Lifestyle Crafts + Studio Calico...a match made in Heaven!

8.27.2013
Have you heard the news?

Lifestyle Crafts, the company behind QuicKutz dies and the "first-of-its-kind L Letterpress system," is teaming up with the trend-setting, forward-thinking scrapbooking company Studio Calico to bring you a brand new class!


Letterpress is one of the hottest trends in paper right now...and this class will give you tips and tricks, challenges & inspiration to help you incorporate this new medium into your papercrafting and memory-keeping.

Now, I've worked with the L Letterpress System before (see here and here)...and I have to tell you, I love it. There is just something so classy- and classic-looking about letterpressed (is that a word?) paper. I'm huuuuge into life-documentation, and the idea of using letterpress with my Project Life and scrapbooking projects is so appealing because it's yet another way to make my projects unique and beautiful.

All that being said, when the girls at Lifestyle Crafts and Studio Calico asked if I would be willing to give SC's new letterpress plates a go I jumped at the chance! I had already signed up for the "Letterpress" class, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get a jump-start on my skillz...(yeah, I got 'em).

I made both a Project Life spread and a layout with the plates I received...here's my layout first...


**Just a quick note here...in addition to the letterpress plates that SC sent to me, they also sent along their last two monthly scrapbooking kits (Studio Calico offers a number of monthly subscription scrapbooking kits through their website...I've been a subscriber to both the Scrapbooking and Project Life kits for almost a year now and I'm in love. If you're looking for amazing inspiration every month...start at Studio Calico). I used parts of each of those kits for this layout showcasing my favorite beach-spot.**

Now, can you see the letterpress pieces?

Let me show you a little closer look...


The "RATE THIS" tag was made using bright green letterpress ink and this plate:


See how many different sentiments come on one plate??? You simply cut them apart and use them however you like!

The little circles on the paper tucked behind my photo are also made with letterpress...it's such a crisp and clean look.

Now here is the Project Life spread I made using a few more of the plates...


And here is a closer look...


This is my absolute FAVORITE piece of this layout...and guess what? when you register for the Letterpress class this camera plate is included FOR FREE! It will be shipped to you at no charge, too! woo hoo! (see below for more details).

OK...so for this card, I used silver Letterpress ink and a piece of vellum. The subtle shine of the silver on the semi-transparent paper is just beautiful. I've layered the vellum over a piece cut from a patterned piece of scrapbook paper, and I think it's so neat that you can just barely see the floral pattern through the vellum.

**One note about using the L Letterpress with vellum: because the letterpress ink is oil-based, it takes longer to dry than acrylic paints and stamp ink. On vellum, that times increases...by A LOT. I think it took 2 whole days for the ink to completely dry on the vellum...but, to me, it was definitely worth it for the effect.**


I used a light blue ink on vellum for this card. When it was dry, I stapled it to a Basic Grey polaroid die-cut frame from the Studio Calico Valley High Scrapbook Kit. Again, the look of the vellum with the subtle pattern behind it? So awesome...


For this card, I did something just a little different. After I added the letterpress sentiment - "yes" - in light green, I added a little embroidery from an Amy Tangerine stencil that was included with the SC Marks & Co. kit. Is that not just the coolest sentiment? I wish that you could see these little cards in real life. The paint is just rich and thick looking...almost like it has become a part of the paper...unlike acrylics and stamps that can sometimes look like they are just lying on top of the paper.


To make this card, I first splattered the paper with a little Tinsel Color Shine. Then I added the letterpressed "OH HAPPY DAY," again in light green. A little strip of Studio Calico Gold Polka washi tape from the Marks & Co. Scrapbook Kit and an Instax photo finish the card...

Aaaaand, because I couldn't stop myself, and because making these little cards is so much fun, I ran a few more through my Epic 6 (but you can use any manual diecutting machine) to prepare for future projects...


Now I'll have some ready for cards, pages, PL, whatever!

So what do you think? Have you jumped on the letterpress bandwagon? Are you maybe thinking about it, but don't know where to start?

Sign up for the Studio Calico "Letterpress" class and you're sure to learn TONS! I have taken a number of SC classes and I'm NEVER disappointed. The instructors are there to help you every step of the way...and you're learning from top leaders in the industry!


And when you have these girls, using the incredible Lifestyle Crafts equipment, you can't go wrong.

Class starts on September 1, but registration is open until September 15. And don't forget, when you register you will get everything you see here (but hurry, once the extras are gone, they're gone!):


Here's what you'll need to take the class (taken from the Studio Calico website):

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO GET STARTED WITH LETTERPRESS : 
•A willingness to explore and make a few mistakes along the way 
Lifestyle Crafts L Letterpress platform bundle 
•Manual diecut machine (Cuttlebug, Epic, Big Shot, Evolution) 
Letterpress Paper (have extra on hand, so you can experiment without running out!) 
Letterpress Ink (the sample pack in the class kit will start you off, but you’ll want more of your favorite colors)


Aaaaand, if you don't already have it, you can buy everything you need for the class right at Studio Calico! Here's the link to the supplies you'll need...

And you can sign up for the Letterpress class here...I so hope to see you there! I can't wait to get my Letterpress on!

Want to learn more about the L Letterpress system and Lifestyle Crafts?  You can follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @LifestyleCrafts and search the hashtag #lifestylecrafts.


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