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?

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Rainbow Crush YT Hop; Forest Green

Here's to another month that we can crush the rainbow! This month, the color is Forest Green. I actually looked this one up so I'd have a better idea of what shade is actually Forest Green.

Here's my layout:

This is a Month in Review layout and worked perfectly with these fall colors from the Coffee Collection from Echo Park.  You just never know how I'm going to use a product!

And my video:

The hop info:***************************************

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 for September is to use forest green on your layout or card.  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 

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

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

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

Keely:  https://www.instagram.com/keelylowedesign 

Here is the YOUTUBE PLAYLIST for this hop! All the videos in one place!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNcTc_lj-jeE

Thanks for hopping along.

Monday, September 7, 2026

Bootiful Night Card; JS


I love Halloween and I love making Halloween cards. When I opened my Design Team package from Jenlee Schoolcraft this month, I was so excited to find this Bootiful Night stamp set by American Craft.

I have a confession...I am not a cat lover BUT...I love cat crafty products and projects. This stamp set is full of super cool vintage black cats and I couldn't wait to play with them. My initial thought was to emboss them all over my card front to make my own patterned paper, but it just didn't work out. So, Plan B is to stamp them using the MISTI and some black ink instead.

The stars that are also in the stamp set were stamped in orange and a bright green to add some fun colors. I also used a black glitter marker to add some sparkle.

I tied some twine and added a cute cat charm to the front to complete the card.

Be sure to watch the YouTube video to watch the process.

And if you're looking for budget friendly craft supplies (aren't we all??), check out the Jenlee Schoolcraft website. You'll find new and gently used items. Use my first name, Dorlene for 10% off your order. 

Friday, September 4, 2026

TGIF; Thankful Friday #429

The weather has really cooled down this week which feels like fall is coming early. That's great but it's not what I'm thankful for this week.

This week I'm thankful for channeling my grandma Weatherby. I baked her bread recipe and made a pot of beans with a ham bone. Both were so good!



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

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Jump 4 Joy Junk Journal Spread


What a fun junk journal spread that didn't start that way. A little background on this piece...in July, I led a painting event with our local CSEA Chapter that was for both adults and kids. Of course, my DIL and two older granddaughters attended. After that, my 6-year-old granddaughter was so excited about watching me lead the class that she wanted to paint another frog when we were home.


I've been recycling our brown paper grocery bags and packing materials as paint canvases when we paint at home so that's where they started. Once my pink frog was complete, I thought what am I going to do with this now?



Easy answer...my junk journal! So this video shows how I added it to the journal and how I added more marks and a title to it. I talk about how to paint the frog so watch to the end for that quick tutorial. I love how it covers two pages that have to be opened to reveal the entire frog. It just JUMPS out at you!


I hope you enjoy it! As always, thanks for watching. 


Oh, and a question??? What do you do with your clogged ink sprays? I'm thinking I can soak the nozzle in hot water. What do you think? Have you tried this before?

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

LTCCB; First Birthday Baseball Card


It's time again for another six week challenge at Love To Craft Challenge Blog (LTCCB). This is a great challenge for all things crafty! You can link your project for the challenge by going to the LTCCB website.

My project for the current challenge is this super cute first birthday baseball card. I found this project on Cricut Design Space and followed the design exactly except I added an inside layer.



If you want to make one too, here's my DS link.

Don't forget to link your crafty project, any crafty project, to the LTCCB website before the end of the six weeks. We'd love to see your project!


Monday, August 31, 2026

Strut Year V Title Page; SID Challenge


There are no pictures on this layout. Whoa. Have you ever created a layout without a picture? Since this is a title page for year five of my family's annual virtual marathon, I've actually made a few.


I used a sketch from Stick It Down for it. I loved the hexagons and thought it would be great to add more interest to it. Stick It Down drops three sketches a month - one page, two page layout sketches and a card sketch. You can find them on Facebook HERE.


Watch the video for the process.


I used a variety of pink, black and white papers and my Cricut for the hexagons. I also used my Cricut to make my own embellishment stickers. I'll be posting a video soon showing how I did this.




Friday, August 28, 2026

TGIF; Thankful Friday #428

 

Happy Thankful Friday! We had a little different week this week. DS3 and DIL took a quick trip out of state and we had the girls for a couple of night/days. And that is what I'm thankful for this week. 

It was a lot, I'm not going to lie, but I'm thankful that we are able to do this for them. The fact that we are not only close in distance but in relationship too. Not many people have this type of relationship with their grown children and we are so blessed that we do.

What are you thankful for this week? Let me know in the comments!

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Stamping in Scrapbooking? Yes, Please


I'm so glad I kept this Covid scrapbook collection from CTMH because the backsides are fabulous. I love themed collections because this is usually the case when papers are double sided.

I wasn't looking for a specific color scheme since the book jackets are all sorts of colors so this colorful collection also worked for that reason!

I also had a blast stamping all the embellishments for this layout for my daughter and my Summer Reading Marathon photos & memories.


Close up of the main embellishment cluster:


Check out the process video I just posted on YouTube. 


Sketch is from Scrapbooking the Day Away which is an all things scrapbooking website. There's two types of memberships. One is free and the other is paid. Go check it out if you're looking for a scrapbooking community, challenges, inspiration, tutorials, tips and tricks!

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Travel Treasures Haul; Junk Journal Goodies


I just got back from a trip to Portland and gathered so many goodies for my junk journal. 


My latest YouTube video goes through my haul and a little bit of Portland trip details. Sure, I'm rambling but that’s what I do! Hahaha 😆 


Be sure to watch because there are lots of goodies and I have some tips when gathering your trip junk journal treasures!







Friday, August 21, 2026

School Layout; Echo Park Stickers


This is page two of a back-to-school double spread that I made earlier. It is very similar which is perfect for a coordinated look.

When Echo Park had a warehouse sale, I really stocked up on their sticker sheets. I figured I have plenty of paper in my stash that would coordinate without buying complete kits/collections. Guess what?  I do!!


I love how this layout and the coordinating one turned out. You can watch the process video for the left side HERE .

Now check out the process YouTube video for the layout above (and the left side of this two page spread)!