Happy Arty Days: 2015

Sunday, 27 December 2015

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Hello Summer!!!

Hi Happy Arty Days!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday and are ready for the Summer!

Today I am super excited to be sharing my first official layout with the gorgeous new collection

Hello Sunshine

I am just infatuated with this collection! The colour palette is fun, fresh and screams Summer Lovin'!

It also has the most playful feel to it - but enough raving, please take a look yourself!

Here's my super cool boy layout,

"Hello Summer"

Isn't this cool?!

When it comes to Summer fun, Hello Sunshine is THE go to collection!

I just adore these patterned papers - the colours, the designs, they are just too cool for words!

Infact, I love the Solar Flare pattern so much that I used both sides in my layout!

HELLO SUNSHINE | SOLAR FLARE PAPER | CV-HS002

I think I may buy multiples of this paper!!! LOVE it!

The other paper that I've featured is that very light woodgrain print, Full Bloom. Both papers are totally awesome!

HELLO SUNSHINE | FULL BLOOM PAPER | CV-HS001

Speaking of awesome, how sweet are all the embellishments in this new collection?!!

Fancy buttons, wood veneers, ephemera, woodies & stickers galore! Spoilt for choice!

I will admit, I am totally smitten by the Fancy Buttons - have a peak at how fabulous these are...

HELLO SUNSHINE | FANCY BUTTONS | CV-HS018

I am pretty sure that I will just gobble these lovelies up!

But as if they weren't awesome enough, there's also the Woodies...

Gosh! I am drooling over Hello Sunshine!

Best Summer (and gender neutral) collection I've ever created with!

Here's another close up......

That die cut ephemera kite! OMGoodness! Cuteness overload!

The wood veneers! Glasses, anchors, smiling suns...too cute for words!

Loving Life - loving Hello Sunshine!!!

Yep, there's no denying it!

I am completely, totally and undeniably Hello Sunshine's biggest fan!

This collection feels like it was made for me; bright colours, fun & playful patterns, contemporary designs, gorgeous embellishments, cute stickers, & perfect for scrapping all our loved ones this Summer break!

Expect to see lots more Hello Sunshine from me in coming months ;)

Hope you liked my page & feel inspired to scrap all those beach photos!

Thanks for visiting & leaving a comment,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Monday, 21 December 2015

Kaisercraft December Creations

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for more Kaisercraft creativity and inspiration!

With Christmas only a matter of days away, I would like to take this opportunity to thankyou for all the support & kind comments you've all left me this past year! It really means so much!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you and your loved ones a very safe, & Merry Christmas!!!

Now, let's dive straight into the good stuff!

Kaisercraft released two very different, but both stunning, new collections this month,

My Year, My Story

*Designed with the new Journal Planners in mind, it's totally modern, fresh and bursting with colour*

Treasured Moments

*Perfectly pretty, antiques, roses and all things vintage for this lovely collection*

Here's what I've created with My Year, My Story.......

"Shine Bright" 8.5 x 11" layout

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I was immediately drawn to the yellow papers in this collection - so fun, bright and full of happy possibilities! Perfect for my happy snaps of the everyday moments!

"Be-You-Tiful"

I know, how pretty is that lace template?! I really wanted to create a page that really showcased that stencil - so feminine & delicate!

TIP: To get the same effect, mix your Kaisermists with gesso, and then apply evenly with a palette knife.

"Life Is Peachy"

Another cool background effect created with mixing Kaisermist and gesso (I used Kaisermist: Peach, and applied to the cardstock with a spatula). I really love the peachy tones with the lime green - so fun & fresh! And those collectables are too cute!!!

"Be Happy, Be Bright"

And just because this collection was 'bursting with colour', I had a bit of a rainbow moment.... ;)

More Kaisermist fun!

I also created a super fun double layout with this collection, which you can view here, as well as a cute pineapple card for the monthly challenge, which you can revisit here.

But this collection was created with Journal Planners in mind, so here's a peak inside my Journal Planner for February 2015.....

Journal Planner Pages - February

With February being the month of LOVE, I had to use the raspberry pink tones from the My Year, My Story collection!

I've used the Sticker Sheet-Months, as well as the Clear Stamps from the My Year, My Story collection to create my month to a page calendar. Here's a closer look.......

Those sweet heart stamps also feature in the stamp pack - too cute!

I'm a bit of 'girl's gotta list it' kinda girl - so this next page (from the Paper Pad) is perfect for my personalised planner...

Love the checkboxes too! Really going to keep me organised for 2015!

SO loving February 2015 already!

If you missed my 'January 2015' (mint) planner pages, you can see them here.

Okay, so it's safe to say that I totally fell in love with My Year, My Story! So much so, that I really ran out of time to indulge in Treasured Moments! But I did get a few layouts with it....

"You Make Me Smile"

I love this! SO vintage, pretty and all things lovely! A really elegant collection - perfect for scrapping the girls with!

And because the collection is soooooo girly, I just had to create a boy page with it too.....

"FOREVER" 8.5 x 11" layout

Isn't he adorable?! Such a sweet boy! And how cool is this page?!

Nothing girly (or vintage) about this layout at all! Such fun!

I also created this beautiful frame layout for the Specialty post - so very beautiful that I just had to share it again....

And there you have it! A December full of inspiring layouts,

and planner lovelies to get you through to the New Year!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Tis The Season Inspiration!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for a lil Christmas festivity, fun & inspiration!

Christmas is all about the spirit of giving, and so today I am giving you a peak into my 'real' life - a layout that is so deeply personal that I would've normally just kept it in an album for my darlings!

So, if you ever wanted to get to know 'me' - lil old AJ - better, then this is the post for you!

(& if not, skip the words and just enjoy the paper pretties ;) )

So without further ado, here's my layout......

"Memories Together"

Yes, that's me and my two beautiful children - not posing, not staged & very much in front of our Christmas tree for 2015!

I don't get behind the camera too often - so this layout is a rarity in itself! But such a happy moment in our little family! We had just finished putting up the tree and singing along to some carols when my husband snapped this pic! I love it so much! It's actually not my best angle...ya-da, ya-da, ya-da.....

BUT it's the joy on my children's faces and that gorgeous embrace of my Mr A for Awesome, that melts me everytime! Told you this was a personal insight post, lol! Being 3, he is super-dee-super excited about Santa coming this year and our poor Advent calendar is feeling his joy! Teehee! Such a wonderful time of year!

It is sadly also Miss M's first year of 'knowing' about the magic of Christmas.....

Thank goodness that she is able to share in her brother's excitement & has been a super special Santa's little helper! This photograph reminds me that despite the disappointment of 'knowing', she is still so full of happiness and joy that the Spirit of Christmas remains with her. Bless!

Cocoa Vanilla Studio's, Tis The Season collection is perfect for all your Christmas creating! Fun, fresh & contemporary - this collection is all about documenting this December!

I am totally loving the ponsettia patterned paper, "All Is Bright"

TIS THE SEASON | ALL IS BRIGHT PAPER | CV-TS003

Just gorgeous and the perfect balance of Christmas colours without being overkill! The blue tones worked especially well with my photo - as you'll spy, our tree has quite a few blue decorations this year.

Here's a closer peak at the lovely embellishments I've used.....

Those Lucky Charms!!!

Oh those Lucky Charms, they get me every time! Brass heart keys are just too sweet and sentimental to not feature! And how cute are the mint sequins & die cut ephemera?!

I am also really loving how clever the printed wood veneers are.....

TIS THE SEASON | WOOD VENEER SHAPES | CV-TS012

I mean, seriously, could they get anymore perfect?! They are just cute-to-boot! Love them!

And because it is Christmas, and I really am trying to spread the good cheer,

here's a little bonus Christmas creation for you,

Christmas Tree Table Decoration

Isn't this cute?! I actually have Miss M (9yrs old) making these as teacher gifts!

Super easy to make and mostly, a ton of fun!

(lots of paper tearing, collage and threading pearlised pins!)

It's made from the patterned papers Very Merry & Good Cheer, sequins, wood veneers and yes, those divine enamel Little Stars...

Such a gorgeous little gift or adornment to your Christmas table this year!

I hope that you've enjoyed seeing my creations today, & are feeling a tad more festive!

Tis The Season is just divine for memory keeping your Holly Jolly Christmas!

& if you need a lil extra encouragement to indulge yourself - you can get the entire collection at a discounted price HERE

and on that happy note.....

From my Family to Yours,

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Stay safe and enjoy the holidays,

xx AJ ( aka @happy_arty_days )

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Kaisercraft November Creations

Hi Lovelies!

Today I have a few layouts with the stunning new November Kaisercraft collections, as well as a very unique Wall Art creation from the Kaiserwood range to share with you!

So let's get straight into the good stuff!

Provincial Collection

This collection is simply gorgeous!

A beautiful mix of lace & damask patterns, timeless heritage and a dash of nature for good measure! So pretty!

Here's what I created with it....

"Grateful"

Isn't this pretty?! Loving the muted blue tones, and the softness it brings!

You'll also spy the fabulous stamps, as well as the corresponding embossing folder for Provincial on this layout. Add a few collectables, blooms, a splatter of Kaisermist & some stitching and this layout is complete! I love that Kaisercraft create so many perfect 'partner' pieces for each collection - it makes creating so easy!

Next up, I have another soft, blue layout....

"Happy Together"

So love this! Nothing more wonderful than your children embracing one another!

How lovely are the stickers and collectables in this collection? Just divine!!!

Provincial is such an oh-so-pretty collection!

But I did mention that it features a dash of nature, didn't I?

Well, here's what I'm talking 'bout.......

"You Are Beautiful" 8.5" x 11" layout

I know, hard to believe this is created from the same papers! And yet, despite it's great difference, it's simply stunning patterned paper! Worked beautifully with my garden backdrop photo :)

Quite often, I use lots and lots of Kaisercraft products to create my layouts with, but I actually set myself a challenge with this layout. To only use a maximum of 3 products! Yes, that's right - I've only used 3 Provincial products ( 2 papers and one packet of collectables) to create this simple but very pretty page! Evidence that this cleverly designed collection is so well coordinated that you don't need 'everything' to create great pages. Give it a try!

Kaisercraft Products: P1972 | Hedge, P1978 | Cobblestone, CT843 | Collectables.

Speaking of challenges, I am also inspiring this month's sketch challenge with another Provincial collection layout. You can see my layout, the challenge post and last minute entry details here.

I could have kept creating with Provincial, it's that versatile and easy to use, but then I wouldn't have had time to create with Sail Away...

Sail Away

A fabulous sailing, beachy, masculine collection that is perfectly for all our Summer themed photos!

Naturally, this collection gave me the chance to scrap my boys....

"The Good Times"

Told you it was perfect for the boys! Such a strong, bold, naval feel to it! & yet, still enough fun and playuflness to use for my lil boy too! Love it!

"Best Day"

Isn't this fun?!

Cool thing about this layout, all the patterned papers are actually from the 6.5 x 6.5" Paper Pad! You've probably noticed I like to challenge myself a little - it helps keep my creativity flowing ;) So this design has been created to demonstrate how easy it is to create full size 12 x 12" layouts using mini papers. I've also made a feature of the stickers in a journaling style format too! Hope it inspires you!

"Wild & Free"

Love the soft blues in this! Very delicate and perfect for pics of the junior men in our lives! I am also totally LOVING the new decorative dies that Kaisecraft have released this month - so cool! This page features Anchors C6 - which is just awesome for cardmaking, but yes, I had to challenge myself *again* and show how versatile it can be! I'm still deciding if I like the tiny die cut anchors or the the C6 negative more! Just awesomeness!

& my final layout with this collection today is....

"Choose Happiness"

This is my favourite layout this month! I love that it completely breaks away from the nautical theme of the papers, and is quite earthy and raw! Another fabulous new decorative die, 'choose happiness'! I thought that the font of this one might make it difficult to cut, but it was like putting a hot knife through butter! Possibly the best word die I've EVER used in terms of cutting ease - Love it! (& it looks pretty cool too!)

And now, for my wall art creation!

Kaisercraft generously sent me this very large Wall Art Anchor to decorate....

The incredibly talented Melissa Kennedy has already created this number in the Workshop magazine and you can download her instructions on 'how-to' on the Kaisercraft website. So my challenge was to create something different from Melissa's gorgeous patterned paper sample.

Here's what I came up with....

A really clean and simple design (that works with my personal home decor) and that shows off the fabulous new Kaisermists. Yes, you read correctly, I created that rustic shabby base with Kaisermists!

I love Kaisermists! They're on my all-time favourite products list! They're so intensely coloured, versatile and so very user friendly! So how did I do it?

Start by painting 3 to 4 coats of Kaisercolor in white (KC001) with a wide, rough bristle brush sweeping in all directions. Allow to dry. Apply Kaisermist in Coffee & Apple with a paint brush and or finger. Allow a minute to soak in and then rub back with a paper towel. Repeat process a few times over, until happy with coverage and effect. Where I wanted a more 'shadowed' effect, I left the Kaisermist 'untouched' & to left it to dry naturally. Such a cool technique and a really fun way to use your Kaisermists!

Kaisercraft Products: SB2388 | Wall Art Anchor, KC001 | White, KM113 | Coffee, KM117 | Apple. Other: Burlap, shells & jute twine.

And there you have it! My take on this month's fabulously fantastic new collections!

*Don't forget to check out my NEW! Kaisercraft Journal Planner Post that featured earlier this month too*

Hope you enjoyed seeing everything I've created!

Thankyou for stopping by!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Wednesday, 2 December 2015

Imaginarium Designs: December Planning!

Hi Imaginarium Designs Friends!

Welcome to December!

'Tis The Season to enjoy some creative time with our fabulous chipboard!

And with the New Year not far upon us, I wanted to share a quick and simple tutorial on using your favourite chipboard in your Planners :)

Yes... I said, Planners , as in more than one, lol!

I may have several...shh! It's okay we're all happy planning friends here ;)

But enough of the chatter, here's what this week looks like in my planner....

Hello, December!!!

I did say I love my planners, didn't I? & how cool is this?!!!

I've used my MAMBI: The Happy Planner, & Cocoa Vanilla Studio's: Tis The Season Collection, a few gems from The Planner Society and combined them with some too cute chippies for a fabulous result!

My favourites are those divine Christmas Tree clips - so sweet!

Here's how I created my planner page for this week....

I always choose a colour palette or theme for my weekly planner - naturally the first week of December needed to reflect the Jolly Silly Season!

& then, I select small to medium chipboard pieces that will tie in well with my theme.

Here's some of my selections for this week...

Can't go past those new hashtag words!!! SO cool!

I begin by inking my trees in Ingvild Bolme Chalkers: Mint & Kaisercraft Ink Pads: Red.

Note: These inks are water soluble, so allow to thoroughly dry before applying a generous coat of Couture Creations: Glitzin Glamour: Red and Crystallina.

I also coated a mini star in the same reds, and once dry, attached to my mint tree.

When the glitter glue is completely dry, turn the chippies over, and using a strong bonding adhesive, attach the extra long paper clips. (or fold clips, or wooden pegs for page markers too!)

Voila!

Very cool clips that can be tailored to suit any theme or colours in your Planners.

I also used chippies to embellish my page too!

I used glitter gold embossing powder on some of them and attached to my page with double sided tape.

The stars work really well with the Christmas theme of my Planner spread, & those new hashtag words are just awesome!!!

They're quite delicate, contemporary and fun - perfect for us Planner Junkies ;)

Oh, & I did one more chippie treatment! I used the negative cutout from my tree chipboard as a stencil with my WeRMemoryKeepers Heatwave Tool to create those foiled red trees! Another fun way to use our chippies in our Planners!

To see more of my Planner love be sure to follow me on IG: @happy_arty_days

Imaginarium Designs Products:

4 Christmas Trees on Board - Tinies

21 Stars in a Board

#Hashtag Words in a Board

I also made a commitment to my family this month that I would stop ~~hoarding~~ ahem! 'collecting' pretty papers and actually use them! Bahahaha! I've tried.....

Here's 2 layouts from scrapping my stash!

#Wonderful

I love the delicacy of this page! Soft, and feminine - perfect for my lil girl!

It's created from the new Crate Paper Shine collection that I had to buy - but has been sitting on my desk for weeks now because it's too pretty to use! lol!

Like my Planner page, I have used those fantastic hashtag words, and coated '#wonderful' in glitter gold embossing powder - giving the chipboard a golden, lustrous shine!

Here's a closer peak....

Below the #wonderful, and tucked in my photo cluster, is a tiny chipboard flourish. Very delicate & painted in white acrylic paint to keep it 'pure'.

The other chippies featured are Natalie's awesome hand drawn hearts - love these!

So versatile and easy to use!

To keep with the softness of this layout I have inked them in a very light petal pink ink. Gorgeous!

Imaginarium Designs Products:

#Hashtag Words in a Board

Denise's Flourish 1 Small (2 per board)

Natalie's Hand Drawn Hearts

And my final layout for today is created from my long loved Amy Tangerine stash, "Rise & Shine"

"Best Friends"

Isn't this the sweetest photo ever? Cousins that are truly the very best of friends - so lovely!

And yes, a very simple design - but not every page is a masterpiece! Sometimes I just love to keep it simple and embrace the patterned paper and my special photographs!

And those chippies really do embellish the page perfectly!

Here's a closer look....

I've coated both dragonflies in Bo Bunny Glitter Paste in gold. Divine!

The clouds are simply inked in matte white ink.

And that amazing title chipboard has been treated with Kaisercraft Inks; Saffron & Tangello, and then coated in Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. Stunning result!

Imaginarium Designs Products:

Four Clouds in a Board

Two Dragonflies in a Board

Best Friends

And there you have it!

My December creations for Imaginarium Designs - hope you liked my planner page ;)

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, xo