Happy Arty Days

Citrus Twist Kits: June Life Crafted - Around Here - Kit

Hi Friends!

A new month means new kits from Citrus Twist Kits and this month's will have you swooning!

The Life Crafted Kit for June is called, "Around Here" & looks like this....

Isn't it gorgeous?!!

Those pattern papers are especially lovely - just look at those happy colors!

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

SO Stunning!!!

And the Scrapbooking Add-on Kit is just as divine!!!

Gah!!! So many pretties to memory keep with!

If you're super quick you might be able to snare one of these beautiful kits before they sell out - visit the Citrus Twist Kits Shop HERE.

Now for some inspiration with them!

First up is a look inside my Life Crafted Album using the Around Here Kit....

Did I mention how much I am loving the colors in this months pattern papers?!!

Seriously, this color scheme is everything!

Perfect for documenting my story with!

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

I feel like those pattern papers were made for my photo - such a perfect match!

The exclusive die cuts and journal cards are pretty amazing too!

Love it!

And here's a scrapbook layout I've made using both kits....

"LOVE"

Sigh! SO super pretty!

As well as both kits, you'll also spy the K-Bows Cut File and the Do Your Own Magic subscriber exclusive cut file. Adore them both!

This layout was created for the Kit Love / 3-to-Inspire Creative Team post, where we were asked to use the kits, pattern paper and the K-Bows file.

You can check out the post HERE & see the amazing creations from my fellow teamies!

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

Gor-jus!

Love the addition of the Pinkfresh Studio Joyful Day products with the Around Here kit - so good!

The cut files are really something, aren't they?!

Simply beautiful!

And there you have it!

My first play with the new June Kits at Citrus Twist Kits!

I'll have a few more projects a lil later this week for you!

Thanks for stopping by today,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Shimmerz Paints + Cocoa Vanilla Studio = Beautiful Layout & Process Video

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more shimmery inspiration!
Today I am sharing a gorgeous layout & process video with the fabulous
Shimmerz Paints April Color Kit!

This exclusive Color Kit is absolutely GOR-jus & I just couldn't resist creating with it again -
while I anxiously await the June Kit release in a few days time!

**Hint, hint! Set your alarms for June 1st kit reveal day - it's going to be epic!**

If you missed the April Color Kit, it looks like this.....

SO divine!

***These are limited edition kits, BUT there is one or two remaining in the store - if your quick!***

Shop the April Color Kit HERE

The kit contents are:

1 package of Spiegelmom Scraps Sequins in “Pick Your Plum”

• 1 2oz bottle of “Quit Yer Wine-n” Vibez

• 1 Jar of “Lapis Dance” Creameez

• 1 Jar of “Pink-a-Boo” Inklingz

• 1 Jar of “Angel Wings” Shimmerz

Here's the layout I have created with this fabulous Color Kit....

"Beautiful"

Sigh! Beautiful indeed!

Such a pretty page for my darling ballerina!

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

Swoon! So much gorgeousness!

I can't even!!!

From that pretty Pink-A-Boo Inklingz, to the richness of the Vibez Quit Yer Wine-n & those stunning pops of Lapis Dance Creameez - well, it's just pure bliss!

And don't even get me started on the Pick Your Plum sequins!!!

La La LOVE this kit!

I have combined it with the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Midnight collection, as they're clearly a match made in heaven!

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

Just look at those colors!

So much loveliness in the April Color Kit!

Such a soft and pretty page for my darling ballerina!

You can watch how I created this pretty heart page design on the Shimmerz channel HERE

Happy watching!

I hope you enjoyed my seeing how my layout came together.

I just adore the April Color Kit & I hope I have inspired you to use yours!

(Or race to the store for the last remaining one HERE! )

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Loving Every Second Layout & Process Video

Hi Cocoa Vanilla Studio Friends!

I am so excited to be sharing my take on this week's CVS design team fussy cutting theme!

I just love fussy cutting and the new HAPPINESS collection has so many perfect papers to snip away at!

But enough chatter, here's my layout for today....

"Loving Every Second"

Sigh! Isn't this just divine?!!

Those fussy cut blooms from the CV-HA001 BOTANICAL BLISS paper are errrything! And I just adore this indigo, white, peach & blue color scheme - so, so pretty!

Here's a better look at my layout....

Swoon! Florals, butterflies, pretty colors and a giant heart - what could be more perfect for scrapbooking my two darlings?!

That indigo base paper is the reverse side of CV-HA001 BOTANICAL BLISS & just happens to be my favourite colour! So striking and it teams perfectly with the crisp white cardstock, and beautiful peach florals. Speaking of white cardstock, I trimmed mine to 11 inches square, and stitched it to that gorgeous indigo base paper. I layered the cardstock with the heart cut file, which I mounted with foam tape to create gentle texture & dimension. The heart cut file is actually the large die cut from the LARGE DIE CUT & BACKING KIT. Such an easy way to incorporate a cut file look without needing a digital cutting system! (and even better, you'll still have the beautiful backing paper left over for a future layout - so win, win!)

Next, I layered fussy cut florals from the CV-HA001 BOTANICAL BLISS paper onto the large die cut. You'll also spy some fussy cut butterflies from CV-HA008 BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL. Gorgeous!!!

There are also some sweet ACCESSORY STICKER & DIE CUT EPHEMERA butterflies and blooms too!

But it's that sweet framed photo in the center of the heart that really makes my layout!

I love making my photos the 'hero' of my page. Ultimately, that's why I scrapbook. Recording those precious memories & telling our stories is so important. I used a DIE CUT EPHEMERA wreath to frame my photo, and then foam mounted it over the central layer of fussy cut and DIE CUT EPHEMERA florals.

My title is also from the DIE CUT EPHEMERA pack, and positioned to the bottom left of the framed photograph. Beautiful!

I embellished the page with sequins from my stash of our 2015 LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL collection. (I *may* have been hoarding these pretties) For finishing touches, I applied the typewriter font journal stickers from the ACCCESSORY STICKERS sheet. Perfect!

Simple.Classic.Beautiful!

Fussy cutting is definitely 'a must do' with the HAPPINESS collection!

If you want to see how this lovely layout came together, please watch my process video here...

Thanks so much for watching!

I hope my video inspired you to get fussy cutting with your favorite Cocoa Vanilla Studio papers!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Pinkfresh Studio: Everyday Musings Layout & Process Video

Hi Crafty Friends!

Welcome back for more Pinkfresh Studio inspiration with the delightful scrapbook collection;

It's no secret that I adore this line!

I've created quite a number of layouts, and this is my third process video with it too!

Yep, it's that pretty!

But enough chatter, here's what I've created with Everyday Musings today....

"Summer Days Spent Together..."

Oh isn't this just the prettiest?!!

I can't get enough of those pretty pastels, and those incredible chipboard sticker frames!

Here's a closer look for you...

Absolutely divine!

That Happy Place pattern paper is errrrrything!

Cut file credit: Handipaper

You can see how I created this sweet page in my process video below....

Thanks so much for watching!

Pinkfresh Studio Everyday Musings is my favorite release of 2019 so far!

I really hope you feel inspired to create with it too.

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Citrus Twist Kits: May Life Crafted Kit

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog!

I am so excited to be sharing my first layout with this month's Life Crafted Kit

from Citrus Twist Kits!

The 'May' kit is called Excursions and is all kinds of loveliness!

If you haven't seen it yet, here's a quick peek....

So gorgeous, huh?!

If you're fast, you might be lucky enough to snare this beautiful kit in the CTK store HERE.

And here's the layout that I created with Excursions....

"You Two - Besties Since Like Forever"

Sigh! Isn't this the prettiest?!

Soft, fresh and very feminine!

All the pastel pretties for these darling girls!

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

I just adore the pattern papers and vintage book paper in this month's kit - so gorgeous!

The floral die cut ephemera is totally divine too!

I used the bonus subscriber cut aparts to create more of these blooms for my page, and tucked them into that fabulous butterfly heart cut file.

And speaking of cut files, how beautiful are those butterflies?

I've backed them with those gorgeous pattern papers, then layered ephemera hearts over the top - so sweet!

That amazing cut file is a freebie one but again, it is an exclusive to all the CTK subscribers.

Yet, another great incentive to start a subscription today!

I should add that the sequins are from my stash, but everything else you see on my page is from the May Life Crafted Kit & subscriber exclusives. I know, so much loveliness in one kit!

Check out those awesome puffy alphas and my favorite, the monthly Life Crafted Stamp!

So much goodness in one divine lil kit! Love, love, LOVE!!!!

***Shop the Citrus Twist Kits Life Crafted Kits HERE ***

I hope you enjoyed seeing my first layout with this month's kit.

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Altenew April 2019 Washi Tape/Embossing Paste Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi Friends!

Welcome to the Happy Arty Days Blog!

I am so excited to be participating in the fabulous

Altenew April 2019 Washi Tape/Embossing Paste Release Blog Hop!

There are SO many amazing new products in this release, and you can shop them ALL in the Altenew Shop HERE

To celebrate this fabulous release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners!

Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 5/1/2019 for a chance to win.

Altenew will also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on EACH designer’s blog on the blog hop list below.

All winners will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog on 5/4/2019.

If you have just arrived here from the amazing Lilith Eeckels blog, then you're in the right place!

If not, or you're a lil unsure, here's the blog hop list to help you find your way....

Start here----> Altenew Card Blog

You are here----> Amanda Baldwin

Altenew Scrapbook Blog

With the formalities taken care of,

here are my creations with these gorgeous new products!

First up is this pretty page,

"Love This Life"

Oooh! Isn't this pretty?!!

Altenew Supplies: Botanical Rhapsody Washi Tape, Alluring Blooms 6 x 6 Paper Pack, Live Your Dream Chipboard Stickers.

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

That Botanical Rhapsody Washi Tape is all kinds of awesomeness!!!

For this layout, I use it to completely cover my white 12" cardstock base, creating my own beautiful pattern paper base. LOVE!

With a busy pattern paper base, I simply fussy cut Autumn color blooms from the Alluring Blooms

6 x 6 Paper Pack to support and embellish my darling photo.

You'll also spy a couple of my fave Live Your Dream collection Chipboard Stickers!

But it's that washi tape background that wins my heart!

It's so stunning you can't even tell it's tape!

Just look at those intricate blooms!

So divine!

Next up is this stunner,

"You Are So Special"

Whoa!!!

This.is.GOR-jus!!!

Altenew Supplies: Botanical Rhapsody Washi Tape, Teal Shadow Washi Tape, Embossing Paste, Flowing Butterfly Stencil, Summer Garden 6 x 6 Paper Pack.

Let's take a closer view....

That Teal Shadow Washi Tape is simply mesmerizing!!!

So.very.beautiful!

Like my previous layout, I apply the washi tape to create the illusion of pattern paper.

I also apply the Teal Shadow Washi Tape, and the Botanical Rhapsody Washi Tape to smooth white cardstock and then fussy cut out all the leaves and floral blooms. I love fussy cutting, and by using the washi tapes this way, you're able to create your own die cut ephemera. So clever & oh so pretty!

And speaking of fussy cutting, I spy a gorgeous floral wreath framing my sweet photo! It's been cut from the beautiful new Summer Garden 6 x 6 Paper Pack.

And I must make mention of the ahh-may-zing new Embossing Paste from Altenew!

I've used many pastes in my life, but none like this!

It was like applying a whipped mousse to my stencil - even smoother and lighter than butter!

And as for the result? Well, it speaks for itself!

Those butterflies are perfection!

I applied the Embossing Paste with a palette knife & the Flowing Butterfly Stencil. Love it!

Absolutely gorgeous!

Next up, is a more masculine approach to using these new products....

"Oh BOY!"

Oh boy, indeed! Such a cool kiddo!

Altenew Supplies: Misty Meadows Washi Tape, Gold Trim Washi Tape, Embossing Paste, Leaf Burst Stencil, Sweet Moments 6 x 6 Paper Pack, Live Your Dream Chipboard Stickers, Live Your Dream Puffy Alphabet Stickers.

Here's a better view....

This is SO awesome!

The Misty Meadows Washi Tape is really something -

it even has gold foiling throughout it's pattern!

To draw attention to that 'golden' highlight, I also trim it with the Gold Trim Washi Tape. So effective!

But it's that Embossing Paste that is really wowing me!

I used a liquid ink to hand color the paste on a mixing palette, and applied it with a palette knife. The stencil featured is called Leaf Burst and showcases that Embossing Paste beautifully!