Studio Calico

product spotlight

We've shared a lot of layouts with our new Atlantic line, so today we wanted to put the spotlight on how these products can be used in cards and Project Life.

Robyn Werlich - happy travels card : 

Supplies: Patterned Paper - Studio Calico Atlantic Plymouth; Brads - Studio Calico Atlantic Epoxy Brads; Star Stickers - Studio Calico Atlantic Star Stickers; Other: Silhouette Cameo, Foam Tab Circles,  Transparent Watercolor Papers, Water Brush Medium, white cardstock, paper clip

Leena Loh - Project Life spread : 

(Supplies: Atlantic Collection - Patterned Paper - Atlantic City, Nantucket, Scarborough, New Haven, Rockport, South Hampton, Cape Cod, Gold Kraft, Vellum; Fabric - Fabric Bows; Wood veneer - Burnished Circle, Tiny Hearts; Stickers - Cork Circle, Cork Arrow and Chevron, Glittered Star, Star; Die-cut -  Vellum Die Cut Shapes, Punch - Mini Anchor, Alphas - Rockabye, Sunrise; Others - 4x3 and 4x6 Grids Cards, Current Stamps, Planetarium Digital Printable Labels)

What projects have you used Atlantic for? We'd love to hear!

NSD at SC | 2013 | SB team challenge 1

That's right - we're challenging you to get a little bit artsy. Break out those watercolors. Stitch on some fabric. Dabble in paint and mist. We want to see you give mixed media a try!

Anna-Maria Wolniak | When we decided to create such challenge on NSD I almost started to fly!!! I mean - watercolors?! - this is "my" world! I adooore watercolors, watercolors effect, watercolor transparent papers, watercolors...  in all of the kinds. I create this page with thought that I should use as much watrcolors as possible and stick with simplicity of the other embellishments.

Tina Aszmus | I've been a lover of watercolor for quite some time but very rarely would apply this medium to layouts. I'm not sure what kept me from doing so because there are a ton of background possiblities. Swipping water color directly on rubber stamps and applying them with stencils are my favorites ways to use this medium right now. I simply taped down the chevron stencil using washi tape (it's low tack and didn't rip my paper) to a sheet of water color paper, and swiped the yellow color using the water brush. Easy peasy. :) 

Robyn Werlich | One of my favorite products from Studio Calico is the 'Here & There' V Pattern Mask! Love it! So, for these cards, I laid the mask on my card front and used watercolors to color in the chevron design. I did the color a bit heavier and lighter in areas to add some depth and variance in the color. I love how they turned out. I added a stamped banner image and saying (from the 'Snippets Miss You So Much stamp set) and popped it up on pop-dots. If your reluctant or nervous about trying some of the more advanced 'artsy' techniques...watercolors and masks are a great place to start! Happy NSD!!

Allison Waken | Project Life is a fun place to play with techniques since I can try a new one on each card! Here’s some mixed media ideas I incorporated into this spread.

Week 14 Card: I placed thickers on a blank 4x6 grid card and painted over with watercolor on a small brush - super easy and fun!  

Excellence Card: To create the ombre effect I loaded up the water color paint and applied it several times to the bottom of the card slowly blending it up with more water. As I got to the top all that was on my brush was water. Once it dried completely I printed over it with my quote!

Love Lives Here Card: I painted a base of gesso over a printed PL card. Once the gesso was semi-dry I applied some water color on top of that. Once dry I layered it up with a cut file!

To be entered to win a prize from the fabulous Studio Calico prize stash, leave a comment here with a link to your new layout, card or PL spread/cards in the Studio Calico gallery by May 13th. We can't wait to see what you make!

 

from card to layout

Hi everyone! It's Robyn Werlich here with a fun Inspiration Challenge for you today! I love to find inspiration in a card and convert it to a layout design. Inspiration can be found anywhere! I was inspired by this great card from Maile Belles in the Spencer's Card Kit Gallery. I love how she used a huge triangle for her background - it is graphic and clean and makes a huge pop! So, I took that idea and made a background full of large triangles. I cut triangles with my Silhouette Cameo machine out of different pieces of paper from the Studio Calico Here & There collection. I loved the 'eat now' drawn element in that patterned paper and so I created a layout all about my daughters struggles with eating and the road we are taking to help her. I added a bunch of those amazing circle stickers, popped up with foam dots along the border to add an extra embellishment to the page. 

Take a peek at the Card Gallery and see where you can find inspiration for your layouts! I promise you'll be inspired!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper - Studio Calico Here & There San Francisco, Chattanooga, Bowling Green, Santa Fe, 6x6 Paper Pad; Stickers: Here & There Circle Sticker Sheet; Badges: Here & There; Mist: Studio Calico Splash & First Kiss; Silhouette Cameo, other: cardstock, sewing, pop-dots, stamps

-Robyn Werlich

 

Sunday Sketch

This week we are once again offering you TWO sketches...one for cards and one for layouts!! The card sketch is from Robyn Werlich's Spencer's gallery:

And the layout sketch is from Maggie Holmes' Spencer's gallery:

We invited member Erin (erintaylor718) to choose one of these to use as a starting point this week, and she couldn't choose just one!! She went above and beyond, by creating 4 total projects!!

Supplies:

Thank You - You Are Amazing (card)

Neverland Card Kit, "Thank You" stamp: Simon Says Stamps, Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Stampin' Up! (Melon Mambo), Twine: American Crafts, Dies: Papertrey Ink (Double Ended Banner Die, Fillable Frames #9)

Jack @ 3 (layout)
Junior Mints Add-on Kit,Sock Hop Card Kit (stamp)

Brothers (layout)
Style Guide Add-on Kit, Pollard Add-on Kit, Pioneer Drive Add-on Kit, Letter Stickers, Today: Kelly Purkey SSS kit Carstock, Patterned Paper: Papertrey Ink

Hello Friend (card)
Front Row Card Kit, Neverland Project Life Kit, Junior Mints Add On Kit, Hook Add On Kit Tag , Die: Papertrey Ink (Fillable Frames #9), Twine: American Crafts

And a few thoughts on how Erin interpreted the sketches:

The card sketch was so much fun to work with! The four "homes" for products were easy to fill with embellishments and a sentiment (on the card), and it translated easily to a layout sketch. I started out with my journaling, which I adapted from a Cathy Z. digital template. I found a great photo of my son, and used various embellishments for the open spaces.

The layout sketch was a definite stretch for me. I am usually linear and "orderly", and this sketch is v-e-r-y random and scattered (a look I usually can't pull off!). But I was able to create a layout I love by reducing the size of the layout to 8x8, and working with fewer embellishments.

Wow...so many great things happening on Erin's projects! Most of all, we love that she was so inspired by both the kits & sketches, that she turned in 4 projects...thank you so much for joining us this week, Erin!! You can see more inspiration from her in her SC Gallery, and on her blog. Erin is also active in the Twitter community: @erintaylor718

How will YOU use this sketch? Whether it's a layout, a card or something else, link us up to your project by April 15th 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)

weekly challenge

Your challenge this week is to create a project (layout, card, project life card, etc.) that has a huge title or monogram on it.

From Robyn : 

For my page, I wanted the title to have a huge impact so I cut this quote as large as I could with still leaving room for a photo below. I love typography so adding lots of fun text to a page is something that I love to do. I used papers and embellishments from all three of the new Studio Calico collections that are now in the store. I love how these lines work so well together! If you don't have room to add a large title, try adding a large monogram. It still adds that great typography to your projects when space is a bit more limited. 

(Supplies: patterned paper: Studio Calico Sundrifer Pocahontas & Love Wins, Here & There Bowling Green & Portland, Snippets Me-Oh-My & Howdy; Chipboard Stickers: Studio Calico Here & There Arrow Chipboard Stickers; Die-cuts: Here & There Die-cut Shapes; Brads: Studio Calico Snippets Epoxy Brads; Silhouette Cameo machine; Other: string, sewing, card stock)

From MaryAnn : 

For my Project Life spread, I used large monogram weekday letters in each of the 4x6 spaces and journaled about my day on each of the corresponding letters. I placed photos in the 3x4 spaces where I normally place my journaling cards. 

When I had extra space by the large letters I added a photo that highlighted the days event. I used papers and embellishments from Studio Calico's new Snippets Collection that are now in the store. I love the impact of the large letters of the days of the week and all of the photos and stories that I was able to fit on one layout. Plus all of these colors they just make me happy. Now it's your turn... I want to see how you can add a large title or monogram to make huge impact in your Project Life layout.

Supplies Used: (supplies - patterned paper: Studio Calico Snippets 6x6 paper pad, Studio Calico Snippets Me Oh My; letter stickers: Studio Calico Snippets Charcoal Thickers; other: Studio Calico Snippets Printed Chipboard Speech Bubbles, Studio Calico Snippets Printed Chipboard Cameras, Studio Calico Snippets Printed Chipboard Stars, Studio Calico Snippets Die Cut Frames, Studio Calico Snippets Adhesive Badges, Studio Calico Snippets Tab Card Stickers, Studio Calico Snippets Printed Chipboard Arrows, and the die cut files for Weekday Monograms: Weekday Cut Files

We can't wait to see what you create! Have fun!  Create a project for this challenge, then share it in the Studio Calico gallery. Leave us a link to your project by March 4th in the comments here to be entered to win a $5 GC to the Studio Calico Shop.

Sunday Sketch

 

This week we are offering you TWO sketches, and each one has our 'heart'...one for cards and one for layouts!! The card sketch is from Ashley Cannon Newell's Front Row gallery:

And the layout sketch is from Robyn Werlich's Front Row Gallery:

We invited member Allison (AllisonLP) to choose one of these to use as a starting point this week, and we love what she came up with!

Supplies: Patterned papers: October Afternoon 9 to 5; Boardroom, Studio Calico Take Note; Executive, G Silk glitter cardstock in silver; Washi tapes: Freckled Fawn, October Afternoon and My Mind's Eye; Die cut heart: Silhouette Cameo; Heart punch: Studio G; Craftworkcards Cani Dots in silver; Alphas: AC Thickers in Jewelery Box, October Afternoon; Front Porch; American Crafts Glitter Tape in white; Heidi Swap Color Shine in Tinsel

When I first saw the sketch, my first thought was "You gotta be kidding!"  I don't own ANY Valentine's Day papers, and I don't do girly layouts.  How in the world was I going to pull this off? Since heart paper wasn't an option, I turned to my Cameo.  I found tons of heart images.  I put quite a few of them in my cart but ultimately decided on this one.  

I recently acquired some glitter paper, and knew that it would be perfect for the heart.  I then had to find a background that the heart wouldn't be lost on.  I decided on a light woodgrain, and matted it on a darker woodgrain. I wanted to bring in more silver so the heart wouldn't be the only silver element on the page, so i used some silver washi and some silver mist which I splattered on a diagonal. I printed my pictures in wallet size in black and white, and matted them on a dark woodgrain patterned paper. Instead of using patterned paper for layering I decided to get some use out of my washi tapes, and created a base to add the matted photos to.   Even with the huge heart cut from glitter paper, I don't think the layout is girly at all.

We love how Allison interpreted the sketches, as well as sharing her tips on how to adapt them to fit her needs. Thanks for joining us this week, Allison! 

How will YOU use this sketch? Whether it's a layout, a card or something else, link us up to your project by February 18th 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)

from layout to card

I was really excited to dig into this fun card making challenge because it isn't something that I have done before and it is a great idea! Have you ever made a card inspired by a layout? For this card, I used Stephanie Dagan's layout from the Darling Dear Blog Blitz as my inspiration. I loved how she had created two rows of squares with different pieces of paper and then cut the edge on a fun angle. This was such a great idea and what a fun idea for a card!

(supplies : 34th Street Card Kit, 34th Street Printable Labels, Solar White Cardstock, sewing, twine, thread, pop-dots)

So, I simply cut 2" strips of the different pieces from the card kit paper pad. I then cut them into different sized strips and glued the top row down on my white card front base and the bottom row down. I cut a 2" strip from white card stock that was as wide as my card (4 1/2") and then glued strips of paper to the top of it. Using a paper trimmer, I cut the middle cardstock piece on a angle on both sides. I added a lot of detail with sewing on the edges of the strips, added a printable label, some twine and the fun 'hello' badge from the kit. I love the way this card turned out! Thanks Stephanie for the great inspiration and Studio Calico for this fun challenge!

black friday

Happy Black Friday, everyone! We've got some rocking deals for you today. Check out the "Black Friday" tab in the shop for two new stamp sets - available JUST for Black Friday. You'll also find past kit stamps there, and you can use the coupon codes above for great deals on Classic Calico!

About those Black Friday stamp sets.... we wanted to show you just what the Noah Outline and 2013 New Years sets look like in action!

(gift wrap by Kinsey Wilson :  patterned paper - American Crafts POW (gold); stamps - Studio Calico (Noah Outline and 2013 New Years); ink - gold metallic Staz On; other- vellum, wrapping paper, star sequins)

(tags by Kinsey Wilson : patterned paper - Studio Calico (Darling Dear 6 x 6 pad); stamps - Studio Calico (Noah Outline and 2013 New Years); ink - gold metallic Staz On, onyx black Versafine; mist- Mister Huey's (silver); frame die cut- Studio Calico (Wonderland); chipboard camera sticker- Studio Calico (Darling Dear); other- tiny attacher, craft knife, vellum)

(read card by Jen Jockisch :  Stamps - Noah Outline and 2013 New Years; Cardstock - American Crafts; Journaling Card - Wonderland Journal Cards; Alphas - Calico V. 3 Sotheby's Thickers - Ledger; Stamps - Noah Outline 6x8 Stamp Set, New Year 4x6 Sta mp Set; Ink - Staz-On Timber Brown,  Hero Arts Shadow Ink - Pool; Tape - American Crafts Glitter Tape; Die - Cuts - Crate Paper, Binder Clip - American Crafts; Tag - misc.; misc. colored pencils; Tools - We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper)

(pumpkins by Lisa Truesdell : Stamps - Noah Outline and 2013 New Years; patterned paper - Studio Calico Darling Dear Temple & Wayne, Studio Calico Take Note, My Mind's Eye, Pebbles; chipboard - Studio Calico Darling Dear printed chipboard speech bubbles; badge - Studio Calico Darling Dear badges; veneer - Studio Calico Darling Dear wood veneer; journaling card - Studio Calico Darling Dear journaling cards; star sequin and diecut - Studio Calico Yearbook Ephmera pack; alphabet - Studio Calico Darling Dear navy tiny alphabet; mist - Mister Huey's Audrey)

(happy new year card by Maile Belles : Stamps - Noah Outline and 2013 New Years; Gems - Darling Dear Opaque Gems Whites ; Ink - Hero Arts Pink Neon, Orange Neon, Yellow Neon ; Other - White Cardstock)

(made with love by Tina Aszmus : Today Handbook, Handbook 6x8 insert, More Kraft cardstock, grey tags, pro glider glue gun, Basic Gray die cuts/transparencies, Basic Grey woven tabs, Mister Huey Opaque White, Versamark Onyx, White Prima chalk ink, Noah outline stamp, New Years stamp set)

(hi new year card by Robyn Werlich : Noah Outline Alphabet Stamps, New Years Stamp Set, Ladybug Chalk Ink, Vintage Pink Chalk Ink, Coltfoot Stemens Chalk Ink, Moss Lawn Chalk Ink, Teal Damask Chalk Ink, Farmers Jeans Chalk Ink)

Happy shopping!!

Sunday Sketch

This week's sketch comes from Robyn Werlich's "Loved This" layout in her ROLLER RINK gallery - we loved her collage of black and white phtos against the colorful patterned papers and couldn't wait to see what you'd all do with that jumping off point!



This week, we asked SC member jgirl to share her take on the sketch. She switched her photos to color, toned down the color palette and added lots of layers...we love it to pieces!!

supplies: Kits-Central High. Cut File-Stencil Tags, Pop Off the Page, Trendspotting. Letters-Prima. Word Sticker-Heidi Swapp. Mist-Color Shine (Heidi Swapp)

When I saw the sketch based on Robyn Werlich's Loved This layout, I immediately saw a grid. I have always loved grids. Grids provide a way to tell such a full story. They provide homes to different size photos, or even to all the same sized photos and a very linear layout. They also provide homes for embellishing little mini layouts to your hearts content. They are versatile in that the page can be only photos, or a non-photo layout, or a nice mix of both. I went with mixing both photos and then embellishing the other spaces. 

This page is home to five photos and non of them the same size. I purposely sized them to overlap into the other 'spaces'.  I enlarged the main space of the page from the sketch and went higher on the page. The top left and lower right corner spaces are sort of the white space of the layout. They are similarly embellished, and a tad sparse. I wanted to give the viewer a place to 'rest'. The other two corners are layered in a Pop Off the Page sort of technique and include hidden journaling tags. The middle space is a bit of a work in contrasts. It is the largest of the grid slots, yet houses the smallest photo. I think this helps to give the photo the main focus, while still allowing me to layer the space up and simply have a little fun with it. Not to mention tell the story of how much fun we all had at No Name Creek.

Grids are such a great go to sketch. And I know I will be returning to this one again and again.

We love the pops of yellow all over this project...awesome work Jamie! If youd like to see more of her work, please check her blog or gallery! 

How will YOU use this sketch?  Whether it's a layout, a card or something else, link us up to your project by October 15th for a chance to win a $5 gift card to the Studio Calico shop.

robyn's challenge

I loved the exclusive Basic Grey harlequin grid paper in Roller Rink. I grabbed a piece of vellum and traced over the harlequin shape, cut it out and then used it as a guide for cutting the shape out of the other papers in the kit. I simply layered them on top of the harlequin paper with pop-dots and the enamel dots to create the design.

(Supplies: Roller Rink, sewing machine, orange thread, pop-dots)

So, your challenge for World Card Making Day, is to use a harlequin shape on your card. You can use any papers you want, stamp, die-cut...whatever you'd like! :) Have fun! I can't wait to see what you all create!

To be entered to win a $5 GC to the Studio Calico Shop, just complete a card based on Robyn's challenge, then upload it to the Studio Calico gallery. Leave us a link to your project by October 15th in the comments here. We can't wait to see what you make!