Altenew Wildflower Paper Crafting Collection Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

 

Hey Crafters & Altenew Friends!

Boy-oh-boy am I excited to be part of today's amazing 

Altenew Wildflower Paper Crafting Collection Release Blog Hop + Giveaway!

Enormous thanks to the lovely, and very talented Tenia Nelson for sending you here! If you haven't arrived here as part of the hop, please visit the Altenew Blog to get started. There are tons of giveaways, offers and so much inspiration that you won't want to miss a single thing!

If you haven't seen this stunning new collection yet, here's a quick look see for you...

Oh.my.heart!!! DIVINE! 

Shop all the Wildflower lovelies HERE

Like all Altenew release hops, there are some amazing giveaways happening...

Like $200 in total prizes! YAY!!!

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $20 gift certificate to 5 winners!

Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 05/05/2021 for a chance to win.  Altenew will draw 7 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 05/07/2021. Good Luck!

Blog Hop List:

Start here ---> Altenew Blog

Nathalie DeSousa

LauraJane

Patricia Roebuck

Virginia Lu

Michelle Short

Tenia Nelson

You are here --->   Amanda Baldwin

Karen Brown

Lilith Eeckels

Verity Biddlecombe

Maryam Perez

Jaycee Gaspar

Jenny Colacicco

Raquel Bowman

Erum Tasneem

Audrey Yeager

Kymona Tracey

Kelly Griglione

Kim Jeffress

Seeka

Zinia Redo

Bridget Casey

Victoria Calvin

Carol Hintermeier

Joylita Dsouza

Linda Westfall

Nandini Karmarkar

Sandhya Iyer

Terri Koszler

Helen Kalb

Wow! What an incredible line up and epic hop! 

So much inspiration!

Speaking of inspiration, here's what I've created with the beautiful Wildflower Collection, 

"Love" - 12 x 12 Scrapbook Layout

Oh how elegant! Such a beautiful collection to document life's beautiful stories with! 

Altenew Supplies Featured: Wildflower Collection Paper & Ephemera Bundle, Fine Frames Square Die Set, Instant Dimension Foam Tape & Cherry Blossom Enamel Dots. 

Let's take a closer look...

Swoon! I absolutely love this! Such a classical and majestic page!

I just adored creating with this amazing new collection! 

If you're interested, you can watch me craft this lovely layout in my process video at the end of my post.

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

From the regal color palette, to those darling blooms Wildflower is sure to set your crafty heart on fire! It's just soooooooooo pretty! 

 

Those florals are errrything!!!

So many beautiful details!

I'd love for you to watch my process video below or, if you prefer, watch it in Full HD over on my channel HERE. 

Thanks so much for watching, liking and subscribing to my channel. 

I really hope I have inspired you today!

***Please remember to leave a comment on this post to be entered into the giveaways draw***

& Good Luck!

Time to send you hopping over to the amazing  Karen Brown's blog, she has more wonderful creations to share with you! 

Thanks so much for visiting!

'til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: Throwback Thursday Inspiration & Video!

 

Hey Crafty Friends!

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing a super fun Throwback Thursday project with you! Infact, I had so much fun creating today's layout there's even a process video for you at the end of this post! Yay!

For today's edition of 'Throwback Thursday', I'm being inspired by this amazing layout created in April 2020 by our incredibly talented, Suzanna Lee! 

Told you it's amazing!!! Such a clever design, and one that instantly had my crafty fingers itching to make! That said, I didn't want to scraplift this layout, only use it as a starting point for my own variation.

So without further ado, here's my fun interpretation on the original...

"XO" - 12 x 12 Scrapbook Layout

Elle's Studio Supplies Featured: April 2021 Kit, Smile Cardstock Die Cuts, Springtime Stickers, Puffy Adventure Label Stickers, Acetate Heart Stickers, Cork Hearts, Love This Smile Stamp, & Celebrate 6x8.5inch Paper Stack. 

Other Supplies: Smooth Bazzill Cardstock - Coconut Swirl, Permanent Black Crisp Dye Ink, & Machine Stitching. 

Wow! That's quite a twist on Suzanna's design! 

I really loved her original, so it was important for me to maintain the integrity of her design, but also create something true to my own style! 

I personally love vertically aligned designs, so the first of my ideas was to rotate the original. I was also clearly inspired by Suzanna's large pattern paper cross over feature, which I interpreted as the letter X. One thing led to another, and my paper cross became a giant XO and formed my page title! To add more detail, and texture to my XO title, I machine stitched it into place. Such simple interpretations, but very noticeable differences!

Let's take a closer look at this sweet page...

I loved how Suzanna incorporated the 3x4inch pocket cards from the April Kit into her 12x12inch scrapbook page. I wanted to maintain this feature, but in a way that would emphasize my photograph, and fit well on the page. I opted to create a photo stack, with layered 3x4inch cards, and a couple of the Smile Cardstock Die Cuts. I foam mounted this stack for added dimension, and then embellished it with one of the Cork Hearts, and some Acetate Heart Stickers. 

It's no secret how much I love Elle's Studio stamps, so needless to say that my version had to include the Love This Smile Stamp! It prints so crisp & clear that it looks like I used stickers! Gotta love that! 

In keeping with Suzanna's page, I added a small embellishment cluster to the top left of my page. I also featured labels and journaling, as well as a heart (or two) to maintain the likeness of the design. However, where Suzanna had featured handwritten journaling, I simply scattered a few more Acetate Heart Stickers. To build up this section, I also tore the edge of the cardstock and added some pattern paper and a Springtime Sticker label behind it. This dramatized the edge of my page, but also aligned with my photograph to make my overall design more visually appealing. 

Lastly, I created another smaller embellishment cluster towards the bottom right of my page. This was not only similar to the original page, but also added balance to my design. 

And there you have it! The original was amazing, but I really do love how this variation reflects my signature style! If you'd like to know more, please watch my process video HERE.

Thanks so much for watching! I really hope you enjoyed my process video for Throwback Thursday, and feel inspired to get making! 

A huge thanks to Suzanna Lee for the amazing inspiration too! 

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Hip Kit Club: Product Focus & Process Video!

 Hi  Friends!

Welcome back for more Hip Kit Club inspiration!

Today I am shining the product spotlight on two of my favorite items from the December 2020 Hip Kits! First is the amazing Keeping Cozy Cardstock & Foil Bows from the December 2020 Embellishment Kit  - 'cos who doesn't love a good bow? They are SO sweet!  

And the second item is the divine floral pattern paper from the Main & Paper Kits,  which is aptly called, Pretty Floral. You'll also find a process video at the end of today's post too! 

But first, let's take a look see at what I've created with these two fabulous products!

 

"Winter Fun"

 

Oh how darling is this?! I told you that the Pretty Floral paper was just divine!!! Absolutely swooning over those fussy cut blooms! Let's take a better look...

 

 

Wow! Simple, elegant and so full of playful whimsy for my two children! As the pattern paper, Pretty Floral, is part of my product focus for today's post, I decided to use it 3 ways on my layout.

 

 

First, I fussy cut those florals and arranged them in a heart design to layer my photos onto. This floral heart feature really draws attention into my sweet photos - love it! Second, I took another sheet of this paper and used it's reverse side for my black & white plaid base. This is exactly why you need both the Main Scrapbook Kit AND the Pattern Paper Kit - being able to use both sides of a pattern paper makes creating a dream! And thirdly, I used the pretty peach branding strip to create the appearance of another paper layer behind my White Bazzill cardstock.  Such fun ideas to maximize this gorgeous paper!

 

 

Tiny bows are always for the win!  I created a faux kite string connecting to my floral heart to showcase these beautiful little bows! This really enhanced the playful vibe & childhood innocence of the layout.  The Cardstock & Foil Bows are truly a sweet embellishment!

 

 

For added whimsy and fun, I  featured the large Keeping Cozy Chipboard Stickers, Winter Fun, for my  title.

 

 

The Keeping Cozy Enamel Dots were the perfect embellishment to complete my page with! If you'd like a more detailed look at how I created this page, please watch my process video below:

 

Thanks so much for watching! 

I really hope you enjoyed my video & product focus post today! 

I can't wait to see what you create with these beautiful items! Be sure to upload and share your Hip Kit projects with us in the Hip Kit Club Facebook Group HERE

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Shimmerz Paints: May Color Kitz plus Process Video!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!

Let me tell you,  The May Collection: Color Kitz is simply exquisite!!!!

If you haven't seen it yet, it looks like this....

Told you it's gorgeous!!!

Here's a better look at those sweet paint colors...

Swoon! Aren't they just divine?!

And how beautiful is the exclusive NEW color: A Bright Fuchsia Coloringz - LOVE!!!

Race to the Shimmerz Paints store to secure this limited edition Color Kit HERE

Here's what I've created with these beautiful paints, 

"Here & Now"

Oh.my.heart! 

For the love of color!!! 

The May Collection Color Kitz is swoon worthy to say the least!

Let's take a closer look at my scrapbook layout.....

Sigh! Such bright and pretty details! 

***You can watch how I created this stunning page in my process video at the end of this post***

To begin with, I sprayed the large geo heart with the beautiful new A Bright Fuchsia Coloringz. 

Once dry, I hand stitched the outline of it using the silver embroidery thread (which is also included in the Color Kit). On some watercolor paper, I traced around the geo heart with a pencil, and then painted up this heart with the super shiny Angels Kiss Inklingz, followed by splatters of Paradise Punch Creameez, Moulin Rouge Shimmerz & Vibez Mustard Seed. I cut this painty heart out and then adhered it to the back of the silver stitched, fuchsia, geo heart. Simple, but so effective!

Before foam mounting the pretty painted geo heart to my cardstock base, I traced around the heart with a pencil. Using the packaging technique with the vibrant Vibez Mustard Seed, I created that stunning base to layer the geo heart onto. For added interest, I also applied lots of splatters and droplets in Paradise Punch Creameez, Moulin Rouge Shimmerz and A Bright Fuchsia Coloringz. 

With my geo heart in place, I then embellished with lots of fussy cut blooms and embellishments from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Happiness collection. 

The exclusive butterfly stickers and You Make My Heart Soar Dotz were the perfect adoornments to add that finishing touch to my page! 

So super beautiful!

Watch these beautiful paints in action in my process video HERE

Thanks so much for watching! 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with the beautiful  May Collection Color Kitz! 

**Shop Color Kitz here**

Til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: April Sketch Day!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog!

I am so excited to share today's fabulous sketch for Elle's Studio!

It's such a fun design, and I've even made a process video of this one too 

but before I get too carried away, here's what the sketch looks like...

Told you it was fun! Love this!

Sketches are a great way to remove the 'I don't know where to start' vibes, or even loosen up a design block! They discourage overthinking, and allow us to just simply enjoy the creative process! Here's what I created,

"Love This"

Love this, indeed!

Elle's Studio Supplies: April Kit, April Labels, Beautiful Day Die Cuts, Office Label Stickers, Life Right Now Stickers, Lovely Puffy Stickers, & Flourish 6 x 8.5" Paper Stack. 

Other Supplies: Bazzill cardstock - avalanche, watercolors, sewing machine, cotton thread, & doily.

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

Gosh, this is so pretty!!!

The colors and designs in the April Kit are really something!

When it comes to creating with a sketch, I always approach it with my photograph as the focus. For this particular layout, my photograph encouraged me to rotate the sketch by 90 degrees. You'll notice that my darling girl is positioned on the right hand side of my photo, & looking out to the left. By rotating the sketch I was able to compliment the movement in my photo, and flatter the directional flow. 

My photograph also dictated the color scheme for my layout too! 

When I looked through the April Kit note cards and the Flourish 6 x 8.5" Paper Stack papers I noticed that there were lots of coral & vermilion reds, peach, and mauve patterns which were not only really pretty, but also complimented my photo. The 'let the good times roll' sentiment card was the perfect descriptor of the memory associated with the photo plus it was also a clever camouflage to hide the join of the butted together pattern papers

 (A great trick for maximizing the 6 x 8.5" papers for 12 inch scrapbook pages).

At this point in my creating, I decided to 'mix things up' again and I rotated that sentiment card back to its original position. I diverted from the original sketch to make the design work better for me, and my storytelling. And that's the great thing about sketches - they get you 'started', but there's no rules and you can make it what you want! 

To add a bit more interest to my page, I machine stitched & foam mounted the mauve pattern paper layer. This soft and subtle texture really lifted the design. I also foam mounted my photo cluster for added dimension. Following on from the sketch, I embellished with lots of the Beautiful Day Die Cut florals, and Lovely Puffy Stickers. 

I mimicked the banner at the top of the original sketch with the floral banner note card, which I further embellished with more of the Lovely Puffy Stickers and some cotton twine. 

For finishing touches, I ventured away from the sketch once more. I featured a bit of journaling with the Life Right Now Stickers, and the Lovely Puffy Stickers and added lots of watercolor splatters to complete the look. 

For a more detailed approach including all the paper measurements, and to hear more of my thoughts on creating from a sketch, please watch my process video here: 

Or watch in Full HD HERE 

I hope you enjoyed watching my video and feel inspired to create along with today's sketch! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: April Kit & Process Video!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio inspiration! 

I know I say it every month, but oh.my.heart, this month's kit and new releases are so pretty!!!

Before I share what I've been creating with them, 

Here's a quick look at all the new products...

April Kit

Told you it was pretty! 

Just look at those Spring inspired colors and patterns! 

La la LOVE!!!!

April Add Ons & New Release Items

April showers bring May flowers!

So many beautiful new products!

And let's not forget our awesome Digital & Printable products too....

And just a reminder that you can still purchase the 

Title Builder Vol4 Stamp & Bundle Sets this month too! Yay!!!

I just adore this bundle set! 

***You can shop ALL the new Elle's Studio products HERE***

Here's some inspiration for you....

"Bloom Today" 

Mint, gray & daisies for my darling girl!

Could it get any prettier?

So light and fresh! 

Elle's Studio Supplies: April Kit, April Labels, Beautiful Day Die Cuts, Life Right Now Stickers, This Week Chipboard Stickers, Lovely Puffy Stickers, Springtime Tabs Stamp, Flourish Paper Stack, & Title Builder Vol.4 Stamp & Puffy Sticker Bundle Set. 

Other Supplies: Bazzill cardstock - Avalanche, WOW 'Em Embossing Pad, WOW 'Em Embossing Powder - Bright White and Misty Sky, black & mint stamping ink, doily, & sequins. 

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

So very lovely, indeed! 

From the pretty daisies to that fresh color scheme - it just screams Spring!!! 

And even better, I made a process video for this layout too! 

Watch it below or, click the link HERE to watch on my channel in Full HD. 

Thanks so much for watching! 

I hope my video has inspired you! 

Here's a few more close ups too....

I love this journal cluster on the left of the page!

So gorgeous!!!

Such a super sweet page!

My second layout is really striking and totally gor-jus...

"Favorite"

Wa. wa. WOW!!! 

Isn't this something?!!

Hard to believe that the tiny hexagons die cuts in the April Kit inspired this whole design! 

Elle's Studio Supplies: April Kit, April Labels, Beautiful Day Die Cuts, Life Right Now Stickers, This Week Chipboard Stickers, Lovely Puffy Stickers, Spring Wood Veneers, Springtime Tabs Stamp, & Flourish Paper Stack.

Other Supplies: Embroidery threads, sequins, staples, & black stamping ink. 

For this layout, I used the negative from the hexagon die cuts to trace onto the Flourish Paper Stack papers. I then fussy cut out all those tiny hexagons and arranged them in a fun and modern honeycomb design. 

I also created a sweet photo cluster by backing my photo onto a few layered note cards, and then embellished on & in-between my darling girl's photograph and each of the layers. 

For even more wow factor I added some hand stitching, sequins and stamped sentiments on and around the hexagons! SO cool! 

I couldn't resist using one of the Beautiful Day Die Cuts for my title - the bold black, and fun script font, really pop against all those hexagons! Love it! 

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

***You can shop ALL the Elle's Studio new products HERE***

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Be sure to stop back a lil later in the month for more Elle's Studio awesomeness!!!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo