Monday, August 18, 2014

Challenge #17--Midway Reflection & Voting Reminder

Hello everyone! We have reached the midway point of Challenge #17. The theme for this challenge is all about POSSIBILITIES. 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.

The possibility of it all


Life is all about possibility.  Every single decision we make stems from an array of possibilities.  This or that?  These or those?  We are presented with endless possibilities each day.  Some are very simple in nature and others are more involved.  It is up to us to make a decision and choose a pathway.  Sometimes though, we may have difficulties getting our bearings.  Is there something stopping you from taking off in a new direction?  Whatever it is, if you want it badly enough, you can find a way.  I've included three steps to help get you started.

Eliminate Fear
One of the things that gets in the way of us opening up to new possibilities is fear.  We're afraid we'll fail, embarrass ourselves, make a wrong decision.  Fear robs us off so many things.  It is limiting and keeps us stagnated.  If it helps, know that you aren't the only one afraid.  Many of us are but we need to make a concentrated effort to shrug off those fears and allow ourselves the opportunity to grow.

Eliminate Negative Self Talk
Along with getting rid of fear we also need to extinguish the negative self talk that goes on in our mind:  "I won't be good enough"; "It's too expensive"; "It will take too much time"; "I never make the right choice".   Keep saying you "won't" or "can't" enough and that will become your reality.  Words have extreme power and we need to turn any negative self talk into positive talk.  If you find yourself going back into old habits and let a negative statement slip from between your lips, then be sure to counteract it right away with an opposite statement.  Turn, "I can't" into "I can".  Say it until you believe it!

  Try, Try and Try Again
Whatever you decide, starts with a first step.  You'll never make it outside if you don't first open the door.  In order to grow and turn a possibility into a reality, you are going to have to try new things.  The only thing holding you back is yourself.  You'll come up with a whole bunch of excuses to not try something if you allow yourself, so just don't go there in the first place.  Remember the old expression, 'where there is a will, there is a way'?  Well if you truly want to expand your mind and your world, you will find a way.  Want it enough and well...anything is possible!


So, where will your road lead you?  Do you have the strength to seek a new direction?  If you do, I wish you luck as you open up your world to the infinite realm of possibilities!
To help inspire you down the path of possibilities, check out the wonderful projects a few of my Design Team had the opportunity to create...
http://positive-force.blogspot.com/
Lynda has chosen to use the image called Can't Wait from our second regular sponsor, Creative Bug Digis.  Lots of possibilities for this one!  If you are interested in purchasing this cute image, click on the watermark to head over to the 'Girls' page in Naomi's store. 
 http://creativebugdigis.com/Main%20Pages/Inside%20Collection%20_pages/girls.html
http://taylormadecards4u.blogspot.ca/

For Monica's midway project, she has chosen to work with Muse 7, from Ike's Art.  If only we could read the mind of this lovely lady...yes, the possibilities indeed!  If you are interested in purchasing it, click on the watermark to head over to its section in Ike's store.  It is currently located within the 'People' section.
http://www.ikesart.com/#!__digi-people
patacakespages.blogspot.com/
Pat decided to use Magician's Hat Bunny, from Ike's Art.  This image is all about believing in the possibilities.  If you are interested in purchasing this cool image, click on the watermark to head over to its section in Ike's store.   It is currently located within the 'People' section.
http://www.ikesart.com/#!__digi-people
Vicky has chosen to use She Who Paints the Forest...Fairy Digital Stamp, from our guest sponsor for the month, The Stamping Boutique.  Such a beautiful image full of possibilities. If you are interested in purchasing this image, click on the watermark to head over to its location in the store.
http://www.thestampingboutique.com/item_336/She-Who-Paints-the-Forest...Fairy-Digital-Stamp.htm
 
 
Sandy chose to work with Krazee Katz, from Ike's Art.  This is such a cool image that I've been fortunate enough to use myself.  If you are interested in purchasing it, click on the watermark to head over to its section in Ike's store.   It is currently located within the 'Animals' section.
http://www.ikesart.com/#!__digi-animals
Finally, that leaves our...
Donna, from Creative Smiles, who is our guest designer this month, created this stunning card...

Donna chose to use the image called Twigs also from our second regular sponsor, Creative Bug Digis.   I just love this wonderful snowman and since our GDT last month, Edwina, used him as well, I'm getting to see him on lots of different cards.  If you are interested in purchasing this cute image, click on the watermark to head over to the 'Seasonal' page in Naomi's store.  Twigs can be found up in the first section under 'Winter'.  (He can also be found under the holidays page in the Christmas section). 
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 possibilities, 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 #16.  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 all those eligible and cast your vote, click HERE.  Winners for challenge #16 will be posted next Monday.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON POSSIBILITIES?
If you need some additional motivation to help inspire you, I've provided another sentiment on this month's theme (the first is available HERE), free for you to download.  It is a two part sentiment to use on the front and inside of a card:



 *Note:  While the writing appears to be different sizes it was all made with the same size font and published at 300 dpi.

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 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 The Stamping Boutique, our guest sponsor for the month...
http://thestampingboutique.com/
 ...we also have our regular sponsors:
 
 









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!

2 comments:

Stef H said...

these are all stunning creations! we at TSB are delighted to be guest sponsoring such a wonderful challenge with such creative artists.

Linda W. said...

All of the art work is phenomenal - what a great inspiration for all of us to just be able to wander thru and pick up ideas. Lisa, your comments for Monday are right on - just have to keep reminding ourselves of such.