Planting Bulbs Lasagna Style

This is a different kind of creative project and I'm excited to share it with you! I have been trying to grow more and more plants in my backyard and when I heard about bulb planting lasagna style, I wanted to try it!

Awhile ago I rescued about 10 planter pots from the roadside. Some I painted but these two large ones, I kept as is because I want the flowers to be the brightest thing about them.

I purchased a bunch of different bulbs from Amazon. Here's a LINK to my list if you're interested in exactly what I purchased. I watched lots of YouTube videos from actual gardeners before trying this on my own.

The basic idea is layering bulbs so they bloom throughout Spring instead of at one time. We'll get to enjoy beautiful blooms for much longer! I put the pot in a spot where I can see it from my kitchen window!

Watch my quick YouTube video to hear my tips and be sure to check back because I will keep y'all updated!

Follow me on Instagram @3sons_and_astar

Highlighting a Focal Image Card

Sometimes I tell myself to clear off my desktop before I start the next project but then I make the cutest cards using all those random items so maybe not.

I had a card making session using items I found on my desk and here's the result.

Be sure to watch the YouTube video to see all the steps. My favorite thing was using the circle as a mask to create a cool inky background with two ink pads and some splatter.

I always have a hard time with tying a bow so a simple knot was perfect to add some more color to the card front.

The bird was fussy cut from a panel I stamped & colored earlier and using thinner foam adhesive worked well to add dimension.

What will you create from your scraps today?

PCC Blog Hop; Christmas Layout Overlay

Hi there, Printable Cuttable Creatables is hosting a Blog Hop and I'm showing off the Christmas Tree Car cut file from their website.  

The main hub for all the HOP info is HERE. There will be lots of inspiration, prizes and fun. 

• To be eligible to win any of the prizes, readers must view and leave a comment on EACH DT hop post.

• We’ll leave the prize portion of the hop open until Nov 29th to allow readers a chance to participate.

• The last day of the hop (Nov 29th) is also the kickoff of our Black Friday Sale. Printable Cuttable Creatables is having a huge 50% sale on all designs and commercial licenses, plus 15% off Virtual Wallets. Use 3SONS15 for added savings!  

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👇👇👇Blog addresses below👇👇👇

Ellen: https://www.instagram.com/craftyellenh/

Dorlene:  https://craftsinthecommandcenter.blogspot.com/2024/11/pcc-blog-hop-christmas-layout-overlay.html

Nancy: https://thenickelnook.blogspot.com/2024/11/design-team-blog-hop-for-printable.html

Jana: https://youtu.be/fYDl348UCIM

Linh: https://lvhandcrafted.com/printable-cuttable-creatables-blog-hop/

Details of my project:

For over five years, I take at least one photo a day in December and then do "December Daily" layouts. I put it in quotes because most people do a separate album for it but I just do photo heavy layouts and this year, I decided to create a layout overlay.

When I create overlays, I usually keep it pretty simple because I accentuate with the photos and other embellishments which is exactly what I did here.

The Christmas Tree Car is perfect for this layout because it doesn't really embellish the story but is a decoration for the season. I searched for the word December and grabbed one in DS and then just squares/rectangles from Shapes for the photo openings.

Here's the final layout:

Well, not final final since I still need to add photos and etc.

Check out my YouTube process video for step by step. It's a pretty easy process and I hope my video inspires you to create one yourself.

Make sure to follow along with the Blog Hop and use code 3SONS15 on the website to get an additional 15% off your order.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #344

TGIF and Thankful Friday! There's a lot going on this week at work since our office started decorating for our Annual Christmas Decorating Contest. If you take a look at past years, you can see, we get into it! We won last year with this Christmas in Japan work of art!

I posted this SHORT on YouTube which showcases some of the designs I created using cardboard but that's only the half of it! I also created lots of elves and a rock n rolling Santa!

Here's a few photos but folks, this is only the beginning!

This week, I'm thankful that I am someone who thinks outside the (cardboard) box!

What are you thankful for this week?

Memphis Layout

I am so excited to start the scrapbook layouts for our Memphis trip in August, 2022 but also a little nervous. This was a great mother/daughter trip and I hope the photos and the layouts do it justice.

I did decide to make this it's own album since I took tons of photos and want to scrapbook them all! I went pretty simple on the cover page which will set the scene for the scrapbook.

The photo we took while in the airplane is perfect for an opening layout!

Be sure to watch the process YouTube video to see how I made my own scrapbooking kit for this album and how I created this layout.

I combined papers & ephemera from travel and music items that I have in my stash and some that were purchased specifically for this trip. I also have some stickers, postcards and other travel items that were purchased while in Memphis. 

Do you add postcards to your scrapbook pages?

Party Treat Boxes; HP Themed

Well, you guessed it, you can't have a party without party favors! Since my granddaughter wanted a Harry Potter themed party, grandma honored her wishes.

Check HERE for the cake topper and take a look at these cute treat boxes!

The YouTube video shows how easy they are to design in Cricut Design Space. Use this idea to customize all your treat boxes in whatever theme you want!

Harry Potter Themed Cake Topper

Take a look at this cute cake topper I made for my granddaughter's 5th birthday. She wanted a Harry Potter themed party so this was perfect for it.

I honestly can't remember where I downloaded this SVG file, but I think it was from Auntie Taye's website. I was a member awhile back and I believe this is where I got it.

It was pretty easy to put together but of course I made a few tweeks. Check out the YouTube process video to see all the details!

TGIF; Thankful Friday #343

TGIF! Another Friday and another week to be thankful. This week went fast since Monday was a work holiday and I'm thankful for the fast week. Did I tell you I'm retiring? As each week goes by, it's one step closer to my last day of work. 

But that's not all I'm thankful for this week.

Today is my second granddaughter's birthday and I'm thankful that we are close enough to be able to celebrate with her and then again on Saturday for her small party at Dave & Buster's.

Happy Birthday Daisy!

Multi Photo With Minimal Embellishments

I loosely followed a sketch by A Cherry On Top but added lots of photos. I wanted some embellishments but there wasn't much room for too many.

I was able to get some journaling, a title which expands both pages and a few on there.

There are 18 photos on this two page spread!

To get the small photos, I use the collage prints in a 4x6 format and the more photos you add, the smaller the photos. This is great for those pictures that don't necessarily need to be full photos.

The horizontal strips are 6" and the vertical strip is 2.5" and 10.5" tall.  The circles are 3".

All the embellishments were cut with the Cricut. Check the YouTube process video to see how it was completed.

Baby Bottle Gift Card Holders; PCC DT Project

Hey there, I'm sharing a cute gift card holder that I made using the Baby Bottle Gift Card Holder SVG from Printable Cuttable Creatables.

We have three young ladies that are expecting babies in late January/early February at work. I'm so excited to give them these gift card holders because they are super adorable!

This file gives us two options for the score lines - solid or dashed. I chose solid because I've used it before and it worked for me. Once that was done and attached to the gift card holder pocket, I cut two in pink and one in blue.

Since I recently purchased the Precision Glue Holder, it was used to adhere all the pieces for this project. I'm telling you...I fully endorse getting one of these. The fine tip is great and it is less pressure for your hand.

I used an acrylic block to hold down each pocket to make sure the adhesion was strong while I worked on the bottles and gift card bases.

Since I don't have Cricut pens, I changed the circles & greetings into a Print then Cut file before adding them to the front of the gift card holders. So cute! I am in love with how these turned out and cannot wait to give them to the new mommies!

Be sure to check out the Printable Cuttable Creatables website for this and other cute gift card holders. They are so easy to make and a super cute way to give gift cards to your friends and loved ones.

If you use 3SONS15 on the website, you can get 15% off your purchase!

Cute Cards Using Scraps On My Desk

I have been looking at stamps from AALL and Create for some time and finally purchased this cutie. I stamped and colored them with alcohol markers adding some white pen highlights here and there.

Then I looked through the scraps on my desktop and selected items that I thought would work for a fun card.

I have a YouTube video up showing the process to make these:

Thanks for watching!

TomKat Strut Challenges; Part Two

Hey there, I'm sure you had a chance to see the post & YouTube process video for the left side a.k.a. Part One of this two page spread. If not, check out the post HERE.

I used the same sketch to change this one page sketch to a two page spread. I love using sketches for a jumping point when creating layouts. It gives me a place to start instead of working with a blank page. Even when the sketch is not used exactly, you can see how it inspired the patterned papers placement. And of course, I added many more photos!

I basically did a mirror image of the left page for this one and I love how it flows!

Sketch is from Sketch n Scrap

Part One Layout:

And Part Two:

What do you think? Thumbs up?

TGIF; Thankful Friday 342

Happy Friday! This week was full of activities such as keeping my family updated on our annual virtual marathon, officially submitting my retirement paperwork, and the thing I'm most thankful for is an impromptu trip to the casino. 

I'm not a big gambler but I love being spontaneous. Hubby...not so much. When I saw that the PERS office was on the same street as two casinos, I suggested we go. Never did I imagine that he'd say ok. 

So off we went on a Wednesday morning. Ate breakfast and hit the slot machines. And best part is that we came home with extra cash in our pocket!

What are you thankful for this week? Leave a comment 

TKS IV Challenges Layout Part One

I love using sketches to add paper to a layout base. It's a great way to start instead of staring at a blank page. This layout is inspired by this sketch from Sketch n Scrap

I turned this one page sketch into a two page layout. Here's the left side:

And here's the right (YT process video will be posted soon)

What I love about these pages:

The sneakers going across the bottom of them

Multi photos

Nautical themed kit used on a non-nautical page

Cute simple embellishments 

Measurements:

Yellow strip 11x3

Word paper 10x5

Star paper 8x8 square 

Watch the process YouTube video:

Swarm of Bees Canvases

I provided three art sessions for my work's Professional Development Day on the 1st. It was bee themed and it was fun creating all these canvases during the live event (there were three plus the sample). Now I have a swarm and will hang them all together on my art wall at home.

Check the YouTube video for instructions. Unfortunately I didn't film when I created the background but basically, I took white, blue and later black to cover the front light in the middle and darker as it went towards the edges. And never forget the sides!

Here are the bees:

And the video: