Challenge #44--BLESSINGS...December 5th to January 1st

Hello everyone! It is the first Monday in December and it is time for the next challenge to start. This time around, for Challenge #44, the theme is "BLESSINGS". Show us your interpretation of what blessings means to you. You can make any sort of project and/or post as long as it is positive in nature and relates to the theme.

We are surrounded by blessings both big and small. Those fortunate enough to have a roof over their heads, food on their tables, friends and family to share it with and good health to enjoy it all, are truly blessed indeed. This is also a time of year when we count our blessings, think of the sacrifices made by others and begin to immerse ourselves in the holiday season--a very blessed time of year.

This month, think of all the family and friends whom you are blessed to have in your life. How about sending them a card to let them know. For anyone who has had a child come into their lives recently, that is definitely a blessed occasion that deserves being recognized. For those that celebrate the holidays, Christmas blessings abound, so why not send a Christmas card that touches on the blessings of the season.  As usual my team, has come up with some interesting ideas so be sure to pop over to their blogs and see how their creations connect with the concept of this challenge. What direction will you go in? Whatever approach you take, we look forward to seeing your interpretation on this month's theme.

Don't forget when you link up your project and/or post, to please leave a comment letting us know how your creation relates to the concept of blessings if it isn't readily clear within the design itself or clearly written somewhere else in your post. Remember, the creation must be positive/inspirational/motivational AND adhere to the theme of blessings in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes. While you may easily see how blessings relates to your creation, it may not be as apparent to me or the DT members. That is why we ask that you clarify it somewhere, whether here or in your blogpost. You can simply write a sentence at the bottom of your post next to the link up for this challenge, if it would be easier. We just need to know how your project ties into the theme. Letting us know, clears up any ambiguity that may exist.

This month's guest sponsors...

This month we have two returning sponsors!

First up is Imagine That! Digistamp™.  Here is a refresher of what Kristy's company is all about...

Imagine That! Digis by Kris™ is a mother/daughter team bringing you our cutest hand-drawn images that you can flip, re-size, re-color, print & use in your crafting creations!  Almost all our digi sets include both color & outline formats & include sentiments for a great value.  In addition to carrying family-friendly digi stamps, we also offer digital papers and KD-Kits, all available as instant downloads!  You may want to check out our Free blogwear category, as well as find freebies on our Facebook Page and join in our monthly progressive challenge where everyone who plays, Wins!  You can read more about us here on our 'About the Arists' page.

Check out the sweet images the team worked with for their projects for the beginning of this challenge. Clicking on the watermarks will take you to their location in the store.

Elegant Ornaments (coloured version)

Little Blessings

Next, that brings us to our second sponsor--ME--Décosse's Dynamite Doodles. Here is a refresher on what my design company is about...

Are you interested in digital sentiments, papers and other embellishments?  How about a badge made especially for your blog?  If these are items you are interested in, you are going to want to check out Décosse's Dynamite Doodles.  My name is Lisa and with over 200 + posts of  freebies to choose from, and new ones added often, I just might have what you are looking for.  Along with the freebies I offer, I also create blog badges and am in the process of putting some kits together.  Additionally, I'm so excited to now be sponsoring giveaways and challenges at other blogs. 

So, if you have the time, come and take a look.  There is always inspiration to be found among my many different features.   I'd love for you to pop by and visit me.  I hope you have a blast! 

Main Blog:   http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.ca/ (Design Previews can be found HERE.)
Some designs available for purchase at:  http://buyscribblesdesigns.blogspot.ca/                                             Some designs available for purchase at: http://www.imaginethatdigistamp.com/store/c355/__DD_Doodles.html

I've included previews of the sets that team members used elements of for their designs.

Katrina and Pippa used various items from the Holiday Hoopla Kit.

Cick on the preview to find it in the Scribbles Designs store...

Katrina also used a sentiment from this set.

Cick on the preview to find it in the Imagine That! Digistamp store...

Pat used the following paper which is a freebie still available on my blog.

Click on the preview to find it on my blog...

 

Pat also used a paper from the following set...
 

Additionally, Pat has used a doily, a textured paper and a bow from the this kit
 which is available for purchase by clicking HERE.

Pat also used one of the flowers and the leaf spray from this kit 

which is available for purchase by clicking HERE.

  Finally, Pat has used a brad from this kit

 which is available for purchase by clicking HERE.

As always, we are fortunate and blessed to have the chance to work with all these awesome images this month. Thanks so much to our fabulous sponsors. Be sure to come back at the midway when you'll get to see more beautiful projects created with images from these wonderful companies.

Now check out what my amazing design team came up with to inspire you. Clicking on each team member's name will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations...

My amazing design team never disappoints! They each have their own unique styles and ideas. As always I am blown away by the quality of their projects! Each of these projects has showcased the concept of blessings in various forms and manners and I hope we have inspired you. Be sure to go and visit each of them so you can see how their projects connect to the theme.

So what are you waiting for? Create a project and/or post that is positive AND relates to blessings, 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!

If you have some time, please visit other people participating throughout the month. I've included the summary of the challenge details below. 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).

Now normally, this is where I'd ask you to join us next Monday for the voting for the Top Picks for Challenge #43. Unfortunately, we had no entries; thus, there will be no Top Picks post.

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

 Since it is the holiday season, I've also included a coloured version:

Please be sure to click on it to bring it up into the lightbox in its proper size before saving it.

Credit Notes For This Creation:

© 2015, 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 or my personal blog, Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, 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(s) 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.

Additional Credit and Font Information:

Design Element

I have used an ornamental header in the creation of this sentiment.  This element was an exclusive freebie that I received through Deal Jumbo.  The original design was created by Cruzine Design and can be purchased HERE.  I have permission from the designer to use Cruzine Design elements for extended commercial purposes.

Font used

• Beffle font created by David Rakowski

Click on the font name to take you to a download location. This font was free and listed for commercial use at the time of this creation. It is my understanding, that I am within my rights to use this font in my creations and offer them to others for free or for sale. Always check to make sure the terms haven't changed before using the font on something you sell.

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.


CHALLENGE DETAILS 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 December 5th to January 1st, 2016.
• Link up your inspirational post below using the link up below. You will be able to submit your link up to 11:55 p.m. on January 1st.
• 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 you have not included this information somewhere within your post. You can simply add a sentence or two right next to the link for this challenge if you want.
• Don't forget to come back throughout the month and visit others that have participated. 
• You can link up a total of three (3) creations.
• Voting for this challenge will begin once the top picks have been determined. There will be a separate post detailing those picks. 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 picks. 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. 
• For Challenge #44, prizes will be the following:
• EITHER the Holiday Hoopla Digital Scrapbooking Kit OR five different mini kits (of six papers each) from the Christmas and/or Winter section from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• A $10.00 gift certificate from Imagine That! Digistamp, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also be:

• A small selection of digital papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky person who leaves a comment on on posts published during the challenge time-frame.
• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

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

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Link Up Below:
Please note that I am trying a new link up. I hope there are no problems but if you have any, please be sure to let me know by leaving a comment on this post.

Challenge #44--BLESSINGS
This is the place to link up something that you have created during the month that you consider motivational in nature following the theme of BLESSINGS.  You will be able to submit entries to this collection up until January 1st at 11:59 pm.  If you would like to be a Guest Designer in a future challenge, please add the letters GDT after your name.