Smiles & Laughter Are Good For the Soul

If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Mondays, please go HERE.

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When we are having difficulties dealing with something, there is nothing like having a friend who can can help pick us up and motivate us; and, when we are feeling down, there is nothing that can pick us up faster than the sound of laughter.   Smiles and laughter are like a healing balm for the soul.  When they are shared with those who know us best, they mean just that much more.

So, if one of your friends is going through a rough patch, reach out with the intention of making them laugh.  It will be the perfect remedy for what ails them.  Their problems will of course still be there, but the reprieve they get from sharing a smile or two will definitely be welcomed. 

NOT FOR DOWNLOAD.  THIS IS NOT A FREEBIE.  However, the quote on its own and the elements used in the creation of this design are available as freebies by following the links mentioned further on in the post.

Sorry for the big and bold 'not for download' statement but I need to make sure that it is clear.  You guys are used to being able to download my digital graphics but NOT when they are created using another artist's image with strictly PUO terms.  Digital stamps and images are not available for redistribution whether alone or part of a new creation unless explicit permission has been given from the designer.
 

General Information:  

• Why is it that some days you can add pngs with no problem whatsoever and then other days, you get a black background?  Inconsistency is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.  Thank goodness for Picasa Web Albums! 
• For all of you who have been spending money as a result of my promotional posts and introduction to digi stamp stores in the Saturday Showcase, I have a real treat for you today.  Everything you see in the design above is available for FREE!  Yes you read that correctly, free!  I've even saved you time by providing the direct links to where you have go to get them.  Who has a big hug for Lisa???  Hmmm???

 Image Details:

• This is a 100% digital image.  It is not a card or even a tag.  Just an inspirational design that I can either print out and frame or use as a backdrop on my desktop.
• Today I've done something a bit different again.  The challenge over at Digitally Sweet this week is Spring and Pastel Colours.  I couldn't really find a photograph that worked.  There was one that was nice but it was more sepia toned than anything.  So, I decided that this would be another opportunity to play around with one of the many scrapbooking kits that I have but don't really use.  
• First thing I did was find a fabulous quote that would work well for this challenge.  A few weeks ago I did a showcase on Sharon from A Piece of Heart who does amazing work with sentiments.  Best of all, she offers a freebie every Friday so I've managed to collect a few of them.  She has some really amazing ones on friendship so I knew that I'd find just the right one and of course I did.  Now, normally I offer a quote for you on Motivational Mondays that you can download and use for your cards and other projects.  This time, since the quote doesn't belong to me, I can't offer it up as a freebie.  However, I can provide you with the link where you can go and get it yourself.  This quote is a freebie available over at A Piece of Heart and you can go HERE to get it.  Just be sure you read Sharon's terms of use before using it and don't forget to leave her some love if you download it.  Just note that the Minus link for the png version isn't working (update:  this issue has been resolved) but is for the jpg one and the 4shared version works for both versions but you need to sign in to download it.  If you are unfamiliar with 4shared it is free to set up an account.
• The kit I used is also a freebie.  This is available over at  {computer}scrapbook.com. This site has tons of beautiful kits for free.  I've collected quite a few and while I've used elements from their kits in the past as embellishments on projects, it is nice to put together a design combining different items from different kits.  The background element is from the Calista kit available for download HERE and the other elements used are from the Another Tea Party kit available for download HERE.
• This design was created in Photoshop Elements.

Challenges I hope to enter include:

• Crafter's Digital Art Centre --  Anything Goes 
• Pin & Tack--Spark Your Creativity Now Challenge -- Challenge #7:  Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday -- Challenge #72:  Anything Goes
• 613 Avenue Create -- Challenge #11:  Anything Goes
• Digitally Sweet Challenges -- Spring and Pastel Colours
• Forever Friends Challenge Blog -- March Challenge--Lots of Flowers
• Crafting For All Seasons -- Challenge #48:  Anything But a Card
• Tammy's Scrapin' Corner -- Challenge #55:  Anything But a Card

Thanks so much for stopping by and may you find the opportunity to laugh sometime today.  Many times if you are really lucky.

Until next time,