American Crafts Spotlight Day 1

Posted byAndrea Walford 156 Comments on American Crafts Spotlight Day 1

Welcome to our American Crafts Spotlight here on the Paper Crafter’s Library blog!  Today and tomorrow we’re going to introduce you to a couple of  American Crafts’ amazing tools, as well as share a number of different projects that were created using the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook Collection by American Crafts pictured above.  We’ll also be giving away the American Crafts prize pack shown below, filled with Amy Tangerine Sketchbook products generously donated by American Crafts.

American Crafts Prize Pack – Leave a Comment to Win the Prize Pack Pictured Below

Before we jump into our projects and videos for today, let me introduce you to American Crafts:

American Crafts

Founded in 1994, American Crafts initially specialized in pen manufacturing — many of which are still part of the company’s lineup today — before transitioning in the late 1990s to creating innovative, well-designed products for the emerging scrapbooking industry. Since then, American Crafts has steadily expanded its product offering, becoming a trendsetter along the way. In 2009, American Crafts acquired the Pebbles Inc. brand, and in late 2011 the Crate Paper brand, to offer an even wider variety of products to scrapbookers. American Crafts is known for fresh, clean product design and friendly, personalized customer service. Products feature bright, vibrant colors and a contemporary feel, inspiring crafters to record their memories in a fun, sophisticated, and stylish way.

Product Spotlight: Knock Outs Interchangeable Border Punch System

Knock Outs is an interchangeable border punch system that allows you to create a decorative border on your project, and then switch out the punch to add a different border to your next project.  The picture below shows you the Border Starter Kit as well as all the currently available punch designs. I have a video tutorial for you that demonstrates exactly how to use this border punch system.

In addition to our product spotlight, as we mentioned above, we’ve also created a number of different projects for you featuring the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook Collection.  Our projects for today were created by Tracy, and the projects you’ll see tomorrow were ones that I (Andrea) created.  One of our aims in creating these projects was to show you how incredibly versatile this product line is, how quickly and easily you can put cards together using these products, and how many different looks you can achieve.

“Love….the Best Feeling” Card

Our first card for today is “Love….the Best Feeling”  Don’t you just love the color scheme? We have a free video tutorial on how Tracy made this card below, along with a free PDF handout.

Download the pdf handout here

Supplies

Ink: Jet Black Archival ink (Ranger)

Paper: Crumb Cake CS (Stampin’ Up!); Powder CS, Sketchbook Collection DP (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts)

Accessories: Tape Runner XL (thermo-web); Stampin’ Dimensionals, basic pearls, Ribbon scissors (Stampin’ Up!); Aqua Grosgrain Solid ribbon, Sketchbook Bits Embellishments Layered Tags, Sketchbook Bits Embellishments Die Cut Shapes, Sketchbook Remarks Stickers Book Accents & Phrases, Sketchbook Remarks Dimensional Stickers Doodle (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts); Rustic Jute Button twine (papertrey ink)

Smile Card

Our second card for today is this smile card in which Tracy cut out elements from the Lily’s Landscape patterned paper and popped them up on her card using dimensional foam.  Such a great way to use patterned paper that you may feel is too busy to use on it’s own.

SmileCard

Paper Crafter’s Library members can access the video tutorial and handout for this Smile card here.  (You must be logged in to access this page.)

Supplies

Ink: VersaMark ink (Tsukineko)

Paper: Tangerine CS, Sketchbook Collection DP (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts); Ebony CS (Bazzill)

Accessories: Sketchbook Foam Thickers (American Crafts); black rhinestones (Kaiser Craft); Primary Ebony Super Fine embossing powder (WOW! Embossing); embossing buddy, paper snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, bone folder (Stampin’ Up!); Heat It! tool (Ranger); Tape Runner XL (thermo-web)

Thanks So Much Card

In Tracy’s Thanks so Much Card, she create the focal point of her card using the Sketchbook Remarks Fabric Stickers.  In order to help them stand out on the vibrant patterned paper she uses on the card front, she matted the fabric stickers onto black card stock. The buttons with button twine adds the perfect finishing touch.  The greeting itself was created using a Dymo Label Maker.

ThanksSoMuchFlagsCard

Paper Crafter’s Library members can access the video tutorial and handout for this Thanks So Much card here.  (You must be logged in to access this page.)

Supplies

Paper: Tangerine CS, Sketchbook Collection DP (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts); Ebony CS (Bazzill)

Accessories: Sketchbook Remarks Fabric Stickers Pigment (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts); bone folder, paper snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!); black jute (May Arts); Orange buttons (papertrey ink); Caption Maker (Dymo); Tape Runner XL , tiny glue dots (thermo-web)

Remember… Corkboard with Push Pins

Tracy’s last project for today is this cork board with push pins. What I love about this project (other than everything LOL) is that she cut the prongs off of the fabric brads and then stuck them to a flat top thumb tack to create a decorative push pin.  Wouldn’t this be great for a tween or teen’s locker?

Remember...CorkboardWithPushPins

Paper Crafter’s Library members can access the video tutorial and handout for this Remember…Corkboard with Push Pins here.  (You must be logged in to access this page.)

Supplies

Paper: Sketchbook Collection DP (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts)

Accessories: Heavy weight chipboard, cork piece, wire cutters (Craft Store); red liner tape (Simon Says Stamp); ½” Round-It-All (Zutter); Tombow multi-purpose liquid adhesive (Tombow); Hot Glue (Martha Stewart); Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!); Charcoal baker’s twine, Peapod baker’s twine (The Twinery); Sketchbook Remarks Sticker Book Accents & Phrases, Sketchbook Remarks Dimensional Stickers Doodle, Sketchbook Flat Top Fabric Brads, Sketchbook Bits Embellishments Die Cut Shapes, Sketchbook Value Pack Premium ribbon 24 spools (Amy Tangerine – American Crafts); flat head push pins (Hardware Store); Ribbon scissors, sanding block, paper snips (Stampin’ Up!)

There is a video tutorial and handout for each of the last three projects available to our Paper Crafter’s Library members.

So there you have it! Day 1 of our American Crafts Spotlight! I hope you’ve found today to be informative and inspirational!

A Bit About Paper Crafter’s Library

The world of paper crafting is HUGE! Whether you are a beginner, or you’ve been creating for years, the sheer number of different products, tools, techniques and project ideas can be overwhelming. After spending 6 years helping thousands of paper crafters around the world become more successful in the creative space through her series of kits, digital tutorials and online classes, Andrea Walford began looking for a new approach to education. In 2011 she launched Paper Crafter’s Library – the first, and still to this day, only website that provides an all-in-one learning solution for paper crafters. With almost 800 videos currently in their library and 4-5 new videos added each week, Paper Crafter’s Library offers comprehensive training on products, tools, techniques, and project ideas. From beginner through to advanced, whether your interest is in stamping, card making, scrapbooking, creating 3D items or altered art – you’ll find all the resources you need to navigate the world of paper crafting in ONE place, organized and indexed so that it’s quick and easy to find.

Be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter which features weekly video tutorials. For more information about Paper Crafter’s Library and how we can help you take your paper crafting to the next level, check out the Benefits of Becoming a Member.

American Crafts Give-Away

To enter to win our American Crafts prize pack generously donated by American Crafts, please leave your comment to below.  

 



156 replies on “American Crafts Spotlight Day 1”

  1. Love American Crafts products. Have never used them but certainly admire them from afar. Tracy’s card is lovely. Would love to win this prize. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Tracy, these are outrageously creative projects! Can’t wait to see what other projects you’ve come up with for the Amy Tangerine collection. I had never seen Knock Outs before. Very clever punching system. I like how compact they are for storage! Looking forward to seeing the new designs that American Crafts has created.

  3. I enjoyed the videos. Thanks. The sample cards show such creative ways to use these cheery products from American Crafts. I love their products. Everything is always bright, cute and just plain happy. Thanks for a chance to win some of these wonderful goodies.

  4. I love the projects today (well, I pretty much say that everyday LOL). I also love American Crafts products and have been dying to buy some of the Amy Tangerine sketchbook supplies. TFS

  5. Lovely cards, especially the blue one! This is an amazing giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

  7. WOW! the colors are amazing:) so bright and cheery:) you are so inspiring, i must get rid of the creative block i have had for quite some time… maybe this will do it 🙂 I sure hope so:) thank you for such beautiful ideas. American Crafts never disappoints:)

  8. I love the border system by American Crafts…I must admit I have a weakness for border punches; I have to have them! I love the cards and the cork board you created with their products and as always thanks for the great inspiration! YOU make me want to be more creative 🙂

  9. Wow, love all the projects. Such bright colors. And love the new border punches. Thanks for the chance to win. I haven’t used any American Crafts products before, so would love to win some! 🙂

  12. I love, love the Amy Tangerine line from American Crafts. I am planning on filling up a sketch book on my upcoming trip to New York City. You inspire me to order ALL of her products and creat away.

  13. I can not wait to get my hands on those knock punches. That will save so much space in my small craft room. I love all of the colorful paper and projects. Thanks for sharing and i am waiting on the edge of my seat for the next installment.

    kim
    k1i2m3@cox.net

  14. I have never tried American Crafts. All the beautiful things you show here inspire me to try them. Thanks for the chance to win.

  15. What a fun spotlight! I have the basic kit, but I’ve been eyeing some of the others….. LOVING these projects too! This collection is so fun and cut outable – so easy to personalize and make your own embellishments!

  16. I just love how you guys always introduce such amazing products and ideas! I always love reading your blog and read about different parts of the crafting-world. And again; what a lovely give-away! WOW!!

  17. Wow! Great projects. So much creativity. I just love that cork board!! Thanks for sharing.

  18. This is such a great collection and I love the Knockouts that I have!! Thanks for sharing so many creative ideas and thanks for a chance to win this super prize!!

  20. Love all the colors and the projects..good luck to all who enter..thanks 🙂

  21. My husband would thank you a million times if you picked my name! I love what you’ve picked out for this giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity! Heard about this on Facebook and would be so excited to win!

  23. Love all the bright colors of this line. I may just have to try Americian Crafts! thanks for sharing all your talent. Cards and corkboard are great!

  24. What an amazing spread! And the knock out punches look like so much fun, I can’t wait to get my hands on them and give them a try. Thanks for the awesome looking cards too!

  27. I adore all things AC, but the Amy Tangerine lines takes the cake! It is so vibrant and fun!

  28. Love these project ideas! Thanks for the inspiration and the giveaway!!

  31. love the giveaway! but i really apreciate how you take the time to show us products and inetresting techniques to use the products!
    marie

  35. Wow, what great projects. I love the Knock Outs punch system. It’s on the top of my list. Thanks for sharing the videos.

  36. Love this collection and your fabulous projects! Thanks for sharing more about the knock out punches- I have looked at them but haven’t used them as of yet.

  38. My grandmother got me into stamping. I am 10 yrs old but I make some pretty awesome cards. (at least that is what every one tells me). I love doing it. We will start out making a card for someone and end up making a bunch of them and spend hours doing it. The table will be covered with papers and stamps and everything. Thanks for posting your pretty cards. They give me more ideas of how to do mine.

    Thank you
    Abby Martin.

  42. I have been absolutely drooling over this new collection! I plan to get quite a bit of it. I just love bright, bold Summer colors, not to mention the fabulous matching embellishments.

  48. America hase great craft supplies but we have cheese :-)..but owww how i wish i live in america if its only for all the amazing craft supplies…now i will keep my fingers crossed and hope to win this lovely candy..thanks for the change..Love Peet

  50. Thank you for the demo on the Knock-Out punch – when I first saw the photo, I thought “wow, what a space saver”!! Tracy, I love the color combinations on your first card, and your other projects are so bright and summery, my daughter would love a cork board like yours for her locker 🙂

  52. I love American Crafts too, what an amazing prize package! Thanks for the videos! I am hoping to get the Knock Out Punches Set for my birthday later this month!

  53. I have never used any of the American Crafts. I especially like the punches. I will have to start buying them. It always helps to have someone introduce new products to see if I like them and if they are easy to use. Thank you for sharing your projects and products, today. It was a wonderful help for me. Also..would like to thank you and is very kind of you to have a giveaway. As..always would it nice to win just once..

  55. Have used many AC designer papers. Great quality products. Thanks for the opportunity to win that amazing package — and once again for great inspiration.

  56. The more American Crafts lines I see and try, the more I like them! The quality is great and the designs are wonderful. Thanks for the chance.

  59. Love… love the cards and the American Craft products. Very cheerful! Looks like another amazing prize package.

  62. Great craft! I especially love the corkboard and push pins! Thanks for the chance to win!

  64. Fantastic ideas! especially love the Thanks So Much card! love the giveaway pack! Thanks again for sharing all of these ideas!

  65. So excited! American Craft products are great. Thank you for the chance to win a wonderful prize!

  66. Love AC colors and cardstock, this collection es just so right for summer scraping. Thanks for the chance to winning a set.

  69. You folks are just so amazingly creative, thanks for all the inspiration.

  70. I’m very new at papercrafting and I’m loving all of the products available. I love this collection! It’s so bright and fun. I think it would help my creativity 🙂

  72. The colors in the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook Collection are absolutely yummy! Thanks for the great project ideas and a chance to win some of these fantastic products!

  73. What a fabulous idea on the knock-outs!!!! I really like the card idea too, thank you for sharing.

    These ideas are great for us newbies. I am ever glad that I found this website

    Great prize that is available to win. Good luck everyone!

  77. I love the videos that appear on the blog. The Interchangeable Border Punch System are ideal, save space and are easy to use. I love the tutorials.

  78. What awesome ideas, and I love the bunches…I have wanted border bunches for a while, but have not really found what I feel would work for me. I think these would fit the bill.

  79. Love the Amy Tangerine collection! Thanks for a chance to win such a terrific prize!!

  81. Lovely cards! This is an amazing giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!
    kisses
    Rosana

  82. i have heard of the knock outs before but have never seen them in action. The video was a great tutorial,and now many of us will be looking for these in our crafters isles

  83. Amy Tangerine loot????!!! awesome!! crossing my fingers for this gorgeous stuff! thanks!
    -Michelle

  85. These are such beautiful cards – got to LOVE American Crafts products and Amy Tangerine. What a great combo! Thanks for the fab giveaway and the chance to win these great products.

  86. I have never seen Knock Outs before. What a creative punching system. I like how compact they are for easy storage! Looking forward to seeing the new designs that American Crafts has created. The cards are beautiful inspiration, keep up the great work!

  87. These projects were so good! I love the colors of the prize package and since I don’t have any Amy Tangerine yet I have my fingers crossed. Thanks so much for sharing your talents.

  91. Tracy!!!
    You did such an awesome job on the demo of the American Crafts Punch kit and creating a quick n easy card that looks like you totally created it from scratch—-card. (sorry for the run on sentence–I just got so excited!) My goodness they have all kinds of yumminess! Thank you so much for doing the videos:)Super great!!! And a special thanks to American Crafts for your generosity this week at Paper Crafter’s Library:) be blessed
    ~Beyond Measure
    Tammy
    http://www.urbeyondmeasure.com

  92. I love the colors in the pack, as well as all the neat embellishment the coordinate with it.
    I also loved the card idea using the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook Collection by American Crafts.

  93. Great projects and cards as usual! I have never tried American Crafts but I am defiantely going to get some knock out punches, what a super smart idea!

  94. What great eye candy! Lots of colorful ideas, all from a great company- thanks!

  95. I have loved and used American Crafts paper for years! I am so in love with all of the Amy Tangerine line that I would be beyond ecstatic to win it. And what scrapper doesn’t want a great new border punch system!!! Pick me !!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  100. RaftsBeautiful cards! . Thank you so much for a chance to win all of these great products . I love America Crafts!

  101. Just watched your video on the Knock Out Punches. They look fabulous — can’t wait to try them.
    Keep up the great work on your awesome site!!

  102. What a fantastic group of prizes!! I would be beyond thrilled to win. Thank you for always offering us the chance to try the products you showcase and thank you for the wonderful inspiration and tutorials.

  103. I love American Crafts! The Knock-out punch is a great idea for borders – so much more storage friendly 🙂
    The projects are beautiful, and the cork board is one I will definitely have to copy. What a great idea! Thanks again for the inspiration, and for the chance to win a great prize pack!

  104. Wonderful project and cards! Would so love to win this great giveaway, thanks for the opportunity!

  105. I so LOVED the videos. Until I saw the video I didn’t think I was interested in the punches. Now I have a very different opinion. Thanks so much for taking the time to make the videos.

  106. The Knock Out border punch system is a GREAT system. Not only have I not purchased many border punches because of the price factor, but as you state in your video, even more so because of storage being at a premium. What a fantastic idea to make one unit that can be changed out to make many punches!! I want to own this whole system and could actually find storage for it in my tiny crafting area. Thank you for introducing me to this amazing product and thanks to American Crafts for coming up with such a useful and easy to store tool!

  107. I LOVED Tracey’s card using the Amy Tangerine collection from American Crafts. I simply fell in love with the color pallet especially and the paisley patterned paper in particular! The whole card is lovely and I hope to be able to recreate it myself!

  108. I am quickly becoming an American Crafts fan and I love the Amy Tangerine embellishments.

  109. Just love the Smile card. I have always been a huge fan of the AC ribbon – it’s awesome to get a big pack with seasonal ribbons so you don’t have to rush out when you start work on a new project. Their Amy Tangerine papers rock!! Have not tried the Knock Out punches but now I am seriously dreaming about them. What a great idea! Would love to win… sigh…

  113. The space savings of the punches is a great selling factor for me. Having to only store one base instead of multiples is great. Thanks for the tip about not starting to punch at the end of the paper. It was an “aha” moment. Tracy’s card is so vibrant. I love the teal paisley paper, especially with my favorite kraft paper, and also spied the monochromatic paisley pattern in the giveaway. Thanks for letting us play along. What fun and what great products.

  120. What a wonderful set! I can just imagine what beautiful cards this set would make. The punch system is awesome. Who wouldn’t love to have this combination.The cards displayed are simply fabulous. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to win.

  121. Beautiful projects! Thank you for sharing these creative ideas and tips! Thank you also for a chance to win this awesome, generous prize!

  124. What an awesome giveaway. I can’t wait to sit and watch the videos with my morning coffee – gorgeous projects!

  126. What a great set…Can’t wait to order so i can get started…Love all of the designs..Love watching all the video’s makes me want to get creative….

  127. Gorgeous cards! I love the collection and its colors… great videos, so helpful… Thank you!

  128. What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you American Crafts and PCL for your kind generosity. I would love to have my name entered into the drawing.

  129. Wow ! That prize pack is filled with gorgeous goodies ! Winning it would make my day ! And Love the interchangeable border punches ! thank you for sharing and for this great opportunity !

  130. Love, love, love this collection. So vibrant and fun! Thank you for the opportunity to win this amazing prize pack.

  131. this is a must have punches.where can I find them. my craft room is geeting smaller, and smaller and space is at a premium value. Your prize package would be great to win.

  132. Awesome assortment of goodies! Thanks for sharing your great projects and giving us the opportunity to win!

  134. Your blog is so nice! I love all of the projects! Thanks for the chance to win these goodies. I love American Crafts!!

  135. The border system is a great idea and the designs are beautiful. I have heard about Amy Tangerine’s line not long ago and I love it, the papers and bright colours are perfect for summer. Thank you for the ideas are wonderful!

  136. Another great product – American Crafts! I love the package you are giving away – Tangerine Sketchbook Collection. What a summer party theme this would make! The punches are so different. I never knew the Crafting world held so much until I joined your Paper Crafter’s Library. Thank you for all you give to the world of Crafts. It is very much appreciated.

  137. Fabulous projects and a great prize! I have several AC products and they are top-notch! Love my AC paper cutter!
    DeniseB

  139. This new line from Amy Tangerine has to be my favorite of the spring releases! The color palette makes me happy I love your card samples (keep em coming!); I might just have to “lift” a couple!

  140. Loving this prize. So generous! Amy Tan’s line is a favorite. Thank you for the wonderful ideas, as well!

  143. I love American Crafts, especially Amy Tan’s Sketchbook Collection and the Knockout Punches! I also love your projects and cards using the American Crafts projects. Thanks for the chance to win!

  148. Love the products…and Amy Tangerine isy favorite – cute style and cute products! Amazing prize pack, too 🙂

  149. Really love the Amy tangerine line. Thanks for the chance to win!!! The card is so gorgeous and inspired me to make one for my hubby for the upcoming father’s day.

  150. I have enjoyed your product line. Being I have tremors I have a hard time holding my steady I love the watercolor pencils,and would love the chance to win the prize package.

  151. I have been a long time AC fan! Love Amy Tangerines line as well! Thanks for the inspiration and project ideas, as well as the chance to win this fabulous prize pack! 🙂

  154. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new surveys are added- checkbox and today if a comment is added I am four emails with the exact very same comment. Is there any way you are able to eliminate me from that service? Thanks!

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