Tuesday, July 26, 2011

CHA Summer 2011


Back home from the CHA Summer Show and have barely had a second to catch my breath. By far, it's been our best CHA yet. The releases were well-received (personally, they're my favorite ever as well), the show floor was hopping, it's just been a crazy few weeks. Okay, it's been a crazy few months.

I had the chance to create lots of items for the booth, some of which are here and more will pop up later, didn't want to overwhelm anyone. I had my modest list of items to create, but I kept going and going with more projects that I hoped would showcase all our new items.

I will have a mini-tutorial on the SC blog soon to explain the confetti effect. It's super easy and I'm obsessed with confetti now, so I figured out a quick, easy way without hand-placing all those tiny dots.

(photo taken by Angela Crutcher)

The end result of this tag, I'm excited about. I created it for the Hero Arts booth & catalog and I had no idea what a talented stamper I was....kidding. This was really simple. I used the white Zing embossing powder with the cloud stamps, then used several ink colors with the ink-blending tool. That really made the clouds pop off the tag.

This layout uses the same stamp set as the tag above. Photo courtesy of Kelly Noel.

And, last but not least, my favorite layout. This one incorporates lots of techniques, but my favorite is the "&" mask in conjunction with the new Calico Shine Mister Huey. It's a really subtle effect, that you'd just have to see in person, which is why I'm giving away one to a commenter on this post. I'll post a winner on Sunday, so just make a comment here.

Be sure to stop by the Studio Calico blog for a list of other designers who will be participating in the blog blitz - you won't want to miss seeing some of the other fabulous projects that were in the CHA booth!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

sneak peeks!

I'm so excited about August's kit, I can't even tell you. At Studio Calico, we've been working diligently to give you the newest releases in your kits, and I think you'll agree, the August kit is PACKED with them! Also, there's several exclusive items in the August kit that you won't find anywhere else:
  • 2 Studio Calico patterned papers
  • 2 Crate Paper patterned papers
  • 1 SC + Hero Arts stamp
  • 1 Sassafras mini sticker alpha
  • 1 SC Chipboard alpha
Hopefully you can spot some of those items in my sneaks below.

This is the Tide Pool add-on. LOVED it! that Sassafras paper is a must have and I highly recommend getting the Add-on Patterned Paper kit because you'll want duplicated for sure!


This is my favorite layout that I've made in a long time. The mistable trim is AWESOME, but the reason I like this so much is that I felt clever using the main kit stamp on the ribbon. And, if you think I planned the size to match so perfectly....think again. It was a happy coincidence. I used the main kit ENTIRELY on this layout.

And, last but not least, another layout using the main kit alone (plus a shipping tag of my own). Do you love those exclusive Sass alphas as much as I?

Here's my list of mist (I like that title....it rhymes):
  • Clover
  • Lemonade (sold out right now, but it is returning)
  • Piglet
  • Orchard

Monday, July 11, 2011

SC + Hero Arts Blog Hop

I've been waiting for MONTHS to share with you this stamp release and I'm so glad that day is finally here. Studio Calico has collaborated with Hero Arts to bring you top-quality stamps that are perfect for cardmakers and scrapbookers alike. To our current customers, thanks for all the feedback on which stamps you've liked best and wanted to revisit. We've taken your advice and don't worry, if you don't see everything you wanted just yet, let us know! We may already have it in the works, and if not, we might put it in the works!

For this card, I used the new Autumn Press 6x6 paper pad along with the white Mister Huey's Mist and the new Calico Shine...obviously layered over the ampersand mask. Then, I stamped the phrase with staz-on. The cloud was made using white zing powder on white cardstock, then adding ink with my ink blending tool & punching with Fiskars Large Cloud punch.
This card was super simple. I used the Silhouettes set and the Alpha background. The Silhouette's pieces layer and are 3 different stamps so you can make the phrase, head, and patterned circle all different colors. LOVE THAT! After it was all said and done, I wish I would have thought to use Pink Glitter Zing for my girl there. (the buttons are chipboard and are from the new Memoir collection.)
This is my favorite stamped item...I was so proud of myself for this. Again, I used White Zing Embossing Powder, this time on a shipping tag. After that, I used 2 different color inks and my ink blending tool to create the orange look. Then, I stamped "hooray" and added the little bits and pieces. Wouldn't this look awesome on a birthday gift?

Be sure to return to the StudioCalico blog to enter your response there for a chance to win a fabulous prize. Also, be sure to come back tomorrow...begin at the SC blog...for another chance to win plus lots more fabulous designs using the SC + HA stamps!