Monday, April 28, 2014

The People Have Spoken: Winners From Challenge #12

It is time to announce the winners from Challenge #12.  So, without further ado, here they are...


Drum roll, please....BBBbbbrrrrrrrrr pish

The people have spoken and their choice for Challenge #12 is once again....
Gloria, you have won your choice of ten images from Creative Bug Digital Stamps.
Gloria, you will also be getting a cool and awe inspiring personalized badge for your blog as the Voter's Choice for Challenge #12.
In the category of Most Inspiring, our winner is...
Shona, you have won your choice of three images from Ike's Art.
Shona, you will also be getting a lovely, one of a kind personalized badge for your blog as the Most Inspiring choice for Challenge #12.
The Random Winner for this challenge (chosen by Random.com), based on all eligible participants is:
Ange, you have won a prize package of a $7 gift certificate from Pickled Potpourri Designs, our guest sponsor during Challenge #12.

Ange, you will also be getting a neat and unique personalized badge for your blog as the Random Winner for Challenge #12.
We also have a prize available for a random voter who left a comment.

 The random winner for this challenge (chosen by Mini Web Tool), based on all eligible participants is:

Berina with her comment:
very difficult to decide!! all the projects are beautiful!!! Congrats to all the top 7!! I have cast my vote!!
Berina, you have won a selection of digital designer papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Big Congrats to...

Gloria, Shona, Ange & Berina

Please click HERE to send us an email with the subject, "WINNER PoP Challenge #12" to make arrangements to receive your prize and badge (where applicable).  Please note that it may take me a few days to get back to you.  Thank you for your patience. 
 
All entrant's in Challenge #12 are entitled to a special digital sentiment based on the theme for the upcoming challenge.  So, if you were one of the individuals who entered Challenge #12 and would like to receive a free sentiment based on the theme for Challenge #14, which starts Monday, May 5th, please click HERE to send us an email with the subject line, "PoP#12 Entrant Quote Request for #14".
 
You still have one week left to enter into this month's challenge on PEACE.  Click HERE for details.  If you haven't linked up already, I hope that you will consider coming over to play with us.  As always, we'd love to have you join our Path!
 
Don't forget to join us this Sunday for our DT Delights post.  Until then, 
 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Challenge #13--Midway Reflection & Voting Reminder

Hello everyone! We have reached the midway point of Challenge #13. The theme for this challenge is all about PEACE. Today I am going to share a little introspection with you all that I am also presenting on my own personal blog in my "Motivational Monday" feature.

PEACE IS POSSIBLE


Ah....peace.  There is nothing quite like it, is there?  Whether it is the peace that may surround you in the stillness of the day, or the calmness that infuses your heart as you look around and see how truly blessed you are, there is nothing quite like the feeling of peace.  Once you've experienced true peace, you tend to spend a lot of time trying to recapture the feeling.  If only we could carry it around with us twenty four hours a day, how much lighter we would all feel!  However, life just wants to jump in and interfere all the time to disturb that sense of calmness within us.  Trying to maintain peace and tranquillity while traversing busy and hectic lives is not an easy task and some may never achieve it fully but there are things you can do to help centre yourself and bring on a sense of calmness even if only for a short period of time.  Here are five ways to help you get started on bringing a sense of peace into your everyday life:

  • Unplug.  Try and unplug every chance you get.  Are you one of those people with a cell phone glued to your ear, always checking your Twitter feed, ensuring your email is clear and up to date while checking out everyone's updates on Facebook?  How about turning it all off for a little while.  When was the last time you put down your E-reader and picked up an actual book or flipped through a magazine?  Stepping away from the electrical hum of it all for a short period of time, really can be exhilarating and help to bring stillness back into your day.

  • De clutter and organize. Try to maintain a sense of order around you.  Doesn't it drive you crazy when you can't find anything you are looking for because you didn't put it back to its proper location in the first place?  It is difficult to remain peaceful if you are surrounded by chaos.  Of course finding the time you need to bring order to your area can be a challenge but it is worth it.  Try and spend a little time each day ensuring that your work or living area is neat and tidy.  Sadly, this is the one task that I personally need to work on the most.

  • Employ meditation or other relaxation techniques. Now while it might sound like a bit of a cliché, meditation is also helpful for bringing about a sense of peace into your daily life and you don't have to sit cross legged in some yoga pants chanting 'ohm' to achieve it--although there is nothing wrong with doing it that way either.  Just find a system that works for you.  For some it might be a guided meditation that they listen to on tape.   If you are really brave, simply try to empty your mind.  No, it isn't an easy task but every time a new thought tries to invade your head space, just take an imaginary chalk brush and wipe the new thoughts away.  For others, simply taking ten minutes to practice mindful breathing can do the trick.   Even counting can serve as a meditation.  Simply find a system that works for you and you'll reap more benefits than you can imagine.  One such benefit is that once your mind is calmer, you'll be able to see things with more clarity.  Spending even a short amount of time in stillness can help you achieve much more than trying to rush through your day at a frantic pace.  Give it a shot, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results.  However, if meditation just isn't right for you, find some other relaxation techniques to help you release tensions and recharge during the day.  It doesn't matter whether it is walking, yoga, deep breathing or some other activity that helps you to relax.  Just find something you like and stick with it.

  • Play some music.  It is incredible how easily we can be affected by music.  It can take us back in time or help to keep us present.  It can even send us forward to think about our future.  Hearing a certain song can go a long way to help alleviate stress, centre us and bring true joy into our day.  Make note of which songs help pacify your own soul and have them on standby to help you bring a sense of harmony to your life in more ways than one!

  • Slow down. Have you ever noticed that the more wound up you get, the faster you move?  It may sound silly but simply slowing down while walking, moving your body or even talking, can often times help you to start feeling less stressed.  Then try slowing down during other activities as well--driving, riding your bike, working at your desk, housework, etc.  Just as importantly, slow down while you are eating too.  Try to savour the moments and morsels of your day, not just speed through them in an effort to get them out of the way.

There are many more ways you can work towards bringing a sense of calm, order and peace into your life but these are basic ones that should help you get yourself on the right track.  Don't feel that bringing stillness into your life is a hopeless wish -- it's not.  You just have to find the right combination of techniques that will work for you.  The key is that you keep trying and don't give up.  If you stray from the path, don't beat yourself up, just get back on it again.  The time and effort will be worth it!
To help inspire you down the path of peace, check out the wonderful projects a few of my Design Team had the opportunity to create.  All the images used in this month's midway projects are from our wonderful guest sponsor for the month...

SNS Blinkie

You can find Sparkle N Sprinkle on line at: http://sparklensprinkle.com.  Clicking on each of the watermarks will take you to their location within the Sparkle N Sprinkle store.   First up we have...

Suze used A Winter Wonderland created by Rosiland Solomon. 

http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=6867
  
http://taylormadecards4u.blogspot.ca/

Monica has used Eve’s Sunflower in her project.  This image has been in the store for a while and the artist is not know. I don't know about you, but sunflowers are one of my favourite flowers!
http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=7118 Eve's Sunflower



Vicky went with the cheeky image named, Rusty With Flowers created by artist Tom Jones.
http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=7018
http://positive-force.blogspot.com/

Lynda used the wonderful Dragonfly also created by Rosiland Solomon.
http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=6382
 patacakespages.blogspot.com/

Pat worked with the pretty image called Winter Cardinal a recent addition to the store, also created by Rosiland Solomon.
http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=6868

Sandy decided to work with the pretty image called Bahama Woodstar also created by Rosiland Solomon. 
http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=7117

Finally, that leaves our...
Annie, from Memories to Keep,  who is our guest designer this month, created this sweet card...

Annie chose to use the image called Time in a Bottle which is from a brand new artist named Jan Mahew.

http://sparklensprinkle.com/o/product_info.php?cPath=82_207_242&products_id=7158

Clicking on the team members name (or in the case of our GDT, the blog name) will take you to their blog where you can check out the details for their inspirational creations!
So if you haven't entered already, what are you waiting for?  Create a project and/or post that is positive AND relates to peace, 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!  You can enter our latest challenge by clicking HERE.

Also, I know that the participants would love for you to go and pay them a visit.  Remember we're creating a Path of Positivity to follow one project at a time and we'd love to see you somewhere on that route even if it is just by leaving a comment on an entry from someone who has touched you somehow with their project and/or post!

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).

Don't Forget...

You still have until 11:55 p.m. tonight, to vote on your favourite entry for Challenge #12.  Voting is quick, easy and painless so I hope you will consider casting your vote if you haven't already.  Don't forget, if you leave a comment after voting, you have the opportunity to walk away with a selection of digital papers created especially with your interests in mind. To check out the Top Seven and cast your vote, click HERE.  Winners for challenge #12 will be posted next Monday.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON PEACE?
If you need some motivation to get you started, I've provided another sentiment, free for you to download:



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 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 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. 

This word art creation is in png format and published at 300 ppi. It is quite large in order to accommodate different programs that people work with.   If you are a card maker you can always resize it smaller without distorting the quality.

Font and Image Information:


Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  These fonts were listed as free for commercial use at the time this project was made.and as such, it is my understanding, that I am within my rights to use these fonts in my creations and offer them to others.  Please refer to my full terms of service for what you can and cannot do with this digital creation.

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. You can enter the challenge by clicking HERE to take you to the current challenge post where you can also find a quick summary of the details related to this challenge, towards the bottom of the post. 

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 Sparkle N Sprinkle, our guest sponsor for the month...


SNS Blinkie

...please be sure to check out our regular sponsors as well:


 
 









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!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Challenge #12 Top Seven: Voting Open April 14th to April 21st, 2014

Welcome to the Challenge #12 PoP ToP!

Hello everyone!  I have taken a reprieve from my computer woes to bring you this month's edition of the PoP ToP.  Last month we had a total of 48 participants.  Not a bad turn out at all.  Thoughtfulness is such a nice broad topic that everything from thank you cards to friendship cards, and cards filled with hope to simple thinking of you cards fit the bill.  I also have to say that it was extremely difficult this time to come up with a top seven as there were just so many incredible entries.  There were also several new faces which was wonderful to see!  Welcome to all our first timers and for those of you returning, we are so happy that you could join us again during this past challenge!

Before I continue I want to say a special thanks to one of my team, Lynda.  Lynda played an integral part in putting together the top seven list based on the team's votes.  I didn't have the time or computer equipment last week to take care of it myself, so Lynda stepped in to make sure everything was ready so that I could get the top seven posted today.  Thanks Lynda!

Well, it is time to get on with showcasing the seven projects that the team feels were the best of the bunch.  In case you are new and wondering why seven and not the typical three, four or even five?  Well, we strive to be different over here on the Path of Positivity.  Additionally, seven is a spiritual number and thus right in the wheelhouse of the vibe we are looking to project; so, seven it is.  Thus, without further ado, please let me introduce you to the Top Seven for Challenge #12 (in no particular order)...







 Congrats Ladies...

As a participant who has been chosen in our Top Seven, each of you is entitled to a special Top Seven badge. Please send an email to popwinners {at} gmail {dot} com, or by clicking HERE to bring up your email program, with the subject "Challenge #12 Top Seven" and I'll email your badge to you.  Please note that it may take me several days to get back to you especially given my current computer woes, so I really appreciate your patience.

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 thoughtfulness.  Therefore, please be sure to go and check out the entries first and not just make your choices off of the thumbnails.  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:
April 14th to April 21st
Come have your say in determining the Voter's Choice for Challenge #12!  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 top seven choices 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 seven images below on which to vote.  As soon as all seven are uploaded, I'll enable voting to begin. If there are less than seven, 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!