American Crafts | This Makes My Heart Happy

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive financial compensation and material product from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

This week on the American Crafts Blog, the Design Team shared projects using our favorite photos.  Sometimes I have a photo, that just needs to be scrapped more than once.  And that's one of the great things about scrapbooking...there are no rules when it comes to what's right or wrong.  This photo has been used on another layout, but I love that I could use it again and create a totally different design.

How to: Cut the word "Heart" into a heart shape in the center of white cardstock, or hand cut large letters from patterned paper. Trim your white cardstock to 11.5x11.5" and mat it on a piece of patterned paper. Stitch with embroidery floss around the outer edge of the heart-shaped word. Add your favorite photo above the heart. Use a mix of Thickers to create a long title above and below the heart shape. Embellish with stickers, enamel dots, and epoxy stickers. Cover your photo and add splatters of black spray mist.

Supplies: Fine & Dandy (370078) - Sweetest Soiree, Fine & Dandy (370074) - Stay Awesome, Fine & Dandy (370069) - Make a Wish, Fine & Dandy (370076) - Oh Joy, Fine & Dandy (370083) - Charming Charade, Fine & Dandy (370082) - Gleeful, Fine & Dandy (370067) - Celebrate, Fine & Dandy (370073) - Bright Bows, Fine & Dandy (370075) - Stay Wild, Fine & Dandy (370087) - Printed Cardstock Phrases & Accents, Fine & Dandy (370091) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Serendipity (369209) - Royal Thickers, Serendipity (369215) - Enamel Dots, Rise & Shine (370035) - Alpha Stickers, Rise & Shine (370034) - Epoxy Stickers, Thickers (366187) - Cordial

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American Crafts | There's No One Like You

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive financial compensation and material product from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

This week, it's been all about Circles on the American Crafts Blog!  I love using circles on my layouts and decided to go BIG on my layout!

How to: Cut a large circular die cut and layer pieces of the Rise & Shine collection behind the die cut (or trace a large plate onto patterned paper and cut it out to use as the large circle element on your background). Machine stitch with white thread around the interior of the circle. Add a circle shaped photo to the center of your layout, using pop dots. Place the Woodland Thickers around your photo in a half circle shape. Add embellishments on the left hand side of the photo using cork stickers, wooden buttons, stickers and enamel dots. Finish your layout by adding a hand stitched circle around the outside edge of the large circle, using black embroidery floss.

If you're looking for more inspiration on using circles in your projects, make sure you visit the American Crafts Blog, to see what the rest of the Design Team created over this past week!

Supplies: Rise & Shine (370009) - Emma, Rise & Shine (370017) - Samantha, Rise & Shine (370007) - Amelia, Rise & Shine (370012) - Olivia, Rise & Shine (370002) - Kylie, Rise & Shine (370016) - Madison, Rise & Shine (370006) - Emery, Rise & Shine (370038) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Rise & Shine (370032) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Rise & Shine (370035) - Alpha Stickers, Fine & Dandy (370086) - Woodland Thickers, Serendipity (369215) - Enamel Dots, True Stories (370735) - Cork Stickers, True Stories (370745) Wooden Buttons, Right on Target Cut File:  The Cut Shoppe; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

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Hip Kit Club | Puppy Love

I’m here today to share two new layouts with you, using the April 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits.  You can probably tell from the title of my post, that these layouts will include some puppy photos!  I love that you can basically scrap any photo you want, with each month’s Hip Kit.  Every day photos are my favorites to scrap, and the Hip Kits always have just the right mix of products for creating the perfect layout.
 
First up, is a layout using a banner design across the top of the layout.

This layout was really easy to put together.  I used a mix of the patterned papers included in the April 2015 Main Kit, along with embellishments from the April 2015 Embellishment Kit.  I started out by cutting some of the patterned papers into banner shapes, and adding in a couple of tags from the Amy Tangerine Bits pack included in the Main Kit.  Once I had all of the papers in place, I stitched along the top with my sewing machine.  I created my title with a mix of Thickers from the Main Kit and the Embellishment Kit, and finished the layout by adding some chipboard pieces, epoxy stickers and word phrase stickers.

I have a new Process Video to go along with this layout, and I would love for you to check it out!

My second layout, is based on a previous design that I’ve worked with and loved!  There’s definitely not anything wrong with repeating a design, if you love it.  Like they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

I knew I wanted to start out with the fun Claire patterned paper from Amy Tan, that’s included in the April 2015 Main Kit and the April 2015 Paper Add-On Kit.  I loved all of the colors it included, and knew it would work well with all of the embellishments in this month’s Kit.  I cut the paper to a point and added it to the White cardstock, that’s included in the April 2015 Cardstock Add-On Kit.  I also wanted to add another look to the patterned paper, so I stamped with the Diamond border stamp from the Elle’s Studio set, included in the April 2015 Color Add-On Kit.  Then I completed the layout design, by adding my photo to the center of the page, and angled my title along the lines of the patterned paper.

This month’s Kit is filled with lots of great colors, and I love how they all mix together!  If you didn’t get a chance to pick up the April Hip Kits, then make sure you stop by the Shop to get yours!

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Hip Kit Club | My Happy Place

I’m stopping in today to share my first layout with the April 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!  The colors in this month’s Kits are so bright and fun…perfect for a beach photo!  I had to have the April Color Add-On Kit, because I wanted to try out the Prima Watercolor Pencils.  And they worked great on the Heidi Swapp Die Cut Watercolor Paper!

I thought the HS Die Cut Watercolor Paper, would be perfect for my title and also as a focal point for adding my photo.  Before I adhered it to the Cienna patterned paper, that I used for my background, I used the Prima Watercolor Pencils to add some Pink and Yellow to the Die Cut.  Then I placed the Die Cut in the center of the background and stitched across the phrase.

I wanted to continue the Pink and Yellow color scheme, so I chose embellishments and Thickers from the Main Kit and the Embellishment Add-On Kit.  I framed my photo with the large Yellow chipboard frame from the Rise & Shine collection from Amy Tangerine, and added several embellishments from the Bits and Chipboard pieces, also from the Rise & Shine collection.  After I had everything in place, I added some splatters of Black Color Shine to contrast the minimal color scheme.

I can’t wait to create some more layouts with this month’s kit!  There are so many different options, with the various patterned papers and fun embellishments!  If you haven’t had a chance to get your April Kits, make sure you stop by the Shop to check them out.

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American Crafts | Rise & Shine Mini Album

It's an exciting week on the American Crafts Blog, because the Design Team is featuring projects using the newest collection from Amy Tangerine, Rise & Shine!  This is such a fun collection and I love the happy colors and cute embellishments.  I used the collection, to create a small Mini Album, documenting a recent weekend trip.

 

1. Choose 3 different patterned papers from the Rise & Shine collection and your photos. Cut your paper to 6 inches wide and 4 inches high.

2. Use a scoring board, score each of your papers at 3 inches, down the center.

 

3. Create a vellum pocket to tuck away memorabilia, by machine stitching around the edges and leaving the top open.

 

4. Add a strip of Washi Tape to the outside and inside pages of your album.

 

5. Use a different color of Washi Tape to tape the vellum pocket and one of the Rise & Shine Die Cut tags into your album.

 

6. Once your pages, pocket, and tag are all put together, run the album through your sewing machine to stitch it all together.

 

 

7. Before adding your photos, use some of the Misting Stencils to embellish the pages in your album. I traced the triangle pattern and used gelatos with the chevron pattern. You can also use the Wooden Stamp set to add a custom look to your album.

 

This type of album would also be great for parties, sports or dance competitions!

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American Crafts | Right Now

Who doesn't love a pack of Thickers??!!  What about BIG Thickers??!!  Big Thickers have been the focus on the American Crafts Blog this week, and I wanted to share my layout, that was up earlier in the week.  If you're working with some of your favorite Thickers but don't have enough of each letter, why not try tracing them on to your background paper.  And you can add a really fun look by stitching around the traced outline and painting with watercolors inside the letters!

 

How to: Begin by using the Lily 12x12 paper for your background and placing your photo on the right side of the layout. Choose a mix of "X" and "O" Thickers from the Rootbeer Float packs. Decide where you want to place the Thickers and adhere them where you want them, leaving off one of each letter. Use the letters as a stencil and trace them next to your other Thickers. Once you are finished tracing, place the Thickers back on your layout. Stitch around each of the traced letters with embroidery floss and then paint the centers with watercolors. Add an "X" stitch to each of the white "O" Thickers. Splatter black spray mist across your layout. Create your title using the Grace Thickers by layering them on the corner of your photo. Finish embellishing with the Rise & Shine Accent & Phrase Stickers, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Wooden Stamps, and Epoxy Sticker.

Supplies: Rise & Shine (70010) - Lily, Rise & Shine (70007) - Amelia, Rise & Shine (70026) - Grace Thickers, Rise & Shine (370032) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Rise & Shine (37003) - Epoxy Stickers, Rise & Shine (370035) - Alpha Stickers, Rise & Shine (370038) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Rise & Shine (370048) - Wooden Stamps, Shimelle (368170) - Roller Date Stamp, Thickers (370554) - Rootbeer Float, Glitter Thickers (370555) - Rootbeer Float

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American Crafts | Lucky to Have You By My Side

St. Patrick's Day is coming up soon, and this week the American Crafts Design Team is sharing "Lucky" themed projects!  I had a layout up on the Blog yesterday, and wanted to pop in and share it with you today.  You can add a touch of St. Paddy's Day to your layouts, even if you aren't creating a St. Patrick Day's themed layout.  Use watercolors to add shades of Green and Aqua to clover shaped die cuts and your background paper, to "Go Green" this month!

How To:  Begin by adding Green watercolor paint to the Chloe background patterned paper.  Let dry before adding your photo and embellishments.  Fussy cut several circles from the Samantha and Sophia papers.  Add your photo to the right hand side of your layout, and layer some of the fussy cut circles behind it.  Die cut clovers from White cardstock and then add Green and Aqua watercolors.  Use a mix of Thickers to add a large title to the center of your layout.  Finish embellishing your layout with the watercolored clovers, Chipboard Frame, and Epoxy Stickers.

Make sure you visit the American Crafts Blog all this week, to check out what the Team is doing for "Lucky" week!

Supplies:  Rise & Shine (370001) - Chloe, Rise & Shine (370017) - Samantha, Rise & Shine (370018) - Sophia, Rise & Shine (370041) - Die Cut Tags, Rise & Shine (370038) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Rise & Shine (370034) - Epoxy Stickers, Rise & Shine (370054) - Chipboard Frames, Rise & Shine (370050) - Rotary Phrase Stamp, Rise & Shine (370048) - Wooden Stamps, Rise & Shine (370035) - Alpha Stickers, Rise & Shine (370031) - Letter and Number Sticker Book, Stitched (368966) - Today Thickers

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