Fantabulous Cricut's 100th Challenge!

Can you believe it?  100 challenges!!  In  celebration of Fantabulous Cricut's 100th challenge, we're using FCCB's colors; green, purple, and turquoise on our projects. 

So why is my card so sad??  I'm saying good bye to FCCB.  This is my final post as one of their  designers.  I've been with the team for almost a year and it has been the most wonderful experience.  Robin gave me my first design team position and I will be forever thankful.  I've loved doing the challenges, the commenting, the blog hops and the Quick Tip Tuesdays.  Thank you Robin, Amy, and all the DT gals - you ladies are the best and I wish you continued success.

I used Smiley Cards and the new Circle cartridge, Letter Envy for my farewell card. Just a little ribbon and some doodling was needed to finish the project. 

You can join in the 100th challenge by linking your project to the Challenge Me Monday post at Fantabulous Cricut.  Remember to use the colors green, purple, and turquoise and also a Cricut cut.

And, I'll continue to see you at FCCB when I link up to the weekly challenges myself.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



Funny Puns

It's Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut and this week we're challenging you to create something that incorporates a funny pun, either in the design or the sentiment.

For my design team project I used the Paisley cartridge for the turtle and Create a Critter for the first part of the sentiment.  The sentiment pun is from K Andrew Designs All About Animals stamp set. 

I hope you'll join in this week's challenge by linking your Funny Pun to the Fantabulous Cricut blog. Even if you don't play with us this week, be sure to stop by FCCB to see more Funny Pun projects presented by the design team members.

Remember, too, that's it's Pre-Hop week at Getting Cricky.  Many of the DT members have selected one cartridge to showcase throughout the week. Each design will also feature a

 K Andrew Designs stamp.  Today's FCCB card has the "turtlely!" pun from All About Animals. 

You can play along with us by linking as many projects as you like as long as you follow the guidelines which you can read below.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

3 x 3 Valentine

Wow! Can you believe it's almost February?

It's Monday so that means it's Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  Our challenge this week is to create a 3 x 3 Valentine.  OH MY - I don't often do square OR small, so this challenge was a fun one for me.  Also, several of us on the design team received products from this week's sponsor,

MY CREATIVE TIME,

to use with our creation.  I received Emma's stamp set, Classroom Valentines.  Each sentiment is circular with a cute image to stamp in the middle.  The middle stamps are separate so it's easy to change colors.

Here's my design:

I thought this paper from the DCWV All About Boys stack was the perfect companion for the stamp.  The square and heart layers were cut from George and Basic Shapes.

After looking at the card, I decided it would also make a cute lollipop holder so I cut and 3 x 7 piece of cardstock, scored on the long side at 3", 6" and 6.5".  I punched a small hole for the sucker stick, inserted the Carmel Apple sucker (yum!) and then taped it closed.

So, if you're not into small, square cards, you might want to try a lollipop holder.

You can play along with our challenge by linking up the the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Me Monday post. Be sure to use a Cricut cut.   Also there is a Design Team Call so be sure to read about it and consider applying.  FCCB has a wonderful group of designers and a FANTABULOUS leader in Robin.

NOTICE:  BrendaB - your name was selected as my blog candy winner from the Cards for Kids blog hop.  You didn't leave a way for me to contact you.  You have until Friday to send your contact information to lsuesart at aol dot com.  If any of you know BrendaB, please pass this on.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



You are Snow Delightful!

I have two designs to share with you today. 

It's Challenge Me Monday #94 at Fantabulous Cricut.  Our theme is "Snow Fun."  The design must have a Cricut cut and include a snowflake.  I used George for the circles which surround my Hero Arts penquin.  Cricut cartridges have many choices for snowflakes, but I chose the one from Graphically Speaking.  The sentiment is a combination from two of K Andrew Designs sets, "Food for Thought" and "Winter Wishes."

You can play along by linking your Snow Fun design to our Challenge Me Monday link.  Don't forget to use a Cricut cut and include a snowflake.

Now for my Day 2 design for the Getting Cricky / K Andrew Designs Promotion Week.

Here's another card using a sentiment from the "Fashionable Friends" set. I stated yesterday that this set is more than just a "girly" set.  This sentiment shows that versatility.  It's a simple card, but would definitely make someone feel that you cared.

That's it for today.  I hope you'll visit Fantabulous Cricut to see the other designers' interpretation of the "Snow Fun" theme and then take a look at all the wonderful stamp sets available at

K Andrew Designs.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



Rolling in Ribbon

Do you love ribbon?  Boy, I do.  Like paper, I just can't stop buying it.

This week at Fantabulous Cricut we're challenging you to design something with ribbon - woohoo!

Here's the tree from Art Philosophy.  This time I used the layer rather than the cut out and didn't add bling going for a more primitive feel.

The sentiment is from K Andrew Designs' Winter Wishes set.  You can find these wonderful stamps Here.

Be sure to visit Fantabulous Cricut to see more Rolling in Ribbon Inspiration and to link up your ribbon project.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



Holiday Cards at Fantabulous Cricut

It's time for our Holiday Card Challenge #88 at Fantabulous Cricut.  I hope you'll follow the link to see what other design team members have created to share with you.

Since we're going to Texas for Christmas and I'm trying to get so much crafting finished before we leave, I've decided that everything from now on will be simple, simple, simple!  It has to be or it won't get finished.  Have you had those craft moments when there's just no time for fancy?  Thank goodness for the Cricut, a little ribbon, and a little bling!!! 

My tree is cut from Art Philosophy (page 31).  I used the inside of the layer cut and just added a few gems.  The base of the tree was stamped with VersaMark, sprinkled with Kaleidoscope embosing powder and then heat embossed.  A piece of ribbon, the Divine Swirls folder and that's it - easy peasy.

Be sure to add your holiday card to our challenge post.  We'd love to have you share your ideas with us.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Harvest Blessings

Good Morning and welcome to the Fantabulous Cricut Harvest Blessings Crawl (our blog hop!)

We've decided to create projects to give thanks for our Harvest Blessings.  Each Design Team member will be featuring a project that includes Brown, Orange, and Red - and at least one Cricut cut.

If you've come from Kate's at Small Bits of Paper, you're in the right place.  If you were just stopping by my blog and would like to play along with the Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, start HERE.  Make sure to check out each DT member's blog for some terrific inspiration.  There will be blog candy here and there along the way and a GRAND PRIZE for one participant who submits a "Harvest Blessings" project at FCCB.

I created a single page layout for my project.  I am so blessed to belong to a wonderful family and to have a marvelous husband who supports me in all that I do and two wonderful daughters who make me proud each and everyday.

I have a little something to offer one person who will be selected randomly from those who leave a comment.  Be sure to include a way for me to contact you.  I will announce the winner on Wednesday's post.

Of course, I will be very excited if you also decide to become a follower.

Now it's your turn.  Let's see your Harvest Blessings project.  Make sure to include a Cricut cut and use the colors Brown, Orange, and Red as well. 

Next stop . . . Lisa F. at A Mermaid's Crafts.  She's so talented, I'm sure you'll love visiting her blog.  And when you're done, make sure to link your own project to FCCB's Cricut Crawl post to be entered to win the GRAND PRIZE.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

A Double Post

Good Morning.  I have two things to share with you today.

First, it's Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  Challenge #85 is called Book Lover.  You can make a book, a project with a book, or a bookmark.  Don't forget that there must be a Cricut cut somewhere on your design.  I decided to make a mini Wish book.  The purse size allows you to take it with you when you go window shopping.  I used Cricut American Alphabet for the gift and Stamping for the sentiment.  The little sunflower is a Jolee sticker.  The papers are from my scrap drawer. This mini composition book measures 2.5 x 4.5.  Be sure to visit FCCB.  Today is the first day that some of our DT members will be posting their projects.

And, it's Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . .

7 swans a-swimming.

Hop on over to the Digital Delights blog to see some more images and catch up on any days that you may have missed.  Remember that all of the images will be available November 12.

Well, that's it for today.  I spent the entire weekend cleaning and reorganizing my craft room.  It feels so good to know where everything is and that it's organized.  I may share pictures later this week.  Mine is the poor scrapper,s room - all with make-do furniture (because it is a bedroom), plastic storage, and baskets, but it's my space and I love spending time in it. 

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



Spooky Time!

It's time to find your favorite ghost because it's Spooky Time at Fantabulous Cricut.

For Challenge Me Monday #83, the design team was asked to create something spooky and include a ghost.  For my card, I used the window frame from the October 31st cartridge.  I wanted the yellow background so I copied the image on my Gypsy and then used the hide contour so that I would have a blackout image.  The ghost if from Paper Doll Dress Up.  I heat embossed the stamp and added the sparkly fence border from a K&Co border set.

I hope you'll join us this week.  Just link your project, including a Cricut cut, to the Challenge Me Monday post at Fantabulous Cricut.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Decor and More

That's the theme for Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  For challenge #80, we were asked to design something that could hang on a wall.  Wow!  I haven't done very many home decor projects.  So, I picked up this wood plaque at Walmart and painted it with acrylic paint.  I've been wanting to use my new Art Nouveau cartridge so this was the perfect opportunity.  I cut the butterfly ( key D2) and all of its layers at 3.64 on the Gypsy.  I decided the the plaque needed a little something extra so I chose the brackets from Plantin Schoolbook cut at 3 inches.  All the papers were from my scrapdrawers.  I added some Stickles here and there, added a satin ribbon and called it done. 

I hope you'll join our challenge by linking your home decor project to the Challenge Me Monday post at Fantabulous Cricut.

Please come back Wednesday for some exciting news (at least for me).  There's a hint on my sidebar.  Can you find it?  And don't forget to Link Up for Pink at Just Yolie, Just Create.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Leaves are Falling

Hooray!  It's Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  The design team is sharing some wonderful "Leaves are Falling projects.  My card was created using Celebrate with Flourish.  I embossed the leaves and acorns then inked the layers before assembling to add dimension.  The paper is from the DCWV Harvest Gathering stack and the sentiment is a freebie I got from Sentimental Sundays.  Don't forget that you can join in the fun by linking your project to the Challenge Me Monday post at Fantabulous Cricut.

I hope your week is off to a great start.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Make Some Music

It's Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.

This week's theme is "Make Some Music". 

Cards must include a musical instrument or musical note and, of course, a Cricut cut. 

I found this gorgeous paper in the DCWV Four Seasons stack and knew I had to use it.  I used my patterned paper template (see the Quick Tip tab) to select just the right part of the paper I wanted to cut.  Since the paper can almost stand alone, I didn't want to add much else so I chose one of the Angels from the Christmas cartridge and the Joy sentiment from Winter Woodland.

I hope you'll join in the fun this week.  Just link your design to Fantabulous Cricut's Challenge Me Monday.

Did you notice that I've added some tabs to my blog? 

If you select the Quick Tip tab, you'll find links to all of the Quick Tip Tuesday ideas that I've shared at Fantabulous Cricut.  I hope you'll take a look and maybe find some helpful ideas.

Also, many thanks to Tanya (Nonna's Craft Corner) who shared how to add the "linkwithin" feature to my posts.  I always enjoy this feature on other blogs and often will select one of the links. 

Thanks, again, Tanya!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

A Splash of Color

Wow!  It's the last week of August - how the time is flying by.  Halloween and Christmas are fighting for space on the store shelves.

Today is Challenge Me Monday #75 at Fantabulous Cricut.  Our theme is "a splash of color."  Along with any Cricut cut, we asking you to use the color yellow.  I recently purchased the DCWV  Lemon Flower Stack.  Ooooooh, there are some yummy papers to choose from in this stack.  I used Botanicals (a Lite cartridge I got using some of my Rewards points) for the floral cut.  Since the patterned paper was glittery, I decided to add silver Stickles to the cut.  The sentiment is from The Cutting Cafe and the pearl accents were made using Liquid Pearls.

Can't wait to see what you share with us.  Just link your design to the Challenge Me Monday post at FCCB.

Don't forget to check FCCB tomorrow for another Quick Tip Tuesday.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Sweetie Pie

 Good Monday morning!  I hope your week will be a terrific one.  My scrapping pal and I did a full day of scrapbook shopping on Friday and it was so much fun.  Can you believe I only came home with 2 pieces of paper and no ribbon?  That's a record for me.  But, don't ask me how many stamps, embellishments, and ink pads I bought - went a little crazy there. 

Today is Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  Our theme this week is "Piece of Cake" .  The design is to include a cupcake or some other baked good.  Of course, a Cricut cut must be part of the design. I chose the pie from Block Party and the sentiment from Just Because cards.  I've had this fruity and checked paper for quite awhile and I think it's just right for this project. I also thought the baker's twine and button made the perfect embellishment.  I inked the pie crust using a fingertip applicator and added a few Stickles for the sugar topping.

Come on over to the Fantabulous Cricut blog and enter your design for a chance to win this week's prize.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Let's Be Friends

It's Challenge Me Monday #71 at Fantabulous Cricut and we want you to create something for a friend.

Since many of my crafting items have been boxed up for a few weeks, I created a card using only my Cricut, plain cardstock, and some ribbon.  The cuts are from the Groovy Times cartridge.  This cut just makes me smile.

You can join the challenge by linking your creation to the FCCB Challenge Me Monday post.  Be sure to include a Cricut cut.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

I Scream for Ice Cream

It's Challenge Me Monday #69 at Fantabulous Cricut.

For this week's challenge we were asked to create something that included a cool treat.  I chose the ice cream sundae from Kate's ABC's.  The Sweet sentiment is from Create A Critter.

I added Stickles to the strawberry topping and Glossy Accents to the sundae dish to give it a glass-like appearance.  I used Glossy Accents on the cherry as well. The dish was first embossed with the Victorian folder and the ice cream scoop with Devine Swirls.  The patterned paper (K&Company) came with the sparkles.

You can participate in this challenge by linking your design to the FCCB Challenge Me Monday post.  Don't forget to include a Cricut cut.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Hair Lift Bows

Happy Monday!

Don't forget that it's Challenge Me Monday #68 over at Fantabulous Cricut.  This week's theme is Let's Go Camping.  Be sure to visit to see what the design team is sharing and then link up your own creation for a chance to win this week's prize and maybe even be our guest designer for the next challenge.



Since this isn't my week to post on FCCB, I thought I'd share what I posted for last week's Quick Tip Tuesday.

Many of you have probably read about how to make those tiny bows using the tines of a fork.  Well, I wanted to have a little more size flexibility so I set out to find another tool and this is what I came up with.

I'm using the same directions but I'm using a HAIR LIFT (pick) instead.  I found one with 12 tines at the Dollar Store - can't beat that!  So, here goes:

Take a length of ribbon and fold it in half.  Slip the loop over the tines of the Lift.  Notice I'm using 6 tines for my bow (must be an even number).

Pull the ribbon length from the back over the front length and down through the middle tine.

Pull the front length up and over the loops and down the through the same middle tine.  You'll have one end below the loops and one above.  Be careful not to pull too tightly or the tines will squeeze together.

Turn the Lift over and tie the two ends.  Again, not too tightly.  Slip the bow off of the Lift and trim the ends to your desired length.

And there you have it!  You can vary your bow size by the number of tines you use and the width of the fiber or ribbon you use.

I'll have another Quick Tip posted tomorrow at Fantabulous Cricut.  I hope you'll take a look.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

It's Pool Time

It's the 4th of July and it's HOT in Northern California.

It's the perfect time to be thinking about cool activities like swimming in the pool or at the beach.  Anything water related on this hot day is a good thing.

 Challenge Me Monday #67  - "Pool Time" is a perfect challenge for a day like this.  We're asking you to create a water-themed project and link it to the blog post at Fantabulous Cricut.  Don't forget to have a Cricut cut somewhere on your design.

So come on in and join the fun!

I've used a wonderful image from Digital Delights by Louby Loo titled

"Bucket and Spade Peyton".  He's sitting at the beach building a wonderful sandcastle

(cut from Life is a Beach).  His hat is protecting him from the hot sun (Everyday Paperdolls).

The papers are from the 6x6 Echo Park Spash pack.  I inked here and there, distressed the edge by tearing the paper and embossed the castle with Swiss Dots.  Peyton is colored with Copic Markers.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Red, White, and Blue

Good Morning!

It's  Red, White, and Blue for Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.

Although this isn't my posting week at FCCB, I made up a quick card to share with you.

I used the frame feature on Stand and Salute and the USA base cut with its shadow.

The sticker is from K&Company.  A piece of ribbon and some doodling with my white Signo pen finished the project.

You can join in the fun by linking your project at FCCB.  Remember to use red, white, and blue and include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project.

Thursday is the Celebration Blog Hop sponsored by Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  There will be lots of great digital images being given away and some terrific project ideas.  I hope you'll set aside some time to join us.  To ensure that you'll have time to visit all the DT blogs, the blog hop will be held on Thursday and Friday.

Tomorrow is another Quick Tip Tuesday at FCCB.  I'm sharing a clever idea that uses your scraps.  I hope you'll take a look.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Summer Sun at FCCB

Good Morning and welcome to Challenge Me Monday #65 at Fantabulous Cricut.

We're celebrating Summer Sun and all you have to do to join in the fun is create something with a sun on it, include a Cricut cut, and link it up over at FCCB.

   My design this week is rather monochromatic.  I often stay within the same color group when I select my papers.  It's not always intentional, it just works that way sometimes - hmmmmmmm?

This standard A2 card uses the shift-cut and shadow from A Child's Year (key B6).  The sun - cut twice - is from Everyday Paper Dolls.  The only thing I added was some rick-rack - so simple.  But then a day at the beach is a simple pleasure, right?

Have a great day and please check out my Quick Tip Tuesday at FCCB tomorrow.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn