CVS | Too Cool For School

Good Day Friends,
Hello! I'm sharing with you a layout I created using the very versatile, You Rock collection. I decided to document this week a photo of my eldest little meatball on her very first day of Junior Kindergarten. As you can tell from the photo, she's full of spunk and sass and was such a great sport about posing for a few pictures. You Rock has some very cool and "school like" elements and so I thought it perfect to use.

See what I mean about the school like themed elements? The background paper looks like school writing paper, the text paper and the ruler type embellishments that were part of the cut apart border sheet were absolutely perfect! I was excited to be able to think outside the box to document this photo even if this collection is geared towards boys: It totally works in documenting my little girls very first day of school.

I cut strips from the border sheet and a couple patterned papers and adhered them to the top of the background paper giving my background paper some visual interest and a small amount of texture.

My photo measures roughly 4x4 and I matted it with papers from the collection as well as a frame from the Die Cut Ephemera. To embellish, I created clusters behind the left and right sides of the photo. And, that's also where I added my title using black, foam Thickers. I used the Die Cut Ephemera and the Accessory Stickers to create my clusters and add my embellishing. 

Proudly, I also used up a package of Enamel Shapes! I'm happy! Sounds silly but sometimes I refrain from using my supplies because I would like to "save" things for another layout and then the supplies don't get used because I forget. It can't just be me, right? 😝

Continuing with the embellishing, I used the tiny words from the Accessory Sticker sheet to convey the journaling message I wanted to convey. I do this in place of formal journaling. If there is something specific that I'd like to document, I do that on the back of y layout since I don't write on the front of it. I dislike my penmanship and so instead of "ruining" a layout with my own writing, I opt to do it that way instead. It's kind of like cheating but it get the job done!
I also added a Flair Button that sits atop a nest of yellow sewing thread that was just wrapped around my fingers and adhered down.

I hope you all enjoyed my layout for this week as much as I enjoyed creating it!
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
xoLina

CVS | Be Still My Heart

Hello Scrappy Fam,
This morning I'm sharing this layout I created using the beautiful, More Than Words collection. I scrapbooked photos of my littlest meatball, Juliana. This day was the morning of her second birthday and she had asked me to take her picture. I was happy to oblige 😀

I started by choosing the paper Effervescent for my background. I couldn't resist those bubbles for such a bubbly, full of life little girl. It was perfect! I also used a strip of the ledger looking paper called Noteworthy to break up a bit of the colour and give the photos a bit of a base to sit on. It's the perfect shade of pink and matched perfectly with my daughter's cardigan in the photos.

Next, on to my photos... I printed my photos just shy of 3x3 inches each. I wanted to make sure I had enough room going across to showcase all my photos properly. Then, I matted them with papers from the collection including sheets from the 6x6 paper pad.
Then, I popped two of them up onto dimensional foam for lift.

For my title, I used the word "heart" from the Chipboard Titles. I love mixing different fonts, textures and colours. Overall, it creates quite a different effect which in my opinion, is visually pleasing. Plus, it's fun!

I worked on my embellish next. I took pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera package, Accessory Stickers, and Chipboard Stickers and created clusters. I also tucked in tabs (which I ❤!) under my layers. Using the tiny words and phrases from the Accessory Stickers to embellish and add "journaling" I use that word loosely though as I do not usually put pen to paper on my actual layout. I'm not a fan of my writing and so if I have something important to say about the photos I'm documenting, I opt to write it on the back.

For my finishing touches, I added a Flair Button which sits on a nest of metallic silver thread and a whole bunch of Enamel Shapes. I sprinkled the shapes all around my page. Lastly, I added some silver ink spray splatters to add a bit of pizzazz. The silver tied together the layout because it matched part of the title and the thread underneath the flair.

Thank you for joining me today and allowing me to share my layout with you!
xoLina

CVS | Sweet Moments

Good Morning Scrappy Friends!
Lina here with you today sharing a layout I created using my fave, the More than Words collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I am scrapbooking a photo of my eldest daughter, Alessandra taken the other day at school when the parents were invited to class to share in a poetry recital. My girl was so happy to see both mom and dad in the audience and I snapped this quick photo of her. And as the title states... a sweet moment. Here's what I created...



I began with the background sheet called Radiant a cut the word "moments" using a simple, uppercase font. Then, I used my watercolour paints to create a soft and beautiful watercolour wash. I used tones of peachy pink and a blueish aqua. I took inspiration for both the colours from the in the collection. I then backed the cut word with a sheet from the 6x6 paper pad. That black and white floral gets me every time. ❤

I then worked on matting my photo. Now, I love layers so I was sure to add a few sheets of patterned paper from the 6x6 paper pad plus any "scraps" I had already cut into for previous layouts. Lots of lovely paper and colours makes my heart happy! I then popped the photo onto a piece of foam dimension.

I then began my title. Having already completed the "moments" aspect of my title, the next part was easy! I used the word sweet from the Chipboard Titles. I just adore the mix of fonts to create my title.

Now, my favourite part... to build and create the clusters of embellishment around my photo. I took pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, the Vellum Accents and the Chipboard Stickers. I also added some metallic silver thread and created a nest for my Flair Button to sit within.

I thought that my layout needed a bit of anchoring, so, I added a strip, cut at an angle to the bottom of my layout. I also added some embellishment with some ephemera there as well. Lastly, a healthy sprinkling of the Enamel Shapes and some silver Distress Spray. And voila! My layout is complete!

I thank you for stopping by today!
xoLina

CVS | It's a Wonderful Life

Good Day Friends!
For my layout this week, I'm using the beautifully created More Than Words collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, my new fave!
The photo I am documenting today is of my two little meatballs taken this past summer. Both are sitting on a large rock, enjoying their childhood and life!

 

I chose Sketchbook as my largest layer of background paper. It's absolutely stunning! The I layered Noteworthy and Gossamer on top, smaller and slightly angled. I placed my 5x5 photo that I printed in black and white, in the center. I matted it with papers from the 6x6 paper pad which are perfect for that exact purpose.

I love embellishing with any thing Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Every piece is wonderful and so usable! I used that black and pink tag and surrounded it by florals, leaves, and butterflies. How perfect! Those pieces are found in the Die Cut Ephemera pack.

Next, I did something I have never done before on a layout... I stamped directly onto it! Ahh! A scary thought but I went for it and I'm glad I did! The stamp set is perfect for cards AND layouts! I used Versafine ink in black.

I added a smaller cluster in the top right hand corner using some of the Die Cut Ephemera, Accent Stickers and a wonderful Flair Button. The button is surrounded by metallic silver thread and creates a bit of texture and visible interest.

For my title, I used a mix of alphas. the "wonderful" is from the Chipboard Accent Stickers. Both the others are from my stash. That glittery font I used worked perfectly with the collection.

Lastly, I added some ink splatter with some metallic silver ink spray and called it done!

That's it for today! I hope you enjoyed my layout because I'm glad you stopped by ☺️

Big Hugs,

xoLina

CVS | Good Tidings

Good Morning Friends!
Lina here with you this morning to share I layout I created for this week's theme over on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Blog of creating a Christmas layout using non-Christmas items. I loved this week's challenge, it forced me to think outside the box. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut but having something like a theme or a sketch to work with totally brings the creativity out in me.
Here's my take...

What a better way than to push my creativity than to use the gorgeous Bohemian Dream collection for a Christmas layout? Haha! It's full of beautiful florals and I thought to myself, "Why not?"
I decided to start this layout with a cut file, so I Googled "geometric Christmas Tree and found one I liked. I then used the Silhouette Design Studio to trace and then my Silhouette to cut it all out. I cut it out twice, once for the background and a second time so I chose a different patterned paper for the outline. I then flipped the original navy, polkadot called Abundant over and used the beautiful floral design in the back to fill in my pieces in the tree. I believe from start to finish, this process took about 15 minutes or so. I just love the effect and feel it's totally worth the extra effort.

I then continued to matte my photo. For this, I used pieces from previously cut into sheets as well as some papers from the 6x6 paper pad. I also used a bit from the cut apart sheet. Love this method!

For the title work, I chose the word "good" from the Chipboard Titles sheet. I knew I wanted my title to be white so I just left them as they were. Then, I went through my stash and picked out some white Thickers in Daiquiri and finished my title, reading "Good Tidings". I think it worked out pretty well. Totally complimented the theme and super simple!

Continuing forward, I worked on my embellishing. I chose pieces from both the Die Cut Ephemera and the Vellum Accents packages. I created my clusters using these as foundation pieces. Creating one cluster in the bottom right and a smaller on in the top left of the photo. I also added embellishments from the Chipboard Accents such as the hearts.

Next, I wanted to use a button from the Flair Buttons and so I chose the minty one that reads, "One of a kind." I created a nest of sorts using metallic gold thread that I wound around my index and pointer fingers and placing on my layout. I put some glue in the middle and then added my flair directly on top. It creates a nice little place for the flair button to sit.
To decorate my tree, I used the Enamel Shapes... an entire package. LOL! How very liberating to use and entire pack of something. Anyhow, I used them to dress up my tree and act as a sort of baubles. So cute!

Lastly, I used some HSCS in Gold to add some gold splatters around my page, mainly focusing around my clusters. Done!

I hope you enjoyed my layout today as much as I enjoyed creating it! Have a wonderful rest of your day!
xoLina ❤️

CVS | You Are My Dream Come True

Good Morning Fam,
Hope you all are having a lovely day thus far! Sharing my latest creation with you for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Our theme this week was Gratitude. And, like most parents, I am grateful for my little meatballs. They have made me the happiest of people and saved me so many times. I will be forever grateful for their existences ☺️

This is what I created using the newest line, Bohemian Dream...

I know I mention this alllll the time, but I am completely and utterly smitten with this collection. It's just beautiful!
I began with the back ground sheet which is called Kaleidoscope. It's that gorgeous, whitewashed woodgrain you see. Next, I took about a 2.5 inch cut from the light blue sheet and a sliver from the dark purply blue horizontal stripe, and created my base. The entire layout is bottom heavy and I love how the papers act as an anchor for my photo, title and embellishments.

Next, I always work on my photo. I chose a few papers from the 6x6 paper pad and one full sized sheet and matted my photo. Then I popped it up on foam for dimension. I love the over look of this technique; It really allows the photo to jump off the page. In this case, the photo is printed in black and white. I printed it in both colour and Black and white but I liked how the black and white photo looked best against the colours of the collection. 

For my title, I worked with the "dream" piece from the Chipboard Stickers and worked around it using Thickers in Hardcover, a hot pink puffy sticker type. The colour really works well with all the pinks in the collection. I'm happy with how the title worked out. 

Now for my favourite part... embellishing. I used pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera package as well as florals from the Vellum Accents. I really had to stop myself from using "all the things" 😛 I created clusters in the top right of the photo and the bottom left; Layering both ephemera and vellum.

When it came to embellishing, I wanted to incorporate something to signify me and my littles. I used 3 vellum butterflies from the collection, one larger a medium and a small. I only glued the middles down and then folded up the wings to simulate the butterflies in flight. I think this is my most favourite element on the entire layout. It makes my heart happy. ❤️

I then added a few choice tiny words from the Accessory Stickers sheet. You friends already know how I feel about these. LOL! I'm in total love with them!

I also added some gold metallic thread in nest formation and rested a Flair Button on top, using the beautiful pink butterfly flair.

To finish off my layout, I added some HSCS in Gold and some Enamel Shapes. They're both the most awesome finishing touches!

 

I hope you've enjoyed what I've shared today as much as I've loved creating it! Thank you so much for joining me today on the blog!

xoLina

CVS | Life is Good

Good Morning Scrappy Fam!
Sharing my layout I created using the Bohemian Dream collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I have two little girls and so this collection is absolute perfection. The photo I have scrapbooked is of both my little monkeys, oddly enough, sitting on a tree stump in the forest. 😛

I started this layout knowing I was going to use a cut file. The one I chose is from Paper Issues and you can find it on their website. However, I only cut half of the file, I didn't want to use the entire file and fill my page. Instead, I opted to cut half and showcase the beautiful papers.

The file is cut from the paper Dreamer which was then backed with the Kaleidoscope paper. Then both were adhered to this gorgeous coral heart paper named, BoHo Bits. Just love the colourful over all look.

I printed my photo in black and white so that it would stand out again all the beautiful colour of the papers. I matted my photo with pieces of scrap paper from previous layouts and a couple from the 6x6 paper pad. The 6x6 paper pad is just perfect for matting your photos, cards and filing and backing cut files. It's my new fave!

I added some cut leaves from the Color Me Happy cut file set to the bottom left and right sides of my photo. This created my foundation for layering my ephemera.

For my title, I chose to use the fittingly perfect, Life is Good from the Chipboard Titles set. I left them white because I loved the contrast. 

I used pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and that cute purple bird from the Chipboard Stickers for my clusters. I also tucked in a partially cut chipboard frame behind my photo for added depth and dimension. To add to my clusters, I also used pieces from the Vellum Accents and Accessory Stickers. I just am loving all the florals in this collection! 

I felt the right side of my layout was missing something and so I decided to anchor the entire thing with a thin piece of paper cut from the Kaleidoscope sheet running vertically. I also added a smaller cluster using some tiny words from the Accessory Stickers, a chipboard piece and some metallic silver thread. 

To add a bit of something else, I took some white ink spray and splattered some paint around my clusters. It's subtle but I like the effect. Finally, I finished off my layout with a healthy sprinkling of peach Enamel Shapes in and around my page. It just adds a bit of something else without going over the top.
I also used a Flair button up in the top left hand corner which is sitting in a nest of strategically placed metallic thread in silver.

I just adore the way this layout came together and I hope you do as well! ☺️ 

Thank you so much for joining me today on the blog. I appreciate all your love and support!
xoLina

CVS | Big, Beautiful You

Good Morning Friends!
Lina here today and I'm sharing my very first layout using the incredible Bohemian Dream collection. I must first preface this post with saying that I am absolutely smitten by this collection. Zoe has knocked it outta the park for me with all the tones of purple and florals. Perfect!

The layout I'm sharing is of my littlest meatball at about 9-10 months. She was wearing purple and it matched perfectly with the collection so I went with it.
We were challenged this week to use new product... Done and done! Everything I used is new to me and newly available in the CVS shop. Here's what I created:

I began my layout with a crisp sheet of white card stock and a piece of the gorgeous dark purple diagonal stripe paper called, Dreamer. I mounted it to the top of my white card stock and got to work. I chose papers from the new 6x6 paper pad and started matting my photo which roughly measures 4x4 inches.
Next, I worked on my title because it would need to dry before I could use it. I took the words Beautiful and You from the Chipboard Titles and sprayed them with some ink spray. I chose a dark aqua, vibrant pink and a purple. I sprayed the word pieces and used my heat gun to speed up the drying process. I then set them aside and began working on my embellishments.For the BIG part of my title, I used the word title from the Chipboard Sticker Set. I love the mix of fonts!

I lovingly sifted through the Die Cut Ephemera, admiring every detail and piece and chose some of my favourite that would correspond well with my layout. I also used some of the Vellum Accents for layering. I love the subtle look of them. Using some metallic silver thread, I created a nest of sorts for the Flair Buttons to sit within. I used two Flair on this layout.

Next, taking the tiny word stickers from the Sticker Accent Sheet, I added my favourite sentiments in and around my page. I did this with other stickers around my page as well.

Finally, as a finishing touch, I added some of the Enamel Shapes in the Aqua and the Pink. They are a perfect addition to any layout. They just complete the layout in my opinion. 

Thank you so very much for taking the time to share in my layout. I appreciate all your kindness and love! ❤️ Have a wonderful day!
xoLina

CVS | Love You

Happy Friday Scrappy Family!
Hope you've had a wonderful week!

Today, I'm sharing a layout I created of my little one, face full of ice cream 💛 But, seriously, how could I not snap and scrap a picture. She'll thank me when she's older. LOL!
I used the gorgeous Wild at Heart collection for my layout this week and I'm still wild about it!

Starting off this layout, I knew I wanted to stagger my background papers and create an offset layering effect. So I chose my papers and arranged them in the order you see. I used the Luscious paper as my base, then layered the vellum sheet, Artisan and then finally white card stock to get the look I was offer. I just love this effect!

I matted my photo with some of the papers in the collection including the navy floral vellum and popped it up with some foam sheet for dimension.

Next, I went through the chipboard frames (my fave) and choose 3 that I thought worked best with the colour scheme I was working with. I chose a floral and different sized navy blue ones. I placed the floral and the larger navy frames to the left of the photo and the smaller one to the right. Now I have a visual triangle to work with.

Now, my favourite part... embellishing! I went through the Die Cute Ephemera, Chipboard Stickers and the Accessory Stickers and chose pieces to accent my layout and photo. I kept the embellishing relatively simple this time around. Kinda...😛

From the Wood Veneer package, I chose two words, Love and You and used them for my title. But before adhering them down, I misted them with firstly some White Dylusions Ink Spray, dried it and later added some HSCS in Peacock. After drying, the wood veneers have a great over all texture and colour. They kinda remind me of a galaxy colouring. Navy with specks of white peeking through and sparkle... lots of sparkle. Just look at 'em! 💙

To finish up my embellishing, I used a Flair Button that reads Hello. Before adhering it down, I took some metallic silver thread and just created a simple nest for the flair to sit on. I love the texture it adds to the clusters.

Lastly, I took the Enamel Dots in the lighter Blue and scattered them around my page. Placing them just peeking out from other pieces and some to add direction.
I hope you enjoyed my layout share for the week as much as I adored creating it. Have a wonderful weekend!
xoLina