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Monday, May 05, 2025

Ch. #131--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of: Embracing the Unexpected by Making An Unexpected Design

Badge for Monthly Challenge

Hello everyone and welcome to the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog! It is the first Monday of the month and it is time for our latest challenge to begin! We hope that you and your families continue to stay healthy and safe out there. 
 
Since we are not your typical challenge blog, it is important for you to understand how things work in order to be sure you are eligible to win any of the prizes offered. If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab and you can find out 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). For your convenience, a summary of the most important rules can also be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'.
 
Right now, it is time to get down to the business of our latest challenge. Here is what you need to know...

 

Challenge #131

Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of 

Embracing The Unexpected: 

Make An Unexpected Design

 
This year's goal is to Embrace the Unexpected in our lives (click here if you'd like to read more in depth about our overall theme for 2025). No matter how much planning we do throughout our years on this earth, we're going to come across circumstances that we can't plan for. These unexpected things may be small or they may be huge and life altering. The only thing that we can control is how we react to these events. So this year, instead of BRACING for the unexpected, we are going to flip that and get in the habit of EMBRACING the unexpected. This will help us to train ourselves to look at these types of events in a different light.

To help inspire you on this journey, each month we will be doing things such as creating fun unexpected projects, working with items we might not typically work with, taking approaches that are different from what we normally do, offering up the unexpected to someone in our life, etc. So, let's get to the details for this month's challenge.   

This month's activity should prove interesting. When putting together a project we usually go through our supplies and grab items that have coordinated colours, textures, and flattering embellishments. We expect that our projects will look pleasing and make sense. Many of us want to create the 'perfect' project. This month we're flipping that concept on its head. We are going to make something that may not look nice and something that might not make much sense at all.  Rather than expecting perfection from ourselves, we are simply going to fully acknowledge and appreciate our best efforts.

To start, gather some of your supplies. This is a good time to go through your different scrap piles and use up the bits and bobs that you have. Now, obviously the supplies that you grab will depend on the project you are making. For the purpose of explaining the task, I'll use card making as my main example. 
 
When making a card you usually have a base layer (your card stock colour), some patterned papers or embossing folders, possibly an image or sentiment you've chosen, and some embellishments (such as brads, buttons, flowers, washi tape, etc.). I want you to grab a bag or box that you can't see through. Then you are going to grab a few different card stocks for your base layer and put them into the bag/box. Mix them about, reach in and choose one, then set it aside. Empty your bag/box and this time put in a bunch of different patterned papers and/or embossing folders. Once again mix them up a bit and choose one or two, then set those aside with the card stock you chose. Continue this process with your images, sentiments and embellishments (or any other category of item you are using), making sure that there are at least three choices for each of them. When you are done you'll end up with a mixture of items. Now create your card from that. Here are a few other ideas:
  • If you are a painter you can do the same type of thing just mixing up your bases (canvas, wood, etc.), paint colours, design ideas and even your brushes!
  • Just want to do some colouring? Choose an intricate image that will keep you busy (for ex. a zentangle piece would be good for this). Throw a bunch of markers or pencil crayons into a bag/box and randomly choose colours for each section of the drawing.
  • Throw a bunch of random pictures into the bag/box and choose five to create a collage.
 
It is probably going to look ridiculous but that is okay. It is time to set aside our typical expectations and just be creative and embrace whatever we end up with. This activity should allow us to be fully present to opportunities and possibilities that we may not otherwise have considered.

Remember, the twist is completely optional and you don't need to follow it in order to win. However, in order to be considered eligible for this month's goodies, remember that general types of projects/posts will not qualify for the honours and prize UNLESS they are also positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. Additionally, even if a project may qualify as positive, if your post promotes negativity, hatred or anything of an abhorrent nature, your project will be disqualified. Honours and Prize include:

  • $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
  • A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.
decorative border of footprints
 
Now check out what my awesome design team came up with to inspire you. Carole is taking this month off and will hopefully be back with us in June. Clicking on each team member's name will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations.

 
http://scrappyhorses.blogspot.ca
framed image of Katrina's creation
 
 
 
 framed image of Kathy's creation

My wonderful design team continues to astound me each and every month! They all have their own approach and deft insight into the twist. Even after all this time, I continue to be astonished by the purview of greatness in their work! Each of these artful conceptions has showcased the notion of Embracing the Unexpected: Make An Unexpected Design admirably and I hope we have inspired you to commence on your own exploration of creativity. Be sure to go and visit each team member so you can see how her project further connects to the twist.

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. How about stretching yourself by also opting to follow the twist?! While it isn't mandatory, we'd also love to find out how this month's twist affects your own life. How do you typically deal with the unexpected in your life? Do you view it with trepidation or take it on as a challenge? This month it is time to make something completely unexpected. It is time to set aside our typical expectations and simply strive for productivity instead of perfection. Be sure to check above for some specific ideas if you aren't sure how to get started. If you want to share your process on how you decided your project, 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. Finally, remember that we're trying to create a Path of Positivity so if you have some time, please visit other people participating throughout the month.

Please join us again next week when we will [hopefully] post the Top Picks for Challenge #130. Then, be sure to join us again on May 19th when we'll be back with our midway featuring more great projects. 
 
If you ever have any questions be sure to send an email to decossesdynamitedoodles {at} yahoo {dot} ca (don't forget to replace {at} and {dot} with the appropriate symbols), or just leave me a comment.

We look forward to seeing you participate!

team signature


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

Ch. #131--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of Embracing the Unexpected: Make An Unexpected Design

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. Entries for this challenge will be accepted from May 5th until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on June 1st, 2025

SEVEN entries MAX. Please click on the 'Challenge Details' tab located at the top of the blog to see all the rules. A summary of the most important rules can also be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'. If you would like to be a Guest Designer in a future challenge, please add the letters GDT after your name.




You are next... Click here to enter
This list will close in 22 days, 7 hrs, 35 min (6/1/2025 11:59 PM North America - Eastern Standard Time)

Monday, April 28, 2025

Winners & Design Team Delights for Challenge #129 (March)

Badge for Monthly Challenge

Hello to all our wonderful crafting friends! I hope that you all continue to stay safe out there in whichever corner of the world you are located! 

Right now, it is time to present the winners for Challenge #129 (Anything Goes with the Opt. Twist: Make a Creative Project You Wouldn’t Normally Make). First we'll share the names of the Most Inspirational and the Random Winner and then we'll move on to showcasing our DT Delights. Who are all the lucky peeps? Well, let's find out.

Without further ado, here are the choices...


Drum roll, please....
 🥁🥁🥁 BBBbbbrrrrrrrrr pish 🥁🥁🥁
 
 In the category of Most Inspiring, our winner is...

Rosi, you are entitled to a lovely, one of a kind personalized badge for your blog as the Most Inspiring choice for Challenge #129 which you can find below...  
 
Most Inspiring Choice Badge
 
decorative border of footprints
The Random Winner for this challenge (chosen by Random.org), 
based on all eligible participants is…

Vicky, you have won $6 worth of images or sentiments (digital paper packs not included) from Scribbles Designs, our on-going sponsor providing a prize for the project chosen as a Random Winner for each of our challenges in 2025.

http://buyscribblesdesigns.blogspot.ca/
 
Vicky, you are also entitled to a neat and unique personalized badge for your blog as the Random Winner for Challenge #129 which you can find below...  
 
Random Winner Badge
 
decorative border of footprints

Big Congrats to...

rosi & vicky

If you are our random prize winner for this challenge, please send your message to popwinners {at} gmail {dot} com (be sure to replace 'at' and 'dot' with the appropriate symbols), or click HERE to bring our email up in your program, with the subject heading, "RANDOM WINNER PoP Challenge #129" to make arrangements to receive your prize. Please note that I am rather behind these days so it may take me a while to get back to you but I promise I will. I am currently caught up with the mail received in this account.

decorative border of footprints
Now it is time to announce our DT Delights from this challenge. Thanks to the people who took the time to join along our Path during the month of March for Challenge #129. We had a total of 44 entries. Check out the ones that really caught our attention...

Lynn--chosen by Katrina…  
 
framed image of DT Delight Choice #1

Katrina said this:
"My DT Delight is Lynn (#25). Wow, this project is full of great papers, shapes, and inserts! Amazing construction of a beautiful sewing themed album."
 
decorative border of footprints
 
Julia--chosen by Carole…
 
framed image of DT Delight Choice #2

Carole had this to say:
"My DT Delight is Julia (#29). Julia's tea light gift boxes are so pretty. The images on the front are gorgeous and the floral papers are beautiful. It would be a pleasure to receive these as a gift."
 
 
decorative border of footprints

Creative Congratulations to you all!


Thank you to those who played on our Pathway during the month of March. As always we greatly appreciate you sharing your incredible talents with us.

For our DT Delights chosen for this challenge...

 Lynn and Julia
 
You are entitled to the special Challenge #129 DT Delight Badge which you can find below...

DT Delight Badge
 
Well, that is it for this one. Please join us again on May 5th (as long as everything goes according to plan), when we will be back with our newest challenge. 

Do your best to continue stay safe, healthy and positive out there in your daily life and hopefully we'll see you all again soon!!!

Until next time,

team signature

Monday, April 21, 2025

Ch. #130--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of: Embracing the Unexpected Through Decluttering...Midway

Badge for Monthly Challenge
 
Hey folks! Welcome back to the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog! It is the third Monday of the month and that means that it is time to present the midway for Challenge #130. It is my fond hope that each of you and your own families continue to stay happy, safe, and well, wherever it is you live in this big wide world of ours. 

As we are a unique kind of challenge blog, it is important for you to understand how things work. Please be sure to check out the START POST FOUND HERE for the specific details related to this month's challenge, and you can find out all the general details you need to know in order to participate, by clicking on the 'Challenge Details' tab (located at the top of the blog). For your convenience, a summary of the most important rules can now be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'.
 
Right now, it is time to continue with our midway. Here is a refresher of the details for our current twist:
 
 

Challenge #130

Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of 

Embracing The Unexpected:

Through Decluttering

This year's goal is to Embrace the Unexpected in our lives (click here if you'd like to read more in depth about our overall theme for 2025). No matter how much planning we do throughout our years on this earth, we're going to come across circumstances that we can't plan for. These unexpected things may be small or they may be huge and life altering. The only thing that we can control is how we react to these events. So this year, instead of BRACING for the unexpected, we are going to flip that and get in the habit of EMBRACING the unexpected. This will help us to train ourselves to look at these types of events in a different light.

To help inspire you on this journey, each month we will be doing things such as creating fun unexpected projects, working with items we might not typically work with, taking approaches that are different from what we normally do, offering up the unexpected to someone in our life, etc. So, let's get to the details for this month's challenge.
    
Spring is here and so is the annual spring cleaning session that many homes go through at this time of year. For some of us this means taking some time to do a bit of decluttering. It is amazing what one can come across when going through our belongings. Whether finding lost treasures or getting lost in the associated memories, decluttering can be therapeutic in so many different ways. For our purposes though, we are going to use decluttering to help inspire us in our creative journey.

For your optional project this month, go through your junk drawer or a closet and take inspiration from something unexpected that you find within. Some of our drawers and closets are probably full of seemingly random or unimportant objects but they might also be filled with items that spark a creative idea, provide a sudden burst of inspiration, or give us a new perspective on something. Here are some examples to get you thinking:
  • Finding old photos may inspire you to create a collage or scrapbooking page. They may also inspire you to write a story about your family's history or start delving into genealogy.
  • Finding an old receipt may trigger a thought for a creative project on consumerism.
  • Coming across a collection of mismatched buttons could inspire a unique piece of jewellery or a pattern for a textile design.
  • Going through the drawers in your art room, you may come across a number of materials that you haven't worked with yet.
  • Coming across old greeting cards that you've kept over the years, may inspire you to create some new ones.

Remember, the twist is completely optional and you don't need to follow it in order to win. However, in order to be considered eligible for this month's goodies, remember that general types of projects/posts will not qualify for the honours and prize UNLESS they are also positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. Additionally, even if a project may qualify as positive, if your post promotes negativity, hatred or anything of an abhorrent nature, your project will be disqualified. Honours and Prize include:

  • $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
  • A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.
decorative border of footprints
To help inspire you further down the path of Embracing the Unexpected: Through Decluttering, check out the wonderful projects my Design Team had the opportunity to create. Clicking on each team member's name will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations.

http://scrappyhorses.blogspot.ca
 

 
 
framed image of Katrina's creation
 framed image of Kathy's creation

Thanks again to my astounding design team! As always, each of them have their own unique avenues of creation which I thoroughly admire. Each of these designs has demonstrated the theme of Embracing the Unexpected: Through Decluttering splendidly, and I hope we have motivated you throughout this challenge to come up with your own work of handicraft. Be sure to go and visit these accomplished ladies so you can see just how their projects tie in to the twist.
 
Why not join us, if you haven't entered already? Create a project and/or post that is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature and join our link up. How about stretching yourself by also opting to follow the twist?! While it isn't mandatory, we'd also love to find out how this month's twist affects your own life. How do you typically deal with the unexpected in your life? Do you view it with trepidation or take it on as a challenge? This month it is time to be inspired by something hanging about in your closet or junk drawer as you go through the decluttering process. Use a cleaning session to help you come up with a unique project this month. Be sure to check above for some specific suggestions. If you want to share your process on how you decided your project, 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.

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 is just by leaving a comment on an entry from someone who has touched you somehow with their project and/or post! You can find our list of participants and enter our latest challenge yourself by clicking HERE and scrolling down to the bottom of the post.

 
GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY…
Please show your support to our wonderful sponsor, Scribbles Designs, by going over and checking out their work and saying hi if you have the chance. You may also just find an image or two to add your your collection!

http://buyscribblesdesigns.blogspot.ca/
Thank you so much to this awesome Canadian company for their
continued support of this challenge blog!



Don't Forget...

Winners for challenge #129 will be posted next week if everything goes according to plan. You can find the Top Picks post HERE.
 
If you ever have any questions be sure to leave me a comment.
 


 
 
We look forward to seeing you participate!

team signature

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Ch. #129 Top Picks (March)

WELCOME TO THE CHALLENGE #129 POP TOP!

Hello folks! I hope that your Path this past week has included a number of positive moments along the route and that you and your families are all doing your best to stay healthy and happy. Sorry for the delay in getting the post out this week. Time hasn't been my friend.
 
It is time to present the top picks from the last challenge. Since we had 44 awesome entries in Challenge #129 (click HERE to see the original challenge with the optional twist of Embracing the Unexpected: Make a Creative Project You Wouldn’t Normally Make), it is time to get on with showcasing the seven projects and/or write-ups that touched the team the most. In case you are new and wondering why seven and not the typical three, four or even five? Any time that we have more than 14 entries, we have a top seven (with 14 entries or under we just have a top three). We always strive to be a bit different over here on the Path of Positivity and this is just another way to do so. Additionally, seven is a spiritual number and thus right in the wheelhouse of the vibe we are looking to project; so, seven it is when enough people join in. 

Thus, without further ado, please let me introduce you to the Top Picks for Challenge #129

Top Pick #1

Top Pick #2

Top Pick #3

Top Pick #4

Top Pick #5

Top Pick #6

Top Pick #7
 
 
 

Congrats Ladies... 

As a participant who has been chosen as a Top Pick in this challenge, 
you are entitled to a special Challenge #129 Top Pick Badge.
Please feel free to grab a copy for your blog...
 
Top Pick Badge
 
   decorative border of footprints
Well, that is it for this one. Please join us again on April 21st (as long as everything goes according to plan), when we will be back with our midway. 
 
Do your best to continue stay safe, healthy and positive out there in your daily life and hopefully we'll see you all again soon!!!

Until next time,
 
team signature

Monday, April 07, 2025

Ch. #130--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of: Embracing the Unexpected Through Decluttering

Badge for Monthly Challenge
 
Hello everyone and welcome to the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog! It is the first Monday of the month and it is time for our latest challenge to begin! We hope that you and your families continue to stay healthy and safe out there. 
 
Before we start, I want to welcome Kathy to her very first posting. We were lucky to get her as a team member as I have been after her for years. I introduced her on April 1st. If you missed it, you can find that post here and get to know her a little bit.
 
Since we are not your typical challenge blog, it is important for you to understand how things work in order to be sure you are eligible to win any of the prizes offered. If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab and you can find out 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). For your convenience, a summary of the most important rules can also be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'.
 
Right now, it is time to get down to the business of our latest challenge. Here is what you need to know...

 

Challenge #130

Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of 

Embracing The Unexpected: 

Through Decluttering


This year's goal is to Embrace the Unexpected in our lives (click here if you'd like to read more in depth about our overall theme for 2025). No matter how much planning we do throughout our years on this earth, we're going to come across circumstances that we can't plan for. These unexpected things may be small or they may be huge and life altering. The only thing that we can control is how we react to these events. So this year, instead of BRACING for the unexpected, we are going to flip that and get in the habit of EMBRACING the unexpected. This will help us to train ourselves to look at these types of events in a different light.

To help inspire you on this journey, each month we will be doing things such as creating fun unexpected projects, working with items we might not typically work with, taking approaches that are different from what we normally do, offering up the unexpected to someone in our life, etc. So, let's get to the details for this month's challenge.
    
Spring is here and so is the annual spring cleaning session that many homes go through at this time of year. For some of us this means taking some time to do a bit of decluttering. It is amazing what one can come across when going through our belongings. Whether finding lost treasures or getting lost in the associated memories, decluttering can be therapeutic in so many different ways. For our purposes though, we are going to use decluttering to help inspire us in our creative journey.

For your optional project this month, go through your junk drawer or a closet and take inspiration from something unexpected that you find within. Some of our drawers and closets are probably full of seemingly random or unimportant objects but they might also be filled with items that spark a creative idea, provide a sudden burst of inspiration, or give us a new perspective on something. Here are some examples to get you thinking:
  • Finding old photos may inspire you to create a collage or scrapbooking page. They may also inspire you to write a story about your family's history or start delving into genealogy.
  • Finding an old receipt may trigger a thought for a creative project on consumerism.
  • Coming across a collection of mismatched buttons could inspire a unique piece of jewellery or a pattern for a textile design.
  • Going through the drawers in your art room, you may come across a number of materials that you haven't worked with yet.
  • Coming across old greeting cards that you've kept over the years, may inspire you to create some new ones.
 
Remember, the twist is completely optional and you don't need to follow it in order to win. However, in order to be considered eligible for this month's goodies, remember that general types of projects/posts will not qualify for the honours and prize UNLESS they are also positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. Additionally, even if a project may qualify as positive, if your post promotes negativity, hatred or anything of an abhorrent nature, your project will be disqualified. Honours and Prize include:
  • $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
  • A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.
decorative border of footprints
 
Now check out what my awesome 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.

 
http://scrappyhorses.blogspot.ca
framed image of Katrina's creation
 


framed image of Carole's creation

 
 
 framed image of Kathy's creation

framed image of Kathy's second creation

My wonderful design team continues to astound me each and every month! They all have their own approach and deft insight into the twist. Even after all this time, I continue to be astonished by the purview of greatness in their work! Each of these artful conceptions has showcased the notion of Embracing the Unexpected: Through Decluttering admirably and I hope we have inspired you to commence on your own exploration of creativity. Be sure to go and visit each team member so you can see how her project further connects to the twist.

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. How about stretching yourself by also opting to follow the twist?! While it isn't mandatory, we'd also love to find out how this month's twist affects your own life. How do you typically deal with the unexpected in your life? Do you view it with trepidation or take it on as a challenge? This month it is time to be inspired by something hanging about in your closet or junk drawer as you go through the decluttering process. Use a cleaning session to help you come up with a unique project this month. Be sure to check above for some specific suggestions. If you want to share your process on how you decided your project, 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. Finally, remember that we're trying to create a Path of Positivity so if you have some time, please visit other people participating throughout the month.

Please join us again next week when we will [hopefully] post the Top Picks for Challenge #129. Then, be sure to join us again on April 21st when we'll be back with our midway featuring more great projects. 
 
If you ever have any questions be sure to send an email to decossesdynamitedoodles {at} yahoo {dot} ca (don't forget to replace {at} and {dot} with the appropriate symbols), or just leave me a comment.

We look forward to seeing you participate!

team signature


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

Ch. #130--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of Embracing the Unexpected: Through Decluttering

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. Entries for this challenge will be accepted from April 7th until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on May 4th, 2025

SEVEN entries MAX. Please click on the 'Challenge Details' tab located at the top of the blog to see all the rules. A summary of the most important rules can also be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'. If you would like to be a Guest Designer in a future challenge, please add the letters GDT after your name.
 


This linky list is now closed.