Thursday, October 29, 2026

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:



Tuesday, October 27, 2026

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.  




Friday, October 23, 2026

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?

Thursday, October 22, 2026

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!




Tuesday, October 20, 2026

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.

Friday, October 16, 2026

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: