Monday, June 24, 2013

Challenge #3--Last Week to Submit Entries

Hi all!  It is the final week for submitting an entry into challenge #3 over here on the Path of Positivity.

My path over the past two weeks has had an inconvenient turn with a few obstacles thrown in the way but I am finally starting to get back on track.  It will just take a bit more time.  For those of you who don't follow my personal blog, I had a corrupt file in my main hard drive which caused the downfall of my entire system.  I lost three days on my computer so it could be wiped and rebuilt.  However, while extremely inconvenient it is just that--an inconvenience.  Things could have been so much worse.  Now it is just a matter of finding time to get everything back on track.

Unfortunately, this means that I didn't get a chance to choose a winner yet from challenge #2 nor create a project using a digi from our wonderful Creative Bug Designs sponsor.  I know she will forgive me as her own life is fraught with twists and turns.  It is all about having the strength to pick up and move on when we are confronted with obstacles in our way.  This could be another reason I chose 'strength' as this month's challenge theme.  Maybe my subconscious knew the challenges I would face this month and wanted me to keep drawing on the concept of strength to help me get through.  One never knows...

Anyways, while I didn't have the opportunity to create anything new to inspire you, my dear friend Ike, who will be coming on the DT in the fall and who is also one of the challenge's amazing sponsors, did have a little extra time on her hands and created this lovely project...
 Oh my goodness.  How true is this statement?!  Life certainly does present us with a number of challenges.  Unfortunately, some people must endure more than their fair share for some reason.  However, if we don't let life just take control and barrel right over us, we have the opportunity to grow, become stronger and more resilient, by meeting the challenges we face head on.

You can find out the details of Ike's inspirational piece by visiting her over on her blog, Ike's World.

Now this week, while visiting with one of our lovely entrants, Donna from Creative Smiles, I was inspired to create my regular 'Motivational Monday' post that I put out on my personal blog.  My post today also deals with the concept of strength and I have created a brand new sentiment for the following quote:
 “Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution”  ~Kahlil Gibran
 If you would like to read this post and/or are interested in downloading this sentiment, please visit me by clicking HERE.

I am happy that the number of entries we have for challenge #3 have picked up a bit.  You still have until Sunday at 11:59 pm to participate so I hope that I will see a few more of your lovely creations showing what strength means to you.  Just a reminder though, when you do enter, please leave a comment letting me know how your project relates to the concept of strength if it isn't readily clear within the design itself or somewhere else in your post.  This past week there have been five entries where I have had to seek clarification.  Remember, the project must be positive/inspirational/motivational AND adhere to the theme of strength in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes.  While you may easily see how strength relates to your creation, it may not be as apparent to me or the other DT members (who you will be meeting very soon).  That is why we ask that you leave us a comment.  This way it clears up any ambiguity that may exist.

I am hoping to get the winners post for challenge #2 completed later this week.  Thank you for your understanding and continued support.  I told you all there would be growing pains and this past couple weeks has definitely reflected that.

Have a wonderful week everyone.  Whether the task is easy or the challenge difficult, may you continue to draw on the strength you need to get through each and every one of them.





Monday, June 10, 2013

Challenge #3 Week Two Offering

Hello everyone.  It is week two of our current challenge here on the Path of Positivity.  So far we have only had three people enter.  I really hope that adding a theme isn't making things too tough for all of you.

Today I have some more inspiration to share with you.  This time I have created a card using an image from another of our fabulous sponsors.  This time up I am showcasing Ike's Art.


Hi there – I am Ike……a nickname that I got hooked with many years ago due to my surname, and in my profession at that time, …… they just loved  to give nicknames.  I live in Greece and have a passion for kitties.  I am a complete nutter or should I say I’m ‘zany’ hahaha.  I have a very strange/sick sense of humour and I must admit I spend a lot of time talking to myself. !!  Well, I get more sense out of me.!  I reckon in a few years I shall be known as the “crazy cat lady” .


I am an artist and have a strange mind when it comes to creating my art. I either go completely true to life… right down to the last hair… or I go totally surreal.   I have a passion for all things horror/Gothic etc. I’ve always loved horror films and books and I guess that’s why it creeps into my stuff !  Had I been a bit younger I swear I would have been a Goth……luuuuuv it.  Next time around I am gonna be a witch or a cat.


I started my Blog a couple of years ago and although I love crafting, my real passion is drawing, and now I just love making digital images.


My SHOP is Ike's Art found at www.ikesart.com
My Blog is Ike's World and is at http://suzy-ikesworld.blogspot.com
Exclusive designer for Smeared Ink  www.smearedink.com
Here is the card I created using Ike's incredible image called 'Awareness'.  If you are interested in purchasing this image please contact Ike through one of the links mentioned above.



If you are interested in learning about any of the details regarding my project you can find them on my personal blog by going HERE.

Here is an awesome tag that Ike herself created using this digi...


If you are having problems kick starting your motivation, I have another quote for you...
"Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.  Let the challenges make you strong."  Author Unknown 
It is one I created when I first started the challenge back in April.  If you are interested in downloading it, you can find it on my personal blog by clicking HERE.

I really hope that more of you will have the opportunity to join in the challenge over the next three weeks.  I can't wait to see what you create.  You can enter the latest challenge by clicking HERE and scrolling to the bottom of the post.  You won't want to miss the opportunity to win the wonderful goodies up for grab from our fabulous sponsors.  In addition to Ike's Art, listed above, we also have images from the following generous sponsors:


 
 









That is me and I'd love for you to visit me
on my personal blog.


Also just a reminder that voting has now closed or challenge #2.  Stay tuned to learn who the winners are in an upcoming post.

Don't forget, if you ever have any questions be sure to EMAIL ME or just leave me a comment.


Show us your vision of strength.  We look forward to seeing you participate! 




Monday, June 03, 2013

Challenge #3--Strength: June 3 - June 30, 2013

I can't believe that it is already time for a new challenge.

As I mentioned in the Winner's Post last week, I've made a few changes to the challenge to make things a little more efficient.  I've updated the Challenge Details tab with this information but am including it here again for those of you who have already been participating with us and may not think to check this information since it has only been a couple months since the challenge began.

THEMES
First off, I have decided to implement the concept of themes into each monthly challenge, starting right now with the month of June.  Since this isn't your typical challenge blog, they won't be your typical themes either.  Themes for future months for either project or post MAY include ideas such as:

  • encouragement
  • motivation
  • happiness
  • kindness
  • dreams
  • love
  • friendship
Many different types of projects or cards can be created within the themes.  While at first it may take you a little while to come up with a concept that applies, it certainly won't be impossible.  Stretching your mind is an important process of growth including creative growth.  Each  theme will most certainly get you thinking outside the box and definitely 'challenge' your artistic muscles.

For this month the theme will be STRENGTH.  There will be lots of different ways to approach this theme and I am anxious to see what all of you come up with.  Throughout the month, it is my goal to provide you with a couple of different projects to help inspire you.  This week I have chosen to create a card using an image from this month's Guest Sponsor, Scribbles Designs.



Looking for a unique image or sentiment? Well then! Head on over to Scribbles Designs and check out Sandy's world of her funky imagination and quirky characters. Sandy has loved art, drawing, water coloring and doodling for many years... and with the digital image world she can now share it with all of you. Brrr (Penguin) was her first main character and her other quirky images followed not long after. We hope you enjoy the endearing images available in the store and add Sandy's images to your digital stamp collections.
Here is my card...


I used the fabulous image called Valentine Brrr-loon which you can find in the Scribbles Design Store HERE.  If you are interested in learning about any of the details regarding my project you can find them on my personal blog, by going HERE.

VOTING CHANGES
There are also some changes regarding the voting process.  For the first two challenges, voting was open to allow you the opportunity to choose your favourite from the entire group of entrants.  However, starting this month, that will change.  After some careful consideration, I believe that as the challenge grows, people will not have the time to visit all the blogs listed and unless something catches a person's eye, some really great inspirational posts or projects may get overlooked.  Therefore, once the June challenge is over, the top seven entries will be chosen by myself for the month of June and hopefully by the entire Design Team (once it has been established) each month afterwards.  You will then have the opportunity to vote for your favourite among the seven posts or projects posted.  I hope that these changes will make for a better voting experience.  So once again, there will be overlap between choosing the winners from one challenge to the start of the next.  Hopefully, you will pick up the swing of things in no time at all.  As always, you only have one opportunity to vote so use it wisely after considering all the creations listed.

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 June 3rd to June 30th.
  • Link up your inspirational post below using Inlinkz. You will be able to submit your link up to 11:59 p.m. on June 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 it is not obvious. 
  • 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 Scribbles 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 Scribbles 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.


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


Now if you are unfamilar with the sentiments I offer, I often present them in a couple different options.  The first above is the whole quote together, and the second option is as two separate pieces so that you have the choice of splitting up the quote and using part of it on the front of a card and the remainder inside.




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

Now the font sizes remain consistent for all versions although sometimes when I upload them and make them smaller over here the front and inside pieces may look like different sizes.  The other thing that you will notice is 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.

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: