TGIF; Thankful Friday #163

Happy Friday and Happy TGIF; Thankful Friday! This week I'm thankful for the rain. We really need it. There's so much good from rainfall, but it also brings a new level of worry. I don't have a commute, but my children do and I do get concerned about their drives to and from work.

But overall...thanks for the rain!

Have a great week and leave me a comment on what you are thankful for this week.

Wonder-ful Halloween Layout; Sketch-N-Scrap

I love this layout I made using the Sketch-N-Scrap January sketch #216. I wasn't sure about it at first but once I started playing with the papers, it all came together!

Here's the sketch:

And here's my layout:

Close Ups:

I also created a YouTube process video for it. Be sure to check out the video and hit the subscribe button while you're there!

List of Products:

Comic Heroes Paper Pad by Recollections

Black & white pens

Homemade watered down white acrylic paint spray

I just realized that as I'm listing the products, I didn't use any solid cardstock or any additional embellishments. Yay! A Paper Pad Party!

The sketch challenge is good until the end of the month if you're interested in creating and linking your own layout.

UPDATE:  I WON THE SKETCH CHALLENGE FOR THIS ONE!  WOO HOO!
This is what I won:

A cute winter card kit! I can't wait to play with them.

Handmade Embellishments Swap

I signed up for a handmade embellishment swap in one of the scrapbooking Facebook groups that I'm a member of. The theme is adventure/outdoors. I signed up because we did a lot of hiking during the Spring/Summer last year and am hoping to get some great embellishments.

I purchased a stamp set from Close To My Heart (CTMH) recently and decided to use this as my base and work from there.

Although it is one stamp, I used it in three different ways. First I stamped the entire image in black on white cardstock; then I stamped the tree portion in green also on white cardstock; the "STAY WILD" was stamped on woodgrain paper in black ink.

I used my oval cutter from Stampin Up! in a beautiful yellow cardstock as the base and inked the edges with chalk ink from Quick Quotes; fussy cut the stamped image and the green trees; adhered the woodgrain paper strip before adding the tree w/foam adhesive.

As an afterthought, I used a watercolor marker & water brush to add some color behind the trees. Once that dried, I used a white pen to add dots.

I'm mailing them out today. I can't wait to see what I get in return!

TGIF #162

TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! This week I'm thankful for the fact that my hubby and I finally agreed on a theme for our master bedroom. Well, agreed may be a strong word. Let's just say, I picked a theme/color scheme and he didn't disagree. LOL

After 20 years (in April) of living in our house, I'm finally starting to decorate our bedroom.

I've only just started, but here's a peek at one side of the room.

We went from this:

To this:

And I have so much more planned. We are even going through our closet!

Have a great week! Leave a comment below on what you are thankful for this week.

Since my blog is mostly to talk about crafting and all things around that, I didn't want to get too much into politics, but my biggest thankful moment this week was the inauguration of our new President and Vice President. Wow, tears were flowing during the ceremony! We are so ready for big changes!

WOYWW #607

Good morning! Today I’m sharing my work desk as part of the WOYWW linkage over at Stamping Ground.  This is post #607 for Miss Julia - pretty amazing to see desks from all over the globe. Check it out!

My desk:

I’m working on a mug for my daughter-in-law’s business and this is my photo set up. It’s hard taking pictures of glasses due to their clear nature, but I think I did ok.

Today is a historic day for the US and I for one as so excited to be rid of the old and start with the new!

Have a fabulous week!

Here's To You Challenge Card

I busted out the scraps for this easy card. I'm entering it in two different challenge sites this week. The first is Sunday Stamps for the sketch and the second is Just Us Girls for the inspiration.

Here's the card:

Close Up:

Watch the YouTube process video:

I was really excited how this turned out. It was so easy and the added notches and twine give it a little umph to make it extra special. It's hard to see, but I used a clear glitter marker to cover the shells.

Paper Layer Cut Sizes:

• Dark Blue: 4.5 x 3.25
• Light Blue: 3.5 x 2.25
• Med Blue: 2.25 x 1.75
• White Base:  5.25 x 4

Notches were punched at 1.5 from the bottom

Be sure to click over to the two challenge sites to check out the DT submissions and other linkers.

Products Used:

Stamp Set:  Seaside Notions (Stampin Up!)

Clear Glitter Marker:  CTMH

Circle Punch:  1/4" from my stash

BBTB2; Snowflakes

The current challenge at Bitten By The Bug 2 (BBTB2) is...snowflakes. It doesn't snow where I live, but it sure is cold. When you're creating a winter themed or even a holiday themed project, snowflakes are the perfect embellishment!

I decided to pretty up some plain gloves. I searched “snowflakes” in the Design Space project library to get the idea. I don’t do this very often but when I do, I always find cool projects. 

When you make a project already created in Design Space, you basically hit “customize” and all the cuts are ready for you. You really only have to hit “make”.

I used my mini press for this project - it’s the perfect tool for small projects! I was also able to use a scrap of white HTV - this project was a win-win!

Your turn...create a Cricut project inspired by the challenge theme and link it to the BBTB2 linkage. Our challenges are for two weeks.

Gel Print Card #2 and Using Squares

I created another card using a gel print as the background and the same stamped images as THIS card. I added a lot to the gel print and of course did not take any before or during photos. I left my phone downstairs and didn't feel like retrieving it. LOL

This green gel print background was a first pull before adding stencils (check out the video HERE). I could have used it as is, but I decided to add more to it. I used my favorite script stamp and black archival ink; a stencil and yellow (Pineapple Smoothie/Fun Stampers Journey) acrylic paint; and a square stencil & a white POSCA pen to draw in the squares. I also splashed gold glitter from a glitter marker.

For this card, I used a black cardstock square to add the sentiment & the stamped images.

You'll notice that I embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder and drew a white border around the black square base. As an afterthought, I also tucked in some gold thread.

I'm entering this card on the Country View Challenges site. Their current challenge theme is using one or more squares on  your project.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #161

Happy TGIF; Thankful Friday! This week I'm thankful for my fitbit. I got one in my stocking this year for Christmas and boy have they evolved from when I gifted one to hubby years ago. Everything is synced with my iPhone and their app. Pretty cool. 

I love how it'll "zap" you every so often so you can get up and move. I really need this since I have a desk job and can literally sit in my chair all day sometimes. I'm making extra effort to take the long way to the restroom, copier and other destinations in our office.

How about you? What are you thankful this week? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Have a great weekend! Stay healthy and keep moving!

WOYWW #606

Hello there and happy Wednesday! Do you know what today is? Today’s the day I get to share my desk on the Stamping Ground blog. This linkage has been going on for many, many years. Click on over THERE to see more desks.

My desk this morning:

I’ve been busy make cards using some gel prints that I made earlier and stamped images. 

Be sure to click over there, spend some time and leave some comments. If you feel like it, link a photo of y our desk this morning.  Have a great week!

Using the Gel Prints (card) and Video

If you haven't already, check out the YouTube video where I pull some monoprints using my gel press. Click HERE to see it. So what am I doing to do with those prints...? Make some cards! I’m also entering this card on the Always Fun Challenges blog.  I am using both stamp sets for the first time. The current challenge is something new.

Here's a look at one card I made with one of these prints as the base layer. I made some of these prints "card size" ready and this was one of them.

Check out the video here:

And photos:

Products:

Stamps:

• Spring in the Desert Stamp Set from Fun Stampers Journey (FSJ) (Spellbinder)
• Tender Thoughts from CTMH

Ink Pads:

• Peacock from encore (blue for skinny leaves)
• Soft Leaf from Memories and Olive from FSJ (big succulent)
• Persian Carpet from Acme (leaf sprigs)

Markers:

• Tombow N57 to add shadow on the leaf sprigs
• Tombow 026 golden yellow for flowers
• Tombow 772 and Le Plume wine for the larger flower
• Tombow 836 (or 636 the first number was rubbed off) for the cactus "paddle" 
• Certainly Celery from SU! for the small succulent
• Zig Writer in sagebrush for the stems

Ink blender pen from Stampin Up!

White cardstock from CTMH

White & black pens, black archival ink pad, gold thread and script stamp are from my stash

I love this stamp set and it makes it easy to create a beautiful arrangement. I wanted to keep the card simple enough so that you could see the background.

What do you think? Pretty, right?

Be sure to check out the video and while you're there in YouTube, click the subscribe button. I post at least one video a week.

Happy Halloween Layout; Stick It Down

I’m on a mission to enter more challenges and complete more scrapbook layouts! Yesterday I finished Halloween 2019 photos by following a two-page sketch from Stick It Down. Each month, they feature a new two-page, one-page and card sketch. Check them out HERE!

The sketch:

My layout:

I rarely purchase Halloween paper and embellishments because I always thought I had a ton of it. Well, I found out that I don’t, but I worked with what I had and came up with these two cute layouts. The left side has photos of my coworkers & I and the right is my family. To coordinate the two sides, I used the same embellishments & one of the patterned papers on both.

Tip: Instead of using cardstock for the base, I used the backside of two sheets of paper that I knew I wasn’t going to use - in fact, they were in my giveaway pile. They were “cardstock” heavy and worked perfectly to hold those four 6x6 sheets and also as the base of the left side page.

The black strip of paper that is going down the middle of the right side page was a cut off piece from the black paper used on the left. I added it since there was a small gap between those patterned papers and it needed to be covered. Plus, I used the scrap and didn’t have to toss or save!

The two white diecut ghosts have been in my stash for at least a decade, I am not fibbing! Good news too is that now I get to purchase Halloween products - LOL

Be sure to check out the Stick It Down site for great sketches! I’ll be a Guest Designer there in February too.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #160

Happy Thankful Friday! Well, we took a quick road trip last week so I’m thankful for the mini-vacations that are spur of the moment.

My mom and sister left our home on Tuesday and then on Wednesday we decided to basically follow them home. We stopped at Lake Havasu City before driving down to Tucson. We also went to Tombstone.

Here we are near the London Bridge:

In the wild, Wild West:

And also thankful for a smooth ride home. Don’t worry, we had our masks with us but when we were by ourselves, we took them off for the photos!

I hope you are having a good week and have plenty to be thankful for. Leave me a comment and let me know!

Jo Bros 2-Page Layout & Video

When my daughter & I in the Command Center, we are usually listening to music or have a movie on the tv screen. One day a Jonas Brothers song came on and we both joked saying our one regret in life is not seeing them in concert. Well, about a year later, the brothers got the band back together and we had our opportunity. 

I didn't take a lot of photos since I was so mesmerized by the music, lights and overall show. It was an amazing concert! The opening acts were awesome as well - we had a blast!

Check out the YouTube process video:

Photos:

Details:

I didn't do a lot of journaling on the layout but I wrote my story on the back. I had a lot to say and I didn't want to cover the photos or embellishments.

Don't you LOVE that Jonas Brothers embellishment? I purchased it from www.newmody.com. I was able to customize the color of their shirt collars to match the suits they wore during the concert. That is also what led me to the color scheme of the layouts. Newmody has tons of great SVGs if you are interested - many are licensed characters.

The music patterned paper and embellishments are from www.wildwhisperdesigns.com and the QR Code sticker is from www.penless.com. Adding the QR Code sticker was a fun addition to this music filled page.

The other papers were from my stash.

Be sure to check out the YouTube video and click the SUBSCRIBE button.

WOYWW #605

Hello Wednesday and Happy WOYWW! What’s WOYWW, click on over to Stamping Ground to read more about the weekly linkage and to check out more desks.

My desk today:

It’s not “technically” clean, but look at all the work area I have available! I just finished making some cards and cleared off most of my work desk.

Have a great week!

Card Goal 2020; Weeks 50 - 52

2020 has come to an end! Now, we can look forward to a new year and everything that it entails. I'm so glad I committed to sending at least one card a week for the year. I did complete my challenge and in fact, I sent out so many more than 52.

Here's what I sent on these weeks:

Week 50: Three Christmas cards to my aunts & uncle on my dad's side
Week 51:  Sympathy card to my aunt
Week 52:  Birthday card to a friend 

I didn't take a group photo of all the cards, but I did take this one:

I do plan on continuing to send cards but I'm not commiting to one a week - I'll send as I see fit, but it'll be interesting to see if I do send at least one a week...I'll keep you posted!

If you want to see more of this goal and what cards I sent, click on the Card Goal 2020 label to the right.

Get Well Wishes Challenge; BBTB2

Happy  New Year and Happy First Challenge of the new year at Bitten By The Bug 2 challenge site. Each new challenge is for two weeks. The current challenge theme is...Get Well Wishes.

I decided to create some cards to add to my card stash.

This beautiful layered card is from Cricut Access the Anna’s Lovely Layered Cards 2 - Rose Card. Isn’t it gorgeous! 

I removed the back layer since I knew I was going to use some gell plate prints for the background. While I was Adhering the layers, I decided to make them shaker cards too. I am seriously in love with these cards. I didn’t use a “get well” sentiment but decided on the “dear friend” sentiment. I thought it would cover more occasions. I do plan on sending this to a friend that is battling cancer and hope to brighten her day.

If you follow my blog, you know that my card box was getting too full so I challenged myself for the year 2020 to send at least one card a week and I'm happy to say, I met that goal! In fact, I met that goal times two!

My card box is now really thin and I need to replenish. I’m pretty sure I’m going to make more of these. 

The thing I really liked about this goal was that I paid a lot of attention to what was going on around me. I sent out a lot of get well wishes, sympathy cards and just thinking of you cards this year. It was nice hearing from people who appreciated the cards and the thought.

I think I will continue! I mean, as card makers, we should be sending out cards...right?

Now it's your turn...create a Get Well Wishes project using your Cricut and link it to the BBTB2 challenge site. I can't wait to see what you create!
 

TGIF: Thankful Friday #159

Last Friday was Christmas Day and today is New Years Day. So happy Friday but also Happy New Year! This whole 2020 year has been a weird one. We jumped into the Stay At Home restrictions with all kinds of projects for the home and with the family. We explored nature locally and even went on a road trip; we experimented with cooking, watched a lot of Netflix series & movies, I concentrated more on posting videos on my YouTube channel (increased my subscribers by 100); we participated in a virtual marathon; and so much more.

Then we went back to work and got used to the "New Normal". We don't know what 2021 has in store for us but I'm thankful that we are all healthy, all working and doing ok financially. I'm thankful that I am close with all my kiddos and still see them on a regular basis. Thankful for another year to celebrate birthdays, milestones and everything else that comes with a new year.

Thankful for all of you that read my posts here, IG and on YouTube.

Happy New Year all!

What have you been thankful for this year? Leave me a comment.

LTCCB; January Challenge & Canvas Change; Guest Room Revamp

Happy New Year and Happy New Challenge at the Love To Craft Challenge Blog (LTCCB). As always, the challenge theme is...Anything Goes. Click on over to link your crafty project!

I decided to redo the updo of a canvas that I purchased from the Dollar Tree that I originally used as part of Christmas decoration for work. Click HERE to see the Ms. Claus Laundry Room decor. It wasn’t the best updo, but it was good enough for that project. Check out the YouTube video to see the project.

I love it and it’s perfect for our Hawaiian themed Guest Room!

Sand Dollars were gifted from a coworker
Canvas - Dollar Tree
Scrap Papers were from my scrap stash
Ink Sprays:  Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain, Cracked Pistachio; Lindy’s Stamp Gang, Drop Dead Gorgeous Green; Mister Huey’s Color Mist, Heirloom Blue; Recollections (I couldn’t find the colors but I think they are identified by numbers) 462663 and 462662; Heidi Swapp Color Shine, Gold; and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Pearl
White Acrylic Paint watered down in a spray (handmade)

Be sure to link up your project at the LTCCB before the end of the month!

LTSCB; January Challenge (Junk Journal Spread)

Happy New Year and Happy New Challenge at the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog (LTSCB). The challenge theme this month is Anything Goes. 

I worked on another 2-page spread in the Junk Journal. Like most of my journal spreads, it starts one way and then ends up completely different. I love that!

I used another homemade stencil for this one. The "stencil" is what was leftover when I cut out some watermelon seeds with my Cricut for my granddaughter's birthday decorations. I don't keep every negative from my Cricut cuts, but it is fun to use these for different looks.

I say it all the time, you don't have to always buy "all the things" to be creative. Stencils can be pricey...take a look around and use what you have.

Added paper scraps:

Then stencil & white acrylic paint:

Added stamped images...almost done:

Fun, right?

If you're interested in more of my JJ spreads, click on the Junk Journal label to the right. You can also click over to my YouTube channel HERE to see some works in progress and my flip through series.

Be sure to click over to the LTSCB and link your stamped project before the end of the month!