Best Day | Pinkfresh Fridays YouTube Hop

 

Hi everyone, 

I'm back with another new mixed media layout to share today. This one was created recent for the Pinkfresh Fridays monthly YouTube hop that is organised by my sweet friend Joanne Bartell. Each month, a group of scrappers create and share videos using Pinkfresh Studio products and I was delighted to be able to join in this time. 

I don't have a huge amount of Pinkfresh products in my stash, but luckily for me they often appear in the Hip Kit Club scrapbook kits, so I do have some. The products I used for this layout all came from my June 2021 kit, and were from the 'Happy Blooms' collection - a perfect choice to document this series of photos of my daughter with her Valentine's Day flowers from her boyfriend. 

I went quite product heavy on this page (why not - no use hoarding it, right?) and added lots of luscious layers, including a bunch tags that I cut from patterned paper.

My mixed media background was created using Distress Oxides - first applied with an ink blending tool, then stamped, then splattered. 

I added a couple of my signature elements (I guess they could be called that now?) with a paper doily and then frayed gauze for texture.

I was happy with how this one turned out and it was certainly fun to put together. You can watch my process video for this page via the link below. If you would like to see what everyone else created for this hop, be sure to open my video in YouTube and you will find a linked list of the other participants in my video description. 

While you are there, I would love it if you would subscribe to my channel so you don't miss any of my upcoming videos. (Or check out my back catalogue of videos - there are lots there to choose from!)

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Good Things Ahead | January 2022 Hip Kit

 

Hi everyone! So excited to be sharing another new layout with you today using the January 2022 Hip Kit. This kit features a pretty Hip Kit Club exclusive collection called 'Kaleidoscope' and I have loved working with it so far. (And yes, I am a subscriber and I buy my kits.)

Today's layout was created for the Hip Kit Club weekly challenge which is hosted each week in the Hip Kit Club group on Facebook. You don't need to be a subscriber to join the group, nor do you need to use one of their kits to enter the challenge. This week the challenge is a sketch that looks like this...

And this is my take on it...

I couldn't resist scrapping these recent photos of my daughter. I don't seem to get many of her these days, so I grab them whenever I can. I printed them in black and white as it gave me the freedom to use anything from the kit without any colours clashing. 

I used a mix of three different Distress Oxides to add subtle blended colour to my cardstock, then I stamped over the top with a fourth colour.

I used a mix of papers to add torn pieces along the top and bottom edges of my layout, then another piece from the same paper to define the focal area of my page. I also cut some tags from patterned  paper that were tucked into my layers under the photos.

I used a variety of pieces from the ephemera pack and the chipboard stickers to embellish my page. I also mixed in a number of items from my stash including a Charms Creations handmade heart, a small resin heart / rainbow; a flair from Cocoa Vanilla Studio; and some really pretty washi tape. 

I actually impressed myself with how accurately I was able to represent the sketch. (Usually when I do sketch challenges they end up looking nothing like the sketch!)

If you love this layout and would like to see how it came together (or even if you are just curious about how I did it), then make sure you watch my process video:

If you like what you see over on my YouTube channel, I would appreciate it if you gave my video a thumbs up and subscribed to my channel. 

Hopefully I'll be back soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Beautiful Daughter | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 Hi everyone, popping in today to share my latest design team project with you. For this one I was tasked to create something inspired by the mood board for the current Cocoa Vanilla Studio monthly challenge, which was designed by Michelle Stokes. 

Here's a look at the board...

The first thing that inspired me from the board was definitely the colours and the combination of different shades of pink, so I decided to create a layout of my daughter and go "full pink". I had a sweet photo of her that I took in our garden last year, where she was looking very dreamy, so I printed it out in black and white to keep it neutral.

My secondary inspiration from the board was the image of the heart with all the tassels hanging from it. This immediately made me think of the Tassels and Bows pack from the 'Unforgettable' collection, and along with my dreamy looking daughter, led me to the idea to create a dreamcatcher style layout to showcase the tassels.

For my layout, I decided to start with a sheet of white wood grain patterned paper from the 'Midnight' collection. This gave me a nice, neutral background with a bit of a boho vibe. I added some colour to the top portion of my page with two different shades of pink ink using the packaging technique to achieve a soft, unstructured look. 

Over the top of the ink I added the main part of my dreamcatcher. This was created using the die cut from the Large Die Cut and Backing kit from the 'Midnight' collection. I cut off the top third of the circle, then used a piercing tool to poke holes around the edge, which I threaded with some red and pink bakers twine. 

Next, I cut some paper layers to mat my photo with. I used a hot pink paper from the 'Unforgettable' 6x8" paper stack and a pink and white striped paper from the 'Midnight' 6x8" paper pad. I also added a white paper lace doily and some frayed gauze to my stack before adding my photo on top.

With my photo in place it was time to pretty things up! I used lots of floral pieces from the 'Unforgettable' Die Cut Ephemera pack to frame around my photo. I also added some small die cut flowers around the edge of my dreamcatcher where each hole with the twine was. 

Beneath the dreamcatcher, I added three tassels from the 'Unforgettable' Tassels and Bows pack, as well as three feathers from the 'Unforgettable' Die Cut Ephemera pack. I tied each tassel with the same twine I had threaded the dreamcatcher with. I tucked each of the pieces of twine under the title and then added a bow over the top.

I then added a few extra bits and pieces to my page - a flair button, the chipboard title beautiful, and some small phrase stickers - all from the 'Midnight' collection. From the 'Unforgettable' ephemera pack, I added some hearts and arrows (both inspired by the images in the board) and three die cut butterflies (because...butterflies!)

I was really happy with how this page turned out and I think it looks super pretty. I hope I have inspired you to play along with this month's challenge too. You can find all the details and enter via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group HERE.

If you would like to watch how I put this all together, you can check out my process video:

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Hey Bunny | Kitaholic Kits April 2021

 

Hi everyone! Today I am happy to be sharing the first of my projects using the Kitaholic Kits April kit and mixed media add-on kit. (If you would like to see the full contents of the kit, check out my unboxing video HERE.) This month's kit has some lovely pastel / Spring vibes that I thought would be perfect for documenting Easter, I decided to kick things off with a pretty Easter-themed layout documenting some fun selfies my daughter and I took together on Easter Sunday last year. 

I started my page by creating a mixed media background on a sheet of white cardstock (that I had cut down to 11x11"), using one of the Heidi Swapp chalk inks from the mixed media kit. I simply swiped the ink across my page randomly then used a wide brush loaded with water to blend it on the page. I then used a Distress Oxide from my stash (the new Kitsch Flamingo colour) and a sponge dauber combined with the floral design stencil from the mixed media kit to add the pattern over the top. I then topped it off by using a Dina Wakely Gloss Spray (from the March mixed media kit) to add some splatters over the top.

With my background done, I then mounted it onto the pretty lilac paper from Studio Light to form the border for my page. (I cut out the middle to retain it for another project.) I then created some layers using some of the other papers from the kit to go under my photos.

To embellish my page I used a mix of items from the kit that included the Simple Stories 'Bunnies & Blooms' chipboard stickers and die cuts; the Maggie Holmes 'Garden Party' sticker book and puffy Thickers pack.

I also used a pretty handmade heart embellishment from Charms Creations that I layered with the "XO" from the Thickers pack. 

I finished off my page with handwritten journalling, some stamped phrases and some black ink splatters. 

This page was a bit different for me - not only for the pink and purple colour palette I used, but also for the fact that I strayed from my usual "visual triangle" design and opted for a horizontal style flow instead.

If you would like to watch this page come together, make sure you check out my process video here: 

I'll see you again soon with another project. Until then, 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

Grad Dance | Kitaholic Kits December 2020

Hi everyone! In case you missed my announcement on one of my other social media channels, I am so happy to announce that I have officially joined the Kitaholic Kits team as a permanent design team member. Today I am sharing my very first layout using the new December kit and mixed media add-on kit. This month's gorgeous kit is filled with products from Crate Paper; Amy Tan; Pebbles; Simple Stories and more. (If you would like to see exactly what is in the kit, I have an unboxing video on my YouTube channel HERE)

For my first project I wanted to focus on the row of tags from the Crate Paper cut apart sheet in the kit, because - tags! I love tags, they are great for creating layers and tucking in amongst other elements. This time I really wanted the tags to be the hero of the page though, so I mixed a few different ones from the sheet, with some that I fussy cut myself and a few Kraft tags from my stash.

For my background I used a couple of Distress Oxides from my stash, as well as one of the Vicki Boutin stencils from the mixed media add-on kit. My photos were a series of pictures that I took of my hubby and daughter dancing together at her primary school graduation.

For my embellishments, I used a combination of the Pebbles die cuts from the Jen Hadfield collection 'The Avenue'; some of the wood veneer hearts; and a fussy cut floral piece from another of the Crate Paper patterned papers. 

My title was a mix of the Simple Stories foam alphas and the Rosie's Studio small puffy alphas. I finished off with some tiny splatters of navy mist, a stamped date and handwritten journalling. 

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

I would love it if you would pop over and watch my video, and please leave me a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already.

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

Sweet | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone! Popping in today to share a recent design team project for Cocoa Vanilla Studio with you. I was recently tasked with scraplifting a layout that had been shared in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Facebook Community group. The layout was an entry into the October "Spring Vibes" monthly challenge by Debra Beer, and looked like this...

Scraplifting is when you take a design from someone else and use it as the basis for your own page. This could range from copying the design in its entirety using the exact same materials; to simply using the page as inspiration and treating the bones of the page like a sketch, which is exactly what I did.

Here is my take on Debra's page using the 'Daydream' collection...

The first thing I decided when it came to creating my page, was that rather than a white cardstock background, I chose to use the Sun Shower patterned paper instead. I topped this with a piece of the Daisy Days paper to form the focal point of my page. I added extra texture to the paper by distressing the edges; and stuck some torn strips of washi tape under the top and bottom edges of it - just like Debra had also used washi tape on her page. I also added some frayed gauze for more texture.

On top of the Daisy Days paper, I added a small piece of the navy Up in the Clouds paper to help separate my unmatted photos a little from the busy floral print. For my photos, I also chose to go with both a portrait and landscape shot, just as the original page had. I also added a paper doily, but changed the position of it slightly to tuck under the left top corner of my photo and I also tucked in a circular frame from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. 

Just like Debra's original page, I wanted to embellish my layout using clusters of flowers. I fussy cut several pieces from the Garden Variety paper and combined them with some ephemera pieces to create three clusters to frame around my photos. I also added a couple of small phrase stickers to my page from the Accessory Sticker sheet.

I finished off by adding a Die Cut Title word along the bottom edge of my photo, then added some scattered sequins from the Sequins and Flowers pack instead of the enamel dots Debra had used. A few tiny splatters of black ink, my journalling, a stamped date and I was done!

Thanks so much to Debra for her inspiration - I really love how this page turned out! If you ever find yourself stuck for ideas, take a quick scroll through the CVS Facebook Community group and see all the gorgeous pages shared by the members there - you might find something to scraplift too. 

Please note: if you are going to copy the work of someone else, it is common courtesy to credit the original designer when sharing your page. A small mention of who inspired you is often enough to make someone else's day!

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