Happy Anniversary Card; Jenlee Schoolcraft

You know how sometimes you create something and you instantly love it? Well that was the case with this card. I knew using the Tonic Studios Romantic Vine Oval dies from Jenlee Schoolcraft would elevate it.

I used a metallic paper from CutCardStock and a carnation stamp from Rubbernecker. I decided to watercolor the stamped flower as well as add some Stickles for extra sparkle.

The half card was a last minute decision and it was the right one! The white washed wood patterned paper is from Prima called Lavender Frost also from the Jenlee Schoolcraft website.

What do you think? So pretty, right? I made this just in time since I'm going to a 60th wedding anniversary this weekend!

Be sure to watch the process YouTube video for all the details.

Jenlee Schoolcraft website is the place to go if you're interested in budget friendly new and gently used crafty products. You'll find lots of treasures and be sure to grab them since quantities are limited. Use my name, Dorlene for an additional 10% off.

Christmas Stadium Layout

This layout uses a few different Christmas kits but I love how they all coordinate. I guess it's not hard since Christmas colors usually do coordinate. 

I tried keeping the patterned papers simple since the photos were busy (Christmas tablecloth was bright & colorful) and I kept a strip of the cardstock base showing too.

I used the gingerbread men and snowflakes as embellishments even though our gingerbread creation was a stadium. The word, Sweet, on the journaling card is being used as the title.

The stadium was so fun and perfect for our sports loving family. 

I put the red words paper in three places to form a triangle throughout the layout. I think that helps keeping it balanced.

Watch the YouTube video for the process and my thoughts as I'm completing it!

Create 3 Ways IG Hop

I've been participating in another YouTube Instagram hop since last year. It takes place every third Saturday of each month. We are to use the same item(s), technique or whatever we choose and create three different cards.

I used a Sizzix heart die set and the same patterned patterned paper for three different fun fold cards. Check out my IG account to see my post and to follow along with the hop.  @3sons_and_astar

Card One:

This card has 1.5" cut from the front and the heart was cut from the shortened edge. I die cut hearts from red, white and patterned paper so I could mix and match with the three.  On this card, I cut a strip of white cardstock about .75x6" and scored every 1.5".  Adhere the strip to the inside front and inside back from the 1.5" areas. The heart is adhered to the next 1.5" area only where it peeks through.

Card Two:

It's hard to tell but the scalloped heart is cut from the front and the white scalloped heart with red layer is popped up by creating a base of cardstock. .5x 3" scored at .5, 1, 2 and 2.5". (Accordion fold)

Card Three:

This card is scored at 3" and 7.25". The 7.25" score line is folded so the card flips to the back. The layered hearts are adhered only on the right side.

I forgot to mention that these cards also have small gold metal hearts and an "I love you" sentiment.

Cute, huh?!

TGIF; Thankful Friday #397

Happy Friday and happy another week to be thankful. This week I'm thankful for the slightly warmer weather. We have so much yard work that needs to be done and because the sun was out, I was able to get a lot of weeds pulled and some bush trimming done.

And all that with my little helper. Little Jhené!

What are you thankful for this week?

Iron Crafter Challenge YT Hop; Specialty Papers

I haven’t participated in this hop in a while but when I saw the challenge, I knew I needed to. I ordered some tinsel paper from 12x12 Cardstock Warehouse a year or so ago because I thought it was so cool. I still do however I have never used it!

Guess what? I finally did!

I don't know if you can see how cool this paper is but it's shiny and thick and definitely metallic. I cut a 5x12 piece and added it just to show it off.

The other half of the layout is a velum piece with lots of stickers. The layout is pretty simple but oh so pretty sparkly!

My video:

#ironcrafterchallenge  #embellishments #scrapbooking #useyourstash

Join a fun group of crafty people each month as we take on the Iron Crafter Challenge! Each month Tara from @thepapersnob will select a challenge ingredient to use on a layout.  This hop goes live on the THIRD FRIDAY of the month. We will have a hop on YouTube and Instagram to show how we used the challenge ingredient(s) for the month. 

The mystery challenge for January is to use some of those specialty papers you’ve been hoarding.

Instagram:

Tina www.instagram.com/tinamcmmvr

Brandi www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/

Simera:  www.instagram.com/scrappysimi

Neyla:  Instagram.com/nelliepickles_crafts

Here is a playlist with ALL the videos of the YouTube creators:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCfSqErOPJoron1D3b3ZCFycGBhzYPH2Y

If you want to learn about the mystery item and play along, come over to the Paper Snob Community Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepapersnobcommunity/

Rainbow Crush Hop; Turquoise

Welcome to Rainbow Crush – a Social Media hop where we share projects that feature a color of the rainbow each month! This hop is hosted by Tara on her Facebook Group.  Anyone is welcome to play along.  This hop takes place on the  2nd Wednesday of the month!  The color for January is turquoise!

You can sign for the next month’s hop over on the The Paper Snob Community Facebook group: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepapersnobcommunity/

Here is the YOUTUBE PLAYLIST for this hop! All the videos in one place!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCfSqErOPJooH1bniRB1m2x6tF3iTg9kP

Here's my layout:

And my video:

All the embellishments are cut using paper scraps and the Cricut! What do you think? Did I get enough turquoise on here?

Nat'l Clean Your Desk Day

Is this really a thing? We'll, we're doing an Instagram hop on this very subject.

If you're like me, you've got lots of goodies all over your desktop. I have a small container with images that should have made it on a card. I decided to go through that for this hop.

Here's what my desktop looks like before:

And here's the after:

Look, there's still stuff all around but I did make an effort to tidy up.

Here's my finished card:

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @3sons_and_astar

Playing in the Junk Journal

It's so fun to just play in my junk journal without any specific goal in mind and that's what I did.

I dumped a bunch of painty paper scraps and mixed media scraps and just started tearing and gluing to a page. 

Once I was done with that, I added some paint and random marks and splatter to complete it.

Watch the process YouTube video:

This is the backside with a little something peeking through the window.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #396

Happy Friday and happy for another week to be thankful.  This week I'm thankful for a last minute girl's trip with me and my daughter. We went to the Charles Schulz Museum and then went to breakfast in the Art District in Santa Rosa.

I got a cool coffee with foam design and it was everything and more!

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

Creating Clusters; December Layout

I'm still finishing up 2023 December Daily photos but for this process video I'm focusing on creating embellishment clusters.

Is this something you struggle with? I like to decide where I'm putting the largest cluster and use a base to start building. Once that's created, the next two clusters are easier because you want to build them using the same colors, etc.

The remaining two should be medium sized and then a smaller one. Watch the YouTube video for more information on creating a balanced page.

Thanks for watching and please let me know if you have any questions.

Using Stencils on Cards

I'm using a mini stencil to create some interest on the background of this card. The Weave It Alone mini stencil is from Jenlee Schoolcraft which is one of many available on the website.

After stamping the image onto white cardstock, I stamped it a second time on a post-it note to create a mask. While the ink was drying, I colored the image using chalk pencils. 

With some light blue ink and a paddle brush, I added some color and interest to the background using the stencil. So fun!

Next comes the card! Watch the process YouTube video for a visual of these instructions.

Cutting Measurements:

5 1/2 x 10" scored at 4 1/4 and 8 1/2

3 x 7" scored at 3 1/2"

Patterned Paper 4 x 5 1/4 and 1 1/4 x 5 1/4

(I had to adjust mine a little to fit the image.)

Bird stamp is a really old one from Stampin Up!

Sentiment from 

I used the same stencil to add some color here and there in the card.

So fun!

Jenlee Schoolcraft has new and gently used items for sale. You can find lots of your crafty needs here at budget friendly prices. If you use the discount code, Dorlene, you can get an additional 10% off your order. 

Nat'l Bird Day; Hummingbird Card

Today is National Bird Day so I'm making a card. There’s a hop on Instagram if you're interested in seeing more.

We have a couple hummingbird feeders in our backyard and we are obsessed with the beauty of these birds. When I saw this die set at the Expo I knew I had to have it. But, like most things, I didn't use it right away. I am using it for the first time now.

I decided it would look cool using my mixed media papers and just a little bit of cardstock. I think I was right. What do you think?

This is called a wreath card. It starts with a 5 1/4" square that is folded in half and a circle cut out of the middle. Watch the process video to see how to create it.

Isn't it so fun and easy!

TGIF; Thankful Friday #395

Happy Friday and another week to be thankful! Today is January 2nd, 2026. 

I got hit hard with a bug just before Christmas. It worked out since I really needed to slow down. Thankfully I'm fully recovered and ready to have a crafty new year!

This week I'm thankful for the better health but mostly for family time over the holidays. I love that our family is growing and everyone is doing well. We are blessed!

Happy New Year!