Stickers, (340260) - Phrase Stamp, (340243) - Die-Cut Shapes; DIY Shop (366900) - Mini Stapler; Pen (PP03-62311) - Precision Pen .03 Black

How to: Trim a sheet of patterned paper down to 8.5x11. Layer a sheet of grid patterned paper over the background on an angle and adhere then trim off the edges. Hand cut three wonky arrow shapes from different Finders Keepers patterned papers, adhere them pointing upwards towards the top of the page, and layer a photo over top of them. Add a title using Thickers and substitute a giraffe puffy sticker for the “i” in “Bigger”. Add a couple of die cut shapes to form a visual triangle. Handwrite journaling down the right border of the layout and finish with a few stamped phrases using the Finders Keepers roller stamp at the bottom edge of the page.