Cocoa Vanilla Studio & Retro Hip Magazine!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration! 

Today I am sharing a slightly different take on the Throwback Thursday post!

That's right folks! 

I have been getting my 'retro' on and created a Cocoa Vanilla Studio: MORE THAN WORDS delight for Issue 8 of Retro Hip Magazine! Yay!!!

Normally you have to purchase the magazine to see the full projects, but as a special treat for all of you, I have the editor's permission to share this wonderful layout,

"Sweet Thing"

Oh my heart!

Isn't this stunning?!! Throwback Thursday never looked so fresh & new! 

Such an exquisite page!

This layout was created for a special feature on how to make white space work for your designs. I just LOVE using white space to draw attention to my photos, and maximize overall design interest. I used one of my all time favorite Cocoa Vanilla Studio collections; MORE THAN WORDS, some light mixed media and a whole lotta fussy cutting to create this lovely layout. 

You can read the full article in Issue 8 of Retro Hip Magazine here, and by the way, code FRIEND10 will save you 10% off this issue!

In the meantime, here's how I made this beautiful layout....

I started with 12 x 12" white cardstock which I trimmed to 12 x 11 1/2". Next, I machine stitched a half inch strip of pattern paper, CV-MT001 PRECIOUS onto the right hand side of the layout. I used the packaging technique with Shimmerz Vibez in Pop Art Pink, and added a few splatters too! While this dried, I began fussy cutting butterflies from pattern papers, CV-MT003 GOSSAMER, CV-MT004 COLLAGE, & CV-MT006 TREASURE. I also fussy cut the sweet thing wreath from the TREASURE paper too. I then arranged the butterflies, with my sweet photo onto the peach watercolor base.

Here's a closer look....

I tucked in a few DIE CUT EPHEMERA blooms into the photo cluster, and added a DIE CUT sentiment banner onto my photograph too. SO pretty!!!

Next I added that fussy cut sweet thing wreath, and a CHIPBOARD STICKER butterfly....

So many pretty details!

You'll notice that I used a few pretty sequins from the Summer Morn' set from SpiegelMom Scraps, as well as a good sprinkling of the MORE THAN WORDS ENAMEL SHAPES. 

For the finishing touch, I fussy cut the sweet heart sentiment from pattern paper, CV-MT006 TREASURE, and layered it over one of the butterflies with foam tape. I just love how effective this looks!

Such a pretty page for my sweet girl!

And there you have it!

Simple, beautiful, elegant!

Throwback Thursday made fresh and pretty!

I do hope you'll check out my article in Issue 8 of Retro Hip Magazine for all my tips on maximizing white space for your scrapbook layouts!

**Oh, if your shopping in the Shimmerz Paints store, type AMANDA in the comments section of your order for a FREE paint! ** 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Sweet Thing Layout!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!
For today's Design Team post, I am sharing a super pretty stamped layout with the lovely  MORE THAN WORDS collection....

"Sweet Thing"



Oh my heart! Sweet thing, indeed!
So many beautiful details to this pretty page of my darling girl! And who said old couldn't be made new again?! I am LOVING creating with this soft and romantic collection again!

To begin, I trim one inch off the side of my 12 inch white cardstock, so that I can layer it onto the reverse side of pattern paper, CV-MT009 SKETCHBOOK. I just love the soft peach tone of this pattern paper, and it frames my layout beautifully! Next, I stamp up the top left and bottom right corners of my cardstock base with the amazing MORE THAN WORDS CLEAR STAMP. To maintain a soft and delicate look, I use a mix of soft blue, pink and yellow inks. So pretty!!! That stamp is all kinds of wonderful!

Here's a closer look....



The stamped base really breaks up the white space, and adds that 'extra' point of interest to the main embellishment clusters.
Next, I create a layer of DIE CUT EPHEMERA blooms, and fussy cut butterflies from pattern papers CV-MT003 GOSSAMER and CV-MT006 TREASURE in the top left corner. Onto this bed of blooms, I position my sweet girl's photo, which I have backed with a small piece of white tissue paper. I embellish her photo with the sentiment, "My Darling" from the DIE CUT EPHEMERA pack. I tuck a few more DIE CUT EPHEMERA blooms beneath my photo, as well as the wreath sticker from the ACCESSORY STICKERS sheet.
Here's more detailed look for you....



Aren't those layered embellishments the best?!
 I just adore how the blooms and fussy cut butterflies draw further attention to my cherished photograph! To complete the photo cluster, I add a few VELLUM ACCENTS butterflies, a scattering of ENAMEL hearts & dots, and some journaling with the typewriter font ACCESSORY STICKERS.



Beautiful!
For the lower right corner of my layout design, I embellish with a larger bloom CHIPBOARD STICKER, and the Sweet Thing fussy cut wreath from pattern paper, CV-MT006 TREASURE....



I tuck a VELLUM butterfly under the CHIPBOARD STICKER bloom, and add a few more of the fussy cut butterflies from the CV-MT003 GOSSAMER paper. I add in an extra typewriter font sentiment with more of the ACCESSORY STICKERS, & while I have these stickers out, I also use the fabulous "love you so much" circular sticker for an added point of interest.



For finishing touches, I apply more of the ENAMEL hearts and dots.
Voila!
Simple, Elegant & Oh So Beautiful creating! I just LOVE how this turned out!
I hope I have inspired you to get creating with your Cocoa  Vanilla Studio supplies!

Thanks so much for joining me today,
til next time,
Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Sweet Happiness Layout & Process Video!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more paper crafting inspiration!

This week the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team are being asked to Turn Old Into New again, and scraplift one of our very own older pages! 

Such a fun challenge to scraplift youself - but which layout to pick?! 

In the end I chose this pretty page from March of last year....

"Precious Moment"

Precious, indeed! 

Such a beautiful layout created with the divine MORE THAN WORDS collection. I just adore this page, and am especially taken in by the delicacy & softeness, the butterflies and all those pretty pattern papers! I simply couldn't resist recreating this layout with the HAPPINESS collection and twisting it to create a brighter and bolder edition!

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

"Sweet"

Whoa!!! How gorgeous is this?! 

Definitely bolder & brighter, but also super beautiful too!

I have tried to maintain the integrity of the original design, whilst giving the layout a completely refreshing and fun new look! 

Like the original page, I have kept with the pattern paper border, and large cut file butterfly with a layered focal photograph as the key design elements. 

You'll also spy a few additional butterflies scattered around the photo too....

My layout begins with that fabulous blue paper, CV-HA003 GOOD VIBES - such a stunning pattern paper! Next I trim the gorgeous wreath paper, CV-HA005 SO FRESH to 11" x 11" and layer over the pretty blue base. I use the 6 x 8 HAPPINESS PAPER PAD and CV-HA007 EXPRESSIVE pattern paper to back the butterfly cut file (cut file is called Butterfly Wings & is courtesy of The Cut Shoppe) & then layer this large butterfly through the center of the page. 

So lovely!

Similar to the original layout is my use of a single, black and white square photo. I foam mount this photograph, and position it through the center of the butterflies wings. I also fussy cut a few smaller butterflies from pattern paper CV-HA008 BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL, and scatter them around my sweet photo.

Speaking of sweet, I use the sweet CARDSTOCK DIE CUT TITLE to both embellish my photo, & as my layout title.

For finishing touches, I add a couple more butterflies - this time from the ACCESSORY STICKERS sheet, and a sprinkling of sequins (Happy Vibes sequin mix from Spiegelmom Scraps). Gorgeous!

A really simple & sweet scrap lift of my Precious Moments layout!

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

Thanks so much for watching!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Throwback Thursday with More Than Words!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for another installment of the Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Throw Back Thursday feature!

Today I am taking you back to 2018 with 

the gorgeous More Than Words collection and a very sweet 'mom & son' page,

"Wonderful Moments"

Talk about sweet, this melts my heart! Such a happy moment documented! And maybe another twist on my love for the monochromatic designs ;)

Lots of lovely layers here, starting with the reverse side of CV-MT003 GOSSAMER as my layout base. I layer over this pretty black floral paper with a sheet of pale blue cardstock. I distress, peel back, and staple this cardstock into place to reveal the CV-MT003 GOSSAMER base. This is such an effective technique, as it creates both texture & interest, as well as a masculine touch to these pretty papers!

To these two background bases, I layer a cut file (Geometric Art courtesy of The Cut Shoppe) which I semi back with the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD version of the GOSSAMER paper. To the cut file, I add embellishments galore, and of course, my photo cluster! So many pretty layers! Let's take a closer look......

Absolutely LOVE this photo of me & my boy! 

I embellish the cut file with a mix of DIE CUT EPHEMERA, CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS, ENAMEL SHAPES, & even ACCESSORY STICKERS. I start my design from the top of the cut file, & travel down the page focusing on my photo cluster in the center. The 'wonderful' CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER was the perfect title choice for my darling photo! But my title doesn't end there! As your eye moves down my layout, you'll find the remainder of my title beneath my photograph....

Unforgettable, & Wonderful are fussy cut labels from pattern paper CV-MT006 TREASURE, and Moments is from the CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS. Such a fun mixed title & I just adore all the tucked in pieces surrounding my photo! Layered perfection!

Here's a better look at my title and central photo....

That layering beneath my photo is just stunning! 

You'll spy more cuts from pattern paper, CV-MT006 TREASURE, as well as ACCESSORY STICKERS, more CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS, DIE CUT EPHEMERA & that divine VELLUM ACCENTS feather!  I love that bold pop of blue, it really brings attention to my photo!

Here's another view for you....

Just gorgeous!

I tuck a few white cotton floss threads into the photo cluster too!  For more interest & a finishing touch, I also add a few watercolor splatters as well! LOVE it!

More Than Words might be a girly, feminine collection but it is still perfect for scrapping the boys too! 

I hope you enjoyed my edition of Throw Back Thursday, 

& feel inspired to get creating with your older Cocoa Vanilla Studio stash too!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: 2018 Favorites!

Hi Creative Friends!

Time for my final Cocoa Vanilla Studio post for 2018 - wow! 

Can you believe it's been another year already? 

Time sure does fly when you're having fun! 

As always, we like to wrap up the year by reflecting on our favorite projects & with so many amazing new collections released this year, picking my fave 3 for 2018 has certainly been a challenge! 

It was kinda like being asked to pick your favorite child - just not possible! LOL!

So, instead I randomly selected my favorites for today's post - I hope you like my choices!

First up, is a very pretty page created with the Bohemian Dream collection....

"Happy Days" - Bohemian Dream collection 

See original post HERE

I just love the Bohemian Dream collection, and despite making this layout at the beginning of 2018, this layout is still a firm favorite of mine! I have never scrapbooked with so much purple - EVER! That really says something about the gorgeousness and beauty of this collection. And don't even get me started on all the butterflies, dream catchers, feathers and winged things - la, la, love it all!

Next up is another super pretty layout, this time with the delightful More Than Words collection.....

"Precious" - More Than Words Collection 

See original post HERE

Sigh! Isn't this swoon worthy?!! So very precious, indeed! I adore the softness and innocence of this design. And yes, more butterflies... I can't help myself! More Than Words is such a beautiful and elegant collection!

And last, but by no means least, a boy page to complete my 'random' fave projects.....

Outta This World - You Rock collection

See original post HERE

Isn't this the coolest?!! It's no secret that Cocoa Vanilla Studio create the BEST boy collections around, and You Rock is perhaps my all time favorite of all! Love the woodgrain pattern paper teamed with the cool blue and white - such a fabulous combination!

And there you have it! 3 (out of 11 or so...) of my favorite Cocoa Vanilla Studio creations from this year! I hope you'll click on the links to go back and see them in more detail.

As we look forward to 2019, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish each & every one of you a very safe and Happy New Year! 

Best Wishes!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Precious

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing a super sweet and dreamy page of my two darlings! 

I just love the soft and pretty patterns in the More Than Words collection, and just had to fussy cut those butterflies!

Here's what I am talkin' 'bout........

"Precious"

So precious & adorable, indeed!

Inspired by that very sweet 'loved up' moment, I used repetitious hearts & butterflies to create unity and balance within my design. 

The featured cut file is called The All Heart  & is from The Cut Shoppe. 

I have backed this file with the beautiful More Than Words pattern papers, and then embellished with the fussy cut butterflies from pattern paper CV-MT003 GOSSAMER  & ENAMEL SHAPES.

Clean.Simple. And understated elegance! 

I love this fresh & pretty page!

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

How pretty!

I start this page by backing the outer ring of hearts in that divine watercolor wash paper, reverse side of CV-MT007 DARLING BUDS. That pink is so pretty!

Travelling inwards, I back the next heart ring with that gorgeous spots pattern, reverse side of CV-MT008 RADIANT. The black and white pattern helps to break up and balance all the sweet pastel colors within this layout.

For the remaining two heart rings, closest to the center, I choose the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD. This is so that the patterns are in proportion to the cut shapes. I just adore that apricot stripe pattern - it's all kinds of awesome!

You'll spot that I give my photograph the circular treatment, to encourage visual appeal and avoid covering those pretty papers too! As the ultimate focal point of my layout, the photo is positioned into the very center of the design. 

Lots of symmetry and balance for a clean, easy on the eye look!

And speaking of symmetry and balance, I embellish the heart rings in a very distinct pattern....

The outer ring is adorned with alternating fussy cut butterflies from pattern paper, CV-MT003  GOSSAMER, and the apricot hearts from the ENAMEL SHAPES pack. Super pretty! The hearts in the RADIANT paper ring are embellished similarly but, this time there is a break or space between the butterflies, and enamel hearts. Pink hearts are used for this ring.  

Moving inwards, the embellishing reflects the smaller size of the hearts. The larger butterflies are avoided, and white enamel hearts only feature on every fourth heart in the ring. 

The last ring is kept free of adornments, allowing for more focus on that darling photo!

That photo really is the sweetest! 

To draw even more attention to it, I tuck one of the GOSSAMER butterflies beneath the photo. I add that gorgeous DIE CUT EPHEMERA sentiment as my subtitle, and use the CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS arrows to direct your eye into my photo. Unlike the rest of the design, these embellishments are not symmetrical, but on closer inspection you'll note that I've applied them using the visual triangle 'rule of three' to maintain that sense of order within the layout design. So simple and yet, so carefully considered!

The final detail to this darling page is the title. I feature that divine CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKERS Precious, & I support this title with a fussy cut butterfly, and an ACCESSORY STICKER sentiment, So Much Love. For finishing touches, I add a chipboard heart, and that delicate VELLUM ACCENTS butterfly.

And there you have it! 

Beautiful, simple designs that highlight our precious memories!

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with the pretty More Than Words collection!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: More Than Words Mini Album

Hi Friends!

My turn to share the Cocoa Vanilla Studio love,

with my sweet take on the make it 'mini' themed assignment!

I just adore creating mini albums & for today's mini I am making a feature of the fabulous 

6 x 6 PAPER PAD!

ALL the papers featured in this album are from this paper pad - so cool!

Let's get started....

"Picture Perfect" Mini Album

Oh.my.heart!!! 

How beautiful is our More Than Words collection?!! So super pretty! 

The dimensions for this mini are 3" x 6", so we can make the most from our 6 x 6 PAPER PAD papers. I have made the cover from chipboard sheets which I cut to size. 

No chipboard? No problems! 

Simply recycle the cardboard from your cereal boxes; 

it's fairly sturdy without being too thick, and makes an excellent substitute!

I decorate my cover with the pretty grey chevron paper, as well CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER frames & banner. I also embellish the cover with ACCESSORY STICKERS, ENAMEL SHAPES & some coordinating ribbons and tassels from my stash. 

Here's a closer look....

Wonderful, indeed! Such a lovely lil keepsake album! 

Let's look inside....

Does it get any cuter?!! Just adore these two!

I back my chipboard cover with the butterfly pattern paper, and embellish it with a DIE CUT EPHEMERA sentiment and a CHIPBOARD TITLE STICKER heart. Simple, but very pretty!

Now to create all the pages!

The 6 x 6 PAPER PAD papers are single sided, so back two sheets together at a time, and then trim them straight down the center ( 3" x 6" size). Repeat this process until you have acquired enough pages to 'tell your story'! Such a quick & easy mini album to create! With so many pretty patterns in this pad, your only difficulty will be deciding which ones to use!

I embellish my first page with that gorgeous CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER frame for my darling photograph, ACCESSORY STICKERS, CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER heart & those sweet ENAMEL SHAPES. Gor-jus!!!

So sweet! & that ledger paper is just divine!

To add emphasis & interest to these sweet pages, I've divided them with sheet of vellum from my stash, as well as added a 'punched' trim to the edge of the page on the right hand side. Such soft and subtle points of interest really create that sense of special and something to treasure!

Loving that CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER Hello Lovely - the perfect adornment to this photo! Such pretty pages for my darling girl!

The next pages are for my Mr Cool Kid......

LOVE this for sure!

I've opted for the blue and grey tones in the MORE THAN WORDS collection to create a more masculine feel, as well as those fun arrow embellishments. Awesome!

Lots of ACCESORY STICKERS  and DIE CUT EPHEMERA pretties here!

More of the cool kid!  

This time I've used the CLEAR STAMPS over the vellum sheet for a bolder, more masculine look!

Nawwww! Such a cutie! The Love that face EPHEMERA sums it up perfectly!

More DIE CUT EPHEMERA love with that divine, soft floral frame! Just beautiful!

Also, how fabulous is this that CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER?

 Not only is the sentiment super sweet, but it also serves as a terrific focal point for this single photo spread.

I've doubled up on DIE CUT EPHEMERA labels here to create balance within my design.

I love the continuity of the typewriter font journal stickers from the ACCESSORY STICKERS - a firm, core fave of mine from all of the Cocoa Vanilla Studio collections!

Last page in my mini & isn't it the sweetest?! An unforgettable moment in time that I am so glad I've documented!

For finishing touches, I add pom pom trim to the edge of the chipboard cover for added interest and texture. 

Put the cover & pages all together, punch with your Crop-A-Dile or similar hole punching tool. Attach with metal rings & Voila!

A super simple, but OH-so pretty, mini album in minutes! Love it!

I hope you're feeling inspired to use your Cocoa Vanilla Studio 6 x 6 PAPER PADS for mini albums!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Spellbinders Guest Designer!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

I am so honoured (& a tad super excited) to be a Guest Designer this month for Spellbinders!

Spellbinders create the most beautiful and intricate metal dies - I LOVE them all!

For my post today, I am using the following dies.....

Shapeabilities Flowers Whisper 

Etched Dies Good Vibes Only Collection by Stephanie Low

& 

Shapeabilities Leaves So Very Gorgeous

Etched Dies Good Vibes Only Collection by Stephanie Low 

I know, how pretty!!!

And so many creative possibilities too!

Here's what I've created with them....

Oh sigh! Aren't these cards just divine!?!!

I told you they are the most intricate and beautiful die cut designs! 

*Swoon!*

Let's take a closer look at each card.....

For my 'deer' love..... 

For this card I use the Crate Paper Maggie Holmes: Flourish collection, ribbon and Nuvo Drops in Bubblegum pink as well as both of the Etched Dies. 

You'll see that I have cut the Flowers Whisper die multiple times to create layers and dimension for that focal flower. I strongly recommend using a fine line glue for adhering those tinier, fiddly pieces together. I foam mount this feature flower onto the Leaves So Very Gorgeous die. The leaves are cut in white cardstock and I partially inlay them for added interest. 

Simple, pretty, layered dies! Love it! 

For my second card, "Grow with Love", I use the same papercraft supplies but also use the 

Spellbinders PLATINUM PK 3 poster board. 

Hard to believe, but this gold foil card cuts like buttah!!!

Amazing!

For this card I use the other leaf flourish from the Leaves So Very Gorgeous set. I repeat cut it, and layer the two gold leaves with a white cardstock one.

 Lovely layers for beautiful results!

Absolutely Stunning! 

And because these dies are just SO pretty, I had to make one more card.....

Nothing says delicate beauty more than Cocoa Vanilla Studio!
I have used their More Than Words collection for this soft and pretty thankyou card.
This time, I cut the Leaves So Very Gorgeous die in pattern paper, and attacked it with my scissors!
Yes - all those leaves are all from the one die cut! Cut your die cuts to create new looks! Such a cool idea & doesn't it look lovely?!!

So very thankful to Spellbinders for having me Guest Design for them!

I hope I have inspired you to visit the Spellbinders Store HERE and see more of their incredible products!

Thanks so much for visiting,
til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo