The Cut Shoppe: Fresh Squeezed Summer Layout!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog! 

Today I am sharing a bright & colorful layout for

The Cut Shoppe!

At the moment it's Summer break in my part of the world - 

think balmy sunsets at the beach and sipping ice cold lemonade! 

My favorite time of year!

For today's layout I am sharing a lil Summer sunshine & warmth with the

 Fresh Squeezed Digital Cut File.... 

"Summer Days"

Whoa, talk about a burst of sunshine! 

This layout is a pop of bright, fun colors and just screams all things Summer! Yay! 

How totally awesome is the Fresh Squeezed cut file?! 

It comes in 2 sizes in the one download too (12 x 12" & 8.5 x 11")! Ideal for all your paper crafting needs!

For today's layout I have cut mine in the 8.5 x 11" size.

Here's a closer look at it.....

 

Love it! You can get the Fresh Squeezed file from The Cut Shoppe HERE 

For this layout, the Fresh Squeezed file was cut in white cardstock, which I hand colored with Shimmerz Paints. I actually used three shades of yellow paint: Spritz: Chick-a-Dee, Vibez: Sunset Strip & Coloringz: Lil' Yellow Skool Bus. These colors coordinate & blend together beautifully - they really make the Freshly Squeezed cut file 'pop'! 

Instead of backing the lemons with pattern papers, I choose to support the file with a messy, mixed media base. I paint a layer of white gesso, and while it's still wet I add a very watery layer of peachy pink watercolor paint. This creates subtle color for beneath the cut file. I also add lots of pretty paint splatters and droplets in the yellows which I sprayed my cut file with, as well as Shimmerz: Royal Red & Bubblegum Blast too! Messy never looked so pretty! 

I use Echo Park's Good Day Sunshine collection for my layout, as the colors in this collection compliment my photo beautifully (& there may just be a lemon ephemera or two in this line too!)

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

So happy together, indeed! Summer break is the BEST!!!

I embellish the cut file with a mix of die cut ephemera, cardstock stickers, chipboard stickers and lots of enamel dots! 

Such a bright & fun page! 

The Fresh Squeezed cut file is perfect for documenting our Summer memories with! 

I hope you feel inspired by my creating today, 

& that my page brings some warmth to my Northern Hemisphere friends :)

Get the Fresh Squeezed File HERE

& check out more amazing designs in The Cut Shoppe while you're there!

Needing Shimmerz Paints?

Pop my name AMANDA in the comments section of your store order HERE

& you'll receive a FREE paint!

(no minimum spend, not valid with any other promos/code, & code has unlimited use)

Yay for free paint!

Thanks so much for stopping by today,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

The Cut Shoppe: Hello, Let's Chat Glam Girl!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more The Cut Shoppe inspiration!!!

Today I am featuring the fabulous Hello Let's Chat digital cut file 

& let's just say, it's perfection for teen girls!!!

Here's what I've created with it today....

"Glam Girl"

Well, Hello Glam girl, indeed! 

Such a fun & playful page for my not so little girl! 

I have combined the Echo Park's Fashionista with the My Mind's Eye Glam Girl collections to create this teen scene layout. 

I cut the file in white cardstock, attach it to my page with lots of foam dots, and finish it off with lots of embellishments. SO pretty! Raising the cut file with foam dots really makes it stand out against that soft mint background.

Let's have a closer look at this amazing cut file!

Hello, Let's Chat looks like this.....

So awesome, huh?! I can see a ton of possibilities with this file too!

You can get the Hello, Let's Chat file from The Cut Shoppe Etsy Store HERE.

Here's a closer look at my layout, and all those sweet embellishments.....

 I choose to back a few of the speech bubbles with pattern papers, and of course, my fun photo! 

This cut file is ideal for memory keeping all our conversations, texts and phone pics! She looks way too grown up in that mirror selfie - I blinked, and all of a sudden she wasn't little anymore. So glad that I document her stories to remember all our days! 

Here's another view for you....

I layer ephemera pieces onto some of the other speech bubbles, as well as cute brads, gold sequins and even some puffy sticker hearts! You'll also spot some typewriter font sentiments around the cut file. 

Loving that hello - it's such a fun font to compliment the speech bubbles with! 

Gorgeous, girly and so much fun!!!

I hope my layout has inspired you to go cut the Hello, Let's Chat file today! 

Get yours from The Cut Shoppe Etsy Store HERE

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

All NEW Shimmerz Paints Colors!!!

Hi Creatives! 

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!

Today I am sharing my first creation with our brand new Shimmerz colors!

Yessss! New colors!

Here's what they look like....

Introducing Limoncello, Lilac Blossom and It's Mint To Be!

Aren't they preeeeeetty?!!

But wait, there's more.....

Pool Me Close

Going Peach Side

Pink-O De Mayo

Oh.my.heart! 

These colors are just shimmery perfection! 

LOVE them all! 

Infact, I was so blown away with how fabulous they are, that I decided to share them on 

Instagram LIVE - I apologise if you watched! I was such a nervous bundle of energy :(  Lol! 

I quickly splash painted these messy hearts....

(I know, those colors!!!!)

 just to show off that fabulous shimmer and gorgeous pigment, 

But then a few people messaged me to say they needed to see it completed. 

To be honest, I had planned on putting it in the trash! 

I mean, the colors are divine, but this is just messy play, right?

  I'm so glad I listened to you all though because this is what I ended up creating with it.......

All the rainbow hearts love for this!

SO super cute, fun and happy! 

I absolutely adore that sweet photograph, and those shimmery hearts formed the perfect background! 

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

SO adorable! 

The playful and rather cute Echo Park: Imagine That collection partnered perfectly with the new Shimmerz colors, and really accentuated the happy vibe of this memory! 

Let's take a closer peak at those hearts.....

That shimmer is just incredible! Crazy good!!! 

I thought I could pick a fave color or two from the new ones, but the truth is, I can't!!! 

I love, love, LOVE all 6 of the new colors! 

Oh.SO.Pretty!

( & yes, caticorns are a thing now! just sayin'  ;)  )

 

Let Your Imagination Soar seems fitting for my precious two in the photo, as well as when you play with Shimmerz Paints! 

Check out ALL the gorgeous new Shimmerz colors HERE
& REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order & they'll send you a FREE paint! 

(The free paint deal applies to every single time you order, 

but is not valid with any other discounts or promos.)

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: March Scrap Soup

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with this month's edition of Scrap Soup!

This month's recipe challenge is super fun!
Simply feature the following ingredients (or more) to whip up your creation with .....

3 embellishments
6 hearts
2 patterned papers
chipboard title
stamping

 *Feel free to add anything else you need but your project must include those items*

And here's my layout....

"Happy"

Oh isn't this just the sweetest, and most dreamy girl page!!!
It absolutely kills me that she is growing up so fast, but boy oh boy is she a delightful and happy young person!
So very proud of her!

I have used the Echo Park Fashionista collection, and as you can see, it's just perfect for documenting our teen girls (and shop-a-holics too!)
You'll also spot the Open Hearts Circles cut file 



Such a fun design!
And, as always, the Paper Issues cut files are completely FREE!
You can get yours HERE

Now back to my layout.....

I  just adore this photo of our sweet Miss M! 

It was a silly out take, but the expression on her face is so happy! Love it! 

I layered her photo onto a few frames, pink tissue paper, and a doily. 

I embellish this photo cluster with a few die cuts and enamel dots too. 

I back the cut file hearts with a mix of pattern papers from the Fashionsita line, and embellish some with sentiments, die cuts and even tiny heart veneers. 

I wanted to keep the layout fairly 'clean' so I kept my stamping quite minimal. 

I repeat stamp the tiny XO in hot pink.

 (The stamp is an old roller stamp in my stash, from Kikki K). 

But it's that divine gold foil chipboard title that really adds that finishing touch to my page.....

Isn't that title WOW!!! 

The foil is so good that you could be fooled into thinking that this chipboard is possibly a mirror acrylic. But no, it is honestly chipboard!!!

And it has been hoarded in my stash for sometime now! lol.

So glad I used it on this pretty, girly page! Perfect!

And there you have it! 

My super pretty take on this month's Scrap Soup challenge!

Join us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group HERE to play along!

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

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

Thanks so much for visiting! 

I really appreciate your stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues Partners Up with CSI for February!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome to February and a whole bunch of fun new challenges with Paper Issues!
The first of which is,

Yay for new challenges and new crafty friends!

This month we're partnering up with CSI - Color Stories Inspiration!

Here's what their February challenge looks like.....

SO much fun!!!!

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

"Hello Summer"

Isn't this stunning?!! 

I have taken inspiration from the Summer theme, heart, hibiscus flower and of course, the gorgeous colour palette! 

I have stash busted Echo Park Summer FUN and Summer Dreams collections, and combined them with a Paper Issues Free Cut File. 

The cut file is called Interlocking Hears and you can download it HERE

I trimmed mine, and backed it with coordinating papers from the Summer Dream 6 x 6 Paper Pad. 

So pretty!!!

Love this girl! So very proud of her! 

And such a happy memory to document!

My mixed media base has been created with Shimmerz Paints, 

I have used their Inklingz & Creameez watercolours to create more hearts and splatters of colour too! 

Colours featured are Inklingz: Beets Me, Me & Blue, & Sun Kissed and Creameez: Lettuce Get Together

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

Just Gorgeous!

The Echo Park Summer collections were a perfect choice for this challenge!

I hope I have inspired you to play along with Paper Issues & CSI!

See more inspiration in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group HERE

Need scrapbook supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

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

Needing more Shimmerz Paints?

Order yours here & type AMANDA in the comments section of your order 

& Shimmerz Paints will send you a freebie! ;)

Double yay!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: July Free File Friday #2

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with round 2 of

This round is all about documenting your travels, road trips, & staycations from Summer, 

with a Paper Issues Free File or 2!

Here's what I came up with....

"I Heart Summer Vacation" 

Isn't this FUN?!!!

My boy just adores Summer at the beach and 

there's a sweet story on the back of this layout for him at a later date ;) 

I have used the Summer Days Cut File, which has tons of designs in it!

So cool! 

I ungrouped mine, and rearranged the I heart Summer Vacation into a triangle design. 

Love how it turned out!!!

You can grab this FREE file here

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

The colours in Echo Park Summer FUN are just so bright and cheery! 

Perfect for documenting our happy Summer memories with!

All the embellishments you see are also from this playful line!

Super cool Summer vibes!!!

How cute is that chipboard car?! Love it!

Love it all!

Paper Issues rock the Cut Files!

Get yourself some Paper Issues FREE files here

& if you need supplies, shop in the Paper Issues store here

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

Looking for more Free File Friday inspiration?
Visit the Paper Issues blog here

Thanks so much for visiting today!
til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: July Working Title!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends & Fans!

Welcome back for the July edition of Working Title!

Let me start by saying that last month's tiny one word title projects were ALL stunning!

I feel so inspired by you all! 

Thanks so much for playing along!

This month the challenge is to feature an icon in (or on) your title! 

Icons may include hearts, stars, emojis, watermelons, toys etc - basically an image or shape within your title! 

I have chosen to use my icon as a letter replacement....

"Love This"

Love this, indeed! Doesn't it just scream Summer Fun?!!

With so many watermelons in the Echo Park Summer Dreams & Summer Fun collections, I just had to make a feature of them! 

I even added my own watercolor melon for added interest to my layout. 

But today we're all about the titles, so here's a closer look at mine.....

How fabulous is that watermelon chipboard sticker as a 'v' ?!! So cool!

Loving this super sweet Summer page!

SO much watermelon goodness! Love it all!

Hope my layout has inspired you to get creating!

Now it's your turn! 

Create a new project, layout, card, pocket page or even off the page item that features an icon in or on the title

 & 

upload it in the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group July challenges album here

& go in the draw to win a Paper Issues gift card! YAY!!!

I can't wait to see what you create!

Need supplies before you start? 

Visit the store here

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

Looking for more iconic inspiration? 

See what the rest of our talented team has created here

Thanks so much for visiting today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: July Try It Tuesday!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for another super fun edition of Paper Issues Try It Tuesday!

This month we're going to get a lil messy with paint, & try the scraping technique! Yay! 

This technique is really easy, super fun and creates the coolest backgrounds! 

Here's a quick step by step of what I am meaning.....

1. Apply a few spots of acrylic paint to your layout. 

Ensure that you use colors that will blend well together 

2. Take a palette knife, old store card or even a piece of cardboard, apply mild pressure & literally, scrape the paint.

3. Scrape paint repeatedly until you're happy with the results!

I felt mine was a lil lacking in the pink color, so I added a few paint splatters.....

Such an awesome fun background!

Here's what I created with my paint scrape background....

"FUN"

Oh W.O.W!!! 

Doesn't this just scream Summer Fun?!!!

I've used Echo Park Summer Dreams collection & had a ton of  FUN embellishing this!

You'll notice that my background has become more subtle now, 

and really just highlights my layout - perfect!

Here's a few close ups for you.... 

Lots of layers, chipboard stickers, element stickers and die cuts - so cool!

Here's another view of that awesome paint...

So fabulous! Sweet on Summer indeed!

I really hope that my layout has inspired you!

I love to get messy, and even if you don't, 

I hope you'll Try It for Tuesday ;)

I can't wait to see what you all create for this fun challenge!

Be sure to upload all your new projects into the Paper Issues Friends & Fans group now through August 1st! 

Please tag Paper Issues on your social media posts too, 

as we really love seeing what you've created!

Need supplies from the Paper Issues store? 

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

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo