Paper Issues: January Sketchy Saturday!




Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with January edition of


Yay! I love a good sketch to spark up my creativity 
here's what the January sketch looks like.....


So.much.fun!

I decided to mirror reflect the sketch for my take on it.....

"FUN"


Totally awesome!
Love this cool kid and his free,wild spirit! 
I snapped this shot on Christmas Eve and couldn't wait to scrap it - he really is the happiest lil guy to hang out with! We have such a blast at the beach together!

I have used Pink Paislee's Wild Child collection for my layout, as well as some Shimmerz Paints for that watercolour wash background. 
I switched the doilies in the sketch for a large tag and super cute ephemera card.
Here's a closer look for you.....


Just chillin', indeed! 
Such a cool boy collection!


So many awesome embellishments in this line!
 Perfect for my fun, everyday moments captured, kinda page! Love it!

What will you create with the sketch?
I can't wait to see your take on it!

Need supplies before you start?
& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend! 


Looking for more Sketchy Saturday inspiration?
See what the rest of our talented team has created here

Thanks so much for visiting today - 
I really appreciate all your encouragement & support!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints: Inklingz & New Year Intentions!




Hi Creative Friends!

Time for my first Shimmerz Paints Social Team share of the New Year!
Yay!!!
It's no secret how much I LOVE these awesome paints!
And speaking of New Year, today's creation is all about my intentions for 2018....

"Unique & Lovely"



Stay Unqiue
Be Lovely
& most of all
Take Time To Stop & Smell The Roses

Great intentions, and even better when combined with our favourite Shimmerz Paints INKLINGZ!

What are Inklingz? 

Inklings are solid, dry, gorgeously shimmering watercolors that are activated by water. They are non toxic and acid free. Their pigments are evenly distributed and intense.

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


Oh swoon! Doesn't this just scream SPRING?!!
Loving all those pretty blooms!
And just look at the shimmer and sheen on those hand coloured roses!!!
DIVINE!
I've used Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Bohemian Dream line, & a Paper Issues Free File for this layout too!

Here's how I created this gorgeous piece....

I may *cough cough* have a thing for all the florals....

I decided to create my own 'floral' background paper with the Paper Issues FREE cut file: Rosey Posey. I used my Silhouette Sketch Pen in Pink to outline the file. 
I then did a quick plan of my page (shown above) and colour matched my Inklingz to the die cut ephemera sentiment, "Be Yourself Colourfully AND Bravely" 

The Inklingz I selected are:


And you can purchase them individually or all together (with a few extra colours)  in the 

I really wanted to replicate that die cut, so I painted my roses not only in the matching colours but also in that diagonal design......



To add a lil more interest, I flick some of the Inklingz, as well as 
The final painty touch is the treatment of that chippie title, unique & lovely. 
I didn't want to distract away from the high shine Inklingz roses, so I half painted the title using Creameez: Sky's The Limit (Still shimmering but not as intense) 
The result is super pretty.....


Unique & Lovely, indeed! 

 
The rest of my layout is a few cleverly positioned die cut ephemera blooms and a sprinkling of sequins! Love it! 
Here's a few close ups for you......


Oh the high sheen on those roses is to die for!


Swoon!!!! Oh-so-pretty!

Inklingz are Aaaaah-mazing pots of shimmery goodness!
I hope I have inspired you to give them a try today!

REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your Shimmer Paints store order 
& you'll receive a lil painty gift! Yay for free paint!

Thanks so much for visiting!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 



Paper Issues: January Free File Friday #1






Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for a new year of fabulous FREE cut files with Paper Issues!


I LOVE all the incredible cut files that Paper Issues has on offer, 
& there are so many new ones appearing in the store all.the.time!!! 

The first cut file challenge for January is all about numerals. 
Use a numeral cut file OR use any cut file and add numerals to it. Easy! 
Here's what I came up with......

"Oh You 2"


Isn't this the sweetest?!!
I have used the gorgeous Amy Tangerine: Hustle & Heart collection for this happy page. 
I just love the bright & fun colours and patterns in this line. 
The title is made from Dear Lizzy Thickers, and you'll spy that I used the number '2' over the edge of my cut file butterfly. Super cute!
The floral cut file & butterfly are just stunning!  
They're from the Cherish Florals file, which looks like this......


Cherish Florals-Free Cut File

SO divine!

Download this cut file HERE for free! (No purchase required)

Here's a better look at them in action.....


That floral is too cute for words!
They really are such simple & beautiful cuts!

To create a little more dimension to this 'clean' look, I used foam tape beneath the floral cut for added interest.


- I LOVE YOU BEYOND MEASURE - 
Perfect sentiment! 
Adore this super happy page documenting my fave 2!

Looking for more fabulous free files? 
& if you do make a purchase, please use the discount code AMANDA
It saves you 20% off your total spend! Yay!!!


Want to see more with our cut files? 
Find more inspiration from our talented team HERE

Thanks so much for visiting today, 
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Bohemian Dreams & Happy Days!




Hi Creative Friends!

Time for a lil more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!
While we eagerly await the all NEW More Than Words collection, I have another stunning design with Bohemian Dream to keep you inspired!
 'Cause let's be honest, I still can't get enough of this gorgeous line!!!

"Happy Days"


Oh.WOW!!! Isn't this just something?!!
It's no secret that I LOVE all the pretty things, but this collection, well let's just say it makes me swoon each and everytime I create with it! It's hard to go wrong with something this beautiful! 
LOVE it all!!!
For this design, I start with a 12 x 12 white cardstock base, and begin by adding paper strips in BD-005 DREAMER to both the left and right sides of my layout. 
This is one of my absolute favourite papers! So pretty AND versatile! 
As my photo 'looks' to the left, I decide to position it onto the right to encourage visual flow. 
So, with this in mind, the main feature of my layout is on the right hand side. I use some complimentary purple Shimmerz Paints (Vibez Princess & Razzledazzel Berry ) to create my mixed media base and then embellish, embellish, embellish!
Here's a closer look....


Oh this really is divine!!!
Inspired by that incredible dreamcatcher CHIPBOARD STICKER, I fussy cut a larger one from pattern paper CV-BD006 BOHO BITS. To make this fussy cut one look more impressive, I foam mount that you are amazing DIE CUT EPHEMERA onto it. 
Feathers and gems are now part of my developing theme, and so I continue to add more of them into my layout! 
You'll also notice that I create my own hanging mobile feathers too!
 I use a delicate lilac tulle ribbon, and glue it underneath that chippie dreamcatcher.
 At the base of the ribbon, I attach those DIE CUT EPHEMERA feathers - so pretty!!!


Such a simple idea, but oh so effective!
As we travel down the right side, we encounter more birds. That FLAIR BUTTON bird is the sweetest! And the birdy adorning my CHIPBOARD STICKER photo frame - well that has also been fussy cut from pattern paper CV-BD006 BOHO BITS. That pattern paper is so awesome!
And all winged things belong together, right? So I include a few butterflies (VELLLUM & DIE CUT EPHEMERA) for good measure.


What a Gem! 
I add a sprinkling of ENAMEL SHAPES and sequins to unite this magical, whimsical notion of dreamcatchers and gems. 
The Happy Days ACCESSORY STICKER tucks in under those feathers beautifully and forms my layout title.
That CHIPBOARD STICKER butterfly is SO gorgeous that I use its smaller DIE CUT EPHEMERA counterpart to complete the right side of my design.

Before we move on, 
let's just take a closer look at that distressed woodgrain framed photo .....



Eeeep! That's me 
(I know, I am really trying to make the effort to feature in more photos this year) 
with my beautiful daughter! 
We were having a 'girls day' and having so much fun! Love it! 
That CHIPBOARD STICKER frame is the perfect accent to my photo. I love the white distressed woodgrain - it adds texture without any fuss! 
Heart this moment, indeed! 
The typewriter font ACCESSORY STICKERS are always my go to for journaling. I really prefer them over my own messy handwriting & they're so easy to apply!
Moving to the left now, and you'll immediately spot that butterfly!
 Yes, it's the same as the chippie one on the right.....


I just loved it so much that, yes you guessed it,  I fussy cut it out from my new fave paper, CV-BD006 BOHO BITS. 
Are you needing this pattern paper yet?!!  I know I've ordered more ;) 
I mounted the butterfly onto that circular ACCESSORY STICKER and added a few more ENAMEL SHAPES & sequins. So pretty! 
I then add my remaining die cuts. 
Those printed tabs just perfect for embellishing that paper strip with! A heart, and last but by no means least, one more butterfly to keep with the whimsy!

And there you have it!
A super stunning layout that really takes advantage of our fabulous embellishments and pattern paper, BOHO BITS!

I hope I have inspired you!
Thanks for visiting!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo

Paper Issues: January Working Title





Hi Paper Loving Friends!

Welcome back for the January edition of 



Wow! Working Title is turning 1! 
Yay for this super fun title challenge!

To celebrate this lil birthday & moreso, the New Year,
 this month's challenge is all about banners!

Suggested ideas include:
 Place your title onto a banner
Hang your title from twine in bunting fashion
Draw/Print n Cut your own banner & title

**Bonus challenge: Include a celebratory or party themed title! **

Here's my sample layout for you....

"Celebrate"


So.much.FUN!!!!
Doesn't this just scream Party?!!
I have used the Pebbles Happy Hooray collection for my layout, and that awesome 'celebrate' banner title is from the Hooray Thickers in this line. So cool!
You'll also spy that fabulous 'confetti' background!
 It's made from my fave Shimmerz Paints Paste-eez. LOVE!!!
Here's a few close ups for you.....


That title is really something!


How cute are those Enamel Sprinkles?!!


All the party things!!! Yay!
I hope you feel inspired by my bright n happy take on this month's Working Title challenge!

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

Need supplies before you get started?
& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend! Yay!


Get your Shimmerz Paints HERE & type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a bonus gift ;) Yay!

Want more celebration inspiration? 
See what our incredible team have created here

Thanks so much for visiting!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Happy New Year & Exciting News Too!




Hi Creative Friends!


Happy New Year!


I hope 2018 will be full of happiness, joy and good fortune for you and your loved ones!

My 2018 is starting off SUPER exciting!!!
SO delighted to share this happy news.....


Oh me, Oh my!!!!
Eeeeep!

To say that I am over the moon to be joining the Elle's Studio Design Team, 
and in the company of these talented ladies, is an understatement!
Soooooooooooo delighted and can't wait to share some fabulous creating with you all!

See more about these wonderful Creatives' on the Elle's Studio Blog HERE

THANKYOU!

Your ongoing encouragement and comments mean so much!

Happy 2018! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 




Paper Issues: January New Issue Monday!




Hi Creative Friends!

Happy New Year! 
I hope that 2018 brings you much happiness & joy!

Paper Issues are kicking off the New Year with a brand New Issue...


The January issue is....

We're Off To A Fresh Start

Suggested ideas:
 Pages about your plans/intentions/resolutions for the new year; 
Use "2018" on your project; 
How did you ring in New Year's Eve; 
Share any project you'd like — anything goes. 

Here's what I created, 

"Wonderful"


Isn't this stunning?! I love that photo of me and my darling daughter - such happy times!
My layout is inspired by our New Year's intentions to reach for the stars, as well as making this year our time to shine.  
To start off the New Year 'fresh' I am also stash busting all my left over collections. For this layout I have used the super pretty Dear Lizzy Stargazer collection.
That incredible constellation pattern paper is called Magical (& isn't it just!) 
That colour is just divine!

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


So many awesome embellishments in this collection! From cute flair, to Wood Icon Paper Clips, and even those 6 x 12 Cardstock Stickers - love it all!


Wonderful, indeed!!!

And there you have it! 
My take on this month's New Issue!

Looking for Dear Lizzy and more?
& REMEMBER: Use code AMANDA to save 20% off your total! Yay!


Want more New Issue inspiration? 
See what our talented team has created here. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo