So Epic | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 

Hi everyone,

Today I am popping in to share my latest design team layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio which was inspired by this month's mood board challenge. The mood board is called "Explore and Discover" and it looks like this...

My initial inspiration came from the painted image in the top left, which made me decide to create a mixed media layout. And of course I chose to use the new 'No Limits' collection, because it is freakin' amazing!

I chose to mainly focus on the yellow, blue and black tones from the mood board for my layout. I used a bright yellow Distress Oxide for my painted background to tie in with the photos of my son and his cube that I was documenting. I also added navy blue stencilling, black stamping and some torn washi tape too.

I added layers of patterned paper behind my photos, as well as a yellow paper doily and some frayed gauze.

I used a mix of Die Cut Ephemera and Accessory Stickers as the basis of my embellishment clusters. I also used a mix of stars that were fussy cut from the Nebula paper. These pieces all tied in with the stars from the mood board. I added foam tape under some of the pieces for dimension.

I used words from the Die Cut Titles pack for my page title. These were also raised up from the background using foam tape.

I added three small buttons from the Wood Buttons pack and then scattered some of the amazing (my fave!) Puffy Stickers around the page to finish off.

If you would like to see how this layout came together, or want more details, you can watch my process video below:

That's all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to play along with this month's Cocoa Vanilla Studio challenge. There is a $25 store voucher up for grabs for one randomly chosen winner, and you can enter via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Magical Moments | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 

Hi everyone, popping in today to share my latest Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team project with you. Today I was tasked with creating something inspired by the current monthly challenge, which is this beautiful Christmas themed mood board designed by Tarrah…

This is the second layout I have created based on this mood board, and this time I was inspired by the little trees and stars to tell the story of our annual family tradition of placing the star atop our Christmas tree. The photos I was documenting were taken in 2020, and are of my son Hunter putting the star on. I was working with the ‘Joyful’ collection, and once again I decided to create a mixed media layout (because I love getting messy!)

Here is my page…

You can probably spot right away that my colour palette for this layout was dictated by my photos – with the predominant tones of green and gold at the forefront from our Christmas tree.

I began with my background – working on a sheet of white cardstock I had cut down to 11×11″, I used Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide mixed with water to create a water wash across the page. I then added darker splatters using the same ink (just with less water added); stamped some large stars in black ink; and then finished with gold splatters. It was a fairly straightforward background.

With the background complete, it was time to work on creating some papery layers. The first paper I chose was the Kraft / gold coloured paper with the words merry & bright from the A5 Paper Stack. I tore a sheet of this and used it as my anchor piece. On top of it I added a horizontal strip of the Deck the Halls paper and also the border strip from the Very Merry cut apart paper that had the little Christmas trees on it. I used my distress tool to distress the edges of all the pieces before I stapled them together, adding a small white paper doily and some frayed gauze for texture.

I added my photos on top (which had been popped up with a little scrap cardboard), then turned to the embellishments. I already had the Die Cut Ephemera pack out open on my desk, so that was where I started. I first rifled through them and pulled out a few pieces that I thought could work with my colour scheme. (It makes it much easier than shuffling through the entire pack for every piece you want.)

Using the pieces I had pulled from the ephemera pack, I created small cluster above my photos containing a Christmas tree, the memories tab, and a small sprig of holly; and to the left I tucked in the gorgeous little deer. (Not only was it a perfect match for the colours on the page, but I just love how cute it is!) To the right of my photos I added a little flag that read joyful.

From the Chipboard Stickers sheet I chose the banner that read jingle all the way in beautiful gold foiled script, to stick along the bottom edge of my photo. I also added a few gold foiled stars around the page.

Below my photos I added one of the smaller sized Wood Epoxy Buttons, and then I used the gorgeous Puffy Gold Title Stickers to add my title. From the same sheet I also added a few extra gold scattered stars because I couldn’t resist more of that stunning gold!

I then added a stamped date, a few stamped phrases, and typed strip journalling and my layout was done! I love how it all came together with the colours, the layers and the texture, and I am so happy I have documented this story for my family.

If you would like to see exactly how I put it together, you can watch my process video here:

Thanks so much for stopping by today, don’t forget you have until the end of the month to enter this challenge via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group. You could be the lucky winner of a $25 store voucher.

I’ll have a matching pocket page for this layout to share next week, until then I hope you all have a safe, happy and enjoyable time with your family and friends over the holiday period. Merry Christmas! X

Life is a Blank Canvas | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 

Hi everyone, today I am sharing another layout created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio, this time for the August monthly challenge. This challenge was actually designed by me, and I think almost everyone will be able to find an element to inspire them from the board, whatever your style.

Here's a look at the board, entitled "Life is a Canvas"...

And here is my sample layout...

I really love the mix of eclectic images that I put together for this arty board. There are lots of rich, vibrant jewel tones; textures like brick and wood; and (of course) a butterfly. I did a bit of stash-busting for this page, and used the Wild at Heart collection from a few years ago, as I thought the colours and theme of this collection worked well with the board. The photo I was working with was one of my daughter with paint smeared on her face. 

I started my page by creating a mixed media background using Distress Oxides. I used Faded Jeans first (one of my very favourite oxide colours), by swiping the ink pad on my messy mat, mixing it with a little water, and then laying my cardstock over the top to soak up the colour. I then layered some Worn Lipstick over the top, which I applied using the packaging technique to give me a little more control over the placement of the colour. I then added some splatters using Mustard Seed and a fine paint brush.

Next, I added some stencilled detail using an arty themed stencil from Dusty Attic. Again, I used the Faded Jeans Distress Oxide, only this time I used a sponge to apply it through the stencil. For my next layer, I added some stamped detail over the top using a brick pattern stencil from Viva Las VegaStamps and black ink.

The next element I introduced to my page was a cut file from Cut to You. The cut file I used was the Craft a Happy Life page builder file, and I altered it by enlarging it and only using part of the design (the paint brushes) for my layout. I left the cut file white, and layered it over my mixed media background, which allowed the layers to show through the gaps. 

Then came the easiest part, which was adding some layers of patterned papers to mat my photo, some frayed gauze, a paper doily, and then the photo itself. I also fussy cut some floral pieces from another patterned paper that I used to tuck into my layers above and below my photo. I also added three fussy cut butterflies.

For my title, I used the new 'These Days' foam title stickers for the word life and some other small alphas from my stash for the remainder, then finished off the quote with typed strip journaling. 

I finished off my layout by using the same Distress Oxides and a water brush to add some colour to the tips of the cut file paint brushes; and by adding a few sparkly enamel dots. 

I would love to see your take on my mood board! Entries close 31st August and you can enter via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group. A random entry will win a $25 voucher to spend in the Cocoa Vanilla store on some scrappy goodness, so get busy!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X 

The Best Time | ANZAC Day Cyber Crop for Kitaholic Kits

Hi everyone,

Today I am popping by to share a layout I created for the Kitaholic Kits ANZAC Day Cyber Crop. My challenge to everyone was a "Mixed Media" challenge. Here's a look at my challenge criteria...

I decided to delve into some of my previous kits and pull together some items for my layout. I chose to document a photo that was taken at my retreat at the end of 2019 with the girls from my table on theme night. I so love these girls and cannot wait to get together with them again later in the year. 

I began my layout with my background, using a sheet of white cardstock and some acrylic paints. I used a dusky pink Kaisercraft one that came in a previous Kitaholic mixed media add-on kit, along with a Mont Marte dimensional paint and a couple of Dina Wakley paints from my stash. I used a combination of silicone spatula, rubber brayer and my fingers to apply the paints to the page, with each one giving a different effect and level of coverage.

I then used a grey ink and a brick pattern stamp from Viva LasVegaStamps to add some extra interest to my background. I also added splatters using Dina Wakley Gloss Sprays. 

The patterned papers I used were a mix of Vicki Boutin and Heidi Swapp. I cut, tore, and distressed the pieces to create layers under my photo, adding a grey paper doily from my stash. I also added frayed gauze for soft texture.

For my embellishments, I used a three fussy cut butterflies that I cut from a Vicki Boutin paper; and a mix of Vicki Boutin and Heidi Swapp stickers (both cardstock and clear). I particularly love using clear stickers over a mixed media background, as it still allows the layers underneath to show through.

For my journalling, I used my typewriter on a journal card from the Vicki Boutin cut apart paper. I finished off my page with some stamped phrases and a final splatter with some black ink.

You can watch my process video and see this page come together here: 

That's all for today, thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Happiness Is | Cocoa Vanilla Studio for the CSI Challenge

 

Hi everyone, back again with another design team project to share, and this is one that I actually forgot to share here a couple of weeks ago. (Oops!) This layout was created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio as a guest designer for the CSI: Colour, Stories, Inspiration challenge. (Cocoa Vanilla Studio are one of this month's sponsors.) 

Here is the case file that I was working with...

And some more details about the challenge...

I was initially inspired by the animal element to document a photo of my cat Genghis, as he slept curled up on my daughter's book about cats. I thought the colours in the palette lent themselves very well to the Cocoa Vanilla 'Happiness' collection, so that is what I used.

My layout began with a sheet of white cardstock which I had cut down to measure 11x11" and I used a small brayer to lightly apply some pink acrylic paint, then added some stamping over the top using a ledger style stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps. 

After I created my mixed media background, I mounted it onto the blue watercolour style print on the reverse of the Good Vibes paper. This left me with a beautiful blue border for my page.

For the patterned paper layers in the focal area of my page, I used a mix that included Little Things; Sprinkles; and So Fresh papers. I added some torn edges and frayed gauze to bring texture to the page; and a small red paper doily from my stash for an extra pop of colour.

For my embellishments, I created three main floral clusters using a mix of Die Cut Ephemera and fussy cut flowers from the Little Things paper. I used a label fussy cut from the same paper as my journal spot; and as stipulated in the CSI challenge clues, I added some small flowers to my journal spot too.

I used the words happiness is from the Die Cut Titles pack as my page title, which flowed on directly into my journalling.

I finished off my layout by adding some Clear Stickers around the page – a butterfly, some brush strokes,a tiny heart and a group of crosses. I love adding clear stickers, especially over a mixed media background, as it allows some of your original layers to show through. I also added some small phrase stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet, then some black ink splatters and I was done!

Visit the CSI blog HERE for all the details of the current challenges and to see what everyone else created for this case file. You have until April 4th to get your entries in to be in the running for one of the prizes on offer, so get busy!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Work Your Magic | Scrap the Girls January Challenge

Hi everyone,

I know my poor blog has been lacking content lately, I had a break away from my desk after my mum suddenly passed away and with my kids home on school holidays as well I hadn't been creating. I have just realised that I hadn't actually even shared this layout, which is my take on the January challenge for Scrap the Girls. This month's challenge is called "Dead Men Tell No Tales" and is an awesome inspiration image that looks like this...

And here is my take on it...

As you can see, my page has a completely different colour palette to the image, but I promise you the inspiration was there! Initially I was drawn to the mermaid's pose, which reminded me of my daughter in this photo. Only instead of a boat and water behind her, she had fire. I used the photo to dictate the colours for my layout, using a mix of Ranger Distress Oxides to create my "firey" watercolour background.

Next, I drew inspiration from the lace pattern on the mermaid's tail to use my Heart Mandala stencil from StencilGirl along with black acrylic paint to add the pattern behind where my photo was going to go. Then it was time to create some papery layers!

I used a floral print tissue paper (not sure of the brand, sorry - all I know is that I purchased it at a store in the US when I was there - it might have been Michaels?) I added a torn piece across my page where my photo was going, then replicated it with a smaller piece in the top right corner of my page. The reason I chose this paper was to draw in the floral theme from the inspiration picture.

Next, I cut some patterned paper to mat my photo, which I also layered with a small paper doily and some frayed gauze for texture. I then began building my embellishment clusters around my photo. I used a variety of Vicki Boutin stickers; some twisted coloured wire; and some glittered butterfly die cuts I found in my stash. I also added a Heidi Swapp acetate word along the bottom edge of my photo.

I then went back to the tissue paper in the right corner of my page and used some of the same elements again to create a smaller cluster. This cluster helped provide balance to my page, because it was quite "bottom heavy" at this point. I finished off with a little bit of stamping using my fave Doodle Dots stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. if you haven't already entered the challenge at Scrap the Girls, you have 4 day left to get your entries in to be in the running for the prizes. You can get all the details, as well as see what the rest of the design team created for this challenge HERE.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Joy | Cocoa Vanilla Studio - December Challenge

Hi everyone! I am popping in today to share a bit of festive inspiration, which is my take on this month's challenge for Cocoa Vanilla Studio - the beautiful "Peppermint Place" mood board designed by Raquel Bowman. I decided to go with the Christmas theme of the board and document some photos of my boys laying under our Christmas tree last year.

Here's a look at the board...

And here is my take on it, using the fabulous new 'Merry & Bright' collection...

For my layout, I was initially drawn to the picture of the stacked lines in the top centre of the board, which inspired me to create a strip style layout. I chose 3 patterned papers - Season's Greetings; Jingle all the Way; and Oh Christmas Tree; and cut a variety of different sized pieces. I then distressed all of the edges, before layering them vertically down my page.

 On top of the paper strips I added a white paper doily inspired by the lacy pattern on the lantern in the bottom left corner, then some frayed gauze for texture, and finally, my photos on top.

For my embellishments I then decided to use a cascading design, and follow the flow of my page vertically down the page. I used a mix of Die Cut Ephemera pieces including flowers, tickets, banners, and hearts.

To the right of my photo, I added the Flair Button with the two hearts on it, whilst to the left of my photo I added the die cut Christmas tree from the ephemera pack, which I popped up on a little bit of cardboard to bring it up to the same height as the photos. 

For my page title I added the word JOY which I fussy cut from the Season's Greetings paper. Underneath that I added the large floral piece from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. To finish off, I stamped the date and added a line of handwritten journalling.

I hope you will play along with the challenge this month. There is a $25 store voucher up for grabs for one randomly chosen winner. To be in the running, load your entries via the Cocoa Vanilla Community Group by the 31st December.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X