I had so much fun putting together this Month in Review two page spread. All the items with the exception of the cardstock bases are from the Freebie Pile at a retreat that I attended.
A place to showcase my crafts and talk about it...what's better than that? I hope to inspire and encourage others to create things for themselves, friends and family.
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Month in Review; Retreat Freebies
I had so much fun putting together this Month in Review two page spread. All the items with the exception of the cardstock bases are from the Freebie Pile at a retreat that I attended.
Sunday, March 1, 2026
LTCCB March; JJ Tag
Hi there. It's the first of March and time for another six week challenge at the Love To Craft Challenge Blog. This fun blog is for all kinds of crafters. You can submit any project as long as its a crafty one!
For this month's project, I decided to share the watercolored flower I created on a store receipt for my Junk Journal.
I love making something out of nothing or in this case, something out of something that would have been trashed.
Here's the piece:
And here's the video showing how it was done:
Isn't it fun! I even made use of the painters tape that was used to adhere it on the page. The majority of this tag was created by using watercolor paints. I also used a black ball point pen, some white acrylic paint to create splatter and white, purple and green paint pens for outlines and the words.
Now it's your turn. Create something...anything and link it to LTCCB. But before you do that, take a peek at the DT creations for some inspiration!
Link your project by April 15th!
Friday, February 27, 2026
Nat'l Strawberry Day Watercolor Card
Happy National Strawberry Day. I swear there's a national holiday for just about anything but hey, it gives me excused to make theme specific cards!
I created this card by adding red watercolor paint on a thick piece of white cardstock. Then, I created my own patterned paper by stamping two different strawberry stamps and some paint splatter around it.
Once that was dried, I heat embossed a sentiment on patterned vellum and adhered this panel to the patterned paper using four white brads.
Hello! This card has so much going on. Watercoloring, embossing, stamping, vellum and brads.
Check out the process video on my YouTube channel and follow the Instagram Hop starting on my IG account, @3sons_and_astar
TGIF; Thankful Friday #402
TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! I'm back in Arizona this week which makes me thankful for not only the great sunny weather but also sister time.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Designer Deep Dive Challenge Layout & YT Hop
Join a fun group of creators each month as we take on the Designer Deep Dive Hop! Each month Tara from @thepapersnob will select a designer or manufacturer to use on a layout. There will be some alternatives for some of the designers just in case you don’t have this designer or manufacturer in your stash. You are not required to use 100% of this designer!
This hop goes live on the FOURTH SATURDAY of the month. We will have a hop on YouTube and Instagram to show how we each used the designer for the month.
Here's my layout:
Close Up:
And the deets:
The collection I used was called Free To Be Me. It was an anniversary collection from CTMH years ago. I actually have two sets of this collection because I loved it so much. It also means that I still have a lot of it left over. That's ok. I feel like these colors and the patterns can go with pretty much everything.
Be sure to Hop along to the different videos, leave some comments and hopefully be inspired by the designers. The YouTube playlist link is below:
And my video:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Nat'l Margarita Day; Stick it Down Sketch
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Making a Junk Journal with Aiyana
Have you ever wanted to make a junk journal? Well, I just made one with my niece and remembered to film it. There are some portions that didn't get filmed, but I still think this is a good one to follow along with if you're interested in making your own.
Friday, February 20, 2026
TGIF; Thankful Friday #401
Hi there and happy Friday. It's another week to be thankful. I was reminded that I skipped a week and guess what, I almost forgot another one.
This week I'm thankful for being home and enjoying our new furniture. We bought a new couch, love seat and recliner. But the thing I'm mostly thankful for is that our whole family fills them up. We've been watching the Olympics and it's been nice rooting for the young athletes as they compete for medals.
What about you? What are you thankful for this week? Leave me a comment!
Docraft Cut and Emboss Hop; Jenlee Schoolcraft
I'm participating in a YouTube hop featuring Docrafts Cut and Embossed folders from Jenlee Schoolcraft website. Be sure to follow the hop, comment and complete the form (link below) for a chance to win $50 gift certificate to the Jenlee Schoolcraft website!
Here's my card:
What I did: it took me a little bit to figure out the Sizzix sandwich but it was definitely worth it! This image is gorgeous! I decided to keep it plain and really add the colors to the air balloon.
And of course the wow factor of the shaker!
My video:
YouTube Hop Playlist:
After watching and commenting on the four videos, complete and submit this form: https://forms.gle/DJjihhsvd5v42GMu5
The form must be completed and submitted by February 26, 2026 and winner will be announced on the 27th.
If you're interested in high quality new and used products at low prices, check out the Jenleeschoolcraft website and use my name, Dorlene, for 10% off!
https://www.jenleeschoolcraft.com
Patterned Paper: Clouds of Hope from Seguras Crafts
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Guest Designer on the Scrapbooking The Day Away Website; Week Two
Hi there, I'm a guest design team member on the Scrapbooking The Day Away website and there are some fabulous sketches there.
This week's sketch:
And my layout:
Monday, February 16, 2026
Canvas Painting; Graffiti Hearts
Watch as I create a fun, bright and hopefully a little grungy canvas that is full of hearts. These hearts are different colors and sizes and really great!
I created this for my oldest granddaughter and because she loves purple, I really tried to add as much as possible.
What do you think? Do you like it?
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Rainbow Crush YT Hop; Red
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 February is red!
You can sign for the next month’s hop over on the The Paper Snob Community Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepapersnobcommunity/
The challenge color is perfect for these photos I have of our 49er Superbowl Party in 2024.
Here is the YOUTUBE PLAYLIST for this hop! All the videos in one place!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCfSqErOPJooq6mP4JFm_bkwtpLnpv6pO
Take a moment to watch all the participants' YouTube videos. Here's mine:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Glue Book; Junk Journal Spread
I've mentioned before that my junk journal is a combination of all sorts of things. This spread is probably considered Glue Book style.
I received some cookies from my birthday twin (ex-coworker that we share birthdays with) when he visited Costa Rica. I did not expect the gift so that was a nice treat in itself (yes, pun intended!)
Friday, February 6, 2026
TGIF: Thankful Friday #400
This week I'm thankful for coffee that makes you smile! I'm in AZ this week visiting my sister and I have treated myself twice to coffee. The first cup is from the Presta Coffee Roast
And this one is from the local Starbucks. I just love it when they write little notes!
What about you? What are you thankful for this week? Leave me a comment!
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Scrap Buster Easter Card
Do you have lots of paper scraps in your craft room? Yup! Me too! I saw a card similar to this on FB and knew I had to try it.
Opening Day 2014;Scrapping the Day Away
Hi there. I'm a Guest Designer this month for AnnMarie at Scrapping the Day Away. If you're a new or seasoned scrapbooker, this site is the place to be. Not only are there sketches, prompts and tutorials but there is also friendships and camaraderie!
I'm working with this sketch:
And created this layout!
When I saw those triangles, I knew exactly what photos I was going to use. They scream baseball pennants, right?! And the three baseballs! I mean, come on!
The SF and title were made with my Cricut and the other embellishments are from a sticker collection.
Don't forget to check out THIS incredible scrapbooking source. There's a free membership and a paid one.
Friday, January 30, 2026
TGIF; Thankful Friday #399
Happy Friday and happy another week to be thankful! This week has gone by so fast! Probably because I'm going out of town and I'm scuttling around trying to do all the things.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
TKS IV Layout; 100 Patterned Paper Challenge
I love scrapbooking challenges and this layout was completed using a five item challenge on the 100 Patterned Papers Challenge Group on Facebook.
The five items we had to use are: circles, die cut, small words, thread/twine and something new.
Gotta tell you, I wasn't sure how I was going to incorporate thread/twine but then I was adhering the sneakers and it just came to me!
Leave a comment if you'd like more info on how to organize your own virtual marathon. It has given my family a way to honor my nephew's memory and build new memories.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Junk Journal Spread; Hummingbird
Hi there! I had a chance to play in the junk journal the other day and I love how this two page spread turned out. I adhered torn pieces of painty paper scraps to both sides of the journal pages and adhered a paper frame on the left.
I made this hummingbird a while ago to create a colorful card earlier and decided to add it onto this page. (to view the YouTube process video for the card, click HERE)
I used watercolor paints to add some flower petals and just color around the spread.
Watch the process video to see how it was done. I love how colorful it is and think the bright hummingbird looks great over there on the left side.
On the right side, I was going to write a hummingbird quote but decided to use these sticker phrases instead. I purchased these at Scrap & Sip in SF last year and almost forgot about them!
I did end up writing the hummingbird quote to the bottom of the frame. Take a closer look:
At some point I'll do a flip through of my Little Golden Book Junk Journal but I want to complete more pages first.







.jpeg)
.jpeg)


















.jpeg)



