Cocoa Vanilla Studio | So Beautiful

Hello Scrappy friends! I'm back here today with a new layout share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio featuring the stunning UNFORGETTABLE collection. I've stepped back in time with a couple of super cute photos of Leila that I wanted to re-document and reminisce over. That cute little face really loved posing for the camera back then, not so much these days unless bribery is used HAHA

I challenged myself to use only pattern papers from the 6x8 paper stack fore this layout and I think I did well creating a simple stack of layered patterns as the base for the layout. I really love the smaller designs as you can cram more of them onto a page together. 

I distressed the edges of the papers, roughly tore the text pattern rather than cutting and adhered them all flat to the page before folding up the edged slightly to add some slight dimension. I also added a piece of foam sheet to the back of the framed photo to raise it slightly higher than all the rest and layered it together with one of my favourite doilies. 

I felt like this layout didn't need a large title to take the focus away from the sweet photos. Instead I've created a large 'cluster' of florals and ephemera pieces and used a black banner tag for the title name.

To the top right of the photos I've added in a smaller cluster using similar items to the larger group. I follow this design technique on most of my layouts to create balance and direct flow of the layout (if thats even a thing as honestly I just go with the flow and slap things here and there HAHA). Lastly I added a few splatters of gold ink and called it done. Super quick and easy this layout was to create, which I love! I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check into the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community Facebook Groupto share the love of all things CVS.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

CUT to YOU | September Newsletter FREEBIE | One of a Kind

Hello! It's me back again to share a layout that was recently in the CUT to YOU newsletter. If you're not already subscribed, why not? You so should be so head over HERE  and follow the links to do so! Its released twice a month and always contains a FREE cut file like the one I've used for this layout. This cut file was the perfect way to document Leila at her recent Book Week parade.

I'll keep this post quick starting with the cut file - I enlarged the file within silhouette studio and cut out on white cardstock, backed the title and stars with separate pattern papers. I added the strips of pattern paper to the right side of the layout then adhered the cut file piece using foam tape for dimension

All products used for the layout ( apart from the FREE cut file and white cardstock) are from the UNFORGETTABLE collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

I adhered the photo to another pattern from the same collection and added this to the top right of the title. I also created 2 small 'clusters' of florals and ephemera - one to the right of the title and the other  just under the photo, with a couple of extra pieces tucked in around the edges.

I used extra pieces of the cut file that weren't backed and scattered them at the top and bottom sections of the stars. I also included a couple of the negative star pieces.

Lastly some handwritten text, a splattering of gold ink and a few random enamel dots to make it complete

Well thats all from me for now, I did say it would be short and sweet today.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping 

Michelle x

CUT to YOU | Precious Moments

Hello Friends, I'm back here today with a new layout share for CUT to YOU. I've jumped back to last months release and chosen a fun cut file called Burst Circles that was just singing out to be used.

I chose to document a photo of Leila from a recent trip to the Zoo. We had so much fun that day, and this little lady just LOVED posing for pictures time and time again. I can say that her 2 front teeth are FINALLY making a breakthrough after almost 8 months of non existence.

To start the layout I worked in Silhouette Studio to resize the entire file so that only 3 of the larger circular designs (lets call them sunburst circles) were the main focus. I played around with different ways to present them on the layout before cutting all the pieces out on white cardstock then cutting each individual circular piece so that I could layer them in different ways across the page.

I've used the newer 'Just a little Lovely' collection from PinkFresh Studio to compliment the burst circles design. I've backed the 'sunbursts' with a blue and white floral pattern paper and adhered them to the layout using foam tape, then layered the full circular bursts under each piece at random. I also adhered the negative circular pieces around the page and sewed through a couple using machine and thread.

I added the photo to the larger of the 3 sunbursts which is also backed with a pattern paper from the collection, layered with a couple of ephemera pieces and adhered to the page using more foam tape.

To the left of the layout on the middle size sunburst I have added an ephemera piece, fussy cut florals and a title. I've created smaller clusters diagonally across the page from each other using embellishments to compliment the cut file design.

Once the layout was complete I've splattered gold colour shine, added a few enamel dots and a date stamp.

Well folks thats all from me today. Before I go heres a few friendly reminders.... 

Be sure to check in with us in the CUT to YOU facebook group where we welcome all crafters to share their love of CTY. Plus theres just been a new release in the CUT to YOU STORE

Also If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter you really should be. Its released twice per month and always contains a FREE cut file for you to use. Heres a sneak peek of what you may have missed in the current edition

and a link for you to follow HERE so that you can sign up and never miss another freebie again!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping

Michelle xx

Captured | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hello friends its Michelle here today with my very first layout share using the BRAND NEW Unforgettable collection. This collection is absolutely STUNNING and was so hard to chop in to, but oh so fun in the end.

I've chosen a sweet photo from Christmas in 2011 of my sweet Leila and Grandma reading together. Its hard to believe that this quick moment captured was from almost 8 years ago. To create the layout I chose a cut file from CUT to YOU and cut it out twice on white cardstock, then cut the florals individually off the frame they were attached to. I backed each piece using the SPRIGHTLY, LACEWING, GLORIOUS and GARLAND patterns from the 6x8 paper stack before layering them randomly and adhering with different forms of adhesive for multiple heights of dimension. I also added in a sprinkling of florals from the ephemera pack.

I used a couple of different patterns from the PRETTY BITS & STORY TELLER cut apart sheets to layer with the photo then adhered this stack to the page with a large foam square to raise it slightly higher than the floral cluster

I added the foam title piece to the top of the photo and altered it slightly using white paint so that it wasn't so dark. I also did the same to the other smaller black foam hearts I added to the clusters.

The top of the layout looked a little bare so I've created a mini cluster combining a matching ephemera piece and sticker to create a larger looking flag to combine with a smaller floral cut file piece and the moments banner from a cut apart sheet.

Along the bottom of the layout I've incorporated a strip of the SPRIGHTLY paper with some text from the PRETTY BITS paper, a few ephemera florals, cut file bits and some enamel dots that are also sprinkled here and there

Lastly a good splattering of gold ink and a tiny amount of handwritten journalling to complete the layout.

Well folks thats all from me today, Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you've enjoyed seeing my first layout using our super new UNFORGETTABLE collection. Cant wait to see what you all create with it once it lands on all your doorsteps!

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping

Michelle xx

CUT to YOU | GO SEE DO

HI friends I'm back here today with a fresh new layout share for CUT to YOU. This week I challenged myself to GO BIG with a dramatic title and more than 1 photo. I think I achieved just that using the fun GO SEE DO cut file

This awesome cut file was created for Travellers Notebook crafters, but it's also PERFECT to use as a MASSIVE title on any general scrapbooking creation! I do LOVE a massive cut file title!!

I went big with this file and resized it in Silhouette Studio to roughly 10 inches tall and cut it out on white cardstock. I used fresh coloured pattern papers from the Heidi Swapp Colour Fresh collection to back all the individual letters before adhering to the centre of the backing cardstock using foam tape for dimension.

I added the two photos of Leila, my nephew and 2 of our cute little friends to the left and right of the arrows, layered with extra pattern papers to compliment all the colours used to back the cut file. I also tucked in a few ephemera pieces too

These 2 girls have so much fun together!

I wanted to add a couple of words for journalling, so I added these to the lined pattern paper used to back the O at the bottom of the cut file

Lastly I added a couple more ephemera pieces to the bottom right of the layout and a few flowers to the edges of the cut file. I cut the backing cardstock down in size and adhered to a multi colour pattern paper before splattering the entire page with my favourite gold colour shine.

Thats all from me today. I hope you've enjoyed seeing my work today. Be sure to check in with us in the CUT to YOU facebook group as we all LOVE to see the amazing creations that you all make with our cut files.

Theres also been a new release of files in the CUT to YOU store, so make sure you check that out too!!

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping

Michelle xx

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Happiness Is

Hello Friends, I'm back again with a bonus layout share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio this month! I'm trying to crank out as many pretty layouts as I can using the beautiful Happiness Collection before the brand new Unforgettable collection arrives on my doorstep and all other collections are forgotten HAHA 

The layout was inspired by a sweet photo of a few familiar faces from this years Creative Escape Retreat in Coffs Harbour. LOVE LOVE LOVE spending time with these lovely ladies and it was SO good to meet Anna in person 

To begin the layout I cut out the Floral Banner cut file from CUT to YOU using white cardstock and backed it using block colours of bright patterns Good Vibes, Expressive & Frame of Mind. The main banner piece is backed using the multicolour spot paper Sprinkles and layered together with a strip of vellum and the woodgrain pattern of the Bright & Beautifulpaper. I also cut the florals off the main banner rather than keeping them as one whole piece. This gave an extra layer of depth and dimension. We all know I love small hints of dimension on a layout!

The photo is adhered to the reverse pattern of Botanical Blisswith the addition of a couple of ephemera pieces to create part of the cluster top right.

I had a handful of florals and butterflies, fussy cut from previous layouts, that I added to the florals of the die cut. I tucked in a couple of leaves from the ephemera pack too

I fussy cut a few more florals from the Botanical Blisspaper to tuck into various places of the layout adding hints of orange. There's also a couple of clear stickers added here n there

The title is made using a couple of accessory stickers and cardstock title piece, raised slightly using glue dots.

Lastly a few splatters of gold ink, a date stamp and handwritten journalling and it was finished.

Thats all from me for my final share this month, thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to share all your crafty goodness using all things Cocoa Vanilla Studio in the Facebook group HERE

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle xx

Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Sweet Moments

Hello Crafty friends, I'm back today with a new layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio.This layout is based on the super fun Page Maps sketch shared by my fellow team members this past week. I had so much fun using the sketch as a kick starter for this layout, and that Midnight collection worked perfectly with the floral design elements

Love that these photos document a sweet moment shared between both Leila and my nephew from a few years back. They both love to read

TO begin the layout I cut down a piece of white cardstock to roughly 11.5inch square and adhered to a 12x12 piece of the stunningly beautiful INKY DEPTHS paper. Love the tiny floral design of that pattern paper. Once the 2 papers were secure I roughly drew then sewed multiple circle shapes similar to the large version on the sketch.

I gathered a couple of photos, printed black and white so as not to clash with the colours of the sweet Midnight collection. There were layered to the right of the large sewn circles and adhered using foam tape for slight dimension. I've tucked some ephemera pieces and fussy cut florals from the BLOOM AND GROW paper above the top photo

Between the photos I've layered a strip of roughly torn pink paper from the ombre SHINE BRIGHT design and a piece of the  blue and white diagonal stripe frame found in the ephemera pack to replicate the scalloped piece on the sketch. I've also added a second piece of the torn pink paper to the top of the layout

TO the left of the photos I created the large title cluster using more elements from the ephemera pack and die cut titles that looked similar to those on the sketch. Especially those mason jars and florals. Perfect pieces! To give them all different dimensional heights I've used multiple adhesives - raised and flat glue dots, foam tape and good ol tacky glue.

Lastly I added some handwritten journalling and a few splatters of gold ink and called it done.

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by! I really enjoyed playing around with this sketch as it helped get my creative juices flowing when I was stuck in a rut. I hope it inspires you all too!

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping (or sketch scrapping)

Michelle x