'You're Totally Awesome Man' for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone! Just popping in today to share my latest layout using the Totally Rad collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. This layout features some recent family selfies, and you can see why we often struggle to get that "nice" family photo. That being said though, these photos are probably a more accurate representation of us, and will be funny to look back on in years to come.

'You're Totally Awesome Man'

I used the B-side of the Top Gear paper as my background, and then a piece of the Stellar paper as a mat for my photos and embellishments. You can see that I embellish directly onto a couple of my photos using an acetate star and a piece from the die cut ephemera pack.

I formed my title by using a mix of pieces from the Mix Tape cut apart paper; die cut ephemera pack; and the Bits & Pieces pack. I also used a large star from the wood veneer pack.

Also from the wood veneer pack is the pointing hand - so cool, I think it's my favourite piece of them all! You can also see one of the coordinating flair buttons which I nested on some cotton thread, and a heart from the enamel shapes pack.

I finished with another piece from the Mix Tape cut apart paper, and topped it with my very favourite skull and crossbones Woodie. Then I simply stamped the date and added a few splatters of black mist to complete my layout.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Don't forget if you are headed to the Brisbane Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo June 10-12, to stop by the Cocoa Vanilla Studio stand and say hello! We will have the Totally Rad collection available, along with all your other Cocoa Vanilla favourites and we would love to see you!
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

D-lish Scraps May Projects!

Hi everyone! Just popping in today to share a round-up of all my D-lish Scraps featured projects for the month.

Starting off with this layout of my boys...

"Self Portrait"

This layout features patterned papers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio and embellishments from D-lish Scraps (of course!) I love to combine different patterns and shapes on my boy layouts, and am a sucker for anything woodgrain! It probably goes without saying then, that one of my very favourite embellishments to use on masculine layouts are wood veneers. Wood veneer pieces are extremely versatile, as you can easily alter them with paint or ink; or leave them raw as I have here, to add a touch of natural texture to the page.

Also featured on this layout are phrases cut from Journal It's minifetti sheets; black geo tag shaped paperclip; arrow print washi tape; D-lish Dots enamels; and a flair button from the 'Just My Type' set.

My second project share featured a recent funny photo of my sister and I, on a day she came to visit me wearing pretty much the same outfit...

"Fashion Faux Pas"

This layout was my take on this month's 'Tranquil Pools' Inspiration Board challenge using the coordinating Just Add Paper kit. I sooo loved the colours in this one - I am a big fan of blue and green, especially when they are together! I used the sketch from the board (although I did rotate it around, just to be a little different). I applied aqua and lime mists to my background, and then used the Dusty Attic 'Addition' stencil with some Colour Blast colour paste.

From the JAP kit I used some of the green tissue paper; washi tape; journal pieces; resin flowers; Corbett Creations wood veneer circles (which I coloured white with a paint pen); and one of the flair buttons. I also added one of the gorgeous 6" lace paper doilies from my D-lish stash.

My final project share featured a photo of me again, but this time with my boys when they were 25 days old during our second cuddle together...

"Twin Mummy Cuddle" 

I used a simple, elegant white & gold colour palette for this layout which was the perfect excuse to use the stunning gold foil washi tape I had been saving. (And yes, gold foil is difficult to photograph so I haven't quite presented this layout in all its glory as I would have hoped to.)

Also used on this layout was a white 6" lace paper doily; a gold foil doily; a gold sequin bow; white Forget-Me-Nots; a flair button (from the Defining Words set); and words cut from a Journal It's Minifetti sheet.

The background was created using the Dusty Attic Keyboard Jumble stencil and some Colour Blast colour paste in Bling. I chose this stencil because it represented to me what a jumble of words and emotions I was at this moment.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you have any tips for me for effectively photographing foil on your projects, I would love to hear them!
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Show Us Your Stuff May Challenge!

Hi all!
Just popping in quickly to share my take on the May challenge at Show Us Your Stuff. This month's challenge has been designed by DT member Amanda Hartmann, and looks like this...

And here is what I came up with...

"2 Love"

With a subject like 'Poetry & Hearts' I couldn't go past the opportunity to create a love-filled layout featuring a photo of myself and my partner (from way back in 2005). I used lots of Crate Paper goodies on this one - papers, ephemera, chipboard frame.

I included the poetry by printing a portion of one I liked onto a manila tag, so I could incorporate it into my layers.

As well as patterned papers, you can see that I also included some torn music paper and a lace paper doily from D-lish Scraps. The title was cut with a die using glitter cardstock.

To make sure I had the handmade criteria covered, I included a D-lish Scraps flair (this one was from a Just Add Paper kit) and I also punched some hearts from the same gold glitter cardstock as the title.

I just love using frames and this striped chipboard one from Crate Paper was one of my faves. I topped it with an ombre heart which was from a Crate Paper ephemera pack.
To finish my layout I added some stamping and a few splashes of Heidi Swapp gold Color Shine.

I am really happy with how this one came out, and especially happy that I went back and scrapped this photo that is so special to me. I hope you have this month's Show Us Your Stuff challenge on your list, there is an awesome prize from Charms Creations up for grabs for the lucky winner. Entries close 31st May.
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

'Grow' for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to share my latest layout using the Cocoa Vanilla Studio new Colour Me Happy collection.
This layout features a photo of one of my twin boys (Hunter) when he was aged just 6 days old and still weighed under 1kg (2lbs). It was taken during a rare moment when he had no breathing gear on and I was watching a nurse change his tiny nappy (and was wondering how I would touch him without breaking him!) Looking back on photos like these makes me reflect on just how far he and his brother have come since those scary days, so I wanted to scrap a layout he can look at in the future and see that for himself.

(from little things, big things)

'Grow'

I used the Leaf Litter paper as my background because I wanted to convey the theme of growth. So I pulled out my Faber-Castell gelatos and set about giving it a customised watercolour makeover. I didn't aim for perfection with my painting, as I knew some imperfection would provide a good contrast to the cut files I also planned to use.

I used more than one shade of green to help give the background depth, and applied the colour using a water brush. I love the result!

I used some of the green from the B-side of the Leaf Litter paper to mat my photo, and then used a larger mat of white cardstock to help separate the photo further from the background. I also used some of the Snip-Its phrase strips adhered directly onto my photo.

This was my first time ever using cut files and I was thrilled with the result! I used one of the leafy branch cut files several times and one of the flowers as well. I backed the flowers with a small amount of pink paper from the B-side of the Paisley Patch paper to add a small pop of complimentary colour to the page. I added a few Blooms from the neutrals pack, which I topped with Enamel Dots from the warm pack.

Finally I added my title, using the grey spot Alphabet Stickers from the Free Spirit collection and the tiny pink butterfly sticker (also from Free Spirit).

I am thrilled with the result of this page, and I especially love the fact that my paper is completely unique because I hand-painted it myself! If you are a fan of colouring in or painting, I highly recommend you grab some of the papers from this collection! So. Much. Fun.
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Scrap the Boys May challenge!

Hi everyone!
Well here we are into May (already?!) which means it's time to share with you again. First up, is my design team layout for this month's Scrap the Boys challenge.
This time it's a sketch challenge that looks like this...

And here is my take on it...

You probably noticed I rotated the sketch onto its side for this layout (but otherwise I did pretty well sticking to it - for a change!) I used one of my favourite EVER collections for this layout - Made of Awesome by Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I have to admit, I am a little sad that I am down to the last few shreds of this collection in my stash, it is such a great one for boys! (And more specifically, my boys - who are getting a lot easier to photograph these days.)

Besides the ultra cool papers from this range , I also used some die cut ephemera pieces; vellum stars; one of the resin little stars; and some wood veneer. 

More wood veneer (although I have to admit that a couple of the pieces are actually from the Hello Lovely collection); and one of the Made of Awesome coordinating flair buttons.

As a final touch for this layout, I added some stamping and some splatters of black mist. (Splatters make everything better don't they? haha)

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope I have inspired you to join in this month's challenge. You have until 31st May to link your entry up via the Scrap the Boys blog to be in the running for prizes from A2Z Scraplets and from the lovely Tarrah McLean!

Make sure you visit the STB reveal post HERE to see what the rest of the team designed this month. You will also find a link to all of our Instagram accounts so you can find us there too.
Til next time, happy scrapping! X