Challenge #55--Optional Theme: SHADES OF BLUE...January 8th to February 4th

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new year of possibilities here on the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog! As you will have noticed, this month we are starting our challenge on the second Monday of the month instead of the first. This was done in an effort to give my gals an extra week off during the Christmas holidays. But, now we're back and our schedule for the month will be as such:

START--2nd Monday--Jan. 8
TOP PICKS--3rd Monday--Jan. 15
MIDWAY--4th Monday--Jan. 22
WINNERS--5th Monday--Jan. 29

Which reminds me...apologies for not getting the winner announcement published yet for Challenge #53. It was due on Christmas Day and while I had hoped to work on it later that same week, my workload exploded and it just wasn't possible. Of course, then other things piled up and it kept getting pushed to the bottom of the pile. I do hope to get it posted sometime this week if at all possible. Sorry for the delay but sometimes it just can't be helped.

Anyway, now it is time to get on with what we have in store for you for this coming YEAR! For 2018,  our optional themes are going to be a little bit different from what we've normally done in the past. I am going to describe those changes in just a moment. First though, the basic nature of our challenges will be staying the same. Here is a quick review of what you need to know...

The Basics

While you can find out ALL the information you need to know in order to participate in the challenge by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page (or by clicking HERE), here is a refresher of the basics.

• ALL entries must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. 
• *Each month there will also be an OPTIONAL theme to follow. Participants must follow the optional  theme in order to win the prize for Most Inspirational. If you choose to follow the theme, please follow the instructions below to ensure that you are considered for this prize. 
• ALL entries that abide by the general rules of the challenge, will be eligible to receive the Random Prize.
• For both prizes, you can make any sort of project you'd like (i.e., scrapbooking page, card, tag, mixed media, digital, etc.). In fact, you don't have to create a project at all. You may just have something to say that is motivational or encouraging in some way, or a written passage that expounds on the nature of the theme. Project, written passage or both! It is completely up to you.

Now that the basics are out of the way, it is time to learn what changes we have in store for you...

Theme Ideas for 2018

Can you imagine a world without colour?! Just think of it. You walk outside into a plateau of...white. No sparkling blue brooks or rivers, the hundreds of variations of green in nature now meagre shades of grey. You look up into the sky and what was once shades of the prettiest blues is now and forever-more a single shade of white. I shudder just thinking of the possibilities. Can you imagine just how boring your day would be without colour to perk it up?!

Try to think about your days and how you react when you see certain colours. Do you think of relaxation or renewal when you come across the colour green, or do you think of royalty when you encounter the colour purple? Does red fire you up and blue cool you down? We are impacted by the colours around us on a daily basis, and sometimes it is so subtle that we are unaware of it. Did you know that eating off of a red plate can actually reduce your appetite? Or,  that popping open a yellow umbrella on a gloomy day can actually lift your spirits? There is no denying that colours are inextricably connected to our mood.

Now think of how colour impacts us as designers, artists and card makers! We would be out of a job or hobby without colour in our lives. No more looking for the perfect blends of pinks for an upcoming card for your niece who fantasizes she is a princess. Nor would there be the need to stock so many shades greens for your nature designs. You wouldn't need to worry whether to choose 'hot pink' or 'strawberry kisses' to evoke passion in that special card for your partner. You also wouldn't need to spend the time or money on building your arsenal of tools. Never mind how boring life would be without colour, it would be downright depressing!!!

The symbols associated with colour and the different feelings they provoke in each of us have been studied thoroughly throughout the ages.  It is also interesting to note that when it comes to colour symbolism, the concepts that we might personally connect to certain colours may be the direct opposite in someone from a different country, culture or religion. For example, while many woman in western cultures wear white on their wedding day for its association with 'purity', someone of Chinese descent would never consider such a colour on this special day since white is associated with 'death' in China. Instead, many Chinese brides choose the colour of red for their bridal garments since in China the colour symbolizes 'happiness' and 'good luck'.  Did you know that green is a sacred colour for people of the Islamic faith (the colour of the Prophet's robe)? Or, that in Ireland it symbolizes luck, yet right next door in England, green is thought to be unlucky? The symbolism of colour it seems is very personal to our upbringing.

When it comes to the psychological properties of colour, it is apparently more rooted in science. There are many different articles and books that discuss the exact nature of what colour is, what it is made up of and how we are able to see it. What it all boils down to is that when light hits our eye it goes through a process that ends up influencing our hormones and our perceptions causing a physical response in our bodies. There have been many experiments conducted to prove just how easily our moods and behaviours can be affected by colour. This is where the study of colour harmony in conjunction with the science of psychology come into play. Certain reactions to the colours around us can be predicted with astonishing accuracy. Though once again, it is important to realize that not every individual will react to colour in the same way. Just as in other facets of life, there is a spectrum that our reactions fall on.

Since colour is so important to our everyday lives, we've decided that we're going to spend the entire year exploring the concepts of colour. Yes, you read that correctly--every challenge we have in 2018 will be dedicated to the theme of colour. Each month we will focus on a particular individual colour grouping (blue, red, yellow, etc.) or on a specific colour collection (pastels, metallics, etc.).

And, without further ado, it is time to check out our colour for this challenge!

Challenge #55

Optional Theme:  SHADES OF BLUE

What kinds of thoughts and feelings do you think of when you think about the colour blue? For some, the different colours of  blue evoke loyalty, trust, peacefulness and a state of calm. Then for others like my mother, the colour blue simply evokes the idea of sadness and depression. For others yet, blue has been known to arouse feelings of rigidity, deceit and passivity.

Blue is the colour of the sky, the sea and other bodies of water and is the colour that is often used to represent these types of images. According to some studies, blue is the preferred choice for many, and it is definitely the colour of choice for a great portion of the male population. Varying shades of blue are also quite popular among large companies, hospitals and airlines. It might have to do with the fact that the colour is known to also symbolize strength, stability, wisdom and confidence.

This challenge, our focus is on different SHADES OF BLUE. We want to see a project that is at least 51% of the overall colour scheme. Your project doesn't need to be completely monochromatic so a spattering of other colours is fine. Just be sure that if you would like a chance to win the prize for the Most Inspirational Creation, over half of the colours in your project must be in the BLUE spectrum! The shades of blue can be in the colours you choose to fill in your images with, and/or they can be in your choices of papers and embellishments. Just make sure that the majority of your project focuses on the varying shades of the blue family of colours. We can't wait to see how you explore the theme in your designs!

If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize for Most Inspirational. While it isn't mandatory, we'd also love to find out how this month's colour makes you feel, if you'd like to share that with us. What kinds of feelings does the colour BLUE personally evoke in you? You can write a sentence or two in the body of your post, write a sentence at the bottom of your post next to the link up for this challenge, or simply leave a comment on this post if you'd like.

Remember, in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. You don't need to follow the optional theme if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of  of a $10 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win an additional sponsored prize of  the Naturally Cool Kit from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles, the second of our guest sponsors this month, for the project chosen as Most Inspiring.

Talking of our guest sponsors...

This month we have two returning sponsors! It is time to refresh ourselves with the details of these wonderful companies.

First up is Scribble 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 colouring 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.

 Click HERE to head to the store and HERE to check out the Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog. You can find the Scribbles Designs Facebook Group HERE.

Check out the fun and quirky images the team worked with for their projects for the beginning of this challenge. Clicking on any of the image watermarks will take you to their location in the Scribble Designs store...

#249 Brrr Clock

 

#A 87 Peek-A-Boo

#235 Hedgie with Flowers

Next, that brings us to

 Décosse's Dynamite Doodles...

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, watermarks and digital Scrapbooking Kits. Additionally, I sponsor a number of challenge blogs throughout the year and it is my absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to sponsor The Path of Positivity!

If you have the time, I'd love for you to pop by and visit me. There is always inspiration to be found among my many different features. Come and take a look--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

For this challenge, DT members have mainly used elements from my Naturally Cool Kit. This is the kit that will be given out as a prize for the person chosen as Most Inspirational. Here is a preview of the different sections in the kit:

We are fortunate and blessed to have the chance to work with all these awesome items for the start of this challenge. 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 items 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 colour 'blue' splendidly and I hope we have inspired you. Be sure to go and visit each of them so you can see how their projects further connect to the theme.

So what are you waiting for? Create a project and/or post that is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature and join our link up. If you've opted to follow the theme of 'shades of blue' for the chance to win the Most Inspirational prize, make sure that you add FT after your name so you can be included in the running for the prize. Remember, we'd also love to find out just how the colour blue affects you, so be sure to lets us know if you can, somewhere in your post or come over and leave a comment. 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).

I hope to see you back next Monday when voting will start on the Top Picks for Challenge #54. Hopefully, I will also have the chance to post the winner announcement for #53 sometime in the next week as well.



MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON COLOUR...
If you need some motivation to get you started, I've provided a quote for you, which you can find below. Please note that the quote is being offered up with two different spellings. While I spell 'colour' with a 'u', my American friends, followers and readers are apt to spell it without one; so, I am providing an option to cover both spellings of the word.

British version:

American 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:

© 2018, 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:

Fonts used

•  Aristelle Font Family created by My Creative Land

Click on the font name to take you to a purchase location. The font family listed was purchased with extended licensing. It is my understanding, that I am within my rights to use these fonts 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 January 8th to February 4th, 2018.
• Add your inspirational project or post using the link up below. You will be able to submit your entry until 11:59 p.m. on February 4th.
• If you have chosen to follow the optional theme, you will need to add 'FT' after you name so we know which creations to add to the draw for the sponsor's prize for Most Inspirational. While it isn't mandatory, we'd also love to find out how this month's colour makes you feel, if you'd like to share that with us. What kinds of feelings does the colour BLUE personally evoke in you? You can write a sentence or two in the body of your post, write a sentence at the bottom of your post next to the link up for this challenge, or simply leave a comment on this post if you'd like.
• 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. 
• For Challenge #55, prizes will be the following:
• The Naturally Cool Kit 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 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs, the second 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.

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:
If you have any problems linking up, please be sure to let me know by leaving a comment on this post.

Challenge #55--Optional Theme: SHADES OF BLUE
This is the place to link up something that you have created during the month that you consider positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. You will be able to submit entries to this collection up until February 4th at 11:59 pm. Be sure to add FT after your name if you followed the optional theme.  Please see above for all the rules and details. If you would like to be a Guest Designer in a future challenge, please add the letters GDT after your name.




References:
Bourn, Jennifer. (2011). Color Meaning: Meaning of The Color Blue. Available: https://www.bourncreative.com/meaning-of-the-color-blue/. Last accessed 6th Jan 2018.
Grumman Bender, Rachel . (2013). How Color Affects Our Mood. Available: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/27/how-color-affects-our-moo_n_1114790.html. Last accessed 6th Jan 2018.
Oleson, Jacob. (2017). Blue Color Meaning – The Color Blue. Available: https://www.color-meanings.com/blue-color-meaning-the-color-blue/. Last accessed 6th Jan 2018.
Wright, Angela. (2008-2018). How It Works. Available: http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/how-it-works. Last accessed 6th Jan 2018.
Author Unknown.. (2002). Color Wheel Pro - See Color Theory in Action. Available: http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html. Last accessed 6th Jan 2018.
Author Unknown. (2017). The Color Blue. Available: http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/color-blue.html. Last accessed 6th Jan 2018.