Thinking about Christmas!

My Copic class gals wanted to get a head start on Christmas.  Ok, so we were a month behind those of you who started with Christmas in July, but it's a start, right?
I designed a tag and a step card for them to play with.  The digital images are from Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

 This step card has a 5 x 10.5 base scored at 1.25, 2.5, 4.25, 6 and 8.25.

I added a 5 x 4 mat to the last step to hold the sentiment and snowflake.

The snow in hand cut, highlighted with Copic C0 and C1 then spritzed with Sheer Glimmer Spritz.  

The images are from Caroling Petey and Polly and Carolers Accessory set. Everything was colored with Copic markers.

This tag was cut at 5.5 inches using the George cartridge.  The image is Holly Tree. The greens used on both projects were our class colors for the month: YG61, YG63, and YG 67.
Have a lovely Labor Day Weekend!!! Thanks for stopping by.

Ju "stache"ing

    It's Wonderful Wednesday at My Paper Crafting.  The Crafts with Cutters gals are piling on the hearts for today's projects.  I had fun creating this silly little heart - my tribute to the mustache craze. I used the Billionaire cartridge for the mustache and George for the heart and heart shadow. 

   I hope you'll join in our fun.  Be sure to use a Cricut cut somewhere on your project. You can see more heart projects and link up HERE.

For My Project:

Cartridges:  Billionaire, George and Basic Shapes

Paper:         Authentique

Punches:     Marvy, scallop heart, EKSuccess, mini hearts

Signo white gel pen, Scrapper's Floss, computer generated sentiment

 

You Still Have Time

to link your digi design project to the Digi Desserts Fridaze post HERE.

You'll be entered to win a free digi from Paper Crafting World.

If you use a PCW digi, you'll also have a chance to be invited to be our Guest Designer.

There is a FREE digi offered every Friday.

I am entering this card in Tuesday Throwdown's "Heart Strings" challenge.   

Thanks

    The designers at Delightful Challenges were asked to create projects reflecting the THANKFUL theme.  The projects can be for Thanksgiving, a thank you, or something you're thankful for. I just love this image of Thankful Flurry from Digital Delights by Louby Loo.   

Instead of a card I chose to make a tag that could be attached to a gift bag.  The holly was cut from Cricut's Winter Woodland cartridge and the tag from George and Basic Shapes.  I colored Flurry with Copics and then used Frosted Lace Stickles for the fur on his hat.  Some rickrack trim and ribbons from my stash finished the tag.

 

I invite you to join in our challenge by linking your THANKFUL project to  Delightful Challenges.

This week's sponsor is

 

 

A Timely Reminder

    This FREE image available to you at Paper Crafting World is a timely reminder to reset your clocks this weekend.I've used this free image to create a door hanger so we don't forget.  

 

I've  used another of Melin's new digital stamps, Squirrel Nuts 4 You,  for this card.

 

 

  These images and so many more can be found HERE. 

 

If you pop over to My Paper Crafting (formerly CWC) you'll see more ideas being shared on

Digi Desserts Fridaze.  I hope you'll visit at leave a little bloggie love and while you're there be sure to click the link to pick up your free digital stamp.

 

Copic Fun for my Ladies

Thursday night was Copic class for my gals in Lodi.  Wow! I can't believe that I've been teaching this class since June 2011 and these wonderful gals have stuck with me.   They asked for Christmas projects so here's what I created for them to do.  Our darling little store offers lots of card classes so I try to add a little more for them. I also include a lesson each month since learning to be proficient with their markers is the goal.

We used this cute image from Great Impressions.

 

The stamp is from a Darcie's set and the sentiment is from the My Creative Time gift card sentiments.  This is a mini composition book.  I thought it would make a cute notebook to carry in a purse to jot down holiday ideas.

 

And finally, a gift card holder.  I patterned it after Emma's die cut and used her My Creative Time gift card sentiment set, but I created the holder on my Gyspy using George and Elegant Edges so that I could cut several at once.  The penguin is also a Darcie's stamp (the set that has the cute little button faces that you can add).

 

The gals had fun with their projects and got to practice coloring black, white, and red - some tricky colors for Copic users but my gals are doing so well.

 

Have a fabulously creative weekend!

 

Teacher Appreciation

It's challenge day at Cooking with Cricut.  Our theme this week is Teacher Appreciation.  I remember the wonderful notes and gifts that my students and parents brought me.  When I retired, I started a memory book containing many of those treasured notes.  Because I stayed at the same school for 27 years, I sometimes received notes from two generations - priceless!

My card is simple.  It's actually from a We R Memory Keepers set to which I added the "Thanks" from George and Basic Shapes.  I like the size - perfect for a first grader to write inside.

I hope you'll join in our Teacher Appreciation challenge.  Just link your card or gift idea to the challenge link at Cooking with Cricut.

And don't forget to visit CWC on Mondays and Thursdays for the

Cartridge Showcases.  You'll see wonderful projects and be inspired to revisit some of your cartridges.

If you joined me during the Copic Marker Scrapbooking Steampunk blog hop, I'll be annoucing my blog candy winner on Friday.  Can you believe that I was left 137 comments?!!!!  This was our very first blog hop and the response was beyond incredible.  I've never had this much traffic.  I can't wait to see what others create with their free Steampunk images.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Love Song Blog Hop

So Glad You're Here.  Can you feel it?  Love is in the air.

Hello and welcome to Paper Crafting World & Cooking With Cricut's Love Song Blog Hop!
Because love IS in the air,  the Designers have come up with some great Valentine's Day projects inspired by our favorite love songs.
If you've arrived here after visiting Celeste at Touched by a Butterfly you're in the right place. If you're joining us mid-hop and would like to start at the beginning click HERE to go to Paper Crafting World’s Cooking With Cricut blog and check out what Melin has made!

For my project, I was inspired by Stevie Wonder's song "I Just Called to say I Love You".  When my hubby and I became engaged (oh so many years ago!) we lived 450 miles apart so the telephone was our love connection.  Awww, this phone from the Wild Card cartridge brings back the memories!

I used the hde contour feature on my Gypsy to remove the circles on the dial and added the hearts instead. I cut 3 different phones from the base image (just pulled the back half of the card off the Gyspy mat to save paper) so I could use different papers.  The full image was cut using double-sided paper.  The sentiment and small hearts welded on the dial are from George and Basic Shapes. Some faux stitching and dots finished the design.

Now, what's a blog hop without a little blog candy?  I will use Random.org to select one person to win this selection of embellishments.  All you have to do is leave a comment and include a way for me to contact you (VERY important).  If you are already a follower or become one I'll enter your name twice, but you must state that you are a follower in your comment. I'll announce the winner on Valentine's Day!

I hope you’ll join the Design team and link up your favorite love song inspired project at Cooking with Cricut. One lucky entry will be chosen by random.org to win a $10.00 gift certificate provided by PaperCraftingWorld.com! And make sure you leave a comment, too! One lucky commenter will also receive a $10.00 PaperCraftingWorld.com gift certificate!
Thanks so much for hopping with us today. Now head on over to visit the very talented Linda at Linda's Creativity and see what she has to share.

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



Featuring "Fashionable Friends" Day 3 (and a winner)

So, have I convinced you yet?  This is such a great stamp set and so much fun!  I love this image from Forever Young and think it's just right for the sentiment. 

Why don't you head over toK Andrew Designs and see all the stamp sets available.  The newest Valentine sets are ready for preorder along with the two newest sets: All About Animals and In the Family.  For me, they are all "must haves!"  If you use this code at checkout, you'll receive free shipping - larelynfreeship.

Here are two of the sets ready for pre-order

Tomorrow I'll share the previews of the Valentine sets.

Don't forget that our Promotion Week will end with Getting Cricky's U R So Sweet Blog Hop.  Each designer will be featuring her promotion week set using a Valentine theme so I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas and inspiration.

And now - my blog candy Winner, Winner!!

Commentor #4 (selected by Random.org)

Carolina Girl (Cely).  As soon as I receive your mailing address, I'll be sending out your goodies.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue blog hop and took the time to leave such kind and encouraging comments.

I'll see you tomorrow with another card using stamps from Fashionable Friends.

Until then,

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



Joy Fold Rewind

I hope your weekend is starting off terrifically.  I'm in Las Vegas with my daughter - woohoo! - so I thought I'd share one of the very first cards I posted to the Cricut message board.  This card actually made the Chirp, which was a huge thrill for me as a beginning cardmaker.  It's a joy fold card and I used the ribbon to tuck the flap into to keep the card closed.  The flower is from George cut at several different sizes and then layered.  As I look back on this card, I see where my love of using paper to carry the design began. 

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

   



Circle Calling Card

Good Evening Blogging Friends.

I just returned from the 

pre-Circle Crop dinner.  About 24 gals from around Northern California met for dinner to celebrate finally having a Cricut Circle Meet-up in our area.  We're expecting 60+ Circlets tomorrow.

Tomorrow we'll be exchanging calling cards.

I just know that many of them will be super fantastic, but I went for simple so that I had time to finish all my other projects.  The back of the card has my messageboard name, email and blog addy.  I can't wait to exchange cards with my new Circle friends and begin visiting their blogs for wonderful inspiration.

I must get to bed.  I have an hour's drive in the morning to help set up for the crop.  It should be a fun, fun day and I'll have some exciting news to share on Monday.  Until then, have a wonderful weekend.

Oh, one more thing.  If you're having problems leaving comments (a Blogger issue that manifests itself in several different ways lately), I received this hint in one of my post's comments -

When you sign in, do not check the "keep my signed in box" and after you've typed your username and password, hold down the Control key before clicking to sign in.  Then, back at the comment window, hold the Control key again while clicking "post comment".  It worked for me, but I sure hope Blogger gets these silly kinks worked out.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Another Birthday Card

I plan to enter this card in two challenges.  The digi is from Heart Song Designs and I'm entering the card in their Sketches with Heart #2 challenge.  It's a new challenge and you'll find some wonderful examples created by a very talented design team.  Another new challenge blog is Birthday Sundaes.  Their challenges will be exclusively birthday cards and each card must have a birthday sentiment of some sort on the outside of the card.  You can never have too many birthday cards, right?  Take a look at these two sites and maybe you'll decide to join in the fun.

The circle with the edging was cut from Easter 2010. The inside circle was cut from George then embossed with the Victoria folder.  I'm still learning how to color and mat digi images, but I am enjoying the process.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn 

5 Sketches - Same Paper

I had 5 card sketches that I was working on for four different challenges.  I challenged myself to use the same patterned paper and coordinating cardstock to complete all 5.  I began by choosing  two pieces of patterned paper from the Carol Wilson Fine Arts paper pack.

Then I added coordinating cardstock from my stash.  I added some possible embellishments and tools. I decided to also use round and scalloped punches.

This first card is Raq's sketch #2.  I decided to enter it in the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog - embossing challenge.  I inked my Cuttlebug folder and then embossed the flower.  I love the way the flower came through the ink.

This next card is Raq's sketch #1. 

This is Raq's sketch #3.  The sentiment is cut from Sentimentals and embossed with Swiss Dots.  The shaped frames - cut with the Gypsy using some welding of shapes from George - are embossed with Divine Swirls.  The flowers are punched then Stickles were added to the centers.

This sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches.

And, finally, Tuesday Takes sketch #14.

So, there you are,  five cards using two sheets of patterned paper and two coordinating cardstock pieces.  When I find papers that I love, I want to use them as many ways as I can.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Altered Picture Frame

This is the first time I've done a picture frame.  I wanted to give this picture to my sister-in-law for Valentine's Day.  It was taken at Christmas with my oldest daughter.   My SIL doesn't often pose for pictures - she's usually taking them, but I think this one is special.  Her favorite color is purple, so purple it is.  I used George for the mat and Home Decor for the title.  The flowers are all from Hero Hues by Hero Arts.  I think this is the perfect project for MySheriCrafts - Valentine/Love challenge.

Happy Valentine's Day.  I hope your day is filled with lots of hugs and love.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Just Saying Hello

The challenge at Jitterbuggin  is to create a card that brings a little sunshine to these dreary winter days.  We had to include the color yellow, a cricut cut, and some stripes.  I used A Child's Year for the ovals, George for the rectangles, and Cindy Loo for the layered flower and sentiment.  Diamond in the Rough and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folders were used for the embossing and VersaMagic Chalk Ink to add a little more depth.
I'll be sending this card out for one of our Card Fairy missions.

This weekend, I used my Gypsy to design 5 challenge cards.  Hopefully, I'll get them all cut and assembled so that I can share them with you later in the week.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Challenge Cards

It seems it's been ages since I've been able to complete any cards for RAQ's Challenge on the Cricut mb.  Yesterday I did both sketches.  I think it's a first - both sketches submitted on the first day of the challenge.
I love participating in card challenges and am looking forward to the upcoming weeks when I can be a regular contributor.

I used the Heritage cartridge for this card.  I chose the Accent image on page 58, copied it then flipped one image.  I welded both to a rectangle from George, sized on my Gypsy.  Lots of paper layering and called it done.

The papers for this card (actually both cards) are from my scrap drawers.  The flower is cut from 3 sizes of EK Success punches and then layered.  All I added was a little inking.  I'll save the sentiment for later when I decide how I'll use the card.

I hope you have a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve and Day.

May 2011 bring you happiness, love, peace and security.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Oh Christmas Tree

Even though I've been creating Christmas cards for many of the recent challenges, I still haven't quite finished my personal cards.  I keep getting  those darn "card visions" running around in my head late at night or in the early morning hours (boy, have my dream subjects changed since I've gotten older!).  This is one of those visions and I decided to make multiples of this one to mail.  I try to keep in mind that the cards I actually  mail shouldn't have too much raised dimension (foam dots or embellishments) because of the extra postage required for special handling.

I used George for the tree, stretching the triangle on the Gypsy and then embossing it with Divine Swirls.  The star is punched from DCWV glitter paper.  The background border is an EK Success punch and then embossed with Diamonds in the Rough.  The snow is hand cut and embossed with Swiss Dots.  Finally, the tree trunk is embossed with Distressed Stripes.  I played around with different inking and decided that the white on white worked best. 

I'm sorry that the picture is dark.  It's cloudy and rainy so I had to take it indoors. 

I have 6 Crop Kits ready for Sunday's Holiday Crop.  I'm still working on a few more things to take, but at least I know I'll come home with all my Christmas cards ready to mail - woohoo!!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Anniversary Wishes

In our family we celebrate several anniversaries on the same dates.  My sister-in-law and her husband share their anniversary with their oldest son.  My husband and I share ours with their youngest son!!!  I guess the "boys" thought we had selected great dates to get married :)  One set of anniversaries is this weekend.  I made these cards for my sister-in-law/brother-in-law and my nephew and his wife.

The papers for both cards are from DCWV Linen Closet stacks - so yummy!  The ovals are from George. The inside reads "to wish you Happy Anniversary"

I made this card a little less formal by distressing and inking the base for the hearts and adding a second bow made of hemp.  The hearts are cut from Gypsy Wanderings - they're actually the insides of the heart image.

The layouts for both cards are sketches for Raq's card challenge.

I think it's wonderful when couples share their lives for so many years.  My in-laws are celebrating 45 years of marriage and we'll be looking forward to 42 in June.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Sweet Christmas Wishes

The Santa's Slackers Challenge is keeping me busy with Christmas card ideas.  A Gingerbread Man took front and center for challenge #7.  I'm liking the country feel of this card - a little different from my usual style. I may make more for my personal collection to be sent out this year.

This gingerbread man is from Just Because Cards.  I cut the shadow and two layers using the hide contour option on the Gypsy so that I could hand draw the face.  I didn't use the base cut because I didn't want the "cuts" that show you where to place the trim.  The tag and shadow are from George.  I inked all the edges with Versa Magic Jumbo Jave - my fave!  I also used Distressed Ink in Antique Linen to age the sentiment paper.  I found the cute little heart brads in my embellie stash, added a hemp tie which if frayed to the tag, popped the gingerbread man and that was it.

I have all my papers laid out for Raq's Challenge so I better get to creating.  And, yes, I treated myself to using all new papers - woohoo!!!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn