CTK: Sunday Sketch Challenge!

Hi Friends!

Welcome back for more Citrus Twist Kits inspiration!

Today I am sharing my take on the awesome Sunday Sketch challenge! 

I hope you'll get some crafty time to play along too!

Here's the fabulous sketch we're being inspired with.....

Wow! What a terrific sketch! 

I love this design & can see it working for both scrapbook pages AND 

as a page for my Life Crafted Album!

So naturally,  I've created both pages to inspire you with!

First up is my scrapbook layout, "Sweet"

CTK Supplies: Life Crafted February Love Stories Kit, February Scrapbooking Add-on Kit.

Sigh! Isn't this divine! 

Such a young, fresh & feminine page of my daughter & niece! 

I just adore all those pretty pattern paper layers & colors! Gorgeous! 

With such a fabulous sketch, I really didn't want to alter it. 

I mean, seriously, that design rocks! So my layout follows it fairly closely. 

I especially loved the shipping tag feature, & just had to use the 4" x 8" cream tag that was included in the Love Stories Kit!

Here's a closer look at my layout....

I switched the messy thread in the sketch for the hearts, butterfly & acetate die cut. The larger hearts are fussy cut from one of the Crate Paper La La Love papers. That bright blue one coordinates perfectly with the puffy sticker heart & die cut butterfly, and really pops against the soft colors. 

And need I mention how amazing the acetate die cuts are in this month's Love Stories Kit?! Love!!!!!!

Here's a look at another acetate shape on my layout.......

Beautiful!

I use the crisp white Heidi Swapp Thickers from the Scrapbooking Add On Kit for my layout title, and embellish this cluster with more of those pretty ephemera butterflies, and puffy sticker hearts.

Oh.so.pretty!!!

For my Life Crafted Album page, I rotate the sketch 90 degrees so it will better suit my narrow 5" x 8" layout....

CTK Supplies: Life Crafted February Love Stories Kit, February Scrapbooking Add On Kit, February Subscriber Printables. 

Oh how beautiful!

I've used a similar color scheme, but this time I opted for warm red accents instead of mint green. I used one of the February Subscriber Printables in place of my layout title, & positioned my title where the journaling may have featured.

Those exclusive gold puffy alphabet are simply stunning! 

Such a sweet lil page for my Life Crafted Album! 

And there you have it - one sketch, two ways! 

I hope my layouts have inspired you to play along and 

get creating with your Citrus Twist Life Crafted Kits! 

Be sure to share your creations in the Citrus Twist Kits Fan Page HERE.

I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks so much for joining me today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Citrus Twist Kits: 3 to Inspire with the New Life Crafted Kit!

Hi Friends! 

Welcome back for more memory keeping inspiration with a new edition of the 

Citrus Twist Kits 

3 - to - Inspire challenge! 

 I am so super excited to be sharing more of our amazing Life Crafted Kit! 

This new look kit has me swooning! 

"Fresh Starts" Kit 

I love this new look & fun approach to everyday documenting, 

but I also still love my 12 x 12 style of scrapbooking! 

So for today's challenge, I am also incorporating how I use Life Crafted for 12 x 12 layouts too! Yay! 

Here are the items you'll need to feature in your creating to play along:

1. Stamping - There are four fabulous CTK stamps this month, and one's an exclusive included in the Life Crafted kit. Have fun & get inky! 

2. Stickers - There are some fabulous stickers in both the Life Crafted Kit and the Scrapbooking Add On Kit! I'm especially loving the Tiny Word Stickers in the Life Crafted Kit.  

3. Ephemera -  Again, you'll find them in both kits, or you could make your own from our monthly printable cut aparts! Yayyy! 

Such a fun & easy challenge for you to play along with! 

Here's what I've created using both our Life Crafted & Scrapbooking Add On Kits, 

"Hey Boy, You ROCK"

How awesome is this?!! Such a fun page for my cool kid!

I use the white cardstock and Shine Bright paper from the Scrapbooking Add On kit for the 12" elements in my layout. I layer my photo onto the exclusive Life Crafted pattern papers, and ephemera and then go wild with embellishing! 

The "THIS" stamp is from the exclusive Fresh Starts stamp set in the Life Crafted Kit. I repeat stamp it for maximum impact - so striking & tons of fun too! 

For the stickers element, I feature a mix of stickers from both kits but I am really crushing on the Tiny Word Stickers in the Life Crafted Kit - so good!

How cool are those faux enamel dots?! They're actually the inner circles from the O's in the Black Puffy Alphas Stickers in the Life Crafted Kit. Perfect! 

Speaking of alphas, here's a closer look at that super, mixed font title.....

So.much. awewsomeness!!!

You can see that the Scrapbooking Add On Kit has been carefully curated to compliment the Life Crafted Kit so we can enjoy the best of both memory keeping options! Yay! Love it! 

And because I really do LOVE it, I couldn't help myself... 

I've made a second layout for today's challenge, 

"Fresh Start"

Whoa! Another super boy page for my Mister A for Awesome! 

Again, I have combined both the Life Crafted & Scrapbooking Add-On Kits to create my scrapbook layout. I have also featured the Life Crafted Travelers Notebook Stamp; a new fave of mine! 

Those layers!!! 

The L shaped design of this layout is really eye catching, and I adore the split title! To add even more interest to it, I machine stitched it into place! Oh, and that title? It's from the exclusive CTK ephemera in the Life Crafted Kit! 

The Dear Lizzy Puffy Stickers in the Scrapbooking Add On Kit were the perfect adornment for this journal cluster! & yes, I'm still crushing on those Tiny Word Stickers - could you tell? lol! 

Such an awesome page for my sweet boy!

And there you have it! 

My takes on today's 3 - To - Inspire challenge! 

(& a look at how I am combining both kits to meet my 12 x 12 scarpbook layout needs!)

Now it's your turn! 

I can't wait to see your creations with this challenge! 

Be sure to share them with us in the Facebook CTK Fans Page HERE - we LOVE seeing your work! 

Haven't ordered your kits yet? 

Visit the store HERE to get started!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Rad Boy!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for more Cocoa Vanilla Studio inspiration!

Today I am sharing a closer look on my take for the second CSI - Color.Stories.Inspiration challenge layout for June!

Yes, they have 2 cases for us to solve! How fun!

If you didn't already know, Cocoa Vanilla Studio is sponsoring CSI this month, so be sure to play along with the challenges to go in the draw to win a VERY cool prize! Yay!

Speaking of challenges, here's what the second one looks like....

Such a fun and playful image to draw inspiration from!

I have been inspired by the colours, the bold pops of black, the sense of adventure and the circles! Here's what I came up with,

"Rad Boy"

OH YEAH!!! Such a cool little mister; Rad Boy indeed! 

And what a fun design too!

When it comes to my boy, it's all about challenging those rules lately - so in true boy spirit, I am breaking some of mine! I am, wait for it, mixing collections & not using a white cardstock base! Eeesh! Talk about outta my comfort zone & yes, I know, totally living on the edge! Ha!

You'll spot that I have actually mixed my two fave Cocoa Vanilla Studio boy collections - You Rock and Boys Rule! I begin with Boys Rule pattern paper CV-BR009 GOOD TIMES (textured concrete print) as my 12 x 12 base. I love how rough, raw, & edgy this paper is! Perfect for masculine pages! I then turn to the You Rock collection, and in particular, pattern paper CV-YR001 STARSHINE. I use this paper for that awesome circular cut file called Geo Globe 

(get it from The Cut Shoppe HERE)  and then fussy cut out all the 'negative' left over stars to embellish this cut file with.

I layer my sweet boy photo onto a mix of DIE CUT EPHEMERA frames, as well as a couple 3 x 4 cards which I cut from paper CV-YR006 RANDOM. Inside these layers, I slide in a couple tabs from the Boys Rule DIE CUT EPHEMERA, as well as one more fussy cut star from STARSHINE. I adorn my photo with CHIPBOARD STICKERS, and that super cool Epic RUBBER CHARM. As my photo is my focal point, I position it in the center of my layout design but maintaining the angle of the cut file design too. I add one of the new Boys Rule CLEAR STICKERS (sentiment One Cool Kid) beneath it all. I just love that pop of black!

While I have the CLEAR STICKERS handy, I use a bunch of the stars, as well as the word Epic to embellish around my cut file. These stickers are so easy to use, and look SO effective! One of my new favourite embellishments for sure!

Looking above my photograph, you'll get a closer look at the embellishments I used on the cut file. I carefully positioned those fussy cut STARSHINE stars in rows, covering the intersecting points of the file. More noticeably though, I added my CHIPBOARD STICKERS title; Rad Boy. The striking black chippies have quite an impact! SO cool! (& the font on them is so rad!)

To the left of my photograph is that very cool camera, which I fussy cut from pattern paper CV-YR006 RANDOM. To make it stand out more, and to be in alignment with my photo, I mounted it on thick foam tape. I also add another pop of black beneath it with another CHIPBOARD STICKER. Boom! Yes, this kid has boom factor, lol!

I embellish a few of the fussy cut stars with RUBBER CHARMS & DIE CUT EPHEMERA, and add just a couple more of those CLEAR STICKERS stars for finishing touches. Love it! Simple, striking and oh-so cool!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my take on the second challenge for CSI this month, and moreso, will play along with your fave Cocoa Vanilla Studio products too!

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: April Working Title

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends & Fans!

Welcome back for more scrap happy fun with the April edition of

Paper Issues Working Title challenge!

You may not know, but this challenge is extra special to me because it's the challenge that I created & host!
I get so excited each month to see all the incredible entries!
SO much stunning inspiration! I do hope you'll join in with us this month!
For every new project you upload in our Facebook Friends & Fans Group challenge album, you get entered into the draw to win a Paper Issues Gift Card - so be sure to play along!!!

As we enter the season of Spring, I am reminded of all those budding blossoms and blooms! 

I heart all the floral things! 

So, for this month's challenge, 

the title needs to feature florals! 

Here's a few suggestions to get you started: 

Decorate your thickers with flower ephemera

 Use flower stickers to form the letters in your title

 Cut your title from floral pattern paper

Stamp a chipboard title with flowers

Use paper blooms to form your words

Here's what I've created,

"Love"

All the floral love going on here! 

I've used the stunning Cute Girl collection from Crate Paper for my layout today. 

The title is one of our fabulous FREE cutfiles called Love Script Heart & I've used the tiny florals pattern paper Fancy to cut it out. 

So pretty! 

Here's a closer look......

Such a beautiful moment captured!

I've also fussy cut the Storybook paper, and used a few of the blooms to embellish my title too! 

Love indeed!

Looking for more inspiration? 

See what the rest of our talented team created for this challenge here

Need supplies before you get started?

Shop in the Paper Issues store here and use my code

AMANDA

& you'll save 20% off your entire order! 

Yay! Happy Shopping!!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

I can't wait to see what you create for this Flower Power edition of Working Title!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: April Sketchy Saturday

Hi Creative Friends!

April already?! Wow! Time sure does fly when your having fun!

Speaking of fun, a new month means lots of fun new challenges over at Paper Issues! 

The first challenge this month is 

SKETCHY SATURDAY 

How fantastic is this sketch?! So much fun!!!

I couldn't wait to play along! 

Here's my take on it.....

"Hey, Hey, Hey"

Love how this turned out!

I went for two photos instead of three, but other than that, I pretty much followed the sketch. 

I have used the super bright & happy Dear Lizzy: Lovely Day line - perfect for my sweet children!

The title Hey, Hey,Hey is from the 6 x 12 sticker sheet  - here's a closer look at it.....

Gorgeous stickers, huh?! The quality is excellent!

As are the chipboard stickers too....

A fine little day, indeed! Just the happiest embellishments for a fun and cheerful layout!

Hope my layout has inspired you!

Need Dear Lizzy Lovely Day? Grab it here in the Paper Issues store 

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off! YAY!!!

Need more inspirational ideas? See what the rest of our talented team has created here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: January Working Title

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

 I am super-dee-duper excited to announce that I will be hosting the newest monthly challenge at Paper Issues;

Working Title.

This challenge is all about those project titles

 & for our first challenge, 

I am asking you to Go LARGE for 2017!!!

The BIGGER your title, the BETTER!

*As an optional extra, you can challenge yourself more by focusing on 2017, the New Year, resolutions, hopes, dreams or your future plans * 

One of my goals for this year is to tell more of my story too! 

I am always scrapbooking my beautiful family, but never myself. 

So with that in mind, here's my take on this fun new challenge....

"2017"

Soft, delicate, feminine and pretty - this page is definitely all about me!

And how about my LARGE title?!! 

I have used a Free Cut File from the Paper Issues store 

(it's coming to the store next week - so keep your eyes open for it!)

I simply enlarged the file, and voila! One instant, large title!

I have use the stunning Pink Paislee, Moonstruck collection for my layout, and this includes the paper piecing inside my numerals title.
As my layout is very delicate and soft, I added the specialty gold vellum paper and machine stitching to make my title stand out just a bit more!
Here's a few close up shots for you....

I adorned my title with ephemera and puffy stickers too!

That gold vellum is just divine!!!

I also used a few inspirational words to remind me of my goals this year - wander more, take big chances, have a timeless beautiful life & be unstoppable!

And there you have it!

I hope you liked my delicate & girly take on this fun new challenge!

Need more inspiration?
Check out what our amazing team has created here.

REMEMBER

Upload your new LARGE title creations in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans facebook page here 

to go in the draw to win a Paper Issues gift card! YAY! 

I can't wait to see what you create!

Enter as many times as you wish!

Thanks for joining us!

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Scrapping the Everyday with Christmas Papers!

Hi my Creative Friends,

Thanks for joining me today for another Saturday, ahem.... 

Scrapaday post!

Today I wanted to blog about all those Christmas patterned papers we love to buy around this wonderful time of the year.

You know the ones, they're so gloriously Christmassy that we can't actually use them until it's time for December Daily - well, not anymore!

I am not holding back on Christmas papers.

 My challenge is to scrap an everyday page that is not Christmas at all, but still uses the Christmas collection!

I know, trust me to find a tricky challenge, lol! 

Here's what I came up with,

"LOVE"

Isn't this layout the sweetest?!!! This photo melts me everytime! 

And yes, not a drop of Christmas in the page despite being created from the 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Tis The Season festive collection.

Lots of fun and so many gorgeous elements too!

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

Let's start with those awesome pattern papers - seriously fun Christmas colours, but a simple dot or star pattern means we can create more than just festive layouts. Love it!

There's also a journal card popped in under my photo too - it featured a poinsettia so I made sure that was hidden away!

The sequins, flair and wood veneers are also from the Tis The Season collection - but as you can see, they're so versatile & work perfectly with my 'everyday' page.

The green doily is from my stash, but the other two are from Charms Creations.

The one beneath that cute flair is a Butterfly Mini Runner and just trims my photo beautifully!

And there you have it! Christmas papers but not a Christmas layout!

Hope you liked my creation today,

 and moreso, that I've inspired you to give my personal challenge a go!

Would love to see what you come up with! 

Post your take on this challenge on the Deer & Fawn Designs Group Facebook page & I'll randomly select someone to receive a RAK gift from me!

And if you haven't done so yet - please link up your entry to the Deer & Fawn Designs November pretty birdy inspiration challenge! 

There's an amazing prize up for grabs!

Thanks for visiting,

til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo

Deer & Fawn Designs: October Challenge: About Me

Hi Lovelies!

Super excited to be sharing my very first Guest Designer post with

Wow! 

Thankyou so very much to Debbie, and her amazing Deers for inviting me to join in on the fun!

Now, speaking of fun let's get straight into the good stuff!
The challenge for October is..... "About Me"

Here's my take....

"Hello Happy Days"

Yep. That's me, just a few weeks back.... 

Hmmm... weird to scrap myself but we'll talk about that in a minute.

First up, I wanna talk pretty pretty papers and all things lovely because that is part of who I am - 

a lover of all things girly and pretty, lol!

This page has been created with the gorgeous Hello Lovely collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Just so stunning! 

Really soft, feminine patterns with gorgeous coordinating ephemera, bitty bows,

 sequins, and flair - divine! 

& Hello Lovely really reflects my personality......

If you know me, a lot of my greetings start with Hello Lovely! (pure coincidence)

  I truly believe that this life IS pretty wonderful! 

I am into affirmations, positivity, and yoga.

 I believe each day I have the potential to sparkle & shine - and to make each day a happy day.

So you can see why I chose this paper collection to create with.

Let's take a closer look at that very pretty ephemera....

How cute is that bitty bow?!!! Gotta love girly accessories ;)

Yep. Pretty wonderful indeed!

Hope you like my page and getting to know 'me' a lil more!

Now, let's quickly chat about scrapping yourself -

For me, it's not something I normally do & it felt awkward :(

But, don't let that put you off - it's so important for our story to be told too! Your children and grandchildren will be so pleased you did! 

So my Top Tip: Use a photo of one of your darlings while planning your page, & then just switch to your own image at the end - that helped me!

Now, what are you waiting for? There's an awesome prize up for grabs - 

so go scrap yourself!

You can find out more at the Deer & Fawn Designs blog here. 

Hope you liked my take on the challenge & that I have inspired you to join in!

Thankyou for leaving a kind comment

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo