Summer Fun | August 2021 Hip Kit

 

Hi everyone! Today I am here to share a new layout I created using my August 2021 Hip Kit from Hip Kit Club. This mixed media page features the main scrapbook kit combined with acrylic paint, a Distress Oxide, modelling paste and some stamping too. I also added a few small items from my stash - tissue paper, sequins, gauze, some phrase stickers, a flair button and a Charms Creations heart. (Yay for a bit of stash-busting!)

My inspiration for this layout was the Simple Stories 'Sunkissed' ephemera pack from the kit which is summer themed, and full of vibrant colours. I chose the photo of my daughter in the pool to go with it and also one of the subscriber exclusive Hip Kit Club cut files too. The cut file is called Target and was released alongside this kit in August 2021. For something different, I decided to cut it from a dark blue coloured cardstock (yay for more stash-busting!)

My background was created using a mix of Salvaged Patina and Salty Ocean Distress Oxides and a piece of kitchen sponge. This technique was inspired by fellow Cocoa Vanilla Studio DT member Josefine van der Hoeven.

I used papers from the kit to create layers under my photo, and I also fussy cut a few flowers from one of the Vicki Boutin papers. I included quite a few pieces from the ephemera pack, including the title piece. 

The sequins provided a nice shimmery touch and went well with the water theme of the page. I attached them using tacky glue in my fineline bottle. I also added handwritten journalling with a felt pen.

If you would like more details about this page, or to see how I put it together, you can watch my process video here:

That's all from me today, I'll be back with another project soon. Until then, happy scrapping! 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 

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

Bloom | Kitaholic Kits April 2021

Hi everyone, 

Back again to share my final project for Kitaholic Kits using the April 2021 kit. This project was inspired by the Simple Stories 'Bunnies and Blooms' items that were in the kit, which had a very Spring / gardening vibe to them. I thought they would work well with some photos of one of my boys that I took when he picked his first homegrown strawberries. (He was so proud!)

I started with one of the Studio Light papers for my background featuring small spots in blue, pink and purple. I then pulled pink, blue and lilac papers (from Studio Light and Obed Marshall) from the kit to match and created some layers to go underneath my photo. I also added a piece of the teal paper to tie in with my son's shirt in the photos. Besides the papers, I also tucked in a blue paper doily and some frayed gauze from my stash. 

Once I had the papers in place, I pulled out some cut files that I had laying around. These were floral design ones that I had cut previously and had gone into my "miscut" pile. (Some had a bit of fraying, parts not cut properly, etc.) These were all subscriber exclusive cut files from a previous kit (I think November or December?)

I took the cut files and cut them into pieces with the intention of tucking them in amongst my layers. I first decided to colour them though, so I took the green Heidi Swapp chalk ink from the mixed media add-on kit, mixed it with a little water and used a brush to paint it on. I then tucked the pieces in to help frame around my photos.

For my page title, I used the large bloom word from the Simple Stories 'Bunnies & Blooms' Page Pieces pack, which I ran across the bottom edge of my photos. I then embellished around my photos using more of the die cuts from the same pack mixed with some of the coordinating 'Bunnies and Blooms' chipboard stickers. 

I also added some stickers from the Maggie Holmes 'Garden Party' sticker book and wrote my journalling on a small label in the bottom right corner of the page.

I really love how this layout turned out! (And most importantly, my son does too.) If you'd like to see how I created it, you can watch my process video here:

That's all for my April kit shares, I'll be back again soon with a fresh kit and some new projects. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Cool Specs | Kitaholic Kits February 2021

Hi friends! I'm happy to be back to share the third of my February projects created for Kitaholic Kits with you. For today's layout I decided to use one of the subscriber exclusive cut files as the focus of my page, and pair it with some cute photos of my son.

I started with the Pebbles black and white typed text print paper as my page background, which I then topped with a piece of one of the Vicki Boutin papers that I distressed and ripped a little at the edges before sticking it down. 

I fell in love with the super cute glasses from the February subscriber cut file set.(They were intended as sunglasses but I knew they would be perfect as reading glasses.) I cut them quite large from black cardstock, and I also cut a couple of tiny pairs while I was at it too. I used a scrap of pale blue watercolour print paper I had left from my January kit to back the lenses of the glasses. When I backed the cut file, I actually left a couple of space around the edge as I knew I wanted to tuck the two smaller photos in under the edge of the frames.

I created layers behind my photos using a paper doily from my stash; gold puffy frames (from Maggie Holmes' Sweet Story); foiled pieces from the Jen Hadfield (The Avenue) ephemera pack; and some messy black cotton for texture. I also added one of the cute little mini sets of glasses that I had cut. 

For my title, I used the word cool from the Heidi Swapp sticker book, combined with some of the Thickers for the word specs. I finished off with a few extra stickers and some of the gorgeous gold Pebbles puffy hearts scattered around the page; then handwritten journalling, a few stamped phrases and some tiny splatters. I think this layout turned out super cute - what do you think?

If you would like to watch me put this page together and chat about it as well, you can watch my process video here: 

Thanks for stopping by today and for all of the beautiful kind words you guys leave on my posts and videos. Reading them really makes all the work that goes into them worthwhile, especially knowing that I can help inspire you.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Yum | Kitaholic Kits November 2020

 

Hi friends! Sadly, this is the last of my Kitaholic Kits guest designer layouts for the month using the November kit and mixed media add-on. This is the fourth layout I have created from this kit, along with some extra pocket pages, and I still have some left to create with!  

For this layout, I decided to document some photos of my daughter that were taken almost 10 years apart - to the day! The focus of my page was the remaining pieces I had of the cut apart sheet from the Crate Paper 'Marigold' collection and one of the subscriber exclusive cut files designed by Anita Bownds.

I used white cardstock as the base for my page, and added the Pebbles Jen Hadfield black and white checkered paper from 'The Avenue' collection over the top.

For my embellishments I used a mix of the Pinkfresh Studio floral ephemera, puffy alpha stickers and one of the subscriber exclusive cut files,which I coloured using watercolour paint.

I also used some stickers from the Heidi Swapp 'Old School' collection and added some sparkle with Ranger Stickles Glitter Gel.

I have a process video available for this layout on my YouTube channel if you would like to see how I put this one together. And if you haven't already, I would love it if you subscribed to my channel while you are there. 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Together | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone,

Popping in today with a catch up layout that I created recently for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. This one was created for a theme entitled "1 paper, 3 ways" where three of the design team each shared a layout using the same patterned paper as our page background. The purpose of this theme was to showcase different ways to use the same paper, and hopefully give you some inspiration to create a page of your own. The paper we were all tasked to use was the gorgeous mixed media style Sweet Serenity from the 'Daydream' collection.

Here's the layout I created, entitled "Together"... 

For this page, I chose to document a recent photo of my daughter and I that was taken during a day at the beach. (And yes, it's a selfie! I often find that if I don't stop and take a selfie with my kids, I am rarely in any photos with them.)

So my layout began with the stunning Sweet Serenity paper, which I decided to add a little more subtle detail and texture to. I first used a criss cross patterned stamp along with some grey ink to add some stamping; then used a scattered hearts stencil with modelling paste to add some small white hearts.

I then set it aside to dry while I began work on the papery portion of my page. First, I gathered some pieces of patterned paper to create a layered mat under my photo. The papers I used were All Aflutter; Up in the Clouds; and Happy Place and I used both vertical and horizontal pieces to help ground the photo to the page. I also added a grey paper doily from my stash.

Now it was time for some pretty embellishments! I have to admit, I am totally obsessed with the floral print Garden Variety paper from this collection. I love it so much I just want to fussy cut the flowers from it and stick them on every page I create. I cut a few pieces from it and tucked them in around my photo to help frame it.

My next goal was to extend out my embellishment clusters from the focal point to reach the two main mixed media areas on the page, as I didn't want them to appear to be "floating" out on their own. I did this by using some cardstock leaves I had cut on my Silhouette with a cut file from Cut To You. This enabled me to ensure that all the stencilled areas on the page were connected to the focal point.

For my page title, I chose to use the word together from the Die Cut Titles pack, which I adhered along the bottom edge of my photo using some foam tape to pop it up a bit. On the top right corner of my photo I added the small happy days with you banner sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet; then scattered a few hearts from the Die Cut Ephemera pack

I finished off my layout by adding a doodled pencil border, some soft grey ink splatters and a few stamped phrases.

Thanks so much for joining me today so I could share this with you. Stay tuned over the next couple of days to see what else the team has in store to inspire you using the Sweet Serenity paper. 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Making Friends @ Hooters | Scrap the Girls October Challenge

Hi everyone! Today I am popping in to share my take on this month's challenge at Scrap the Girls, which is a combination of two events that both occur this month. It's called "Boo Bees" - Breast Cancer Awareness meets Halloween. You can choose to be inspired by either of these themes, or even something else from the inspiration image below...

I decided to cover both bases by creating a boobies themed layout with a Halloween colour palette. I reckon I nailed it - what do you think?

Those fabulous photos of me with the Hooters girls were taken during my trip to Arizona for Creativation last year. The girls were so lovely and more than happy to pose with me. 

To create my layout, I started by creating a quick watercolour style background using 'Faded Jeans' Distress Oxide (to tie in with my denim jacket in the photos). I then added some random stamping using a jumbled text stamp and grey ink.

Over the top of the watercolour, I added the Burst Circles cut file from this month's homegrown sponsor, Cut to You. I really wanted the shapes to pop against the background, so because I had already cut it with white, I just coloured it black with a Sharpie. I then used patterned paper from Cocoa Vanilla Studio to back a few of the larger circles to start bringing in the red / orange colours. I then set to work on some papery layers.

Underneath my photos I stacked layers of tissue paper, a paper doiley, printed tags tied with twine, and some frayed gauze for texture. I also put some scrap cardboard under my photos to help pop them up from the page.

To the left of my photos, I added a Charms Creations handmade star embellishment, which I topped with the hello flair button (from my sister's stash). 

To the right of my photos I added a piece of an old floral print Hambly Screenprints transparency, and some twisted coloured wire that I attached with staples. I used some small sparkly orange alpha stickers for the first part of my title; the @ from a pack of Heidi Swapp die cuts; and then black Thickers for the word hooters. (I love a good mixed font title!)

I finished off my page by adding a some stamped phrases; orange and black ink splatters and few well-placed orange enamel dots (to help some of those circles look like boobs). 

You only have 10 days left to join in this challenge to be in the running for the prizes from Cut to You (for the Aussies) or Tanya Leigh Designz (for the internationals). If you haven't already seen how the rest of the team interpreted this challenge, visit the Scrap the Girls blog HERE for more inspiration.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Bloom & Grow

 

Hi friends! I'm popping in today with a bit of a bonus share. I have been totally loving all of the rainbows I have been seeing everywhere lately, so I felt inspired to do some stash-busting and create a simple rainbow themed page of my own.

For my layout I decided to use a cut file from Cut to You as the basis of my background. I used the file called Sunshine Rainbows and cut the rainbow portion of the design on some white cardstock. I paired it with the 'Happiness' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, using the gorgeous Good Vibes paper to back the rainbow. I then trimmed down the cardstock to measure 11x11" and mounted it on a sheet of pink cardstock to create a page border.

Once I had my background together, I used a fine tip felt pen to add some faux stitching between the arches of the rainbow. This is a quick and easy technique if you don't have a sewing machine (or if like me, you just can't be bothered pulling it out at the time).

Next, I matted my photo using pieces of the Expressive and Frame of Mind papers, and I also tucked a yellow paper doily into my layers. I then placed my photo on top of my rainbow and set about adding some embellishments to the page.

I created a cluster in the top left corner of my photo using layered pink flowers from the Die Cut Ephemera pack to coordinate with the pink / red arches of the rainbow underneath. I balanced that cluster by embellishing the bottom right corner using more die cuts, only this time in blue tones to coordinate with the blues of the rainbow. 

For my title, I used the bloom & grow stickers from the 'Midnight' Accessory Sticker sheet, and then a label from the 'Happiness' sticker sheet to add my journalling. I finished off my layout with some tiny splatters of navy mist.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to perhaps create your own rainbow themed page. Until next time, happy scrapping! X