Love is Sweet

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

First I want to thank all of you for being so very loving and supportive. it means so much to me! :) as I said, I'm sure I will still post here from time to time. right now I just need to focus on our poor Mocha. she is hanging in there, but still not up to par by any means.

I have one last project from Whimsy Stamps to share with you. this was one of those that no matter what I did, I just couldn't seem to get it to turn out quite right. finally had to stop and declare it done. oh well. everyone has those days.

image is by Lia Stampz called 'Strawberry Girl,' paper & cute little arrows are from the Basic Grey Herbs and Honey collection, flower is Prima, sentiment & stitching stickers are by SRM. main dies are Spellbinders and strawberry/floral border die is Sizzix.

btw, I am not giving up all of my crafting supplies. I will not  part with my beloved Basic Grey. that would be like cutting off a major body part. ;) I have a few projects I still want to make for my guys. I love altered things and this is the perfect time to work on some of those.  who knows what the future brings? :)
it's all good!!!

Challenges:
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Crafty Girls - anything goes
Lia Stampz - anything goes
Crafting by Designs - use a sentiment
Scrapper's Delight - cute and girly
A Girl Who Crafts - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Die Cut Divas - buttons and bows
Fan-Tastic Tues - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Glitter 'n Sparkle - anything goes
My Sheri Crafts - food, food, and more food

Stuff

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

Lots has been happening in the past few days, but this will be a brief post.

To start, I have left all of my DTs and will be leaving crafting as well, at least for a while. I'm really not going to get into it all, but need the break. need to reclaim some joy, do some self examination, and just get away from some negative stuff for a while. it's been a very humbling past 2 months or so.

more importantly, right now Mocha is very, very ill. have spent the past 36 hours in constant care of her. thankfully she is doing a bit better today, eating a small portion and drinking some water. she might be 12, which I know is old for a Lab, but it isn't long enough. we need forever.

I'm sure I'll still be posting here on my blog. for now I need to get back to my dog. they have never left my side through my entire cancer battle. no way in the world I am leaving hers now.

my love to all of you!
Jennifer

Bloom .... and Grow with Whimsy Digi Stamps!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macadamia

Happy Friday to everyone! wooo hooo! it's the weekend! there's just something magical about a Friday, isn't there? not sure if I will see my family or not this weekend, but it's going to be a good one just the same.

Today is my very first post over on the Whimsy Inspiration and Challenge blog. gosh, it is so VERY exciting! I know that I don't measure up by any means when it comes to talent as compared to everyone else on the team, most especially the stamp team. whoa nelly, those ladies are FABULOUS!!!! but I do the best I can, which is about all anyone can ask. my style is so very different from everyone else's. guess that is okay, too. some people like it; some people don't. and that is okay, too. :)

but anyhow, I am using this cute image, 'Savannagh,' from the Marika Collins collection for my card. I really need to be busy doing more of what she is doing in my own garden, and that is weeding. but rains lately have kept that from happening. oh well. it will eventually get done.

papers are from the Basic Grey True Love collection, buttons are all vintage (aren't those pastel ones luscious?!), sticker sentiment is from SRM, & main image and matting die is MFT. the glassine envelope was stamped in pastel pink craft ink with the inside of a bubble mailing envelope to create polka dots. watering can and flower dies are Impression Obsession. tiny leaf flourish die is Cheery Lynn. on main image, flower centers were dotted with stickles and watering can was accented with a clear spica gel pen. washi tape, a doily, and pink satin ribbon complete the card.

have a great weekend whatever you do! :)

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments - anything goes
Art Impressions - use a doily
Crafting by Designs - use die cuts (MFT, Cheery Lynn, and Impression Obsession)
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Scrapper's Delight - anything goes w/summertime twist
Shabby Tea Room - polka dot love with flowers (polka dots are on the glassine envelope)
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Crafting for All Seasons - tic tac toe: pink, ribbon, square
Digi Choosday - punches and/or dies (both)
Fan-tastic Tues - anything square or rect. goes
Sailing Pineapple - nature calls
TTCRD - anything goes
Die Cut Divas - buttons and bows
Creative Craft Cottage - color inspiration
Craft-Dee Bow Z - anything goes w/handmade bow
Digi Sketch Ch - in the garden
Incy Wincy - summertime activities
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Hobbycutz - fave color combo (pinks, greens, and kraft)
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - anything goes with fun in the sun twist

Summer Fun at the Beach

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Creme

Today begins the new challenge for the month over at Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Challenges and our theme is 'Summer'! we want to see what summer means to you! :)  You don't have to use a Whimsy stamp or digi to play along, so get busy creating! you could win one of several cool prizes. please stop by the challenge blog to see all of the great projects made by the team to inspire your creativity!

I am using the newly released 'Beachie' image by Marika Collins on my card, along with a sentiment from the Summer Memories Sentiment set. The Daisy Doily Die was used for the pink piece behind the main image, and it just happens to be on sale at the moment. in fact, you can get quite a few great deals in the sale area right now. hint, hint, hint!

papers are from the Authentique Favorite collection. waves were cut with a MFT die, sentiment punch is Jenni Bowlin, sun is made from star and circle punches, and Martha Stewart leaf punch was used to mimic seaweed. little seahorse flair & flower are Prima, linen thread is SU!, and buttons are vintage.

Challenges:
Mojo Mon. - sketch (turned on side)
Outlawz Paper a la Mode - outdoor fun
Digi Choosday - punches and/or dies (both)
Scrap Creations - water
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Craft and Smash - seashells, sand, and sea
Crafting Musketeers - summertime
Die Cut Divas - buttons and bows
Natalie and Amy - summertime
Craftin' Desert Divas - 'summer' linky party
Eureka - vacation
Incy Wincy - summertime activities
Kraft Journal - sea and sand (kraft card base)
Crazy Challenge - summer vacation
Come and Get It - cool things for summer
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Crafty Calendar - summertime fun
Di's Digis - summer fun
Hiding in My Craft Room - think summer
Open Minded Crafting - water, water, everywhere
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards - summer days
Creative Corners - outdoors
Digitally Sweet - day at the beach
Fussy and Fancy - summertime
Wags 'n Whiskers - summer fun
Time Out Ch - fun in the sun
Moving Along With the Times - girls just wanna have fun
Inky Impression - summer fun

May Each Day Get Better Owl

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Creme

This is a fast post today because I am in the midst of a nasty migraine again. so sorry to bail on you like this.....

Images are from the Daydream Designs 'Owl Always Love You' outline set and sentiment from 'Poppies for You' set. papers are from Basic Grey Boxer collection, burlap is May Arts, flower is Prima, mini leaf flourish die is Cheery Lynn, buttons are vintage. some faux stitching was added, but please pardon how crooked it is. I truly can not even faux stitch straight, especially when a migraine is messing with my eyes! ;)

Challenges:
Sunday Sketch and Stamp - sketch
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Ditzie Digi Design - anything goes
Great Impressions - animal friends
Robyn's Fetish - animals
Scribble and Scrap - anything goes

Bloom and Grow

Coffee of the Day - Toffee Cream

The new challenge this week at Pile it On is 'Flowers' and we are being sponsored by the lovely & unique Dilly Beans! I so miss being part of this Design Team. everyone there was always so nice & friendly! plus Megan just has the most beautiful style to all of her artwork.

I have used the image, "Daisy Girl Framed" for my card. I kept the overall design very simple because I didn't want to distract from this lovely image. pink flowers are dotted with stickles. papers are from the Basic Grey Fresh Cut collection, flower is Prima, and buttons are vintage. sentiment sticker is by SRM.

Challenges:
Art by Miran - anything goes
Brown Sugar - anything goes
Craft for the Craic - fave colors: PINK!!!
Sister Act - anything goes
Art Impressions - use a doily
Crafty Girls - anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes w/ribbon
Delightful Ch - fave things: vintage buttons, flowers, ribbons, doilies, stickles
Crafting by Designs - anything goes
Divas by Design - ribbons and flowers
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Cards Galore Encore - use a digi or rubber stamp
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Ladybug Crafts - summer flowers
Clear it Out - in the garden w/ribbon stash
Fan-tastic Tues - anything goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - ribbons
Aud Sentiments - anything goes

Celebrate Today and Everyday!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

There's a fun new challenge starting today over at The Doodle Garden. we want to see your patriotic creations! You may use any images to enter, but if you would like to try a Doodle Garden image, here is a link to the freebie page. you'll also find some great digis in the Etsy store!

For my card I used the 4th of July Rocket and American Angel images. papers are from the Authentique Pride collection. sentiment is by Create with TLC. buttons are vintage, rose is Prima, and linen thread is SU!  the angel wings are covered in stickles, while a clear spica glitter pen was used on the firecracker image. sequins complete the card for a bit more sparkle.

Please stop by the challenge blog to see all of the other amazing projects by the team! :)

Challenges:
Bloggers - red, white, and blue
Everybody Art - sketch
Jellypark - red, white, and blue
Quick Quotes - stars
Stamping Boutique - stars & stripes
Outlawz Fri Coloring Ch - red, white, and blue
Aud Sentiments - anything goes
Crafter's Cafe - red, white, and blue
Crafty Creations - things with wings
House That Stamps Built - fur or winged things
Inky Impressions - red, white, and blue
WAW - anything encouraging goes
Scrap it Girl - navy, cream, red, kraft
Twisted Tues - red, white, and blue w/twist of stars
Kraft Journal - red, white, and blue
Cupcake Inspiration - Celebrate
Red Carpet Studio - Born on the 4th of July
Robyn's Fetish - stripes or dots

Liberty and Happy July 4th!

Coffee of the Day - Coconut Macaroon

Happy 4th of July to all of my fellow peeps here in the States! to everyone, happy day! I hope whatever today and the weekend may bring, make it happy and surround yourself with the people you love! :)

I have a small project to bring you today that shows just a glimpse of my love for this great country we live in! sure, like anywhere, it has it's negative aspects, but it is truly a most beautiful place!

I've used the Eagle with Shield image by Paulette at Create with TLC and printed it onto a piece of paper from the Authentique Pride collection. from there I cut a tag shape, adding a neat little reinforcement sticker from The Kraft Outlet. flower and trim at the bottom of the tag are both by Prima, buttons are vintage, red satin ribbon is May Arts.

I know it seems I go several days with no word at all, but I really am busy crafting 'in the background,' making projects for upcoming posts. so be prepared for lots of stuff to come! :)

also, I seem to have gremlins that inhabit pretty much everything techy I touch...... they have gotten hold of my FB friend list once again. thankfully some family members got in touch with me, (although they were NOT happy campers, I tell you!), asking why I had 'unfriended' them. I don't ever look at my friend list to see what the number is or who is on it, so didn't realize that the little gremlins had gone in and had a re-sort of my list.

do you have any idea how hard it is to look at a list and see who is missing? and then wonder, "gosh, is this part of the gremlin mess or did they unfriend me? do I send a friend request or not?" it's high school all over again.... sheesh...... so I have been trying to send out requests, but if I missed you, please please please do not take it personally. I am so human it is pathetic. I mess up all the time. it has nothing to do with YOU. just hit the little FB button over there on the right side bar and send me a new message. you will see that I am a whack-a-doodle over there, too. :)

Challenges:
Kraft Journal - red, white, and blue
Crafty Catz - stars, stripes, or both
Crafty Ribbons - anything goes with ribbon
DL Art Thankful Thurs - anything goes
Crafter's Cafe - red, white, and blue
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Party Time Tues - patriotic color inspiration
Shopping Our Stash - red, white, and blue (everything is old stash!)
My Craft Spot - patriotic
Craft Your Passion - ribbon

Ready for Adventure on a Pink Vespa!

Welcome to the Whimsy July digital release blog hop!!!!

We have lots of new images to share with you today created by:

Marika Collins Collection

Stamp Art Design

Miss Rach Digital Collection

Moon Cookie Gallery

Lia Stampz

Crissy's Digis

All Whimsy Stamps digital images are 300dpi for high print quality.You can re-size, flip, or rotate to fit your own project To find all of today's new releases please visit the Whimsy Stamps Store.

Don't forget to leave comments along the way as there will be 2 mystery DT Members who will each be choosing a winner from the comments left on their hop posts!

These winners will each win a Whimsy digital image of their choice. The Grand Prize winner of the hop will be chosen from the very last stop, which is Dewi Lestari.

This winner will receive 5 digital stamps of their choice from the Whimsy Stamps Store.

The hop will run for 1 week and end on Monday 7th July at 12 Noon EST, when the lucky winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspiration blog.

Below is a complete list of the hop in case you get lost along the way:

Audrey Ernst

Jennifer Scull - you are here! :)

Gina Allen

Charlene Brown

Anet Van Zyl

Kelly Mannix

Henryka Kowacz

Lisa West

Hazel Thompson

Michelle Oatman

Denise Goeldner

Dewi Lestari

I am just tickled all kinds of shades of pink to be part of the Whimsy Digital Design Team! if you are hopping along from the beginning, then you should have arrived here from the lovely blog of 

Audrey! 

Grab a cup of coffee, today's flavor is Irish Creme, and join me for just a few moments!

for my card I have paired the oh, so cute Valerie by Marika Collins with a great sentiment 

from the 'For Fun and Adventure' set. 

to start, I have long wanted a pink Vespa. I mean really really wanted one. but living where we do,

it just isn't a wise choice. so I am living vicariously through Valerie here

by letting her have that pink Vespa to travel the world!

papers are from the Studio Calico Abroad collection, flowers are Prima, sequins are by Lawn Fawn, 

and city skyline dies are Paper Smooches. touches were made to the main image with 

shimmerz paint, a spica clear glitter pen, and white gel pen.

linen thread and button complete the card.

now pop on over to the fabulous blog of Gina! 

be sure to tell her hello! :)

Challenges:
Brown Sugar - color palette

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Fan-tastic Tues. - anything goes
Cheerful Stamp Pad - weekend activities
Crafting From the Heart - anything goes
Catch the Bug - color palette
Little Miss Muffet - anything goes
Dream Factory - Around the World in 80 Days
Loves Rubberstamps - anything goes

A Sweet Little Sprite and Blog Candy Winner!

Coffee of the Day - Irish Creme

I have a quick card to post as well as the winner of my Nifty at Fifty Birthday Blog Candy to announce. first I want to thank all of you who entered. I appreciate the kind comments so many of you left for me! :)

Enter a number:

I want a number between 1 and…

Result:

25

and that person is:
Alicia O'Bryant!!!

congratulations, Alicia! please send me an email  (jenscull @ yahoo.com) with your mailing address so I can get your goodies right out to you. hopefully I can have hubby mail them before the July 4th holiday. if I haven't heard from you by the weekend, I will draw another winner.

not sure why it keeps re-setting to 100, but I really did put 27 in the field. sorry about that.

my card is one I started doing a few weeks ago as a DT project, but then decided upon something else, so I set it aside. I finished it yesterday. if you go to the Aurora Wings Facebook group, you will see some of the most astounding and talented crafters around. I am truly ashamed to share anything I create over there. they are AMAZING! but my little sprite makes me happy and she is the best I can do, where I am right now, so that is good enough for me. :)

papers are from the Basic Grey Curio collection. I must say, this is a tough collection of papers to use. almost all of them are outlined in the black. anyway, the flowers are Prima, buttons and crochet trim are vintage. her wings are painted in shimmerz. main image die is Spellbinders and mini leaf flourish die is Cheery Lynn. whoops, I forgot to mention that this precious little image is 'Grumpy Fae' by Aurora Wings.

please stop back by later for a hugey huge huge blog hop with Whimsy Digital images! I'm so happy to be a part of this lovely team! nice people and a reputable store make such a big difference when it comes to a DT! :)

Challenges:
Bunny Zoe - layers
Love to Create - 3 or more designer papers (I have 3)
Flonz Vintage Stamping - summer blooms
Di's Digi Designs - lots of layers
Creative Corner - flowers
Jo's Scrap Shack - in the garden
Ladybug Crafts - summer flowers
Crafts Galore Encore - use a stamp or digi
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Kitty Bee Designs - fairy tale/fantasy creatures