Friday, April 30, 2021

TGIF: Thankful Friday #175

TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! I've had a rough week but I am thankful that DS1 has come home from the hospital and is on the road to recovery. It's going to be a long road, but at least he's on it.

Thankful for doctors and nurses that go above and beyond.

How about you? What are you thankful for this Thankful Friday? Leave a comment below!

Monday, April 26, 2021

Bitten By The Bug 2 Challenge; Star Wars or Stars


The current challenge at Bitten By The Bug 2 (BBTB2) is Star Wars or Stars. I purchased some really cool Star Wars SVGs and had great plans to use them, but then this happened...

I bought this cute sweater on clearance at Walmart; wore it once and dripped something on it; right smack in the middle of it. My first thought was that I'd toss it. It was $7 so I'm not out a lot of money, but then...

I watched a tv show and one of the characters had a gray sweater with black stars on it. Ding, ding, ding!!! 

Thank goodness I didn't toss it! I bought some flock HTV a while ago from Craft HTV and hadn't used it yet. I decided to use it for this updo and so glad that I did. 

I used the star from Basic Shapes and cut out six of them. After peeling the excess between the stars, I knew I didn't want to waste any of it so I used a punch to create smaller stars!

Here's the after...for a little more than $10, I have a super cute customized sweater!



Have you used flock before? It has a suede-like feel to it. It's pretty neat and super easy to use. Cut the flock like regular HTV but with more pressure. Set your heat press to 315 degrees and press for 15 seconds with a warm peel. Easy!

Now it's your turn, be sure to create a Star Wars or Star themed project using your Cricut and link it to the BBTB2 site before the two week deadline.


Friday, April 23, 2021

TGIF; Thankful Friday #174

Oops! I almost forgot that it's Friday. That doesn't happen very often. It's been a week. But as I've said before, there's always something to be thankful for and here it is...

This week I'm thankful for my crafting hobby. I know that's a little vague, but it sure is a distraction, a stress reliever and enjoyable. We are going through a stressful time right now with DS1's health, but when I'm spending time in The Command Center, everything goes away. 

So thanks to all the paper, inks, paint, stamps and so many more goodies that keep my mind and hands occupied!

How about you? What are you thankful for this week? Please share in the comments.


Wednesday, April 21, 2021

WOYWW #620

Happy Wednesday and Happy WOYWW! I didn't want to go another week without joining the linkage at Stamping Ground. Every week, a bunch of crafters link a photo of their work desk and share a little about what they are currently working on.

Here's my desk for the week:

I'm working on a bridal shower and wedding card for a friend. It's a nice relief from all the sympathy cards I've been making. I love the succulent stamp set that I have from Fun Stampers Journey/Spellbinders. I added some glitter mist to the colored images to give them a little shine!

When you get a chance, click on over to Stamping Ground and take a peek into other craft rooms and if you feel like it, link a photo of yours too!


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Making My Own Labels/Stickers

I made a really quick video to show you what I do with some of my masterboards and/or artwork. I like to print them on labels and then use them in my planner. Now, I don't decorate my planner like others do. I figure if I'm going to invest a lot of time and money on something, it's going to be on something other than my calendar/planner. I know there are many that do and there's certainly nothing wrong with that, I just chose not to. 

Check out this quick video I just uploaded to see more:

Some photos of completed weeks:



I keep track of the most random things, but believe it or not, I flip back through my planner a lot when trying to remember small details. Especially when I'm working on my Month In Review scrapbook pages.

Do you have a planner? Would you like some of my designed labels sent to you? Leave a comment or send me an email and I'll send some over to you. I have plenty and I love sharing! 

You can find my email address under the Contact Me tab on the Home Page.
 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Sketch n Scrap Layout Challenge #223


Time for a new sketch at the Sketch and Scrap challenge blog. I decided to use fall leaves instead of flowers for my layout. Besides a lot of fussy cutting, I also used a fine point black pen to outline the images and the solid cardstock pieces.

The sketch:

My October, 2019 Month in Review layout was perfect for this sketch. I added more photos which is kinda the whole idea of the MIR layouts. These photos are snapshots of events that happen in the month that don't necessarily need to have an entire layout. Here is the layout and some close ups:



I didn't use much of anything except what was available to me in the paper pad. All the "pretties" were fussy cut from this piece of paper. I never know what to do with this type of paper and fussy cutting them was perfect!

The paper pad was one of those had to have it but only used it once kinda purchase, but it really is a great paper pad!
Sorry for the glare

Now it's your turn. Click on over to the Sketch n Scrap challenge blog and create your layout using the sketch. You have until the end of April to link your layout. I can't wait to see what you create!


Monday, April 12, 2021

BBTB2; Fairy Tale


I'm so excited about the current challenge on the Bitten By The Bug 2 Cricut challenge site! The current challenge is...Fairy Tale. Now, which Fairy Tale do I use for my project...that's the hard part. I decided to go with Cinderella or really the Fairy Godmother.

Here's my project:

I typed the words in Design Space using the So. BALI font for the words, the stars from Season to Sparkle & the Fairy Godmother silhouette from the Happily Ever After cartridge. I removed all the layers of the Fairy Godmother & only used the shadow base for this project.

I bought these plain slippers for $7 at Burlington Coat Factory and knew I'd "pretty them up" somehow for my granddaughter.
Used the Mini-Press to iron the HTV on both sides.

I never know if the image should be facing the person wearing them or not. Do you know? Does it matter?

Now it's your turn. Create a project using your Cricut with the Fairy Tale challenge and link it to the Bitten By The Bug 2 (BBTB2) challenge site.

Friday, April 9, 2021

TGIF; Thankful Friday #173


TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! I've kept this Friday post going for 173 weeks. I know things are not always easy or good, but I love doing this to remind me that there is always something to be thankful for. Even if you don't leave a comment, I hope you are thinking about all the things you are thankful for as well.

This week, we had lots going on - Easter was Sunday and I'm so thankful that we are able to gather together and celebrate the season. My hardboiled eggs were horrible - first they were raw and then they were overcooked. I've been making hardboiled eggs since the beginning of time and have NEVER had that problem before. But they did their one job that day and after that, we just tossed them! They weren't even edible.

I'm also thankful for cousins that stopped by to watch the March Madness final game with hubby and sons. They can be a lot, but also a lot of fun. Speaking of sports, I'm also thankful for the start of MLB. Spring is officially here when baseball season starts!

Thankful for the second dosage of the COVID-19 vaccination and especially because I did not have a bad reaction. I am now vaccinated!

Thankful that I'm getting responses to my Monthly Card Kit and Live Event that kicked off this month. Although, the responses are coming in slowly, they are coming in. I'm getting closer to my goal audience/participants. You can get more information about that HERE.

I'm thankful that our flowers are blooming and so far, the plants I planted last week are still alive and growing!

Here are some photos of my week:





How about you? What are you thankful for this week? Leave a comment, I'd love to read all about it!

Thursday, April 8, 2021

New DT; New Scrapbooking Site

I'm excited to announce that I've been invited to be on another Design Team. This one is for my dear friend, AnnMarie's new scrapbooking site. It's a combination of FB, Patreon, and IG but with challenges, tutorials, prizes and tiers and more. Check it out HERE!

The first DT duty was to create a layout using a sketch. Here's my layout:

I decided to use blue as the main color to coordinate with the stripes on the bear. This was a memory bear that I made for my first grandbaby. The pj's were my dad's. The bear tag was made by stamping a background with the ASL I Love You sign across the tag and then cutting that cute bear from the Cricut. I used the same pink ribbon on the tag that I used for the bear.

Other layout based on April challenges from the site:
Using strips & squares

Make your own PP with punches or stamps

I actually filmed this one since I don't normally do mixed media on my scrapbook layouts but I wanted to add some interest to it along with all those fun embellishments! Otherwise, it's a pretty simple page. Falling back on my splatters and hand drawn borders "go to". 

Watch the YouTube video:

If you love scrapbooking, be sure to check out AnnMarie's new Scrapping The Day Away site (see the link above).


Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Making a Masterboard (Gel Print)

I created a Youtube process video showing how I took one of my gel prints and added some stamping and other mediums to it to create a masterboard. What's a masterboard? My definition of a masterboard is this: a piece of paper that is made to cut up and use on other projects. In my case, cards mostly. 

Check out the video here:

Here's a better look at the cards that were created with the masterboard.








The last card is a different kind of shaker card. It was hard to photograph without glare, but I love it so much! I stamped the plastic using an archival ink and let it dry overnight just to be on the safe side. I may need to do a video on this. It was easy, just a little different.

Anyhow, what do you think? I love this masterboard and the projects I was able to make from it. Be sure to check out the video and give me a thumbs up. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button for more of my videos!

Elements II Stamp Set from Bloom Arts (these are designed by me!)

Monday, April 5, 2021

Sketch n Scrap Card Sketch #191

 

There’s a new card sketch at the Sketch n Scrap Challenge blog. Here’s my card:


And the sketch:


The process:
I’m taking a online class with Altenew and the first lesson is about adding color to your stamped image with alcohol markers. I’m not sure if I did it right, but here’s the original two layer stamped image and then the image after I added alcohol markers.


I used a stencil on a light blue cardstock to add a little variety; some paper strips and added silver string/thread to the top and some silver/gray Nuvo drops to finish the card.

Your turn. Create a card using the sketch and link it to the Sketch n Scrap blog before the end of the month. Be sure to check out the Design Team projects to inspire you!


Friday, April 2, 2021

Monthly Card Kit; April 2021 Half Card

 

The card for April is a half card. I've wanted to make this style card for awhile so I was glad to choose this one for the FIRST official card of the Monthly Card Kit!





I love this card! I love the colors and those flowers and the bling! 

Remember, everything you need to complete this card is included in the Monthly Card Kit for April, 2021 with the exception of standard adhesive and a basic tool kit (like scissors, bone folder, ruler, paper trimmer, etc.)

Be sure to contact me before the April 12th deadline with payment and delivery information. The Monthly Card Kit is $15/month and includes all the products needed to make the featured card PLUS an extra set of the same card type but with a different theme, color scheme and so on. Here are pictures of the second card.


You also receive printed instructions as well as the link to the live event where we'll work on the featured card together! I hope to see you there!

To read more about the Monthly Card Kit, click HERE.


TGIF; Thankful Friday #172


I did it! I held my first Facebook Live event for the Monthly Card Kit I'm starting. I held it with a small test group and it was so much fun! There were some surprises but nothing that took away from the event. This leads me to what I'm thankful for this week. 

I'm thankful for my daughter, Carly, who was moderating the chat/comments while creating the card as well. I'm thankful for my sisters, daughter-in-law, cousin and friends that joined in and left me feeling a bit high that night. I had a hard time falling asleep - I was riding the natural high. LOL

I added the sliced version of the event on Youtube but you can view the entire video on the Three Sons And A Star Facebook page. You can find the links HERE and HERE.

If you're interested in the monthly club, click on the Monthly Club Kit tab from the home page or leave me a comment and I'll send you more info. You can also like the Three Sons And A Star FB page and watch for announcements!

Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 1, 2021

LTSCB; Spring Forward April Challenge


No fooling, it's April 1st and time again for a new monthly challenge theme for the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog (LTSCB). This month's theme is...Spring Forward.

I made this cool easel card for this challenge.


I've wanted to make this type of card before so I was so glad I decided to attempt it. Isn't it beautiful?

Now it's your turn, make a Spring Forward project and link it to the LTSCB by the end of the month.

I'm also entering this card in the Green Challenge at the Crafty Gals Corner Challenges.  Go check it out!