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Happy Days | Throwback Thursday | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 25/04/2024

Hey Scrappy Friends, It’s Michelle back with you today to share a little Throwback Thursday creation. If you’re not familiar with this theme its where we dip into the archives of our Cocoa Vanilla Studio stash and create something magical with an older collection. Today I chose the Happy Days Collection to brighten up our scrolling time, plus a little walk down memory lane in the photo choice too.

I chose a sweet photo of Leila and I from many many moons ago. We were sharing a sweet moment in my craft room when she requested a selfie.

The layout itself started off quite different to this as I originally didn’t plan on using any white cardstock. I knew I wanted to create a wreath type layout as I haven’t made one in quite some time and they always look so beautiful. As I was moving the floral ephemera pieces around on the beautiful spotted aqua paper (Little Blossom B Side) I thought why not try a heart shape. I drew a rough shape between all the flower clusters, making mental notes for where I wanted them all placed, and then sewed all around the shape multiple times for a little hint of stitched texture.

Next up I worked on sticking all the florals down into the clusters using a mix of pieces from both the Floral and Ephemera packs within the collection. I even added some fussy cut florals and butterflies from the Lush Blooms and Flutterby papers. I mainly used foam double sided tape and tacky glue to piece the clusters together in a layered group

I added the photo in between the clusters using a frame from the Ephemera pack and backed with foam to pop it up off heart.

I used the words Happy Days from the Ephemera pack as my title, with the addition of a word sticker from the Accessory Stickers sheet. The perfect addition of colour to mix with all the bright flowers within this layout

Next I decided that the heart wasn’t standing out as much as I had hoped so I chopped into the background paper. I cut close to the machine stitching, under all the florals that were already adhered to the paper and thankfully was able to keep everything in tact. Once I had this main piece free I adhered it to some white cardstock in the centre of the page, then added all the smaller fussy cut florals around the larger clusters, added some puffy stickers then sprinkled with gold ink and some gold glitter paint in spots.

Here’s a final look at the entire layout, so bright and Happy…

Well friends, thats all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Wild New Life Adventure | Great Escape | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 18/04/2024

Hello Crafty friends, it’s Michelle here today with a new layout share for you all. Shock horror as its not a layout dedicated to our furry kids this week, I chose a recent photo of Leila on her first day of High School. New level of life adventures has begun. Woo Hoo!

Using the A5 paper stack from the Great Escape Collection I’ve whipped up a grid design for the base of my layout design. I cut the squares in the middle row in a 3 inch size and the top and bottom rows in a 2.5inch size, then sewed around the entire edges of each using my machine. Each piece was then secured to the cardstock base using foam for a little dimension.

The photo (shared with permission from this spicy child of mine cause we all know how teens are these days) was printed in a 4x3inch size and packed using another pattern from within the A5 paper stack. I stapled both pieces together using tiny staples and adhered to the layout using a little more foam sheeting to pop it off the layout.

You can see above how the little bit of dimension brings the layout to life

I created a couple of larger clusters diagonally in the top and bottom corners using left over stars fussy cut from the Star Gazing paper that I used on my last layout, with a mix of enamel shapes, accessory word stickers and puffy stars from the foam titles pack

Next up I added the mixed product title using a word from the ephemera pack, letters from the chipboard stickers pack and words from the Foam Title stickers pack. If you’re wondering where the W came from – never fear, its just the M from the word TIMES in the pack that I’ve turned upside down.

I added a little journal spot from the Accessory Stickers sheet to the bottom of this square to note what the photo is all about, and theres also a date label tucked into the photo too that was added towards the end.

I added the usual sprinkle of gold ink from the bottle I have that seems to be a never ending supply, just like Mary Poppins bag, but I’m sure its going to dry up at any minute

Here’s a final look at the layout as a whole…

Well friends, thats all that I have for you today.
Thank you so very much for stopping by and seeing this beloved creation that I’ve made.

Until next time, Happy Scrappin!
Michelle x

Wild, Fun & Free | Great Escape | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 25/02/2024

Hello Hello, it’s Michelle here with you today to share another creation using our NEW collection – Great Escape. I’ve tied this into our current Monthly Scrap–lifting Challenge to give you another example of where your imagination can take you when lifting others creations.

Wild, Fun & Happy – all words easily used to describe this crazy doggo of ours. He keeps us entertained day in and day out, loves on us like no tomorrow, and drives his fur sister Daisy absolutely crazy.

I took inspiration from the absolutely amazing layout below, created by Josephine. For my creation I’ve used used a mix of hand cut and ephemera stars to create a similar look to the hearts in the original.

I hand cut all the larger stars from the pattern papers within the A5Paper stack. I used the larger of the stars within the Ephemera pack to trace around, then drew secondary lines around that to create a larger star. I then grouped 2 complimenting patterns together and sewed them together with some rough machine stitching and adhered to the white background using foam tape for dimension.

I added in ephemera stars, fussy cut stars from the A5 version of the Star Gazing paper and puffy stars from both the foam title pack and puffy stickers pack.

I printed the photos in 2.5×3.5inch size and layered them together using foam behind to pop them up over the tops of the spiky star points. There is so much going on within this layout in terms of dimension, but I love it. It really brings the layout to life.

I also added pops of ephemera pieces and accessory stickers into the star clusters to add even more excitement to the layout.

Lastly the title came together using words from the Foam Title Stickers pack and my trusty old tiny alphas from the Hello Lovely Collection from many many moons ago.. Wonder if anyone can twist Zoe’s arm to get these released again? I’m sure I’m not the only one who loves a little old school alpha action on a layout?

A few splatters of gold ink and I have one complete scrap-lifted layout ready to add to the collection of Pet scrappy layouts.

Here’s a final look at the layout, inspired by Josephine’s

Well friends, thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my take on this Months Scrap Lift Challenge. Be sure to check out the original post HERE for all the info about it.

Until Next time, Happy Scrappin!
Michelle x

Thankful | Heart & Home | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 25/11/2023

Hello Hello, Its Michelle back here today with a new layout share featuring our Beautiful Heart & Home Collection. For todays layout I thought I’d create something with our furry family members Daisy & Sonny, so a mixed pattern/colour combination it was.

I began by cutting into the magical A5 Paper stack that just keeps on giving to create squares in 2.5, 3 & 3.5 inch sizes to create a mixed “grid” effect on the background. I distressed the edges and adhered to the cardstock using foam for a little dimension and texture. As someone who doesn’t use much mixed media, I use other techniques to give layouts character as I just can’t handle the flatness without it.

I printed the photos of our sweet furry family members in colour and adhered them to some of the woodgrain pattern paper from the A5 paper stack. I added a little more texture by tearing along the bottom edge. These sweet little pups are so very loved in this house, but that sticker bottom right sums them up well. They’re both completely nuts lol

Before I added any of the embellishments I created the title using a word from the Gold Foil Title pack, handwriting and a mini cut apart piece from the A5 version of the Gather paper.

And then created a fussy cut florals cluster using the A5 version of the BOUNTIFUL paper. I layered the different pieces with my usual adhesives – double sided foam tape and tacky glue. I created mini clusters all over the page using similar elements in each as seen in the next couple of close ups…

Once I felt all the clusters were complete I added in tiny florals, mini puffy hearts, gold ink platters and dots

Here’s a final look at the whole layout

Well Scrappy friends, thats all from me today. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Back to Summer using the Happy Days Collection | Niki Rowland

Niki Rowland 24/11/2023

Hey everyone, this is Niki (@nikiclairecreates) and today I am missing summer so have gone back to using Happy Days! I’ve used photos from my little boy’s 5^th birthday this year when we spent the day at a water park having lots of fun.

I started off with the turquoise paper which I cut into a large circle, and I added this to a white background. I mounted my three photos and added them to the circle together with two colourful stripes from A5 paper stack. I also added that gorgeous tassel ephemera from the Die Cut Ephemera.

I then added some floral clusters using a mixture of Floral Ephemera and fussy cut flowers. For my title I used one of the Chipboard Titles and the lovely Mini Puffy Alphabet Stickers. I added some puffy stickers and handwrote my journaling as well as adding some white paint splatters.

I hope you enjoyed this layout, it was fun to go back to summer time, I adore this bright happy collection so much!

Enjoy watching along with the process video below

Happy scrapping

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

Family | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 11/11/2023

Hello Hello! It’s Michelle back today with another fun layout share using out beautiful Heart & Home Collection. I went with a rainbow assortment of pattern paper strips and some sweet family snaps. Kinda running low on photos to share these days, but I’m hoping the next few months of family celebrations will bring some fresh new snaps.

Now I’ll warn you, this post is very heavy in the photos, just not so much in the words. But sit back, relax with a drink and check out my newest creation..

I used almost all of the full colour pattern papers from the collection with a mix of multi colour papers and the typewriter text. I cut 2 strips from each piece that are roughly 1 inch wide, and left them all at different lengths to overlap at random heights in a blended colour order across the white background. I had intentions of sewing through the strips, but when creating late at night I tend to go off track from where I start.

Next up I gathered a few recent family snaps and printed them out in 2×2 and 2×2.5 inch size to back the cute frames from the ephemera pack and the cut apart frame from the GATHER paper. I used pieces of foam between the frame and the photo to make them look a little more realistic then adhered across the layout using more foam for dimension.

I layered in different forms of embellishments around the frames to add extra pops of interest, using a good mix of ephemera, fussy cut pieces, enamel shapes and accessory stickers

I added the Happy List from the GATHER paper which is perfect for adding our family list of loves at this present time. We certainly love our share of naughty foods, long car rides around our greater region of beaches and lots and lots of laughter

I added a loose string across the tops of the frames to make them look like they are strung across the layout. Mixing fibres like these is a good way to add a little texture to the layout.

Super cute photo of Leila and the doggo’s. No way they would sit this still ever again lol this must have been a fluke

I added the title to the bottom of the layout using the word FAMILY from the Ephemera pack along with the banner strip underneath. I used foam under these to pop them off the page giving more dimension to the bottom of the layout. Then I added the word sentiments from the accessory sticker sheet that work perfectly together in the area above the title.

Lastly I added a splattering of gold ink, some gold glittery splotches that dry like enamel dots, some tiny little fussy cut florals and then called it complete.

So many layers with all these strips gives so much texture to the layout which is a tick in my book.

Here’s a final look at the entire layout

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. Short and sweet with the words along with a total photo overload. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing this creation today, just as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Paper Weaving with Heart & Home | Niki Rowland

Niki Rowland 10/11/2023

Hey everyone, this is Niki (@nikiclairecreates) and today I’m doing something a little different and am having a go at some paper weaving! I’m using the Heart & Home collection and started off with that beautiful stripy paper called Harvest. I spent a bit of time cutting out all the coloured stripes. They are quite narrow which is why I had the idea for the paper weaving.

Once my stripes were cut, I then cut them all in half. I then took a spare piece of cardstock and arranged the stripes in colour order, onto the cardstock in a vertical orientation. When I was about happy with the order and the size of the stripes altogether, I taped one end of all the stripes to the cardstock. I then took the horizontal stripes and began weaving them into the vertical ones, under, over, under, over etc. I repeated this until all stripes were weaved.

To secure the weaving I carefully peeled the taped ends from the cardstock and turned over the weaved piece. I then made sure the weaving was quite tight and then I put tape all over the back so the stripes couldn’t move. I ended up with a beautiful piece of paper weaving about 6” square.

I then set about making my layout. I added the weaved paper piece to a white card background, added two mounted photos and then added several pieces of Floral Ephemera. I also added a title using the beautiful gold foiled Title Ephemera and a few phrases cut from the Golden Fields paper.

I finished off with a few Puffy Stickers and some splatters of gold paint. Enjoy watching the process video below.

Thanks so much for joining me today and happy scrapping

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

Happy Days | Happy Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 25/06/2023

Hey Crafty friends it’s Michelle here today. I’ve created a layout using the wonderful Happy Days Collection for part of my annual scrapbooking series documenting my daughters current loves.. To keep a cohesive look to this project I make all the pages in the same design, just switching out the collections to suit the feelings of that year. Leila allowed the use of pink for this years layout, which is a big thing compared to the previous years.. Lets take a look

The bonus of creating one of these layouts each year is that it comes together so fast. The design of the layout is already pre-decided, I just need to select the papers, cut them to size, machine stitch around the edges and adhere to the layout. This years layout features pretty papers from the A5 paper stack as the smaller scale print works well when combined together with multiple patterns. Each square is cut to roughly 3 3/4 inch and set around the edges of the layout with white space in the opposite diagonal corners.

I added a 3×5 size photo to another A5 pattern paper and adhered to the middle right side of the layout, overlapping some of the background pattern papers. I added the list of favourites to the left of the photo using a piece of notepaper adhered to some pattern paper to create a ‘clipboard’. I used ephemera pieces to create the title and my own handwriting to write the list of loves

I add minimal embellishments to these layouts as I really want the list of faves to stand out with each one I create. For this layout I made 2 main embellishment clusters in the top and bottom corners, diagonally across from each other. Both contain fussy cut florals from the LUSH BLOOMS paper, ephemera pieces, butterflies from the FLUTTERBY paper, punched mini flowers and some mini puffy stickers.

Theres also a couple of punched flowers in the same pattern paper as the bottom left corner, just for a little hidden dimension

Heres a final look at the entire layout, plus a link to last years post that shares all the previous years layouts can be found HERE ..

I really enjoy creating these pages each year, and look forward to seeing them evolve each and every year. Theres a couple of years that I want to go back and create pages for that were before the times I started this project so I hope to share those with you all one day in the future. Do you document your kids favourite things each year? Please share in the Community group if you do, we all love to see different ideas on how people document these kinds of things, and It really is fun to look back on

Well thats all from me today, thank you so much for stopping by!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Home Is | These Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 25/03/2023

Hey Everyone, It’s Michelle here today with a little scrappy inspiration featuring the These Days Collection. I made both a layout and a couple of cards that can be shown off in a frame as part of your home decor so I think thats a win for today. Lets take a walk through how it all came together..

First up we will start with the layout. I fell in love with the little village of houses on the Neighbourhood paper the minute I saw it, but could never think of the right way to show them off. That was until recently when I had an idea to fussy cut them all out and line them up with some ‘grass’ and other bits to make one of the cutest layouts I think I’ve ever made.

I chopped my white cardstock into 3 even strips that I could line the houses up on, then sewed strips of the green and white spotted paper ‘Family Ties‘ to create the grass. I used a pair of herb shredder scissors that are pretty much the same as a pair of fringing scissors, I just felt these scissors would be better suited to my craft room than left in the trusty kitchen gadget draw haha.

I added machine stitching to each green strip then fluffed up the grass and added all the tiny houses to the rows.

I even added in a couple of trees, some mini potted plants, happy dogs and rabbits, some of the little people and a bike. Sweet tiny details that really made the layout come together.

Once I had the rows of houses sorted out and adhered with foam, I glued the 3 white cardstock strips onto a second piece of white cardstock, spacing them out evenly down the page, then I moved on to creating a mixed title

I used both the foam title stickers and mini alphabet stickers to combine together in a mixed font title. I sewed through all the pieces to keep them in place as I’d moved them around that many times to find the right place that they had lost their stickiness.

Next up I added my photos to the layout. I chose 2 family photos that worked with the title that I had created and printed them out in black and white so they didn’t clash with all the pretty house colours. I tucked the photos in the gaps I created between a few of the houses in 2 of the rows and popped them up slightly using foam behind them.

It may have taken many tries to get this recent family photo, with plenty of giggles in between.

I used some of the sweet little puffy heart stickers from the puffy stickers pack to create little puffs of smoke from a couple of the chimneys

Then splattered the white space with gold ink to create a star like sky, even though I haven’t used a dark background.

I really enjoyed creating this little village, so much so that I don’t think its going to be added to an album any time soon, I think it deserves to be out on show in a shadowbox frame for all to enjoy.

Speaking of enjoying crafty things, I had a couple of little houses left over that I thought I would make a couple of cards that can be interchanged in a frame and kept out on display in our living room.

I used all the same elements for these that I did in the layout, just in a 4x6inch size. Going to have a hard time switching them around that I might need a second frame to add to a different area of the house and make use of both cards at the same time.

Well friends, Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my creations using the These Days Collection. Be sure to check out the shop for the epic sale on this very collection, then we can all have little villages on layouts! If you do recreate this layout for your own family, please share it with us in the Facebook Community Group so that I can see how yours came together. I love seeing layouts that have been inspired by my own.

Thats all from me today.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Yummy! | Joyful collection | Sophie Delorme

Sophie Delorme 20/11/2022

Hey Cocoa Vanilla friends!

It’s Sophie on the blog today with a new layout to share!

I used the beautiful Christmas collection “Joyful” for my page.

I wanted to use this cute cut file from Nic Squirrell that I bought on the Silhouette Studio store a while ago. I cut it on white cardstock and backed it with several patterned papers from the collection.

Before adhering it to my background cardstock, I created a mixed media background with pinks and gold from different inks from my stash. I also added white splatters. I let everything dry completely and added my cut file and black and white photo, both mounted on adhesive foam, on top of it.

I grounded everything with two pieces of teared patterned papers that I stitched down with gold thread.

I printed my title with alphabet stamps from my stash, and decorated around my photo and food mixer cut file with fussy cut stars and floral die cuts, all from the same collection.

Here are more close-ups: