Studio Calico

from start to finish with gillian nelson

Hi, gang!  Today I’m going to take you through my process of creating my “Make You a Deal” layout from the Block Party gallery.  Warts and all.  :) Click here to download this start to finish tutorial as a printable PDF.

First, I gathered up supplies from the Block Party Kit and add-ons that I thought I’d like to use.  Aren’t they pretty?

I chose the Block Party Numbers Cut Design from the SC Digital Shop, and resized the file to 7.475 inches wide and 9.9 inches tall.  I then cut the design from white cardstock.  I chose the yellow diagonal stripe and the notebook-lined patterned papers as the backgrounds for my 2-page layout, and trimmed them each down to 8.5x11 inches.  I decided to use the numbers diecut over the diagonal stripe to help tone down the stripe pattern and to balance the white from the opposite page.

I decided to add a little dimension to the diecut, so I used number stickers from the Jenni Bowlin alpha sheet in the Woodbrooke Road add-on as masks.  I sprayed Mister Huey Calico Shine and gave the die cut an even coat.  Calico Shine gives a subtle, but very pretty effect and just a little bit of depth.  (My son would like it on the record that he makes an excellent and cooperative hand model.  So noted.  Thank you, son.)

While waiting for the mist to dry, I cut strips of varying widths from the cloud and chevron patterned papers, plus a strip of the yellow diagonal stripe.  I then inked the edges of the strips of paper and my photo.  I always ink the edges.  It can’t be helped.   Here’s where I need to confess that while inking the edges, i dropped my StazOn pad onto the photo and the notebook background paper.  Awesome.  And while I’m confessing, I should also admit that I may have used an expletive or two when this happened.  There.  I feel much better getting that off my chest.  What do they say?  Mistakes are merely an opportunity for creativity?  Something like that.  So, my next step was to reprint my photo (it couldn’t be saved), and I decided to cover the ink on the background paper with the Thickers from the main Block Party kit.  Problem solved.  I put the Thickers on a scrap of wax paper, coated them with VersaMark, and embossed them with some Powder Zing (such a pretty blue).

Once the mist dried, I removed the number stickers from the numbers die cut, and adhered the diecut to the striped paper.  Then I stuck down the strips of paper to each side of the layout, trimmed the ends that hung over the edges, adhered my photo, and penciled in my journaling.  (Note the remnants of black ink pad on the right side, there.  Do you blame me for the expletive?  Really?)

Next, I started placing the chipboard hearts and the wood veneer arrows from the Wildberry Court add-on across the strips of patterned paper on the right side of the page and also to the left of the photo.  I stamped the index tag with the “You” stamp, also from the Wildberry Court add-on.  I added the OA badge from the Pollard Avenue add-on, as well as some of the delicious silver washi tape.  De-Li-Cious.  I stuck down the chipboard letters over the aforementioned ink spots.  And no expletives this time, because I actually liked it better this way.  See?  It all works out in the end.

I wrote over the journaling in ink, erased the pencil lines, added a title using the itty bitty pink BG letter stickers from the Wildberry Court add-on, threw some of the little silver stars on there, and finished off with some pops of red (OA index tag, enamel dots and BG number stickers).

Voila.  Done.  :)

envelope tutorial

 

Join Amber Kemp Gerstel as she shows you how to make custom envelopes - perfect for your cards, or to use on layouts or Project Life spreads to hold extra journaling or keepsakes!

(supplies - Studio Calico Block Party Card kit)

masking + stitching tutorial

If you're anything like me, you likely have more than enough seasonal supplies to cover documenting the holidays. Since the products outnumber the occasions I can scrap about, I wanted to find a way to give new life to some of my stash. By mixing some of your older supplies with the newer ones, you can cleverly combine them to turn the holiday theme into an everyday page. (Click here to download this tutorial as a printable PDF)

I gathered these supplies together.


From the 6X6 paper pad, I pulled out the woodgrain sheet and took it outside with the ampersand mask and possibly my favorite Mister Huey's of all time, the opaque white.


Once it was dry (I sped up the process with my heat tool), I placed the paper onto a foam pad and used the brad setter as a paper piercer. I poked holes all the way around, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch apart. TIP: around the curves, you want to stay a bit closer together, while the straight parts can have holes that are further apart.



Then using Aunt Lydia's crochet thread in fuchsia (embroidery floss works fine too), I did a back-stitch all the way around the design using the pre-poked holes as a guide. TIP: You can do this on the sofa while watching your favorite show. You may even find it to be therapeutic.




From the Handbook Album Inserts, I chose a plain beige grid with a Christmas tree on it.


Then I took a different sheet from the 6X6 paper pad and covered the tree. I noticed that it didn't completely cover the holes, so I make a mental note at this time that I would use washi tape to remedy that.


Laying out all the elements with the photos allowed me to choose the colors of tape I wanted to use.

I put some strips of tape down, adhered the photos, title, and the typewriter journaling. Then I finished it off with the stamping of the date in the top left corner.


Hope you're able to transform some of your holiday supplies!


(supplies:  patterned paper- Studio Calico Wonderland 6x6 Paper Pad; cardstock- American Crafts; frames- Wonderland; wood veneer- Studio Calico Darling Dear; Handbook- Wonderland; mist- Mister Huey's Opaque White; mask- Studio Calico; stamps- Studio Calico Roller Date; other- Brad Setter)

christmas tags

Why not put your kit to work making holiday tags? Maile Belles is sharing a video tutorial on how she used our 34th Street Card Kit & Kris Kringle add-on to make this trio of tags.

 

silhouette background

Hello SC friends!! Kelly here to share a fun way to use your Silhouette to make your own background or large accent for you layout. 

For my layout, using lots of new Darling Dear papers, I was inspired by this piece I saw on Pinterest. I loved the way the composition of the arrows and knew I wanted to create a similar layout for my page. Rather than cut out lots of arrows from different patterned papers, etc. I decided to do a negative cut as a whole instead.

Click here to download the tutorial as a PDF

(Supplies: cardstock - American Crafts ; patterned paper - Studio Calico Darling Dear Wayne, Gardner. Monroe, & Hayworth ; stickers - SC Darling Dear Hearts & Arrows, SC Darling Dear 12x12 Alpha, BasicGrey ; Chipboard - SC Sotheby Ledger)

The first step do recreate this look is to choose several different arrow cut files. Open the first file and select the entire image. 

Repeat this same process with several different arrow cut files to add variety to your arrow background.

You'll want to mix up the arrows so that there are larger and smaller ones for variety and interest. Play around with it until you get the look you're after. Once you have all of your arrows moved around and resized, you are ready to cut!

After you cut your background, place the cut background onto your intended layout background. Adhere the cut background with repositionable adhesive. 

Now, use scraps to add detail underneath each arrow cut. Adhere the scraps carefully, making sure to line them up with each arrow.

After you're finished adhering the scraps, you can adhere the arrow background with foam adhesive for added dimension.

And that's it, you're all finished! A simple and easy way to create a custom background/large accent for your layouts. I hope you'll give this a try!

stamp brushes tutorial

(supplies - Studio Calico Sock Hop stamp brushes, white cardstock, frame)

As soon as we saw this gorgeous wall art by Nicole Samuels, we knew we had to ask her to share how to make it! Click here to download the tutorial and find out how to turn your favorite stamp brushes into a beautiful framed print.

stamping on patterned paper

Want to add a little something extra to your patterned paper? Why not dress up a simple pattern with a stamped image! Maile Belles has put together a video to show you how she made this gorgeous card.

 

(supplies - Studio Calico Bobby Socks & Leather Jacket Addons)

PS : we have two more tutorials coming this week - just our little way of giving thanks for the best blog readers around!

tips and tricks with wilna

This month, Wilna has put together a video showing how she made this gorgeous layered page. She's also sharing her handwritten cut file - it's available for download here.

(supply list - Studio Calico SOCK HOP and add-ons, Mister Huey's Opaque White)

  

patterned transparency tutorial

In this Project Life spread, I decided to create my own transparencies using the digital stamp brushes. They’re quick and easy to create and they’re fun to use. Click here to download this tutorial as a PDF. 

(supplies : Roller Rink Main Scrapbook Kit, Rainbow Kneesocks add on, Crack the Whip add on, Roller Rink Digital StampBrushes, Roller Rink Card Kit Stamp Brushes, Roller Rink Printable #1, Stencil Tags, Honey Bee Scissors, Glue Glider Pro)

First, you’ll need to purchase the transparencies. I’m using an Epson R340 Inkjet printer. I’ve purchased my inkjet transparenies through Amazon.com but you can also find them in your local office supply store. Just make sure you get the correct transparencies for you printer. They make them for laser printers as well. The inkjet transparencies have sort of a “tooth” on one side to accept the ink from the printer. That is the side you want to print on. Once you have your transparencies, you’re ready to create your patterns.

I’m using the Roller Rink digital brushes that are currently available in the shop. I start by creating a new layer.

Then I open up my brush window. If you can’t see it, just look under window and select brush.

Now select the brush you wish to create your pattern with. I’m going to use the long chevrons. You’ll also need to select a color as well. I have a visual of the pattern I want to achieve but I’m also playing around with the brushes too. I know I want my pattern to have 2 different colors and 2 different chevron images. I go ahead and “stamp” the first brush leaving a space in between for the other chevron I plan to stamp.

Once I have the first color down, I create a new layer and begin my second pattern of chevrons. I’m going for a non-uniform look and overlap some of the chevrons. I’ve also added a quote on top of the finished pattern.

I’m really trying to get 4 different overlays for my Project Life album onto one transparency. I’m keeping an eye on my ruler as I stamp down my pattern.

The last pattern I want to create is with the asterisks. I like that it came with one fill and one outline. I start with the fill image, select my color and I space the image out so that I can just hold down my cursor and drag across to create a line of asterisks.

After stamping down a few rows of filled asterisks, I select the matching outline included in the brush set, space them, then stamp over the filled pattern. I don’t want these to line up perfectly with the filled pattern.

After I’m finished with my full sheet of patterns, I flatten the image and print.

You’ll have to select the glossy finish through your print settings for your printer to print properly on the transparency. I let my sheet dry for a few minutes before handling it.

Now it’s time to assemble my pockets. I print my photos and select a few of my favorite pieces from the Roller Rink kit and add ons.

I cut down my transparencies to fit the 3x4 pockets.

I decided to layer the quote over some patterned paper.

I like how layering the transparency over patterned paper added subtle dimension. I’m some what of a “flat” scrapbooking. That’s why I love overlays so much. It adds that subtle dimension that I’m comfortable with, especially when it comes to Project Life layouts.

 

 

from start to finish with dawn mcvey

Hi there!  Dawn McVey here with a start-to-finish card for you today!  I pulled out lots of new Classic Calico Vol. 3 goodies to put this little love note for my hubby together. If you want to take this tutorial on the go with you, click here to download the PDF.

To get started, I adhered 3 patterned papers to a cream card base; one large panel and two narrow strips along the bottom.

Next, I used a decorative edged die to die cut the top edge of a Journal Card.

Then I used a couple Copic Markers to color in the letters, overlapping the colors, just like the letters overlap on the card.

I pulled out the coffee ring stamp from the Back To School stamp set (Yearbook collection) and stamped it using a kraft colored ink.....a perfect creamy coffee color!  ;)

Lastly, I stamped the "Love you more" sentiment from the Oh Snap stamp set twice -- once on a wood veneer flag, and again directly on the Journal Card.  This way, I could layer the banner right over the top of the sentiment on the Journal Card, creating a bit more dimension on the sentiment.  Before moving on, I heat set all of the stamping with a heat tool, to avoid smearing on the slick Journal Card surface.

(supplies : patterned paper - Studio Calico Classic Calico Vol. 3 6x6 paper pad ; Classic Calico Vol. 3 Journal Cards ; Classic Calico Vol. 3 Badges ; Classic Calico Vol. 3 Wood Veneer Flags ; Classic Calico Vol. 3 Oh Snap stamp set ; Yearbook Back to School stamp set ; other - Papertrey Ink Edgers #3 die, rustic jute button twine, kraft ink & dark chocolate ink ; Copic markers)

All that was left to do, was to put it all together....there's a bit of twine tied around the bottom of the card, and the Journal Card was adhered with foam adhesive.  The finishing touch was the addition of the "Today" badge!

I hope you've enjoyed today's card and are inspired to get a little crafty yourself!