Love Every Minute Together | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!
I am popping in today to share my very first layout using the new Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I am IN LOVE with this collection, it really is even more stunning in person than it appears in photographs! The whole collection boasts such beautiful tones, and add to that the floral and watercolour elements, plus a heap of gorgeous butterflies...let's just say making the first cut into any of it was hard! ;)

I DID manage to cut into it though, and I paired it with a couple of selfies I took of my daughter and I together recently just before we went to the theatre.

The most difficult part of using any new collection is knowing where to start - there are just so many beautiful things to choose from! I started with the papers I wanted to use for my background. I chose the Double Dot paper and used the B-side for my base sheet. I then used the beautiful blue watercolour side of the Mariposa paper and I tore it (yes - tore!), so I could layer a piece over the top. Along the top edge of this piece, I used one of my border punches to punch out a contrasting decorative strip from the B-side of the Luscious paper.

I used two frames from the new chipboard frames pack to frame the photos I wanted to use and set them aside. I then created a layered mat to mount them on using more of the Luscious paper, along with some of the navy floral vellum sheet and a paper doily from my stash.

I added some fussy-cut floral pieces from the Luscious paper that I used around my page. I nested one of the coordinating flair buttons on top of one of them, along with some messy cotton thread for texture. Along the edge of my decorative strip I added a couple of stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet.

For my title "love every minute together", I used two pieces from the cut apart Fussy Cuts paper. I also cut the large butterfly from the same sheet. (I love the butterflies in this collection SO much!)

In the bottom corner of my layout I added a few phrase stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet; another butterfly (this one is from the Die Cut Ephemera pack); some more cotton thread and a few Sparkles glitter enamel dots.

To finish off my layout I stamped the date and added a few splatters of navy mist.
Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I will be back soon with another project for you.
Until then, happy scrapping! X

One Spoilt Cat | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone!
Just popping in today to share another layout featuring the brand new 'Fur-ever Friends' collection from Flutterby Designs (and my kitty!) As with all Flutterby collections, I love the bright, fun colours in this one; which makes it perfect for creating layouts about those furry or feathered members of the family.

I started this page by adding some subtle texture and colour to my newsprint patterned paper (which is from Cocoa Vanilla Studio). I used the new Flutterby Bubble O'Fun stencil to first add some texture paste to random areas of my paper, then used a few drops of Flutter Colour paint added to some water to add some light colour to the textured areas. I then drizzled white Flutter Colour paint over the top.

I created a mat for my photo by layering together several of the Fur-ever Friends Filler Cards; and then fussy cut the spoilt cat portion of my title from one of the Fur-ever Friends Everyday Etc Cards. The remainder of my title was created using some die cut pieces from the Mad About You Die Cut Bits & Bobs pack; some printed words; Cocoa Vanilla Studio alphabet stickers and a word sticker from the Fur-ever Friends Sticky Quotes sheet. (The cute little cat is from the Sticky Quotes sheet as well.) Tucked in amongst the layers under my photo was also a spoilt page tab from the Fur-ever Friends Page Tabs.

Underneath my photo I layered one of the new Fur-ever Friends wood veneer frames, along with some messy black cotton thread. I then added a flair button from the Fur-ever Friends - Cat set directly onto my photo and popped one of the black Tiny Sticky Quotes beneath my photo.

To tie in with the wood veneer frame I had used, I also added some wood veneer small hearts around my page. The small embellishment cluster at the bottom of my page included one; along with a die cut from the Fur-ever Friends Die Cut Bits & Bobs pack and another black Tiny Sticky Quote.

To finish my page, I added some stamping; black mist splatters and a quick line of journaling.

If you haven't got your hands on any of the newest products yet, make sure you head over to the Flutterby Designs store HERE and check out the new range! (Check out the Fur-ever Friends kit that includes some kit exclusives too!)
I will be back soon with another project to share with you. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Yum | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!
Popping in today to share the latest of my Colour Blast creations with you. Today I have a 12x12" layout that features Colour Paste and one very chocolatey cake! I made the cake for my daughter's 8th birthday last year after she specifically requested a "minion cake". I have been sitting on these photos for a while, but as soon as my design team package of Colour Blast goodness landed on my doorstep, I knew exactly what I was going to use with them!

Doesn't that Colour Paste look good enough to eat? (And believe me, my kitten thought it did! haha)

After prepping my background with Heavy White Gesso, I used Sunshine Colour Shimmer Spray, which I applied like a watercolour paint by tipping a small amount out of the bottle and then painting it on using a wide brush.

After the spray had dried, I grabbed my Colour Pastes (I used Leather and Sunshine) as I wanted to play on the colours in my cake photos. I applied it roughly with a plastic palette knife as I was aiming for the paste to give the appearance of frosting that had been smeared across the page. (You can see how I scraped it back in parts to allow the Colour Shimmer Spray I had applied first to come through.)

It is important to note that the Colour Pastes dry to a richer and darker colour than they first appear in the pots. Look at the beautiful, vibrant colour once dry (and tell me that gorgeous texture doesn't look like chocolate!)

After the pastes had dried, I also added a few black splatters using my Colour Spray in Road Base and then proceeded to add my photos and embellishments.

I added a couple of gold frames that I had cut on my Big Shot using gold glitter paper, as well as some gauze and a mini paper doily under my photos to create some layers and add some alternative textures.

I used "paintable" Heidi Swapp ephemera pieces which I added some subtle colour to using a brush dipped in my Sunshine Colour Shimmer Spray.

I pushed the chipboard Thickers I used for my title straight into the wet Colour Paste and allowed them to dry there.

I added a D-lish Scraps flair button to the corner of my photo, with some messy cotton thread underneath it. The "I'm having a Martha Moment" stamp is from Viva Las VegaStamps (of course!)

Look at those layers and all that rich colour and shine! Very happy with the result of this one.

Thanks for stopping by today (especially if you made it through all those photos!). I will be back again soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X

New Threads | Scrap the Boys February Challenge

Hi everyone!
I am so happy to be continuing on with Scrap the Boys for another term this year. As my long-term readers will know, I have twin boys and when I re-started scrapping after they were born I wondered how I was ever going to get my head around doing the whole "boy page" thing. Fast forward a few years, and I LOVE to create boy pages now, and am passionate about sharing my work in the hope of inspiring others to scrap their boys too.

So, onto the February Scrap the Boys challenge, which is...

And here is my take on it...

"New Threads"

I've been a bit of a mixed media roll lately and really enjoying it, so figured why stop now? I created this background using some red Flutter Colour paint from Flutterby Designs, which I simply swiped over the background with an old gift card. I then added some depth by stamping over it with some Viva Las VegaStamps, and then added some small pieces of torn washi tape.

Next, I created some layers under my photo using an assortment of things - tissue paper; paint sample card; small paper bag; gauze; and a wood veneer frame that I coloured black with a Sharpie then cut in half and placed under either side.

I used Cocoa Vanilla Studio alphas for my title and next to my photo I used a Charms Creations chevron as my feature embellishment.

To carry through my "clothing" theme, I also added a couple of small tags that I stamped the date onto, and tied with twine. (I love how the twine, along with the cut up pieces of the paint sample card bring in just the right amount of blue to tie in with the photo.)

I also added a foiled flair button from Flutterby Designs, which I nested on some messy black cotton thread; and a few Cocoa Vanilla Studio black enamel dots.

I added a couple of Snippet Strips from Flutterby Designs using my tiny attacher; some stamped phrases (stamp also from Viva Las VegaStamps); handwritten journaling; and then splattered a bit of mist around and I was done!

Don't forget you have until the end of the month to get your entries in for the Scrap the Boys challenge. We have TWO fabulous sponsors this month - Cocoa Vanilla Studio and Scrapping Life, so get busy if you would like to be in with a chance of winning! (Remember, don't get caught out with the short month!)

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

You Had Me At Hello | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone! I am here today with my first February share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Given that it is Valentine's Day in less than a weeks time, the team at Cocoa Vanilla are celebrating with some love themed layouts to get you in the mood. And what could be more appropriate than a layout featuring the beautiful 'Love Always' collection, which celebrates all things romantic. This page also features one of my loves - my partner of almost 16 years.

Given that this photo of him was taken in a garden, my goal when I created this layout was to create a page that incorporated some of the floral elements from the collection, whilst still maintaining enough of a masculine edge that he wouldn't complain. I achieved this by using the Bouquet paper as a background sheet, and then sewing a square of the Lovely Things paper over the top, which left only a narrow border visible.

I added some subtle mixed media to my background to grunge it up a bit using some Colour Blast 'Peach Nectar' Colour Mica Powder, which I applied directly to my page with a waterbrush. I also decided that I wanted to make good use of the Lovely Things cut apart paper for this page, so I incorporated a variety of pieces into the layers under my photo, along with a piece of the reverse side of the Bouquet paper. Tucked into my layers was also a doily from the vellum accents pack.

I fussy cut a variety of elements to use around my page from the cut apart paper - the geo heart; floral accent piece under the side of my photo; and my title you had me at hello were all cut from the same sheet of paper.

Also tucked into the layers under and around my photo was a frame from the chipboard accent stickers; a scalloped border from the accessory sticker sheet; and some pieces from the die cut ephemera pack.

To tie in with the stitching, I included some small bunches of messy cotton thread around my page; and on top of one of them I nested one of the coordinating flair buttons. After that, it was simply a matter of adding some stamping and a few splatters of Colour Blast 'Road Base' Colour Spray and my page was complete.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. If you are looking for the perfect collection to scrap photos of your own valentine, then the Love Always collection is available in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio store now, or alternatively you can ask for it from your favourite scrappy retailer.
Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Oh Hi | Scrap the Girls February Challenge

Hi everyone! I am very excited to be sharing my first layout as a member of the Scrap the Girls design team today. The February challenge is a sketch, which looks like this...

Of course, I decided to put my own spin on the challenge; and despite doing a relatively good job sticking to the sketch itself, I couldn't help but have a little fun by throwing a bit of a "masculine twist" on my first girly layout.

"Oh Hi"

I had a lot of fun creating this one! I started with my background, which I used a Colour Blast 'Stormy Weather' Colour Shimmer Spray for. I simply tipped some out of the bottle, added a little water to dilute it, and then applied it with a wide brush across my page. I then used some Colour Blast 'Steel' Colour Paste and applied some random smears around the place to start building some texture. Next, it was a bit of stamping, using a couple of my new stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps; then a good drizzle of Flutterby Designs white Flutter Colour paint.

Once all the mediums were dry, it was time to add some more texture.
I recently had to retire my fave pair of jeans (well not really retire, but I did hack the ripped legs off and turned them into shorts), so I thought I would re-purpose some of the denim on this layout in place of using the smaller photos.

Then it was time to embellish! I added lots of pieces of die cut ephemera (from an older American Crafts Shimelle collection); and a few snippets of black punchinella and wood veneer pieces (both from D-lish Scraps).

I then added the boys will be boys flair button; star paperclip; a couple of acetate pieces; enamel star shapes; scrabble tile and a woodie, all from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. It was quite a random assortment of items and I love how they have all come together on this!

To finish my layout, I added some black and red splatters; handwritten journaling and stamped the date.

This month's sponsor at Scrap the Girls is Kit the Habit, so make sure you get your entry linked up before the end of the month to be in the running for the prize. And in the meantime, visit the STG blog for lots more inspiration from the new team.

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Purr-fect | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone! Stopping by with another project share for you today, this one for Flutterby Designs. I am very excited about this layout as it features the brand new 'Fur-ever Friends' collection and new release Flutter Colour paints! (These are scheduled for release into the Flutterby Designs store tomorrow night at 8pm - you won't want to miss it!) This page also features our family's new kitten, Genghis.

Here is what I created...

"Purr-fect"

I started this layout by creating my background using the new Flutter Colour paint set (the colours are so divine!) I used a few drops of the aqua paint in some water to create a watercolour paint, which I brushed over my cardstock using a wide brush. I then used one of the new release stencils along with some purple paint, and stippled some random bubbles onto my background. Finally, I added some splats of the new green paint over the top and left it all to dry.

Once my background was dry, I fussy cut my title from one of the Fur-ever Friends Everyday Etc cards and adhered it onto my photo. I then created a layered mat for my photo to sit on from the coordinating filler card pack. (I am not normally a purple person, but am so loving the colour combination here!)

Under my photo, I also added a frame (Frame 47 'Mad About You' Photo Cut Out), which I cut in half; a Fur-ever Friends page tab; and some messy cotton thread for texture. The tab on my photo came from the Fur-ever Friends die cut bits & bobs pack.

To add some extra dimension to my layout and to tie in with the circular theme I had going on, I also added some of my favourite wood veneer circles, which I painted with the new green paint. (How perfect is the colour match between the paint and the paper?!) Inside one of the circles I popped one of the Fur-ever Friends flair buttons (from the cat set).

Finally, it was time for me to put the finishing touches on my layout. I used the cute little paw print stickers and the meow sticker from the Fur-ever Friends Sticky Quotes sheet; some blue enamel dots (from the neon set); some stamping and black mist splatters.

I also added my handwritten journaling and a couple of white Tiny Sticky Quotes - there is no project that these stickers don't belong on! haha (PS - I hope you like the tongue-in-cheek way I used the meow sticker in my journaling.) ;)

So, mark it in on your calendars or set a reminder on your phone - the new release lines will go live in the Flutterby Designs store tomorrow night (Sunday 5th Feb) at 8pm (that will be 7pm if you are here in Qld like me). If you have a pet (and not just dogs or cats), you are going to NEED this collection!

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Acai Assassin | Colour Blast

Hi everyone! I am excited to be sharing my first project as a member of the Colour Blast design team. (Although I have created many pages using the products before, it's nice to share my first official one.) Today I have a layout to share that features one of my favourite things - cocktails! To match the theme of my shot, I wanted to create a background not only incorporating the colours from the image, but also one that looked as though drinks had been spilled on it.

I started my page by mixing up a couple of Colour Shimmer Dusts with water (Sunflower and Candy) and first applied the Sunflower to my cardstock using a water brush. I then applied some drops of the diluted Candy Shimmer Dust over the top and then tilted my page around to let them run together. (Make sure you use complimentary colours for this - you don't want to make mud!)

Next, I used Colour Shimmer Spray in Fire Engine to add some splatters around the page. (I simply unscrewed the cap and used that to flick it about.) Then I added some stamping using some of my fave Viva Las VegaStamps and black ink to provide contrast to the page.

At this point I decided that I needed to draw in the teal tone from the photo, but I didn't want to overwhelm the predominance of warm tones I had already used. So I grabbed my Envy Colour Paste and used my finger to smear some subtle colour around my page.

After the background was dry, it was simply a matter of adding the remaining elements of my page. I used tissue paper, punchinella, wood veneer and muslin (all from D-lish Scraps) to form layers under my photo. I love the different contrasting textures this combination provides.

I then added my embellishments - more D-lish Scraps wood veneer pieces; a Charms Creations star; and a flair button from Flutterby Designs; as well as some messy cotton thread for further texture.

Then it was simply a matter of adding my journaling, a title (I used Cocoa Vanilla Studio alphas) and the date and I was done!

Thanks for stopping by to check out my first Colour Blast project. I will be back soon with more projects to share.
Until then, happy scrapping! X