Epic Legend (Cocoa Vanilla Studio DT)

Hello again! I was up earlier this week with a layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio that I made with the gorgeous new "Legendary" collection. I decided to finally scrapbook my amazing brother in law Blair, who passed away in October last year after a nearly year long battle with cancer. I haven't been able to scrapbook his journey yet, as its just been too hard, but this amazing collection helped!

I used a star wreath cut file by Paige Evans which I backed with papers from the collection and some vellum from my stash.

I had fussy cut lots of the stars from the All Star paper, and I placed the smaller stars around the wreath to carry on the "star" theme of my layout. The die cut words were perfect for my title.

I kept my embellishment very simple, because the wreath and stars did all of the work. I also did some very subtle machine stitching under the wreath to add some texture and interest.

You can watch my process video here, and hear my thoughts about scrapping a hard memory. Thanks so much

The Best - Confessions of A Paper Addict DT

Hello everyone! So happy to be back today with another post. This one is a bit sad, as its my last project for Confessions of A Paper Addict Cut Files. After a year (2 terms) on this amazing team I've decided to step down. So for my last layout I wanted to create a tribute to the amazing design team members who have become my friends, and I also wanted to thank the owner Virginia, who is amazing!!

I used the "Unforgettable" collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio, which was perfect as I wanted a paper that was artsy that I could cut the "Wonky Hearts" cut file from.

For this layout I used the negative of the cut file, which is the hearts. I used the positive as a stencil and backed the hearts on foam for dimension.

Of course I had to include one of the design team announcement photos, as I'm trying to make an effort to get my stories scrapped too! You can watch my process video here. Thanks for looking!

Egg Mayhem! - Confessions of a Paper Addict Cut Files DT

Hello again!! I hope you're all keeping well and sane in this new normal. Yesterday we resumed distance learning for our older three kids, which has its challenges - but it is good for them to have some routine, and to see their teachers and friends virtually. Today I have a layout on my YouTube Channel that I created for Confessions of a Paper Addict. I used one of the newly released Easter Cut Files called "Egg Mayhem". Its a background cut file and was so perfect to scrap this photo of myself panic shopping Easter eggs at the Warehouse on day one of the 48 hours before we went into COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. I was shopping for three families, and looked like a crazy chocoholic!!!

I used my February Hip Kit Club kit, and selected patterned papers with repeating patterns to back the cut file. I also used some American Crafts POW glitter paper in gold from my stash.

I used my water colour paints to colour match around each egg, and I love how it turned out!

This cut file didn't need much embellishment as it was busy enough. I used foam thinkers from my stash for my title.

You can watch my video here to see how I made this layout. Thanks for being here as I start posting more regularly, I appreciate it!

Stay Unique - Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team

Hello hello!! I'm back after what probably seems like forever!! Firstly welcome to my blog to the new followers who have made their way here and stuck around despite my lack of posts, thank you for joining me! If you want to see more of my work, especially what I've made in the years I haven't been here, you can find me on my Instagram. My biggest scrappy news is that I made it onto the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Design Team for 2020, and I'm thrilled because I adore their product!! Today is my first creation for Cocoa Vanilla and I am using the gorgeous Happiness collection. I was hoping to create with the newly released Legendary, but due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, my supplies and still in transit. I've created a layout with the gorgeous 'Happiness' collection because my Legendary is somewhere in transit, slowed down by the COVID-19 global pandemic. I used the Large Die Cut & Backing Set and decided to be bold (for me) by chain stitching the heart in back embroidery floss.

The photo is of our gorgeous yet cheeky 3 year old daughter Ava.  I've been having some fun with the filters on Instagram, and I was so happy that she stayed still for a couple of seconds for me to take this sweet photo. 

The chain stitching took me hours to complete but was worth it for the texture it added to my layout.  I just worked on it in the evenings while I watched Netflix.  I ended up getting into quite the rhythm, and found it very relaxing!

I don't have much of this collection left because I love it so much, so I embellished with some fussy cut butterflies from both the 12x12 paper and the 6x8 paper stack, resulting in two different sizes of butteries. I created an embellishment cluster around my photo with layered and distressed papers, vellum, stickers and die cuts. I added dimension with craft foam and pop dots.  My final touch was to add Nuvo Dream Drops in Gold Luxe, and some black mist splatters.

I made a process video which you can watch on my YouTube Channel. Thanks for reading & take care Melissa 

Scrapbooking, my neglected blog and life

Hello!!  Yes its been ages and life has been rolling on.  Firstly I'm so sorry about my absence, and I'm going to be honest, 4 kids is very full on and leaves little time for keeping up with my blog and YouTube Channel.  However, I have still been creating, mostly in small increments of time.

Today is Brielle's 3rd birthday, all she wanted was a pink cake, it was the easiest cake request I've ever had from one of my kids.  Last week I turned 40, and exactly the week before Sam turned 10! Its been birthday central around here, and I still can't believe the ages Sam and I are!

Little darling and her cake!

Azaria helped me bake the cake.

Sam had a Nerf War party at the park, and then we came back to our place for cake.  At his request I made an X-Box and the Controller.  So happy with how it turned out!!

GF chocolate brownie on the bottom, and chocolate cake on the top - all decorated with buttercream.

10 candles!!!

And here is a current photo of Ava, who is nearly 5 months!  She looks so much like Sam as a baby, and like Brielle she loves soft blankets too.

Scrapbooking

I'm currently designing for The Scrappery (with my projects being shared on their YouTube Channel) and The Cut Shoppe.  I also subscribe to The Hip Kit Club for my own scrapping pleasure!  I'm really behind with sharing on here, so prepare yourself for lots of layouts!!  I'm starting today with layouts for The Cut Shoppe.

I've shared these layouts on The Cut Shoppe Blog.  The first one uses the Wreathed in Love cut file set, and I used the Love Always collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

This next layout has SnapChat photos with the bunny filter of all our kids and uses the Bless Your Heart cut file set.  I used all four heart designs, and did some mixed media with acrylic paint in the background.  I used my February Hip Kit.

My final layout uses The Half of It background cut file, which I turned upside down.  I did the packaging technique with my watercolours and applied gold acrylic paint with a baby wipe on white cardstock, and then layered the cut file over the top.  Once again I used my February Hip Kit.

I hope you enjoyed this long post.  I'll be back tomorrow with my recent projects for The Scrappery.

Read (The Scrappery Kit Club CT)

Hello!  I haven't shared my exciting news on here yet, but I made The Scrappery Kit Club Creative Team!  The Scrappery is based in Australia, and I love that I'm now part of a team in my part of the world (NZ being neighbours).  The first kit that I'm working with is November's Lilly Kit, and features Cocoa Vanilla Studio's "Make a Wish" collection.  This collection is birthday themed, but there are so many possibilities for creating other projects too.

I'll be posting a new video on The Scrappery YouTube Channel every Tuesday, but will also share them on my channel, and here on my blog.  For my first layout I decided to scrap a photo of Brielle reading a book at 10 months old.  I love this photo and it was so great to finally get it scrapped.

I went with one of my favourite designs, which is to feature a large block of paper.  I loved this beautiful pink watercolour paper!

I fussy cut out some of the flowers and used them as embellishments.  I added extra texture with my sewing machine and scallop border punch.

I love all the embellishments that are included in the kit!

Here is my process video.

And here is my unboxing video of the kit.

Thanks so much for looking!