Michelle Stokes

Christmas Cheer | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Hello, Michelle here with you today to share a super quick layout featuring the Heart & Home Collection. This Christmas creation came together using elements from the Collection that are just the right shades and patterns to pass as a Christmas Collection.

I’ve documented a photo of our House Elf Twinkle as I am running low on festive photos. I generally live in the moment at Christmas time and forget to pick up the camera.

I kept the background super simple and just layered some pattern paper strips together to create a base for the photo, with the addition of some string wrapped around them to hang a cluster of embellishments from. As there were no pattern/ colour clashes with the photo and collection used I was able to print it in colour at roughly 3.5×4.5 size. I adhered it straight to the paper stack using foam for slight dimension.

I added cut apart pieces to the photo and the large cluster to the left of photo, then created bunches of floral pieces in 3 separate clusters around the top half of the photo/ paper layer stack.

The florals and leaf stems are perfect colours for Christmas Scrapping, without using the traditional style of christmas products. These colours together represent a soft Christmas themed palette compared to the brighter more traditional colours.

Once I added the tag to the twine I tied it up in a bow and added tiny glue spots to keep the strings in formation

I created the title using some of my beloved white alpha stickers from years ago, altering them with some glitter glue for a touch of sparkle, plus some mini alpha stickers and handwriting for a more personal touch

Lastly I splattered the entire layout with gold ink and called it done. Heres a final look at the entire layout…

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

I hope you all have a magical festive season with your loved ones, and that you can squeeze in a little crafty time here and there.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Thankful | Heart & Home | Michelle Stokes

Hello Hello, Its Michelle back here today with a new layout share featuring our Beautiful Heart & Home Collection. For todays layout I thought I’d create something with our furry family members Daisy & Sonny, so a mixed pattern/colour combination it was.

I began by cutting into the magical A5 Paper stack that just keeps on giving to create squares in 2.5, 3 & 3.5 inch sizes to create a mixed “grid” effect on the background. I distressed the edges and adhered to the cardstock using foam for a little dimension and texture. As someone who doesn’t use much mixed media, I use other techniques to give layouts character as I just can’t handle the flatness without it.

I printed the photos of our sweet furry family members in colour and adhered them to some of the woodgrain pattern paper from the A5 paper stack. I added a little more texture by tearing along the bottom edge. These sweet little pups are so very loved in this house, but that sticker bottom right sums them up well. They’re both completely nuts lol

Before I added any of the embellishments I created the title using a word from the Gold Foil Title pack, handwriting and a mini cut apart piece from the A5 version of the Gather paper.

And then created a fussy cut florals cluster using the A5 version of the BOUNTIFUL paper. I layered the different pieces with my usual adhesives – double sided foam tape and tacky glue. I created mini clusters all over the page using similar elements in each as seen in the next couple of close ups…

Once I felt all the clusters were complete I added in tiny florals, mini puffy hearts, gold ink platters and dots

Here’s a final look at the whole layout

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

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Family | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Hello! It’s Michelle back today with another fun layout share using out beautiful Heart & Home Collection. I went with a rainbow assortment of pattern paper strips and some sweet family snaps. Kinda running low on photos to share these days, but I’m hoping the next few months of family celebrations will bring some fresh new snaps.

Now I’ll warn you, this post is very heavy in the photos, just not so much in the words. But sit back, relax with a drink and check out my newest creation..

I used almost all of the full colour pattern papers from the collection with a mix of multi colour papers and the typewriter text. I cut 2 strips from each piece that are roughly 1 inch wide, and left them all at different lengths to overlap at random heights in a blended colour order across the white background. I had intentions of sewing through the strips, but when creating late at night I tend to go off track from where I start.

Next up I gathered a few recent family snaps and printed them out in 2×2 and 2×2.5 inch size to back the cute frames from the ephemera pack and the cut apart frame from the GATHER paper. I used pieces of foam between the frame and the photo to make them look a little more realistic then adhered across the layout using more foam for dimension.

I layered in different forms of embellishments around the frames to add extra pops of interest, using a good mix of ephemera, fussy cut pieces, enamel shapes and accessory stickers

I added the Happy List from the GATHER paper which is perfect for adding our family list of loves at this present time. We certainly love our share of naughty foods, long car rides around our greater region of beaches and lots and lots of laughter

I added a loose string across the tops of the frames to make them look like they are strung across the layout. Mixing fibres like these is a good way to add a little texture to the layout.

Super cute photo of Leila and the doggo’s. No way they would sit this still ever again lol this must have been a fluke

I added the title to the bottom of the layout using the word FAMILY from the Ephemera pack along with the banner strip underneath. I used foam under these to pop them off the page giving more dimension to the bottom of the layout. Then I added the word sentiments from the accessory sticker sheet that work perfectly together in the area above the title.

Lastly I added a splattering of gold ink, some gold glittery splotches that dry like enamel dots, some tiny little fussy cut florals and then called it complete.

So many layers with all these strips gives so much texture to the layout which is a tick in my book.

Here’s a final look at the entire layout

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. Short and sweet with the words along with a total photo overload. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing this creation today, just as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

 

Beautiful You | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Hello! It’s Michelle back here today with a new layout share featuring the Beautiful Heart & Home Collection. For this layout I set myself a challenge to only use the florals with the floral ephemera pack and a multitude of pattern papers in a circular design. Lets take a look at how I went

I started off by punching circles with a hand punch out of 12 different pattern papers, mostly from the A5 paper stack with a couple of 12×12. I arranged them in a circular design on the white cardstock background, which was giving me clock face vibes, just without the numbers. Each piece had the edge distressed for a little texture before adhering with foam tape to give dimension.

I actually worked backwards in my process from here on out, creating the title cluster first before adhering a photo to the page

For this cluster I used the word Beautiful from the Gold Foil Title that is adhered using foam for a little extra pop, some mini puffy alphas that I used in 1 colour only, some florals from the floral ephemera pack, and fussy cut pieces from the printed vellum and Bountiful paper.

Next up I created this large cluster of florals, ephemera and vellum using both foam and sticky dots for different heights of layers and dimension.

I created the other large cluster on the left side of the layout using similar elements to the other groups to keep things cohesive and balanced, then added the photo to the right.

I printed the photo in 3x3inch size and adhered to a piece of the woodgrain paper from this collection and adhered to the layout using foam to raise it off the background, enabling me to layer within the clustered pieces. It’s an older photo of Leila that I’m sure I’ve used and shared before, but its too sweet to not share again.

Here’s a photo that shows the dimension achieved using different forms of adhesives like foam tape, foam sheets and glue dots.

I added some mini puffy enamel shapes around the clusters, sprinkled some gold ink and dotted some sparkly gold dots here and there with a trusty new mixed media product I purchased at a recent craft show. I added the same medium to some of the florals for a little more sparkle.

Here’s a final look at the whole layout

Really happy with how this came together as I didn’t have a solid plan, just went with the flow and was content with the process.

Well scrappy friends, thats all from me today. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

 

Mad as a Hatter | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Hello! It’s Michelle back here again with a new layout share using the newest Collection – Heart & Home. The colours within this collection reminded me of a photo I took recently of Leila for her last Book Week of Primary School so I thought what better moment to document than this one.

I started with a cut file design from CUT to YOU  that I’ve cut out using white cardstock and backed with pattern papers from the A5 paper stack. I used a different pattern in each of the stars, then mixed them up for the strips that shoot out between. I backed the main square with the woodgrain pattern and adhered the cut file piece to the cardstock using double sided foam tape to lift it off the background. I added a splattering of gold ink all over before finishing the page as I wanted to build the remaining embellishments around the splotches

Leila dressed up as the Mad Hatter for her final Book Week parade, and after all the effort we put into her costume, I’m happy to say she won for her class. Yay! We op shopped for most of her outfit items and spent more than we needed to on all the finishing pieces. I created a tea party cake stack with some hat boxes, a tea set and my hot glue gun, sewed a wig onto a top hat and created a sashing of threads. She had a great day, and had lots of compliments for her crazy costume.

I added the photo directly to the cut file piece without adding paper layers below as I felt there was already so much going on in the background. I wanted it to stand out amongst all the colour behind it so I raised it up a little with a piece of foam sheet and layered the ephemera pieces to the top corner.

I added another floral ephemera piece to the bottom , and another to the right of the layout to create a visual triangle of sorts.

I used the negative star pieces from the main cut file to add a little detail to the blank white space around the cut file, mixed in amongst the gold splatters with a couple of accessory stickers, ephemera pieces and puffy shapes

On the larger star of the cut file I added a mini title using the Mini Puffy Alphas. These are the perfect size for creating secondary titles on layouts as they’re not too big to distract from the main title

Which then makes way for the large title using my beloved white Alphabet stickers from quite a few years back. I added machine stitching over the top to ensure they stay adhered for many years to come, but also adds a little extra detail to the layout.

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

Well friends thats all from me today, I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my newest creation using the Heart & Home Collection.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping
Michelle x

Celebrate You | Heart & Home Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Scrappy Friends! It’s Michelle back here with some more inspiration to share with you all. I’ve made another layout using the beautiful Heart & Home collection, with yet another bunch of fussy cut florals, perfect for documenting some happy snaps from my Mums recent 70th birthday Celebration.

I had a few photos I wanted to add to this layout so I created a couple of strips in the pic collage app on my phone using the freestyle layout option. I printed them out on a 4×6 size piece of photo paper then trimmed to size. I added both strips to a piece of green print paper from the A5 paper stack and sat them to the side so I could create the floral clusters.

First cluster is up the top right of the layout using pretty florals from both the 12×12 BOUNTIFUL paper, ephemera pieces and the specialty printed vellum. I layered all pieces individually with foam tape for dimension, and glued the tiny flowers on using tacky glue.

I added some accessory stickers to the mix along with mini puffy alphas for a mini title. They really are a cute addition to any layout.

I’ve used more florals from the BOUNTIFUL paper in the larger cluster on the bottom left of the layout with the same mix of ephemera, stickers and vellum to complete the layers. Once I felt this cluster had enough bits n bobs I added the photo strips over the right side using additional foam pieces to prop them up

I created the larger title using GOLD FOIL title words and some handwritten journalling underneath. I haven’t added this simple touch to many of my layouts recently, but when I have its really felt complete.

Lastly I added a sprinkling of gold ink around the layout with a few puffy dots and hearts then called it a day. Here’s a final look at the entire layout below..

 

Well thats all from me today, a short but sweet layout share for you all. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing another floral frenzy creation of mine.

Thanks so much for stopping by

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Family Day Out | Happy Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hey Scrappy friends! It’s Michelle here today with a new layout share for you all. I think this might be the last I share with the amazing Happy Days Collection for a little while as I just received a fresh box of the NEW collection Heart & Home and oh my is it stunning. But first, lets take a walk through this fun creation.

We recently had a family celebration of 50 years marriage for my partners parents, and what better way to celebrate than a family day out on a steam train ride. The kids (both young and old) all had the best fun hanging their heads out the windows as we rolled along the seaside

I had a couple of photos that I wanted to use to document this special occasion, so I thought a “rough” grid design would work for the base with lots of layers and different sized squares of pattern papers. I used a mix of both 12×12 and A5 pattern papers from the collection and cut them into 4×4, 3×3 & 2×2 inch size pieces to layer together. I added machine stitching around the edges for extra detail and left the strings loose for extra texture on the page.

I grouped photos together and layered one over the top of the other to continue the layered effect I was going for with the pattern paper

I added pieces of ephemera, accessory word stickers, chipboard pieces and puffy stickers/heart to the photo stacks to create interest in these areas

I created my usual floral clusters diagonally across from each other by fussy cutting florals from both 12×12 & A5 sizes of the LUSH BLOOMS paper then grouping them together with cut apart pieces from the FEEL GOOD paper

To create the title I’ve mixed letters from the CHIPBOARD TITLES pack to create my own words, and added a words strip from the FEEL GOOD paper above.

Lastly I added a few splatters of gold ink and some tiny puffy stickers in both hearts and dots to finish off the layout

I’m really happy with how quickly it all came together, with the fussy cutting being the most time consuming process of it all.

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by! Can’t wait to see the new collection start appearing online within the next couple of weeks, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for inspiration from the team in the coming days.

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!

Michelle x

My Birthday | Happy Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Hello, It’s Michelle back here today with a new layout share for you all using the Happy Days Collection. I went bold with my pattern paper choice for the background of this one and let the rainbow paint strokes of the Sunshine Lollipops paper shine.

I chose a large cut file design from the CUT to YOU store to use as part of the background design, and it almost became part of the title for the layout. I’ve documented a happy family snap from my birthday a few weeks back, but as it was a ‘quiet’ dinner with family I didn’t think YAY YAY HAPPY WOO TIME was the best option to use, although it does sound quite funny.

I adhered the cutfile to the background using foam tape, giving the design a slight 3d effect.

I printed the photo in black and white so that there was no colour clashing with the background paper and used the frame from the ephemera pack to use as a layering element for this stack. I added fussy cut florals from the A5 paper stack in colour blocked groups according to the direction of colours on the background paper

In the top right corner I added a cluster of ephemera pieces and fussy cut florals from the LUSH BLOOMS paper that blended with the top of the background paper

And then created a second cluster in the bottom left with more ephemera, florals and fussy cut pieces. I added the title ‘My Birthday’ to the journal card using the mini puffy alphas from this collection. So cute and colourful, and so many options for mini titles.

Heres another look at the entire layout, including my usual sprinkling of gold ink to finish it all off. I’m really happy with how colourful this layout turned out, it came together quite quickly which is the best way to create a layout. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of using this collection. It’s bright happy colours and patterns are the absolute best!

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. Be sure to keep sharing all your amazing creations with us in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community Group on Facebook, we love to see what you all make!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Happy Days | Happy Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hey Crafty friends it’s Michelle here today. I’ve created a layout using the wonderful Happy Days Collection for part of my annual scrapbooking series documenting my daughters current loves.. To keep a cohesive look to this project I make all the pages in the same design, just switching out the collections to suit the feelings of that year. Leila allowed the use of pink for this years layout, which is a big thing compared to the previous years.. Lets take a look

The bonus of creating one of these layouts each year is that it comes together so fast. The design of the layout is already pre-decided, I just need to select the papers, cut them to size, machine stitch around the edges and adhere to the layout. This years layout features pretty papers from the A5 paper stack as the smaller scale print works well when combined together with multiple patterns. Each square is cut to roughly 3 3/4 inch and set around the edges of the layout with white space in the opposite diagonal corners.

I added a 3×5 size photo to another A5 pattern paper and adhered to the middle right side of the layout, overlapping some of the background pattern papers. I added the list of favourites to the left of the photo using a piece of notepaper adhered to some pattern paper to create a ‘clipboard’. I used ephemera pieces to create the title and my own handwriting to write the list of loves

I add minimal embellishments to these layouts as I really want the list of faves to stand out with each one I create. For this layout I made 2 main embellishment clusters in the top and bottom corners, diagonally across from each other. Both contain fussy cut florals from the LUSH BLOOMS paper, ephemera pieces, butterflies from the FLUTTERBY paper, punched mini flowers and some mini puffy stickers.

Theres also a couple of punched flowers in the same pattern paper as the bottom left corner, just for a little hidden dimension

Heres a final look at the entire layout, plus a link to last years post that shares all the previous years layouts can be found  HERE ..

I really enjoy creating these pages each year, and look forward to seeing them evolve each and every year. Theres a couple of years that I want to go back and create pages for that were before the times I started this project so I hope to share those with you all one day in the future. Do you document your kids favourite things each year? Please share in the Community group if you do, we all love to see different ideas on how people document these kinds of things, and It really is fun to look back on

Well thats all from me today, thank you so much for stopping by!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

Good Vibes | Happy Days Collection | Michelle Stokes

Hello Crafty friends, it’s Michelle back here today. I’ve got a colourful new layout to share with you all that features our AMAZING new collection – Happy Days. Abso-freakin-lutely LOVING the rainbow assortment of pattern papers within this collection, so much so that I created a magical colour block creation. There’s plenty of embellishments to create this kind of layout, and I hope you all try it too! Lets take a look …

I started with pretty pattern paper squares from the A5 paper stack, each with added machine stitching around the edges. I adhered each piece using some foam for slight dimension and placed them in rainbow order around the outer edges of the cardstock background.

I used a couple of sweet ‘cool kid’ photos of Leila from a few years back, printed in black and white to ensure no colour clashing. Looking back on these photos I realised they’re from when we first moved into our house, before Leila started school. Hard to believe that this is her final year of Primary School and this ‘cool kid’ will be a teenager in 6 months time. Yikes!

Back to the crafty process.. Each colour block has embellishments to match. There’s florals fussy cut from the Lush Blooms paper, butterflies from the Flutterby paper, cut apart pieces from the Feel Good paper, punched shapes from other matching pattern papers from the collection, stickers from the Accessory Sticker Sheet and tiny Puffy stickers

I fussy cut the words GOOD VIBES from the Definitive paper for the title, as there’s always good vibes when this cute kid is involved.

I added a journal card from the A5 paper version of the Feel Good paper to list a few of the things that made Leila happy at that stage of her life. It stretched the memory to think of them all, thank heavens for the ridiculous amount of photos I took back then to help jog the memory.

I gave the entire layout a good splattering of gold ink to finish it all off and am really happy with the end result.

Here’s a closer look at the dimension of all those bits n bobs around the page, don’t know what I’d do without my beloved sticky dots and foam tape when creating. They definitely help give embellishments a pop off the page

Here’s a final look at the final colourful creation..

Well thats all from me today, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing this magical rainbow creation, just as much as I loved making it. If you make your own version, please share with us in the CVS Facebook Community Group, I’d love to see!

Until next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle x

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