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.

3 Quarter Designs February Design Team Share - Red Queen Collection

I’m back again with another project using the incredible Red Queen collection from 3Quarter Designs, and this time I stepped right out of my comfort zone. This range continues to amaze me with its rich storytelling and dramatic mix of imagery. The bold reds, moody blacks, touches of vintage elegance and whimsical characters all weave together to create a collection that feels like stepping into a beautifully illustrated fairytale with a touch of edge and attitude.

3Quarter Designs really do produce products of exceptional quality. The papers are thick and vibrant, the die-cuts are detailed and sturdy, and everything coordinates so effortlessly. What makes their collections so special is how versatile they are. You can create traditional scrapbook pages, mixed media pieces, cards, and, as I discovered, even off-the-page projects without ever feeling limited.

My latest creation is something a little different for me – a decorated journal cover. Off-the-page projects are not something I do very often, but sometimes inspiration taps you on the shoulder and you just have to follow it. I was wandering through Kmart when I spotted a pink and red heart journal, and instantly the Red Queen collection popped into my head. It felt like fate, so of course the journal came home with me.

 

 

I decided to make the Red Queen herself the star of the cover. Using elements from the collection, I layered papers, roses, hearts and delicate details to build a miniature story across the front of the journal. The colours of the collection worked perfectly with the journal base, almost as if they were made for each other. It was such a fun process letting the design grow organically, guided purely by what felt right rather than by any plan.

Creating something functional rather than a layout was incredibly refreshing, and it reminded me just how adaptable these collections are. The mix of cut-aparts, die-cuts and patterned papers made it easy to add depth and interest while still keeping the focus on that striking Red Queen image.

I also filmed a video while I was putting the cover together, sharing the steps and the little decisions along the way. Just click on the link and it should take up to my YouTube channel so you can see how this project came to life.

Looking ahead, I have a little plan forming. I would love to decorate a page or two inside this journal using each of the 3Quarter Designs collections that I am lucky enough to receive and create with as part of the Design Team. It feels like a beautiful way to keep all those stories together in one place. Now I just have to hope I can keep to my plan.

Thanks for joining me for something a bit different this time, and for celebrating the magic of the Red Queen collection with me.

Guest Designers for White With 1

 I was asked to be the Guest Designer for the White With 1 blog challenge. I must admit I love using white cardstock as my base I sometimes forget how fresh it looks. Anyway you can check out a bit more about my Guest Design spot at the White With 1 blog, just click on this link. 

The white With 1 challenge this month is to create your layout on WHITE cardstock... of course and use this picture as inspiration.

COLOUR – Select your ONE colour from the image (BLUE, ORANGE, BROWN, GREEN or YELLOW)

Criteria for February – Please use paint or ink on your layout.

3 Quater Designs Honey Field Design Team Share

I’m back with my second February Design Team share for 3Quarter Designs using the Honey Fields Collection. I’m still completely smitten with the this collection. 

This range is one of those beautifully thought-out collections that you can return to again and again and still discover new possibilities. The quality of 3Quarter Designs products always impresses me – the papers are sturdy, the colours are rich and true, and the embellishments coordinate so effortlessly that creating feels more like a dream.

Honey Fields is filled with glowing yellows, warm honey tones, gentle creams and the most gorgeous blues. The sweet bees and delicate florals give it a light, whimsical feel, yet the vintage touches and textured patterns make it perfect for heritage photos as well. That flexibility is one of the things I love most about 3Quarter Designs collections – they suit everyday memories, special occasions and even older treasured photos without missing a beat.

For this layout I chose a photo of my parents taken at my wedding. It is one of those images that holds so much meaning, and I wanted to give it a soft, elegant home. I used the little frame images from the 12-inch off-cut strip in the pack and created a cluster of photo frames around the picture, almost like a collection of memories gathered together. Those strips are such a clever inclusion in the kits – they are packed with useful elements that are easy to overlook but can become the hero of a page.

I wanted the background to feel gentle and airy, so I did a little blending with Distress Oxide inks to create a wash of colour that matched the tones in the collection. This gave me a place to anchor all the pretty florals and frames without overwhelming the photo. The papers in Honey Fields layer so naturally that the design almost builds itself.

This time I was drawn to the deeper blue in the range and decided to pull that out as a feature colour. I added tiny gems in the same blue hue to give a little sparkle and to help those tones pop against the softer yellows and creams. The combination feels classic and elegant, perfect for a wedding memory while still keeping that warm, sunny Honey Fields vibe.

Working with 3Quarter Designs products is always such a pleasure. The attention to detail in the artwork, the way the colours blend across the whole collection and the generous mix of diecuts, off cut strips and fussy cutting elements make it easy to create pages that feel thoughtful and complete. Honey Fields has shown me once again how versatile a single collection can be – from carefree summer photos to heartfelt family moments.

I hope this layout inspires you to look at your own special photos and see how beautifully they can be celebrated with Honey Fields. If you would like to see how this layout came together then please click on the link and it will take you to my You-Tube Channel where you can view all the details. 

Thanks for joining me for another share and for supporting this wonderful company that brings so much creativity to our craft tables.

3 Quater Designs February Design Team Share

I’m so excited to be sharing my first project using the Red Queen collection from 3Quarter Designs, and what a collection this is. 3Quarter Designs is such a fantastic Australian small business. The quality of their products is always outstanding – thick, beautifully printed papers, perfectly colour-matched elements and designs that feel thoughtful and unique. What I love just as much is the heart behind the company. The owners and designers are genuinely friendly, always willing to help, encourage and inspire the creative community, and that shines through in everything they produce.

From the moment I opened the Red Queen pack I was swept into a world of rich reds, dramatic blacks, touches of gold and the most magical storybook imagery. The Red Queen range is inspired by a journey of growth and strength, and it carries that sense of bold confidence through every sheet of paper and every embellishment.

For this layout I scrapped photos of Bronte in her gorgeous red formal dress, and I honestly could not have chosen a more perfect collection. The deep red of her dress echoes the theme of the Red Queen so beautifully, and the idea of growth and stepping into a new chapter felt so fitting for a Year 12 formal moment. She looked confident, strong and a little bit magical, which is exactly the vibe this collection gives.

The Red Queen collection is packed with creative possibilities. There are stunning 12x12 papers filled with roses, mushrooms, hearts and whimsical characters, along with coordinating cut-aparts, die-cuts and those brilliant 12-inch off-cut strips that include photo mats and extra elements. Having all of these pieces working together makes it so easy to build layers and tell a story on the page without having to search for anything extra.

    

I used one of the feature papers as my base and layered in the die-cuts, roses and whimsical elements to create a rich, storybook scene around the photos. The cut-aparts and off-cut strips were perfect for framing the images and adding those extra little details that make a layout feel complete. I love how the collection allows you to go bold and dramatic while still keeping the focus on the photos.

 

Working with Red Queen reminded me again why I adore 3Quarter Designs. Their collections are not just papers, they are stories waiting to be told. Whether you are scrapping everyday memories or milestone moments like this one, the range gives you everything you need to create something meaningful and beautiful.

I can’t wait to share more projects with this collection, but for now I hope you enjoy seeing how perfectly the Red Queen journey matched Bronte’s own special day.