8.5×11″

Chill Out | Sunkissed Collection | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone, it’s Raquel here and today I am sharing my latest layout with you. For this Throwback Thursday I was inspired by a previous layout I created and also the ‘Sunkissed’ collection. A throwback in two ways, how fun!

Here is the layout that I created:

The subject of this layout are my two kiddies taken in the last couple of months following a release of a lockdown here in regional Victoria. We took advantage of having a day where we could travel a short distance and went to a coastal town about an hour or so from home. Of course the kids were wanting to sample the local ice cream shop! Yum!

I was really inspired by the fringe layers that I created on a layout a couple of years ago and wanted to have a go featuring them on a layout again.

The fringe look can be created using simple fine tip scissors or you can use herb scissors like I have to create a nice even fringe.

To embellish the page I have used a combination of the mainly the ephemera pieces, floral ephemera pieces, puffy stickers and the accessory stickers.

I wish I had a gazillion packs of these florals. Aren’t they totally stunning! So bright and perfect for this summer themed layout. I love to adhere these in a variety of dimensions by using different foam adhesives.

I was excited to have the perfect use for the ice cream ephemera piece!

For the title of the page wanted something that would stand out enough against the fringe layers on the page which as quite dominating. The gold glitter sticker titles are so gorgeous and I decided these would work on this layout.

Of course I had to frame my layout on a patterned paper. I love how it provides a finished look to a page.

Thanks so much for stopping by the CVS Blog today. I hope this layout inspired you.

Raquel x

Lovely Day | These Days | Rachel Lowe

Hello scrappy friends today I am sharing a 8.5×11 inch layout documenting my beautiful children when they were younger! I have used the beautiful These Days collection.

I like to mix things up and so I decided to create a 8.5×11 inch layout instead of the traditional 12×12 ice layout. The great benefit of this is that I have used the 6×8 paper pad instead of cutting into my 12×12 inch papers. I used the same three papers at the top and bottom of my layout but changed the order for visual interest. When I adhere torn paper strips I never glue the top part so I can go back and add elements.

I added black machine stitching to these paper strips to add a stark contrast and texture. I created a floral cluster to the top paper strips, layering them over each other, tucking in extra leaf die cuts, puff sticker florals finished off with a wooden epoxy flair.

Again I embellished the bottom paper strips, adding die cuts and puffy stickers finishing off with a Accessory sticker phrase sentiment. Layering your embellishments in the different paper strips creates a beautiful cluster that your eye is drawn too.

Before adding my photo I added some texture paste using a dot stencil. I usually buy white texture paste and then add acrylic paint with the colour I want, it certainly is a way to save money buying lots of different coloured pastes. I matted my. photo again from papers in the 6×8 inch paper pad, when you background is white a contrast is needed. I added two of the gorgeous gold glitter puffy hearts to contrast against the dot stencil.

I used both the foam word titles and puffy alphas, again I wanted to create a stark contrast against the white and using two different types of alphas creates dimension. I added a tiny phrase sentiment from the puffy stickers and added directly under my photo. Lastly I added some butterflies around my page, some from the clear sticker sheet and the other from the die cut pack.

I enjoyed creating this layout, simple but pretty! As always thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful and creative week!

Rachel X

Merry Christmas | Merry & Bright | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone, it’s Raquel here today sharing a new layout with you featuring the stunning Merry and Bright Christmas collection. I am absolutely loving documenting some Christmas memories lately and getting their stories onto paper.

Here is the layout I have created for you today:

 

This layout is documenting the love between my two kiddies and their little cousin. This bond has been so strong since he has been born but has grown stronger and stronger by the day. To the point that the kiddies now ask to see each other nearly every day of the week.

The base of the layout is created using my go-to white card stock however I chose to frame the layout with the Star Bright paper – I absolutely adore a gingham print and this one is just gorgeous. Once the base was framed and a border was stitched I worked on my cut file. This particular cut file is from the Cut to You store. I love the design of this and that the stack of presents allow you to incorporate multiple patterned papers into it.

I used a combination of 6×8 paper pad papers and 12×12” designs. I backed each present as a single print design making this process a little easier. The holly and berries were using a patterned paper however that gorgeous red design in the berries was made using one of the 3×4 cards in the Journaling cards set.

I backed the photo in my fave print of the collection the Jingle all the Way paper – I have always loved a diagonal stripe and this one is just truly gorgeous. The bonus is that we can have this in the 6×8” paper pad and the 12×12 paper! To the approx 3×4” photo I also added a ‘sweet’ tab from the ephemera pack. I also fussy cut flowers from the Joy to the World paper to cluster to the top left of the photo.

I always love to document a story on my layouts, however the design of this layout and how it turned out while I was creating allowed little room for a lot of journaling. So I decided to use on of the pocket cards to create a tag to add my story to. I then hid that behind the photo making sure to only adhere on the edges.

To help balance the layout it needed something in the top right corner. I created an embellishment cluster featuring ephemera and a fussy cut holly and berries. I also added wood veneer stars from my stash.

How adorable are the florals in every Cocoa Vanilla Collection? I love the way we can layer and embellish a layout using the florals that have been fussy cut. I know fussy cutting isn’t for everyone, but boy the extra florals to have as embellishments are sure worth the while of fussy cutting.

I have tried on my last few layouts to use the cute Santa head and larger Christmas tree ephemera piece. They finally found their home on this layout….I love how they look on this layout. Although they are a larger embellishment, I do not feel like they overtake or take away from the focal point of this layout which is of course my photo.

Thanks so much for stopping by the CVS blog today. I hope that you have been inspired by this layout.

Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy Christmas and New year. I will see you in 2021 with a new layout. I don’t know about you but I am hoping for a much better, and happier 2021 … fingers crossed

Raquel xxx

 

 

The Most Wonderful Time | Merry & Bright | Raquel Bowman

Hi everyone, it’s Raquel here and today I am sharing my first layout with you using the new Christmas collection ‘Merry & Bright’. I don’t know if I feel quite ready personally for Christmas or Christmas documenting however I must say that I really loved creating this layout. 

The focus of this layout was to document the arrival of our Elves Chippy and Snowflake each year. This time is highly anticipated in my household and spoken about in incidental moments all throughout the year ‘Remember the time Chippy did….’ ‘I love when Snowflake did ….’. I used a photo taken during the first year that Chippy arrived and a cut file from Cut to You store. 

Here is the layout that I created:

The cut file stocking was backed using 6×8″ papers from the paper pad. I love that the paper pads come with the same patterns and designs as the 12×12″ sheets but on a much smaller scale. I just adore a diagonal stripe so I had to use that as the feature of the cut file backing. I used the text script paper under the gift tag, but also added an ephemera tag to the top of the stocking to replicate a tag on the stocking too.

To embellish the top of the stocking I used a ‘be jolly’ sticker and one of the gorgeous gold fabric stars.

The title is a sticker ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ and is a small feature off the layout.I used a mixture of foam adhesive on both the photo and the stocking die cut to add extra dimension to the page. 

The journaling for this layout was typed on my typewriting and cut into strip form.

I cannot wait to document the 2021 Christmas adventures with the elves and my little family using this absolutely beautiful collection. I hope you have been inspired by todays layout. 

 

Raquel x

 

Wonderful You | Daydream Collection | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone, it’s Raquel here with you today sharing my latest layout using the gorgeous Daydream collection.

Here is the layout that I created:

The subject of this layout is my two boys; my husband and my little man Jack. In this picture Jack was a few years old. I rediscovered this photo in my photo stash prior to creating this layout and it brought back some beautiful memories. It is just crazy how quickly time flies. 

I have actually combined another Cocoa Vanilla Collection in today’s layout. I have used the ‘More than Words’ collection to embellish some of this page. The feature element on this page along with the photo of course is the cut file which is a file by Cut to You. 

I matted the photo in a pattern from the 6×8” Paper pad and also vellum from my stash to compliment the soft colours in this layout. I also added a small 4” doily to behind the photo. 

I backed the cut file with a variety of the patterned papers – I tried to stick to softer tones and soft prints in the files. I embellished with florals, stickers, and fussy cut moths. 
To embellish this page I also added one of the gorgeous fabric puffy hearts. I added this on top of the cut file. I love the pop of mustard this gave to the layout. The wonderful chipboard word that made up this title came from the ‘More than Words’ collection. It worked perfectly with this page. 

I added journaling to this page using my usual form; typewritten journaling adhered to the page in strips. I reflected on the relationship these two have…so beautiful. The layout was very top heavy and in particular to the top right – so I added a small little floral embellishment to the bottom left corner of the page.


Thank you so much for popping by the CVS blog today, I hope you have been inspired. 

Take care, 

Raquel xxx

 

Happy Times | Happiness Collection + Monthly Challenge | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone, its Raquel here with you today sharing some inspiration for this months Monthly Challenge that can be found in our Facebook ‘Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community’ – the winner randomly drawn will be able to score a $25 voucher to spend in the CVS store. 

Here is the layout that I created inspired by the mood board – 
 
I chose to draw inspiration from the colours, the nature and plant elements, adding butterflies to my page and also from the painted striped image at the bottom of the inspiration board. 
 
Here is the process video for this layout:

The subject of my layout is my home town of Geelong. This photo was taken pre-covid when the waterfront was very much hustle bustle even on a weekday. I think this pandemic has brought me to reflect on the good times and things that I have in my life, our little town is one of those things. 
 
The Happiness collection has soo many gorgeous floral elements and embellishments. As you can see from my process video the embellishing of this page came together so nicely and just worked. The cut file I have used on this page is another one from the Cut to You store, however this one was one of the Newsletter freebie files. I backed the file with vellum as I really wanted to showcase the beautiful florals on this layout. 
 
Can you see something different for me on this page? Yep I had a little play with some distress inks and water to create that rainbow wash background. I fully committed to the design, though I must admit, I thought I would not like the result and would end up putting the background in the bin. Much to my surprise, that wasn’t the case and I like how it turned out. 
 
The title Happy Times was found in the ephemera pack. I had played with the die cut titles pack in the collection, and really love the way the one titled ‘beautiful’ looked on the page, however, I ended up choosing the less bold and smaller in size ‘Happy Times’. 
 
To frame my photo I used the light pink cross paper from the 6×8 paper pad. This pink shade has to be one of my favourite papers in the collection.I have used it multiple times and I was surprised that I had some left to mat my photo. 
I created embellishment clusters to the left and right of the photo and also a small cluster to the bottom left of the page to balance out the heaviness on that top right side, this small cluster also served as a good place to pop my journaling. I have used mainly the florals in the ephemera pack to embellish this layout, though I did also use some of the Accessory stickers (words, hearts) and some fussy cut butterflies.
The journaling on this page, as always is typewritten and reflects my love of our town. 
I love the opportunities that layering various elements gives, allowing me to add dimension, detail and depth by using foam adhesives to varying parts of the clusters. This image below gives you the chance to see some of the layering and detail that is on this page. 
 
I hope that you have been inspired by my layout today. If you are not a member of our Facebook community be sure to join and take part in this challenge. I would love to see what you create. 

Thanks so much for popping by, Have a great week.

Raquel xxx

 

 

Chillin’ Together | Daydream Collection | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone, Raquel here today sharing a new layout for our ‘Rainbows’ theme with you all. Of course I had to use the stunning new Daydream collection to create this layout. I have also used two cut files from the Cut to You store as the main design elements on this page.

Here is the layout that I created:

These photos I am documenting were taken on Mother’s Day this year. In Victoria in May we were in COVID restrictions so this made our Mother’s Day look a lot different to what it may have looked like in the past. Although different I was glad to be able to capture a few pics of the kiddies and I together. The photos do capture the kids personalities beautifully.

I printed the series of photos using my Canon Selphy and made them a bit over an inch wide and about 6” long. I wanted it to mimic a photo strip. Of course I printed them in black and white, one of my fave ways to print photos.

For the rainbow I used a selection of papers in the 6×8 paper pad. I started with the pinks, then used blue and yellow for the other parts of the rainbow. The backing of the cut file did take a while but the finished result was worth it. I decided that I wanted to place it on the upper area of the page and the title underneath. The cut file is adhered to the page using foam adhesive to give it that dimension.

I decided to place the photo strip to the right of the rainbow and embellish on that right side using florals that were both fussy cut from papers but also from the ephemera packs. I love the way that florals allow you to layer and create so much detail on a layout.

The title of the page is created using a cut file and a title piece from the die cut title pack. The journaling was typed on my typewriter and adhered In strip form underneath.

To help balance the top heaviness of the layout on that right side I created a small cluster of embellishments to the bottom left of the page. This really helps to move your eyes around the page from the photo to the rainbow then to the title in a triangular shape. I used one of the gorgeous hearts on this page and I absolutely adore how it looks! I was able to adhere it really easily using a liquid adhesive.

I hope that you have been inspired by my layout today.  It has been so nice having creative time amongst supporting my own children and teaching remotely for this past 6 weeks, its been a challenging time.

Thanks for stopping by the CVS blog today, take care

Raquel xxx

Beach Life | Daydream Collection | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone. It’s Raquel here with you today joining in on the outdoor theme share from this week. When I think of outdoors I think of times when my little family is happy and that has to be our yearly trip to a coastal town over the summer holidays. True perfection;

Here is the layout so you understand what I am referencing to :

Now just look at the smiles on my babes faces. This is pure outdoor enjoyment right?

So let’s talk this layout. I have used the new and beautiful Daydream collection. Wow! This was my first play with the collection and I am already blown away and claiming it is my new and forever favourite.

The cut file is a freebie cut file from the beautiful and fellow design team member Gwen who owns the store Cut to You. If you sign up to her newsletter you can score free goodness just like the feature file I have used on my layout today.

The title ‘beach life’ was part of the cut file however I loved the perfect way that this teamed with the two photos of my beautiful kiddies.

I used the 6×8” paper sheet pad to back most of the cut file elements  I also used those papers to mat the photos. I chose to continue using the same prints that I used within the cut files for continuity. 

I chose to back the beach ball with two separate papers. This helped me to achieve a textured look on the ball so it didn’t all appear one colour. 

I took full advantage of the smaller patterns in the 6×8” patterned paper. I also used a combination of regular adhesive and foam adhesive to achieve a dimensional look. 

How beautiful is the dimension and supporting embellishments?  And these faces make it all just so fun to document too.

I am hopeful and crossing my fingers and toes that this beach side trip that we have taken at the same time for the last three or is it four years will be possible in the new year.

Stay safe everyone, prayers to you and your family,

Raquel

Happy Cake Day | Make a Wish collection | Tarrah McLean

Hi everyone!

It’s Tarrah McLean back with you today to share a new ‘Throwback Thursday’ layout featuring the gorgeous Make A Wish collection!

The Make A Wish collection is one of my all time favourite collections by Cocoa Vanilla so when I got a ‘Throwback Thursday’ assignment, I knew this collection was the one I wanted to use to document a cute photo of my niece from her recent 3rd birthday.

I have again chosen to create a page in the smaller format of 8.5′ x 11′. The gorgeous Happy Day cut file title and the candles cut file are all by CUT to YOU. I have had those for a while, I was so happy to be able to use them on this layout! I backed the title with the ‘B’ side of the Hip Hooray paper and the candles with the Party Dots paper from Make A Wish. Once backed, I popped them all up using adhesive craft foam. I love the shadows and dimension this creates.

In the detail photo above, you can see I decided to add the word ‘Cake’ to the title of my layout. Happy Cake Day is the title of my layout. I used the alphabet stickers from the Make A Wish collection to spell Cake.

The background paper I chose is the Daydream paper from the collection, I then chose the wood grain paper and adhered it on top and machine stitched around the edge. I love the texture and softness this creates. I bent up the edhes of the paper slightly also.

The super cute photo had to be the main focus so I decided to adhere it to the centre of the page with one of the chipboard frames ‘framing’ it. Above the photo, I adhered the heart border strip from the ephemera pack and fussy cut out a small journal spot from one of the papers to tuck in. I also layered the ‘Fun’ banner to the top right of my photo. I adddd the wood veneer cake to the right of the photo and added some of the stars from the ephemera packs and accessory sticker sheet. Lastly I added some of the phrase and word stickers also from the Accessory sticker sheet and dated the date stamp.

Thank you so much for joining me on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog, it’s always fun to revisit some of the past collections for Throwback Thursday!

Happy creating!

Tarrah x

You Rock | Legendary Collection | Raquel Bowman

Hey everyone, I’m here today capping off the Stars and Stripes theme this week on the CVS blog. Of course, I chose to use the amazing Legendary collection which compliments this theme beautifully.

Here is the layout that I created:

This layout is documenting a photo of my little man taken at the start of March – pre-covid restrictions here in Australia. We had taken a family drive to a small town about an hour from our house to visit the market and township. Jack decided to pose on the townships post office doorstep. I adore this photo but it does project such an innocence in this little man. Jack has such a beautiful and sensitive little heart, but certainly as I have documented many times keeps us on our toes. I chose to feature a stripe through the diagonal stripe ‘Explorer’ pattern paper that has backed my photo. If there is one paper that I would love multiples of in this collection it is this lime stripe paper (or the Woodgrain, who can pass up a nice woodgrain). Instead of using my own typewritten journaling I used the tiny word stickers in the accessory sticker sheet. I was able to make a little phrase by adapting some of the stickers available.

The main design element of this photo was a cut file tag which is called Geometric Tags and is available in the Cut To You online store. In my cutting machine software I manipulated the tag so it was bigger and wider – so I could have a giant tag on my layout. The tag features stars – which I was able to highlight by backing the cut file with different patterned papers. I used the yellow in the Wild One paper and the orange in the One Way paper.

The title of the page ‘you rock’ was created using the clear stickers. I adhere the stickers onto a white card and fussy cut around them creating my own die cut titles. I love how these turned out! I also added a flair featuring a star to this title area.

I created an embellishment cluster in the bottom left corner of the page featuring ephemera and fussy cut stars. I used the stars from the All Star paper to trace onto the woodgrain paper. This helped balance the darker elements of woodgrain in the embellishments.

To finish the page I scattered multiple fussy cut stars. These make a nice design element but also can be used to help balance out any colours that are featured on the layout. The entire layout was then bordered on a patterned paper featuring stars called Offbeat.

Thanks so much for stopping by the CVS blog today. I hope my layout has given you some stars and stripe inspiration!

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