Scrap the Boys November Challenge!

Hi all! Time for another DT share from me, and this one is for Scrap the Boys. This month's challenge at STB is a fun one (I certainly had plenty of photos for this one!) 

As soon as I saw it, I instantly thought of the TV show "Man Vs Food" and so I came up with this layout featuring a photo of Kaden destroying a cupcake... 

This layout was VERY unlike my usual style, so minimalist and graphic! But I love the result. The papers on this layout came from Studio Calico kits; the flair is from D-lish Scraps; the alphas were some old Bella Chipz I borrowed from my sister's stash; and I also popped on a couple of pieces of Heidi Swapp ephemera.
Fastest. Layout. Ever.
I couldn't believe how it all just fell together. What do you think?

If you haven't entered this month's challenge at Scrap the Boys yet, there is still time! Entries close 30th November, so get scrapping!
X

All I want for Christmas for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi all! Just popping in to share a new layout I created using the Tis the Season collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

The photo in this layout was taken in 2013, when Brielle was 5 and the boys were 18 months. I was doing a mini shoot for our Christmas greeting photo for family and friends. I lost count of how many photos I took that day trying to get everyone to face forward with their hats on. In the end I gave up trying for the "perfect" picture and this was the one we used that year.

I started my layout with the Merry & Bright paper (which is actually the cut apart sheet, but I used the B side) as my base. I then layered this with a piece of the All is Bright paper as my focal point, as I liked the contrast of the stripes against the small spots. Layered on top of this was a vertical strip of the Jingle Bells paper and some of the Merry & Bright cut apart pieces. I also added some machine stitching for subtle texture.

The title block was created using pieces from the cut apart sheet, along with alphabet stickers, a die cut from the ephemera pack, and a wood veneer piece. I also machine stitched over the top of it and then added the word "memories" from the ephemera pack to my photo.

I wanted to maintain a sense of balance with the design of this layout, so I added clusters of similar items to the opposing corners surrounding my photo. Here, you can see how I layered some of the accessory stickers with wood veneer pieces and enamel dots.

I then used similar items (stickers, a die cut and wood veneer pieces) in the opposite corner to balance it out.
I finished the layout simply with a small cluster featuring a scalloped strip from the ephemera pack, a sticker, flair button and a couple of enamel dots.

Thanks for stopping by today and for all those wonderful people who take time to leave me comments, your kind words are very much appreciated!
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Show Us Your Stuff November Challenge!

Hello lovely people! Back again today to share another of my November design team layouts with you. This one is for Show Us Your Stuff and this month's challenge looks like this...

And here is my spin on it...

I found this photo of my kids back when the boys were still rear facing in their carseats, and boy, am I glad I don't have them like that any more. It really was a squeeze getting them all in and out of there! The journal card I used was from the Crate Paper Open Book ephemera pack.

To cover the challenge criteria I used an Amy Tan map paper I had from the Rise & Shine collection as my base, along with some other pieces from the same collection in my layers. I also included a paper doily and some gold glitter cardstock die cut shapes I cut with my Big Shot.

I paired all of this with a flair from D-lish Scraps, some Heidi Swapp wood veneer pieces, Cocoa Vanilla Studio alphas and some cotton thread.

Last of all, I finished it off with a sprinkle of Heidi Swapp black Color Shine.

I am really happy with how this layout turned out, and that it's another everyday moment I managed to capture and document. (Time goes so quickly!)
Thanks for stopping by today, I hope I have inspired you to enter the challenge and put your own spin on the criteria.
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

The Good Stuff - Life is Beautiful for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi all!
Just popping in to share my layout that featured on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog over the weekend using the gorgeous Life Is Beautiful collection.

This layout features a photo of my partner and children that was taken on Fathers Day. (I love that Fathers Day provides me an excuse to get some posed shots of the four of them together - and he isn't allowed to object! hehe)

My aim when creating this layout was to try to achieve the right balance between the prettiness of the collection, whilst still maintaining enough of a masculine edge. In order to do this, I focused on the blue tones using the Heart Song and Blossoms papers, which I complimented with accents of orange.

To add to the masculine feel I was looking for, I decided to incorporate lots of wood veneer, which I layered with Accessory Stickers and pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack in a cascading effect beside my photo. I also included one of the coordinating Flair Buttons.

The title came from the Mixed Bag cut apart paper, and seemed the perfect sentiment to sum up my feelings about this photo. I used stickers and wood veneer pieces to draw the eye to it.

I often like to include embellishments featuring words on my layouts. I use these to provide subtle messages about my thoughts or feelings towards my subject, such as the way I have used the wood veneer pieces pictured below.

Thanks for stopping by today.
If you have used Life Is Beautiful (or any of the other Cocoa Vanilla Studio collections) to document your own moments, remember to share them with us! You can do so via the Facebook page, or on Instagram tag @cocoa_vanilla_studio and / or use the hashtag #cocoavanillastudio
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Off the Rails November Challenge!

Hi friends!

Can you believe it's actually November? I can't!!! Eeeeeeeekkkkk!

Anyway, I am here today sharing my first Design Team share for the month, and this one is for the challenge at Off the Rails.

This month's mood board challenge looks like this...

And here is what I came up with...

{Papers by Jillibean Soup; Glitz Design and Cocoa Vanilla Studio}

This layout was a bit of an experiment for me - quite unlike my usual style which uses lots more paper than this, but I am pleased with how it turned out. (I am also pleased that it used up some scraps I had sitting around.)

It was SO hard being restrained with my embellishments though! I used a combination of Cocoa Vanilla Studio wood veneer pieces and enamel dots; and some Jillibean Soup die cuts, plus my Tim Holtz tiny attacher...

I quite enjoyed this departure from my usual style, and I think I will challenge myself to try it again. (I really did struggle to know when to leave it alone, but in hindsight I am glad I did!) 

Thanks for stopping by today, let me know what you think of this change up in style from me - should I try it again???

I am looking forward to seeing what this challenge inspires from everyone else! You have until the end of the month to link your entries up on the Off the Rails blog.

Til next time, happy scrapping! X