Hi everyone, today I am sharing my latest Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team project with you.
This week we are doing a scraplift theme with a twist, as the team have been tasked with scraplifting ourselves! I have to admit, it was a great excuse to look back over some of my Cocoa Vanilla projects from years gone by, but the task of choosing one was a bit like choosing a favourite child. In the end I decided on a layout from back in November 2018. It was created for the “Throwback Thursday” feature and I used the ‘Life is Beautiful’ collection, which was actually released back in Cocoa Vanilla’s first year back in 2015. This collection remains one of my all-time faves, and I still have some of it lovingly hoarded in my stash.
Here is my original layout…
For once, I actually scraplifted a layout and stuck pretty much to the original design. This was partly because I wanted to see if it would hold up to the test of time, but it was also because I was sick with COVID and was lacking in mojo and energy. So this scraplift couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
As you can see, I stuck very closely to my original design. I chose to document a photo of myself and my family in front of our new house that we recently purchased, and I knew this collection would be perfect for it. In particular, it was the Neighbourhood paper with all the sweet little houses that I had in mind. I combined this with the spotty print of the Take Flight paper and some strips of the pretty orange leafy pattern of the Wall of Fame paper as the base of my design. To add texture, I lightly distressed the outer edges of my papers.
With papers in place, it was time to start working on the other components. I decided to add two elements that I include on most of my current layouts that were missing from the original page – frayed gauze and a paper doily. I opted for a dark charcoal doily to tie in with the black of my photo, and I layered them on the background before sticking my photo on top.
Alongside my photo, I added the no place like home 3×4″ card from the Pocket Cards pack; whilst the oh happy day quote along the bottom edge of the photo was from the cut apart The Good Life paper.
I used pieces from the Floral Ephemera pack as the basis for my embellishment and title clusters. I added foam tape behind some of the flowers as I layered them, and I also bent the petals up away from the page to add dimension. In the cluster around the bottom left corner of my photo I added one of the Wood Epoxy Buttons to mimic the flair button from the original layout.
For the title cluster above my photo, I used the word home from the Foam Title Stickers, flowers from the Floral Ephemera pack and the small sweet flag from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. Being the butterfly lover I am, and also as a nod to all the butterflies on my original page, I couldn’t resist adding one of the butterflies (also from the ephemera pack).
A few finishing touches included a label from the Accessory Sticker sheet for my journalling and the date; small hearts from the Puffy Stickers pack added to my photo; and some small splatters of black ink around the page.
If you would like to see exactly how this page came together, you can watch my process video here:
That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by. Let me know in the comments (either here, on my Facebook page, or on my YouTube channel) if there is anything you would like to see from me - such as a specific product you would like to see me use or a technique you would like to see me do.
Hi everyone, I hope this finds you well. It's been super busy around my house lately with the kids on school holidays and I haven't had much time to sit at my desk and create. *insert sad face* I did however, have a chance recently to play along with Danni Vee's 4K Hooray YouTube hop. This hop was put together to celebrate my dear friend Danni's recent milestone of reaching four thousand subscribers on YouTube. Such a fabulous achievement!
For the hop, Danni invited us to create a layout using four of her favourite items from the grid below...
In a further nod to Danni, several participants (myself included), also decided to scraplift one of Danni's layouts. I knew immediately which one I wanted to do, because it was one of my favourite Danni layouts of all time...
This was one that Danni created for the Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team, and given that I am fortunate enough to be on this team with her, I thought it was the perfect choice. Danni used the 'Legendary' collection for her page, so of course I did the same.
Here's my take on it...
The photo I chose to document was of my boys at their cross country at school. They placed second and fifth for their age group, which was an awesome performance from them both.
I started my layout with the same wood grain paper that Danni did, which is just about my favourite paper from this whole range. I added some subtle mixed media to my page using texture paste and a stencil from Dusty Attic. I also added some white and teal splatters and then set it aside to dry.
For the focal area of my page, I matted my photo using blue star print paper then added the layer of the teal chevron print paper (which was actually from the 'Sunkissed' collection) underneath it. Amongst the layers I also tucked in a grey paper doily, and some frayed gauze for texture before sticking my photo on top.
I knew I wanted to use the title "Super Stars" for my page using the Die Cut Titles from the collection. (I did have to improvise and add an extra "s" to the end of star, which I simply cut from another word.) I stuck my title down along the bottom edge of the photo, just as Danni had placed hers.
When it came to embellishing my page, I wanted to use stars to tie in with the title. I gathered together a selection from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and tucked them in around my photo. On the right edge of my photo I also added the certified legend ribbon, because it worked perfectly with the theme of the page.
Like Danni's page, I finished off with some tiny phrase stickers and a scattering of enamel dots (both of which were on Danni's list of materials). In the end, I ticked off:
- patterned paper background
- ink splatters
- tiny word stickers
- enamel dots
AND, I added in a scraplift to boot!
If you would like to see how this layout came together and see the videos from the other participants in Danni's hop, check out my process video here (there is a inked listed of participants in my video description):
Hi friends! I've got an extra project to share with you today - a layout that was created for the Scrappy YouTubers Lift-a-thon. (I know, it sounds kind of strenuous doesn't it? I promise it's not!)
This huge YouTube hop has a long list of very talented participants and I was so happy to be able to take part. For the hop, each participant scraplifts a project from the next person on the list, which means there is a new video going up every day for well over a month. (You can find the full list of participants and a link to each of their channels in my video description on YouTube.)
I was tasked to scraplift a project by the lovely Joanne Bartell, and below is a shot of the pretty layout I chose to lift.
I decided to put my own spin on Joanne's page by creating a boy page for my layout, and I used the 'Legendary' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.
I documented a sweet photo of my boys that I took one day when one of them wasn't feeling well.
Besides the 'Legendary' collection, I also added some mixed media to my page using a Distress Oxide with a cool stencil from StencilGirl, and some stamping using one of my favourite background stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps.
I added texture to my page with the use of frayed gauze, and included metallic elements of wire and staples to help give it a masculine feel.
I also included a handmade star embellishment from Charms Creations, which I layered with the Cocoa Vanilla flair button.
I was so happy with how this layout turned out - I do love a good boy page!
If you would like to see exactly how this all came together, make sure you pop over and watch my process video. (And don't forget to visit all the participants as the hop progresses too.)
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!
Hi everyone!
I know things have been a bit quiet around here, I have been super busy the past couple of weeks with lots happening with my boys' birthday, school holidays, etc. So today I thought I would kick off my catch up with a mixed media layout I created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio as part of the recent scraplift theme that our team did. For this theme we were challenged to choose a layout from all the International Scrapbook Day challenge entries to inspire us to create our own version. There were so many amazing layouts I found it really hard to choose, but I kept coming back to this super cool page by Rachel Dutko...
There were so many elements I just loved about this page - the textures of the torn, layered papers; the eclectic mix of embellishments; the use of white space; and the touch of mixed media - it just drew me in. For my scraplift, I really wanted to capture some of Rachel's main design features, whilst still creating a layout that was my own style. I even decided to re-visit one of my all-time favourite collections, 'Bohemian Dream'.
Here is my layout... (Click on photos for better view)
I decided to create my page with a similar theme to Rachel's, by documenting a selfie and focusing on the message of being yourself and unique. (This pic probably accurately represents me...haha) I then grabbed some white cardstock and added a splash of colour, just as Rachel had on hers. I used blue and purple Distress Oxides, which I mixed with a little water and then applied to my cardstock to achieve an abstract watercolour background.
Next, I chose three patterned papers, which I tore and layered across my page. The papers I used were Dreamer; Gypsy Heart; and Abstract. I also added a few torn pieces of a washi tape sticker from the 'You Rock' collection and an extra paper strip cut from the reverse of the Dreamer paper.
Just as Rachel did, I used two layers of paper to mat my photo (these were from the 'Bohemian Dream' 6x6" paper pad); along with a small yellow paper doily and some frayed gauze for texture. I then began working on the embellishments to cluster around my photo.
I had a sheet of the gorgeous floral print Abundant paper that I had already cut into previously, so I fussy cut three floral pieces to tuck into the layers around my photo, adding a couple of extra little leafy branches from the Die Cut Ephemera pack.
Then it was time for a little stash-busting treasure hunt as I looked through my stash of Cocoa Vanilla embellishments for some extra bits and pieces. I found a couple of gorgeous blue paper flowers I had left over from the 'Hello Sunshine' collection that matched with my blue ink perfectly, so I added those to my clusters, tucking the edges under my photo. I also found some cute little blue puffy stickers from the same collection, so onto the page they went too.
The one of a kindFlair Button that I added to the corner of my photo was from the 'Bohemian Dream' pack, and was perfect for my page theme! The small mint acrylic heart was left-over from the 'Free Spirit' collection; and I also used some blue enamel dots from 'Life is Beautiful'.
Rachel had some pretty little butterflies on her page, so I had to include some on mine too. (I know, since when do I need an excuse for butterflies, right?!) I added a blue one from the 'Bohemian Dream' chipboard near the top of the page; then a smaller pink one from the Die Cut Ephemera pack near to the bottom.
To finish off, I added the live in the moment sticker for my page title (popped up on a little foam tape), and a few small phrases from the Accessory Sticker sheet. A little splatter of some navy mist and I was done.
A big thanks to Rachel for inspiring me with her fabulous layout, I am really happy with how mine came out. (Even though I am clearly incapable of showing the same level of restraint that I so admired about Rachel's page...haha)
Popping in today with another share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the brand new 'Happiness' collection. Recently, some of the CVS design team members were assigned a "scraplift" theme on the blog, where they chose a layout by a teammate and created their own version of it. I chose a gorgeous layout by Gwen Wruck that she shared last year using the 'Midnight' collection.
I decided to document a photo of myself and some of my fave peeps that was taken at a scrappy retreat last year.
To create my page I began by inspecting the various elements and structure of Gwen's design and then interpreted those into my own page using the new 'Happiness' collection.
Just as Gwen did, I started my layout using one of the mixed media style papers from the collection called Sprinkles - so soft and pretty.
The next element I focused on was the double layered mat under the photo. I used two sheets from the 6x8" paper pad. (I love these size pads - they are perfect for matting 4x6" photos!)
Once I had the photo matted, it was time to focus on all those beautiful flowers. Gwen had fussy cut hers from one of the floral print papers, so I did the same with the stunning Botanical Bliss paper. (I am totally in love with this floral paper - with its sketchy, watercolour style and all the vibrant colours.) I added some clusters around my photo, aiming for a similar placement as Gwen's.
I also used a few pieces from the Die Cut Ephemerapack to add a few extra blooms into the bunches. (I especially like the additional of the little flower pot & jug, which I tucked underneath the paper so only the black sketchy style stems were showing.)
For my title, I used the words happy days from the Die Cut Titles pack.
Alongside my photo, I added one of the Flair Buttons, just as Gwen did in her original layout. To represent the banner that Gwen had used, I added one of the sweet tassels and part of the wreath frame from the Die Cut Ephemera pack.
Along the bottom edge of my photo I added the good stuff banner from the Accessory Sticker sheet, and a die cut heart.
To finish off my layout, I added some of the Clear Stickers around my page - a butterfly, a heart and the two watercolour painted marks stickers which I placed in a similar position to the little spots on Gwen's original background paper.
I just love how this page turned out - it's amazing how similar, yet completely different, the two pages turned out simply by using two different collections. Thank you Gwen for the inspiration!
I will be back again soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X
