Meet the Team!

Since there are a few more people you will be meeting tomorrow as the DT officially come on board for Challenge #4, it is time to get to know those individuals who will be providing you inspiration over here on the Path of Positivity.  So, I'd like you all to meet my wonderfully talented, incredible Design Team Members!

I'm an accountant working full time and a mother of 4 great kids. I have an amazing husband who understand that in order to keep my sanity through all this I need to craft ;) I live in Quebec, Canada, so a lot of my crafting is done with French sayings.

I have been crafting over 21 years and tried my hands at all kinds of techniques over the years. I started blogging in March of 2012 in order to join challenges. I became totally hooked!!!! I can't believe this world existed and I only found out about it then. I see blogging as a wonderful opportunity to improve my card making abilities.

I have realized that through the web I get to meet amazing people from all over the world and learn from them. I'm in awe of all the wonderful blogs that I see and I hope that one day my blog will be up to that level. I have had the opportunity to be on amazing team. What a pleasure to work with so many fabulous artists' digis!

Hello! My name is Suze and I live in New Zealand.

I have been card-making off and on for a number of years since a friend introduced me to rubber stamps although I now work mostly with digi stamps. My style is mainly CAS but I'm trying to learn new techniques. I first started blogging my cards in February 2012 so that I could enter some challenges. I initially started with mainly Christmas challenges to take the pressure off at the end of the year but have since found several others that have appealed to me. Since I live on the other side of the world, so many of the challenges are the opposite season to ours which certainly makes things interesting!

I've been artistic since I was "knee-high to a grasshopper" as my Mom would say and love interior design, color, zentangles, lettering, calligraphy, watercolor painting, digital images & design.  Many years working as an Interior & Kitchen Designer, and a waiting to break out artist; I love to share color, lettering and my quirky art & fun with everyone with blogs & online classes. I live in Kelowna, BC Canada, a vacation destination for beaches & summer sunshine, wine, skiing (both water & snow), golfing, hiking and boating with my awesome hubby Boyd.

My name is Naomi and I am a mom of 2 amazing boys. I am in love with motherhood and love life to the fullest (although you know we all have our days, wink wink) I started out as an avid scrapper (not the fightin’ kind) which led to designing cards then digital design. I took a Graphic/Web Development course along the way that enabled me to build an online store “Creative Bug Digital Images”. 

We all have our favorites to work with when we create and mine is without a doubt stamps, stamps and more stamps and my favorite tool would have to be the scoreboard with the embossing heat gun and embossing powders close behind.

I am a working mom and am quite the social butterfly and love to sing, play guitar and compose music but most of all I am a loyal friend, a little eccentric at times, sincere, honest and love love love to have fun!! Let’s just say that there is a lot of laughter in my home every day, it is beautiful and I truly believe life is what you make it for it is in the way we perceive every little thing.

If it's got texture, color, sticky, messy, and  fun to play with, then more times than not you'll find my hands in it!  I love taking anything and changing it into something else. I've been crafting for over 20 years with this this that and the other and usually at the kitchen table or in the garage.  I started blogging 3 years ago and
haven't looked back. The inspiration is endless and being here at The Path of Positivity is just another perfect example of that!  

{Doing  Life} in beautiful sunny South Africa. Loving wife for 28+ years. Keen Photographer. Avid Gardener. Energetic Hiker/Backpacker. Ad hoc Race Walker. Road Runner. Addicted to Spinning. Scrapaholic. Committed Scrapbook/Card Teacher. Founder/Manager Doing Life Online Shoppe www.doinglife.co.za . Bedazzled Beader. Card creator. Mosaic Enthusiast. PA/Secretary/Bookkeeper. Chocoholic. Right now I would love to be outdoors blending with nature. And last, but not least, addicted to Blogging where I have made such wonderful creative friends in cyber space.

In the fall you will meet Ike when she comes on as a full time member of the team...

Please join me in welcoming this amazing group.  Each of these lovely ladies would be happy to have you visit them.  Clicking on each of their badges will take you directly to their individual blogs.

I am so excited to be showing off their inspiring designs when Challenge #4 goes live tomorrow evening.  I hope you will all join me then to learn the details for the latest challenge and then find your way on to the Path of Positivity later this month!

May the sun always shine down on your path!

The People Have Spoken: Winner's From Challenge #2

Hello everyone.  First I must apologize for it taking so long to get this post out.  As some of you may have read from a recent post, my computer ended up in corruptionville which means continued work to rebuild things to the way I had them before.  At least the computer hard drive has been scrubbed and the operating system and some programs reinstalled.  Now it is just a matter of time to re-install all my programs about 3000 fonts or so and reorganize and restructure my hard drives.  It will take some time but I'll stay STRONG and get there.  In the larger scheme of things, it was merely an inconvenience.  A rather large inconvenience, but simply that, all the same.

So, now that that is out of the way, let us move on shall we?

Okay, I've FINALLY finished creating the badges so first up the winners from Challenge #1:

DESIRE

LISA M.

MANDY

will now all get nifty, personalized winner's badges for their blogs.

Please click HERE to send us an email with the subject, "BADGE REQUEST PoP Challenge #1" and we'll take care of sending you your badge as soon as possible.

 Now, without further ado, let's get on with the announcement of the winners from challenge #2.

Drum roll, please....BBBbbbrrrrrrrrr pish

The people have spoken and their choice for challenge #2 is once again.....

#1.  DESIRE

with this inspirational entry on the idea that life is a long race, not a sprint, and it is important to be comfortable within your own skin during the journey...

 Now I can easily say that I understand this sentiment completely because I created it.  Good thing it was the people who voted or some would say I rigged it for Desire to win.

Desire, once again you have won your choice of 10 images from Creative Bug Designs.

Desire, you will also be getting another cool and awe inspiring personalized badge for your blog as the Voter's Choice for Challenge #2.

 With some input from a couple of the team members coming on board very soon, I have chosen the entry that I deem the most inspirational of the bunch.

So, in the category of Most Inspiring, our winner is...

#15.  JULIE H.

 With this great inspiring piece...

As one of my colleagues on the DT put it, just the idea that Julie created this card for the sister of a lady that she met in a group simply to send some comfort is a wonderful reflection of positivity!


Julie you have won your choice of 3 images from Ike's Art.

Julie, you will also be getting a lovely, one of a kind personalized badge for your blog as the Most Inspiring choice for Challenge #2.

  The random winner for this challenge, based on all participants is:

#2.  SUSAN

www.random.org

Susan you have won a Digital Designer Paper from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Susan, you will also be getting a neat and unique personalized badge for your blog as the Random Winner for Challenge #2.

 Big Congrats to...

  Desire, Julie, & Susan

Please click HERE to send us an email with the subject, "WINNER PoP Challenge #2" to make arrangements to receive your prize and badges.

All entrant's in Challenge #2 are entitled to a special quote based on the theme for the upcoming challenge.  I was actually surprised that only one person requested it last time.  We'll see how it goes this time around.  So, if you were one of the 28 people who entered Challenge #2 and would like to receive a free sentiment based on the theme for Challenge #4, please click HERE to send us an email with the subject line, "PoP Challenge #2 Entrant Quote".

I think that is it for now.  Thank you all for your patience and continued support of this new unique challenge blog.  Our newest challenge will be out on Monday, and I hope that you will consider continuing to play with us.  We'd love you to join our Path!

May all your days continue to overflow with positivity!

Challenge #3--Last Week to Submit Entries

Hi all!  It is the final week for submitting an entry into challenge #3 over here on the Path of Positivity.

My path over the past two weeks has had an inconvenient turn with a few obstacles thrown in the way but I am finally starting to get back on track.  It will just take a bit more time.  For those of you who don't follow my personal blog, I had a corrupt file in my main hard drive which caused the downfall of my entire system.  I lost three days on my computer so it could be wiped and rebuilt.  However, while extremely inconvenient it is just that--an inconvenience.  Things could have been so much worse.  Now it is just a matter of finding time to get everything back on track.

Unfortunately, this means that I didn't get a chance to choose a winner yet from challenge #2 nor create a project using a digi from our wonderful Creative Bug Designs sponsor.  I know she will forgive me as her own life is fraught with twists and turns.  It is all about having the strength to pick up and move on when we are confronted with obstacles in our way.  This could be another reason I chose 'strength' as this month's challenge theme.  Maybe my subconscious knew the challenges I would face this month and wanted me to keep drawing on the concept of strength to help me get through.  One never knows...

Anyways, while I didn't have the opportunity to create anything new to inspire you, my dear friend Ike, who will be coming on the DT in the fall and who is also one of the challenge's amazing sponsors, did have a little extra time on her hands and created this lovely project...

 Oh my goodness.  How true is this statement?!  Life certainly does present us with a number of challenges.  Unfortunately, some people must endure more than their fair share for some reason.  However, if we don't let life just take control and barrel right over us, we have the opportunity to grow, become stronger and more resilient, by meeting the challenges we face head on.

You can find out the details of Ike's inspirational piece by visiting her over on her blog, Ike's World.

Now this week, while visiting with one of our lovely entrants, Donna from Creative Smiles, I was inspired to create my regular 'Motivational Monday' post that I put out on my personal blog.  My post today also deals with the concept of strength and I have created a brand new sentiment for the following quote:

 “Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution”  ~Kahlil Gibran

 If you would like to read this post and/or are interested in downloading this sentiment, please visit me by clicking HERE.

I am happy that the number of entries we have for challenge #3 have picked up a bit.  You still have until Sunday at 11:59 pm to participate so I hope that I will see a few more of your lovely creations showing what strength means to you.  Just a reminder though, when you do enter, please leave a comment letting me know how your project relates to the concept of strength if it isn't readily clear within the design itself or somewhere else in your post.  This past week there have been five entries where I have had to seek clarification.  Remember, the project must be positive/inspirational/motivational AND adhere to the theme of strength in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes.  While you may easily see how strength relates to your creation, it may not be as apparent to me or the other DT members (who you will be meeting very soon).  That is why we ask that you leave us a comment.  This way it clears up any ambiguity that may exist.

I am hoping to get the winners post for challenge #2 completed later this week.  Thank you for your understanding and continued support.  I told you all there would be growing pains and this past couple weeks has definitely reflected that.

Have a wonderful week everyone.  Whether the task is easy or the challenge difficult, may you continue to draw on the strength you need to get through each and every one of them.

Challenge #3 Week Two Offering

Hello everyone.  It is week two of our current challenge here on the Path of Positivity.  So far we have only had three people enter.  I really hope that adding a theme isn't making things too tough for all of you.

Today I have some more inspiration to share with you.  This time I have created a card using an image from another of our fabulous sponsors.  This time up I am showcasing Ike's Art.

Hi there – I am Ike……a nickname that I got hooked with many years ago due to my surname, and in my profession at that time, …… they just loved  to give nicknames.  I live in Greece and have a passion for kitties.  I am a complete nutter or should I say I’m ‘zany’ hahaha.  I have a very strange/sick sense of humour and I must admit I spend a lot of time talking to myself. !!  Well, I get more sense out of me.!  I reckon in a few years I shall be known as the “crazy cat lady” .

I am an artist and have a strange mind when it comes to creating my art. I either go completely true to life… right down to the last hair… or I go totally surreal.   I have a passion for all things horror/Gothic etc. I’ve always loved horror films and books and I guess that’s why it creeps into my stuff !  Had I been a bit younger I swear I would have been a Goth……luuuuuv it.  Next time around I am gonna be a witch or a cat.

I started my Blog a couple of years ago and although I love crafting, my real passion is drawing, and now I just love making digital images.

My SHOP is Ike's Art found at www.ikesart.com

My Blog is Ike's World and is at http://suzy-ikesworld.blogspot.com

Exclusive designer for Smeared Ink  www.smearedink.com

Here is the card I created using Ike's incredible image called 'Awareness'.  If you are interested in purchasing this image please contact Ike through one of the links mentioned above.

If you are interested in learning about any of the details regarding my project you can find them on my personal blog by going HERE.

Here is an awesome tag that Ike herself created using this digi...

If you are having problems kick starting your motivation, I have another quote for you...

"Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.  Let the challenges make you strong."  Author Unknown 

It is one I created when I first started the challenge back in April.  If you are interested in downloading it, you can find it on my personal blog by clicking HERE.

I really hope that more of you will have the opportunity to join in the challenge over the next three weeks.  I can't wait to see what you create.  You can enter the latest challenge by clicking HERE and scrolling to the bottom of the post.  You won't want to miss the opportunity to win the wonderful goodies up for grab from our fabulous sponsors.  In addition to Ike's Art, listed above, we also have images from the following generous sponsors:

 

 

That is me and I'd love for you to visit me

on my personal blog.

Also just a reminder that voting has now closed or challenge #2.  Stay tuned to learn who the winners are in an upcoming post.

Don't forget, if you ever have any questions be sure to EMAIL ME or just leave me a comment.

Show us your vision of strength.  We look forward to seeing you participate! 

Challenge #3--Strength: June 3 - June 30, 2013

I can't believe that it is already time for a new challenge.

As I mentioned in the Winner's Post last week, I've made a few changes to the challenge to make things a little more efficient.  I've updated the Challenge Details tab with this information but am including it here again for those of you who have already been participating with us and may not think to check this information since it has only been a couple months since the challenge began.

THEMES
First off, I have decided to implement the concept of themes into each monthly challenge, starting right now with the month of June.  Since this isn't your typical challenge blog, they won't be your typical themes either.  Themes for future months for either project or post MAY include ideas such as:

• encouragement
• motivation
• happiness
• kindness
• dreams
• love
• friendship

Many different types of projects or cards can be created within the themes.  While at first it may take you a little while to come up with a concept that applies, it certainly won't be impossible.  Stretching your mind is an important process of growth including creative growth.  Each  theme will most certainly get you thinking outside the box and definitely 'challenge' your artistic muscles.

For this month the theme will be STRENGTH.  There will be lots of different ways to approach this theme and I am anxious to see what all of you come up with.  Throughout the month, it is my goal to provide you with a couple of different projects to help inspire you.  This week I have chosen to create a card using an image from this month's Guest Sponsor, Scribbles Designs.

Looking for a unique image or sentiment? Well then! Head on over to Scribbles Designs and check out Sandy's world of her funky imagination and quirky characters. Sandy has loved art, drawing, water coloring and doodling for many years... and with the digital image world she can now share it with all of you. Brrr (Penguin) was her first main character and her other quirky images followed not long after. We hope you enjoy the endearing images available in the store and add Sandy's images to your digital stamp collections.

Here is my card...

I used the fabulous image called Valentine Brrr-loon which you can find in the Scribbles Design Store HERE.  If you are interested in learning about any of the details regarding my project you can find them on my personal blog, by going HERE.

VOTING CHANGES
There are also some changes regarding the voting process.  For the first two challenges, voting was open to allow you the opportunity to choose your favourite from the entire group of entrants.  However, starting this month, that will change.  After some careful consideration, I believe that as the challenge grows, people will not have the time to visit all the blogs listed and unless something catches a person's eye, some really great inspirational posts or projects may get overlooked.  Therefore, once the June challenge is over, the top seven entries will be chosen by myself for the month of June and hopefully by the entire Design Team (once it has been established) each month afterwards.  You will then have the opportunity to vote for your favourite among the seven posts or projects posted.  I hope that these changes will make for a better voting experience.  So once again, there will be overlap between choosing the winners from one challenge to the start of the next.  Hopefully, you will pick up the swing of things in no time at all.  As always, you only have one opportunity to vote so use it wisely after considering all the creations listed.

SUMMARY
Whether you are new and need to familiarize yourself with all the details,  or a returning participant and just need to refresh yourself , you can always find out everything you need to know in order to enter this challenge in the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page. I've provided a quick summary below.  Please note that dates and times listed below are for this particular challenge only:

• Each Path of Positivity challenge will remain open for approx. a full month.  Entries for this challenge will be accepted from June 3rd to June 30th.
• Link up your inspirational post below using Inlinkz. You will be able to submit your link up to 11:59 p.m. on June 30th.
• When you link up, leave a comment summarizing what it is about your post that you feel is inspirational  / positive / motivational and how it fits into the theme if it is not obvious. 
• Don't forget to come back throughout the month and visit others that have participated.
• Voting for this challenge will begin once the top seven have been determined.  There will be a separate post detailing the top seven.  You will then have the opportunity to vote on the creation or post that you have found to be the most inspirational of the chosen seven.  Be sure to leave a comment telling us what it was that inspired you or something in general if you uncomfortable disclosing any details of your vote.
• This month, prizes will be the following:
• Ten digital images from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for the person out of the top seven who receives the most votes during voting week.
• Three digital images from Ike's World  for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• Three images from Scribbles Designs, this month's guest sponsor for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital designer paper from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY...

Please show your support to our fabulous sponsors by going over and checking out their work and saying hi if you have the chance.  In addition to Scribbles Designs, our guest sponsor for the month, we also have our regular sponsors:

 

 

That is me and I'd love for you to visit me

on my personal blog.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON STRENGTH
If you need some motivation to get you started, I've provided a quote for you, which you can find below.

Now if you are unfamilar with the sentiments I offer, I often present them in a couple different options.  The first above is the whole quote together, and the second option is as two separate pieces so that you have the choice of splitting up the quote and using part of it on the front of a card and the remainder inside.

Font Information:

• Shadowed Serif
• Jenna Sue

Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  Both these fonts are free for commercial use.

Now the font sizes remain consistent for all versions although sometimes when I upload them and make them smaller over here the front and inside pieces may look like different sizes.  The other thing that you will notice is that the sentiment may appear huge depending on what software program you download it into.  You can always reduce the size without distorting the overall look.

I've added a 'Download Instructions & T.O.U.' tab at the top of the page.  If you download any sentiments please ensure that you familiarize yourself with my terms of use.

If you ever have any questions be sure to EMAIL ME or just leave me a comment.

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Inlinkz collection begins below: