Great Day | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone! Today I am back with another layout from my homemade kit to share. For this one, I decided to go busy! I wanted to use up as many paper scraps and embellishments from my kit as I could, especially some of the buttons I had included (but barely touched). Besides using lots of materials, I also wanted to use lots of photos; so I printed off six photos that I had taken around the venue at the Cocoa Vanilla Studio retreat last year.

I started my layout with white cardstock and some acrylic paint. In order to keep my layout from being too busy, I knew I had to keep the focal area of the layout fairly tight, and then leave plenty of negative space around the page for the eye to rest. 

I chose light pink and light grey paints, and used my silicone spatula to simply smear the paints onto the page. Once dry, I used one of my favourite stencils, called Rose Bouquet from StencilGirl, and some Vicki Boutin gold glaze to add some subtle floral detail over the top of the paint.  

Once I worked out the rough placement for my photos, I then set to work with a pile of scrap paper to create some layers. There was very little method to this part of my process - I just cut the papers (Crate Paper & Heidi Swapp) into different sized pieces and stuck them down on the page. I also added a couple of small green paper doilies, before sticking my photos down on top.

Once I had the background layers and my photos in place, it was simply a matter of going back and adding some embellishments. I began with a small chipboard frame, which I cut in half and tucked in behind my photos on either side. 

I then added an assortment of bits and pieces - Heidi Swapp die cut acrylic pieces; Cocoa Vanilla Studio buttons and flair button; and stickers and die cuts from Crate Paper, Websters's Pages and the Reject Shop. 

I finished off with some handwritten journalling and a few splatters of green mist. Despite how busy it is, I think I managed to balance it with a good use of negative space so it wasn't too overwhelming. 

I could probably squeeze another layout or two (or maybe even some cards) out of the remnants of my kit. I think I am up to about 8 so far? Not bad considering these were mainly older products from my stash.

I think I might be due to make a fresh kit soon - if you have any suggestions of what you would like to see me include, let me know. 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Adorable | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone,

It's not Kraft again, it's wood grain! Today I am sharing a simple layout I created from my homemade kit, which all started with that gorgeous wood grain paper from the Crate Paper 'Confetti' collection. In case you didn't already know, I love wood grain papers, so of course I wanted to keep this sheet intact and use it as my page background. I decided to document a collage of photos of my sister and I in our costumes for dress up night at our Sunshine Coast retreat last year. So. Much. Fun. 

In the interests of showcasing as much of that wood grain as possible, I kept my design simple. I used up as many small scraps from my kit as I could by creating a layered mat for my photo collage to sit on. Once I had chosen all my papers pieces and arranged them in order, I stapled the stack together and then attached it to the page.  

With all the papers fixed in place, it was then easy to go back and tuck extra bits and pieces into my layers. I included a large red and Kraft Heidi Swapp tag; and a couple of Crate Paper chipboard frames - one of which I cut in half and tucked in on either side of the stack. 

I used some Heidi Swapp die cuts, including a printed acetate heart (I sooo love acetate ephemera pieces!) I also used a Crate Paper chipboard banner (which came from the 'Confetti' chipboard sheet) and a flair button from D-lish Scraps. 

I finished off with the Crate Paper adorable vellum title piece and the small chipboard all day from a Vicki Boutin chipboard Thickers pack. A few splatters of white ink, and I was done!

This was a quick and easy page and a great way to use up some patterned paper scraps. Using a photo collage was also a great way to include multiple photos. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Congrats | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone!
I am back again today with another layout created using my May homemade kit. (Are you getting sick of it yet?) You may remember I previously shared a page from this kit using a Kraft background and today I have another one! Kraft is not something I often use, and after being inspired by Tam Buckler, I had included two sheets in my kit so I figured I may as well use the second one up! I chose to document a photo of my daughter and some of her friends that was taken on their last day of primary school.

I decided to delve into the acrylic paints in my kit again as I loved the way the paint looked on the other Kraft page I had done. This time I stuck with only white, and then I used some Colour Blast by BeeArty 'Charcoal' Colour Paste with a Dusty Attic stencil I had also included in my kit. (I thought the jumbled numbers & symbols were a good match for a school themed page.)

I created a layered mat for my photo by stacking up some patterned paper scraps from the kit box, then stapled the stack together before adhering it onto my page. (This makes it so much easier than sticking paper pieces down one at a time.)

Into my paper layers I also tucked a paper doily, a Pretty Little Studio printed tag that I tied with twine, and a tag shaped sticker from Webster's Pages. I also added some frayed gauze for texture before popping my photo on top. To the left of my photo I added a chevron that I fussy cut from one of the Crate Paper scraps. 

To embellish the page I first reached for the Crate Paper 'Confetti' 12x12" chipboard stickers, as I thought this photo would work well with the celebratory theme of them (and I have heaps left to use too!) I added the cute little party hat above my daughter's head to help draw attention to her in the photo; then the fun pinwheel and congrats flag to the right of my photo. 

Underneath my photo I used the smile for the camera sticker from a pack of Vicki Boutin chipboard Thickers. I then added a variety of phrase stickers (Simple Stories, Webster's Pages) and a yellow enamel heart sticker.

I finished off by stamping the date and adding handwritten journalling.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I promise I am nearing the end of this kit...haha. But I am happy with the variety of pages I have made from this kit.
Until next time, happy stash-busting to you too! X 

Grads | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone!

Time has really been my enemy of late, so I am still catching up on sharing the layouts I created with my May homemade kit. (Yes, I know it's July, it seems I blinked and that happened?!) Anyway, onto the layout I have to share today. For this page I decided to document a sweet photo of my kids that was taken back in December 2017 at the boys' kindy graduation. (I held off scrapping this photo for so long, even though I looked at it every day as the screen saver on my phone for over 2 years.)

Here is my layout, "Grads"...

(Click on photos for a better view)

I began my layout with what can only be described as a "vintage" paper from Crate Paper. This pink wood grain was from the 'Random' collection that was released waaay back in 2011. I loved this print and I was happy to use it for my background paired with this photo.

I used a mix of scraps for the layers under my photo using some more Crate Paper, as well as papers from Heidi Swapp and My Minds Eye. I then added a paper doily from my stash and a Crate Paper printed chipboard frame before sticking my photo on top. 

I added a small feature to the top and bottom edges of my page by tearing the background paper, folding the edges back, and then tucked a scrap of another paper behind it. 

For my embellishments I used Crate Paper die cuts; Heidi Swapp printed acetate hearts; a Cocoa Vanilla Studio flair button and alphas; and Simple Stories and Webster's Pages stickers.

I am so happy I finally created a layout to showcase this photo! It was simple and came together fairly quickly, but at least it's getting some of that stash busted!

Thanks for stopping by today, I will be back again soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Lucky You | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone! Today I am back to share another layout using my May homemade kit, and yes, it's another birthday layout! My wonderful hubby recently celebrated his birthday (just a quiet one at home), so I took the opportunity to snap a couple of photos of him with the kids when he sat down to open his presents.  

Here is my layout, "Lucky You"...

(Click on photos for a better view)

Besides creating a birthday page (so I could tap into some of the celebration themed embellishments in the kit), the only other idea I started this layout with was to use one of the sheets of Kraft cardstock I had included. (Yes, Tam Buckler - I used the Kraft!) I figured the best way to tackle the Kraft cardstock was by using the acrylic paints that were also in my kit. 

I used a spatula to smear some white, aqua and metallic gold paints randomly around my page, leaving some parts a little "chunky" for added texture, and then left my page to dry overnight. 

Once dry, I added some stencilled detail to the background using the Crazy Quilts Calm & Frenzy stencil from StencilGirl that I had included in my kit. I used a sponge dauber and some grey ink to add subtle depth, then I also added a little bit of stamping using black ink and my fave Doodle Dots stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps. 

I then began creating some papery layers, starting with a printed paper bag from my stash (it wasn't included in the kit but sometimes you have to take a little creative license, right?) It featured a gorgeous triangular pattern in shades of blue and I decided I had hoarded it for way too long! In addition to the paper bag, I decided to use tags instead of patterned paper on this page as this was also one of the items in the kit. I used a large foiled Kraft tag from Heidi Swapp, as well as some smaller printed tags from Rosie's Studio and Pretty Little Studio and tied the tops of each one using different coloured twines. 

To draw in some more gold onto the page and add extra interest to my layers under my photos, I also added a gold foiled chipboard frame from Crate Paper. Then, once my photos were in place it was simply a matter of adding my embellishments.

From the Crate Paper 'Confetti' chipboard sheet I used the large aqua balloon and the gold bow. From the Vicki Boutin 'Color Kaleidoscope' Thickers, I used the small memories tab, the circular arrow piece, the you are loved label, and the super cute teal bunting (which I cut into two pieces and placed either side of my bottom photo).

I also used a D-lish Scraps flair button; phrase stickers from a Simple Stories Carpe Diem sticker pack; a puffy heart sticker; and then finished off with the fabulous Studio Calico gold chipboard asterisks that I scattered around the page. Some quick handwritten journalling details and a stamped date and I was done!

So what do you think? Did I do the Kraft cardstock justice? 

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

Hooray | Dust it Off challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi friends! I am back again today with another layout using my May homemade kit. (Yes, I know it's June but May totally got away from me with the kids at home, and I am determined to use this kit I put together!) For this layout I decided to focus on the 12x12" chipboard sheet I had added into my kit, which was from the 'Confetti' collection by Crate Paper and scrap a birthday themed page. As my daughter recently celebrated her 12th birthday, I had some fresh photos and thought I would document a couple of her with her birthday cake. 

One of the other items in the kit was acrylic paints, so I thought I would put them to work and create a quick background with them. Using a sheet of white cardstock and my brayer, I simply rolled on some paint working from top to bottom and allowing the paint to fade away naturally towards the bottom of the page. The colours I used were a Mont Marte Dimensional paint in 'Naples Yellow' (these are beautiful full bodied paints); and 'Aquamarine Dream' Flutter Colour paint mixed with some Naples Yellow to get that gorgeous sage green. I then allowed my paint to dry naturally whilst I started working on my layers. 

I gathered together a variety of Crate Paper patterned paper scraps from my kit and layered them up with a small paper doily to form the matt for my photos. I also added a little frayed gauze on top then stapled the whole stack to my page. 

To embellish my layout I used some stickers from a small Webster's Pages sticker sheet that had a celebration theme, which I tucked into my layers above my photos. I also used a few pieces from the Crate Paper 'Confetti' chipboard sheet, including the candles, small heart, and the numbers for my daughter's age.

To the left of my photos I used a handmade chevron embellishment from Charms Creations, which I topped with the big smile phrase from the chipboard sheet. To the cluster on the right side I also added a flair button from Cocoa Vanilla Studio and a printed acetate heart from Heidi Swapp.

To finish off my page I used the vellum hooray title from the 'Confetti' ephemera pack; a couple of die cut butterflies from my Reject Shop ephemera pack; a fussy cut butterfly; and some small Carpe Diem tiny phrase stickers. I then stamped the date and a few tiny black ink splatters.

I love how this birthday themed layout came together and the fact I got to use up some things that I have been hoarding for FAR too long! 

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

Darling | Dust it Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone!

I've got another layout using my May homemade kit to share with you today. For this layout I decided to scrap another photo from a recent series I took of my daughter dressed in one of her Cosplay outfits. (I have no idea where she gets her love of dressing up from?! hehe)

Here's a look at my layout...

(Click on photos for a better view)

This page was a little different to my usual style, in that I opted for more dusty, muted tones to work with the vibe of the photo. I began with white cardstock, adding a little bit of pale pink / coral mist by spraying it onto my messy mat and then laying the cardstock over the top to pick up the colour. 

I then went to work on the papers. I chose the peach patterned paper from Crate Paper as the anchor for my design - cutting a piece to run vertically down my page and then layering it with a couple of other papers and a paper doily before adding my photo on top. I then fussy cut the large floral piece from a Heidi Swapp paper (from the 'Wanderlust' collection) and tucked it in under the left edge of photo as a feature.

With all the main components in place, it was then time to add the embellishments. I used a few die cuts from a pack I got from the Reject Shop (a discount store here in Australia, in case any of my international friends were wondering). 

I mixed these with some Heidi Swapp printed acetate hearts, and a Crate Paper vellum heart. The large acetate title that I ran along the bottom edge of my photo was from the Crate Paper 'Confetti' ephemera pack.

I finished off my layout with some tiny splatters of black ink.

And there you have it - two layouts down from my homemade kit and a number of items used that would have otherwise still been collecting dust in my stash. Winning!

Until next time, happy scrapping. X

Iso Hair | Dust it Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi friends!

Well it's official - after almost 9 very long weeks I was finally able to retire my teacher's hat and send the kids back to school yesterday. (I am not sure who was happier about it - them or me? hehe) So now I have the chance to get a bit of quiet time, it's time to get back to my "Dust it Off" challenge, and what better way than by getting stuck into a homemade stash kit?! 

So today I am sharing the first layout that I created from my May homemade kit, that I put together using Khristina Sorge's "For the Love of Homemade Kits" May recipe below. 

And here is my layout, "Iso Hair"...

(Click on photos for a better view)

I had these cute photos of my daughter with her dyed green "iso hair" to document, so I knew I had to use green to coordinate with them. I started my page with a sheet of white cardstock that I trimmed down to measure 11x11" then backed it with the My Minds Eye large grey spot paper to form a border. Next, I took my Dina Wakley 'Elephant' acrylic paint and used a wide brush to dry brush a small amount on my background.  

Now it was time to turn my attention to the papers in the kit, so I picked a variety of pieces to start creating some papery layers. The papers I used were a mix of Crate Paper, My Minds Eye and Heidi Swapp in varying shades of grey, green with a touch of pinky-peach thrown in. I cut the papers into an assortment of shapes and sizes and arranged them so the patterns and shapes were more horizontally dominant. I also added a grey paper doiley to my stack, then placed my photos on top and used some fussy cut chevrons to help draw the viewer's eye to them.

To embellish my page I used a variety of pieces from a die cut pack I got from the Reject Shop; a D-lish Scraps flair; and a tiny little banner from the Crate Paper 'Confetti' chipboard sheet.

I also added the Webster's Pages I'm so fancy sticker; a small flower button from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Free Spirit' collection; and some Heidi Swapp acetate hearts (I used my tiny attacher to secure them to the page). I used two different Cocoa Vanilla Studio alpha stickers for my title and then added some tiny splatters of black ink and I was done!

If you would like a look at the full contents of my kit, you can watch my kit reveal video here:

That's all from me today, I'll be back soon with another layout to share.

Until then, happy scrapping! X

Forever Friends | Dust It Off challenge | March homemade kit

Hi friends! Today I am here to wrap up my March homemade kit series, sharing the last of my projects created using this kit. From the scraps that were left in my box, I managed to squeeze out one final layout and a card and I think I can now officially say this kit has been killed! 

Here is my final layout...

(Click on photos for a better view)

For this layout I decided to document a photo of my gorgeous girl and her best friend of many years that was taken the night of their primary school graduation. I had nothing left but scraps to work with, so I used a white cardstock base and added some paper layers from what I had left, including a piece of the Hambly Screenprints heart transparency. I also added in a paper doily from my stash.

Once I had the paper layers in place and added my photo on top, I turned my attention to the embellishments. I had a limited number of Pebbles 'Patio Party' die cuts and stickers left to use up, so I started with those. To the left of my photo I used the forever friends die cut piece, which also served as the title for my page and tucked in the cute floral beetle in behind it.

I created a second small cluster above my photo using a die cut and a sticker, plus I added a die cut butterfly nearby. One of the other items I had left in my kit was the tiny wood veneer hearts, so they all got added to my page as well.

To the right of my photo, I created my third small cluster (gotta have that visual triangle!) using some stickers, more wood veneer hearts and a Freckled Fawn arrow paperclip.

I finished off my page with splatters of 'Bahama Blue' Glimmermist and some stamping using one of the Dear Lizzy roller stamps.

Once my layout was complete I looked into my kit box to see what was left. I spotted one piece of coloured paper I thought might be big enough for a card front and had a few remaining stickers, so I thought to myself why not? and then put this card together...

I think I will keep this aside until I need it for a girl's birthday and then use Thickers to put the age number in the top left corner.

So my final tally from this kit was seven 12x12" layouts; one traveler's notebook spread; and three cards. I have quick flip through video so you can see them all together and so I can show you what I had left over.

You can watch it here:


I have so enjoyed the challenge of using my kit this month, and am looking forward to Khristina's new list for April. I hope some of you will join me!
Until next time, happy scrapping! X