Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Love You My Darling!

Hi Friends!

Time for a lil Cocoa Vanilla Studio Throwback Thursday inspiration!

One of my favorite scrapbook collections of all-time is the very beautiful WILD AT HEART line!

With so many gorgeous colors & patterns, I just couldn't resist creating with it again! 

Here's my latest layout,

"Love You Darling" 

Sigh! Love you my darling, indeed! Totally swoon worthy!

I took inspiration from the berry color in my daughter's shirt collar, as well as that lovely striped paper, reverse side, CV-WH006 FUSSY CUTS. This pretty paper trims both the top and bottom of my layout, and really defines my page. I create an ombre watercolor version of that pretty stripe through the center of my layout. This unifies my design, as the ombre watercolor look is a predominant feature in the WILD AT HEART collection. Many of the embellishments feature this stunning detail!

Let's take a closer look....

So.much.gorgeousness!

I embellish my sweet girl's photo with that pretty DIE CUT EPHEMERA frame, and tuck a few of the CV-WH006 FUSSY CUTS sentiment cards beneath it. I also tuck in a couple of the pink mini frames from the CHIPBOARD FRAMES pack, as well as CHIPBOARD & ACCESSORY STICKERS. 

Such a pretty photo cluster!

That CHIPBOARD STICKERS title is so stunning, and you can really see how impressive the ombre watercolor effect is! I layer the sweet ACCESSORY STICKERS my darling sticker over the chipboard for added impact.

To balance out all the berry & peachy pinks, I add a few subtle woodgrain embellishments to my layout.....

That woodgrain CHIPBOARD STICKER is literally, The Best! I add more of the CV-WH006 FUSSY CUTS sentiment cards to this top section of my page, using the Happiness RIGHT HERE card as an anchor to the overall design.

For finishing touches, I add more ACCESSORY STICKERS and lots of ENAMEL DOTS from the HELLO LOVELY collection....

So very beautiful!

I hope my Throwback Thursday layout has inspired you to revisit the gorgeous

  WILD AT HEART collection!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Beautiful Memories for Mother's Day!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to all the special women in our lives!

In celebration of this special day, I am sharing a sweet page about my personal love of being a mum! I couldn't think of anything more wonderful to document!

Here's my layout,

"Beautiful Memories"

Nawww! Love this kiddo! He's my Mister A for Awesome!

And as this is a 'me' page, I *may* have used my all-time favourite collection, and colour! 

Wild At Heart is just so pretty & well, we all know my love of blue! 

You'll also spy all my favorite page elements; cut files, mixed media & lots of DIE CUT EPHEMERA! Everything about this layout just makes me happy! 

Monochromatic LOVE!

I begin with the reverse side of pattern paper CV-WH003 MARIPOSA. 

I adore the watercolor appearance of this gorgeous ombre blue paper! 

It's just too pretty for words! 

To this base, I add an 11" x 11" layer of white cardstock, and then apply my texture paste doily to the bottom edge of this cardstock. 

I used Shimmerz Paints, of course! 

Vibez: Jeni B Bleu sprayed once into a teaspoon of Paste-eez: Salt of the Earth to create that pretty paste. 

To the top area of my page, I add an 8'3/4" x 3" trim of specialty VELLUM. I begin by layering it with our sweet Geo Heart Cut File from the COLOUR ME HAPPY collection - let's take a closer look......

SO pretty!

To the Geo Heart, I foam mount that 'everything you need' journal card which I have trimmed from the aptly titled pattern paper, CV-WH006 FUSSY CUTS. Between and surrounding the vellum & heart layers, I include a few pretty DIE CUT EPHEMERA pieces. You'll spot butterflies, blooms & even a star! And because I wanted to keep with a pretty monochromatic page, I fussy cut some extra blue butterflies from pattern paper, CV-WH003 MARIPOSA. It's all about the blue! ;)

I also add one of those MARIPOSA butterflies to the top right hand corner of my VELLUM paper.....

Those butterflies are so lovely! And speaking of lovely, how awesome is that CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER?!! I combine it with the Beautiful You EPHEMERA banner to create a visual stop point in the layout. As most of us read left to right, this encourages your eye to return to the next 'line' & read that WOOD VENEER and EPHEMERA title. Beautiful Memories, indeed!

The WOOD VENEER beautiful is the most exquisitely cut title! With its cursive font & natural warmth, it really adds that something special to the overall layout design. The veneer butterflies also add balance and warmth to the otherwise cool blue page.

Note: The veneer butterflies are from our FREE SPIRIT collection - which you can view HERE.

Here's a better look at them all together.....

Those veneer butterflies!!! I have carefully positioned them so that they double up as anchors to my two sweet photos. I know, pretty AND purposeful! So perfect!

For finishing touches, I carefully splatter some blue ink,Vibez Jeni B Bleu, and even smear a little of it beneath the VENEER title for added interest!

Love it! 

Such a beautiful moment cherished and documented for years to come!

Happy (monochromatic) Mother's Day!

I hope my layout has inspired you to get creative this weekend!

Thanks so much for visiting,

Happy Arty Days,

 Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: April: No Cardstock Allowed Challenge!

Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with another NEW challenge for April;

What a fun challenge to use up all those pretty pattern papers!

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

"Hello Beautiful"

Swoon! Absolutely beautiful, indeed!
I have used one of my all time favourite Cocoa Vanilla Studio collections - Wild At Heart - for this sweet patterned paper page!
You'll also note that I have used the gorgeous Free Paper Issues cut file called
 Autumn Blessings 



Such a beautiful file! You can download it for free HERE.

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

All.the.pretty.details for my gorgeous girl! 

Love her so much! She brings so much joy to our lives!

Love that distressed white woodgrain pattern paper - so good! 

And the blue chippie title really pops against that pattern paper base.....

And those gorgeous flicks of paint?

They're Shimmerz Paints, of course!

The colour is called Vibez: Razzeldazzel Berry - so pretty!

And there you have it!

My take on the No Cardstock Allowed challenge!

I can't wait to see what you'll come up with for this one! 

Need new supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

& REMEMBER: Code AMANDA will save you 20% off your total spend - Yayyy!

Shop for Shimmerz Paints HERE 

& type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a FREE paint! Yesss!

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Best of 2017!

Hi Creatives!

I can't believe its almost the New Year already!
Time really does fly when we're having fun!

And, to celebrate another fabulous year at Cocoa Vanilla Studio, the Design Team are sharing our scrap-tastic favourite projects from the year!

While I am a HUGE fan of all our collections, there are two from this year that stole my heart & I am still creating with them; Wild At Heart & Bohemian Dream.
I may have a thing for #alltheprettythings ;)

Enough chatter though, here are a few of my favourite creations from 2017....

First up, is this layout that I created for Paper Issues using our beautiful Wild At Heart collection.

"Happy Sweet You"

You can see why it's a favourite - SO pretty!

I just adore all the butterflies and that floral paper backing the Paper Issues cut file! Gorgeous!

And speaking of butterflies, my other favourite layout with our Wild At Heart collection is this stunner....

"Love You" 

I absolutely LOVE all the butterflies in this collection and had so much fun with this fussy cut wreath design!
It's just perfect for my pretty girl!

It is without a doubt that Wild At Heart still has my heart!

And just when I thought Cocoa Vanilla Studio couldn't get any prettier, Zoe released my newest favourite;

Bohemian Dream.....

"You Are Beautiful"

Oh! Swoon!!!

I created this Bohemian Dream beauty for Shimmerz Paints because the colours in this collection are just divine! Such a dreamy page!

But Bohemian Dream is so much more than a pretty colour palette, it's delicate designs and patterns too!

Here's my latest favourite layout with it....

"One Of A Kind"

So very lovely, indeed!

I think you'll agree with me that both Wild At Heart & Bohemian Dream are the prettiest scrapbook collections of 2017!

And I hope that I have inspired you with my creating too!

I can't wait to share more with you in 2018!

Happy New Year & Best Wishes!

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Paper Issues: December Pinspire Me!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with this month's edition of 

Mood boards are always such fun and this month's is SUPER pretty too!

Here's what it looks like.....

Told you it was prrreeeeetty!!!

Omgoodness! I just love this mood board!

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

"Christmastime Joy"

Oh isn't this the sweetest!

Apart from that gorgeous mood board, 

I was also inspired by the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team's theme week - 

to create a Christmas page with a non Christmas collection. 

Such a great challenge!

You'll spy the Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Wild At Heart & Love Always collections on this lovely Christmas page!

The colours in the Wild At Heart papers were a perfect match with our inspiration board! 

I was also really drawn in by the center image of the Christmas tree. 

I created my own tree using my favourite Shimmerz Paints: Dazzlerz - Sea U in the Morning 

and the cute star on top is Dazzlerz: Tutti Frutti. 

I then embellished it with Enamel Dot ornaments. So cute!

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

Isn't this just gorgeous?!!

SO very pretty indeed!

I hope you feel inspired by my layout and will play along with Pinspire Me too!

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA to save 50% off your total spend! Yay!

Needing more Shimmerz Paints in your stash?

Visit the online store HERE 

& type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a free gift! Yesss to free paint!

Looking for more Pinspiration?

See what our awesome team have created here

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints & Silhouette Sketch Pens!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!

For today's layout, I 'm playing with Silhouette Sketch Pens and our favourite Shimmerz products!

Here's what I've created, 

"Love"

Oh wow! Isn't this stunning?!!

I've used Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Wild At Heart collection,

 and a Paper Issues free cut file with a blue Sketch Pen. 

SO Pretty!

The heart file is called Autumn Blessings and you can grab it for FREE here

But today is all about those stunning Shimmerz Paints, 

so here's how I've created that background....

I roughly painted the heart outline in watered down Spritz: Sapphire, and also applied it with the packaging technique too! I painted the blossoms in Vibez: Glorious Day, and then added tiny splatters of this golden hue around the heart. The roses are painted with Creameez: Trippin' in the Tropics, the daisy is painted in Creameez: Cheeky Pink and the leaves are Creameez: Refresh Mint. 

Love these colours together! 

To finish it off, I added more splatters around the heart with the Creameez colours, and voila! 

It was that simple and easy! 

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

It really is such a pretty effect!

Remember: Sketch Pens are water soluble, so they do bleed a little when the Shimmerz Paints are applied. Pat dry with a paper towel, and re paint where required.

Oh swoon! Just the prettiest!

And all the floral elements from the Wild At Heart collection really add to the beauty of this page!

Love it all!

Hope my layout has inspired you to play with Shimmerz Paints!

REMEMBER: If you're ordering from the Shimmerz Paints online store HERE

 pop my name AMANDA in the comments section of your order 

and you'll receive a FREE gift! 

Yay for free paint!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: September Scraplift Sunday!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

It's Sunday and at Paper Issues that means we Scraplift!!!

Yay!

Here's the fabulous layout we're lifting this week, 

it's from the super talented Damaris!

Isn't it awesome?!! So fresh and fun!

I couldn't wait to lift it!

Here's my take on it...

"Grow Wild"

I had tons of fun with this! 

Sometimes you just need to get out the messy stuff and play!!!

You'll spy my fave, Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Wild At Heart collection, teamed up with some gorgeous mixed media products from Shimmerz Paints. 

How cool are those chipboard frames?! 

& Oh, those pretty blues!!!

Here's a close up or two for you....

Cut aparts, ephemera, and a cute chippy frame = perfection!

That gorgeous background has been created with a circular mask,

 Shimmerz Paints: Paste-eez: Baby Boy Blue applied with a palette knife, 

as well as inky splatters and drips from Spritz: Sapphire.

So beautiful! 

I just love the contrast of the wood veneer words against the blue - so striking!

And those frames really complete the look! 

So cool!

Love these two & I hope they continue to grow wild for sometime yet!

Hope you like my fun take on this week's scraplift!

You can see more takes from our talented team here

Remember: If you need supplies, visit the Paper Issues store here, 

& use my code AMANDA to receive 20% off!

And, don't forget: If you're ordering from the Shimmerz Paints Retail Store

type my name AMANDA in the comments section 

& you'll receive a FREE gift!

Yay! I've got you covered!

Thankyou so much for stopping by today!

I hope you'll join us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group and play along too!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Wild At Heart: LOVE YOU!

Hello Friends!

 I have a gorgeous floral layout to share with you here, &

 on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today!

I just adore florals, and the ones in the Wild At Heart collection just make me swoon!!! 

SO pretty!

But enough chatter, here's what I've created....

"Love You"

Told you those florals were pretty!!! No fancy layout design required when the papers are this gorgeous! 

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

Simple. Beautiful. And just oh-so stunning!

Wild At Heart really has my heart!

I have used my favourite floral pattern paper, CV-WH009 MEMENTO, for the base of my layout, and used it's coordinating CHIPBOARD FRAME to enhance my sweet photograph! 

You'll also spy floral paper,CV-WH007 GROW WILD as the pretty backing to that 'string art' dream catcher cut file. I selected this paper as it has a #samebutdifferent look to the MEMENTO paper, and it coordinates beautifully! 

The center heart is pieced with the B-side of pattern paper CV-WH001 LUSCIOUS -

 so pretty, and it really pops against the indigo blue! 

Here's a closer view.....

I just love that dream catcher cut file! 

I have made it appear as string art, by cutting the mosaic lines thinner, & connecting these 'strings' with ENAMEL DOTS (SPARKLES) beads. I have added a soft mixed media element beneath the dream catcher with watercolour splatter, and finished it all off with a sweet 'Wild at Heart' CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER. 

* Please note: This cut file is one I have edited from the Silhouette Store. *

I have positioned my photograph cluster just over the right side of the dream catcher, to enhance the connection and flow through my design....

To avoid 'blending' my frame into the dream catcher, I have layered the LUSCIOUS paper beneath my framed photo to add warmth and contrast. 

There's also two cuts from CV-WH006 FUSSY CUTS paper in this layering, as well as a delicate doily (from my stash). That gorgeous CHIPBOARD FRAME is also embellished with a DIE CUT EPHEMERA banner, so lovely!

Speaking of lovely, how about that LOVE YOU title?!!

The CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER title is just divine! 

I have also embellished it with a super cute FLAIR BUTTON that appears to have a similar pink 'wash' look to it, which also coordinates with the soft mixed media element of my page too!

When it comes to florals, and all the pretty things,

Wild At Heart is definitely my go to collection! 

So very beautiful and perfect for memory keeping my sweet girl!

Hope my layout has inspired you today!

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: August Scrap 'n' Chat

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Time for a surprise challenge at Paper Issues this month - 

Play, scrap, & chat along with us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group here. 

The challenge is such a fun one! 

Simply feature all of the 8 following items on your layout:

*Floral paper

*Polka dot paper

*A sun

*Camera

*Wood veneer

*Stars

*3 Stickers

*Frame 

You can use more items if you wish, but you must include everything on the list! 

Cool!

Here's what I came up with, 

"So Lovely"

Isn't this the sweetest?!!

You'll spy lots of Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Wild At Heart collection here - SO pretty!!!

You'll also spot all 8 of the items - although I wasn't a huge fan of using the sun, 

so it's tucked beneath my photo cluster ;) 

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

Picture perfect, indeed! Love this girl! 

The Wild At Heart collection has a fabulous mix of florals, polka dot and stripes patterns & it was fun for me to use the dots as the feature paper this time. 

As you know I usually cant get past those pretty florals, 

and I just love how this turned out! 

The diagonal design teamed with the photo cluster looks so good! 

Here's another view....

That chipboard polka dot heart is the cutest! 

I've embellished it with a new Amy Tangerine: Hustle & Heart mini bow for extra cute!

Those pretty veneer hearts are from Pinkfresh Studio and coordinate beautifully!

Everything else on the layout is Cocoa Vanilla Studio;

the sun veneer is from the Hello Sunshine collection, 

the chipboard stars are from Love Always, 

& all the rest is Wild At Heart. 

Ga ga Gorgeous!!!

Pretty products, layering and stitching  - what could be more lovely?!

Hope you liked my layout and feel inspired to play along too!

I can't wait to see what you create!

*Need scrapbook supplies?

Get yours from the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total! Yay!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: July Pinspire Me

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for the July edition of  Paper Issues Pinspire Me challenge!

Here's the pinboard we're drawing inspiration from....

So pretty, huh?!!

I was immediately inspired by the circular shape & veneer of the logs, the 'so happy' reference and the colours!

Here's my layout, 

"Happy, So Happy"

Oh, this make me smile!!!

She is such a beautiful, sweet natured girl and this layout really reflects her delightful disposition!

I've combined Echo Park Paper Summer Dreams line with Cocoa Vanilla Studio Wild At Heart collection, and I just love the result! Such a pretty colour combination!

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

Love that Cocoa Vanilla Studio Rubber Charm, it layers perfectly with the Echo Park Die Cuts - super sweet!

So much prettiness!!!

Hope my layout has inspired you to get creating!

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total spend!

Looking for more pinspiration?

See what our talented team have created here

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo