Studio Calico

Inspired | Nicole Samuels

One of my favorite places to go when I'm running low on creativity is my "scrap inspiration" board on Pinterest.  It's full of ads, graphic design images, craft techniques, and color palettes and often just what I need to jump start a layout.  Plus, it's fun to push myself creatively every once in a while and try something new.  That's exactly what I did on my page today.  I found this image on Pinterest and just loved it.

source

I decided to use it as a large frame on my layout.  Here's how I re-created the look with paper:

1.  Cut strips from a variety of coordinating patterned papers.  The strips should measure 1/4 inch x 7 1/2 inches.  I cut mine so that I had 4 strips of each pattern.  I used 8 different patterns (although some were just front and back patterns on the same paper).

2.  Use 4 matching strips to form a square as shown below.  Allow the edges to overlap about 1/2 inch.   Adhere the first completed square to your background paper (centered).

3.  Make more squares with the remaining strips of paper and adhere to the layout as shown below, turning each slightly as you go until you create a circle in the center of your page.

4.  Embellish the circle center with veneer and cork circles accents, a photo, and some stickers. 

Supplies:  patterned paper - Studio Calico Atlantic Atlantic City, Montauk, Bridgeport, New Haven and Scarborough; stickers - Studio Calico Atlantic 12x12 Sticker Sheet and Glittered Star Stickers; veneer - Studio Calico Atlantic Burnished Circle Wood Veneer; cork - Studio Calico Atlantic Cork Circle Stickers

Sometimes my Pinterest-inspired pages are direct interpretations of something I've pinned, like the example above.  Other times, I might be inspired by a technique I've pinned, the colors used, or a design/pattern.  There's really no wrong way to let inspiration strike.  :)  

If you haven't joined Pinterest yet or haven't used it for scrapbooking, give it a try!  Start an inspiration board of your own and start pinning things that catch your eye.  Also, be sure to follow Studio Calico on Pinterest for extra inspiration! 

Sunday Sketch

This week, we invited SC member Valerie (username valerieb) to share her take on one of our sketches. Her use of color against neutral backgrounds has caught our eye, and we were happy to have her with us this week!

First up is our card sketch, based on a card from Maile Belle's Roundabout gallery :

This week's layout sketch is based on a project from Nicole Samuels' Roundabout gallery:

Valerie saw the potential in the layout sketch and took off running!

Suppies: Atlantic paper, fabric bow, vellum die cuts, glittered gold stars, wood veneer, anchor punch, cork arrows

I'm always so inspired by all the awesome design team work at SC and was thrilled to be asked create a layout using a sketch from one of the fabulous designers. I chose the sketch of Nicole's layout as I love the design. Since hers was a more simple layout, I tried to figure out how to make it my own with all the layers I like to have. I started by making the central square background shape. I made a grid with several pattered papers and then separated the top and bottom with a line of embellishments across the middle. I layered my photo on top, then layered a few journal boxes to the top of the photo in place of the mini photos that were part of the original design. I was inspired by Nicole's stitching on the chevron paper, so I cut a piece of the Atlantic chevron papers into strips and layered them at the top and bottom of the middle layers and instead of hand stitching I machine stitched in between them. I layered on a few more embellishments and called it done! Thanks for the challenge!! :)

We think Valerie mixed the perfect elements from Atlantic together...how cool are the little flags made with the vellum diecut shapes and arrows?!

Valerie, thank you so much for sharing your project with us! If you'd like to see more of Lea's work, please visit her Studio Calico gallery or her blog.

Now it's your turn! Make a project with using one of this week's sketches as a starting point, then share it in the Studio Calico gallery. Leave us a link to your project by June 17th in the comments here to be entered to win a $5 GC to the Studio Calico Shop.

weekly challenge

This week, Jen Jockisch and I are challenging you to add a little gold glitz to your projects.  It seems that gold metallics are coming back into trend lately, even in the scrapbooking world.  From sequins and glitter to embossing powder and mist…there's lots of ways to incorporate gold embellishments and details.  

Jen added some glitz to her card simply by embossing her stamped image with some Gold Zing! embossing powder.

(supplies:  Planetarium Card Kit; ink- Versamark; embossing powder- Gold Zing!; heat tool- Zap Heat Gun)

I used little gold accents on my layout - teeny gold star sequins, gold alpha stickers, and a gold paper clip.  I love how the little touches of gold add just the right amount of glitz.

(supplies:  Planetarium Scrapbook Kit and Project Life Kit; Lyra Add On Kit)

We'd love to see how you add a little gold glitz to your project!  To play along, upload your creation to the  Studio Calico gallery. Leave us a link to your project by May 6th in the comments here to be entered to win a $5 GC to the Studio Calico Shop

Sunday Sketch

We know that our members love sketches, so this week we are offering you TWO...one for cards and one for layouts!! The card sketch is from Julie Campbell's Planetarium gallery:




And the layout is from Nicole Samuels' Planetarium gallery:

We invited member Jennie (ajmcgarvey) to choose one of these to use as a starting point this week, and she couldn't stop at just one!! She wowed us with all 3 of the projects she submitted!!

Using the layout sketch:

Supplies: (Layout)Spencer's and Daily Grind kits; Studio Calico wood veneer; Jillibean Alphabeans stickers; Dear Lizzy/American Crafts Date Stamper; Silhouette SD

(Card)

Supplies: Spencer's and Daily Grind kits; Studio Calico wood veneer; Studio Calico printable label; Chic Tags birthday tag

Layout: I was very excited to see the sketch with the scattered hearts up the side, as it's always fun to have a repeating element.  I stayed pretty close to the original sketch in terms of design, but I did change it up a bit.  I used some new photos of my sons that I was excited to scrap and layered them with various papers from the Spencer's kit.  I also added a stamped strip along the bottom of the photos.  Instead of hearts, I went with speech bubbles with the love theme, it fit my layout perfectly.

Card: I knew the sketch designed for a page would translate well to a card.  I wanted to switch it up a bit and I thought a tag and arrows would really feel festive yet keep the card very simple and uncluttered.

And using the Card Sketch:

Supplies: Spencer's and Daily Grind kits; Studio Calico wood veneer; Studio Calico printable label; Studio Calico stamp; Versamark Ink; seam binding ribbon; Silhouette SD

I love to work with stars so I was excited to get to scatter some of my favorite Studio Calico wood veneer pieces with the larger die cut.  This card sketch was simple enough to still have a clean feel but also leave a little room for interpretation.  I thought it would be more interesting to layer it a bit so I added a printable Studio Calico label for more layers and interest.

Lots of ideas and bright colors on Jennie's projects! Her clean style is one that always seems to pop out to me...thank you so much for joining us this week, Tina!! You can see more inspiration from her in her SC Gallery, and on her blog.

How will YOU use this sketch? Whether it's a layout, a card or something else, link us up to your project by May 6th for a chance to win a $5 gift card to the Studio Calico shop. (Please remember, your project must be loaded into our gallery to qualify...and your comment has to link back to it in the SC Gallery)

Atlantic is here

Set sail with Atlantic! Our mid-release has hit the Studio Calico shelves a bit earlier than expected and you can find everything but the wood handled stamps in the store NOW! If you want one stop shopping, check out the Atlantic bundle - you can pick up most of the line with one "add to cart" click. 

Once you're doing shopping (we'll wait!), we have some inspiration for you. We've fallen even more in love with Atlantic after seeing our Creative Team work with it, and we think you will too!

Nicole Samuels used the sequins underneath a diecut word for an eye catching title - isn't the effect brilliant?

Atlantic's soft colors work beautifully on this sweet page from Kelly Noel - we love how she used one of the fabric bows as a flag!

Lisa Truesdell started with the Rockport paper as a background, and then pulled together lots of different star embellishments (stickers, glittered chipboard & veneer) to finish off her carefree vacation layout.

Gillian Nelson combined the Atlantic printed vellum with patterned paper waves into an awesome custom accent. Check out how she added her title with the Rockabye Thickers right along the ways - it adds so much energy to her layout! 

Our gold foil kraft paper lets Jen Jockisch's photo shine on her gorgeous layered layout. She pulled the pinks and yellows from the line for a perfectly sunkissed page, and the tiny navy anchors punched with our new mini punch accent it so well.

Kinsey Wilson knew Atlantic would be a perfect way to capture a roadtrip. The cork circles make perfect accents for a Project Life spread - they add so much texture with but fit perfectly in the pockets. Using a collection to complete a PL week is a great way to add a lot of details like Kinsey has here - while still keeping your spread looking cohesive

Lisa Spanger went to work and created three gorgeous cards using Atlantic - the stamp sets from our upcoming Planetarium Card Kit release were perfect for adding sentiments.

Now that you've seen Atlantic in action, what's your favorite piece?? We'd love to hear!!

wholesale spotlight

Here's a peek at how our Creative Team has been using our Here+There, Snippets and Sundrifter lines :

Nicole Samuels - Fort Sumter : 

Maile Belles - Just Be Cool : 

Natalia Bun - Project Life March : 

Jennifer Picard - Adventure : 

Allison Waken - Waimea Canyon :

from card to layout

When I saw Maile's card using the new Snippets collection, I knew it would make a great starting design for a layout.  I loved how she tucked that little brad under the edge of the card stock and the simple flags are so sweet.  

I pretty much stuck to her overall design, but added more than just a brad along the left border.  I used some Zing embossing powders in various colors on some veneer speech bubbles as well as some Snippets brads for some extra dimension.  I also used Maile's idea of the flags coming in from each side border and added my own twist to those as well. 

(Supplies: cardstock - American Crafts; veneer speech bubbles,  brads, badges - Studio Calico Snippets collection; veneer flags - Studio Calico; Mister Huey's Clay and Taxi - Studio Calico; embossing powder - Zing Rouge, Leaf, Mustard, and Aqua; heat tool - Zap!; ink - Versmark and Stazon Black; date stamp - American Crafts)

Why not try using a card to inspire your next scrapbook page? If you do, we'd love to see - please share it in the comments!

Bright Ideas preview

Registration for Bright Ideas ends tomorrow night at midnight EST! We wanted to take a moment to give you a little peek into the class. Each PDF (and there will be twenty!) will have a think outside the box challenge, process pics + detail from Nic or her contributors on how their page came together, MORE bright ideas for the challenge and a sketch.

In addition, Nicole will be sharing a video each Wednesday sharing even more bright ideas from her pages - and YOURS! =) we can't to see what goes into the classroom gallery!

Sneaks from Nicole Samuels :

Sneak from Amy Tan :

Sneak from Tina Aszmus :

And here's a peek at some of the  printables and cuts for the class :

For more information and to sign up for Bright Ideas, click here. See you in the classroom!

bright ideas sneaks

Do you need a little creative push? Join Nicole Samuels for an inspiration filled February in the Bright Ideas classroom! Nicole's challenges will help you find new ways to use your supplies in fun and surprising ways.

Each weekday in February we'll introduce a new PDF with a challenge and bright ideas from Nicole, a new and inspiring layout, and a sketch. These twenty PDFs will be filled with the sort of tips and tricks you can turn to whenever your mojo is running low. Nicole will also be sharing 4 videos filled with even more bright ideas taken from her work as well as the classroom gallery. On top of all of that, you'll have a chance to pick Nicole's creative brain on the Bright Ideas class message board.

Want a peek at the layouts for this class? Nicole's challenges are pushing both her and her contributors to do some really amazing things! You can find more information on Bright Ideas here - remember that registration ends on January 31st and class begins February 1st.

(Nicole Samuels)



(Jen Jockisch)

(Gillian Nelson)

(Nicole Samuels)

(Adrienne Alvis)

(Lexi Bridges)

(Nicole Samuels)

(Shannon Tidwell)

(Laura Kurz)

(Nicole Samuels)

(Paige Evans)

bright ideas with nicole samuels

In a creative slump? Find your way out with these BRIGHT IDEAS! Nicole Samuels will be guiding you through 20 creative challenges designed to make you look at paper and glue in a whole new light. We’ve brought together an awesome group of contributors – Adrienne Alvis, Amy Tan, Gillian Nelson, Jen Jockisch, Laura Kurz,  Lexi Bridges, Lisa Truesdell, Paige Evans, Shannon Tidwell and Tina Aszmus – to help bring her challenges to life and give you even more ways to play with your supplies. Nicole and her contributors have a wide range of styles – from simple to detailed – and all have a way of looking outside the box when using their supplies.


A new PDF will be posted each weekday in February – you can work at your own pace, or challenge yourself to tackle one each day! Each PDF will contain a challenge designed to stretch your creativity, a new layout from Nicole or one of her contributors, a sketch, and extra ideas and inspiration from Nicole. In addition, Nicole will be posting a video each Wednesday sharing more bright ideas pulled from her own layouts or layouts in the class gallery.  Students will also receive printables from Hello Forever and In A Creative Bubble and diecut files (.studio, .png and .svg) from Nicole and Kinsey Wilson.




Registration for Bright Ideas will be open until January 31st, 2013 and class will begin on February 1st. For more information and to register, click here. We hope to see you in the classroom!