itsmeamanda : our project life: 2013

Monday, December 23, 2013

Our Christmas Cards 2013 : Using Studio Calico Letterpress

I don't know about ya'll, but I love Christmas cards. Each year, I look forward to making our family card as well as receiving cards from our friends and family.

This year, I took our Christmas card photos while we were at the Christmas tree farm picking out our tree on the day after Thanksgiving. The one of all of us was taken using a remote and a makeshift tripod (stool). Miraculously, I managed to get several good ones of the boys, so I chose to do a folded accordian style card this year.

I was inspired by Maggie Holmes' Christmas cards from last year, so that was my starting point. I also was eager to try out my Studio Calico letterpress kit and plates, so I used those as an insert of sorts as well as some embossed cards using Studio Calico stamps from the Blue Note kits.

I stamped the outside of the kraft envelopes with a Studio Calico stamp and tied the cards and inserts with twine. I love the way they turned out.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Project Life : Studio Calico Antiquary October Kits

I really enjoyed working with the October Studio Calico kits called Antiquary. They are gorgeous.

Here's what I got:

Antiquary PL Kit:

Antiquary Scrapbook Kit:

Rome Add On:

Dublin Add On:

Everyday Cards:

Life Love Paper Watercolor Cards:

I used the Main PL Kit only along with some of the digital items for this layout:

And on this layout, I used a mix of the kits:

I also put together a simple layout using some items from SC's kits.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Studio Calico Classes: Cutting Edge with Susan Weinroth

I'm so excited to be a contributor for Susan Weinroth's upcoming Silhouette class at Studio Calico. You can check it out and sign up here. Susan has a lot of awesome things in store for this class, so I really hope you'll join us!

Here's some additional information about the class:

CLASS KIT :
While supplies last, all students will receive a bonus class kit containing a 2x3in Studio Calico stamp set & cool materials to cut (navy and turquoise vellum, Silhouette chipboard, printable gold foil, double sided adhesive). You’ll also get a $10 download card for Studio Calico digital die cut files. This kit will ship free no matter where you are! We'll update this page when the kit sells out.

CONTRIBUTORS :
Allison Waken, Amanda Caves, Barbara Picinich, Catherine Davis, Dana Fleckenstein, Danielle Flanders, Deb Duty, Emily Merritt, Geralyn Sy, Gillian Nelson, Jen Kinkade, Jennifer McGuire, Julie Campbell, Kelly Noel, Kinsey Wilson, Laura Vegas, Lilith Eckels, Lisa Spangler, Nicole Reaves, Nicole Samuels, Sarah Klemish, Sasha Farina, Suzy Plantamura

MATERIALS WE’LL BE EXPLORING :
vellum, adhesive cardstock, fabric, chipboard, stamp material, double sided adhesive, printable foil, canvas and transparencies

CLASSROOM FILES :
•Cut files by In A Creative Bubble (.studio, .PNG & .SVG)
•Printables by In A Creative Bubble (.studio, .PNG & .SVG)
•digital version of the class stamp set (.ABR, .PNG, .studio)

Monday, September 9, 2013

Studio Calico December Daily Blog Hop

Yes, it's September and I'm already talking about Christmas. No, I've not lost my mind. We all know how quickly the fall flies by, and then just like that: Christmas!

I've had the Christmas season on my mind a lot lately. Planning our Christmas pictures, cards, decor, etc. And then Studio Calico released the images for their stunning December Daily Kit. To say that I love it is an understatement. The colors are so fun and fresh! Hello, orange, aquas, and yellows. I don't know about you, but I tire easily of the red, green, and gold, so I love that SC has mixed it up this year and included some non-traditional colors that will make my December Daily amazing.

One of my favorite parts about the Studio Calico December Daily kit is that it includes a fabulous SC Handbook exclusive to the kit. Red and embossed stars....hello gorgeous! They're also releasing an exclusive stamp set designed by Elise Cripe, and there are a ton of other great embellishments and papers in the kit.

Studio Calico is currently taking pre-orders for their December Daily Kit. You can reserve your kit for a $25.00 deposit. If you'd like one, I highly suggest doing a pre-order. Last year, I waited too long to decide and I wasn't able to get the 2012 kit.

You may be asking what exactly is December Daily? The idea comes from Ali Edwards and here is how she describes it:

"December Daily is an album project that documents the 25 days leading up to Christmas. Many people start their documentation earlier and many people go longer. I have found that 25 days is just right for me."

Last year was my first year to put together a December Daily Album. You can see my pages here, here and here. For me, it was not a daily album. I worked a lot during the holiday season last year, and there were many days that I didn't take a single picture. This year will likely be different, but I'm not going to stress about it being "daily." Also, my album last year included a few snippets from November (trip to the Opryland hotel as well as our trip to the Christmas tree farm), and I ended with New Year's Eve. The timeline is completely up to you.

One of my favorite traditions to document in my December album is our yearly trip to the Christmas Tree Farm. That trip signals the start of the holiday season and the perfect (for us) 9 + foot tree that we bring home and decorate puts us all in the Christmas spirit. Other traditions that I love each year: riding around in our pajamas looking at Christmas lights, Christmas Eve being lazy at home, cookies for Santa, and Christmas Day with our families.

Check out the Studio Calico blog for blog entries from other Creative Team members with more inspiration. You can also pre-order your own December Daily kit here.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Studio Calico Project Life Layouts : September Double Scoop

How gorgeous are Studio Calico's September kits? I had a great time playing with them for my project life layouts this month. You can check out the Project Life Kit here.