You are so Beautiful | Scrap the Girls

HI Everyone! It's the start of a new month which means its time to share the newest challenge for Scrap The Girls. This month is a mood board, which initially I struggled with as the theme it focuses on is the complete opposite to what I am normally inspired by. I was so far out of my comfort zone I didn't think I would be able to think of anything to create, let alone finish something in time. However I did manage to create something by drawing on a few ideas that were represented on the board. 

Here's a look at the board

and here's a closer look at what I came up with..

I've used the Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, which to me represented a good chunk of the colours within the board. I was going for shades of darker blues/denims, hints of bronze/gold, pops of redish pink combined with the use of feathers and metals. I think I managed to create something pretty decent with all those elements, while still keeping with the usual style of my layouts.

I also felt the board had a 'one of a kind' uplifting vibe kind of feel to it, so I mixed in plenty of quote and sentiment stickers across the layout, and chose a photo of Leila that fit into that theme.

I've used some feathers and metal charms from my stash and attached them to the bottom of a heart from a journal card within the Wild at Heart collection. The dangling effect it created reminds me of a dream catcher, another thing that the board made me think of.

I mixed together wood veneer words and tiny word stickers from the same collection to create the title, and popped the word Beautiful up off the page using some foam tape.

Lastly a few glitter dots scattered and some butterflies and I called it done. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, be sure to check out the Scrap The Girls blog to see other creations by the Design Team.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping

Michelle xx

Sparkle | The Cut Shoppe

Hi Everyone, I'm back today with a new layout share for The Cut Shoppe, my 2nd last as a member of the Design Team. I'm not ready for my time there to end as I've been having way too much fun creating with all the fun cut files Ashley creates. But, as they say, All good things must come to an end. 

Here's what I created this week..

For this layout I've chosen a single file from the free cut file set shared back on National Scrapbooking Day. You can find that HERE. 

I enlarged the file to around 10x10 inches and backed all the open pieces with pattern papers from the Wild at Heart Collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I backed the entire piece before I'd chosen a photo and title so there's a lot of hidden paper piecing behind there lol I also added some machine stitching to accentuate the spirograph design 

I've used a cut apart card for the title and added it to the centre of the cut file design along with the photo, other cards, ephemera strips and stickers.

I've created 2 clusters of embellishments to create some form of a diagonal design across the page, this helps balance the layout, and is my favourite technique when scrapbooking.

Under all those layers is a tonne of foam.. With a large full piece like this, I've used large pieces of fun foam rather than foam tape. It still adds just as much dimension and is more economical to use than the amount of tape needed for something this size.

Well, that's all from me today. I hope this has given you a daily dose of Cut file inspiration. 

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle xx

You Make My Heart Sing | Scrap The Girls

Hello Hello! Yesterday, if you're a follower of Scrap The Girls challenge blog, you would have seen the new challenge announced? This month is a fun sketch that I had some fun creating with, along with the Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio and some of the new Creative Cuts from D-lish Scraps.

Here's a look at the sketch, including the flipped around version that I based my layout on..

I originally had started placing things down in the original form of the sketch, then things took a turn and ended up like this..

I kept the main floral cluster partly embellishment free as there was just so much going on in the one spot, and I really like how its all layered together 😃 I backed pieces of the flowers cuts with scraps of pattern papers from the collection, and also used some larger scraps to build up the layers behind the photos.

My printer has been printing photo's in some pretty odd colours lately, but until we can afford to replace it, I'm running with its craziness lol

Here's a look at the dimension created with the floral cluster by using foam tape, lots of foam tape lol

I've used a sticker and chipboard piece to create the title, again going for something that didn't stand out too much or compete with the large cluster

I tucked in a couple of glitter dots for some added sparkle

and lastly created a little cluster with some die cute pieces in the ephemera pack.

That's all from me today! Be sure to stop by the Scrap the Girls blog to see all the other DT member creations!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping

Michelle x

This Makes me Happy | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi Everyone, I'm back here today with a new layout featuring the beautiful Wild at Heart collection for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. With Mothers Day only a few short days away, I thought it would be a good time to document a sweet photo of Leila and I, with a note documenting how thankful I am to be her Mum.

I don't always make an appearance in photos with Leila, as Im usually the one thats taking them, but those that I do appear in I will cherish forever. This was taken early last year and has been a favourite ever since and was the perfect photo to use for a mother themed layout.

The design of the layout was actually based off an older layout I created last year, I really liked the way it fell together back then so I wanted to try and recreate something similar. I've used a 4 x 12 inch strip of the Double Dot paper across the white cardstock and then layered pieces of Grow Wild, Patchwork, B side of Double Dot & both sides of Fussy Cuts under the photo.  I've also added in a doily from my stash (a regular staple that makes an appearance on many of my layouts) and raised the stack using a piece of foam sheet for dimension.

Next I added all the fun bits...

Stickers and smaller banner die cuts are perfect to add to the top of a layout and to the top of a photo. Little details that finish a layout off..

To create my large cluster I've layered pieces from the Ephemera pack along with a flair button, a rubber charm and some more stickers from the accessory sticker sheet. The flair button and This makes me Happy piece also work as a small title for the page.

Lastly the mini cluster at the bottom of the layout, made using pieces of Patchwork & Fussy Cuts papers, more die cut ephemera, a label sticker, rubber charm and some of my favourite glitter enamel dots.

Thats all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this has given you a dose of inspiration heading into the upcoming weekend. I hope you all have a great end to this week, and a very enjoyable Weekend xx

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle xx

Hello Hello | The Cut Shoppe

Hello Scrappy friends! I'm back today with a new layout share for The Cut Shoppe, featuring the new Get Around cut file. As soon as I saw the designs, I knew instantly that I needed to create a crazy circle design page. I hope you like it!

Using 3 of the 4 designs in the set, I've created a somewhat diagonal design with multiple circular elements. I played around with a few different concepts and sizes for the circles in Silhouette Studio prior to cutting to ensure the layout would flow right. After the designs were cut I backed all the open pieces on the edges of all the circles with pretty papers from the Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, then embellished with ephemera bits from the same collection.

Here's some close ups..

I've machine stitched around all of the circle edges for some added detail. This technique reminds me so much of quilting, a hobby I've long given up as there just isn't enough time in the day ;( 

All of the cut file pieces are raised up on foam tape to add some dimension to the page. Another fun technique I tend to use a lot!

I also incorporated a few more circular elements from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio collection - enamel glitter dots and die cut pieces..

And lastly some typed journalling about the photo. Something I've been forgetting to add on each layout I make recently. But, I aim to start remembering!

Well that's all from me today. I hope this has inspired you in some way. 

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x

Just Be You | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi Everyone! Today I'm sharing a new layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio featuring the beautiful Wild at Heart Collection. I thought for this layout I would showcase the awesome new Chipboard Frames, by sharing a way to use loads of them in a grid style layout.

The photo's I've chosen to document had me stepping back in time, as they're a couple of selfies of Leila and I from back in 2013. Back when front facing cameras weren't as good as they are these days, and when those cheeks were so much more squishable lol

To start the layout I played around with placement of the different frames in the pack. I chose colours and designs that complimented each other, along with the background paper "Artisan" and set them out in a grid style design with some diagonal elements. I've layered pieces from the "Patchwork" paper behind the 2 smallest frames and a quote card from the "Fussy Cuts" paper in the other larger frame to use as a title. Under the 2 frames with photos I've added some doilies, a label from the "Fussy Cuts" paper and some complimenting die cut flowers from the Ephemera pack. Around the remainder of the page I've balanced out the embellishments using some  Accessory stickers, chipboard stickers, fussy Cut butterflies from the "Mariposa" Paper, a couple of Flair Buttons and some of my favourite Glitter enamel dots.

I'm really happy with the finished layout. It all came together better than I'd pictured in my head. Lets take a closer look..

Love the mixed media feel the Artisan paper gives, enabling the user to create something magical without the mess

I'm finding I use quote cards or sentiment strips as Titles more and more these days, keeping an already busy page less cluttered.

I know I say it all the time, but I'm really loving the florals in the collections. The perfect finishing touch to mini clusters

And lastly these frames, they would have to be my most favourite part of the layout, apart from the photos. A good balance of colours and patterns that blend in together without overpowering the layout.

Well, thats all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this layout and the use of frames has inspired you with your next creations. Be sure to share what you make with us in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group on Facebook, or by using the hashtag #cocoavanillastudio on Instagram.

Until Next Time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x

Forever in my heart | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi Everyone! I have a new layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio to share with you all featuring the amazing new collection - Wild at Heart. Today I'm focusing on the use of Vellum and Rubber charms, both of which are new items to the Cocoa Vanilla Studio range of products.

The photo I've chosen to document is one of Leila from a few months ago. She'd acquired a new pair of fun hot pink glasses within a Happy Meal box and was wearing them almost every day thereafter. They made her look super cute, so I went a little snap happy with the camera.

I've kept the background of the page quite fuss free as I knew I would be creating some form of large photo and embellishment cluster towards the centre of the layout. I used the woodgrain side of the 'Artisan' pattern paper along with some white card stock, and sewed around the edges for added detail. Next I worked on the layers under the photo by using a ripped piece of vellum, the library card from the 'Fussy Cuts' paper, a die cut piece that is tucked between the layers and white doily from my stash. I also embellished the edge with a word sticker, rubber charm and some fussy cut pieces of vellum.

To the right of the photo I created a large cluster of die cut ephemera pieces, some of which I've raised up with foam tape for dimension. I've also tucked in some more fussy cut vellum pieces, a couple of rubber charms, stickers from the Accessory sticker sheet, some twine on the tags and a couple of my most favourite glitter dots.

There's also a flair button with some messy thread tucked underneath, completely inspired by the messy thread clusters Missy produces!

Lastly I worked on the mini clusters top and bottom of the page. I placed these on the page to create a diagonal design for the layout. I feel this helps draw the eyes attention across the page, and towards all the pretty details. Within both clusters I've used a Rubber charm, fussy cut pieces of Vellum, die cut pieces and more glitter dots. Love me some glitter dots!

Well that's all from me today. I hope this has inspired you in some way, and that you're able to get your hands on this collection asap! I truly is a stunning collection that you don't want to miss out on!

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x

First Day of School | The Cut Shoppe

Hi Everyone! Today I'm here to share a new layout for The Cut Shoppe featuring the You've Been Schooled cut file. It was the perfect chance for me to use it as Leila started school a few weeks back.

Like most of my layouts, I've made the cut file a HUGE focal point on the page. I backed the design with papers from the new Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, then hand stitched in random places to create a little extra texture. The entire cut file piece, along with the photo stack, were then popped up from the background paper with foam tape to create some dimension. I've fussy cut some butterflies from pattern papers within the collection to use as embellishments, and added in a few die cut pieces from the ephemera pack, plus glitter dots to finish the layout off.

Here's a look at the Cut file set I chose the title from. Theres plenty more fun designs to use within this one set, so its well worth talking a look at if you have school aged children

Here's some close ups of the layout 

I've used the inner cut piece from the star on the right of the cut file within a cluster on the left of the photo. I try to do this with most cut files to avoid too much paper waste.

I've used crochet thread in multiple places around the file by either stitching multiple times or tying it together

I had some extra photos from the day so rather than use them on a completely different layout, I've shrunk them down and used them within the O's of the word school.

That's all form me today, thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to check out The Cut Shoppe Etsy store for all your cut file needs, theres so much to choose from! 

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x