Elle's Studio: Spooky Halloween!

Hi Creatives! 

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio awesomeness!
Have you got some Boo-tiful photos and memories to document? 

Well this month's kit and new releases are perfect for all your spook-tacular Halloween projects!

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

Here's a little Happy Haunting inspiration for you.... 

"Trick Or Treat"  

Elle's Studio Supplies: October Kit, Sweater Weather 6 x 6 Paper Pack, Puffy Stars & Dot Stickers, Trick-O-Treat Wood Veneer, Halloween Wood Veneer, Autumn Shipping Tags, Autumn Fun Stickers, Jane Alphabet Stickers-Black & Noteworthy Epoxy Stickers. 

Other Supplies: White & Black Bazzill Cardstock, Umbrella Crafts Dye Ink in Sunshine, & organza ribbon. 

All the happy haunts here! Such a fun layout! 

You'll spot that I trim the moon & stars pattern paper (from the Sweater Weather pack) into one inch strips. I connect the strips together to create the appearance of 12 inch paper at both the top and base of my layout design. Such a great way to maximize your six inch papers! 

To enhance the spooky starry background, I fussy cut the stars & moon journal card from the October Kit, and add a star die cut or two. I further add to this look with the inclusion of the Puffy Star & Dot Stickers - so cool! 

I feature the Halloween Wood Veneer in the top corner of the layout, & coat the OCT 31 in yellow ink. The colored veneer really pops! 

I use the same ink to hand color the Trick Or Treat Wood Veneer in the opposite corner at the base of my  page, and add more of those fabulous stars!

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

That title is errrrything!!! Whether you use it on layouts, pocket pages or even cards - the Trick Or Treat Wood Veneer is a must-have!

And when it comes to Halloween, we need a pumpkin or two, right?! 

 

The Jack-O-Lantern novelty veneer is super cute! A perfect embellishment for my two trick or treaters in the photo! (And yes, they sure do love candy!) 

The second pumpkin is one which I drew, & cut out from black cardstock. I back it with more of the Sweater Weather 6 x 6 Papers and position my layered photo onto it. 

The layers beneath my photo are created with the Autumn Shipping Tags, October Kit, and more of the Sweater Weather papers. Wood Veneer & Autumn Fun Stickers complete the photo cluster, and add that extra BOO! factor. 

For finishing touches, I add the Happy Haunting subtitle with the black Jane Alphabet Stickers and fussy cut some bats from my left over one inch pattern paper strips.....

Totally Spook-tacular!!!

I hope I have inspired you to document your Halloween memories with Elle's Studio!

Happy Haunting Friends!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 To Inspire Challenge!

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome back for today's installment of the awesome 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 - To - Inspire challenge! 

I love a good challenge, and I had such fun creating for this one that I made not one, not two, but 3 layouts to inspire you with! Lol, what can I say? I love memory keeping & crafts! 

I hope you'll find some time this week to play along too! 

All you need to do is feature the following three prompts in your creating....

1. Use alphas in your project. 

(There are a few varieties in this month's kits - plus we won't mind if you use some from last month too! ;) There are always plenty of alphas left over, right?)

2. Include some die cut shapes or ephemera. 

(Again, there are plenty in this month's kits and oh my heart, the exclusive ones in the PL Kit are divine!!!) 

3. Add a wood element to your page. 

(This could be a wooden embellishment, or even some wood grain pattern paper) 

Easy Peasy (CTK)  Lemon Squeezy!

Before you get started, here are the three layouts that I created for today's challenge.....

"Be-You-tiful"

Isn't this pretty?! 

I have used the gorgeous Little Things Scrapbook Kit, as well as fussy cut butterflies from the Pattern Paper Play Kit, the October Embellishment Kit and the Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors. I just adore the blue hues and embellishments featured in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit, and they coordinated beautifully with my sweet photograph! You'll spy lots of Crate Paper, Pinkfresh Studio  & Vicki Boutin on this layout! 

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

Aren't those fussy cut butterflies super pretty?!!

And those Liquid Watercolors are just stunning!!! I have used Sapphire, Lavender, & Sky Blue and they're all available in the CTK store HERE. 

Lots of luscious layers of papers & die cut ephemera beneath my photo! I love having ephemera tucked in and around my layout focal points. The wood element in this layout comes from our October Embellishment Kit - the gorgeous gold foiled wood veneer from Pinkfresh Studio! 

The pretty mint alphas for my 'Be-You-tiful' title are from the Scrapbook Kit, and are also from Pinkfresh Studio - LOVE!!!

So.much.pretty in the Little Things Scrapbook Kit!!!

My next layout has a very fresh feel to it.....

"Beautiful Ordinary Life" 

Sigh! Beautiful, indeed! 

It's no secret that I heart me some Pinkfresh Studio, & this is exactly why! 

So clean, fresh & contemporary! A really elegant and beautiful page of my darling daughter! 

All the Pinkfresh Studio goodies here, plus a couple of those super cute inflatable hearts from Amy Tangerine. 

Created with the Little Things Scrapbook Kit and teamed with the fabulous phrase stickers & wood veneers from the Embellishment Kit & paper from the Pattern Paper Play Kit.  Perfection! 

Those floral die cuts have my heart!!! SO pretty! 

The mint alphas add that tiny pop of color to break up all that peach, and add balance to my design. Love it! 

And last, but by no means least, my third layout for this super fun challenge....

"Boy: Slow Down"

Such a fresh & fun page for my darling boy! 

I have opted for a 8.5" x 11" design, and used the beautiful Little Things Pocket Life Kit! I am LOVING the exclusive pattern papers & just had to make a feature of them!

I layer quite a few of them beneath my photo to really draw your eye in. You'll also spot the vintage book paper, and lots of the exclusive die cuts too! 

I use the wood grain pattern paper for the wood element in this layout, as well as the pretty blue alphas to complete the 3-to-Inspire requirements. Such a cool adventure boy page! 

Those alphas are such a gorgeous shade of blue! All the heart eyes for these!

The PL Kits are always jam packed full of exclusive must haves! So good!

And there you have it! Lots of inspirational ideas to get your creativity flowing! 

I can't wait to see what you create for this 3-to-Inspire challenge! 

***Be sure to upload your challenge entries in the Facebook Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page***

Need supplies before you begin? 

Visit the Citrus Twist Kits store HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: Hazel Alphabet Stickers Spotlight!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio inspiration!

I just adore the Hazel Alphabet Stickers, 

and today I'm shining the spotlight on these fabulous alphas!!

I couldn't resist using both the white and the light purple varieties on my layout! 

They were perfect for documenting my daughter's love of desserts!

So without further ado, here's my layout, 

"Story Of Dessert"

Pardon the pun, but isn't this the sweetest?! 

I have used those fabulous Hazel Alphabet Stickers as both a border trim on my white cardstock, and as washi tape strips on my vellum sheet. 

Here's a closer look.....

So gorgeous!!!

Loving all that pretty purple!

I alternate colors between each story descriptor, mainly names of her fave desserts, and also use the stickers in my 'the story of dessert' title.

And yes, despite being a very petite ballerina she has an enormous sweet tooth! 

I use the word 'yum' repeatedly to for the faux washi tape. Awesome!

You'll also spy the Exclusive September Kit, Good Eats wood veneers from the September new releases, as well as our List & Ledger Journaling Tags and Noteworthy collection. 

Delicious, indeed!

Such a fun way to tell stories on your scrapbook layouts!

How amazing are these tiny alphas?!!

I just LOVE them!

Get yours from the Elle's Studio shop HERE 

I hope my layout has given you a few different ideas on how to use these fabulous 

Hazel Alphabet Stickers in your creating! 

Thanks so much for visiting,

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 

Elle's Studio: January Product Spotlight

Hi Friends!

Have you seen all the fabulous New Releases over at Elle's Studio?!!

There's so many yummy products!

From the January Kit....



to the awesome New Release Extras!

Stunning!!!

Today I am shining the spotlight on the Wood Veneer Love Tags. 

My brief for this product spotlight was to create just one card that really highlights those awesome tags. 

The January Kit lends itself beautifully to Valentine's creating, 

so here's the card my Valentine will be receiving - I hope he likes it ;) 

Oh, isn't this sweet?! 

I just love the natural look of wood veneer, and the warmth it adds to any project.  

My card is a simple 4" x 8" design, and features pattern paper from the XOXO 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Love You Die Cuts, Enamel Dots, & Hand Drawn Acrylic Hearts. 

But it's those wooden tags that really impress!

I've arranged the tags in a grid layout, and embellished them with those sweet tiny bows. 

Apart from adding dimension & interest, the bows also 'cover up' the tops of the wood tags. This means you can mix & match the shapes (& sentiments) and still have a 'clean look'. 

The bows are made from my leftover scrap pieces in the XOXO 6 x 6 Paper Stack.

The pretty heart paper beneath the tags is stitched into place, and so is the xoxoxoxo sentiment. 

The Love You Die Cut hearts, and acrylic heart anchor the overall design. 

Enamel Dots add the finishing touch! 

Voila! 

Valentine's Card with Wood Veneer Love Tags.

I hope I have inspired you to create with these fabulous veneers!

Visit the Elle's Studio Store HERE for all your supplies!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Hello Awesome!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for my second DT project of the month with Cocoa Vanilla Studio!
 Today I have an awesome You ROCK layout for you!

 I am sharing a simple,
 'less is more' kind of a page,
with a real emphasis on my photograph! Hope you like it!

Here's my layout,

"Hello Awesome"

Hello Awesome, indeed! What a cutie!

For those of you who aren't familiar, my sweet boy is known as our Mister A for Awesome. So that WOOD VENEER SHAPES title is a perfect match & descriptor!

With such an adorable photo, it was important to keep it as the real focus of my scrapbook page. I've opted for a simple vertical design for my layout, centering my photograph to draw your eye in! The colours and textures are drawn from my photo too - so lots of warmth and wooden accents over my white cardstock base.

The woodgrain pattern paper, (reverse side) CV-YR008 PLUS ONE, has been rotated so that the grain follows the same direction as the tree trunk in my photo. It is then paired with the reverse sides of pattern papers, CV-YR001 STARSHINE  & CV-YR002 IN LINE 
The deep blue pulls from Mr A's jumper colour, and the warm yellows play on the Autumn/Fall leaves at the base of the photo. Simple, but so effective!

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

Starting from the top and working down the page, I have that divine woodgrain pattern as the base.  I have added a subtitle with that super cute DIE CUT EPHEMERA Limited Edition and mounted this on foam tape for extra dimension & interest.

 I have positioned an ACCESSORY STICKERS tag beneath my photo, and veneer hello to break up the wooden elements and add a spot of colour. A few scattered ENAMEL SHAPES complete the top section of my design.

Travelling down, we have the second and third layer of pattern paper trim, as well as my layered photograph....

Omgoodness! This photo is truly cuteness overload! I love that I managed to capture such a natural look with the light in his eyes, and the dirt on his cheek! So super cute!

But enough of that, let's get back to the layering beneath the photo!

You'll notice that I double up on the bunting flag ACCESSORY STICKERS  to create a sense of symmetry to photo placement, so yes, it is two sheets of ACCESSORY STICKERS to create this look (but honestly, I go through two to three sheets of stickers every collection, so no drama to have an extra sheet on hand to recreate this look, right? ) ;)

Where did I get that stunning yellow striped paper I hear you ask?
Good question. Firstly, it isn't paper.
 It's a DIE CUT EPHEMERA frame.
And secondly, I snipped it into half and attached each piece to the underside of my photo to create the illusion of a new pattern paper.
Such a cool trick when you're working with a distinct colour palette and need another pattern paper option!

As we approach the base of my scrapbook layout, the yellow ephemera arrows direct your attention to the second half of my WOOD VENEER SHAPES title.....

Totally awesome!
And how about that FLAIR BUTTON?!!
That crown on the top is such a cool detail for my lil man!
 More scattered ENAMEL SHAPES embellish the page, and then I have a  1/2 inch paper strip of reverse side CV-YR002 IN LINE on the very bottom of the layout.
To keep with the vertical and balanced look, the paper strip is adorned with a WASHI TAPE STICKER and a finishing touch ACCESSORY STICKER - Officially Amazing in the center.

And there you have it!
A clean, simple look with lots of impact!

I do hope that my layout has inspired you today!

I LOVE the You ROCK collection - it really is perfection for scrapping the boys!

Be sure to get yours here before it's all gone!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Endless Summer: Best Ever!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends & Fans!

Today I am sharing a scrapbook layout for the Endless Summer theme week over at 
Cocoa Vanilla Studio!

This collection has such a soft pastel colour palette, and it truly creates the prettiest of Summer layouts!

I am always in awe of the fabulous pattern paper designs that Cocoa Vanilla Studio create, and the woodgrain papers are always a firm favourite of mine! They always add warmth to all the cool, pastel designs!

Here's what I've created with the Endless Summer collection today....

"Best Ever"

Oh isn't he the cutest?!
 He absolutely loves Summer days spent at the beach, and the Endless Summer collection is just perfect for documenting it all! 
And yes, you'll spy woodgrain paper, CV-ES001 SWEET TREATS (reverse side) here to compliment and accent that fabulous clouds paper, CV-ES002 BLUE SKIES  And don't they look fabulous together?!! I have mounted Blue Skies onto white cardstock, 
and lightly distressed the edges because, it is after all, a boy page! In the layer beneath my super cute photo, you'll also spy that cool green pattern paper, CV-ES006 SUNBLEACHED - just awesome!

The rest of my layout is simply layered embellishing with all the fabulous bits n pieces you'll find in the Endless Summer collection! 
Let's take a closer look at them.......

The WOOD VENEER are always incredible, and I couldn't resist using the script words, Best Ever, for my title!
 Again, I have used woodgrain (DIE CUT EPHEMERA)  & VENEER to add warmth and balance to my layout. They also provide a touch of masculinity to this somewhat pretty page! 
The clouds are really fun, and playful!

 ACCESSORY STICKERS surround my large central photo, and add to the layering and colours in my scrapbook layout design! 
I should add that the doily and cotton floss are from my stash, but everything else in this layout is from the Endless Summer collection.

And how about those FLAIR!!! Good Life for sure!!!

 
The FLAIR BUTTON featuring the clouds design is just the cutest! I love how it coordinates perfectly with the Blue Skies paper! Really making a prominent feature of clouds on this beachy page!

You'll spy more pretty DIE CUT EPHEMERA throughout my design, with many of the pieces layered togethered....

Oh Yeah! This kid has definitely got sunshine on a cloudy day!!! 
So happy and joyful!

Loving the high gloss, fun design WOODIES in this embellishment cluster, as well as the ENAMEL SHAPES!  

Endless Summer - It's just too much fun!!!

Hope my Summer theme layout has inspired you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time,

Happy Arty Days,
 Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: April Mix It Up Monday

Hi Paper Pals!

Time to get your messy on with this month's edition of  

Yayyyyyyy!!! 

I love a lil mixed media fun and today's challenge is super awesome!

Simply use the salt resist technique with your favourite, inks, dyes and or, watercolours on your layout. 

Too easy, and boy oh boy, so much FUN!!!

But enough chatter, here's what I came up with.....

"Magic"

Isn't this stunning?! Just look at the salt resist pattern - so pretty!!!

The unicorn is part of the Spring Crop free cut files that you can grab in the Paper Issues store here.

I really love the free cutfiles and seriously, unicorns!?!! What more can I say. Love it!

You'll spy mixed veneers and stickers from my stash, a few odds and ends from TYPO, Thickers from Amy Tangerine, and Shimelle's Little By Little collection. 

Here's a closer look at that stunning mixed media work.....

It's so striking! 

I used purple, magenta, pink and red inks, lots of water and rock salt. 

The trick is to get the inks 'puddling' and then add the rock salt to dry it all up. Be sure everything is dried out before removing the salt. 

So much fun!!!

Magic, indeed!

OMG! How fun are all the photo filters / snap chat looks that you can play with? 

This rainbow unicorn one of my daughter is her favourite!  

(We may have hundreds of shots of her as a unicorn, lol!)

It adds to the playfulness of this design, and is just a perfect match with that cut file too!

All the papers in my photo cluster are Shimelle's Little By Little. This range is so vibrant, and whimsical and was the perfect choice for this magical layout! 

La la love this!

Wanna see more of Shimelle's Little By Little collection?

Grab yours here at the Paper Issues store

& 

REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off your entire order!

Need more salt resist inspiration? 

Visit the Paper Issues blog here to see what the rest of out talented team created!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo