Shimmerz Paints: Illustration FUN!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!

Today I am sharing a very quick, &  sweet illustration that I have hand coloured with our favourite Creameez products! 

What are Creameez paints? 

Creameez are intensely pigmented, solid, dry, watercolors that are activated by the application of water. They have just a hint of shimmer and are rich in color and tone.

Today's share started as a sample for my students. 

We were discussing the importance of five minute illustrations, 

& that not all works need to be masterpieces to be meaningful. 

So while we talked, I quickly penned up this sweet face, inspired by artist Maruti Bitamin. 

I was considering her for a stamp design - but she got too messy fast! 

And while she isn't my greatest work,  this piece certainly serves the point of creating art for Art's sake! 

Sweet, huh?!

I was going to toss her in the bin at the end of class, but then thought that would make me a hypocrite. 

What if I could 'color' her & really add more depth to the conversation with my students about value, and adding meaning to our doodles and scribbles???

And so the scribble, became the artwork!

Here's how she turned out...... 

Didn't she turn out lovely?! 

Such a sweet piece that took no more than 10 minutes to create, 

but would look just gorgeous in a frame! 

Giving respect to our illustrations, and using some quality paint really changes the aspect!

And which of our beautiful Creameez watercolors did I use?

You'll spy Shimmerz Paints Creameez in:

 Pink Champagne

 Cheeky Pink

 Good 'Ol Summer Time

Just Peachy

Lettuce Get Together

& Refresh Mint. 

Such beautiful, rich colors!

When it comes to adding meaning or value to our scribbles, 

Shimmerz Paints have got you covered!

***Did you know, if you type AMANDA in the comments section of your Shimmerz Paints store order you'll receive a freebie?!!***

So what are you waiting for? 

Visit the Shimmerz Paints store HERE 

& make sure you receive your free paint! Yay!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I hope you feel inspired to get drawing, and painting - it's FUN!!!

til  next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Precious Moment

Hi Cocoa Vanilla Studio Friends & Fans!

My turn on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog with another oh-so-pretty look at the gorgeous

More Than Words collection. 

This collection is so delightful and pretty!

Simply perfect for documenting my darling daughter!

Here's her story.....

"Precious Moment"

Isn't this just divine?!! 

Precious moment, indeed!

She was rehearsing at the Festival Theatre, in front of a number of VIPs including some high profile politicians! Such an honour, and quite the 'big deal'! 

She's such a beautiful ballerina! 

A truly fabulous moment to capture & record!

What could be sweeter than all the florals AND butterflies?!! 

I love this more than words! (see what I did there?! play on words, but seriously so pretty!)

I have used that gorgeous CV-MT007 DARLING BUDS pattern paper as my 12 inch base.  I just adore this paper; it's my absolute favourite and I don't think I'll ever tire of it!!! Floral bliss! On top of this base, I layer an 11 x 11 inch white cardstock base, and add some serious watercolor love to it! This second base is then layered with that butterfly cut file, which has been backed with the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD papers (Darling Buds pattern, and it's B-side). Over this cut file, I add my sweet photo & then embellish, embellish, embellish! 

*Sigh!* All those pretty butterflies!!!

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

You'll spot that I matte my photo onto another pattern paper from the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD, 

and then embellish the photo cluster with a VELLUM ACCENTS butterfly, FLAIR BUTTON butterfly, typewriter font ACCESSORY STICKER, & DIE CUT EPHEMERA tab & buttefly, as well as some cotton floss thread.

Such gorgeous adornments!

And speaking of gorgeous, how about that CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS title?!!!....

Too precious!!! That chipboard is so beautifully crafted! Love, love, love this!

I also use more of the typewriter font ACCESSORY STICKERS beneath my title as subtitle descriptors, but it's those VELLUM & DIE CUT EPHEMERA butterflies that have my attention (and heart!).....

Simply stunning! 

Those gorgeous die cut butterflies were actually the inspiration for my watercolour base. I simply lightened the palette, and applied Shimmerz Paints with the packaging technique and a few splatters too!

And before you ask, the cut file is a free one from Paper Issues called Cherish Florals. I simply enlarged the butterfly to around 9 inches in size, and cut with white cardstock. 

The 6 x 6 PAPER PAD papers are just perfect for backing cut files with!

More Than Words really does make my heart swoon!!!

For that finishing touch, I scatter ENAMEL SHAPES around my cut file butterfly....

Voila!

A positively perfect story documented with the oh so beautiful, More Than Words collection!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating!

Thanks so much for visiting,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Pebbles: Patio Party & Big Photo FUN!!!

Hi Papercrafting Friends!

Welcome back for more beautiful and inspiring ideas with the gorgeous new 

Pebbles Patio Party collection!

 I am just a bit excited to share my latest creation with this pretty line! 

This week's Design Team assignment is all about journaling; 

but what do you do if you're not a fan of your own handwriting??! 

Never fear, I have a terrific alternative for you! 

Adding text to your photos BEFORE printing them! 

I know, it sounds fancy but I promise you, it's anything but!

Before I show how simple this technique is, let's take a look at how effective it looks!

Here's my layout, 

"Smile"

Oh isn't this the sweetest?! 

And such a fitting title! Smile indeed! 

The Patio Party collection is so bright and playful and has a darling array of embellishments and Thickers to adorn your pages with! 

I love a big photo layout, and this one really highlights the importance of a few well chosen scrapbook papers and embellishments. Gorgeous!

Here's how to recreate this look....

You'll need to start by selecting a photo that offers some white or very light space. This is important as you need to be able to read the text easily. Also, make sure that you're editing a COPY of your original image.

Once your photo is selected, start by opening up your photo editing software or photo editing app. Select to edit your photo, and then select the 'add text' option. 

Position & size your text box, and enter the story you wish to tell. 

This part requires a little bit of experimenting! 

While you're there, have a play with fonts and text size too. 

Once you're happy with the text, flatten your image and export it, or if you're using an app, save all changes. Send the image to your printer and voila!

For this specific layout I printed my photo  8' x 10", & I opted for a typewriter style font that was larger and easier to read.

Even on it's own it looks so effective! 

Similar to a digital stamp, but with your choice of words!

Next I take out my paper trimmer & cut a 12" x 12" sheet of white cardstock to 8.5" x 11", as well as trimming reverse side of pattern paper TULIPS to 8 1/4" x 10 3/4". 

You'll notice that I leave the patterned barcode strip attached to the TULIPS paper and include it in my cut. This is simply because I LOVE the contrast and interest it creates at the base of my page! 

It also helps to draw your eye into my title too!

Adhere the pattern paper to the cardstock, as shown.

And then add your 'journaled' photograph!

Big photos are FUN!!! Doesn't this grab your attention immediately?! Love it!

Next, I embellish my layout with a few carefully selected items....

I add a circle sticker from the Jen Hadfield #StickerBook (which I cut into a semi circle) before adding to the top of my page, a sweet BUTTERFLY STICKER, and lastly that incredible WOOD VENEER LAYERED STICKER. 

Small details, big impact!

For the base of my page, I add a floral sticker from the Jen Hadfield #Sticker Book, another BUTTERFLY STICKER, as well as that title from the PATIO PARTY PHRASE THICKERS!

For finishing touches, I sprinkle a few sequins onto my photograph.

And there you have it! 

A beautiful memory documented; with minimal fuss but maximum impact!

Simply gorgeous! 

Patio Party is perfect for documenting those beautiful life moments!

I can't wait to see what you'll create with this collection, & I hope you'll give journaling ON your photographs a try too!

Thanks so much for visiting today,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

PATIO PARTY SUPPLIES:

732905 Tulips

733053 Dimensional Butterfly Stickers

733778 Wood Veneer Layrered Stickers

733777 Phrase Thickers

OTHER SUPPLIES:

344866 Jen Hadfield #Sticker Book

71081 American Crafts Textured White Cardstock

340261 Sticky Thumb Adhesive Runner & Refill

Paper Issues: 52 Friday Favorites Journaling Project!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness & memory keeping inspiration!
Today I am sharing a peak into my 

52 Friday Favorites pocket album!

 52 Friday Favourites is our year long journaling project. 

Simply choose something each week to document; photos, fave moments, lists - the possibilities are endless! 

And the best part -  you can start this challenge TODAY! 

Yep, it doesn't have to be a full 52 weeks. 

Just jump on in and start recording one thing a week! Yay! 

SO.much.fun!!!

To be completely honest with you, I love pocket page scrapping but...
 I NEVER complete more than one month before giving up, lol!

52 Friday Favourites works better for me as it's only one thing a week
& to make it even easier,
 I am using a pocket size notebook 3.5" x 5"
This not only looks awesome,
 but also makes it so much quicker for me to play along each week!

But enough chatter,
here's a peak into my album thus far....

52 Friday Faves

Here's what my album looks like!

 It's a Pink Paislee C'est La Vie mini notebook and you can find it in the store HERE

So cute! (& it fits inside my pocket size Filo - perfect!)

Cover page using cute Alphas from the store.

I am also using a combination of Pink Paislee and Cocoa Vanilla Studio products to create this album with! They seem to partner perfectly, but you be the judge!

Here's my weekly entries.....

 Week 1



A super cute out take and yes, face palm from mister 5!

Week 2

Summer nights spent playing at the beach.

Week 3

 More beach fun! (It was Summer in Australia)

Week 4

Vacay vibes and theme park fun!

Week 5

This was a big week for my momma bear heart! 

Mister A for awesome started school & Miss M turned 12!!!!

Week 6 

Hanging out at the Festival Theatre with my fave guy!

Week 7 

My beautiful tiny danseur performing!

Week 8 

Yep, more beach time! 

Week 9 

Lol... more beautiful beach days! 

It's Autumn now, but we still try to visit the beach daily until Winter hits!

Week 10

Another hot Autumn day, so keeping cool after school!

And there you have it!

My version of the 52 Friday Favorites challenge! 

I am a big fan of letting my photos tell the story.

I also like to keep my journaling private - so it's often hidden or kept to a minimum.

Sweet, simple and already a mini album to treasure!

Follow me on instagram @happy_arty_days to see my next installments ;)

What does (or will) your take on this fun challenge look like?

Visit our Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group HERE

for more inspirational ideas 

AND to upload your entries too!

*Every new entry gives you the chance to win our monthly prize!*

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

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

I can't wait to see you 52 Friday Favorites!

Are you on instagram? 

Tag  @paperissues & use the hashtags #paperissues and #52Fridayfaves so we can find you and share the love!

We may even feature your projects! 

So what are you waiting for! 

Have some scrap happy time for yourself!

Thanks for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Hi Everyone!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

I hope the luck of the Irish is with you today & always!

In honour of this special day, I have created this green delight for the
Paper Issues Feeling Lucky challenge!

"Magical"

Magical indeed! Such a fun layout!

I have used the shamrock from Paper Issues Magic Unicorn Spring Crop cut file to create this lucky page! 

The FREE cut file looks like this....

Awesome, huh?!

You can download it for free (no purchase required) HERE

I have used the Dear Lizzy Stargazer collection today, as well as a few 'left over' greens from my Swag Bags. 

You'll also spy Shimmerz Paints Vibez in Hermit the Frog, and Shimmeringz Goldie Lox on that chippie title .......

Such a lucky, lucky page! 

I hope you feel lucky, and play along too!

Need supplies?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

& REMEMBER: Code AMANDA will save you 20% off! Yay!

Need new paints?

Visit the Shimmerz Paints store HERE

& Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a FREEBIE!

Yes, Amanda = free paint! Woohoo!

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: More Than Words Scraplift!

Hi Creative Friends!

My turn on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today & I am so excited to be sharing my take on this week's DT assignment - scraplift a fellow designer!

This is a MUCH harder task than it sounds! 

We have so many incredibly talented creatives on our team, and choosing just one layout to lift was quite a challenge! 

In the end, I decided to lift this gorgeous layout by Elodie Lusseau.....

Gosh this is stunning!!! Such a beautiful layout!

From the lovely layers to pretty florals, this layout has it all! You can see why I wanted to lift this!

And here's my take on it using the stunning More Than Words collection,

"Love You"

*sigh!*

The More Than Words collection makes me swoon every time I see it! So, so pretty!

You'll notice that I pretty much copied Elodie's design (why change perfection?!) but I did mirror / flip it, to better suit my photograph. And speaking of my photograph, isn't she the sweetest? Happy girls are the prettiest! All dressed up as a Pink Lady from the Grease movie for her Poppa's 60th birthday! SO cute!

Just like Elodie's original, I start with a pretty floral base paper. I used the sweet CV-MT007 DARLING BUDS - I just adore this pattern and could do with at least 20 sheets of it!!!! So pretty! I then add an 11" x 11" white cardstock background, in keeping with my fairly light photo. The half inch wide paper trim is from the reverse side of  CV-MT007 DARLING BUDS - yep, even the B side is awesome! And then comes the fun part - embellishing!!!

I lightly sketch a pencil circle frame around the photo cluster to maintain Elodie's design integrity. I matte my photo onto that dotty print paper from the  6 x 6 PAPER PAD, and then add a doily beneath, before layering it all onto those sweet CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS frames. The frames are dressed up with those super sweet FLAIR BUTTONS, picture perfect indeed!

  Top and bottom opposing corners of the photo get the DIE CUT EPHEMERA AND VELLUM ACCENTS blooms treatment, as well as some pretty butterfly cut file details!

More CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS are applied - you can never have too many butterflies! (& let's not forget that divine deer!) and of course, my CHIPBOARD TITLE STICKERS too! For finishing touches, I add some pretty ENAMEL SHAPES. Simple, sweet and oh so pretty!

Let's take a more detailed look....

 

Oh deer! Could it get any lovelier?!! Chipboard never looked so sweet! Loving the flair details on the frames too!

How cute is that sentiment heart?!! It's been fussy cut from pattern paper, CV-MT006 TREASURE and layered onto one of those delicate cut file butterflies. (The cut file is courtesy of the Free Files section in the Paper Issues store) Chipboard and ephemera butterflies surround this heart, and add to the pretty floral cluster too!  

Such a gorgeous, feminine look!

More deer love with that divine FLAIR BUTTON! And how perfect is that darling buds pattern frame?!!

Speaking of darling buds, let's take a closer look at the die cut cluster of them.....

Swoon! 

It's no secret that I heart #alltheflorals but seriously, I don't think they get any prettier than this!!!

More Than Words is prettiness overload! LOVE it all!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my take on designer Elodie Lusseau's beautiful layout! 

No matter which Cocoa Vanilla Studio collection you use, your memory keeping is sure to be gorgeous!

Thanks so much for visiting today,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Pinkfresh Studio: A Case of the Blahs Layouts!

Hi Friends! 

I am so excited to be sharing a closer look at the super fun Pinkfresh Studio: 

A Case of the Blahs collection!

This collection is essentially for documenting everyday life - the good, the ok, and even the ugly! Hence the blahs!!! LOL! So much fun!

Ever wanted to get to know me better? 

One of my new year intentions was to share & create more about my own stories - not just my beautiful children. The coffee references in this line were ideal for my coffee additcted, not so perfect, totally awkward self!

So be kind, as I share a selfie & a closer look into the 'real life' me....

"Life Begins After Coffee: This Is Me"

 

Yes, this IS me!

---->I heart black & white stripes!

-------> I love big shades to hide under

-------> I am so super boring

(I choose PJs and a family time over just about everything!)

------> I am totally annoying - OCD when it comes to cleaning, can't eat out because of all my allergies/intolerances and I *may* have perfectionist tendencies.... I even annoy myself! 

------> I have a HUGE love of coffee

Infact, it would be safe to say that my daily mantra is:

First the coffee, & then the things! 

And despite my honesty, & outright awkwardness, how cool is this page?

 I have a thing for blue - so it made sense that my layout featured my favourite color! I used the reverse side of patterned paper, OOPS! as my base, and layered it with white cardstock. I used the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD papers to back my coffee mug cut files (yes, there's even a blue coffee mug or 5 in my home),  & you'll even spy a few fussy cuts from pattern paper MESSY.

Actually, given that we're being honest here, my OCD did not allow me to fussy cut that circle Life's Hard Coffee Helps - I used a punch. Ha! Told you I am totally annoying! Perhaps that's quite enough about lil old me.....

Back to my layout, I couldn't resist decorating my travel mugs - the FABRIC DIE CUTS are such a perfect adornment, as are the EPHEMERA tags!!! 

There's a smattering of ENAMEL DOTS throughout my layout, because I love to throw around a lil confetti! And because, well, I heart all the pretty things in life!

Travelling up & along the flow of my design, you'll spy the MESSY pattern squares, and some fun - real me - sentiments....

How fantastic are the PUFFY STICKERS?!!!

I truly am Perfectly Imperfect too! More flawsome, & less awesome than I'd like to acknowledge, LOL! Needless to say, the PUFFY STICKER at the top of my page is the perfect finishing touch - Awkward!!! (yes, much!) 

 Let's take one last look at those fabulous mugs....

Feeling all the feelings - thank goodness for coffee!!!

And that's about as raw, and honest as you'll get to the real me! 

Now for something totally different!

I wanted to showcase the versatility of this amazing line - with a nursery page!

Yes, you read correctly! A Case of the Blahs isn't limited to just blahhhing about! 

Here's my second layout, 

"Hush-a-bye"

Isn't this just darling?!

Our newest nephew is the bees knees in our family, & I just had to create another page for his album! This is really delicate & I just adore the doubled up CHIPBOARD STICKERS frames! The frames really bring emphasis to that sweet sleeping cherub! 

And how about those sleep sentiments?! Snooze, Good At Naps... just perfect for this content bubba! 

Like my previous layout, I used the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD for backing my cut file. These pads are just ideal for this type of crafting - saves wasting whole sheets of 12 inch papers! (& they're also handy for pocket pages and cardmaking too!)

You'll also spy pattern paper AWKWARD to the left of my design, I love that striped trim at the base of the paper. I rotated mine so it anchors my cut file heart! So cool! 

Speaking of cool, how about the PUFFY ALPHA STICKERS?!!!

Seriously awesome alphas!!! So bold, & super striking!

And yes, more ENAMEL DOTS for good measure! I can never have too many!

 

 

Cute EPHEMERA pieces are tucked beneath my CHIPBOARD STICKER frames, adding interest to my photo cluster. 

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

So super sweet! Love everything about this! 

And there you have it, two very different looks with the awesome A Case of the Blahs collection! I hope I have inspired you to get creating with this collection!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, Amanda xo