Lovely | CVS Happiness Collection

Hello Crafty Friends! It's Michelle here today and boy am I excited to share this new layout. About a week or 2 ago I received the best "happy mail" on my door step - our newest collection Happiness. This collection is FULL of bright colours and super sweet patterns and has now become my new firm favourite of all the Cocoa Vanilla Studio collections. Who couldn't love ALL THAT RAINBOW goodness!!

For this creation I've focused on using the papers within the 6x8 paper pad from the collection. I love that Zoe has added a slightly larger size paper pad to the collections lately as they're the perfect size for so many projects. You can fold a piece in half to create a card, cut them up to use within pocket page scrapbooking and even use them to back cut files with. The smaller scale designs are super cute and work so well together with delicate cut files like the one I've used from Cut to You (designed by our very own DT member Gwen)

The colours within this collection are so bright and cheerful, and perfectly represent the colours of Happiness and this sweet girls happy spirit.

I backed random hearts with a few of my favourite patterns (Sprinkles, So fresh, Little Things, Expressive and Meadow) then added some foam tape to the back and adhered to the white cardstock. Next I added the photo with a piece of Sprinkles paper (reverse side) and a word title and large floral piece from the ephemera pack. I also added a few random bits from each of the papers to the right edge of the layout and sewed them in place for an extra pop of colour. SO fun!

Once I had the main focal points of the layout complete (and loaded with colour) I added a couple of smaller clusters to bring it all together. I've used pieces from the 6x8 cut apart sheet, floral die cut pieces from the ephemera pack and word stickers from the accessory sheet.

In the lower cluster I've added a couple of extra heart pieces that I salvaged from the first attempt at creating this page. But we won't speak about that disaster lol

So many pretty details, loads of sweet designs and SO MUCH colour! LOVE LOVE LOVE this collection, I hope you do too!

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by
Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Hello Sunshine | CVS Hello Sunshine collection

Hello Scrappy friends its Michelle back here today with another fun layout share. I've stepped back in time and chosen a collection that blended with the mix of multi colour photos I wanted to create with. LOVE love LOVE me a rainbow assortment of colours and the mix within the Hello Sunshine collection is just perfect. I've also thrown in another cut file created by fellow DT member Gwen to tie it all together.

I started off by cutting out the Sketchy Circles Open cut file from Cut to You on white cardstock and then arranged the pieces down the left side of the CHILL OUT pattern paper (reverse side). I added photos to some of the smaller sized circles and raised some pieces using foam tape. I also added a square photo to break up all the circles.

This was such a fun day out for us all. The weather wasn't too hot and we certainly found a tonne of great strawberries!

To the right of the main photo I created a large cluster and title piece starting with a fussy cut large group of florals from the FULL BLOOM paper. I layered these with stickers (both puffy and flat), cut apart pieces and a flair button then added some written journaling using a white gel pen

At the top of the layout I added a few ephemera pieces to create a mini cluster using colours from the main cluster to give a cohesive look to the layout. There was a lot of colour here there and everywhere thats for sure!

Along the bottom I created a 3rd smaller cluster to match the items within the other two clusters, again using pieces from the ephemera pack, fussy cut flowers from the FULL BLOOM paper and another word strip from the HAPPY DAYS paper. I harp on all the time about repetitive elements in clusters, but I tell you it definitely works. The layouts look well balanced and thats just the way I like them HAHA

Well friends thats all from me today. Super short and sweet as always! Thanks so much for stopping by
Until next time, happy scrapping
Michelle x

Hello Gorgeous | Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Midnight Collection

Hello Hello It's Michelle back today with a new layout share featuring the ever so wonderful Midnight collection. I'm hoping to squeeze out at least one or 2 more pretty layouts with this beautiful collection before a box full of HAPPINESS arrives. Pun absolutely intended but if you've got no idea what I'm talking about because you live under a rock, head over to this fun announcement post HERE

Now its been a while since I used an actual cut file that I've personally cut using my machine but this one designed by fellow DT member Gwen was just calling my name. I do love creating layouts with a large focal point made of cut file and pattern paper. Its the perfect start to a diagonally designed page and is easy to create in no time at all.

To start off with this layout I cut the file using white cardstock then backed the open pieces using pattern papers from the 6x8 paper pad. I really like that the smaller scale designs are perfect for backing cut files! I also added vellum to the open striped sections of the heart and adhered the whole piece to the INSPIRED paper using some foam tape for dimension.

I certainly love creating sweet girly layouts with this beautiful collection thats full of pretty florals. Its perfect for documenting this sweet girl who turned 8 towards the end of 2018! We had a small gathering with family to celebrate and she picked her favourite 'proper' ice cream cake which we decorated with some random chocolate treats and heaps of candles.

I backed the layout with more of the 6x8 pattern paper and some vellum to help make it stand out off the die cut piece then created the title to the right. I've used the words 'hello gorgeous' from the clear sticker set and stuck them to white cardstock to make them stand out better. I've layered these with a few different pieces from the ephemera pack and some other stickers to create a cluster of sorts. I then worked diagonally from this point to create the remainder of the layout using pieces from the collection that all complemented each other.

Bottom left of the photo I've created a 2nd cluster using clear stickers, florals and a heart from the ephemera pack, accessory stickers and a touch of hand written journalling to document the moment captured.

Repetition of elements across a layout is definitely something you will always find on my layouts. It ties everything together and looks so gosh darn pretty! Here you can see that I've used similar items from the other 2 clusters in the top right corner completing the diagonal design. This one includes clear stickers, ephemera pieces and accessory stickers.

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by.
Until next time, happy scrapping!
Michelle x

Sweet Family | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hello scrappy friends I'm back here today FINALLY with a new layout share for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I've something quick and magical using the stunning die cut & backing sheet from the Midnight collection as a feature for this layout. I hope you like it too!

This Die cut and backing kit is perfect to use when you're stuck for time or creative ideas. Add a few clusters using pieces from the ephemera pack, accessory and clear sticker sets, die cut words for a title and a sweet family photo and you can call it done in less than an hour!



I started the layout by adhering the die cut piece to the backing using some raised gel dots. This gave the die cut a little dimension rather than looking flat. I already had a diagonal design in my head so I knew where I needed to place the photo that I had backed with the B side of Mixed Blessing paper and a piece of the B side of Moonlight. I created 1 main cluster to the left of the photo using multiple pieces from the ephemera pack, raising some with gel dots and lifting the edged for a little extra oomph.



I do love creating clusters especially when they contain such pretty pieces like the ones within the Midnight ephemera packs.



To create the diagonal design I placed a second smaller cluster around the top left of the large die cut piece using florals from the ephemera pack, some clear stickers and an accessory sticker.



Then to tie the layout all together I recreated a similar cluster diagonally to the bottom right of the large die cut piece using similar elements to the top left cluster. I find that using similar items in each cluster helps to provide balance and ties everything all together without looking like a mismatched mess.

I also added the title to the lower cluster using die cut title word pieces before splattering the page with some gold ink.

Well thats all from me today, I hope you've enjoyed seeing my version of how to use this FUN die cut and backing kit. It surely does take the guess work out of creating a super sweet layout in next to no time!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle xx

Happy Days | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hello Hello and Happy belated New Year! I'm back today and ready to kickstart my creative shares for Cocoa Vanilla Studio in 2019.

For this new share I've used the most recent collection Midnight and created a super quick 8.5 x 11 inch size layout. The perfect size to document a quick story during this busy season of life.

I've found that these smaller size layouts are perfect when I'm stuck for time to create, and the subtle patterns within the midnight collection pair so well with a cute black and white photo.

Leila's been LOVING her time at home over the last few weeks, especially when she can create to her hearts content. She's been creating signs, pictures, forts and clubhouses.

The main feature of the layout consists of the photo layered with a small and large piece of the cut apart paper MIXED BLESSING, with the larger B side piece acting as a base for all the bits and the smaller pink pattern piece used as a photo mat. I've tucked a floral ephemera piece and a 'take note' tab both from the ephemera pack into these layers and then created a large title using words from both the chipboard accents and die cut titles packs.

Under the title I've added a few handwritten words for journalling and then to the right of all this is a large floral ephemera piece to complement the other florals on the layout.

Along the top and bottom of the layout I've used strips of paper from the 6x8 paper pad. Patterns used are the smaller versions of INSPIRED and SOPHISTICATED. At the top I added a frame and flag from the ephemera pack and a sticker from the accessory sheet.

Along the bottom I've added a couple more pieces from the ephemera pack to create a cluster which helps to tie the layout all together. I've also splattered a little gold ink cause I just can't help myself.

Well scrappy friends thats all from me today, I hope this has inspired you to create something magical.


Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle xx

2018 Faves for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hello Hello! I'm back today with my last share for 2018. Seriously, another year is coming to an end and so its time to share my favourites from the last 12 months. HECK, I have a hard time choosing my favourite collections, let alone choosing the favourite creations I've made with them lol
Right O, first favourite of the year.... "Story of You" My multi photo layout from last month featuring the newest collection Midnight and a photo from every birthday Leila has had up to last years.

Next favourite... "Reading SuperSTAR" from July. I had so much fun creating this, even all that fussy cutting of the stars from the YOU ROCK collection papers.

I could keep going with favourites as I really do love everything I create, but will share one last one. "Loving Life" The intense rainbow creation from May that I created at the Creative Escape Retreat using Hello Sunshine. So much fun, so much fussy cutting, but oh so good!

Well friends, thats all from me today. I will be back with more to share in the new year, so until then thank you all for your kinds words throughout 2018. I look forward to sharing more creative inspiration in 2019.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!
oh and Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x

Live the life you Love | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hello Crafty friends! I have a new layout to share featuring the beautiful Midnight collection thats currently available in store now. You best snap it up real fast before it all disappears

I've gone with another super quick layout design today. And can I say I've been loving this style of scrapping, especially during this crazy season of life. The days fly by so quick that its hard to believe this sweet little human of mine has just turned 8! Looking forward to scrapping those photos with this amazing collection in the new year too.

To begin my creation I've used a full sheet of the SOPHISTICATED paper as the base then layered a few of my favourite patterns from the BLESSING, INSPIRED and 6x8 Paper pad with a doily and photo to create the main focal point on the page. Love this sweet face and she LOVES Luigi!

At the top right of the photo stack I've added a cluster of floral embellishments from the ephemera pack along with some stickers from both the clear set and accessory sheet. To give the pieces dimension I've added sticky dots to raise them up.

Next I added a few more floral pieces from the ephemera pack and sticker sheet. I layered these all together in a small cluster with a small strip of SOPHISTICATED paper and a phrase strip cut from the ALL THE THINGS paper.

Lastly I added another cut apart piece from the ALL THE THINGS paper to use as a title for the layout. It perfectly sums up the life this kid lives! I also added a few more floral pieces in a cluster to the right to balance out all the elements on the page. A little touch of hand written journalling, the date stamped to the right and a few splatters of gold ink and I felt it was done. Another memory recorded in the prettiest of ways.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, be sure to check back each day for more inspiration from all of us here on the Design Team.


Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x