Daydream

Baby, it’s cold outside | Merry and Bright Collection | Anna Blades

Anna Blades 11/01/2021

Hello CVS friends!

Welcome back to the blog, Anna here with you today! Christmas is over, but for me, it’s hard to stop using the gorgeous Merry & Bright collection. So, I decided to use it in a wintry way. And including flowers, of course. I love the result!

First, I took the Sweet Serenity paper from the Daydream Collection and ripped it in half. I glued it on top of a watercolor sheet, where I did a mixed media background with pigment powders matching the colors. Then, I diluted white chalk paint with water and made splatters.

I used one of the frames from the Merry & Bright Die Cut Ephemera to frame my picture. And placed it in the middle of the page. Behind it, I put one of the Pocket Cards, which I turned into a tag.

To embellish the layout, I made a visual triangle creating three flower clusters. Some flowers were from the Die Cut Ephemera, and some others I fussy cut them from the Joy to the world paper. These flowers are so pretty, and it’s really easy to make beautiful clusters with them.

To built my title, I fussy cut the letters from the Season’s Greetings paper to spell the word “cold”, and then I complete the sentence with a little gold foil alphabet thicker that I had in my stash. So, my title is “Baby it’s cold outside” because we were on the street and my girls are wearing jackets with fur hats.

Finally, I scattered some snowflakes all over the page to add a snowy touch. I made them with a very old punch die that I have had for years.

And that’s all for today. I really love how it turned out. Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful 2021!

See you soon!

Anna xx

Beautiful Friendship | Daydream Collection | Michelle Stokes

Michelle Stokes 10/01/2021

Hello Cocoa Vanilla friends, its Michelle back here today with my newest layout share for 2021! I chose the beautiful Daydream collection for this creation, documenting a sweet photo of fellow DT member Raquel and I from a couple years back. We’ve been friends since we started primary school and now our kids are great friends too.

I really wanted to use the wreath paper – Daisy Days – from the collection, and had a hankering for some fussy cutting… as much as I say I hate fussy cutting, it really is therapeutic and fun to do when sitting in front of the TV.

I used the wreath pieces as the base of the circular design and layered extra florals into areas to create large ‘clusters’. I used different types of adhesive to create multiple layers within the cluster, most used are foam tape and glue dots.

I’ve backed the photo using the smaller designs of Sweet Serenity and Sunshower from the A5 paper stack and tucked in a word tab from the ephemera pack. To the left of the photo I’ve added a flair button and butterfly from the ephemera pack and created larger floral clusters above and below this area that curve around the photo.

In the top group of florals I’ve used a mix of florals from the Garden Variety paper as well as the floral wreath piece, some smaller fussy cut tiny florals and a sticker.

In the larger grouping I’ve used florals from both the 12×12 and A5 size Garden Variety paper, a small rainbow from Up in the Clouds and a banner word from the ephemera pack.

And over on the right I’ve used both small and large florals again plus a sticker to complete the floral group, then added the title above to fill some of the open white space. I’ve used a die cut title word and stickers from past collections to create the mixed font title.

Lastly I added the usual splattering of gold ink and felt it was complete. One sweet photo of 2 friends who’ve known each other almost their entire life documented. A friendship that I cherish and am so thankful for. Don’t know what I would do without her.

Well friends that is all from me today. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Happy Heart | Daydream | Kylie Kingham.

Kylie Kingham 09/01/2021

Hey friends! It’s Kylie back with you today with a new layout I created using the stunning ‘Daydream’ collection. I really love layering various papers to create my backgrounds. Sometimes I use intricate patterns and sometimes I keep it quite simple, like for today’s layout. I went with the beautiful ‘SUN SHOWER’ paper for my main background page, as it is so bright and happy!

To begin, I added some strips of the STEPPING STONES and ALL AFLUTTER papers to the right side of my page. One measured 10cm x 23cm the other 5cm x 28cm. Using my silhouette I cut a circle from the SWEET SERENITY paper and adhered it over the other strips to the left side of the page.

To add some nice balance to my page I added some strips of papers horizontally across the bottom of my layout. For texture I used a craft border punch from my stash on one which added a lovely detail. Both of my photos were backed with the DAISY DAYS paper and adhered to the lower right of the circle using foam adhesive squares. That way I was able to tuck embellishments underneath for effect.

When I embellish a layout I do tend to work in opposites, so I added a second cluster of die cuts opposite to my photos, again using foam adhesive squares for some to give more dimension. I also constructed a title from the large DIE CUT TITLES.

To complete my page I added several heart and insect die cuts around my layout design as well as a small sub title created from the typed phrases on the sticker sheet.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my latest page design!

Until next time,

Kylie.

Happy Days | Daydream collection | Tarrah McLean

Tarrah McLean 08/01/2021

Hi everyone and Happy New Year!

It’s Tarrah back with you today to share a new project featuring the stunning Daydream collection. I decided to create something a little different for my project today. I have created a round canvas wall hanging for my craft room!

I chose a 12′ size round canvas and chose the gorgeous Over the Rainbow paper for the background. I traced the canvas onto the paper and free hand cut it out. I used a strong glue to adhere the paper to the canvas, making sure there weren’t too many bubbles. On the left, the paper didn’t quite reach to cover up the canvas so I improvised and covered it with lots of gorgeous florals from the ephemera pack. I used glue and craft foam here for different heights of dimension.

On the right of the canvas I created another cluster of florals to balance with the cluster on the left. I used both glue and foam tape here again for dimension. Once the florals were all dry I bent up the edges of the flowers and leaves for even more dimension.

On the left side of the canvas I just had to include the journal card that reads, ‘These Are a Few of My Favourite Things” from the Happy Place paper. It is the perfect phrase to suit my craft room! At the top of the rainbow, I chose a few of the heart die-cuts in various colours and added these using craft foam for dimension. In the centre of the canvas I added craft foam underneath my title – ‘Happy Days’ – after all every day is a happy day in my craft room! I added 3 butterflies and moths here also along with, ‘The Good Life’ phrase from the ephemera pack. One of the super cute puffy hearts made it on and also some more heart die-cuts.

Once I was happy with the front, I felt the outside was too bare so I trialed a few different trims from my stash finally settling on some lace that I felt matched the prettiness and girly feel of the canvas.

Thank you so much for stopping by the Cocoa Vanilla blog today! I hope you enjoyed my project today and that you are inspired in some way. Make sure to get yourself the beautiful Daydream collection from the online store now if you don’t already have it!

Happy creating!

Tarrah x

Captured | Daydream Collection | Raquel Bowman

Raquel Bowman 04/01/2021

Hey everyone, wishing you all a Happy New Year. I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and holiday break. I am here sharing my first layout for the new year with you all, with the theme of ‘new’ in mind. This layout is featuring the beautiful Daydream collection. For today’s layout I have also ventured back into creating a 12×12” size, a layout size which I have not created in for a few years now.

Here is the layout I created:

The theme of this layout is around the word ‘new’. I decided to document the ‘new’ way of teaching and learning that we all encountered in 2020. As a teacher I had to adapt to implementing and supporting the learning of my class via online platforms – and as a Mumma I had to juggle teaching my class and supporting the learning of my own school ages children. It has certainly been a ‘new’ way of teaching and a challenging year for all in this current pandemic.

The photo in particular was taken after we had just finished a stint of remote learning and I had run an evening of successful Zoom parent/teacher teacher conferences. This online learning thing was so challenging for all, I think on this particular evening I was just so proud to have made it to the other side, still smiling! I printed the photo at around 3.5 x 4.5” in size via my Epson Picturemate in black and white. I printed the picture in black and white as this picture was taken in my classroom, which had a lot of bright colours and displays in the background. This made it easier to choose and use the Daydream collection to document this story.

The cut file in those layout is one from the Cut to You store. I loved the graphical look of the design and the ties to schooling in a pie chart and thought it would work well to document this story. I used a combination of the 6×8” paper pad papers and the 12×12” papers to back the cut file sections. I used the Garden Variety paper print in two sections as I wanted this layout to feature clusters of the gorgeous floral ephemera pieces. A love creating with a simple cut file like this as they are super easy to back but look really effective on a layout.

The ‘heaviest’ embellishment cluster I created was to the right of the photo. This cluster had a mix of floral ephemera and fussy cut florals from the Garden Variety paper. I also delved into my enamel dot stash from past CVS collections to add those finishing touches to each cluster created.

The title of the layout is ‘captured’ and created using a past collection ‘Unforgettable’s’ foam stickers. Love a bold title that contrasts on a page, so these black foam stickers were perfect. The other words within the pack of titles were not as suitable as this was not necessarily a time that would fit the title of ‘the good life’ or ‘the best’ – I thought ‘captured’ works well as it gives a title that is just documenting this moment in time.

As always I have documented my story on a typewriter and cut it into strip form. For something different though I have adhered it with a thin dimensional adhesive tape (I use an affordable Bunnings one I have featured here). I love how it has added a slight shadow underneath each strip of my story.

Another cluster was created to the bottom left of the journaling. This cluster helps to balance the heaviness of the photo and the cluster to the right of the photo. This cluster features floral ephemera and fussy cut flowers.

To the top left of the photo I added another small cluster of embellishments. This helps to balance the layout. You will find that on most layouts I work in groups of three; in embellishment clusters and small embellishments too.

Thank you so much for stopping by the CVS blog today. I hope you have found this layout inspiring.

Raquel x

Let Me Take a Selfie | Daydream collection | Tarrah McLean

Tarrah McLean 22/10/2020

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to the Cocoa Vanilla blog! It’s Tarrah here with you to share a new design team layout for a ‘1 paper, 3 ways’ feature focusing on the beautiful ‘Sweet Serenity’ paper from the stunning new Daydream collection as the background.

I chose a pretty cut file design from CUT to YOU, cut it out from white cardstock and then backed all the spaces behind the cut file using a mix of the gorgeous patterned papers from the 6′ x 8′ paper stack. For the circle space in the camera design, I added my photo which is a selfie taken in my car some time ago! The large circle die-cut piece in the ephemera pack fitted perfectly around the photo here. Once the spaces were all backed, I added craft foam underneath the cut file and adhered it to the ‘Sweet Serenity’ paper. As the page is all about cameras and selfies, I decided to trim 2 small strips from the ‘Stepping Stones’ paper and adhered them vertically to both outer edges of the ‘Sweet Serenity’ paper to replicate a filmstrip look.

You can see the shadows in the detail photos that are created by adhering the cut file up on foam tape onto the page, I love how this looks. On the left of the cut file, you can see I created a small cluster of embellishments with a few die-cuts and a flair button. This helps to balance the large camera feature in the top right corner a little. I also added more florals and a few other die-cuts around the page to decorate.

Design tip: If you look closely at the design of my layout, you will see that I have incorporated the all important visual triangle on my layout. I knew that I wanted to back the small circle on the camera with the darker blue paper and I also included the same paper in the ‘Me’ of the cut file title. As that was just 2 places, I needed to add a third piece of the darker blue somewhere, the dark blue moth sticker from the Accessory sticker sheet was the perfect addition placed just above the ‘e’ in ‘Selfie’. Having a visual triangle on your layout draws the readers/viewers eyes around the page.

Thank you so much for stopping by the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today, I hope you enjoyed my layout today and that you were inspired in some way. The Daydream collection should be in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio online store really soon, so keep an eye for it!

Happy creating!

Tarrah x

Wonderful You | Daydream Collection | Raquel Bowman

Raquel Bowman 19/10/2020

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

Good Times | Daydream collection | Tarrah McLean

Tarrah McLean 08/10/2020

Hi everyone!

It’s Tarrah back with you today to share a new layout featuring the amazing Cocoa Vanilla Studio Daydream collection! I just love all the florals in this collection so I decided to cut out a large floral and leaf cut file design from my favourite cut file shop, CUT to YOU.

Once I had the cut file design cut out, I took the awesome Daydream 6′ x 8′ paper stack and backed all the florals and leaves in the design with the different papers. The cut file design has 2 rectangles in the centre, I backed both these spaces with patterned papers also and I knew that I wanted to place the sweet photo of my nieces in the top rectangle, I then added my title to the bottom rectangle. My title is the Good Times piece cut from the cut apart sheet.

Once I had the cut file backed, I added craft foam underneath it and then adhered it to the B side of the Garden Variety patterned paper. You can see in the close up photos the shadow this creates on the page. As the cut file is mostly the focal point of my layout, I kept the embellishing fairly simple.

I added some of the gorgeous floral diecuts, tucked into the side of the cut file as well as layered on top near my photo. I tucked in a tab diecut on the left of my photo and added phrase stickers from the Accessory sticker sheet.

The heart flair button is super cute, I added this just above my title, I love the moths and butterflies from the All Aflutter patterned paper, I fussy cut some of those out but only ended up using 1 to fill the space in the bottom right corner of the cut file.

Thank you so much for stopping by the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today! I hope you enjoyed my layout and that you were inspired in some way.

Happy creating!

Tarrah x

Sweet moments | Daydream Collection | Anna Blades

Anna Blades 25/09/2020

Hi everyone!!

It’s Anna here with you today, with a new layout featuring the gorgeous Daydream collection. This week it’s all about sequins, flowers, and hearts. And that’s because this collection includes a lot of flowers (a must on CVS collections), a pack of beautiful sequins, and some adorable puffy fabric hearts. I don’t usually use sequins (we are not good friends), but for today’s project, I decided to create a shaker title as the focus of my page.

I started cutting out the word “moments” on the B side of the Garden Variety paper. I did it with a basic font that I already have on my computer. Then, I cut the same word on a piece of white foam, which I glued (the negative, not the letters) onto the B side of the Happy Place paper. I filled in all the letters with the sequins and covered the word with acetate.

The last step was to put the Garden Variety paper which I had previously cut on top of the acetate, fitting well all the letters. I used liquid glue. To make the word stand out a little more, I followed the outline of the letters with a white gel pen. I completed my title with the word “sweet”, from the Die Cut Titles (I raised it with foam dots), and the word “happy” from the Accessory Stickers.

I used two photos in this layout. I framed one of them with one of the die cuts and attached a little tab, and backed the other one with a piece of patterned paper from the 6×8 Paper Pad. Between them, I created a little flower cluster. To balance the design, I made two big clusters with the die cut flowers. I placed one next to the word “sweet”, at the left of the title, and the other one on the right side, below the title. I stacked some flowers with foam dots to add more dimension. The flowers in this collection are so gorgeous! I could make tons of pages using them!

As the final touch, I took the white pen gel and made a frame all around the page, with some faux stitching at the corners. I think it’s subtle but nice. I hope it gives you some inspiration for different ways to build your titles. I did it with my cameo, but you can easily do that with metal die cuts or by hand!

Thank you so much for stopping by today by the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog. We’re so happy to share new ideas with you every day!

Have a great day!

Anna xx

Big Heart | Daydream Collection | Sophie Delorme

Sophie Delorme 19/09/2020

Hello crafty friends !

It’s Sophie with you today and I am so happy to share my very first layout created with the GORGEOUS Daydream collection !

I went for a rainbow-themed layout, inspired by all the rainbow pages we have on the CVS Facebook group !

I started my design by cutting a simple rainbow with my cutting machine on thick white cardstock.

I backed each ray of the rainbow with different patterned papers from the collection, namely “Happy Place“, “Sun Shower“, “All Aflutter” and “Sweet Serenity“. I also machine stitched between the rays with white thread.

I played with my water-colours to add just a little bit of interest on the white background, mostly around where I had planned to put my photo.

I used a photo of Sabrina and our dog to illustrate how lucky they are to have each other in those difficult Covid times. I placed it on one end of the rainbow, added tissue paper and adhesive foam behind it.

I cut a big strip of my white background paper on the bottom of the layout, punched a scalloped border and added the beautiful woodgrain patterned paper from Daydream called “Over the Rainbow” underneath the white cardstock.

I created a cluster of flowers on the bottom of my photo and tucked a few flowers underneath the scalloped border as well. They all come from the beautiful Die Cut Ephemera pack from the Daydream collection.

I used the Daydream Die Cut Titles for my “Big Heart” title, and hand wrote my journaling directly on the background.

Finally, I hand drew three clouds on which I applied a little bit of water-colour paint. I layered them with white cardstock and adhesive foam to make them stand out over the rainbow.