D-lish Scraps April Inspiration Board!

Just thought I would pop in and share my take on this month's fabulous Inspiration Board challenge at D-lish Scraps. (This was shared on the D-lish Scraps blog a few days ago.)

Here is what the board looks like...

And here's my take on it...

{Papers & pocket cards by Glitz Designs; Kaisercraft; Daisy Bucket; Basic Grey and Project Life} 

I used both the sketch and the colours as the main inspiration for this layout, but also the images shown (feathers, flowers, layers, Aztec inspired patterns). There are also PLENTY of D-lish Scraps products on this layout - foil doiley; washi tape, paper flowers; wood veneer; flair and a sequin bow. For more photos and full details of the products I used, please see my post on the D-lish Scraps blog HERE

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will play along with this month's Inspiration Board challenge. There is a $30 store voucher up for grabs for one lucky winner, plus another random entry will receive this month's "Just Add Paper" kit! You have til the 30th April to get your entries in.

If you have followed an external link (or even just stumbled here by accident) and you aren't following my blog via BlogLovin, please click the BlogLovin' follow button in the right sidebar to add me to your feed. (Or if you don't have BlogLovin', via the Google Friend Connect followers gadget.)
If you have Pinterest or Instagram, there are also links to find me there too.
Have a great day! X

A Cocoa Vanilla Studio Mash-Up!

Just popping in to share my latest Cocoa Vanilla Studio layout with you all. For this one, I used a "mash-up" of products from both the "Sugar & Spice" and "Flying High" collections, demonstrating just how well the two work together.

Here is my layout...

I love this pic of my daughter atop the mountain, so I tried to build my layout by choosing elements to reflect it. The "Little Man" paper was the perfect background, as the triangle design echoed the mountain theme, whilst the cork on the journal card was to reflect the natural texture of the rock.

The doilies were to reflect the clouds, and I also added a cloud sticker from the Sticker Accessory sheet. The little plane wood veneer is not only because she was "up in the clouds", but it also adds a touch of whimsy to the layout. (There are lots of other little elements I chose to reflect parts of the photo, but I won't bore you with them all!)

No hand written journaling this time, as I decided to go for a "cleaner" look. 

And how gorgeous is that "Sugar & Spice" flair? They come in sets of 6 different designs and coordinate perfectly with the range. I have lots of stickers and wood veneer shapes scattered around too. 

Thanks for stopping by to see what I've been up to. Don't forget to follow the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Facebook page and if you have any of your own CVS creations we would love to see them there! (You might see the odd giveaway there too!) ;)

Sue X

Show Us Your Stuff April Challenge!

A mid-month reveal from me today for the April Show Us Your Stuff challenge. This month there is a gorgeous mood board to inspire, designed by fellow DT member Kim.
Check this out (*swoon*)...

And here is my take on it...

{Papers by American Crafts - Dear Lizzy; ephemera die cuts by American Crafts - Dear Lizzy and Heidi Swapp}

I sooooo love this Dear Lizzy paper collection ("Daydreamer"), and I was glad I still had a little in my stash for this challenge. I complimented the soft papers with some of the coordinating die cut ephemera, and a few pieces of Heidi Swapp ephemera too. All the paper flowers are from D-lish Scraps (of course!)

For my handmade embellishment, I included a Charms Creations heart...

And a D-lish Scraps flair...

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope I have helped inspire you to join in this month's challenge if you haven't already. The winner this month will receive a fantastic prize from Catie's Craft Corner, so get scrapping! Entries close midnight, 30th April. X

Scrapping boys...with pink!

Just thought I would pop in and share a layout that was I was commissioned to do for last month's issue of Scrapbooking Memories magazine. (I actually scrapped this layout back at the end of October!) The challenge that was presented to me was to scrap a masculine layout using pink. Not one to shy away from a good challenge, I wholeheartedly embraced it, and made sure the shade of pink I used was really pink! ;)

I started by searching for photos of my boys that had some pink in them, so it gave me a reason to tie the colour in. I found some from Brielle's birthday, when the boys had watched her unwrap all her presents and then excitedly run off with all the Barbie things.

Here is my layout...

{Papers by Kaisercraft; Teresa Collins; Simple Stories; Little Yellow Bicycle}

As you can see, the layout is very "busy", with lots of details to look at. I deliberately designed it in this style, as I figured the easiest way to incorporate the pink would be to use lots of layering and use other colours & neutral tones to break up the pink and prevent it from becoming too dominant.

I didn't have any trouble thinking up a title for this layout. I sourced a pic of the Barbie logo and printed it out. I am glad I did, I think it not only adds the extra pop of pink, but makes the layout colour choice much more logical. 

Here are a few close-ups...

{Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric button; D-lish Scraps flair}

{Another Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric button and lots of luscious layers!}

{Photo cut out tab from Flutterby Designs}

So there you have it - a boy layout using pink! I am pretty happy with how this one turned out! :)

Another Boy Layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio!

Aargh me hearties! Just popping in to share a recent layout I created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the "Flying High" collection (with a little bit of "Sugar & Spice" thrown in!) This is such a fun collection, and just perfect for my two little rascals!

Do you know the best thing about creating this layout? Aside from the white cardstock, every single bit of this layout is Cocoa Vanilla Studio product. (Actually, except for the cork paper which is from the "Sugar & Spice"collection, it is all from the "Flying High" range.) That meant this layout was super quick & easy for me to put together as everything I needed was right there (no running back & forth to the cupboard searching for supplies!)

I made great use of the Accessory Stickers on this layout. (I soooo love the banner ones!)

I even used the stickers for my title!

And, as an extra fun element, I added some cartoon style sound effects to my photos before I printed them.

I am really happy with how this layout came out, (and the time it took to complete too!)
Out of curiousity, how long does a layout take YOU? Would love to know how I stack up, as I suspect I am rather slow! ;)
For more inspiration from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team, make sure you are following the blog HERE and the Facebook page HERE
Thanks for stopping by! X

Who's "A Planner"?

So, who out there amongst you is "a planner"? If you are, then today this one's for you!

I recently acquired this gorgeous Kikki K leather planner. This is what it looked like when it came to me. (|Pretty, but not "me" enough for my liking!)

So, being a papercrafter with all the tools already at my disposal, I decided to dip my toe into the world of "planning" by seeing what I could do to put my own personality into my planner. I started by creating my own custom made dividers using some gorgeous "Sugar & Spice" papers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Here they are...

I also added some gorgeous Kaisercraft and Project Life pocket cards to my planner.
Here's how they look inside. I am so happy with it!

If you would like to see how I made these, you will find the instructions in my post up on the Off the Rails Scrapbooking blog HERE. Pop over and see how easy it is!

Til next time, happy scrapping! (Or planning!) X

Scrappy Good News!!!

So, for anyone who didn't see the announcement yesterday via social media, I am very pleased to announce that I am now officially a Design Team member for D-lish Scraps!!!

Have a look at this for an awesome line-up...

(Still can't believe I am in it! LOL)

I am thrilled to be able to join the D-lish Design Team, as I have been an avid customer of D-lish for quite some time, and I am so happy that I will now be able to represent the store and products officially! My D-lish debut will come later in the month, but if you want to see how I use the products, you need only scroll back through my posts here!

Here are the blog links for all the team members so you can check them out...

Carol Deal

Cindy Porter

Katie Howard

Linda Trace

Michelle Stokes

Monica Brady

Ros Madley

I am very thankful to Amanda for having faith in my creative ability, and look forward to sharing lots of D-lishous projects with you over the coming months! X

Scrap the Boys April Challenge!

Woo hoo! First of the month again - new challenge day! (Surely I am not the only one who gets excited by that? LOL) First up this month, I am sharing my take on the April challenge at Scrap the Boys. This month it is a gorgeous mood board challenge, that looks like this...

And here is my take on it...

{Papers by Basic Grey; Kaisercraft; also Kaisercraft Captured Moments pocket cards & ephemera}

Published in Scrapbooking Memories magazine Vol 18 No 4

This layout was another stash-buster for me. (Can you believe those papers were first released in 2009?) I paired my "vintage" papers with some "modern" pocket cards and embellishments and voila! Everything old is new again! (I did put a little twist on the theme by using some "new vintage" in the form of the Kaisercraft ephemera.)

{Wood veneer, sequin bow and flowers all from D-lish Scraps}

{More D-lish Scraps goodies - flair and flower}

Last but not least, my handwritten journaling. (I am quite impressed that I have kept this resolution up!) This layout was the second one I have now completed using hospital photos of the boys. (It was nowhere near as hard as the first!) I am going to keep trying to get them done, as they are such important memories to record.

Thanks for popping in today, I hope I have tempted you into joining us at Scrap the Boys this month. Such a stunning mood board to be inspired by, and as always fabulous sponsors supporting it!

Happy scrapping! X

Flying High for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

For anyone that didn't see this layout on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog over the weekend, here is my latest offering using the super cool "Flying High" collection. (I have to say, I am loving scrapping my boys with this range, it rocks!)

So many "Flying High" layers here - papers, stickers, flair and wood veneer shapes. (The cork hearts are actually from the "Sugar & Spice"collection.)

{Coloured wire from D-lish Scraps}

Check out this little arrow embellishment I made using using one of the banner stickers, small cork hearts and the tip of a cork star; along with a paper straw and some twine...

Thanks for stopping by today. If you would like to see more inspiration using Cocoa Vanilla Studio products, be sure you are following the CVS blog and the Facebook page. To get your hands on your own stash of Cocoa Vanilla, you can shop HERE or ask your favourite scrappy retailer!
Sue X

Sugar & Spice for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

A little catch-up from me today, featuring my latest layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the aptly named (and very delicious) Sugar & Spice collection. This layout was published recently on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog.

"That's My Girl"...

{Large paper bloom by Manor House Creations; other flowers and sequin bow from D-lish Scraps} 

I concentrated on the warm pink tones in the collection for my layout, (the papers I used for my background were 'Candy Stripes' and 'Flutter'). I also added some texture using a a damask template, and misted over it to blend it in.

How cute are the wood veneer shapes from this collection? I used my Gelatos to slightly tint this butterfly, before I added some adhesive pearls and sat it atop my flower cluster...

This flower veneer was also coloured using Gelatos, and I used a white gel pen to highlight the fine detail...

A layout isn't complete without flair, right? LOL This is one from the "Sugar & Spice" flair set (which comes with 6 different designs to coordinate perfectly with the papers)...

And I didn't forget to journal either! This time I hid it away behind my photo on a pull-out journal tag I created using the "Journal Cards" paper, a sticker and a wood veneer arrow.

Thanks for popping in to take a peek at what I've been creating. (Don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you were here and I can visit you in return!)
If you would like to get your hands on some 'Sugar & Spice' goodies of your own, you will find the entire collection in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio shop HERE, or just ask your favourite scrappy retailer!

Scrap the Boys March Challenge!

Time for a mid-month Design Team challenge reveal from me, and this one is for Scrap the Boys. This month's challenge is an awesome sketch - which I loved as soon as I saw it! (You will find the sketch HERE)

And here is my take on it...

{Papers by Glitz Design; Echo Park; Graphic 45 and My Minds Eye. Ephemera pieces by Fancy Pants}

{Flair by Flutterby Designs; foam feathers from Rainbow Splendour}

There are two fabulous prizes up for grabs this month for the winners of this challenge, (just in case the awesome sketch isn't enough incentive!) Looking forward to seeing lots of entries!

Happy scrapping! X

Show Us Your Stuff March Challenge!

Another Design Team reveal for me today, this time for the March challenge at Show Us Your Stuff. This month the challenge has been designed by DT member Chloe and is a gorgeous quote challenge...

Here's my layout using the quote...

{Papers and ephemera by Teresa Collins;
Published - Scrapbooking Memories Vol 18 No 7}

I can't believe I scrapped a Christmas layout! (For those who know me, you will know how rare that is! LOL) And how easily it all came together too. Happy days!

Of course, a layout for Show Us Your Stuff isn't complete without a handmade embellishment (or two), look at this gorgeous spotted vellum bow from Rainbow Splendour...

And this flair from D-lish Scraps...

I even got the stapler out!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the challenge at Show Us your Stuff this month, it's a gorgeous quote that can be used so many ways! (Even Christmas layouts! hehe) And, there is an amazing prize pack from Chloe at Rainbow Splendour up for grabs too (definitely worth playing for!)

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Off The Rails March Challenge!

First day of another month and I am back again to share a new challenge and layout with you all! The first one I have to share this month is for Off the Rails Scrapbooking.

Now I have to admit, I didn't love this month's mood palette when I first saw it, as it screamed vintage to me - not my forte at all. Once I stepped back a bit and decided to do it in my own style, I had no problem though. (And I was gently reminded that this is supposed to be a challenge after all!)

Here is what I came up with...

{Papers by Graphic 45; Kaisercraft and Basic Grey; also Kaisercraft Captured Moments pocket cards}

This layout was another great stash buster for me, as I was able to pick through my stash and use up some older product (and some even older scraps!) It was just a matter of finding papers to suit the palette and then off I went.

Here is the palette I was working with...

I took the basic "bones" of the sketch and the colours from the palette as my inspiration to start, but I also incorporated some small details from the photos - such as the pink flower and the book paper.

{Book print chippy heart button from Burdy's Embellies; large flower by Prima; other flowers from D-lish Scraps}

{Flair from D-lish Scraps; photo tab from Flutterby Designs}

You have until the end of the month to join in this challenge and be in the running to win a fabulous prize from Imaginarium Designs. 

Thanks for popping in, and for everyone who takes time out of their day to leave me comments - they really are very much appreciated! X