Chill Out | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 

Hi everyone, I'm popping in today to share my latest Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team project with you. I had some cute photos of my boys swimming that I wanted to document, so couldn't help but pull out the gorgeous 'Sunkissed' collection to go with them. I decided to focus on the blues and greens from the range in keeping with the watery theme of my page.

I began my layout with a sheet of 300gsm white cardstock which I had cut down to measure 11x11". I used Distress Oxides (Salvaged Patina and Twisted Citron) to create a watercolour style background. I then added some stencilled detail over the top using a small scattered hearts stencil from Simple Stories and Faded Jeans Distress Oxide. My cardstock was then mounted onto a sheet of the Bright Side paper, which left me with the beautiful blue border I was wanting.

For the focal area of my page I used layered pieces of patterned papers which included some from the A5 Paper Stack, as well as some of the Sunny Days and Good Vibrations papers. I also added a paper doily and some frayed gauze for texture under my main photo, then cut one of the Pocket Cards in half to add some extra layering under my smaller photos.

Now it was time to add some extra fun to my page with some embellishments! There are such a great range of embellishments that come with this collection. I started with the Die Cut Ephemera pack, choosing pieces that fit with the colour scheme and theme of my page. To the left of my photos I created a cluster using two of the palm trees from the pack, which I popped up with some foam and bent the leaves up to give them some dimension. Other pieces I tucked in around my photos included a cute cloud, a pair of flips flops, a pair of sunglasses, and the beach towel that read sunshine state of mind on it.

As I often like to do, I added a couple of stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet directly onto my main photo. The be happy tab in the top left hand corner, and the just chillin' banner along the bottom edge. I also added the phrase sticker make a splash to the right of my photos where my title was. My title was created using the gold Glitter Foam Title Stickers and I just love the bright pop of sparkle they give the page. I also used two of the little glitter hearts from the same pack to add one to each of my smaller photos.

I finished off my page by adding several stickers from the Puffy Stickers set, handwritten journalling, a stamped date, and splatters of black ink to tie it all together.

If you would like to see exactly how this page came together, you can watch my process video here:

If you have any suggestions of things you would like to see from me in my videos (such as more boy layouts, a particular collection or technique, etc) make sure you leave me a comment over on my YouTube channel (or here if you prefer) so I know what you are interested in.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

20 | Created by Gwen 1st YouTube Birthday Hop

 

Hi everyone, today I am here to share a layout that was created for a very special celebration. My dear friend Gwen Wruck's YouTube channel, "Created by Gwen" is one year old today. (Congrats Gwen!) To mark the occasion, a group of us have joined forces to put together a YouTube hop. The theme of this hop is to be inspired by Gwen's crafty style, and to try and include Gwen's top five signature scrappy elements. These are a square photo (4x4" preferred); cut files; patterned paper; layered clusters and stitching. If you aren't already familiar with Gwen's work, you can find her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreatedByGwen

Here's a look at the layout I created...

The photo I chose to document for this page is of my hubby and I last month as we were popping out for a lunch date to celebrate 20 years together. 

So for my layout, I started with a sheet of my favourite 300gsm white cardstock. I decided to add some mixed media to my page, but as Gwen isn't a huge mixed media fan, I kept it relatively subtle. I used Tattered Rose Distress Oxide applied with the packaging technique, then Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide to add some splatters. 

I used a sheet of patterned paper from the Amy Tan Late Afternoon collection to back my cardstock, giving me a green border for my page. My intention had been to stitch around the cardstock edge to tick off the stitching element, but unfortunately when I pulled my machine out to use I found I had an empty bobbin, and being late at night it was all too hard and I just went without it. 

Now it was onto the main portion of my layout. In another move that was inspired by Gwen and her "Maggie Holmes Monday" series she runs on her channel, I decided to pull out some of my own Maggie goodies and use them too. 

I had a couple of partly used sheets of paper from the Crate Paper Marigold collection that I had left-over from previous projects, which I combined with a sheet from the Crate Paper Bloom collection. I created a double layered mat for my photo, and I also added a white paper lace doily and some frayed gauze into my stack. (I know the gauze isn't Gwen's style, but I still wanted to make it my own.)

Whilst digging in my Crate Paper stash for materials for this page, I stumbled upon a pack of chipboard frames from waaay back. (The Open Book collection to be exact - remember that one?) I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to use a few up, as Gwen often includes chipboard pieces on her pages. I chose 3 frames and layered them under my photo, following my natural instinct to create a "visual triangle"...and then I had to make a left turn.

If you know anything about Gwen's style, you will know that she doesn't create her clusters in the same way I do. Instead of the visual triangle method that I usually use, she uses a technique that can best be described as "flowing clusters". That is, she creates clusters that are designed to lead the eye around the page to different points of interest. These clusters are rarely out on their own on the page, as Gwen usually keeps all her elements touching another one. So I set about adding some extra bits and pieces to my page that would be more in keeping with Gwen's method. 

I used pieces from both the Open Book ephemera and floral ephemera packs, along with several small cut files that I also tucked into my layers. All of the cut files I used were from CutToYou (of course), as that is Gwen's very own cut file store. I used the Open Leaf Stem file (one of my faves), as well as two other floral pieces from the Caite Floral Set, all of which I coloured using Stormy Sky Distress Oxide.

I finished off my layout with a few stickers from the Crate Paper Garden Party sticker book; some Doodlebug Design gold puffy hearts; gold number Thickers for my title; and two beautiful CutToYou cut file butterflies from the Mixed Butterflies set, which I left white to add a little pop of freshness back into my layers. A little handwritten journalling and I was done! 

I love how this layout finished up, and I think I did a pretty well at honouring Gwen's style whilst still making it my own.

If you would like to see how it all came together, you can watch my process video here:

You will find links to all the other hop participants in my video description on YouTube.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Beautiful Daughter | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 Hi everyone, popping in today to share my latest design team project with you. For this one I was tasked to create something inspired by the mood board for the current Cocoa Vanilla Studio monthly challenge, which was designed by Michelle Stokes. 

Here's a look at the board...

The first thing that inspired me from the board was definitely the colours and the combination of different shades of pink, so I decided to create a layout of my daughter and go "full pink". I had a sweet photo of her that I took in our garden last year, where she was looking very dreamy, so I printed it out in black and white to keep it neutral.

My secondary inspiration from the board was the image of the heart with all the tassels hanging from it. This immediately made me think of the Tassels and Bows pack from the 'Unforgettable' collection, and along with my dreamy looking daughter, led me to the idea to create a dreamcatcher style layout to showcase the tassels.

For my layout, I decided to start with a sheet of white wood grain patterned paper from the 'Midnight' collection. This gave me a nice, neutral background with a bit of a boho vibe. I added some colour to the top portion of my page with two different shades of pink ink using the packaging technique to achieve a soft, unstructured look. 

Over the top of the ink I added the main part of my dreamcatcher. This was created using the die cut from the Large Die Cut and Backing kit from the 'Midnight' collection. I cut off the top third of the circle, then used a piercing tool to poke holes around the edge, which I threaded with some red and pink bakers twine. 

Next, I cut some paper layers to mat my photo with. I used a hot pink paper from the 'Unforgettable' 6x8" paper stack and a pink and white striped paper from the 'Midnight' 6x8" paper pad. I also added a white paper lace doily and some frayed gauze to my stack before adding my photo on top.

With my photo in place it was time to pretty things up! I used lots of floral pieces from the 'Unforgettable' Die Cut Ephemera pack to frame around my photo. I also added some small die cut flowers around the edge of my dreamcatcher where each hole with the twine was. 

Beneath the dreamcatcher, I added three tassels from the 'Unforgettable' Tassels and Bows pack, as well as three feathers from the 'Unforgettable' Die Cut Ephemera pack. I tied each tassel with the same twine I had threaded the dreamcatcher with. I tucked each of the pieces of twine under the title and then added a bow over the top.

I then added a few extra bits and pieces to my page - a flair button, the chipboard title beautiful, and some small phrase stickers - all from the 'Midnight' collection. From the 'Unforgettable' ephemera pack, I added some hearts and arrows (both inspired by the images in the board) and three die cut butterflies (because...butterflies!)

I was really happy with how this page turned out and I think it looks super pretty. I hope I have inspired you to play along with this month's challenge too. You can find all the details and enter via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group HERE.

If you would like to watch how I put this all together, you can check out my process video:

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Trouble in the Neighbourhood | Favourite Escape YouTube hop

 

Hi everyone, today I am sharing a layout I created for the "Favourite Escape" YouTube hop that I am currently taking part in alongside a bunch of talented creators. The theme of favourite escape could be interpreted any way we wanted, so I chose to document one of my very favourite escapes - scrap retreat! These photos were from my retreat on the Sunshine Coast back in November 2018, but really they are representative of any and all the retreats I've been on. So. Much. Fun.

I decided to use the 'Let's Wander' collection from Vicki Boutin as the basis for my page. (I have so much of it hoarded and I really need to let go and start getting stuck into it!) The travel theme and colours of this range were perfect for these photos that were taken on our dress up night (our theme was "Trouble in Paradise").

I decided to use patterned paper for my background, choosing the black paper with the white script words say cheese. (I thought this paper was appropriate give that these photos were taken in our photo booth corner.) I decided to add some acrylic paint to the focal area of my page. I used a Dina Wakley sky blue paint (which was conveniently still on my desk from a previous project), plus some white paint, both of which I applied with a brayer.

Next, I added some extra papery layers to go in behind my photos (all Vicki Boutin papers). I chose the bright green leafy print paper first, as it was totally made to go with the shirts Mandy and I were wearing. I also added a splash of orange to tie in with the colour of Fiona's dress. I also added some frayed gauze under my photos and a few pieces of torn washi tape to the page.

When it came to embellishing the layout I didn't stray far from the 'Let's Wander' collection. I used a few pieces from the chipboard Thickers pack including the labels I attached to each of my smaller photos and the orange phrase label that formed part of my title. The remainder of my title was some of my favourite black foam Thickers. 

I chose three large die cuts from the ephemera pack (sunglasses, camera and a leafy branch), and used them to create my "visual triangle" around my main photo. I chose the large size die cuts because anything smaller would have been overwhelmed on this bold, busy page. I also added a couple of stickers from the sticker sheet. 

I finished off with my handwritten journalling and a scattering of small orange star buttons.

Check out my process video for this page, and please make sure you visit the other creators who are taking part in the hop - you might just find some new scrappers to follow. (You can find a full list of the participants in my video description over on YouTube.)

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I'll see you again soon. Until then, happy scrapping! X