Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Stay Unique!

Hi Crafty Friends!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing another butterfly theme layout with the gorgeous HAPPINESS collection. 

This time I've taken some inspiration from fellow teamie,

  Anna Komenda ('cos she's one awe-inspiring creative!) 

& I just love how it turned out - hope you like it too!

"Stay Unique"

Wow! Isn't this super pretty?!!

I love a good grid design, & when I saw Anna using butterflies for the 'boxes' I knew I'd have to lift her design! It's seriously SO cool! I've mixed mine up a bit though, & created a fun new look with our beautiful HAPPINESS pattern papers, LOVE!!!

I started with the fabulous polka dot pattern paper, CV-HA002 SPRINKLES as the 12inch base. I used my silhouette software to arrange the butterfly cut file ( Butterfly Wings courtesy of The Cut Shoppe) into a grid design. I cut out all 9 butterflies and saved the 'off-cut' negative to create my background with. I trimmed the white cardstock 'off-cut' to 11" x 11" and then proceeded to back all the butterflies. I selected pattern papers, CV-HA009 MEADOW & CV-HA004 FRAME OF MIND and alternated them throughout the white cardstock background. I love how pretty the pink and blue/green silhouettes look! Simply stunning!

Next, I used a sheet of 'fun foam' to back the entire 11" base, before gluing it onto the SPRINKLES base. This gave my layout a little lift and added some subtle dimension too! With the base of the layout completed, the rest of the layout was all about my sweet photo and embellishments!

On the pink butterflies, I layered one of the cut file butterflies, followed by a fussy cut pink butterfly from pattern paper, CV-HA008 BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL.  

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

Simple and yet, oh so effective! Beautiful!

I chose to leave the FRAME OF MIND butterflies free from embellishments, as the detailed design on the pattern is just too pretty to cover, don't you think? That said, I did end up covering two of them with my CARDSTOCK TITLES, Stay Unique, but I tried to keep that lovely pattern visible. 

Next, I applied a few painty splatters of color in the center of the page, spreading out towards the butterflies. This subtle hint of colour breaks up all the white and adds that extra point of interest. Once dried, I built my photo cluster over the center butterfly....

You'll spy that I used the brush stroke CLEAR STICKERS (complimenting the previously applied paint splatters) beneath the cluster, & then added in some DIE CUT EPHEMERA blooms. I foam mounted my sweet girl's photo, and then embellished it with a DIE CUT EPHEMERA sentiment label & 2 pretty butterflies. I tucked in the beautiful sentiment from the ACCESSORY STICKERS, and finished off with that awesome FLAIR BUTTON.  For final touches, I added a few more CLEAR STICKERS around the page.

And there you have it!

Super beautiful creating with the HAPPINESS collection!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my project today, & feel inspired to get creating today!

Thanks so much for your kind comments & support!

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 

The Cut Shoppe: Floral Wreath, Happy Times!

Hi Lovelies! 

Today I am sharing my final project for The Cut Shoppe Design Team!

I have absolutely LOVED creating for this awesome team, 

and wish Ashley & The Cut Shoppe all the very best! 

 For my final layout, I have created a super pretty Spring inspired number with the gorgeous new Floral Wreath cut file!

Teamed with the beautiful and bright Cocoa Vanilla Studio Happiness collection, this layout is a floral dream!

Here's my layout,

"Happy Times"

Oh isn't this gor-jus?!!

The new Floral Wreath is simply stunning! 

I have cut the wreath in white cardstock, and backed it with two of the Happiness 6 x 8" Paper Pad papers. 

Here's a better look at the Floral Wreath......

LOVE!!!!! Absolute floral perfection!

Shop the fabulous Floral Wreath in The Cut Shoppe HERE

Here's a closer view of my layout.....

To create soft dimension & interest to my wreath, I fold some of the flower petals upwards. I also embellish some of the flower centers with fussy cut butterflies, die cuts, sequins and even a flair button! 

So very pretty! The sequins are the 'Dragon Tales' mix from Spiegelmom Scraps, and they add just the right amount of sparkle to this girly page! 

So my photo isn't lost among all those bright & beautiful florals, I print it in black & white, and also mount it with a die cut frame. Perfect!

I layer my title, happy times, over the wreath too! 

And for finishing touches, I surround the Floral Wreath with hearts and more of those gorgeous sequins! 

And there you have it! 

Spring perfection! 

I hope you feel inspired to use this cut file in your creating! 

Shop the Floral Wreath in The Cut Shoppe HERE.

Thanks so much for visiting, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

The Cut Shoppe: All Heart

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more super fun, digital cut file inspiration!

Today I am sharing a cute & sweet layout of my two darlings with 

The Cut Shoppe's,  All Heart file....

"Here Together"

Isn't this adorable?!!

I have combined the All Heart file with the beautiful Pinkfresh Studio: Everyday Musings collection. So bright & beautiful! A really cute & fun page! & those colors just scream Spring! 

The All Heart cut file is one of my all-time favorites! 

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

Such a fabulous design! & you can never have too many hearts! 

Get the All Heart digital cut file from The Cut Shoppe HERE.

Here's a few close up shots of my layout....

Those hearts are really something! 

Loving the mixed colored alphas over the red ones - so fun!  

I layered my sweet framed photo through the center of the design, and embellished it with a few stickers. You'll notice that I kinda filled the hearts in rainbow order, so to draw more attention to my photo, I only used blue embellishments. So striking!

The All Hearts file is ALL kinds of awesomeness! 

I hope my layout has inspired you to use it too! 

Get the All Heart cut file from The Cut Shoppe HERE

Thanks so much for visiting, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

The Cut Shoppe: Tic Tac XO - I Like You Lots!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for more digital cut file inspiration with my latest creation for The Cut Shoppe! 

Today I am sharing more of the love theme for February!

What can I say, I love all the heart day things!

Here's my layout of my two darlings being very sweet together,

"I Like You Lots"

Nawww! SO adorable!

I have featured the awesome Tic Tac XO cut file & combined it with the Crate Paper: Main Squeeze and La la Love lines. Super sweet!

That Tic Tac XO digital cut file is all kinds of awesomeness!

Here's a closer look at it...

Such a fun design - LOVE!!!

Grab the Tic Tac XO cut file from The Cut Shoppe HERE.

I've cut it with Main Squeeze pattern paper, Spark, and machine stitched the grid lines onto the white cardstock base.

I just adore the tiny hearts pattern paper! Perfect for this larger designed background cut file!

I 'fill' the empty squares of the design with chipboard & ephemera pieces,

and layer my photo onto the heart center.

Lots of pretty heart embellishments adorn my central photo! You'll spy chipboard, glitter, stickers, die cut ephemera and even puffy sticker hearts embellishing this cluster. Love it! 

SO super adorable! 

Those smiley heart faces are perfect for my happy two, & are just the cutest! 

I like you lots, indeed! 

Such a darling layout for my two cherubs! 

I hope you liked my layout, & feel inspired to use the Tic Tac XO cut file in your love theme projects! 

Get this fabulous file from The Cut Shoppe HERE.

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

The Cut Shoppe: Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi Friends! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I am sharing a sweet Happy Hearts Day page for The Cut Shoppe. 

( 'cos there's no such thing as too many hearts, right? ) 

This one is a super sweet n fun, mom & son layout.....

"Happy Valentine's Day"

Sigh! Such a sweetheart! Love this boy! 

I have featured the fabulous Cross My Heart cut file, and combined it with Crate Paper's Main Squeeze collection. Such a fun & playful page! 

Here's a better look at the Cross My Heart file....

Awesome, huh?!

Such a fun digital file, & it also comes in a 12" x 12" size in the same download. 

Get yours from The Cut Shoppe HERE. 

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

Nawww! So Sweet, indeed!

I have backed the cut file with the Specialty Red Glitter Hearts Cardstock. 

Love those tiny sparkly hearts! Super effective! 

I foam mount the Cross My Heart file to the white cardstock base, creating both gentle dimension & interest. I then embellish the cut file hearts with a few Puffy Stickers from the Main Squeeze collection - aren't those rainbow ones just adorable?!!

My photo cluster and titles are layered over the mounted cut file, & I embellish the layout with a few more hearts. Perfect! 

So simple, SO SWEET! 

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today,
til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Pinkfresh Studio: Everyday Musings & February Challenge!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more Pinkfresh Studio inspiration! 

It's a new month, and that means time for a new monthly challenge! 

Here's what the February monthly challenge looks like.....

Oh what a gorgeous color palette!!!

I couldn't wait to dive into the new Everyday Musings collection and create a love themed project! 

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

"One Of A Kind"

Nawww! 

Love that man in the photo! We really do share a one of a kind love story!

I was instantly drawn to the colors in the February challenge and as such, made a real feature of the reverse sides of pattern papers, EVERYDAY,  & HAPPY PLACE. 

The pastel pink with the warm red are just too pretty together! 

I used the Half Hearted digital cut file (courtesy of The Cut Shoppe) to enhance the love theme, and backed it with those gorgeous pattern papers. 

I also used the EVERYDAY paper to trim the side edges of my layout too! Love it! 

To ensure my treasured photograph remained the focal point of my layout, I layered it onto a blue JOURNALING POCKET, and embellished with gold accents! The pop of blue really captures attention, and is just a bit preeeeeeetty! (Love me some blue!) 

You'll spy both DIE CUT EPHEMERA & PUFFY STICKERS with gold foil. I love the golden heart that I have used as a faux paperclip - too cute! 

My favorite embellishment though, is that divine LAYERED HEART STICKER! Gorgeous!

I feature more of the gold foil DIE CUT EPHEMERA for my foam mounted title, one of a kind.

For finishing touches, I added a few tiny heart PUFFY STICKERS to complete my page! 

Voila! 

Simple, sweet but oh so pretty! 

I hope that my take on the Pinkfresh Studio Monthly Challenge has inspired you to play along! 

See all the February Challenge details on the Pinkfresh Studio Blog HERE

Thanks so much for visiting today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo