3Quarter Designs - Lavender Nursery Mini Collection Design Team Share

I’m back today with another gorgeous Mini Collection from 3Quarter Designs, and this one completely stole my heart — the Lavender Nursery Collection. Just like all of the 3Quarter Designs Mini Collections, this one is thoughtfully designed to give you everything you need to create a couple of beautiful layouts without the commitment of a full collection. You still get the stunning 12x12 papers, coordinating die cuts, and those super handy off-cut sheets for matting and fussy cutting — just perfectly sized for when you have a few special photos to document.

The colours in this collection are absolutely dreamy… soft lavenders, rich purples, and the most magical fairytale elements. Think castles, unicorns, fairies and delicate florals — everything that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a storybook. It really is perfect for the little girls in your life… or for those of us who are still little girls at heart.

For my layout, I couldn’t go past this sweet photo of Paige and I really leaned into that magical, fairytale feel that this collection brings. I absolutely loved the purples and lavenders in this collection, but because my photo had such a dark background, I wanted to introduce a deeper contrast to really make everything pop. So I created my own mixed media background starting with gesso and a stencil to add soft stars (tying into that magical theme), then building up inks and stains to form a rich blue frame that fades lighter towards the centre. 

From there, it was all about layering and texture. I added fine cotton sewing thread to create movement across the page, and the layout really called for more softness, so I brought in tiny delicate flowers to complement the collection. A touch of lace added that extra bit of texture, while tiny gold glitter stars helped enhance the magical, whimsical feel.

And of course… lots and lots of fussy cutting because this collection is just too beautiful not to. The whole fairytale theme really spoke to me. Unicorns, princesses, fairies and castles… honestly, what more could a little girl or a little girl at heart want?

The sweet fairy perched near the photo ties perfectly into the magical theme, surrounded by delicate florals that soften the whole design.

The soft layers of lace and paper strips create a beautiful foundation for the cluster, while the added stitching thread brings gentle movement across the page.

The castle element grounds the layout and really anchors that fairytale story, drawing your eye straight into the scene.

The unicorn detail adds that extra touch of whimsy, perfectly complementing the dreamy feel of the layout.

A mix of tiny flowers and layered embellishments adds depth and softness, helping everything feel cohesive and balanced.

Gold splatters and tiny stars scattered throughout the page bring just the right amount of sparkle and magic.

I had so much fun creating this layout and completely embracing that magical, storybook feel. The Lavender Nursery Mini Collection from 3Quarter Designs is just beautiful to work with and perfect for capturing those precious, whimsical memories.

Make sure you check out the full range of Mini Collections and pop over to the 3Quarter Designs Facebook Page to see what the rest of the Design Team have been creating — there’s always so much inspiration to be found.

3Quarter Designs - Candlelight Sage Collection Design Team Share

 Today I’m sharing a layout created with the absolutely beautiful Sage Candlelight collection from 3Quarter Designs. The Sage Candlelight collection is filled with stunning soft greens, elegant florals and beautifully detailed elements that make creating layered layouts feel effortless. The colours are calm and feminine, and the artwork has that lovely vintage feel that works so well for heartfelt family memories.

This collection felt like the perfect match for this photo of Bronte and Paige sharing a quiet cuddle moment together. It’s one of those soft, genuine moments that deserved a page full of gentle colours and delicate details. One of the things that really stood out to me when working with this collection was the woodgrain elements. The ladder and fence pieces were perfect for this page, echoing the old wooden shed sitting behind the girls in the photo. Little details like that help tie everything together and make the layout feel even more connected to the story in the photo.

The greens and florals in this collection are simply gorgeous. They are soft and delicate, adding just the right amount of colour without overpowering the photo. I layered several of the floral elements around the page to frame the girls and create a gentle flow across the layout. Another element I had to add were the doilies. They helped soften the design and brought everything together beautifully, adding that extra feminine touch to the page.

The Sage Candlelight collection is such a versatile range to work with. There are so many beautiful elements that allow you to build layers and texture while still keeping the layout feeling light and elegant.

I took a few photos along the way while putting this page together, so here’s a little step-by-step of how it all came together.

I chose my background and began pulling out the papers and embellishments I wanted to use. The woodgrain patterns were such a great fit, especially with the old wooden shed behind the girls. I used the border strip to create a frame around the photo.

The ladder and fence elements were some of the first pieces, so I spent some time fussy cutting them out - did had to use both scissors and a craft knife as there are some fine details in the images.

I distressed the edges of the papers using my distressing tool to add a bit of texture and dimension. It’s a simple step but it really helps the layers stand out and enhances the soft vintage feel of the collection.

 

Next I started layering in the florals. The greens in this collection are so soft and beautiful, and the florals add such a delicate touch to the page. I then tucked in some of the doily elements, which helped soften everything and gave the layout that feminine feel I was after.

Once the main design was in place, I built up my clusters and added extra layers and details around the photo until I was happy with the balance. Finally, I finished off with the last little details and brought the whole layout together. I just love how beautifully detailed this collection is and how easy it is to create with.

Here you can see the layering of the woodgrain elements with the florals. The ladder and fence add beautiful texture and perfectly mirror the rustic wood tones in the background of the photo.

This cluster highlights the delicate florals from the collection. The soft greens and gentle floral artwork frame the photo beautifully without overpowering the moment between the girls.

I absolutely loved creating this layout using the Sage Candlelight collection by 3Quarter Designs. The soft greens, delicate florals and beautiful vintage style elements make it such a lovely collection to work with, especially for capturing gentle family moments like this one between Bronte and Paige.

If you enjoy building layered layouts with soft feminine details, this collection is definitely one to explore.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and happy creating.

3Quarter Designs - Candlelight Sage Gimme More Pack

Today I’m sharing a layout created using the Sage Candlelight – Gimme More Pack from 3Quarter Designs, and I set myself a little creative challenge while making it. I wanted to see if I could create a full 12x12 layout using only the Gimme More Pack from the Sage Candlelight Collection.

Now normally I work exclusively in 12x12, so this was definitely a challenge because the pack doesn’t include a 12x12 base sheet. But that just meant getting a little creative. To solve the background problem, I created my own base using inks and sprays that match the colours of the Candlelight Sage collection. I layered soft sage greens, warm creams, muted browns, dusty tones and touches of earthy beige to build a gentle, blended background that echoes the colours in the collection. The soft inky layers give the page movement while still keeping the calm, vintage feel.

For my photo I chose an older black and white picture of our little family, taken during a professional photo shoot we had done when we were living in Darwin. I love using black and white photos with collections like this because the neutral tones allow the papers and embellishments to shine without competing with the image. The soft sage greens and warm neutral colours frame the photo beautifully and help keep the whole layout feeling cohesive.

I built the design around the photo using pieces from the pack, layering papers and elements to create a soft, dimensional base. One of my favourite parts of the page is the title cluster, where I used the wood frames from the pack. They were perfect for building up a layered focal point. I used 3D dimensional tape between the layers to lift the frames and elements off the page, which helps create depth and makes the cluster really stand out.

To add a little extra texture I wrapped twine into the cluster area. I love how simple materials like twine can soften a layout and add that slightly rustic, handmade feel that works so well with the Candlelight collection.

Even though the Gimme More Pack is smaller than a full collection kit, it was surprisingly versatile. With a bit of creativity and some mixed media for the background, it was absolutely possible to build a full 12x12 layered layout that still feels rich and detailed.

This was such a fun challenge and a great reminder that sometimes working with limited supplies actually pushes creativity further.

And of course, the Sage Candlelight range makes it easy — the soft colours, beautiful florals and elegant vintage touches are perfect for capturing those quiet family memories.

Thanks for stopping by today.

3Quarter Designs - Beachside Life Collection Design Team Share

 Today I’m sharing a layout created with the beautiful Beachside Life collection from 3Quarter Designs. This collection immediately transports you to the coast with its gorgeous palette of soft aquas, sandy neutrals and ocean blues. The artwork throughout the papers has a lovely textured feel to it — almost like painted seaside scenes and weathered beach elements — which makes it perfect for capturing relaxed holiday memories.

One of the things I really enjoy about the 3Quarter Designs collections is how thoughtfully the papers are designed. The details in the imagery, the layered textures and the coordinated elements make it very easy to create pages that feel rich and dimensional without needing lots of extra products.

For this layout I decided to feature one of the 12 offcut strips that come with the collection, specifically the strip with the series of tags. These strips are such a clever inclusion in the packs because they provide ready-made elements that can be used in so many ways. I cut out the tags and used them as individual photo frames, creating a flowing line across the page. Each tag holds a small photo from our Phuket holiday, turning the strip into a visual storytelling element across the layout.

The soft coastal colours in the collection work beautifully with the photos, and I love how the little details — shells, beach textures and ocean tones — help reinforce that relaxed seaside feel. By spacing the tags across the page and tying them together with twine, the layout feels a little like a string of holiday memories hanging across the beach backdrop.

To finish the page I added a few small clusters and the title “Our Phuket Family Escape”, which felt like the perfect way to capture the feeling of this trip.

The Beachside Life collection really is perfect for documenting travel memories, beach adventures and those peaceful coastal moments. The colours are calm and fresh, the artwork is full of beautiful detail, and the extra elements like the offcut strips make creating layouts both fun and effortless.

3Quarter Designs - Beachside Life Collection

 Today I’m sharing a layout I created for the 3Quarter Designs Design Team using the beautiful Beachside Life Collection. This collection instantly transports you to the coast with its soft ocean blues, sandy neutrals and gorgeous beach-inspired artwork. It has such a calm, relaxed seaside feel and is perfect for documenting holiday memories or those peaceful everyday moments that make you smile.

The Beachside Life Collection includes beautifully coordinated patterned papers, die-cuts and elements that make creating a page so easy. I love how flexible the collection is – you can go full beach holiday theme, or simply use the textures and colours to create a softer coastal vibe. The watercolour greens and blues, weathered timber textures and seaside elements layer together effortlessly and really bring beach photos to life.

For this layout I used photos taken at Sea World, looking through the huge shark tank from the outside. The under-water scene of the turtle in the photos worked perfectly with the colours in the collection, making it feel like the page was designed especially for these memories.

Sea turtles are something that have always held special meaning for me. They seem to pop up throughout different moments of my life — from when I worked at Turtleway Learning Centre and at Laguna Quays, to the symbolism tied to my time on HMAS Success for the Crossing the Line ceremony when crossing the Equator. Because of that, including the turtle imagery from this collection felt especially meaningful on this page.

I love how scrapbooking sometimes brings those little life connections together in ways you don’t expect.

Here you can see one of the fun die-cut clusters. By adding cotton thread to the shells, starfish and coastal die-cuts it add texture and help tie the elements together.

I have to let you in on a secret, I let out a little squeal of excitement when I opened the Beachside Life collection and saw the turtle die-cuts. The turtle die-cuts are just one of my favourite elements on the collection. It’s a small touch but carries a lot of meaning for me.

 If you love beach themed collections, Beachside Life is such a versatile one to work with — perfect for holiday photos, seaside adventures or even peaceful everyday moments that remind you of the ocean.

A Cut Above March Design Team Share

It’s time for a new monthly challenge over at A Cut Above Challenge Blog. Our challenge is always Anything Goes — as long as your project includes at least one die cut created with a manual or electronic die cutting machine (no pre-made die cuts allowed). Challenges go live on the first Monday of each month and run through to the 28th, so there’s plenty of time to play along with a brand new project made just for the challenge.

For my layout this month, I decided to lean right into my metal dies and of course I just had to make them the star of the page. The photos are of Adrian sneaking in a quick metal detecting session at Sandstone Point while the girls were off having their own fun. Metal detecting is all about patience, listening and that little spark of hope when you hear a promising beep — so the gear and lightbulb dies felt like the perfect match.

I cut the lightbulb from kraft cardstock and mixed grey and patterned papers for the gears to add a bit of depth. Some are popped up, some are flat, which keeps everything feeling layered and interesting. The grid die was trimmed and tucked behind the photo strip to add texture without taking over, I love how versatile metal dies are for that.

Before assembling everything, I added some soft brown mixed media and splatter to give the background a sandy, slightly worn feel. It helps anchor the die cuts and makes them look as if they are sitting naturally on the page and ties the whole story together.

Metal dies really are such hardworking little tools. You can make them bold, subtle, layered or textural and they give you complete control over how your page comes together.

Now it’s your turn to pull out those dies and join us this month. I can’t wait to see what you create.

3 Quater Designs Honey Fields Design Team Share

I’m so excited to share my February Design Team project for 3Quarter Designs, and this month we have two gorgeous collections – Honey Fields and Red Queen. For my first share I dove straight into Honey Fields, and oh my goodness, it is like wrapping yourself in a warm summer afternoon.

The moment I opened the papers I could almost feel sunshine on my shoulders. The collection is filled with glowing honey tones, soft blues and gentle creams, with the a scattering of bees buzzing through the designs. There are delicate florals, touches of vintage script and that beautiful golden hexagon pattern that instantly makes you think of lazy days, wildflowers and the hum of a summer garden with a honey sandwich. It is one of those collections that feels happy before you even cut into it.

For my layout I chose a close-up photo of Paige taken on a summer day at Southside in Brisbane. It was one of those bright, slightly chaotic days where her hair had a mind of its own – wild strands going everywhere – which suited her wild-at-heart personality perfectly. The sunshine caught her hair and turned it to pure gold, and the Honey Fields papers echoed that warmth so beautifully. I wanted the page to feel as carefree as she looked in that moment.

I built my design around the honeycomb elements from the collection and layered in the pretty blue and yellow florals to frame the photo. The little bees were impossible to resist, so a few of them found their way onto the page as well, adding a playful touch. I love how the colours in the range do all the hard work, making it easy to create something soft and feminine while still full of life.

I also filmed a video while putting this layout together, sharing how I chose the pieces and built up the layers. Just click on the link to the video so you can craft along with me and see how the page came to life from start to finish.

Being able to represent 3Quarter Designs is such a joy, especially when the collections are as inspiring as Honey Fields. I hope this layout brings a little sunshine to your day and maybe encourages you to pull out your own summer photos and let the bees buzz across your page too.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing in my February project.