TGIF; Thankful Friday #179

Happy TGIF; Thankful Friday and a kick off to a three day weekend! With that being said, this week I'm thankful for this upcoming three day weekend! I know I sound like a broken record, but it has been a week! We had a birthday dinner on Saturday, a spontaneous trip to the beach on Sunday and then some travel to and from the Bay Area on Monday, Tuesday was the Monthly Card Kit Live FB Event - man, I've been exhausted all week!

This getting old thing is no fun but it's better than the alternative. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Here's the recap of the live event if you're interested:

BBTB Cricut Challenge; May Flowers

The newest challenge theme on the Bitten By The Bug 2 (BBTB2) challenge site is...flowers. I love a good challenge and this flowers/floral challenge is a good one! I use flowers in so many things, but I thought I'd share this project. I filmed a YouTube video so you can see the process:

Metal roses! Pretty cool, eh?  

They are made just like you'd make paper flowers, but instead of paper, I used this thin aluminum metal that I've had in my stash. for-ev-er! I filmed a YouTube video if you'd like to see how they were made. I used the flower #M4687B from the Mother's Day Bouquet image set.

Now it's your turn. What flower project are you going to make with your Cricut? Be sure to add your project to the BBTB2 linkage before the two weeks are over.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #178

Happy TGIF; Thankful Friday! This week I'm thankful for an uneventful week. As you know, DS1 is having health issues - he still is, however it's been pretty consistent this week. He texted me letting me know he gained 10 lbs. Isn't that funny! Normally you don't celebrate weight gain, so this is a first!

I was able to use the treadmill a few times this week and actually sit in the backyard in the evenings just chillin' & relaxin' acting all cool.

I spent Saturday at a Farmer's Market with a longtime friend. I bought lots of goodies including some beets. I've never cooked beets before so I had to look it up. I decided to use the slow cooker to roast them. They turned out so good and I was able to make a beet salad that evening.

I hope you enjoyed your week. Let me know what you are thankful for this week in the comments.

Scrapbooker vs Card Maker??

I call myself a Scrapbooker who makes cards but lately I feel like I'm a Card Maker who scrapbooks. I'm still scrapbooking 2019 but at least I'm in December so I'm almost done.

Being on a couple of DTs has really helped me as well. I mentioned before that I am currently on a new DT for a new scrapbook site called, Scrapbooking The Day Away with AnnMarie. It's a community for scrapbookers and has a large chat area, tutorials, challenges, zoom classes & crops. It's a lot of fun and I was honored to be part of the FIRST DT.

I've completed a few layouts since there's a new sketch every week. Here they are:

 You can tell I'm scrapping Christmas but I did throw in a graduation layout just to mix things up!

When you get a chance, go check out the new site by clicking HERE. There's a free and paid membership available. You won't be disappointed!

Layered Stencils

I went to a scrapbook store last week - an actual scrapbook store! It was a big space and was fully loaded with lots of goodies. Yes, I went in thinking I wasn't going to buy things I didn't need, but then I remembered that I really don't need anything. LOL

I did buy a lot! They had such a great variety of products and there was so much, I felt like I was at an Expo. Since we missed two years of Expos, I felt like I actually saved myself some money. smile

I've been looking at the layered stencils that a lot of companies are making so I bought a couple. Wow, they are so fun and easy to use!

I filmed the process of one of the stencil sets I bought. Watch the video below:

Since the video doesn't show the finished card, I wanna tell you that I totally blew it. 

I accidentally got some ink on the bottom right corner so I used the small brush to add more ink smudges around the card. That solved the problem until I used the same brush to add ink in the center...the black ink wasn't completely dried so it smudged...a lot. It looked horrible so what did I do? 

I smudged it some more so it looked like I did it on purpose. A little grungy card...? UGH, I didn't like it. I added a few sequins to complete it. I guess it's ok, but I just need to tell myself, that's the look I was going for. 

Here are photos of the finished card:

Isn't that floral wreath beautiful!?! I bought another one and I'm sure you'll see a project made from it soon.

Stencil set from Pink Fresh Studio.

Black liquid pearls from Close To My Heart (CTMH)

Finger dauber for the flowers

Small cosmetic brush for all other portions. I bought a set of these brushes at my local Dollar Tree.

Sketch n Scrap #225 Layout Challenge

Hello there! I am still scrapbooking 2019, but I'm now in December so things are moving along! It sure does help when you have great sketches to work with! Speaking of sketches...it's time to share another sketch from the Sketch n Scrap challenge blog. This time I worked with this layout sketch:

As I mentioned above, I love working with sketches since it makes starting a layout so much easier and quicker! I decided to turn this sketch on it's side so I could work with these two photos. With the exception of the lightly patterned paper base, all the papers used were from one paper pad by My Mind's Eye. Isn't it just beautiful. I love the softness of the papers and felt they coordinated well with the photos.

I pretty much followed the sketch exactly how it is. The flowers were fussy cut from another patterned paper within the same paper pad. I had a hard time with the title and kept coming back to HAPPY since that's how I felt when I was looking at this photo from last year. My boy & his girls...

I added some splatter on the circles and also outlined them with a fine tip black pen. Both of these small additions are kinda my thing.

Click on over to the Sketch n Scrap challenge blog to take a look at all the sketches and projects by the DT. Link your project for a chance to win the month's prize!

 

TGIF; Thankful Friday #177

Happy TGIF and Thankful Friday!This week I'm thankful to the warmer weather. It's been heating up over here and it's been nice. Maybe too hot on a day or two, but overall, it's nice to be outside enjoying this beautiful weather.

I'm also thankful for my hubby who continues to water my plants and we're starting to get some tomatoes!

What are you thankful for this week? Let me know in the comments!

Using Labels in my Junk Journal; YouTube Video

Be sure to watch my newest video using those same handmade labels that I used earlier in my planner (click HERE to read the post) but this time, I used them in my Junk Journal. I love how they add a bit of color with little effort.

Check out the video here:

Photo of the final spread:

They almost look like palm trees which got me thinking about another idea for a spread!

One of the things I love most about this type of art is all the layers that are there. If you notice, this started as a March Madness basketball bracket. Instead of tossing them, I added them into my Junk Journal. You'll notice when you watch the video, there was some paint on the paper already before I started. I use many "blank" pages to mop up extra medium. When I am ready to actually complete the page, there's already a starting point!

Products:

Labels using my own art

Black Stabilo pencil

Gelatos in Teal & Yellow

Illustrated Faith green crayon

White Posca Paint Pen (Bullet tip)

White Acrylic Paint

Black StazOn ink pad

Green ink pad & small cosmetic brush applicator

Script rubber stamp

White Acrylic Paint spray (homemade)

Regular pencil

BBTB2 Challenge; Graduation

The newest challenge at the Bitten By The Bug 2 Cricut challenge site is...graduation! Perfect for this time of the year. I created this fun step pop up card and used a "Hats Off" sentiment for the main image. For the life of me, I can't remember where I purchased this SVG. 

Isn't this a fun card! I used a black/white color scheme so it could be used for any graduate. The tassel is white and can be colored if needed. I also cut skinny strips of acetate to adhere floating stars to the card. So cool!

Your turn...create a graduation project using your Cricut and link it to the BBTB2 blog.

I created this card for my Monthly Card Kit for the month of May. If you want more information regarding the Monthly Card Kit, click HERE. I do a Facebook LIVE event to make the featured card and then you can refer back to the video to help you make the second card on your own. I'm having a blast with this monthly LIVE event.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #176

Happy TGIF; Thankful Friday! This week I'm thankful for my granddaughter, LeAnna. She is so funny! Right now, our house is full of people and when I mentioned that great grandma was here too, she said we were running a hotel. LOL

It's true!

Her school schedule changed this week so I've been picking her up after school. I love spending these moments with her. It's only about 20 minutes tops, but she's so funny and full of life. I get to hear about her day and her classmates and it's so uplifting. 

How about you? What are you thankful for this week? Share it in the comments!

Celebrate Connections; Heart2Heart Challenge

Hi there, I'm slowly getting my mojo back as things are settling down at the homefront. I have been commissioned to create quite a few sympathy cards this past year and unfortunately needed some of my own too.

I created this card using the Tender Thoughts stamp set from Close To My  Heart (CTMH). It was actually pretty simple. I cut an oval on regular printer paper and used it as a stencil to add some ink directly on the card front. I kept it there as I stamped the pine tree branches and pinecones to keep everything within the oval. I also added some tiny pearls (which are hard to see). 

I love the way it turned out. I even stamped a branch on the inside.

I'm entering this card on the Heart2Heart CTMH Challenge site. The current challenge is Celebrate Connections.

UPDATE:  I won the challenge for May and was selected as a Heart 2 Heart Darling!

 

Sketch n Scrap Card #193

Hi there! It's time again for new sketches at the Sketch n Scrap challenge blog. I made the coolest card using this clearance stamp set from Hobby Lobby. I wasn't going to buy it at first but then I knew I could make a cool space theme with the stars and planets.

Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

Close Up:

Isn't is cool! Watch the process video below to see how I put it together:

Now it's your turn...link your project using the sketch at the Sketch n Scrap blog. They have two card sketches and two layout sketches a month. You don't want to miss them!

 

National Scrapbooking Day at Sketch n Scrap

Happy National Scrapbooking Day! We're celebrating on the Sketch n Scrap challenge site. Go check out the challenge and the DT layouts.

The sketch:

I turned it on it's side and created this layout:

Close up of the splatters!

This is the right side of a two page spread. I love doing that. Use two different one page sketches but by using the same products, it becomes a coordinated two page spread.

See the left side HERE.

Be sure to click on over to the Sketch n Scrap challenge site for more inspiration and I hope you celebrate National Scrapbooking Day by creating all kinds of layouts!
 

Love To Scrap Challenge Blog; May

May 1st and time for another challenge at the Love To Scrap Challenge Blog. The challenge theme this month is...Anything Goes. I was commissioned to create a bright floral birthday card so I decided to make this. Check out the process video below. I love how this card turned out especially with the addition of the sequins!

The video:

Now that you watched the process, it's pretty easy, huh?! 

Now it's your turn. Check out the DT inspiration projects and then link your anything goes project before the end of the month at the LTSCB.

LTCCB; May Challenge

May 1st is May Day and also time for a new challenge month at the Love To Craft Challenge Blog. I thought of creating a flower inspired project, but hey, I did make a bouquet...just not one with flowers!

I made this super cute, quick and easy candy & lottery ticket bouquet for DS1’s birthday.

How did I make it? I purchased four box candies and hot glued them together to form the “vase”. I then wrapped floral foam with blue & white tissue paper and placed it inside the “vase”. Each goody has a skewer attached with either hot glue or regular scotch tape.

I started with the largest snack and placed it in the back. Then I just eyeballed everything else from there. I did decide to add another large snack item to the back so that it would look good from both angles.

This was so fun to create and I know he’ll love it since it’s filled with favorite things! And hopefully, he’ll win some $$ with the lottery tickets!

Now it’s your turn...show us what you created in the month of May. Link your project to the LTCCB site before the end of the month.