The Story of Sketchbook

So I've only ever heard fabulous things about the Kelly Purkey Sketchbook classes. Everyone raves about them! She's about to launch into a brand new installment in her series over in the Studio Calico Classroom, and I for one cannot wait!

Signing up for the class gives you access to all the videos and PDF's of course, it will also include 72 new sketches, 12 new projects from Kelly herself and 48 other projects from the Studio Calico Creative Team and other well-known crafters. Above is a sneak of the layout I'm contributing. It's delightfully garishly bright and rainbow coloured isn't it?!

My page took it's colour direction from the fun Journal Cards that you can get separately from the SC Shop. There's still plenty of time to bundle in these purchases with the rest of your Kit and Add Ons if you're getting them now. These also a coordinating Badge Set which I've used on my page too - you can see a sneak of that part on my Instagram feed ;-)

But even if you don't get any of the extras, when you sign up to the class you'll get .... wait for it...

a freely shipped 4x6" stamp set designed by Kelly! My understanding is that these are still available!
And speaking of free... there's also instant free access to the digital files which include these matching Printables:

and these Cutting Files too...

If you're interested in being a part of this fun class you better rush over and get signed up now because registration closes on the 30th! Perhaps I'll see you in the Classroom beginning May 5th?

Camelot Reveal

If ever there was a kit designed with someone like me in mind... then it's got to be the new Camelot Kit from Studio Calico! By 'someone like me' I mean a girly scrapper, a mother, a soft and pastel colour lover, a curly font admirer, a touch of gold needer, all with a good dash of arty mixed-media thrown in too!!

Due to popular demand, I've managed to make another video of me opening up all my kits again this month. You can also see all my other videos right here on my YouTube channel....!!


But in the meantime, here it is also in pictoral form ....

With that amazing star mask in my hand I set to and created my first layout...
Actually, if I'm going to be completely honest (and I always am!) then I'll admit this was my second attempt with the mask. My first attempt with texture paste on the vanilla cardstock didn't quite go according to plan. So I needed to change it up. I've learned from past experience that spraying the Opaque White Mister Hueys onto black cardstock makes an incredible contrast and so I stuck with what I know. Always good advise when you're in a bind ;-)

"Stars" supplies: Camelot Main Kit, Opaque White Mister Hueys, White Gel Pen, Black Cardstock, 

Camelot Printables by Aszmus Printables, Camelot Printables by Hello Forever, Printable Labels

Oh yeah.... so I totally just scrapped a Christmas photo! The colours were perfect and I've been needing to tell this story, so forget chronological scrapping and just do it I say! It was also a perfect opportunity to use a play on words here as the story tells the time my girls were the 'stars' of our church Christmas play.

"Delightful" supplies: Camelot Main Kit, More Vellum, Camelot Printables 

by Tina Aszmus, Printable Labels

The next piece in the Main Kit that I wanted to test out was the new and exclusive Mister Hueys Ink Dauber in this lovely blue "Spring Sky" colour. I used it in a pattern of dots and splatters here in the background of this layout because I thought it would mimic the bubbles in my photo. But there's lots of other possibilities and techniques to try, some of which I've outlined in a video tutorial up on the Studio Calico blog right now.

Without a doubt the most popular Add On this month in my opinion is going to be "Excalibur". It's absolutely stocked to the gills with pretty frilly flowery bits. You can see in my video that it must have taken me 5 minutes just to open up all the glassine bags full of embellishments! Now it's designed as a Mini-Book Kit, but that doesn't mean you can't make a bunch of layouts instead if you're not in the mood to make a whole book.

"Search" supplies: Camelot Main Kit, Excalibur Add On, Guinevere Add On, More Graph Paper, 

Camelot Printables by In a Creative Bubble, Printable Labels, Silver Mister Hueys

Ahhemm... and now you see me scrapping an Easter picture as well? You got that right! A Christmas layout and Easter layout with the same kit! Why not! Plus.. I had to scatter those sequins somewhere ;-)

Next I want to tell you all about my favourite bits from the "Guinevere" Add On... but you'll probably work it out pretty easily if I just show you my next layout...

"Thick and Thin" supplies: Camelot Main Kit, Guinevere Add On, Excalibur Add On, Merlin Add On, 

More Graph Paper, XO Cut File by Barbara Picinich, Printable Labels

Yep... this Add On had me at "Jillibean Soup Chip Alphas" and I knew instantly I wanted to use them in a big title. I combined them with a Dauber-written word and the rest just flowed from there.

Following on from the popularity of last month's embellishment-only kit, this month we've got "Merlin" which is filled with woodgrain, cork and gold. Plus those Heidi Swapp Clear Alphas are the best! Have you noticed I've got a thing for a good alphabet yet?!

"Bring on the Happy" supplies: Camelot Main Kit, Excalibur Add On, Guinevere Add On, Merlin Add On, 

Digital Stamps by Suzy Plantamura, Camelot Printables by In a Creative Bubble, Printable Labels

So what do you do when you've got a bunch of photos to scrap from the one event, and you're not a Project Lifer and don't feel like making a mini album? You make a double layout, whack on a page protector which can still be opened (unofficially making it a triple pager perhaps?) and include an envelope which can also still be opened so you can shove in even more memorabilia! Got all that? Good!

Check out more details for my layouts plus a more comprehensive supply list in my Creative Team Gallery here. Happy reveal day!



Camelot Kits Supply List

Camelot Main Kit Guinevere Add On Excalibur Add On Merlin Add On Camelot Printable Labels Camelot Printables by Tina Azsmus Camelot Printables by Hello Forever Camelot Printables by In a Creative Bubble Camelot Digital Stamps by Suzy Plantamura Camelot XO Cut File by Barbara Picinich More Vellum Grid Paper Neocolor II Prussian Blue Color Theory Ink: Deja Blue Color Theory Ink: Something Blue Color Theory Ink: Coral Bay Mister Huey's Navy Mister Hueys Silver Mister Hueys Opaque White Glue Glider Pro Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen Precision Pen

InLinkz.com

My Reveal Day Shopping List

So the countdown is on and the May Studio Calico Camelot Kits are going to be released real soon! Love this time of month don't you? The excitement is building and my fingers are itching to get clicking. I always use this time to start bundling things into my cart so I can just hit "Checkout" after I've popped in an Add On (or two!) I may or may have 14 things in my cart already... not even joking! Let me share some of the things that have caught my attention lately....

1. Kelly Purkey designed this fabulous Craft Die for her upcoming Sketchbook Class. It punches out these cute 1" circle embellishments that I just want to sprinkle everywhere!
2. I'm really excited about my Sketchpens again after using them in my experimental card I shared earlier in the month. These new Glitter Pens have got my mind whirring with possibilities.
3. Studio Calico are on the verge of their new release "South of Market" with product expected to start shipping in mid-May. You can pre-order the Whole Bundle now though (yes, every paper, letter sticker and embellishment!) for a very reasonable price and with FREE domestic shipping!
4. The members started talking about the Zig Wink of Stella Brushes on the boards one day and before the sun set Studio Calico had promised to order them in! They've arrived, but I anticipate they're going to go really fast. Better get yours now ;-)
5. I've been falling more and more in love with the Cosmo Cricket Patterned Vellum Pad every time Julie Comstock adds a new picture on her Instagram account. So many things I want to make with this.
6. Coming full circle I'm ending my list with another Kelly Purkey designed product - this time it's her Journal Cards. Can you tell I'm really REALLY excited about the Sketchbook Class?

Camelot Sneaks

The May kits at Studio Calico are called "Camelot" and the Mood Board above gives you an idea of the look and feel of the main kits.

Lots of bright pinks and oranges, as well as a healthy mix of mint and grey. Plus, I'm always happy whenever I see stars!

The Main Scrapbooking kit "Camelot" has quite a few new and exclusive products in it this month (as always!) but this time I mean... it's got products in there that you've never seen before! New release products in brand new ways. You can see a hint of one in my sneak above ;-)

And here's a flat out reveal of something else that's included! Fancy schmancy puffy stickers! Oh these are so cute! I used the white dots on my next Main Kit only layout below....

as well as this little sucker.....

of which I'll be doing a video tutorial of later on in the month, showing you some ideas on how you can put it to good use. 

The Add On kits are filled to the brim with goodies too. Add On 1 is called "Guinevere" and features (among other things) a Kelly Purkey designed stamp, and those gold glitter Heidi Swapp stickers that everyone wants to get their hands on!

Add On 2 is called "Excalibur" and I swear I've never seen a Studio Calico kit that's had more glassine bags filled with products than this. It's absolutely chockers!

This is the one I predict is going to go super-fast, especially after Maggie Holmes revealed she'll be using it for her upcoming Mini Book class. If you want your best shot at scoring this then I suggest you sign up to be a subscriber as they get first dibs on Add Ons ;-)

Both the sneaks above and below are using it (because yes, you can make tonnes of layouts with it too, it's not just for Mini Books) It's really cute! Perfect for scrapping my little girlies, and great for getting me scrapping my first Easter photos for the year...... I'm a little behind the 8-ball on that one I admit.

But speaking of kits that are perfect for scrapping Easter photos... have you seen these Project Life cards and fun exclusive stamp? Those are definitely coming home with me... like right now! And if you don't manage to get your hands on these, you can always settle for the bunny ears as a digital stamp and Silhouette cut instead. There's some really cute ideas for how to use these right here. 

Oh yeah, and I didn't mean to forget about Add On 3 "Merlin"! This is our embellishment-only kit for the month which I think is just a lovely way of extending the life of your other kits, as they coordinate with everything else perfectly.

Reveal for subscribers goes live at midnight on the 27th EST (which is really 4pm on the 28th Melbourne time) and for everyone else at 12noon on the 28th (equivalent for me is 4am on the 29th). Maybe I'll see you there?