Fruit Bowl Junk Journal Spread

When removing a label on an apple, I really looked at it and thought I'd like to keep it for my junk journal. Well pretty soon I started looking (and saving) more and more until I started adding them to a page. 

Once that was full, I cut and adhered fruit from a grocery store ad on the opposite page.

And that led to me to ask, what now?  Well you can probably guess that I decided to play with acrylic paints to create my fruit bowl.

I've seen paintings where the artist creates their backgrounds this way...a little muddy because of the layers of colors and I decided to try it. I like how it turned out but in the future I think this is something I'd like to do with my fingers and not a paintbrush. I didn’t like the hard edges that the brush made. And the white covered too much of the teal so I used a wet wipe to remove some of it. I'll need to practice more with this technique!

What do you think?

The YouTube video doesn't show when I added the labels, but I did add Mod Podge to seal them to the pages.

*Don't ask me why I put two avocados. I had green out and my mind just went there!

Donut Card for Nat'l Donut Day

I posted this card on my IG on Sunday, June 7th because apparently it was National Donut Day. This card went through some "I don't know if I like it" moments but I kept going and eventually ended up with a card that I loved.

These faux postage stamp collection cards are so fun to create. I used my Cricut to cut the base and all the mats & pieces needed to complete the card. I went ahead and cut pieces for three cards even though I only used one set (for now).

You can find the Design Space file HERE.  *This is going to give you the paper portions but not the stamped images.

I may go back and add some sprinkles but as of right now, it's done.

Be sure to watch the process video to see all the steps.

Red Roses and Generational Stamping

Apparently today is National Red Rose Day and I wanted to create a beautiful stamped card. I found a Altenew layered flowers stamp set on the Trash/Treasure table at a crop. I KNOW! I couldn't believe it either!

I only have one red ink pad so I used generational stamping to create shades of red for these roses. Some turned out better than others but they are all so pretty.

It's hard to see in the photos but there is some dimension on the middle front rose that was fussy cut from the sheet that I stamped.

Watch the process video to see how this card comes together. I used the MISTI for the sentiment and swirly lines. I wasn't going to take any chances with the stamping after all the work I did!

What a beautiful card for a wedding!

Pretty in Ink Layout

When I couldn't find anything to embellish my layout, I created my own. Cricut Design Space has thousands of images, I knew I'd be able to create something!

I searched tattoo and ink for these images. I used Basic Shapes hexagon as the base for the images because the sketch I used had them. I think they gave them an edgier look too!

Added an offset to the hexagons and then flattened them to create print then cut images. I also cut hexagons in cardstock for a variety.

Here's the sketch by Scrapbooking With AnnMarie:

Watch the process video on my YouTube channel. If you're not already a subscriber, I'd love for you to subscribe. I post two videos a week. One is always scrapbooking and the other is whatever else I'm creating in the Command Center which you know is my craft room.

Scrapbooking With AnnMarie or Scrapbooking The Day Away is a great site if you love scrapbooking. It's an all things scrapbooking community! There are two memberships available, one is free and the other is a small monthly fee. AnnMarie is a wonderful person and she provides tutorials, challenges, sketches, chat area, etc. It's worth checking out!

New York City Junk Journal

I just got back from a quick trip to New York and of course had some great "junk" for a spread in my junk journal.

I wish more places had things I could gather but the map was a great find! 

I added some old, old New York stickers that I'm not even sure why I had them but definitely came in handy!

The glue that I used is from The Paper Source which is a Hobby Lobby brand. It was a great gift to receive a container of glue assortments from my friend.

This video is a little less talking and more cutting, tearing and glueing sounds. It's actually kinda soothing! Watch it here:

Let me know what you think about it! Do you like the audio this way or do you prefer more talking?

Printable Cuttable Creatables Spring Hop

Hey friends! Welcome to the Printable Cuttable Creatables Spring Blog Hop. (Scroll down for all the hop details.)

With graduation ceremonies right around the corner, I decided to add some graduation cards to my stash. There are quite a few cut files available on the PCC website (and some are free) but I decided to use the You Did It file.

Once uploaded into Cricut Design Space, I changed a few areas to customize the tassel, diploma ribbon and one of the offset layers to match school colors.

As always, I stack the pieces before adding adhesive. This helps visualize the project and avoids a gluey mess. With some small cuts, it was great to use my picking tool and fine tip adhesive.

I used both black and white markers to add highlights and don't you just love the red glitter paper to add sparkle!?

Watch the process video on YouTube:

Card Cut Measurements:

Base 5.5x11"; scored at 1.75, 5.5 and 9.75"

Patterned Papers:

Two at 3.5x5.25"

One at 1.5x5.25"

Two at 1x5.25"

Band 1x10"

White cardstock (optional): 4x5.25"

I mentioned above that there is a Spring Blog Hop going on at the PCC Blog. The Hop goodies and offers are active from May 15 through May 22nd.

There is a free file available for everyone who has the secret code (the code will be hidden in one of the participating blog posts) and one lucky hopper will win a Virtual Wallet prize. 

To be eligible for the Virtual Wallet Prize, viewer must leave a comment on the main blog post telling us their favorite blog post of the hop.

There will be discounts and specials too. Be sure you visit the main blog for all the details! You don't want to miss the hoopla!

Blog Hop main link HERE  and here's the other blog posts:

• Paula 
• Dorlene You are here!
• Michi
• Ana

Funny Cards

I participate in as many challenges I can with card making and scrapbooking. It really helps me with trying new things and pushing myself. 

With these three cards, I did just that. I used three funny stamps from Rubbernecker that I've had for years; three different Snoopy stickers (stolen from my granddaughters' sticker bin) and a window die. Oh, I almost forgot. I used background paper using Cricut Design Space print/cut feature. 

These are pretty simple and I love them so much!

I also created a YouTube video and you can find it:

If you are interested in following me on Instagram, go to @3sons_and_astar for this particular hop or any of my other projects!

Iron Crafter Challenge; Nuvo Drops

I'm participating in a YouTube Hop hosted by The Paper Snob (a Facebook Group) and the challenge for April is Nuvo Drops. I don't have a lot of them, and I realized that they are all pretty much the same colors! But I tried to get a little creative by making stars and just fun-fetti all over the page. I think it turned out ok. What do you think?

I also used a sketch by AnnMarie from her website, Scrapbooking the Day Away. Click HERE for the website.

My finished layout:

This is the right side to a two page spread. I created the left side awhile ago without knowing about the banners & Nuvo Drop challenge so I brought it back out and added some more embellishments in order for the two sides to coordinate:

Now watch how it's done in my YouTube video:

Read below for all 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 April is to use our Nuvo Drops!  You can also use Stickles or Pops of Color or anything similar by other brand names. 

Instagram:

Tina www.instagram.com/tinamcmmvr

Brandi www.instagram.com/scrappy.boymama/

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

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

Annie:  https://www.instagram.com/annaascraftycreations/

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

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCfSqErOPJopIC9M3OMW4IQE8OuRmpSSn

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/

Print then Cut Title

 

I've made plenty of titles using Cricut and a lot of them using the print then cut function. I needed a custom title for this layout so I created one!

I could have used the regular cut function but when you have small words and/or fonts, it makes sense to print then cut it.

Watch this video for some basic directions.

I used a lot of random beer paper scraps and stickers to create this two page spread. The title is so perfect. I just love it!

Easter Step Pop Up Card

I stamped and colored these cute Easter images before I even knew what I was going to do with them. They were given to me from a friend who was getting rid of some of her crafty things. Aren't they so cute?!?

I always like to create fun fold cards when I can so I went through my Monthly Card Kit binder and created a step pop up card.

During Covid closures, I started a remote monthly card kit with a live broadcast. It was so fun! In fact, you can see more of the cards by clicking the tab above or HERE.

Measurements:

Watch the process video:

Pretty easy, huh? Will you try to make one yourself?

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

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

Create 3 Ways IG Hop

I've been participating in another YouTube Instagram hop since last year. It takes place every third Saturday of each month. We are to use the same item(s), technique or whatever we choose and create three different cards.

I used a Sizzix heart die set and the same patterned patterned paper for three different fun fold cards. Check out my IG account to see my post and to follow along with the hop.  @3sons_and_astar

Card One:

This card has 1.5" cut from the front and the heart was cut from the shortened edge. I die cut hearts from red, white and patterned paper so I could mix and match with the three.  On this card, I cut a strip of white cardstock about .75x6" and scored every 1.5".  Adhere the strip to the inside front and inside back from the 1.5" areas. The heart is adhered to the next 1.5" area only where it peeks through.

Card Two:

It's hard to tell but the scalloped heart is cut from the front and the white scalloped heart with red layer is popped up by creating a base of cardstock. .5x 3" scored at .5, 1, 2 and 2.5". (Accordion fold)

Card Three:

This card is scored at 3" and 7.25". The 7.25" score line is folded so the card flips to the back. The layered hearts are adhered only on the right side.

I forgot to mention that these cards also have small gold metal hearts and an "I love you" sentiment.

Cute, huh?!