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 

Sweet Recharge | Sunkissed collection | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 

Hi everyone! I am so happy to be sharing this layout today, because it's my very first page using the brand new 'Sunkissed' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Let me tell you, the colours in this collection are nothing short of AMAZING! It’s everything my colour-loving heart could have possibly wanted (and more!) 

Here is my layout “Sweet Recharge”, (aptly titled, as it features a photo of my kids that I took when we went out one day for milkshakes at a local cafe)…

I began my layout with the gorgeous warm ombre print on the B side of the Summer Lights paper as my background. As I was dealing with strong, bright colour to start with, I decided to dry brush some white acrylic paint to define the focal area of my page. This would help provide some separation between the background colour and the colours of the papers I was going to use.

I then took a sheet of the rainbow striped Good Vibrations paper and cut a piece from the area that had the warm tones on it. I layered this with a piece of the rainbow print of the Sunny Days paper; then topped it with the polka dot print from the A5 paper stack. (This print is exclusive to the paper stack, and does not appear in the 12×12″ papers.) I also tucked in a small piece of the animal print from the reverse of the Growing Wild paper, then added a paper doily, some frayed gauze for soft texture, and my photo placed on top.

When it came to embellishing my layout, I really was spoiled for choice. This collection has sooo many delicious embellishments to choose from, and I just wanted to use them all! I started with flowers. First, a couple of floral pieces that I fussy cut from the Growing Wild paper, which is the signature floral from the range. I tucked these pieces in around my photo (one to the right, the other below). I then started a third cluster using some flowers from the new Floral Ephemera pack, which I placed up in the top left corner of my photo. (This formed the “visual triangle” around my photo.)

Also included in this small cluster was the so happy tab, and a cute watermelon sticker (both from the Accessory Sticker sheet) on the corner of my photo; a sweet little flower from the Puffy Sticker sheet; and one of the Wood Buttons. I also placed a phrase sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet nearby. Above my photo I tucked in a label that was fussy cut from the Fun in the Sun cut apart paper, which I wrote my journalling on.

I padded out my remaining two clusters with more flowers and leaves from the Floral Ephemera pack, bending up some of the petals and leaf tips for added dimension. Down at the bottom of my layout I added a cute little garland from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and another couple of phrases from the Accessory Sticker sheet. (One of which I actually used as part of the title.)

The main part of my title came from the new Glitter Foam Title stickers which are really pretty and sparkly. (And if you know anything about my love-hate relationship with glitter, you would know how happy I am to say they did not shed all over my desk!) I finished off my title with one of the cute Puffy Stickers.

Finally,  I added a few little heart Clear Stickers; and splattered around some black and white ink. I absolutely love how this page came together and am crushing all the gorgeous colours in this collection! I hope you are feeling inspired and planning on adding this collection to your stash too!

If you would like to watch this one come together, you can watch my process video here:

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

Go Girl | Kitaholic Kits December 2020

 

Hi everyone!

I am popping in today with another of my Kitaholic Kits projects using the fabulous December kit. This page was inspired by the Simple Stories cut apart paper, which was filled with beautiful bright colours, so I decided to dust off my Gelatos from my stash to create a colourful abstract background to match. 

The photo I was documenting was of my daughter and one of her best friends that was taken on their last day of primary school. I decided to pair it with the colourful banners from the cut apart that were filled with inspirational sayings. 

I decided to create a diagonal design for my page, working from top left to bottom right. This allows for the viewer's eye to be drawn down through the focal area of the page where the photo was placed.

In addition to the Gelatos I had used for my background, I wanted to add some further detail to help elevate the background and stop it appearing so flat. I used one of the Vicki Boutin "Storyteller" stencils paired with the Ranger Stickles "Asteroid" Glitter Gel - both from the December mixed media add-on kit. To apply, I simply swiped the gel through the stencil using a palette knife in several spots around my page. This added the touch of sparkle and extra detail I was looking for. 

Under my photo I added two layers of patterned paper (both Amy Tan papers); some frayed gauze; and a pink paper doily from my stash. I then began working on my embellishments, which I kept relatively simple due to the busy background.

In addition to the banner pieces that I had fussy cut from the Simple Stories paper, I also used some of the November floral printables. These were provided exclusively for kit subscribers, so if you would like access to extras like this each month, then make sure you visit the website HERE for information on how to become a subscriber.

In the bottom right corner of my photo I added the fussy cut rosette ribbon (also from the Simple Stories paper); a handmade heart from Charms Creations; and then finished off my page with a sprinkling of the gorgeous Pebbles puffy dots and a splattering of ink. 

If you would like to see how I put this one together, you can watch my process video on my YouTube channel here:

That's all from me today. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Thankful | Kitaholic Kits December 2020

 

Hi friends! Today I am here to share the second of my projects for Kitaholic Kits using the gorgeous December kit. For this layout I decided to use the beautiful blue paper from Pinkfresh Studio as the starting point for my page, and document a photo of my hubby and kids that was taken a few months ago on Father's Day. 

I was really drawn to the beautiful foliage print around the edge of the Pinkfresh paper, which was contrasted by a constellation style print in the centre. And whilst I loved each of the patterns individually, the mixing of the two didn't sit well with me, so I decided to cut the centre of the paper out and put it aside for another project. I then replaced it with some white cardstock instead.

For the focal point of my page where my photo was going to go, I used another of the Pinkfresh Studio papers, as well as a piece from Amy Tangerine. These were complimented with some extra pieces from the Pinkfresh Studio cut apart paper, including the Moments that Matter phrase piece.

My embellishments were a mix of items from the kit, as well as some of the subscriber exclusive floral printables from November. These are super easy to simply print and fussy cut out. The wood veneer hearts and the Pebbles puffy dots from the kit were some of my fave things this month.

I also used an extra embellishment from my stash - the lovely hessian and felt heart from Charms Creations, which was easy to match with such neutral tones, and the perfect spot to add the Pinkfresh sticker on top.

You can watch my process video for this layout on my YouTube channel here:

 I would love it if you could pop over and watch my video, and please leave me a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already. And a BIG thank you to everyone who has already subscribed and supported my little channel - you guys rock!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X