It's Spring at FCCB!

and this week's Challenge Me Monday #53 is all about spring. Please join us at Fantabulous Cricut and link your entry below the wonderful examples from the design team.  Don't forget that there is something new to share everyday at FCCB, so be sure to check out each Daily Inspiration.

This is a layout I created awhile back using Easter 2010 and Heritage.  I added some embossing, inking, doodling, ribbon and pop dots to give the layout some dimension. This was my first layout designed on the Gypsy and without specific pictures in mind.  I'm still a "picture first" designer but I'm working on creating layouts that could be placed in an album and given as a gift.  It's out of my comfort zone so I"ll just keep experimenting.  Monique, at Monique Griffith Designs, is the true master of layouts. I'm learning so much from her.  If you haven't seen her designs, visit her blog.  You'll be amazed by her talent, and, she sells her designs as kits!!!!

Happy Birthday to my BFF

This card and altered composition book are for my BFF's birthday.  We've been friends for over 35 years.  We worked together, retired within a year of each other, and we discovered crafting with the Cricut together.  Happy Birthday my dear friend,  you're the best!!!!

The bughead and comp book sentiment were cut from Cricut Everyday (a Circle exclusive).  The sentiment on the pedestal is from a Cuttlebug die.  The ovals were cut using Nestabilities.  I added white Signo pen dots to the black oval after I took the pictures - thought it was a little too plain.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Notecard Folder and Cards

The easy directions for this notecard folder and cards were posted in the Circle Chat forum as a challenge during the Texas Stampede.  A2 envelopes and cards fit perfectly.  The folder is an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock scored at 5.25 and 5.75 horizontally then turned and scored at 6 and 6.25.   The short center piece is cut out (from the 6 inch score line between the 5.25 and 5.75).  Once the patterned papers have been adhered, eyelets hold the inside pockets up and allow the folder to be tied closed.  Oh, the monogram is from Blackletter and the circles are punches.

On another note - you can help the relief efforts in Japan by participating in the Use it Tuesday challenge.

Drop by Samantha's challenge blog to see how you can support her efforts then pass the information on to your fellow crafters.  Thank you, Samantha, for your generous offer to help.

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 

Challenge Me Monday at FCCB

It's time to celebrate a birthday on Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  It's Robin's birthday this week and the design team wants to share some birthday ideas with you.

This sentiment is from Lyrical Letters.  I used the Gypsy to hide contours to create a shadow piece (cream color) since there is none for this cut. I glued all the layers then used foam dimensionals to adhere it to the card base.  The green bow on the sentiment is the layer cut and everything is outlined using a Spica glitter pen.  The bow in the button is Scrapper's Spool - I love this for threading buttons and then tying the bows.  The papers are from the DCWV Songbird stack.

I hope you'll join in our challenge.  Don't forget that there is a new post everyday at FCCB.  You'll find wonderful inspiration each day of the week!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Flower Basket

Good Morning and Happy Spring!  You'd never know it was spring in Northern California: the wind is ripping, it's super cloudy and rainy, and it's cold!  March's lion is still roaring around here.  Oh well, I'll just have to celebrate spring with my cards.  This card is for two challenges - Jitterbuggin Challenge (follow the sketch and add some green) and Paper Playtime (green and purple).  I used one of my new Hero Arts Clings stamp sets, Copic markers, Crystal Stickles, and Prima flowers. 

Be sure to visit tomorrow for the next Challenge Me Monday post for the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.  I'll have my second Design Team card posted.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Cards for Men

I found a new blog, Cards for Men, and decided this would be a perfect challenge blog for me since my stash is low on men's and boy's cards.  I followed the sketch except I made the card an A2 size (so much easier to mail) rather than square.  I'm  going to submit the card for the Design Team call and also for the My Sheri Crafts monochromatic challenge.

The stamp is a Changito which I heat embossed with Ranger Distress Embossing Powder.  I finished the card with some inking, two brads and some jute. It's a simple (definitely my style),  fun, silly card that a boy would enjoy receiving.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Lovely Tulips

No, really, that's the name of the digistamp from Heart Song Designs!  I've been admiring the gorgeous cards created by Peggy and Donna of Daily Grace Creations, so I went to one of their sources and ordered some images.  I colored the image with Copic markers (RV06, RV21, RV23, G12, G14) and accented with Crystal Stickles. 

I think this card will work for almost any occasion. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate your visits and love it when you take the time to comment.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Happy Birthday

I've been playing with my new Paper Lace cartridge.  So many fun and interesting cuts and sentiments as well. I never seem to have enough birthday cards so I used my new cartridge to make this card. 

The papers are from K&Company and DCWV Songbird with some plain cardstock from my stash.  I distressed and inked the edges, then popped the flower and sentiment.  In order to have a contrasting center for the flower, I used hide contour on the Gypsy so the petals wouldn't cut.  The flower and shadow were cut at 2", the sentiment at 2.5.  A few pearls and jute finished the card.

Be sure to visit Fantabulous Cricut for the new Challenge Me Monday #51.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn  

Copic Storage

I thought I'd share how I store my Copic markers.  Since I have mostly Ciao's, I need to store them flat in order to see the color name and number.  The Sketch have the numbers on the tops, but I don't have as many of those (although I keep adding them to fill in my colors.)  Anyway, I found these flat plastic boxes at my Local Scrapbook store.  I can put my markers together by color family and in numerical order - easy to find and easy return when I'm finished.  Notice that I keep my color chart on the top and refer to it often - to see the true color and also keep a record of the colors I have and those I want to purchase.  This system also works for me because I can store them stacked on a shelf in my scrap closet and they fit nicely in my crop tote when I want to take them with me.

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to visit Fantabulous Cricut for today's post featuring two adorable projects using the Cindy Loo cartridge.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Thank You Cards

My sister-in-law asked me to make her a set of monogramed cards which she could use for thank you notes.  She picked a design that I had previously done and we added the monogram.  Purple is one of her favorite colors (mine, too!).  I made her a set of 6 in this pattern and then another set using a different color scheme.

I used Home Decor for the scroll work and Lyrical Letters for the monogram  Since there is not a shadow feature on LL, I just cut the letters in two colors and off-set them. The paper is from the DCWV Latte stack. This is the first time I've used a Pearl Pen.  Oooooh, I think I love it!!!

My SIL also chose a thank you card from my stash that she wants to send to a sweet lady who gave us a pattern and instructions for an adorable "chemo" scarf/hat.  This was my first welded shape card.  The card base is George, the hummingbird and flowers are from Pagoda (I think).  I used Perfect Pearls for accents - can't say I'm a real fan of using them, but I do like the effect on this card.

I hope you're having a great week.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

First FCCB Design Team Post

Good morning.  It's Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog.  It's also the project debut for half of the new designers.  I hope you'll join in the challenge fun at FCCB and also check out the Daily Inspiration posts- there's something different everyday of the week. 

This week's challenge is Tree Time. For my DT card, I chose a tree from Pagoda.  I love this cut with all of its layers.  I added the symbol for Strength.   It's a simple card with a powerful message.  I hope you like it.

I hope you'll visit again.  I always appreciate your comments.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Coloring on Acetate

My friend, Caprice, showed me how to use markers to color images that have been stamped on acetate (we used transparencies for the photocopier).  Staz-On ink works best and we colored on the non-stamped side to prevent smearing.  It's a lot different than blending on cardstock because the colors lift rather than blend so it takes a little practice to figure out how to make the colors work.  I used Bic markers for the image on this card.  I cut out the marquee using Nestabilities Labels and then embossed with Divine Swirls and inked with VersaMagic chalk ink.  I adhered the acetate with my ATG and then added a mat to the back.   For the second image (and my first effort), I used Copics.  One thing about coloring on acetate, if you're unhappy with the results, you can lift off the colors and start again.  Thanks, Caprice, for a great tutorial :)  I plan on adding colored acetate images to my stash for those last minute cards.

I hope you'll visit tomorrow.  It will be my first post as a Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog design team member.  I can't wait to show you my card.  Then you can hop over to FCCB and join in the fun.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Card for a Special Person

When I saw this sketch on Raq's Card Challenge, this card just fell into place.  My sister-in-law has been battling ovarian cancer since 2008.  She is on her 4th chemo protocol and it's been a struggle.  I take her to all of her chemo appointments.  It's a strange way to have a girls' day out, but looking at it that way makes it easier to handle (for both of us).  Anyway, she is the one who introduced me to cardmaking and the Cricut.  Since she isn't able to do too much crafting anymore, she crafts vicariously through me.  I made this card for her - purple is the ribbon color for ovarian cancer, hence the color choices.

The ovals were cut with Nestabilities and I used the Swiss Dots and Seeing Spots embossing folders.  I didn't have the right color flowers so I sprayed off-white ones with Shimmerz Spritz and added Stickles to the centers. I have not been a fan of the all sprays and spritzes.  I always seemed to get splotches.  Elizabeth (Make up Girl 217) suggested putting b-b's in the bottle and swirling to mix.  Wow!  that really worked and I didn't get any blotches.  I may use my sprays more often now.

I would love it if you'd keep my dear sister-in-law in your thoughts. 

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Mini Album

I've had these materials on hand for awhile so I decided to make this mini album.  My thinking was that one side would be for journaling and the other for a picture.  I think it would be perfect for a high schooler to record the memories of her first dance or a special date or party.  What do you think?

I can't wait for Friday.  I'm going to a crop at my LSS.  My new cropping friend, Caprice, is going to show me how to stamp and color on acetate.  To see an example, visit her blog: http://craftsbycaprice.blogspot.com/.  She has shared an amazing card and I'm so excited to learn this technique.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Classic Card

Today I'm sharing a classic card layout.  I chose papers in the same tones using two coordinating  patterned papers layered on accenting mat colors.  I used an EK Success border punch on the accent strip, set off with ribbon, Prima flowers and pearls.  Like I said, a real classic.  After all of yesterday's excitement, I needed something quick and simple.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn