6×8″ paper stack

The Good Life | Happiness | Tazhiana

Hello Cocoa Vanilla friends, and welcome back to cutfile week! I am not a pro when it comes to using cut files but I have a few tips and supplies to make them a bit more accessible. I’m scrapping a selfie this week that I took on my 29th birthday and I’m using the Happiness collection as well as a cut file from the Cut To You shop for Cocoa Vanilla.

I started but cutting the florals on white cardstock and cutting an offset piece on vellum. I knew I wanted a more abstract look rather than perfect backing, and I knew I wanted to make my own backing paper using watercolor paper and Distress Oxides and the vellum would be perfect to mask any imperfections. I can’t take any credit for this idea – I borrowed it from my friend, Laura Wonsik. So for tip number 1: get to know your design software. I’ve had a Silhouette for years and I’m just learning all of its features like offsetting and print and cut. Watch some YouTube videos and give yourself time to play before you actually sit down to make your project.
After cutting my elements and making my watercolor backgrounds, I traced the floral pieces, roughly cut it and adhered it to my cut file. This brings me to tip number 2: gather supplies. For cutfiles, a sharp pencil for tracing, a fine tipped pair of scissors, a fine tipped glue bottle and some clear vellum safe adhesive will go a long way. My fussy cut scissors are from EK Tools and I keep my glue in an 18 gauge Fineline bottle.
Once my cut file elements were ready, the rest of the layout was easy to assemble. I ripped off some patterned paper to add some interest to my background, matted my photo with some papers from the 6×8 paper pad, and embellished using the die cut ephemera and the cardstock stickers. My title came from the cardstock title pack and I popped a few elements up on foam to add some dimension to the page.
That’s it for me this week! I hope you found some inspiration here as well as some tips to demystify the cutting machine. Till next time, keep it crafty friends.

The Best Things in Life Are Free | Unforgettable Collection | Guest Designer – Laura Alberts

Hey y’all! Guest Designer Laura Alberts back with a 9×12 layout using a patterned paper background!

I love this sweet cut file from my friend, Miranda Webber, and backed it with papers from the 6×8 paper pack. I tucked in tons of tiny flowers, clear heart stickers, and butterflies in a gentle cascade from top to bottom.

I wanted to keep the title small on this one so that it didn’t stand out too much on this already busy background, so I just focused on one phrase, “The best things in life are free,” which is certainly true and very applicable to this photo of my daughter enjoying her perch on our back patio. I loved her dreamy expression and decided to make this layout just as dreamy to match!

I hope you enjoy this layout and find inspiration! If you would like to see how I created this layout, you can watch my process video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/-ocEnSkR_6U

Thank you, Cocoa Vanilla Studio for the amazing opportunity to design for you!

Laura Alberts

Traveler’s Notebook Spreads | Unforgettable and Happiness Collections | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! It’s Sue Plumb here continuing on with our focus on traveler’s notebook pages. For today’s post I decided to create my first spread using the recently released, and oh-so-beautiful, ‘Unforgettable’ collection. I had a couple of photos of my sister and I that I printed in black and white, as I thought that despite being two separate pages, that they could work well side by side in my book.

I began with the 6×8″ Paper Stack, as these are the perfect sizes papers for my notebook inserts. I chose the scaled down version of the stunning butterfly Lacewing 12×12″ paper for the base of my pages. I trimmed down my sheet into two pieces and placed one either side of the spine.

On the left side I then added a pink and white striped piece of paper cut from the Pretty Bits 12×12″ cut apart paper. I then adhered my photo and journalling on top. I then worked vertically from the top to the bottom to embellish my page.

At the top I used the our little moments sticker from the Accessory Stickers sheet; followed by the captured word cut from the Story Teller paper; the large butterfly fussy cut from the Pretty Bits paper; and the small heart tab sticker from the Accessory Stickers sheet. I finished along the bottom of the page with the best things in life are free sticker and stamped the date.

I knew I needed to work in a vertical style again on the right page so that the two sides of my spread had cohesion across the design.

I started by adding the every photo has a story quote piece from the 6×8″ Paper Stack; followed by the wood grain piece from the Story Teller paper with my photo and journalling on top. Below that I added the take a photo it will last longer sticker from the Accessory Stickers sheet; then finished off with the cute pink camera from the Die Cut Ephemera pack.

For my second spread, I decided to work with the previously released ‘Happiness’ collection to document some photos of my boys and I on a day out together.

This time I was able to work with the spread as a whole, rather than two separate pages sharing a spread. I started with the 6×8″ Paper Pad, choosing the scaled down version of the Sprinkles paper as the base for my pages. I cut the sheet into two uneven pieces and placed them either side of the spine.

I then added my three photos and my journalling, which I stuck on top of a journal box cut from the Little Things paper. I also added the making memories quote card from the same paper.

Next, I added some floral pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack – cutting the largest piece in two and placing in on either side of the spine at the bottom of the page. I also used a couple of single flowers, which I tucked under the edges of my photos.

I then added two small phrase stickers from the Accessory Stickers sheet; and finished off with a few other elements from the ephemera pack – tickets, hearts and the title piece.

That’s all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to try some traveler’s notebook spreads if you haven’t already – it’s such a fun size to work in!

Our Stories | Unforgettable Collection | Guest Designer Danni Visser

Hi lovelies!  It’s Danni here today sharing another guest designer layout with you.  This time I was very keen to get playing with the freebie cutfiles that match the new Unforgettable collection.

I first cut a large section of the heart wreath cutfile on my Silhouette machine using white cardstock – I just love the way white pops on the gorgeous papers in the collection. I went ahead and backed some of the cutfile with different papers from the 6×8 paper stack, making sure to leave some open spaces to keep it light and airy.

For my background paper I chose Lacewing for that gorgeous peach floral B side, then I tore strips from Natural Beauty and Story Teller (my two favourite papers from this collection so far, I can’t stop using them!).

I layered the strips to the left side of the page and added a crepe paper ruffle underneath for extra texture.  I made sure to curl the edges of the torn paper strips up a little, then slipped the cutfile under the edge of the ruffle, creating a half-wreath peeking out from beneath the layers.  This created the perfect spot for my pics to go.

I added some layers behind my pics with the 6×8 paper stack and tissue paper, added a little dimensional foam and placed my photos overlapping each other slightly.  I then embellished my photos using some ephemera, a flair button, tiny word stickers and one of the adorable bow embellies.

At the top right of my page I created a small cluster with a label sticker for the date.  I also added some floral embellishments peeking out from between the paper layers to the left of the page.

My title fits perfectly in the space between, with the foam title words again making the most perfect addition to the page.  I can’t get enough of these gorgeous script titles! For finishing touches I sprinkled some enamel dots around the page in groups of three, splattered some white ink and added my journaling inside the circle of the wreath cutfile using a white gel pen.

I love how perfectly this layout represents my photos of my husband and I enjoying the sunshine in the garden, and how perfectly the colours match the peachy coral dress I wore.

I hope you like this layout as much as I do! Thank you so much for joining me today.  Happy scrapping!

Danni x

 

Family Snapshots Mini Album | Unforgettable Collection | Guest Designer Paige Evans

Hi everyone! Paige Evans here and I am so excited to show you this new mini album created with the beautiful Unforgettable collection!

I have been super inspired by Amber’s handmade mini albums lately so I created the first part of the cover based on her tutorial and then made hinges for the pages and photos to stick to. On the cover I decorated it with a “family” foam sticker, “snapshots” sticker, butterfly button, a few enamel dots, and half of a round floral sticker.

One of the patterned papers in the Unforgettable collection has blocks of 3×4″ cards so I trimmed those out and turned them into page pockets. First I placed the cards back-to-back and then made a notch with a circle punch at the top. Then I used a sewing machine to machine stitch around the left, bottom, and right sides to complete the pockets.

Another patterned paper in the Unforgettable collection is filled with blocks of different patterns so I turned those into tags to tuck into each pocket and machine stitched around the tag edges to create texture.

I snapped a loose leaf binder ring through an eyelet that I attached through the album edge and then looped on four paper tassels from the collection for a charm.

The design is basic: one pocket page followed by a photo page, repeat six times for 12 pages. I adhered two 3×4″ photos back-to-back for every other page. I used photos from our annual family photoshoot taken by the talented Jennifer Simmons of Everleigh Portraits. We had them taken in downtown Denver in front of some super colorful buildings which just so happen to match this collection to a “T”! It was meant to be.

Here is the opening page with a few die cuts, button, and enamel dots.

And here are all the inside pages which I decorated with supplies from Unforgettable.

I added a sticker or die cut to the tags that pull out of each pocket, but they could also be used to add additional photos and journaling! I may go back and do just that. I have lots more photos from our session that I want to highlight.

Here are a couple more photos of the finished book:

I hope you are inspired to pick up the Unforgettable collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio and create layouts, cards, and other projects with it! It’s a beautiful line!

SUPPLIES: Patterned paper, stickers, die cuts, enamel dots, tassels, buttons: Unforgettable collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Paige Evans

Happy World Cardmaking Day from the CVS Team!

Hi everyone and happy World Cardmaking Day!

The custom of giving greeting cards is a tradition that can be traced back to the early Egyptians, who conveyed their special messages on papyrus scrolls; and the ancient Chinese who exchanged messages of goodwill to celebrate the new year. Fast forward to today, and we find the custom of giving, and creating handmade cards, is enjoyed around the world by young and old alike.

To celebrate World Cardmaking Day today some of our team have created a selection of handmade cards to inspire you.

First up, are two beautiful cards from Anita Bownds. She created these cards using our ‘Bohemian Dream’ collection and cut files designed by Paige Evans.

 

Our next card is from Rachel Lowe, who used our new ‘Unforgettable’ collection to create this breathtaking card featuring a shaker pocket and an adorable 3D hot air balloon.

A pretty pair of cards from Anna Komenda, who said “I am not a cardmaker by heart but I love adding cards to all of my gifts. That’s why I like to keep them simple and flat. This duet was made with the brand new ‘Unforgettable’ collection with leftovers after making a layout. Quick and easy but still handmade and cheerful.”

“Hello” from Amanda, who also joined in to create a gorgeous card. She said “Florals, woodgrain, tassels & bows – what more can I say?! This 4″ x 8″ card was created with the beautiful ‘Unforgettable’ collection & a Cut To You – floral bouquet set – cut file.”

Finally, rounding our our card inspiration for today is another pair of cards, this time from Sue. She said “Although I am not usually a cardmaker, creating these cards with the ‘Unforgettable’ collection was easy and fun – I may even make more!”

We hope you have enjoyed all the handmade card inspiration from our team today and that you might feel inspired to create a card or two as well. Remember to share your creations in our Facebook Community Group or on Instagram using the hashtag #cocoavanillastudio

Zoe XX0

The Best | Unforgettable | Mandy Melville

Hi friends!

Mandy here today to share another layout using the GORGEOUS new Unforgettable collection! I’m totally loving the beautiful butterflies and the florals in this collection, and I knew that I wanted to feature them on this page! I documented a photo of my eldest daughter Abigail taken earlier this year, and I used this layout as an opportunity to journal about how proud I am of her.

I started by trimming down my white cardstock background and matting it firstly with the Natural Beauty patterned paper (reverse side), then with the Unscripted paper (reverse side). I also added some machine stitching around the white cardstock to give the layout some texture.

Next I matted my photo with one of the papers from the 6×8 Paper Stack, and then I created a pretty floral cluster to the right of the photo. I used one of the larger floral die cuts as the base for the cluster, and then I tucked some extra leaves and smaller flowers into it. I finished it off with some more leaves which I cut out of white cardstock using the beautiful new Unforgettable Cut Files. These are designed by our very own design team member Gwen Wruck, and they’re available to download for FREE here.

As I said, I knew that I wanted to feature those gorgeous butterflies from the collection on this layout. I cut the larger ones out of the Pretty Bits patterned paper and the smaller ones were from the Lacewing paper. I arranged them so that they look like they’re floating from the bottom right up to the top left, giving the layout a diagonal flow. I adhered them with glue just in the middle, so that their wings would lift off the page, giving them lots of dimension.

I also created another smaller floral cluster in the bottom right hand corner of the page. Once again I used a combination of die cuts, along with leaves from the Unforgettable cut file set.

I’m LOVING the addition of the Foam Title Stickers in this collection! They make it so easy to add a title to your layout, and the scripty font is really pretty! Plus I love the contrast that the black adds against the bright colours!

I finished the layout off by adding some typed journaling strips, a few little word stickers, and a couple of the little hearts included in the Foam Title Stickers pack.

Thanks so much for joining me here on the blog today! I hope that you’ve been inspired by my layout! I’ll be back later in the month to share some more inspiration with you!

Mandy x

 

We are family | Unforgettable Collection | Anna Komenda

Hello crafty Friends. It’s Anna here with another project made with brand new “Unforgettable” collection. I made another layout but it’s not surprise for you :) Once again I combined white background and a lot of layers of papers. I also used flowers as they are so pretty and tempting. Luckily I have two girls at home so I can use florals with almost all of my projects.

I also used brand new free cut files designed by super talented Gwen. They are available to download in the CVS store here: https://cocoavanilla.com.au/shop/unforgettable-freebie-cut-files/

Just look how pretty they are:

Pink paper called “Unscripted” was perfect to cut few roses and mix them with ephemera flowers. I set my machine to cut them and worked with my background in the meantime. I used blue Distress Oxide ink and applied it through stencil. Next step was to add some water to make it look more dreamy.

I used a strip of fun pictures of me and my daughter using filters. I love those mini photo sessions of us two. I backed my picture with a lot of paper layers. Using 6*8 paper stack helped me save my 12*12 papers :) I also fussy cut three big butterflies from paper called “Pretty bits”.

My title is a combination of amazing foam titles and some older black alpha stickers. I also added few transparent stickers here and there on the background. It’s a good way to add some special touch to white layout base.

I finished my page by splashing everything with pink and black inks. This kind of little mess is my signature style :) That is all for today. Thank you for stopping by <3 If you need more inspiration, check our FB group – Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community. You can spot a lot of amazing projects there to feed up your mojo.

XO Anna

So Beautiful | Unforgettable Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Scrappy friends! It’s Michelle back here today with a new layout share featuring the stunning UNFORGETTABLE collection. I’ve stepped back in time with a couple of super cute photos of Leila that I wanted to re-document and reminisce over. That cute little face really loved posing for the camera back then, not so much these days unless bribery is used HAHA

I challenged myself to use only pattern papers from the 6×8 paper stack fore this layout and I think I did well creating a simple stack of layered patterns as the base for the layout. I really love the smaller designs as you can cram more of them onto a page together.

I distressed the edges of the papers, roughly tore the text pattern rather than cutting and adhered them all flat to the page before folding up the edged slightly to add some slight dimension. I also added a piece of foam sheet to the back of the framed photo to raise it slightly higher than all the rest and layered it together with one of my favourite doilies.

I felt like this layout didn’t need a large title to take the focus away from the sweet photos. Instead I’ve created a large ‘cluster’ of florals and ephemera pieces and used a black banner tag for the title name.

To the top right of the photos I’ve added in a smaller cluster using similar items to the larger group. I follow this design technique on most of my layouts to create balance and direct flow of the layout (if thats even a thing as honestly I just go with the flow and slap things here and there HAHA). Lastly I added a few splatters of gold ink and called it done. Super quick and easy this layout was to create, which I love! I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to check into the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community Facebook Group to share the love of all things CVS.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

 

 

Living the Dream | Unforgettable Collection | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! It’s Sue Plumb here to share my latest layout featuring the gorgeous ‘Unforgettable’ collection. For this page I wanted to document some sweet photos of my hubby and our cat that were taken when he was just a kitten. (And yes, I think a pop of purple is perfectly acceptable for a masculine page!)

Starting with a white cardstock background, the first paper I was drawn to was the gorgeous wood grain print of the Natural Beauty paper. I am a huge fan of wood grain papers, and I have to say, I think this one is my favourite so far! The tones, the pattern of the grain – it’s just perfect. I cut a large piece and placed it vertically on the left side of my page.

I overlaid the wood grain print with a piece of the minty green watercolour print paper from the 6×8″ Paper Stack (in the 12×12″ papers this is the reverse print of the Garland paper). I used a notebook style paper punch to punch the edge of it for extra interest.

Then it was time to add some horizontal structure to my page. I used an extra piece of the same mint paper again; along with a piece of the black & white leafy print from the reverse side of the Natural Beauty paper; the grey stripe from the reverse of the Glorious paper; and the mint diagonal stripe from the Sprightly paper.

I decided to frame each of my photos using frames from the Die Cut Ephemera pack – one a gorgeous polaroid style wood grain and the other a black and white wreath. I positioned each of them over the patterned papers layers, using some cardboard behind them to pop them up from the page.

Now it was time to add some fun embellishments to bring all the elements of my page together.

I started with the Foam Title Stickers, choosing the word hello and adding it alongside my top photo. I then reached for the Die Cut Ephemera pack again – choosing the Living the Dream phrase piece to go alongside the lower photo. Between the two, I added the purple ticket from the ephemera pack.

I then took another frame from the ephemera pack, this time a sweet circular frame with a doodled heart border. I cut it into two pieces, tucking the larger piece around the corner of my top photo, and the second smaller piece in behind the hello sticker. I also added a label for my journalling that was fussy cut from the Story Teller paper.

After writing my journalling on the label, I added the super cute retro style camera and a small heart (both from the ephemera pack) to create a small cluster. Then, to balance it out, I added a small strip of the reverse side of the Natural Beauty paper at the top of my page, and the true story sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet over the top.

Almost done – time for a few finishing touches! I added two small hearts from the Clear Sticker sheet; the purple butterfly from the Die Cut Ephemera pack; and the Life is Good sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet.

I then stamped the oh happy life phrase using a stamp from my stash and added a few tiny splatters of berry ink.

That’s all from me today, thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. The ‘Unforgettable’ collection is now hitting the shelves of retailers around the world. If you have a chance to get your hands on it, just do it! It’s really a stunning collection and I know you will enjoy creating with it as much as I am.

Until next time, happy scrapping!

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