Pinkfresh Studio + WOW Embossing Powders Blog Hop!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome to the Happy Arty Days blog! 

I am so super duper excited to be participating in this incredible blog hop!
What an amazing opportunity, & such an awesome collaboration between
Pinkfresh Studio & WOW! Embossing Powder.

Throughout the hop, you'll spy tons of  inspiration from designers from both teams,
combining some of our gorgeous products together. Yay!!!

If you've just arrived here from the Pinkfresh Studio blog, then you're in the right place! 

If not, (or you find yourself a lil lost along the way)
head back over to the WOW! Embossing Powder & Pinkfresh Studio blogs for the complete listing of designers participating in the hop!

Like all good blog hops, there are a couple of amazing prizes up for grabs....

WOW! Embossing Powders prize: 6 powders from your choosing along with a WOW carry case to safely store your new powders.
&
Pinkfresh Studio prize: $50 gift card

***The Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on ALL of the blog hop posts. Comments close on Friday, September 7th.
The winner of the Pinkfresh Studio prize winner will be posted on the
Pinkfresh Studio Giveaway Page on Saturday, September 8th. ***

Good Luck!

----------------------------------

Now, time for me to share my card inspiration!

I have created 2 cards using very similar products, with 2 very different results!
Here's my first card,

"It's Your Time To Shine"

Wow 'em, indeed!!! What a striking card!

Pinkfresh Studio Supplies - Word Series Clear Stamp: Brilliant, Word Series Metal Die: Brilliant, Itty Bitty Elements Clear Stamp, Itty Bitty Elements Die Set,  Liquid Watercolors: Licorice & Sapphire. 

WOW! Embossing Powder - Ebony & Bright White

To re-create this card, turn a glass upside down onto a white card base. 

Spray water around the exterior of the glass, and add Liquid Watercolor Sapphire around the glass rim. As the Sapphire reacts with the water, and begins to spread, also add Liquid Watercolor Licorice to blend with. 

When the watercolors are almost dry, flick a few water droplets onto the background to create the appearance of faux stars. 

Allow to dry completely before removing the glass. 

Voila! One instant moon, and starry sky card base! 

Next, use the Brilliant stamp and apply white ink stars, as well as embossing with WOW! Embossing Powder in Bright White. 

While this stamp set is out, stamp the sentiment in black ink, as well as emboss the Brilliant title in Ebony Wow! Embossing Powder. Use the coordinating metal die, and cut out the embossed Brilliant title. 

Use permament black ink, to stamp the tiny fox from the Itty Bitty Elements stamp set. Color with Faber-Castell Pitt pens in Sanguine, and use the coordinating metal die to accurately cut the fox out! 

Glue the sentiment into place, & use foam dots to make the Brilliant title, & tiny fox 'pop'! 

Adhere the card base onto a gold glitter cardstock, and then a black card base. 

For finishing touches, add gold sequins! 

Super simple, but oh so stunning! 

My second card is all about the pretty.....

"Brilliant Friend"

Gasp! So soft and beautiful! 

Perfect for a treasured friend! 

Pinkfresh Studio Supplies - Word Series Clear Stamp: Brilliant, 

Word Series Metal Die: Brilliant, Dainty Botanicals Clear Stamp, Sweet & Simple scrapbook collection. 

WOW! Embossing Powder - Misty Sky

To recreate this pretty card, use pink ink to repeat stamp the white card base with a Dainty Botanicals clear stamp. Stamp & emboss (with Misty Sky powder ) the Brilliant title, and use a sky blue ink for the 'friend' stamp. Use the coordinating metal die to perfectly cut out the Brilliant title. 

Attach a few embellishments from the Pinkfresh Studio Simple & Sweet collection, as well as foam mounting the Brilliant title. Glue 'friend' underneath, and add a few Nuvo Drops in Bubblegum Pink for finishing touches!

Another simple, but oh-so-beautiful card!

Two very different cards and looks created using similar products from both Pinkfresh Studio & WOW! Embossing Powders. 

I hope my cards have inspired you to get creating! 

**Be sure to leave a comment to enter you into the giveaway draw**

Thanks so much for visiting!

Time to send you hopping over to the gorgeous Caly Person's blog HERE
she has some amazing inspiration for you!

til next time,
Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Perfectly Posh Mixed Media!

Hey Friends!

My turn to share some mixed media fun on the Citrus Twist Kits blog with the gorgeous

 Perfectly Posh Kits!

I know, these kits are too pretty to get messy with, right?

Well, when teamed up with the Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors you just can't go wrong! 

Today I am sharing a really delicate, purposeful and soft approach to mixed media!

Here's what I'm talking 'bout......

"Some Kind Of Wonderful"

Isn't this lovely?!! 

So super pretty & that Butterfly Ring cut file (created by our awesome Nathalie DeSousa) is just divine!!! I've combined a few of our pretty kits for this layout; Perfectly Posh PL & Scrapbook Kits & the Embellishment Kit. I was especially inspired by the butterflies in the cut file & those Crate Paper Willow Lane embellishments, as well as the pastel pretty colors in the exclusive PL Kit ephemera. Loving this soft & feminine color scheme!

It's no secret that I LOVE Pinkfresh Studio, & their Liquid Watercolors are all kinds of magic! 

I've used Lavender, Bubblegum Pink, Aquamarine & Sapphire, with lots of splatters,  as well as the wet-on-wet technique to create that pretty base. I've also softened the color intensity with lots of water, and by soaking up the excess color with paper towel. You can shop ALL the colors in the Citrus Twist Kits store here. 

You can see exactly 'how' I made this layout on my You Tube Channel HERE. 

Here's a few close ups for you.....

Gosh! It really is dreamy and divine! From that pretty ephemera, to that cutesy lil blue bird,this layout is beautifully adorned! And I am totally loving those glossy enamel dots from Pinkfresh Studio! 

Here's a better look at my photo cluster....

You'll spy all the Crate Paper Willow Lane loveliness here! Lots of pretty layers, & how cute is that tiny tassel?

So.much.pretty!!! Mixed media makes everything magic! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating & that you enjoy watching my process video! 

Be sure to subscribe too! 

Thanks so much for visiting, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints Education Team - Monochromatic Magic!

Hi Friends! 

I am so super excited to be sharing my first official 

Education Team project with Shimmerz Paints! 

I just love creating with all the gorgeous Shimmerz colorz and products!
 If you're not familiar with my style,
you can see a ton of my Shimmerz Paints Social Team projects on my instagram HERE.

Today I wanted to share a lil monochromatic magic with you!
Here's my layout,

"Inspirational"

Sigh! Isn't this dreamy & divine?!!

I was so inspired by that ombre pink pattern paper that I backed my cut file rose with, that I just had to recreate a similar look on my layout! The scrapbook collection that I am using today is the Pink Paislee: Paige Evans: Pick Me Up line, & the cut file called Flower Half is also designed by Paige Evans.

I start with our gorgeous Vibez in
Razzeldazzel Berry
Sweet Heart
& Pop Art Pink
and apply them using the packaging technique.

I then highlight the rose shape by applying coordinating Shimmerz over each color section.
I use a soft brush, and paint the rose petal design using
Going Peach Side over the Pop Art Pink
 Pink-O-De-Mayo over Sweet Heart
& Magenta over the Razzeldazzel Berry.

Very pretty!
I also add droplets and flicks of the Shimmerz around the rose edge, as well as outline the area in which my photo is positioned.

I make a last minute decision to hand color that white cardstock cut file with those pretty Shimmerz colors. From the center of the rose, I apply Going Peach Side, followed by Pink-O-De-Mayo & last but not least, that gorgeous Magenta!

Using similar colors with varying tones and creating a monochromatic effect is SO pretty!!!
I hope I have inspired you to try this with your like colored Shimmerz Paints!

You can check out all the 'how-to' details & Monochromatic Magic in my process video HERE.


Here are a few very pretty close ups for you.....

Gah! Just look at that shimmery goodness!!!

I LOVE the color coordinated Vibez with Shimmerz look - really effective!

Oh.So.Pretty!!!

Total gorgeousness!

And there you have it! 

Super beautiful, monochromatic magic with Shimmerz Paints!

Now all you need to do is decide on which color you'll go monochrome with!

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

***Type AMANDA in the comments section of your Shimmerz Paints store order to receive a FREE paint!!!*** 

Shimmerz Paints Products Featured:

Vibez Razzeldazzel Berry

Vibez Sweet Heart

Vibez Pop Art Pink

Shimmerz Going Peach Side

Shimmerz Pink-O-De-Mayo

Shimmerz Magenta

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Precious

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing a super sweet and dreamy page of my two darlings! 

I just love the soft and pretty patterns in the More Than Words collection, and just had to fussy cut those butterflies!

Here's what I am talkin' 'bout........

"Precious"

So precious & adorable, indeed!

Inspired by that very sweet 'loved up' moment, I used repetitious hearts & butterflies to create unity and balance within my design. 

The featured cut file is called The All Heart  & is from The Cut Shoppe. 

I have backed this file with the beautiful More Than Words pattern papers, and then embellished with the fussy cut butterflies from pattern paper CV-MT003 GOSSAMER  & ENAMEL SHAPES.

Clean.Simple. And understated elegance! 

I love this fresh & pretty page!

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

How pretty!

I start this page by backing the outer ring of hearts in that divine watercolor wash paper, reverse side of CV-MT007 DARLING BUDS. That pink is so pretty!

Travelling inwards, I back the next heart ring with that gorgeous spots pattern, reverse side of CV-MT008 RADIANT. The black and white pattern helps to break up and balance all the sweet pastel colors within this layout.

For the remaining two heart rings, closest to the center, I choose the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD. This is so that the patterns are in proportion to the cut shapes. I just adore that apricot stripe pattern - it's all kinds of awesome!

You'll spot that I give my photograph the circular treatment, to encourage visual appeal and avoid covering those pretty papers too! As the ultimate focal point of my layout, the photo is positioned into the very center of the design. 

Lots of symmetry and balance for a clean, easy on the eye look!

And speaking of symmetry and balance, I embellish the heart rings in a very distinct pattern....

The outer ring is adorned with alternating fussy cut butterflies from pattern paper, CV-MT003  GOSSAMER, and the apricot hearts from the ENAMEL SHAPES pack. Super pretty! The hearts in the RADIANT paper ring are embellished similarly but, this time there is a break or space between the butterflies, and enamel hearts. Pink hearts are used for this ring.  

Moving inwards, the embellishing reflects the smaller size of the hearts. The larger butterflies are avoided, and white enamel hearts only feature on every fourth heart in the ring. 

The last ring is kept free of adornments, allowing for more focus on that darling photo!

That photo really is the sweetest! 

To draw even more attention to it, I tuck one of the GOSSAMER butterflies beneath the photo. I add that gorgeous DIE CUT EPHEMERA sentiment as my subtitle, and use the CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS arrows to direct your eye into my photo. Unlike the rest of the design, these embellishments are not symmetrical, but on closer inspection you'll note that I've applied them using the visual triangle 'rule of three' to maintain that sense of order within the layout design. So simple and yet, so carefully considered!

The final detail to this darling page is the title. I feature that divine CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS Precious, & I support this title with a fussy cut butterfly, and an ACCESSORY STICKER sentiment, So Much Love. For finishing touches, I add a chipboard heart, and that delicate VELLUM ACCENTS butterfly.

And there you have it! 

Beautiful, simple designs that highlight our precious memories!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with the pretty More Than Words collection!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Pebbles: A Boo-tiful Halloween Gift Tutorial

Hi Friends!

My turn to share a lil Pebbles love

& today I am sharing a super sweet Halloween decor item that makes for a spook-tacular gift!

I LOVE Halloween, 

& the new Spooky Boo collection is just perfect for Halloween cards, 

decor & memory keeping!

Here's the gift I'm sharing today.....

Trick or Treat!!!

 How fun is this?!!

Not everyone in my neighborhood celebrates this holiday, so to let Trick Or Treaters know if it's ok to visit, we all hang a wreath, banner or decorative item on our front doors. 

I thought this cute door hanger would be a perfect gift for our new neighbors across the street. 

I hope they like it!

Here's how to make one of your own....

 

Start by trimming a sheet of chipboard into a 5" wide triangle with an 8" point. Cover both sides with your fave papers from the Spooky Boo collection. 

I chose the reverse side of HOCUS POCUS for the front side, and SWEET TOOTH for the back. 

Use your We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile, or similar tool, to punch holes in the top corners of the triangle.

To add that 'Halloween' feel, (& hide those ugly chipboard edges) apply METALLIC CREAM CHALK in black to the edges of the triangle.

Insert burlap ribbon into the holes, tying it off with knots to create the 'handle'. I use burlap as it's quite sturdy and won't perish easily! 

Use 1"wide black ribbon to create the fancy concertina trim at the top of the triangle.

Kinda looks like a carrot as this stage, LOL!

However, once we start embellishing the triangle you'll barely see that orange base!

Embellish with faux spiders web (stretched cotton wool), and one of the smaller WALL BATS in the center of the triangle.

Next, foam mount PRINTED CARDSTOCK SHAPES on top of one another to create a focal point. I love the framed witch silhouette supported by the little bat ephemera, but there are tons of options in the PRINTED CARDSTOCK SHAPES pack to choose from!

Here's a closer look for you.....

 

Lookin' boo-tiful already! But it really needs more.......

For my gift, the 'Trick Or Treat' sentiment is a perfect adornment to the top of my decorative door hanger, but again many of the PRINTED CARDSTOCK SHAPES or 6" x 12" ACCENT STICKERS would work for personalizing your decor!

I also tuck a few PRINTED CARDSTOCK SHAPES into the top of the focal point. Now it's starting to look super spooky!!!

Add more ribbon & trim to the 'handle', as well as a length of ribbon at the triangle point. Adorn the ribbon with more cobwebs, and for finishing touches 

attach those fabulously freaky WALL SPIDERS.

Witches, spiders, bats, & pumpkins - totally CREEPIN IT REAL!!!

Here's how it looks hanging on the door.....

Say Boo!

 

A spook-tacular Halloween gift that really does say Boo!

I hope I have inspired you to get started on your Halloween crafts with the new 

Spooky Boo collection today!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

SPOOKY BOO SUPPLIES:

733898 Sweet Tooth

733901 Hocus Pocus

733908 Printed Cardstock Shapes

733911 6 x 12 Accent Stickers

733912 Wall Bats

733913 Wall Spiders

OTHER SUPPLIES:

742007 Metallic Cream Chalks: Precious Metals

70907-7 We R Memory Keepers: Crop - A - Dile Hole Punch & Eyelet Setter

340272 Sticky Thumb Dimensional Foam Dots

340265 Sticky Thumb Double-Sided Tape 

Citrus Twist Kits: Perfectly Posh Layouts!

Hi  Friends!

Welcome back for more Citrus Twist Kits inspiration!

I have a ton of Perfectly Posh August Kit creations for you today!

You may want to get yourself a cup of coffee & get comfortable....

This month's kits are sooooooooooo pretty & superbly coordinated, that I 'whipped up' a batch of layouts in next to no time! 

I mean, the kits are just SO good that I couldn't stop!

Yay for scrap happy days!

Here's what I've made with them so far .....

"You're My Sunshine"

Sigh! Pastel.Pink.Perfection!!!

Isn't this super pretty?!!

Scrapbook Kit Supplies | Pinkfresh Studio: Simple & Sweet: Simplicity, Pinkfresh Studio: Simple & Sweet: Enamel Dots, Maggie Holmes: Willow Lane: Foam & Chipboard Thickers (Wonderful)

Pocket Life Supplies |  Exclusive CTK Cardstock Ephemera, Exclusive CTK Bright Yellow Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Double-sided Journaling cards, May Arts: Pompom Trim.

Digital Files | Floral Swag designed by Nathalie De Sousa & Perfectly Posh Cut Aparts

I was immediately drawn in by the pretty florals that featured across the kits, and just had to use them all together! 

Here's a closer look for you....

The Pinkfresh Studio 'Simplicity' pattern paper is just divine, and really dictated my color scheme for this layout! I love the soft, pastel pink teamed with the bright, sunshine yellow! Such a pretty and happy combination!

I used the journaling cards from the Pocket Life Kit to back the Floral Swag Cut File with, and then embellished with more florals from the CTK Exclusive Cardstock Ephemera!

How gorgeous is that pom pom trim?!! I NEED more of this - it's my kinda embellishment! 

And it's no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Puffy Stickers and these sunshine yellow alphas have my heart!!! (I may have to hoard some of them, lol!)

SO.much.pretty!!! 

Bright days ahead, indeed! 

Love it! 

Next up, is another gorgeously girly and pretty page....

"Love You"

Swoon!!! It doesn't get much prettier than this! 

Scrapbook Kit Supplies | Maggie Holmes: Willow Lane: Together, Melody & Sweet One pattern papers, Willow Lane: Ephemera, Foam & Chipboard Thickers (Wonderful), Flea Market Mix embellishments, Perfectly Posh Cut Aparts.

Embellishment Kit Supplies | Maggie Holmes: Willow Lane: Accent Stickers & Pom Pom Frames 

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

Lots of pretty layers here - you'll even spot the tissue wrap that our kits come in! I needed to use all.the.things! 

Like my previous layout, I've opted for a super pretty color scheme with lots of delicate embellishments. I just adore the vintage shell buttons and that mint satin ribbon! SO very feminine & girly!  

On careful inspection, you'll notice some peach watercolor droplets which I use to enhance the peach pom pom frame & pattern paper! So lovely!

And for finishing touches, who can go past the gold glitter foam heart stickers?!! 

Just gorgeous! 

My next layout is one of those super quick, but oh-so sweet 8.5" x 11" numbers....

"Cute"

Isn't she the cutest?! Such a fun page for her personal album!

Scrapbook Kit Supplies | Amy Tangerine: Shine On: Sprinkled, Maggie Holmes: Willow Lane: Foam & Chipboard Thickers (Wonderful), Willow Lane: Crepe Fringe

Embellishment Kit Supplies | Maggie Holmes: Willow Lane: Accent Stickers & Pom Pom Frames

The Sprinkled pattern paper from Amy Tangerine was so pretty that I just had to feature both sides of it on my layout! I apply each pattern to the top of my layout, and then repeat this layered look with the Willow Lane Crepe Fringe.  To make my fringing 'stretch' a lil further I unpicked some of the stitching to 'loosen' it up, and soften it's appearance. 

The Willow Lane Pom Pom Frames from the Embellishment Kit are just the bees knees!!! I am seriously in love with them - so pretty!

It's at this point in my creating that my darling boy points out that I 'haven't made me (him) a page yet!' Ooops! I was so caught up in all that prettiness that I forgot to make something for my Mr A for Awesome! No problem - the Perfectly Posh kits are super versatile.....

"Going & Going Wild"

Voila! How's that for my super cool kid?! 

Pocket Life Kit Supplies | CTK Exclusive items - 2" x 3" Polymer Stamp, Fabric Die Cut Stickers, Cardstock Ephemera, Journaling Cards, Printed Cork Shapes, Cut Apart Labels, Perfectly Posh Cut Aparts, as well as Flea Market Find: Vintage Poetry Book Page. 

Pattern Paper Play Kit | Paper #3

Going & Going Wild sums it perfectly! Such a cool travel page of my mister at the rail yard!

So many awesome details and layers, but I am especially impressed by the stamps! Here's a closer look at them....

Wow!!! Don't they stamp beautifully?! So clear that they look like they were printed on the labels - not stamped! LOVE!!!

Here's a few more close ups for you....

So.much .awesome! 

This is my happy, indeed! The kits may be 'posh' but they're definitely for the boys too! 

And there you have it!

Lots of lovely layouts from the wonderful CTK August kits!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with yours today!

Need more inspiration? I have another fun page that you can check out on my blog HERE

Haven't ordered your kits yet? 

Hurry over to the store HERE before they're all gone!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo