Happy Arty Days: 2019

Friday, 27 December 2019

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: 2019 Favorites & Farewell

Hi Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and are looking forward to 2020!

Today is bittersweet for me, as I celebrate another fabulous year of creating but also say farewell to Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

Happy tears as I look back on my very first layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio, and acknowledge Zoe and her amazing efforts to build this incredible brand that we all know and love!

Please know that Cocoa Vanilla Studio maintains my utmost loyalty and admiration, but as life changes, so has my schedule. I am just not able to dedicate the time that this role deserves. I will continue to be an ambassador for Cocoa Vanilla Studio, and always hold this team close to my heart. It's been an incredible 5 years, and I can't send enough love and gratitude to Zoe, the team and to you, my faithful supporters!

Ok, so the tears are now welling up - so I better get started on sharing my projects before I totally lose it!

For my first project, I wanted to go back to where it all began & share the very first layout that I ever created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio....

"Happy Girls Are The Prettiest"

So beautiful!

Despite its age, this layout still captures me! Those pretty florals from the SUGAR & SPICE collection are still favourites of mine! So very lovely! And from those humble beginnings, my creating developed and evolved to be what it is today! And speaking of 'now' here are my Top 3 from 2019!

Coming in at number one, is this darling page with the gorgeous HAPPINESS collection.....

"Loving Every Second"

Sigh! This has my heart on so many levels!

The colors and florals win me every.single.time!!! Just stunning!

In a very close second place, is this whimsical dream catcher design featuring the gorgeous UNFORGETTABLE collection.....

"Living The Dream"

I just adore the dangling tassels and feathers at the base of the dreamcatcher - such a perfect adornment! And again, the colors and florals were the clear favorites for me in this collection too! Gimme ALL the florals!

Finally, in third place is another super pretty HAPPINESS collection page......

"Here & Now"

Swoon! Such a stunning wreath design!

And yes, fussy cut florals (and butterflies) for the win! I'm fairly predictable, lol!

To end my post today, I wanted to close with my final layout that I created for the CVS Design Team...

"Xmas Joy"

This was created with the beautiful UNFORGETTABLE collection, and seems appropriate to say farewell with, as Cocoa Vanilla Studio is truly Unforgettable!

Best wishes and all my love Zoe, Sue & past and present DT members!

It's been the most amazing crafty journey and I heart you all!

So now I'm a blubbering mess, and my tears won't stop....

Thank YOU for all your constant and amazing support,

Farewell Cocoa Vanilla Studio!

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Wednesday, 18 December 2019

Altenew: A Year In Review Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hi Friends!

Welcome to the Happy Arty Days blog!

I am so excited to be participating in the

Altenew: A Year In Review Blog Hop + Giveaway!

If you have arrived here from the awesome Virginia Lu's blog, then you're in the right place!
If not, you can get started at the Altenew Blog HERE or check the blog hop line up below...

Altenew Card Blog <-------------Start the Hop HERE!

Altenew Scrapbook Blog

Amanda Baldwin <--------------You are here

Nancy McClelland
Kymona Tracey

Like all good blog hops, there are some amazing prizes up for grabs!
Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners!
Yay!
Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 01/03/2020 for a chance to win. Random winners will also be chosen to win a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each stop on the hop.
All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 01/06/2020.

Being a Guest Designer for Altenew during the year has been such an honor, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thankyou Altenew for this amazing opportunity!

During this time, I created quite a few projects, & today I am recapping the year by sharing my favorite 4!

Wow! So many pretties!

(It was actually hard to only pick 4 Altenew projects - every release has so much beauty!)

But here's what I came up with.....

Sigh! So soft and elegant!

I created this layout for the release of the Altenew: Live Your Dream collection, and let me tell you, I instantly fell in love with this beautiful scrapbook line!

If you feel inspired by this layout, you can watch the process video for it HERE.

Infact, I think I created a total of 14 layouts and a card or two with this stunning collection! Yes, it's that amazing!!!

Here's another layout with the Live Your Dream Scrapbook Collection....

So beautiful!

This one featured on the Altenew You Tube Channel & you can see it come together HERE

Here's another look at this pretty collection....

The colors in the Live Your Dream collection are just stunning!

And because the Altenew stamps & 6 x 6 paper packs are just as wonderous, I had to include a project with them too....

Just look at that stamp!!!

To make it super easy, this stamp actually comes in handy bundle set with coordinating metal dies! How awesome is that?!

It's called, Weekend Doodles Stamp & Die Bundle, and you can get it HERE

Here's a better look at this pretty page....

So very beautiful!

You'll also spy that gorgeous Altenew Summer Garden 6 x 6 Paper Pack trimming the edge of the layout! Isn't it just divine?!!

And there you have it!

My fave 4 Altenew projects for 2019!

Want to see more of my Altenew Guest Designer projects? Simply type Altenew in the search box to see them all!

Don't forget! Leave a comment on every blog along the hop to go in the draw for some amazing prizes! Good luck!!!

Time to send you hopping over to the incredible Maryám Pérez blog!

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments & good luck!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Friday, 13 December 2019

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Unforgettable Christmas Layout!

Hi Creative Friends!

Today I am super excited to share my Christmas theme page with the beautiful Cocoa Vanilla Studio: UNFORGETTABLE collection.

I know - it isn't a Christmas line, nor are there any Holidays elements to this collection BUT,

I think UNFORGETTABLE is pretty versatile and suits all occasions!

Here's what I came up...

"Xmas JOY"

How beautiful!

White & Peppermint is always synonymous with Yuletide vibes & is such an elegant color scheme to create with! Love it!

Let's take a closer look....

Christmas joy, indeed! These two were having such fun decorating the tree and dancing about to Christmas music. Such a happy capture - remember these days!!!

I started my layout with the reverse side of patterned paper, CV-UF007 SPRIGHTLY. I just adored those mint and white stripes, and knew they'd subtly suggest candy canes & peppermints. A perfect start to my Christmas page! To this paper, I centered & layered an 11" x 11" sheet of white cardstock. This created a really crisp and fresh background for my layout.

I cut a very simple digital cut file from Lilium Pixel SVG (in the Silhouette Store) called: Circle Floral Wreath and backed it with the B side of our divine CV-UFOO3 GARLAND paper. The simpleness of the wreath and snowflakes, combined with this stunning patterned paper was more than enough to create those Holiday feels! I foam mounted this wreath onto my base, before adding my photo cluster and embellishments.

How sweet!

My photo cluster is made from a combination of the 6 X 8 PAPER STACK papers ( the smaller versions of pattern papers: STORYTELLER and NATURAL BEAUTY) that I have layered beneath my photograph. Between these layers, I also tucked in a few coordinating DIE CUT EPHEMERA pieces, and some ACCESSORY STICKERS. I foam mounted the last layer, and before adhering it to my layout, I also attached a few leafy CLEAR STICKERS to enhance the Christmas wreath appeal.

Over my photo, I adorned that fabulous Love this FLAIR BUTTON, and added my title, 'JOY'. I should note that the ALPHABET STICKERS used on this layout are from an older Cocoa Vanilla Studio collection called ENDLESS SUMMER.

I specifically selected all the mint colored letters for my page.

To the right of my photo cluster, I added one more phrase sticker, Every photo has a story from the ACCESSORY STICKERS sheet. I used the white and mint green ENAMEL DOTS to decorate around the photo & wreath, as well as a few glass beads and sequins from my stash.

Simple, but so effective!

To the top left hand side of my page, and following the curve of the wreath, I attached the 'xmas' part of my title, and embellished around it with CLEAR STICKERS & ENAMEL DOTS.

For a finished look, I embellished around the wreath with more stickers, sequins and ENAMEL DOTS.

And there you have it!

A very beautiful, UNFORGETTABLE, Christmas layout!

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I really hope I inspired you to use this 'everyday' collection to document your Holidays with!

Merry Christmas & Have a Happy New Year!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Technique Tuesday: December Memory Keepers Inspiration

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more inky inspiration with the December Memory Keepers Studio release from

This month's release includes the Self Care Stamp Set

& the Geometric Border Crafting Dies

Such an awesome set!

As always, you can become a member, bundle them and SAVE $$$!

Find out more about membership benefits HERE

***Shop this fabulous Memory Keepers Studio set HERE***

This set would definitely make some beautiful cards, but I really wanted to demonstrate how versatile these products can be! So I've opted for a 12 x 12 scrapbook page.....

Here's what I created,

"Weekend Obsessed"

How fabulous is this?!!

I've documented my favorite, go-to place for self care!

The beach has always been powerful for me, and it really does bring me clarity, mindfulness and peace. I've combined the December Memory Keepers Studio products with the Crate Paper: All Heart collection, and I think they compliment each other perfectly!

I cut the circular Geometric Border Crafting Die with cork board, and I just love how effective this looks!

I stamped a lot of the phrases from the Self Care Stamp in plain black ink - keeping them striking and bold!

The fonts in those phrase stamps are just stunning! LOVE the Self Care Stamp set!

***Shop the December Memory Keepers Studio release HERE***

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

Elle's Studio: December Kit Reveal & Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio awesomeness with the December reveal!

There are so many gorgeous new products this month, starting with the

December Exclusive Kit

How fabulous is this month's exclusive kit?!!

La la LOVE!!! So many great note cards to document the season with!

The Add-On items are pretty amazing too....

As always, the stamps have my heart - so good!

And let's not forget our amazing digital cut files and printable elements too...

So cool!

***You can shop ALL the new things in the Elle's Studio online store HERE***

Now, time for some inspiration with these fabulous new products!

First up, I just had to use those Winter Wood Veneers and those fabulous stamps....

"Hot Cocoa"

How fun is this?! La la LOVE!!!

Elle's Studio Supplies: December Kit, Wonderful Life Stamp, Currently During The Holidays Stamp, 6 x 6 Tis The Season Paper Stack, Winter Wood Veneers, Goals Phrase Stickers, December Label Stickers, December Labels.

Other supplies: Bazzill Cardstock - Avalanche, machine stitching, natural twine, Staz-On Ink - black, Scrapbook.Com Premium Hybrid Ink - Cardinal Red

Let's take a better look at this 8.5" x 11" layout.....

Aren't those veneers and stamps errrything?!!

SO good!

You'll spy that I used the Tis The Season papers down the left hand side of my layout, and then stamped a coordinating pattern down the right side. While I had the Wonderful Life Stamp handy I also stamped the Celebrating the little things phrase onto that 3" x 4" note card with my photo, as well a few phrases around the photo cluster. The layers beneath my photo are created from a mix of the December Kit note cards, die cuts and more of the Tis The Season pattern papers.

I fussy cut and hole punched a tag from the Tis The Season papers to complete the cluster layers, and embellished it with some natural twine. Around the cluster I added a couple of the stickers from the Goals Phrase Stickers, as well as stamped a few icons from the Black Friday Sales Exclusive "Currently During The Holidays" Stamp in red ink. Here's another view for you....

Such pretty layers!

I decided to add machine stitching to compliment the twine, and add a little softness to this fairly crisp page. For some added interest, warmth & balance I also embellished with the Winter Wood Veneers.

Absolutely stunning! Those veneers are a must-have item this month!

For my second project, I have created a 12 x 12 scrapbook layout documenting our beautiful Christmas tree this year...

"Oh, Christmas Tree"

Oh how pretty!!!

Elle's Studio Supplies: December Kit, 6 x 6 Tis The Season Paper Stack, Everyday Puffy Label Stickers, Warm & Cozy Phrase Stickers, Winter Wood Veneers, The Best This Year Wood Veneers, Goals Phrase Stickers, December Label Stickers, December Labels, Jane Alphabet Stickers - Red.

Other supplies: Bazill Cardstock - Avalanche, Nuvo Drops - Bubblegum Pink.

Like my previous layout, I just had to use the fabulous 6 x 6 Tis The Season Paper Stack papers to trim the edges of my page. These papers are definitely a favorite of mine, and will likely feature in this year's December Daily album too!

I used a few of the December note cards to back my photo with, and then halved a couple of the December Labels to create the appearance of more cards. I foam mounted this photo cluster, and tucked a mix of stickers, die cuts and The Best This Year Wood Veneers beneath it all.

Next I grabbed my scissors and fussy cut out the tree from one of the December Kit note cards, and then cut a variety of hearts from one of the pick colored cards. I used these fussy cuts to embellish my photo with!

To complete this page, I used the super versatile Jane Alphabet Stickers in red - perfect!

Simple. Easy. Beautiful!

And there you have it!

My first two projects with the gorgeous December Kit & new releases!

***You can shop ALL the new releases HERE***

Thanks so much for visiting today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Wednesday, 4 December 2019

Hip Kit Club: Winter Wonderland!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog!

I am super excited to share my first project with the stunning November 2019 Main Scrapbook, Pocket Life & Cardstock Kits for the Hip Kit Club!

The November digital cut files are super pretty & I just couldn't resist using the Snowflake 1 cut file for my Winter themed layout!

But enough chatter, here's what I created....

"Winter Wonderland"

Oh wow, wonderland indeed!

Fall might have the most beautiful colors, but there's something really magical about Winter, snow & ice! So delicate and pretty!!!

Let's take a better look at this snowy delight!

Just gorgeous! So many beautiful layers and details!

I am absolutely swooning over the exclusive Make A Wish 12 x 12 patterned papers, so naturally, I couldn't help but use a few of them for this layout. I started with the soft pink, reverse side, of Deck The Halls as my layout base. Next, I trimmed the reverse side of Silent Night to 10" x 10" and centered it over the pretty pink base. And last, but by no means least, I trimmed pattern paper White Christmas to 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" and layered it over the soft gray paper.

To add more emphasis to the overall design and draw you into the center of the page even more, I decided to use the Snowflake 1 cut file. I cut it to a 10 inch size using the Bazzill Avalanche cardstockfrom the November 2019 Cardstock Kit.

With the snowflake lining the center of the layout, I began to build up my page. The frame in the Make A Wish exclusive Chipboard Stickerswas perfect pop of bold color to draw further attention to my darling boy's picture. I positioned my framed photograph in the center of the snowflake, and adorned both sides of it with a variety of blue Christmas Tree Die Cuts.

With these main embellishments in place, I was ready to add a few stamped snowflakes too!

The tiny snowflake from the Make A Wish Stamp included in the Pocket Life Kit was just the right size to repeat stamp, and it worked perfectly as an alternative to sequins or enamel dots.

With snowflakes being a bit of a theme in my layout, I decided to add a few more of them with the fabulousChipboard Stickers! So good! I also added a few puffy sticker hearts & dots to complete the look.