Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I Miss My Blogger Friends!

Good Morning and a happy Wednesday to all of you.  I must first apologize for not coming around and visiting everyone this past month.  It's been a bit of a rough one for me.  I've been overwhelmed with trying to keep up and it just hasn't happened.  Thank you to those of you that check in on me on a regular basis, I so appreciate that and love to read what you leave for me.  I'm optimistic that the next month is going to be a great one.  I believe in the power of positive thinking and now I just need to put it to use.  My crafting is and always has been my outlet and I'm going to focus on it and hope that I can overcome some other things going on. 


So..... for today I have a Kraftin Kimmie Birthday card to share with you.  This is the quirky "Charlotte", which is also my sis's name so all the better!  I've used Cosmo Cricket papers to follow Kimmie's sketch this week.  I added some gingham checked ribbon from Pizazz Aplenty.  I didn't think I'd use this color but it matched perfectly.  I finished it off with a birthday sentiment and a little decoration on the inside. 



I'm off to find some inspiration from my favorite bloggers now.  In celebration of my new blog design I am getting things ready to post a blog candy this weekend.  So make a note to check back!

Challenges entered:
Do you stack up - Ribbons
Stamp Something - Something funky (Charlotte and her dolls are always funky!)
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle - Stripes and dots
Totally gorjuss - Checks/Checkerboards

Warm Hugs


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Spring is on it's Way!


Good Morning or rather afternoon, I guess it is now.  It's been a busy week at the McLaughlin household and not much crafting got done.  Last night I sat down and did some coloring.  I've tried to focus more on techniques lately with my Prisma's.  I found a great tutorial over at my friend Dorcas' site for coloring clouds.  I've also been working on the coloring challenges Zoe is doing over at Make It Colorful.  Last week was to focus on shading, which is my biggest hurdle.  If you're in the same boat you might try out some of their tutorials.  The thing I have to remember is it takes practice so don't get frustrated if the first couple aren't just right.   I've got some great DT projects I'm working on this weekend that will give plenty of practice.


So onto todays card.  This is the adorable "Wonder" by the most talented Mo at Mo's Digital Pencil Two.  What an artist!  I love everything she does.  Mo's had a sketch for us to follow this week.  This is the first time I've colored her and thought she would be great for some spring colors.  I'm working on coloring hair too.  It's better, but still has some work to go.  I've paired her with some papers by Pebbles.  I just love those little flowers.  I used my EK Success punch to make the border at the bottom.  I added a scrap of ribbon from my stash and some flat back pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty(love that store!!!!)


To finish off my card I took a scrap of cardstock and built my embellishment.  I started off with two leaves, twisting the stem around my paintbrush then adding a beautiful yellow rose.  I love those little ribbon scraps they just add so much and that butterfly was perfect for a spring sentiment which is also from Pizzazz Aplenty

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing!

Challenges Entered:
Lollipop Crafts - Favorite Coloring Medium (Prisma's)
Simon Says - Make your own embellishment (flower cluster)
Charisma Cards - Spring has Sprung


Monday, February 14, 2011

Teddy Bo!

GOOD MORNING!
It's another gloriously sunny day here in Tennessee.  Our grill out yesterday was fantastic.  DH grilled up venison steaks to perfection and along with some spuds and corn who could ask for more!  I also got a cute little coffee mug that is made of chalkboard.  So my boys each wrote me a message on it to enjoy while I drink my luscious coffee - yummmmmmmy A big HAPPY VALENTINES TO YOU AND YOURS!!

I've had this little cutie colored up for a couple weeks now and was looking through my stash of papers for the perfect match. (Since I didn't pick papers first -sheesh!)  I finally chose these, which were from my scrap bin so I can't remember who they're by.  Dang it!  I followed the sketch over at Friday Sketchers.  The circle sentiment is from Bizzy Bec's and was a freebie.  I'm using one of the new Teddy Bo's by Gayle, I just love them!  This one is "Teddy Bea", which I won on a challenge.  I colored her with my Prisma's and was pleased with the way she turned out.  I hope you enjoy her too!


Challenges entered:
Teddy Bo - Pink, use Teddy Bo image
Whimsie Doodles - Red and white
Colour Create - Chocolate Strawberry Cream
Stamp-N-Doodle - Red Pink White plus one
Fuzzy Wuzzy - Birthday Wishes
Really Reasonable ribbon - Pink Red and White
Sentimental Sundays - Red Pink and White

Thanks so much for taking the time to look and visit with me!  Have a fab-u-lous day!
Hugs - Jen


Sunday, February 13, 2011

Birthday Wishes

It is so nice to see the sun shining for once!  Woohoo.  It's a blazing 56 degrees out and we are grillin out today.  Can't wait.  So here's a quick post before I'm off to the grill.............


Today I'm sharing a Sparkle Creations stamp called "Cupcake Ruby" found here.  I only have two Sparkle stamps but I sure love the ones I do have.  This is my very first time playing over there so I'm kinda excited.  This stamp is perfect for all those birthday cards you need!  I've used Graphics 45 papers and followed the sketch at Sparkle Creations.  I'm working on my coloring following the weekly challenges over at Make It Crafty too.  This week we are focusing on shading.  There is an excellent video on it you can check out here.  This was my first attemp, not great, but I'm gonna try again on the next one.  Have a fabulous week and hopefully I'll see you again tomorrow!

Challenges entered:
Sew Many Cards - Anything Goes
Make It Crafty - Shading

Warm Hugs - Jen



Thursday, February 10, 2011

Fairyland

Here's my second post for today.  I got the quickie card out of the way so then I was able to get down to business - lol  I got My Creative Scrapbook kit and it was chock full of fairies!  Graphics 45 fairies that is.  So beautiful, I can't wait to see what else I create with this awesome paper.  I also got a package from Pizzaz Aplenty this week and a few of the items went gorgeously with this paper.


I used a new digi image from Crafts and Me "Dusk".  There was this beautiful scenery on the backside of one of the designed papers and I thought it paired beautifully with this frame and my image.  I followed the sketch at Sunday Sketch and Stamp and added some Pizzaz flowers and that gorgeous butterfly.  The circle sentiment was a freebie at Digi Doodle Shop.  Love the swans in the background of it.  When I was all finished I spritzed the card with BaDaBing Bling.  Such a pretty shimmer.  I really hope you enjoy my card.  Thanks for looking!


Challenges entered:
Magical Monday - Love - Magical
Top Tip Tuesday - Frame it
7kids College Fund - I heart You
Charisma Cardz - Mythical/Fantasy
Stamp Something - Use a digi
Totally Papercrafts - Friendship

Warm Hugs - Jen


CAS Quickie

Well..........I locked myself in my craft room/office/storage/dog kennel/gym/stress center today and vowed I wasn't leaving till I made a card.  I've been looking for inspiration but it was hiding just out of my reach.  I got a swap package a few weeks ago and decided that was a great place to start.


I used this gorgeous medallion that my friend Wanda Rohlfing made and added a Cricut "love" sentiment and some hearts.  Very quick, very easy, just what I needed.  It actually fits into several challenges too.  So that led me to my next post with some magical fairies.  Check it out when you're done here.

Challenges entered:
Paper Playtime - Cupid or Hearts
PCP CAS29 - Adding an embellishment
Whacky Wednesday - Valentines
Paper Romance - Clean and Simple
Polka Doodles - With Hearts
Totally Gorjuss - Sketch

Thank you so much to all of you that take the time to leave me a comment.  It means so much to me.  I read every one of them!
Jen



Monday, February 7, 2011

Cupid Mini Blog Hop

NEW RELEASE at DZ Doodles!!


There are 6 of these adorable NEW cupid's!!! These are available for purchase today as a single image or all grouped together here. You should have arrived from the DZ Doodle blog, if not head back over there and read up on the details.   

I hope you'll take a few minutes and hop through our DT.  Make sure you leave some love along the way so you'll qualify for the giveaway.  Then head over to our store and pick up one of these cuties to play in the upcoming challenge on Thursday!  Or if you're really on the ball check out the easter cuties and get a head start on your easter cards!

Challenges entered:
7Kids College Fund - I heart you
Flutterbye - Anything Goes
Simon Says - Love is in the air
Polka Doodles - With hearts
Stampin for the Wknd - Valentines Day
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Pink.Red.White
StampIt Crazy - Valentine

Phew....that's ALOT for me!  Have a great week and hopefully fingers crossed I'll still have my MOJO tomorrow!

Big hugs - Ms. Jen



Tuesday, February 1, 2011

"Someone to Watch over You"

It's Wednesday and that means a new challenge over at DZ Doodles.  We have so many new images in the store it'll blow your mind.  Diane has been super busy and talk about C-U-T-E!  You've gotta check them out here.  


This week we are offering a candy case template for our freebie.  You'll find it on our blog, just scroll down.  Now I'll be honest I don't do well with templates but this one was really easy and really fun.  (I'm still trying to figure out the accordian template from PCP and it's like the easiest one out there! LOL)  The pssibilities with this template are endless.  It looks like a french fry holder.  You could fill it with anything and with easter just around the corner it'll be perfect for a door hanger treat for your little one.


I opted to make a candy case to fill with small items that will make you feel better when you've lost a loved one.  I still have to shop for that stuff but the case is ready.  I opted to use "Thelma" as my image.  She reminds me of my mother and I thought her in the clouds watching over you is a very comforting sentiment, at least it is to me.  I used dp from one of my Swirlydoo's kits.  Then I measured and cut out hearts along the bottom of each side piece before gluing it on the base, which is cream cardstock.  I inked the edges with distress ink and added lace along the top.  I didn't want to waste those hearts so I flipped and glued them down along the top as well.  I then added some vine ribbon from RRR and flowers and a swirl across the front.  Oh and I spritzed those flowers with Bada Bling spritz.  Yummy!   

Challenges entered:
DZ Doodles - Use template
Kaboodle Doodles - Monochromatic
Paper Playtime - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Show some love


I hope this inspires you to go grab the freebie and create something of your own. Now pop over to the blog and check out what my DT sisters did with their candy boxes.  You'll be amazed - truly! And don't forget to enter it in our challenge here.

Much love - Jen


Copyright

All content (including all text, photos and design work) is © Jen McLaughlin. My artwork is shared for personal inspiration only and is not to be copied for publication, sale or any contest submission without prior written consent.

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