Clean and Simple

I wanted to make a card in which I could combine several challenges and still feel like it reflects my style.  I love paper layering with mats and I love clean and simple lines, letting the patterned paper carry the design.  I've had this paper for awhile just waiting for the right design to come along. 

The Sentimental Sundays' challenge asked us to move out of our comfort zone and although this card is my clean, simple, layered style, making it square definitely is not!  I am truly an A2 size card maker so this was tricky for me.  Birthday Sundaes asked for a card with buttons, My Craft Spot asked for something with ribbon, and Mojo Monday provided the sketch (we could use the sketch either square or round).   I think I followed each challenge's guidelines yet maintained my own design style.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  It's my hubby's 50th class reunion and the high school's 100th year so lots of activities going on in our small town.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Pumpkins!

What says fall better than pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns?

Sheila at She's a Sassy Lady has a wonderful Gypsy Made Simple tutorial in which she makes an accordian card.  As soon as I watched the video, I knew I wanted to try her idea using a pumpkin cut.  The card base is from Elegant Edges and the pumpkins are from Create a Critter.  Everything was designed on the Gypsy.  I'm going to link this to her Gyspy Made Simple post.  I hope she likes it.

I'm also going to enter this card in Celebrate the Occasion's ribbon challenge,  Paper Playtime's Halloween challenge, and Whimsical Wednesdays' anything goes challenge.

My second pumpkin project was created for Getting Cricky's Simply Sunday challenge which was to make a fall treat.  This card holds a mini candy bar - yum!  The pumpkin was cut from Smiley Cards - first time I've used the cartridge which was a Gyspy download.  The treat holder is a 4 x 7 piece of cardstock scored at 1/2", 2", and 31/2" then folded securing the candy bar on the inside.  I plan to make more since I have a few neighbor kiddos for whom I try to make special Halloween treats.

Well, that's it for now.  I just received Art Nouveau in the mail so I want to get back to the craft table and play with my new toy!!!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Swirls and Pearls

Does that sound like a great combination?  Well, that's this week's theme at Delightful Challenges.

I'm using Looby Loo's Angel Dog with Wings as the focal point for my card.  I think the sentiment, "Have a Heavenly Birthday" will be just perfect inside.  When I found this swirly patterned paper by American Crafts, I knew my card would come together.  A little layering of glitter paper and Bo Bunny Dots was all that it needed.  I embellished with some stick-on pearls from my stash and Liquid Pearls and Stickles for the image.  The coloring was done with Copics.

Head on over to Delightful Challenges and link up your swirls and pearls project.  You might be the winner of some terrific ribbon from this week's sponsor.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Are You Ready to Think Pink?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  There are so many things going on to focus one's awareness on this disease.  I'm inviting you to visit Yolie's blog, Just Yolie, Just Create, and join in the Link up for Pink celebration.  She has secured a ton of sponsors for her challenge and is providing you direct links to sites offering stamps, digis, etc. to help you with you pink creations.  While you're there, pick up the blinkie to display on your blog to encourage everyone to join in.

I just wanted to thank Yolie and her partners.  Many of you know that I recently lost my sister-in-law, who was my dearest friend, to ovarian cancer.  I think it's important that we do all we can to keep cancer awareness in the forefront, no matter the type.  It's vital that research continue in hopes that many more of cancer's victims will have a better chance at survival.

I've posted these cards before,  but wanted to offer a little inspiration.

I scraplifted the idea for the first card from a messageboard post awhile back

Keeping my sister in my heart -

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

Challenge Cards

Good Sunday morning. 

I just had a wonderful breakfast out with my hubby and now it's crafting time - yay!

I have two cards to share.  The first is for The Cutting Cafe's CASE it Tuesdays.  Isn't this patterned paper adorable?  The ghost is a chipboard sticker.  The stamp is a Memory Box stamp with  matching die cut.  I took a class from the owner and lead designer.  He creates a lot of stamps that have matching die cuts - so cool.. All of the Memory Box products are made in the USA and with consideration for the environment.

The second card is for the Celebrate the Occasion birthday challenge.  The project had to have a balloon.  I stamped the balloons on patterned paper and then cut them out.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Be sure to check tomorrow for my Fantabulous Cricut DT post.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Belated Birthday

Wow, I'm on a roll with two posts in one day.

I designed this card with three challenges in mind.  Birthday Sundaes asked for a belated birthday card.  Sentimental Sundays asked for a monochromatic design which includes a sentiment and

Tuesday Morning Sketches offered this wonderful layout. 

I love designing with a monochromatic palette and also with lots of layering (I think I added a few to the sketch).  The sentiment is computer generated.

I will have 3 more challenge cards to post tomorrow, then the challenges begin anew.  Challenges are so much fun and keep my designing mojo going.

See you tomorrow.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Time 4 Fun!

Good Morning!  I couldn't sleep so I decided to get going with an early post and maybe even get a few chores done before it heats up.

This card is for the Bitten by the Bug 2 challenge.  We were asked to incorporate the phrase "Time 4 Fun."  When I was going through my cartridges, I thought the witch from A Child's Year would be perfect for the phrase and then the card would also fit the criteria for Getting Cricky's  Simple Sunday Challenge which is Halloween.   So here it is.

I welded the letters so they were a little wonky and then added Stickles to make them pop a little.  I embossed the witch and also added stickles - trying to make her stand out on a busy background.

I've got a few more projects on the table so I'd better get crafting.

Have a wonderful day.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Fall Leaves

Happy Friday Morning!  Are you ready for the weekend?  I hope it's a great one.

So many challenges are asking for leaves, pumpkins, and fall colors.  Rightfully so since today is the first day of fall - now the weather just has to go along with it!  I made this card to enter in the My Craft Spot fall leaves challenge and also the Cooking with Cricut colors of autumn challenge.

It's a rather simple card, but this season makes me think of life's simple pleasures.

All of the papers are from the DCWV autumn stacks (3 different ones).  The pumpkin is cut from glittered paper, but it's difficult to tell.  The cut is from the Thanksgiving Seasonal Cartridge and the ribbon is Bazzill Basics.  I used the MS leaves border punch and  my 3-D gel pens to color the leaves on the inside.  The sentiment is from the My Craft Spot Happy Fall set that I won last week (woohoo!)

I'm off to another class at The Paper Garden.  Today's class is Christmas in September.  The gals at this boutique design with an Asian flair and also use lots of sparkle.  I'm really looking forward to learning more about their glittering techniques so it should be a fun morning.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn



Happy Fall Y'all

If we think fall, it will come!  Of course we're having 95+ degree weather here in Northern California, but I'm keeping my fall mindset.

This week's Delightful Challenge theme is Happy Fall Y'all.  I designed my card using Wendy's adorable

 Mr. Straw.  He's such a fun image to color and I think the Best Creations and Reminisce papers provide the perfect background.  You can find Mr. Straw at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

The sentiment is also from Digital Delights.  It's part of the Down on the Farm Sentiment Set.  I think the raffia bow and button finish the card nicely.

I'm going to enter this design in the Heart Song Inspirations challenge #16 (use orange and/or buttons) and Whimsical Wednesdays (fall colors)

Remember that you can enter the Delightful Challenge by linking your fall design to the post at

Delightful Challenges.  This week's sponsor is our own Digital Delights by Louby Loo.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I truly appreciate your comments and would love to have you become a follower if you're not already one.  Even better, grab my button for your sidebar.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Just Because

I made this card after taking the Asian inspired classes several weeks ago.  I had decided to mail it to a friend in Texas just because I've been thinking about her.  Then, low and behold, Whimsicial Wednesdays' challenge is "Just Because."  How about that for karma?

The dragonfly is a Stampin Up stamp and the flowers are from Hero Arts.  Stickles were applied here and there for a little sparkle.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Be sure to visit Fantabulous Cricut tomorrow for another Challenge Me Monday.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Harvest Treat Box

I've really been enjoying creating projects for other blog challenges.  It's so much fun when I have the time.  I had four challenges I wanted to participate in, so after thinking about  the theme for each one, I came up with this Harvest Treat Box. 

Bitten by the Bug 2's challenge is to make a box.  I used Wrap it Up because I liked the scalloped tag top.

My Craft Spot's theme is Happy Harvest.  The pumpkin is a Memory Box stamp which I distress embossed, colored with Copics and then added Distress Stickles.  As you can see, I tried both tissue paper and Crinkle Ribbon.  Which do you like?

The Cutting Cafe is starting a weekly CASE challenge.  The challenge is to Copy And Selectively Edit the sketch or Copy And Share Everything.  I thought the challenge sketch made a perfect front to my box.

And finally, Sentimental Sundays' challenge is Autumn- with a sentiment, of course!  They even provided this wonderful sentiment from Raindrop Echo Designs - so awesome! 

So, there you have it.  One project designed with four challenges in mind.

Thanks for taking a look.  Hmmmmm?  Now to decide just what to put in the treat box :)

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Girly Girl

This week's challenge at Delightful Challenges is "Girly Girl."  How fun is that?  Wow, for the last week or so I've really been able to get into my glitter, Stickles, ribbon, and bling.

For my design I used Making Memories and Bo Bunny papers. The image is "Briley with Balloons."  You can find Briley at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  I think she is just so sweet.  I glammed up my card by using a Martha Stewart Punch Around the paper set, Stickles, Prima flowers, and Glossy Accents.  Briley is colored with Copic markers.

Remember that you're invited to join in the fun.  Just link your "Girly Girl" project to

the Delightful Challenges post.  This week's sponsor is

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Roses for You

Time to design for some of my favorite challenges - woohoo! 

I created this pedestal card using S.E.I. Julliette papers - so pretty, a Heart Song Designs digi, a heat embossed sentiment, and Stickles.  The tiny heart on the sentiment is a chipboard sticker.

I'm entering in:

Tuesday Morning Sketches #111 (the sketch used for the design)

Heart Song Inspirations #15 (glitter and/or chipboard)

Paper Playtime #55 (pedestal card)

I think this will be a perfect birthday card my aunt who lives in Ohio.

Thanks for stopping by.

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

Did You Notice?

I opened my blog this morning and realized that my blog design was gone! Hmmmmmm?  Then I remembered that I was exploring some different gadgets on Blogger, loaded one, didn't like it so I deleted it.  Guess I hit the button twice and it deleted my background too - great!   I didn't have time to search the different blog design links so I just selected from Blogger.  Actually, I love purple and I think the background is kind of cute.  I also like how easy it is to read with white background so I'm going to run with it for awhile. 

What do you think?

My local scrapbook store had a parking lot sale today and I swore I wasn't going to buy any more stamps - yeah, right.  Well, at least I stuck with ones that I could use to try some of the techniques we learned last week during our -my BFF and I- card classes.

Here are two I made this afternoon.  I used heat embossing on the stamped images and then filled in with Smooch.  I added Stickles to the second card as well.  I think they both have a simple yet elegant look.

I hope I have some time tomorrow to try a few more ideas.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

New Blog Award

I received this lovely blog award from Peggy at Daily Grace Creations.  Peggy and her daughter, Donna, are extemely talented ladies who always share marvelous designs.  I hope you'll take the time to visit their blog.

Thank you so much, Peggy.  I am honored.

To accept this award, I must answer the following questions and then pass it along to 10 other bloggers.

Favorite color?  Purple

Favorite song? What a Wonderful World (makes me feel good and cry at the same time!)

Favorite dessert?  Bread Pudding (yum!)

What sets you off at the moment?  Phone calls from solicitors

Favorite pet?  Dogs (we've always had them)

Black or white?  Black (or white)

Biggest fear?  Being alone in the future

Best feature?  Haven't really considered that I have one

Everyday attitude? Positive outlook- don't sweat the small stuff or focus on things over which you have no control.

What is perfection? A newborn

Guilty pleasure? Chocolate

When you're upset . . . ?  I clean (guess I need to get upset more often)

I'd like to pass this on to the following talented ladies:

Leslie at Leslierahye

Melissa at Stamp it, Scrap it, Share it

Sally at Sally's Bitz

Nancy at Crafty Passions

Tanya at Nonna's Craft Corner

Denise at Craft Confectionery

Lisa at Lisa's Paper Fun

Carissa at Happily Ever Paper Crafter

Amy at Amy's Crafting Space

Kate at Small Bits of Paper

I'm off to a crop tonight and then tomorrow is a parking lot sale at one of favorite stamping stores - woohoo!

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Bling It!

You might be wondering why I publish Thursday's Delightful Challenge post on Wednesday night.  At Digital Delights we are so lucky to have an international following so we post early for our fans across the ocean.  This delightful world of crafting is truly global.

Now, on to today's card.  We're asking you to bling it up for this week's challenge.  Using a lot of bling is a little out of my comfort zone (I consider ribbon to be bling - LOL), but I got into the spirit of things and went a little wild with the glitter, Stickles, and gold heat embossing.  Oh, there's a little ribbon too!

I used Ornament Lara for my image.  You can find her at Digital Delights by Louby Loo.  This delightful ladybug is decked out for Christmas, but you can find her image ready to celebrate other holidays as well.

I'd love to have you play along with us this week.  Your project can be anything you want, just add some bling - come on, you know you want to.  Link your project to the post at Delightful Challenges and you will have a chance to win free images of your choice from this week's sponsor.

Regina offers new images almost everyday including sentiments, images, cutfiles, and digital backgrounds.  You can visit her store at http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/

So, what are you waiting for?  Get going and get your bling on!

Oh, I'm also entering this card in the iCopic Challenge #46.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Lollipop Holder

I got this idea from a free Make-n-Take at The Paper Garden - the cute stamp boutique in Carmichael, CA where I took 3 back-to-back classes yesterday. 

You can make 4 holders from one 8.5 x 11 piece of card stock.  Cut off 1/2 inch from the 8.5 side and then cut 4 strips at 2.75 each along the 11 inch side.  Score each strip at .75, 4, and 7.25 and fold.  Punch a hole in the middle of each end section (for the sucker stick) and fold on the score lines.  Decorate with your favorite embellishments, add the lolli and you have a cute little gift.

Don't forget to stop by Fantabulous Cricut for the Back to School Challenge Me Monday post.

I'll see you soon with some more clever ideas I got from my classes and also a Blog Award that I'd like to pass along.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn

Asian Influence

Good Sunday Morning!

My BFF and I went to the 5th Birthday Celebration for an adorable stamp boutique called Paper Garden in Carmichael, CA.  The owner and designer of Memory Box stamps and papers was holding classes with the proceeds going to the Tsunami Relief in Japan.  So, of course we had to particpate.  These cards are  my take on one of the cards we made in class.  I love the Asian design cards because they are so clean and simple but always with a touch of elegance.

We're heading back to take more classes today - woohoo!  If you'd like to see some examples of the cards designed by the owner of the boutique you can visit her blog:

http://papergardenboutique.typepad.com/. 

Stephanie has some wonderful ideas including treat wrappers, mini calendars, and boxes along with her fabulous cards.

Don't forget that tomorrow is Challenge Me Monday at Fantabulous Cricut.  Design Team B will be presenting some wonderful Back to School Ideas.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Larelyn