Monday, August 05, 2013

Challenge #5--Optimism: August 5 - September 1, 2013

It is the first Monday in August and that means it is time for the next challenge to begin. This time around, for Challenge #5 the theme is "Optimism". Show us your interpretation of what optimism 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.

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 optimism 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 optimism in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes.  While you may easily see how optimism 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.  This way it clears up any ambiguity that may exist. 

Now it is time to meet our guest sponsor for this month...

If you are looking for some freshly brewed inspiration, then you have come to the right place.  Fresh Brewed Designs (http://www.freshbreweddesigns.com) is a small on-line company that has been offering a wide variety of digital images and rubber stamps since November 2010, designed to meet the needs of paper crafting addicts everywhere.  With over 30 categories to choose from and several new additions to the store monthly, our range of products is expanding all the time. Whether you are looking for one of our uniquely designed coffee inspired images or something entirely different, you are sure to find something to please.  We'd also love for you to visit us over on our blog (http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot. com) where inspiration is always percolating.  We have a digi release at least once a month and other events as well.  Come see us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh-Brewed-Designs/139388879447210) too.  You never know what other goodies you may find there.

Owned and operated by Heather Dennis, loving wife and mother to two home-schooled children, you can always expect personalized service.

At Fresh Brewed Designs we always have a fresh pot of creativity brewing. So stop by and join us for a cuppa whenever you want!
The design team had fun choosing the images they wanted to work with and were lucky to get the opportunity to play with a few different images.  First off there is the lovely Fresh Brewed Designs image called April Swings...


I love the carefree, happy nature of April.  She looks like she doesn't have a care in the world.  I think this is a look most of us would sport if we could.  If you are interested in purchasing this digital image, clicking on the watermark will bring you to her location in the store.

A couple people chose to work with the image, Thinking of You--Girl in Window...


There is something that really draws me to this image.  I get captured in the feeling of longing and wishing that this young girl exudes.  Along with these feelings you can also gain a sense of hope too.  Heather has captured these feelings so well, they are almost palpable.  If you are interested in purchasing this digital image, just click on the watermark to get to the store.

Another of our team members, Vicky, who is also on the Fresh Brewed Designs team, worked with a different image.  The image she used is aptly called Peace Be Still...

There is such a stillness and remote beauty to this image.  I definitely see how Vicky was drawn to its serenity.  You can find this image in the store by clicking on the watermark as well.

Sandy made the choice to work with the image called Chick's First Flight...

Need a lift creatively or otherwise? Chick's First Flight will get you where you need to go.  Owning him is just a watermark's click away.

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















We are also pleased to have a guest designer joining us again this month.  I invited Chana from Redora Lee and 613 Avenue Create to come over and play with us...
I am a happily retired wife (44 Years), mother of two and grandmother to six. My husband and I live in a suburb of the beautiful City of Atlanta, Ga. In 2010, I returned to card making after a five year hiatus. I have been fortunate enough to work with some really wonderful ladies on some great design teams. I own a weekly challenge blog, 613 Avenue Create, in partnership with Kathi Silvia. I have no particular style. I like to try different things, but lately I have been leaning very heavily toward Vintage and Shabby Chic. I am thrilled at the opportunity to Guest Design for Path of Positivity.

Here is the incredible creation Chana came up with...


Aren't  all these creations just fabulous?  Each of them touches on the designers' own ideas as to what optimism means to them. 

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

I hope to see you back on Monday, August 12th when voting will start on the Top Seven for Challenge #4.

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


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

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. 

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.

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 August 5th to September 1st.
  • Link up your inspirational post below using Inlinkz. You will be able to submit your link up to 11:55 p.m. on September 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.
  • 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 Fresh Brewed 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 Fresh Brewed 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.



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:

10 comments:

Edwina said...

Great sentiment. I love it. I think I will try using it.
Love all the images you ladies are using. FBD has wonderful images. Your projects are terrific! Love them. Thanks for sharing. Edwina Brown

bumblebee creations said...

what a GREAT INSPIRATION!!

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

I love to come visit! Another great challenge word as usual! I chose my sentiment "The journey, not the arrival, matters" and I hope it's self-explanatory :) Happy Wednesday!

Deanne :)

Pat said...

Just discovered your site and think it's a wonderful idea!! The sentiment is awesome, thanks.
I entered the challenge with an art journal page about home being my optimistic ending to a difficult day.

Edwina said...

Optimism is in the future of a flower blooming, a new born baby, or even the beginning of a journey, the start of a ne life in any way. Without Optimism we would do nothing. Optimism encourages us to try new things and to keep going. Edwina Brown

Donna Ellis said...

Wow! Your creations, designers, are fabulous! Love that little swinging woman image - I must have that! I am especially grateful for your theme this month, and thought about it as I created my card. Sometimes I've been made fun of for being too "Polyanna" in attitude. Makes me sad that people do not understand the Beauty of Optimism. Under my 2nd photo, I've written a blurb and link back to the POP challenge. Thanks for inspiring me yet again (love how we can all do that for one another!) Now to visit the other participant's blogs. hugs, de

nwilliams6 said...

What an inspiring challenge - just found it this week when Charlene told a group of us she had been selected for the top 7 in the last challenge. I love this concept! Yay for you and the DT trying to add more positivity to the world. Love this weeks challenge theme - Optimism. I put in my post what it means to me and how my creation and sentiment reflect it, but I totally agree with Donna on how sad it is that people don't try to live their lives with an optimistic attitude - they are missing so much fun and joy. Hugz to all of you and thanks for doing this - Nancy.

Jenn Borjeson said...

What a great challenge! The quote on my card is what I found to be optimistic - "peace" is my thing, I have always signed my cards & letters with it and recently got it tattooed on my wrist. :) I believe the world would be a better place if more people believed in peace. I hope you like my optimistic creation!

ellyscard creatief said...

I am here for the first time and I hope I understand the challenge well.
I added a Psalm inside off the card.
Gr Elly

Pat said...

After having a profound moment of Optimism regarding my teen daughter yesterday, I just had to create a mixed media canvas to share my optimism with other bloggers. So of course I had to enter it into the challenge at the very last minute!! My daughter's story of anxiety disorder and her recent triumph may give someone who is suffering from anxiety a little hope that there is help for anyone and everyone, and to never give up.