Technique Tuesday: Memory Keepers & Fresh Cut Studio: January - Sweet As Candy!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Technique Tuesday inspiration! 

Today I am sharing a scrapbook layout created with the fabulous January edition of the 

Memory Keepers & Fresh Cut Studio products! 

This month's release is Sweet As Candy & looks like this....

Oh how super sweet, indeed! 

Such a super cute stamp & coordinating die set!

Get this amazing bundle in the Technique Tuesday shop HERE

OR

Find out about becoming a Technique Tuesday Member HERE and save even more!

Here's what Technique Tuesday has to say about these delicious new products, 

"If you're like a kid in a candy store and want it all, this Sweet as Candy stamp set with matching craft dies is a dream come true! These coordinating stamps and dies with a candy jar can be filled with your favorite pile of sweet treat stamps. Children will love getting a Valentine you made featuring their favorite jar of sweets. Or make a colorful tag to go on a box of candies you're giving a friend. Use the small individual candy clear stamps and dies to scatter treats on cards or party decor, or create a whimsical candy border. These matching stamps and dies with a jar and candy will tempt every sweet tooth!"

***Shop the Sweet As Candy Stamps & Die Set HERE***

Here's my super sweet 8.5" x 11' scrapbook layout created with these products....

"Love You"

Sigh! Could it get any sweeter?!

Technique Tuesday Supplies: Sweet As Candy Stamp & Die Set, Candy Jar Crafting Dies, Say It 2 - Love You Crafting Dies, Oval & Rectangle Stitched Labels Crafting Dies. 

Other Supplies: Crate Paper Main Squeeze & La La Love You scrapbook collections, American Crafts - White & Gold Glitter Cardstocks, SpiegelMom Scraps Malibu Sunset sequins, Scrapbook.com ink pads.

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

February really does make everything sweeter!

How divine are those teeny stamped sweets?!! 

I just adore them! & the best part?

 Technique Tuesday clear stamps are always super crisp and a pure delight to work with! Love! 

Here's a closer look at those stamped wrapped sweets....

SO cuuuuute!

You'll also spy that I stamped one of the Sweet As Candy sentiments (You make everything sweeter) onto some white cardstock, and then used the Technique Tuesday Oval & Rectangle Stitched Labels Crafting Dies to cut it out and look all fancy! Such a fabulous lil label! 

But it's the sequin shaker, sweets jar that I am especially smitten with....

Oh how good is this?!! 

I can't get enough of that darling Candy Jar Crafting Die!!!

I cut mine out in golden glitter cardstock, (as well as the tiny hearts included in this set) and really made a feature of them! Gor-jus!

You'll see that I arranged the candy jar lid to be 'open' and have stamped an array of sweets sprinkling out of it.....

Gosh, it's just so darn cute!!! 

The perfect Memory Keepers & Fresh Cut Studio set for documenting my sweethearts!

Sweet As Candy Stamps & coordinating Crafting Dies are ideal for Valentine's gifts and cards!

But, I hope my project has inspired you to use this month's Memory Keepers & Fresh Cut Studio release for documenting your loved ones too! 

Visit Technique Tuesday for more Memory Keepers & Fresh Cut Studio inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: Love You Lots Stamp Feature!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio awesomeness! 

Today I am shining the product spotlight on the fabulous new, Love You Lots Stamp! 

As always, the Elle's Studio stamps have my heart! 

I mean seriously, Elle's Studio stamps are simply the BEST! 

I get so excited for the stamp release every month - SO good! 

But enough of the chatter, here's that amazing stamp in action with my latest layout, 

"Love You"

Elle's Studio Supplies Featured: Love You Lots Stamp, Love Is 6 x 8.5" Paper Stack, I Adore You Stickers, La La Love You Puffy Stickers, Little Moments Leatherette Stickers. 

Other: Machine Stitching, Scrapbook.Com Hybrid Premium Inks - Black & asstd. colors, Bazzill Basics Avalanche Cardstock. 

Oh my heart! Love You Lots, indeed! What a terrific stamp set! From the fabulous hand drawn heart icons to the labels, phrases and sentiments, this stamp certainly has it all! I couldn't resist getting a bit inky and created a super sweet page of me and my true love!

Here's a closer look at my scrapbook page....

Isn't this just gorgeous?! Those hand drawn hearts inspired me to create a hearts on hearts design, and once I got stamping I just couldn't stop! 

As my photo was black and white, I knew I could opt for any color scheme, and the pretty striped paper from the Love Is 6 x 8.5" Paper Stack was to good to refuse! It totally dictated the colors I chose to stamp with and gave me all the feels! 

(Who doesn't love a rainbow of hearts, right?) 

I trimmed my cardstock down to 11" x 12" and then butted strips of this awesome striped paper down the sides of my layout. 

Next, I took a few of my fave coordinating ink pads and stamped up a variety of both the solid and hand drawn hearts. I fussy cut them out, and organized them into color order in accordance with the Love Is paper.  I then arranged them onto my cardstock base in a large heart shape. Rather than gluing, I machine stitched these hearts into place so that I could fold back the hearts to create a 'wing-like' dimensional effect. I just love how effective this looks! 

In keeping with the orderly design, I then repeat stamped a mix of the sentiments to fill the inside of the large heart. I loved how this looked, but to break up the monotony of the stamped words & add more visual appeal, I also added the occasional color coordinating sticker. 

The mix of textures, in particular the combination of the puffy stickers, the leatherette stickers and the stamped and folded hearts really added that 'extra' something to this fun and playful design!

With so much color in the stamping, I wanted to keep my photograph simple and understated. I decided to avoid backing it with colorful paper, and instead just layered it over the fabulous larger stamped heart. 

I embellished my photo with a sticker or two, but otherwise left it pretty plain so it would stand out against all that delicious inky color! Perfect!

For finishing touches and a polished look, I added the black sentiment La La Love You Puffy Stickers around the exterior of the large heart. Last but by no means least, I had to add some journaling with our amazing Love You Lots Stamp! Striking black ink ensured that this journal spot was easily identified and bold in its intention. Love it! 

Bright & beautiful stamping for the win! 

I hope I have inspired you to get a lil inky with the fabulous Love You Lots Stamp! 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: Be Mine, Valentine! Card Set

Hi Friends!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I just adore this happy holiday! 

And to celebrate, I'm sharing a trio of

Elle's Studio Valentine's Day Cards! 

If you saw my February Reveal Day post, you'll already know that the 

Elle's Studio February Kit is all kinds of amazingness! 

It has so many elements that are perfect for Happy Heart Day crafts! 

( If you missed this post, you can go back & check it out HERE ) 

***You can also shop ALL the Elle's Studio products in the shop here***

I couldn't wait to use all the pretty pinks, reds & hearts for LOVE day cards....

Sigh! Aren't they the sweetest cards?! 

I just love how versatile the Elle's Studio Kits are - perfect for all types of crafting! 

Each card is created with a 3 x 4 journal card from the February Kit, and is then layered with two sheets of pattern papers from the All My Heart 6 x 6 Paper Stack. They're all mounted onto white card bases, and adorned with a few of my fave Elle's Studio embellishments! 

A really simple design to replicate, but oh so effective!

Here's a closer look at each one....

Gosh, these pretty colors have my heart! So elegant! 

Elle's Studio Supplies: February Exclusive Kit, All My Heart 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Puffy Icon Stickers, Real Life Phrase Stickers, Jane Alphabet Stickers - Red.

 Isn't this fun?!! Such a cute card!

Elle's Studio Supplies: February Exclusive Kit, All My Heart 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Jane Alphabet Stickers - Red, Noteworthy Puffy Stickers. 

Beautiful! 

Elle's Studio Supplies: February Exclusive Kit, All My Heart 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Puffy Icon Stickers, Die Cut Labels, Jane Puffy Alphabet Stickers - Black, Noteworthy Puffy Stickers.

And there you have it! 

A trio of cards to share with a special someone for Valentine's Day!

I hope I have inspired you to get creative with your Elle's Studio Kits! 

***Shop ALL the latest releases in the Elle's Studio Shop HERE***

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

The Cut Shoppe: XOXO With Love!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more The Cut Shoppe digital cut file inspiration!

Today I'm sharing a Happy Heart Day themed layout featuring the awesome With Love file!

"XOXO"

Sigh!!!! 

All.the.heart.eyes for these two darlings! 

Absolutely gorgeous!!! 

And the best part? 

The With Love file is a FREE one! Yessss! 

Love me a freebie!

Here's a closer look at the file.....

Download your Freebie FriYAY With Love cut file HERE. 

Let's take a closer look at all this Valentine's sweetness......

I cut the With Love file in a pretty watermelon red cardstock, then back it with pattern papers from Crate Paper's Main Squeeze collection. Using my Fine Liner, I glue the back of the cut file - but only along the outline of the large heart. I attach it to my big photograph, and once dry, I fold all the connecting smaller hearts (a bit like butterfly wings) & then fussy cut the excess photo away. 

The result is simply stunning!!! 

The large black and white photo is so striking against all that pink & red! 

& I just love the texture and dimension the folded hearts create!

For added interest, I create a light layer of mixed media to mount the With Love file & photograph onto. I've used Shimmerz Paints Vibez in Sweetheart & Razzeldazzel Berry around the edge of where the heart  will be positioned. So many pretty splatters and droplets! 

**Remember if you're shopping in the Shimmerz Paints store HERE to type code AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a FREE paint** 

(no minimum spend, not valid with any other offers & code has unlimited order use) 

I use the glossy black Main Squeeze 6 x 12 Puffy Phrase Stickers for my title, & subtitles. The remainder of my layout is lots of embellishing with an assortment of puffy hearts, heart stickers, glitter hearts and even sequins! 

Simple, sweet & a perfect cut file for any of your Heart Day projects!

I hope I've inspired you today! 

Grab the With Love file from The Cut Shoppe store HERE! 

Thanks so much for visiting, 

Hope you all have a very Happy Heart Day on the 14th! 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Happy Together!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

 Today's layout is inspired by Valentine's Day and features the beautiful Midnight collection!

Also, it's a very rare moment when hubby & I get in front of the camera at the same time - 

so I just had to make the most of this photo! 

So endearing to document our happy union!

 And today we celebrate our wedding anniversary - 

so a very special layout and post for me personally, too!

But enough of the gushy stuff, here's my loved up layout,

"Happy Together"

So very happy together! The sweetest! Happy Anniversary to us!

Isn't this pretty?! I've featured the divine script pattern from the reverse side of paper, CV-MN005 MOONLIGHT as my background. I used pattern paper, CV-MN002 SHINE BRIGHT for the cut file heart, and paper pieced the linked hearts with assorted pink papers from the 6 x 8" PAPER PAD. I use these same 6 x 8" papers as layers beneath my cherished photograph. So beautiful!

Note: The cut file featured is a free one from The Cut Shoppe & is called With Love.

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

Sigh! Such a happy moment documented!

Before I attached the cut file heart, I added lots of paint splatters and even lightly coloured a few of the pattern paper edges. That fabulous title is part CHIPBOARD PIECES & part CARDSTOCK TITLES - I just love how they coordinate so perfectly together!

I foam mounted the 'together' die cut title for added dimension and to better match it's CHIPBOARD counterpart.
Speaking of titles, you'll also spy that I used the DIE CUT EPHEMERA subtitle, XOXO at the top of the heart.

Such pretty details! This title was also foam mounted for extra dimension, before being layered onto the heart cut file. I tucked a DIE CUT EPHEMERA & ACCESSORY STICKER bloom beneath it all too. SO gorgeous! Lots of pretty paint splatters and Cocoa Vanilla Studio sequins as well!

There are so many lovely embellishments in this collection, and I couldn't resist layering a few of them together! I adorn my photo cluster with DIE CUT EPHEMERA, CHIPBOARD PIECES & some ACCESSORY STICKERS too. Aren't the hand drawn hearts and blooms divine?!!

Such a simple page design, and yet oh-so-beautiful! It really is a dream to create with the Midnight collection!

I hope my layout has inspired you to get creating with Midnight today!

Thanks so much for visiting,

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

 Amanda xo

Elle's Studio: Love You Layout!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio awesomeness!

The January 2019 Kit and New Releases are SO incredibly awesome!
I just haven't been able to stop creating with them!
Visit my previous post HERE to see ALL the new things
(and what I created for New Release Day!)

Here's a super fun mixed media layout I've created using my fave new Happy Heart Stamp,

"LOVE YOU"

Oh.my.heart!!! Love you more than words can say!
What a precious page!

Elle's Studio Supplies: January 2019 Kit, Happy Heart Stamp, All My Heart 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Sweetheart Puffy Stickers, So Loved Shipping Tags, Love You Acrylic, Wood Veneer Hearts, Large Jane Alphabet Stamp - Solid,  Jane Alphabet Stickers - Black, 12 x 12 Family Fun Paper Collection

Other Supplies: AC - Pale Pink Cardstock, Jo Sonja's White Gesso, Shimmerz Paints: Spritz - Ruby & Cotton Candy, Vibez: Quit Yer Winen, Umbrella Crafts Premium Dye Ink - Red, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Picked Raspberry, MME Enamel Dots & Decorative Brads, Baker's Twine. 

So many beautiful details to this layout - let's take a closer look.....

WOW!!!

The January Kit is amazing, but the Add On items are totally swoon worthy!

I can't decide what I love most - SO good!!!

From the Love You Acrylic, to the striking black & white So Loved Shipping Tags and the Sweetheart Puffy Stickers -  I am in memory keeping heaven! 

And let's not even get me started on the incredible Happy Heart Stamp!!! LOVE!

Speaking of incredible stamps, I used the fabulous Large Jane Alphabet - Solid Stamp with Raspberry ink to fill the printed Love You tag. So cool!

The January Kit and exclusive Add Ons are so perfect for Valentine's / Happy Hearts Day creating! 

That mixed media base is all kinds of awesome! 

Repeat stamping for the win!!!

Shop the Happy Heart Stamp HERE!

or

***Shop ALL the Elle's Studio New Releases HERE***

I hope you enjoyed seeing my layout today, 

I may have another Happy Heart Stamp layout for you in a few days time - 

so be sure to check back for more Elle's Studio inspiration!

Thanks so much for visiting today. 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: February Polka Dot Party!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues fun!

Today I am playing along with the super fun 

Yayyy!!! Who doesn't love a bit of polka fun?!!

Spotty dots for the win!

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

"I Heart You"

All the polka dots AND hearts!!!

Love this!

And aren't my two darlings just the cutest! Such a happy moment captured!

I couldn't resist using the dotty pattern papers in the Crate Paper: Main Squeeze line - they're too sweet! As well as polka dot papers, I also featured a few spotted hearts and even a dot stencil for my background! SO much fun!

You'll also spy Chipboard Stickers, Sweetest Puffy Thickers, 6 x 12 Stickers & even Ephemera adorning my sweet layout.

But it's those super CUTE Heart Tassels that are my faves from this collection - LOVE!!!!

And for my background? 

Well, that Shimmerz Paints, of course!

I used Spritz: Ruby & Vibez: Sweet Heart for misting and droplets, and then applied Paste-eez Salt of the Earth for the stenciled dots. So cool!

And there you have it!

My quick take on this month's Paper Issues Polka Dot Party!

I can't wait to see your take on this challenge!

Upload your creations in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group HERE

& go in the draw to win a Paper Issues Gift Card!

Need Crate Paper supplies & more?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off!

Shop in the Shimmerz Paints store HERE

& Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order & you'll receive a free gift!

Yessss! AMANDA = free paint!

Thanks for stopping by today!

til next tine, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: More Than Words for Valentine's Day!

Hi Cocoa Vanilla Studio Friends & Fans!

Amanda here, & I am so excited to be sharing some very pretty Valentine's Day inspiration with our new More Than Words collection. This collection is so swoon worthy! & with the big heart day tomorrow, there's still plenty of time for you to create this sweet Valentine gift and card set.....

Oh isn't this lovely?! 

 And it really is super easy to create!

I made my own heart wreath from cane strips, but you can find plenty of pre-made wreaths at florists, and gift stores. I gave mine a rough coat of white gesso, and twisted some soft pink wool around it to soften those edges. 

The fun part is all the embellishing!  

Select your fave recent photo of your Valentine, choose a sentiment (I cut out the Love You To Bits card from pattern paper CV-MT006 TREASURE ) and heat up your glue gun!

I arrange DIE CUT EPHEMERA pieces, CHIPBOARD STICKERS, & a FLAIR BUTTON around my heart and once happy with their position, I hot glue them into place. I string up the EPHEMERA feathers with twine, and dangle them from the base of the heart. I love the interest this creates! 

I also layer quite a few of EPHEMERA pieces......

 

SO pretty! Those butterflies are just divine!

And the FLAIR are always so perfectly coordinated! Such a sweet gift!

Now for the card....

You make my heart sing, indeed! Such a lovely card to give to your beloved!

I start with a 6" x 4" white card, and use pattern papers from the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD. These smaller size designs are perfect for cardmaking!

I embellish my card with a DIE CUT EPHEMERA frame, and then adorn it with CHIPBOARD STICKERS, & ACCESSORY STICKERS. 

Simple, but oh so effective!

And there you have it!

 A very beautiful (but super quick & easy) Valentine!

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

Thanks so much for visiting, & Happy Valentine's Day!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: February Product Highlight: XOXO Stamp

Hi Lovelies!

It's a new month and I have so many gorgeous new Elle's Studio projects to share with you all!

Today's Product Highlight post is all about our gorgeous XOXO Stamp, 

and I've teamed it up with our stunning January Kit and New Releases.
Before we get started, here's a quick look at our January Kit......

And those delighful add ons (including the XOXO Stamp)

Awesome!

So today, I'm getting inky! 

Well, at least my fingers are! Lol! 

Have you checked out our fabulous XOXO Stamp yet?!

It's all kinds of awesome and would suit a variety of projects and creations!

I've created a traditional 12 x 12 layout with it today, and oh me oh my, this was SO much fun!!!

"Love You"

I told you that stamp was all kinds of awesome! ;) 

For my layout background, I start with a quick mist of Shimmerz Paints: Vibez in Sweet Heart & Princess.

 As soon as it dries, I repeat stamp the tiny hearts & xo's cluster stamp in a coordinating purple ink pad color. I do this throughout the inky base area - trying to keep it uneven and less structured. 

This builds interest and color to the base, and draws your eye into my super sweet photograph. 

For my larger, hand drawn heart stamps & title love you, I stamp onto a scrap piece of white cardstock using a variety of pinks, reds, and purple ink cubes. 

I love stamping this way as I can fussy cut the stamped images that I am happy with, and arrange on my layout without any mess, or stress!

That title is really stunning.....

And by keeping the white cardstock rim, it still stands out despite the similarly colored background. Such a simple but effective technique to try with our clear stamps. 

Here's another view for you -  I just adore that sweet arrow!!!

I think you'll agree with me that the XOXO Stamp is just divine!!!

I complete my layout with our gorgeous January Kit items, XOXO 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Love You Die Cuts and Hugs & Kisses Puffy Stickers. Perfection! 

I hope I have inspired you to give the fabulous Elle's Studio XOXO Stamp a try! 

You wont regret it!

Shop all your Elle's Studio favorites HERE

Thanks so much for visiting, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo