Crafts in the Command Center: 2025

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Who Needs Santa Layout

I'm almost done scrapbooking 2022. I'm in December and of course there's always a lot of photos this month.

It took me awhile to figure out the best title for this layout but I surely found the right one! I started with a sketch but quickly made it my own. Watch the process video:

The nice thing about Christmas layouts is that you can use multiple product lines together. They all coordinate because they all have the green and red color scheme. It makes putting together the layout much easier!

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Cute Axolotl; PCC Project

Hi there, I have a fun updo project using the Cute Axolotl SVG from Printable Cuttable Creatables. I’m going to be honest, I’ve never even heard of an axolotl until my granddaughter came over wearing an axolotl pajama zip up on Christmas day.

I didn’t give it much thought until I saw this cute cut file on the PCC website. So fun! I knew it’d be perfect for the clearance zippered hoodie that I purchased.

I love the cut files from the website because not only do they come with different cut files to use depending on the material you’re using BUT this one has three different poses for the axolotl.

Once I decided which pose I wanted, I used the trash icon to remove all the unnecessary images.

With the help of Cricut Design Space and the curve feature, I created the words to fit around the axolotl and some hearts. Once that design was cut out, I weeded out all the extras from the HTV sheet and turned on my Mini Press.

Check out this quick video:

I used two different pinks for the image and black for the eyes/mouth and words.

Once weeded, I cut around the plastic backing sheet so I could arrange the layers without overlapping the plastic backing sheet. I did this to lower the number of presses as possible.

Arranged them so there would be no HTV overlap (it’s ok to overlap the plastic as long as it doesn’t interfere with another HTV):

And then pressed the first layer

Two more layers were added, the darker pink outline and the eyes/mouth. The white background that you see on the sweatshirt will go away. Those are just the press marks that are often left behind when using a press.

I always keep a lookout for inexpensive items that I can jazz up with a cute SVG cut file and this one is the perfect example!

Be sure to use 3SONS15 for 15% off any purchase from the PCC website. The blog has all sorts of DT inspirations too!

Saturday, May 3, 2025

NSD; Completing an Overlay

Happy National Scrapbooking Day! Of course I'm scrapbooking today to honor the holiday but I also wanted to share my latest YouTube video. Way back, I created a layout overlay (see post HERE with the YT video) and I finally added photos and elements to complete it!

Check out this video for tips and tricks to complete the overlay and THIS one to create it.

As you can see I didn't just add photos in the empty spaces. I overlapped some photos, sliced and combined photos, added a journaling box and so much more. I love how different this layout is and overlays are so easy to create using the Cricut! The cute car with the tree is a SVG from Printable Cuttable Creatables.

I hope you try this technique yourself and more than anything, I hope you are scrapbooking today!

Friday, May 2, 2025

TGIF Thankful Friday #364

Happy Friday! Cheers to another week to be thankful! This week I'm thankful for my mom coming home from the hospital. And I know that's what she's thankful for too.

She's on the road to recovery and for that, I'm truly thankful!

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

Thursday, May 1, 2025

LTCCB; Mixed Media Card

It's been six weeks and it's time for another challenge at the Love To Craft Challenge Blog. I made this unique mixed media card using random painty papers and a stamped and watercolor flower.

Watercolor pencils were used to color and shade the flower and leaves before being fussy cut and adhered to the collaged card front.

The completed collage was adhered to black card base.

The black really makes all the colors pop! It's so pretty!

Watch the process video:

Now create your own creation and link it to the LTCCB blog by the deadline.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Grid-Like Layout

I created this grid-like layout pretty quickly. I made changes with the double sided patterned paper to add more color to the layout.

The paper pack used was part of a Grab Bag from Wild Whispers which is now out of business. I love the title card because it is so perfect for my granddaughter.

During the YT process video, I mention how looking at your stash can change depending on what you're currently working on. When I was going through this paper pack for this layout I remember thinking when would I ever use rock paper.

Well many layouts later, while at a retreat with limited supplies, I needed items to match my son's purple shirt. I didn't bring any purple products but found the rocks had a purplish tone and the title card was the perfect shade of purple! Basically what I'm trying to say is SHOP YOUR STASH!

Here's the layout I created with the perfect products!

Watch the process video below:

Friday, April 25, 2025

TGIF; Thankful Friday #363

Is it Friday already? TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! I'm out of state visiting my mom and sister and this week I'm thankful for the hospital staff who are taking care of my mother.

She's hanging in there but still not well enough to leave. The staff are very knowledgeable and caring. Mom has her own spacious room and that's always a good thing.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful Card

I'm a DT member for Seguras Crafts and am so honored to be a part of this website's team. It's always fun to be gifted supplies to create with and I knew I needed to showcase this beautiful Petal Whisper shimmer paper. By cutting and adding .25" strips to a plain white cardstock base, it does just that.

A butterfly, sentiment and sparkly rhinestones complete the card!

Watch the process video to see how easy this card is to put together.

Inks used for the butterfly: Melon Mambo & Regal Rose by SU!

Check out the Design Team post on Segurascrafts website.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Easter Stickers; Printable Cuttable Creatables

For my second DT project this month, I wanted to create personalized stickers for my granddaughters' Easter containers. It's so easy to do with a cute image from Printable Cuttable Creatables, sticker paper and the print/cut feature in Design Space.

First, I uploaded the Bunny Balancing Eggs SVG file and duplicated two times. Once I determined the size, I added each name using the Annie Lou font. I adjusted the size to fit within the bunny's body.

I added offsets to each of them. Offset color defaults to black and I changed it to white. I like to add an offset to print/cut images just in case the cut lines aren't perfect.

At this point, select the bunny image, offset and name before clicking on the flatten button. This changes it to a Print/Cut image.

Click on the MAKE button and then print using your printer.

Once the images print on sticker paper, cut them on your Cricut.

You can personalize any image to add some fun to any occasion!

Be sure to use 3SONS15 for 15% off your order at Printable Cuttable Creatables website.

Friday, April 18, 2025

TGIF; Thankful Friday #362

Hi there! Today is Friday and another week to be thankful. This week went by so fast and I spent lots of time in the Command Center.

That's what I'm thankful for this week...crafting time!

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

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Square Column Fun Fold Card; Jenner Schoolcraft DT

I received a gorgeous brick background stamp from Jenlee Schoolcraft as part of her DT. All I can say is wow! I played around with the stamp to see which technique I liked best but I liked them both! AND I used both techniques on this Father's Day card.

The two techniques used: stamp directly on brick color cardstock using black ink and using brick color ink on white cardstock and then smudging a little. Check out the video and let me know which is your favorite.

I used some BBQ stamps and watercolor pencils from my stash to finish this Square Column Fun Fold card. I also created a YouTube video to show how it was made.

Here are the measurements to make your own:

Card base: cut 5 1/2 x 10 1/8; score at 4 1/4, 5 3/4, 7 1/4 and 8 3/4

Patterned Paper: (3) 1 3/8 x 5 3/8 this can be two different, all the same or any combination of papers.

The "tab" created on the area from the 8 3/4 score line to 10 1/8 is attached to the card base to create the column.

Jenlee Schoolcraft website has a variety of budget friendly craft and card making products that are both new and gently used. Products are current, retired, or discontinued from well known companies. Quantities can sometimes be limited so if you like something, be sure to snag it quick! Use my first name, Dorlene, as a coupon code for 10% off your order!

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Thanksgiving Layout

I attended a scrapbooking retreat this past weekend and got so much done. I love going to retreats but I either pack too much or not enough. It was good to use products that I packed and complete this layout.

Most of the supplies are from Simple Stories with the exception of the cardstock.

The variety of photo sizes are easy when you use the collage option in 4x6 size when ordering photos.

Check out the process here:

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Graduation Shaker Card; Seguras Crafts

Hey there! I'm part of a new Design Team, Seguras Crafts and very excited about it. When I received my first package of products, I knew I needed to use these rhinestones! They are gorgeous!

I searched graduation images in Design Space and sized them to fit a standard A2 card. The cardstock is also from Seguras Crafts and I used the 100lb paper option and selected the pressure to More. It cut perfectly.

The Echo Park graduation paper was purchased from 12x12 Scrapbook and the shaker cover from Pink & Main.

It was hard to photograph without getting any glare. Even without lighting.

Watch the YouTube process video to see how easy the card is to put together.

Friday, April 11, 2025

TGIF Thankful Friday #361

Happy Friday! It's another week to be thankful! This week I'm thankful for the beautiful spring weather. And the fact that my granddaughters are close by. We got to spend the evening watching granddaughter 2 on the football field! I'm so glad she is enjoying sports and it's so good to see her running around and smiling!

What are you thankful for this week?

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Happy Birthday Pinata Card; PCC

Hi there. I’m sharing a bright and fun card using the Cute Pinata cut file from Printable Cuttable Creatables. I know you can tell just by looking at it, but it is so fun! This little guy has eight layers to it. Because of that, I tried to use lighter weight cardstock when I could so it wouldn’t be too thick but it is perfect for any of your fiesta projects.

I made four of these at the same time because I know I have to make more than one card using this cute pinata cut file!

Each layer just stacks right on top of each other for super easy placement. I added a few white pen highlights on the top layers.

My first thought was to create a spinning card so the pinata would spin as the recipient pulled it out of the envelope. To make it spin, I adhered string at the top of the pinata by sandwiching it between the yellow base shape and a white solid base piece. To make the extra solid base, I just ungrouped the image in Design Space and selected the bottom layer (yellow) and duplicated it. I then changed the color to white but honestly the color really didn’t matter.

I used a circle cutter to cut a circle in the middle of the card base and patterned paper. But as I was putting it all together, I changed my mind.

Instead, I decided to place it in the lower right corner and added a double loop bow to the top of the string coming out of the pinata.

Once that was adhered, I stamped birthday sentiments through the circle opening.

It still needed something so I pulled out some birthday confetti and sprinkled some stars & birthday hats all around.

How fun is this card? The bright colored background really complements the pinata and gives it a fiesta mood!

I would love to receive a bright, festive and fun card with this pinata image. Wouldn’t you?

Be sure to watch the YouTube process video and go to the Printable Cuttable Creatables website for more inspirations and fun files. When you use the discount code 3SONS15, you'll get 15% off your order!

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Rainbow Crush YT Hop; Yellow

Hey there, I'm participating in another Rainbow Crush YT hop and yellow is the color for April. I am using products from 49 & Market and a dog sympathy stamp set by Our Daily Bread Designs to create the layout for the final moments of our dog's life.