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 

Citrus Twist Kits: Sunday Sketch!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog!

Today I'm presenting this week's installment of the

Citrus Twist Kits Sunday Sketch feature!

This sketch is tons of fun, and I hope I can inspire you to play along!

So, without further ado, here's what this week's Sunday Sketch looks like...

Told you it was a fun one! Such a cool design, and really easy to take inspiration from!

Here's my twist on it...

"Weekend Happiness"

Isn't this pretty?!! 

As you can see, I have altered the sketch (Or kinda trimmed the right hand side off) to create an 8" x 11" layout page. That's the wonderful thing about sketches, you can edit them to suit your creative style! 

Plus, after creating quite a few projects this month I really didn't have any 3"x 4" cards left over to 'perfectly' follow the sketch. Realistically, I could have cut my own 3" x 4" card from one of the Best Of This Life Pattern Papers, or used one of the July 2019 digital printable 3 x 4 Journaling Cards but I still needed to fit the sketch into a smaller page size. So, I decided to use the 2nd photo as the card, and replaced the paper clip with an embellishment or 4! 

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

Happiness, indeed! Ain't nobody loves the weekend like my sweet girl! In her own words, "Mondays be like, Meh! & when FriYAY calls I'm like, so there!" Ummm... yeah, teen lingo and whatever that means, lololol! 

Seriously though, such a super fun and playful page! 

I've used the Best Of This Life July Life Crafted Kit, the Life Crafted July 2019 Digital Cut Aparts & the Joyful Day Phrase Stickers (Pinkfresh Studio) from the July 2019 Scrapbooking Add On Kit. 

I have foam mounted the photo cluster to add a little more interest and some dimension to the design.

Speaking of clusters, how fantastic are all those embellishments in the top right of my photo?!

The puffy stickers in this month's kit are so fab! I'm loving the bright Summer colors and the sentiments are totally on point!

And let's not forget to mention my mixed title....

I have combined the bright colored WEEKEND ephemera with the Pinkfresh Studio Joyful Day phrase sticker, happiness to create my title. I love how effective this looks! 

You'll spy that I foam mounted the ephemera for added 'pop' against the phrase sticker. 

And there you have it!

Simple. Pretty. Lazy Sunday creating!

I wonder how you'll interpret this sketch?

Please be sure to add your projects to the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page HERE so we can be inspired by your awesomeness too! 

We LOVE seeing what everyone creates with their Citrus Twist Kits! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: Sunday Sketch!

Hi Friends! 

It's Sunday, and that can only mean one thing - let's get our sketch on!!! 

 I just love the Citrus Twist Kits: Sunday Sketch challenge! 

Such a fun & relaxing way to start off the week! 

Here's the sketch we're playing along with this week....

Isn't this a cool layout design?! 

Here's my take on it....

"Xmas"

Oh, what a cutie! Such a lovely Christmas moment documented!

CTK Supplies | Pleasant Valley Pocket Life Kit, Pattern Paper Kit 

(Crate Paper Merry Days pattern paper), & the December Embellishment Kit. 

Other: Watercolor paint droplets.

I have drawn on the colors in my darling photograph, and created a Christmas layout with no actual Christmas supplies. For this to be successful, I use a crisp white, mint and red color scheme, as well as puffy sticker stars and a reindeer die cut embellishment. Combined with my Christmas photo, it totally works! I have pretty much kept to the sketch design, only giving it a little Happy Arty Days twist! 

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

There are so many beautiful details here! From lovely layers to sweet embellishments - the Pleasant Valley Pocket Life Kit is really something! 

Loving the Puffy Sticker title, and those layered tags! 

I used those fabulous printed label stickers as my journaling, and the die cut hearts in place of the banner at the top of the page. Perfect! 

Simple. Sweet. Sketch complete! Now it's your turn! 

What will you create with this week's sketch?

Be sure to share your creating with us in the Facebook Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page HERE - we love seeing everything you make, & love to talk paper too! 

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: From Sketch To Finish Vol. 4 Inspiration!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

Have you checked out the fabulous 

Elle's Studio digital Sketch To Finish Vol. 4 PDF class yet?

 Like previous Volumes, this edition is jam packed full of fabulous sketches & inspiration to ignite your creativity and take the tricky out of the design process! 

Not to mention there's a ton of gorgeous sample layouts from a very talented array of paper artists! Trust me when I say, you need this Volume!

It's no secret that I LOVE a good sketch, it's kinda like an easy Sunday morning! 

Simply print out your fave sketch from the PDF, and go! 

Here's my take on Sketch 20 with our current November Kit and Add-ons.....

"Thanksgiving"

Elle's Studio Supplies: November Kit, Merry & Bright, November Labels, Thanksgiving Acrylic, Enjoying This Season Phrase Stickers, Navy Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Mixed Acrylic Hearts & Stars, Stars & Dots Puffy Stickers, Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers,  Family Fun 12 x 12 Paper Collection. 

So beautiful! 

I altered the sketch from it's 12" x 12" size to suit my 8.5" x 11" layout, and as such changed the dimensions of the layers beneath the photo too! 

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

With a square photo, & the new Merry & Bright 6 x 6 Paper Stack being oh-so awesome, it seemed a no brainer to replace the layers beneath the photo with a 6" inch pattern paper square. 

I use the beautiful green leaves pattern paper from the Family Fun 12 x 12 collection as my layout base, and draw on both the colors and Fall feel of this paper to connect with my photograph, and the thankful / togetherness theme. 

How amazing is that gold mirror Thanksgiving Acrylic?!! Such a striking title (& statement piece) for any of your memory keeping projects! 

I love that despite being so shiny, it doesn't draw your eye away from my special photograph. 

This is ultimately due to the clever title placement in this sketch design - 

see what I mean about taking the 'tricky' out of the process?

 Love it! 

 

The top section of my photo cluster features lots of tucked in die cuts, labels and a few of the exclusive November Kit 3 x 4 cards. The pops of blue in this month's kit coordinate beautifully with all the greens, and the Puffy Alphabet Stickers are a definite fave of mine! 

Sunday morning scrapbooking never looked so good! 

Print a sketch, add a photo & your fave Elle's Studio products and you've got a recipe for paper crafting perfection! 

I hope I have inspired you to check out this fabulous digital class! 

You can get yours from the Elle's Studio Shop HERE 

Thanks so much for joining me today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: Sketch Inspiration

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for more gorgeous inspiration with the Elle's Studio May Kit & Add-Ons!

For today's post I am creating a layout from this month's sketch inspiration.

 It's based on the 'Yes Please' layout in our April Gallery & is by the super talented Susan Brochu.

Here's what the sketch looks like....

Awesome, huh?!

 I've followed the sketch pretty closely, 
but I'm adding my 'twist' to it by using super bright colors, & adjusting all the proportions. 

Here's my take on it,

"Good FUN"

Good FUN, indeed! 

This is my two darlings on Easter morning eating chocolate bunnies, for breakfast, no less! 

Living the (chocolate) dream for sure! 

The bright, playful colors in this month's kit were perfect for documenting this happy moment!

And nothing says fun better than an over sized FUN wood veneer title, right?!

That veneer is just awesome, and the woodgrain contrasts beautifully against the rainbow of tags and labels! 

I love Susan's clever use of flags in her design.  I twist this idea, by arranging tags and labels into the flag style. I coordinate mine into similar color groups, and align each group with the veneer title, for maximum impact!

You'll also spy a few pretties from our new Noteworthy collection, including that super happy, yellow stripe, pattern paper base. Possibly a new fave o'mine! 

**The typewriter font journal trim beneath my photo cluster is actually the reverse side of the barcode strip from that same pattern paper** 

 

I should note that the 'good' veneer is from our Title Builder Vol. 2 Veneer set, and coordinates beautifully with our May kit! 

That FUN veneer title is a such a stand out feature!  

Stretching it across the page and adding the Puffy Heart stickers between the letters really adds emphasis to this already BIG impact title! So cool! 

 

Speaking of Puffy Heart stickers, you'll also spot the Gold Shapes and Dots adorning my layout too! 

  

 My photo cluster and layers are created from the 3 x 4" and 6 x 4" tags in the May kit, and embellished with some pretty Add-Ons, including those fabulous Play All Day Phrase Stickers.  Beneath these layers, I add a little tissue wrap from my stash to create dimension, texture & interest. 

And there you have it! 

My fun take on this fabulous sketch using the gorgeous May Kit, Add-ons & Noteworthy collection. 

I hope I have inspired you to get creating with these beautiful products! 

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

 Amanda xo