Melissa Vining

Explore | No Limits Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, its Melissa and I’m so happy to be back with you sharing another layout created with the amazing No Limits collection.  For this layout I decided to document an outdoors photo to show you how this masculine themed collection can be used to document adventures.  The photo is of my daughter just last weekend when we explored a beautiful beach that is new to us.  We live in an area of New Zealand very close to the Catlins which has lots of beaches, and as we’ve only been here 9 months its always fun to explore new ones!

I used a free cut file by Paige Evans, and I thought I would find this one challenging due to the unevenness of the letters.  I decided to back it with Latitude because it has two different tones of stripes which I alternated.  I backed the parts of the letters that cross over with solid patterns in yellow and blue from the A5 Paper Stack.

I used Universal for my background, and placed it upside down to have a more saturated pattern at the top.  I added splatters of Distress Oxides in corresponding colours, concentrated across the centre of the paper where I positioned the cut file.

For my embellishment I used three of the Die Cut Ephemera stars which I placed up on dimensional adhesive.  I layered the large cut out star over the corner of the photo and I love how it looks! I also added an ephemera banner.

My finishing touch was to add some of the adorable Puffy Sticker planet-type circles (which I can’t get enough of) and a Wood Button.  I also added an Accessory Sticker and underneath that wrote my journaling.

I kept this layout simple to focus on the photo, and I love how it turned out!  I hope I’ve inspired you to scrap your outdoor adventures with this gorgeous and versatile collection.

Have an awesome week!

Melissa

 

 

 

Totally Epic | No Limits Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, I’m so happy to be back sharing another creation with the amazing new No Limits collection!! I decided to document my teen son’s first day of school photos for 2022, and yes he gave me full permission to share these photos yay!  For layout I’m using one of my favourite papers from the collection called Eclipse.  The B side is a cut apart sheet which I just had to use as a full sheet because I love how the patterns look together!

I decided to create a pocket-style page, but without the pockets. In order to break up the different rectangles I machine stitched in black thread intentionally uneven.  I stitched two rows close together along each of the lines.

I had taken three photos of Sam at home before he walked to school.  I loved that I was able to use them all, and backed each of them with papers from the A5 Paper Stack.  Rather than stick within the confines of each rectangle, I decided to add interest by going over the lines.

I embellished with a mix of Die Cut Ephemera, Accessory Stickers, Chipboard Stickers, Wood Buttons, and Puffy Stickers.  I had so much fun deciding what to put where!

For my journaling I used a Pocket Card (which I fussy cut shown in the photo above) and a journaling spot from the Die Cut Ephemera.  I added black machine stitching on them for extra interest and texture.

For my title I used a word from the Die Cut Titles paired with a word from the Chipboard Stickers. I love the two different textures together.

I created a process video which you can watch below.

I hope I’ve inspired you to scrapbook your teens with this stunning collection.

Take care

Melissa xx

You’re Awesome | No Limits Collection | Melissa Vining

Hello, its Melissa here and I’m thrilled to be sharing my first layout created with the gorgeous new ‘No Limits’ collection!! When my 12 year old daughter saw this collection she told me she loved it and I had to create a layout for her with it!  I was so happy to do this and decided to scrap her first day of school photo taken at the beginning of February of this year.

I decided to showcase some of the B sides of the patterned papers, and really wanted to create a rainbow.  My cut file is from Cricut Design Studio.  I selected suitable rainbow colours, which in the case of this collection created a boho rainbow.  The papers I used are ‘Spark’, ‘Latitude’, ‘Nebula’, ‘Stardust’, and ‘Eclipse’.

I used dimensional foam tape behind the thicker bows, and glued the thinner bows directly to the paper.  This provides some dimension and interest.

I used water colour paints applied with my brush after I adhered the bows in matching colours.  I tried to make this appear as random as possible, which is easier said than done!

I kept my embellishing very simple so as to not take away from the photo or the rainbow.  I used ‘Chipboard’, ‘Die Cut Ephemera’, ‘Puffy Stickers’, a ‘Wood Button’ and an ‘Accessory Sticker’.  My title is from the ‘Die Cut Titles’.

I love how this layout turned out!  No Limits should definitely not be limited to just masculine layouts, it works for feminine layouts, and I also think it would work for outdoor adventure pages.

Take care

Melissa xx

Love | Sunkissed Collection | Melissa Vining

Hello everyone, its Melissa here and after weeks of creating Christmas pages I’m so happy to be back creating with the gorgeous Sunkissed collection. In fact it was a recent photo of my two youngest daughters at the beach that inspired a return to creating with this collection!

This month we are focusing on scraplifting ourselves, which is something I love to do when I’m lost for creative flow!  Here is the fun and colourful layout I created.

And here is the original layout that I decided to scrap lift, which I created last year in February using the stunning These Days collection. I didn’t realise that it was created nearly a year ago when I selected it, and I was pleasantly surprised!

The first thing I decided to do was use a cut file, and this one by Paige Evans was perfect!  I backed the letters with papers from the A5 Paper Stack.

I had so much fun recreating this layout with bright and bold colours, and I used Distress Oxides to applied with a small stamping block a more intensional position of ink than the packaging technique. I colour matched the colours of inks with the colours of the papers backing the cut file.

For the positioning of my photo I copied the original layout, and the smaller photo was perfect.  It lets the cut file standout, but still shines as the main feature of the layout!  I embellished with lots of Floral Ephemera, Clear Stickers, gold glitter hearts from the Foam Title Stickers and one Accessory Sticker.

I love how this scraplift turned out, you should definitely try lifting yourself!

Have an awesome week!

Melissa xx

December Daily Days 10-12 | Joyful Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, Its Melissa here and I’m back with you today with three days in my December Daily Traveler’s Notebook.  I’m creating my entire 25 Days of December with the beautiful Joyful collection, and keeping it simple is helping me get through the month.

My first day is Day 10, and for this one I had two photos and associated stories to document.  This part of my homemade notebook has a piece of patterned paper sewn in and plain white paper.  I focused on using one of the “Pocket Cards“.

As always I am distressing all of the edges, and outlining with a journaling pen to provide extra details without dimension.

For this page I embellished with a partial fussy cut floral that I cut from one of the papers in the A5 Paper Stack and I added an Accessory Sticker.

Day 11 only had one photo, so I created a large tag using Feeling Festive and some white cardstock to hold my journaling. I embellished with cute Puffy Stickers.

I love all the cute details on the Advent cut aparts! So perfect for numbering my days.

The big tag was a fun addition to a page that needed to be filled in, and I was inspired by a scrappy friend who recently posted a photo of a TN page with a large tag.  I don’t plan the taking of my photos each day, I just try to capture moments.  Sometimes I forget to take more than one.

Day 12 just happened to be last page of my notebook (I’ll be creating volume 2 next) and had Tis’ the Season as the back cover and white cardstock.  I’ve loved using full page photos, and I size and print them at home. I used an App called Print to Size on my phone, and I print them directly to my printer. I mistakenly purchased matt photo paper and was concerned I wouldn’t like it, but I actually love how it looks.

I loved writing directly onto my photo for this page!  The holly is from the Die Cut Ephemera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Square shaped photos are another of my favourites, and for this one of Brielle with our Christmas Countdown I just had to use the corresponding sticker!  Since the photo shows how many days until the big day I used the space in the sticker to journal.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing three of my pages, I also made a video showing me creating them and it includes a walk through of the previous days!

 

Thanks for looking

Melissa xx

Hey Santa | Joyful Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, Its Melissa here and I’m thrilled to be back with my first post of 2022!  I was very tempted to create another spread for my December Daily Traveller’s Notebook, but instead I decided to create a layout with the beautiful Joyful collection.  This layout is about my 7 year old daughter and her letter to Santa, which she showed him during a visit  in our little town. I backed the cut file with predominantly papers from the A5 Paper Stack.

The lovely cut file is by Confessions of a Paper Addict and is not Christmas themed, however I made it work by adding fussy cut florals from this collection. I also used vellum for the paper in the typewriter.  I printed out “Dear Santa” on my computer with a typewriter font.

For my background I did some ink blending with Distress Oxide inks and an older stencil.  I also used several Chipboard Stickers which I adore!

A large floral cut from Tis the Season was perfect to place on the bottom of my photo to balance all the other florals. I used sparkly glitter paste on all of my fussy cut florals.

The woodgrain paper is from Sunkissed and is called Just Chillin.  It was perfect to look like a desk for the typewritter to sit on.

I made a process video which you can watch below:


Have an awesome January!

Melissa xx

December Daily Days 1 & 2 | Joyful Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, its Melissa here and I’m back to show you the first two days of my December Daily in my handmade Traveller’s Notebook.  As I shared in my last blog post I’m creating my entire notebook with the gorgeous Joyful collection, which is so perfect for my summer photos! We also moved into our new house a month ago so this album will be so special to document new memories in our new town.

My Day 1 is always my kids with their Advent Calendars, and this is a tradition that we all love!  Unfortunately Sam had already gone to school when this photo was taken.  The large photo is of my 12 year old daughter Azaria wrapping gifts at church for our Christmas Boxes that we give to nominated people in our community.  I kept things very simple with small areas of embellishment, and focussing on the photos and journalling.

I cut apart Advent which is perfect for numbering each day.  I distressed the edges and outlined the square with my journaling pen.  I can’t add any bulk or dimension to my album so outlining is a great way to add extra detail. I backed my photo with a paper from the A5 Paper Stack.

Day 2 was a super cute photo of Brielle (7) with her advent calendar and Azaria and I late night shopping.  When I made my Notebook I included a piece of Deck the Halls paper to break up the white pages.  For my large photo I cut a banner from one of the papers from the A5 Paper Stack and outlined it.  I embellished with a fussy cut flower, a Puffy Star from the Puffy Gold Title Stickers, and a phrase from the Accessory Stickers.

The photo of Brielle printed with a small mark on the top of her hair.  I covered this up with a santa hat from the Die Cut Ephemera. It looks so adorable!

For the second page I lined everything up centrally.  I embellished with an ephemera tag and an accessory sticker.  I love how this page looks with the patterned paper as the background.

I hope you enjoyed seeing two of my pages!  I’m looking forward to creating this album now that the pre-Christmas craziness is over!

Take care

Melissa xx

 

My December Daily Traveller’s Notebook | Joyful Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, it’s Melissa here and I’m so excited to be sharing my first project with the beautiful new Joyful Collection!  We’ve recently moved house again and life has been crazy busy.  For my December Daily this year I’ve decided to keep it super simple (well attempt to!) and work with a handmade homemade Traveller’s Notebook.  Joyful is so perfect to document my December and I have everything I need to make a cute TN!

I went through the beautiful papers and just had to make my cover with Tis The Season, the florals are just so gorgeous!! I added a Pocket Card for my title, and hand stitched around the edge of the frame for added texture and interest.  I used some number stickers from my stash for the “25”.

I embellished with a Puffy Star, Accessory Sticker and one of the Die Cut Ephemera.

My first inside pages of my December Daily are always the same, I have our names and ages and oh boy time seems to be flying by!  I’ve been doing this project for 10 years now!!  I used another Pocket Card for my journaling.  I embellished with a tab from the Die Cut Ephemera and some fussy cut flowers from Tis The Season.

My first page is always journaling the reason why I create my album, which is very much inspired by Ali Edwards (the creator of December Daily).  I Used a piece of paper from the A5 Paper Stack which I tied a bow with twine from my stash.  I wrote my journalling on some white card stock and created my title with a phrase from the Puffy Title Stickers.  They are gold and so pretty!

I finished with a tiny Puffy Sticker Christmas tree.  I outlined around all of my pages with black pen, and no its not perfect but thats ok!  I hope you enjoyed seeing the first couple of pages of my December Daily!  I’ll be back later in the month with some more pages that include photos of the days.

Enjoy the season of joy!

Melissa xx

 

 

 

Picture Perfect Moments | These Days Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, It’s Melissa here and I’m so excited to be back sharing a new layout that I created with the gorgeous ‘These Days’ collection!  Lately I’ve seen a trend of layouts created with a central cascading of elements.   I decided to create my take on this trend with a photo of my oldest and youngest kids during our latest lockdown in August 2021.

I absolutely love the patterned paper “Neighbourhood”, the side that is white with black drawn flowers.  I knew that I had to use it as my background.

For my paper layers I used a border strip from “The Good Life”, and torn strips of “Home Grown” and “Wall of Fame”.  I machine stitched them to add extra texture.  Next I adhered my photo on some craft foam for dimension.

I added lots of “Clear Stickers” to build mixed media type layers. I love how they are translucent.

I also added “Die Cut Ephemera” for extra embellishment on either sides of the photo, and I used the beautiful banner for my title. Of course I had to add a gold glitter “Puffy Heart”.

I hope you enjoyed my layout created with this gorgeous collection.

Take care

Melissa xx

These Lovely Days | These Days Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone, it’s Melissa here and I’m so happy to be back with you to share a layout that includes creative journalling!  If you know my style you’ll know that journalling is very important to me, and I include it on pretty much every layout (unless its a title page).  So of course I was thrilled to be assigned this designing prompt!  I decided to document a photo of my three girls at a local beach here in the South of the South Island of New Zealand.  I used the gorgeous ‘Wall of Fame’ paper with all of the darling little fames to contain my journalling.

I started my layout by matting my photo with two papers from the ‘A5 Paper Stack’.  Then I placed craft foam behind it to lift it slightly off the page.  I then decided on my title (using the ‘Foam Title Stickers’) and stuck the photo and title down so that I could work around these larger elements.

I did a little bit of embellishing on my photo with that gorgeous ‘Die Cut Ephemera’ basket of flowers, and some ‘Wood Buttons’.  I think they add to the whimsy of this page!

Next I selected words and phrases from the A5 paper cut apart sheet, ‘Die Cut Ephemera’, ‘Clear Stickers’, and ‘Accessory Sticker’ sheet.  I tried to use as many of these as possible incorporated into my journaling contained within each of the little frames. This was a challenge!

Each frame contains separate journalling that can be read in any order.  But together this journaling talks about the importance of time together as a family, which is definitely something I want my kids to look back on and treasure when they are adults. I finished my page by embellishing with more ‘Clear Stickers’ and ‘Puffy Stickers’.  Less is definitely more with this page because the journalling itself makes this page very busy.

I made a video that you can watch below, and to be honest I was little nervous because I don’t often journal this much as a design feature.

Thanks for reading and watching.  I hope I’ve inspired you to journal lots on a page in a different way!

Take care

Melissa xx

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