Hello friends, it is Neftali Zambrano with you here today and I am so excited to be here sharing with you my first blog post and challenge as Guest Designer this month. I wanted to start off with my very favorite techniques: layers, and texture.

So first, let us start with your challenge. Post your finished layout on the Project Gallery under the Texture and Layers contest for a chance to win a $5 gift card from ACherryOnTop.com. This challenge ends on January 27 at 12 am EST. I have created a graphic that you can save to your phone or tablet with a few tips on accomplishing this challenge.

 

 

 

For this project, I am working up a 12x12 layout.  But first, let us dig into the supplies and the steps for creating this 12x12 layout. Crafty time!

 

 

 

I started off by setting out all of the Maggie Holmes Marigold collection bits I ordered from the shop, I wanted to create a layout with those matching stickers and papers. As a base for my layout, I used the 12x12 specialty gold-foiled scalloped sheet, which I backed on a soft pink 12x12 cardstock sheet. The gold foil specialty sheet is such a stunning page. I wanted to bring out all its beauty by using it as my base, and it was also partially a challenge because I am not very used to using a colored background. But I went for it anyway.  I challenge you to also use a colored background, especially if you’re not used to it. 

   

I created a central cluster on my page using lots of layers, texture, and dimension. I added two doilies from my personal stash of supplies to create a contrasting color below all the layers. I created layers of dimension by using chipboard stickers, and by adhering to my cardstock stickers and ephemera using dimensional pop adhesive. 

 

Finally, I added contrast also by adding black elements like stickers and black ink splatters. Here are a few more closeups for you to enjoy… I hope that you are feeling inspired to recreate this layout for our Challenge!

Check out the video below if you would like to watch how I built the layers and created this whole layout step by step.

 

 

Thanks for coming by today. It is such a pleasure to be here with all of my crafty friends at A Cherry On Top. If you join the challenge below, please share your image in the Project Gallery under the Textures and Layers contest.

 

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You can see more inspiration from Neftali on her Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, and Project Gallery!

Stay tuned all month to see what she will create!

 

 

Posted by Jessica.

 

Describe your crafting style: I like to describe my crafting style as creative, modern, and feminine. I love to add lots of layers and texture to my projects, I love bright pops of colors atop a white surface, and I also have a huge love for florals so you will find that almost all of my projects include flowers.  I enjoy the modern trends in scrapbooking and I try to recreate some of them with my own special touches. Most of my pages and projects have a feminine aesthetic and a bit of an eclectic feel. 

Your favorite must-have crafty tool(s): I can't live without my two paper trimmers. One is a 12x12 trimmer, and the other is a 7x5 guillotine blade. I also have a sewing machine that I use solely for adding fabulous stitched texture to my pages. I also love my dimensional adhesives that add all that good dimension to my projects.

Something new you have learned recently? This past year I challenged myself to practice my watercolor and mixed media skills. I am still a work-in-progress, but my favorite so far was watercolor florals and I wish to keep improving on that skill.

Something you are scared of trying? I have a small collection of alcohol inks that I haven't even touched! I am still a bit fearful of trying them out, however, they are there for when I am ready. I saw that the girls at ACOT recently shared a fabulous lesson on alcohol inks and I plan to take the tips I have learned to finally let go of that newbie fear and just go for it.

What inspires you to create?  My biggest inspiration for creating is my crafty space. I have managed to squeeze a whole wall of craft space just for myself in my small home. Having all of my supplies and papers available in that way inspires me to be creative every day. I would recommend anyone who has a passion for crafting to find a small space in their homes for their creativity. It is so special and you will find yourself feeling inspired to create regularly.

BIO: Hello my name is Neftali Zambrano, also known as All The Neffyness in the crafty world. I have been scrapbooking since I was a teenager in high school. But my love for scrapbooking didn't turn into a real-life passion until my son was born in 2015. At that point, I wanted to put all the beautiful photos and memories of my baby on paper, and in my scrapbooks. That is when I joined the online community of scrapbookers and paper crafters on Instagram and I started up my blog. Since then I have had the honor of serving in a number of design teams in the past five years. I have also recently created my own digital printable kits. This year I have the distinguished honor of teaching my own class. I love scrapbooking and I hope to continue to make a passion-filled career out of it in the years ahead. I am so delighted to start in 2021 as Guest Designer here at A Cherry On Top. I hope that the projects and challenges I share with you this month inspire you to get creative. Please follow me on social media to keep up with all my craftiness!

 

Here are some of Neftali's beautiful projects

   

        

You can see more inspiration from Neftali on her Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, and Project Gallery!

Stay tuned all month to see what she will create!

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Posted by Jessica.

Merry and Bright Holiday Tags

Made by our December Guest Designer, Cris Cunningham

 

Hi friends,

We're in the final stretch! I hope you have been enjoying the holiday season so far. I don't know about you, but I am always rushing to get my presents wrapped and tucked under the tree at this point, and right up until Christmas Eve. Although I am in a hurry to "get it all done", I thought I would take an evening to make a few tags to attach to my larger presents. Nothing warms my heart more, even in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, than to gift a handmade present this time of year. I thought I would share this batch I made with the beautiful and happy Cocoa Vanilla Studios' "Merry & Bright" collection. I adore the pretty, vintage, and festive feel this collection has; it will definitely work well with any of your current or post-holiday projects (yes, we must think of our post-holiday crafting as well!)

   

For this project, I first die cut white lightweight cardstock as my base using one of the largest Pink and Main stitched circle dies. Then I began building my "Christmas scene". For that, I used my Sizzix scalloped circle die set to cut a smaller circle from the GORGEOUS Cocoa Vanilla Studios Soft Gold Glitter cardstock (seriously this is the prettiest gold glitter cardstock I have ever seen!). I layered another stitched circle using the "Holiday" patterned paper. Then I began layering elements I fussy cut from the pocket cards as used pieces and sentiments from the "ephemera" collection, "flair buttons" and "puffy gold star" packets. When my scene was complete, I went back to my base, added a paper doily, and then glued the entire scene on top. I outlined various parts of the scene with Nuvo Dream drops, then brushed on some DecoArts texture sand past and fine white glitter. I completed each tag with either a white pom-pom or one of the Cocoa Vanilla Studios puffy gold stars and a red checkered ribbon.

   

This was all done in one snowy evening, just a few hours while watching the Nutcracker in my craft room, so you still have time! Make a few handmade tags with your favorite A Cherry on Top holiday collections and have fun! I wish you all a very joyous and safe holiday!

 

Cristina

 

 

ACOT products used:

Cocoa Vanilla Studios Merry & Bright 12x12 paper pack

Cocoa Vanilla Studios Merry & Bright Die Cut Ephemera

Cocoa Vanilla Studios Merry & Bright Soft Gold Glitter Cardstock

Cocoa Vanilla Studios Mery & Bright Flair Buttons

Cocoa Vanilla Studio Merry & Bright Puffy Gold Stars

Pink and Main Stitched Circle dies

Sizzix Scallop Circle Dies

 

You can see more inspiration from Cris on her Project Gallery, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Blog!

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Posted by Jessica.

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