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:
Hello hello! It’s Michelle back here today with a new layout share featuring the super cool No Limits Collection which is available NOW in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Shop. You can find all the goodness HERE
I’m still loving the different style of scrapbooking that this collection has inspired me to create, with this layout being one of the more simpler I’ve made in a long time. I’d had a vision of using more triangles in the back of my mind since I created the pinwheel layout, and this is what I came up with..
A sweet moment captured between my daughter Leila and our sweet little pup Daisy giving the best doggo snuggles and kisses.
I used white cardstock for the background and added a subtle hint of watercolour effect using some watered down distress inks using the plastic packaging technique. Its a very simple and easy way to create a mixed media style background on layouts. Its my go to technique when I want to get “messy”
I cut out different sized triangles from the STARDUST, LATITUDE, UNIVERSAL, ORBIT & SPARK 12×12 papers and adhered them to the page in different layers using sheets of crafting foam and double sided tape. Each triangle has machine stitching around the edge for a extra pop of detail on the layout.
The photos I’ve used were too bright in colour so I printed them out in black & white and layered them with some vellum to balance out the bold colours of the triangles.
I fussy cut stars from the NEBULA 12×12 paper to create clusters within the triangle groups, using different forms of adhesive to create even more dimension.
The title is blended into the journalling using a mix of handwritten text and CHIPBOARD stickers. The best part about using a white background is being able to add the journalling right onto the page, just have to cross your fingers that no mistakes are made.
Here’s another look at the layout in full
While I’ve got you here I thought I’d share a second layout with you.
We have 4 different challenges to play along with for the 2022 interNational Scrapbook Day. The layout I am sharing was made for the Sketch Challenge and is also using the No Limits Collection. I’ll leave a link down below for you to follow through to our Facebook Community Group as that is where all the challenges have been posted.
Another layout featuring our sweet little doggo and her crazy Hairy Maclary tendencies. I used the BIG BANG woodgrain paper, a strip off the edge of the SPARK paper, some white cardstock, NEBULA paper to fussy cut the stars, pieces of ORBIT and LATITUDE papers, a few bits from the ACCESSORYSTICKERs sheet, EPHEMERA pack and CHIPBOARD sticker packs. I had a lot of fun creating this layout, I think? I made it right when the dreaded C word hit me like a tonne of bricks. It’s been going through our little house for just over a week now, and boy are we ready to be feeling better and let loose from ‘House Arrest’
Well I think thats all I had to share today, thank you so much for stopping by. I hope to see many more entries from you all for our iNSD Challenges over in our CVS Community GroupHERE on Facebook
Hi everyone, Sue Plumb here today to share my latest design team project with you. Today I was tasked with creating something inspired by the current monthly challenge, which is this beautiful Christmas themed mood board designed by Tarrah…
This is the second layout I have created based on this mood board, and this time I was inspired by the little trees and stars to tell the story of our annual family tradition of placing the star atop our Christmas tree. The photos I was documenting were taken in 2020, and are of my son Hunter putting the star on. I was working with the ‘Joyful’ collection, and once again I decided to create a mixed media layout (because I love getting messy!)
Here is my page…
You can probably spot right away that my colour palette for this layout was dictated by my photos – with the predominant tones of green and gold at the forefront from our Christmas tree.
I began with my background – working on a sheet of white cardstock I had cut down to 11×11″, I used Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide mixed with water to create a water wash across the page. I then added darker splatters using the same ink (just with less water added); stamped some large stars in black ink; and then finished with gold splatters. It was a fairly straightforward background.
With the background complete, it was time to work on creating some papery layers. The first paper I chose was the Kraft / gold coloured paper with the words merry & bright from the A5 Paper Stack. I tore a sheet of this and used it as my anchor piece. On top of it I added a horizontal strip of the Deck the Halls paper and also the border strip from the Very Merry cut apart paper that had the little Christmas trees on it. I used my distress tool to distress the edges of all the pieces before I stapled them together, adding a small white paper doily and some frayed gauze for texture.
I added my photos on top (which had been popped up with a little scrap cardboard), then turned to the embellishments. I already had the Die Cut Ephemera pack out open on my desk, so that was where I started. I first rifled through them and pulled out a few pieces that I thought could work with my colour scheme. (It makes it much easier than shuffling through the entire pack for every piece you want.)
Using the pieces I had pulled from the ephemera pack, I created small cluster above my photos containing a Christmas tree, the memories tab, and a small sprig of holly; and to the left I tucked in the gorgeous little deer. (Not only was it a perfect match for the colours on the page, but I just love how cute it is!) To the right of my photos I added a little flag that read joyful.
From the Chipboard Stickers sheet I chose the banner that read jingle all the way in beautiful gold foiled script, to stick along the bottom edge of my photo. I also added a few gold foiled stars around the page.
Below my photos I added one of the smaller sized Wood Epoxy Buttons, and then I used the gorgeous Puffy Gold Title Stickers to add my title. From the same sheet I also added a few extra gold scattered stars because I couldn’t resist more of that stunning gold!
I then added a stamped date, a few stamped phrases, and typed strip journalling and my layout was done! I love how it all came together with the colours, the layers and the texture, and I am so happy I have documented this story for my family.
If you would like to see exactly how I put it together, you can watch my process video here:
Thanks so much for stopping by today, don’t forget you have until the end of the month to enter this challenge via the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Community group. You could be the lucky winner of a $25 store voucher.
I’ll have a matching pocket page for this layout to share in the community group next week, then I will be back here on the blog in the new year. Until then I hope you all have a safe, happy and enjoyable time with your family and friends over the holiday period. Merry Christmas! X
Hi everyone, it’s hard to believe that it is time to reveal our July monthly challenge. (Didn’t we just reveal the March one last week? Honestly, where is this year going?!) As we are heading towards the middle of winter here in Australia, we know our northern hemisphere friends will be enjoying sweet summer days. No matter the weather wherever you are, be sure to squeeze in some creative time to get those memories documented.
To give your creativity a little push, we have a brand new challenge that has been designed for us by Laura Alberts.
First, here are some details about how our challenges work:
Each challenge starts and ends on the last day of the month. They are revealed here on the blog as well as in our Facebook Community group. The challenge consists of a mood board that has been collated by a member of our design team. Simply use the images as inspiration for your project, then post a photo into the challenge album in our Facebook group. Your project can be a layout / set of cards or tags / traveler’s notebook spread / art journal page, etc – it’s entirely up to you. You do not have to use only Cocoa Vanilla Studio products, but they should be the main focus of your creation.
Here is Laura’s beautiful board, entitled “Pastel Paradise”…
Laura truly has created a pastel paradise for us this month. Featuring soft shades of pink, peach, lemon, blue, green and lilac, there is sure to be a colour combination amongst them that would work for you. The board also features a decidedly sweet theme, with images of delicate meringues and small pastel candies. You could use these as inspiration for a theme for your project; or you could be tempted by textures, such as fringing or pretty vintage buttons. For the flower lovers, Laura has included a variety of blooms – including some with lots of layered petals and intricate centre details. Or you could be inspired simply by the paint swatch, and use watercolour paints or create a soft, muted rainbow of colours. Whatever you choose is up to you, but please tell us about it when you load your entry.
Here is Laura’s lovely sample layout…
Laura used our ‘Happiness’ collection for her pastel delight and created a watercolour rainbow background. She also added small fussy cut flowers and butterflies, which really give her page a whimsical feel and blend beautifully with the paint colours underneath.
Now…what will you create inspired by this board?
To enter:
Entries must be loaded into the July challenge album in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Facebook Community group prior to midnight (AEST) 31st July to be eligible for the prize. (If you aren’t already a member, make sure you click the link to join.)
Cocoa Vanilla Studio products must be used. Yes, you can use other supplies as well, but the majority of products used should be CVS.
Entries must be created solely for this challenge and not combined with other challenges or design team work.
You may enter as many times as you wish and entry is open to participants worldwide.
One randomly selected winner will receive a $25 store voucher to spend in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio online store.
By entering the challenge you automatically give permission for your work to be shared by Cocoa Vanilla Studio via any of our social media channels.
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.
