Technique Tuesday: Memory Keepers Studio Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog!

Today I am sharing not one, but 4 gorgeous projects for 

featuring their fabulous Memory Keepers Studio Sets! 

Yay! 

First up is this sweet page featuring the March Memory Keepers Studio Set:

Good Times Stamp Set & Best Words Crafting Dies Bundle

Such a fun set! 

Get yours in the Technique Tuesday shop HERE

Here's what I created with the March Memory Keepers release....

"Happy, Happy, The Best" 

Oh how pretty!!!

Such a soft and sweet page to document my darling girl with! 

Let's take a closer look....

Inspired by the colors in my photograph, I repeat stamped both the Happy sentiment, and heart & star icons in pink and purple inks. Love how this looks! 

I used the Best Words Crafting Dies with some glitter cardstock to create those tiny silver hearts, stars and 'the best' title. The silver glitter cuts through the sweet colors and adds both balance & interest to my design. 

Simple creating, but oh so beautiful! 

Next up is a layout created using the April Memory Keepers Studio Set:

Love Grows Here Stamp Set & Coordinating Dies Bundle

Wow! What a gorgeous set! 

These stamps & dies are really quite versatile, and could be used for a variety of projects. 

Shop these lovelies in the Technique Tuesday store HERE 

Here's what I created with the Love Grows Here Stamp Set & Coordinating Dies Bundle ,

"I love Watching You Grow"

Nawww! What a cutie! 

& what a super fun way to record our growing pup! 

Let's take a better look....

Oh how sweet! 

For this layout I kept my stamping clean and bold with striking black ink. This made my title, and subtitles easy to identify & read. 

For the coordinating dies, I used a mix of pattern papers from the Pink Paislee: Paige Evan's Bloom collection. 

(& let me tell you, they cut like butter! SO good!)

Technique Tuesday stamps are always so crisp and I just love how they make my layouts pop!

Stamped perfection!

Super cute!

Next, I am creating with the beautiful May Memory Keepers Studio Set:

Best Friends Stamp Set & Coordinating Dear Friends Crafting Dies Bundle

La la LOVE this set! Again, it's another super versatile one that you could use for a myriad of cards and layouts alike! 

Get yours in the Technique Tuesday store HERE

Here's what I have created with it, 

"BFF"

Oh.my.heart!!!

Could it get any sweeter than this?!

The May Memory Keepers Studio Set is perfect for documenting my two cherubs with! 

I've combined these products with the fabulous Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Unforgettable collection to create this stunning page! 

I have used a mix of pink, purple and mint inks for my stamping, & combination of both pattern papers and cardstock for the coordinating dies. So good! 

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

Those die cuts are divine!!!

And the stamps are so crisp & clear!!!

Absolutely stunning!!!

And last, but by no means least, here's my scrapbook inspiration with the 

June Memory Keepers Studio Set:

In This Together Stamp Set & Coordinating Build-A-House Craft Dies Bundle

Clearly this bundle set is perfect for documenting our current "stay home" crisis, and a great way to reflect on what's happening right now. 

Shop the June Memory Keepers Studio Set HERE

Here's what I created with this Stamp & Die Set Bundle, 

"Covid Hair, Don't Care!"

Ha! Well, not sure if this was 'memory keeping worthy', but it certainly is a reflection of day to day life during this pandemic. 

For this page, I used a mix of colored inks and repeat stamping, as well as some peach cardstock for my house & heart die cuts. 

As always, the sentiments stamp so precisely and are a joy to use! 

Here's a closer view...

Awesome! 

And there you have it! 

Everyday story telling made easy with the amazing Memory Keepers Studio products from Technique Tuesday!

Find out more about becoming a member and saving $ on your stamps & die sets HERE

I hope my projects have inspired you to get stamping today! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints: January 2020 Color Kitz Inspiration & Video!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more bright, colorful & shimmery inspiration with

my latest scrapbook layout (& process video) with the stunning new 

Shimmerz Paints: January edition Color Kitz!

I know, amazing right?! 

The Shimmerz Paints Color Kitz are bigger & better than ever before! 

The new 2020 Kitz include exclusive colors and products to tie your whole page together. The January 2020 Collection includes the following colors and products:

Into The Woods Vibez

 A new exclusive color to this kit. 

This color is a vibrant hunter green hue with silver shimmer.

Before Dawn Vibez

 A black pigment spray with shimmer.

Sage Advice Shimmerz

 A new exclusive color to this kit.

This color is a soft and neutral sage green hue with shimmer mixed within.

For Shore Creameez

 A cool neutral hue watercolor.

Silver Fox Shimmerz

 A new exclusive color to this kit. 

Silver fox is a silver hue paint with shimmer mixed within.

Sheer Bliss Inklingz

 A skin tone neutral hue watercolor.

PLUS

4 journaling cards

1 exclusive Forest cut file created by Paige Taylor Evans

1 teaspoon package of Country Buttonz

1 set of "Happy Day" Dotz

Wow! That's one super impressive kit! 

The creative possibilities with this Color Kit are endless, but I wanted to create a page that featured all.the.things!!! Here's what I created, 

"Explorer"

Whoa! How awesome is this?!

The January edition Color Kitz was perfect for documenting my lil explorer! 

Think great outdoors, adventuring and lake life! So cool!

You'll spy that I even added one extra color to the mix - Ultra Marine Shimmerz! This stunning hue of deep blue coordinated beautifully with the greens and grays of the January Kit! Love it! 

Here's a closer look at my layout......

Yep, this is one super cool page for my little guy! 

As soon as I saw the Forest cut file created by Paige Taylor Evans, I knew I would create a masculine layout! If you look closely at my darling boy's photo, you'll notice that his top has a very similar design on it! Awesome!

To create this layout, I began by filling sheets of paper with all the kit colors. While they were drying, I prepared the cut file. I cut it in plain white cardstock, and removed some of the cut pieces, while keeping others intact. The mix of inset and paper backed sections really added interest to the cut file. 

The inset sun rays are left untouched, but I used the neutral For Shore Creameez to paint the mountain peaks and clouds....

Simple, but so effective! 

The remaining sections of the sun are backed with the paper which I painted with Sheer Bliss Inklingz, and the mountains are backed with the new Silver Fox Shimmerz. SO good! La la love this new Shimmerz!

The trees are mostly backed with varying depths (paint coats) of Into The Woods Vibez, except for one which I backed with Sage Advice Shimmerz for a point of difference and interest. Here's a closer look at them....

Trees 1,2 & 4 are Into The Woods Vibez and tree 3 is Sage Advice Shimmerz. Such gorgeous colors!

 I added in the Ultra Marine Shimmerz for the water element of the cut file, and I'm so glad I did! This bright pop of color adds just enough playfulness to the design without distracting from the beautiful January Color Kitz colors. 

Before I adhered the Forest cut file to the Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Boys Rule pattern paper, I added lots of inky droplets, splatter and brush strokes to the pattern paper with the Before Dawn Vibez. Once dry, I foam mounted the cut file, and glued it to the inky base. 

I have used the Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Boys Rule collection to embellish my page too, but it's those Happy Day Dotz that won me over! Aren't they fabulous?! I couldn't help myself, & used all of them to adorn my photo with! Yes, that good!

 You'll also spy that I layered my photo cluster onto one of the journaling tags, and sprinkled a few of the teeny tiny buttons around the page. Told you I used all.the.things!

Such a cool kid page! 

You can see how it all came together in my process video below....

Thanks so much for watching!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating today! 

Remember! The Color Kitz are limited edition, so be sure to get yours HERE, before they're sold out! Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order & you'll receive a freebie paint too! 

Yay! 

Thanks again for stopping by, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

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: 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

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Boys Rule Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Today I am sharing a super cool  Cocoa Vanilla Studio scrapbook page with their super awesome BOYS RULE line! 

This collection is seriously cool & just rocks when it comes to scrapping the boys!  

But enough chatter, here's my scrapbook layout,

"Future Pilot"

Whoa!!! How awesome is this?! 

RAD, indeed!

I have featured the stunning CV-BR007 STAR FALL paper as my layout background, distressed & folded the right edge of this paper and stapled a trim of CV-BR009 GOOD TIMES behind it. This created a really raw, and edgy look which enhanced the masculinity of the overall design. The use of metal hardware (staples) not only attached the two papers, but also emphasized the rawness. 

Simple, but so effective!

I backed my sweet boy's photograph with a few cool layers of the MISCELLANY frames and die cuts, as well as some fussy cut labels from CV-BR006 BOY STUFF paper. To these layers, I inserted in a few ACCESSORY STICKER stars and words/phrases, and then attached this photo cluster to my page. With my focal point in place, I then tucked my CHIPBOARD PIECES title 'RAD' into the top of the photo layers.

Over my treasured photograph, I foam mounted a couple more ACCESSORY STICKERS that featured stars, plus added I that awesome 'king of the world' FLAIR BUTTON. So cool!!!

To the right side of the photo cluster, I tucked in the 'reach for the stars' ACCESSORY STICKER - both the print and the sentiment coordinated perfectly with my page design.

More ACCESSORY STICKERS are used to adorn the bottom left of my photo cluster, as well as a few die cuts. To complete the photo cluster I foam mounted & overlapped that fabulous 'adventure' CHIPBOARD PIECE. Awesome!

For my title to be noticed on such a dark paper, I dove into my COCOA VANILLA STUDIO: COLOUR ME HAPPY stash and used the plain white ALPHABET STICKERS. I embellished around my title with more of the ACCESSORY STICKERS as well as two of the brush stroke CLEAR STICKERS. A few dots of white paint completed the page.

Simple, and yet so epic!!!

Scrapping the boys is made super easy (& totally awesome) with the fabulous 

BOYS RULE collection!

Thanks so much for visiting - I hope I have inspired you to get creating today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo