Just a Note

It's so nice to be back.  The family had a very difficult week.  My wonderful sister-in-law passed away on Monday, July 25.  Her services were yesterday and now we're all trying to put our lives back on track while learning to live without her.  It will be very difficult.  She battled so hard and with such dignity.  Her absolute faith ensures that she is watching over all of us now.

Today's card is very simple.  I had to pack away much of my craft room for the past few weeks and am slowly bringing things back.  I'm trying to purge, but I still have that "I want it all" mentality, so I'm thinking it will all be in here - oh well.

I was working on a technique for the next FCCB Quick Tip Tuesday.  Can you guess what tip I'm sharing?  You'll know if you're correct when you visit Fantabulous Cricut on Tuesday.

The patterned papers are from my scrap drawer.  The flower was fussy-cut from a piece of patterned paper.  Then sentiment and flourish are acrylic stamps.

I hope you'll drop back by on Monday for FCCB's Challenge Me Monday.  I used the Groovy Times cartridge for the first time.  It's a fun cartridge with easy layers.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

MIA

Hi Blogger Friends

Just wanted you to know that I'll be MIA probably until next week.  My dear sister-in-law is in the hospital and I've been spending every night at the hospital with her.  My youngest daughter got home last night and my oldest is due in on Friday.  We also have other family members arriving, so my craft "cave" has reverted back to a guest room and it just won't be possible to get any crafting done for awhile.

Just a few reminders:

I posted Quick Tip Tuesday today at Fantabulous Cricut.  I shared some links to sites that offer free sentiment ideas and I even posted a few birthday sentiments that you might enjoy. You'll also be introduced to the new Fantabulous Design Team members.  I'm so thrilled because I get to remain as a DT member for another term and will continue with Quick Tip Tuesday (next week will have a guest Quick Tipper, however).

Thursday is a new challenge at Delightful Challenges.  Although I couldn't get my own project finished, I think you'll love the Christmas in July ideas being shared by the other DT members.  And, I know you'll love the new Circus release by Louby Loo.  You can find it at Digital Delights by Louby Loo. 

Finally, don't forget to download your Freebie Friday.  Just click the link on my sidebar.

I'll be checking back in as often as I can, and I'll be back to crafting soon.

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

Nurse Minnie Mouse

This is a gift for one of our favorite chemo nurses.  We discovered she likes Hot Tamales as much as we do and she's also a Disney fan.  In fact, she wears a Minnie Nurse pin on her ID tag. 

I designed the box to hold two boxes of Hot Tamales.  Minnie and the sentiments were cut from Mickey Font.  I cut 2 shadow images and flipped one, then used my Gypsy to weld making it a shape card so that we could write a personal message inside.  I hand drew and cut the nurse's cap.

Have a wonderful weekend.  I hope you'll stop by Monday for a new Challenge Me Monday design for 

Fantabulous Cricut.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Fancy Fold

Woohoo!!! Time for a new post at Delightful Challenges.  This week the design team members are sharing fancy folded cards.  We have lots of creative ideas so be sure to visit the challenge blog.

For today's card, I used Elvin the Toad, the Toadstool Set, and Toad Sentiment.  You can purchase these fabulous digital images at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  As soon as I saw the images I knew they would be perfect for a side step card.

This week our challenge is sponsored by the amazing Regina  at

If you'd like a chance to win any three of her digital sets, just link your design to this week's challenge at Delightful Challenges.  I've used Regina's images before and they're so much fun.  Just click the box and head on over to The Cutting Cafe.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

A New Blog Award

Just taking a second to drop in and share a new award I received.

Ashley, from Especially Made shared this adorable Blog Award with me.

Don't you love it?  Thanks so much Ashley.  There were no "rules" with this award so I'm making up my own.  If this award would bring some happiness or giggles to any of your blogging friends, please pass it on.  I think our new bloggers who are trying to build their following  would really enjoy adding it to their sidebar.  What do you think?  I know that's pretty open-ended, but, hey, I'm making up the rules!

So, pass it on and share the love. And, while you're at it, pay a visit to Ashley's blog - she's got some cute things to share.

I hope you'll come back tomorrow for my Delightful Challenges post.  I'll give you a hint:  think fancy folds.  You know you'll get some great ideas from the designers.  And, that's all I'm saying :).

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

Just Wanted You to Know

Dear Blogging Friends,

I don't want you to think I'm ignoring your wonderful creations.  You should know how much I love visiting your blogs and gathering inspiration from your designs.  I haven't been leaving comments lately because I am barely able to keep up with my Design Teams right now.  My wonderful sister-in-law is in a battle for her life.  She has advanced ovarian cancer and I am with her for all of her treatments, Dr. visits, etc., etc.  When my brother-in-law calls (and even when he doesn't), I'm there.  So, I hope you'll understand.

Truly, my craft room and my blog are my "happy places" right now and I try to spend time on both as much as I can, but it's currently very difficult.  Fortunately, I can complete my DT projects ahead of time and schedule the posts.  It's just the day to day browsing and commenting that I can't seem to catch up on.

Please keep my sister-in-law and her family in your thoughts. 

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Look Who's 40

I was asked to make a 40th birthday card with Minnie Mouse.

This pedestal card is 4.25 x 6.  Minnie is cut from Mickey and Friends while the sentiment and license plate is cut from Mickey Font.  There is also a money pocket using the mouse ears ticket on the inside at the top.

I'm looking forward to lunch with my BFF today. 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Down on the Farm

Woohoo!  It's time for a new release at

 Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

The Delightful Challenges design team gets to debut the newest images.  To see projects showing all of the images including the digital papers, accessories, and sentiments, be sure to visit

the Delightful Challenges blog.

For my project, I'm introducing you to

Farmgirl Polly and Chorlton Chicken.

The patterned papers are from the Down on the Farm digital paper set and the sentiment is from the Farm Sentiment set. 

You can join in this week's challenge by linking your project to the Delightful Challenges Blog post.

This week's prize is a $20 store voucher to

                                                 

There are a lot more images, accessories, papers, and sentiments so be sure to stop by the blog and the store to see what all is available with this newest release.

Until next time,

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

Happy 4th!!

Oh I hope you're having a wonderful July 4th weekend!

I'll begin this post by announcing my digital image winner from the Digital Delights

 It's A Celebration Blog Hop.

Ta-da!!  The winner is commentor #13, Scrapalajen.  Congratulations.  I will be sending your email address to Louby Loo so that you'll receive your free image of Luvin the USA Bongo.

Special Announcement:
The deadline for unscrambling the letters and linking up to Digital Delights has been extended.  If you collected all of your letters, it's not too late to link to the blog.  You may be the lucky winner of the
It's a Celebration Blog Hop Grand Prize.

 A BIG thank you to all of you who participated in our celebration, especially my new followers.  I hope you enjoyed visiting the DT members and got some wonderful inspiration along the way.

This morning I decided to make one more red, white, and blue card.  I got out my Florals Embellished cartridge booklet and thought this flower and all of its layers could pass for a firework-type image.  The frame is from Elegant Edges using the shadow feature.

I hope you'll join me here on Monday, July 4th for a new Challenge Me Monday post for

Fantabulous Cricut.

Happy 4th and God Bless America!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn