Studio Calico

Weekly Challenge

Hello to all my favorite crafters! Kimberly here to bring you this Sunday’s challenge.
Using bakers twine is one of my favorite embellishments, and I know many of you all share the same love for it. So, my challenge to you, since we all got some lovely Lime Twist twine in our kits this month, is to use your twine in a unique way.
 
Here is a layout I did, where I took a gluber and simply started in the center and wound it around until I completely covered the gluber. Then I used my paper piercer to punch a hole in the center to add a brad for additional embellishing fun. You can also use it to stitch and gather, like I did with the ruffle border here also.
Supplies: August kit Main;  add on 3-Tide Pool, and add on 4-Sandcastle; glubers multi-pack; Mister Huey-Piglet



The possibilities are endless. Let me see what you can do with your Bakers Twine!   Be sure to link your image here to your gallery by Monday, August 15 for your chance to win a $5 gift card with SC. Have fun! I can’t wait to see all the fun layouts with the Baker's Twine now!

Challenge

Hello to all my favorite crafters! I am so happy to provide you with this week's challenge. Can you say SMASH? With all the fun Smash craze going on right now, I thought this would be a fun challenge.
 
What I want to see you do for this challenge is pick a page that inspires you from your Smash book, and scrapbook it.

Here is the page that inspired me to scrapbook
Here is the layout I created:
If you don’t have a Smash book yet and would like to participate, don’t feel left out. I’ve taken some pictures from my Smash book to share with you. I’m certain they will inspire you to create something fun as well.


Supplies used: July kit (Mind the Gap) and Mister Huey Lemonade, Pickle and Piglet.

Be sure to link your image here to your gallery by Monday, July 11 for your chance to win a $5 gift card with SC. Have fun! I can’t wait to see all the fun Smash creations now!

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!

Tutorial

Hello everyone, Kimberly here to share with you all a tutorial using mists in a creative way. If you haven’t already tried to use the mists to stamp with, I hope this inspires you to give it a try. As most of you know, I love to create layouts using ordinary scrapping tools in unique ways. Using the mists to stamp with, gives the stamped image a kind of water colored appearance that I just love.

One of my favorite qualities about Mister Huey Mists is how quickly they dry, as well as the vibrant pigment in each of the colors. These spray inks work well for both misting and stamping.

For this creation, I unscrewed the mist caps and poured a tiny amount into my painting tray cups. Then I used two different paint brushes to apply the ink colors separately onto the stamp image. I let the inks bleed together before stamping the image onto the paper. I painted each letter then stamped them onto white cardstock.

Here is another tip I often do to ensure the best possible image when stamping. If you flip over the cardstock and use the back side of the paper, which is the less textured side, it will give you a smooth and even image. You will still see a little bit of texture through the ink after it’s stamped, and yet achieve great coverage at the same time.

After the letters were dry, I added another little touch by outlining each letter with my pen. Then I cut each letter out and placed a foam tab square behind the letters before attaching them on my layout.

Finally, here is my finished creation with a close up.

Supplies used: Cardstock-More white; Patterned Paper-Countryside- Harvest and Barn swallow; Mister Huey-Bluegrass and Barnwood; Adhesive- Foam Tab squares; Studio Calico alphabet stamps from a previous kit; Fabrips- yellow.

There you have it, I hope this spurs some fun and creative ideas using Mister Huey mists on your layouts.  

Thank you,

Sunday Sketch

Hello to all my favorite crafty friends, Kimberly here to bring you this weeks Sunday Sketch.
 
This weeks sketch was designed from one of April’s gorgeous creations. I was asked to create a 2 page layout from this layout and sketch. I really love how April used the diecut doilies with this creation and wanted to mimic that in my creation. I used them as a mask effect with the mister huey and I really love how it turned out.
Here is the 2 pager I created from this sketch using this month’s Paper Moon/June kit, and Mister Huey.
 
Here is the left side
Here is the right side
Here is the layout completed with the close up’s.

Supplies used: Paper Moon kit; Mister Huey - Piglet; Addy Alpha - Pink
 
Thank you all for playing. I hope to see some of you creating more 2 pagers from the sketches as well, it's a fun way to stretch your creative imagination. Please be sure to share your layouts by linking them up here, and in the SC gallery by Monday, June 13 for your chance to with an SC gift card worth $5. I can’t wait to see what you all create!

Insider Tips

Hello to all my favorite people! Kimberly here to share with you all a little insider tip I do regularly for my titles. Several people have asked me where I come up with my creative titles, so I thought I would share this with you all. I love putting a fun twist on words, as well as add different fonts into my titles to draw the interest to a particular word.

What do I do? Where do I go for title inspiration? My newest favorite place: Pinterest!

Here is my Pinterest home: Kimberlyneddo 

If I am ever stumped for a title, this has become the first source I go to. I have all my quotes in a “Quotes and Inspiration” folder.

Here are a few layouts I’ve created using quotes I found on Pinterest:

Supplies- Cardstock: More Vanilla; Papers: Studio Calico State Fair-Best in Show and Guess your Weight; Mister Huey’s: Lemonade and Bonny Blue; Sew Easy Tool and heads- Scallop, Blanket and straight stitch; Alpha's: Addy Alpha yellow and Chipboard alpha stickers.

Supplies - May's "Lawn Party" kit



Supplies- March's "Into the Woods" kit

A few other places I love to go for poems and quotes are:
Titles quotes and quotations
Scrapbook.com
The Perfect Title
Thanks for letting me share this fun insider’s tip. Have fun finding new and inspiring titles to add to your next creation.

NSD : stitching challenge

 

Hello!  Happy National Scrapbook Day!

 

Kimberly and I are here today to issue a stitching challenge.  Grab your paper piercer or that Sew Easy tool, and create a project or card using hand stitching. 

 

If you need instruction on using the Sew Easy tool, check out this video:

 

 

And if you need help on hand stitching, check out this one:

 

 

My Sew Easy tool video shared the creative process behind this layout, which uses the State Fair line from Studio Calico:

And check out what Kimberly came up with for this challenge:

I’m so excited to be co-hosting with Davinie a challenge for you all here for NSD!

I love to add a bit of stitching to my projects. I think it adds a perfect finishing touch to a project, or an added dimensional value as well.

For my projects, I cut out some circles and placed them on cardstock and sprayed with Mister Huey's Bonny Blue and lemonade, then used the scallop attachment around the circles. I also wanted to add a bit more to the design, so I used the blanket attachment attaching the 2 pattern papers together. I find it fun to use the stitch tool with out stitching, you will see how I did this on the inside of the circle.

(Supply list- Cardstock: More Vanilla; Papers: Studio Calico State Fair-Best in Show and Guess your Weight; Mister Huey’s: Lemonade and Bonny Blue; Sew Easy Tool and heads- Scallop, Blanket and straight stitch)

 I really love how she created a circular pattern with the Sew Easy tool.

 

The tool is not required, but hand stitching is if you'd like to play for a prize and perhaps learn a new technique.

 

Have a great day!  We can't wait to see what you create. Link your page in the comments of this post by Friday May 13th for a chance to win a My Mind's Eye Lush 2 prize package!

Challenge

Happy Monday to all my favorite Studio Calico friends! It's Kimberly here, and I'm bringing you the weekly challenge. This week, I'm challenging you to scrap a layout using a mix of black/white and color photographs on your page. 
 
I chose to enlarge my black and white photograph to make it center stage. Feel free to make any combination you would like with your page.
Supplies: Cardstock- Craft; Patterned Paper-Studio Calico/Crate Dandilions and Cosmo Cricket Upcycle refound, Stickers-Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe Border Stickers, Butterflies and Doilies-Cosmo Cricket, Hello Luscious Petals-Basic Grey, Wood Alphabet-Pink Paislee, Soiree Twine-Pink Paislee, Brads-Stella Rose My Minds Eye, Ink- Mister Huey Bluegrass and Soap Powder. Other: Glue Pen, American Craft: Foam Tab Squares and This to That Dot Runner.
 
For my page I chose to use products from our April kit, Singin in the Rain. I used products from Add on 1-Happy Refrain, Add on 2-Make'em Laugh and Add on 3-Moses Supposes.
 
You have until Monday, April 18 to complete this fun challenge. I can't wait to see your pages in the gallery. Please post a link to your project in the comment section here for a chance to win a $5 Gift Certificate to Studio Calico. Have fun!

Sunday Sketch

Hi everyone, Kimberly here to share with you this Sunday's Sketch. What fun this is to create a layout from April's creation. Her layouts always WOW me with her creative way to mix different elements and dimensions with each creation she does.

I really love the design and use of different patterned paper April used with her creation. I LOVE the placement of her photograph and journaling spots. When I use a sketch to draw inspiration from, I will generally not look at the layout example at all until I am done creating my layout. This helps me to create something from it that is not an exact duplicate.
 
* I chose to create a 2 page layout from April's one page design, so that you all can see how far you can stretch your creativity with a sketch. The sky's the limit.

* I love finding different ways to use inks, and absolutely LOVE the variations of the new Mister Huey colors that will be available soon. I wanted to use them all together so you can see how well they work together. Rather than using patterned paper strips as April did, I used a different color of mists from the sketch example.

* Also, instead of journaling in the same areas on the sketch, I decided to repeat the title for a fun effect. I also used the journaling label cardstock stickers to carry out the design of the journaling spots from the sketch. Another thing that would be fun twist to do, is crop photographs to go in place of where I chose to mist, and April chose to put patterned paper.

* I tend to also like using more photographs... as many as possible to compliment the design and journaling. With making this layout a 2 page layout, it made it easier for me to add a couple more photographs.

* I love to layer different embellishments to my creations also. This gives them a more unique look. Don't be afraid to layer a rub-on over the top of a sticker. It's a simple touch, and add's just enough to complete a simple design like what I've created here.
Supplies: Ink- New Mister Huey: Barnwood, Pickle, Bluegrass, Orchard, Piglet, Lemonade, Hot Dog, Bonny Blue and clover;  Cardstock- More Kraft  and More Vanilla; patterned paper - State Fair: Sideshow; Alpha- Studio Calico die-cut alpha green and Sunrise Thickers - Limeade from Into the Woods; Stickers-Studio Calico Die-cut stickers and labels; Rub on's- Studio Calico Blue and green butterfly's; Fabrips- Studio Calico Pink Houndstooth
 
As you can see, my design follows a lot of the same lines as the sketch itself, but don't be afraid to turn it around, or flip it. Whatever it is that you can draw inspiration from with this sketch, stretch your boundries and just create!

I can't wait to see your take on this sketch! Be sure to post a link to this thread by March 14 for a chance to win one of two $5 Studio Calico gift cards. Good luck and have fun!

Sunday Sketch

Hello to all my favorite people! It's Kimberly with a new layout for this Sunday's sketch Challenge.


I was so excited to do this sketch design by Nicole Samuels in the Candy Shoppe gallery. I loved this right away with how she was inspired by the cover of a book. Nicole's art always amazes me, with her attention to detail and crisp lines.
 
My favorite thing about sketches is how much you can vary them. There are no limits to how you interpret a sketch and how it inspires you.

    * With my design, I chose to stick to the basic design because I love it.
    * Rather than using ribbon as my border, I used patterned paper and tied a bow with thread.
    * Like Nicole, I used a die cutting machine to cut my title out of coordinating patterned paper.
    * To add a little interest to the background, I sprayed some Mister Huey "Piglet" onto a wet wipe and fauxed it onto the background paper.

Here is how mine came out:

As you can see, my layout is very similar in design to Nicole's, with a slight variation. I loved how this turned out.  Now I can't wait to see how you all interpret this design. Have fun!  Be sure to post a link to this thread by Monday, February 14th for a chance to win one of two $5 Studio Calico gift cards. Good luck!