Color Theory & Beautiful Mess Color Samples

Hiya all! I hope you are doing well today! :) When A Beautiful Mess first opened up their shop I was very excited, I love their design choices and their colors are always spot on so when I found out they were going to be making inks as well OH MY WORD I couldn't wait to try them out! I could see just from looking online that the colors were going to be bold and fun but you really never know until you get them in your hands to stamp them out! Well let me tell you they did NOT dissapoint, they are BEAUTIFUL in person and just so much fun to use on all of your projects! I also wanted to compare them to the color theory inks I have on hand as well and see how they compare. I decided to do a little color sampling and thought I would share with you just incase you were wondering some of the same things I was.  I gathered up all my inks and grouped them by color.

Above you can see the color theory on the left two columns and the messy ink on the right. 

Of course to really see the colors you have to STAMP them ... right!? Yes I think so too so let's get to it shall we? 

I tried to keep these colors true to what I am seeing in person so I didn't edit this photo in an effort to give you a true idea of the color.  As you can see there are a lot of similar colors including the black, coral colors, yellows, and some of the blues. There are also a lot of colors in the messy ink that color theory doesn't have yet. I really love the hot pink and I think the cement is my favorite color from the messy inks. The plum is a lot of fun too and there is really nothing like it offered in the color theory line. All that being said I have had some of these color theory inks for a while and have yet to stamp them and now I wish I stamped them the moment I got them! I fell in LOVE with glass slipper and I think it may even by my favorite color EVER!!! All in all I think both lines offer some amazing colors, both stamp REALLY nice and both brands stack together to make for easy storage. 

What do you say, what is your favorite color if you had to pick just one?!

go.be.inspired. 

Shanna

Walden Reveal and an update on the Thankful Heart Stamps!

It's an exciting time over at Studio Calico! We are getting ready for Gratitude Documented, the Walden kits are live, Christmas items are hitting the store just so much excitement! Where should we start today? Since I have gotten many messages asking that the thankful heart stamps be restocked let's start there!!

They are restocking these, please push "notify me" so you will get an email as SOON as they come in and you will be sure to snag them before they sell out again :) While you are at it here are couple other things I recommend for the class : 

These 3x4 journaling cards are the basis for my album but they would also be perfect for Project Life or traditional scrapbooking as well!

Arrow Letterpress Plate

I don't have a letterpress machine, but I have been using the letterpress plates as a stamp. I love an arrow background stamp and it's perfect for those 3x4 cards you want to add a little something to!

I had a lot of fun using the different elements in Walden in unique ways, this kit lends its self well to a little creative play! 

Walden Scrapbook Kit 

I also had a ton of fun creating the template this month! It was based on one of my favorite wood veneer pieces from Studio Calico and it is just so much fun to fill in all the pockets! 

Okay on to add-ons, I LOVE these kits for my gallery but I think I loved them even more for my gratitude album, they just had so many things that worked perfectly!!! 

Concord Add-on

Now I know you are thinking "but Shanna that is the most expensive kit in the store", yes I know! But friends, it is worth every single penny!! There isn't a single aspect of this kit that isn't crush worthy!!! That ephemera pack? SO JAMMED PACKED! The papers? Perfectly picked! That alpha stitch template alone is something you will use over and over again and turn your projects into something special! The world veneer is magical and those sentiment stickers from Amy Tangerine will help you set the ton of your page! SO much LOVELINESS!!! So yes, it may cost a little more but you are going to get miles out of this kit, I promise! 

So what do you say? Are you over the moon excited for this time of year or what?!

go.be.inspired.

Shanna

Walden Sneaks

It's time for sneaks for Studio Calico!!! Have you guys all checked out the amazing mood board for this month? I often use this as a jumping off point while planning my pages. 

All kinds of yummy fall themed pages come to mind, right?! The colors are just so lovely! 

I had a lot of fun with the main scrapbooking kit, here is a sneak of two of the pages I made

This month I decided to do a fun little project and I can't wait to share more when the gallery goes live but for now here is a little sneak :) 

I created a template this month based on a wood veneer from a previous Studio Calico kit, and I had so much fun using it! 

I love the "adventure" themed cards from the Project Life kit this month, they went perfectly with our yellowstone adventures!!

These kits go live to the public on the 28th, but subbers get a 12 hour head start 

so if you have you eye on something I would make sure you are all signed up!

What are you looking forward to this month!?

go.be.inspired. 

Shanna

Gratitude Documented 2014

Last year I asked my friend Chantal if she would be interested in helping me pull together a gratitude mini kit and create a blog series around it. She agreed, and came to the table with some amazingly inspired ideas. We both blogged about it and I don't think either one of us imagined the response that we got. You guys reacted in a way that set the idea on fire, you really brought it to life. It was so much fun to see how everyone was documenting their gratitude. As a thank you we have taken it a step further this year and partnered with Studio Calico to bring you a class with MORE content, MORE product, MORE inspiration and even MORE ideas .... GRATITUDE DOCUMENTED!!

This is the first class that I have taught at Studio Calico that is really going to dig deep into the idea of gratitude. It is my hope that you will grab a warm cup of tea, your favorite fall blanket and curl up with a journal to get the ideas flowing before we even start our creative process. Gratitude is so much more than putting together a beautiful mini album, when you are done with this I am positive it will be something you cherish for many years to come.

I feel so blessed and humbled to work with some of the best in the industry as Jamie Waters, Lexi Bridges, Chantal Philippe will be joining me to bring this class to life. I seriously can NOT wait to see what these talented ladies come up with! 

In gratitude documented we we be going in depth prompts to help you explore all of your gratitudes from this year, super simple tag book minibook that you can tailor to your own style, 3 videos, message board and class challenges, I will be there every step of the way to help encourage you, Jamie will be adapting the ideas to a WRMK 4x4in album, and we’ll wrap up by Thanksgiving so you can share your project with your loved ones.

As with all the wonderful classes at Studio Calico, we have teamed up to provide you with supplies that will inspire you as well as work seamlessly with the class. The stamp set is one of my faves with fun sentiments in my signature style along with elements you will find yourself reaching for over and over again. I can not wait to explore these more with you in class! 

Even though class does not start until November, the fun starts now! In classic Studio Calico style they have already loaded the class up with some digital goodies for you (the cut files and cards are available at this very moment and the digital stamps will be in there very soon!) 

oh and one last thing....

I want you to know that I am VERY grateful for each and every one of YOU!! Blogging doesn't come easy to me, I forget to post, or don't know what to post about, but the support I have seen on this blog in the past couple of months is just stunning. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

go.be.GRATEFUL.

Shanna

#SCinspires

Happy Monday everyone! I am excited to be joining Studio Calico for an INSPIRATIONAL blog hop! They are giving away some amazing prizes JUST for sharing some inspiration, how easy is that?! First off EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON gets to download this ADORABLE art print. It is perfect to frame and put up in your home or even slip into your project life album, you really can't go wrong!

Seriously how cute is that?! You can win a SUPER duPER cool prize by simply downloading this print using THIS LINK and entering what inspires you in the comments section.  More on the super duper cool prize below! 

I am kinda smitten with this print! I makes me want to jump in a huge pile of fall leaves and make some hot apple cider. It makes me want to snuggle under our favorite blanket and watch a chick flick. It makes me want to CREATE! There is something about fall that I find to be SUCH an inspiration. How about you? So today I wanted to share 14 things that are inspiring me RIGHT this very moment!!

1. Vintage ephemera | Come on folks... is there anything better? I have been going through my Grandmother's scrapbooks and just soaking up all the GREATNESS of these old papers. 

2. Color Theory Paint | You really have to try it if you have been holding out, what are you waiting for? The creamy texture is just perfection, and the colors SC comes out with will leave you inspired!

3.  Woodgrain Hearts | When I am just not sure what to use a big old heart will always do the trick!

4.  Buttons | Oh buttons, how I adore you. They are the perfect item to finish off a fall project! 

5. Acorns | because, acorns = love. 

6.  Funky Wood Veneer | We are talking totally unique only can be found in Ashley's AWESOME class kinda of unique. Who can resist that cat? I don't even like cats!!!! <-- don't tell anyone I said that!

7. Teen Tiny Vintage Books | I pick them up whenever I find them because they are perfect for a little collection of acorns, or a frog with some vintage photos peeking out!

8. Color Theory Ink | Specifically this color of lime light, I want to stamp it on EVERY.SINGLE.BIT!

8a. (because I forgot to put a label on it) Fall Sentiment Tape | I have considered picking up another Project LIfe kit just got this tape, don't judge. Once you have it in your hot little hands you will understand and we will be best friends again! 

9. Lindsay Letters | EVERY single thing she does is such an inspiration! I had the pleasure of meeting her two weeks ago at the influence conference and let me tell you she is one of the sweetest most generous people you will ever meet in your entire life. Love her to bits! 

10.  Photos of those I love | because that is really what this is all about, right?

11.  Ribbon | I am lucky that the nice ribbon store in town is open mainly when I am working or I would be in big trouble. I LOVE the texture it adds to any project and this color is just YUM!

12. Funky Pumpkins | I LOVE this pumpkin I picked up at our local craft store last year. I adds just a fun touch on a mantle otherwise covered in traditional fall colors. 

13. Fall Art Print | Fall is such a magical time and anything that is inspired by that is just meant to be loved. 

14. YOU | My friends, I am humbled to be a part of such a creative, loving, giving, INSPIRING community. Each and every day I am left in awe of the things you create and the love that you spread, keep it up friend! 

Now since you are SUCH an inspiration I wanted to give you a little something from the amazing folks at Studio Calico! Remember the super easy rules? All you must do is download this adorable art print using this link  and leave a comment sharing what inspires YOU! I will draw a winner by next Monday to win *weneedsupercooldrumrollnoisehere* 

The Project Life Underground Kit from Studio Calico! How fun is that?! (see totally worth the wait!!) 

The is not where the fun ends my friend, Studio Calico is also giving away some AWESOME prizes and I want you to get in on the fun! We’re giving away over $1,400 in prizes drawn from the people who download the printable. The prizes get bigger and bigger the more uses of the #scinspires hashtag.  So get on your social media platforms and start shouting from the rooftops what INSPIRES you and make sure to use the #scinspires to get the word out! Check out the Studio Calico blog every Friday for update on how we are doing!!! Let's blow those numbers out of the water!! 

Head on over to my friends blogs for even MORE chances to win!!!

Studio Calico

Stephanie Bryan
Emily Branch
Natalie Elphinstone
Dana F.
Lilin Fang
Anna-Maria
Maggie Massey
Celine Navarro
Allison Waken
Barbara PIcinich
Kerri Bradford
Jen Picard
Tracy Armstrong
Liz Tamanha
Marcy Penner
Robyn Werlich
Suzy Plantamura
Julie Campbell
Lexi Bridges
Maggie Holmes

go.be.inspired

Shanna

P.S. For those looking for my guest blogger I have a very exciting post for you tomorrow!!! 

Paint. Plan. Play. with Ashely Goldberg

I am just love in LOVE with Ashley's style and so when I found out she was teaching a class with Studio Calico I was over the moon! Here is what Studio Calico has to say about it: 

"We've all experienced it – the frustration of sitting in front of a blank page for hours and still coming up empty. Well, we've got the remedy: cutting-edge artist Ashley Goldberg. Ashley’s come wielding her brush and paints to invite you into Paint.Plan.Play, an “art” class designed for scrapbookers. Grab the paints and brushes you've been collecting and let Ashley help you tap into the creativity you've got hiding inside yourself. 

During the first half of Paint.Plan.Play, you’ll explore core painting techniques Ashley uses every day, then you will transition into putting those new skills to use in several projects. With Ashley’s expert guidance, you will learn how to take control of color, pattern, and text by using paint, collage, and various other mediums to add allure to all your paper crafting projects – from personally designed journal layouts to Project Life spreads. '

Paint.Plan.Play will begin on November 1st."

Friends, can we talk about how adorable those little wood veneer critters are? I need a dozen. At least! Let me show you what else I picked up for this adorable class. 

As Paige Evan said "I need this paper like YESTERDAY!!" 

These stamps! If I could only order ONE thing for this class it would be

  these STAMPS! Because nothing is better than the right alpha stamp set!

Gold Splatter Rub-ons, need I say more? No, I didn't think so! 

Did you already sign up for the class, what did you pick up!? I can't wait for my supplies to get here and I will make sure to share more when they do! 

go.be.inspired.

Shanna

The Underground, don't let your box ship without....

Did you guys pick up some amazing goodies to go with your Underground kits?! I was out of town for reveal but was looking around tonight and wanted to share a couple goodies I think would work fun with the kits!

Guys. A roll of KRAFT tags with adorble GOLD details and AMY TANGERINE!? 3 of my favorite things = PERFECT addition!

Purple is a hard color to find, and so HOT right now. This is ink is PERFECT for your fall projects!

It's always tea time stamp set. I LOVE 2 set stamps and I have to say Deb made me fall in love with this adorable set, I cant' wait until it arrives!

Deb adorable card - tea time - 

Kings Cross

One of my favorite add-ons this month is still available. I thought this would be one of the first ones to go with those OUT OF THIS WORLD rub-ons, adorable stamp and FUN stickers! I created one of my favorite projects this month using it and can't wait to use the rest!

Alaska 6x12 Project Life Insert

Can't wait to see what you do with these beautiful kits!

go.be.inspired!

Shanna

Underground | The digital shop

It's no secret I love all things hyrbid so the digital shop is one of my favorite things at Studio Calico each month! This month is just so much fun! I decided to base a template off one of my layouts from last month and let me tell you .. I had a BLAST creating it and even more fun using it!

This is the layout I made using the Poet Society Kits

This is the template I made using the layout as inspiration

And here is the layout I made using only digital items from the store! 

I ended up using it for a 6x12 project life insert and it turned out to be the PERFECT intro to my Alaska photos. I like that it is a little sneak of what is to come! A couple of the items I loved using included (but of course not limited to) 

Hello Forever printables, let's face it these are just so much fun and I use them ALL.THE.TIME!

Hello Forever's printables, because.. EPIC!!

All the stamps this month are so much fun but I am pretty sure I am going to OVER USE that stitch stamp, I LOVE it so much. Sooooo let's just make a little deal, like a code word when I go crazy with it mmmkay? How about "Ohana" because family reminds you when you are going CRAZY over STITCH! ;) 

go.be.inspired.

Shanna

Underground Sneaks

It's time for October sneaks and let me tell you the October kits from Studio Calico are the perfect way to kick off fall! They have some fun fall touches while still being super versatile! I wanted to share a couple quick sneaks with you guys today!

If you aren't already signed up for the kits, now is as good of a time as any! The October kits would be the perfect time to kick off your subscription with Studio Calico. 

Have a wonderful day! 

go.be.inspired. 

Shanna

Journaling Bible | Writing in the Margins

It's Friday!!!... And better than that it's Friday of a three day weekend (for some of us)! We have family in town and lots of fun to be had, how about you? I was talking with you the other day about some plans I had for the silkscreen in Whitman. I thought it would be PERFECT for my journaling bible, as it would allow the text to show through while still making a statement on the page! I also love that you can play with color, so I got out my color theory paints and dabbed a little at the top of the silkscreen. From there you simply drag the color across the page (you can use an old gift card, or any straight edge for this).

What I like about this process is that you can CLEARLY see the text below, but the graphic is so catchy! What don't like about this process is now I want a dozen silkscreen from Studio Calico, and this is their first one. So I am going to start a petition for more silkscreen LOL! But for real, I love them so!

This week instead of using sermon notes I took one of my favorite songs from this weeks worship and reflected on it a bit. It has been in my head all week, and I love that it works perfectly in 1 Timothy as it also talks about temptation. The text reads; so teach my song to rise to you when temptation comes my way". Isn't that just beautiful?! I love it. 

Supplies: Unforgettable | Journaling Pen | Whitman | Color Theory | Staz-On | Alcott

To join a community of us journaling in our bibles please join us in our facebook group! 

Over the past couple of weeks a lot of you have reached out and shared how the process of being artistic in your bible has changed you, changed you relationship with God, changed your outlook and I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart, those letters mean the world to me! Some of you have also suggested a book called Writing in the Margins by Lisa Nichols Hickman. Naturally I picked up one for myself as well as one for YOU! This book is PERFECTION. It takes every single thing I have been trying SO hard to put into words right there in black and white (with some doodles!!). The quotes in this book will stop you in your tracks as you think this book was a love letter to you personally, because it is. I got it last night and have already highlighted, dog eared and doodles all over it! I can't wait to share it with you! 

There are several ways to enter to win this book: 

1. Enter a comment with a link to where you shared it on instagram

2. Enter a comment with a link to where you shared it on your personal facebook

3. Enter a comment to where you shared it on your personal blog

*please enter a separate comment for each entry (one entry per social media post)

Winner will be posted on Monday September 1st, good luck! 

go.be.inspired.

Shanna