Design School at Studio Calico

hi! today i would like to share a new class in studio calico that has caught my attention - design school! this class will be taught by catherine davis, director of product & design at studio calico, to explore the art of creating scrapbook layouts that 'wow'!!! 

if you are a fan of catherine's gorgeous work, you will be happy as she will be sharing tips and tricks for structuring page designs, creating movement on the page, using typography as a design element and more in this class. I have been following's catherine's work since she was a creative team member and i am always wow by how edgy and creative her layouts are. 

you will also be happy to know that while supplies last, every design school student will receive a free notebook to hold class inspiration.

to register or find out more details about this class, click here! and what's best about this class, you do not need more than your current scrapbook supplies to get started! what a better time to dig into my stash! i hope to see you in class!

xoxo

lilin

Scout Reveal

hello everyone, this month i am blessed to receive a package from studio calico to contribute to their june kit reveal - scout! this year, i am contributing to their stationery kit team and have been creating cards with the add on stamps and paper pad. it's been fun making these cards and i am happy to have some ready hand made cards to give out whenever i need to. this month, i got to play with this super cute bugs stamp set designed by jasmine jones! 

i have to admit that the first time i saw this stamp set, i was rather worried. i am terrified of bugs, yes, even the little bugs scare me, so was afraid that i would have difficulty coming up with cards with bugs on them. however, as i am making my first card, i know my worries are unfounded. these bugs are nothing but cute! 

here's a look at what i made!

sorry you've caught a bug

i stamped the bugs, leaves and floral all around with black in and added some colours to this card with watercolours.

and this is the back of my card, how cute this little snail!

bzz...

this is the second card i made. i stamped the bee in yellow and the outline of the bee in black. then i added the bee tracks and bzz...

and the bee tracks are just calling for me to sew on them, and so i did... to finish off the card, i drew a border around the card for added interest.

to cover the thread and the sewing on the back of the card, i just used a piece of paper from the june paper pad, cut it to size and adhere it to the inside of the card. 

i love you

this card is inspired by one of the cards from the bug specialty set by jasmine jones. i love how the bug was made to look like a heart! genius! hence, i decided to make my version of it. i selected the paper from the june paper pad and fussy cut the letters to make i and you. i adhered them on the card leaving a space for the bug heart. i stamped the bug in black ink and coloured it with watercolours. at this point, the card still seems a bit plain to me so i added a strip of the colourful paper as a border. 

and that's it! the 3 cards i made. there are just so many designs you can come up with, i still have a couple in my head... and before i go, thank you so much for dropping by and reading my blog today even though i have not been updating this space for the longest time... i still got some stuff i want to share here, so do check back soon!

xoxo 

lilin

Canyonlands Reveal

hello again! today i'm here to share some of the projects i made with studio calico november kits - canyonlands!

this month, i am excited to work with the main scrapbook kit, big spring add on,  redstone embellishment kit... and these are what i made with them...

happy little moments

(main kit only)

i love every single one of the papers in the main kit so i cut them all up to make the title for this layout! for added interest, i hand stitched on the letters after i adhere them. this is also one of the rare times i am using a patterned paper as my background because this one is too pretty to pass! 

jolly! it's your first christmas!

(big spring add on)

i am in love with the amazing background cut file designed by paige evans this month. i cut it out with my silhouette and decided to use it as a stencil. i applied white gesso over the stencil and i got this beautiful textured background paper. i use white gesso over the white card stock as i love the white on white effect that is so subtle yet textured. i got a tutorial of this page on the studio calico blog, you can check it out here.

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i am a lucky girl this month as i am also given the opportunity to work the lovely add on stamps for the stationery kit! i'm so glad as this made me get started with making christmas cards (i know it's still quite early but it's good to be early and have a few spare cards on hand, is it?) :)

i worked with holiday by jasmine jones, winter thank you by katie thierjung, baking tag by in a creative bubble and  party on...

here's what i made...

holiday scripted christmas card

(stamp set: holiday by jasmine jones)

this is my favourite stamp this month. i am totally in love with jasmine jones's handwritten designs. here, i used the christmas greetings to form a christmas tree. i used different shades of greens to create a ombre effect.

holiday merry christmas card

(stamp set: holiday by jasmine jones) 

a second card made with holiday by jasmine jones. i stamped the christmas tree on a white cardstock, fussy cut out the tree and adhere it on the patterned paper. i used foam dots here to give it some dimension. had some fun decorating my tree with this amazing stamp set! a must have if you are planning to make your christmas cards this year!

party on wow ribbons card

(stamp set: party on)

winter thank you joy card

(stamp set: winter thank you by katie thierjung, redstone embellishment kit)

I tried using old book paper as a background for the stamps here. I painted some white gesso over the old book paper to tone it down so that the stamped images can stand out more. once the white gesso is dried, i stamped the christmas tree in different shades of green, added stars and ribbons on the tree and some presents under them. To finish off, i stamped joy as the greeting, added some gold paint spatters and red sequins. this is such a fun card to make!

baking tag cupcake topper and liner

(stamp set: baking tag by in a creative bubble)

this stamp set by in a creative bubble is so adorable it makes me want to bake something so i could decorate it! i did bake some cupcakes in the end and decided to use the stamp set to make a fun topper and liner for it! for the topper, i stamped on one of the papers from the paper pad and cut a flag and attached to a toothpick. for the liner, i stamped on a white cardstock and made it into a liner.

ok! that's all i have made this month! i must admit that it's way more than what i usually make. i had more time on hand and it's definitely also because the kits are so fun to work it, i just had to make more... i hope you had fun looking through my projects!

thank you for dropping by and happy shopping!

xoxo

lilin

Brand New Classes at Studio Calico

hello again! i'm dropping by today to share some studio calico brand new classes that have caught my eye! 

first up is inked | design by geralyn sy from a creative bubble! i have to confess that i have tons of stamps but i have not been using them enough! thus, i hope to get inspired by geralyn in the latest instalment of inked 2015 series! here's a write up on the class...

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the design of a scrapbook layout or pocket page spread can play an important role in telling your story. in this final class of the inked 2015 series, geralyn sy will focus on using stamps to create design features that are unique to you and your stories. you'll learn how to apply various design principles - such as repetition, contrast and layering - to put together layouts that perfectly convey the details and emotions behind each of your stories...

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classes have already started since 12 oct 2015, and all you need for this class are your favourite stamps and ink pads... so do join me!

to register or find out more details about this class, click here. 

next is wrapped by amanda rydell!!! i am very very excited about this class as i love her work! i have been following her instagram and blog for a while now and her work is just amazing! and christmas is around the corner! definitely a good time to get some inspiration for my christmas wrapping! here's some details on the class...

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give a gift they won't forget. join amanda rydell and her team of contributors as they share creative ways to transform your wrapping into something as special as the gift inside! you'll learn clever ideas to use your scrap stash (and even items around the house!) to add flair to the packages you give this holiday season and all throughout the year. spend november exploring ways to create unique gift wrap, tags, and other extras that will give your gifts that little something special. class starts november 2nd!

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plus, you will also receive a class kit when you sign up for wrapped! this kit is available while stocks last! so hurry!

to register or find out more details about this class, click here! while you are at it, you might also want to check out the class supplies available here...

thank you so much for dropping by...

xoxo

Mixed Media 2015 at Studio Calico

hi there! thank you for dropping by today! i hope it has a good week for you so far. it's the end of september and i seriously can't believe how time just flies by. a new class - mixed media 2015 was released at studio calico at the beginning of the month and i have been wanting to sign up. i kept reminding myself to sign up but other stuff just got in the way and now it's the end of the month! thank goodness for kelly who started a forum post to remind us that registration for this wonderful class is almost ending! so here i am, giving you some details about this class, you wouldn't want to miss out on this one!

here's the write up for the class

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foster your creativity! tina aszmus and anna maria wolniak will inspire you to take your memory-keeping projects to a whole new level. challenge yourself artistically as you explore a variety of mediums - re-inkers, acrylic paint, watercolors, gel medium, gesso and silkscreens - and dive into 20 unique ways to use them to add color and texture to any project. class starts on october 5th and new lessons will be posted on mondays through november 2nd. 

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you will also be happy to know that there is a bonus class kit available! all mixed media 2015 students will receive a class kit containing color theory yes peas paint, a 3 x 4in silkscreen and a 3 x 4in stamp set!

and here's more sneaks from tina!

these sneaks are so pretty aren't they? they make me so excited for the class and i can't wait for it to start!   

so do take this last chance to sign up! to find out more about tina, anna maria or the class, click here. see you in class!

xoxo

lilin

Guest Designer At American Crafts

hello! i'm excited to be featured as guest designer on american crafts blog today! i was happy to be able to work with rise & shine by amy tangerine, fine & dandy by dear lizzy and true stories by shimelle! they are all so lovely and i had a fun time playing with the goodies... do drop by and take a look!

have a wonderful weekend everyone and thanks so much for dropping by!

xoxo

Pretty Banner Card

hi there! i'm sharing how one of my cards comes together from start to finish on studio calico blog today! drop by to check out how i made a pretty banner card with origami hearts! 

thanks for dropping by and i hope you enjoy this little card!

xoxo