Friday, October 16, 2026

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:



Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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


Friday, October 9, 2026

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?

Thursday, October 8, 2026

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:





Tuesday, October 6, 2026

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?

Sunday, October 4, 2026

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?

Thursday, October 1, 2026

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?

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

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!




Friday, September 25, 2026

TGIF; Thankful Friday #432

TGIF and Happy Thankful Friday! Oh, the weather is changing and fall is in the air! This week I'm thankful for time with friends. I had a busy week and hung out with a lot of friends. I love that we can sit and talk for hours and still feel like we didn't spend enough time together.

Now it's your turn, what are you thankful for this week?


STAMPtember Day Five; Solid Stamp


This is the final card of my five days STAMPtember series. I decided to use a solid stamp - you know...the one that is all color.

This is a new stamp that I purchased from Unity and this flamingo is so cute! I was ok that it was solid pink (but I did add some black to the beak with a pen). To make sure I had a good impression, I used my MISTI to stamp this one.


I also used a fun technique for making three cards at a time. Now, there's probably an exact measurement to use, but I just stacked all three card fronts together and then slice once on a diagonal from left to right and then another diagonal cut from right to left.

Sort the pieces between three stacks for three fun and coordinated cards! I created two similar ones on the video with two different phrases. Both use a vellum circle cut with the Creative Memories circle cutter.

How fun! Be sure to watch today's video and look back at the other four for five different but easy cards!


Until next STAMPtember...keep on stamping!

Thursday, September 24, 2026

STAMPtember Day Four; Silhouette


It's Day Four of my five day STAMPtember series and the cards are getting better and better! Today I decided to use a brand new stamp to create a colorful and beautiful card.

I used green and blue ink pads with paddle brushes to add color to a plain white piece of cardstock. Once the color was added, I used a white splatter to add some shine to the piece. 

Then I used my MISTI to place this pretty forest silhouette stamp on it. WOW! 

I didn't add a sentiment to it because I think this can be for really anything. So, it's a notecard.

Be sure to watch how this card was made on my YouTube channel and don't forget to go back to watch the other three cards from this series. 



Designer Deep Dive YouTube Hop


I'm participating in a Designer Deep Dive YouTube hop today where we create a layout based on the designer given. This month we have a choice of any discontinued designer. I chose, Fun Stampers Journey.


I used a 6x6 paper pad from FSJ and a bunch of embellishments I made using my Cricut and the print/cut function. I also used some Halloween beads from Recollections.

Close Ups:



See hop details below:

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 THURSDAY of the month. We will have a hop on YouTube and Instagram to show how we each used the designer for the month. 

The designer/manufacturer of the month is:  Discontinued Designer of your choice and we’ve lost a lot of good ones recently!!! 

Instagram:

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

Kathy:  https:www.instagram.com/kacarr61

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

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

Here is a playlist with ALL the videos of the YouTube creators:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ9kudkZykns

If you want to play along, come over to the Paper Snob Community Facebook group:

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

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

STAMPtember Day Three; Background


Hi there! It's Day Three of my STAMPtember series. I have created three stamped cards so far and there are two more to see. Day Three showcases solid shape stamps. I created a patterned background using the assortment of square/rectangle solid stamps and two shades of purple ink pads.

I just eyeballed the placement (which you can totally tell) but I like the wonkiness of it! I also used two different gnome stamps that haven't been used in awhile either.

I added all things purple too! 

Be sure you follow along with this series for five different types of stamps and cute cards.



Tuesday, September 22, 2026

STAMPtember Day Two; Masking


It's Day Two of my STAMPtember week and today I'm using American Crafts Bootiful Nights stamp set from Jenlee Schoolcraft. With this stamp set, I'm showcasing the masking technique.



I used this technique for layering the cat on the fence and for the oval behind him. I mention Rubber Paws in my YouTube video. She was my sister's sister-in-law. She passed away over 10 years ago and honestly, I didn't really know her but I think about her often. 

When she passed, she left behind an entire craft room that was gifted to my sisters and I. This woman was an artist! I mean, the cards and work she left behind left me in awe. It is unfortunate that I didn't really get to know her - we had a lot in common. Although I didn't really know her, I am inspired by her and her supplies speak to me.

I wanna tell you, this card had one mistake after another but I pushed forward and came up with a super cute card!


Be sure to watch the YouTube process video for today's card and also the other four stamped cards in this series!

If you're looking for budget friendly crafty supplies, look no further than Jenlee Schoolcraft. She has new and gently used products available. If you use my first name, Dorlene, you'll get 10% off your order!

Monday, September 21, 2026

STAMPtember Day One; Coloring


It's September which means it's also STAMPtember! I almost didn't do this series this year but I'm so glad I did. We're going to stamp up some fun with stamp sets I haven’t used yet and some tried and true techniques.

Day One is pretty simple. I'm using xxx set which were gifted to me when a friend was destashing. Since these are outlined images, I pulled out some alcohol markers to color them in.


Aren't these doggies so cute?

Since I wanted all three on the card front, I punched peep holes and adhered the doggies in each one. I created a cut file in Cricut Design Space of the window layers for a standard A2 card. Click HERE for the link. 

If you do not have a Cricut, you can also stack two pieces of same size paper (4x5.25) and punch three smaller circles through both layers. Then, take whichever piece that will be on top, and use a larger circle to punch around those smaller circles.

I'll post a YouTube process video each day this week so be sure to hit that subscribe button for stamping fun. Here's the one for Day One:





Friday, September 18, 2026

TGIF; Thankful Friday #431

Happy Friday! And most importantly, Thankful Friday. This week there wasn't a whole lot going on except a little clearing house around here.

I went through my closet and came up with two large garbage bags full of nice work blouses and sweaters; some pants, shorts and even a few jackets to donate.

I am thankful that I have a plethora of clothes that I can donate and still have lots to fill my closet.


What are you thankful for this week?

Iron Crafter Challenge YT Hop; Doilies


I'm joining the Iron Crafter Challenge YT Hop for this month. This month the item we are to use is doilies. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I was going to participate because I wasn't sure if I had any doilies. Well, guess what? I do!

I used papers that were sitting near my work desk and waiting to be put away so it was nice to use some of them instead. I used a sketch from Sketch n Scrap. Here's the sketch:

Check out the blog post with this sketch HERE.

See below for the HOP details:

******************************************************************

Join a fun group of crafty people each month as we take on the Iron Crafter Challenge! Each month 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 challenge for September is to use doilies on your projects.

If you want to learn about the mystery item and play along, come over to the Paper Snob Community Facebook group:

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

Instagram:

Tina www.instagram.com/tinamcmmvr

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

Simera:  https://www.instagram.com/scrappysimi/

Kathy:  https:www.instagram.com/kacarr61

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

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

Kaitlin:  https://www.instagram.com/keptinteal

DawnLyn:  www.instagram.com/dawnlynsdesigns 

Karin:  instagram.com/kadas_scrapbooking

Lauren:  https://www.instagram.com/creative_happy_hour

Here is a playlist with ALL the videos of the YouTube creators:

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


Thursday, September 17, 2026

Grandchildren Layout


Hi there friend! I created a pretty simple layout using a sketch by Scrapbooking The Day Away. Each week, the Design Team receives a new one page sketch to complete within the same week. I was happy to complete it by the due date.

The sketch:


Earlier this week, I created a layout and this one is a companion page.


The quote was created in Design Space as a print then cut and I used this large embellishment in place of a photo. I don't normally create one photo layouts but it just worked out this way!


Watch the YouTube process video to see how I took the sketch and made it mine!


And if you're looking for a great scrapbooking community, go to THIS site for all things scrapbooking!

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Coffee Tea Junk Journal


I made a new junk journal specifically for coffee and/or tea experiences and this is the first spread! I used treasures I picked up from my recent trip to Portland OR. 

This was so fun. I didn't do any artsy stuff (ok, maybe just a little) because I wanted the 'junk' to be the showcase and I think I did a great job.

Super fun, right?



I love the coffee sleeve tuck pocket the most. I also tried the packing tape method to remove the art from the plastic iced coffee cup. It worked well for my first try, but I definitely need to practice!


Words to live by from Bea, a seven year old kid...You Are Not in the Way!

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Making Stickers with the Cricut


There's a sticker function within Cricut Design Space that I've never used before. When I've make stickers in the past, I just create my images, add an offset and then flatten. Well, by using the sticker function, you basically just have to choose your images and DS does all the rest.

I made stickers for our family virtual marathon, TomKat Strut and it was so easy! Follow along as I go through the steps. I'm just learning and I know I will perfect the process in the near future!


Here's one of the layouts I added stickers:


So fun, right?




Friday, September 11, 2026

TGIF; Thankful Friday #430

Happy Thankful Friday! We're back to high temps this week. I guess they call it sunny California for a reason!

This week I'm thankful for a quick road trip to So. Cal and being near the ocean. There's something so soothing and peaceful when you're near that huge vast of water.



I'm also thankful for the first week of the NFL games and a Niner victory!

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