Limitless | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

I hope this finds you well! Today I am popping in to share a recent mixed media layout I created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the super cool 'Boys Rule' collection along with Dina Wakley acrylic paints.

I started by creating the background for my page; adding a variety of acrylic paints using both a brush and brayer to an 11x11" piece of white cardstock.

To add some extra depth I then added some small pieces of tissue paper; torn washi tape (from Chiyogami Designs); ink splatters and stamping using my Cross Marks Background stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps.

With the background in place, it was time to work on the feature elements of my page. I layered together a variety of patterned paper pieces (including Straight & Narrow; Expressionist; and Boy Stuff), and mixing in some paint sample cards from my stash. (I love using sample cards as they are so easy to coordinate, and are readily available for free from the local hardware store.)

Once I had the papery layers in place I then added my photo on top, using some scrap cardboard underneath to help pop it up from the page. Along each side of the photo I added the reach for the stars and you are awesome stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet, mounting it up with a little foam tape. At the top of the page I added the word limitless from the Miscellany pack for my title.

Next, I folded down the top right corner of my cardstock and secured it with staples before I mounted it onto a sheet of the Expressionist paper so that I had a border showing all the way around the page. 

To finish off I added a few stars from the Chipboard Pieces pack.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to pull out some of your stash and create something too. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Simply Amazing | Scrap the Girls April Challenge

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my take on the April challenge at Scrap the Girls. This month's challenge is called "Knock Your Socks Off" and it's about you at your best! I chose to document some photos of my daughter when she was all dolled up and wearing a pretty dress. (This is a rare occurrence for my little tomboy, and I was lucky to capture these just before she went off to a high tea birthday party.) 

I began this layout using a variety of products from Colour Blast - first, I chose the Fearless patterned paper from the 'Graffiti Grunge' collection as my base. Next, I used some 'Blush' Colour Paste, which I spread in small amounts randomly around the page using palette knife. I then added some stamping to my page using black ink and the 'Peony Dreams' stamp from Colour Blast.

Once the paste and ink had dried, I set about creating some layers for my photos to sit on. I gathered together some more pieces of patterned paper from the "Graffiti Grunge" collection and cut them into different shapes and sizes. I also fussy cut some of the tags from the Perfect Tags paper, then tied them off with green paper string. I then layered the tags and paper pieces over some pale pink tissue paper and tucked in a pale pink paper doily.

I then topped off the layers with some frayed gauze and messy black cotton - both for added texture, before adding my photos on top. Next, I added some small pieces of torn floral washi tape (from Chiyogami Designs) and some snippets of punchinella, which I secured in place with staples.

For my title and embellishments, I used various pieces from a couple of packs of die cut ephemera - one from Kaisercraft and the other from the Reject Shop. I tucked pieces in amongst my layers under and around my photos. I also added some small pieces of twisted pink wire (again, secured with staples); and a sequin bow under the bottom edge of my photo - both from D-lish Scraps.

To finish off my page I added a scattering of sequins; a few green butterfly stickers (these are From a Mothers Art by Kelly-ann); and then a few stamped phrases and my handwritten journalling.
I was really happy how this one came together and the balance between girly and grunge.

I hope you will join in with this month's challenge. We have the fabulous Charms Creations sponsoring us (and even though I didn't end up using a Charms embellishment on this page, you already know how much I love them!) Check out all the challenge details, plus inspiration from the rest of the design team on the Scrap the Girls blog.
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Smile | Art & Soul September Challenge

Hi everyone!

Popping in today with an extra share for you - this one inspired by this month's challenge at Art & Soul Studio. As soon as I saw this mood board, I was immediately attracted to it when I saw "put a butterfly on it". (Those that know me know how much I love butterflies!)

Here's a look at the board...

The challenge criteria were to create an art journal page, a card or a scrapbooking layout. Use the mood board however you want but you must add a butterfly somewhere and as these challenges are sponsored by Art and Soul Studio please make sure that you use at least one product that is available from the store. 

I took my initial inspiration from the colours in the board, putting an emphasis on blue tones, with just enough orange for contrast. I also took inspiration from the flowers and tree branches, adding some floral pieces and leaves to my page. And of course, there are plenty of butterflies!

I started my page using a sheet of patterned paper from the 13@rts 'Until Dawn' collection. (I so love the blue tone of this paper - the fact it was wood grain was a bonus!)

I then added some acrylic paint to my background. I started with Flutterby Designs 'Arctic White' Flutter Colour paint, applied with a brayer. I then applied some Dina Wakley acrylic paints over the top - first 'Cheddar' using a brush, before adding a little 'Peacock' using my brayer again.  

Next, I added some Colour Blast 'Singin' the Blues' Colour Paste and applied it through my StencilGirl 'Urban Insiders Bar' stencil (designed by Seth Apter). I then went back with some more acrylic paint - this time Dina Wakley 'Night', which I mixed with water to make a watercolour, then applied some near the top of the page and allowed it to run down. I also splattered the excess around my page.

Now it was time for some stamping! I decided to combine some of my old favourites with some new stamps that were yet to get dirty. 

I started with the dash of colour paint splat stamp from 'Aall & Create set #28', stamping it in several spots around my page. I then used my Viva Las VegaStamps 'Gossamer Butterfly - large' and stamped it on either side of the page, (so that only half of it would be showing once I added my photos.) I also used my VLVS 'Butterfly Specimans' stamp and stamped it twice along the central line of my page. 

Next, I took a sheet of paper from the 13@arts 'Until Dawn' 6x6" paper pad. I fussy cut a floral piece from the paper, before using the remainder to stamp out some sketchy style leaves using a Dyan Reavley stamp. I then positioned the flowers and leaves on my page before adding some messy cotton thread and my photos on top. I added the Jen Hadfield 'Smile' puffy sticker directly onto my photo for my page title. 

At this point I decided my page need some more butterflies, so I pulled out one of my stunning new rolls of washi tape purchased recently from Chiyogami Designs. The one I used was called 'Wide Beautiful Butterflies 30mm' and I simply tore off individual butterflies and placed them around my page. I also added a few torn pieces of another washi I got from Chiyogami - a blue, grunge / mixed media style tape (no idea of style name, sorry).

I then stamped the chin up princess or the crown slips quote from Aall & Create set #41. (I thought it worked well with the selfie theme of the page - everyone knows chins up, right?)

The last butterfly I added was a random glittered sticker I had lurking in my stash (not sure of brand - it might have been from a cheap shop?) I also added some Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Wild at Heart' blue glitter enamel dots. 

To finish off my page I added some splatters of Colour Blast 'Barley' Colour Artist Ink and some Dylusions 'White Linen' Ink Spray.

Here is a list of products I used that are currently available at Art & Soul Studio (linked):

13@rts 'Until Dawn' 12x12" paper pack

Colour Blast 'Singin' the Blues' Colour Paste

Dina Wakley 'Night' acrylic paint

Aall & Create Stamp Set #28

Aall & Create Stamp Set #41

13@rts 'Until Dawn' 6x6" paper pad

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. If you would like to check out all the details of this challenge, head to the Art & Soul blog HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X