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 | Hello Beautiful

Hello Fam,
Today, I'd like to share a layout with you I created using the incredible You Rock collection. This one is still one of my faves! I'm determined to use every last it of it. I mean, how could you not want to! 😉
The photo I am scrapbooking is of my eldest daughter, Ali. She was just sitting on the living room floor, in a tutu, playing with her Hatchimal. I asked her to smile and I snapped this photo. I just love her innocence and her happiness just shines through.

I began with the gorgeous dark blue sheet called Starshine and cut 1 inch off from 2 sides. Then I layered it onto This Way, the aqua arrowed paper. This gave me a 1/2 inch border on all sides.
I knew I wanted my photo to sit on the bottom right of my layout so I decided to create a "shelf" for my photo to sit on. I used strips from the cut apart border sheet. They were perfect for this part.

Because my layout is bottom heavy, I felt it needed balance at the top, so I created a large cluster in the top right corner using pieces of ephemera such as the woodgrain film strip and some stickers from the Sticker Element Sheet. When creating the star pennant banner, I popped up the center one to give the entire cluster some dimension.

I painted the stars from the wood veneer package to match my daughter's aqua tutu. They turned out just the right shade after using some Heidi Swapp Colour Shine in Mint and some Turquoise Dylusions ink. I affixed those around my page along with some orange chipboard stars.

For those who know me, the tiny words are my favourite way to add sentiment or journaling to a layout without having to actually put pen to paper. I picked my faves from the collection and went to town, adding some near my photo and some in the top corner cluster.

I just adore how some of the star veneer are inlayed. The details are incredible. I added a doily behind my photo to give the entire layout a softer more feminine feel. I feel it was a good way to add it without it being overly girly.

I used a Rubber Charm to add a pop of orange in the bottom left hand corner and adorned my page with the Enamel Shapes for more of the gorgeous colour in and around my page. I felt they were a perfect way to sprinkle some love around.

I hope you all enjoyed my layout today. I'm having a lot of fun using this collection for non traditional boy layouts. Thank you for stopping by. See you soon!

xoLina 

CVS | Hello Sunshine

Hello Everyone,
Lina here today sharing a project I created using You Rock. I'm having so much fun working with this new collection. It's so bright and colourful and because it's Summer here in Canada, it's perfect to use for the season!
Also, I used a bunch (almost all 😜) of the new Summer Cut Files available on the website. You can find them here :  http://cocoavanilla.com.au/shop/summer-freebie-cut-files/

I'm scrapbooking a photo from last week of my parents and my littles at the park. They're all swinging on the swings and this shot captures so much happiness... I'm not sure who's having more fun, the kids or the grandparents 😊

First, I cut the FREE cut files I mentioned above out of some of the patterned paper in the collection. I felt it appropriate to use the yellow pattern for the words Hello Sunshine. Then I cut it a second time in another pattern paper and cut the sunshine piece off using a pair of scissors. I glued them on top of one another, slightly offset, creating a "shadow". I love the effect this gives.

Next, my fave... matting my photo. I used so many pieces from the collection including scraps from papers I had already cut into. After adding a few layers, I popped all of it on some foam sheet for dimension. I just adore the way a bit of lift gives the photo a lot of depth.

Next, I dug into the Die Cut Ephemera and looked for pieces that I thought went well with the layout and colour scheme that I was going for. I decided to make the teal/aqua pieces the focal colour and so I put aside all those pieces as I was searching. I used pieces from the Accessory Stickers sheet, including the little words and phrases to embellish my page and clusters.

Behind the photo and matting as well as behind the Flair Button I used, you'll see some tangled and messy thread. I just love the look of some peaking through.

I finished off the layout with a heathy sprinkling of Enamel Shapes in aqua and yellow to make the layout more cohesive as a whole.

That's it for me today my friends! I hope you enjoyed my layout and my process. I appreciate you stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

xoLina

CVS | Cool for the Summer

Hello Friends!
Today, I'm sharing my latest layout with you, a 12x12 I created with the You Rock collection. This week on the blog we're focusing on Seasons. And, having just come back from the best vacation yet, I chose Summer. This photo is of my oldest daughter and my hubby, playing with sand on the beach.

I'm having too much fun pushing myself out of my own comfort zone using pictures of my daughters with such a masculine collection. But you can seriously use this collection for just about any photo, it's so versatile!

Here's my layout...

I had an idea in my heading before beginning this layout that I wanted to use strips of different patterned papers. All types f patterns and colours. The cut apart sheet was perfect for that concept... it already has strips of perfectly coordinating patterns. I happily cut into it and chose my favourite ones. The background paper I used is that gorgeous, multicoloured triangle. It heart it so much! I glued it all together and also contemplated even machine stitching across the butted seams but decided against it when I realized I wouldn't be able to fold up some of the edges to create dimension. I'm glad I didn't. 😛

Next, I matted my photo with you guessed it... more patterned paper and colour. Blame the tropical island I just left for all the inspiration! LOL!
I popped my photo with matting on some foam sheet for added dimension. I don't think I'll ever not use it. I just love the look of the lift.

I dove right into embellishing and created three separate clusters including my title.

To embellish, I used pieces from the Chipboard Stickers, the Die Cut Ephemera, the Accessory Stickers, and Washi Stickers. So, pretty much all the things! I also used some metallic silver thread to create a "nest" for my Flair Button. I used the cute Awesome one.

To create my title, I used two different sets of alphabets from my stash. A larger, woodgrain one and a smaller orange one. 

To complete my layout, I also used a couple of the Rubber Charms in and around my clusters. They were the perfect finishing touch! It took everything in me not to splatter some paint on the layout but I refrained because I wanted to keep the layout look "cleaner", if that makes any sense. 
And, that's it!
I hope you enjoyed my process and layout. I appreciate you all stopping by!
xoLina

CVS | Awesome Shaker Cards

Hey Friends! Welcome to the blog today!
I'm super excited to share something a little different with you. Something a little different then the layouts I make. From time to time, I like to create cards and that's what I've got to share with you today. I've been on a shaker card making kick lately and this collection, You Rock, is perfect for those masculine birthday cards.

I've made two so far, and I want so badly to make more. They're fun! I need to carve out more time to create cards. After all, they're always in demand as it's always someone's birthday! LOL! So, here's what I created...

Both cards measure 4.25 x 5.5 inches, one is landscape and one is portrait. First thing I did was create frames with dies for both. I used one that had a stitched detail. Then I cut some transparencies to fit the frame. To build up my frame, I used three sheets of foam each. I knew I needed some extra space in the shakers to accommodate the thicker pieces of embellishments I wanted to use to decorate the inside of the cards. I allowed everything to dry overnight so there weren't any sticky bits the sequins would stick to later.
 

 I choose background papers that wouldn't complete with all the fun shaker bits and embellishments I wanted to add, so I chose papers that were muted in design. Nothing overpowering in terms of colours or prints.

 To embellish, and add the sentiment I wanted to convey, I used the wood veneer pieces that I heat embossed a couple weeks ago. I used embossing powders in both black and pearl orange. Next, I selected pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera package.

I also used pieces from the Rubber Charms. The fit perfectly in the window since I had given myself enough space with the foam.

My cards *needed* that something else, So I liberally used the Enamel Shapes to add that punch of colour and design.

Now, for the fun part... the sequins! I wanted it to be a super festive card so I went to town with the sequins. I picked colours that screamed PARTY!!! Using colours that are already in the collection, I chose some Aquas, oranges, yellows, metallics and blues. I also added some small beads for another type of dimension and texture. I like the look of all these fun elements together!

Here you can see all the dimension both of the foam creating the actual shaker and the contents on the inside. I could stare at all the pretties all day!

I kept the inside super simple... I matted the inside with some patterned paper from the collection topped with some white card stock to write my sentiments. And that's it! The outside already has so much going on, I didn't want to add (or take away from) to the fun element of the card.

And, that's it! These cards took a little longer to create because of all the extra steps involved, but they are soooo worth it! I can't wait to see the faces of the recipients when they open their cards!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have an amazingly, creative day! xoLina ❤️

CVS | Awesome

Hello Loves!

Welcome to the blog today, I'm happy you're here!
So, I love the layout I'm sharing with you all today... Just LOVE! I used the all new You Rock collection and I am smitten! Smitten with the entire collection. I thought that just maybe, maybe I'd have a difficult time using it since I have two girls I mainly scrapbook about but boy was I wrong! All the collection's components are just perfect and so easy to use! I can't wait to document photos of my girls with it.

But, this week, we're sharing and focusing on our boys. And, with that, I am sharing a layout of my dear husband, my boy 😛
Here, he's playing in the snow like a big kid... which he really is. LOL!

I started my layout by choosing my papers. For my background paper, I chose that incredible dark teal ombre paper. When I saw it, I knew I needed to use that bad boy first! And so I did.  I knew going into it, I wanted to use that cut file from Paper Issues. I mean c'mon... it's perfect! I cut it several times with my Silhouette Cameo. Once for my background, that sheet is called Experimantal. Second for the yellow outline, called Inline. And third to fill in the letters, Plus One.

I created a small cluster on the top right of the page to bring the eye upward into that beautiful light aqua ombre. I used some of the new Washi Stickers, some enamel shapes, and some word stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet.

Next, I chose the papers to matte my photo with. I used that same yellow sheet to bring over some of the same shade to the right side of the page and then just a few others from the collection. I brought in some black as well for a couple reasons... first, I love black and secondly it acts like an anchor and gives weight to my photo. Kinda makes it pop off the page. I popped the entire photo and mattes on a piece of foam sheet for dimension.

To embellish, I used something from almost all the collection components. I used pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera, the Chipboard Stickers, and the Accessory Stickers. Those Accessory Stickers kill me... I just love them soooo much. It's the tiny words and phrases that get me every time!

When creating the cluster around the bottom left of my photo, I included some metallic silver thread. I made it into a small, circular nest and placed a Flair Button in the center to anchor it in place. Just adore the thread and always forget to use it. I used to use it a lot more often before. I'm making a mental note... LOL!
Lastly, I placed some Enamel Shapes around my layout, focusing mainly on adding them to my clusters. I used the black ones to tie in the black matting of my photo.

I just adored using this collection and getting the chance to actually cut into it. It's a fun and cheerful collection. I'm off for now... going to head into my craft room and create some more. Have a wonderfully scrappy day!   xoLina