More Exciting News for 2017!!!




Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Thanks for being here today!
I am so super delighted to be sharing this awesome news....


Yayyyy!!!!

I'm remaining on the Paper Issues Design Team for another term! 
(& yes, that's a double celebration for me as it marks one year on this awesome team!)
Woo hoo!!!
I have Issues. Paper Issues!
To say I LOVE this team is an understatement! Such an incredible group of creatives!
I am so very honoured to be in their company!
Be sure to visit the Paper Issues official blog here & meet all these awesome ladies!

And THANKYOU for all your encouragement and continued support for my creative, papercrafting journey! Your comments, and kind words of support mean the world to me!

And remember, if you're shopping in the Paper Issues store here 
Use my code AMANDA to receive 20% off your total spend. Every.single.time you shop!


Yay!

Thanks so much for sharing this happy moment with me!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 


Pinkfresh Studio Boys Fort Blog Hop







Hi Creatives! 

Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio Boys Fort Blog Hop!


Seriously, let's hear it for the boys with this masculine and edgy collection!
And you're going to LOVE the prize up on offer for this hop!
You can win this entire collection!



***2 winners will be announced on Wednesday Sept. 14th 2017 on the Pinkfresh Studio blog and both winners will received the entire Boys Fort collection!
The winners will be randomly selected and it is a requirement that they leave a comment of each blog in the hop!
Commenting closes at 11.59pm CST Friday Sept. 8th 2017***
----------------------------

If you've just arrived here from the super talented Anna Kossakovskaya's blog, then you're in the right place!
If not, here's the complete blog hop list for you so you don't miss anyone - remember that you'll need to visit and comment on every blog listed to be eligible for the prize draw!

Blog Hop Order:
Here's my layout for you....

"Boys Rule"


Isn't this fun and fabulous?!!
I love this cool lil guy and it's so awesome to have a great masculine line to scrapbook his stories & photos with! 
I have used patterned paper TOUGH on one half of my layout, and given it some edge with double coloured zig zag stitching to make it appear even more msculine! A light layer of watercolours adorns the other half of my page, really allowing for TOUGH to be a strong design feature, and hero of the page. 
My sweet boy photo is backed with 6 x 6 PAPER PACK papers, and a thick layer of cardboard for extra dimension. 

The rest of this layout is all about playing with embellishments!
And boy oh boy, are these new embellies fun!
I la la LOVE the new FABRIC PENNANTS, & mounted mine on skewers to create the appearance of flags that help to frame my photo!
I'm also loving the wooden elements too! 
The WOOD BUTTON STICKERS are super cool, and are a much bolder alternative to sequins or enamel dots, but it's the SCREEN PRINTED WOOD STICKERS that are my new faves!!! 
Rad & Awesome indeed!!!
And how about those CHIPBOARD ALPHA STICKERS?!! 
The mismatched font size, and grey hue make these perfect for scrapping the boys with!

Boys Fort is definitely a collection for the strong, bold and rad men in our lives 
& compliments all those masculine moments! 

Hope my layout has inspired you today!
Please remember to leave a comment to be eligible for the prize.

Time to send you hopping on to the incredibly inspiring Ashley Horton's blog here!
Have fun & Goodluck with the prize draw too!

Thanks so much for hopping by!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 


Paper Issues: August Product Spotlight




Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for another fabulous Paper Issues 

Product Spotlight


This time we're shining the light on...


It's no secret how much I LOVE Amy Tangerine's fun, vibrant colours and patterns! 
Here's what I've created for this spotlight...

"Life Is Beautiful"


La la LOVE this!!!
Talk about bright and vibrant colours! 
To balance all that gorgeous colour, I used a beautiful black and white photograph, and those stunning gold glitter alphas. They're officially called The Lucky Ones Thickers and are the coordinating Thickers for this line. 
Here's a closer view.......


So gorgeous!
I've used watercolour droplets to create my faux wreath & I just love how effective this looks!
You'll also spy those super cute Puffy Hearts - love these!
And finally, how about that bow!!!! Check it out below......


Oh squeee!!! It's the cutest!
Love me a cute bow or 3!
Such beautiful products to create such stunning projects with!
I hope you feel inspired by my layout today!

Need to get some Hustle & Heart in your stash?
Get yours in the Paper Issues store here 
& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off!


Wanting a lil more inspiration with this cool collection?
See what the rest of the team has created with it here

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I really appreciate your kindness & support!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Cocoa Vanilla Studio: The Best Memories!




Hi Creative Friends!

 I am super excited to share my take on this week's colour theme over at Cocoa Vanilla Studio!
 There are so many ways to interpret this colour focus, 
but for me it had to be all about those happy hues in the gorgeous Hello Sunshine collection! 
The vibrancy of this collection has always made my heart sing & I hope my layout today brings you the same joy! 
But enough chatter, here's my layout.....

"The Best Memories"


Isn't this pretty?!! 
And whoa! Talk about all the colour!!! La la love it!
 This page was inspired by a sudden desire to fussy cut patterned paper CV-HS001 FULL BLOOM. The florals in this paper are just divine! 
I arranged mine in a crescent design, encapsulating my sweet photograph & then 'built' my page from there. To enhance those bright blooms, I created a watercolour 'path' for them to be arranged onto, focusing particularly on those sunset colours with a soft blue highlighter. I finished off my paint work with a few splatters too! 
This was tons of fun & I just love the end result! 
Let's take a closer look......


Those fussy cut blooms are just so gorgeous, and make the perfect frame for my treasured photo!
 As well as that fabulous mixed media base, I have also added a mix of WOOD VENEER, ENAMEL SHAPES, PUFFY STICKERS, & WOODIES to that top cascading section - love it all! 
But that wooden button with the coordinating bloom on it is my favourite! 
I mean, seriously, could it get any more perfect for my layout design?! So awesome!


As you travel around my photo, you'll also spy the introduction of FANCY BUTTONS, ACCESSORY STICKERS, & those super cute LITTLE HEARTS
I just adored the sentiment sticker, 'The Best Memories Are Here' that I chose to mount it on double thick foam tape and use it as my title. 
As you travel down a lil further, you'll spot those blooms (& leaves) in WOOD VENEER form - so good!
 Here's another view for you.....


Gah! SO much pretty here! And oh, that puffy heart!!!
Speaking of puffy stickers, I use 'the best' as my finishing touch to this sweet page....


Just beautiful! I have really enjoyed re-visiting the Hello Sunshine collection - it's so pretty!
I hope you feel inspired to get creating with Cocoa Vanilla Studio & colour this week!

Thanks so much for visiting,
til next time,

Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: August Free File Friday #2




Hi Friends!

Welcome back for the second installment of Paper Issues 


Yay!!! Love me some FREE cut files!

This edition is all about the fabulous FREE background cut files in the Paper Issues store!
Here's what I came up with, 

"Feeling All The Feels"


All the heart eyes for this layout!!!
I just adore it!
From the photo, to the cut file background and that fresh colour palette - I LOVE it all!
I have used Amy Tangerine's On A Whim collection and combined it with the awesome
Mark Your Spot cut file ( shown below ). 

SO awesome! & you can get this FREE file here

Wanna see more? 
Here's a few close ups.....


How awesome are the chipboard stickers in the On A Whim line?!
I couldn't stop myself from singing Katy Perry's "Feels" song while I glued them down, lol!

You'll also spy some Pinkfresh Studio: The Mix No.1 embellishment collection here too! 
The two collections coordinate beautifully together to create this fresh, fun look!


I have paper pieced some of the hearts as well as a couple of the circles, to break up all the white in the cut file, and to add interest. 
I then fussy cut some hearts from an Amy Tangerine 3 x 4 card, and layered them over my cut file. 
The Pinkfresh puffy hearts added to this cool layering effect too!


So much awesome! 
LOVE this cut file and how effective the background is to my overall design!

Hope you liked my layout too!
& REMEMBER: Use my code  AMANDA  & you'll save 20% off your total spend! 


Looking for more Free File Friday inspiration?
See what the rest of our awesome team has created here

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a kind comment!
I really do appreciate each and every single one of you! 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: August Swag Bag




Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome back for one of my favourite shares of the month; 


Love me a Swag Bag!!!
I am using the July bag for today's spotlight.
Here's what the July Swag bag,
'Fruit Cup' looks like......


Tropical paradise!!! 
So much pretty here!

And here's what I created for this spotlight....

"Sweet Things"



Oh wow! Rainbow delight!
Isn't this the sweetest?!
Everything on my layout is from the July Swag Bag except for:
 12 x 12 cardstock base, mixed media inks, and the cut file. 
Yep, that's a whole lotta lovely from the Fruit Cup Swag!!!
Swag Bags are the best value mini kits around! 
I love that you get a lil bit of this and a lil bit of that to sample from the store!

That fabulous cut file is from the Paper Issues store, so it's completely FREE!
I love our Free Files!!!


And you can download it here for FREE - no purchase needed!

Here's a few close ups of from my layout for you.....


That cut file looks just gorgeous with the 3 x 4 cards from the Swag backing it!
I couldn't resist all those pretty rainbow colours, and the inky background to enhance it all!


I spy an Amy Tangerine bitty bow and Bella Blvd paperclip - such pretty embellishments!
 Love these two! So super sweet!
Speaking of sweet, how fantastic is that chipboard sticker title......


Sweet Things, indeed!

Grab yourself the latest Swag Bag here!
Or, if you're like me and hate to miss out, 
& REMEMBER:Use my code AMANDA & you'll also save 20% off your total spend!


Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I hope my layout has inspired you to get creating!

Looking for more inspiration?
See what the rest of our talented team has created for this spotlight here
til next time,

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 

It's All About COLOR Exciting News!!!





Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

I am SO super dee duper excited to share this incredible news!!!



I am joining the Shimmerz Paints Team!
Yipppeee!!!
I am so lucky and honoured to be forming part of the NEW Social Media Team with these awesome creatives!
Aren't we super lucky?!!
To say I am over the moon wouldn't even begin to describe my joy!
And to pass on this happiness......

Use my name AMANDA in the notes section of your Shimmerz Paints order
 & you'll receive a FREE gift every time you purchase from their website here.
(And yes, they ship international ;) )
Woo hoo!
Happy Dancing!!!

You'll still find our Education & Design Teams on the Shimmerz blog, we're just growing and sharing our love of Shimmerz Paints! YAY!

Thanks so much for all your wonderful support and encouragement!
I can't wait to share my mixed media creations with Shimmerz Paints soon!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 


Paper Issues: August New Issue: Round 2




Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

Welcome to Round 2 of the August edition of Paper Issues'


Yay! I love this challenge, it always pushes me to think a lil more about my creating!

This month's Issue is:

Summer In & Summer Out

Suggested ideas for this issue include:
 
Show us your favorite summer activities - indoor and out; 
Vacations
Sight seeing
Staycations
 Use the PI flamingo card.

Here's what I came up with.....

"Mermaid Hair"


Oh, isn't this preeeeeeetty!
The beach is hands down, without a doubt,
 our all time favourite Summer activity!
And isn't she the sweetest with her beach hair?!!
I LOVE how this page turned out!
I have used Pink Paislee's Summer Lights collection, as well as watercolour paints for my background. 
Here's a few close ups for you....


That chipboard mermaid sticker, and that cute frame, 
are just the perfect adornment to my daughter's sweet pic!
Lots of cool ephemera, and 6 x 12 stickers here too!


SO much awesome in this collection! 
Did you notice the holographic accents? Super cool!


Just gorgeous!
Absolutely the best Summer memories!

Are you loving that Pink Paislee Summer Lights line as much as I do?
Get yours in the Paper Issues store here 
& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll receive 20% off your total spend! Yay!


Hope you liked my take on the New Issue! 
& feel inspired to play along too!
For more inspirational ideas, be sure to visit the challenge post here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 




Paper Issues: August Pinspire Me




Hi Creatives!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues awesomeness with this month's edition of 

Pinspire Me!


Here's this month's awesome mood board,


How fabulous is this?!!
So many awesome possibilities with this pinboard!
Here's what I came up with.....

"FOCUS on what matters"


Isn't this the coolest?!!
I have combined Carta Bella's Toy Box with Pinkfresh Studio's embellishment collection, The Mix No.1 - LOVE this!!!
Totally inspired by the colour palette, the cinematography theme, and even those chairs!
Here's a couple close ups for you....


Love that puffy sticker title from Pinkfresh! 
The 'focus' ties in with the camera / cinema theme too! 
The view master papers and embellishments are from Carta Bella and are super cool!!! 


You'll also spy brads and stickers from the Toy Box collection - love them!
The sentiment stickers, enamel dots and gold stars are from Pinkfresh Studio, and are the perfect adornment to any scrapbook layout!
Carta Bella & Pinkfresh Studio make such an awesome combination!

And there you have it!
My fun interpretation of this month's Pinspire Me challenge!

Need more scrapbook supplies?
Get yours in the Paper Issues store here
& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total spend! Yay!!!


Looking for more PINspiration?
See what our talented team has created here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 
Amanda xo 


Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Wild At Heart: LOVE YOU!




Hello Friends!

 I have a gorgeous floral layout to share with you here, &
 on the Cocoa Vanilla Studio blog today!
I just adore florals, and the ones in the Wild At Heart collection just make me swoon!!! 
SO pretty!
But enough chatter, here's what I've created....

"Love You"


Told you those florals were pretty!!! No fancy layout design required when the papers are this gorgeous! 
Let's take a closer look.........


Simple. Beautiful. And just oh-so stunning!
Wild At Heart really has my heart!
I have used my favourite floral pattern paper, CV-WH009 MEMENTO, for the base of my layout, and used it's coordinating CHIPBOARD FRAME to enhance my sweet photograph! 
You'll also spy floral paper,CV-WH007 GROW WILD as the pretty backing to that 'string art' dream catcher cut file. I selected this paper as it has a #samebutdifferent look to the MEMENTO paper, and it coordinates beautifully! 
The center heart is pieced with the B-side of pattern paper CV-WH001 LUSCIOUS -
 so pretty, and it really pops against the indigo blue! 
Here's a closer view.....


I just love that dream catcher cut file! 
I have made it appear as string art, by cutting the mosaic lines thinner, & connecting these 'strings' with ENAMEL DOTS (SPARKLES) beads. I have added a soft mixed media element beneath the dream catcher with watercolour splatter, and finished it all off with a sweet 'Wild at Heart' CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER

* Please note: This cut file is one I have edited from the Silhouette Store. *

I have positioned my photograph cluster just over the right side of the dream catcher, to enhance the connection and flow through my design....


To avoid 'blending' my frame into the dream catcher, I have layered the LUSCIOUS paper beneath my framed photo to add warmth and contrast. 
There's also two cuts from CV-WH006 FUSSY CUTS paper in this layering, as well as a delicate doily (from my stash). That gorgeous CHIPBOARD FRAME is also embellished with a DIE CUT EPHEMERA banner, so lovely!
Speaking of lovely, how about that LOVE YOU title?!!


The CHIPBOARD ACCENT STICKER title is just divine! 
I have also embellished it with a super cute FLAIR BUTTON that appears to have a similar pink 'wash' look to it, which also coordinates with the soft mixed media element of my page too!


When it comes to florals, and all the pretty things,
Wild At Heart is definitely my go to collection! 
So very beautiful and perfect for memory keeping my sweet girl!

Hope my layout has inspired you today!
Thanks so much for visiting!
til next time,