..And then there were two more!

Hello everyone.  I have some exciting news to share with you all.  This little team of mine is growing again as we celebrate the addition of two more people to the Path of Positivity family.  Please help me in welcoming...
 

Hi my name is Monica and was born and raised in San Diego, California. I currently live I Phoenix Arizona with my husband of 21 years, my 17 year old son and 2 Dachshund dogs. I have always been crafty and have at least tried most every type of crafting. I got into scrapbooking when my son was born and switched over to card making about 3 years ago. I started blogging about 6 months ago when I found the on line challenges and have become addicted ever since. I have met some amazing people and am inspired daily by the talents of the blogging community.

AND 

My name is Lynda Lindley and I have been crafting for over twenty years; starting out first stamping and then expanding into all areas of paper crafting. I live in Washington state with my husband, two daughters and one crazy smart girl dog. A self proclaimed challenge junkie, I do not feel grounded unless I am creating something. When I am not coloring, stamping, painting, knitting, or scrapbooking, I can often be seen with inky fingers volunteering at my daughter’s school in the library and teaching art in the classrooms. You can find me online at http://positive-force.blogspot.com/.

Both of these ladies have had stints over here as Guest Designers but now I am happy to say that they have decided to both join us long term.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  Please join me in welcoming both Monica and Lynda to the team. You will get to see one of their inspirational creations in just a few short days as they officially come on board for challenge #11 which begins Monday.   To visit either of these lovely ladies beforehand, just click on their blog badges above.

 

I also hope you will join me on Sunday for our next 'DT Delights' post, where the DT has a say in choosing their favourite entry from Challenge #9.

Until then,

 

Ponderings Along the Pathway...GENEROSITY

Welcome to Ponderings Along the Pathway, a new feature over here on the Path of Positivity.  As I indicate at the top of this blog, my goal over here is to create a space "designed to inspire, nurture and provide support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time".  Providing a challenge each month where people are able to share their positivity inspired art, whether it be in the form of cards and other projects or simply their words, is one way of achieving this goal.  Another is to provide this new column where each month (hopefully), I or one of the DT will provide some motivational introspection on the themes we cover each challenge period.

This month we have PAT sharing her thoughts on the concept of GENEROSITY...

There are many definitions of generosity.  It is described as "the quality of being kind and understanding and putting others before yourself;"..."it is given willingly." (Merriam-Webster and Vocabulary.com)  Generosity can involve many things:  money, possessions, time, attention, encouragement, and more.  Here is what I think generosity is:

• When you leave a tip for the waitress even if she didn’t give the service you thought you deserved, because everyone has a bad day now and then, that's generosity.
• When you toss your leftover change into the Salvation Army bucket instead of taking it home to put into your vacation savings bank, that's generosity.
• When you pay it forward in the drive-through at a fast food restaurant to “treat” the driver behind you, that's generosity.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to spend a lot of time volunteering at a food depository or donating money that should go to bills.  But that doesn’t stop me from being generous!  The path of generosity isn’t finished in one giant leap but in small steps; even when the going seems to be taking forever, you do eventually reach your goal.

So if you can’t give money, give your time; if you can’t feed an army, feed a family; if you can’t help a stranger, help your neighbor.

And if you can’t give any of these things, be generous in spirit.  Forgive someone for an act that may have hurt you.  Give others shared credit no matter how little they contributed.  Refuse to gossip about a friend or co-worker.  Pay a compliment to someone who has low self-esteem.  You may not cure world hunger or earn a plaque from a major charity, but you will make someone happy, and happy people can’t help but share their well-being with others.  Just think what you may start with that small act of generosity on your part!

 

Please be sure to pop over to Pat's personal blog, Patacake Pages, for more inspiration.  That is it for today but please be sure to stop by on Friday when I get to introduce you all to two more people who will be joining our Path of Positivity family.

Until then,

The People Have Spoken: Winners From Challenge #9

It is time to announce the winners from Challenge #9.  So, without further ado, here they are...

Drum roll, please....BBBbbbrrrrrrrrr pish

The people have spoken and their choice for Challenge #9 is....

ANNIE

Annie you have once again won your choice of ten images from Creative Bug Digital Stamps.

Annie, you will also be getting a cool and awe inspiring personalized badge for your blog as the Voter's Choice for Challenge #9.

In the category of Most Inspiring, our winner is once again...

MANDY

Mandy, once again, you have won your choice of three images from Ike's Art.

Mandy, you will also be getting a lovely, one of a kind personalized badge for your blog as the Most Inspiring choice for Challenge #9.

  The Random Winner for this challenge (chosen by Random.com), based on all eligible participants is:

CINDY

Cindy, you have won your choice of three images from Fresh Brewed Designs.

Cindy, you will also be getting a neat and unique personalized badge for your blog as the Random Winner for Challenge #9.

We also have a prize available for a random voter who left a comment.

 The random winner for this challenge (chosen by Mini Web Tool), based on all eligible participants is:

Jamie with her comment:

I voted for Gloria!!!

Jamie, you have won a selection of digital designer papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Big Congrats to...

Annie, Mandy, Cindy & Jamie

Please click HERE to send us an email with the subject, "WINNER PoP Challenge #9" to make arrangements to receive your prize and badge (where applicable).  Please note that it may take me a few days to get back to you.  Thank you for your patience.

All entrant's in Challenge #9 are entitled to a special digital sentiment based on the theme for the upcoming challenge.  So, if you were one of the individuals who entered Challenge #9 and would like to receive a free sentiment based on the theme for Challenge #11, which starts Monday, February 3rd, please click HERE to send us an email with the subject line, "PoP Challenge #9 Entrant Quote Request".

Don't forget, there is still one week left to enter into this month's challenge on GENEROSITY.  Click HERE for details.  If you haven't linked up already, I hope that you will consider coming over to play with us.  As always, we'd love to have you join our Path!

I hope that you will come back later in the week and visit us again.  We have a busy one planned with the publication of our first Ponderings Along the Pathway on Wednesday, some DT news to share on Friday and of course our DT Delights post coming out this Sunday.  See you all then!

Challenge #10--Midway Reflection & Voting Reminder

Hello everyone! We have reached the midway point of Challenge #10. The theme for this challenge is all about GENEROSITY.  Now is the absolute perfect time to say thank you to a number of generous people.

First off, I would like to say thank you to the generosity of the wonderful sponsors that back the Path of Positivity challenge.  Many of you jumped on board a brand new challenge blog without really knowing how many people would have the opportunity to see your lovely images.  You liked the premise behind what we were trying to achieve over here and jumped in full throttle.  This challenge blog would not be possible without your incredible GENEROSITY.  You make it possible for my DT members to work with meaningful images and provide incentive for the people playing along as participants.  So, on behalf of myself, the Design Team and those participants who benefit from your giving nature, thank you so very much.

Next up, I would like to say thank you to every single person who has taken the time to comment on any the posts published over here.  By GENEROUSLY sharing your warm and encouraging words, you help to keep us motivated to do our very best.

I would also like to say thank you to all the people who participate in each challenge.  By GENEROUSLY sharing your talents, whether it be in the creation of a card or other project or by sharing your words of wisdom on the theme of each challenge or sometimes both, you give us a reason for existing.  Without your participation, there would be no challenge blog.

Then of course, there is my Design Team.  Your GENEROSITY knows no bounds.  You spend so much time each month sharing your time, your talents, your thoughts and ideas, and your support.  You selflessly give and give and give and then when I ask, you give some more.  Please know just how much each and every one of you means to me.  I am nothing without all of you lined up beside me.

Finally and certainly not least, thank you to my husband.  Your GENEROSITY makes it possible for me to do what I love to do every day of my life.  Without your generous support, I'd simply exist, moving through each day in a simple routine.  With your generous support, I get to live and finally, after so much time away, finally get to feel like I am once again, contributing to something important and making a difference.  Thank you for being the other half of my soul.

Thank you to each and every one of you listed above.  For without each of the roles you play, the Path of Positivity Challenge blog could not exist.

Now, who in your life is generous?  Have you told them lately how much their generosity means to you?  Well if not, now is the perfect time to do so.  What are you waiting for?  Always be sure to let the people in your life know just how much their generosity means to you.  Don't wait for the future because you have no idea what it holds.

To help inspire you down the path of generosity, check out the wonderful projects a few of my Design Team had the opportunity to create...

Vicky has used a beautiful floral image from one of our amazing regular sponsors, Ike's Art for the left hand side of her project.  It is from Ike's Switzerland Bundle.  If you are interested in purchasing this beautiful image along with several others in the same bundle, click on the watermark to head over to its location in Ike's store, it is located within the 'My Latest Designs' section.

Next up, we have two projects from...

The first project Pat created for the midway.  In it she used a precious image called New Baby, also from Ike's Art.  I just love the tenderness emanating from this sweet image.   You can find this image in the store in the 'People' section or by clicking on the watermark below.

 The second project I am showing you is one that Pat posted about last week...

Pat used the same image she did for her card at the beginning of the month, just played around with it a bit to suit the purposes of this creation.  To check out this particular post, since it came out last week, you can click HERE.  Cupcakes Galore, the image she adapted, is available from our guest sponsor this month, DS4J.  If you are interested in purchasing this tasty image, clicking on the watermark will take you to its location in the DS4J store.

Then we have...

Sandy has used the second image that the DT got to work with from our Guest Sponsor this month.  This image is called Vase of Hearts.  It can also be found in the DS4J store by clicking on the watermark below.

 Finally, that leaves our...

 

Monica Taylor, from Taylor Made Cards 4U, who is our guest designer this month, created this precious project...

As you can see, Monica also chose to use the New Baby image available at Ike's Art.

 Clicking on the team members name (or in the case of our GDT, the blog name) will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations!

So if you haven't entered already, what are you waiting for?  Create a project and/or post that is positive AND relates to generosity, provide an explanation of how your project and/or post relates to the theme somewhere in your post or come over and leave a comment with the explanation.  Easy, peasy!  You can enter our latest challenge by clicking HERE.

Also, I know that the participants would love for you to go and pay them a visit.  Remember we're creating a Path of Positivity to follow one project at a time and we'd love to see you somewhere on that route even if it just by leaving a comment on an entry from someone who has touched you somehow with their project and/or post!

If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab and all the details you need to know in order to participate, in the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog).

Don't Forget...

You still have until 11:55 p.m. tonight, to vote on your favourite entry for Challenge #9.  Voting is quick, easy and painless so I hope you will consider casting your vote if you haven't already.  Don't forget, if you leave a comment after voting, you have the opportunity to walk away with a selection of digital papers created especially with your interests in mind. To check out the Top Seven and cast your vote, click HERE.  Winners for challenge #9 will be posted next Monday.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON GENEROSITY?
If you need some motivation to get you started, I've provided another sentiment, free for you to download:

Credit Notes For This Creation:
© 2013, Lisa L. Décosse.  PUO.  However, you are allowed to use the sentiment on handmade projects that you intend to sell on a small scale basis provided credit is given. You also need to include a credit note and a link to this blog should you use any of my images in your creations and post them on your blog. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with my full terms of use found in the 'Download Instructions & T.O.U.' tab at the top of this page.  Of important note:  Please do not share my images with family, friends, etc. Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Box®, 4-Shared®, etc. Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves. If you would like to post a watermarked version of the image, please contact me to obtain one. 

You will notice 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. 

Font and Image Information:

• 2Peas Gift font created by Two Peas
• Qarmic Sans font created by Joanne Taylor

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

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. You can enter the challenge by clicking HERE to take you to the current challenge post where you can also find a quick summary of the details related to this challenge, towards the bottom of the post. 

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 DigiStamps4Joy, 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.

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

We look forward to seeing you participate!

 

Challenge #9 Top Seven: Voting Open January 13th to January 20th, 2014

Welcome to the Challenge #9 PoP ToP!

Interestingly we had almost half the number of participants in our December challenge on JOY than we did the month before.  I honestly would have thought it'd been an easy theme since almost every kind of Christmas card has joy in it.  Well, let me just say thank you so much to those of you who did take the time out of an extremely busy month to be part of our Pathway.  The projects and posts that were submitted were definitely filled with joy!  Hopefully, you will all be able to carry that joy with you into all the months of this brand new year as well.

Given the quality of creations and reflections, it was once again a difficult decision choosing our top seven but we seemed to have come to a consensus.  In case you are new and wondering why seven and not the typical three, four or even five?  Well, we strive to be different over here on the Path of Positivity.  Additionally, seven is a spiritual number and thus right in the wheelhouse of the vibe we are looking to project; so, seven it is.  So, without further ado, please let me introduce you to the Top Seven for Challenge #9 (in no particular order)...

Congrats Ladies...

As a participant who has been chosen in our Top Seven, each of you is entitled to a special Top Seven badge. Please email me by clicking HERE, with the subject "Challenge #9 Top Seven" and I'll email your badge to you. It may take me several days to get back to you so I appreciate your patience.

Have Your Say!

Now the really hard work starts.  It is time for you, our readers, to vote for your favourite entry.  Which participant most inspires you?  Remember, you are not necessarily voting on a creation that was made.  You might simply find what the person had to say in their post to be inspiring and optimistic and in line with the concept of joy.  In fact, once again one of our top seven doesn't have a creation at all but she does have a beautifully written post expounding on the concept of joy. Therefore, please be sure to go and check out the entries first and not just make your choices off of the thumbnails.  Once you have checked all the entries out,  let us know who your favourite choice is by placing your vote below using the Inlinkz feature. 

Voting open for 7 days:
January 13th to January 20th

Please note that the voting week has been reduced down from ten days to seven.  I am doing this in hopes of being able to provide our design team more time to discuss our choice for most inspiring creation for the winners post.  So, come have your say in determining the Voter's Choice for Challenge #9!  Don't forget to leave a comment after you have voted.  There will be a prize for one lucky voter who leaves a comment (chosen randomly).  If you haven't had the opportunity to visit each of the top seven choices already, please go and check them out a little more closely before placing your vote.  Once you have made your decision, why not go back and let them know how they inspired you.

Good luck everyone!

Important  Note:

Please note that in order for this to work, I must add all the entries but I can only do this AFTER I have published this post.  So there will be some overlap time between when this post is published and when you will be able to vote.  Once I have uploaded the entries there will be a total of seven images below on which to vote.  As soon as all seven are uploaded, I'll enable voting to begin. If there are less than seven, it means that I am still in the process of adding the images and you should come back in a little while to make your vote.  Thank you for your patience!