Studio Calico

weekly challenge | April Foster and Lisa Truesdell

Hey everyone! This is Lisa Truesdell, and April Foster and I are here with this week's challenge. We're keeping it simple this week - we want you to break out your punches! Even with my Silhouette around, I've still kept most of my basic punches. They're a great way to add a little something extra to any project you're working on.

(Supplies - Lyra add-on; Martha Stewart glue pen; Foam dots; Precision Pen; Glue Glider Pro; square punches)

April gave her square punches a workout on this page - first she punched squares from strips of patterned paper, and then she went back and filled them with words, photos and contrasting paper. She popped the inner squares up on popdots to add some dimension. I love how the squares aren't perfectly lined up on her layout!

(Supplies -Studio Calico Atlantic 6x6 paper pad, cork circles, cork arrows, sequins, 12x12 sticker sheet, glittered stars, star stickers, printables & printable labels; 4x6 More Grid Cards; Planetarium Project Life kit; Darling Dear calendar pockets; punches - Fiskars (circles, star, arrow);other - tiny attacher, washi tape, star clip, date stamps, tags and enamel dots)

I don't always remember to grab my punches when I work on Project Life - but they really are a great fit. Punched paper doesn't add any bulk to the pockets, and it's a fun way to add accents to the empty space on your journaling cards or photos. I stuck with my three favorite shapes - circles, arrows and stars - and repeated them throughout my week.

We can't wait to see how you'll use punches!! Make a project for this challenge, then share it in the Studio Calico gallery. Leave us a link to your project by May 27th in the comments here to be entered to win a $5 GC to the Studio Calico Shop.

sunday sketch

This week's sketch comes from April Foster's "Hello" layout in her ROLLER RINK gallery - we loved her stack of patterned paper strips and couldn't wait to see what you'd all do with that jumping off point!

This week, we asked SC member natalia to share her take on the sketch. She isolated a couple of different elements and used them as a jumping off point - this is an awesome way to put a totally unique spin on a sketch!

(supplies : Kits - Santa Monica, Monkey Bars, Four Square ; Stamps - Summer Stamp School  ; Cut File - Summer Stamp School ; veneer - Studio Calico Hearts & Arrows veneer)

Hello ladies! Here's how the layout came together.

When I first saw the sketch, the first element that caught my eye was the two circles at the top and the middle of the page. I thought there's a mirroring effect there and I'd like to play with that. So I decided to play with Studio Calico's speech bubble cut file and create a mirroring effect with that. I took out the letters and arranged it at the top of the page. I also used the negative cut to be the backdrop of the speech bubbles. I hand drawn the black stitches around the cuts and the photos, to emphasise those elements. I also used different patterned papers behind each speech bubbles because I want the text to stand out.

The second would be the alphas running across the page. I knew when I saw this that I will want to print out and cut strips of my journaling. So that's what I did here and placed it next to the speech bubbles. Making this layout was quite a challenge to me because I'm not used to referring to a sketch when I make my pages. But it was definitely a good challenge! And I just love the colour scheme in Studio Calico kits, it just made everything a breeze for me, the page eventually falls together nicely. Have a good Sunday!

I love all of the arrows Natalia added to her page - they do an awesome job helping to move your eye from element to element. If you'd like to see more of Natalia's work, please stop by her blog or her gallery here at Studio Calico!

How will YOU use this sketch?  Whether it's a layout, a card or something else, link us up to your project by October 8th for a chance to win a $5 gift card to the Studio Calico shop.

weekly challenge

This week's challenge comes from April Foster's gallery. On this page, she's paired a favorite photo (blown up BIG!) with a gorgeous rainbow of stars and confetti punched from scraps of paper. This totally simple technique has a huge impact on her page. And now we want to challenge YOU to break out your punches and come up with a fun way to use them on a project!

(supplies - Studio Calico Central High Scrapbook kit)

We can't wait to see you get punchy! Post your projects by October 1st for a chance to win a $5 gift card to the Studio Calico shop.

heyday

We're having a Heyday! We're so excited about Heyday coming to the Studio Calico shop that we decided it needed it's own party. And since we can't pass out party hats and cupcakes (bummer, I know!), how about some PDFs? Each PDF has step by step directions and supply lists for recreating these projects.

play by April Foster // click here to download the PDF

remember today by Maggie Holmes //  click here to download the PDF 

nine by Lisa Truesdell // click here to download the PDF

welcome baby by Dawn McVey & thanks by Susan Weinroth // click here to download the PDF

Be sure to stop by all of our design team members' blogs for even MORE Heyday inspiration!! Then head to the shop and order some Heyday goodies of your own (sorry - you're still on your own for the cupcakes ;)).

• April Foster
• Celine Navarro
• Davinie Fiero
• Dawn McVey
• Geralyn Sy
• Jen Jockisch
• Kelly Noel
• Kelly Purkey
• Kinsey Wilson
• Laura Kurz
• Lisa Truesdell
• Maggie Holmes
• Nicole Harper
• Nicole Samuels
• Stephanie Dagan
• Stephanie Howell
• Susan Weinroth
• Tina Aszmus
• Vee Jennings

Just a note, we're still waiting on a few products. The 12x12 stickers, woodgrain alphas & frame stickers will be in at the end of June, and we're expecting the hexagon mask at the end of July. We'll keep you updated as those come in. In the meantime, enjoy the party!

Summer Stamp School

Just when you thought school was out for the summer, we're ready to put you back in class! Join us in July for Summer Stamp School taught by stamping extraordinaire Robyn Werlich.

This self-paced class is complete with amazing PDF lessons you can download all at once to use at your own pace. You'll find new techniques and amazing inspiration from your favorite stampers.


Included in the cost of the class is an EXCLUSIVE stamp set (not available separately, ships free) designed just for Summer Stamp School. You'll see Robyn and contributors put this awesome set to work throughout the class.


The dream team of contributors joining Robyn are: Danielle Flanders, Ali Edwards, April Foster, Vee Jennings, Nicole Harper, Jessica Witty, Susan Weinroth, Shari Carroll, Geralyn Sy, Jennifer McGuire, Davinie Fiero, Maile Belles, Dawn McVey, Keisha Campbell, and Teri Anderson.

Registration ends June 30th and the classroom opens July 1st with all materials available on that date. See you in class!

NSD Challenge: Go Graphic

Hi SCer's, happy NSD! Vee here with your next challenge!

I want you to go graphic, use shapes like hexagons, stars, chevrons or circles in your design.You can combine shapes or use only one, it is up to you! I love using shapes to build backgrounds on cardstock. On this layout I went graphic with stars, in a variety of patterns, sizes and texture.
My background is mostly neutral, I used spray ink and ink to add pops of colors to coordinate with the pop of color in my photo.

Supply List:Adhesive; More White (cardstock);Ink; Mister Huey's Taxi; Mister Huey's Pinstripe;Pen;Classic Calico v.2 Wood Veneer Stars;Abroad Anywhere Thickers; Tiny Chevron ;(Classic Calico v2);Newsprint v2 (Classic Calico v2)

April says...

"It’s no surprise that I love working with circles.  On this layout, I decided to use o’s as circles, representative of Claire turning one.  I simply sized 3 different o’s and randomly placed them and cut with the Silhouette Cameo.  Side note: I just replaced my blade and I’m oh so happy I did, it made a world of difference!
After cutting, I simply backed the o’s with little bits of paper from the Abroad Paper Pad using this glue pen.  Since I was working with small shapes, I liked the smaller scale patterns.  Then, I added brads, thickers and journaling."

 

Supply List: Cardstock (More White), Silhouette Cameo, Abroad Paper Pad, Take Note Paper Pad (woodgrain), Abroad Anywhere Thickers, States Die Cuts, Precision Pen 03, Glue Glider adhesive, Glue Pen.

Post your layouts here by May 13th for you chance to win a collection pack from our stash of prizes!

Sunday Sketch

Happy Sunday everyone! Today's sketch is based on April's layout Love from her Story Hour gallery.

Our sketch contributer this week is Wendy Morris. 

Here's what she had to say about her take on the April's sketch:

I am truly thrilled to share my take for this Sunday Sketch!  This Sunday Sketch challenge was perfect to incorporate into this theme the "loves" of my life.  
I was inspired by many elements of this sketch.  However, the biggest piece that inspired me was the prominent title work of the word "love"...the stenciling, misting, the typography of the letters, and the accent of hearts in the corner of the page.
So, I decided to play a "mix" on this inspo by randomly repeating this play on "love" and hearts through out not just a layout but an entire altered mini album.  
I practically swooned over the wood letters in the County Fair kit and used these at the focal letters through my project in a typography format similar to the sketch.
The very last page of the album takes the sketch to a layout level similar to the actual Sunday Sketch with a few different twists.
I chose the title of the altered project as "A New Day" to represent the new changes, new places, new experiences, along with my "new love" in a completely different country, in my life for 2012.

Thanks Wendy! Your mini is amazing! Be sure to check out the rest of her project on her blog. 

Play along with the sketch this week and link us up to your layout by Monday, March 26th for your chance to win a SC GC!

Sunday Sketch

Good morning, it's April here with your new Sunday Sketch!

It's based on our September Guest Designer Amy Tan's layout, Oh Snap!  Be sure to check out her awesome work in the DT gallery this month.

 
I used the sketch and stretched it to create a two page layout:
Supply list: Glee Club kit (Studio Calico), Mister Huey’s Calico White (Studio Calico), Gel Pen (Uni-Ball), September More Color (Studio Calico)

One page focuses on a big photo leaving lots of room to create a fun title on the second page.

I masked and misted some cut circles to create my journaling, using my Gel Pen.

To play along, use the sketch and then link up your layout here by Monday, September 12.  You'll get a chance to win a SC GC.  Have fun!

Sunday Sketch

Happy Sunday, Y'all! This is Stephanie, and I'm here to share a brand new Sunday sketch with you! This week, I was given the pleasure of lifting April's amazing layout. This is one of my favorite layouts April has ever done and it was an honor to lift it.

I chose to convert this sketch to a 12x12 layout. I also flipped it and put the photos along the top. I had scraps of the new Memoir line left, and punching them into 1 1/2" circles was the perfect way to use them. You can tell I only had scraps left by the fact that I had to use the negatives of the purple memoir alpha stickers. HA! Waste not want not,right? Supplies: Patterned Papers and Stickers: Studio Calico Memoir Collection; Die Cut Paper: Die Cut Cream Ledger, Punches: 1 1/2 inch circle punch, Pen: American Crafts Precision Pen .03

I layered punched circles instead of using scalloped trim or a border punch.
I'm so happy I finally found the opportunity to scrap these sweet photos!

We'd love to see your take on April's layout. Post  and link your layout by Monday, August 8 for your chance to win a SC giftcard!

Have a wonderful day!
xo,

Tutorial

Confetti images have been so popular lately on my Pinterest feed, that I thought I would try to carry over the trend to a scrapbook layout.  To do that, I used a fairly neutral background (the package to Countryside’s Die Cut Tags).
Cover your background with a layer of Mod Podge.  When choosing your background, it’s best to start with a size larger than the final size you’d like.  Here, I didn’t need to cover the edges with Mod Podge since it’s larger than I needed.
Next, I used my swiss dot punch on a piece of patterned paper found in July’s Kit, MIND THE GAP.  While punching, I held it over my background so as the circles fell, they would stick to the Mod Podge in a random arrangement. Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill); Patterned Paper (Studio Calico); Veneer Button (Studio Calico); Fabric Brad, Metal Pieces, Seam Binding (MIND THE GAP, FLAT)