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

Treat Yo'self | Kitaholic Kits February 2021

 

Hi everyone! With the month just about over, I am here today to share my final February kit project for Kitaholic Kits. For this layout, I decided to scrap some photos of my daughter that I snapped when we stopped for a treat whilst out shopping one day. I started this page thinking I was going to go in one direction, but wasn't happy so I changed tack. (If you are interested, you can hear my explanation in my process video.)

The background of this layout features one of the beautiful mixed media style papers from the Heidi Swapp 'Art Walk' collection. I loved the pink and blue colour palette and decided to stick mainly with those two colours for my page. I wanted to enhance the blue in the paper, so I used one of the Vicki Boutin 'Storyteller' stencils and Ranger Faded Jeans Distress Oxide to add some stencilled detail to the page. I chose the three spots on the paper that already seemed to have the most "mixed media" printed there. 

For my papery layers, I used pieces of the Amy Tan cut apart sheet in the kit, as well as a large piece of the blue Vicki Boutin paper. I also added a pink polka dot doily from my stash (it might have been a Doodlebug one?) and some frayed gauze for texture.

The it's a good day to be happy tab and my journal card both came from the Amy Tan cut apart, and I simply typed my journalling straight onto the card. (And yes, I love a good pun!)

For my embellishments, I used a a number of subscriber exclusive floral printables that were actually a mix from December, January and February. Some of these were layered with a handmade heart embellishment from Charms Creations. 

On the opposite side of the page my embellishment cluster also featured some Pebbles Jen Hadfield die cut pieces - a sweet little grocery store and a car. I added the treat yo'self sticker from the Heidi Swapp sticker book along the side of it to form my page title. (Titles don't always have to be big!)

I finished off with some splatters of the Ranger Dylusions 'Rose Quartz' Shimmer Spray.

Yes! I have a process video available for this page so you can see how it came together and find out what my "false start" was:

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my February projects. If you have missed any of them you can simply look back through my posts here, or if you prefer, catch up on my process videos on my YouTube channel instead.

Thanks again for all your support. Happy scrapping! X

Cool Specs | Kitaholic Kits February 2021

Hi friends! I'm happy to be back to share the third of my February projects created for Kitaholic Kits with you. For today's layout I decided to use one of the subscriber exclusive cut files as the focus of my page, and pair it with some cute photos of my son.

I started with the Pebbles black and white typed text print paper as my page background, which I then topped with a piece of one of the Vicki Boutin papers that I distressed and ripped a little at the edges before sticking it down. 

I fell in love with the super cute glasses from the February subscriber cut file set.(They were intended as sunglasses but I knew they would be perfect as reading glasses.) I cut them quite large from black cardstock, and I also cut a couple of tiny pairs while I was at it too. I used a scrap of pale blue watercolour print paper I had left from my January kit to back the lenses of the glasses. When I backed the cut file, I actually left a couple of space around the edge as I knew I wanted to tuck the two smaller photos in under the edge of the frames.

I created layers behind my photos using a paper doily from my stash; gold puffy frames (from Maggie Holmes' Sweet Story); foiled pieces from the Jen Hadfield (The Avenue) ephemera pack; and some messy black cotton for texture. I also added one of the cute little mini sets of glasses that I had cut. 

For my title, I used the word cool from the Heidi Swapp sticker book, combined with some of the Thickers for the word specs. I finished off with a few extra stickers and some of the gorgeous gold Pebbles puffy hearts scattered around the page; then handwritten journalling, a few stamped phrases and some tiny splatters. I think this layout turned out super cute - what do you think?

If you would like to watch me put this page together and chat about it as well, you can watch my process video here: 

Thanks for stopping by today and for all of the beautiful kind words you guys leave on my posts and videos. Reading them really makes all the work that goes into them worthwhile, especially knowing that I can help inspire you.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Buzz Off | Kitaholic Kits February 2021

 

Hi friends, today I am sharing the second of my February projects created for Kitaholic Kits. For this layout, I was drawn to use the beautiful floral print paper from Crate Paper and decided to combine it with some of the subscriber exclusive floral printables and paints from the January kit. I love being able to mix items across kits, and it certainly helps you to get the most out of them. 

As you can see, I decided to make my cat Genghis the star of the show for this page. (I knew this photo of him would make it onto a page one day when I took it! haha) I was inspired to choose this photo by one of the items from the Jen Hadfield ephemera pack  - the bee hive! When I saw the bee hive and the little bees, the phrase 'buzz off" came to mind and I thought of this picture instantly.

I began my page with a couple of the Kaisercraft acrylic paints from the January mixed media add-on kit. I wanted to try and match one of the tones of the flowers from the floral paper, so I mixed the Mango and Dusky Pink together until I had the shade I was after. I then used my wide #4 brush to dry brush some paint across my cardstock, which was cut down to 11x11" and mounted onto the floral paper. (I had already cut the centre from the patterned paper so that I could use some of it on the rest of the page.)

Once the paint was dry, I added some paper layers using a mix of papers from the kit and a paper doily from my stash. I cut a long banner shape from the floral print paper and ran it horizontally across the page where I was planning to place the photo. This would help draw the viewer's eye to the photo. I added texture to the page by distressing the paper edges using my distress tool and by using frayed gauze under my photo.

For my embellishments, I began with the bee hive from the Jen Hadfield ephemera pack as it was going to be my "hero" embellishment. I placed it down in the bottom right corner of my photo and began building my cluster from there. I added a mix of fussy cut flowers from the December subscriber exclusive printables. I used foam tape between some of my floral layers for dimension and added one of the sweet little die cut bees as well. 

I created a second embellishment cluster along the left edge of my photo, using the same elements as I had for the first. Then balanced my page my creating a smaller third cluster above my photo. This gave me the "visual triangle" I was looking for. Then it was simply a matter of my final finishing touches.

I used some of the American Crafts Thickers for the kit to create my title. (I was very excited to use up two Z's and two F's in the one title!) From the Heidi Swapp sticker book I included the this is my happy place sticker, and also a circular label that I used for my journalling. A few stamped phrases and the date,a few black splatters and I was done! 

If you would like to see exactly how this all came together (and listen to me waffling on), you can watch me create this page in my process video here: 

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

Awesome Kid | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

 

Hi everyone, today I am sharing my take on the recent “school” theme I was tasked with for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. For my layout, I decided to document a photo of one of my boys with the academic award he received at the end of last year. This was the first time he had ever received an award like this, and it was a very big deal for him (and only came after a big attitude adjustment and a lot of hard work). I knew the ‘Boys Rule’ collection would be perfect to coordinate with the colours of my photo.

I began this layout with the printed backing sheet from the Large Die Cut and Backing Kit. I had already used the die cut top piece in a separate project, so I had this left over in my stash. I was drawn to use it because of the blackboard style print, with the doodled chalk border around the edge. As I only wanted to use the border part for my background, I cut the centre from the page and kept it aside for some fussy cutting later. I then got to work on some white cardstock that I had cut down to measure 10.5×10.5″.

I added colour to my background by swiping an ink pad to create vertical stripes on the page, then used a wide brush dipped in water to blend the ink out. I then used a stencil with a random spot pattern and grey ink to layer detail over the top.

For my paper layers, I used a combination that included the star print Happy Go Lucky; Expressionist; and a fabulous pop of green from the Straight & Narrow. I used torn edges and frayed gauze to add texture to the page.

When it came to embellishments, I used pieces (tag, label, frame) from the Die Cut Ephemera and Miscellany packs; as well as some stars that I fussy cut from the backing sheet I had begun my layout with.

I used an arrow from the Chipboard Pieces pack to help draw attention to my photo; and added a metallic touch by using some staples around the page. My title was a combination of the die cut word kid from the ephemera pack combined with awesome cut from the cut apart paper.

I used the Clear Stickers to scatter some phrases around the page, and three black crosses from the sheet too. I stamped a little extra detail on the background using a stamp with a random circles and dots pattern (similar to the stencil pattern) and finished off by stamping the date.

I am really happy with how this layout came together, and I hope I have given you some inspiration to create your own page to document some of those school photos, or even just a boy layout.

If you would like to watch me put this one together, I have a process video available:

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Mum's Day | Kitaholic Kits February 2021

 

Hi everyone! Popping in today to share the first of my projects using the fabulous February kit from Kitaholic Kits. This month's kit features a range of papers from Vicki Boutin, Heidi Swapp and Amy Tan; as well as a mix of embellishments; and the mixed media kit includes FOUR Dylusions Shimmer Sprays and a stencil! Jam. Packed.

I decided to document a couple of fun selfies of my kids and I that were taken on Mother's Day in 2019, right after they had showered me with handmade gifts, chocolate, kisses and cuddles.

For my first layout, I couldn't wait to crack out one of the Shimmer Sprays, and was immediately drawn to the Vibrant Turquoise (given it is from my favourite blue / green colour family). Instead of using as it as a spray though, I grabbed a soft round brush, dipped it into the bottle and painted it onto my cardstock instead. The colour is gorgeous and it has such a beautiful shimmer.

If you know my work, you will already know how much I love using tags. So for this layout I decided to create a bunch of tags from a couple of the Vicki Boutin 'Storyteller' papers, which I tied off with twine. I added a large torn strip of another of the Vicki Boutin papers running vertically down my page, then used the tags I had made to start building layers where my photos were going to go. 

Tucked in amongst the tags I also included three of the Maggie Holmes 'Sweet Story' puffy frames, which are a beautiful duck egg blue colour. Before adding my photos, I also added some messy black cotton thread for texture. 

To embellish my layout I used a mix of Jen Hadfield ephemera pieces, Heidi Swapp stickers and the American Crafts Thickers from the kit for my title. I finished it off with my handwritten journalling and some simple stamping.

If you would like to watch how this one came together, I have a process video available on my YouTube channel:

There are still a few of these kits left in the Kitaholic Kits store, but you will have to be quick! You can find them in store here: https://www.kitaholickits.com/shop-now

I am looking forward to sharing the rest of my projects using this kit, I loved working with it.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Happy Days | The Great Southern Scrap Hop

 

Hi everyone! Am popping in today to share a layout I created as part of the Great Southern Scrap Hop that is happening today on YouTube. I was thrilled to be asked to be part of it by the gorgeous Essie Ruth, and join an awesome bunch of fellow creatives from Australia and New Zealand.

Essie curated a stunning mood board to inspire us all, here's a look at it...

And here is my take on it...

I used Ranger Distress Oxides for my background in the colours of Bundled Sage; Mustard Seed; and Abandoned Coral. 

I also used the Daydream collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, which was perfect for the colour palette of the mood board. 

I included a handmade heart embellishment from Charms Creations on my page too, layered under the flair button.

 

This layout was lots of fun to put together, you can watch my process video created for the hop here:

You will find links to all the other participant videos in the description of my video, so make sure you go and check them all out!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Work Your Magic | Scrap the Girls January Challenge

Hi everyone,

I know my poor blog has been lacking content lately, I had a break away from my desk after my mum suddenly passed away and with my kids home on school holidays as well I hadn't been creating. I have just realised that I hadn't actually even shared this layout, which is my take on the January challenge for Scrap the Girls. This month's challenge is called "Dead Men Tell No Tales" and is an awesome inspiration image that looks like this...

And here is my take on it...

As you can see, my page has a completely different colour palette to the image, but I promise you the inspiration was there! Initially I was drawn to the mermaid's pose, which reminded me of my daughter in this photo. Only instead of a boat and water behind her, she had fire. I used the photo to dictate the colours for my layout, using a mix of Ranger Distress Oxides to create my "firey" watercolour background.

Next, I drew inspiration from the lace pattern on the mermaid's tail to use my Heart Mandala stencil from StencilGirl along with black acrylic paint to add the pattern behind where my photo was going to go. Then it was time to create some papery layers!

I used a floral print tissue paper (not sure of the brand, sorry - all I know is that I purchased it at a store in the US when I was there - it might have been Michaels?) I added a torn piece across my page where my photo was going, then replicated it with a smaller piece in the top right corner of my page. The reason I chose this paper was to draw in the floral theme from the inspiration picture.

Next, I cut some patterned paper to mat my photo, which I also layered with a small paper doily and some frayed gauze for texture. I then began building my embellishment clusters around my photo. I used a variety of Vicki Boutin stickers; some twisted coloured wire; and some glittered butterfly die cuts I found in my stash. I also added a Heidi Swapp acetate word along the bottom edge of my photo.

I then went back to the tissue paper in the right corner of my page and used some of the same elements again to create a smaller cluster. This cluster helped provide balance to my page, because it was quite "bottom heavy" at this point. I finished off with a little bit of stamping using my fave Doodle Dots stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. if you haven't already entered the challenge at Scrap the Girls, you have 4 day left to get your entries in to be in the running for the prizes. You can get all the details, as well as see what the rest of the design team created for this challenge HERE.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Life is Lovely | Kitaholic Kits December 2020

 

Hi friends! 

Happy new year. After 2020 finished on such a sad note for me personally, I hope that 2021 is kinder to us all. Today I am popping in to share the last of my Kitaholic Kits projects using the gorgeous December kit. 

For this layout I decided to create a paper-based layout so I could focus on some of the beautiful Crate Paper patterned papers in the kit. I paired these with some photos of my three kids that I took one day when I took them to a local cafe for "fancy" milkshakes. (They really are pretty easy to please!)

As I mentioned above, my plan was to keep the design relatively simple for this one to allow the paper (and my photos) to shine. I started with the beautiful pink paper for the background and then added a strip of the navy floral print vertically down the page. I used torn edges, and distressed the further with my fingers to add extra texture.

Because the photos had a neural background and I already had a busy print with the floral paper, I chose not to mat my photos. I did back them with some scrap cardboard though, to help pop them up from the page. I kept the photos positioned along the vertical paper to keep my focal area in tight on the page.

To embellish my layout I started with a couple of journal spots from the Crate Paper cut apart, which I tucked in around the right side of my photos. One was to be used for journalling, whilst the other was going to be for my page title. On the journal block I also added the word yum using some of the Rosie's Studio small puffy alphas. My main page title life is lovely, was one of the die cuts from the Pebbles 'The Avenue' phrase ephemera pack. 

I complimented my title with a few other gold foiled pieces from the same pack; as well as some Pebbles gold puffy dots. (I really love these dots!) A fussy cut flower and a sweet little bird (both cut from Crate Paper patterned papers); a couple of the November subscriber exclusive floral printables; and a splattering of navy mist to finish it off.

If you would like to see how it all came together, check out my process video on YouTube here:

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. If you haven't already checked out the details on how to become a subscriber to Kitaholic Kits, you can find all the info HERE

And be sure to join the Kitaholic Kits Comunity group on Facebook HERE for lots more inspiration!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X