Joy | Charms Creations

Hi creative friends!

Today I have a layout to share with you that I created for Charms Creations!

On this layout I documented a beautiful photo of my three kiddies taken on Christmas day last year. Photos like this make my heart happy!

I used the Stuck?! Sketches December 1st sketch as inspiration. Here's a look at the sketch designed by Laura Whitaker...

I used a combination of Felicity Jane and Simple Stories products on this page.

Here are a couple of closeups...

I love the Charms Creations Music Note embellishments, and the chevron was the perfect addition to this page! I finished it off with a glittery gold chipboard star on top!

I used a Simple Stories chipboard word as the title for my layout, and I popped a Felicity Jane flair button on top.

I finished the page off with a few hanging baubles and some stars and snowflakes.

Make sure you go check out all of the beautiful Charms Creations embellishments!

Mandy x

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hey crafty friends!

Today I have a fun festive layout to share with you! For the next two weeks, the Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team are all going to be sharing Christmas projects using non-Christmas themed products over on the CVS blog! It's going to be awesome to see what everyone comes up with! For my layout, I decided to combine quite a few different CVS collections to create a fresh and vibrant colour palette. Here's what I came up with...

I documented a photo of my little nephew Jude on this layout. Last year was his very first Christmas, so it was a particularly special Christmas for our family! He looked so adorable with his little Santa hat on!

I wanted to have a large feature title on this layout so that I could include lots of the beautiful CVS patterned papers. I chose a cut file, and then backed each of the words using a variety of different patterned papers. Here's a list of the papers that I used (from top to bottom)... 

Totally Rad - Mix Tape (reverse side)

Bohemian Dream - Abundant (reverse side)

Bohemian Dream - Gypsy Heart (reverse side) 

Colour Me Happy - Leaf Litter (reverse side) 

You ROCK - Night Sky 

I LOVE how all of these patterned papers look together!

I added a couple of layers behind my photo using the Night Sky patterned paper from the You ROCK collection, as well as a frame from the Free Spirit Die Cut Ephemera pack. I also tucked a little tab from the Bohemian Dream Accessory Sticker sheet under the right hand side of the photo. I've been hoarding the gorgeous buttons from the Hello Sunshine collection for quite awhile, but I decided that it was time to pull them out and get them onto a layout! I added one on the left hand side of the photo, and two more around the layout the layout as well.

Up in the top left hand corner of the layout, I added a few embellishments from the 'You ROCK' collection, including a chipboard sticker, a wood veneer piece, and a star that I fussy cut from the Starshine patterned paper.

I created another little cluster to the left of the word 'little'. This one includes a 'Bohemian Dream' flair button, another fussy cut star, and another little button from the 'Hello Sunshine' collection. I love how those stars add the perfect pop of red to the page!

The CVS little phrase stickers always add the perfect finishing touch to a layout! I used one that says 'love this', which was from the 'Colour Me Happy' Snip-Its pack.

To add some more interest to the page, I added a few puffy stars. These were from the 'Free Spirit' puffy sticker pack, as well as the 'Hello Sunshine' one. I finished the layout off by adding a messy hand-drawn border around the page, and then lastly I added some black ink splatters.

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today! Maybe you've been inspired to create a Christmas layout using non-Christmas themed products? Make sure you pop on over to the CVS blog for lots more Christmas inspiration over the coming weeks!

Mandy x

Cherish This | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

Today I have a new layout to share with you featuring the gorgeous Bohemian Dream collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio! This week the design team are all sharing layouts that focus on either pink or blue, and I'm loving the projects that have been shared on the blog so far! Personally I don't really have a preference between pink and blue - I love creating with both - it really just depends on the mood that I'm in and the photos that I'm scrapbooking! This time I was in the mood to create a girly layout, so I focused on the beautiful pinks within the Bohemian Dream collection!

I documented a recent photo of my youngest daughter, Eleanor, playing with her new baby doll that she got for her birthday. She loves taking care of her baby by feeding her, and changing her nappy, and getting her dressed. I love seeing that nurturing side to her, and so I wanted to scrapbook this photo to document that. (I'm planning to add my journaling to the back of the layout, because I couldn't find a spot where I would be happy with the placement of it.)

I started my layout off by adding some paint to the background, and then I laid a cut file over the top. I backed some of the hearts in the cut file with papers from the 6x6 paper pad as well as the Beautiful Mess patterned paper. The smaller patterns on the 6x6 papers made them perfect for backing the cut file! I also used the Bohemian Dream clear stamps to fill in some of the open spaces in the cut file.

Behind my photo I added some layers using a couple more of the 6x6 papers, and I also added some foam tape underneath it to give the photo some extra dimension, and separate it from the background.

I'm loving the chipboard titles in this collection! I combined one of the little phrase stickers from the accessory sticker sheet with a chipboard word to create the title 'cherish this'. I also added one of the pretty die cut flowers and some leaves to the right of the title.

I created a second cluster of embellishments up in the top left hand corner of the page that includes a die cut flower, a chipboard bird, and a little word sticker. If you love using pink on your projects, you'll find lots of pretty pink embellishments in the Bohemian Dream collection!

I added another little cluster down in the bottom left hand corner of the page to create a third point of interest (and to complete the visual triangle). This one includes a beautiful flair button and a banner from the die cut ephemera pack.

If you'd like to see how this page came together, you can check out my process video...

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today! Maybe you've been inspired to create a 'pink' layout too!

Mandy x

Beautiful | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi friends!

Today I have another layout to share with you featuring the GORGEOUS new Cocoa Vanilla Bohemian Dream collection! Who else is totally in love with the beautiful colours in this collection?! I love that there's a beautiful mix of both pastels and brights! So divine! For this layout, I opted for the lovely bright colours in the collection to document these super cute photos of my gorgeous little niece...

I started off my layout by creating a bright watercolour background using spray inks, which I then stenciled over the top of using white acrylic paint. To add some more interest, I also did some stamping on the background using the beautiful Bohemian Dream clear stamp set.

To ground the layout, I added a strip of the Dreamer patterned paper across the bottom of the page.

I love that this collection includes chipboard title stickers! The word 'beautiful' was the perfect title for this layout! I want to have a go at colouring these with inks or paints like some of the other talented design team girls have done, but for this page, the white title really popped against the brightly coloured background, so I just left it as is! I did pop some small pieces of foam tape underneath the word to raise it up and give it some extra dimension, which is something I love to do!

I'm absolutely loving the florals in this collection! It's so easy to create beautiful floral clusters by layering them together! In this cluster I included a chipboard sticker, a few pieces from the die cut ephemera pack, and a leaf from the vellum accents pack.

Under the side of the smaller photo I tucked a little tab from die cut pack. I also added one of the cute flair buttons on the right hand side of the photo.

In the top left hand corner of the page I added a chipboard sticker, which helps to direct the viewer's focus down towards the main photo.

I finished the layout off with another floral cluster down in the bottom left hand corner of the page. This one also includes a chipboard sticker and a couple of die cuts. See how beautiful the florals are?!

If you'd like to see how this layout came together, you can check out my process video...

Thanks so much for joining me here on my blog today! I'll be back later in the month with another project to share with you!

Mandy x

Dream | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

Today I'm so excited to be sharing my first layout using the brand new Cocoa Vanilla Studio Bohemian Dream collection! I absolutely love this beautiful collection... especially the dreamy colours, and the gorgeous florals! It's so pretty and feminine! This week on the blog the design team have all been sharing projects that showcase each of their 'signature styles', and today I'll be wrapping up this feature! I documented a photo of my eldest daughter Abi that I took when she was about 3 1/2 years old... Nearly 10 years ago! I love her beautiful smile in this photo, and the colours worked perfectly with this collection!

I included lots of my go-to techniques on this layout. If you take a look at my past layouts, you'll notice that they usually include most of these things...

White cardstock background 

Dimension (using foam tape) 

Embellishment clusters 

Visual triangles 

White space 

Layering 

Typed journaling 

I started my layout off by adding strips of the Abundant patterned paper (both the A-side and the B-side) down the left and right hand sides of the layout. I think this is probably my favourite paper in the collection... I can't go past a good floral! I used a border punch to add some detail to the strips. I then added some layers behind behind my photo using the Dreamer and the Gypsy Heart patterned papers (both reverse sides), as well as a die cut frame, and a doily from my stash. I also added some foam tape underneath the photo to lift it up and give it some dimension!

I created a pretty floral cluster on the bottom left hand corner of the photo using flowers from the die cut ephemera pack. How pretty are these colours?!! I used a word from the chipboard sticker sheet as the title for my layout, and layered this on top of the flowers. I also tucked a flair button into the cluster as well.

I created a smaller cluster down in the bottom right hand corner of the page to balance out the heaviness in the top half of the layout. This one includes both die cuts and vellum accents.

To create a third point of interest on the layout, I tucked a die cut tab and a vellum flower under the right hand side of the photo. You can also see here that I added a sticker and a strip of typed journaling underneath the photo.

I finished the layout off with a few enamel hearts and some stamping using the gorgeous new clear stamp set.

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today! I hope that you enjoyed taking a look at my layout and you've been inspired to have a play with the beautiful 'Bohemian Dream' collection!

Mandy x

Dyan Traveler's Notebook Spread | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hey friends!

Today I have a traveler's notebook spread to share with you using the Cocoa Vanilla Studio You ROCK collection!

On this spread I documented a photo of myself with the lovely Dyan Reaveley! A couple of weekends ago she was teaching at the scrapbook store where I work, and so I was able to attend a class with her, as well as a retailer day. She was an amazing teacher, and I had so much fun getting messy and learning some new techniques with her inks!

The bright and bold colours in the You Rock collection were perfect for this photo, and by picking out some non-boy themed embellishments from the collection, I was able to make it work for this feminine page!

I covered the left hand side of the spread with the Starshine patterned paper, and then added my photo to this page. I matted my photo with black cardstock to help it to really pop off the page! I added my title above the photo using the Colour Me Happy Black Alphabet Stickers. I like how the pops of black provide a nice contrast to the bright colours.

On the bottom right hand corner of the photo I added a chipboard sticker from the You Rock collection. Before I stuck it down I peeled some of the layers off the chipboard to make it a bit thinner so that it wouldn't be too bulky in my notebook insert. In the bottom left hand corner of the page I added two of the little phrase stickers from the accessory sticker sheet. I stuck these onto a piece of white cardstock, and then drew a messy border around them to help them to stand out.

I covered the right hand side of the spread with the Experimental patterned paper. I love the mixed media look of this paper, and it was perfect for this page! To create the journaling spot I traced around my roll of foam tape a few times, and then hand-drew the journaling lines. I also painted a few of the little wood veneer plus signs with black ink and added them to the page.

I love these phrases that I cut out of the Random patterned paper, because they describe Dyan perfectly! Underneath them I added a little arrow chipboard sticker, which adds a little pop of yellow to the right hand page.

If you'd like to see out how this spread came together, you can check out my process video!

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today! I hope that you enjoyed taking a look at my traveler's notebook spread!

Mandy x

Loved | Stuck?! Sketches September 15th Challenge

Hey scrappy friends!

It's time for a new challenge over at Stuck?! Sketches, and we have something fun planned for you! Along with the reveal of a new sketch challenge, and 2 amazing sponsors, we have loads of bonus inspiration for you, in the form of a blog hop with our generous friends at My Creative Scrapbook!! So make sure you head on over to the Stuck?! Sketches blog where the hop will kick off, and comment along the way for your chance to win the My Creative Scrapbook September kit!

This will also be my last month as part of the Stuck?! Sketches design team. After 2 1/2 years on the team, I decided that it was time to step down and make room for some other talented ladies. I have absolutely loved my time on this team, and I'm so grateful to Laura for giving me this opportunity, and for allowing me to stay on for so long!

So with all that said, how about I share the awesome September 15th sketch with you...

And here's my take on the sketch...

I documented a cute photo of our beautiful cat Sasha. She's very much loved by us all!

I used some lovely Felicity Jane papers and embellishments on this layout, mostly from the August Zoey kit! I love those beautiful florals!

How cute is that Charms Creations Cute Cat embellishment?! It was so purrfect for this page, lol!

On the sketch, the title is at the bottom of the page, but I decided to move it up to sit under the photo, because the banner that I wanted to use for my title just seemed to fit perfectly there.

I fussy cut those pretty florals from one of the patterned papers in the Zoey kit... I love how they look around the photo! I also tucked a tag under the top of the photo, and I added a flair button on the right hand side.

I added a few strips of patterned paper across the bottom of the page, and tucked another fussy cut floral cluster down there as well.

I finished the layout off with a few die cut stars.

We'd love you to play along with us by creating a layout based on this sketch! Link up your layouts on the Stuck?! Sketches blog by September 29th to be in the running to win a prize from one of our very generous sponsors:

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today, and taking a look at my layout!

Mandy x

Beautiful Moments | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi friends!

I'm back today to share my latest layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the beautiful Wild at Heart collection! The theme this week on the blog is STICKERS!! Who doesn't love using stickers on their projects?! I love the range of stickers that's available from Cocoa Vanilla... From accessory stickers to chipboard stickers to alphabet stickers... There's certainly plenty to choose from! And I had lots of fun using them on this layout!

I documented a couple of photos that I took recently of my Mum with my youngest daughter. I love the seeing the special relationship that they share, and I think these photos of them together are just so sweet!

I started my layout off by covering the top half of the page with the Momento patterned paper (reverse side). I absolutely love the florals on this paper, and I must admit that I've been hoarding it! But it was time to finally get it onto a layout, and I think it worked perfectly with these photos! I also tucked a thin strip of the Patchwork patterned paper (reverse side) under the bottom edge of it, as well as a scallop that I cut out of the Fussy Cuts paper.

To create some dimension on the layout, I raised up the photo on the left with some foam tape and then tucked a chipboard frame underneath it. I also fussy cut some florals out of the gorgeous Luscious patterned paper, and I tucked them underneath the left hand side of the photo. You can also see here that I added a couple of the little word stickers off the accessory sticker sheet. They added the perfect sentiment to the page!

I added another sticker that says 'precious' on the bottom right hand corner of this photo. I love layering embellishments both under the edge of my photos, as well as on top!

Underneath the edge of the photo on the right, I tucked a tag. This was also from the accessory sticker sheet. There are so many beautiful stickers on this sheet! I threaded some cotton twine through the hole in the tag, which I think finishes it off nicely and also adds some texture to the page. On top of the tag I added a chipboard sticker, as well as a couple of the cute bitty blooms.

For my title I used one of the lovely wood veneer words combined with some alphabet stickers from the Hello Lovely collection. I painted the wood veneer word with some Glimmer Mist that I've had in my stash forever, and I LOVE how this turned out! The colour was perfect, and it looks so pretty and shimmery!

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today! Make sure you head on over to the Cocoa Vanilla blog for some more 'sticker inspiration' from the design team over the weekend!

Mandy x

Live Love Laugh | Stuck?! Sketches September 1st Challenge

Hi friends!

It's time for a new challenge over at Stuck?! Sketches! Here's the fun September 1st sketch, designed by our talented sketch designer, Laura Whitaker...

I love this design, with the strips of patterned paper behind the photo! Here's my take on the sketch, using the Fancy Pants 'Dream Big' collection...

I documented a fun selfie of my hubby and I that we took when we went on a bush walk with the kids recently. It was such a fun and relaxing afternoon with the family, and I think this photo really captures that feeling!

On the left hand side of the photo I added one of my favourite Charms Creations embellishments... a Denim, White & Black heart! I also popped a Kinder Kreations flair button on top.

I love the puffy stickers from the 'Dream Big' collection, and the phrase 'Live Love Laugh' made the perfect title for this page! I also tucked a cute die cut cloud from the collection under the top of the paper strips.

I added more of the die cuts around the page, and I adhered some of them with foam tape to give them some extra dimension.

I finished the layout off with some black ink splatters.

If you haven't done so already, I hope that you'll head on over to the Stuck?! Sketches blog and take a look at the beautiful layouts created by my fellow design team members! We'd love you to play along with us by creating a layout based on this sketch! Link up your layouts on the Stuck?! Sketches blog by September 29th to be in the running to win a prize from one of our very generous sponsors:

Thanks so much for joining me on my blog today!

Mandy x