Shimmerz Paints: Happy Heart Process Video!





Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints awesomeness!
Today I am sharing some sweet Heart Day inspiration for you,
& there's also a process video too!
Valentine's Day is one of my all time favorite Holidays,
& I just LOVE creating all the heart things!
But enough chatter, here's my layout......

"Happy Heart"


Oh.my.heart!!!
This is so super sweet and completely melts me!
You'll spy the following Shimmerz Paints products:

Spritz Ruby
Spritz Cotton Candy
Vibez Pop Art Pink
Paste-eez Peach Fuzz
Paste-eez Salt of The Earth

What a wonderful color combination!
Here's a closer look for you.....


Gor-jus!!!
As well as our super shimmery, and divine paints I've also used the Cocoa Vanilla Studio: More Than Words collection & the Hello Hearts cut file from The Cut Shoppe.

I start this layout by spraying Spritz Ruby to the top of the Hello Hearts cut file.
This very pretty red is so vibrant!



Next, I apply Vibez Pop Art Pink to the center of the cut file, and at the base of the cut file I spray Spritz Cotton Candy. I also add a couple more light sprays of the Ruby to add a lil tonal interest too!
Just look at the golden shimmer from the Pop Art Pink - Stunning!!!



These colors have my heart!

Before I attach the Shimmery cut file to the pattern paper base, I prep the paper with a light coat of Jo Sonja's White Gesso. I then apply Pop Art Pink with a very watery paint brush, creating a soft base of color. I then add splatters and droplets in Spritz Ruby Cotton Candy, as well as the Vibez Pop Art Pink. I then apply those beautiful textured hearts with a Vicki Boutin Stencil & Paste-eez Peach Fuzz. So pretty!



The pink textured hearts are made from combining Paste-eez Salt of the Earth with Spritz Ruby - another gorgeous color combination!


For finishing touches, I add more Ruby droplets and a lil paint around my photo to complete my Happy Heart themed layout. 
Here's one last close up for you....


Absolutely beautiful! 

Want to see more of how this layout came together?
Please watch my process video below, & thanks for liking & subscribing! 




I hope you enjoy watching! 

*REMEMBER*: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your Shimmerz Paints Store order  HERE to receive a FREE paint! Yay! 
(No minimum spend, not valid with any other offers & code can be used repeatedly) 


Thanks for stopping by, 
til next time, 



Elle's Studio: January Kit & New Releases!




Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

Welcome back for a new year of Elle's Studio awesomeness! 
I am SO over the moon delighted to be remaining on this incredible team! 
I can't wait to inspire you with more of our amazing releases, 
& like every month, the new 2019 January Kit rocks!
Here's a little looksee for you.....


Told you it rocks!!! 
SO many gorgeous patterns, colors and die cuts!
Get your January Kit HERE 
The Add-ons are crazy good too.....


Oh.My.Heart!!! 
We all know how much I love Elle's Studio Stamps, 
and the January Happy Heart Stamp is my new favorite of them! LOVE!
From cool veneers, to acrylics, acetate shapes, puffy stickers & more - the Add-ons are completely winning me over! I need all.the.things!!!
And last, but by no means least, 
here's a peek at the monthly Printables & Digital Cut Files....


Yep, January is all kinds of awesome!!!


Here's my first two layouts created with these divine products,

"Happy Days"


So soft & sweet! Such a beautiful Dad & Daughter moment!

Other Supplies: Sewing Machine, Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Peacock, Umbrella Crafts Ink: Sky Blue, Umbrella Crafts Ink: Mint

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

Interactive elements are so much fun, & I just adore that sweet hidden journaling pocket! 



And while we're having a closer look, how awesome are stamps?!! 
They're all from the Happy Heart Stamp (which I just can't get enough of!)
Those puffy stickers are pretty cool too! 




So.much.gorgeousness here! 
The blue Love This heart has been fussy cut from one of the January 2019 Kit cards, and coordinates beautifully with the blue pattern paper from the All My Heart 6 x 6 Paper Stack. 
I have also repeat stamped the camera icon in mint ink to match the one in the die cut! 
I use the Sweetheart Puffy Stickers and XO Wood Confetti to complete my page. Love it!

My second layout also features that amazing Happy Heart Stamp.....

"Happy Heart"


Whoa! So awesome!
I have used the confetti style stamp from the Happy Heart Stamp set to create that incredible semi-circle base, as well as add heart icons, sentiments and those striking X's and O's! 

Other Supplies: Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Picked Raspberry, Umbrella Crafts Ink: Pink, Umbrella Crafts Ink: Ruby, StazOn: Black.   

Here's a closer look....


I use the black heart strings die cuts to create a banner that follows around the stamped semi-circle. I fussy cut the large XO from one of the January 2019 Kit cards and add it to my banner. 


Such a fun & inventive way to use the 3 x 4 cards if you're not a pocket page memory keeper! 

I am loving the Linked Wood Veneer Hearts
They serve as both a fabulous photo frame and anchor to my page design. The use of veneer on this cool and striking page, really adds balance and warmth. 
I embellish with all.the.things around and even on, my semi-circle. SO effective! 


Omgoodness! So adorable! Too cute, indeed! 
Love the Sweetheart Puffy Sticker that adorns my linked hearts frame - adding both color, dimension and gentle texture to my layout. 
But again, it's the Happy Heart Stamp that I'm totally crushing on....


These stamps are errrrything!!!! 
And stamped in black ink, they're SO striking! 
Oh, and how cute is that layered Acetate Heart?! 
Totally gor-jus!!! 


 I hope I have inspired you to get creating with your Elle's Studio kits
These kits always sell out fast, but don't worry - 
you can start yourself a subscription HERE so you never miss out again, yayyy! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! 
I have a few more Happy Heart Stamp layouts to share with you - so stay tuned! 

til next time, 

Citrus Twist Kits: 2019 Life Crafted Kit - Getting Started!




Hi Friends!

Thanks so much for joining me today as I reveal my first 'play' with the beautiful new 

Haven't seen this amazing new kit, yet?
Here's a quick peek for you....


This is the first kit, called Fresh Starts and is SO gorgeous!!! 
You can order it from the CTK store HERE. 

And, if you're wanting the 'whole' Life Crafted experience,
 be sure to get yourself one (or several!) of these elegant new albums......



Sigh!
This new size album (6.5" x 9.25" with a 1.75" spine) is perfect for documenting all your life stories with!
This tiny size is a total game changer for me - finally a pocket page option that meets my needs! Think pocket page documenting meet traveler's notebooks; perfection!!!
You can order the albums HERE

Enough chatter though,
here's how the opening pages of my Life Crafted album looks....


Oh.my.heart!
The pretty pastel pattern papers & ephemera included in the Fresh Starts Kit were ideal for decorating my opening pages with! 
And because I love color, I decorated the back of the front cover & utilized this space to create a 6" wide pocket to store supplies & memorabilia in! 
Here's a closer look for you.....


Such a great use of this otherwise 'empty' space. 
The versatility of Life Crafted is that it allows your to customize your album in your signature style.
So cool! 

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


This is where it all begins...
Such a pretty page to start my album with! 
And yes, everything you've seen today is solely from the Life Crafted Kits! 
No need to raid your stash for coordinating items, this kit comes with everything you need!
Here's my second page....

So lovely!

I hope you're feeling inspired by my getting started post & will stop back to see how my album progresses! 
You can shop ALL the Life Crafted pretties in the CTK store HERE

Thanks so much for visiting, 
til next time, 


Pebbles: Patio Party Scrapbook Process Video!





Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more Pebbles Design Team inspiration! 
2018 saw the release of so many gorgeous collections for Pebbles, 
but my very favorite would have to be the bright and beautiful 
Jen Hadfield: Patio Party. Just beautiful! 
So, just before we reveal the first of many stunning new lines for 2019, let's take another look at this wonderful collection!
Today I am sharing a very sweet & fun scrapbook layout,

"Smile"


Oh isn't this pretty?!!
Such a beautiful page that really draws on all the gorgeous florals and blooms in both my photo, & the Patio Party collection! Love it!
Here's a closer look for you....


Sigh! This is soooooooo pretty!
I have featured the beautiful Backyard Blooms pattern paper as both the layout base and 'border', and then used this very same pattern in the 6 x 6 size to back my silly selfie photo with! The repeat patterning creates unity within my design, and pulls everything 'together'. As it is such a busy pattern paper, I avoid adding other designs or patterns and instead, opt for lots of complimentary embellishments to support my photo with.


How pretty are all those blooms?!
You'll spy them in Die Cut Ephemera, Dimensional Stickers, Puffy Stickers and even the 6 x 12 Accent Stickers - so many beautiful embellishments to create layers and interest with!


Just look at those layers!!! All the heart eyes for these pretty details!


With all those bright, pop colors & layered blooms, I feature the Wood Stickers to create balance in my design. The strong, rectangular shape combined with the dark wood grain offer a hint of masculinity and structure to this otherwise girly page.
I use the gold Puffy Sticker, Smile for my title - perfect for my selfie!


For finishing touches, I add a little watercolor paint and splatter droplets to complete my lovely page!
Want to see more?

Thanks so much for liking & subscribing too!
I hope you enjoy my video!
Thanks so much for visiting today!




The Cut Shoppe: Follow Your Heart!





Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more digital cut file inspiration!
Amanda here, and to start off 2019 I am all about stash busting my supplies. Time to use up all the things and have a fresh start to the New Year! Yay!
To save time, I often cut an extra cut file or two in white cardstock to 'save' for a just incase or unexpected project. I call these my 'back up files' for times when my software needs a lengthy update or just doesn't want to play nice (you know what I'm talkin' 'bout, right?) LOL!
Well, in my back up stash, I had cut the awesome Follow Your Heart file - perfect for combining with my hoarded stash of Pink Paislee's Auburn Lane.....

"Forever Friends"


Follow your heart, indeed! Isn't this pretty?!! Totally swoon worthy!  
The pink backed heart against the textured woodgrain paper is just stunning!

The Follow Your Heart file is just the BEST!
Here's what it looks like....

image 0

Such a fun design! You can get this awesome file HERE!

Here's a closer look at my beautiful layout....


I have backed the heart with 4 of the Pink Paislee Auburn Lane pattern papers, then foam mounted a die cut ephemera heart in the center. For added interest & a lil' bling, I use pink sequins at each of the heart 'joins' - so pretty!  


Before adding the Follow Your Heart cut file to my layout, I add a beautiful layer of paint splatters & droplets. I use watered down white acrylic paint plus Shimmerz Paints Vibez sprays in Pop Art Pink, Sweet Heart & Razzeldazzel Berry. So effective! 

***Remember: Type AMANDA in the comments section of your Shimmerz Paints Store order to receive a FREE gift***

I foam mount the heart, and attach it to that mixed media and woodgrain base. 
I add the beautiful ephemera tag to the heart, and then wrap the gold foam Thickers title around the heart....



SO gorgeous! 
I also embellish the heart with die cut ephemera blooms - because there's no such thing as too many florals, right?! 


And lastly, I add my beautifully adorned and framed photograph to the Follow Your Heart feature!


Beautiful!
A light sprinkle of sequins, & some enamel hearts and dots complete this lovely layout! 
I hope you enjoyed seeing my first layout for The Cut Shoppe for 2019! 
And you can see more fabulous designs in The Cut Shoppe HERE

Thanks so much for visiting!



And A Lil' More Happy News for the New Year....




Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

Welcome back! 
I have just a lil more exciting news to share with you all today....


Yippeeeee!!! 

I'm so thrilled to be remaining on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team for a 5th year!
Happy, happy days!
I am so thankful & grateful to be part of this incredible team! 
Cocoa Vanilla Studio holds a special place in my heart, and it always will! 

We welcome back a number of our favorite DT members, & introduce 5 new faces too! 
Please join me in congratulating each & every one of them - 
You can find them all tagged in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio announcement HERE, 
so you can follow their creative accounts too! 

Thanks again for all your continued support, comments & likes - 
this encouragement means so much! 

More New Year News!




Hi Everyone! 

Welcome back to the Happy Arty Days blog! 
I have another super exciting announcement for 2019 to share......



Yayyyyyy!!!!
Happy dance moment!
I'm beyond thrilled to be remaining on the Elle's Studio Design Team! 
We have such an amazing line up of creatives to inspire you, & I'm honoured to be amongst them!
It's no secret how much I love this team,  so you can just imagine my delight & excitement!!!! 
So.super.happy!!!! 
Oh, & how awesome are our exclusive Design Team tee-shirts?!!! 
So cool! LOVE this! 

Don't know all the faces in this amazing team?
Visit the Elle's Studio blog HERE for the official announcement and links to all their creative accounts! 

Thanks so much for all your continued support, 
it really means the world! 

Hope your 2019 is shaping up to be as exciting and awesome as mine!