Paper Issues: Product Spotlight: Carta Bella - Toy Box!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome to another Paper Issues Product Spotlight!

Today we're shining the light on the super fun, Toy Box collection from Carta Bella!

This collection is super bright, fun, playful and full of all your old favorite vintage toys! I LOVE it!!!

Here's my first layout with this fabulous line, 

"Toy Time"

Omgoodness! How fun is this?!! 

La la LOVE it all!!!

I had a total blast creating with these vibrant colors and patterns! Just perfect for my Mister A for Awesome!

Lots of fun embellishments and those pattern papers are just the best! 

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

I have mounted my white cardstock onto that incredible red chevron paper, Best Toy Fun & then fussy cut that plaid paper, reverse side of ABC Blocks to create my layout. 

The rest is just fun embellishing - 

And aren't those vintage toy soldier stickers just the cutest?!! 

I am also totally loving those Puffy Stickers, and Layered Stickers too!

SO much fun!!! 

That robot!!!!

Carta Bella Toy Box really is perfect for childhood memory keeping!

Need some too? Grab it all in the Paper Issues store here 

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend!

Looking for more Carta Bella Toy Box inspiration?

See what the rest of our talented team have created here

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Discover Adventure Time with You ROCK!

Hi Creative Friends!

My turn on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog, 
& I have a super fun adventure theme layout using the fabulous You ROCK collection!
 You ROCK continues to be go-to collection for my Mister A for Awesome - it's just so much fun! 

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

Here's my layout,

"Discover Adventure Time"

Oh wow! Total awesomeness! 
You can see why I totally LOVE the You ROCK collection! 
With such a stunning black and white photograph, I really wanted to make feature of the black, white & grey tones within this line, and bring it all together with pops of blue. 
I think this colour palette looks so striking!

I have used the super cool CVS-YR002 IN LINE pattern paper for the base layer on my white cardstock, and embellished over it all. My sweet photograph has been double mounted with pattern papers CVS-YR006 RANDOM & reverse side of CVS-YR004 STRIPPED, then adorned with ACCESSORY STICKERS & that awesome RUBBER CHARM So cool!

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

A is for Awesome indeed!

So many fabulous embellies here! You'll spy WOOD VENEER & CHIPBOARD STICKER arrows to lead your eye into my photograph, as well as DIE CUT EPHEMERA adorning it all! More awesome ACCESSORY STICKERS, and those ENAMEL SHAPES scattered throughout - love it!

Here's the other side of my photo....

More RAD embellishments layered beneath and around my focal point. I have used stars, crosses & arrows as my main adornments, they coordinate perfectly together! 
The use of WOOD VENEER SHAPES really balances my page, and adds a touch of warmth and masculinity to this clean, contemporary design.

Let's look beneath my photo....

OMGoodness!
 The RUBBER CHARM are like my favourite embellishments this year! 
I truly can't get enough of them! To make this one even more impressive, I mounted it onto a CHIPBOARD STICKER for extra dimension! 
More cool arrows, and ephemera, but that striking DISCOVER title is actually from pattern paper CVS-YR006 RANDOM - love the cut aparts! And anyone who follows me knows that the typewriter font journal stickers are a staple item on all my layouts! So very cool (& a ton quicker than me typing my own, lol!)

Moving down the page, you'll spy that final cluster at the base - also mounted on a thin strip of  CVS-YR004 STRIPPED paper. Boys rule! Total perfection for my boy! Love the shine on those ENAMEL SHAPES too!

The embellishments in You ROCK are truly the coolest......

Yep, I love You ROCK for my boy!

I hope my layout has inspired you to get creating with this awesome collection too! 
Grab yours in the store here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo  

Paper Issues: June Scraplift Sunday #4

Hi  Happy Arty Days Friends!

It's Sunday, & you know that means it's time for a Paper Issues Scraplift 

& today we're lifting this layout from me! 

Eeep! What an honour!

I love my original, so I decided to flip the design for a really different look! 

I also opted for a Summer page instead of a Fall one too! 

Here's what I created.......

"The Ocean Is Calling"

Omgoodness! How fun is this?!!!

Such a bright, fun and contemporary Summer page! Love it!

I have used the new Pink Paislee Summer Lights collection & combined it with washi tape from Heidi Swapp's  Magnolia Jane collection. 

Despite being a predominantly girly Summer line, 

Summer Lights worked perfectly for my Mister A for Awesome!

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

Fun, fun, fun indeed! 

& that chipboard car sticker is awesome sauce!

More fabulous 6 x 12 and Chipboard Stickers and I just love that grid pattern paper! (No.8 - get it here!)

Vacation Vibes!!! Love it!

I hope you liked my scraplift of my original design!

You can get ALL the fabulous NEW Pink Paislee Summer Lights collection in the Paper Issues Store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend!

Yay! Happy Shopping!

I hope you'll play along with this super fun challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: June Free File Friday #2

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with the mid month share of 

This time we're focusing on any Summer themed Free File from the Paper Issues store!

There are so many options in the store, that I actually used two files on my layout!

Here's what I created....

"Summer Days"

Pure Summer sweetness!

I've used the stunning Echo Park Summer FUN line & combined it with the pineapple cut file featured in the NSD 2017 Free Cut File - see below.

 & I have also used the super pretty Tropical Orchid Free Cut File ....

So Awesome!!!

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

So many beautiful elements to this collection - but I just can't go past that pineapple pattern paper!!! Fabulous!

My cut files are all backed with pattern papers in the Summer FUN line too! 

Here's a better look at that pineapple......

I've embellished it with a few tropical flower stickers - cute!

And speaking of tropical flowers, here's that super stunning orchid up close......

Ga ga gorgeous!!!

If you're like me, and can't live without either of the Echo Park Summer lines don't despair!

You can grab them both in the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

Looking for more Free File Friday inspiration? 

See what our talented team have created here 

& don't forget to grab all the FREE Cut Files here

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: June Swag Bag

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Time for another favourite Paper Issues share of the month,

Today I am using the super pretty May Swag Bag....

SO divine, huh?! A little bit of this pretty, and a dash of that one too! ;)

Swag Bags are the perfect sampler of all the new treasures in the Paper Issues store!

But enough chatter, here's what I've created with mine....

"This Makes My Heart Smile"

Nawwww!!! This photo and memory really does make my heart smile so very much!

& I LOVE how perfectly everything from the Swag Bag coordinates with it!

How cute are those tiny alphas too?!!! 

You'll spy bits n pieces from Dear Lizzy, Simple Stories, & MME on this layout, as well as the Heidi Swapp Shine mist droplets! Awesome!

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

Love that fun flair button & those yellow chipboard hearts!

That gorgeous floral bouquet was a 3 x 4 card that I fussy cut to use as ephemera, and it coordinates beautifully with the pattern paper at the top and bottom on my design. So Super Sweet!!!

Love it all! 

Hope you liked my layout, 

& feel inspired to get creating with your Swag Bag!

Don't have one? That's ok, you can try your luck on any left over stock here

OR if you're like me and don't want to miss out, 

you can get a 6 month subscription here.

Whichever option you choose, 

REMEMBER to use my code AMANDA & you'll receive 20% off! Yay!

See more Swag Bag inspiration here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: June Scraplift Sunday!

Hi Creative Friends!

It's Sunday Funday, Yayyyy!!!!
 & on Sundays, we scraplift at Paper Issues!

Today's inspirational layout to lift is this stunning diagonal design by Anna.........

Gorgeous, huh?! Such a fun and playful page!

Here's my take on it.....

"Every Summer Has A Story"

Love how bright n fun this is!!! 

I was totally inspired by the playfulness of Anna's original that I wanted to express it in my lift.

I've used the gorgeous Summer FUN collection from Echo Park - perfect for my happy girl! 

I couldn't go past pattern paper Sweet Stripe for this diagonal design, and you'll also spy Element Stickers, Chipboard Stickers & Decorative Brads! 

Need a lil Echo Park in your scrappy life?!!

Grabs yours in the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

Want to see more takes on this fabulous scraplift? 

Visit the original Paper Issues blog post here

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: Product Spotlight!

Hi Friends!

It's time for another fabulous Paper Issues Product Spotlight,
& today we're shining the light on Alphas.
Yep, any type/kind of alpha that is sold in a pkt in the Paper Issues store here!
Let's be honest, we all have a ton of those Thickers, right?!!
So I've decided to stashbust and use up some older alphas for this scrapbook layout.
Here's what I created....

"This Is Us 2" 



Isn't this the sweetest?!!
 Such a beautiful Autumn memory that I couldn't wait to scrap!
I've used Fancy Pants Designs: Golden Days collection (including the coordinating alphas) & teamed it up with the Crate Paper Oasis collection Thickers too! They coordinate perfectly!

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

The Golden Days line is just Fall perfection! Such a stunning collection! 

How sweet & fun!!!

Hope you liked my take on the alphas spotlight today! 

Shop ALL the alphas in the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

Looking for more alphas inspiration? 

See what our talented team has created on the official blog post here

Thanks so much for stopping by!
til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: June Try It Tuesday!

Hi Creatives Friends & Fans!

Welcome back for the June edition of Paper Issues new mixed media challenge, 

This month we're trying something a little less challenging, 

but involving tons of texture and fun! 

This month's task is to add fabric to your creations! 

Textiles are a fabulous medium to use in our projects, and can include items such as, 

lace, ribbon, pom poms, tulle, fabric squares, cotton/thread, sewing, weaving, buttons and bows to name a few!

Be as creative as you like! 

Here's what I've created for this month's Try It Tuesday....

"Living the Life..."

Isn't this the sweetest?!! Soooooooo pretty!

You'll spy milliner's lace, bakers twine, pom pom trim, buttons and a ribbon for my fabric elements, as well as the gorgeous Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams collection. 

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

Loving the accents of gold foil chipboard stickers & the fabric touches really add dimension and texture to my sweet page!

How awesome is that milliner's lace (hat tulle)?!!

I love the look of this so much!

Ribbon and baker's twine are easy to add to any creation! 

I hope you liked my project, and will give this fun challenge a go!

There are so many fun ways to try using fabric in your creating!

Did you know Paper Issues even has a ribbon, twine & trim section in the store? 

Check it out here

& 

REMEMBER to use my code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

I can't wait to see what you come up with! 

Be sure to upload your new creations to the 

Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group - June challenge album here.

Follow & tag us on instagram too! 

We love to share your creating too! ;) 

Need more inspiration? Visit the Paper Issues blog here

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Hello AWEsome!

Hi Creative Friends!

I am so excited to be sharing my latest layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio with the new 
You ROCK collection! 
This week our Design Team assignment is to scraplift a fellow DT member's layout (past or present) and I am delighted to be lifting the insanely talented, Anna Komenda!  
For those of you who don't know, I am an enormous fan of Anna's unique style - she never ceases to amaze me! 
Here's her original design that I am lifting today.....

"Summer Fun" by Anna Komenda

Absolutely stunning!!! 
You can see why I just LOVE Anna's creating! 

I am also a huge fan of vertical designs and thought this layout would be a ton of fun to scraplift. And, with it being Summer in the Northern Hemisphere right now - Anna's layout is great inspiration! And, for my version, I am inspired by the cooler months in the Southern Hemisphere. 
But enough chatter, here's my scraplift of Anna's original,

"Hello AWEsome" 

I absolutely adore how this turned out! 
You ROCK is such a perfect match for my Mr A for Awesome in the Autumn leaves! 
The colours in my photogrpah were just so perfectly balanced that it seemed a no brainer to draw upon them for my pattern paper choice!
 The warm, earthy and natural look of the reverse side of pattern paper CV-YR008 PLUS ONE (woodgrain) was always going to be my main feature paper, as were the Wood Veneer Shapes. 
The cool blues in my lil boy's outfit and chucks had me grabbing at pattern paper CV-YR009 GALACTIC , as well as the blue highlighter tones from the awesome paper CV-YR004 STRIPPED. 
My final paper choice was CV-YR006 RANDOM - the reverse side coordinated with my son's black & white cap, and the A side features that golden yellow, "You Rock" card. Perfection! All I really needed to do for this layout was embellish!

Let's start with that Wood Veneer title....

The veneer shapes in You ROCK are SO much fun! I love that the AWE is capitalised in awesome - very cool! 
And just like Anna's original, I've positioned my title vertically for big impact. 
Hello awesome, indeed!

Moving further up, you'll spy that I have layered, and mounted, my You Rock journal card.....

It's also embellsihed with that  BOOM Flair Button , a yellow Enamel Shape, a star Chipboard Accent Sticker & that incredible typewriter font Washi Tape Sticker! So many cool items here! I love the pops of yellow throughout my layout - they really create interest and coordinate with my colour palette so beautifully!

Let's take a closer look at some more of those sweet yellow embellies.......

The layered stars are so much fun! Seriously, perfection!!!

I just love the tone of the yellow in You ROCK! It couldn't be more on point!

How awesome are all the Die Cut Ephemera pieces too?!! 
That Happy Snaps camera had me from the moment I opened the packet, lol! And just like Anna's design, I chose to use sentiment Accessory Stickers to lead your eye into my photograph. And Yes, he is officially amazing to us!!! ;)

Lots of decorative pieces adorning my photo too......

More camera goodness - could that veneer get any more adorable?!! And stars for my super star!

And there you have it!

My sweet Autumn take on Anna's amazing Endless Summer design - I hope I did it justice! I'd love to know your thoughts!

Feeling inspired? 
Be sure to share your creations with us in the Official Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group on Facebook, we love seeing what you've made too!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 
til  next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo