“You Are Beautiful” for Scrap the Girls August 2019

Hi Creative Friends,

The first of the month means it’s time to share another fab challenge at Scrap the Girls.  This month we are being inspired by none other than Instagram.  You can be inspired by the logo shape or colours, the square format photos, your love of Instagram or anything else you can think of Insta related.  Here is the inspiration image:

and here is my layout!

I love this month’s challenge as I really feel you can take it in so many different directions.  I really rolled with the logo for this one as I had a cut file that was the perfect fit.  This one is called ‘Beautiful You‘ from my CUT to YOU digital cut file store.  There is also one there that’s similar called Oh Snap!

I began the page by cutting out the cut file in the largest format I could fit on my 12 x 12 page with white cardstock.  I then carefully trimmed out the word ‘you’ from it as I had a plan for my title to use a die cut embellishment for part of the title and the word ‘you’ didn’t quite fit.  I love customising cut files in this way, it makes them even more versatile.

I then backed the file with some pretty pattern papers, these are all from Pinkfresh Studio.  I’ve also used some vellum to back my file with as well.  Once that was all done, I decided to turn it into a giant shaker pocket.  I split the layers between the vellum and pattern paper and then gently placed a stack of gold sequins in between, added some stitching and love the end result!

I’ve matted my photo in the same paper and positioned on my page.  It was now just a matter of adding lots of pretty little embellishments.

I have a huge stash from this manufacturer so it was hard not to put “all the things” onto the layout!  I just mixed and matched puffy stickers, die cut pieces, chipboard and wooden elements until I was happy.  Lots of auditioning bits and pieces here and there!

I really do love how this turned out.  I haven’t made a shaker pocket in ages so it was so fun to make a giant one for a layout!  I hope this page inspires you to join in.

Be sure to upload to the Facebook group by the end of the month for your chance to win a prize pack from this months sponsor.

This month’s sponsor: Helmar

Until next time,

 

MOST IMPROVED | CUT TO YOU

Hi Creative Friends,

I’m up on the CUT to YOU blog today with a new share inspired by this months challenge Inspiration board.  Each month there is a new Inspiration board, and I am totally crushing on this months; which is birthday themed.  If you’d like the chance to win FREE cut files from the store, be sure to play along.  Here is the Inspiration board and my take.

For my layout, I was really inspired by the banner image and the pretty pretty colours.  I began by cutting out a stack of the circular banners from the ‘Banner Trio‘ cut file.  I ended up with 9 in total and then went about backing them in pretty pattern papers that coordinated with the colours in the Inspiration board.

Once my cut files were all backed, I placed them down the centre of my layout, overlapping and mixing and matching up the colours.  I really wanted to create a background of banner layers here.

I’ve positioned them all down flat on my page, as I knew at this point that there would be a few layers yet to go on top.  Next up, I mounted my photo, again, just choosing a pattern paper that complimented what was already happening in the banners.  I have mounted this onto 3D foam for dimension and to lift it visually off the background.

I decided to add my photo to the right of my page, so that I would have space for a title on the left side of the page.  For this, I’ve used some Thickers from my stash.  It is quite a big title so it was important to lock in the position of it early in the design.  If left too late, I often find that I’ve run out of space for a large title, so locking it in early is a great strategy.

I was also SUPER keen to get this chipboard banner piece onto my page.  It is from an older Crate Paper collection and is quite large as well.  I have struggled to get it to fit onto layouts because of its size.  I found here it worked because it coordinates with the banner theme going on in the background and looks small in proportion to them.  Your eye is lead across it along with the other banners, so it fits on the page in a more subtle way than if it were to be placed on its own.

Next up, it was time to add some pretty florals.  Lots of bits and pieces from my stash here.  I’ve just gone with anything that fits in the colour scheme and goes with my design.

Lastly, I have fussy cut out some butterfly elements from pattern paper and they finish out the page nicely.

This page came together quite quickly and the end result is so fun.  It feels so good to get some elements from my stash onto a layout and I love how the cut files help me to do that.

You can see the latest designs from CUT to YOU here, ohh so many options to choose from.

Until next time,

TOGETHER | MIDNIGHT | GWEN WRUCK

Hi Creative Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful day, thanks for popping by the blog!  I’m sharing for Cocoa Vanilla Studio today a new layout featuring the stunning ‘Midnight’ collection.  This collection is another of my most favourites.  The navy teamed with the soft pinks are absolute winners in my book.  This page features my daughter from many many years ago and her daddy having a sweet moment in the middle of a family photoshoot.  I really have forgotten how small she was, another beautiful reminder of why we scrapbook right!

I started the idea for this page with this stunning paper “Shine Bright“.  I usually go for a white or softer background but this for this page I wanted something more dramatic.  I love how Zoe has done all that water-colouring for me!  No mess, and pure perfection on the page.

I then pulled from my stash this cut file (CUT to YOU – Bows on strings) and backed it with the “Inky Depths” pattern paper.  I have tried to use the darker portions of this pattern paper as I was really wanting some contrast between that bright background, the white in the cut file and the beautiful deep navy.  I’ve not backed all the pieces of the file, I wanted to keep some open for interest.

Before I could get to work positioning my elements, I backed my photo.  For this, I’ve used the “Sophisticated” pattern paper and some white tissue from my stash.  I’ve made sure to position the stripes running across the page rather than up and down; I didn’t want them to compete with the vertical lines of the cut file.

Next up, before I had a position for anything sorted, I really wanted to lock in my title.  I find when I use larger title pieces, it is important to fit them in when designing the layout for the page.  If left until the last thing, I often find I have no space for it.  I’ve chosen the word ‘Together’ from the “Die Cut Title Pack“. That choice made, it was now a matter of positioning the cut file, my photo and the tile onto my background paper.

Next up, I’ve added in some pretty embellishments.  Firstly, all three of the butterflies from the “Accessory Stickers sheet”  <<who doesn’t need a whole sheet just of these>>  and then some die-cut elements from the “Die Cut Ephemera” pack.  I often mount these on 3D foam for added dimension. Lastly, I added the flair from the “Flair button pack” that coordinates with the collection and a sprinkling of sequins from my stash.

Thanks for popping by today to see my latest project.  I hope my page inspires you to get creative and as always really love seeing what you make!

Until next time,

MY SUNSHINE | CUT TO YOU

Hi Creative Friends,

I’m up on the CUT to YOU blog today with a new share featuring Miss Caitlin in beautiful Fiji from quite a few years back now.  I’ve actually had this picture for ages and was never quite sure what to do with it.  I always struggled to make it fit with a page…UNTIL I created this sweet sailing boat (Set Sail 2)for her to ‘sit’ on.  I am so in love with the end result.

I’m also on a bit of a mission to use my stencils a little more of late so this page started with some stencil work.  In my usual clean mixed media style, I’ve lightly sprayed the stencil with a soft pink glimmer mist.  I was kind of looking to emulate the rays of the sun at sunset so chose a soft pink rather than a bright yellow mist.  Once dry, I’ve added lines of machine stitching for extra detail.

Next up, I’ve gone to work backing the cut file.  I’ve used Kaisercraft Paisley Days collection for this.  mixing and matching the papers in the collection to ‘colour’ my little boat cut file.  I’ve also used this collection to mount my photo, just one layer for this page as I didn’t want too much happening over my pretty background and cut file.  I’ve added some stitching here too in my usual style.

At this point I had my background locked in, the file backed and my photo ready.  It was time to do the layout dance to place all of these large elements.  I was careful to position the boat in the centre but allow room for my photo off to the right-hand side.  I wanted the mast in the picture to be on the same side as the mast in my cut file boat.

Next, it was time to have some fun with embellishments to round out the page.  First up, I found these sweet neutral clouds by Charm Creations.  I love how soft they are.  They were the perfect feature for my ‘sky’.

I then found this sweet little pink bow in my stash, it’s from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.  Just HAD to add that.  #socute

Then came all of the elements from the Kaisercraft collection… I found floral stickers and die cut butterflies.  The banner sticker was the perfect fit along my mast and matched the flags on the cut file perfectly!  I really just kept adding bits and pieces here and there until I was happy.

I’m really happy with how this turned out and love the soft background colour scheme and the pops of yellow from the pattern papers.

You can see the latest designs from CUT to YOU here, there are over 200 designs and lots of design team samples to check out.

Until next time,

HAPPY MOMENTS | MIDNIGHT | GWEN WRUCK

Hi Creative Friends,

I hope you are all doing well!  I’m sharing on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today a new layout inspired by ‘stars or stripes’ for our current theme.  This page features my cute kitty ‘Ferris’ and the stunning ‘Midnight’ collection and was super fun to make.

I started the idea for the page with the Colour Me Happy cut files the large ‘XO’ in the designs features bold stripes which I thought would be a fab jumping off point for my page.  I also decided early on my background paper.  The Shine Bright pattern paper design is perfect as a soft muted background and the woodgrain stripes fit with my challenge and the stripes in the cut file.

Background and cut file choices now locked in, I went through my paper scraps and backed the cut file.  I just worked along with the stripes alternating pattern papers from the collection.  Once I was happy with the cut file, I stitched around the edges with my sewing machine in a pretty pink thread.  I love the detail this adds.

Next, I’ve matted my photo with the Inky Depths pattern paper.  I’ve also used the B side as a border around the edge of my page and added more stitching.  I find I do this a lot and it really helps pull the design together.  I’ve also mounted my photo with foam tape for dimension.

With the photo, cut file and background all locked it, it is time to do the layout ‘shuffle’.  I just keep moving the pieces around until I find a layout that I like.  I did end up mounting the cut file on foam too as you can see here.

With the largest elements now all locked in, it was time for a title. I’ve used the Chipboard Accents for this. I’ve also pulled out elements from the Die Cut Ephemera, and Accessory Stickers to create clusters around my page.  I do this to help draw the eye around the page design.

The heart die cut you see here is from a metal die from my stash, combined with more pretty elements from the Die Cut Ephemera pack.  You can also see here that I like to add foam under the tiny word sentiments from the Accessory Sticker sheet for dimension.

I found this cute bow deep in my Cocoa stash and loved how it had the pink and white stripes so added that along with some sequins in a mix of colours and that finished up the page.

Thanks for popping by today to see my latest project.  Lots happening on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog so be sure to check back frequently as well as the community group on Facebook.  There is always a lot of inspiring projects to see.  I hope my page inspires you to get creative with the latest collection and as always really love seeing what you make!

Until next time,

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