Count Batuala: New Release at Digital Delights

I'm so glad you stopped by to see one of the new images released by Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  This Halloween set is just so cute and fun.  You can see all of the images on my sidebar blinkie.  There are sentiments and digital papers to match so be sure to stop by the store to see the entire new release line.

My card features Count Batula.  Isn't he just the cutest thing?  The sentiment is also in the new release.

I used the Martha Stewart Drippy Goo border punch and added Glossy Accents. The patterned paper is Basic Grey.  Count Batula is colored with Copic markers.  You can see the design team's examples of all the new release characters by visiting Delightful Challenges.

This week's sponsor is

Just link your design to the Delightful Challenges post for a chance to win a $20 in-store gift certificate.

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

Pink and Green Birthday

I've been doing housework all day getting ready for company so I thought I'd take a break to make a challenge card.  Birthday Sundaes' challenge is to create a birthday card using only pink, green, and white.  Since this is one of my favorite color combinations, I had plenty of scrap papers to choose from. 

Mojo Monday's sketch #205 was just perfect for the patterned papers I selected.

I hope you're ready for a terrific weekend.  A few more hours to finish the house and it's playtime for me!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

It's a Boy!

This week is a Patterned Paper challenge at Delightful Challenges.  Ooooooh, there's nothing I like more than patterned papers - you've only to see my craft room to know how true this is! 

For this card I'm using Wendy's (aka Louby Loo) digital patterned paper from the All About Boys set.  The cute little engine image is from the Little Dumpling Accessory Set and the sentiment is from the Baby Sentiment Set.  The paper and images can be found at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  I'm enjoying using digital patterned papers - you can keep using them since they're saved on your computer so you don't have to worry about holding on to that last piece!

You can join our Patterned Paper challenge by linking your design to the Delightful Challenges Blog.  Our sponsor this week is

Be sure to visit our sister blog, Digital Delights by Louby Loo Blog.  You'll find wonderful tutorials, guest designers, and some Just Because cards to give you inspiration.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Little Bit Shabby Chic

Good Morning Blogging Friends!

Today's card will be entered in two challenges.  Heartsong Inspirations #12 asks us to create something Shabby Chic and/or with pearls.  Shabby Chic isn't usually my style, but I do love organza bows and pearls are always fun, so I gave it a try.  I used the Tuesday Morning Sketches # 108 to layout the card.  I love using sketches.  I actually seem to get more creative with my overall design when I have a sketch to follow.  Sketches helped me get going when I first began designing cards.  I still keep a notebook of all the sketch challenges I visit - it really helps when the mojo isn't working.

The paper is from a Heidi Grace pad I found at Tuesday Morning.  I used a MS border punch and a doily that's been inked to add a little shabby.  The pearls on the card are Liquid Pearls and the ones on the flower are stick-ons.  The stamps are Hero Arts Word Fun.

Tomorrow is the Delightful Challenges post.  All the designers are using Wendy's digital patterned papers in the designs.  I've used her patterned papers several times now and I love how they coordinate perfectly with the digital stamps.  I hope you'll come back to see my design.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Ribbon Storage

I am so passionate about ribbon.  I can't seem to get out of a store without buying a few spools - an addiction? Probably!  I store my standard-sized spools (and I have LOTS) in large flat boxes arranged by color families.  For the smaller spools and cards, I use the JoAnn's ribbon keepers.  But, I also have lots of loose lengths.  I love the cute zippered containers with the holes, but just can't bring myself to spend the money.  So, here's my solution:

It's a basket from the Dollar Store!  I just pulled the ribbon lengths through the basket weave to the outside.  I know it looks messy, but the ribbons pull right out without tangling.  I just keep it on a shelf in the craft closet and it's ready to go when I need it. 

Easy and cheap!!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

So Thoughtful

I've been working on the floral and memorial acknowledgements for my sister-in-law.  So many people showed us such kindness during her illness and after her passing.  I felt the printed cards from the funeral home didn't truly express how we felt so I designed this card to send to those special people.  My SIL loved the ocean and these were the colors she chose for her service.  I think she would approve of the simplicity.

Both stamps are from Hero Arts Clear Acryllic sets.  I stamped a different shell on the envelopes.

Today is Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  Be sure to drop by and see what the design team is sharing for our Birthday Bash challenge.

And come back tomorrow for a Quick Tip that I'll be sharing both here and at FCCB.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Birthday Balloons

Happy Friday!  I hope you're getting ready for a great weekend.  We're going to our first youth football game of the season tomorrow!  I'm still in summer mode, but with school starting I guess it's time for fall and football.

I made this card for two of my favorite challenges (not counting Fantabulous Cricut and Delightful Challenges, of course!).  At Heart Song Inspirations the challenge is animals and/or pleated ribbon - this is my first time pleating ribbon.  At Celebrate the Occasion, we were to make a birthday easel card. The layout is loosely based on one of Raq's Card Challenge sketches. The double sided paper is Confetti by American Crafts and the image is by Stampendous.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Can Teddy Go Too?

Back to school, that is. 

This delightful image, "Penny and Teddy" and the "Back to School" sentiment is from Digiital Delights by Louby Loo.  I designed the card for this week's challenge at Delightful Challenges.  The theme is Back to School using primary colors. 

I embellished the pedestal card with ribbon from my stash, some doodling dots using a Signo white gel pen, and Glossy Accents on the shoes and Teddy's nose.  Penny was colored with Copics.

You can play along with the design team by linking up your design on the Delightful Challenges blog.  This week's sponsor is

and you'll be entered to win

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Quick cards (Day 2)

First, another quick card that I created for  Tuesday Morning Sketches #107.  The challenge, along with following the sketch, is to use blue, green and white.  This card is for one of my Cricut Card Fairy requests.

The next quick card will be mailed as a Card Fairy mission also.  I followed one of the sketches from Raq's Card Challenge over on the Cricut Message Board. 

Remember that I'm challenging myself to create several quick-to-assemble cards each day this week.

Tomorrow is Delightful Challenges posting day, so it won't be a quick card (LOL!), but I think you'll like the challenge so be sure to come back.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

  

Quick, Quick, Quick

That's what these cards are - quick, quick, quick.  I'm trying to get back into supporting the Cards for Soldiers project on the Cricut message board and I need some simple cards without much embellishment.  So, I challenged myself to create cards that take less than 10 minutes to make.  Here are today's examples:

I'm going to try to add at least two more quick designs each day for the rest of the week.  Be sure to check back and see how I do with my personal challenge.

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

Just Stopping by to Bug You

I created this fun card for the Delightful Challenge's Things with Wings Challenge.

Isn't this little bug just too cute?  He's from the Little Bug Set created by Wendy (Louby Loo) and you can find it at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

I used Cosmo Cricut paper for the background.  The buttons are from Doodlebug Designs.  Of course I used Copics to color the image.  This time I used colorbook style coloring with very little blending.  I did add Glossy Accents to the cheeks and antennae.

You can enter your own Things with Wings design by linking it to the Delightful Challenges blog post.  This week's sponsor is

and you'll have a chance to win this delightful prize

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you're having a delightfully creative week.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

First Class Kid

Woohoo!  I actually found time to create a card that I could enter in several challenges.  It's been awhile so it was really fun checking out some of my favorite challenge blogs.  I believe that entering challenges only improves one's craft and I really enjoy participating.

I created a back to school card.  It would be perfect to tuck into a lunch bag or give to your favorite kiddo on the first day of school.

The paper is from the DCWV Grade School stack.  The sentiment and image is from Doodle Pantry.  I used Copics to color the bookworm and attached the sentiment with baker's twine.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Heartsong Inspirations #10

Tuesday Morning Sketches #106

Celebrate the Occasion #25

My Sheri Crafts #66

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

A Quick Tip for You

Today is my Quick Tip Tuesday at Fantabulous Cricut so I decided to share my tip here as well.  Last week I shared an idea I found on the internet about stamping on a piece of acetate first and then moving the image around your project until you find the perfect spot.  Then you'll know exactly where you want to stamp the image - cool idea, huh?  You can see pictures at FCCB in the Quick Tip Tuesday archives.

Anyway, I got to thinking about that idea and came up with another way to use acetate (I actually use a transparency, but you can use the plastic packaging from your cartridges, etc.).  I have so much fabulous patterned paper, but I'm never sure exactly where to cut it in order to use it as a mat or background for my cards.  I thought, "What if I made a template that I could move around the patterned paper?  Then I'd know where to cut and probably stop wasting my wonderful papers." Hmmmmmmmm???

So, here goes:

I know I'll be using this template a lot. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you'll find this to be a useful idea.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Tin Box Baby Album

Good Morning, Blogging Friends.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  My daughter asked me to make a baby album for her former roommate and good friend.  I'd made an album in a tin before but could no longer find the album kit like the one I used.  I browsed the internet and finally found a source for boxes that  will work really well for this idea.  Let me know what you think :).

I gathered papers, ribbons, and embellishments before I began.  Each section is 3 x 5.  I adhered the final page to the bottom of the tin with Terribly Tacky Tape so it wouldn't come out.  I used some dimension on the front side sections and then used flat embellishments and ribbon on the back so the album wouldn't be too thick and the hinged box lid would stay closed.

I purchased 10 boxes (I have requests for more albums) from Specialty Bottle Supply in Seattle WA.  Each box was just under $2.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

I'm so happy you stopped by for today's newest release at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  The design team got to preview this wonderful set. There are so many cute images to choose from.  Not only can you get the adorable Fall Kids or Prairie Kids, there are digital papers and a complete sentiment set as well. 

Since I had three images, the digi papers, and a sentiment, I decided to do a 2-page fall layout.  I used the digi papers for the picture mats and the sentiment background.  We were also asked to use stitching, either real or faux, on our project.  I used a stitched ribbon trim  I added some punched leaves and the pumpkins from Cricut's Paperdolls for Everyday cartridge.  I colored with Copics and inked with VersaMagic chalk ink.

You can join us for this week's challenge.  Just link your creation to the Delightful Challenges blog.

You'll be entered for a chance to win a $20 in-store gift certificate to

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Many Thanks

I was at JoAnn's yesterday and had selected the Damask Decor cartridge.  Of course, when I took the card to the register, the cartridge could not be found.  I hate when that happens during their sales.  But, as the clerk was looking through the locked area, I did see the new cartridge, Phrases, so I bought it instead.  And guess what?  I LOVE it!!!  I really like the new feature in the handbook that suggests a minimum size in order to get a good clean cut.  I think that's going to be very helpful when cutting the more intricate images.

So, on to my card.  We have friends in WA who grow Walla Walla Sweet onions.  For the last two years

they have shipped us a case.  My DH is in heaven eating his sweet onion, garden fresh tomato, and bacon sandwich. I wanted to send them a thank you card.  I found the onion image on the Block Party cartridge and the sentiment is from my new Phrases cartridge.

Tomorrow is the debut of Louby Loo's newest release.  Be sure to stop by to see my 2-page layout featuring her new Fall Kids digital stamps. 

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Wipe Out!

Here's another card made using Groovy Times.  It's for a special boy who is turning 11 today.  I think the skateboard is perfect for him and I made it using lots of scraps. 

Don't forget to check out my Quick Tip Tuesday post at FCCB.  I found a neat way to help you decide where you want to place a stamped image on your project.

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