Introducing Our Latest New DT Member

Hello all!  I hope that your Path has been a good one this past week.  Mine was a bit rough but I've made it through to the other side.  

You may have noticed that there was a new name listed among the Design Team features in the Challenge #31 post.  Well that is because, I have been very fortunate to procure a wonderful new designer for the team.  She was our GDT in the month of September and some of you may recognize her name from being a past Top Pick and also a past Voter's Choice AND a past Most Inspirational Winner.

Yup, I have been lucky enough to be able to get Katrina Brown from Scrappy Horses as our latest DT member!  Having recently lost two members, it was the perfect time to bring someone new on board.  Katrina has a wonderfully optimistic perspective on things and a wonderful way with words as well.  Of course, her design skills are excellent as well so we are very happy and blessed with our fortune!  Let's get to know her a bit, shall we?

I am so excited to be a designer here at Path of Positivity ! I only recently happened upon this site, but I have truly enjoyed the posts and the creativity here. I love the idea of posting projects following such uplifting themes and it gives me an opportunity to share some stories and stretch my writing skills! In my spare time, I enjoy watching crafting videos and making scrapbooking layouts, cards, mixed medium projects, sewing, home decor, etc. My scrapping photos come from my “real life” as a mother of two grown children, therapeutic horsemanship instructor of several beautiful kids, and a nana of a lovely little girl named Lucy! I am blessed with a supportive husband of almost 30 years. I work as a freelance oboist and private instructor as well as in the therapeutic horsemanship field. I adore my family, friends, photography, horses, music, and paper! When I can combine two or more from that list, I’m ecstatic! My favs: periwinkle, bread, ice cream, coffee, flip flops, jeans, Brahms, Donny Osmond, and a day without a clock———you can fill in the categories!

Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity!

I hope that you will join me in welcoming Katrina to the team.  To visit her, just click on her blog badge or name above. 

Please join us again tomorrow to find out the top picks from our latest challenge.

May your days be filled with warmth and love as you travel down life's path!

Design Team Changes

Hello everyone.  I hope that your Path this week has been a positive one. Tonight I am popping in to share with you some changes that are happening to our Design Team.

First off, we are sadly saying goodbye to two incredible designers:  Vicky, from Crafting Vicky, who has been by my side since the inception of the Path of Positivity and Penny, from 9 Hawks and a Dragonfly, who joined us last November.  Both of these ladies have decided that it is time to move on to new adventures in their lives.  Each of these women has brought something incredibly special to the team and I consider myself very blessed to have had them both.  Each of their positive attitudes and wonderful design abilities will certainly be missed around here! 

Thankfully, fate has stepped in and brought a new person to our doorstep as Julie O. from Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers will be joining us.  I have been trying to woo her for the last year and as luck would have it, her schedule cleared enough to allow her to finally join us.  I'm so very pleased to have this wonderful woman join us.  Her positive attitude and beautiful design skills will be a definite asset to the team.  Let's get to know her a bit, shall we?

My name is Julie Odil, and I am thrilled to be designing for the Path of Positivity Challenge blog.  What an honor!  I just love this challenge blog and the philosophy behind it and it brings me great joy to be here!

I’ve always been creative – I play many instruments, like to write, and have been crafty my whole life.  I began scrapbooking about 8 years ago and cardmaking about 4 years ago, but things really took off when I began my blog about 2 1/2 years ago.  It was a life changing experience.  I can’t believe how much fun I’ve had and how many friends I’ve made through my blog. I’d love it if you’d stop by for a visit!

Please join me in wishing Vicky and Penny the best as each of these wonderful ladies continues down a new path in life.  I also hope that you will join me in welcoming Julie to the team. You will get to see one of Julie's wonderful creations tomorrow as she officially comes on board for our next challenge which begins Monday evening.  To visit Julie beforehand, just click on her blog badge or name above.  Please note that Julie was unfortunately the recent victim of a hacker.  As she was unsure that she'd gain access to her old blog, she started a new one.  The links above head to the new blog.  However, she has managed to finally gain access to the old blog and will be trying to transition back over there.  So, just in case you want to start following Julie, be sure to sign up over on her old blog which you can find by clicking HERE.

Please join us again tomorrow to find out the theme for our newest challenge.

May your days be filled with adventure and insight as you travel down life's path!

Upcoming Design Team Changes

Good evening all.  I hope that your Path this week has been a very positive one indeed.  Tonight I am here to tell you about a couple of upcoming changes that are happening in our Design Team.

Sadly, November will be the last month for Lynda from Positive Force.  She has decided to leave us and use the time to focus on her family.  I've truly been lucky to have this incredible woman on my team since February.  Lynda's positive attitude and wonderful design ability will definitely be missed around here! 

Now Lynda's departure does not mean that we are going to be a member down.  As fate would have it, I have been able to entice the wonderful Penny, from 9 Hawks and a Dragonfly to join the team.  I'm so thrilled to have this amazing woman join us.  Not only is she an incredible card maker but she is also a wonderful writer.  I look forward to the unique perspective that Penny will bring.  Let's get to know her a bit, shall we?

I have been married to my best friend, Gary, since 1970. I am a mother to Angela, a mother-outlaw to Jon, a grandma to Kelsey and Brynn, and a sister to Barbara, Merrilyn, and Larry. I am owned by a Maltese, Donovan. My favorite pastime is snorkeling, (but I live in the desert, go figure). I love coloring with Copics, making cards, reading, dining out, dancing, swimming in the ocean, taking photos, and vacations in Hawaii.

Please join me in wishing Lynda the best as she continues down a different path.  I also hope that you will join me in welcoming Penny to the team. You will get to see one of Penny's wonderful creations in just two short days as she officially comes on board for our next challenge which begins Monday.   To visit Penny beforehand, just click on her blog badge or name above.

I also hope you will come back tomorrow to check out the latest 'DT Delights' post, where the DT has a say in choosing their favourite entry from Challenge #18.

May your days be filled with sunshine and warmth whether the sun is out or not!

..And then there were two more!

Hello everyone.  I have some exciting news to share with you all.  This little team of mine is growing again as we celebrate the addition of two more people to the Path of Positivity family.  Please help me in welcoming...
 

Hi my name is Monica and was born and raised in San Diego, California. I currently live I Phoenix Arizona with my husband of 21 years, my 17 year old son and 2 Dachshund dogs. I have always been crafty and have at least tried most every type of crafting. I got into scrapbooking when my son was born and switched over to card making about 3 years ago. I started blogging about 6 months ago when I found the on line challenges and have become addicted ever since. I have met some amazing people and am inspired daily by the talents of the blogging community.

AND 

My name is Lynda Lindley and I have been crafting for over twenty years; starting out first stamping and then expanding into all areas of paper crafting. I live in Washington state with my husband, two daughters and one crazy smart girl dog. A self proclaimed challenge junkie, I do not feel grounded unless I am creating something. When I am not coloring, stamping, painting, knitting, or scrapbooking, I can often be seen with inky fingers volunteering at my daughter’s school in the library and teaching art in the classrooms. You can find me online at http://positive-force.blogspot.com/.

Both of these ladies have had stints over here as Guest Designers but now I am happy to say that they have decided to both join us long term.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  Please join me in welcoming both Monica and Lynda to the team. You will get to see one of their inspirational creations in just a few short days as they officially come on board for challenge #11 which begins Monday.   To visit either of these lovely ladies beforehand, just click on their blog badges above.

 

I also hope you will join me on Sunday for our next 'DT Delights' post, where the DT has a say in choosing their favourite entry from Challenge #9.

Until then,

 

New Year...New Changes

It is a new year and changes are something that always seem to walk hand in hand as one year unfolds into the next.  It is no different over here on the Path of Positivity this year.

It is time to say goodbye to another of our team.  Samara Navi from Fairy Tale Fountain who joined us back at the beginning of August has decided it is time to move on to other adventures.   Samara's positive attitude and insightful introspection will be sorely missed around here, I can tell you that!  Please join me in wishing Samara the absolute best as she continues down life's pathway. 

Now Samara's departure does not mean that we are going to be a member down.  As it turns out, the same time that Samara was contemplating leaving, another was hoping to join our little family when the time was right.  Well the time couldn't be any more right as I had been contemplating myself on how to best woo this particular individual to jump on board with us.  So, I am super pleased to announce that Pat, from Patacake Pages is now officially part of the Path of Positivity team.  Look at all those P's?!  This a match made in alliteration heaven!   We are so lucky to have someone with Pat's unique perspective on life within our midst.  Let's get to know her a bit, shall we?

Hi, my name is Pat and I live on the outskirts of Chicago.  While I am a card maker at heart, I have fallen in love with mixed media art, and I support this habit by working as a secretary (and substitute teacher) at a private school.  There are five generations of crafters in my family, from my 6 year old granddaughter to my 103 year old gram, although she can’t see well enough to craft any more.  I told Lisa that if I hadn’t found her Path of Positivity Blog, I would have started one myself.  My attitude toward life mirrors her mission to offer inspiration and support for the soul one project or post at a time!

Now how is that for serendipity?!  Please join me in welcoming Pat to the team. You will get to see one of Pat's inspirational creations in just a few short days as she officially comes on board for challenge #10 which begins Monday.   To visit Pat beforehand, just click on her blog badge above.

Now there is just one more thing that I want to share with you all before I go.  I thought that this post would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you all to a new feature over here on the Path of Positivity.

As I indicate at the top of this blog, my goal over here is to create a space "designed to inspire, nurture and provide support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time".  One of my objectives for achieving this goal is of course providing a place for people to share their positivity inspired art, whether it be in the form of cards and other projects or simply their words.  It has been wonderful this past nine months finding so many people wanting to join in and do just that.  However, another objective of mine has always been to provide some motivational introspection on the themes we cover each month.  At first, I wasn't sure how this idea would be accepted since this is a challenge blog; however, it isn't your typical challenge blog so I had high hopes that people wouldn't be put off by my mutterings on our monthly themes.  Thus, I started to include a short introspection each month during our midway.  The feedback that I have received is so positive that I have decided to make this idea an ongoing feature.  I am happy to announce a new column called, "Ponderings Along the Pathway".  While I wish that I had the time to write for this feature regularly, I'm afraid that my schedule just doesn't allow for it; therefore, I am so pleased that Pat is able to step in and become a regular contributor to this new column.  Some other members of the DT may jump in occasionally as well.  You will get to read our very first Pondering later this month.  I hope you will all enjoy this new direction we will be adding to our Pathway.

 I also hope you will join me again on Sunday for our next 'DT Delights' post, where the DT has a say in choosing their favourite entry from Challenge #8.

May this new year bring new beginnings, new possibilities and new choices for each of you to pursue!

When one door closes...another opens

Hello everyone.  As promised, I'm back to tell you about a change to the current design team.

At the beginning of July I received a comment from someone new to the challenge blog.  They were so taken with the concept of what we are trying to achieve over here, that they asked to be considered for a position should I ever have a DT call.  I was extremely flattered but wasn't sure it was the right time to make any changes.  However, the world had other plans for me.

The very next day I received notice from one of my beloved members, that due to a change in her personal circumstances, she was no longer going to be able to continue her work on the team, as much as she wished she could.  So I am very saddened to say that Lisa M., the extremely talented artist from You Made Me Ink, and more importantly my dear friend, will no longer be joining us each challenge.  Her exuberance, unique take on things, humour and zest for life will be dearly missed.  However, given that she was one of my advisors as I set out on this journey, and an inaugural member of this team, she will always have a spot as an honourary team member, and if she ever has the opportunity to create for us, or even come back on a regular basis, she will always be welcome.

So as it turns out, it was rather serendipitous that Samara Navi, from  Romancing the Canvas took an interest in us.  After checking out her work, consulting with the team, and spending some time in correspondence with her, I realized that the world aligned in just the right way to bring her into our midst.  We are very lucky to have someone with Samara's talent, positive outlook, and vibrant personality join us on our journey.  So, without further ado, meet...

Hiya! I'm Samara. All soft a's. I'm a Bohemian - ummm - everything! A Hippie In Hiding. I have a memory like a fly, am head over heels passionate about my 3 kids and my new D-In-Love (daughter-in-law), am amazed by color, intensely dislike loud noises or strong smells, love burned food, love texture, rainbows, dogs, and our kitties, but most of all love the freedom to explore, to paint, to wander and to look for the Zen of...in every nook and cranny. Today, it is with "the Shadowside of Humanity." Tomorrow it will be with "?"

Please join me in wishing Lisa M. the best as she continues down a different path.  I also hope that you join me in welcoming Samara to the team. You will get to see one of Samara's inspirational creations in just two short days as she officially comes on board for challenge #5 which begins Monday.   To visit Samara beforehand, just click on her blog badge above.

I also hope you will come back tomorrow to see our first ever 'DT Delights' post, where the DT has a say in choosing their favourite entry from Challenge # 3.

May each day radiate sunshine and warmth whether the sun is in the sky or not!

Meet the Team!

Since there are a few more people you will be meeting tomorrow as the DT officially come on board for Challenge #4, it is time to get to know those individuals who will be providing you inspiration over here on the Path of Positivity.  So, I'd like you all to meet my wonderfully talented, incredible Design Team Members!

I'm an accountant working full time and a mother of 4 great kids. I have an amazing husband who understand that in order to keep my sanity through all this I need to craft ;) I live in Quebec, Canada, so a lot of my crafting is done with French sayings.

I have been crafting over 21 years and tried my hands at all kinds of techniques over the years. I started blogging in March of 2012 in order to join challenges. I became totally hooked!!!! I can't believe this world existed and I only found out about it then. I see blogging as a wonderful opportunity to improve my card making abilities.

I have realized that through the web I get to meet amazing people from all over the world and learn from them. I'm in awe of all the wonderful blogs that I see and I hope that one day my blog will be up to that level. I have had the opportunity to be on amazing team. What a pleasure to work with so many fabulous artists' digis!

Hello! My name is Suze and I live in New Zealand.

I have been card-making off and on for a number of years since a friend introduced me to rubber stamps although I now work mostly with digi stamps. My style is mainly CAS but I'm trying to learn new techniques. I first started blogging my cards in February 2012 so that I could enter some challenges. I initially started with mainly Christmas challenges to take the pressure off at the end of the year but have since found several others that have appealed to me. Since I live on the other side of the world, so many of the challenges are the opposite season to ours which certainly makes things interesting!

I've been artistic since I was "knee-high to a grasshopper" as my Mom would say and love interior design, color, zentangles, lettering, calligraphy, watercolor painting, digital images & design.  Many years working as an Interior & Kitchen Designer, and a waiting to break out artist; I love to share color, lettering and my quirky art & fun with everyone with blogs & online classes. I live in Kelowna, BC Canada, a vacation destination for beaches & summer sunshine, wine, skiing (both water & snow), golfing, hiking and boating with my awesome hubby Boyd.

My name is Naomi and I am a mom of 2 amazing boys. I am in love with motherhood and love life to the fullest (although you know we all have our days, wink wink) I started out as an avid scrapper (not the fightin’ kind) which led to designing cards then digital design. I took a Graphic/Web Development course along the way that enabled me to build an online store “Creative Bug Digital Images”. 

We all have our favorites to work with when we create and mine is without a doubt stamps, stamps and more stamps and my favorite tool would have to be the scoreboard with the embossing heat gun and embossing powders close behind.

I am a working mom and am quite the social butterfly and love to sing, play guitar and compose music but most of all I am a loyal friend, a little eccentric at times, sincere, honest and love love love to have fun!! Let’s just say that there is a lot of laughter in my home every day, it is beautiful and I truly believe life is what you make it for it is in the way we perceive every little thing.

If it's got texture, color, sticky, messy, and  fun to play with, then more times than not you'll find my hands in it!  I love taking anything and changing it into something else. I've been crafting for over 20 years with this this that and the other and usually at the kitchen table or in the garage.  I started blogging 3 years ago and
haven't looked back. The inspiration is endless and being here at The Path of Positivity is just another perfect example of that!  

{Doing  Life} in beautiful sunny South Africa. Loving wife for 28+ years. Keen Photographer. Avid Gardener. Energetic Hiker/Backpacker. Ad hoc Race Walker. Road Runner. Addicted to Spinning. Scrapaholic. Committed Scrapbook/Card Teacher. Founder/Manager Doing Life Online Shoppe www.doinglife.co.za . Bedazzled Beader. Card creator. Mosaic Enthusiast. PA/Secretary/Bookkeeper. Chocoholic. Right now I would love to be outdoors blending with nature. And last, but not least, addicted to Blogging where I have made such wonderful creative friends in cyber space.

In the fall you will meet Ike when she comes on as a full time member of the team...

Please join me in welcoming this amazing group.  Each of these lovely ladies would be happy to have you visit them.  Clicking on each of their badges will take you directly to their individual blogs.

I am so excited to be showing off their inspiring designs when Challenge #4 goes live tomorrow evening.  I hope you will all join me then to learn the details for the latest challenge and then find your way on to the Path of Positivity later this month!

May the sun always shine down on your path!