Challenge #19 Top Picks: Voting Open November 10th to November 17th, 2014

Welcome to the Challenge #19 PoP ToP!

Sorry that this post is being published a bit later than usual tonight.  I had a dental appointment late this afternoon and didn't get home until just a few minutes ago.  Since I need to be here to add the links for voting, I couldn't publish until now.

As we only had 11 participants enter, we will once again be opening things up so that all entrants in Challenge #19, have the opportunity to be chosen as the Voter's Choice.  However, while we may not have enough participants to have a top seven, we certainly have enough to have a top three.  Therefore, it is time to get on with showcasing the three projects that the team feels were the best of the bunch.

Without further ado, please let me introduce you to the Top Picks for Challenge #19 (in no particular order)...

 

Congrats Ladies...

As a participant who has been chosen as a Top Pick, each of you is entitled to a special Top Pick badge. Please send an email to popwinners {at} gmail {dot} com, or by clicking HERE to bring up the address in your email program, with the subject "Challenge #19 Top Pick" and I'll email your badge to you.  Please note that it may take me several days to get back to you, so I really appreciate your patience.

Now as I mentioned, each of the participant's who entered Challenge #19 is eligible to have their project and/or post voted on.  Here is a list of everyone who entered.  Each of the entrant's names is linked up to their blog post (order is reflective of how they entered the challenge and nothing else).

Peggy T. 

Samara #1 

Mimi 

Julie O. #1 

D~ Designs by Dragonfly #1 

 D~ Designs by Dragonfly #2 

Gloria S. 

Edwina B. 

 Julie O. #2 

Samara #2 

Samara #3 

EDIT:  Unfortunately, within the last 24 hours, Samara's blog, http://penumbrahallows.blogspot.com/, has been changed so that you can only visit if you have been invited as a reader.  Therefore, I am unable to access the blog in order to link up a picture of each of her three creations.  Therefore, regrettably, I can not include her in the list to be voted on. 

Have Your Say!

Now the really hard work starts.  It is time for you, our readers, to vote for your favourite entry.  Which participant most inspires you?  Remember, you are not necessarily voting on a creation that was made.  You might simply find what the person had to say in their post to be inspiring and optimistic and in line with the concept of courage.  Some of our participants had some great things to say on how their project connected to the theme. Therefore, please be sure to go and check out the entries first and not just make your choices off of the thumbnails.  You can also check out comments left by entrants on the Challenge #19 start post by clicking HERE and scrolling down to the bottom.  Once you have checked all the entries out,  let us know who your favourite choice is by placing your vote below using the Inlinkz feature.

Voting open for 7 days:
 November 10th to November 17th

Come have your say in determining the Voter's Choice for Challenge #19!  Don't forget to leave a comment after you have voted.  There will be a prize for one lucky voter who leaves a comment (chosen randomly).  If you haven't had the opportunity to visit each of the entries already, please go and check them out a little more closely before placing your vote.  Once you have made your decision, why not go back and let them know how they inspired you.

Good luck everyone!

Important Note:

Please note that in order for this to work, I must add all the entries but I can only do this AFTER I have published this post.  So there will be some overlap time between when this post is published and when you will be able to vote.  Once I have uploaded the entries there will be a total of eleven eight images below on which to vote.  As soon as all eleven eight are uploaded, I'll enable voting to begin. If there are less than eleven eight, it means that I am still in the process of adding the images and you should come back in a little while to make your vote.  Thank you for your patience!

Link Up Below:

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #20--GRATITUDE: November 3 - November 30, 2014

It is the first Monday in November and that means it is time for the next challenge to start.  This time around, for Challenge #20 the theme is "GRATITUDE".  Show us your interpretation of what gratitude 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.

Whether it is something big or small, we all have things for which we can be thankful for.  Be sure to give your thanks each and every day.  Why not create a card or project for someone showing your gratitude for something he or she has done and then share it with us.

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 gratitude 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 gratitude in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes.  While you may easily see how gratitude 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.

This month's sponsor...

 Once again I am pleased to have with us... 

South African crafters are new to the digital stamping world, with the first South African online digital image store launched in 2010 – Digistamps4Joy (or DS4J) http://www.digistamps4joy. co.za/eshop/ (clicking on the logo will take you to the store as well) .  In May 2012, Margy Kieser took over ownership of DS4J, and there are now two South African artists who contribute to the more than 600 images available. Margy has taken the store to new heights and the store now stocks digis that are cute, whimsical, artistic, sometimes serious, and sometimes humorous. The store has PAYPAL and EFT (South African) facilities.  Digistamps4Joy offers a monthly freebie on the first Friday of every month, and holds regular bi-weekly card challenges on our BLOG (http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com) that draws entries from all over the world. We are also active on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DS4Joy) and Paper Craft Planet (http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/digistamps4joy).

The design team got the opportunity to work with one of the following two images this month.   First up we have the precious Owl Always Love You ...

There is great gratitude to be had when you have someone special in your life.  Be sure to be thankful for the many people that surround you.

 Several of the DT also got to work with the image called Lillies for You...

Another expression of gratitude is to say thank you with a small gift.  I wonder what someone did to deserve these lovely lillies.

If you are interested in purchasing either of these sweet images, clicking on the watermarks will take you to their location in the DS4J store.

Now check out what my amazing design came up with 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 very pleased to have Gloria, from the DS4J design team, as our guest designer for the start of this challenge...

My name is Gloria and I started scrapbooking in July 2011 and card making in October 2011.  I created my first scrapbook as a way to heal after the passing of my father in 2009.  I worked as a nurse all of my life, first as an LPN, then as an RN, and raised 3 children, so I didn’t have time to express my creativity until 2011.  I was forced out of nursing due to my allergies to smells, which caused difficulty in breathing.  I joined Close To My Heart as a consultant in 2012 because I fell in love with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I love all the people I have met and friends I have made through my crafting.  I love being on the Digistamps4Joy Design Team and creating with this group.  It is very motivating and I have learned so much.  I feel very blessed to be the Guest Designer for Lisa’s Path Of Positivity Challenge.  My blog is  http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com.

Here is the pretty card she came up with...

Gloria used the pretty image called Reclining Fairy in her creation.  This sweet image could tell many stories.  In this particular card it is one of reflecting on the many blessings available to each of us.

I'm so thankful for the amazing design team and wonderful guests I have each month.  Each of their projects are such wonderful examples of gratitude.   Hopefully each creation will help their recipients' to contine to spread their gratitude outwards.

 
So what are you waiting for?  Create a project and/or post that is positive AND relates to gratitude, 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, November 10th when voting will start on the Top Picks for Challenge #19.

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

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:
© 2014, 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.

Font Information:

• Scriptina Pro font created by Cheap Pro Fonts
• Garineldo font created by gluk

Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  These fonts were listed for commercial use at the time of this creation.   It is my understanding, that I am within my rights to use these fonts in my creations and offer them to others for free.  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 November 3 - November 30, 2014.
• Link up your inspirational post below using Inlinkz. You will be able to submit your link up to 11:55 p.m. on November 30th.
• 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. 
• 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.  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. 
• For Challenge #20, prizes will be the following:
• A prize package of a $10 worth of images from digiStamps4Joy, our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
• Three digital images from Ike's Art for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital Stamps for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
• There will also  be:
• 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.

If you ever have any questions be sure to EMAIL ME or just leave me a comment.

We look forward to seeing you participate!

An InLinkz Link-up

Design Team Delights for Challenge #18

It is time for my Design Team to share their favourite entries for Challenge #18.  As always, in each challenge you, the readers, get to voice your opinion by voting for your favourite and so it is only fitting that my Design Team get to do so as well.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to join along our Path during the month of September for Challenge #18.  While it is always a difficult decision, each team member managed to find a particular entry that really caught their attention.  Take a look... 

Teresa--chosen by Pat and Vicky...

This is what Pat had to say:
"My DT Delight choice is Teresa's first entry.  Her determination to not only stay with her goal to learn to water color, but her courage to show blogland the attempts she dislikes, are an inspiration along my own path of positivity." 

Vicky had this to say:
"My DT Delight choice is also Teresa's first entry.  I'm in awe that she kept at the painting until it satisfied her!  It's inspiring to see someone do that and manage so well instead of either giving up or being satisfied with something that they are not totally happy with!"

To see the details of Teresa's creation and read more of what she had to say click HERE.

Gloria--chosen by Suze...

 Here is what Suze had to say:
"My DT Delight choice is Gloria.  I love how the butterflies are coming off the side of the card.  The colour scheme is beautiful and the sentiment is perfect for this card." 

To see the details of  Gloria's creation and read more of what she had to say, click HERE.

Jo Ann--chosen by Desíre...

Here is what Desíre had to say:
"My DT Delight choice is Jo Ann.  Not only is her card just beautiful and so true to her unique creative style, she also had this to say:"

"In life, we must be determined to stand by God's Word for in it comes great promises and rewards both now and forever for those whose trust is  in Christ."

To see the details of Jo Ann's creation and read more of what she had to say, click HERE.

Paula-Kay--chosen by Monica...

Here is what Monica had to say:
 "My DT Delight choice is Paula-Kay.  I love black and white cards and the added silhouette image was a perfect fit to this very elegant card."

 To see the details of Paula-Kay's creation and read more of what she had to say, click HERE.

Stacy--chosen by Vicky, Lynda and Sandy...

Lynda had this to say:
"My DT Delight choice is Stacy.  Her positive attitude in the face of a recent medical diagnosis and determination to do as much every day as she can; even if she has to "crawl or waddle".

Sandy said this:
"My DT Delight choice is also Stacy.  Her bright colors and fabulous layouts. and her determination to live with, battle and continue on with determination with her medical diagnosis is so admired."

To see the details of Stacy's creation and read more of what she had to say, click HERE.

 Lisa's choices (that's me)...

Okay, so today I'm going to do something I've never done before.  I'm picking two people because I just couldn't make a decision as to which one was my favourite.  Hey, I'm the boss, it's my perogative. ;)

First up, is the reflection and creation from Create With Joy.  She made this particular card for a friend who has faced adversity with courage and determination and come out the other side to carry on with her life.  Her words really resonated with me:

"Rough patches… we all face them. When we’re in the midst of them, it takes wisdom to determine the best way through.  Sometimes, it’s best to hold our ground and face them head on. Other times, our best choice is to gather our resources and to move on."

There is definite wisdom in this statement.  It is all fine and well to be determined to accomplish a certain goal or task or deal with a difficulty but there are also situations where it is best to make the decision that it might be time to move on and head down a different pathway.  It doesn't make a person any less determined if they have to give up on one particular route.  It shows great discernment to be able to realize that sometimes, it is just better to find a different direction to head in.

 To see the details of Create with Joy's creation and read more of what she had to say, click HERE.

Then there was the reflection and creation from Annie.  For those of you who don't know Annie, she has been taking care of her father who is almost 102.  While she finally had to relocate him into a nursing home, she takes time almost every day to be with him.  He has encountered many health issues and they almost lost him again recently.  This card was created for Father's Day for him.  I was moved by both it and the amount of determination that Annie went through to nurse her father through this last health scare battle and of course her father's determination to hold on.  In this case, it clearly seems that the trait of determination is one passed down from a father to his daughter. 

To see the details of Annie's creation and read more of what she had to say, click HERE.

Creative Congratulations to all of you!

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

For our DT Delights chosen for this challenge... 

Teresa, Gloria, Jo Ann, Paula-Kay, Stacy, Create with Joy and Annie

  You are all entitled to one image of your choice from our on-going sponsor...

Please head to the Creative Bug Digital SnapShots store:  http://creativebugdigis.com.  Scroll down a little bit and you'll see a brown banner on the left hand side that says, "looking for digis".  There will be a Polaroid image right underneath it that says SnapShots (Digital Images).  Click on this.  You'll be taken to a page that lists all the categories of images available for you to choose from.  If you need to see the image a bit closer, just right click and choose 'view image'.  Once you've made your decision, please send me the name of the one image you want and let me know which section it came from.

Additionally, you are entitled to the special Challenge #18 DT Delight Badge. To claim both your digi and the badge, send your requests to popwinners {at} gmail {dot} com (be sure to replace at and dot with the appropriate symbols) or by clicking HERE to bring the address up in your email program, with the subject, "PoP#18--DT Delight Badge and Digi Request".   I'm always running a bit behind these days, so your patience is appreciated.

Our special yearly prize package will also still be taking place.  Remember, if you are chosen as a DT Delight during any of our challenges, your name will be entered into a draw for some digital goodies.  You get one entry per choice; so, if two members picked your card, you will earn 2 entries, three members 3 entries, etc.  The winner at the time will be notified by email.   The next draw will occur sometime in the summer of 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope to see you again on Monday when we will be back with the start of Challenge #20.  We hope that you will join us then to learn what the newest theme will be.

Until then, have a blessed week!