Couture Creations & Imaginarium Designs Blog Hop

#couturecreationsaus   #imaginariumdesigns

Welcome to Day 3 of the

Couture Creations & Imaginarium Designs Blog Hop!  

We’re so excited to team up with Imaginarium Designs  sharing inspiring projects created with both our products with you this week. What could be more perfect than our Embossing Folders and Dies and Imaginarium Designs  gorgeous Chipboard designs.
Each day this week we will feature our Design Team projects and over on the Imaginarium Designs Blog they will also feature  their Design Team projects all created using Couture Creations and Imaginarium Designs products. So loads of inspiring projects for you to help get your creative juices flowing.

We will link to the tutorials on each Design Team members blogs, please show all our designers some love and leave a comment on their blog.

We’ll be giving away Two $100  prize packages filled with Couture Creations & Imaginarium Designs goodness at the end of the week, so be sure to play along and check back on both Imaginarium Designs and Couture Creations blogs Monday 4th August 2014 to see if you’re one of  the lucky winners!

...........

Let me say, it has been a bit like Christmas for me lately - having some amazing products arrive in the post to play with! 

Note to postman: This is the kind of post you should be delivering daily - please stop sending Bill - he doesn't reside here!

LOL! Bring on the great products :)

Here's my layout, "First Year"

Such a delicate baby girl page! 

Created with a combination of intricate doilies and chipboard, that are both so exquisitely cut! Love it!

The Butterfly and The Treasures Ornamental Lace Dies: Moulin Rouge doily partner perfectly!

Let's take a closer look....

Oh yes! So very, very pretty!!!

Here's another close -up.....

Just divine! 

How good does that Imaginarium Designs title, "First Year" look with the flocked 

Couture Creations Nesting Die: Scallop Circle ?!!

and I love that intricate chipboard vine too!

As this is such a clean and simple page - I haven't included a tutorial for this page but,

here's a few quick tips for this layout....

If you're painting your chipboard like I did, be sure to use a roller. 

Brushes tend to leave streak marks and can lose that 'finished' look. 

For extra dimension and bling, use Glitzin' Glamour to really make your project sparkle! 

(I used Lilac over my butterfly and a very light coat of Crystallina over my doilies)

To soften scallop circles use a flocked transparency.

 This just adds that lil something special to your die cut shapes.

For a little more attention to detail use a few cleverly positioned pearls or gemstones.

Pearls and gemstones are a much more gentle alternative to enamel dots for delicate baby pages.

Couture Creations Products Featured:

CO723310 Ornamental Lace Dies: Moulin Rouge

CO723041 Nesting Dies: Scallop Circle

CO721971 Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glue: Crystallina

CO721975 Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glue: Lilac

CO721997 Pearls 50pc: Pink Blush

CO721995 Gemstones 100pc: Pink Flamingo

Imaginarium Designs Products Featured:

IDP0055 First Year

IDS0002 Butterfly (Large)

IDT0027 Vine Flourish (Tiny) 

But I did promise a tutorial, didn't I? 

And both Couture Creations and Imaginarium Designs have been so very generous that I just had to create a lil bonus project for you all!

So here it is, a divine card - so lovely you'll want to frame it!

1. Start by embossing your paper with the stunning, The Marriot Collection Chain Wire folder.

2. Create a frame using the Nesting Dies Victorian Square & use a smaller Nesting Dies Square inside - as featured above. You'll also spy the metal adapter plate in this photo - using this plate will help stop your nesting dies from moving whilst running through your Big Shot or similar machine.

3. Prepare the Imaginarium Designs Edward Relief Ornament (large) - for intense colour and excellent coverage I prefer to paint my chipboard. Once dry, roughly paint and rub some metallic gold onto the chipboard to compliment the other metals featured on the card.

4. Take your embossed paper and distress it. Quickly zip around the edges with a sewing machine & for final touches splatter with watered down gold paint.

5. Staple on the sentiment ('smile'), add the die cut frame & then attach to the card base, as shown above.

6. Attach the ornament.

7. For final touches, add a couple of precious metals and few blooms.

Wow! Such a divine card!

Couture Creations Products:

CO723667 The Marriot Collection: 5 x 7" Embossing Folders Great Chain Wire 

CO723048 Nesting Dies Victorian Square

CO723042 Nesting Dies Square

Imaginarium Designs Products:

IDF:L0012 Edward Relief Ornaments Large

Feeling inspired??? 

Well wait to you see what the amazingly talented Sue Smyth has in store for you today!

This paper artist always leaves me breathless - her creations are just superb!

Also, be sure to hop on over to Imaginarium Designs Blog to see what  Evgenia Sokolinskaya, Sarah Routledge & Romy have created today too!

Don't forget to share the love!

Thankyou for visiting, 

Happy Arty Days,

Creative Inspiration Magazine!

Hello, Happy Arty Days people!

Some exciting news to share with you today....

My first time featured in Creative Inspirations Magazine!

Yay! I'm so excited!!!

 I'd like to share with a few of my creations that you might spy in Issue #4 of this FREE magazine....

Here's my gorgeously sweet mini canvas,

"Enchanted Beauty"

I created this with the pretty Damask Delight Papers &
The Metricon Intricutz Dies: Light Box Frame

Let's have a closer look.....

Just divine! 

All those butterfly & wings are fussy cut from the Damask Delight paper too!

(So glad I could finally share it with you all!)

Now for something a lil more elegant,
one of the cards I created using
The Treasures Ornamental Lace Dies: Moulin Rouge.....

You'll also spy some Sew Jo paper for the background, Cafe Creme Pearls &

a Victorian Square Nesting Die too!

I also wanted to display how well this doily die cuts - so I created a layout using fabric cuts!

Yes, that intricate Moulin Rouge doily (& the nesting hearts) have all been created with fabric!

Beautifully cut everytime! Love it!!!

Anyway, that's all I've got time to share with you for now, so

 you'll have to view the rest of my, and my amazing fellow Design Team members, creations here 

Creative Inspirations Magazine

Thanks for visiting,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

My Kaisercraft Design Team Projects: July

Hi everyone! 

Thanks for stopping by to see what  I've created this month for Kaisercraft. 

Some really stunning collections that I've just adored crafting with! 

First up, the divine and delicate baby collection:

Pitter Patter

This collection is sooooo sweet and comes in both blues and pinks!

Here's my layout, 

"Love"

Sooooo pretty, huh?!

& yes, no baby picture for me, this paper is really versatile!

Lots of lovely capture cards, pearls & wooden and rhinestone flourishes complete this girly creation.

Let's take a closer look.....

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, 

As long as I'm living, My baby you'll be"

But this is a baby collection - 

so here's my baby girl brag book. 

Love how it fits into my handbag perfectly & best of all, 

was made from only one sheet of paper!!!

Yes only one! (and a few capture cards)

Here's a peak inside.....

Such a sweet mini!!!

If you'd like to see more of this gorgeous lil mini album, or some more Pitter Patter inspiration, 

please visit the Kaisercraft blog here.

I know - no baby boy creations! 

You'll have to keep your eyes open, as I will have something blue soon! ;)

The second collection that I am delighted to be sharing with you today is:

Be-YOU-tiful

This is a strikingly beautiful collection that I just adored creating with!

Here's my layout, 

"Perfect Moment"

"Let your faith be bigger than your fear" 

I think the expression in this photo says it all!

Such joy, fear and sheer delight all in one moment - love it!

Let's look closer.....

How pretty are those butterfly collectables with the paper blooms?!!

I also created this congratulations card, 

"Remember this Moment"

Those cranberry mini paper blooms really offset that vintage yellow paper!

Ahhh, so pretty!!! 

But my favourite creation from this elegant collection would have to be 

my mini frame, 

"Beautiful"

Because, quite simply, she is!

Again - how incredibly good are those collectables?!!

Absolutely adore this paper range - expect to see more of this deliciousness from me!

The final collection that I have been fortunate enough to craft with, is the fun and fabulous, 

Bow & Arrow

This is such a light-hearted and happy collection!

Super easy to create with - I whipped up two cards within minutes!

Here they are....

"Hello, Beautiful"

Love those feathers!!!

& 

"Hello, You Are My Sunshine"

Bit of Kaisercolour painty fun with this one! ;)

My final share today is this stunning layout, 

"Always Beautiful"

Such a happy paper for such a wonderful photograph!

Love it!

How terrific are those stickers, collectables, 

mini paper blooms and wooden hearts flourishes?!

They really complete this special page!

Well, there you have it! My Kaisercraft July creations! 

Hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I enjoyed creating them!

For a complete list of products used, and for more inspirational ideas from my fellow DT members, 

Please visit the Kaisercraft Blog here!

Thanks for visiting, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Creative Blog Tour!

Hi Happy Arty Days Fans!

Thanks for stopping by!

Last week I was thrilled (and a little honoured) to be tagged by the incredibly talented, 

Adriana Bolzon,

as part of the ever growing Creative Blog Tour.

You can find Adriana’s post here.

Adriana’s creations are absolutely stunning! 

She inspires me so very much, and I’m sure you’ll love her creations too!

 The Creative Blog Tour: is the simple idea of answering 4 questions about my creative life and then tagging 3 more creative bloggers to carry on the tour next week.

So to keep it short and sweet, here are my Q&As…..

1.What am I working on right now?

That’s a good question…quite a lot actually! I am always busy creating everyday!

I am fortunate enough to be on 4 amazing design teams (Couture Creations, Kaisercraft, Color Me Scrappy & Scrap and Play!) which keep me happily crafting away! I like to work at least a month in advance to keep myself available for ‘bonus’ projects – so August/September projects are well and truly happening! I am also super lucky to be working on a few Guest Designer projects.

In September I am the guest artist at Paper Wings Productions & will reveal their new (and seriously amazing) mixed media kit, and I am also creating a BTP project for Bostik and Australian Scrapbooking Memories Magazine.

On top of that, I am also very busy in the Studio at Little Picassos – always planning that next masterpiece for our junior artists!
Here is a very sneaky peak from two of my creations from today ;)

2. How long does it take to create a project?

A standard layout, mini – album or BTP item usually takes me a day from start to finish (but keeping in mind, I have very busy children & I work part-time) so realistically I probably only spend 2-3hours per creation. An art journal page normally takes me 10-20mins a day over 4 days.

The hardest part for me is all the technology stuff – photographing, blogging, pinning etc takes me ages – or maybe it just feels like ages because it takes me away from creating??? J

3. What are my fave things to create with at the moment?

Ooh, that’s a tricky question! I love creating with so many different mediums and tools that it can be hard to pick…Oh, and I;m crazy for colour!!! Not afraid to splash some joy about the place ;)

I guess, at the moment I'm really loving Finnabair: Vintage Trinkets, Paper Wings Productions stamps (I looove the Domino Melange stamps), Faber-Castell Gelatos, Couture Creations Ornamental Lace Dies (Seriously pretty!) & fabric! Yes, I am crazy about textiles at the moment! I am also lucky enough to be crafting away with some super divine new release collections from Kaisercraft - keep your eyes on this blog for more... Oh, and I am definitely a sucker for washi tape, & enamel dots! LOL! This list could go on forever...... Let's just say my favourite thing is creating!!!

4. What inspires you?

My family. They are the very essence of all my creative being! My husband and children are my world – they’re my Happy Arty Days and more!

Inspiration is everywhere though - a simple pattern or colour combo can keep me creating for weeks!

While you’re here, please take a look at my previous posts to see what else I’ve been up to – or if you’re a lil lazy and just like to look at pictures (AKA me!) you can follow my board: My Creations on Pinterest : Amanda-Jayne Baldwin.

Here are some very quick pics of some of my creations:

Hope you feel inspired! Now, for something fun…

Here are my tags for next weeks journey on the Creative Blog Tour!

Alexndra Boehenke – I first came into contact with this amazingly talented lady (and her creations) over at Color Me Scrappy. Her eye for detail and strong sense of colour and pattern struck a cord with me immediately. Her designs leave me thinking – why didn’t I think of that? Such an inspiration! Please take a look at her fantastic blog – you won’t be disappointed!

Zoey Emanuella Scarpelli -  This young artist loves getting inky, messy and creative! She has a zest for life which is such a feature in her art, and her designs will wow you! She may be young but by gosh, Zoey’s talented! Please visit her blog and see for yourself…

Thanks for visiting and allowing me the chance to share a lil more about my creative journey!

'til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

CMS Challenge #65

Hi everyone! 

Thanks for stopping by for a look-see at my take on Challenge #65 over at Color Me Scrappy!

Here's what the challenge looks like......

And here's my take on it;

Being 2

Being brave, bold and tantrumming on the sand for a swim - 

 despite the freezing cold Winter's day! 

Oh how you make us laugh, Mister Hilarious!

This entire layout is created from Kaisercraft, Bluebell collection. 

Such divine colours and love those collectables!

A really cute photo too! :)

If you'd like to join us for some colour fun, please visit Color Me Scrappy here!

Thanks again for visiting,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Scrap and Play Challenge #5!

Hi Everyone! 

Thanks for stopping by for a quick look at my take on 

Challenge #5 over at Scrap & Play! 

Here's what the challenge looks like...

Yep, it's a fun sketch and a word play challenge! 

The Summer inspired word is SPLASH!

My items are S - Simple Stories, P - Pattened Paper, L- Letters, 

A - AC Amy Tangerine ribbon,

S - Sticthing & Stickers, & H - Hearts. 

See if you can spot them.....

Such a fun and happy page! (Isn't she the cutest?!!)

The photos are from a family portrait session we had back in 2009 with Elska Studios & I love them! 

They are so natural and a true representation of our lil beach babe! :)

I used the I {Heart} Summer collection from Simple Stories - perfect for my photos! 

& that fantastic spot of bling is Couture Creations Gemstones.

 I had lots of fun creating this page! 

Been a while since I scrapped a few photos on the one page - but I love how this turned out.

If you want to see what my fellow DT members created, or better yet - join in on the fun yourself, click here!

I'd love to see your creativity on display over at Scrap & Play!

Thanks for visiting,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo