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

Pebbles: Happy Hooray, It's Christmas!

Hi Friends!

I am SO excited to be sharing my first official Design Team project for Pebbles with you today!

  When I received my Pebbles Design Team kit I was delighted to find the Happy Hooray collection - perfect for all our birthday celebrations! 

Then, before I could consider creating, it dawned on me that it's only 3 days til Christmas?!! 

Oh me, oh my! Not to mention, I needed a last minute Christmas gift?!

Never fear! Pebbles collections are always super versatile and I just love to get creative!

Happy Hooray it's Christmas!

I had an American Crafts mini clipboard in my stash, and decided to alter it in Festive fashion.....

Oh isn't this the sweetest last minute Christmas gift?!

& because it is 'last minute' it's super quick and easy to put together.

I cut a few pattern paper strips, and scallop border punch one side.....

Concertina fold each scallop, and hot glue the two ends together to create my own paper rosettes.

Tip: I like to add a lil extra hot glue in the rosette centers to really hold them in place.

Embellish the rosettes with buttons, bows and those fabulous gold foil stickers from the Jen Hadfield Sticker Book.

 

Voila! The perfect adornment for cards, tags, and in my case, an altered clipboard!

Add a couple of white die cut or cut file snowflakes, and attach to clipboard.

Clip on your Christmas message, or favorite Festive photograph, & add a couple more of those sweet stickers.

For finishing touches add a few ribbons, twine or even lace bows to soften the clipboard.

And there you have it!

A super quick Christmas gift with the Happy Hooray collection!

I hope you'll give this quick craft a try!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Supplies:

Happy Hooray: Party Animal (732534)

Happy Hooray: Balloon Animals (732393)

Jen Hadfield #Sticker Book W/Gold Foil (344866)

Paper Issues: December Swag Bag Spotlight

Hi Creatives!

Time for one of my favourite shares on the Paper Issues calendar, 

Yay!!!

It's no secret that I love me a Swag Bag or 3!

I have used the October Swag Bag for my layout today - but you can grab the latest Swag Bag HERE

It's jam packed full of all the awesome things!

Here's what I created, 

"Memories"

Wow!

Swag Bag Sensation!!!

These mini kits are pure gold!

SO many yummy supplies here!

You'll notice that the title, 12x12 cardstock and trim, doily and Shimmerz Paints are from my stash, but everything else you see is from the Swag Bag! 

And for only $9.99 USD these kits are a steal! 

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

The October Swag Bag features lots of Crate Paper's Maggie Holmes: Carousel collection, American Crafts Dear Lizzy Stargazer collection and even some Shimelle Glitter Girl! Wow! 

That's quite the kit! 

That mixed media is also stunning, 

here's my product list:

Shimmerz Paints:

Vibez: Jeni B Bleu

Spritz: Sapphire

Spritz: Ruby

Dazzlerz: Sea U in the Morning

Creameez: Trippin' In the Tropics

Brads, buttons, sequins and enamel dots - Love them all!!!

It really doesn't get any better than this!

Hop on over to the Paper Issues store now to secure your Swag Bag!

& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

Need more paint supplies?

Visit the Shimmerz Paints store here

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

Yesss! 

Looking for more Swag Bag inspiration?

See what the rest of our awesome team has created here

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Have Yourself A Shimmery Little Christmas!

Hi Creative Friends!

Can you believe it's time for my final Shimmerz Social Team share of the year?!!

Time really does fly when we're having fun- 

and I have had an absolute ball creating for Shimmerz Paints!

So I'd like to wish you a Shimmer-y Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here's what I've created for you today....

"Christmas Magic"

How awesome is this?!!

I just couldn't resist creating a Christmas bauble layout to showcase these incredible paints.
Super stunning, huh?!!
I just love the colour intensity and quality of Shimmerz Paints
& seriously, if you haven't tried their products yet - you dont know what you're missing!
SO good!
You'll also spy the fabulous FaLaLa collection from Crate Paper - love it!
The bright colours in this super fun Christmas line inspired my colour choices for those pretty paints!
Here's how my layout started....

I used a palette knife and smeared Dazzlerz: Sea U in the Morning, Tutti Frutti & Paste-eez: Raspberry Sherbert in a circular motion to create my ornament 'ball'. 

This was tons of fun and it looks so effective too!

I then added a lil interest with inky splatters from Spritz: Ruby, Cotton Candy & Vibez: Jeni B Bleu.

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

Just look at that shimmer!!! Ga Ga Gorgeous!

To complete the bauble, I used Gold Kindy Glitz to create the top of my ornament. 

Once dry, I created my layout within the bauble. 

Super simple - but oh so effective!

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

Christmas Magic, indeed! 

The Shimmerz Paints are a perfect match to that chipboard sticker FALALALALA !

Told you the colour intensity is aaaahmazing!

Love it all!

With Shimmerz Paints, Christmas never looked so pretty!

Get all the gorgeous colours in the Shimmerz Paints online store HERE

& REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order 

& you'll receive a FREE paint gift! Yay!!!

It's all about the color!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas, 

& a Happy New Year!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Pinkfresh Studio December Days Blog Hop!

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio December Days Blog Hop!

This collection would have to be the prettiest, and most versatile Christmas collection for 2017!

I just LOVE it all!

The Design Team have been creating some super inspiring projects for you
& there's a fabulous prize up for grabs too!



ALL the December Days embellishments!!! YAY!!!

If you've just arrived here from the incredibly talented Adrienne Alvis' blog, then you're in the right place!
If not, here's the official Blog Hop order:

1. Pinkfresh Studio
2. Adrienne Alvis
3. Amanda-Jayne Baldwin <-------- You are HERE
4. Anna Kossakovskaya
5. Ashley Horton
6. Beata Valint
7. Elsie Robinson
8. Evelyn Pratiwi Yusuf
9. Flora Monika Farkas
10. Kathleen Graumuller
11. Veera Saarivuo

*remember to be eligible for the prize you must leave a comment on every blog in the list*

December Days is all about documenting the those December holiday happenings. It beautifully coordinates bold, striking colours with soft and delicate tones. 
As my layout is all about my daughter & I preparing for Christmas 
- Eeeep! Yes that's me in the photo - 
I wanted to create a page that was really feminine and soft. 
Here's what I came up with.....

"Christmas Is Coming"

Oh this is just the prettiest!!! 

I have used that divine pink with gold foiled everything, and added soft grey and red accents to my layout. The result is just so delicate! I LOVE this colour combination!

That oh so pretty pink pattern paper is the B side of CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - it would hands down be my most loved colour in this collection! That subtle grey paper is called CHRISTMAS MAGIC and is also pretty special! They both offer the appearance of falling snow, and lend to all the snowflake embellishments that I've featured on this page. 

I have used the 3 x 4 FOILED JOURNALING CARDS (the ones with the snowflakes of course! ) and placed them on either side of my sweet photo. 

Here's a closer look for you...... 

That card is just stunning! 

And so are all the gold foiled DIE CUTS, CARDSTOCK STICKERS, 

 WOODGRAIN STICKERS & those super cute CHIPBOARD ALPHA STICKER stars!

The repetition of snowflakes and stars really builds that sense of Winter Wonderland!

My sweet photograph has been mounted on the GOLD FOILED CHIPBOARD FRAME snowflake................

You'll also notice a very subtle stencil snowflake beneath the mounted photo & frame - so pretty!

I have also used the same paint for 'snow drops' on my page. 

Speaking of snowflakes, how about those incredible PUFFY & FOILED WOODGRAIN STICKERS?!! With such an intricate design on them, they really have that WOW factor!

The use of wooden embellishments, including the WOODEN BUTTONS adds warmth to the cooler colour palette. The tiny accents of red have the same effect, bringing balance and interest to the overall design.

Pretty colours, golden everything and snowflakes galore = Christmas Perfection!

La la LOVE it all! 

And I hope my layout has inspired you too!

*Please remember to leave a comment to be eligible for the awesome December Days Blog Hop prize pack*

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Time to send you hopping over to the gorgeous Anna Kossakovskaya's blog - she has something wonderful install for you all HERE!

Goodluck with the prize draw! It's such an amazing collection to create with!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: December Working Title!

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends & Fans!

It's time for the December edition of Paper Issues Working Title challenge!

And as it's the Season to be Jolly, the challenge for this month is to....
Use the title and or, lyrics from a Christmas song!
Yay!
Such an easy challenge, but oh so fun too!
I literally wish you a Merry Working Title ;)
Can you tell it's the most wonderful time of the year?!)
LOL.
Okay, okay, I love me some Christmas Carols!

Here's what I've created,

"FaLaLa"

Naww! Isn't this adorable! 

There's a super cute story behind that sweet photograph, 

the short version is.... 

"Love the Nutcracker Mom, as he keeps all your presents safe" Lol! 

This kiddo cracks me up every time! Never a dull moment!

I used Crate Paper's FaLaLa collection for my striking Christmas page, & before you ask,

Yes, that is a Paper Issues happy mail bow adorning my layout too! Love me some Cassie mail!

There's also a few other pretty embellishments on this layout......

The FaLaLa Tinsel Tassels would have to be the most fun adornment for all your Christmas creations this year! Love them! 

I am always a fan of vintage Buttons, 

and the 6 x 12 Stickers & the  Puffy Stickers are pretty cool too!

Here's a closer look at that song inspired title......

Falalalala lalala la!

Christmas creating is SO much fun!

I hope you all feel inspired to play along too! 

 Upload all your new Christmas song/lyrics title creations 

(layouts, cards, pocket pages, December Dailys, OTPs, TNs etc)

in our Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group: December Album HERE

& remember you can enter as many times as you like! 

Each creation counts as an extra entry to the Paper Issues Gift Card draw*

*Just make sure your projects are NEW ;)  

Need supplies before you get started?

Visit the Paper Issues store HERE

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

Looking for more inspration? 

See what our talented team have created HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I can't wait to see what you all create!

Merry Christmas!
& til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: December Product Spotlight: All.The.Christmas!!!

Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for another super awesome Paper Issues 

Today we're shining the spotlight on ALL the Christmas things!!!

Yay!

I bought a TON of the Crate Paper: FaLaLa collection during one of the incredibly awesome 

Paper Issues sales - so time to put it to good use!

First up, I have created this incredibly pretty Christmas card......

"Happy Holidays"

Wow! Pink-tastic!

I used papers from the 6 x 6 Paper Pad (always perfect for cardmaking), 

as well as Die Cuts, Glossy Stickers & 6 x 12 Stickers for this cute number! 

Christmas never looked so girly and pretty!!!

But just incase you're thinking FaLaLa is just for the girls - think again!

I also created this awesome December to Remember inspired layout....

"Merry Christmas" 

Omgoodness! Could he get any cuter?!! 

And what a super fun page!

I love all the festive colours of the season, and couldn't resist the reds and golds in this line!

You'll spy lots of yummy embellishments in my photo cluster, including Chipboard/Puffy & 6x12 Stickers, as well as papers from that 6 x 6 Paper Pad.  

Love it all!!!

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

OH deer!!! 

Test running Santa's chair when he's not there yet  #noway !!!

His response, "He can't be here - he's busy making a list and checking it twice!" LOL!

This kid is just too funny! Love him to bits!!!

You'll also spot that stunning Shimmerz Paints: Spritz in Ruby for my background. 

That colour is just divine! 

Loving it all!

I hope you feel inspired by my Product Spotlight creations!

When it comes to Christmas perfection,

 Paper Issues is where it's at y'all!

Shop all your scrapbook supplies HERE
& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend!

Need a lil Shimmerz in your life too?

Visit the Shimmerz Paints store HERE 

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

Yay for free paint!

Wanna see more Christmas creating?

See what our awesome team have crafted here

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo