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

Ho Ho Ho | Scrap the Girls December Challenge

 Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my take on the December challenge for Scrap the Girls, which (not surprisingly) just happens to have a bit of a festive theme. It's called "The Story of Christmas" and besides the overall theme, it features a colour palette and an inspirational image.

Here's a look at the board...

And here is my take on it, using the new 'Merry & Bright' Christmas collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio...

The photo I was documenting was a photo of my daughter with Santa that I took last year. Yes, I know Santa isn't a girl, but we make a special exception to our "no boys" rule for Santa in this challenge. (So if you have any Santa photos with your girls, this is a great time to get them scrapped!)

I decided to use a mix of two patterned papers for my background - the tiny spots on the Happy Holidays paper, combined with the candy stripes of the Jingle All the Way paper. I also added some tearing and distressing for texture along the top join between the two. 

Next, I cut a couple of pieces of patterned paper from the A5 Paper Stack to create a double layered matt for my photo. I then added some frayed gauze before sticking my photo down on top.

With my photo in place, my plan was to embellish along a horizontal line on either side of the photo, right where the lower join between the two patterned papers was. For this, I wanted to use some of the gorgeous little gingerbread style houses from the range to form a bit of scene to frame the photo.

The two larger houses were both fussy cut from a couple of the new Pocket Cards, whilst the third smaller house was from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. I also used the Hey Santa card from the Pocket Card pack. I then extended the line of embellishments out further by adding two tags from the ephemera pack that I had tied with small pieces of twine. The final large piece I added was the Christmas tree, which I tucked in behind the house on the left side of the page.

With all of my main embellishments in place along the line, I then decided to add a little bit of extra colour using a light peach watercolour paint which I just gently painted in around edges of my embellishments.

For my title, I fussy cut the words Ho Ho Ho from another of the Pocket Cards and stuck it down above my photo. A few little touches to finish my page off included a die cut flower tucked in along the top join where I had folded back the paper and secured it with staples; a small die cut heart down near the bottom of the page; a stamped date; and my handwritten journalling. 

I am really happy with how this sweet layout turned out and I hope you will join us for this challenge. You can grab all the challenge details as well as see what else the design team created, on the Scrap the Girls blog HERE

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

Good Vibes | Kitaholic Kits November 2020

Hi everyone! I am super excited to share the third of my Kitaholic Kits guest designer projects with you today. For this one, I decided to create another masculine layout, but use a bit more mixed media than my previous two projects.  

As I was documenting a photo of my boys at the beach that was taken on their birthday, I wanted to give my page a "watery" vibe, so I used Distress Oxides to create a watercolour style background on my cardstock using my messy mat.

Over the top of the ink I added some stencilling using one of the Vicki Boutin stencils and the Ranger Stickles Glitter Gel - both from the mixed media add-on kit, and (of course) there was some ink splatters too. 

The papers I used were a mix of Crate Paper and Heidi Swapp from the kit, along with some of this month's subscriber only exclusive printables thrown in. 

For my embellishments I used a mix of Heidi Swapp stickers; Pinkfresh Studio floral ephemera; and a Charms Creations handmade heart from my stash.

I have a process video available for this layout on my YouTube channel if you would like to see how it came together:

For current Kitaholic Kits subscribers I also have some companion pocket pages that I created to match this layout, which are available exclusively in the Subscribers Facebook group. (Additional content is only one of the benefits of becoming a kit subscriber. You can check out all the other benefits HERE)

I've got one more guest designer project to share using this kit, so make sure you keep an eye out for it.

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

Frank | Kitaholic Kits November 2020

 Hi everyone! I am here today to share the second of my guest designer projects for Kitaholic Kits using the November scrapbook kit and mixed media add-on kit. If you recall my first project, I documented some photos of my son dressed up as a character from a story he wrote, so for this page I decided I had better create a layout of his twin dressed as his story character too.

I used white cardstock for my page base, then layered it with the Crate Paper wood grain paper and the Jen Hadfield (for Pebbles) text print paper, which I punched with a notebook style punch. (I thought this would work well with the "story" theme.)

I also added a row of stencilled lines across the top and bottom of the page using one of the new Vicki Boutin 'Storyteller' stencils from the mixed media add-on kit. 

As with my previous project, the story was an important part of the page, so I used another of the Pinkfresh Studio pockets and a journal tag to be a prominent feature of my design. I also added almost identical journalling, just changing the relevant details to personalise it for him. I also added a QR code to the back of my tag that linked to a video of him reading his "Frank the Zombie" story. 

For the embellishments, I used a mix of the Heidi Swapp cardstock and phrase stickers; a few of the subscriber exclusive printables; and some of the Pinkfresh Studio floral ephemera pieces. I also used the Pinkfresh puffy alphas for my title. 

I have a process video available  if you would like to watch how this layout came together. (If you like what you see, I would love it if you would become a subscriber of my YouTube channel too.) 

That's all from me today. If you would like to check out the Kitaholic Kits shop, or investigate about becoming a kit subscriber so you can receive your own box of happiness each month, visit the Kitaholic Kits website HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

The Good Life | Scrap the Girls November Challenge

Hi everyone! I am popping in today to share my take on this month's challenge for Scrap the Girls. If you haven't seen the November challenge yet, it just happens to be a sketch designed by me, and I am loving seeing what people are creating with it so far!

Here's a look at the sketch which is entitled "Don't Just Look at the Stars"...

You could interpret the title of the sketch as you wish - you could create a layout with a theme about aiming high or setting goals, or you might take the title literally as I did, and turn those stars into a different type of element on your page.

Here is the layout I created, using the 'Daydream' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio...

As you can see, I turned the stars into rainbows and flowers instead to document a fun photo of my daughter and her friend having a "girls night in". I did at least stick pretty well to the sketch by keeping it in a tight, vertical style design (but you could rotate or flip it if you wish). 

I used 'Mustard Seed' Distress Oxide to create the subtle yellow watercolour background on my cardstock first, before going in with a criss cross texture stamp and grey ink to add extra detail over the colour. 

I then added strips of patterned paper to form the vertical base of my design, and kept the photo placed along the same axis just as in the sketch. I then added layers of patterned paper and tissue paper to mat my photo, as well as a paper doily and some frayed gauze to pad the layers out and add further texture to the page.

Then it was simply a matter of adding my embellishments, which were mainly a mix of both fussy cut and die cut rainbows and flowers. I used foam tape to raise some of them up off the background to add extra interest to the page. I also added a few more die cuts, Accessory Stickers and a flair button all from the same collection. 

I finished off with a few stamped phrases using a roller stamp and grey ink, and some tiny splatters of navy mist. Sticking to the sketch (for once) made this a super quick and simple layout to put together, and I love how fun it is.

I would love to see lots of you play along with my sketch this month. You can enter by linking your layout via the blog, or even via Facebook or Instagram! Check the post HERE for all the details and to see what else the design team created.

Cocoa Vanilla Studio are the Aussie sponsor this month, so if you would love the chance to snag a voucher to do some shopping then make sure you get an entry in! 

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

Baking Memories | Kitaholic Kits November 2020

Hi everyone!

Today I am happy to be sharing the first of my guest designer projects for Kitaholic Kits using the November kit and mixed media add on kit. This month's kit is filled with products from Heidi Swapp, Pinkfresh Studio, Crate Paper and Pebbles; and the mixed media kit with products from Vicki Boutin and Ranger. (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 found myself drawn to the Jen Hadfield leaf print paper, which I thought would work well with some outdoor photos. I was also drawn to the Pinkfresh Studio journalling bits, so I knew I wanted to create a page that had a good story behind it. I came up with the idea of documenting a series of photos of one of my boys that were taken during our remote learning period. On this day, my boys had both written Dr Suess style stories, and then we did a dress up photo shoot of the main character from each of their stories. This is Hunter dressed as "Fred the Dragon".

I chose to keep the leaf print paper to use as a border for my page (because I thought it gave it that "story book" vibe), and used a sheet of white cardstock with brushed acrylic paint for my background.

Layers of torn and distressed patterned papers mixed with a paper doily, frayed gauze and Heidi Swapp stickers formed the basis of the focal point of my design. 

I used the Pinkfresh 'Days of Splendour' floral ephemera to create clusters for my page, which I brushed with the Ranger Stickles 'Moon Dust' Glitter Gel for a touch of sparkle.

I then added more stickers, a few rhinestones, and a punny title by altering the title printed on the Pinkfresh envelope with puffy alpha stickers. 

To finish off, I printed my journalling and stuck it onto the tag.

Below you can see where I have added a QR code on the back of the journal tag that links to the private video on my YouTube channel of Hunter reading his story. This is a great interactive element to add to layouts and helps share more of the story than you can fit on the page.

So there you have it! If you would like to watch me put this page together, I've got a process video on my YouTube channel: 

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I have plenty more to come from this kit, so stay tuned!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X