Studio Calico

Sunday Sketch

Hey everyone! This week's sketch is based on this gorgeous layout from Jen's Boardwalk gallery.

 

And here's my take on the sketch
Supplies: Boardwalk kit; More White Add On; Chipboard butterflies, Kraft ticket - Maya Road; Rhinestones, Yellow brad - My Mind's Eye; Stitched blooms - SassaFrass Lass; Alphas - Jillibean Soup; Paper Clip- Tim Holtz; Needle and thread.

I was inspired by a couple of things.
Her title. I was reminded of this favorite photo of mine. I scrapped this particular photo before, but already given the layout to my sister and I wanted one for my album.
The two circles on the sketch - of course mine multiplied to 9 circles seeing that I have a love affair with circles right now.
The color yellow - I took the color from that strip on the lower left hand side of her layout and used it repeatedly on my layout.

So you see, despite being inspired by Jen's layout, mine turned out different. More me, if I may say so. I hope you'll play along! Post your layout by Monday, August 30 for your chance to win a Studio Calico giftcard!

Weekly Challenge

Hi everyone! Our four year old daughter Ayla has been super obsessed lately with drawing animals (specifically dinosaurs, her favorite) and coloring them and then cutting them out and creating stories for them. She does such a good job and of course we are always impressed with her creativity. I really wanted to get some of them in a scrapbook page, so I asked her to make me a few extra. I used those for this page, I just adhered them to the sides and built my page from that point.

She is growing up so fast and I know that all too soon she'll have moved onto boys and makeup, but at least I will always have this little slice of her four year old life on paper.
Supplies: American Crafts cardstock, Memoir Rosebud paper, Memoir Frolic paper, Memoir Scarf paper, Memoir Preserves paper, Elementary Show Your Work paper, Documentary f/stop paper, State Fair Label Stickers, Weekdays Pink rub-on,  Veneer Alphabet, Bonny Blue Mister Huey,  American Crafts rhinestone brads, misc. twine, American Crafts Precision Pen, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

My challenge to you this week is to use your child's artwork on a page. Or, if you don't have kids, use your own. Or maybe some ephemera; tickets from a concert or a movie, a pamphlet you picked up while traveling, a letter or card you've received. Use your imagination and have fun with it!

4th anniversary PDFs

We've got yet another anniversary celebration for you - 4 step by step project PDFs featuring our State Fair and Countryside lines. Download them and print them out, and you'll have a little Studio Calico inspiration to take with you wherever you go!

(click here to download the PDF for Waleka's "Happy Shakes" layout)

(click here to download the PDF for Jen's "At the Cabin" layout)

(click here to download the PDF for Tina's "Like Forever" layout)

(click here to download the PDF for April's "Happy Birthday" card)

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!

Insider Tips

I have a confession to make. Are you ready? I am not a stamper. There, I said it. I'm no good at it, it's messy, and I always forget to clean the darn things when I'm done.I know where my strengths lie and I usually like to stay inside that cozy little box. But with the recent addition of American Crafts Zing embossing powders to the store, I started to get a little excited about stamping. I started to think that maybe I could try it, and maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I remembered. So I busted out my Zings, and some of the awesome Studio Calico stamps and got to work. And you know what? It was fun. I'm happy with how my page turned out, and I discovered that maybe stamping isn't my kryptonite after all.

So I encorage you to step outside of your comfort zone. Be it stamping, stitching, layering, misting, whatever... just work with something that makes you a little uncomfortable. Something you think you're not any good at, or just don't think you really enjoy doing. The results just might surprise you.
Supplies: American Crafts cardstock, State Fair Best in Show patterned paper, Countryside Barn Swallow patterned paper, Countryside County Line patterned paper, Countryside Wildflower patterned paper, Countryside Picnic patterned paper, Countryside Harvest patterned paper, Elementary Wood Veneer Alphabet, Natalee Alpha Stamps, Jett Alpha Stamps, Jett Numbers Stamps, Labels Stamp Set, American Crafts Zing Copper Metallic, American Crafts Zing Power Opaque, Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar Dye Ink, Mister Huey's Applejack, American Crafts brads, American Crafts Precision Pen Brown, misc. twine, Silhouette, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Tags

Hi everyone! Today I just wanted to talk a little bit about the State Fair and Countryside Tags. I love this product so much. The colors are awesome and I love the designs. You can cut them up, punch them, distress them, ink them, whatever works for you. They can be used for so much more than journaling spots or embellishments! I love to layer them and stack them to create a background, using them in lieu of patterned paper. They are such fun designs and make creating a fast layout super easy; this layout only took about 20 minutes to put together, and you get a really layered and funky look with all the different colors and shapes. I'd love to see what creative uses you can come up with for these tags!

Supplies: American Crafts cardstock, State Fair Tags, Countryside Tags, SC Wood Veneer Alphabet, State Fair Blue Alpha rub-on, Elementary Label Stickers, Mister Huey's Piglet, State Fair Yellow Graph Butterfly rub-ons, State Fair Notions - Yellow, SC Wood Veneer Stars, misc. twine, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, American Crafts Precision Pen

Sunday Sketch

I completely love Nicole's layout that was the sketch inspiration, it's one of my favorite pages I've seen in a while.


I decided to use the circles in the center as my main inspiration, and cut nested circles from different colored cardstock with my Silhouette. I popped each level up higher than the other using foam adhesive stacked together. I then added in my photos, title and a few embellishments and journaled on one of the circles. I topped it all off with a wood veneer heart misted with Pony Mister Huey. I was really intimidated by this sketch at first, but I'm happy with the result! Supplies: American Crafts cardstock, Countryside County Line paper,  Countryside Chipboard Alpha Stickers Tan, State Fair Chipboard Alpha, Countryside Tags, Elementary Label Stickers,  Wood Veneer Hearts, Mister Huey's Pony mist, TheTwinery.com twine, Canvas Corp. mini clothespins, American Crafts Precision Pen , Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Post your layout by Monday, June 27th for your chance to win a SC GC!

NSD : fabrips challenge

Hi everyone! Tape is super hot trend right now - whether it's washi tape, paper tape or Studio Calico's own Fabrips, it's popping up everywhere. Jen and I want to see you put this cool product to use on your next page.

Jen's Take:

Our challenge was to create a layout with tapes and Fabrips. I haven't really used tapes too much, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do at first. So I started by just layering them, and then decided to punch a circle and have some fabrips peeking out. I love this look and I know I will be using it again and again. I also created a bow from fabrips, I just folded a piece so that the ends met in the middle and then layered some more for the tails. I had a ton of fun with this and it's a little different from what I normally do which I love.

Lisa's take :

(supply list : patterned paper - Countryside Blue Topographical Diecut, Countryside County Line, American Crafts hearts ; Fabrips - Green Woodgrain, Yellow ; veneer - hearts, buttons, butterfly ; mist - Mister Huey's Bluegrass, Mister Huey's Bonny Blue ; tags - Countryside Diecut Tags ; stickers - yellow Addy alphabet ; notions - State Fair yellow; other - Hambly overlay and washi tape, 14mm button maker and buttons, JBS chipboard star, Maya Road star pin, tiny attacher

I use a lot of strips of paper when I scrap, so using tape is a perfect fit for me - it's precut and already adhesive! I used Fabrips down the center of this page, and pleated one a bit for extra texture. I also added a few strips of washi tape around my photos.

Happy NSD, and we can't wait to see what you come up with! Link your page in the comments of this post by Friday May 13th for a chance to win a My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose Mabel prize package!

Tutorial

Hi eveyone, it's Jen here with a quick and easy tutorial on making 3-D circle embellishments. I love adding these to my layouts, I think they're cute and fun, and add a ton of dimension to your pages.  You will need a circle punch, (I usually use a 1 3/8 size) patterned paper and/or cardstock, adhesive and the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher.

1. Punch 3 circles from paper.

2. Fold each circle in half.

3. Hold them together, back to back.

4. Fold down the outside flaps.

5. Staple the inside flaps together, at the very base of the circles.

6. Fan the flaps out and adhere to page.


Supplies Used: American Crafts cardstock, Sassafras patterned paper, Studio Calico State Fair Tickets Please paper, Studio Calico State Fair Guess Your Weight paper, Studio Calico State Fair Pie Contest paper, Studio Calico State Fair Best in Show paper, Studio Calico State Fair Sideshow paper, Studio Calico Countryside Barn Swallow paper, Studio Calico Countryside Wildflower paper, Studio Calico Countryside Picnic paper, Studio Calico Countryside County Line paper, Studio Calico Documentary Itinerary paper, Studio Calico Elementary Alphabet stickers, Studio Calico Countryside label stickers, Studio Calico State Fair tags, Studio Calico Wood Veneer frames, Mister Huey's Piglet, Studio Calico State Fair Butterflies Graph rub ons, American Crafts rhinestone brads, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, American Crafts Precision Pen, Silhouette, misc. tag and twine

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Can't wait to see your creations!

Jen's Challenge

Hi everyone! This week's challenge is to use fabric on your pages. I've been using fabric scraps on my pages for a while now, and I love the texture and dimension that it adds. Not to mention that there are some amazing fabric patterns out there! I've found if you search the clearance sections of fabric stores you can get some really good deals. And for use in scrapbooking you don't really need a large quantity.
Supplies: American Crafts White cardstock, American Crafts Kraft cardstock, Studio Calico Woods patterned paper, misc. fabric, Studio Calico Elementary Alpha Stickers,  Basic Grey Bloomers, My Minds Eye Portobello Road You and Me buttons, My Minds Eye Madison Ave. Happily Ever After Trims, Studio Calico Tweets Blue Ledger,  Martha Stewart Crown Around the Page punch, Fiskars Folk Heart punch, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

For this page, I just used some strips of fabric I had lying around and adhered them, along with some leftover My Mind's Eye ribbon from the January Who's Who kit. You'll notice I also snuck in a bunch of other leftovers from January's kit; the My Minds Eye buttons, Basic Grey Bloomers, and that gorgeous SC Woods paper, as well as my favorite item from the kit, the Glitz Hoopla Paper Layers.

Add a link to your project by 1/24/11 for a chance to win a SC gift card. Have fun with this one, and I can't wait to see what you create!