Hello again, Gia back for another post from the Clique Kits Art Studio. This weekend I have been scrapbooking on the go,  with a limited number of supplies. When I have to take a business trip, bringing my scrappy stuff to fill my down time helps me miss my family less!  Sometimes having fewer supplies actually really gets my creative juices flowing because I have to figure out a new way of doing something I might ordinarily do with tools or supplies I don't have with me. Case in point: a large die cut title. Normally, I could cut one out with my cricut or my Silhouette Cameo. Unfortunately, these didn't fit in my carry-on bag. Here is a little of my process:

First, I thought about my photograph (which was of my son digging in a sandbox when he was two.) The enthusiasm and joy over such a simple thing was evident in his face. So I came up with my title, "Dig in and Love Life."

 I almost always travel with my watercolors and my waterbrush, which I used along with my Amy Tangerine embroidery templates to create elements of my title and embellishing.

 I also noticed that my son was wearing this bright green and navy shirt, and these colors dominated the photo-so I pulled out some Simple Stories A Charmed Life collection.  This collection has such a great color combination which can be used for any type of photo, and was a perfect match for my photo. Since I really wanted my brush stroke title to be dominant, I used my patterned paper sparingly to frame my photo.

Here is a close-up of my sun and clouds. Cute, isn't it?  I should also mention that my wood veneer arrow, heart brad, star washi tape, and orange rubber banner  at the top of the page were all in this months Freckled Fawn Oh Deer Me embellishment kit. It has just arrived the day I was packing for my trip- so in to my bag it went!  I am pretty excited that Clique Kits will be featuring many Freckled Fawn products in their kits, so you can get it all in one place (for an affordable price I might add.)

Have you ever found yourself scrapbooking on the go, and not having a supply or tool that you wanted? Did you get creative and improvise? What are your must have supplies and tools when you are on the go? Have you ever given yourself the freedom to design a layout starting from the meaning of the photo, and just playing with your art supplies to see what you come up with? Often people tell me they like my freestyle scrapbooking style, but they don't know where to start on their own layouts.I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse in to my process and what works for me. I would love to hear what works for you!
Happy Sunday!
--xGia

Hey everybody...TGIF! !  Is it wine o'clock yet?  I am posting this from wine country in California- the beautiful Napa Valley. I am definitely looking forward to my first 'tasting' tonight. Just dropping in on the blog to show you a little technique you might want to try someday- maybe you need to break out of a creative rut, or you want to try stenciling but all of your stencils are 12 x 12 or at least 6 x 6 size. I know that I am not the first to identify this gap in stencils on the market-very few are small enough to add a stenciled design to a 3 x 4 or 4 x 6 card without it having the wrong proportions.  I know that later this spring Heidi Swapp will have some small stencil packs coming out and I am looking forward to getting my hands on the whole collection. Another recommendation I have for small stencils are the manila cardstock stencils by Fancy Pants designs. These are inexpensive and you get a pack of multiple stencils. And last but not least, try this:

I have tried every type of mist spray out there including  Mr. Hueys, Glimmer Mist, Heidi Swapp, Maya Mist, and many others I am sure I am forgetting. Mr. Huey's mists are opaque matte mists and come in a variety of very nice colors. Glimmer mists were probably the first and they have some sparkly stuff if you want that effect. Dylusions are my go to mists when I want very intense bright color. At Clique Kits, we love to support other small businesses. So I would love it if you bought your delusions mists here at my friend's shop Altered Pages. While you are there- look around and all of the fun new art supplies she has in stock- I recommend the Niji paints, the Art Anthology paints, and the water brushes!

That's all there is to it! The 3 steps: Punch, Mist, and Embellish. My last tip is to choose a punch with filigree type detail for the best results on a small scale. Edge punches with lace patterns would also be pretty. In fact- I think I will go and try that! I'll be back soon with more fun messy stuff in the Art Studio!
--xGia

Hey there Clique Kits fans!  Erica here with you today to bring you today's Geek Lab post!  Today I am working with some papers from the new Homespun Collection from Simple Stories and some older stickers from their Summer Fresh collection.  I love that the old and new mix together so well and it is a great way to use up things you still may have!  I am also going to be using a great tool that a lot of you may have and that is a sewing machine!   Adding stitching to your projects adds texture and gives your layout that homemade feel!  I am only adding one line of stitching down my layout but I think it adds a great touch.  

I used gold metallic thread to add a stitch line to join these two papers together.  I love that Simple Stories also has the Basics Collections to go with their lines.  This red polka dot pattern goes fabulous with the cut apart pattern paper!  I love the wording on this paper and thought it would go perfect with a photo I took of my family.  It was a Sunday afternoon and we were just all together in our living room having a lazy Sunday family movie day!  

I tried to keep my layering very simple because I wanted the photo and the wording to really be the main focus.  I used a few different pieces of paper from the Homespun Collection for layers and then cut a few elements from the paper as well and then mixed in some stickers from the Summer Fresh Collection.  

If you have not given stitching on your projects a try I hope this gives you a little push to break out your machines!  There are also some other great tools on the market you can use to stitch on your layouts as well.  Amy Tangerine has a great embroidery stencil kit and also We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy products are fabulous!  Thanks so much for stopping by today and we would love to see your stitched projects so make sure to tag us on Facebook or upload your projects to our Flickr group.  

Happy Tuesday! Are you still recovering from Day Light Savings time? I sure am! Us gals at Clique Kits are beyond excited for the next few weeks and the launch of our first kit! Late last night we posted a SNEAK PEEK of our first kit and some of the contents. How awesome does that look!? WE are thrilled to be sharing projects and of course the kit with our friends!

Today, I want to share some layouts I created using the Simple Stories: Hey Pop! line, which is available in our store, along with the other Simple Set lines.

Family is important to me, as it is to many people. Though I'm really focusing on my 'My Life' album, I still love to scrapbook in a traditional way and highlight moments with my family and friends. I hope someday these albums and layouts will be shared at my nephews graduation parties or for my family to look through when they visit.

The first layout I highlighted a picture of my brother carrying his son (my nephew) in a plastic container. They were packing up their car after a wonderful holiday with my parents and Lucas wanted to be carried around in this container. For this layout I used bits and pieces of the kit. For the background I used a full 12x12 pattern paper from the Hey Pop kit and the rest of the layout I used journal cards, stickers, paper border (the bottom part that sometimes has a pattern on it that you trim off before you use the main paper), and washi tape. I love how the Journal cards act like small sections of paper and add more character to the layout.

The second layout I created I featured a picture of my dad and his grandsons. These kids are my dad's world! I decided to use a lot of white space on this layout to draw attention to the pure love in the photo. Again, I layered pieces behind the photo and with the arrows, drew focus into the photo itself. Note: My dad is wearing a Santa Hat, he doesn't have an odd white afro.

How do you document your families special moments? Do you use traditional scrapbooking methods or do you often scrapbook with page protectors? Share your favorite way to document your memories on our Facebook page.

Thank you for joining me today! I hope you found some inspiration from my projects today! Be sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and her on our blog sneak peeks of our first kit! You never know when we will post something. Also, subscribe to our newsletter for the latest information!

Happy Scrapbookin'
♥ Lacey

The Clique Kits Gals are looking for one star paper crafter to be our Student of the Month in April! Here's what that means:

• The guest designer will be selected and announced on April 1st. We will post your picture and your work samples on our blog along with your photo, a brief bio, and a link to your blog. 
• The guest designer will also get to participate in our Blog Share of the month featuring our first kit, Debutante, taking place on April 23rd. 
• We will send you a complimentary April Kit to use for your projects.
• In order to apply, you do not have to be a Clique Kits Subscriber but members of the Clique will definitely be teachers pets and most likely will move to the head of the class! (If you are already a subscriber you will be refunded for your April kit!)

To Apply:

• We want to see 2-4 of your best, recent projects as clear image files (jpegs are best, non-watermarked, no larger than 600x600 pix in size.) 
• a brief biographical statement
•  a photo of yourself
• links to your blog, galleries, and social media pages if you have them.
• Email to cliquekits@yahoo.com.
  

Your projects do not have to be new for this call, but cannot have been published anywhere else but your personal blog. (Projects that have been published as a design team project for any company or website or in a print or online magazine can not be accepted.) Before applying, please make sure you will be able to complete 2-3 projects with the kit within a two week time frame and that you will be available for the Blog Share on April 23rd.

We are looking for layouts whether traditional or pocket page style and cards where the focus elements are paper products and any kind of embellishments. Feel free to use any of the FREE Printable elements we have posted here on the Clique Kits Blog. We would also LOVE it (but it is not required) if you used any Simple Stories products that we carry in our store.

The deadline for submissions is March 30th.

We are looking forward to receiving your amazingly creative designs. There will no doubt be far too many more talented submissions than we can feature in April, so if you are not selected do not feel the least bit it is a reflection of your ability. Please check often for future guest designer calls! 

xoxo The Clique Kits Gals!

If you've followed my SpiegelMom Scraps blog for long enough, you already know that I LOVE the May Arts Burlap String!  It's absolutely fantastic and has so many applications.  I used about 1 yard and wrapped it all the way around my layout for some fun texture.  I secured it on the backside of my layout with the masking tape and stapled the edges with my Tim Holtz Tiny Attatcher (a genius mini stapler!).

Take a look at the little details in my layout again & then check your sticker stash for little bits & pieces to use up! I bet you'll find something that can be a pinch hitter for you on your next project.

Thank you stoping by for anothe session of the Locker Room. So, did you figure out if you're an "A" or "B"? Chime in & leave a comment telling us!

If you haven't checked out the PinkFresh studio blog share, be sure to scroll down & hop!

See ya next time!

~ Jody

Welcome to the Clique Kits blog share featuring awesome products from PinkFresh Studio! We are so excited to be working with these products and sharing what we have created with them! So sit back, grab your favorite beverage and enjoy what we have in store for you today! Just look at some of their AWESOME products below!

We are not stopping there! PinkFresh Studio has offered up a FANTASTIC prize package to one lucky blog commenter! A Big THANK YOU to PinkFresh for sponsoring this blog share! Also, don't forget to friend them on Facebook and check out their great products on their site and their blog. And who knows, you may see some of these products in future Clique KITS?

Now it's time to head along to the blog share!
Gia
Lacey
Jody
Erica

We are so excited to be working with these products and sharing what we have created with them! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates, kit reveals, inspiration, news and more!!

Thanks for Joining us today!
The Clique Kits Gals!

Lots of fun things are coming your way. Join us for yet another blog share on March 20, 2014 where we will be sharing projects using Hazel & Ruby products! And of course the launch of our FIRST kit coming April 2014, sign-up for our newsletter, follow our blog and Facebook page for sneak peeks and the BIG reveal!

Over the past month the Clique Kits gals have had the privilege of spending some time getting to know Kinnari Zaveri- the super talented and sweet-as-can-be owner and designer of Pinkfresh Studio. By now if you have been following Clique Kits on Facebook or subscribing to the blog you probably know we are having a Blog Share tomorrow, March 5th showing some projects we created with Pinkfresh Studio embellishments. Pinkfresh Studio is one of the small businesses founded and run by creative women in this industry we are proud to be supporting by including their products in our monthly kits. It's hard to believe, but our first kit is coming together and we are getting ready for the full reveal later this month! In the mean time, Kinnari has generously donated her time for a little interview and an AMAZING prize pack for our readers!  Thank you so much for being our Designer in the Spotlight this month Kinnari!

Q: Tell is a little about yourself and your creative background. What inspired you to open Pink Fresh Studio?
 
A: I am Kinnari Zaveri, owner at Pinkfresh Studio, a happily married wife of a very caring husband and mom to a beautiful and sweet girl Anya.
I have studied textile design and took a brief course in fashion design too but truly enjoyed the process of designing textiles.I come from Mumbai, India and have lived in different countries such as Canada, UAE, Singapore and currently living in USA. I started scrapbooking when Anya was born in 2007 and enjoyed documenting her memories.
I was a happy homemaker until few months ago when an idea to start a fresh new company came to my mind. I have always been that person who can not think anything beyond pink when it comes to choose colors and have always been enjoying fresh ideas and inspiration I get being in Scrapbooking community, and that's how I thought of the name 'Pinkfresh Studio'.

 
Q: Where do you find the inspiration for the Pink Fresh Studio embellishments?
 
A: Coming from the textiles industry everyday colors and patterns inspire me the most. I never feel content with what I see and look for different ways to create it.

 
Q:  Who are some of your artistic influences?
 
A: I don’t really follow any artists as such but living in different places and cultures has given me a lot of opportunities to explore art and has a great influence on what I create.

 
Q: What do you consider your greatest artistic accomplishment?
 
A: Honestly I don’t think I have experienced that feeling yet.

 
Q: What supplies are always on your desk/must haves in your own work?
 
A: Tiny attacher, Prima chalk inks, sparkling embellishments. I love things that sparkle.


Q: In three words, how would you describe your style?
 
A: A lot of colors, clean and simple
 
Q: Right now:

Reading: I hardly read anything and currently nothing. I am more of a visual person.
Listening to: Bollywood music 
Loving to Eat: Everything that’s vegetarian. I love food.
Loving to Wear: My most comfortable ponte pants and a pop over tunic. 

Here is a Pinkfresh Studio Coupon Code for you to use from now through March 12th for 20% off your purchase on the Pinkfresh Studio website:
Clique20
Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog share where readers who comment and like both Facebook Pages will be entered to win a fabulous Pinkfresh Studio Prize Package! See you tomorrow at 9:00 CST.


-xGia, Lacey, Jody, and Erica

This is Gia in the Art Studio and today I am sharing some thoughts that stemmed from my "word" of the year: Simplify.  This is not just about scrapbooking. This is about living a fuller, more authentic life. What are some of the ways I have embraced the simple life? Smaller house; bigger home. Less technology-more nature. Less focus on stuff, more focus on people. Isn't that why we scrapbook? To document our real life with the people we love? Saving money and being more productive as a by product of a simpler way of doing things is just icing on the cake (made from scratch of course!) 

Here are some of the ways I have used some of the contents of kits that didn't make it in to my bigger projects in past months, such as a heart shaped doily, some flair and wood veneers, an arrow shaped paper clip, and some silver glitter Heidi Swapp word stickers. 

The stamp set you see here is from Aha Arts.  I still have to add some journaling on this last layout, but you get the idea. I was able to get two more two page layouts for my 2014 Project Lau Family Album using only four commercially printed cards paired with embellishments and basic supplies from my studio. One of my hesitations about starting to scrapbook with pocket page protectors was that I would "miss out" on my creative outlet. I love the fact that having so many options to mix and match not only stretches my supplies, but my imagination as well. And I am able to express myself in a way that is "all me" in my album.

So, here is the take home message I hope you will get from this post:

• Subscribing to Clique Kits is a great way to make the most of your valuable time and budget.
• As part of the Clique, you will have an abundance of inspiration and exposure to techniques and products that you can't find in a big box store! After all, you belong in the Clique- not in a box!
• The Clique Kits gals love online shopping as much as the next scrapbooker. We'll be collaborating as much as possible with our small business friends, women who create, and other bloggers to bring you MORE for less. We are all about connecting. Speaking of small business friends, don't forget to join us this Wednesday, March 5th for our Pinkfresh Studio Blog Share starting here on the Clique Kits Blog! 

Have a wonderful, relaxing, and simple Sunday! Stop by the forum if you have a chance- we're awfully chatty! If you haven't yet stocked up on Simple Stories new lines, we have them in our shop. We are super excited that the Simple Stories DIY collection will be shipping in another week! 

-xGia