I wanted to share the…drum roll…SEVEN projects I made with Studio Calico's February kits. They sent me the main kit and the four add-ons and it was just so much fun stuff to play with that I couldn't stop making things! So let's not waste time chit chatting, let's get to it:
8 Days
This was one of the first layouts I made. I had been wanting to scrap that photo of Nat and me and so it was sitting on my desk begging to be used!
The little circle banner strips are new embellishments from My Mind's Eye. I simply stitched them in place (you can see my red thread, vs. the black and white thread they come on). You can also see that I made some cute sparkly embellishments by taking the American Crafts glitter brads, breaking off the prongs, flipping them over, and putting a rhinestone inside. They're little jeweled cups now. The brad almost acts as a bezel for the jewel. I mentioned in my sneak post that I love kit clubs because they force me to work with supplies that I wouldn't have necessarily chosen for myself. I never would have picked those glitter brads, but I'm digging the way they look now!
The "Away We Go" is one of Studio Calico's exclusive stamps from the kits. I stamped it on white paper, cut the paper into little banners, crinkled them, and then added two colors of brown Distress ink. Since it's a vintage font, it gives the whole thing a very vintage feel.
Three of these paper and fuzzy bodied butterflies came in the kit. They're from an etsy seller, which I think is so cool. I enhanced mine a bit by adding some red watercolor pencil (which I then washed down with water).
An Old Fashioned Guy
This layout was not easy to scan. It's so dimensional. I created a collection of mini collages on the backs of the October Afternoon journaling cards. I thought the backs were as pretty as the fronts!
As you can see, I added a ton of foam adhesive to all the little embellishments.
I also tried to customize the embellishments a bit. For instance, you can see that I sanded and added paint to the banner at the bottom of the photo.
I also pulled apart some of the pre-made embellishments and added bits and pieces to make them more my own (like the flower embellishment shown above).
There was a vintage check included in my kit and I used it for several purposes, including the punched spiky circle you can see in this photo (above).
I used lots of little bits of patterned paper to create pretty embellishments throughout, like the layered half circles you see in the photo above.
Can you see that I cut down the width of a few of the letter stickers here? "Fashioned" was such a long word that it looked weird. So I divided it into two parts and trimmed the letter stickers down so that it wouldn't stick out too far from the rest of the title.
Joyful Me
I love the way the patterned paper and paint sort of seamlessly mix in this layout.
I still wonder whether or not I should have painted those brown letters yellow, but I did add the little stitch marks to make them feel more a part of the whole hand drawn layout.
See that text paper next to the stripe? That's all part of the same patterned paper. It was a great base to start with because that collage feeling was already there.
(btw: Does anyone else find it funny that in the one photo you can see close up on "Joyful Me" I look miserable?) The journaling card has a rooster (hidden under the photo strip) and was square (I simply trimmed around the edge). I believe in personalizing the supplies you're given so that they work for you.
Here's a fast forward video of me putting the layout together:
Scrapbooking Fast Forward: Joyful Me from Julie Balzer on Vimeo.
My Happy Place
I often find working with a patterned paper background quite difficult. Most of the layouts of mine that I love are ones with cardstock backgrounds. I think it's because I like to add my own patterns. Nonetheless, I decided to push out of that comfort zone and play with this very intense chevron pattern.
I hand cut my title from some pretty red cardstock. I know that electronic die cut machines are the most popular thing in the scrapbooking world right now, but I am so much faster with an exacto knife and a pair or scissors than I am with one of those machines.
I was feeling an accute need for patterned tape, but the kits didn't have any and I wanted to use only kit supplies. So I made some faux tape by trimming patterned paper into strips and tearing the edges. I think it looks pretty cute!
More faux tape, a peek at the watercolor paint I splashed across the center of the layout, and some small hand cut chevron pieces (something I saw on this girl's December Daily pages and loved).
Oh, To Be Young, Beautiful, And In Love.
The secret to this layout is the base. I started with watercolor paper and that made all the difference in getting the background just the way I wanted it to because I used a ton of water! Basically, I mixed Mister Huey's with water and used an eye dropper to apply it to my paper. I blotted the excess with a paper towel and repeated until it looked good to me.
I am sad to say that I have already lost the "i" from this gorgeous set of alphabet stamps! This Studio Calico exclusive set comes with both the outline and the blacked out version of this same font. Love it!
For whatever reason I'm all about the banners these days. I thought this patterned paper was appropriate for the layout (love the pops of red and slightly distressed look).
There was some sequined ribbon in the kit and I thought it was a bit overwhelming for my taste. So I pulled the sequins off and scattered them about and I'm quite pleased with soft dreamy effect it creates! And I created some more faux tape — this time a bit more transparent. Using the tape transfer technique that you can find in the video I did here.
Our Love Story
With Valentine's Day looming, the love layouts are coming fast and furious! This one is a personal fave. I haven't used an enlarged photo like that in ages. I love the impact it makes.
Can you see the line of cars behind the journaling? I used gesso to visually soften the center area of the photo so that I could write on it.
These are the cool cursive Thickers that were included in the kit. I painted them red.
Stamped Tags
For my final project I took the stamp from the main kit and cut it into four pieces (#8 is what the stamp looks like out of the package). Then I used the four pieces to create all of these different designs.
To see what the Studio Calico design team did with the February 2012 kits, click here.
Thanks for stopping by!
OMG so AMAZING!!! I love the way you take supplies and give them your own personal touch! So much inspiration and beauty here! Thanks for sharing Julie!
OMG so AMAZING!!! I love the way you take supplies and give them your own personal touch! So much inspiration and beauty here! Thanks for sharing Julie!
OMG so AMAZING!!! I love the way you take supplies and give them your own personal touch! So much inspiration and beauty here! Thanks for sharing Julie!
OMG so AMAZING!!! I love the way you take supplies and give them your own personal touch! So much inspiration and beauty here! Thanks for sharing Julie!
OMG so AMAZING!!! I love the way you take supplies and give them your own personal touch! So much inspiration and beauty here! Thanks for sharing Julie!
Love all of these Julie! Can’t wait to get my kit and play around.
Love all of these Julie! Can’t wait to get my kit and play around.
Love all of these Julie! Can’t wait to get my kit and play around.
Love all of these Julie! Can’t wait to get my kit and play around.
Love all of these Julie! Can’t wait to get my kit and play around.
Loved the layouts, some great products and as always you put your signature stamp on them! My favorite is the one with your hubby, using the journaling cards, loved that one!
Loved the layouts, some great products and as always you put your signature stamp on them! My favorite is the one with your hubby, using the journaling cards, loved that one!
Loved the layouts, some great products and as always you put your signature stamp on them! My favorite is the one with your hubby, using the journaling cards, loved that one!
Loved the layouts, some great products and as always you put your signature stamp on them! My favorite is the one with your hubby, using the journaling cards, loved that one!
Loved the layouts, some great products and as always you put your signature stamp on them! My favorite is the one with your hubby, using the journaling cards, loved that one!
Love your layouts and thank you so much for sharing this video! Awesome to see you working. You’re an artist!
Love your layouts and thank you so much for sharing this video! Awesome to see you working. You’re an artist!
Love your layouts and thank you so much for sharing this video! Awesome to see you working. You’re an artist!
Love your layouts and thank you so much for sharing this video! Awesome to see you working. You’re an artist!
Love your layouts and thank you so much for sharing this video! Awesome to see you working. You’re an artist!
Oh my gosh Julie… these layouts are GORGEOUS… the watercolor… the journaling cards… oh and the Love Story… they are all truly beautiful… you are an inspiration :))
Jenny x
Oh my gosh Julie… these layouts are GORGEOUS… the watercolor… the journaling cards… oh and the Love Story… they are all truly beautiful… you are an inspiration :))
Jenny x
Oh my gosh Julie… these layouts are GORGEOUS… the watercolor… the journaling cards… oh and the Love Story… they are all truly beautiful… you are an inspiration :))
Jenny x
Oh my gosh Julie… these layouts are GORGEOUS… the watercolor… the journaling cards… oh and the Love Story… they are all truly beautiful… you are an inspiration :))
Jenny x
Oh my gosh Julie… these layouts are GORGEOUS… the watercolor… the journaling cards… oh and the Love Story… they are all truly beautiful… you are an inspiration :))
Jenny x
Love this clip, Julie . . . It shows the joyful you in such a creative way! What a talent you have . . . thanks for sharing!
Love this clip, Julie . . . It shows the joyful you in such a creative way! What a talent you have . . . thanks for sharing!
Love this clip, Julie . . . It shows the joyful you in such a creative way! What a talent you have . . . thanks for sharing!
Love this clip, Julie . . . It shows the joyful you in such a creative way! What a talent you have . . . thanks for sharing!
Love this clip, Julie . . . It shows the joyful you in such a creative way! What a talent you have . . . thanks for sharing!
But to be old and in love is beautiful! and so much more appreciated! since you are aware of how fast the clock is ticking and each moment becomes more precious. Great blog today, thanks.
But to be old and in love is beautiful! and so much more appreciated! since you are aware of how fast the clock is ticking and each moment becomes more precious. Great blog today, thanks.
But to be old and in love is beautiful! and so much more appreciated! since you are aware of how fast the clock is ticking and each moment becomes more precious. Great blog today, thanks.
But to be old and in love is beautiful! and so much more appreciated! since you are aware of how fast the clock is ticking and each moment becomes more precious. Great blog today, thanks.
But to be old and in love is beautiful! and so much more appreciated! since you are aware of how fast the clock is ticking and each moment becomes more precious. Great blog today, thanks.
You sure did make a lot with that kit! Love the video of your process…. so cool seeing you work. Thanks for sharing!
You sure did make a lot with that kit! Love the video of your process…. so cool seeing you work. Thanks for sharing!
You sure did make a lot with that kit! Love the video of your process…. so cool seeing you work. Thanks for sharing!
You sure did make a lot with that kit! Love the video of your process…. so cool seeing you work. Thanks for sharing!
You sure did make a lot with that kit! Love the video of your process…. so cool seeing you work. Thanks for sharing!
LOVE THESE!!! Every single page is unique and contains a wonderful surprise! I’m so glad you got to guest for SC- fingers crossed they will have you on as a permanent design team member!
LOVE THESE!!! Every single page is unique and contains a wonderful surprise! I’m so glad you got to guest for SC- fingers crossed they will have you on as a permanent design team member!
LOVE THESE!!! Every single page is unique and contains a wonderful surprise! I’m so glad you got to guest for SC- fingers crossed they will have you on as a permanent design team member!
LOVE THESE!!! Every single page is unique and contains a wonderful surprise! I’m so glad you got to guest for SC- fingers crossed they will have you on as a permanent design team member!
LOVE THESE!!! Every single page is unique and contains a wonderful surprise! I’m so glad you got to guest for SC- fingers crossed they will have you on as a permanent design team member!
Beautiful work. You amaze me!
Beautiful work. You amaze me!
Beautiful work. You amaze me!
Beautiful work. You amaze me!
Beautiful work. You amaze me!
I enjoy seeing all you can do with a kit.
I enjoy seeing all you can do with a kit.
I enjoy seeing all you can do with a kit.
I enjoy seeing all you can do with a kit.
I enjoy seeing all you can do with a kit.
Show us how you cut up the stamp (I am fascinated by how you do that … you must ‘see’ it differently than I do!)
Show us how you cut up the stamp (I am fascinated by how you do that … you must ‘see’ it differently than I do!)
Show us how you cut up the stamp (I am fascinated by how you do that … you must ‘see’ it differently than I do!)
Show us how you cut up the stamp (I am fascinated by how you do that … you must ‘see’ it differently than I do!)
Show us how you cut up the stamp (I am fascinated by how you do that … you must ‘see’ it differently than I do!)
love it…
love it…
love it…
love it…
love it…
Thank you for sharing. I just love your work!
One question: How do you store pages with so many embellishments/dimensional elements?
Thank you for sharing. I just love your work!
One question: How do you store pages with so many embellishments/dimensional elements?
Thank you for sharing. I just love your work!
One question: How do you store pages with so many embellishments/dimensional elements?
Thank you for sharing. I just love your work!
One question: How do you store pages with so many embellishments/dimensional elements?
Thank you for sharing. I just love your work!
One question: How do you store pages with so many embellishments/dimensional elements?
Great pages, but especially loved the video. When I first saw that layout I thought that you had designed some papers for Studio Calico! (The big flower design) How inspiring to see you take their product and make it uniquely your own!
Great pages, but especially loved the video. When I first saw that layout I thought that you had designed some papers for Studio Calico! (The big flower design) How inspiring to see you take their product and make it uniquely your own!
Great pages, but especially loved the video. When I first saw that layout I thought that you had designed some papers for Studio Calico! (The big flower design) How inspiring to see you take their product and make it uniquely your own!
Great pages, but especially loved the video. When I first saw that layout I thought that you had designed some papers for Studio Calico! (The big flower design) How inspiring to see you take their product and make it uniquely your own!
Great pages, but especially loved the video. When I first saw that layout I thought that you had designed some papers for Studio Calico! (The big flower design) How inspiring to see you take their product and make it uniquely your own!
Fabulous Layouts, Julie! Love your creative use of product,encouraging us to think outside the box-as usual. Thanks too for the tips on getting to the SC chat room, which I have never known how to do!
Appreciate all your time
AND consistency!
Fabulous Layouts, Julie! Love your creative use of product,encouraging us to think outside the box-as usual. Thanks too for the tips on getting to the SC chat room, which I have never known how to do!
Appreciate all your time
AND consistency!
Fabulous Layouts, Julie! Love your creative use of product,encouraging us to think outside the box-as usual. Thanks too for the tips on getting to the SC chat room, which I have never known how to do!
Appreciate all your time
AND consistency!
Fabulous Layouts, Julie! Love your creative use of product,encouraging us to think outside the box-as usual. Thanks too for the tips on getting to the SC chat room, which I have never known how to do!
Appreciate all your time
AND consistency!
Fabulous Layouts, Julie! Love your creative use of product,encouraging us to think outside the box-as usual. Thanks too for the tips on getting to the SC chat room, which I have never known how to do!
Appreciate all your time
AND consistency!
Love them all, but the Young, Beautiful, and in Love is so ethereal and cool! It was so nice to meet you yesterday! 🙂
Love them all, but the Young, Beautiful, and in Love is so ethereal and cool! It was so nice to meet you yesterday! 🙂
Love them all, but the Young, Beautiful, and in Love is so ethereal and cool! It was so nice to meet you yesterday! 🙂
Love them all, but the Young, Beautiful, and in Love is so ethereal and cool! It was so nice to meet you yesterday! 🙂
Love them all, but the Young, Beautiful, and in Love is so ethereal and cool! It was so nice to meet you yesterday! 🙂
Just finished watching the video-my favorite thing was that you worked and worked on creating that flower as a left hand side element and then it ended up on top! 🙂
Just finished watching the video-my favorite thing was that you worked and worked on creating that flower as a left hand side element and then it ended up on top! 🙂
Just finished watching the video-my favorite thing was that you worked and worked on creating that flower as a left hand side element and then it ended up on top! 🙂
Just finished watching the video-my favorite thing was that you worked and worked on creating that flower as a left hand side element and then it ended up on top! 🙂
Just finished watching the video-my favorite thing was that you worked and worked on creating that flower as a left hand side element and then it ended up on top! 🙂
I love your layouts!
I love your layouts!
I love your layouts!
I love your layouts!
I love your layouts!
Busy bee!!! Your so talented! I sure wish I could see through the eyes of you talented ladies for a day! Tfs!
Busy bee!!! Your so talented! I sure wish I could see through the eyes of you talented ladies for a day! Tfs!
Busy bee!!! Your so talented! I sure wish I could see through the eyes of you talented ladies for a day! Tfs!
Busy bee!!! Your so talented! I sure wish I could see through the eyes of you talented ladies for a day! Tfs!
Busy bee!!! Your so talented! I sure wish I could see through the eyes of you talented ladies for a day! Tfs!
Oh. MY. Word! Beautiful! Just, beautiful!!!!!!
Oh. MY. Word! Beautiful! Just, beautiful!!!!!!
Oh. MY. Word! Beautiful! Just, beautiful!!!!!!
Oh. MY. Word! Beautiful! Just, beautiful!!!!!!
Oh. MY. Word! Beautiful! Just, beautiful!!!!!!
So much inspiration here!
So much inspiration here!
So much inspiration here!
So much inspiration here!
So much inspiration here!
Oh, this video! I love watching your brain send messages to your fingers! Watching you in progress is art itself. I was especially taken with the …”young, beautiful and in love” piece. The way you use watercolor is marvelous!
Oh, this video! I love watching your brain send messages to your fingers! Watching you in progress is art itself. I was especially taken with the …”young, beautiful and in love” piece. The way you use watercolor is marvelous!
Oh, this video! I love watching your brain send messages to your fingers! Watching you in progress is art itself. I was especially taken with the …”young, beautiful and in love” piece. The way you use watercolor is marvelous!
Oh, this video! I love watching your brain send messages to your fingers! Watching you in progress is art itself. I was especially taken with the …”young, beautiful and in love” piece. The way you use watercolor is marvelous!
Oh, this video! I love watching your brain send messages to your fingers! Watching you in progress is art itself. I was especially taken with the …”young, beautiful and in love” piece. The way you use watercolor is marvelous!
you really rock julie…
you really rock julie…
you really rock julie…
you really rock julie…
you really rock julie…
I love your video! I think you’re my new scrappy crush! Love ya!
I love your video! I think you’re my new scrappy crush! Love ya!
I love your video! I think you’re my new scrappy crush! Love ya!
I love your video! I think you’re my new scrappy crush! Love ya!
I love your video! I think you’re my new scrappy crush! Love ya!
Wow! I love your energy! :-)) Love how you cut up the stamp, and how your layouts are all so great and yet so different!! Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you about glue- I normally use rubber cement, because I love how I can reposition everything, but I’ve found that EVERYTHING will just fall off as if it was never even glued, and it takes just a few months to happen. I’ve just looked at an album from 3 years ago, and thank god for the plastic sleeves, because ALL the embellishments and paper pieces are loose inside, at the bottom! 🙁 It would be great to hear if your pages stick well, and how you do it. MANY THANKS!
Wow! I love your energy! :-)) Love how you cut up the stamp, and how your layouts are all so great and yet so different!! Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you about glue- I normally use rubber cement, because I love how I can reposition everything, but I’ve found that EVERYTHING will just fall off as if it was never even glued, and it takes just a few months to happen. I’ve just looked at an album from 3 years ago, and thank god for the plastic sleeves, because ALL the embellishments and paper pieces are loose inside, at the bottom! 🙁 It would be great to hear if your pages stick well, and how you do it. MANY THANKS!
Wow! I love your energy! :-)) Love how you cut up the stamp, and how your layouts are all so great and yet so different!! Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you about glue- I normally use rubber cement, because I love how I can reposition everything, but I’ve found that EVERYTHING will just fall off as if it was never even glued, and it takes just a few months to happen. I’ve just looked at an album from 3 years ago, and thank god for the plastic sleeves, because ALL the embellishments and paper pieces are loose inside, at the bottom! 🙁 It would be great to hear if your pages stick well, and how you do it. MANY THANKS!
Wow! I love your energy! :-)) Love how you cut up the stamp, and how your layouts are all so great and yet so different!! Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you about glue- I normally use rubber cement, because I love how I can reposition everything, but I’ve found that EVERYTHING will just fall off as if it was never even glued, and it takes just a few months to happen. I’ve just looked at an album from 3 years ago, and thank god for the plastic sleeves, because ALL the embellishments and paper pieces are loose inside, at the bottom! 🙁 It would be great to hear if your pages stick well, and how you do it. MANY THANKS!
Wow! I love your energy! :-)) Love how you cut up the stamp, and how your layouts are all so great and yet so different!! Also, I’ve been meaning to ask you about glue- I normally use rubber cement, because I love how I can reposition everything, but I’ve found that EVERYTHING will just fall off as if it was never even glued, and it takes just a few months to happen. I’ve just looked at an album from 3 years ago, and thank god for the plastic sleeves, because ALL the embellishments and paper pieces are loose inside, at the bottom! 🙁 It would be great to hear if your pages stick well, and how you do it. MANY THANKS!
I use the ATG by 3M and it sticks really well!
I use the ATG by 3M and it sticks really well!
I use the ATG by 3M and it sticks really well!
I use the ATG by 3M and it sticks really well!
I use the ATG by 3M and it sticks really well!
I just put them in my album. Nothing special.
I just put them in my album. Nothing special.
I just put them in my album. Nothing special.
I just put them in my album. Nothing special.
I just put them in my album. Nothing special.
I just cut it apart at the corners into four straight pieces. 🙂
I just cut it apart at the corners into four straight pieces. 🙂
I just cut it apart at the corners into four straight pieces. 🙂
I just cut it apart at the corners into four straight pieces. 🙂
I just cut it apart at the corners into four straight pieces. 🙂
I just got a chance to really look at this post and watch the video – freaking awesome!!! LOve love love!!
I just got a chance to really look at this post and watch the video – freaking awesome!!! LOve love love!!
I just got a chance to really look at this post and watch the video – freaking awesome!!! LOve love love!!
I just got a chance to really look at this post and watch the video – freaking awesome!!! LOve love love!!
I just got a chance to really look at this post and watch the video – freaking awesome!!! LOve love love!!
love your flower video and love scrapbook soup since you are there!kathy
love your flower video and love scrapbook soup since you are there!kathy
love your flower video and love scrapbook soup since you are there!kathy
love your flower video and love scrapbook soup since you are there!kathy
love your flower video and love scrapbook soup since you are there!kathy
Holy cow, you are such an inspiration. I tired the gesso on a photo with some journalling. I have to try the flower this weekend. Thank you! I will be stalking your blog now. (in a good way).
Holy cow, you are such an inspiration. I tired the gesso on a photo with some journalling. I have to try the flower this weekend. Thank you! I will be stalking your blog now. (in a good way).
Holy cow, you are such an inspiration. I tired the gesso on a photo with some journalling. I have to try the flower this weekend. Thank you! I will be stalking your blog now. (in a good way).
Holy cow, you are such an inspiration. I tired the gesso on a photo with some journalling. I have to try the flower this weekend. Thank you! I will be stalking your blog now. (in a good way).
Holy cow, you are such an inspiration. I tired the gesso on a photo with some journalling. I have to try the flower this weekend. Thank you! I will be stalking your blog now. (in a good way).
Ahhh – finally catching up jet lagged on my feed reader and what do I see at 4 am – not only amazing artwork by you-but also this cool layout of us! Sooo cool! And yes I was a bit nervous- but you rock 🙂
Ahhh – finally catching up jet lagged on my feed reader and what do I see at 4 am – not only amazing artwork by you-but also this cool layout of us! Sooo cool! And yes I was a bit nervous- but you rock 🙂
Ahhh – finally catching up jet lagged on my feed reader and what do I see at 4 am – not only amazing artwork by you-but also this cool layout of us! Sooo cool! And yes I was a bit nervous- but you rock 🙂
Ahhh – finally catching up jet lagged on my feed reader and what do I see at 4 am – not only amazing artwork by you-but also this cool layout of us! Sooo cool! And yes I was a bit nervous- but you rock 🙂
Ahhh – finally catching up jet lagged on my feed reader and what do I see at 4 am – not only amazing artwork by you-but also this cool layout of us! Sooo cool! And yes I was a bit nervous- but you rock 🙂
hello!
can you tell me what the name of the stamps are called on your oh to be young layout! i know a bit behind the times, but i just got kelly purkey’s idea book and i love those stamps! both the outline and filled in ones 😉
hello!
can you tell me what the name of the stamps are called on your oh to be young layout! i know a bit behind the times, but i just got kelly purkey’s idea book and i love those stamps! both the outline and filled in ones 😉
hello!
can you tell me what the name of the stamps are called on your oh to be young layout! i know a bit behind the times, but i just got kelly purkey’s idea book and i love those stamps! both the outline and filled in ones 😉
hello!
can you tell me what the name of the stamps are called on your oh to be young layout! i know a bit behind the times, but i just got kelly purkey’s idea book and i love those stamps! both the outline and filled in ones 😉
hello!
can you tell me what the name of the stamps are called on your oh to be young layout! i know a bit behind the times, but i just got kelly purkey’s idea book and i love those stamps! both the outline and filled in ones 😉