August 24, 2009

QuicKutz & American Crafts: It doesn't get much better than this!



American Crafts is an industry leader in all things good and glorious in the wonderful world of scrapbooking. Their whimsical, yet fresh & clean style is what sets them apart from so many others. Not to mention those people down there (and I can say that because they seriously are just down the road from me) are some of the neatest people I've ever worked with! And I've worked with them a-plenty during my QVC days with Creating Keepsakes, so I know what I'm talkin' about. :)

We have got a great week in store for you! We are teaming up with American Crafts to bring you an incredible week of ideas and visual delight combining both QK and AC products. I have seen some of these wonderful creations from some uber-talented ladies and all I can say is WOW! You are in for a treat!

So let's start with something from none other than Miss Nichol Magouirk. She never ceases to amaze me with her talent and this card is no exception.



Look closely at this card. Here's what she did to create it:

Open the image card_heart_0917.


Ungroup the image and delete the heart. Open flower_1882 and place it in the center of the card where the heart used to be. Ungroup the flower and remove the outer image, leaving all the center pieces to create the flower-looking window.

So this:

Will look like this:

Now you can cut your card with a completely different look! That's always my philosophy...think outside the box. What else can I do with an image? It totally expands your choices with your images!

Here's a complete list of what Nichol used on this card:
American Crafts Supplies: Primaries 12x12 AC Cardstock, Earthtones 12x12 AC Cardstock, Dandelion Large Brads, Zing! Clear Embossing Powder, Zing! Mustard Embossing Powder, Clear Stamp Sentiments

Silhouette Supplies: scallop_border_SM_1238, flower_1882, card_heart_0917

Now, how 'bout a page from the ever-adorable and incredibly talented, Jen Gallacher. I love all the little details of this page!

Here's a list of supplies and instructions from Jen:

  • Cardstock, patterned paper, felt heart, button, ribbon & stamp: American Crafts
  • Die cuts: QuicKutz
  • Stamping ink: Stampin' Up!
  • Twine: Craft Supply
  • Corner rounder: Fiskars
  • Fonts: Vintage Typewriter & 2Peas Tasklists


Instructions:

  1. Ungroup a scallop edge and eliminate center holes and cut from cream cardstock.
  2. Rub edges with brown stamping ink and mount at the top of a sheet of brown cardstock.
  3. Mount pink pattern paper below.
  4. Add a strip of striped pattern paper to the layout.
  5. Cut a number border die cut from white cardstock and mount on pink pattern paper.
  6. Machine stitch several times across border.
  7. Cut the squiggly circle die cut from white cardstock and mount on a circle die cut from tan cardstock.
  8. Mount on the layout.
  9. Use the text tool to cut a large brown “&” and mount on circle.
  10. Cut the “now what?” title from green cardstock and mount on circle.
  11. Mount a felt heart by the title and add a pink button tied with twine to the title circle.
  12. Use brown stamping ink to stamp the flowers over and over along the bottom of a sheet of cream cardstock.
  13. Machine stitch cardstock in place.
  14. Mount a black and white photo on the layout.
  15. Cut a scallop border from white cardstock, slightly bend and distress and add to the right side of the layout.
  16. Print journaling on dark pink cardstock and round the bottom left corner of the rectangle with a corner rounder punch.
  17. Wrap the ribbon around the journaling block and tie into a knot.
  18. Mount the journaling block on the layout.

What would a big ol' blog week like this be without some giveaways!!!
How about this little set of goodies from American Crafts?


And these little goodies from QuicKutz?
You know the drill, just leave us a comment with your name and you'll be entered in the drawing!

Also, be sure to check out the American Crafts' blog to see all their wonderful creations! I know I've been anxiously awaiting to see what they'll do!

I'll be sharing a few things on my blog this week as well, so you might want to pop by over there too. The more, the merrier, I always say. :)

[this contest is now closed.]