Merry Christmas in July; Day Six

It only took me to Day Six to post a scrapbooking layout as part of my Merry Christmas in July series. I printed a photo of my granddaughters with Santa & Mrs. Claus in 2022. Used a sketch by Scrapping the Day Away and a variety of Christmas papers to create this layout. I love that you can use papers from different collections, and it still looks great together. I looked for papers that were a little more distressed and/or subtle since I didn't want it to be too cutesy.

The sketch:

The sketch is pretty basic but what really caught my eye is the bottom portion.  I like the six rectangles going across the bottom half of the page. What a great way to use multiple patterned papers! I cut these rectangles at 3.75x2.75". I used 6x6 papers and the Santa scrap piece, but using all scraps would be perfect for this!

How cute is Mr. & Mrs. Claus with the motorcycle? Originally, I was going to really focus on the motorcycle but then changed my mind. I mean, the motorcycle is not the focus, my cute granddaughters are!

I tried to emulate the photo background by adding die cut banners & punched snowflakes along with a Print/Cut title. I think the layout turned out so nice. I hope you agree! I love, love, love the black background and ask myself, why I don't use black as a background more often!

Be sure to watch the process video on my YT channel for all the fun details!

The dies were purchased from Tall Mouse at the Stamp/Scrapbook Expo. I don't know if they are the manufacturers or just sellers, but this is probably one of my best buys. They are fabulous!

6x6 paper pad is Heidi Swapp and the Santa paper is Theresa Collins. The papers I show at the beginning of the video are from My Minds Eye.

TGIF; Thankful Friday #328

Hello and happy Thankful Friday! This week really flew by which is always a great thing! I had a lot of fun doing my Merry Christmas in July series and also managed to finished a DT project for Printable Cuttable Creatables and make a really cool box card for my sister.

I know this should probably be in next week's Thankful Friday, but this week, I'm thankful for our Road Trip to Tucson today. We're heading out to visit my sister and mom. Even though most people leave AZ in the summer, we're heading to the heat!

I'm excited to see them! 

What are you thankful for this week?

Merry Christmas in July; Day Five

There are so many Christmas projects to make in only seven days! I chose the seven that I thought would be easy to work with in July. Now this is completely different and I absolutely love it! Are you one of those people who wrap with so much detail that it's hard to unwrap the gift because you don't want to mess up the wrapping? I'm not. LOL

I do like to make my own gift tags (Check out my 12 Days of Christmas Tags Series HERE) and I'm going on my sixth or seventh year of doing them, but I thought I'd try something different for this Merry Christmas in July series which sorta coordinates with customized gift tags.

Customized ribbon! I'm going to use infusible ink from my stash which I rarely use and a roll of red velvet-like ribbon. I thought of all sorts of seasonal phrases but then I thought, if I use them, no one would know that I actually made the ribbons...so I decided to really customize them by putting each of my granddaughters’ names on them.

The key is to use polyester ribbons in order to use the infusible inks. Because the ribbon was 2.5”, I made the height of the names 1.5” and this roll was 9 feet so I used 3’ for each girl.

I wish I would have used a lighter ribbon but I used what I had. I also wished I was one of those people who knows how to tie a beautiful bow. But these will do!

What do you think? Pretty awesome, right? Check out the YT video to see how these were done. If you don't have infusible ink, you could also use HTV for the same effect.

Merry Christmas in July; Day Four

Day Four and I'm back to using my Cricut! I've seen these dome treat holders for awhile but never tried to make one. Oh, I don't know what I was waiting for, these things are ADORABLE and really easy to put together.

The file I used is from Printable Cuttable Creatables Polar Bear Dome Candy Holder. There are so many others that I will be using later, but I started with this one. I want you to really take notice of the size. I honestly had no idea that he was so big and I just LOVE it! Plenty of room to stuff with candy and other treats. And if  you didn't know it already, you use half of an acrylic ornament for one candy holder.

I love that there are two options to attach the wheel in the back (watch the YT process video to learn more about this) and how easy it is to put together. I used Beary Art glue for my adhesive. 

My advice...watch this video or any other process video on how to put these together. It is not hard at all, but following directions probably has something to do with it.

I use two shades of green for the scarf and spritz them both with a glitter spray. It gives it a snowy affect and I love it! I used foam adhesive to add the scarf to give it a little dimension.

Be sure to check it out and then try one on your own. I'm so glad I decided to make this in July because I plan on making one of these for all the kiddos on my Christmas list this year!
 

Merry Christmas in July; Day Three

It's Day Three of the Merry Christmas in July series. The first two projects used the Cricut so I wanted to do something different for this one.

Have you ever heard of One Sheet Wonder when making cards? Basically, you cut a 12x12 sheet of paper in specific ways and use those pieces to create cards. I thought it would be fun to do something like this to prepare to send in December.

The first thing I did was do a search for One Sheet Wonder and I found lots of different websites/blogs for examples and instructions. I decided to use cuts from Jumping into Stamping blog because she used a 6x6 piece of paper.

Then I went through my 6x6 pads of Christmas paper and selected a patterned paper to use. Grabbed some matching cardstock & cardbases and then followed the instructions.

The reindeer, sentiment, and bird stamps are from Hero Arts. I used alcohol markers to color them and a white pen to add highlights.

Be sure to watch the process video as I fumble my way through making these.

Don't forget that there are four more days of this Merry Christmas in July week series to watch!

Merry Christmas in July; Day Two

Day Two of the Merry Christmas in July series is another Cricut project. I purchased some night lights from my local dollar store to decorate "one day". Well, today's the day!

I used Mod Podge to adhere two layers of red glitter to the back of the clear panel making sure to let each layer dry before adding the next. I don't often use glitter and every time I do, I remind myself why I don't. It gets everywhere! Be sure to put a coat of Mod Podge as the final layer of the glitter.

I have a glitter tray that I purchased from Queen & Company and it helps keep most glitter tamed.

 

Because of the dark red background, I had to add a white base under the camera lens and change my red letters to white.

Isn't it so cute?

Be sure to check out the series on my YouTube channel for SEVEN process videos on seven Christmas projects.

Merry Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas in July Series; Day One

I asked...you responded and most of you wanted me to do this series. I decided to do the series all in one week versus throughout the month. So for the week of July 21 - July 27, I will post a new Christmas project. 

I'm not sure what each day will bring but I hope you stick around and check them out!

Day One:

I decided to use the Cricut and some vinyl to create a decorative wrap around a Starbucks cup. I uploaded this cup a few years ago and I am finally getting around to using it. I selected a champagne metallic/pearlized vinyl for this dark green cup. Oh, the contrast is beautiful!

Here's a look at all sides

Make sure you check out the process video because I had a BIG OOPS but no worries, I fixed it and it's all good!  

You don't want to miss these Christmas projects!

 

TGIF; Thankful Friday #327

TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! There's been a lot going on this week but if I'm going to select one, it's that I'm so thankful that our granddaughters are near! In fact, SIX houses near! It was our youngest's first birthday and she thoroughly enjoyed her slice of cake!

My daughter made the birthday sign to go in front of her highchair tray. Jhene loves Elmo and Sesame Street!

What are you thankful for this week? Feel free to share below!

Iron Crafter Challenge Hop; Eyelets, Brads and Buttons

I'm excited about this month's Iron Crafter Challenge since the product to use is eyelets, brads and/or buttons. Every year when I attend the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo, I go to the Eyelet Outlet booth and buy lots of brads because every year, I tell myself that I'm going to use them.

Well...eventually I do but definitely not soon enough. I printed photos of my granddaughter on her Sixth Grade promotion ceremony and decided to use some butterfly brads that I have. The colors match the 70's color scheme which also match the color of her sweater that she was wearing.

I bought the Simple Stories Boho Sunshine scrapbooking kit from the Expo and used a sketch from Sketch n Scrap to start the layout.

The two main pieces are cut at 5x10 each and the horizontal strip is 2x11. All the embellishments are from the kit.

INFO ON THE HOP:

Join a fun group of crafty peeps each month as we take on the Iron Crafter Challenge! Each month Anna from @piececraftlove or 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 item for the month will be announced on the first of each month.

The mystery challenge ingredient for July is brads, eyelets, or buttons. 

Here is a playlist with ALL the videos of the participants:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCfSqErOPJoov5EhfBLuASAtOpOFbWyMM

If you want to learn about the mystery item and play along, come over to the Piece Craft Love Facebook group:

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

Here is a list of the folks playing along, please check out their Instagram or YouTube channels to subscribe and say hi!!

YouTube:

Tara https://www.youtube.com/@thepapersnob

Lynda https://youtube.com/@thescrapbookingphotographe3607

Dorlene https://youtube.com/@dorlenedurham?si=WqwXB6bkl5BMoyeE  THIS IS ME!

Shannon K  https://youtube.com/@creativechaosintn?si=QjePZeA5GML_sEGG

Misty youtube.com/@craftysoupvideo

Briana https://youtube.com/@lovemylifeonpaper?si=G_O7VGprDL9ditjd

Rona https://www.youtube.com/@ronamallard8547

Amanda https://youtube.com/@aleckiecreates?si=FCXCXAmHh_RLsEcS

Mel https://www.youtube.com/@MelWScrapping

Lisa https://youtube.com/@lisacuneo?si=10qvBqK8wJq2FkU

Kathy P https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2b5YkXgkPelS885jjHv4fA

Narelle https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf6dunkXF-_-f_aTZaFjWRA

Michele https://youtube.com/@stampbooker?si=OdRLlKrWXLnXfxcU

Christine https://youtube.com/@scrappingharden?si=fi2rO35Dh8PYUII-

Janet https://youtube.com/@GalaxyGirlCreations

Hollie Www.youtube.com/ivycoelcreations

Shannon B https://www.youtube.com/@scrappingwithshannon

Kristen https://www.youtube.com/@scrappingonthefly1217

Instagram:

Brandi Jo: https://instagram.com/scrappy.boymama

Simera https://instagram.com/scrappysimi

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

DawnLyn https://www.instagram.com/dawnlynsdesigns/

Kathy www.instagram.com/kacarr61

Ice Cream Cone Gift Tags; Printable Cuttable Creatables

I have a quick project for you. I decided to use the Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone SVG from Printable Cuttable Creatables to create some fun summery gift tags. These will be perfect to add to a gift bag or a wrapped gift.

Once I uploaded the image into Cricut Design Space and added it to my canvas, you can see that it comes with three different types of cut files. This is great when you’re working with different materials. 

Since I know I’m working with paper, I ungrouped this image and only kept the top three cones.

Then, just to make it easier to size, I ungrouped this set and lined the cones up.

Now, I can group them back together and change the height all at the same time!  I made each of these 3.5” tall and they are little more than 1.5” wide.

These cones have six layers; three for the ice cream and three for the cones.  All these layers really make the final ice cream cones look so realistic!   

Even though I layered the ice cream cones before adding adhesive, I still ended up putting the top two ice cream layers on incorrectly.  

Don’t tell anyone, but I placed them to the left of the base layer instead of in the middle. Do you think anyone will notice?  I won’t tell if you won’t!  

(I was so worried that my Cricut wouldn’t cut the intricate cuts on the top layer of the cones but it did!  Anytime you’re working with smaller cuts, it’s a little bit of a nailbiter to see if it’ll cut well.)

To complete the gift tags, I cut three pieces of natural cardstock at 2x8” and scored at 4”. I also cut patterned paper at 1.75x3.75” to add some color and brightness.  This piece of patterned paper was just sitting on my desk ready to be used!

An eyelet was added to each left side corner and a wooden heart in the bottom right.  The cones were adhered with foam adhesive to the left side of the tags. Can you see all the dimension?  So fun!

 Add a pretty ribbon & they are ready to go!

Be sure to click on over to the Printable Cuttable Creatables blog to check out all the great projects by the DT. If you purchase any SVGs, use the code 3SONS15 for 15% off the already low prices!

Motel Key Ring

Have you've seen those cool old fashion motel key chains that have been floating around? I've been wanting to make one and luckily, my daughter wanted me to create one for her friend! We make a great team...she wants, I do.  LOL

Anyhow, I downloaded some free cut files from Caluya Designs and my daughter chose the one her friend would like.

This is a super easy project especially since the design is already sized and ready to be cut & adhered!

The only thing I had to do once I uploaded it into Design Space is to change the base to a guide (or remove it all together - you don't need it!) and to attach all the letters/images together so they cut as you want the final project.

So easy but so nice because you can customize it to whatever you want!

You can watch the quick process video here:

TGIF; Thankful Friday #326

Hi there and Happy Thankful Friday! This week has gone by so fast and I am thankful for it! We're still experiencing triple digit weather but it's summer so we expect it.

This week, I'm thankful for the hummingbirds that come and visit our hummingbird feeder. It's so exciting when we see them through our kitchen window! I feel like this one made eye contact just to say HELLO!

I see all these quotes on social media about getting older and getting excited about birds. LOL that's so me right now! I guess I'm getting old! No complaints here!

I'm also thankful for my friend who really loved the canvas I made for her. It was such a good feeling to bless her with it!

Also, my daughter received great news that she got the job she interviewed for! 

A lot to be thankful for this week for sure!

What are you thankful for this week? Please share below or on my IG account @3sons_and_astar