Ch. #140--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of: Crafting by the Numbers—2nd Quarter: Use 4 Spring Papers/Cardstocks

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. If you celebrated, we hope that you had a lovely Easter weekend!

 

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 #140

Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of 

Crafting by the Numbers—

2nd Quarter: Use 4 Spring 

Papers/Cardstocks

 

The Path of Positivity turns 13 this year! While the number 13 has long carried a reputation for being unlucky, we’re choosing to embrace it as a symbol of growth, perseverance, and creative courage. After all, 13 years of inspiration, kindness, and community feels pretty lucky to us. Since this year marks an important number for us, we've decided that NUMBERS should be the overall focus in our theme for 2026 (click here if you'd like to read more in depth about our overall theme for 2026)!

Throughout the year, our monthly card challenges will be inspired by specific numbers. Whether numbers speak to you mathematically, symbolically, spiritually, or simply as a design prompt, we hope this theme invites you to think a little differently, stretch your imagination, and—most of all—have fun. Let’s make this a year where numbers truly count. As we are entering the fourth month, it is time to discuss the number four.

 

The number four carries a depth of symbolism, showing up consistently across cultural, philosophical, and spiritual traditions. At its core, it represents structure, stability, and a strong foundation. These ideas shape both nature and human thinking, as seen in early philosophy, especially in ancient Greece, where earth, air, fire, and water were regarded as the basic elements of nature. Similarly, the four cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—help create a way to understand direction and balance.

 

The meaning of four also relates to time and natural cycles. The division of the year into four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) exhibits the measured advancement of time, promoting both change and continuity. Across various traditions, similar patterns can be seen in other ways of understanding the world. Whether it is in the four phases of the moon (New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last/Third Quarter), the four humours of medieval medicine (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), or the four ages of human life described in various Indigenous philosophies such as those of the Sioux (infancy, youth, adulthood, elderhood). Even in religious and ethical systems, this pattern endures. Classical Christian thought identifies four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) each contributing to a balanced and moral life, while biblical symbolism often uses four to represent the completeness of creation and God’s ordered world.

In numerology, four is associated with dependability, discipline, and productivity. It mirrors qualities such as patience, trustworthiness, and a respect for tradition—all traits that support long-term growth and stability. Repeating sequences like 44 or 444 are often interpreted as messages of reassurance, suggesting that one is supported and guided in building a secure future. However, like many symbols, the number four is not without complexity. In some cultures, particularly in China, it is connected to death because of similar sounds, showing how meanings can vary between cultures.

Even with these differences, the idea of four still represents structure and balance. It shows up in everyday life in simple but important ways—from the corners of a room to the structures that support buildings and ideas. Creatively, this makes it an ideal foundation for designs or concepts that aim to feel grounded, organized, and harmonious. Whether seen in seasons, balanced layouts, or structured designs, four creates stability while allowing growth within a clear form.

As you can see, the number four often represents structure, stability, and strong foundations. As we move into the second quarter of the year, we’re grounding our creativity in spring by using four seasonal papers or cardstocks. Think fresh colours, blooming patterns, and designs that feel rooted and renewed.

Here are some ideas that you can mix and match to come up with your four papers.

Start off with a statement paper. You could try:

• Bold floral prints such as peonies, tulips, daisies or cherry blossoms.
• Hand-painted or illustrated garden patterns.
• Vintage botanical prints.

Include something that feels rooted and natural, such as:

• Kraft paper or warm tan cardstock.
• Woodgrain textures or bark-inspired patterns.
• Speckled or recycled paper with visible fibres.
• Muted terracotta, clay, or soft brown tones.

You could add papers that set the tone for the awakening of spring. For example:

• Pale greens, mint, or soft sage cardstock.
• Subtle watercolour washes or ombré fades.
• Light linen or textured papers.
• Patterns with tiny sprigs, new leaves, or delicate vines.

Finally, add a paper to bring in the playful, uplifting side of spring. These could include:

• Soft pastels--butter yellow, blush pink, sky blue, lavender.
• Polka dots, gingham, or simple geometric repeats.
• Butterflies, bees, or whimsical seasonal motifs.
• Subtle shimmer, vellum overlays, or translucent papers for lightness.

 

These are just some examples of the types of papers/cardstock that you could employ. Just remember that even though you’re using four distinct papers, be sure to keep at least one element consistent—like a shared colour palette, similar scale of patterns, or a repeated accent colour. 

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.

 

References

Astratarot (n.d.) Meaning of Number 4 in Numerology. Available at: https://astratarot.net/pages/guides/meaning-of-number-4-in-numerology (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

BibleStudy.org (n.d.) Meaning of numbers in the Bible: 4. Available at: https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/4.html (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

Centre of Excellence (2024) Number 4 in Numerology: Strengths, Weaknesses & Spiritual Insights. Available at: https://www.centreofexcellence.com/4-in-numerology/ (Accessed: 4 April 2026). 

Encyclopaedia Britannica (n.d.) The number four. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/the-number-four (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

Geo-Numerology (n.d.) The number 4: numerology, geometry and psychology. Available at: https://geo-numerology.com/anatomy-of-the-number-4 (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

NASA (n.d.) Moon phases. Available at: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/moon-phases/  (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

Patreon (n.d.) Power spiritual… Available at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/power-spiritual-121307886  (Accessed: 4 April 2026).
Revemelu (n.d.) Symbolism of the number 4. Available at: https://revemelu.com/symbolism-of-the-number-4/ (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

SAY Magazine (n.d.) The seven lessons of the medicine wheel. Available at: https://saymag.com/the-seven-lessons-of-the-medicine-wheel/ (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

Symbolopedia (2024) Symbolism & Meaning of Four (4). Available at: https://symbolopedia.com/symbolism-meaning-of-four-4/ (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

UEF Foundation (n.d.) Groupings of Four in World Beliefs. Available at: https://www.uef.org/lessons/article-groupings-of-four/ (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

Wicked Witch’s Web (n.d.) The Numerological Significance of Four. Available at: https://www.wickedwitchsweb.com/the-numerological-significance-of-four (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

Wikipedia (n.d.) Humorism. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism  (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

World Numerology (n.d.) Numerology meaning of 4. Available at: https://www.worldnumerology.com/numerology-single-digit-numbers/numerology-meaning-of-4/  (Accessed: 4 April 2026).

 

Chat GPT was used to help me polish some elements of writing, to come up with some examples of paper ideas and to also format my references. 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

My incredible design team never fails to impress me. Each member brings a distinct perspective and a keen understanding of the theme. Even now, I am continually amazed by the depth of talent reflected in their creations. Each of these imaginative pieces has beautifully embodied the idea of Crafting by Numbers—2nd Quarter: Use 4 Spring Papers/Cardstocks, and I hope they have encouraged you to begin your own creative journey.

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 are you influenced by numbers? Do you rely on any spiritual or cultural interpretations to help you process the various ways that number influence your life? As it is now April, we are up to number FOUR in our Crafting by Numbers journey. As such, this month it is time to add four spring themed patterned papers or cardstocks to your creation. 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 #139. Then, be sure to join us again on April 20th 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!

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. #140--Anything Goes POSITIVE with the Opt. Twist of Crafting by the Numbers— 2nd Quarter: Use 4 Spring Papers/Cardstocks
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 6th until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on May 3rd, 2026. 

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.