Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Loving EVERY Sweet Second

Hi Everyone I'm back here with you today to share a new layout I made for Cocoa Vanilla Studio to round out our Mothers Day Celebrations. I hope all the mummas out there had a wonderful day yesterday with those near and dear to them. I've used the sweet Happiness Collection for my layout today that documents a sweet moment of Leila and I snuggling, and a cut file design from CUT to YOU.

I chose this photo from a few years back so the quality isn't perfect, but it totally sums up one of the many things I love about being a mum. The endless snuggles while they're still little. Snuggles these days are very few and far between, so I Cherish the ones we do have.

I cut out the cut file design from CUT to YOU (Hearts on Strings) using the EXPRESSIVE paper and used the outer edge remnants to back frame the white cardstock background paper. I used tiny raised glue dots to adhere the cut file to the cardstock to give a slight lift off the paper.

Next I gathered some complimentary pattern papers to layer under the photo, 2 of my most used colours from this collection I think, the reverse of both GOOD VIBES and EXPRESSIVE with a tiny strip of hearts from the SO FRESHpaper.

To the left of the photo I added a couple of pieces from the cut apart paper LITTLE THINGS to create a title for the layout. I also included a word sticker from the ACCESSORY Sticker sheet and some handwriting on a tag.

I fussy cut florals from the wreath pattern paper SO FRESH to create clusters both left and right of the photo/title piece and added some stickers from the Accessory sticker sheet and glitter enamels from the Make a Wish collection to finish them off.

Theres also a good splattering of gold colour shine around the page and some machine stitching of the edges to add a little extra fun to the layout.

Well thats all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by and seeing my layout that celebrates a special moment in this mummas life. I hope you can share your precious moments with us too in the CVS Facebook group. We do love to see what you all create using CVS products.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Unbelievable, RANDOM, Legendary

Hello Hello! I'm back again today with a new layout to share with you all for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I've chosen to feature the wonderful Legendary Collection for this layout and share how it can be used to document the moments in our girls lives that don't necessarily need all the pretty feminine florals or hearts. I've based this layout on a running theme I have for Leila that documents all her favourite things each year. I started this back in 2016 and have created a layout each year focusing on the same topic and keeping to the same basic grid design.

This year I changed up the type of collection and used the fun Legendary collection rather than the feminine styles from the past, the layout on the right covered in florals is last years creation. I find that keeping a similar design for this theme had helped to get the topic documented quickly, but also will be easy to find each individual layout to reminisce in years to come.

I started the layout by writing out the list of favourites and adhering the notepaper to the dark woodgrain paper OUTDOORS TYPE . I chose to use a photo of Leila in her finest PJ attire playing the switch and adhered this to the map paper which is the reverse of the OUTDOORS TYPE paper .  Next I chose an assortment of complimentary patterns to create the grid design in the background. A mix of WILD ONE, OFF BEAT, BRAVE HEART, TOTAL LEGEND, EXPLORER and EPIC TALES which are all adhered with double sided tape and machine stitched for a little extra detail.

Once the grid of pattern papers were adhered and stitched I added the photo and list to the centre of the layout. These are raised slightly off the background using foam sheeting for that slight pop of dimension.

I added a cardstock title piece and stickers to the top of the notepaper list to create the title, with the addition of some ephemera stars and flair button to fill the blank space.

I added some random banner and tab stickers to the top and right of the photo.

I kept the embellishment clusters pretty simple in the top left and bottom right of the layout. The pieces used can be found in the ephemera pack.

and lastly some accessory word stickers to the top right and bottom left pattern papers and a good splattering of gold colour shine to the entire layout.

Well friends thats all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to check in with us regularly over in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio facebook group to talk and share all things CVS!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle xx

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Sweet Easter

Hello Hello I'm back today with my first layout share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio this month. I hope this post finds you safe and well during the Easter break. This weekend is looking a little different, and a lot quieter than previous years so I thought what better way to brighten it up than to create something Easter related using the cheerful HAPPINESS Collection. Full of wonderful happy colours to brighten our moods.

I chose a sweet cut file from CUT to YOU, a basket thats full of eggs reminiscent of most Easter mornings after the big fluffy bunny has been and left a wonderful mess. As Leila is getting older this may be on of the last years in our house that we can share in the joy of the Easter Bunny with her. Lets hope we get at least one more..

I started my creative process by cutting the design out a few different ways. First was the basket using the woodgrain pattern on the BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL paper. I've cut both the detailed design of the basket and also the backing piece using the same paper to replicate the look of a real basket. Next I cut the eggs multiple times so that I could individually back them with pattern paper then layer them together in the basket at different heights. If only Easter eggs looked this good!

This layout documents one of many fond memories - the excitement and sheer concentration of opening all the hunting eggs to see whats inside. I layered 2 photos together, both backed with a piece of EXPRESSIVE paper with some fussy cut florals layered to the right.

I used the SPRINKLES paper that reminds me of confetti for the bow on top of the basket, along with a lighter hint of pink from the MEADOW paper. The eggs are backed using MEADOW, LITTLE THINGS, GOOD VIBES, SO FRESH and EXPRESSIVE.

I fussy cut butterflies from both the 12x12 and 6x8 versions of BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL along with a floral cluster from the SO FRESH wreath to layer along the edge of the basket rim. I also tucked in a couple of leaf strands and stapled tiny hearts to the eggs from the EPHEMERA pack.

The title is made up of a CARDSTOCK TITLE word and alphabet letters from older collections.

Theres a few more tiny fussy cut flowers scattered here and there from both the MEADOW paper and 6x8 version of BOTANICAL BLISS and a good splattering of gold colour shine to finish it off. Once the ink was dry I trimmed the edges of the white cardstock and adhered the layout to a 12x12 piece of BOTANICAL BLISS to bring all the colours together.

Well friends thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my Easter themed share this weekend. Be sure to pop in to the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group on facebook to share all your crafty ventures with us over the Easter long weekend. We do love seeing what you all create using CVS products.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping, enjoy the chocolate and stay safe
Michelle xx

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | BONUS LAYOUT | Our Incredible KID

Hello Hello! I'm back again with a BONUS LAYOUT share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio because I couldn't end the month without sharing one more layout using the awesome Legendary Collection! This one was so fun to create, I even enjoyed all that intricate fussy cutting

I started with 2 pieces of the amazing aztec mandala inspired pattern paper - EXPLORER. I fussy cut the outer ring and inner star (which ended up being covered up) from one piece of the pattern paper, then on the second piece I cut only the middle section of triangles on 2 sides so that they would pop up. I then sandwiched it all together with some white cardstock as per below

Bottom layer - cardstock

2nd layer - full pattern paper piece with only the triangles cut in the middle ring and popped up using raised glue dots

Top layer - outer ring and inner star shape adhered with foam tape

Next I worked on the photo and journalling in the centre of the layout. For this I used a piece of the reverse EXPLORERpaper combined with a frame from the EPHEMERA PACK, and cards cut from the TOTAL LEGEND & EPIC TALES cut apart papers. These are layered together with the photo and adhered to the layout using foam tape.

I created the title using words from the DIE CUT TILES pack and an EPHEMERA piece

To the right of the middle cluster I added pits from the EPHEMERA PACK, ACCESSORY STICKERS sheet and EPIC TALES paper

And lastly added clusters of stars (my 2nd favourite design element after florals) to the top right and bottom left of the layout to create a diagonal effect. I also added a few enamel dots and splatters of gold colour shine to finish it off.

Well friends thats all from me today. I hope you've enjoyed seeing an extra layout from me this month. I cant wait to continue creating and sharing with you all next month!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle xx

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Throwback Thursday | Hello Sweet Smile

Hello Crafty Friends I'm back here today with another instalment of Throwback Thursday for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. For this creation I was given the task of using one of our more recent older collections, if you could call them that HAHA. I chose to create something with the Midnight collection as that is one that I haven't touched for a little while. I focused on using the Large Die Cut without the backing sheet which you can find HERE in the store

I started the layout by removing the die cut from the backing sheet - its lightly adhered so that you can remove and create your own way. I used similar patterns and colours to what is already on the backing sheet along with some vellum and left the outer rim open. I then adhered it to the INSPIRED pattern paper using foam tape. I LOVE the mixed media effect this pattern paper gives a layout which is perfect for this 'clean' scrapper.

I layered a couple of frames from the ephemera pack with a piece of pattern paper to create a base for my photo, then added multiple ephemera pieces and stickers to create one large cluster under the title.

At the top left of the layout I added a some florals from the sticker and ephemera packs, a couple of enamel dots, heart and tab sticker.

I replicated similar items along the bottom right to create a diagonal effect on the layout.

Lastly a sprinkling of my favourite gold colour shine to finish it all off.

Thats all from me today. Short and sweet just like the process of creating this layout. I hope its inspired you in some way, and that you will share your creations with us in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group on Facebook.

Thanks so much for stopping by and until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | SUPER STAR

Hello Hello, Me again! I'm here today with my newest layout share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio featuring the BRAND NEW collection to Cocoa Vanilla Studio - Legendary. OMG It is one heck of a collection! The bold masculine colours and designs are perfect for documenting both every day BOY themed layouts, but also sweet pages of little school rockstars!

Most of you all would know by now I generally only scrap layouts of Leila, so boy themed collections are a little tricky to navigate. But once I find a common theme within the papers and embellishments that work with anything other than boy related photos I run with it. Today I went a little nuts with the stars, my 2nd favourite design element to create with after florals. I chose a cut file that worked with the design I had in mind from CUT to YOU and a pattern paper  OFF BEAT  to use for the background that wasn't white cardstock.

I focused on backing all the Stars of the cut file using both the star pattern paper  ALL STAR  and a couple of complimentary patterns  OFF BEAT & WILD ONE . I also added vellum to some of the smaller circles to soften all the colour that was popping off the page

I created a photo mat using a roughly torn reverse piece of  EPIC TALES  layered with corner pieces of the  OFF BEAT pattern and a tag cut in half from the bottom cut apart section of  EPIC TALES  . The orange noteworthy tab is from the  EPHEMERA  pack . This whole piece is layered and raised up with foam sheets.

To the left of the photo I added the title using some of the  DIE CUT TITLE  words plus a couple of  ACCESSORY STICKER  strips

Along the bottom right I added a few extra  EPHEMERA  pieces with some cut file off cuts. Lastly I scattered stars from the  EPHEMERA  pack along with some  ENAMEL DOTS  and gold colour shine to add some finishing touches.

Well thats all from me today. I hope you've enjoyed seeing my first creation using this wonderful NEW collection. I cant wait to see what you all create and share within our FACEBOOK group and on Instagram

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | You HEART Me

Hello Friends I'm back today with my final share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio during this wonderful month of LOVE . I stepped back in time and used the beautiful More than Words for this lovey dovey share along with a family photo from a few years back. Love the sweet pastel colours within this collection that give a soft feminine feel to the layout.

I chose a fun cut file from CUT to YOU (designed by DT Member Gwen) to use as the main focal point on the layout and backed it with multiple pattern papers from the 6x6 paper pad within this collection. I used a loose rule of 3's for this to ensure I had a good balance of colours and patterns = 3 of each pattern or colour tone spaced out amongst the letters, words and hearts. I backed the entire layout on a 12x12 piece of the COLLAGE paper (reverse side) plus a little pop of the same pattern used as a layer within the photo stack.

I used foam tape to adhere the entire file to the backing cardstock - this gave it a slight pop of dimension off the page.

I adore this photo of us, Leila was so little compared to how giant she feels now. I layered some scrap pieces from previous layouts under the photo stack - nothing goes to waste here! Theres a cluster of sorts formed to the right of the photo using pieces from the ephemera pack. Love the tiny floral bits in this collection.

Another little cluster using similar elements over on the left of the page, incorporating a couple of stickers - one of which was fussy cut from a larger sticker.

Another mini cluster at the top of the layout to finish off the visual triangle I was hoping to achieve with such a 'large and in charge' type of cut file in the background. I really love how it all turned out, and felt it was complete after a sprinkling of my trusty gold colour shine.

Well thats all from me today, short and sweet but straight to the point! I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at my step back in time. I cant wait to see what next month brings - we'll all be creating with the newly released collection - LEGENDARY. Be sure to keep an eye here on the blog and on our other socials - Instagram and Facebook for more creative goodness!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | My Happiness

Hey Friends I'm back here today with my first layout share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio during the month of LOVE.. I went with a heart theme for my layout using the colourful HAPPINESS Collection and a new cut file from CUT to YOU.

This sweet girl LOVES a selfie here and there, and the perfect time to capture just happens to be night time snuggles. However I've just realised upon writing this post that the photo was in fact taken early December, the night before her birthday. The journalling for the photo could have been completely different, but much the same as the direction I took when creating.
OK, lets talk through the process of how this all came together shall we?

I resized the cut file design to around 10 inches and cut it out twice for this layout - once using white cardstock for the outline, then again for the backing piece using the MEADOW paper. I adhered the 2 pieces together where each heart joins the next and left the tops of the hearts open for a little added dimension. Then I stuck the entire piece to the backing paper SPRINKLES

I added the photo to the bottom left of the hearts wreath, layered with some vellum and GOOD VIBES paper and adhered using foam tape to lift it up off the layout. I added a cluster of EPHEMERA pieces to the right of this using different forms of adhesive for varying depth of layers.

Heres a closer look at all that pretty goodness

Top left of the layout I replicated the ephemera cluster and added a title using cardstock words. To the lower right I added my handwritten journalling, a couple of accessory stickers and of course the wrong stamped date HAHA

Well thats all from me today. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Be sure to check in with us in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group on facebook to discuss ALL things CVS.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x