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?

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


& 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 

Elle's Studio: April New Releases!!!




Hi Friends!

I am SO excited about this month's
Kit Reveal at Elle's Studio! 
I know - I say this every month, but seriously April is amazing!
To make it even more exciting, the all new NOTEWORTHY collection is now available too! Yayyy!
So much awesomeness this month!
Before I share my first projects, let's take a quick look at all these new releases....

First up, the exclusive April Kit! 



Loving the mix of colors and patterns here! So good!

And let's not forget the fabulous Add-Ons...


The Acrylics! The Stamps! The Stickers and Veneers! I NEED it all!!!
How about the Currently Printables & Digital Cut Files....



So.much.awesome!!!

And the icing on the cake is definitely the all new NOTEWORTHY collection....

Told you this month is AMAZING!!!!
Now you know why!

You can shop ALL the New Releases HERE.

Wanna see my first two creations with these fabulous products? (I've been having fun!)

First up is my layout with the April Kit - I'm documenting the everyday adventures...

"Outdoor FUN"


Everyday happiness, indeed! 
Nothing more magical than getting outdoors and enjoying the day with this Mr Cool! 
Life is a grand adventure!
The acrylic subtitle is so exquisitely cut and is the perfect adornment to this sweet page!
Here's a couple close ups for you.....


Loving the 3 x 4 card layers beneath my photo - the colours and patterns are just perfect for this happy moment! 
& how awesome are those add-on  Acrylic Stars?!!


It's no secret that I heart all the stickers, 
and the Adventure Puffy Stickers are no exception!
So good!

But what about the new NOTEWORTHY line?!! 
This collection is just bursting with bright colours & I couldn't wait to play with them all....

"Favorite" 


So magical! All the happy vibes! 
I am just in LOVE with that rainbow stripe pattern paper from the 6 x 6 Paper Stack! 
You can see how it inspired my design - use all the pretty colours!!! 
And then coordinate with all the pretty embellishments! 
Here's a closer look...


All the pretty things!!! La la LOVE it all!


The Acrylic Stars are from the April Add-Ons - they really compliment the NOTEWORTHY collection!


Everyone dreams of being a unicorn (or at least magical) just once in their lives, right? 
So why not document all those crazy, happy, silly details?! 

No denying that NOTEWORTHY has my heart already!!!

And there you have it!
A quick look at my first layouts with the fabulous Elle's Studio: April New Releases!

*Remember: Elle's Studio kits sell out super fast, 
so to avoid disappointment, get yourself a monthly subscription HERE*

I can't wait to share more Elle's Studio awesomeness with you a lil later in the month!
(& I am excited to see what you'll create with these products too!) 
Thanks so much for visiting today, 
til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: April: Free File Free-for-all!




Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness!
 Today I am sharing my take on the Free Files Free-for-all challenge!

Paper Issues have SO many awesome free cut files for you to download!

One of my all-time favorites is the Cherish Florals set - it looks like this....


So gorgeous, huh?!
So many possibilities from just one file! 
I have used that sweet butterfly for my project today - 

Here's my layout....

"Beautiful" 


Oh isn't this beautiful, indeed!
I have combined our Cherish Florals butterfly with the super pretty Cocoa Vanilla Studio Bohemian Dream collection for this gorgeous mother-daughter page! Love it!
Such a happy day spent with my darling girl! 

To recreate this look, simply enlarge the butterfly and back the cut file with pattern papers. 
Super simple, but oh so effective!
Here's a few close ups for you......


That cut file is really something! And teamed with all those pretty blooms, it just shines! 


Those florals are SO pretty!


And who doesn't love a butterfly flair button?!  
Or a chipboard title....



To make my title more visible, I have used Shimmerz Paints: Vibez in Princess beneath it. 
Just gorgeous!
Paper Issues cut files really add that 'wow' factor!

I hope you feel inspired by my creation today! 

If you haven't added this cut file to your library yet, what are you waiting for?!!
You can download this amazing Free File here 
Or download hundreds more from the store in our Free Files section

***Be sure to upload & share your Free File layouts and projects in our 
 You'll also go in the draw to win a store Gift Card for every new entry you upload!

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


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

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo

Paper Issues: April: Layered On Thick!




Hi Papercrafters!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness!

Today I am playing along with the new layers challenge - 


Such a fun n easy challenge to create along with! 
Here's what I created....

"#LOVETHIS"


Lol! Such a silly, fun photo! 
With such happy memories, the Crate Paper Good Vibes collection was the perfect option! 
So bright n playful! 
The colors in this line make me happy; good vibes indeed! 
You'll spot pattern paper, Hashtag as my base - I love the geometric design, and it just begged for enamel dots!

And how about those layered embellishments!?!! All the awesomeness here! 


You can see more Crate Paper delights in the Paper Issues store HERE

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


Thanks so much for stopping by today! 
I hope I have inspired you to play along with this super fun challenge!

Upload your entries for this challenge in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group HERE
& go in the draw to win a Paper Issues Gift Card! 
Good luck!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Elle's Studio: Digital Cut Fun Part 2!




Hi Creative Friends! 
Welcome back for more Elle's Studio inspiration!  

As you already know, I am just crazy for the monthly Digital Cut Files!
& today I am expanding on that love with

 Digital Cut Fun: Part 2! 

***If you missed Digital Cut Fun you can go back and check it out HERE***

Today's focus is on combining those awesome digital files with the monthly printable designs - yay!
Here's what the March set looks like....


Totally awesome, huh?!

I just adore all the cute bunny designs in the latest Happy Day Printables set, and couldn't resist creating an Easter page with them!

Here's my layout, 
"Bunny Love"


Oh the cuteness! Does it get any sweeter than this?!! And yes, yes, yesssss to all the bunnies!

You'll be surprised just how super easy it is to re create this look! 
Simply open the Happy Days Printables and select the images you wish to print. Edit sizes according to your needs & print away!
 I was super lazy and selected my images and just hit the 'share' & 'print' options in Microsoft Windows. I selected my sizes according to the options in Print Pictures. 
Yes, it's honestly that easy! 
 Fussy cut them out (or if you're really clever print & cut with your silhouette software) and voila! Rabbit season!
I especially love the heart icon which I over size to create the cut file bunnies tummy with! 
And speaking of cut files, here's how I created those sweet big feature bunnies....


Enlarge the white tail bunny digital design to 11 inches in height, left align the image and cut it out with white cardstock. Keep the cut out to use as a future template, and use the bunny 'hole' or negative to back with pattern papers. I love the softness and whimsy of the gray stars design in the Live Laugh Love 6 x 6 Paper Stack. As I opted to use 6 x 6 papers, I rounded the bunny chin & glued it over the other sheet of paper to avoid the appearance of ugly join marks. I then add that extra large heart icon to create the bunny tummy. So cute! Using black cardstock scraps, I snip out a nose and eyes for our sleepy bunny. A pink bow and faux stitching (black felt tip pen) complete the main rabbit. 


For the second pattern paper rabbit, you will need your previously cut out rabbit template. Position the template over the paper you wish to use. I chose the pretty pink hearts from the Live Laugh Love collection because they coordinated perfectly with the heart icon printable, and then it's a simple trace & cut! SO easy! Apply the faux stitching and glue into position. 

Now it's time to make the bunny banner! 



Suspend some baker's twine onto the top right hand corner of your page, and glue into place. Take your Happy Days Printable bunnies and adhere them to the string like flags. Divide each bunny with a Puffy Sticker star from the March Kit & Add-Ons, and add a pom pom cotton tail to each one! Adorable!

Use more of your printed bunnies to both adorn & layer your photo onto....



You'll also spot a few items from our March Kit here ;)

I add more of the printed bunnies to the left side of my feature rabbit too! 
Complete your layout with Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Enamel Dots & Heart Of Gold Chipboard Stickers. 
Simple, fun and oh so perfect for Easter memory keeping!



Layering cut files with printables is super easy but looks so effective!
I hope you'll give this technique a try! 

Thanks so much for visiting today!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 


Shimmerz Paints: Exciting NEW Stampz & Inspiration!




Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!

I was SO excited when Shimmerz Paints announced that they were expanding their product range to include Stampz! Yayyyyy!!!!

Here's my first card creations with them.....


Oh WOW!!! These Stampz are just sensational!!! 
Let's take a closer look at them.....



I heart this! It's such a sweet design!
I chose the last phrase for my first card.....


Create your own sunshine, indeed!
This is so fun & fresh! 
I have used a permanent black ink to stamp with, 
and then coloured the image with Shimmerz Paints Inklingz!

But if you prefer something softer, and more subtle, 
this second card may be more to your liking....




Oh isn't this divine?!!
I have used the first phrase, and coloured with Shimmerz Paints Creameez.
I just LOVE how this turned out! So soft and dreamy - it's my favourite!

Have a thing for florals?! Well this next Stampz set will be sure to win your heart!




So pretty, huh?! 
This time I coloured the intricate details with fine point pens, and then used Creameez Boogie Boardin' Blue for the sky background. So Sweet! 

And saving the best for last,





Sigh! Isn't this beautiful?!!
I couldn't adore this more if I tried! All.the.pretty.things in this Stampz set!
La la love it all! 

And there you have it! 
My first play and create with the stunning new Stampz from Shimmerz Paints!

See more of the fabulous Stampz, and order yours HERE! 

& REMEMBER: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your order to receive a free paint! Yay!!! 



Thanks so much for visiting today - I hope I have inspired you!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Pebbles: Patio Party & Planner Inspiration!




Hi Creative Friends!

It's planning theme week over on the Pebbles Inc blog! 
And for this theme post, I wanted to share a makeover of my less glamorous, everyday planner! 
Not the over sized, over decorated planner that sits on my desk for flat lay photo shoots -  but the honest, everyday, no frills, pocket size one that I carry around in my purse! 
My 'real life mom' planner! 
You know the one, it has scribblings of new phone numbers, a reminder to pick up the dry cleaning, a few coupons and a list of bills to pay!


Yes... the boring, unexciting planner. 
BUT, that's all about to change with a quick planner make over!
I am using the gorgeous, bright & happy Patio Party collection for this cute planner inspiration today...



This line is so pretty, and the colors in Patio Party will brighten any dull organizer! And while I want to create a much happier, prettier planner I also want to keep it practical and easy to use -
Here's how....
My planner make over starts with creating my own custom dividers.




To make these 'fit' perfectly, use the original dividers that your organizer came with as a template. Trace the template onto your favourite Patio Party pattern paper and cut out. I also trace the holes so I know exactly where to hole punch my new dividers. As the first divider is the one I'll always see when I open my planner, I use the striking gold foil specialty paper from the 6 x 6 Paper Pad.

*Note: The 6 x 6 papers are single sided, so you'll need to repeat this process - reverse side up for the template, and adhere both sides together to create the one divider*

The striped, shiny gold pattern is just gorgeous but as this is the front cover divider, it still needs more....


I embellish with a few stickers from the 6 x 12 Accent Stickers sheet. Cute! 
That sentiment sticker has just the right amount of inspiration too! Now that I'm happy with my first divider, I proceed to make one for every tabbed section in my organizer. 
This time, I use the double sided 12" x 12" pattern papers so I only need to trace each template once. 
Here's a look at them all, right side up.....


Aren't they the sweetest?! I'm already feeling uplifted! 
Here's the reverse side....

Pretty florals, and oh my heart, flamingos!!! 
What a difference a set of dividers can make to your organizer!
And when it comes to being organized, having a bookmark to instantly locate your fave section of your planner is essential!


How sweet is this book mark?! 
Like the dividers, I use the original as a template to trace around, cut out and hole punch. 
So simple, and yet such a practical and pretty adornment to  your organizer.
Speaking of practical, how about something cute 'n' fun to store all those ugly coupons in?


Oh hello flamingos & hello happy! This planner pocket makes me smile!
There are a number of ways to create pockets, but the simplest one is to trace your divider template, but double the width. In my example my planner is 3 1/2" x 5", so I cut out a 3 1/2 " x 10" piece of paper. Score down the center, fold and tape the base and sides together.  Be sure to leave the top unsealed so you can insert your bits 'n' pieces into the pocket. 
Looking for something more sturdy? 
Instead of tape, machine stitch the sides and base.
The next step in 'dressing up' my everyday planner was to convert the plain plastic pocket inserts into something a bit more special....



Eeep! Sequin shaker pockets are my favourite!!! So cool! 
This pocket now doubles as a super pretty divider!
To create this fun (& practical) pocket, you'll need to insert a piece of pattern paper into the pocket. It needs to be a snug fit to help hold the sequins in place. Add sequins, and then fuse or glue the top of the pocket to the pattern paper. Embellish with another of those gorgeous 6 x 12 Accessory Stickers. You'll see in the image below that the back of the pocket still opens, and remains suitable for storing small items, receipts, tickets etc. ...


Love this! So perfect & so much fun!!!
Time to dress up that dashboard and boring cover!
I start by selecting a few of my favourite Die Cuts, and hot glue a large paperclip to the back of each of them. 
Here's a closer look for you....



Oh what a stunning page marker! Planner clips never looked so sweet!
Insert them into your cover, add a few more stickers and voila!


Now that's more like it! 
Still lightweight, & practical for my purse, but oh so pretty too!!!
Here's a look at that shaker pocket in action....

Gorgeous!!!
When it comes to jazzing up your organizer, or updating it with a fresh Spring look, Patio Party is the perfect choice!

I hope you feel inspired to get creative in your planners and organizers with our beautiful products!

Thanks so much for visiting today,
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo

PATIO PARTY SUPPLIES: