Pinkfresh Studio: NICU Card Drive & Blog Hop!

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome to the
Pinkfresh Studio 
NICU Card Drive & Blog Hop!

I am so honoured and fortunate to be participating in this very special event! 

Emergency & Intensive Care is something I hold quite dear to my own heart too!
There have been a few close calls with my darling boy,
and I can't even begin to describe our gratitude and thanks to the amazing hospital staff! 

But enough chatter, let's get onto the good stuff!

Here's the beautiful mood board that we're being inspired by.....

Isn't this the sweetest?!

It immediately reminded me of our beautiful Escape the Ordinary collection, and as I am from the Scrapbook Team, I thought I'd create a few 'paper only' cards for you.....

I love this card set!

The mountain scenes, and the gray & gold combination really spoke to me! 

The phrase stickers in Escape The Ordinary are perfect for the strength & encouragement sentiment too!

But, if you prefer a 'newer' collection, I also created a sweet card with the very pretty Let Your Heart Decide line.....

This time being solely inspired by the color scheme - but isn't it lovely?!

Which collection do you prefer?

I am torn between these two cards - I love them both! 

But these ones are pretty awesome also....

Capable of Anything! 

You so got this! 

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

I WILL climb this mountain - what could be more encouraging?! 

Oh that mountain paper is just perfection!!! 

It's from the Escape the Ordinary 6 x 6 Paper Pad, 

but you can also get the same print in 12 x 12, it's called DISCOVER. 

I hope my cards have inspired you, and moreso, I hope they bring some love and support to the NICU ward. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

 Please remember to leave a comment to go in the drawer to win a prize! 

Good Luck! 

Hop back to the Pinkfresh Studio blog HERE to see what our next talented designer has install for you! 

Thankyou!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: May Scraplift Sunday #1

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with one of our favorite challenges - 

Scraplift Sunday!

And yes, I know I'm a few days late - but better late than never, right?

This week we're lifting this gorgeous layout from the insanely talented Anita Bownds....

Oh sigh!!! This is simply stunning!

Such a beautiful layout! 

Inspired by the Spring theme, I have used Fancy Pants Designs: The Bright Side collection for my take on it! 

Here's my layout, 

"It's a Beautiful Day"

Oh isn't this so super pretty & fresh?!! 

I just adore this new collection! 

The Bright Side, indeed! Love! 

I have followed Anita's design, but opted for pretty florals and birds, over tags and bunnies. Cute! 

I even featured a cut file in the photo cluster just like the original. 

I used my fave Paper Issues cut file again, lol!

It's called Cherish Florals and looks like this....

You can download this fabulous file for FREE here. 

Awesome!

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

So.much.pretty!!! 

Those blooms are just divine! 

And how fabulous are those Bubblegum Pink Nuvo Drops?!! 

Happy Heart for sure! 

And there you have it! 

My take on this week's Scraplift Sunday! 

Join us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group to play along too! 

You could even win a Paper Issues gift card!

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

& REMEMBER: Code AMANDA will save you $$$ at checkout! Yay!

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints: One Of A Kind!

Hi Creatives! 

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration! 

Today I am showcasing the incredible Dazzlerz paints! 

Dazzlers are smooth, incredibly shimmery, dimensional paints. 

Their paste like texture is excellent for use in mixed media, card making and scrapbooking. 

They come in a variety of beautiful colors.... including all the colors of the rainbow! 

Here's what I'm talkin' 'bout! 

Vibrant, shimmery, rainbow delight!

Background perfection! 

Here's how I created that base....

I know, nothing tricky to see here! 

Simply swipe your Dazzlerz onto the stencil/mask with a palette knife (or store card) & voila!

It's seriously that easy! 

And isn't the result just gorgeous?!!

Love how intense and shiny the Dazzlerz are! 

For this background,  I used the following Dazzlerz colors:

Pucker Up Pink

Dreamsicle

Lemon Drop

Gummy Berry Blue &

Grape-tastic 

Here's my completed page....

"One Of A Kind"

Isn't this fabulous & fun?!! 

All the rainbow stars for the win!

Here's a closer look.....

I've used the Elle's Studio April Kit & Add-Ons, including the wood veneer title One Of A Kind. The veneer looked really dull against all those bright Dazzlerz, so to jazz it up I gave it a good spray with Shimmerz Paints Vibez Before Dawn!

Here's a better look at it.....

Oh just look at that shimmer!!! 

The black is so striking against my rainbow of stars! 

And speaking of stars, to make the Dazzlerz stars pop even more you'll spy the occasional Acrylic Star and Puffy Star Sticker embellishment amongst them too! 

The sweetest!!! 

And seriously, how dazzling is that background!!!

In case you need more convincing.....

Aaaaaah-MAZING color!

When it comes to high shine, bright and beautiful color, Dazzlerz are your best friend!

I hope my layout has inspired you to try DAZZLERZ! 

You can get yours from the Shimmerz Paints store HERE 

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

Thanks so  much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

The Cut Shoppe: NSD Challenge No.1 Back A Cutfile!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

Happy {inter} National Scrapbook Day! 

There are so many wonderful things happening to celebrate this awesome weekend of paper crafting awesomeness! 

 The Cut Shoppe are celebrating with a ton of challenges, freebies & even a 50% off sale!  

Needless to say, I just had to join in! 

Challenge No. 1 is to simply back a cut file from The Cut Shoppe - 

here's my take on it....

"Live in the Moment"

Oooooh! So.much.fun!!! 

I have used the super fun Hello Hearts digital cut file, and backed it with my favorite Bohemian Dream collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

Just gorgeous!  

To make the cut file 'pop', I have layered it onto that stunning Shimmerz Paints background, and then mounted the hearts onto thick foam for added dimension. 

You'll also spot a few stamps and puffy stickers from the Elle's Studio Noteworthy collection too! 

Love how bright and playful this is! 

Here's a closer look.......

Nawww! Love these two! 

Such a cute photo, and happy memory! 

That background is really something too! 

I have used Shimmerz Paints Dazzlerz in Pucker Up Pink, I Lilac You & Grape-tastic.

The droplets and splatters are created from Shimmerz Paints Sprtiz in Sapphire, & Walkin' A Tight Heliotrope. 

The colors coordinate beautifully with the pattern papers in the Bohemian Dream collection, and really emphasize the Hello Hearts file. 

Love how this turned out & the Hello Hearts cut file is such a dream! 

Get it for 50% off this weekend (thru til May 7th) with the code below....

Visit The Cut Shoppe store HERE 

Love those Shimmerz Paints colors?

Shop all the colors HERE 

& REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order & you'll receive a FREE paint!  Yesss! 

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

I hope you have an extra creative weekend and get to join in on all the fun! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Pebbles: Patio Party:Teacher Appreciation!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for another super sweet, but oh so easy Pebbles gift idea! 

This week is all about Teacher Appreciation on the Pebbles blog,

 and as a teacher myself, I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to receive a gift made from a child's hand! 

Hence, today's post is super simple because I had my 5 yr old son make it for his school teacher! 

Yes, it's that easy! So let's get started!

Begin with a recycled jar, some fabric netting or tulle, ribbon and your favourite Ephemera pieces from the Patio Party collection...

Have your child wrap the jar with the netting, tie the ribbon in a bow and accessorize with the ephemera. Add an extra 'special' detail with a layered butterfly sticker, as shown below.....

Isn't this sweet?! Have your child select some flowers from the garden and arrange them in the vase, while you assist with cardmaking!

Start with a simple 6" x 4" white card. Trim pattern paper Citrus Sweet to size 5 3/4" x  4 3/4" and adhere to card front. 

Attach ephemera leaves and blooms as shown below....

Cut apart pattern paper Just For You and use the woodgrain thankyou tag. Mount it with adhesive foam dots for added dimension. Embellish with a couple of 6 x 12 Cardstock Sticker butterflies, and finish with a bow!

Super simple, but seriously sweet! Didn't he do a great job?!

An absolutely darling gift that any teacher (or Mom for Mother's Day) would love to receive from your child! 

I hope it has inspired you to spend a little creative time with your children too! 

(It's never too early to start them on the crafty path) 

I'd love to see their takes on this lovely gift - so please be sure to share them with us on the Pebbles Inc Facebook page!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

PATIO PARTY SUPPLIES:

732868 Citrus Sweet

732903 Just For You

733053 Dimensional Stickers Butterfly w/Gold Foil Accents

733779 Dimensional Stickers Flowers

733782 Ephemera

733781 6 x 12 Cardstock Stickers

OTHER SUPPLIES:

340272 Sticky Thumb Dimensional Adhesive Foam 

71259 American Crafts Textured Cardstock White

Paper Issues: May: MOM Turned Upside Down Spells WOW

Hi Creatives! 

A new month signals lots of new challenges at Paper Issues!

Today I am sharing this fun Mother's Day inspired challenge...

Well of course your MOM is WOW!!! That makes perfect sense to me! Lol!

I just love being a Mom! 

I know everyone says that, but truly, I wish I could have more children! 

Absolutely the BEST part of my world! 

So here's a pic of me with my boy, just happy being together...

"LOVE"

Oh what a darling! And yes, 

Life is always better TOGETHER

He was only little here, just a few months away from turning 3 and such a cutie! 

We always have the best times together, and that is what Mother's Day is all about for me!

Reflecting on how wonderful this life is! 

But enough of the soppy stuff - we're here for the love of paper! 

And oh my heart, Paige Taylor Evans has done it again! 

Her new Pick Me Up line is oh so pretty, and I just couldn't resist teaming it up with our gorgeous Fab-YOU-lous Florals cut file! 

You can download this awesome file for free HERE

I love the look of white on white, so soft and delicate! 

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

My heart is SO full! Love this!

You'll notice that I cut my pattern paper into a circle and use it as base for my cut files, doilies & photo cluster. This creates the appearance of an inverted wreath - and helps to balance all that white!  

I embellish with 6 x 12 Accent Stickers, Puffy Stickers & Chipboard. 

The Ephemera Die Cut butterflies are just the sweetest and add a hint on color to this soft and subtle page!

My heart is full, indeed!

I hope my layout has inspired you to play along with this Mother's Day themed challenge! 

Before you get started, 

visit the store here for all your supplies

& REMEMBER: Code AMANDA will save you $$$

I can't wait to see what you'll create! 

**Be sure to upload all your projects in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group to go in the draw to win a Paper Issues Gift Card**

Good Luck & thanks for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: May: PI Partners Up!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome to a new month of challenges and tons of inspiration with Paper Issues! 

The first challenge that I am playing along with this month is....

Yay!!!
And the site we're partnering with for May is....

Who doesn't love a good sketch, right?!! 

Here's what it looks like......

Such a fun sketch!
I decided to rotate it for my fun take.....

"AWESOME"

Awesome indeed! How cool is this kid!?!!
I have used the fabulous Elle's Studio Noteworthy collection,
and a lil Shimmerz Paints Vibez in Jeni B Bleu. Love it! 

You'll spot Paper 2 - Grid as my base, as well as both sides of Paper 1 - Aqua Dot, and
Paper 5 - Cards.
Here's a closer look for you....

How fabulous are the Wood Veneers in this collection?!!

Loving the Epoxy Stickers as well!!!

Totally awesome! 

And there you have it! Good 'ole sketchy fun! 

Your turn now! 

Join us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group HERE to play along! 

Visit Let's Get Sketchy for more details on this challenge HERE

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE 

& REMEMBER: Code AMANDA will save you $$$ at checkout! 

Need Shimmerz Paints? Who doesn't?!! Shop HERE &

Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order & receive a FREE paint! Yesss!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo