Sticker Splatter

A little sticker splatter never hurt anyone.  I was thinking outside the box on this Harry Potter birthday themed layout using stickers instead of circles/squares for embellishments. 

This is the sketch so you can see what I mean by the circles/squares.  

My hope with the stickers is to create a swish of magic going through the layout.  I drew little lines and added splashes around the stickers to add movement.

What do you think? Was I successful?

I had a left side layout that I wanted to coordinate with this one and you can see how I did it by watching the YouTube video.

Sugar Skull Planter

Hi there, it's time for another six week challenge at Love To Craft Challenge Blog (LTCCB). This challenge starts November 1st and ends December 15th. This is my last project for the LTCCB team since I decided to step down from the Design Team.

I grabbed a skull treat container from the Dollar Tree and decided to paint it to become a sugar skull planter.

Here's how I did it:

I used white gesso for the first layer and then white acrylic paint to cover the entire skull. Once it dried, I added random strokes and designs using paint pens to create the magic of a sugar skull. I figured the pens would be easier to control versus a paint brush.

Since I kept all the paint to the outside of the container, it is nontoxic for any plants that I add. I went to the backyard for some succulent cuttings and created a nice succulent arrangement.

Now it's your turn...link your crafty projects to the LTCCB blog. Remember, this project can be anything crafty so be sure to link them all! You have until December 15th to add yours.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #437

Hello and happy thankful Friday! The fall weather has arrived and it feels great outside.

This was a quiet week which is always nice and I'm especially thankful for good health. I'm probably going to jinx myself and get sick but with all the germs going around (knock on wood), I'm feeling fine!

What are you thankful for this week?

Using a Sketch

Do you use sketches for your card and/or scrapbook layouts? We'll, you already know that I do and in today's YouTube video, I explain a little about how to go about using them.

Here's the sketch that I used from Scrapbooking The Day Away:

And the final layout:

I'm sure it's nothing you haven’t heard already but you just might pick up a tip or two. Plus, I'm putting together a cute Halloween layout using a vintage Halloween line by Carte Bella.

Check it out:

Boo Box Card; Cricut Design Space

One of the nicest things about Cricut Design Space is the shared projects. Before starting from scratch or purchasing SVG files, I like to check projects first. Reason? There are some talented people who did all the work for you!

This is the case with these Boo Box cards. The cauldron with embellishments is already done for us. The original designer is Diana Roehl Anderson. My only problem was there weren't enough instructions.  The little that she included made sense after I assembled, but not during.  LOL  It was probably just me!

Other views:

See below for my instructions and definitely watch the YouTube video for a visual! I used the file exactly as it was designed. 

Here's the DS file LINK.

Instructions: Cut as designed; adhere the ghosts and broom layers as shown; adhere the white cauldron to the black cauldron with the top opening; place the green ooze inside the opening with the splash on the left; add ooze and extra bubbles to the front of the cauldron (without the opening) followed by the curve for placement. You can add extra bubbles, stars and bats now. There aren't any exact places for the stars or bats. I tried to scatter them around and the smaller ghost was placed behind the front panel on the right.  See photo for reference.

To create the 3D card, fold the side pieces so the tabs are facing out; the two middle pieces will be adhered first. The back one (ooze only), fold the tabs back and adhere tabs just a hair away from the score line opposite of the side where the tabs are facing out. Do this for both sides. The ooze piece with the ghost, fold the tabs forward and adhere as before but at the front score line.

Both the front and back cauldrons are attached to the side tabs. Follow the shape of the tabs to the shapes of the cauldrons.  

TGIF; Thankful Friday #436

Happy Friday! There are two things I'm thankful for this week. The first are my new eyebrows. Lol. I got them done and love them!

The second thing is We Got Rain! It's finally feeling like fall and it's so nice!

What are you thankful for this week?

Trunk and Treat; Peanuts Halloween

I was so excited to work on this layout because of the Peanuts theme. I purchased some Halloween SVGs two years ago and used those images to create the scene at the top of this layout using my Cricut and the Print/Cut function.

At the Expo this year, my daughter and I both purchased a Peanuts paper collection and this Charlie Brown shirt patterned paper is ideal for this layout. I love it so much!

I am going over how I created the scene in the YouTube process video so check it out!

Blingy Wooden Ornament; JS

When I saw these wooden ornaments sent to me from Jenlee Schoolcraft, I knew exactly how I was going to decorate it. About a year ago, a friend of mine gifted me a lot of gems. Honestly, I didn't know what I was going to do with them, but I also knew I'd find something...some day.

Well, today is the day! I'm not normally a blingy person, but how amazing did this ornament turn out?!

Welp...I did it again. I filmed the process (or at least I thought I did) but in actuality, I didn't. I did post a YouTube video of me talking about how it was created. I still think it's worth watching:

Steps:

Paint the ornament with white acrylic paint.

Use a strong adhesive to adhere a variety of gems, pearls and sequins.

Add jingle bells & ribbon to finish!

Easy!

All projects can be considered easy when you have the right supplies!

If you're interested in budget friendly crafty supplies, go take a look at the Jenlee Schoolcraft website. There are a lots of new and gently used items for sale and you'll surely find some great deals! If you use my first name, Dorlene as a coupon code, you'll receive a 10% discount on your entire order.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #435

TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! I had a fun week and as always, it flew by. This week I'm thankful for little trips on a big bus! 

On Wednesday, my friend Barbara and I went on a bus trip with our local garden club to Apple Hill. It's just north of Sacramento and I've always wanted to do this. There were three stops, one at an apple market where we tasted and purchased apples and other homegrown/canned goodies.

Stop two was a much larger farm with all sorts of craft vendors and where we had lunch. I bought some early Christmas gifts and of course took lots of photos!

The third and final stop was at a plant nursery and it was a nice stroll. I didn't buy any plants, but I was mesmerized over their seed packets and beautiful natural displays.

Here are some of my favs:

 

Such a beautiful day and a great time. 

What are you thankful for this week? I hope you give yourself a few moments to find multiple things that you are thankful for even if it's as simple as waking up in the morning! There are so many things...the big...the usual...and sometimes, even the bad...that we can be thankful.

What's in Your Purse JJ Spread

Paper receipts, sugar packet, business card, candy wrapper, fortune, sticker and a hand drawn flower AND acrylic paints, paint pen, pencil, and water all make a unique piece of art!

How fun is this? Doesn't it have you asking yourself, what's in your purse?

And more importantly, what can you create with it?

Watch how I put it all together in the YouTube process video:

Rainbow Crush YT Hop; Woodgrain

It's time again for the Rainbow Crush YT Hop hosted by The Paper Snob. All the hop details are below as well as the Playlist.

I decided to create a four pocket page insert since that's how it fit in my scrapbook. This dark woodgrain is so beautiful and worked well with the October/Halloween color scheme.

Watch my video:

Hop details:

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.  This hop takes place on the  2nd Wednesday of the month!  The color forOctober is to use Woodgrain on your layout or card.  I know that woodgrain isn’t a color.  LOL!!  You are only required to use 75%.  

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

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

INSTAGRAM:

Tina:  https://www.instagram.com/tinamcmmvr/

Laurie:  https://www.instagram.com/scrapbookingbits/

Kathy:  https://www.instagram.com/kacarr61 

Tammy:  https://www.instagram.com/handcrafterhaven/

Simera:  www.instagram.com/scrappysimi

Sheri: https://www.instagram.com/sheriluvs2scrap22/ 

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

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqrudGj4p28

TGIF; Thankful Friday #434

Happy Thankful Friday! I had a good week and plenty of things to be thankful for. I'm especially thankful for a spontaneous trip to a casino. 

I don't really care about the casino per say, I'm just thankful that hubby went along with my spur of the moment suggestion. 

What about you? What are you thankful for this week?

New Truck. Who Dis? Layout

When hubby bought a new truck, of course I had to take pictures and create a layout! I used a collection called Hey Mister from My Minds Eye that sorta matched and sorta didn't. 

The color is actually a really dark blue and since the truck is black, I wasn't sure if it was going to clash...it didn't! In fact, you cannot even tell!

I do realize that I love using large circles on layouts. I think it just adds an element of fun without too much effort. What do you think?

I used a sketch from Scrapbooking The Day Away and created a masculine layout that fit the photos perfectly.

I cut the title letters from the Cricut and created the Who dis? embellishment from the Cricut as well. This was a print then cut. All other elements are from the collection. Very simple, just the way I like it!

Check out the process on the video:

Thank You Card; JS

After receiving the Hero Arts Color Layering Thanksgiving stamp set from Jenleee Schoolcraft, of course I needed to make a Thank You card. These stamps use a two step layering process. Bottom layer is a shadow which is great for monochromatic or super colorful (like I did) and then the top layer is the outline.

These outlines are fall themed with leaves, acorns, pinecones, etc. And it comes with lots of words and small images to complete a card.

I grabbed a 6x6 fall themed paper pad called Sugar Hill Pad by Farmhouse Paper Company and selected three pieces of patterned paper for my card. Now to be fair, the piece I stamped on looks like a solid but it does have a canvas type look to it.

I did some inking and roughing to the edges of the papers to give a rustic look to them.

My favorite part is probably the trio of fibers that was adhered to the top of the card.

What do you think? Pretty...right?

Watch how I used my MISTI to line up the stamps and the Ranger Distressed ink spots to add color to each letter. Easy...Peasy!

If you are looking for budget friendly crafty supplies, go check out the Jenlee Schoolcraft webstore. She has lots of new and gently used products for prices that won't break your bank. Use DORLENE as a coupon code for 10% off your order. If you're placing your first order, use code NEW20 for 20% off your first order!

The question is...what are you going to buy?

TGIF; Thankful Friday #433

Hi there and happy Thankful Friday! I've been taking it easy this week since my stomach is a little jacked up, which brings me to what I'm thankful for this week.

This week, I'm thankful for the fact that I can take it easy and it doesn't really affect anything. I relaxed on my recliner, ate sensible foods and drank lots of water without feeling guilty AT ALL!

I know I've said it before, but I am so thankful for retirement. I'm enjoying it to the fullest and not once have I regretted it!

How about you? What are you thankful for this week?

Succulent Pumpkins

Next to Christmas, Halloween/fall is when we do the most crafts. This project is definitely one of my favorites!

The Succulent Swap group in town hosts a succulent pumpkin event every year and we're all about it! We bring our own pumpkins and anything else that we want to use for ourselves and/or to share. Zero fee!

This year I brought a charBOOterie to share too. 

I call this a Paper Pad Party since all the elements for the page came from the paper pad. Now of course that does not include any colored cardstock (how I found this perfect shade of blue, I do not know!!), and enamel dots.

The layout was pretty simple and I knew I was using the new paper pad I purchased last year. The colors matched perfectly!

I love how the layout turned out. What do you think?

Strawberry Chai Tea Latte; Junk Journal

Before I forget, I want to make sure I give credit to Amanda Evanston. She's an artist I follow and she did a tutorial on these strawberries.

Hello! I created a junk journal to document my coffee/tea experiences, and I accidentally discovered a way to use my Dutch Bros stickers too.

To create this spread, I scraped a variety of yellow, pink, orange paints all over. Once dried, I painted open triangles (strawberries) throughout using blue acrylic paint. Then turned these into strawberries.

The YouTube video is a must watch!