Hi Everyone, welcome back to the Cocoa Vanilla blog, it’s Kel here today to share a page using the Happy Days collection with you. I LOVE the bright colours of this collection, they make me so happy.
For todays layout I decided to pull out some watercolours and create my own background..here is my page…
I created a diamond type shape with the watercolour in a magenta colour found in the collection for the base of my photo and added some splatters in yellow.
For my photo I added some paper layers from the a5 paper stack as well as some black cardstock to help my photo pop. Next I created a cluster above my photo creating a tag, a frame from the Ephemera packand a sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet.
I felt that the cluster needed something else so I cut a sun out from the ‘Feel Good’ paper and added some hand stitched rays..
Before sticking my photo down I added some quaze to add texture to the layout..
I pulled out the Chipboard Titles for my page title and placed them directly under my photo.. and added a rainbow from the Ephemera pack underneath..
My finishing touches was to add some stamping around the page, I love the black contrast with the watercolour..
I hope you have found some inspiration today and are using your Cocoa Vanilla collections up!
Welcome back to the Cocoa Vanilla blog everyone, it’s Kel here today to share my next layout using the Happy Days collection.
I decided I wanted to limit my colour choices to the magenta, yellow and aqua colours in the collection and this is what I came up with… I just LOVE this colour palette..
To start my page, I traced some circles in different sizes onto my background using a black permanent marker, then coloured them in using some watercolour. Next, I added some stamping in circular shapes in corresponding colours to help fill in my background.
To keep with the circular elements of my background, I cut my photo into a circle and backed it onto another circle using the Feel Goodpaper. I also cut some circles out of the Feel Good, Little Blossom and Flutterby papers to help fill out the background.
Next, I worked on my title. I used the ‘Hello’ banner flag from the Ephemera pack and some of the Chipboard Title Stickers.The word ‘girl’ didnt come as a word in the pack so I just made my own word with the letters on offer.
Next came the fun part of embellishing! On the right side of my photo I used the two pinwheels from the Ephemera Pack and also the sun which I layered under the ‘Hello’ flag.
To the left of my photo I used some of the florals that I cut from the ‘Lush Blooms’paper. I also used some of the tiny florals that I cut from the A5 Paper Stackto scatter across my page. I also created a small cluster of the florals to the right side of my page.
I love the phrase stickers found on the Accessory Sticker Sheet and I used some of them under my photo and on the right side of my page.
I still felt my page need more so I used some of the butterflies from the Ephemera packand some which I cut from the Flutterby paper..one next to my florals on the left, and a few ‘flying’ up the right side. I love to use dimensional foam under these to help them pop off the page.
Lastly, I used some of the Puffy Stickers to finish off any gaps, and stamped some black hearts to co-ordinate with my black and white photo and the black in the title…this helps make the colours on the page stand out.
Thanks for stopping by today and you feel inspired.
Today I have a page to share that features ‘watercolour’…this was my DT assignment, and I wont lie by saying I felt confident with this task. If you know my work, you know I’m not a huge user of mixed media. I love the look of it, but Im not confident but I gave it my best shot. Here is my page..
What I decided to do was use watercolour in a controlled way. I started with watering down some distress oxides in co-ordinating colours to the ‘Happy Days‘ collection, then I pulled out some alpha stamps from my stash. I used a paintbrush to paint on the colour onto my ink pads then stamped out some words onto white cardstock. Here is what it looks like close up..
I love the look of the words, they add a really unique look to my page. I used the paper ‘Flutterby’as my main paper and layed it on top of a full 12×12 of the ‘Rainbow Bright’paper. Next, i ripped down from the middle of the ‘Flutterby’ paper and added some of the ‘Little Blossompaper to the inside of the paper to add contrast.
Next, I started on my photo. I added a white border to my photo, then added a layer of the ‘Little Blossom’paper and a layer of the ‘Feel Good’ paper. I then used one of the frame die-cuts (from the ephemera pack) cut in half to add to each side of my photo, and a label tab above my photo. I added some dimensional foam behind my photo to add dimension.
Now that I had my photo in place I decided to get my title in place. I used a label sticker from the ‘Accessory Sticker Sheet’ and some of the ‘Mini Puffy Alphabet’ stickers for the word ‘Choose’ then the word ‘Happy’ from the Die-Cut Ephemera. I added some yellow distress oxide under my title to make it pop and used some of the ‘Puffy Sticker’ hearts around it. At the bottom of the page I added some rainbows from the ‘Feel Good’ paper.
To finish off my page I added some more heart ‘Puffy Stickers’above my photo and added some white ink splatters.
I hope you are inspired to create, and that you might try this watercolour technique or something similar …even if it is outside your comfort zone!
Hi everyone, it’s Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project with you. This month we are focusing on the reason we all scrapbook, and that is telling stories. For today’s layout I decided to document the story of my son and his friend. These two have known each other since they were babies, and it is so lovely to see that their friendship has lasted. I decided to use the gorgeous Storyteller collection for my page, and kept my photo black and white so that it wouldn’t clash with any of the colours of the collection.
I began my layout by creating a mixed media background, using a combination of pale peach acrylic paint and ‘Prize Ribbon’ Distress Oxide ink. I applied the acrylic paint with a brayer over an area approximately half of my page, leaving a white border around the edge. I really love the effect the brayer creates, and it also helps the paint to dry fast because the coat is so thin. On the other half of the page I applied the Distress Oxide by mixing it with water and using a wide brush, before setting it aside to dry. I love the contrast using two different mediums give the page – both from the colours and the effect of the different techniques.
Whilst my background was drying, I turned my attention to the paper component of my page. I cut a piece of the vibrant Oh My Heart paper to sit horizontally across my page where the paint and ink met. This provided separation between the lighter colour at the top and the darker colour at the bottom. I also added a very thin strip of the green pattern on the the reverse of the Fly Away paper behind where I planned to sit my photo. My photo was matted with a blue paper from the A5 Paper Stack, and I also tucked in a small yellow doily and some frayed gauze underneath it. In the top right corner of my photo I added the so happy banner sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet.
Alongside my photo, I added one of the Pocket Cards which featured a coordinating strip of coloured hearts, and I used my typewriter to add my journalling to it. I then topped the card with the the story behind the photo die cut from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, which was mounted on some foam tape to help it stand out. Along the bottom edge of the card I added another die cut, this time a small banner which read happy little moments, that was also mounted on some foam tape. A Wood Epoxy Button with a sweet little camera completed my cluster on that side of the page.
Near the top edge of the page along the border of my paint, I added a second strip of the Oh My Heart paper, which I used as the anchor for another embellishment cluster. This one featured two die cuts – a camera and a floral piece, which were both adhered using foam tape. I also added another Wood Epoxy Button, this time the smaller size, over the lens of the camera. Alongside that was the noteworthy banner piece from the Chipboard Stickers sheet.
Below my photo I added yet another piece from the ephemera pack – a beautiful strip of bunting which provided a lovely underscore for my photo. This was also popped up on foam tape to ensure it sat up at the same height as my photo.
At the bottom of the page I added the words So Sweet from the Foam Title Stickers pack to form my page title, and a small foam heart from the same pack nearby. I finished embellishing my page by adding three butterflies from the ephemera pack and then last of all I added some small black ink splatters to tie it all together.
I am so happy I documented this story of friendship for my son and I know this layout will mean so much more to him with my words included on it than if it was just another pretty page. I know we can all be guilty of not including enough journalling on our layouts from time to time, so hope you are feeling inspired to get a story told on your next page.
If you’d like to see exactly how this page came together you can watch my process video:
Hi everyone, it’s Sue here to share my latest design team project with you. Today I am sharing my take on the “school” theme that we have been focusing on for the past few days. For my layout, I decided to document a photo of one of my boys with the academic award he received at the end of last year. This was the first time he had ever received an award like this, and it was a very big deal for him (and only came after a big attitude adjustment and a lot of hard work). I knew the ‘Boys Rule’ collection would be perfect to coordinate with the colours of my photo.
I began this layout with the printed backing sheet from the Large Die Cut and Backing Kit. I had already used the die cut top piece in a separate project, so I had this left over in my stash. I was drawn to use it because of the blackboard style print, with the doodled chalk border around the edge. As I only wanted to use the border part for my background, I cut the centre from the page and kept it aside for some fussy cutting later. I then got to work on some white cardstock that I had cut down to measure 10.5×10.5″.
I added colour to my background by swiping an ink pad to create vertical stripes on the page, then used a wide brush dipped in water to blend the ink out. I then used a stencil with a random spot pattern and grey ink to layer detail over the top.
For my paper layers, I used a combination that included the star print Happy Go Lucky; Expressionist; and a fabulous pop of green from the Straight & Narrow. I used torn edges and frayed gauze to add texture to the page.
When it came to embellishments, I used pieces (tag, label, frame) from the Die Cut Ephemera and Miscellany packs; as well as some stars that I fussy cut from the backing sheet I had begun my layout with.
I used an arrow from the Chipboard Pieces pack to help draw attention to my photo; and added a metallic touch by using some staples around the page. My title was a combination of the die cut word kid from the ephemera pack combined with awesome cut from the cut apart paper.
I used the Clear Stickers to scatter some phrases around the page, and three black crosses from the sheet too. I stamped a little extra detail on the background using a stamp with a random circles and dots pattern (similar to the stencil pattern) and finished off by stamping the date.
I am really happy with how this layout came together, and I hope I have given you some inspiration to create your own page to document some of those school photos, or even just a boy layout.
If you would like to watch me put this one together, I have a process video available:
Hi everyone, it’s Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project using the amazing ‘Daydream’ collection. If you haven’t had a chance to create with this range yet, then do yourself a favour and make sure you check with your favourite retailer to see if they have it in stock – it is so gorgeous!
For this page, I decided to document a photo that I took a few months ago when some of my family got together to celebrate my boys 8th birthday. I began with a sheet of white cardstock and used inks to add some subtle layered watercolour detail to the background.
Next, I layered some pieces of the Sun Shower; All Aflutter; Stepping Stones; and Up in the Clouds papers to form the mat for my photo. I then added some frayed gauze for texture and some scrap cardboard under my photo to pop it up from the page.
Once I had the photo in place it was time for some embellishments. I had the gorgeous floral print Garden Variety paper and my scissors at the ready to get cutting. I fussy cut several larger floral pieces and a few loose flowers, then tucked them in amongst the different paper layers around my photo. To give the flowers extra dimension, I bent up some of the petals and leaves, and used foam tape under some of the pieces.
To the left of my photo I added the flair button which read the good life from the Flair Button pack and a small blue heart from the Die Cut Ephemera pack directly onto the edge of my photo.
I couldn’t resist adding one of the adorable Puffy Hearts to my page, so I tucked a green one in amongst the flowers above my photo, which coordinated perfectly with where the green ink was on the background.
I created a small cluster in the top right corner of my photo using a few small stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet, then added a butterfly from the Die Cut Ephemera pack nearby.
I chose the words family time from the Die Cut Titles pack for my page title and completed my title cluster with a die cut rainbow and heart.
As a finishing touch I scattered a few sequins around the page from the Sequins and Flowers pack and a little handwritten journalling.
I will be back again with another share in two weeks time. Until then, happy scrapping!
Hello and happy Thursday!! Its Melissa here and I’m so excited to be here with you for a ‘Throw Back Thursday’ where we use an older collection! I’ve been patiently waiting my turn for this, and I’ve always known that I’d create with the gorgeous Make a Wish collection, which reminds me of when I first fell in love with Cocoa Vanilla Studio.
I decided to make a birthday layout with the pieces of this collection that I have left, and if I’m honest have been hoarding! Brielle turned 6 during our Lockdown, and we still tried to make it a fun day for her.
For my layout I was inspired by this cut apart with beautiful paint stripes that I recreated on my background with watercolour paint. I added several splatters too for extra interest, and because I couldn’t help myself!
I used a cut file around my photo to bridge the gap between the stunning floral patterned paper and the paint stripes. I then embellished on the cut file.
I used the chipboard “YAY” for my title with a 6! from my letter and number sticker stash. I also added a little cluster on the bottom right of my page to provide balance.
I loved adding dimension to this page by using dimensional adhesive behind my floral clusters. I added sparkle with the shimmery hearts from a mixed embellishment pack and some glittery enamel dots, also from the collection.
You can watch how I put this layout together below in my process video.
Hi everyone! It’s Sue here to share my latest design team project with you. Today I am sharing a 12×12″ layout I created featuring the beautiful ‘Unforgettable’ collection and some recent photos of my daughter at the beach. As my daughter gets older (she’s now 12), I am finding it increasingly difficult to get photos of her, as she doesn’t enjoy posing for me as much as she used to. (Unless she is dressed up in a costume, but that’s a whole other story!) So you can imagine my delight when I managed to capture these photos of her, and I couldn’t wait to scrap them.
I chose to use the ‘Unforgettable’ collection because I just can’t pass up the chance to create something gorgeous and girly whenever I have the chance. I began my page with one of my favourite papers from the collection – the fabulous aqua diagonal stripe print on the reverse of the Sprightly paper. Instead of keeping the sheet as a whole, I decided to add some extra interest by cutting off a strip along the left edge and flipping it over to reveal the abstract watercolour pattern on the other side. Before re-joining the two, I also added a narrow strip of the Unscripted paper between them. I also distressed the edges of the joins slightly to add some extra texture.
With my page base constructed, it was then time to create a focal area for my layout. I layered several smaller pieces of paper (Sprightly; Garland; and Pretty Bits) to form a mat for my photos, adding some cardboard behind the left photo to lift it up a little higher than the other. Then it was time to play with some pretties!
I decided on three main embellishment clusters placed in the bottom left, top right and bottom right corners of my photo mat. Beginning with the top right cluster, I used a die cut circular frame and a large floral piece from the Die Cut Ephemera pack as the anchors for the cluster. It was at this point that I realised I really needed to draw in the stunning blue colour of the water in my photos. Unfortunately, this colour didn’t feature in the collection so I had to come up with another solution. I found a small floral cut file called Flower Bunch (designed by Paige Evans) that I had cut previously, and coloured it using watercolour paints.
Once dry, I cut it into three pieces so that I could use a portion of it in each cluster. I tucked the largest of the three pieces in underneath the die cuts I had started my first cluster with. I then added two smaller die cut flowers; and a small tab and phrase from the Accessory Sticker sheet. I then finished the cluster with a beautiful die cut butterfly.
For my second cluster in the bottom left corner, I again used a large die cut floral piece from the ephemera pack combined with another section of the painted cut file. In behind the floral piece I tucked a pretty little tag (also from the ephemera pack), which I tied with a little twine. I then added the little moments labelled arrow, which I popped up with little foam tape to give it some dimension.
My third and final cluster was to be my title cluster. I had already picked out the living the dream die cut from the ephemera pack for my title piece (it was an easy choice – just look at that beach on a perfect Queensland winter day). I added another die cut flower and leafy branch, as well as the remainder of the painted cut file. I used foam tape under the title, which allowed me enough room to add a watercolour style Clear Sticker under the edge.
I finished off with a small die cut heart alongside my title cluster and then some tiny splatters of blue ink scattered around my page.
Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to get some supplies out and create something pretty too. (Besides, we all need to make room for the new ‘Daydream’ collection coming soon, right?!)
Hello Friends. It’s Anna here. I am the last one, closing this amazing year of isnpiration over Cocoa Vanilla Blog. All of my super talented DT mates already shared their favorite 2019 Cocoa Vanilla projects and now it’s my turn. To be honest, I had a hard time choosing them because I love CVS products and I love all of my layouts and albums made with them.
You all know I love colors so I decided to pick a rainbow page as a first fav page of 2019. I created it as a sample for my classes, that I was lucky to teach in Australia this year. I used papers and embellishments from amazing “Happiness” collection. This name truly reflects the line itself. If you want to make this page, along with a second colorful layout, you can purchase the Double Page Kit in CVS store.
My second favorite page it much less colorful but I had so much fun making it. It’s a scraplift of my fellow DT member gal – Amanda and I used pretty “Midnight” collection. Simple heart made of fussy cut flowers is a perfect example that less is more.
One of my resolutions for 2019 was to reach for older collections much often to use up a little bit more of a growing pile of scrappy supplies. This birthday page was made with “Make a wish” line, which was one of my favorite collections in CVS history. I honestly used almost all of it.
I am a big fan of summer themed line so this “Hello sunshine” line is also on the top of my favorite CVS collections (who am I kidding – they all are on the top of my list…). This one was created during amazing event – CVS Creative Escape retreat. Zoe is making another one in 2020 and you really don’t want to miss that. Check the details here.
Last page is the most recent one. Once again I revisited an old line – the very first CVS collection called “Sugar and spice“. I do not have much of it left but I had a great help from Zoe, who released digital versions of older lines!!! How great is that. Now you can print your own papers and embellishments. We can call this layout a hybrid page, because I combined both older stuff and the newly printed elements.
That is all for today and for this year. We will meet again in 2020! I can’t believe how fast this year went by. I am sure 2020 will bring many more amazing products from CVS.
Sue Plumb here to share a recent mixed media layout I created using the gorgeous ‘Unforgettable’ collection and a photo of my children that I took while I was shopping with them a few years ago.
I started this page by creating a mixed media background on some white cardstock. I used pink ink to create a watercolour style background, before adding some stamping and coloured texture paste through a stencil in a few spots on my page. I also added some blue watercolour splatters over the top for some extra interest.
Next, I fussy cut the wreath from the beautiful Garland paper, adding foam tape underneath the floral section to pop it up from the page, before sticking it down on top of my background. (You can see how I bent the edges up from the page to add extra dimension.)
I then added some pieces of paper cut from the B sides of the Gloriousand Sprightly papers as a mat for my photo, which I stuck down on top.
Alongside my photo, I added the quote “we don’t remember the days, we remember moments” from the scaled down version of the Story Teller paper from the 6×8″ Paper Stack to act as my page title. I was especially drawn to use this quote for this layout, as in the early days of having twins life seemed to pass by in such a blur. Going shopping with the kids and having two sitting in the trolley and one perched on the end like in the photo is something I will always remember though.
On top of the quote card I added the cute camera Flair Button and popped a couple of Enamel Dots nearby.
Now it was time to embellish my wreath. I used a variety of flowers from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, which I stuck down on top of the wreath using foam tape to provide further dimension. I also added 3 bows from the Tassels and Bows pack; and a few small phrase stickers from the Accessory Stickersheet.
I finished off my layout by adding more Enamel Dots; a die cut butterfly; and then a few hand-stitched crosses using embroidery thread.
That’s all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to create something pretty too. Until next time, happy scrapping!
