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: 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: 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 

March Guest Designer for Just Nick Studio!

Hi Lovelies!

Omgoodness! So exciting!!!

 I was over-the-moon excited when Nicole told me I'd be the 

Guest Designer for Just Nick Studio in March! 

So super-dee-duper excited!!! YAY!!! 

Just Nick Studio have the most fantastic Cut Files & I have created 2 stunning layouts with them today! 

Here's a quick peak them,

(you'll find all the close ups & details over on the Just Nick Studio blog here)

"XO XO"

La la love this!!! Just Nick Studio + Cocoa Vanilla Studio = Perfection!

Such a super sweet page! 

Here's my second layout, 

"Sunshine & Happiness"

Love this awesome mixed media number! I've stashbusted Simple Stories Posh line, and combined it with a couple of the fabulous cutfiles from Just Nick Studio.

Want all the details, including how to get these stunning cut files?

Visit the Just Nick Studio blog here!

Be sure to leave me a comment on the Just Nick blog too!

(I'd love to have them ask me to guest again)

Thankyou!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: Cut It Up Saturday

Hi Everyone!!
It's Saturday!!! YAY!

Now let's get a cutting for Paper Issues,

Cut It Up Saturday!

My favourite day of the week!

And boy oh boy, does Stacie have some incredible FREE cutfiles in the Paper Issues store for you!

The cut file for this month's challenge is a fun one....

"Heart Tracks" 

Such an awesome background cut file!!! 

I had intended to use it as a background too, with lots of pretty paper piecing.... 

but then I had another idea! 

I decided to use those cut up  hearts to form a heart.

Here's what I created with all those hearts! (& a Paper Issues flamingo card too!)

"Be a Flamingo..."

Oh wow! How pretty and fun is this?!!

I've used Crate Paper Heart Day, & Hello Love, as well as Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Endless Summer embellishments for this super pretty, super fun page! 

I cut a large heart to use as a silhouette for my watercolour base, then filled the remaining white (heart) space with those cut file hearts - love how it turned out!

But it's all those flamingos that I'm really loving!!! 

From that puffy sticker flamingo to that fantastic Paper Issues card - the flamingos have it all!

Perfect for my pretty girl too! Such a great reminder for her to shine bright! 

Love this pic of her - beach hair and she don't care! Love it!!!

How awesome is that Paper Issues card?

I keep and use all my Paper Issues cards, they're too cool not to! And this one is one of my favourites! 

Those cool heart clips are from the Heart day ephemera pack - super cute huh?!

Speaking of ephemera, how fabulous are the Cocoa Vanilla Studio flamingos?! I mounted the one below on pop dots to really make him stand out....

Love it!

To add interest to my hearts, you'll notice I created a dimensional effect with them too.....

Gently fold them, then use a tiny spot of glue in the base only. Perfect!

Oh that wooden button! Cocoa Vanilla Studio know me too well! 

And there you have it! 

My fun layout with the gorgeous FREE Heart Tracks cut file.

Need more ideas and inspiration?! Check out the rest of the team's take on this challenge here

Remember: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off in the Paper Issues Store!

Thanks for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Happy Summer Days!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

 I am just loving the delicacy of the Endless Summer collection!

Summer has never looked so pretty!

And boy oh boy, do I have a pastel delight for you today!

Here's my layout,

"Happy Summer Days"

Told you it was pretty!!!

I've used a vertical design to compliment my photograph, and have layered those stunning patterned papers, BLUE SKIES (reverse side) CV-ES002 & COASTAL CHILL CV-ES004

Beneath my central section, I have also created a delicate watercolour splatter base, as well as using the Colour Me Happy cut files  to add more interest and draw your eye into my image. For gentle texture, I've stitched those pattern papers together, as well as used some cotton for 'floss' around my embellishment clusters.

Here's a closer look..........

The cutest wooden buttons - WOODIES - including a super cute flamingo but, oh! That FLAIR button!!! It's the same doily design as the Blue Skies pattern! Just a perfect adornment to my page!

Speaking of perfect, how gorgeous are the ENAMEL SHAPES ?! Those pastel pink hearts and dots are just so glossy! Love them!

I am also loving the WOOD VENEER shapes too....

That printed heart, 'love it' says it all!

But it's that gorgeous flamingo that makes the veneer soooooooo irresistible!

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

Yep! Flamingo LOVE! I just cant say no to the Flamingo!!!

How delicate and pretty are the BLOOMS that I've clustered with the flamingo too?!! That mint coloured one just makes me swoon! That colour is so fresh for Summer! And I love the softness in the Gerberra bloom....

It's just ALL so very pretty!!!

Everything about Endless Summer is soft, delicate and DIVINE! Love it all!

Hope my layout has inspired you to get creating with this super pretty collection too!

Thanks for visiting & leaving a comment,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Salty Kisses

Hi Happy Arty Friends!

Today I am sharing my very last Cocoa Vanilla Studio post for 2016!

What an exciting 12 months its been, with so many aaaahmazing Cocoa Vanilla Studio releases this year!

And 2017 promises to be even bigger and better again!!!

But for now, one last lil look at that gorgeous CVS Summer line, Endless Summer....

Here's my layout,

"Salty Kisses" 

So beautiful!

Just how adorable can these two get?!!

And seriously, 'Every Summer' is the same  - our home is full of sand, shells, and salty beach kisses!

Needless to say, that journal card from the CV-ES005 THIS & THAT pattern paper was always going to feature on at least one of my Summery layouts! Such a perfect match!

I have also made a real feature of those fabulous Colour Me Happy digital cutfiles!

I cut the geometric heart out of my fave woodgrain paper, CV-ES001 SWEET TREATS (reverse side), and I cut the other files in plain white cardstock. The heart is partly paper pieced with soft pink tones from CV-ES002 BLUE SKIES (reverse side), CV-ES005 THIS & THAT, & CV-ES006 SUNBLEACHED. So many paper pretties!!!

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

From the papers, to the embellishments and everything in between - Endless Summer coordinates so perfectly!!!

If you look carefully, you'll even spy that the 'salty kisses' journal card has a subtle hibiscus print on it - it's all about the details! And boy, do I adore this clever attention to detail!

Speaking of adoration, how fabulous are the Die Cut Ephemera pieces in this layout?!! I mean, flamingos and hibiscus blooms! Love, love, love!

There's also a gorgeous array of Woodies in the Endless Summer line, and I've used 3 for this page......

I've also used that sweet pink doily flair, which coordinates with that orange Woodie above it, & the paper piecing in the heart. Always about those small details!

I may have added a few mint enamel dots for good measure too.....

You can never have too many enamel dots, right?

I really must mention those pretty Blooms too! A gorgeous array of mulberry flowers to adorn any pretty project! Too sweet!

The XO cutfile is backed with that fabulous Sunbleached pattern paper, and then embellished with an ephemera heart. You'll also spot a few Accessory Stickers on my layout too.....

To make my photo 'fit' with all these embellishments and cutfiles, I've adorned it with Die Cut Ephemera pieces - including that sweet frame and subtitle, 'Summer Days'. I then added a few paper layers, and positioned that floral cut file beneath it all. Such a sweet photo!

As for that awesome background, well that's nothing more than a lil watercolour paint

& it only works so well because Endless Summer is soooooooo AWESOME!!!!

I hope my layuot has inspired you to get your crafty fingers on some Endless Summer delights too!

Thanks for stopping by today,

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Best Fun Days Ever!

Hi Everyone!

Time for some Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing another gorgeous, Summer fun layout of my two darlings at the beach!

Needless to say, I am using the stunning new Endless Summer collection for this layout.

Let's take a peak.....

"Best Fun Days Ever"

Isn't this the sweetest?!!

SO cute, so bright, so playful & FUN!!!

I just adore Endless Summer!

I have used three stunning papers from the collection, CV-ES004 COASTAL CHILL (mint stripe), CV-ES001 SWEET TREATS (reverse side - woodgrain), & CV-ES003 ALOHA SUNSHINE (reverse side - spots) to create my layered layout border - love how effective this looks! The left alignment really draws your eye across the page too!

To compliment the woodgrain paper, and to balance all that pastel sweetness I have used both the wood veneer words and those fabulous 'Woodies' buttons! Take a closer look......

How gorgeous are the veneer script words?!! I ADORE them; such a whimsical font! The ephemera words feature the same font, but add more cheer with their colours! They partner perfectly to create my title!

And how about those sweet blooms.....

Aren't they divine?!! So very beautiful!

That flair is pretty cute too! LOVING this indeed!

Here's another view of those blooms.....

They make me swoon! Prettiness overload!

And those Puffy Stickers!!! I mean I could have a sheet of just that camera, it's so super sweet!!!

You'll also spy a few delightful Accessory Stickers, enamel shapes dots & that flamingo from the ephemera pkt. Love.it.all!!!

There's definitely no denying that Endless Summer is the most beautiful seasonal line.Ever!

Anyone else dreaming of mocktails and tropical island getaways?!!

And on that happy note, I hope this collection celebrates your

Best Fun Days Ever!

Thanks for visiting,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Endless Summer: So Sweet!

Hi Cocoa Vanilla Friends & Fans!

Today I am super-dee-duper excited to be sharing my first official layout with the latest
Cocoa Vanilla Studio collection;

This collection is prettiness overload!

Mints, pinks, pastels, & delicate patterns with sweet notes of Summer! What could be more perfect?!

But rather than rave, let's allow my layout to do the talking - after all, a picture says a thousand words....

"So Sweet" 

And truly, this girl really is so sweet! Picture perfect, indeed!

How divine are the colours in this layout though?! Mint with corals and pastel pretties!!! LOVE!

I immediately fell in love with the Aloha Sunshine pattern paper and knew it would be perfect for fussy cutting!

I mean, all those hibiscus beauties! Too much gorgeousness here - I just had to make a feature of it all!

Here's a closer look....

To support those fussy cut clusters, I've also used hibiscus die cuts from the ephemera pack, as well as some gorgeous butterfly stickers from the Accessory Stickers sheet.

*Please note: the typewriter font stickers are from the Love Always Accessory Stickers sheet*

To add warmth to all that minty green, I've also used a few wood veneer shapes.....

You'll also spy some gorgeous enamel dots too! I love how the colours of these dots coordinate with the entire collection! Making it so easy to embellish your projects!

How cute is the tiny bunting ephemera below my photograph...

I adore that sweet banner! But it's those fussy cut flowers that really make my layout sing! SO pretty!!!

To add texture to this layout, I used soft watercolour washes and splatter, as well as double stitching a border on the cardstock. That DIVINE mint stripe backing paper is called Coastal Chill and I swear, I may buy 20 sheets of this paper!!! I just LOVE this pattern and colour!!!

Stripes are always a win for me! Just look at that sweet striped butterfly sticker - awesome, huh?!

But if you're more of a spotty dotty kinda fan, no worries, Endless Summer will meet your needs too ;)

Oh gosh!!!! The Puffy Stickers in Endless Summer are my favourite puffies of.all.time!!! Just look at that title!

So incredibly glossy, as well as dimensional!

Endless Summer is definitely the prettiest Summer I've ever seen! LOVE it!

Hope you liked my first layout with Endless Summer

&

feel inspired to get fussy cutting with this stunning new collection!

Thanks for stopping by,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo