LOVE THIS | GWEN WRUCK

Hey Creatives! Gwen here today with a new share, something bright and fun for this one. The idea for this page actually began with the cut file design; I really wanted to create a page with a white-on-white look and use a design as a background feature for my layout. I’ve seen some gorgeous pages like this and wanted to give one a go in my own style. I’ve teamed it with some brighter elements to document this sweet photo of Miss 13 taken on her birthday earlier this year.

I decided on using the ‘Garden Background‘ cutfile for this project because of its size, but also because of the more intricate nature of the design. I was also keen to use the ‘Bloom Street’ collection by Paige Evans and knew there were a lot of floral elements in it that would work really well with this one.

I started the page by creating my layout base, as I mentioned, I was really keen to try the white-on-white look, so I’ve simply layered my cut file design over a white piece of cardstock, running it slightly over one edge. I then added a frame to my page and stitching in my usual style, I just love how this frames the page. Side note, this technique is so so fast to do, no backing required for a super pretty result, so if you are not a fan of fussy cutting or you want a striking look in a short time, this is a great technique.

Next up, I backed my photo using a soft pattern from the collection, added some stitching and then raised it up on foam. I’ve placed it towards the centre of the page with the idea to add my embellishments around it.

I didn’t want to add too many things as I didn’t want to cover up all the details in the cut file, so I’ve just gone through and auditioned several die cuts from the collection. As always, I’ve started with the larger pieces first and then worked towards the smaller elements.

I’ve scrapped a bunch of photos from her birthday, so I didn’t feel the need to document it as a birthday layout as such and just wanted to enjoy the creative process with this one and have some fun. I’ve gone with the sentiment ‘You are my Sunshine’ and ‘Love This’ for my title.

I’ve also made some cute flower clusters around the photo, raising some on foam and leaving others flat for interest. I’ve also included the sweet birds and a bright yellow sunshine die-cut to pull the theme of the page together.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I’ve put this page together and that it inspires you in some way. Be sure to tag @cuttoyou if you make anything using the design, I really love to see your projects.

Until next time,

BEAUTIFUL | BOHEMIAN DREAM | GWEN WRUCK

Hey Creatives! I hope you are all keeping well. I’m back on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today with a new share. For this page, I’ve dug deep into my stash to my all-time favourite collection ‘Bohemian Dream‘. I just love the blue tones in this collection and the moment I took this series of photos of Miss 12, I just knew it would be the perfect collection to work with to scrapbook it!

First things first, I stitched around the edge of my photo and added two photo mats. The first mat is purple card stock from my stash and the second mat is the ‘Wild and Free‘ paper. I’ve added foam between the layers for dimension.

Next up, I went about choosing my background paper. I used the same purple cardstock for the outside border of my layout and then ‘Gypsy Heart‘ pattern for the background. It’s bold, but I just love it! I then pulled out the “Intersecting Heart Row‘ cut file from CUT to YOU, cut it three times and colour blocked the backing of each row. It looks like I’ve used different pattern papers here but I’ve simply chosen different sections of the ‘Dreamer‘ paper from the deep purple through to the light pink.  *TIP – Choose ombre pattern papers in collections; you get multiple colour options for the price of one 🙂

Once the files were backed, I centred them onto my layout. Next, I wanted to lock in the position of my title and photo. For this, I’ve used the Chipboard Titles from the collection and the word ‘Beautiful’. As this is quite long, I’ve positioned it toward the left of the layout and the photo positioned towards the right. I think this balances the page out really nicely.

With my three main elements locked in, it was time to embellish. In my usual style, I’ve started with the bigger elements first. I had these Charm Creations fabric X and O and have added them to the left of my photo. I found this sweet sentiment ‘Fine and Dandy’ from the ‘Ephemera Pack‘ and have added that on top of these elements.

I’ve also used two of the flower elements from the ‘Ephemera Pack’ one below my title and the other above my photo which creates three main cluster features around my page. The Ephemera pack in this collection has so many pretty watercolour flowers and lovely sentiments, it really is a must-have and still available in the Cocoa Vanilla shop.

Lastly, I pulled out the ‘Accessory Stickers’ from the collection including two fun tabs, one that says ‘Captured’ the other ‘Happy Snaps’ and added these around my photo. I’ve also added two die-cut butterflies, a flair button and some enamel dots to finish off the page.

This page is a little different for me, especially with that bolder background colour, but I just love it! I think the white in the cut file and the chipboard title really pop and it just sets the page off. Do you have some Bohemian Dream in your stash? If you do, I hope this page inspires you to revisit this stunning collection.

Until next time,

SO HAPPY CHILLIN | GWEN WRUCK

Hey Creatives! I hope you are all keeping well. I’m back on the CUT to YOU blog today with a new share and for today’s page, I was inspired to use a design from the ‘Home Bodies‘ Collection. I’m sure like everyone, my family and I have been spending A LOT more time at home and thought why not document that! These photos are not actually from this year; we are homebodies from wayyy back, but I thought it was important to document, now more than ever because it is a big part of how we live. My journalling on the back talks about how we love being at home, not the events of 2020. This sweet photo is of my daughter and our cat, living their best life on the couch.

I decided on using the ‘Our House’ cutfile for this project and some of my older Maggie Holmes stash. I just love that a fresh new cut file can bring new life to older supplies!

I started by cutting the file design out using white card stock and then backing each of the pieces with cardstock and pattern paper. I’ve then added in some stitching using my sewing machine along the main lines of the design. I love this added detail, it really makes the cut file pop!

Next up, I started thinking about my title. Looking through my supplies, I found these cute puffy word stickers that said ‘So Happy’ and then thought to add the word ‘Chillin’ which I’ve found in the “Hashtag Stay Safe‘ title word set. My daughter loves chilling, she’s not an ‘outdoors’ type and her version of a perfect day is one spent in her PJ’s on the couch with the cat. So this page documents that 🙂 For the title cut file, I simply backed it with coordinating pattern papers alternating as I went. A super simple but really striking effect.

Next up, I backed my photo. For this, I’ve layered up some paper scraps and added some foam tape in between for dimension, added stitching and that was done. Now it was a matter of finding the best position for the large cut file, my title and photo.

With all of the larger elements in place, I was then able to enjoy embellishing the layout. I started with the bigger pieces first such as the cute bird and the plant chipboard elements. From there I’ve added in the smaller ones. How cute is that gold heart and it sits so neatly inside of the heart of the cut file, it was meant to be!

So, I’ve just kept going, adding bits and pieces until the layout looked complete. I’ve used quite a few older elements from my stash so I’m really happy about that.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I’ve put this page together and that it inspires you to document some of the time you have spent at home with loved ones. This design would also be really fun to document a house move or renovation or even a back to school type page if you turned it into a school. Be sure to tag @cuttoyou if you make anything using the design, I really love to see your projects.

Until next time,

HELLO BOY | LEGENDARY | GWEN WRUCK

Hey Creative friends, here today with some more scrapbook inspiration using the new ‘Legendary’ collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio. This month for my shares I’ve been featuring my sister and her pooch as it’s her birthday month. I’m also sharing today as part of our feature using the recently released ‘Legendary’ cut files created by CUT to YOU which I’ll talk more about below.

For this page, I started with the ‘Off Beat’ pattern paper as I really wanted to add some colour and a mixed media/more grungy feel for this page. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m not a mixed media gal so I just love that Zoe has done all of the work for me and I can still enjoy this look without getting my hands dirty! I’ve also cut out several of the star trios from the new ‘Legendary’ cut files set. These cut files are part of the set that was designed by CUT to YOU for the Legendary collection. They are available for FREE download here. If you don’t have a cutting machine, CUT to YOU offers a cutting service and ships worldwide. I’ve resized the star pieces so that they are around 14cm long and cut out seven of them.

I’ve then pulled the ‘Outdoors Type’ pattern paper and the ‘All-Star’ pattern paper to back my stars with. I’ve just alternated each set in a different colour… for my page, I’m going to be working with Blue, Green and Grey tones.

Next up, I’ve mounted my photo with a scrap piece of pattern paper (Brave Heart) I had kicking around from a previous project. This paper is blue in tone and also has a mixed media feel so fits with my design super well.

For the page design, I’ve simply lined up my star rows, alternating the colours and their start/end points across my page. I’ve then added my photo slightly to the right and slightly lower on my page to allow room for my title. My title is from the ‘Die Cut Titles’ pack, so versatile and such a bargain with so many title options to choose from.

With my background cut file, photo and title in place, it was now time to think about embellishing. In keeping with the stars in the cut file, I’ve pulled out the star shapes from the ‘Die Cut Ephemera’ pack. I’ve layered these around and under my photo to help draw the eye to it. I’ve also added in here the cute bear icon from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and the moon shape. For dimension, these have been added with foam tape.

I’ve finished the page off by adding a couple of banner pieces also from the ‘Die Cut Ephemera’ pack, a Flair button from the ‘Flairs pack’, a couple of sentiments from the ‘Accessory Stickers Sheet’ and some Enamel dots and called it done. I think this is a super fun page and love that ‘messy’ look I achieved without the need to do any mixed media myself! I hope you enjoyed seeing my process for this one, it was really fun to make.

Until next time,

ADVENTURE AWAITS | LEGENDARY | GWEN WRUCK

Hey Creative friends, here today with some more scrapbook inspiration. I have a special share for this one using the new ‘Legendary’ collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio. It’s my sisters birthday today, so for this page, I really wanted to create a page for her and her fur-baby. I won’t be able to visit her for her birthday this year, so I thought this would be a nice way to help her feel special today.

For this page, I started with the ‘Wild One’ pattern paper as I really wanted to add some colour for this page. I’ve used it as a frame for my layout and also to back the cut file banner here. This cut file is part of the set that was designed by CUT to YOU for the Legendary collection and is available for FREE download here. If you don’t have a cutting machine, CUT to YOU offers a cutting service and ships worldwide. I’ve resized the banner piece as large I could to make it a background feature and used it as an anchor for the other elements in my page.

I’ve also used the ‘Off Beat’ B Side pattern paper on the banner for contrast. For my photo, I’ve gone with a double mat, using the A Side of the ‘Off Beat’ pattern paper and the pop of yellow from the B Side of the ‘Wild One’ pattern paper. **Design Tip – I’ve only used 2 pattern papers for this page, but it looks like more because I’ve made sure to include and A and B sides of both.

With my large banner cut file centred on my page, I decided to offset my photo, pushing it slightly to the right. To balance out the page, I’m going to add my embellishing to the left. For this, I’ve gone with elements from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, starting with the largest elements first.

I’ve decided to go with the ‘Adventure Awaits’ Banner piece which mirrors the cut file shape and also doubles as my title. I’ve also added in some of the round elements from the die-cut pack for interest. I’ve added these into my layers. It was at this point that I wanted to add some more warmth to the page. To do this, I’ve dug deep into my stash and found some vintage ‘Life is Beautiful’ pieces of wood veneer. These are long gone from the store, but you could use any wood veneer you have in your stash to replicate this look.

With the larger embellishment pieces locked into place, I’ve gone back and added in some smaller details such as the die-cut stars and some typed sentiments from the ‘Accessory Sticker sheet’. I’ve also added some enamel dots from the collection as well as a sprinkling of sequins from my stash and called the layout complete.

I had a lot of fun making this page for my sister, I hope she likes it! I hope it has inspired you in some way. If you haven’t seen the new ‘Legendary’ collection, it’s shipping now from a store near you so be sure to check it out.

Until next time,