Sue Plumb

About Sue Plumb

https://soupie75.blogspot.com/

Sue lives amongst the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains in Queensland, Australia with her partner Shannon, their three children and a cat. Sue has been scrapbooking for over 13 years, having begun shortly after the birth of her daughter. She describes her style as "varied" - creating everything from clean, paper-based layouts; to grungy mixed media pages. She creates both feminine and masculine projects, and loves working with colour. Besides traditional layouts, she also enjoys creating in traveler's notebooks; mini albums; pocket pages; art journals; canvases and the occasional card too.

Posts by Sue Plumb:

What the Fun | Sunkissed and Boys Rule collections | INSD challenge | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone, it’s Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project with you. I hope everyone had a chance to celebrate InterNational Scrapbook Day (INSD) last weekend with a bit of creative time? Maybe even one of our special INSD challenges? If you haven’t had a chance to play along yet you still have a couple of days to get your entries in.
In fact, it was one of the challenges that inspired my layout for today, as I played along with Michelle’s “Grab 5” challenge. Here are the challenge criteria:
For my page I decided to document a fun photo of my boys that I took recently at SeaWorld. I used a combination of the ‘Sunkissed’ and ‘Boys Rule’ collections, and went bright, bold and a bit messy!
I started with a sheet of the Summer Lights paper from the ‘Sunkissed’ collection, which features a stunning colour gradient that runs from yellow at the to, through orange and pink, and finally to red at the bottom. It was absolutely perfect to match with my photo. (In fact, when I took this photo I thought of this paper right away – that’s when you know you are a true scrapper! haha)
I began by dry brushing on some black acrylic paint using a wide brush. This not only provided some great contrast, but also defined the focal area of my page. Over the top of the paint I added the white die cut star background. This left-over piece was actually part of the ‘Boys Rule’ Large Die Cut and Backing Kit. I like the way it added interest to the background right away.
Next, I added more patterned papers with a variety of different sized pieces from both collections that I cut and tore then layered together. I also added a green paper doily and some frayed gauze from my stash and used staples to secure my stack down on the page. I then added my photo on top.
When it came to embellishments, I wanted to ensure that I ticked off the sticker criteria first. I used  mix of Accessory and Clear Stickers that I had left-over from ‘Boys Rule’. I also used some Chipboard Pieces and Die Cut Ephemera from the same collection. The sweet little Wood Button was from ‘Sunkissed’. To the right of my photo I added a handmade star embellishment which I topped with a Flair Button.
To add some extra interest to my background I added some stamping using a small stars background stamp and a roller phrase stamp.
Now it was time to finish off my page and tick off the remaining criteria. For something gold I added a few pieces of gold twisted wire, which I stapled down onto the page. For stitching, I added small hand stitched crosses using white embroidery thread. And finally, I added some splatters of white acrylic ink and that was all five criteria covered.
I had a lot of fun putting this layout together and I hope I have inspired you to play along with one of our INSD challenges while you still have time. Entries to the challenges close at midnight (AEST) this Sunday, 9th May. You can find all the challenge rules, or upload your entries via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group.
Until next time, happy scrapping!

Naughty or Nice | Merry & Bright collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone, it’s Sue Plumb here today to share some Throwback Thursday inspiration with you. Throwback Thursday is the feature where our design team members take an older collection and create something new with it. For my project I decided to pull out a collection that wasn’t too far back, but it was one that I didn’t get the chance to create a lot of projects with – ‘Merry and Bright’. Now for those who know me, you might be falling over in shock, because I am not known as a big fan of scrapping Christmas layouts, but I had this hilarious photo of my boys with Santa from 2019 that I just had to document.

For this layout, I decided to create a mixed media page, so I started with white cardstock, acrylic paint and some Distress Oxides. I first used a wide paint brush to brush the diluted green Distress Oxide across the page, then used a rubber brayer to apply pink paint to the lower half of the page. Next, I added some stencilling using a star stencil, sponge dauber and a coral coloured oxide; then topped my background off with some stamping using a star background stamp and grey ink.

After the background was complete I mounted it onto the wood grain print of the Season’s Greetings paper, then started building the papery layers on my page. I cut and tore pieces of the Star Bright and Countdown papers, as well as the diagonal pink/red stripe paper from the A5 Paper Stack. I used my fingernail to ruffle up the torn edges to add extra texture.

I layered my paper pieces together, adding a grey doily from my stash and some frayed gauze for even more texture, and then secured the stack together with staples before adding my photo on top.

To embellish my page I focused on creating 3 main clusters. The first was in the top left hand corner of my photo, where I had a spot on the photo that had to be covered up anyway. I did this by using a couple of stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet and just sticking them directly onto the photo. This cluster also featured a pair of sweet little houses and flower from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and one of the Puffy Gold Stars.

The second cluster was along the bottom edge of my photo and I again used die cuts and a gold star, plus some phrase stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet.

The third cluster to the right of my photo was where I included my journalling, which I typed onto one of the coordinating Pocket Cards. I also added a small die cut sprig of holly; another gold star and a handmade arrow embellishment.

I finished my layout off with some gold adhesive pearls and some splatters of gold mist.

If you would like to see how this page came together, you can watch my process video here:

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to get creative too.

Until next time, happy scrapping!

Cheers to the Weekend | Sunkissed collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone, it’s Sue Plumb here to share a fun mixed media layout I created using the new ‘Sunkissed’ collection. For this page, I decided to document a photo of myself and my sister that was taken when we snuck off for a last minute weekend away late last year. Just us, peace and quiet, cocktails, snacks and lots of scrapping with ocean views. It was sorely needed after the forced cancellation of our annual retreat due to COVID, and pure bliss!

I started my page with the Just Chillin’ patterned paper, which features the sweet cloud print. Before I did anything else, I wanted to tone down the pattern in the centre of the page, where the focal area of my layout was going to be. I used white and yellow acrylic paint, which I applied lightly with a brayer, which softened the pattern enough, but not so much that you could still see through it. Once that as done, I turned my attention to creating some papery layers.

I started with a couple of papers from the A5 Paper Stack first – a yellow chevron, and a blue animal print. (These two papers are exclusive to the A5 Paper Stack, so cannot be found in the 12×12″ Collection Kit.) I chose the yellow and blue because the combination of these colours just screams “beach” to me. I tore both the papers and layered them, adding a strip of the pretty yellow floral from the Fun in the Sun paper on top. I then added a piece of the striped Good Vibrations paper, a small yellow doily, and some frayed gauze, before finishing the stack with my photo on top.

The next item I reached for was the Pocket Card pack. Pocket cards may not be something you would usually reach for when creating a traditional 12×12″ layout, but I love how versatile they are! I used one cut in half to add an extra layer in behind my papers; a card for my typed journalling; and a third card that I fussy cut my title from. My title was also popped up on some foam tape to give it some dimension.

To embellish my page I used several pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack including the small feeling fine banner; the tab and flag on the corner of my photo; a couple of clouds and the cute sun. I also used the gorgeous rainbow arrow from the Accessory Sticker sheet; a small Wood Button; some Clear Stickers; and a few cute Puffy Stickers.

I finished my page with some black ink splatters (and yes, some got on my photo! haha); and some stamped phrases using a roller stamp.
If you would like to watch how this page came together, you can watch my process video here:
Until next time, happy scrapping!

Totally Awesome Dudes | Legendary and Boys Rule collections | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone, it’s Sue here today to share my latest design team project with you. Do you know what day it is today? It’s Throwback Thursday! And that means I am sharing a brand new layout using up some of my older Cocoa Vanilla stash. The purpose of this regular feature is to help inspire everyone to continue using up what they already have (so we can make room for all the new pretties, like the ‘Sunkissed’ collection).

For today’s project I decided to create a boy-themed layout, as I get lots of requests for boy pages, so I dug into my stash of both the ‘Legendary’ and ‘Boys Rule’ collections for an epic mash-up of the two. I love the way they combined for this layout, and I hope you do too!

I started my layout with the mandala-style print of the Explorer paper from the ‘Legendary’ collection as my page base. I then added a small amount of dark grey acrylic paint using a wide brush to help define the focal area of my page. My aim for this layout was to stick with a largely monochromatic palette of black / white / grey, with a pop of one colour, and I chose yellow. I love this colour combination for boys, as it’s a great change away from the traditional blues & greens that are often used for masculine pages.

I added a large piece of the Wild One patterned paper with the gorgeous yellow print in the centre of my page, which provided me with the big pop of colour I was looking for. I used a torn edge to add texture to the page and tucked a smaller piece of the Straight & Narrow striped paper from ‘Boys Rule’ under it. I double matted my photo using the Happy Go Lucky and Messed Up papers (also from ‘Boys Rule’) and added some scrap cardboard under it to pop it up from the page.

My title was the next element I tackled, as I knew I wanted it to fill the space beside my photo. I used a combination of the ‘Boys Rule’ Clear Stickers and ‘Legendary’ Die Cut Titles – because I love a good mixed font title!

For my embellishments, I created three clusters to form a visual triangle. The main cluster was at the bottom right corner of my photo, and consisted of a handmade star embellishment which I topped with one of the ‘Boys Rule’ Flair Buttons. I also added a die cut banner along the bottom edge of my photo and some gold twisted wire which I stapled to the page.

For my remaining embellishments I used a mix of ‘Legendary’ Die Cut Ephemera pieces; a few ‘Boys Rule’ Accessory Stickers and some of the ‘Legendary’ Enamel Dots. Then I finished off my page with some black ink splatters.

If you would like to see exactly how this layout came together, you can watch my process video here:

Thanks for stopping by today. Until next time, happy scrapping!

Sweet Recharge | Sunkissed collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! It’s Sue here today,and I can’t even begin to tell you just how excited I am to share my very first layout with the brand new ‘Sunkissed’ collection. I have to admit, I had another project already prepared to share here today, but after this landed on my doorstep on Friday afternoon, I just COULD NOT WAIT to use it! Let me tell you, the colours in this collection are nothing short of amazing! It’s everything my colour-loving heart could have possibly wanted.

Here is my layout “Sweet Recharge”, (aptly titled, as it features a photo of my kids that I took when we went out one day for milkshakes at a local cafe)…

I began my layout with the gorgeous warm ombre print on the B side of the Summer Lights paper as my background. As I was dealing with strong, bright colour to start with, I decided to dry brush some white acrylic paint to define the focal area of my page. This would help provide some separation between the background colour and the colours of the papers I was going to use.

I then took a sheet of the rainbow striped Good Vibrations paper and cut a piece from the area that had the warm tones on it. I layered this with a piece of the rainbow print of the Sunny Days paper; then topped it with the polka dot print from the A5 paper stack. (This print is exclusive to the paper stack, and does not appear in the 12×12″ papers.) I also tucked in a small piece of the animal print from the reverse of the Growing Wild paper, then added a paper doily, some frayed gauze for soft texture, and my photo placed on top.

When it came to embellishing my layout, I really was spoiled for choice. This collection has sooo many delicious embellishments to choose from, and I just wanted to use them all! I started with flowers. First, a couple of floral pieces that I fussy cut from the Growing Wild paper, which is the signature floral from the range. I tucked these pieces in around my photo (one to the right, the other below). I then started a third cluster using some flowers from the new Floral Ephemera pack, which I placed up in the top left corner of my photo. (This formed the “visual triangle” around my photo.)

Also included in this small cluster was the so happy tab, and a cute watermelon sticker (both from the Accessory Sticker sheet) on the corner of my photo; a sweet little flower from the Puffy Sticker sheet; and one of the Wood Buttons. I also placed a phrase sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet nearby. Above my photo I tucked in a label that was fussy cut from the Fun in the Sun cut apart paper, which I wrote my journalling on.

I padded out my remaining two clusters with more flowers and leaves from the Floral Ephemera pack, bending up some of the petals and leaf tips for added dimension. Down at the bottom of my layout I added a cute little garland from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and another couple of phrases from the Accessory Sticker sheet. (One of which I actually used as part of the title.)

The main part of my title came from the new Glitter Foam Title stickers which are really pretty and sparkly. (And if you know anything about my love-hate relationship with glitter, you would know how happy I am to say they did not shed all over my desk!) I finished off my title with one of the cute Puffy Stickers.

Finally,  I added a few little heart Clear Stickers; and splattered around some black and white ink. I absolutely love how this page came together and am crushing all the gorgeous colours in this collection! I hope you are feeling inspired and planning on adding this collection to your stash too!

If you would like to watch this one come together, you can watch my process video here:

Thanks so much for stopping by so I could share this with you. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

 

Awesome Kid | Boys Rule collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone, it’s Sue here to share my latest design team project with you. Today I am sharing my take on the “school” theme that we have been focusing on for the past few days. For my layout, I decided to document a photo of one of my boys with the academic award he received at the end of last year. This was the first time he had ever received an award like this, and it was a very big deal for him (and only came after a big attitude adjustment and a lot of hard work). I knew the ‘Boys Rule’ collection would be perfect to coordinate with the colours of my photo.

I began this layout with the printed backing sheet from the Large Die Cut and Backing Kit. I had already used the die cut top piece in a separate project, so I had this left over in my stash. I was drawn to use it because of the blackboard style print, with the doodled chalk border around the edge. As I only wanted to use the border part for my background, I cut the centre from the page and kept it aside for some fussy cutting later. I then got to work on some white cardstock that I had cut down to measure 10.5×10.5″.

I added colour to my background by swiping an ink pad to create vertical stripes on the page, then used a wide brush dipped in water to blend the ink out. I then used a stencil with a random spot pattern and grey ink to layer detail over the top.

For my paper layers, I used a combination that included the star print Happy Go Lucky; Expressionist; and a fabulous pop of green from the Straight & Narrow. I used torn edges and frayed gauze to add texture to the page.

When it came to embellishments, I used pieces (tag, label, frame) from the Die Cut Ephemera and Miscellany packs; as well as some stars that I fussy cut from the backing sheet I had begun my layout with.

I used an arrow from the Chipboard Pieces pack to help draw attention to my photo; and added a metallic touch by using some staples around the page. My title was a combination of the die cut word kid from the ephemera pack combined with awesome cut from the cut apart paper.

I used the Clear Stickers to scatter some phrases around the page, and three black crosses from the sheet too. I stamped a little extra detail on the background using a stamp with a random circles and dots pattern (similar to the stencil pattern) and finished off by stamping the date.

I am really happy with how this layout came together, and I hope I have given you some inspiration to create your own page to document some of those school photos, or even just a boy layout.

If you would like to watch me put this one together, I have a process video available:

Until next time, happy scrapping!

Merry and Bright | Merry & Bright collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! Sue Plumb here to share my very first layout using the brand new ‘Merry & Bright’ collection. For this Christmas page, I couldn’t go past documenting one of my kids Santa photos from last year. Each year we try to do something a little out of the ordinary, as it not only makes it easier to get my kids to do it, but it also gives us something fun to look back on. (Not to mention giving Santa a good giggle as well.) Last year we decided to go with a Queen theme, as Bohemian Rhapsody is one of our favourite car sing-along songs.

Here is my layout…

As soon as I opened this collection, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous wood grain print on the Season’s Greetings paper. (Zoe always has the best wood grains!) I decided to use it as the basis for my page, so I cut it down to measure 10×10″ and then mounted it onto the script pattern of the Oh What Fun paper to add a border.

I really wanted to make the background bit more “me” so I decided to add some mixed media as well. I brushed on some dark grey acrylic paint, then used a loose script stencil (which tied in beautifully with the script print paper) and some gold glaze to add texture.

Now it was time for some papery layers! I used pieces of some of the scaled down prints from the A5 Paper Stack to use as layers under my photo, adding in a dark grey paper doily (to tie in with the paint) and some frayed gauze for texture. I also added some cardboard to the back of my photo to help pop it up from the page.

For my embellishments, I began with the gorgeous floral pattern of the Joy to the World paper because I couldn’t wait to fussy cut those flowers! I cut two large pieces which I tucked in under the bottom left and top right corners of the photo, to create a diagonal flow to help draw the viewer’s eye through the photo. I also added an extra flower from the Die Cut Ephemera pack.

Then it was time for some pretty little bits and pieces. I used three of the Puffy Gold Stars, which I attached using my stapler; and some small pieces of twisted gold wire, which I also stapled to the page.

For my title, I fussy cut the words merry and bright from one of the 3×4″ Pocket Cards and then adhered it below my photo using foam tape to pop it up from the page. I also tucked in the sweet little Santa Flair Button alongside my title.

To finish off, I stamped the date and a few phrases using a roller stamp from my stash; then added a touch more festive sparkle with some splatters of gold mist and a sprinkling of gold sequins.

I’ve already been busy creating more layouts with this collection and I can’t wait to share them with you soon. If you don’t have this collection yet, make sure you contact your favourite retailer to ask if they have it in stock.

Until next time, happy scrapping!

Sweet | Daydream collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project with you. This weekend we are doing “Scraplift Saturday and Sunday”, so myself and Rachel (tomorrow) will both be sharing a scraplift of a recent layout from our Facebook Community group. The layout we are lifting was this beautiful entry into our October “Spring Vibes” monthly challenge by Debra Beer…

Scraplifting is when you take a design from someone else and use it as the basis for your own page. This could range from copying the design in its entirety using the exact same materials; to simply using the page as inspiration and treating the bones of the page like a sketch. Both Rachel and I have scraplifted the same layout to demonstrate how one page can inspire people in different ways.
Here is my take on Debra’s page using the ‘Daydream’ collection…
The first thing I decided when it came to creating my page, was that rather than a white cardstock background, I chose to use the Sun Shower patterned paper instead. I topped this with a piece of the Daisy Days paper to form the focal point of my page. I added extra texture to the paper by distressing the edges; and stuck some torn strips of washi tape under the top and bottom edges of it – just like Debra had also used washi tape on her page. I also added some frayed gauze for more texture.
On top of the Daisy Days paper, I added a small piece of the navy Up in the Clouds paper to help separate my photos a little from the busy floral print. For my photos, I also chose to go with both a portrait and landscape shot, just as the original page had. These photos were taken recently while my family were celebrating my mum’s birthday. I also added a paper doily, but changed the position of it slightly to tuck under the left top corner of my photo and I also tucked in a circular floral frame from the Die Cut Ephemera pack.
Just like Debra’s original page, I wanted to embellish my layout using clusters of flowers. I fussy cut several pieces from the Garden Variety paper and combined them with some ephemera pieces to create three clusters to frame around my photos. I also added a couple of small phrase stickers to my page from the Accessory Sticker sheet.
I finished off by adding a Die Cut Title word along the bottom edge of my photo, then added some scattered sequins from the Sequins and Flowers pack instead of the enamel dots Debra had used. A few tiny splatters of black ink, my journalling, a stamped date and I was done!
Thanks so much to Debra for her inspiration – I really love how this page turned out! If you ever find yourself stuck for ideas, take a quick scroll through our Facebook Community group and see all the gorgeous pages shared by our members there – you might find something to scraplift too.
Please note: if you are going to copy the work of someone else, it is common courtesy to credit the original designer when sharing your page. A small mention of who inspired you is often enough to make someone else’s day!
Be sure to pop back tomorrow to see what Rachel created too.
Until next time, happy scrapping!

Together | Daydream collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone,
It’s Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project with you. Today we are kicking off a new theme here on the blog simply called “1 paper, 3 ways”. Over the next few days three of our team members (myself included) will each share a layout that uses the same patterned paper as our page background. The purpose of this theme is to showcase different ways to use the same paper, and hopefully give you some inspiration to create a page of your own. The paper we were all tasked to use was the gorgeous mixed media style Sweet Serenity from the new ‘Daydream’ collection.
Here’s the layout I created, entitled “Together”…
For this page, I chose to document a recent photo of my daughter and I that was taken during a day at the beach. (And yes, it’s a selfie! I often find that if I don’t stop and take a selfie with my kids, I am rarely in any photos with them.)
So my layout began with the stunning Sweet Serenity paper, which I decided to add a little more subtle detail and texture to. I first used a criss-cross patterned stamp along with some grey ink to add some stamping; then used a scattered hearts stencil with modelling paste to add some small white hearts.
I then set it aside to dry while I began work on the papery portion of my page. First, I gathered some pieces of patterned paper to create a layered mat under my photo. The papers I used were All Aflutter; Up in the Clouds; and Happy Place and I used both vertical and horizontal pieces to help ground the photo to the page. I also added a grey paper doily from my stash.
Now it was time for some pretty embellishments! I have to admit, I am totally obsessed with the floral print Garden Variety paper from this collection. I love it so much I just want to fussy cut the flowers from it and stick them on every page I create. I cut a few pieces from it and tucked them in around my photo to help frame it.
My next goal was to extend out my embellishment clusters from the focal point to reach the two main mixed media areas on the page, as I didn’t want them to appear to be “floating” out on their own. I did this by using some cardstock leaves I had cut on my Silhouette with a cut file from Cut To You. This enabled me to ensure that all the stencilled areas on the page were connected to the focal point.
For my page title, I chose to use the word together from the Die Cut Titles pack, which I adhered along the bottom edge of my photo using some foam tape to pop it up a bit. On the top right corner of my photo I added the small happy days with you banner sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet. To the right of my photo I added a sweet die cut rainbow from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, and then scattered a few hearts from the same pack.
I finished off my layout by adding a doodled pencil border, some soft grey ink splatters and a few stamped phrases.
Thanks so much for joining me today so I could share this with you. Stay tuned over the next couple of days to see what else the team has in store to inspire you using the Sweet Serenity paper.
Until next time, happy scrapping!

Family Time | Daydream collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone, it’s Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project using the amazing ‘Daydream’ collection. If you haven’t had a chance to create with this range yet, then do yourself a favour and make sure you check with your favourite retailer to see if they have it in stock – it is so gorgeous!

For this page, I decided to document a photo that I took a few months ago when some of my family got together to celebrate my boys 8th birthday. I began with a sheet of white cardstock and used inks to add  some subtle layered watercolour detail to the background.

Next, I layered some pieces of the Sun Shower; All Aflutter; Stepping Stones; and Up in the Clouds papers to form the mat for my photo. I then added some frayed gauze for texture and some scrap cardboard under my photo to pop it up from the page.

Once I had the photo in place it was time for some embellishments. I had the gorgeous floral print Garden Variety paper and my scissors at the ready to get cutting. I fussy cut several larger floral pieces and a few loose flowers, then tucked them in amongst the different paper layers around my photo. To give the flowers extra dimension, I bent up some of the petals and leaves, and used foam tape under some of the pieces.

To the left of my photo I added the flair button which read the good life from the Flair Button pack and a small blue heart from the Die Cut Ephemera pack directly onto the edge of my photo.
I couldn’t resist adding one of the adorable Puffy Hearts to my page, so I tucked a green one in amongst the flowers above my photo, which coordinated perfectly with where the green ink was on the background.

I created a small cluster in the top right corner of my photo using a few small stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet, then added a butterfly from the Die Cut Ephemera pack nearby.

I chose the words family time from the Die Cut Titles pack for my page title and completed my title cluster with a die cut rainbow and heart.

As a finishing touch I scattered a few sequins around the page from the Sequins and Flowers pack and a little handwritten journalling.

I will be back again with another share in two weeks time. Until then, happy scrapping!

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