Michelle Stokes

This is 12 | Happy Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hey Hey! It’s Michelle back here today with a new layout share for you all using the Happy Days Collection. I was inspired by this months Floral Frenzy Challenge to create something with one of my most loved embellishments – Flowers, which reminded me of a layout I made a few years back. Lets take a peek shall we…

A layout full of colour and florals to celebrate this sweet kids 12th birthday back in 2022, when things were all sunshine and rainbows and we could get a smile out of her for a photo of 2 lol I used a bunch of florals from the Floral ephemera pack, some fussy cut mini florals from the A5 paper stack version of Lush Blooms and a handful of other fun ephemera embellishments to bring it all together.

I added the photos printed in black & white 3inch square size to some of the fun aqua Little Blossom paper layered with some of the brilliant blue floral Definitive paper

Here’s a look back at the original layout, full of florals in all shapes sizes and colours.

I replicated the same floral framing in both the top left and bottom right corners of the layout using a mix of flowers. These can be found in the Floral Ephemera pack and the A5 paper version of Lush Blooms. I mixed in some ephemera pieces, enamel dots, butterflies and accessory stickers using a mix of different adhesives for layering heights of dimension.

I added chipboard stars from the Title stickers pack from the collection and some mini puffy alphas to the journal spot on the bottom cluster to create 1 of 2 titles on the layout. Yep you read that right, 2 titles. Is that even a thing?

The larger title on the layout consists of words from the Chipboard Title Stickers pack, a banner cut from an ephemera piece and some accessory word stickers. The perfect combination for a mixed font title.

Once I had all the pieces adhered in place I splattered the entire floral clusters with gold ink, added some extra gold glitter paint dots to fill in some gaps and called it done.

Here’s a final look at the entire layout..

Well friends thats all from me today. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing this little scraplift of mine. Be sure to check out the other floral frenzy pages shared in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group on Facebook. There’s plenty of inspiration to be found

Thanks so much for stopping by
Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Crazy Little Adventurer | Great Escape | Michelle Stokes

Happy Weekend Crafty friends, it’s Michelle back with you today. I’ve used the Great Escape Collection for this layout to document our crazy little adventurer from a couple years back. Lets get into it..

As you can see I’ve gone fussy cutting mad again, this time with the Flags paper Happy Camper. I spent many nights in front of the TV cutting up that entire page of flags without any idea of how I was going to use them all. Then it hit me, let’s create another wreath / sunburst style type of layout.

I started with a blank piece of white cardstock with a roughly drawn large circle centred in the page and all the flags set out in colour groups ready to go. The easiest way I found to get a good mix of the colours around the circle was to work with each colour individually. Thankfully each flag design/colour had 3 of each so it was easy to place evenly in thirds around the whole thing. I used foam tape to adhere each flag to the background which gives it that little pop of dimension. I added more texture to the layout by sewing all the pieces down using my machine and a straight stitch.

Our Happy yet Crazy Little Adventurer – LOVED this little trike and its a little sad that she no longer fits to ride it around. The speeds she would get up to on this little thing, flying round and round my parents little court.

I ended up cutting the entire circular flag piece off the white background and then adhering it to the bright Horizon paper. I felt this made the wreath pop so much more. Next up I added the photo layered with a piece of A5 paper, then adhered to the left of the wreath using some foam to lift it up.

I created the title using the puffy mini alphabet from the Heart & Home Collection along with the chipboard sticker word from the Chipboard stickers sheet. I layered in some stars and ephemera pieces to create a cluster of sorts to add even more fun to this already chaotic layout.

I added more of the larger stars around the layout to create more embellishment clusters, with a mix of tiny stars, puffy stickers and accessory word stickers scattered around to finish it all off.

I also added the usual splatters of gold ink to tie it all together and called it done.

Here’s one final look at the entire layout..

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

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Happy Days | Throwback Thursday | Michelle Stokes

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

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 Times Ahead | Great Escape Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hey Hey, It’s Michelle back here to kick off another week of creative shares from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team. This week I’ve used the awesome Great Escape Collection to create this star filled explosion of colour to document our sweet little furry kids after a fresh haircut.

To begin I cut into the Happy Camper paper between two of the zigzag lines and adhered them to some white cardstock with a gap between to add all the stars. I cut up an entire sheet of the Star Gazing paper to get the right mix of colours and shapes to fill all that white space. I used both tacky glue and glue dots to adhere them to the layout for different heights of texture.

These 2 little fuzz balls are so hilarious when they have a haircut, its so much fun to look back each time.

I used a piece of the cool woodgrain paper from the A5 paper stack to pop the photo off the layout amongst all the colour.

Love Love Love me some stars, just about as much as I love fussy cut florals, and even though cutting up all that one sheet took so very long, I really love the texture it gives the layout

Theres a couple of accessory word stickers placed around the layout, and a mini cluster of beautiful stars at the bottom of the layout to balance it all out.

 

I created a mixed font title on the layout using the Foam title stickers along with chipboard sticker words. Perfect mix of textures to bring it all together.

I did add the usual splatter of gold ink to finish it all off.

Here’s a final look for you all…

Well friends, thats all from me today. Super short and sweet, just the way I like it.

Thanks so much for stopping by

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Adventure Awaits | Great Escape Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hey Scrappy friends, it’s Michelle here today. I’ve got a brand new layout share for you all using the Great Escape Collection thats inspired by this months Challenge – Scrap about your adventures. I’ve taken a step back in time to when I travelled overseas with my Mum in 2008 and had a magical visit to Times Square in New York. Loved this trip of a lifetime.

As the photo was already quite busy I didn’t want to add too much to the background of the layout or overdo the embellishments, so I’ve kept the background ‘clean’ and only used fussy cut stars from the Star Gazing paper for the main focal points of the embellishment clusters.

I took this photo from the top of a ‘hop on, hop off’ bus as we were touring around the city. This was the first glimpse of the area and it was just so impressive. The noise, the people, the cars. Everything there in that moment was everything you read and see online about New York. Its was magical and hectic all in one.

I backed the photo using the rainbow stripe side of the Journey Paper and layered it with some foam sheet to pop it off the page. I knew I would be using the chipboard pieces at some point so I needed to match the depth of dimension they would create. I added fussy cut stars from the Star Gazing paper to the top right with the addition of the cute mini van ephemera piece

I added more of the Journey Paper to the layout, this time the green tree pattern along the bottom of the layout to act as a landing point for one of the clusters. I added machine stitching along the top edge once all the stars and stickers were in place

To the left of the photo I created a cluster of stars using different forms of adhesive for a layered effect. I did this with all three clusters within the visual triangle. I also added an extra piece of chipboard to the photo along with a sticker and journal tab tucked into the top

To create the title I’ve used the word Adventure from the Chipboard Stickers pack along with my beloved white alphas and some handwritten text for journalling. I love the mixed look this creates. Then lastly I added my usual splatter of gold ink to add interest to all the whitespace surrounding the clusters.

Here’s a final look at the entire layout..

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to check out the main post regarding this months Challenge to see more inspiration on the current task.

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Wild, Fun & Free | Great Escape | Michelle Stokes

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

Let’s Go Explore | Great Escape | Michelle Stokes

Hooley Dooley its February already! Michelle here with you today, sharing something a little different for me using the new Great Escape Collection.

The minute I laid eyes on this awesome collection I immediately thought of all the travel inspired layouts and creations I could make, then I remembered that travel for us has well and truly been on the back burner for quite some time. So why not create a mini book ready for when we are ready to.

I created this mini album in 6×8 size using so many of the fun pattern papers from this collection, with plenty of space to add photos, write down memories and keep all the things we can collect along the way. Think maps, tickets and tags of all kinds. Theres pockets, fold outs and extra clear pages for all the extra photos I’m sure we will add. I’ll add a list of all materials used at the end of the post for those who may want to recreate for your own travel photos.

Once all the pages and pieces were complete, I bound it all together using my Cinch tool ready for our next family adventure.

Be warned, this is a very photo heavy post as it was just too hard to choose a few photos to share.

First up is a pocket with hidden tag for photos, bits n pieces or even a little journalling. Then when you flip the page you come across space for larger photos or even postcards collected along the journey

I added in pieces of notepaper scattered throughout the book to give space for journalling all about the adventures being had

I created a large pocket perfect to hold larger items like folded maps and brochures. This was super easy to create by joining 2 pieces of pattern paper together and sewing along the top and bottom. No need to sew along the edge that needed to be closed as the binding coils help to enclose that end.

I added another clear pocket over the page for another larger photo, which can be moved like all the pages in this album, by opening up the coil and rearranging.

Another funky pocket created by cutting into the paper in line with the design and sewed onto the backing paper using my sewing machine

One of my favourite ways to mix things up in these mini books is by creating different types of pages, this one is a double sided tag with ribbon, reminiscent of a luggage tag

Another fun piece is this flip out page that opens up to showcase multiple photos and journalling together, which would be perfect for extra special moments within the journey

Further into the book theres yet another pocket with some pull out pieces for hidden photos/journalling/ephemera, with the pocket sewn straight onto the pattern paper this time with an opening to the side.

Flipping through theres more places for photos, including a space for some film strip type photos and more journalling.

1 last pocket for the book with a top opening and plenty of space for extra photos/tickets or even receipts from along the journey

Lastly a space on the final page for last thoughts, future trip ideas, extra photos you name it

And a cute little something on the back of the book ready to fill out once its filled up with memories.

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by and persevering through the enormous amount of photos I had to share of this fun mini book. If you happen to make your own version, please be sure to share it with us in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Facebook Community Group as I’d love to see it. Hopefully yours might contain the memories its made for and not sitting patiently waiting for that trip to be booked lol

Until next time, Happy crafting!
Michelle x

PS. Heres whats left of the products I used, with a few extra paper scraps not shown.

Materials & Tools
Great Escape Collection
– 12×12 papers – 1 of each pattern
– A5 paper stack – 4 patterns, 1 of each
– Die Cut Ephemera Pack
– Accessory Sticker sheet
– Foam Title Stickers
– Puffy Stickers

Cinch Machine with Blue binding coil
Sewing Machine with white thread
6×8 clear pocket pages cut in half
White ribbon
Tiny Attacher
Glue Dots
Double sided foam adhesive

Christmas Gift | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hey Everyone, it’s Michelle back here today. I hope that you’ve all had a super fun, relaxing and loving time over the past few weeks and are ready to get back into crafting, just like I am. Todays crafty share is a super quick way to pretty up a printed gift voucher, ready for passing on to loved ones for any occasion. I’ve made a few in the last couple of years as I like adding a personal touch to our gifts, with this one made from the Heart & Home collection.

I started by printing the voucher on some A4 paper, then trimmed it down to fit onto a 12x9inch piece of pattern paper. For this I chose the rainbow stripe paper (HARVEST) as it gave a festive feel.  I adhered the voucher lightly to the pattern paper and added machine stitching to keep it in place. This meant that the voucher can be torn off the backing paper when its needed.

I folded the pieces together to create an ‘envelope’ and wrapped a second smaller piece of pattern paper (GOLDEN FIELDS) around this to hold it all closed. This smaller piece was perfect to layer up embellishments to make it look pretty.

I wrapped some plain twine around once and attached some Christmas tags that I had on the table from wrapping presents, and combined these with a large floral piece cut from the BOUNTIFUL paper, a sticker from the Accessory sticker sheet, mini alphas from many many years back and a sweet little puffy green heart.

Here’s a closer look

And that my friends, is how you make a boring printed voucher look a little less boring lol

It was a very well received gift, and I can’t wait to hear what the venue says to the recipients about this one.

Thanks so much for stopping by for my short and sweet creation today. Be sure to keep an eye on the blog over the following weeks for all kinds of NEW inspiration with our brand new Collection – Great Escape. I know I cant wait to dive into the box and create something magical.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

 

Favourites of 2023 | Michelle Stokes

Hey Crafty friends, its Michelle here today with a look back at my favourite layouts created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio this past year. I think in total I’ve made 30+ creations using the wonderful collections of CVS this year, so it was a little tricky to narrow it down to just a few favourites, but here we go..

Lets begin with this magical village creation from March using These Days Collection
I loved creating the rows of houses to build a village. All fussy cut from the Neighbourhood paper. SO much fun!

Next up was this beauty, created back in February  using the Sunkissed Collection and inspired by that months Mood Board Challenge. The bright colours of this collection are still by far my most favourite of all time.

Another rainbow assortment of patterns and colour created in June using the Happy Days Collection. Love me some colour blocking (if thats what you call it) on a layout. Love how this all came together in one magical colour explosion

Lastly one of my more recent layouts in November using the Heart & Home Collection and our sweet fur babies. Another rainbow assortment of patterns and colour, but a little less in your face. The perfect mix of pattern and florals with a mixed font title to finish it off.

Well friends thats all from me today. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my favourites from the past year, let me know in the comments which one was your fave from the many I’ve shared with you all.

Until next time, Have a safe and fun end to the festive season, and Best Wishes to you for an even happier New Year. Thanks for all the love throughout the years, can’t wait to see what collections we get to play with next year!

Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

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