Friday, February 7, 2025

TGIF; Thankful Friday #353

Oh Friday...you snuck up on me again. Fridays don't have as much impact when you are retired. This week was busy as hubby and I were on a road trip back home from AZ and then settling in.

We’re having wet and cold weather but we had a break one day so I did some planting with the girls. They loved the dirt!


I also started a new Instagram account for my retired adventures. This is a personal account versus my crafty one.  Check them both out @retir_edmd and @3sons_and_astar

What are you thankful for?

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

6x12 Slip-in Layout

Oh no! I forgot about two 4x6 photos but didn't want to create a whole 12x12 layout. I'm so glad I have different size page protectors and a 6x12 sized protector is exactly what I needed!



Watch how I created coordinating 6x12 layouts to insert between already designed 12x12 layouts using 6x6 papers and minimal embellishments.


This also gave a place to add journaling to tell the story.




Saturday, February 1, 2025

You Warm My Heart Fun Fold Card


You know I love a fun fold card and this is one that I've never done before. It's called a Tri Fold Hidden Door card. 

The cutting and scoring measurements are below:

Card base is 6.5x5.5 scored at 4.25 on the 6.5 side
Tri fold is 3.5x10.5 scored at 2, 3, 5.5, and 8"

White cardstock four pieces at 2.25x3.25 and one at 1.75x3.25
I added a white piece to the back at 4x5.25
Patterned paper at 2x5.25 and .75x3.25


My YouTube process video will show how to put it all together. I chose to stamp the white panels using a tea pot stamp set that I was gifted years ago but have never used. 

As I was coloring the images with watercolor markers, I realized that it was looking a little Christmasy. I had to add some yellow to change that.




Friday, January 31, 2025

TGIF; Thankful Friday #352

TGIF folks! This week I'm away from home visiting my family and I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful for more Arizona adventures even if it means shopping at the Goodwill Outlet and eating a donut for lunch!



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

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Back to School 2022


I bought a premade scrapbook kit awhile back but as you can guess, I didn't create any of the layouts. I used products as I wanted and this layout is a perfect example. I loved how the base page had the pink I was looking for but also allowed some other patterns without any effort on my part.

Check out the YouTube process video to listen and watch how I chose the elements and placement of them on this page.

I was at a retreat with limited products but I love how this turned out. I feel I get more creative when my supplies are limited and I love that!

The scrapbook kit is from Simple Stories. 

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Free Hugs Cactus; Printable Cuttable Creatables


Hi there. I'm here to share a fun project I created for Printable Cuttable Creatables Design Team. Free Hugs Cactus cut file can be used for anything, but I decided to put it on a red t-shirt for my granddaughter. Because of the small size, I was able to use all HTV scraps for this project! 

Once I cut out all the pieces (don’t forget to mirror the image if you’re using HTV!), I layered the pieces so I could determine which piece to iron on first.


Then, before pressing onto the shirt, I needed to find the middle of each section so it would be centered on the shirt. I folded the sections and used my fingernail to add a crease at the middle.




Folded & pressed the shirt at the center as well. Then you just have to match the crease line on the shirt to the crease line on the different sections.



Originally, I used the Mini Press but switched to the Easy Press as the layers were building up since I needed more coverage.



Press each section for about 5 to 6 seconds and cover the entire image with teflon or parchment paper between presses. This will ensure that the iron doesn’t burn the vinyl and honestly, protect your iron!  On the final layer, press the entire image for the full 30 seconds (or whatever your press time is.)



Look how fun the glitter needles are!



It wasn’t intentional but since I was determined to use scraps, they were in my scrap pile and worked perfectly! And here’s the final project. I love this image on the red t-shirt. It really makes everything POP!



So fun! Be sure to check out this and other projects on the Printable Cuttable Creatables blog! And use 3SONS15 for 15% off your purchase! Believe me, you will find so many cute images!


Friday, January 24, 2025

TGIF; Thankful Friday #351

Hi there and happy Thankful Friday! I had a nice and quiet week and the thing I am thankful for are my blooming bulbs. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen my bulb updates and probably how it started. I planted four different types of flower bulbs, lasagna style. Which is supposed to give blooming bulbs throughout spring. 

This is the view from my kitchen. Can you see them?


I'm excited that they have been sprouting and some of the daffodils are starting to bloom!


What are you thankful for this week?  Please share in the comments!