4th anniversary challenges

We are thrilled to be celebrating four years of inspiration, delivered! Studio Calico has grown and evolved over that time, and we couldn't have done it without all of you. As a thank you, we wanted to deliver a little EXTRA inspiration this month.

We've invited four past Studio Calico designers - Kelly Goree, Jenn Olson, Joy Madison and Caroline Ikeji - to join in again this month, and you will love what they made with MIND THE GAP. We also asked each of them to issue a challenge to our community and our design team. You'll love what they came up with - and we'll have details at the end of the post on how you can play along to win! Thanks Kelly, Jenn, Joy and Caro for being willing to lend us your time and talents!

Our first challenge comes from Kelly Goree : 

I have found that the number 1 question I get asked when it comes to scrapbooking is "How do you mix so many patterned papers together in one layout?" For many people, Patterned Paper usage can be a real challenge and mystery. I have found simply by selecting papers of simliar hues and variety of pattern sizes, you can start mixing patterns with ease. Most of my layouts (as do both of these) use a minimum of five different patterns at a time and I truly prefer seven or more! (I can see some of you shaking your heads!) So that's my challenge to you. Break 'em out (there are so many gorgeous ones in this kit) and get to mixing! We'll start small so let's see you use at least three different patterns on one layout. Don't be afraid to go bold!

I am addicted to YELLOW right now and I loved that there was plenty of it in this kit - perfect for summer photos and anything that makes you happy! I found the patterns blended together so easily and I wish I had had time to create more than 2 layouts with this main kit as I still had plenty of paper left! It's on my "to do" list!

Kimberly Neddo's bright and happy style was a perfect fit for Kelly's challenge - here's what she made :

Next up, we have a challenge from Jenn Olson :

Although I haven’t been scrapbooking much, it was tons of fun to create a page for SC’s 4^th anniversary!! I really miss my monthly SC fix, so opening the box and finding new fabrips (mmmm—have you sniffed those yummy things?) and map paper just made this page fall together. I probably shouldn’t confess that I got so excited to pull my mist out that I accidentally misted my entire computer screen! Oops!

Anyhow—my challenge: Scrap a song, song lyric or any part of a song and how it relates to your life. 

Waleksa Neris used song lyrics as the title for her carefree summer page :

Our third challenge is from Joy Madison :

Next Monday, the mister and I will be married 13 years.  Sadly, in that 13 years I've never had a finished bedroom.  I've bought things here and there, but never had the bedroom I wanted.  

Over the past year I've been slowly remaking our room and finding pieces I wanted to incorporate.  I'm down to the last item, THE BEDCOVER.  I've been searching thrift stores and antique stores for a reasonably priced quilt.  I've been searching online for a new or vintage quilt and haven't found anything exactly right.  So I've decided to make my own.  That's pretty daunting, but I've been scouring the internet for quilt patterns and the right look for us. 

(image source - providencehandmade on flickr)

One of the patterns that immediately drew me in it this cross pattern.  I knew I needed to make a page using it as inspiration.  Join me this week and use the quilting world as inspiration for your page.  Copy a pattern or a technique or really anything.  I'd love to see what you come up with. 

Jen Jockisch played along with Joy - here's her quilt inspired layout :

And last but not least is Caroline Ikeji :

We all have a "to-do" list, whether it's things to accomplish during the day, week, month, year, or even in a lifetime. My challenge to you is to scrap those to-do lists. It could be a simple day-to-day to-do list, or a "things I want to do in my lifetime" kind - whatever floats your boat! For the last few years, I've been making a list of things I want to do before my next birthday (I think I might have originally been inspired by KP), and this is this year's (27 things to accomplish before I turn 27).

Stephanie Howell turned her summer wish list into the perfect take on Caro's challenge : 

Now that you've seen the challenges, it's YOUR turn to take one! Link your layouts here by Monday July 11th at midnight EST for a chance to win one of four $5 gift certificates! And yes, multiple entries are welcome. We can't wait to see your submissions!

Comments

[Ally]

Where's Caro's layout??? :) I wanna see!
Love the challenges ladies - I have plans to scrap all day today - will totally get crackin'!

[lisa truesdell]

It's up now, Ally - sorry about that!

[Gabrielle Lowe]

For Kelly's challenge:

Four different patterned papers, five if you count the one on the far right that I made myself out of stamps. :)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b290/kittychat/photo60-1.jpg

[Ashley]

OKAY, first of all, Jenn- way to use the best. song. ever. on a layout, and second of all- Waleksa- that is our FAVORITE cartoon and my kid is only 2. hahaha
Great layouts everyone- lots of inspiration here!

[Tracy O]

I have a question (almost embarrased to ask)...I sadly don't have any SC papers (not that I am not saving my pennies to get my hands on some). Is it a requirement to use the current or past kits in our submissions? I would love to play!

[Margrethe]

For Kelly's yellow challenge:
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44915

[Ashley]

For Kelly's challenge:
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44916

[lisa truesdell]

Tracy - you can use any product you like! =)

[Marti Richards]

Love all of the inspiration here! Great to see Kelly, Jenn, Joy and Caroline's work! Fun challenges- thank you!

[Rockermorsan]

For Kelly's patterned paper challenge:
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44921
I used 5 papers and a fabrip :)

More will come!

[Tina]

Do you know how happy I am to see these ladies here again?!?!

[Valerie Durham]

Here's mine for Kelly's patterned paper challenge.
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44927

Now I have to order more pictures! I'm out! Well, out of the ones I have printed anyway!

[Betsy Gourley]

Here is my first submission for Kelly's patterned paper challenge. I think I'm going to be entering this one multiple times this week.

http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44930

[Jennifer Chapin]

Here's my layout for the song lyric challenge, thanks for the chance to win!

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/344976-jenchapin/1746869-these-are-the-moments/?c=t

[april foster]

oh the memories! love these ladies and can I just tell you how excited I am to have them here on the Blog again!!! it's been too long

[Natalie Elphinstone]

I did this one for Jen's 'scrap a song' challenge.
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44932

[isabel]

I combine the challenges :
for kelly (more than 3 pattern !!!!)

http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44940

[isabel]

And the same layout for Joy's challenge :

http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44940

[isabel]

And another one for Kelly's challenge.
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44878

[Sarah M]

Here's mine for the 3 pp challenge scrapsbysarah.blogspot.com

[Sarah M]

hmmm...let's try this again
http://scrapsbysarah.blogspot.com/2011/07/hello-blogland-its-challenge-time-at.html

[Bernadette]

Here's mine for Kelly's challenge:http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44945

[Valerie Durham]

Okay, so I did the Monday night football song for a state finals game in which my DH was the head ref.
http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44962

[Robin]

here's mine for the patterned paper challenge: http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44969
only 3 on there!

[Bernadette]

Here's another for Kelly's challenge: http://www.studiocalico.com/forums/galleries/show/44975