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 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Our Happy Story

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome back for more memory keeping inspiration! 

Today I'm sharing my take on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio multi photo theme week;

using our delightful new Midnight collection. 

I just love the blue hues and indigo in this collection - so beautiful! 

Needless to say, I just had to create a monochromatic page with it all! 

But enough chatter, here's my layout with more than one photograph......

"Our Happy Story"

*Sigh!* Oh-so-beautiful!

And what a happy story this is! 

All our Christmas wishes have come early this year with the arrival of our new miniature dachshund puppy! Yay!!! All the feels for this happy moment! 

And don't those CV-MN007 INKY DEPTHS blues make it even more lovely?! There are just SO many beautiful creative possibilities with the Midnight collection!

My layout begins with gluing one inch paper strips of pattern paper, CV-MN01 BLOOM & GROW (reverse side), on both sides of the white cardstock base. I then apply lots of inky blue splatters and droplets to the white cardstock base. Next, I remove the large die cut from CV-MN018 LARGE DIE CUT & BACKING KIT, and snip it in half. I back this half die with my favourite paper, CV-MN007 INKY DEPTHS & foam mount it to the top center of my layout design. Awesome!

To this fabulous die cut feature, I layer my super adorable puppy pictures....

You'll spot DIE CUT EPHEMERA frames beneath both my photographs, as well as an INKY DEPTHS layer from the 6x8 PAPER PAD. I foam mount the over hanging edges, and tuck the blue watercolor wash CLEAR STICKERS beneath my photos too! 

I embellish my multi photo cluster with DIE CUT EPHEMERA, & an ACCESSORY STICKER or two.....

I use the CARDSTOCK TITLES to form my title, Our Happy Story, which I layer over my photos as well. I love the midnight blues, and this title just enhances my monochromatic look! I add subtle journaling around the photos with those gorgeous sentiment stickers from the ACCESSORY STICKER sheet. Perfect! 

Here's another view for you......

So much gorgeousness! 

Who would've known that blue is my favourite colour?!! 

And seriously, how cute is our new addition? We've called him Maxwell, and he is just as divine in nature, as he is in appearance - puppy LOVE!!!

Moving down the page, you'll spy more inky splatters, CLEAR STICKERS, ACCESSORY STICKERS & even a CHIPBOARD PIECES mason jar filled with hearts....

Oh my heart!!! Could it get any sweeter than this?!!

I'm loving the CLEAR STICKERS in the Midnight collection - so versatile & the quality is amazing! Those navy crosses are so effective that they don't even look like stickers - incredible!!!

The sweetest thing, indeed!

The mason jars filled with hearts are the perfect ending to this happy story - all the love for little Maxwell the Miniature Dachshund! To bring even more attention to the CHIPBOARD PIECES one, I've foam mounted the DIE CUT EPHEMERA heart onto it. I've also tucked in a couple stickers beneath it, as well as that directional arrow from the CLEAR STICKERS.

Such a happy moment, beautifully documented with the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Midnight collection!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my take on the multi photo theme 

& that my layout has inspired you to get creating too!

Thanks so much for visiting today,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: More Than Words: Cherish

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

I have been waiting so long to share my first Design Team layout with the gorgeous NEW 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio:  More Than Words collection!

This collection is so delicate and divine, it makes me swoon! 

And, with the arrival of a new baby cousin, it was the perfect collection for documenting those sweet newborn moments!

Here's my layout,

"Cherish"

*sigh* I simply adore you, indeed!

Could this be any dreamier?! 

So very soft and pretty!

Absolutely smitten by this photograph and this collection just makes it shine!

I have kept to a very 'clean' look to enhance the newborn innocence and grace, and softened the stark white with delicate pinks and charcoal grey. 

Such a pretty color scheme for my beautiful subjects!

I start with the reverse side of pattern paper, CV-MT007 DARLING BUDS, for my 12 x 12 base. I use an 11 x 11 inch white cardstock for my background paper, scallop punch the sides & machine stitch it into place. Clean, simple, and so effective!

I then build up my photo cluster......

I attach a DIE CUT EPHEMERA frame to my photo, then layer this framed photo onto pattern paper squares cut from the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD. 

I glue VELLUM ACCENTS blooms to my cardstock  base, then attach the photo cluster.

I slide some DIE CUT EPHEMERA pieces into the photo layers before embellishing around the cluster with sequins, a CHIPBOARD STICKER or two, and that beautiful sentiment from the ACCESSORY STICKERS. 

The final touch is that love this tab, also from the ACCESSORY STICKERS.

That DIE CUT EPHEMERA butterfly is just gorgeous!!!

So very beautiful!

Moving down my page, you'll spy more of those butterflies, as well as pretty hearts and a stunning title.....

The cut file is a free one from Paper Issues called Interlocking Hearts. 

I have backed it with 2 of the journal cards from pattern paper, CV-MT004 COLLAGE, as well as some pretty pink patterns from the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD. 

I position that fantastic cherish CHIPBOARD TITLE over the hearts for maximum impact. 

Again, really simple but so effective!

To add a little dimension, I use adhesive foam dots to apply my DIE CUT EPHEMERA sentiment banner. I love the interest this creates!

And for finishing touches, I embellish around that focal title with more DIE CUT EPHEMERA butterflies and sequins. Really pretty!!!

Such a soft, simple & elegant layout! And one you could easily recreate too! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with our MORE THAN WORDS collection!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: That's My Boy!

Hi Creative Friends!

I am super excited to be sharing another awesome cool kid layout with our fabulous You ROCK collection for Cocoa Vanilla Studio!
When it comes to my Mister A for Awesome, I just can't go past You ROCK! It's all things BOY! Love it!

Here's a look at my latest scrapbook layout this fabulous line,

"That's My Boy"

Isn't this awesome?!!

I love how fun and playful these colours and patterns are together! I have mounted my white cardstock on patterned paper, CV-YR003 THIS WAY  - I adore the bright triangles pattern, so much fun!

The large view master die cut that my photo is mounted on is a cut file from the Silhouette Store. It was totally inspired by a similar, smaller DIE CUT EPHEMERA piece in this collection.  I have backed this cut file with the reverse sides of CV-YR002 IN LINE & CV-YR009 GALACTIC, really drawing on the bright, happy colours from the collection. Such fun vibes!

Speaking of fun vibes, just check out all the awesome embellishments on this layout - SO cool!!!  Let's take a closer look....

Oh yes!!!!
The DIE CUT EPHEMERA is always a favourite of mine! I mean seriously, could it get any cooler?!
You'll notice that I have snipped both my target pieces into half, and positioned them around the top left, and bottom right corners of my page to encourage the diagonal flow of the design! I have then layered them with more embellishments - love it! More ephemera stars as well as ENAMEL SHAPES further enhance the flow of my layout across the page.

WOOD VENEER SHAPES & FLAIR BUTTONS are perfect additions to any scrapbook layout, but I just love how they add dimension and interest to this particular design.

Here's a view of the other embellished corner......

Boy Oh Boy, indeed!
That VENEER really adds warmth and balance to all the white and brights!
And honestly, that FLAIR really is awesome!!!
The playful font and colours on the flair coordinate perfectly with the THIS WAY pattern paper base. You'll also spy a complimenting CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER star or two!
Such a striking page that's so easily put together!

The final feature of this cool kid page is the DIE CUT EPHEMERA title and subtitles.
Here's a better look at them.....

For added impact, I mounted my That's My Boy title ephemera on foam dots. I love that extra dimension for titles! The No.1 ephemera adorning my sweet boy's photo is also mounted on foam too, because after all, he's our No.1 Boy for sure! The You Rock ephemera completes the layout - almost as a final statement to my Mister A.

And there you have it!
 My latest scrapbook page with the awesome You ROCK collection!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating!

Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Endless Summer: Best Ever!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends & Fans!

Today I am sharing a scrapbook layout for the Endless Summer theme week over at 
Cocoa Vanilla Studio!

This collection has such a soft pastel colour palette, and it truly creates the prettiest of Summer layouts!

I am always in awe of the fabulous pattern paper designs that Cocoa Vanilla Studio create, and the woodgrain papers are always a firm favourite of mine! They always add warmth to all the cool, pastel designs!

Here's what I've created with the Endless Summer collection today....

"Best Ever"

Oh isn't he the cutest?!
 He absolutely loves Summer days spent at the beach, and the Endless Summer collection is just perfect for documenting it all! 
And yes, you'll spy woodgrain paper, CV-ES001 SWEET TREATS (reverse side) here to compliment and accent that fabulous clouds paper, CV-ES002 BLUE SKIES  And don't they look fabulous together?!! I have mounted Blue Skies onto white cardstock, 
and lightly distressed the edges because, it is after all, a boy page! In the layer beneath my super cute photo, you'll also spy that cool green pattern paper, CV-ES006 SUNBLEACHED - just awesome!

The rest of my layout is simply layered embellishing with all the fabulous bits n pieces you'll find in the Endless Summer collection! 
Let's take a closer look at them.......

The WOOD VENEER are always incredible, and I couldn't resist using the script words, Best Ever, for my title!
 Again, I have used woodgrain (DIE CUT EPHEMERA)  & VENEER to add warmth and balance to my layout. They also provide a touch of masculinity to this somewhat pretty page! 
The clouds are really fun, and playful!

 ACCESSORY STICKERS surround my large central photo, and add to the layering and colours in my scrapbook layout design! 
I should add that the doily and cotton floss are from my stash, but everything else in this layout is from the Endless Summer collection.

And how about those FLAIR!!! Good Life for sure!!!

 
The FLAIR BUTTON featuring the clouds design is just the cutest! I love how it coordinates perfectly with the Blue Skies paper! Really making a prominent feature of clouds on this beachy page!

You'll spy more pretty DIE CUT EPHEMERA throughout my design, with many of the pieces layered togethered....

Oh Yeah! This kid has definitely got sunshine on a cloudy day!!! 
So happy and joyful!

Loving the high gloss, fun design WOODIES in this embellishment cluster, as well as the ENAMEL SHAPES!  

Endless Summer - It's just too much fun!!!

Hope my Summer theme layout has inspired you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

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  

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 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: You're Awesome You ROCK!!!

Hi Everyone!

Boy-oh-boy have I been hanging out to share my first layout with the totally awesome boy collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio: You ROCK!

This collection is just so much fun & I couldn't wait to use it for my Mr A for Awesome! But enough chatter, let's get straight into the good stuff!

Here's my layout,

"You're Awesome You ROCK"

Isn't this the coolest?!!
 The You ROCK collection is just so incredibly awesome that I just had to use it all in the one layout! Yep, you read correctly! 
You'll spy at least one of every item from the line on this page! 
The circular design really lends itself to embellishing and WHOA! Doesn't just scream fun?!!

Moving away from that mixed media feast and circle sensation for just a moment, you'll notice that I introduced small trianlges into the page design too. There's a method to my madness here!  
I've used a whole lotta stars for embellishment, and stars have very sharp angles which contrast against the circle design. By adding the opposing corner triangles to my layout, I've created balance and a little unity between both geometric shapes. It creates a more natural flow for the eye. 
I've used WASHI STICKERS and foam mounted patterned paper, CV-YR005 NIGHT SKY to achieve this look.

Back to that awesome circle now.....

Let's start at the center!

How fabulous is that Wood Veneer title?!
 From the rockstar font to the boldness of the size; this veneer means business! Let's get loud and shout it out! LOVE it!!! 
You'll see that I've mounted my title onto a foam taped, old school View Master film from the DIE CUT EPHEMERA packet. I love that it's been printed to look like a misted newspaper, and practice target - so cool! It really makes my title pop and be the central focal point for this design! 
There's a super cool CHIPBOARD STICKER arrow beneath it all directing your eye into my photo next....

With such a big impact title I kept my photo small, simple,  as well as black & white, to contrast all the other page elements. I've layered my photo with both sides of the patterned paper CV-YR005 NIGHT SKY, a tab ACCESSORY STICKER, the RAD RUBBER CHARM,  and even a strip of the WASHI STICKERS to support it. To the lower right hand side of my photo, I've also embellished with that Awesome FLAIR BUTTON, some black cotton from my stash, and another terrific DIE CUT EPHEMERA piece.
 Here's a closer look......

That's My Boy, indeed! SO cool! 
Check out those stars and ENAMEL SHAPES too!!!

Some of the stars in my circle are fussy cut from the pattern paper CV-YR001 STARSHINE, others are DIE CUT EPHEMERA, ACCESSORY STICKERS, CHIPBOARD STICKERS and even RUBBER CHARMS! 
(I warned you - I had to use ALL the things! )

Here's another look at the circular design and all those stars.....

Even the arrow has it's own star! Such a bold and playful collection! Loving it all!

And I can't go past that banner RUBBER CHARM!!! How incredible! It forms the first part of my title, and I LOVE it! It's mounted onto a small WASHI STICKER strip for a lil extra highlight!

Total Awesomeness!!!

And there you have it! 
My first creation with the super cool You ROCK collection! 
Hope I have inspired you to get creating with it too!

Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment - it really means so much!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Mother's Day Dedication Layout

Hi Creative Friends!

Today I am sharing a super sweet Mother's Day theme layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio with the Wild At Heart collection. 
This collection is oh-so-pretty and perfect for all the special ladies in our lives!  
This layout is dedicated to a wonderful Grandmother who is very dear to us! So lucky to call her our Grandma!

"Grandma"

Isn't this delicate and divine?!! 
There's a real softness and femininity to the watercolour background and those butterflies! You'll spy that the Colour Me Happy Cut Files, Bitty Blooms, & Alphabet Stickers from the Love Always collection team up perfectly with the Wild At Heart line too!

The CV-WH003 MARIPOSA fussy cut butterflies, and that Chipboard Accent Sticker butterfly are a main feature of this layout! Infact, the wing pattern and colours, and flight path were the inspiration for that delicate watercolour background too!

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

Those butterflies really are divine!!! I adore that chipboard one tucked beneath my top corner of my precious photograph! Speaking of chipboard, you'll also notice my photo being supported by a pretty pastel Chipboard Frame. 
There are two smaller frames anchoring my design too! 
And let's not forget those cut files!!!! 
Who doesn't love to add an extra layer, or point of interest, with a pretty Cocoa Vanilla Studio cut file?!

More deliciousness here with those pretty blooms, &  Wood Veneer Words (hearts). I love the warmth and balance that the wooden hearts bring to this design. Still soft and delicate, but just cutting through all the cool pastels and adding interest too!

I need to make mention of the Accessory Stickers! I love the typewriter font words, and these sweet sentiments double up  like little pops of journalling on my layout - so awesome! I've arranged them to follow the 'flight path' of the butterflies, in a diagonal flow. Love the extra element these stickers provide!

And how sweet is that 'Be your kind of beautiful' butterfly Accessory Sticker layered on the frame in the bottom corner......

Just loving it all!!! 
I mean seriously, that XO chipboard heart is too cute for words!!!
 And check out my favourite, go-to finishing touches item, the Enamel Dots (Sparkles).....

Fab-u-lous! 
The Enamel Dots are truly a staple for every scrapbooker!!! 
I can't live without them, lol!

I love that delicate ombre effect on the Love Always Alphabet Stickers title - very soft, and beautifully coordinated with the Wild At Heart collection.

Here's a closer look at the top corner of my layout.....

SO very pretty!

Love this wonderful lady, and I think Wild At Heart was just perfect for capturing her!

I hope my layout has inspired you!

And to all the wonderful women in our lives, Happy Mother's Day!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo