May 2020

Super Star | Legendary Collection | Danni Visser

Hi there! Danni here, back with another fun layout using Legendary. You know we all LOVE stars over here at Cocoa Vanilla and I have been eyeing off the large star die cuts from the die cut ephemera for quite a while now. For this layout I decided to go sequin-happy and make some shaker embellishments!

I took four of the large star die cuts with the negative space in the centres to make my shakers, they were just absolutely perfect for this. To make the shakers, I adhered a layer of vellum behind the die cut for the largest stars and acetate for the smaller ones (just for some variation, you could use either). I then added a layer of adhesive foam around the edge, filled the space inside with sequins and glued another layer of vellum behind to keep it all together. Ta da! Instant shaker embellishments.

Next I went to work on my background. I laid down some white gesso on the grey side of All Star patterned paper, then went in with a combination of distress oxide inks, watercolours, pearl watercolours and spray inks in several different shades of blue, using the packaging technique to create lots of messy inky goodness. To finish off the background I added a generous splattering of acrylic ink in a bright metallic silver.

To mat my photo I used Offbeat, Outdoors Type and Wild One patterned papers in several layers, using up some of my scraps from previous layouts. I can’t stand to waste a single of piece of the gorgeous paper in this collection! I positioned my photo in the centre of my mixed media background and arranged the shaker stars around it, adding in lots of fussy cut stars from All Star patterned paper to fill in the gaps.

For my title I chose the words ‘Super Star’ from the die cut titles and machine stitched them onto the background, running it through back and forth several times with white thread for lots of texture. I added in some tiny stars from the clear stickers on top of my photo and in the centre of the large shakers for a bit of extra something!

Next I dug into the accessory stickers, choosing a label for the date and a couple of tiny word stickers at the bottom of my photo to help anchor it. I included a few lines of handwritten journaling to the right of my photo following the diagonal of my title, then added a sprinkle of enamel dots in three places to add the perfect finishing touch!

I hope you enjoyed this layout as much as I did!  I just love all the little details. There is a process video below if you would like to watch this page come together. Thank you for joining me today!

Danni x

 

INSD Challenge Inspiration | Gwen, Tazhi, Anna B, Rachel and Michelle

Hi everyone! Today is our final day of sharing the projects our design team created for our International Scrapbook Day celebration. We are starting with Gwen, who designed a “Grab 5” challenge for everyone and her criteria were – a chipboard element; a die cut title; flair button; enamel dots; and something fussy cut. She created a beautiful page of her daughter for her sample using our ‘Wild at Heart’ collection and a cut file from Cut to You.

Oh how we loved the gorgeous rich tones of this collection! It was so nice to see it showcased a couple of times during the weekend by our team.

Next up, we had another LIVE scrap stream into the group, with Tazhi using Gwen’s challenge criteria to create this beautiful page. (Lucky for Tazhi, she had her hubby do all the butterfly fussy cutting for her before she began.) She used our ‘Unforgettable’ collection and created her watercolour style background from her home in New York while we all watched on.

Our final challenge for the weekend was one that was set by Anna Blades, and she challenged everyone to create a monochromatic layout using tones of only one colour (plus black, white and grey were allowed). She used our ‘Bohemian Dream’ collection and decided to focus on the stunning purple from the range and came up with this sample that included soft, subtle mixed media on her background.

Also sharing a sample for our monochromatic challenge was Rachel, who decided pink was going to be her colour of choice and she nailed it! She mixed elements from several of our collections to create a delicate, feminine page. We love the floral cluster she created and the way those hearts draw the eye straight through the photo.

The final layout we have to share comes from Michelle, who also tackled the monochromatic challenge and chose pink as her colour of choice. Michelle decided to mix things up a bit by also combining this challenge with Anna’s heart themed sketch and a sweet photo of her daughter. She chose pink elements from across a variety of collections and pulled them all together to create this darling layout.

Look at how beautifully the different collections combined by choosing a single colour to unite them.

And that wraps up all the INSD inspiration from our awesome team. I am sure you will agree they all created some stunning, and very inspiring work. What a wonderful weekend we all had to celebrate this fabulous craft that we all love. Tomorrow we return to our “regular programming” so stop by and see what Danni has to share. Happy scrapping to you all!

INSD Challenge Inspiration | Anna K, Raquel, Melissa, Tarrah, Laura and Sue

Hi everyone! Today we are once more turning the spotlight on some of the layouts our design team created during our International Scrapbook Day celebration a few weeks ago.

The first layout we are sharing belongs to Anna, who created a fabulous sketch challenge for us, and this stunning sample layout using our ‘Happiness’ collection to go along with it…

If you would like to see how Anna put this beauty together, she has a process video available on our YouTube channel. You can watch it here:

Anna’s sketch challenge proved to be very popular, with many gorgeous layouts being shared as a result, including from our own team members. Raquel decided to play along using Anna’s sketch to create this layout of her and her son using our ‘Unforgettable’ collection which we absolutely love!

Raquel also created a process video for this layout, and you can watch it on our YouTube channel here:

The final layout we have to share using Anna’s sketch was from Melissa, who created this one LIVE in our INSD group from her home in New Zealand. She used our ‘Legendary’ collection and we are crushing on that big yellow heart and those die cut patterned paper leaves.

The next challenge we had on offer was Tarrah’s multi photo and mixed font challenge. Tarrah used our ‘Wild at Heart’ collection and was inspired by the work of fellow DT member Raquel to create an 8.5×11″ layout.

The next layout we have to share was also created for Tarrah’s challenge, but this time from Laura using our ‘More Than Words’ collection. She went all-out on the multi photo criteria, and managed to add FIVE photos on her page whilst still maintaining a clean, uncluttered look.

The final layout we have to share today comes from Sue, who created this mixed media layout during her LIVE scrap stream in the INSD group. She used our ‘Legendary’ collection which was a perfect match for the fun photos of her kids.

That’s all for today, but stay tuned because we have another serve of inspirational layouts from our team to come tomorrow. Until then, happy scrapping!

INSD Challenge Inspiration | Anita, Danni, Raquel and Kylie

Hi everyone! What an awesome weekend of fun, friendship and inspiration our International Scrapbook Day celebration weekend turned out to be. You may have seen that we shared all the challenge winner layouts on here a few days ago, so we thought this time we would turn the spotlight on some of the layouts our design team created for the weekend.

First up, for Anita’s mood board challenge, was this stunning layout – “Happy Little Moments” that was created by Anita as her challenge sample.

We are totally crushing on the gorgeous colour palette she used and those beautiful cut file flowers that she designed herself for Neat n Crafty Cutz. Anita also generously offered these as a free download, which you can grab for yourself HERE

Here’s a closer look at some of the details from Anita’s layout…

Anita also created a process video for her page, which you can watch on our YouTube channel here:

Continuing on with some inspiration for the same mood board challenge was Danni, who created this adorable layout “You Are Lovely” via a LIVE scrap that was held in the group.

It was so awesome to watch Danni work her magic with watercolours and see this layout unfold right before our eyes. If you missed all the action of Danni’s livestream and would like to see her put this page together, you can view the video in the INSD Celebration group HERE

Here’s a closer look at Danni’s gorgeous watercolour work combined with die cut blooms from our ‘Happiness’ collection. *swoon*

Next up on our challenge agenda, was Raquel’s Scraplift the DT challenge, with Raquel sharing a fabulous layout she created using a page by Kylie as her inspiration.

Here is Raquel’s “Memories” layout, featuring our ‘Unforgettable’ collection…

And here is the layout by Kylie that Raquel used as her inspiration…

You can see how Raquel took some of the main components of Kylie’s page structure and then used them as the building blocks for her own interpretation. So many beautiful layers!

And last but not least, Kylie also created a layout for Raquel’s scraplift challenge. This time, she turned the tables on Raquel and used one of Raquel’s layouts to inspire her own.

Here is the layout that Kylie created, “Sweet Memories”…

Kylie said about her layout “for my interpretation I used the Midnight collection. I really loved the heart overlay in Raquel’s layout and that is probably what inspired me to create my page similar.”

Here is Raquel’s original layout using our ‘Happiness’ collection…

Kylie also created a process video for her stunning page, so you can watch her put it all together on our YouTube channel here:

And there you have it – lots of INSD challenge inspiration from our design team with more to come! See you tomorrow with the next installment.

 

Family memories | Midnight Layout | Anna Komenda

Hello Friends. It’s Anna here with my newest layout. This week we are focusing on die cut titles – awesome product for all the layout makers. You can find them in few recent collections such as “Legendary“, “Happiness” and “Midnight“. Other collections have words too, made as a foam stickers or chipboards. You can easily mix and match them on your page. Sets are perfect for title building and you can combine few words in longer phrases. I decided to use “Midnight” collection as I still have a lot of elements form it. I created five rows of words on my background making meaningful clusters that describe my photos.

I started my project with “All the things” pattern paper and arranged words in an order. It’s a really simple layout as I wanted die cut titles to shine. They are the main focus and they didn’t need much of embellishing.

I printed my photos in black and white version to better fit the overall mood of the page. Very deep navy color of the words looks almost like black and pink, monochromatic background is a good, neutral base for them.

I embellished areas around the pictures using leftover chipboard flowers but you can easily replace them with flowers from ephemera pack or the ones fussy cut from paper. I also added even more words in different size and font.

I finished my page by stitching through every row using white thread. I wasn’t planning doing that at first but the layout looked like it needed something more so I carefully step in with my sewing machine. It created extra layer of texture and I am happy I did it.

Last step was to add enamel dots. This collection didn’t have a matching set so I grabbed the ones from “Unforgettable” line.

Do you like die cut titles as much as I do? My fellow DT girls are sharing with you even more ideas on how to use them and how to build longer titles adding alpha letters or stamping. So many great and inspiring ideas!

Thank you for stopping by and see you next month. Can you believe it’s already half of the year with June just around the corner? Crazy times. Stay safe and healthy <3 XO Anna

Hey Kid | Legendary Collection | Melissa Vining

Hello friends!! Its Melissa here and I’m back again today with another layout made with the stunning Legendary collection – I really can’t stop creating with it!  I was given the task of focusing on the Die Cut Titles, so I decided to go all out! Go big or go home right?!

I took this photo of my newly turned 13 teenager (and only son) Sam on his first day ever of high school earlier this year.  He looked so smart in his tie and blazer, and I knew I just had to use the gorgeous map patterned paper, which is the B side to Outdoors Type, with a border of the blue and white stripe cut apart from the B side of Total Legend.

I decided to incorporate several of the Die Cut Titles into a letter to Sam, and I used a manual die for the remaining words (cut from Total Legend, One Way, and Wild One).  I used my sewing machine to add lines underneath the manual die words for extra texture and interest, and used Enamel Dots for punctuation.

For my photo I layered up some of the same papers, and then simply embellished with the star cut file which Gwen designed to accompany Legendary.  I backed the stars with Wild Once, and I love how it brings out the yellow in his tie.

Carrying on with the star theme, which works really well for both boys and back-to-school layouts, I used a couple of the gorgeous stars from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and placed them off the page for interest.  I embellished them with arrows from the ephemera pack and phrases from the Accessory Stickers.

A little ephemera tab with the word “memorable” was perfect tucked under my layers.

I made a process video which you can watch here.

I’m so happy with this layout, and most importantly so is my son!! It means a lot when they are teenagers and still appreciate layouts that we mums make!

Thanks so much for looking!

Melissa xx

Daddy Super Hero | Legendary Collection | Anna Blades

Hello CVS friends! Anna here with you today sharing my first layout with Legendary collection! YAY! Today we focus on the die cut titles, so when I saw this Super Hero title it reminded me of this picture that I took two years ago in Mallorca.

For my background, I used this wheel cut file designed by Paige Evans and backed all the spots with different patterned papers: Total legend (both sides), Offbeat, Wild One (both sides), One way, and All Star. I was thinking about doing a hand stitching all around the circle, but finally, I decided to put enamel dots from the collection, mixing the little and the medium ones. Faster but also effective ;)

I wanted to use the word “daddy”, but it wasn’t in the Die Cut Titles, so I cut the letters that I needed from other words. I used the B side from the Wild One paper to mat my picture and placed the word “daddy” above it and the word “superhero” below it. To give more volume to the page I raised the picture and the title with foam.

I took a bunch of stars from the Die Cut Ephemera and placed them in the upper left corner and the lower right corner, rising some of them with foam dots. I also took this geometric bear (because daddy is as strong as a bear) and the little fun flag. They’re in the water, so I stacked two of the clear stickers to simulate that the bear is walking in the water (if that makes sense). Also, from the clear stickers, I chose that one that says: “the best”, and stacked it on top of the bear (because you know, daddy is the best).

I framed the layout with the yellow side of the Wild One paper and did a machine stitching to add more texture.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this page gives you some inspiration ;)

Have a great week!

 

Anna xx

You are Magical | Happiness Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hi friends it’s Michelle back here with you today to share another layout I’ve made using my most favourite collection Happiness.

I stepped back in time a little with a photo of Leila at our local park and a fun scalloped banner cut file from CUT to YOU. I cut the designs out on a mix of bright fun patterns then layered them on some white card stock before machine stitching them all down one by one. The papers I’ve used are MEADOW, EXPRESSIVE, GOOD VIBES, FRAME OF MIND, BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL and SPRINKLES.

I added the photo to some of the BOTANICAL BLISS paper and adhered to the middle right of the layered scallops using some foam for added dimension. To the right of the photo I added some florals and bits from the EPHEMERA PACK along with some glitter enamels and a fussy cut flower from the floral side of BOTANICAL BLISS.


To the left of the photo I created a mixed font title using DIE CUT TITLE pieces and some older alpha stickers. I layered 2 letters together for each letter in the word Magical to give them a little extra dimension. To the left of this I created a second floral cluster using similar elements to the first.

At the top of the scalloped banners I’ve added a third smaller cluster, again using similar elements to the others to create a visual triangle.

Here’s a look at all that dimension those sewn scallop banners create.

Well friends that’s all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope this has given you the dose of inspiration you came looking for. It was quite fun to create, even with all that sewing.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Wonderful Moments | More Than Words | Kylie Kingham

Hello friends. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today.It’s Kylie with you, sharing a new layout I completed recently. I’ve taken a step back in time and have used one of my favourite past collections, ‘More Than Words’ . I’ve also used a very pretty cut file which has been designed by my DT friend Gwen, from Cut To You. Together, both elements created a very soft and girly layout.

For my background I trimmed 2 cm off each side of the ‘TREASURE’ paper and backed it with a slightly larger piece of white card stock from my stash, making sure I distressed all edges a little for texture. I then adhered them centred to a piece of the ‘GOSSAMER’ paper.For effect I added a free hand drawn border with a fine tip black marker as well as a small cluster of embellishments to the top left corner.As I had a page design in mind I knew this small cluster would give a nice balance to my finished design.

Once I had cut my cut file, I backed just the Butterfly’s and adhered it to the lower right corner of my page. I wanted the cut file to be more of a background element for my page which is why I didn’t back the flowers of the design. Once in place, my photo was added and I began layering some pretty floral die cuts over the top.I used some foam tape for some so that they would sit higher than others, creating dimension.

To finish my page I chose some of the chipboard stickers as a title. Nothing beats a large title for a page don’t you think? I love the effect of having the non backed cut file underneath.It kind of looks like paper lace work.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my layout today. Sometimes it is nice to pull out your stash of past kits when they have been in storage for a while to create something brand new! I hope my page today has given you a little inspiration.

Until next time,

Kylie.

Super Star | Legendary Collection | Tarrah McLean

Hi Cocoa Vanilla friends!

It’s Tarrah back with you and today I am sharing another new layout featuring the awesome new Legendary collection!

I have been mixing up the size layout I have been working on lately and decided to create another 8.5′ x 11′ page today. I started by choosing to cut out the stars from the awesome exclusive FREE Legendary cut files, designed by Gwen. I cut these out from white cardstock using my Silhouette Cameo.
I chose the gorgeous rainbow paper called ‘Wild One‘ to back all the stars with. Once the stars were all backed, I added craft foam to the underside of the stars, I then arranged them vertically and adhered them to a white cardstock background that was trimmed down slightly smaller than 8.5′ x 11’. I chose to cut the ‘One Way‘ paper to be the mat behind the white cardstock. I then machined stitched around the edge of the white cardstock as you can see in some of the detailed photos.
I matted my photo (which is of my youngest son when he was about 3) to the B side of the ‘Wild One‘ paper. I then adhered it over the top of the stars so that it became the main feature of my page. I added one of the accessory sticker sheet banner stickers to the too right corner of the photo and also overlapped the title onto my photo also. The title is made up of those awesome font die cut cardstock titles, these are so super fun!
I added the rainbow star strip from the ‘Epic Tales‘ paper to the top of my layout and I finished off by adding a few more stars in clear stickers, diecuts and the flair badge too, the date stamp almost always makes it onto my pages too, so I stamped the date the photo was taken!
Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you are getting some creating time in? Why not check out the Cocoa Vanilla store for the awesome Legendary collection plus all the other amazing things in store now too!
Happy creating!
Tarrah x

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