Emily Branch Designs | Branch Out.: 2013

Seasons Givings Blog Hop

Welcome to the second annual Season's Givings Blog Hop. This hop was created to thank the readers and supporters of our blogs. You guys are amazing, and help make blogging so wonderful because we can share our love of crafting with you! As a thank you, each blog will be hosting a giveaway, so there are plenty of ways for you to win lots of goodies to start off the paper crafting year with!

Today, I wanted to share some of my favorite cards from the past year.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Now's your turn to win something! I am giving away a collection of goodies from Crate Paper's Party Day collection. For your chance to win, leave a comment by Monday, January 6th 11:59pm PST telling me what your 2014 paper crafting goal is. I'll pick a winner and post them here after, so make sure to check back.

For additional chances to win follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter, and let me know in the comment section below.

Make sure to visit all the wonderful blogs on today's hop, they're are so many talented ladies participating today!

Lawn Fawn

Reverse Confetti

My Favorite Things Stamps

CAS-ual Friday Stamps

Fresh Squeezed Stamps

Julee Tillman: Verve Stamps

Avocado Arts Stamps

A Jillian Vance Design

Amber Hight

Alice Wertz

Lori McAree

Amy Tsuruta

Beth Pingry

Angie Blom

Lori Tecler

Kim Kesti

AJ Otto

Kim Jackson

Linda Lucas

Sarah Gough

Dina Kowal

Lisa Henke

Mary Dawn Quirindongo

Darsie Bruno

Jody Morrow

Lee Murphy

Lisa Arana

Isha Gupta

Bunny Vance

Last Call Sale

Studio Calico's Last Call sale is going on NOW!! This is a great chance for you to get all those fabulous stamps, paper, veneers and other goodies (from class kits too!) on sale that you may have missed earlier! Stop by now because the products will run out fast, and once they're gone, they're gone forever! The sale is huge!!!

Look at this cute card I made with the Photo Booth stamp set that's on sale right now!

Copper Mountain Card Kits from Studio Calico Reveal

Studio Calico's January kits are debuting, and they're super fabulous! I really enjoyed the fun prints and bright colors this month. I was lucky enough to work with the main card kit, Copper Mountain and the add on for this month's card, Spaulding Bowl.

For my first card, I used Copper Mountain. I layered a patterned paper block on a cardstock base from the More Colors which you can purchase separately at Studio Calico. I then added some patterned paper scraps from the Copper Mountain kit, where I punched a heart shape from the Listed paper, and a decorative border punched edge on the No Girls allowed patterned paper.

For the embellishment details I scrunched the May Arts wire ribbon and added it to the center of the card. I love wire ribbon because it holds its shape super well. I adhered some star buttons from the Copper Mountain main kit, tying some gold thread through the button hole. Then, I created a little banner from patterned paper and added a jawbreaker embellishment to the top of a stick pin threaded through the banner. Finally, I added a stamped sentiment using the set from the Copper Mountain kit.

For my next card, I used a cardstock base from the More Colors cardstock add-on. I layer a patterned paper block on the card base, that has the negative cutout of a star, with a little starburst circle tucked into the opening. Some loosely stapled thread softens up the top of the card.

The hi plastic cameo adds some dimension to a notched paper strip, and a punched star is softened up by a layered vellum star. I love the gold embroidery floss that comes in the Copper Mountain kit, add's just the right amount of sparkle to any card.

Next up, I had a lot of fun playing with this month's card add-on kit; Spaulding Bowl. I trimmed some ombre washi tape and adhered it to a Solar White card base from More Colors add-on. I left an opening in the washi tape for the fun belated birthday stamp sentiment.

After stamping the sentiment, I stamped a photo corner image from the stamp set included with this kit (I just love photo corners) to frame one one side of the sentiment, and then punched a photo corner shape from the patterned paper found in the Spaulding Bowl kit to frame the other side of the sentiment. I adhered the photo corner to a folded ribbon trim and affixed the pretty little pastel enamels to the card.

I'm not going to lie, this card is my favorite I love how the yellow in the patterned paper works so nicely with the bright blue ribbon and cute little stamps! I used a combination of materials from the main kit, Copper Mountain and the add-on, Spaulding Bowl to make this card.

I stitched strips of patterned paper from the Spaulding Bowl add-on to a Solar White card base and stamped a cute confetti looking images from the Copper Mountain kit around a sentiment from the Spaulding Bowl add-on.

For my last card, I again combined materials from this month's card kits. I added a strip of patterned paper from the Spaulding Bowl add-on to the edge of the card base to create a bound book "look," To add some dimension I used some May Arts wire ribbon from the Copper Mountain kit and adhered some green ribbon trim, finishing it off with a little paper clip.

I stamped the cute books on a yellow card base from the More Colors cardstock add-on, Both the books and sentiment are from the Spaulding Bowl add-on kit. I trimmed some library book cards from patterned paper found in the Spaulding Bowl add-on kit, and stamped a photo corner image.

Kits go live at noon (EST), but if you're not a current subscriber you'll be able to purchase Copper Mountain and Spaulding Bowl at midnite (EST) tonight!

Introducing Wanderlust from Studio Calico--CHA Winter 2014

Have you seen one of the new winter collections from Studio Calico? I can't wait!! Luck at all these goodies-lover the florals mixed with that weathered wood!

Even though there are a lot of patterns, they work beautifully together!

Some fun embellishments….these bows are too cute!

I can't wait for these letter stickers, since my supply is running dangerously low!

I am such a sucker for these photo corners, wood veneers and those little buttons are so adorable.

Make sure to check out the blog for even more amazing goodies from this collection!

Copper Mountain Sneaks

The newest kit from Studio Calico; Copper Mountain will be available in a few short days, but I wanted to share some sneak peaks of some cards that I've made with the kit!

This card features product found only in the Copper Mountain main card kit

Whereas, these two cards both feature products from the add-on kit! There are some lovely muted pastels in the add-on that soften up winter so nicely!

Hope you join us for the whole reveal on the 27th of this month! And, don't forget the special grab bag gifts for new kit subscribers! Find out more info, and get the promo code for the gifts here

Free Studio Calico Stamp Grab Bag with a Six Month Subscription!

Looking for holiday crafting deals of the season? Well, then look no further. Studio Calico is currently running a new subscriber promo! Sign up for a six month subscription and get a free stamp grab bag with the following promo codes. One code per kit. Offer expires 12/26/13!

Scrapbook Kit: SBSTAMPGRAB

Card Kit: CARDSTAMPGRAB

Project Life Kit: PLSTAMPGRAB

A Giveway from Studio Calico and a Great Deal!

Have you seen the awesome giveaway that's going on at blog on Studio Calico? It's amazing--12 days of giveaways!! Each day for twelve days, starting on December 13th, check the blog at 12pm EST to see the new item that they're giving away!! You'll have 24 hours from the time the prize is posted to comment on the post

Here's today's prize

For day four, there is a gorgeous signed canvas from Lindsay Letters. One lucky winner will receive her choice of canvas value up to $75. Just leave a comment to be entered to win! But, that's not all--Lindsay is also extending a discount to all Studio Calico blog readers. Just use the code MERRYCALICO when checking out at Lindsayletters.com for 20% off-offer is valid until 12/31/13.

Exciting Crafty News

Maybe you've already guessed that I like patterned paper and embellishments, or that I love working with product from Studio Calico, but I'd like to officially announce that I have been asked to join their Creative Team for 2014, and I couldn't be more EXCITED!!! I am a major fan of Studio Calico's design aesthetic, attention to detail and quality product, and this has been a dream of mine, that I never imagined would come true! I'll be on the card team designing with another AMAZING women, and I hope to inspire you with fresh and new ideas, while sharing my love of crafting!

Make sure to visit the Studio Calico blog for the official announcement, and make sure to visit the blogs of all these talented ladies.

Guest Designing for The Card Kitchen-Day Four

Hey friends!! Thanks so much for joining me all week as I share the cards I created guest designing with the The Card Kitchen's December kit. If you missed any of my posts from this week, just click below for inspiration.

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Now, onto today's final cards from this fantabulous kit that comes with enough patterned paper, pre-folded cards, envelopes, embellishments, trims and stamps to make eight cards!!

I love that you get two each of four cardstock bases. This kit came with cream, green, yellow and this great kraft cardstock. I knew I wanted to use some bright patterns and some gingham ribbon, and I think they look striking on the neutral kraft background.

I "strung" the tags on a star stick pin and then stapled it to the card. To complete the look, I added some left over sparkle gems and the sentiment miss you. A cute little decorative edge border at the bottom of the card was made by simply punching the bottom edge, and placing a strip of patterned paper at the bottom.

My final cards takes advantage of all the fun and happy colors in this kit. The yellows warm up the turquouise, green and navy blue stickers and die cuts in this card.

I added a simple XO scalloped die cut to the center with some hearts and even a little bit of string to soften up the layered elements.

Thank you so much for joining me while I shared my creations. I had such a blast designing with the kit. There are so many creative goodies in this month's kit, and the The Card Kitchen Kit club provides amazing inspiration. Thanks to Kimber McGray for having me this month!!

materials: The Card Kitchen December Kit

Guest Designing for The Card Kitchen-Day Three

Hey there friends!! I am so happy that you're back! I am guest designing all this week for The Card Kitchen kit club. If this is your first day here, make sure to check out my first two posts for inspiration here and here. The Card Kitchen kit club offers amazing kits full of enough patterned paper, pre-folded cards, envelopes, embellishments, trims and stamps to make eight cards!!

For this card, I wanted a simple overall design, but still wanted the layered look to shine through. I started by tying some of the sheer trim at knots on the end and then combined some die cut circle shapes, tags and scalloped circle stickers

These cute mini paper clips come in the kit and are perfect for attaching the die cuts to the tag and ribbon.

For this card, I used used the cute little craft envelope with coordinating tag, and that fabulous ribbon banner die cut! I liked the combination of sentiments because it's exactly what I would say when receiving a particularly adorable gift!

You can pull the tag out and there are some stamped hearts on it. For a fun added surprise, write a little note on the back of the tag and tuck it inside!

Make sure to stop by again tomorrow for one installment of my guest post with the The Card Kitchen kit club.

materials: The Card Kitchen December Kit

Guest Designing for The Card Kitchen-Day Two

Welcome back to day two of my guest designer posts with The Card Kitchen. If you missed yesterday's post, I shared two cards using the December Card Kit that's available here, and today I will be sharing two more. Make sure to stop by tomorrow and Thursday as well for more card inspiration. You're going to love this kit, the colors are so fabulous and the embellishments and stickers are superb.

I love natural kraft card bases; they make embellishments POP so nicely! I used the notched patterned paper sticker as a base for the Hello die cut, which I popped up with some foam tape, and added a little garland leaf swag on each side.

This kit comes with some beautiful white vintage buttons, which I threaded with the green thread that's part of the kit to add some fun texture. I finished the card off with a little thread at the top, letting it hang down a little.

For my second card, I used the adorable stamp set that comes in the kit. It has some great images and sentiments that work perfectly with the patterned paper. I used the string of lights and sentiment from the sentiment and embellished the card with stars and a heart die cut.

The sparkly little jewels that are part of this kit add the perfect little touch to the string of lights! I couldn't resist adding them on!

Make sure to stop by again tomorrow for the third installment of my cards, and don't forget to check out The Card Kitchen blog.

materials: The Card Kitchen December Kit

Guest Designing for the The Card Kitchen Day One

Happy December, I can't believe it's already here! This year flew by so fast and now Christmas is quickly approaching!! Ive gotten all my Christmas cards ordered (and their just waiting to be addressed), and half my shopping list is done and wrapped. Even though Christmas is approaching, it's nice to do some non-Christmas activities, like creating cards for The Card Kitchen using their fabulous December kit. For four days straight, I'll be sharing two cards a day, showing you a ton of fun ways to create a variety of cards using just one kit. The kits are AWE-MAZING! They come with everything you need to make eight cards, with coordinating envelopes. 12" x 12" patterned paper and great embellishments. So, here we go with my first two cards.

For my first card, I wanted to play with a lot of patterns, but not overwhelm the card with too much visual interest. So, I decided to loosely weave some patterned paper strips, and anchored the sentiment with a polaroid die cut from the kit and the "celebrate" sticker.

I notched and trimmed the edges of the strips with various punches and peaking sheers to soften the straight lines and draw the viewers eye to the weaved paper. I finished the card with a little machine-stitching.

For my next card, I was inspired by the bright and festive yellow card base. I wanted to use colors that contrasted well, so I added a few strips of mainly gray patterned paper and highlights of rich blues in the ribbon and flowers.

I machine stitched a line of thread and let it hang a little over the sides, and then layered a fun folded ribbon treatment under some floral and geometric die cuts. I adore the sentiment stickers too--I think I used them on each card, they're the perfect touch!

Hope to see you tomorrow when I share two more fun cards using this month's kit from The Card Kitchen.

materials: The Card Kitchen December Kit