Citrus Twist Kits: 3 To Inspire Challenge!

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome back for today's installment of the awesome 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 - To - Inspire challenge! 

I love a good challenge, and I had such fun creating for this one that I made not one, not two, but 3 layouts to inspire you with! Lol, what can I say? I love memory keeping & crafts! 

I hope you'll find some time this week to play along too! 

All you need to do is feature the following three prompts in your creating....

1. Use alphas in your project. 

(There are a few varieties in this month's kits - plus we won't mind if you use some from last month too! ;) There are always plenty of alphas left over, right?)

2. Include some die cut shapes or ephemera. 

(Again, there are plenty in this month's kits and oh my heart, the exclusive ones in the PL Kit are divine!!!) 

3. Add a wood element to your page. 

(This could be a wooden embellishment, or even some wood grain pattern paper) 

Easy Peasy (CTK)  Lemon Squeezy!

Before you get started, here are the three layouts that I created for today's challenge.....

"Be-You-tiful"

Isn't this pretty?! 

I have used the gorgeous Little Things Scrapbook Kit, as well as fussy cut butterflies from the Pattern Paper Play Kit, the October Embellishment Kit and the Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors. I just adore the blue hues and embellishments featured in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit, and they coordinated beautifully with my sweet photograph! You'll spy lots of Crate Paper, Pinkfresh Studio  & Vicki Boutin on this layout! 

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

Aren't those fussy cut butterflies super pretty?!!

And those Liquid Watercolors are just stunning!!! I have used Sapphire, Lavender, & Sky Blue and they're all available in the CTK store HERE. 

Lots of luscious layers of papers & die cut ephemera beneath my photo! I love having ephemera tucked in and around my layout focal points. The wood element in this layout comes from our October Embellishment Kit - the gorgeous gold foiled wood veneer from Pinkfresh Studio! 

The pretty mint alphas for my 'Be-You-tiful' title are from the Scrapbook Kit, and are also from Pinkfresh Studio - LOVE!!!

So.much.pretty in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit!!!

My next layout has a very fresh feel to it.....

"Beautiful Ordinary Life" 

Sigh! Beautiful, indeed! 

It's no secret that I heart me some Pinkfresh Studio, & this is exactly why! 

So clean, fresh & contemporary! A really elegant and beautiful page of my darling daughter! 

All the Pinkfresh Studio goodies here, plus a couple of those super cute inflatable hearts from Amy Tangerine. 

Created with the Little Things Scrapbook Kit and teamed with the fabulous phrase stickers & wood veneers from the Embellishment Kit & paper from the Pattern Paper Play Kit.  Perfection! 

Those floral die cuts have my heart!!! SO pretty! 

The mint alphas add that tiny pop of color to break up all that peach, and add balance to my design. Love it! 

And last, but by no means least, my third layout for this super fun challenge....

"Boy: Slow Down"

Such a fresh & fun page for my darling boy! 

I have opted for a 8.5" x 11" design, and used the beautiful Little Things Pocket Life Kit! I am LOVING the exclusive pattern papers & just had to make a feature of them!

I layer quite a few of them beneath my photo to really draw your eye in. You'll also spot the vintage book paper, and lots of the exclusive die cuts too! 

I use the wood grain pattern paper for the wood element in this layout, as well as the pretty blue alphas to complete the 3-to-Inspire requirements. Such a cool adventure boy page! 

Those alphas are such a gorgeous shade of blue! All the heart eyes for these!

The PL Kits are always jam packed full of exclusive must haves! So good!

And there you have it! Lots of inspirational ideas to get your creativity flowing! 

I can't wait to see what you create for this 3-to-Inspire challenge! 

***Be sure to upload your challenge entries in the Facebook Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page***

Need supplies before you begin? 

Visit the Citrus Twist Kits store HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Cool Kid!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

For today's DT assignment I am scraplifting the incredibly talented, Anna Komenda! 

I know, what a task! 

Everything Anna creates is pure awesomenss, and today's layout is no exception!

Here's her original layout, created for last month's Throwback Thursday.....

Told you it was pure awesomenss!!! What a stunning page!

I decided to create a boy version of it using our super cool, Boys Rule collection! 

Here's my take,

"Cool Kid"

 

How awesome is this?!! He's one cool kid, for sure!

Just like Anna's original I have opted for a pattern paper base, & made a real feature of the frames in this collection. 

Such a clever design!

The background paper is the reverse side of CV-BR009 GOOD TIMES, and I just love its textural appearance! The concrete look is so raw and edgy - perfect for more masculine memory keeping! I have used a lime and sky blue color scheme to compliment the coolness of the GOOD TIMES paper. I opt for wood grain embellishments and frames as my accent color; to add warmth and balance to my page. Awesome!

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

While Anna features flowers as her core embellishment, I have used stars for mine. 

You'll spot stars from the CLEAR STICKERS, ACCESSORY STICKERS, CHIPBOARD PIECES, & even the DIE CUT EPHEMERA pack! All.the.stars for the win!!! T

o add dimension and interest to the stars, I foam mount a few of them & even layer one or two together.

But it's the layered frames that really make this layout! I have combined frames from both the DIE CUT EPHEMERA & MISCELLANY packs to create this fun look! For my photo cluster, I dress the frames with that awesome #BOYSRULE FLAIR BUTTON, a CHIPBOARD PIECES star and arrow, and my DIE CUT EPHEMERA COOL KID title.

Tucked between the layered frames are a few more EPHEMERA stars, an ACCESSORY STICKERS tab,  as well as a flag & label from the MISCELLANY pack. The #EPIC subtitle is fussy cut from pattern paper, CV-BR006 BOY STUFF & just adds that little something extra! 

Here's another view for you....

Awesome! Loving all the details here!

That FLAIR BUTTON is the best! I use it not only for cool factor, but to balance my black & white photo and camera embellishment (rule of three and all that jazz  ;)  ) To add more dimension & interest I foam mount the DIE CUT camera too!

Travelling down the page, I add a  few more stars (you can never have too many, right?), as well more layered frames......

I opt for smaller frames to avoid distraction from my focal point and photo, and embellish with the CHIPBOARD PIECES wood grain face, ACCESSORY STICKER flag, and that Super Hero EPHEMERA. Very cool!

And there you have it!

My scraplift of our amazing Anna Komenda using our Boys Rule collection! 

I hope I have inspired you to scraplift this layout too! 

You can see more of Anna's awesome creations HERE

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Pebbles: Spooky Boo & Pumpkins Theme Post!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Pebbles Halloween inspiration, with the super cute Spooky Boo! collection!

Today I am sharing my take on the Pebbles DT assignment: pumpkins theme! 

 Hope you like it....

"Trick Or Treat: Boo!"

Eeek! Isn't this the cutest for Halloween?! 

Totally Spook-tacular! & just check out all those amazing pumpkins!

And here's how easy it is to recreate this page....

1. Mount an 11" x 11" sheet of white cardstock onto pattern paper, Sweet Tooth.

2. Use your digital cutting machine to cut out the Paige Evans' Pumpkin Wreath cut file in white cardstock. Back the pumpkins with pattern papers Hocus Pocus, & the reverse side of Sweet Tooth. Leave a few of the cut pumpkins 'open' and without any backing, too.

3. Use watercolor paints to outline a few orange & yellow circles in the center of the background, as shown above. Add a few tiny splatters for interest.

4. While the paint dries, attach your spooky Halloween photograph to the Pumpkin Wreath cut file.

5. Position wreath onto the background paper and painted circles, then glue into place.

6. Embellish the photo cluster (& bottom right quadrant of the layout) with Cardstock Shapes die cuts, and 6 x 12 Accent Stickers. You'll spy lots of pumpkins here too!

7. Continue to embellish this quadrant with more stickers, including the fabulous Spooky Boo Puffy Stickers.

8. Use the Maggie Thickers to add a title - BOO! & add a few more Puffy Stickers for good measure!

Voila!

A really BOO-tiful Halloween memory documented, and featuring all.the.pumpkin.things!!!

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

Pure pumpkin perfection!!!

I just adore the the super cute mummy and skeleton Accent Stickers here - adorable!

SO much spooky fun!

I hope I have inspired you to document your Halloween memories with the fabulous Spooky Boo! collection.

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

SPOOKY BOO SUPPLIES: 

733898 Sweet Tooth

733901 Hocus Pocus

733907 6 x 12 Cardstock Accent Stickers

733910 Puffy Stickers

733908 Cardstock Shapes Die Cuts

OTHER SUPPLIES:

Pumpkin Wreath Digital Cut File by Paige Evans

71081 American Crafts White 12 x 12 Cardstock

340261 Tape Runner & Refill

Elle's Studio: October New Releases & Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for this month's Kit Reveal & New Releases at Elle's Studio! 

I say it every month but truly, the October Kit is all.kinds.of.awesomeness!!!

Check it out....

I told you! SO.much.awesomness!!!

All the heart eyes for all the Fall things! 

And like always, the Add-Ons are absolute Must-Haves too......

The  new 6 x 6 Sweater Weather Paper Pack is AWESOME!!! 

& I  just  have to mention that stamp!!! 

The new Thankful Stamp is errrything - you'll see it feature in a moment ;)

And of course, Fall, Halloween, Home & Coffee themes - yayyy!!!

The cherry on top of the amazing new releases would have to be the 

Digital Cut Files & Printables....

LOVE!!!!

***You can shop ALL the New Releases HERE***

Need a lil inspiration first?

Here's what I've created just for today's reveal.....

"Favorite"

Elle's Studio Supplies: October Exclusive Kit, Puffy Stars & Dots Stickers, 6 x 6 Sweater Weather Paper Pack, Thankful Stamp, Autumn Fun Stickers, October Labels, Autumn Shipping Tags, Noteworthy Puffy Stickers, Noteworthy 12 x 12 Paper Pack. 

Other Supplies: 12" x 12" Bazzil - Marshmallow, Umbrella Crafts Dye Ink Pads - Mint, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue, Sunbeam & Shimmerz Paints: Spritz Bamboo Leaf, Coloringz: Freshly Squeezed & Lil' Yellow School Bus. 

W.O.W!!!

My favorite season, indeed!

How incredible is that stamped wreath?!! 

I have repeat stamped the leaves from the Thankful Stamp set, in a variety of colors & fussy cut them out. I arranged them into the circular shape, glued onto my watercolor base and embellished with the Puffy Dots Stickers. So cool! 

To enhance the wreath appearance, I add a baker's twine bow to the base of the wreath. I also fussy cut one of the 3" x 4" cards to use as my subtitle, My favorite season has arrived!

That stamping!!! 

Perfect for all your Fall & Thanksgiving projects!

The Thankful Stamp is my favorite kit add-on this month - so good!

The Sweater Weather 6" x 6" Papers & Autumn Shipping Tags are perfect for layering beneath photos, and on my favorites list too! 

My second layout is a little close to my heart.....

"Heart Of Our Home" 

Elle's Studio Supplies: October Exclusive Kit, Puffy Stars & Dots Stickers, Sweater Weather 6 x 6 Paper Pack, Thankful Stamp, Autumn Fun Stickers, Home Sweet Home Wood Veneer, Jane Alphabet Stickers - Black, October Digital Cut File, Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers. 

Other Supplies: 12" x 12" Bazzil - Marshmallow, Umbrella Crafts Dye Ink Pads - Mint, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue, Sunbeam. 

What a fun page!!!

I just couldn't resist the super cute Home Sweet Home Wood Veneer, and repeat cutting it with it's coordinating Digital Cut File with the Sweater Weather 6 x 6 papers! 

I anchor all the 'homes' to the stamped trim at the base of my layout (created with that Thankful Stamp - it's seriously awesome!) 

Such an effective look! 

That veneer is really something! I embellish the 'o' in home with those fabulous Puffy Dots! The paper cut homes are all backed with Sweater Weather papers, and a couple are embellished with Die Cuts from the October Kit.  

The heart off-cuts from the Digital Cut File are all used to embellish the top of my layout. You'll also spy more stamping from - you guessed it - the Thankful Stamp! I just can't get enough of this stamp!!!

I also embellish with Puffy Dot Stickers, Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers and use the black Jane Alphabet Stickers for my title. 

Heart of Our Home without a doubt!!! Love this so much!

***Shop ALL the new Elle's Studio new releases HERE***

And there you have it! 

Two really beautiful pages with the latest Elle's Studio products!

I'll be back a lil  later in the month to share some Halloween inspiration with this kit & add ons too!

Thanks so much for visiting today! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

The Cut Shoppe: Love Layout & Process Video!

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome to the Happy Arty Days blog! 

 I am so super dee duper excited to be sharing my first official project for 

 Yayyy!!! 

I LOVE The Cut Shoppe digital cut files, and have been wanting to be part of this awesome team for a long time. 

Hooray for dreams coming true! 

Such an amazing opportunity - I hope I'll inspire you!

Today's layout is all about putting the focus back on your photographs, 

and the Piece Of My Heart cut file certainly does that and more! 

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

"Love" 

Sigh! Isn't this just the sweetest?!! 

All the pretty, girly things here! 

Here's a better look at the cut file......

Piece Of My Heart Cut File

Get this awesome file from The Cut Shoppe HERE

This file is an absolute dream to create with! 

With no intricate or tricky cuts, this file cuts out super fast! With its large, clean cut boxes you can see how it really puts the emphasis back onto your photos!

 And if you're a lil time poor (aren't we all, these days?!) it's also super quick to back! 

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

I have used the Crate Paper: Maggie Holmes: Flourish collection, as well as a few bits n pieces from the Willow Lane line, accessory stickers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio & my favourite Shimmerz Paints - for a gentle hint of color and shine! 

So lovely, indeed! 

You'll spy that I foam mounted the Piece Of My Heart cut file for added dimension & interest!

Such a fabulous cut file for my beautiful girl! 

Want to know more about how this layout came together? 

Please watch my process video  HERE 

Also includes my thoughts on layout design, page elements, and why I didn't choose to back this file with multiple pattern papers (& it isn't what you might expect!) 

I hope you'll enjoy watching! 

Thanks so  much for visiting today!

I hope you're feeling inspired to use the Piece Of My Heart cut file!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,