Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when Lauren dreams up one of her fabulous kits? What inspires her? What her design process is? Well, today we’re going to go behind the scenes and see how Lauren created New Zealand Naturals, a kit created especially for Cheryl Peacock aka cherpea - the lucky winner of Lauren’s second “You Design It” custom-kit contest.
New Zealand Naturals is a gorgeous kit that was inspired by the great outdoors of New Zealand (where Cheryl lives with her husband Chris and two daughters, Anya and Dannielle). It has muted tones and rich textures reminiscent of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand where Cheryl recently vacationed with her family.
“The West Coast is the exact opposite of what we see as part of our everyday,” explains Cheryl. “It’s certainly a lot wetter there…[and] a whole lot greener, especially noticeable in summer when we are often caught in drought like conditions and the Coast is still lovely and green.”
Working with photos sent by Cheryl as well as Cheryl’s detailed input on colors and textures, Lauren conjured up papers of greens, blacks and browns that have a little more than meet the eye.
Cheryl says that the black paper is a perfect example.
“I wanted a black paper that resembled a night sky away from city lights, the kind where you walk out into it and are surrounded by blackness but that when you are out in it for a bit takes on a whole new perspective, offering up patches of lightness. Tell me that Lauren didn’t hit the nail on the head there!”
As for elements, Cheryl requested “earthy, roughed up almost masculine elements.” Again, Lauren came through in spades, even suggesting a couple of additions that Cheryl says “simply work brilliantly with what [she] had envisioned.”
As you can tell, Cheryl was blown away by the kit Lauren created and calls it a “must-have” for every single digi scrapper.
“It’s just so very versatile, I have used it for all sorts of different pages from photos of my daughters to all about me pages to travel pages.”
One of her favorite layouts using New Zealand Naturals is “Dance” a simple yet beautiful page about her daughter Anya’s first dance recital. Much like the papers Lauren has designed, there is more than meets the eye.
“Take your time looking at it,” says Cheryl. “When you first view it, it’s kinda like walking out of your house into a dark night where everything seems so very black and dark, but give it a chance and you will see all the amazing textures Lauren worked into this paper. You just need to give your eyes a chance to see it.”
And take a look at some pages created by Lauren’s CT used New Zealand Naturals:
Kelly
Meg
Kellie
Erica
Nicole
Cathy
New Zealand Naturals element pack and paper pack are available now at Little Dreamer Designs.
She is dedicated to her family, and it has been exciting to watch it grow from one child to two, and from one location to another. Hugs to you, Renee! 
