Push Yourself | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone! Well here we are..."it's the final countdown" (I hope you sang that in your head like I did!) I hope this finds you all well and not too frantic in the final Christmas countdown. (With 3 young kids in our house, it's fairly safe to say the level of excitement here is currently sitting around DEFCON 2! haha)

Anyway, I am here today to share another of my Flutterby Designs creations with you. Today's layout was inspired by my current journey of getting myself in better shape. After having spent so much of my time and energy looking after everyone around me in recent years, I was coming a very poor last. So I have changed my eating habits and am getting my lazy ass moving again. It's very true when they say that the hardest part is starting. But I am finding it is also difficult to maintain the momentum some days, especially doing it all on my own. I created this page so that I can display it to remind me to keep going every day.

After prepping my cardstock with some of the new Colour Blast heavy gesso, I created a background using a combination of Colour Blast Colour Sprays and stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. I wanted to stick with neutral tones (much like my shoes pictured), that would allow some bright colours to pop from it. I then added texture using some Colour Blast Colour Paste and one of my Flutterby mini stencils, then flicked some white Flutter Colour paint over the top.

I used the No Excuses collection for this layout. The Everyday Etc card I chose to use for the push yourself title and the no one is going to do to it for you quote both really struck a chord with me as I tell myself this every day. I used some of the coordinating filler cards which I cut into pieces and layered together as a mat for my photo.

I highlighted my photo by adding a white cord frame on top of it, then used a few wood veneer circles (colored black) to help echo the circular theme. I also coloured the everyday wood veneer black to match.

Some messy cotton thread helped add some subtle texture; whilst the neon enamel dots added a few extra pops of coordinating colour and tied in with the other circular elements. A few well chosen white tiny sticky quotes placed around my page helped to reinforce my theme as well.

And what Flutterby creation of mine would be complete without a flair button? This be your own hero one, from set #410 which coordinates with the No Excuses range, was just perfect!

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. If you are making new year resolutions to get in shape, then make sure you put the No Excuses collection on your list to document your progress!

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and happy new year. I will be back again to share lots of my Flutterby creations in 2017.
Til then, happy scrapping! X

Lazy Sundays | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to share another layout using the Endless Summer collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. This collection is so perfect for documenting all those summer memories. My layout today features a recent photo of one of my boys that was taken as we enjoyed a BBQ by the beach on a Sunday afternoon. (Don't you love those lazy Sundays?)

I started with the super cute Blue Skies paper as my base, which I used to create a frame by adhering a smaller square of white cardstock on top of it. I then added some watercolour paint, as well as some subtle stamping using one of my fave Viva Las VegaStamps, where I knew the main focal area of my layout was going to be.

Next, I added a piece of the Coastal Chill paper, which I simply tore into a rough water drop shape (we were at the beach), rather than using a straight edge or geometric shape. I also cut some of the Aloha Sunshine paper as a mat for my photo, which I layered with a paper doily and then placed on top. I then fussy cut a few flowers from the Aloha Sunshine paper, which I tucked in under some of the edges of my torn piece. (There is always room for a few flowers on a boy layout!)

I really wanted to convey the theme of my page (and the memory) with my title, so I chose to use a longer, descriptive title. I used a mixture of tiny alphas (from a previous collection), ephemera pieces, alpha stickers, a word from the This & That cut apart paper and a puffy sticker to form "gotta love awesome lazy sundays".

To embellish my layout, I used a mixture of ephemera pieces, several woodies, and puffy stickers. I layered the elements using foam tape and by placing them on top of each other to provide extra dimension. I used a mix of warm and cool tones in my embellishments, to echo the presence of the both the warm and cool tones in my photo. (You can see how I clustered the warm and cool mostly together though, to help maintain visual balance.) I also added some white cotton thread for subtle texture.

Thanks for stopping by today. Don't forget the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 2017 design team call is now open, you can find all the details HERE

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Mad About Harry | White with 1 December Challenge

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to share my take on this month's White with 1 challenge. (So happy I found time to play along.) I couldn't resist this month's challenge which was White with Green Flash. I love working with green, so this one was right up my alley!

Here is my layout...

"Mad About Harry"

I created the mixed media background for this layout using a combination of two greens - a Dylusions spray and a Colour Blast Colour Spray. I then added some stamping using some of my Viva Las VegaStamps and splattered some Flutterby Designs white Flutter Colour Paint over the top.

Next, I added some layers of texture where I knew my photos were going to be placed - tissue paper; gauze, punchinella, cord and cotton. 

The gorgeous green star is from Charms Creations and the foiled flair button is from Flutterby Designs.

Into my layers I also added a wood veneer frame (that I coloured black and cut into two pieces). Around my layout I scattered some green sequins  and small wood veneer stars (also coloured black) - these were all from D-lish Scraps.

I used some Cocoa Vanilla Studio alphas and a sharpie for my title.

I had been saving this stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps for a layout like this! ;)

Look at all that delicious texture!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope you like my take on this challenge. If you want to join in with this month's White with 1 challenge too, you will find details on their blog HERE.

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Together | Show Us Your Stuff December Challenge

Hi everyone!
Time for another design team share from me, this time for Show Us Your Stuff. Sadly, after 3 years of being with SUYS, the time has come for me to step down, so this will be my last project for this team. I have had a fabulous few years with this challenge, and have made so many friends from my time there. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, so I am hoping my take on this month's challenge ends my time with a bang.

This month, the challenge is to use the following sketch + the word together. (I rotated the sketch for my layout.)

"Together"

I love this group photo from 80's night at scrap retreat (we only just managed to pull ourselves together and stop laughing to get this shot!)

I couldn't deny the presence of the bright, fluro colours in the photo, so decided to base my background on them. I started by swiping some pink and orange Dylusions paints across my cardstock, which picked up the pink and orange in the photo beautifully. I then drizzled some aqua Flutter Colour paint randomly over the top.

Once all my paint was dry, I grabbed for some awesome rubber stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. These added depth, as well as some humour and character into my page. Next, I added some small torn pieces of washi tape.

Once I was happy with my background, I started to build some layers where I wanted my photo to go. I used strips cut from Everyday Etc cards from Flutterby Designs to form my layered photo mat, and I also used a quote cut from one of them as a secondary focal point of my page.

On top of the layered paper strips, I added some wood veneer stars (coloured black) and hand-dyed muslin (both from D-lish Scraps); and coloured thread for texture before adding my photo. Next, I added a flair button, purple snippet strips and some heart stickers (all from Flutterby Designs).

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by. I hope you pop this challenge on your To Do List this month - there is an awesome prize up for grabs! I will be back again soon with another creation to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Shine Bright | Creative Scrappers - Creating with Sketches Vol 4 (& GIVEAWAY!)

Hi everyone!
I was absolutely thrilled recently be part of the brand new Creative Scrappers 'Creating with Sketches' Vol 4 book compiled by the lovely Kristine Davidson.
Kristine's sketches are already well known through her operation of the Creative Scrappers sketch challenge site, but she also releases books filled with her awesome sketches and sample layouts from scrappers around the world. (You can imagine how excited I was that little ole me had the chance to take part alongside many of the scrappers whose work I love!)

*SEE BOTTOM OF POST FOR GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

Here is my layout...

I used the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Free Spirit collection for this layout and a super cute photo of my kids with my niece and nephew. I decided to keep my layout relatively "clean" so that my use of the sketch could easily be seen. (I am often known to wander completely off track from sketches! haha)

Here are some close-ups...

If you would like to get your hands on your own copy Creating with Sketches Vol 4 (or any of the previous versions) you can head here to purchase it: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CreativeScrappers

GIVEAWAY - If you would like the chance to WIN your own digital copy then head over to my Instagram account HERE as I have a copy up for grabs! (Winner announced Friday 16th December.)

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Hello Lover | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone! Just popping in to share my latest layout using the 'Mad About You' collection from Flutterby Designs. This layout features an "incognito" photo of me that was taken on a scrap retreat earlier in the year. Being dressed up as a man gave me the perfect opportunity to act the part, and there was no shortage of ladies there who were willing to play along too! ("So many hot chicks" became my catch phrase for the night.)

"Hello Lover"

I started this layout by creating my background by swiping a black ink pad roughly across some white cardstock. Once the ink was dry, I added the doodled border along two sides of the page using a black sharpie pen, and some doodled hearts using my heart mini stencil and a coloured sharpie. Next, I added some pink and black Colour Blast Colour Spray splatters and finally, I drizzled some white Flutter Colour Paint over the top.

I used Everyday Etc filler cards from the range to mat my photo, and then fussy cut my title from another 'Mad About You' Everyday Etc card. I also used a card to cut the large and smaller striped hearts. Next to my title, I placed one of the coordinating flair buttons (from 'Mad About You' set 1), which I nested on some pink thread.

On top of the large heart I had cut, I placed the wood veneer people (coloured black with a Posca pen), which I layered with some white thread. I also added some faux stitching around the edge of the heart using my sharpie. Tucked in behind my photo was a page tab (from the 'Partners in Crime' collection).

I embellished directly onto the corner of my photo using a couple of pieces from the 'Mad About You' Die Cut Bits & Bobs pack. Along the bottom edge of the photo, I placed the peas and carrots quote sticker from the 'Mad About You' Sticky Quotes sheet.

To finish off my layout I added a bit of extra stamping using roller phrase stamps and a date stamp; then some scattered pink and black sequins around the page. They were the perfect finishing touch for my fun page!

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I will be back again in a couple of weeks with another project to share. Until then, good luck with your Christmas preparations and happy scrapping! X

Love | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to share another layout I created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the Endless Summer collection. This time, I wanted to tackle the collection without scrapping anything with a summer or beach theme. Instead I chose a photo of my daughter and my partner that was taken recently at a wedding, and decided to stick with using only the warm tones from the collection.

"Love"

I started with the reverse side of the Aloha Sunshine paper for my background. It has large white polka dots against a very light coloured background, which give an awesome bokeh-like effect to the page. I then added some watercolour paint and some stamping using a hibiscus flower stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps to give the page a little more depth in my focal areas. (I can't believe how perfect the stamp was to use with this collection!)

Next, I created a mat for my photos using pieces of the This & That and Sunbleached papers, which I layered with a paper doily, some fussy cut flowers from the Aloha Sunshine paper, and pieces from the die cut ephemera pack.

I built the layers around my photo further by also adding the oh happy day puffy sticker, a couple of Woodies, more die cut ephemera pieces and some enamel shapes.

To finish my layout, I added the love word and an arrow from the die cut ephemera pack directly onto my photo.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. The Endless Summer collection is available now from retailers and also directly from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio store. It's such a beautiful collection to work with, I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
Until then, happy scrapping! X

Christmas Day Memories | Scrap the Boys December Challenge

Hi everyone! Can you believe it's DECEMBER already? I know I can't. This year just seems to have whizzed past in the blink of an eye. I think it's finally safe to bring out the "C" word, given that Christmas is now only weeks away. (And no, I am not ready for it!)

I am kicking off today with my first design team layout for the month, which is a mood board challenge for Scrap the Boys...

Here is my take on it...

"Christmas Day Memories"

I chose to scrap these two photos of my boys from their first Christmas. They were sitting up in their new Bumbos for the first time and watching their sister open her presents - it was so cute! I used the 'Tis the Season' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, which made it super easy to coordinate everything.

Here are some close-ups...

If you love to scrap boy layouts (or even if you are someone who needs a bit of a push), make sure you put this month's Scrap the Boys challenge on your list!
To see what the rest of the design team has come up with for this challenge, and for all the prize details, head over to the Scrap the Boys blog.

I will be back soon with another project to share with you. Until then, happy scrapping! X

F*ck You Rock | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to sharing my latest project for Flutterby Designs. The layout I have to share with you today features a photo of my sister and I that was taken during 80's theme night at the Scrap & Chat retreat we attended earlier in the year. SO. MUCH. FUN. (With thanks to our talented photographer my darling friend Ant for this shot!)

And, as you may have guessed from my post title, this one features my favourite "sentence enhancer", so if you aren't a fan of a little sweariness, then I suggest you look away now! ;)

"F*ck You Rock"

As you can see, I went the mixed media route on this one. To create my background I started by adding blue mist to my cardstock using a waterbrush; then I stamped with some of my fave stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps; and then added some gold mist splatters. On top of all that, I drizzled some white Flutter Colour paint to add extra texture and some doodled stars using the star mini stencil.

Next, I added an Everyday Etc card where I wanted my photo to go (the one I used was from the Super Cool set); on top of that I added some frayed gauze before adding my photo, which I mounted up using some cardboard.

I used a combination of two wood veneer pieces to form my title, along with one of the white tiny sticky quotes. I also used a page tab tucked in behind my photo.

Alongside my photo I added a flair button (from set #389), which I nested on some messy black thread. I also added the you + me die cut from the Mad About You die cut bits and bobs set and a few more tiny sticky quotes.

To finish off my page, I added some of the Confetti Circles wood veneers scattered around my page and my handwritten journaling.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you aren't already a member of the Flutterby Inspiration HQ group on Facebook, (or you are and just haven't shared anything), what are you waiting for? Come on down!
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Chill Out | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to share another Endless Summer layout with you all. I am so in love with this collection with its soft tones, pretty patterns and super cute embellishments.
I decided to use this photo I took recently of my miss during an afternoon at the beach. (Being the little nerd she is, she had decided to sit herself in a tree and write rather than run around madly with her brothers.)

"Chill Out"

With her perched in a tree, I really couldn't go past the gorgeous woodgrain print side of the Sweet Treats paper for my background. I then used pieces of the Blue Skies and Sunbleached and papers to form a layered mat for my photo.

In my first embellishment cluster I used a combination of die cut ephemera pieces, a flair button, a small woodie, small wood veneer arrow and one of the beautiful blooms. I also popped in some messy cotton thread for some subtle texture. You can also see above a small wood veneer heart which I anchored to the main part of th layout with some hand stitching.

I also added a paper doily to my paper layers under my photo to soften all the straight lines, and a few hand stitched crosses for a little extra visual interest.

Beside and below my photo, I added more layered embellishments. To tie in with the previous cluster I repeated the used of ephemera, blooms, wood veneer, woodies and thread. I also used the chill out piece which was from the cut apart This & That paper as my title.

The Endless Summer collection is now available from select retailers (you can check the stockists page to find your nearest one), or alternatively, it is also available direct from the Cocoa Vanilla store.
Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you.
Until next time, happy scrapping! X