Happy New Year!

How's that for a prize package?! Studio Calico, a monthly scrapbooking kit club, is generously offering their January Add-On kit (pictured above) for the winner of this challenge! It's valued at $41 and the creative opportunities are endless...just take a look at this fabulous example of a mini album by April Foster of Studio Calico;


Committed to inspiring creativity, Studio Calico features the work of noteworthy designers, provides online support and encouragement, and offers products that are both fun and innovative. SC is dedicated to design and an old-fashioned commitment to customer care.

Each month, Studio Calico combines the latest scrapbooking products with unique finds from a variety of sources while staying true to the basics. You'll find kits filled with products from a variety of manufacturers, coordinated for ease-of-use by both the advanced and novice scrapbooker.

Monthly Kits Include:

neutral + colored cardstock
patterned papers from multiple manufacturers
at least one alphabet
journaling aid(s)
variety of embellishments which may include vintage items, stamps, ribbon, chipboard, and more!

Studio Calico also offers add-on kits to supplement the main kit, or to stand alone. Whether it's a main kit or add-on, Studio Calico is devoted to providing the resources to help members put innovative products to use.

So...what is your challenge? You are challenged to create a card based on a terrific card sketch by the talented Becky Fleck of PageMaps;


We found this sketch to be very versatile and easy to use! Before we get to the Guest Designer and Crew cards, we have a spotlight for you! We were able to rope the wonderfully talented Davinie Fiero into answering some nosey questions and providing her interpretation of the sketch;

How did you get started in paper crafting?
When my daughter was almost a year old, my sister dragged me to a CKC Convention in Portland. After I saw the wall of Basic Grey goodness, you remember, the Sweet Pea's, Motifica, Sublime, Lollipop Shoppe, Black Tie, etc., I bought it ALL and was hooked ever since.

What is your favorite item to make and why?
I don't really have a favorite. But I can say that when I go to bed after making a layout that I love, I look forward to waking up in the morning and looking at it again, just to make sure I still love it, lol.

What is on your craft table right now?
My craft table is such a MESS right now. But I always have my Basic Grey cutting mat, my Fiskars Desktop rotary trimmer, my Cutter Bee's, and my tackle box of DMC floss wherever I go.

What do you see as trends in card making for 2009?
I love that hand stitching is finally everywhere! It is one of my favorite things to do! I love how homespun everything is lately. I also see stamping making a big statement.

What do you do with all of the cards you create?
I try to give them away when I can. My main goal for cardmaking is the creative outlet though. I love the small space and the endless possibilities.

What are some of your scrappy goals for 2009?
I would LOVE to have all of my layouts organized and in the appropriate order in my books. I have just purchased my wedding negatives from our photographer, after 8+ years of marriage, and I would LOVE to finally make a wedding album. I think it's been long enough.

What advice do you have for new card makers?
Start small. Start with a sketch. Don't try to do too many techniques. Just trim your card base and go from there.

And..........here's Davinie's challenge card!



Now show us what you can do! Upload your sketch interpretation to the Caardvarks Flickr Gallery by January 17th at Midnight, tag it with "calico", and feel free to leave a comment on this post. For further details on how to upload your card to our Gallery, click here. We have several Guest Designers lined up for this one...brace yourself, lots of eye candy to follow!


By Hilde



By Lauren



By Stephanie



By Jen



By Tanis



By Stef



By Jolene



By Marley



By Jami



By Heidi



By Gina




By Natalie



By Laura



By Nathalia