Paper Issues: 2017 Fall Crop: Supersize It!

Hi Creative Friends!

Are you playing along with the

 Paper Issues Fall Crop?! 

If not, come join us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group here

I am lucky enough to be hosting two of the Crop challenges,
& I am so super excited about it!
Here's my second challenge for the crop.....

Yup! Supersize it and go LARGE!!!

For this challenge you can either use a supersized photograph OR a supersized title for your layout.

Easy to play, but tons of fun (& you go in the draw to win some awesome prizes!)

Here's my sample layout for you....

"Major Heart Eyes"

Major heart eyes, indeed! Isn't this the most beautiful photo?!!

And yes, I supersized it to focus in on that gorgeous handhold! 

These two are inseparable, they really dote on one another - it's so lovely!

You'll spy that I used the stunning Pink Paislee: Paige Taylor Evans: Turn The Page collection for this layout. That sweet floral paper is just perfect for Spring or Fall memory keeping. 

And the embellishments are just divine!

Here's a few close ups for you.....

Just look at that sweet Puffy Sticker heart! It really pops against the black n white photo.

I am also LOVING the Fresh Start Icon Thickers (chipboard stickers) - there are so many cute designs!

And speaking of Thickers..... 

The New Day Printed Thickers are amazing!!!

They really are title perfection!

Feeling like you need a lil more Pink Paislee in your stash?

Use code AMANDA in the Paper Issues store here

& you'll save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

I hope you liked my fun take on this SUPERsized challenge!

I can't wait to see what you create for it!

Thanks for stopping by!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: 2017 Fall Crop: Sky's The Limit!

Hi Creatives!

I'm so excited! It's Paper Issues Fall Crop time!
Yay!!!

I love a good crop, and at Paper Issues we rock it!
I am lucky enough to be hosting two of the crop challenges, and here's my first one.....

Sky's The Limit!

For this challenge I want you to use up all those sky themed papers - think kites, hot air balloons, birds, butterflies, paper planes, clouds, rainbows etc. Basically if it flies, 

or you can see it in the sky ,

we want to see it on your page!

Here's my sample for you....

"Dream"

Oh isn't this beautiful! 

How quickly 'time' flies is the sentiment behind my layout. 

There's a lovely hidden letter on the back of this one for my not so little girl. What a dream she is!

You'll also spy the lovely Crate Paper Maggie Holmes: Carousel collection for this layout.

 I have made a feature of the kites pattern paper, Summertime and combined it with fussy cut kites, Chipboard Thickers & even the Carousel & Kites Free Cut File

Here's a closer look at all those kites....

Magical indeed!

And how about that stunning Puffy Word Sticker title......

Exquisite! So beautifully cut!

And let's not forget the real beauty on my page.....

I wish we could have kept her this little a bit longer....

She's growing up way too fast! Love her so!

And there you have it! 

My take on the Sky's The Limit challenge!

I do hope you'll join us in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook group here to play along!

REMEMBER: If you're shopping in the Paper Issues store here

to use my code AMANDA & you'll receive 20% off your total spend. Yay!!!

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Dream BIG with Bohemian Dream!

Hi Creative Friends!

Time for another dreamy scrapbook page with the stunning Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Bohemian Dream collection! 

And when I say dreamy, I am talking all things soft, sweet & pastel! 

Think dream catchers, big dreams and a dreamy colour combination too! 

Here's what I'm talking about.....

"Dream BIG"

Oh swoon!

 This truly is such a divine collection to create with! So many beautiful details!

You'll see that I have been inspired by the dreamcatchers, sweet birds & feathers for this gorgeously girly layout of my darling daughter. I have even created my own arrow embellishment from CHIPBOARD STICKERS, a wooden skewer, twine, feathers & a VELLUM ACCENT feather too! SO pretty! Lots of lovely layers and dreamy mixed media too!

My layout begins with the reverse sides of pattern papers CV-BD003 ABSTRACT, & CV-BD008 KALEIDOSCOPE. 

I love the ombre purple, & who can go past distressed, white woodgrain patterns?!! Just divine!

I then move straight onto those incredible CHIPBOARD STICKERS as my feature title, using the dreamcatcher chippy to center it all. 

Here's a closer look for you.....

Oh my heart! 

It just doesn't get much prettier than this!

 Just look at the fine details on that dreamcatcher! 

As well as centering my title, that dreamcatcher also acts as an anchor for my beautiful photograph!

My photograph has a couple of lovely layers beneath it.

 First you'll see that awesome Cocoa Vanilla Studio Geo Heart Cut File which has been paper pieced with the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD (using the reverse side of the GYPSY HEART pattern paper). 

Beneath the cut file is a beautiful mixture of purple and berry Shimmerz Paints. 

You'll spot Inklingz: Pugnacious Purple, Creameez: Paradise Punch & Vibez: Razzeldazzel Berry. I have applied them using the packaging technique, and gentle splattering. 

To compliment the mixed media, and bring further attention to my photo, I have added those glossy ENAMEL SHAPES - love!!!

Here's another view for you....

Gah! So delicate & divine!

I then embellish on and around my photograph with ACCESSORY STICKERS, and more CHIPBOARD STICKERS. 

Those polka dot hearts are the cutest, and those birds!!! All the heart eyes!

Supporting my photo is my handmade embellishment - a boho arrow which doubles up as a mobile to suspend those DIE CUT EPHEMERA feathers from. 

Let's take a better look....

So simple, and yet so effective!

To create my boho arrow I attached a CHIPBOARD STICKER arrow to a wooden skewer, and hot glued a few craft feathers to the end. I then wrapped mutli coloured twine around the skewer (including the joins) and threaded my VELLUM ACCENT feather into the end also. I used a sewing needle to thread my DIE CUT EPHEMERA feathers onto individual twine strings, and then attached them to the arrow. 

For finishing touches I embellished the arrow with the memories sentiment and add another sweet chippy heart to hold the center string in position. 

I complete my layout with more ENAMEL SHAPES & another fabulous sentiment sticker.....

Bohemian Dream is truly ALL the pretty things!!!

 I hope you have enjoyed viewing my dreamy project today, and feel inspired to get creating with Bohemian Dream too! Get yours here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

REMEMBER: If you're shopping in the Shimmerz Paints store to type my name into the comments section of your order & you'll receive a FREE gift! Visit the shop here.

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: October Swag Bag

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for one of my favourite shares of the month, 

Paper Issues Swag Bag Spotlight!

For today's scrapbook layout I am using the 

September Swag Bag - So Magical!

It's all kinds of awesome!
Here's a peak at it.....

Magical, indeed!

Here's what I've created with mine.....

"Sweet FUN"

Oh sweet fun indeed!

Isn't this the cutest?!!!

I am loving those Asymmetric Diamond Veneers, and the pom poms too! They really add a playful element to the Swag Bag.

So a few items on my page aren't from the Swag Bag - my 12 x 12 base paper (Shimelle Glitter Girl), cardstock, 

and the Amy Tangerine The Lucky Ones Hustle & Heart Thickers. That's it!

Everything else you see is from my Swag Bag!!! Awesome, huh?!

That Enamel Charm from Shimelle's Glitter Girl is gorgeous, just a bit special too!

Those cute die cut florals are from Shimelle also!

SO many bright & fun embellishments in this month's Swag Bag!

Hope I have inspired you to get creating with your Swag Bag!

Don't have one yet?
Visit the Paper Issues store here 

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll receive 20% off your total spend! 

Looking for more Swag Bag ideas?

See what our incredible team have created here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: October Free File Friday #2

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with Round 2 of 

For this round we want to see ANY Paper Issues cut files on your FALL themed projects!

Yay! I love Autumn - such a beautiful season!

Here's what I created, 

"Fall Smile"

Oooooh!!! So pretty!!!

Such a beautiful girl loving this Autumn day!

I have used the darling Jen Hadfield's Simple Life collection & teamed it up with the 

Heart Wreath Cut File

Get your FREE heart wreath file here

Here's a few close ups of my layout......

Those wreath hearts are so sweet! 

I have used pattern paper Perfect Plaid  & reverse side of Bouganvillea for the paper piecing. 

You'll also spy those fabulous printed Wood Veneers ,  

Die Cuts  & Puffy Stickers embellishing the wreath.

 Love it!

I love how pretty this collection is! 

Perfect for all your beauti-Fall memory keeping!

Just gorgeous!

I hope you feel inspired by my take on this round of Free File Friday!

Check out ALL our fabulous Free cut files here

Need scrapbook supplies?

Visit the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll receive 20% off your total spend!

Want to play along with us?

Read all the details, and get inspired by our talented team here!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Shimmerz Paints & Silhouette Sketch Pens!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for more Shimmerz Paints inspiration!

For today's layout, I 'm playing with Silhouette Sketch Pens and our favourite Shimmerz products!

Here's what I've created, 

"Love"

Oh wow! Isn't this stunning?!!

I've used Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Wild At Heart collection,

 and a Paper Issues free cut file with a blue Sketch Pen. 

SO Pretty!

The heart file is called Autumn Blessings and you can grab it for FREE here

But today is all about those stunning Shimmerz Paints, 

so here's how I've created that background....

I roughly painted the heart outline in watered down Spritz: Sapphire, and also applied it with the packaging technique too! I painted the blossoms in Vibez: Glorious Day, and then added tiny splatters of this golden hue around the heart. The roses are painted with Creameez: Trippin' in the Tropics, the daisy is painted in Creameez: Cheeky Pink and the leaves are Creameez: Refresh Mint. 

Love these colours together! 

To finish it off, I added more splatters around the heart with the Creameez colours, and voila! 

It was that simple and easy! 

Here's a few close ups for you........

It really is such a pretty effect!

Remember: Sketch Pens are water soluble, so they do bleed a little when the Shimmerz Paints are applied. Pat dry with a paper towel, and re paint where required.

Oh swoon! Just the prettiest!

And all the floral elements from the Wild At Heart collection really add to the beauty of this page!

Love it all!

Hope my layout has inspired you to play with Shimmerz Paints!

REMEMBER: If you're ordering from the Shimmerz Paints online store HERE

 pop my name AMANDA in the comments section of your order 

and you'll receive a FREE gift! 

Yay for free paint!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: October New Issue: Round 2

Hi Creatives!

It's time for another round of Paper Issues

This month's Which Kraft? issue is tons of fun!

Here's some suggestions to get you started....

*Halloween or October outings

*Kraft elements (paper/embellishments)

*Add texture with burlap or cork

*Create a project about crafts you do

*Feature a witches' hat/broomstick/black cat etc

Here's my take....

"Nature Boy"

Isn't he the cutest?!

The colours in this photo were perfect for the Kraft issue and I love the natural tones of cork and burlap too!

You'll spy mostly Heidi Swapp's Magnolia Jane collection, as well as bits n pieces from Crate Paper, Pink Paislee and those gorgeous Thickers are from 1Canoe2. 

The Magnolia Jane collection features lots of Kraft ephemera, so it was a no brainer to stashbust this line for my layout today.

Love those layers beneath my photo - very cool!

And that's my take on this month's issue!

I hope you liked it and feel inspired to play along too!

Get all your fave scrapbook supplies from the Paper Issues store here
& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll get 20% off your total spend!

Looking for more Which Kraft? inspiration?

See what our talented team has created here

Thanks so much for visiting, 

til  next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Beautiful Dream

Hi Creative Friends!

 I am SO excited to be sharing my very first Design Team layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio

with the gorgeous NEW Bohemian Dream collection! 

This line is so incredibly pretty - I am truly in floral paper heaven!

Here's my gorgeously girly installment.....

"Beautiful Dream"

Oh swoon! This collection is SO divine!!!

For my layout today, I've been totally inspired by Boho dream catchers and the cascading gardens in my photograph.

I start with the reverse side of pattern paper CV-BD001 ABUNDANT, and layer it with 11 x 11" white cardstock.

I have used the Geo Heart Cut File from the Colour Me Happy collection, and backed it with the 6 x 6 Paper Pad floral paper, ABUNDANT. The heart is then supported by blooms and leaves from the DIE CUT EPHEMERA & VELLUM ACCENTS pack, and then embellished with the sentiment CHIPBOARD STICKERS.

The heart is positioned onto that stunning Shimmerz Paints mixed media background, which was created with the packaging technique and lots of tiny brush splatters.  Those super pretty watercolours compliment the DIE CUT blooms perfectly!

Let's take a closer look.......

And I must make mention of those VELLUM butterflies! Aren't they something?!! 

Every element of Bohemian Dream is so exquisitely crafted and timeless in its beauty!

It's no secret that I love #allthefloralthings but Bohemian Dream takes floral prettiness to a whole new level! 

Those watercolour blooms and leaves are incredible!

Even the ENAMEL SHAPES coordinate beautifully!!! Sooooooo gorgeous!

I love how I've encouraged the cascading vines / leaves to lead your eye into my sweet photo.....

Isn't this a lovely photo of my daughter?! 

Such a beautiful memory captured here.

I have double mounted my photo using the 6 x 6 Paper Pad for added impact.

 I am absolutely loving the release of the 6 x 6 Paper Pad - it's perfect for all those smaller details!

To complete my layout, I have used another heart and vines combination to center the design, and provide balance to the page. 

Such a beautiful layout for my daughter's album!

I hope you feel inspired by my page, & are ready to create with Bohemian Dream!

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, it means so much!

til  next time,

Happy Arty Days,

Amanda xo

Pinkfresh Studio: Escaping The Ordinary with Subtle Stamping Techniques!

Hello Friends!

Welcome back for more paper delights!

 I am so excited about my DT assignments for Pinkfresh Studio this month!

October is all about stamps!

Stamps?!! On a clean and contemporary page?!!

Yes, mixed media doesn't need to be messy, infact it can be so super pretty if applied subtly!

  All the stamps in the Pinkfresh Studio collections are just stunning, and the Escape The Ordinary set is an absolute new favourite of mine!

So without further ado, here's two Escape The Ordinary layouts with very subtle stamping techniques. I do hope they inspire you!

First up is this super delicate page of my sweet girl, 

"On My Heart"

Isn't this just divine?!! Something beautiful, indeed!

I've drawn on the pretty blues & greens in my photograph, as well as been inspired by the sentiments and stars in the Escape The Ordinary Stamp Set. So pretty!

My 12 x 12" layout starts with that gorgeous green wash paper, DARE, and is then mounted with pattern paper, EXPLORE that has been trimmed to 11 x 11". As I only wanted to feature the green and blue elements of this paper, I arranged my photo cluster, LAYERED TAG and EPHEMERA to 'cover up' the red and yellow triangles, leaving me with a very cool, and gentle background for my layout. Perfect!

For my photo cluster, I layered lots of coordinating pattern papers from the 6 x 6 PAPER PAD, and tied it all together with that super sweet DIE CUT FABRIC PIECE On My Heart.

I absolutely love the soft texture and interest that the fabric pieces add to your projects! 

But today is all about the stamping, so let's take a closer look at how I've incorporated those awesome stamps into this girly page....

Oh aren't they pretty?! 

Subtle stamping on your layouts can reallly add that extra finishing touch! I really wanted to keep mine soft and delicate to compliment my sweet photo.  I also wanted to coordinate with the pretty background paper, so I went with white embossing powder. Every star, & every sentiment, has been heat embossed in white to keep with this delicate style. 

Subtle, but very much an integral element to the design. 

I especially love the sentiments - they work perfectly with the hidden journalling I've included for my daughter.

This is her journey, it isn't always easy - embrace those detours, and remember something beautiful is always about to unfold. Love it! Such a wonderful and empowering message to my pre teen! 

Here's another view ....

Just gorgeous!

Lots of other pretty embellishments adorn this page, including those fabulous PUFFY STICKERS! Aren't they something?!! The mountain triangles, and stars in both stickers and gold foil EPHEMERA really add that finishing touch to the page. Love it! 

I hope you adored this delicate, subtle stamped layout!

My second layout really celebrates the season of Fall, as well as embracing the beauty of life and documenting the everyday story,

"Something Beautiful" 

Something beautiful - Yessss! 

How darling is that photograph of my precious two?! I love that this collection not only celebrates the season, but is also repsectful of it too! Classy and yet so contemporary!

Like my previous layout, I have really drawn on the colours in my photograph. I have also been very inspired by the Fall theme. 

My page begins with the stunning TRANSFORM patterned paper, and is then layered with the reverse side of DARE, as well as a layer of white cardstock. I have cut the 'Something Beautiful Is On The Horizon' trim from pattern paper, SEARCH, and used it as a band to combine all the layers as one. I love how it brings unity to the page design! 

The remainder of the design is a simple vertical flow pattern, that is supported by those gorgeous stamped leaves.

 Let's take a better look at this....

Nothing says Fall more than falling leaves! 

The leaf stamp in the Escape The Ordinary set was perfect for this layout!

To keep with the 'clean' mixed media look, I don't stamp directly onto my layout. 

On a scrap piece of white cardstock, I repeat stamped the leaf in Staz-On black ink. 

Once dry, I handpainted the leaves in gold and lime tones from my Shimmerz Paints stash. 

The leaves were then fussy cut and rearranged to best fit the page design. This meant I could control the stamping, and keep my page mess free!

 Another really subtle stamping technique with such a stunning result! 

The stamped leaves are supported with DIE CUT leaves, and even some cute PUFFY STICKERS to add that extra wow! 

SO beautiful!

Nothing ordinary going on here at all! 

I really hope that my scrapbook pages have inspired you to get creating with Escape the Ordinary, and moreso, to jump in and use those stamps too! 

Clean mixed media is a thing now ;) Yay!!!

Happy creating!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: October Try It Tuesday!

Hi Creative Friends!

I am so excited to share another super fun edition of Paper Issues Try It Tuesday challenge!

 Yay!

I love trying out new things, and I hope you'll enjoy the challenge I've set for this month!

October's edition of Try It Tuesday is to either paint, colour, or spray your cardstock  

& then use a punch, die or cut file to cut it out and feature on your project! 

Literally, Paint it then Punch it!

Here's what I'm meaning......

I created this pretty watercolour background for a challenge a while ago, but I never ended up using it. It was perfect for today's challenge, with those old butterfly punches.

Here's how I used the butterflies on my project.....

"Dream Chaser"

Oh swoon! Isn't this just the prettiest outcome?!!

I've used the gorgeous Pink Paislee: Paige Taylor Evans: Turn The Page collection. 

The butterflies & colours in this line coordinated beautifully with my painted 'n' punched butterflies.

So pretty! 

I love mixed media, but it can be daunting for some...  

This technique of paint and punch is a great approach to introducing paints into your layouts, but remaining in control of the 'mess'. 

Clean mixed media, it's a thing y'all!

Love it!!!

Here's a closer view for you..... 

Such a gorgeous, whimsical page!

Love the flow and direction that the butterflies create in this design.

As well as my punched butterflies, you'll also spy some fabulous Die Cuts, Puffy Stickers and Chipboard Stickers from the Turn The Page line. 

Turn The Page is such a bright, fun and happy collection!

Aren't those florals just divine?!!

Beautiful!

Hope my layout has inspired you to play along - 

I can't wait to see what you create!

Upload your creations with us in the October Album 

in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group

Need supplies before you get started?

Shop this beautiful line and so much more, in the Paper Issues store HERE

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off every.single.time your order! Yay!!!

Looking for more Try It Tuesday inspiration?

See what the rest of our talented team has created here.

Thanks for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo