Citrus Twist Kits: Sunday Sketch!

Hi Friends! 

It's Sunday, and that can only mean one thing - let's get our sketch on!!! 

 I just love the Citrus Twist Kits: Sunday Sketch challenge! 

Such a fun & relaxing way to start off the week! 

Here's the sketch we're playing along with this week....

Isn't this a cool layout design?! 

Here's my take on it....

"Xmas"

Oh, what a cutie! Such a lovely Christmas moment documented!

CTK Supplies | Pleasant Valley Pocket Life Kit, Pattern Paper Kit 

(Crate Paper Merry Days pattern paper), & the December Embellishment Kit. 

Other: Watercolor paint droplets.

I have drawn on the colors in my darling photograph, and created a Christmas layout with no actual Christmas supplies. For this to be successful, I use a crisp white, mint and red color scheme, as well as puffy sticker stars and a reindeer die cut embellishment. Combined with my Christmas photo, it totally works! I have pretty much kept to the sketch design, only giving it a little Happy Arty Days twist! 

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

There are so many beautiful details here! From lovely layers to sweet embellishments - the Pleasant Valley Pocket Life Kit is really something! 

Loving the Puffy Sticker title, and those layered tags! 

I used those fabulous printed label stickers as my journaling, and the die cut hearts in place of the banner at the top of the page. Perfect! 

Simple. Sweet. Sketch complete! Now it's your turn! 

What will you create with this week's sketch?

Be sure to share your creating with us in the Facebook Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page HERE - we love seeing everything you make, & love to talk paper too! 

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: Hello, Puppy!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more Citrus Twist Kits inspiration! 

Today I am sharing another pretty page with the December Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit!

If you missed this kit, it looks like this....

Soooooooo.much.gorgeousness!!!!

If you're really quick, you might still be able to get one in the store HERE!

Now, onto the good stuff! Here's my latest layout with this divine kit!

"Hello, Puppy!"

Oh, isn't this just adorable?!! 

Love our new puppy Maxwell the Dachshund so much! 

#sorrynotsorry for all the puppy photos this month! 

You'll spy the gorgeous Heidi Swapp Emerson Lane woodgrain pattern paper as my 8.5" x 11" base. I just love a good woodgrain paper, and this one has my heart - so cool!!!

 I feature the American Crafts Journal Kits Ephemera tag at the top center of my design, drawing your eye in and down towards my sweet pic! 

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

I embellish this tag with Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, and the 1Canoe2 Golden Rod Chipboard Phrase Stickers from the December Embellishment Kit.  I use the same Thickers for the hello title - so good! 

Omgoodness! Cuteness alert! 

Those puppy wrinkles get me everytime! All.the.heart.eyes!!!

And how gorgeous are the layers beneath my darling photo?! 

You'll see a mix of CTK Exclusive Labels, Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, Journal Studio Puffy Stickers & Die Cut Ephemera pieces from the American Crafts Journal Kits. There's also a few pretty adornments from the Embellishment Kit  - the Journal Studio Swan Paperclips, & the Pebbles Along the Way Epoxy Buttons. La la LOVE it all! 

For finishing touches, I add the Paige Evans Whimsical Happy Life Mini Foam Alphabet Thickers to form the 'puppy' part of my title. Gorgeous! 

Simple, sweet creating with the beautiful Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with your CTK kits today! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints: Holly Jolly Christmas Process Video!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more painty fun with my latest layout
& process video for Shimmerz Paints!



Today I am sharing a lil Holly Jolly Christmas inspiration! 

I trust you all had a safe & very Merry Christmas, 

and now have a ton of Christmas photos to scrap?! 

Well, I think I have the best Christmas color combination to share with you today - inspired by peppermint candy canes, no less! 

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

I told you it was the BEST!!! 

Ga - ga - gorjus! 

I've combined my favorite Coloringz: Oh Say Can U Sea

with Spritz: Cotton Candy & Ruby,

Dazzlerz: Spun Sugar

& 

Shimmeringz: Baby's Breath

What a stunning combination of our Shimmerz favorites! 

Here's what I created with them,  

"Holly Jolly"

Sigh! Isn't this so soft, & pretty for Christmas?!

I just love the fresh & modern look this creates - so light and playful! 

Perfect for my 2 darlings in the photo! 

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

Wow!

I have combined these stunning colors with a couple of cut files, as well as Elle's Studio scrapbook supplies. 

I start by creating my mixed media bases which my cut files layer onto.

 I use the packaging technique and add lots of color droplets and splatters too! 

Once dry, I apply the tiny dots stencil with Dazzlerz Spun Sugar. 

I also spray the snowflake cut files with that soft jade color, Coloringz: Oh Say Can U Sea, and then give a light coat of Shimmeringz: Baby's Breath for a gentle hint of shimmery goodness! 

I love how this turns out!

You can see the entire process in my video HERE. 

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

Those colors are just divine! Such a perfect combination! 

Oh, & that cut file is a FREEBIE! Yesss! 

I've popped a link for it in the description box on my channel - so be sure to check it out & subscribe to Happy Arty Days too! 

That snowflake cut file is gorgeous! 

It's called 'Snowed In', and is another Freebie - from The Cut Shoppe!

 I love the soft hint of shimmer that the Baby's Breath adds to the Coloringz: Oh Say Can U Sea - so pretty!!! 

And such a great way to add gentle interest to my photo cluster! 

So.much.gorgeousness!!!

See more of this pretty Christmas layout on the Shimmerz Paints channel HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I hope you enjoy watching my process video! 

REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your Shimmerz Paints Store order to receive a FREE paint! Yay!!! 

Shop ALL the Shimmerz Paints here!

Thanks again, & Best Wishes for the New Year!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: 2018 Favorites!

Hi Creative Friends!

Time for my final Cocoa Vanilla Studio post for 2018 - wow! 

Can you believe it's been another year already? 

Time sure does fly when you're having fun! 

As always, we like to wrap up the year by reflecting on our favorite projects & with so many amazing new collections released this year, picking my fave 3 for 2018 has certainly been a challenge! 

It was kinda like being asked to pick your favorite child - just not possible! LOL!

So, instead I randomly selected my favorites for today's post - I hope you like my choices!

First up, is a very pretty page created with the Bohemian Dream collection....

"Happy Days" - Bohemian Dream collection 

See original post HERE

I just love the Bohemian Dream collection, and despite making this layout at the beginning of 2018, this layout is still a firm favorite of mine! I have never scrapbooked with so much purple - EVER! That really says something about the gorgeousness and beauty of this collection. And don't even get me started on all the butterflies, dream catchers, feathers and winged things - la, la, love it all!

Next up is another super pretty layout, this time with the delightful More Than Words collection.....

"Precious" - More Than Words Collection 

See original post HERE

Sigh! Isn't this swoon worthy?!! So very precious, indeed! I adore the softness and innocence of this design. And yes, more butterflies... I can't help myself! More Than Words is such a beautiful and elegant collection!

And last, but by no means least, a boy page to complete my 'random' fave projects.....

Outta This World - You Rock collection

See original post HERE

Isn't this the coolest?!! It's no secret that Cocoa Vanilla Studio create the BEST boy collections around, and You Rock is perhaps my all time favorite of all! Love the woodgrain pattern paper teamed with the cool blue and white - such a fabulous combination!

And there you have it! 3 (out of 11 or so...) of my favorite Cocoa Vanilla Studio creations from this year! I hope you'll click on the links to go back and see them in more detail.

As we look forward to 2019, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish each & every one of you a very safe and Happy New Year! 

Best Wishes!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Citrus Twist Kits: December: 3 To Inspire Challenge!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

Boy-oh-boy am I excited to be sharing some of my first creations with the gorgeous Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit! from Citrus Twist Kits! 

This kit is all kinds of awesomeness - so many beautiful pattern papers, and sweet embellishments! Speaking of beautiful pattern papers, I decided to make pattern papers a feature of today's challenge! But enough chatter, let's get started!

For today's edition of 3-To-Inspire, your projects will need to feature the following....

1. Pattern paper as the layout base/background (no cardstock!).

With so many beautiful pattern papers in both our Scrapbook & PL kits this should be a great opportunity to showcase them in your creating!

2. Use stamps! 

Feature any of the exclusive CTK stamps (past or present) in your layout!

3. Include a heart. 

Stickers, ephemera, stamps - whatever takes your fancy! Hearts are such an easy embellishment to adorn your layouts with!

With these 3 things in mind, here's what I crafted with the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit...

First up is my 'boy' page, "Better Together" 

CTK Supplies Featured: Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, Embellishment Kit. 

Other: Black stamping ink, & Shimmerz Paints: Spritz Bamboo Leaf. 

Isn't this awesome?!! Such a fun, masculine layout!

You'll spot the fabulous Pinkfresh Studio: Indigo Hills 2:  Meadow pattern paper as my layout base. I fussy cut the Heidi Swapp: Emerson Lane: Easy Peasy Paper so that I can utilise all the journal cards, tags and labels in my photo cluster. For my stamping element, I repeat stamp the arrow that features in the 2" x 3" clear polymer stamp in the Scrapbook Kit. 

You'll spot a variety of hearts on this layout, including the Emerson Lane Cardstock Stickers, Journal Studio Puffy Stickers (both from the Scrapbook Kit) as well as the One Canoe Two: Golden Rod Chipboard Phrase Thickers (from the Embellishment Kit). While we're on the topic of the Golden Rod Thickers, how incredible is that chipboard title?!! That gold is just SO striking against the indigo paper base! LOVE!!!

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

 

So many lovely layers here, mostly from the Emerson Lane supplies. They coordinate beautifully with the Meadow paper, and I love the inclusion of that olive green! You'll spy that I do add some painty splatters in a similar green color (from my personal stash) to enhance these embellishments.

So cool! A boy & his puppy documented perfectly with Pleasant Valley!

My second layout for today is a softer, more feminine take on the 3-To-Inspire challenge....

"Sweet Puppy Love" 

CTK Supplies: Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, Pattern Paper Play Kit, Embellishment Kit. 

Other: Black stamping ink, & watercolor paint.  

Naww! How cute is that puppy?!! No secret that I am totally smitten by him!

I have used the beautiful Heidi Swapp: Emerson Lane paper that comes in this month's Pattern Paper Play Kit as my layout base.  I've also used lots of the Journal Studio goodies that feature in the Pleasant Valley Scrapbook Kit, as well as a bit of everything from the Embellishment Kit! (There's no such thing as too many embellishments, right?) You'll notice that I do remove the paperclip backings from the Journal Studio Swan Paper Clips and use them as an epoxy sticker instead! Awesome! 

Here's a closer look at my page.....

Omgoodness! I can't handle his cuteness!!! Such a darling lil pup! 

And yes, that's me in the photo - awkward as always (I much prefer being behind the lens!) but this lil guy just has to be documented! If your familiar with my style, it's well known that I love all.the.florals!!! So naturally, I use a lot of them for my layout! 

The hearts featured are from the Golden Rod Thickers set, & on the subject of Thickers, how gorgeous is that soft, glossy pink title?!! Those alphas are from Pink Paislee's Paige Evans Whimsical collection & are from the Scrapbook Kit. SO pretty!!! 

Lots of repeat stamping from the exclusive CTK stamp from the Scrapbook Kit and watercolor paint droplets to complete this pretty page. 

And there you have it! My first two pages with the divine Pleasant Valley Kits! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating & play along with today's 3-To-Inspire challenge! 

Be sure to share your beautiful creations in the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page on Facebook - we love to see what you've crafted! 

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

The Cut Shoppe: Merry Christmas Star!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more digital cut file inspiration for The Cut Shoppe!

Boy oh boy am I getting excited for Christmas! 

It's the most wonderful time of the year! & I just love spreading the Christmas cheer!

For today's layout I wanted to create something fun 'n' magical, 

& The Christmas Star cut file was the perfect choice!

Here's my layout, "Merry"

Isn't this magical?!! 

I have been inspired by visions of sugarplums and used all the pink, glitter & sparkles! 

That giant sequin shaker star is just stunning! And I just adore the super glittery Merry title! 

There's no denying that the Christmas Star digital cut file is all kinds of awesome!

It looks like this....

Wow! What an amazing file with SO many possibilities!

You can get this fabulous cut file from The Cut Shoppe HERE. 

For today's layout, I simply enlarged the Merry star to 8 inches wide and cut it out in white Bazzill cardstock. I created a 'pocket' by backing the star with a layer of pattern paper & vellum. Before I sealed off the pocket, I filled it with sparkly sequins. 

To add extra sparkle and interest, I glued more sequins over the top of the vellum, and then dressed the title in pink glitter paste. 

I just loved how this turned out! So festive & fun!

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

To enhance the magical feel of this layout, I created a whimsical, cotton candy style background with 

Shimmerz Paints 

Vibez: Jeni Be Bleu

 Vibez: Sweet Heart

 Coloringz: Oh Say Can U Sea?

& Spritz: Cotton Candy

***Remember: If you're purchasing Shimmerz Paints, type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a FREE gift. No minimum order, not valid with any other offers & code can be used on repeat orders.***

 This mixed media base really makes the Merry star stand out.

 For added 'pop' factor, I mount the Merry star on thickened foam tape. So effective! 

On closer view, you'll also spot that I embellish the Merry star with a few stickers, and some cotton floss threads! Very pretty details! 

Just look at that glitter title! So.much.sparkle!!!

The Christmas Star cut file is just a stunning addition to any Festive project! 

Aren't they adorable?! Such a Merry Christmas moment! 

With only 3 days til Santa comes, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a safe and very Merry Christmas! 

And a Happy New Year!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

You can shop the Christmas Star file & more in The Cut Shoppe HERE.

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Pebbles: Holly Jolly Christmas!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Pebbles inspiration!

Today I am sharing a really simple process video with the super cute Cozy & Bright collection! 

I just love this adorable collection - it's so playful & fun! 

Perfect for documenting all the holly jolly Christmas moments!

But enough chatter, here's what my finished project looks like.....

"Holly Jolly"

Oh isn't this the sweetest?!! 

Nothing's more precious than a puppy for Christmas!!! Holly jolly, indeed!

I've featured one inch strips of the bright stripes pattern paper, MERRY & BRIGHT to act as an anchor at both the top and base of my 12 inch white cardstock page.  I've also drawn on the less traditional Christmas colors in this collection, and used the light blue and pink for a more whimsical look!

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

This is oh so pretty! 

Lots of beautiful embellishments to adorn and support my sweet photo!

I fussy cut those  blue & pink tags from pattern paper GIVE JOY, and use them to layer my photo with. The use of tags is a great alternative to blocks of pattern paper, and adds a more playful and fresh look!

Just look at the soft glitter on the 6 x 12 ACCENT STICKERS - those red baubles are just divine!

Loving those DECORATIVE BRADS too!

Want to see more, including how this layout came together? 

Please watch my short process video HERE.

Thanks so much for subscribing to my channel too!

I hope you enjoy and feel inspired to get creating with Cozy & Bright for the Holidays!

Merry Christmas, & Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

COZY & BRIGHT SUPPLIES:

733922 MERRY & BRIGHT 

733921 GIVE JOY 

733929  6 X 12" ACCENT STICKERS W/GLITTER

733930 CLEAR STICKERS

733931 COZY THICKERS

733943 DECORATIVE BRADS

Pinkfresh Studio: Holiday Vibes & Free Cut File Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog! 

Today I am sharing some Christmas inspiration with the gorgeous Pinkfresh Studio: Holiday Vibes collection! Infact, for today's post I am using this collection with one cut file & one photo to create two different, but very beautiful scrapbook layouts! 

The cut file being featured is a Pinkfresh Studio one called: 

Jingle Bell and you can download it for FREE HERE. 

Here's my first layout, 

"Merry"

 

Merry, indeed! 

Such a happy moment on Christmas Day morning, in front of the tree! LOVE this photo, and you can see why I needed to scrapbook it twice - once for her album, & once for his! Too adorable! 

I have used the 'bell' section of the cut file as a frame for this darling photograph, and then paper pieced the bow with the B-sides of pattern papers VERY MERRY, & CHRISTMAS CHEER. I also embellish the bow with a snowflake EPOXY STICKER for added dimension & interest! For my page design, I use the Jingle Bell as both my focal, and central point of the layout. I 'build' around the bell with all my embellishments - keeping to a circular design to compliment my sweet photo. 

You'll also spy a few fussy cut shapes from pattern paper CHRISTMAS CHEER - including the presents, and those oh-so adorable bunnies! 

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

The sweetest! I foam mount the 2 bunnies to make them a little more noticeable & also because they're kinda like my two cute characters in the photo! Love them so!

How fabulous are the COLOR DIPPED WOOD ALPHA STICKERS which I use as my subtitle Fa La La?! The inclusion of these alphas & the WOOD EPOXY BUTTONS really adds some warmth to my otherwise cool & crisp color scheme. 

Such a simple way to maintain balance in the design!  

As well as cute fussy cuts, there's also some beautiful DIE CUT EPHEMERA supporting this Christmas photo. I just adore the Merry tag, & had to use it as my layout title. To help it 'pop' I used thick foam dots for added dimension, as well as a natural twine bow for added interest. 

Did you spot those super cute PUFFY STICKERS?!! 

I have used three on my layout, and adore them all! 

For finishing touches, I add a sprinkling of ENAMEL DOTS to fill a few gaps in my circular design. So good! 

Crisp.Clean. White Christmas perfection! 

As I mentioned earlier, both my layouts feature the same photograph & cut file, but have quite a different look. Here's my second take on using these same items....

"JOY"  

Isn't this lovely?! 

Again, I've kept to a clean look, but softened this one with the inclusion of gray in the color scheme. The layering of pattern papers, MERRY CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS CHEER also enhances the gentility of the design by breaking up all the white space. To compliment the gray, I've also edited my photo to black & white which creates the false sense of a whole new look! I've also opted for a vertical design which contrasts greatly to my previous layout.

Let's take a closer look....

Like my previous layout, I have used the bell design to act as a frame for my darling photo. However, this time I paper piece the bow with the reverse side of pattern paper LET IT SNOW.  That soft blue is just divine! I adorn the bow center with that sweet WOOD EPOXY BUTTON and embellish the left side of my photo with that perfectly coordinating CHIPBOARD STICKER jingle bell. Love!

Speaking of coordinating, I selected lots of circular embellishments to partner with my round photo. You'll spot ENAMEL DOTS, WOOD EPOXY BUTTONS, DIE CUT EPHEMERA & even an EPOXY STICKER! 

The Jingle Bell cut file is all kinds of awesomeness! 

Love how it looks when it's backed with pattern paper LET IT SNOW for the bell, & MAGICAL FOREST for the bow! To add a lil interest, I adorn this bell with a foam mounted DIE CUT EPHEMERA sentiment, as well as a WOOD EPOXY BUTTON.  

Such a great point of interest! 

I use those fabulous COLOR DIPPED WOOD ALPHA STICKERS for my title, as well as that sweet Noel DIE CUT for my subtitle. So lovely! 

And there you have it!

One photo, one cut file, one amazing Holiday Vibes collection = 2 beautiful Christmas layouts! 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my creations today 

& feel inspired to get creating this Holidays! 

Merry Christmas! 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo