Cocoa Vanilla Studio Midnight Layout & Process Video!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing my take on this week's design team theme post using the divine MIDNIGHT collection. The theme this week is....

creations that "put a ring on it". 

Think rings, wreaths, circles, dots - basically include any round element! Such a fun theme!

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

"Love This"

Oh.my.heart!!! So dreamy & divine!

The MIDNIGHT collection is so elegant &  beautiful! It's the perfect collection for documenting stories of my sweet girl!

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

So incredibly beautiful!

I start this layout with pattern paper, CV-MN007 INKY DEPTHS - it's the perfect base! Such a stunning background paper & I just love how it reminds me of the night sky and clouds. To this paper, I trace a circle shape to create a guideline for my wreath (ring) design.

To form the wreath, I fussy cut pattern paper CV-MN001 BLOOM &GROW. I arrange these larger blooms over the traced circle, and adhere with a mix of double sided tape and foam mounting tape. This adds a sense of dimension, soft texture, and brings interest to the design.

I also fussy cut the wreath icon from the CV-MN006 ALL THE THINGS pattern paper, and adhere it to the opening of my ring design (top right corner). 

Here's a close up for you...

SO pretty!!!

Next, I pull out my gel pens, and draw a mix of sketchy leaves that are not dissimilar to that of the BLOOM & GROW pattern paper. The white gel pen is super striking on the INKY DEPTHS paper!

The scribbled leaves serve two purposes - they add a new design element (& visual stimulus) to the layout, plus they also 'build up' the wreath so that it looks full and attractive. In keeping with the whimsical feeling of the page, I add lots of tiny dots in both white, pink & blue pen.

I just LOVE how effective the gel pen looks!

Design Tip: If you like this look, but are nervous about drawing on your  layouts, you could always achieve the same look using stamps and white embossing powder.

Next, I tuck my photo into the left hand side of the wreath and decorate around it with a few ACCESSORY STICKERS. I also embellish with that fabulous FLAIR BUTTON (which also features a pretty wreath on it!). Lots of rings and wreaths and pretties on this sweet page!

With the ACCESSORY STICKERS handy, I also add some butterflies to the wreath and add a subtitle to the bottom right corner, Love you so....

For finishing touches I foam mount the Love this DIE CUT EPHEMERA title to the fussy cut ALL THE THINGS wreath, and sprinkle a few HELLO LOVELY sequins!

Voila! Beautiful creating in a matter of minutes!

Wanna see more of how this pretty page came together? 

Please watch my process video below...

Thanks so much for joining me today!

I really hope that I have inspired you to not only 'put a ring on it',

but also to make some marks & get doodling on your memory keeping projects!

'til next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Citrus Twist Kits: 3-to-Inspire!

Hi Creatives! 

Welcome back for another inspirational installment of the CTK 3-to-Inspire challenge post! 

The August Citrus Twist Kits are simply STUNNING! 

& I just had to use both of them for my layout today! 

(If you don't know what I'm talking about, you better head over to the CTK store now before they're completely sold out!)

Before I share my layout, here's the 3 things you'll need to feature in your projects to play along too....

1. Use floral pattern paper  I love a good floral & to be completely honest, both kits are sporting some very pretty designs! Infact, it was hard to pick which floral paper to use!

2. Put a heart on it  There are a myriad of heart embellishments, digtial items and even stamps  for August. Show us how you like to feature hearts on your creations.

3. Make it messy  Feature any form of mixed media on your project - be it stamping and inks (the stamps this month are aaah-mazing!!!), watercolors, or even some texture paste. Whatever medium takes your fancy - just be sure to include it on your finished project.

Now with the formalities outta the way, here's my layout to inspire you with...

"Hello"

Isn't this dreamy & divine?!

As I mentioned previously, I couldn't decide on which gorgeous August Kit to create with, so in the end I combined both the Life Crafted Chasing Rainbows Kit with the Scrapbook Add-On Kit. I think they coordinated pretty well together! You'll also spy that I used this months Traveler's Notebook Stamp, and some of our wonderful Digital Cut Apart Elements too! Simply stunning!

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

I used the divine floral pattern paper, New Thoughts from Pinkfresh Studio that was included in this month's Scrapbook Add-On Kit. I just LOVE the colors in this pretty floral paper - they complimented my photograph beautifully, & became the color scheme for my entire design. I used the white cardstock as my layout base, and then created a painty, watercolor background using the Pinkfresh Studio Liquid Watercolors. The colors I used were Lavender, Sapphire, Bubblegum & Sky Blue and you can find them all in the shop HERE! To this background, I also repeat stamped the heart icon from the Life Crafted Traveler's Notebook Stamp. Gorgeous!!!

In keeping with my color scheme, I decided to print & fussy cut a number of the Digital Cut Apart Elements. Believe it, or not, my larger lilac banner base is actually the same banner as the tiny one with the blue rose on it (simply enlarged and printed singularly).

 So cool! I just love how versatile the Digitals are! 

Over this banner, I built my photo cluster using lots of lovelies from the Life Crafted Chasing Rainbows Kit. If you look carefully, you'll even notice that I fussy cut the Kit Title Note Card, & used it both above, and to the side, of my sweet photo! To complete this cluster, I adorned my photo with that fabulous printed cork embellishment. 

The hello acrylic word included in the Chasing Rainbows Kit was too amazing not to use! I positioned mine over my mixed media base so that it was more visible on the white cardstock. 

For a finished look, I added cotton floss & Strawberry Tart sequins from SpiegelMomScraps, as well as the blue puffy alphas & acetate hearts from the Life Crafted Kit. Voila!

There you have it! My take on this week's 3-to-Inspire challenge! 

Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see what you'll create! 

Be sure to upload your creations to the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page HERE.

Haven't shopped your kits yet? 

If you're super fast there *might* be one or two still available in the store HERE 

but, to avoid disappointment be sure to sign up for a subscription 

& never miss a kit again - YAY!!!

Happy Creating!

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: August Kit Inspiration!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Elle's Studio inspiration! 

The August Kit and New Release items are nothing short of AWEsome!!!
I mean, like seriously, so good!
Here's a quick look at them all.....

August Kit



Told you it was all kinds of awesome!!!
And the Add-Ons are just as good....


So many must-haves here!
And as usual, the Elle's Studio stamps have my heart!

And last, but by no means least,
here's a peek at the August Digitals....

Wow! August is jam packed with fabulous products!

***Shop ALL the new releases in the Elle's Studio shop HERE***

Fabulous products means even better creative possibilities,

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

 "Back To School"

How sweet is this back to school theme page?!

Elle's Studio Supplies: August Kit, Back To School Stamp, Be Yourself Phrase Stickers, Makes Me Smile Cork Circles, Back To School Puffy Stickers, TGIF Wood Veneers, Sunshine 6 x 6 Paper Stack, Noteworthy 12 x 12 Paper Collection.

Other Supplies: White cardstock, Scrapbook.Com Exclusive Premium Hybrid Inks - Rubber Ducky & Postal Blue, Machine Stitching. 

Here's a closer look....

With so many school themed products available, I just couldn't resist documenting my son's first day back! Such a happy moment, and one for his milestones album! 

I selected primary colors for my layout palette. 

The warmth of the red & yellow really make the blue pop, and they offset one another beautifully. 

As a secondary theme to my page, I also featured stars - especially loving the stamped ones from the Back To School Stamp! 

The repetition of color, shape, texture and pattern really makes my design 'easy on the eye' and the white space ensures that my photograph remains the focal point. Love it! 

Here's a couple close ups...

Those veneer!!! And that super cute apple puffy sticker!

So many awesome embellishments from this month's new releases!

And let's not forget the fabulous cork circles....

Such a terrific kit (& add on items) to document Back to School! 

For my second layout today, I have created a an 8.5" x 11" page documenting a favorite Summer memory of my two darlings a few years ago....

"Favorite"

Favorite, indeed! 

I remember this moment like it was yesterday! 

Elle's Studio Supplies: August Kit, Be Yourself Phrase Stickers, Makes Me Smile Cork Circles, Title Builder Vol.3 Stamp, Title Builder Vol.3 Acrylic, Shine Die Cuts, Beautiful Day 6 x 6 Paper Stack.

Other Supplies: White cardstock, Staz-On Black Ink, machine stitching, sequins. 

Here's a better look....

Isn't this bright & fun?! 

I just love everything about Summer!

For this layout, I used repetition & white space again to maximize attention to my sweet photo!

I used a scalpel to cut the circle from the 3 x 4 note card from the August Kit, and then used the circular 'color burst' card to frame my photo.  To add emphasis, I then foam mounted my framed photo onto the larger 6 x 4 note card of the same pattern. So effective! 

I combined the Shine Die Cuts and Title Builder Vol.3 Stamp & Acrylic to create my mixed title. 

The variance of  materials & fonts added so much interest, don't you think?

Love the bright colors and repeated hearts! Gorgeous!

And there you have it! 

Two super fun pages with the new August Kit & Add ons!

*Remember to shop ALL the Elle's Studio products in the store HERE*

You can see more inspiration from me with this kit a lil later in the month. 

Thanks so much for visiting!

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 

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 

Shimmerz July Color Kitz & Process Video!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!
Today I am sharing a new process video with the fabulous  July Color Kitz!

SO.much.awesomeness!!!

I just couldn't wait to get creating with this amazing kit! 

But enough chatter, let's get straight into the good stuff!

Here's what I created with the July Color Kitz....

"Shine Bright"

Whoa! Talk about wow factor! 

This month's kit is simply spectacular! La la LOVE!!!

If you missed kit release day, you can check out The July Edition below....

Kit Contents:

Vibez Seas The Day - Exclusive New Color only available in this kit!

Shimmerz Royal Red

Blingz Pixie Dust

Inklingz Blue My Mind 

& 

Spiegelmom Scraps Gold Stardust Sequins

Yay!!!

Told you it was awesome!

If you're super quick, there might just be one or two of these lovelies still left in the store!

Shop Color Kitz HERE!

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

Seriously so cool!

I've combined the July Color Kitz with the Elle's Studio July Kits & stamps as they're truly a match made in heaven! All the July 4th colors, and so many creative possibilities!

I opted for a messy mixed background & lots of luscious layers!

I started my layout by creating that divine blue base using both the Seas The Day and Blue My Mind paints. The golden shimmer in the Inklingz Blue My Mind took me by surpsise - it's completely phenomenal! Blew my mind is an understatement! 

I applied a few paint layers of these two colors, & then added in some Blingz Pixie Dust too! 

Gor-jus! 

I splattered all these colors throughout the layout for added interest.

Next came lots of paper lovelies and scrapbook supplies from the July Elle's Studio Kit & New Releases. I just love a good layered photo cluster - don't you?

I scattered lots of the Gold Stardust sequins throughout the page - they're so super tiny and the perfect amount of sparkle for my masculine design. Also, they're stars & stars are errrything! 

They're kind of my go to embellishment for boy layouts, & also perfect for documenting all your July celebrations. Stars for the win!   

For finishing touches, I added droplets of Shimmerz Royal Red, and lots of repeat stamping with the Elle's Studio: You Are My Sunshine Stamp. 

Both my title, Shine Bright, & subtitle, Fun Is Here, have been created with the Title Builder Vol.3 Stamp Bundle Set. Fabulous! 

Wanna see all the details? 

Please watch my process video of how it all came together here..... 

Thanks so much for watching!

I hope I have inspired you to get painting with the July Edition Kitz today! 

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: Best Of This Life Kit Inspiration!

Hi Creative Friends! 

Welcome back for some  Citrus Twist Kits Life Crafted Kit inspiration!

This month's kit is so gorgeous that I swooned when I opened my Best Of This Life Kit box! So.much.gorgeousness!!!

 But rather than rave about how amazing the Life Crafted Kits are, let's allow my projects to do all the talkin'....

First up is this fresh & fun Summer layout, "Summer Days"

So cool & refreshing! 

Summer Days documented to perfection with the Best Of This Life Kit!

Let's take a closer look....

The colors in the pattern papers, combined with those fabulous woodgrain alphas are simply the BEST for scrapbooking our fave Summer moments! From the mid blues to the aqua marines, this page takes me to the beach! 

And just look at all those amazing embellishments! The Life Crafted stamp, and the chipboard & puffy stickers are definitely my faves!!!

Speaking of chipboard stickers, here's a better look at them!  Best ever, for sure!

As usual the clear stamp sentiments are really crisp and add the right amount of journaling to your pages! With so many beautiful products in the kit, I just couldn't resist creating lots of luscious layers with both the papers, journal cards and labels. 

And for added interest, I fussy cut around the florals on one of the journal cards - see below....

Simple, subtle but so effective!

The shell die cut ephemera pieces are a cute adornment for my beachy page. Sometimes it's the smallest details that really add that finishing touch! Gorgeous!

For my second project, I am sharing this pretty layout, "LOVE"...

Sigh! Talk about ALL the pretty things!!! This is so super sweet! 

This time I am combining the Best Of This Life Kit with the July Traveler's Notebook Stamp and the Best Of This Life Cut Aparts. Love it!

Like my previous layout, I have created more luscious layers so that I could tuck in lots of ephemera and showcase those pretty papers, cut aparts & journal cards. Infact, it was the folk art style 6" x 4" journal card that inspired the color scheme for my page. You'll spy that I snipped the card in half, and butted it together to create the appearance of a 12" x 2" strip of paper. You'll spot two more cards in my photo stack too....

Swoon! Those layers are really somethin'! Florals always have my heart! And those Cut Apart labels (lovely & happy) are a sweet addition to the layered goodness!

Let's not forget the journal card that I snipped into three to create the fun 'love' tabs on my pattern paper strips - such a fun way to use this card if pocket pages aren't your thing!

With such a delightful color palette, I opted to repeat stamp my sentiments in similar color inks instead of the usual black. I love how soft & pretty this looks! The CTK stamps are always the best!

Did you see how I've incorporated the tiny kit name label card? I loved the sentiment on the kit name card and had to tuck it into my photograph layers. I snipped it into half so I could also include it in my paper strip feature. Perfect!

*Note: the sequins featured on my layout are from my personal stash*

Beautiful! Such a pretty page for my darling daughter! 

Next up is some Life Crafted Album love! 

Here's a super cute back to school page from my album with this month's kit....

How cute & fun is this?!

I just adore those woodgrain alphas - perfect for adding some warmth to my cool color scheme!

I also love the use of labels in this design too! 

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

Super cool! The puffy stickers and enamel dots really add that extra something, don't they?

The mix of colors and patterns in the Best Of This Life exclusive papers is nothing short of awesome! I love the variety of designs, making the kit super versatile! 

And there you have it! 

My first few projects with the gorgeous July Life Crafted - Best Of This Life Kit! 

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

Shop the latest Citrus Twist Kits HERE. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo