Studio Calico

Sunday Sketch

Hi everyone! Sasha here with your Sunday Sketch for this week :) This one is based on Waleska's Life Amid layout from the Mind The Gap gallery.

I simply adore Waleska's clean and colorful style, not to mention the delightful grid-like design. Here's my take on it :)
Supplies: Teal Cardstock (American Crafts), More White, Rub Ons (Studio Calico) - Cameras Blue; Grey Buttons; Tweets Pink Ledger; Cloud Woodgrain; Cloud Blue Graph; Typeset Grey; Typeset Orange, Patterned Paper (Studio Calico) London Calling, Stamps (Studio Calico) Mini Months and  Heart, Stitched blossoms, Alpha stickers (Sassafrass Lass), Toothpick Flag & Buttons(Pebbles), Brads (Making Memories), Number Stickers (Studio Calico) - Addy Alpha Green, Filmstrip Ribbon & Tiny Attacher(Tim Holtz); Needle, Thread.

I stitched some grid on my cardstock, because I know I will have fun adding little bits here and there. Imitating the sketch, I used five small photos but changed their placings somewhat. I love how the grids contain the 'craziness' but not too rigidly.

Some closer look at my layout:

You can see that I 'color' outside the lines a lot, but that is the fun in using a sketch as a jumpstart for your layout. You get to change it up and have fun! I did! :)

Please link us to your layout using the sketch in the comments on this post by Monday, August 1 and we'll draw two winners for SC gift cards. I hope you play along! :)

Member Spotlight: Sarah

Hi everyone! It's Waleska and I want to spotlight a super talented and sweet member of the Studio Calico community with you today...  Sarah.

Name: Sarah Klemish
Studio Calico Username: Sarahak
City, State, Country: Midland, Michigan USA 

When did you start scrapbooking and what got you started? I started scrapping right around the time my oldest son was 2 years old – 2000. I set up a Creative Memories class at my work through our Community Education program and attended the class.  I was hooked!

 What are your top 5 favorite products and why? Studio Calico Wood Veneer Shapes – especially the hearts and stars! I love that they are so versatile!  They can be used as is or I like to add patterned paper behind the open shapes to add some color.

Anything October Afternoon - I find that I can mix their papers / stickers / embellishments easily.  Their products just work well with my style!

Creative Memories Foam Squares and Frosted Splits - The Creative Memories Foam Squares (pop dots) are amazing!  Easy to get off  packaging, they offer a lot in a pack and the height of them is just right! The Frosted Splits are STRONG!  They hold well and easy to use!
 
Bazzill Cardstock - I use white or kraft cardstock on almost every layout I do!  My LSS orders it in bulk for me because I go through it so fast!
 
Jillibean Corrugated Shapes - I love the fun kraft colored shapes – easy to place and easy to dress up!  They just add that certain something to a layout AND go so well with all of their fun paper lines!

What is your favorite Studio Calico product and why? Studio Calico Wood Veneer Shapes!!  They complement any project because they are neutral in color AND when you buy a pack you get a TON of pieces in a variety of sizes!!

What is your favorite go-to or signature technique? I would say stitching. I am not a big embellisher so whether it is outlining a few things or the entire page it just adds that finishing touch.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us, Sarah!

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!

Name: Waleska
City, State:  Southern California
Blog:  talking to myself

How long have you been a DT member?  Since January 2010
 
Favorite SC product? Mister Huey's, Wood Veneer, FabRips
 
Any rituals when your kits arrive? The boys and I stalk the UPS guy, run up the stairs as soon as we hear the truck (to look out the window), run down, open the door + rip open the box right away! I open each bag (carefully not to rip the labels) and lay out every item on the floor. Delivery day is super exciting around here :)
 
All time favorite SC kit?  Yearbook

Three products you can't live without: white cardstock, pretty paper and brads/buttons (and Mister Huey's! Ok. that's four but in case you were wondering...)
 
Three people you get scrappy inspiration from (include links to blogs if possible): Everyone! Seriously, I love looking through galleries and magazines for inspiration. There's so many talented scrappers out there...
 
Three goals you have:
Capture more of our everyday
Make our house feel more like a home (which has been hard while renting)
Play, have fun and keep my boys my top priority

Three of my favorite photos...

This picture makes me laugh every single time.

This one shows my kids personalities... Can you guess who's the trouble maker?

And here's one of the very few pictures where you can see me :)

Take a peek into where I scrapbook...

My desk + shelves. Everything I own it's right there. When I run out of space it's time to purge. And yes, my desk is always that clean (well, except when I'm in the middle of a project, of course) :)

Handsome Mister Huey's.

Current month's kit embellies in mini colanders.

NSD : inspiration challenge

I saw this page in the March/April issue of Lonny Magazine and it immediately caught my eye.

I challenge you to use this page as an inspiration for your next scrapbook layout.  Get inspired by the fashion theme, the list, the design, the colors... anything.

I was inspired by pretty much all of the above and created this:

[Supplies: Patterned Paper - Barn Swallow, Cotton Candy; FabRips - Pink Houndstooth; Letter Stickers - Chipboard Alpha Stickers Tan; Label Stickers - Countryside]

I use the same design, made a list using some denim tags I've been saving forever (in no particular order really, i just rearranged the tags until i liked the way they looked :)), used a graph paper and even some of  the same colors.  What inspires you? 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 Gertie prize package!

 

Sunday Sketch

Happy Sunday everyone!! Waleska here with another fabulous sketch. This one is based on Susan's Go Outside layout from the Singin' In The Rain gallery.

I love the way Susan mixes a lot of patterned papers yet keeps a clean look. I followed the sketch pretty closely except I adjusted it to 8.5x11 and moved the title to the left side.
Supplies: Kit - Singin' In The Rain, JBS ink - Seed Packet

I hope you play along with us! Just leave a link to your layout using the sketch on this post by Monday, April 18 and we'll draw two winners for SC gift cards. Can't wait to see what you all create.

Wood Veneer Tutorial

Hello there! It's Waleska with another quick tutorial for you. This time we're dressing up Wood Veneer. Don't get me wrong, I love the shapes the way the are but every once in a while I like to change things up a bit.

There's many different ways to do this... Here's just a few:

• Stamps- Use background stamps or any other image that covers the full shape (for the circle button I used the globe stamp. Cool, huh?)

  

• Rub-Ons- I simply place the wood veneer shape under the rub-on and transfer the image. It works great!

     

• Notions: Cut out the string and open the flowers (Careful. They are very delicate).  Trace & cut out the shape and adhere to the veneer shape (I used a spray adhesive for this one). 

     

• FabRips- Trace the shape (in the back) and cut out. Place the FabRip on top of the wood veneer and smooth out the edges with Basic Grey's precision file set.

     

• Embossing? You bet! As you can see, Zing worked beautifully here (just be careful with your fingers when using the heat tool).

     

Here's a gathering of different shapes, textures and colors... There's so many possibilities and the best part? It's super fun and easy!

Insider Tips: Waleska

Hi everyone! It's Waleska with the insider tip of the week.  I want to show you how to make a polka dot background like the one in my Hula Hooping layout in the Into the Woods gallery.

This is what you'll need:
Supplies: Studio Calico Mister Huey's: Classic White, Orchard, Clover and Bonny Blue; Kraft cardstock; a plain piece of paper; ruler; mask and paper trimmer

I used two templates for this. One that I made myself (a 4x6 rectangle to define the area) + an old polka dot Heidi Swapp mask. If you don't have a mask you can create your own with punches, a die cut machine or even your craft knife!

Once I decided the shape and size I just measured, traced and cut it out with my paper trimmer.

I placed the first template on top of the Kraft cardstock, put them inside my misting box and sprayed with Mister Huey's Calico White. I wanted a subtle background so I only sprayed a few times across.

Once it was dry (you can use your heat tool to speed up the process), I placed the polka dot mask on top and sprayed with Mister Huey's Orchard (left), Clover (middle) and Bonny Blue (right).

Once again, I sprayed just a couple of time and at a close range to make sure the colors didn't blend too much.

I used a paper towel to soak up the excess ink and removed the templates... and this is what you get! A pretty, colorful misted background.

I hope you give this a try.  Please let me know if you have any questions and I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Sunday Sketch

Hi there, it's Vee and I am happy to share my inspiration on this week's sketch! I love Waleska's layout from the Candy Shoppe gallery.

I love the mix of shapes on this layout, Waleska always inspires me with her attention to detail and clean designs!
* I made my layout a 12x12 because I wanted to use more photos on my layout and I love using entire pieces of cardstock instead of pattern paper when creating with a lot of photos.
* As you know I love my shapes, so I had to punch and add a few circles onto my layout, the larger one in a similar location as in the sketch.
*Rather than adding a large piece of pattern paper, I painted the background and added my photos in a rectangle line in various sizes.
*For a strip of color and interest I added a piece of fabrip to the bottom like Waleska's bottom border.
* I love to off center my titles so I kept the placement of the title in the same as the sketch.
Supplies: Ink - Calico White Mister Huey's; pattern paper - Countryside Barn Swallow; Alpha - Countryside Chipboard Alphas; Stickers - Countryside Label Stickers

My design is not the same as the sketch but I chose elements from it and made it my own. I can't wait to see your take on this sketch! Be sure to post a link to this thread by Monday, February 28th for a chance to win one of two $5 Studio Calico gift cards. Good luck!