Showing posts with label Motivational Monday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivational Monday. Show all posts

Monday, July 20, 2015

Motivational Monday & PoP Reminder: SHARING

Did you miss the special blog hop going on until July 28th to help raise funds for a special lady undergoing cancer treatment?  I created a special sentiment set and a digital paper set specifically for this fundraiser.  Click HERE for all the details.

Or, how about the Alice in Wonderland themed bloghop hosted by Create with TLC where there are freebies up for grabs and the chance to win extra goodies on my blog and also on Lynne's.  Click HERE for all the details.

Also, don't forget you still have time to win one of three sets of 50 Christmas themed digital brads. Click HERE for all the details.
 
To walk away with a set of five fairy themed digital brads, do the simple task listed HERE. 

Finally, it is time for...

 Motivational Monday

 If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Monday, please go HERE. 

Hello and happy Monday to those of you stopping by today.  I appreciate you taking the time to come over and read what I have to say.

This evening, I'll be sharing this month's Motivational Monday passage, along with a card I created and couple freebies at the bottom of the post.  


The reflection, and one of the freebies can also be found over on my Path of Positivity challenge blog as part of the midway post where the theme this month is SHARING.


 On with today's thoughts...

A Joy That is Shared Is a Joy Made Double

In this month's Pondering Along the Pathway,  Pat made reference to the idea that:
"The universe moves towards maintaining balance, so what you give to others eventually comes back to you. In fact, if you want to multiply the things in your life that matter—health, balance, happiness—you need to share what you already have!"
This is a concept that I learned about many, many years ago but I think I lost track of it for a while.  It was nice to be reminded again of how important it is share what you have with the rest of the world and if you are lucky enough, you'll benefit from the effort that you yourself have put out.

Now I know that many of us are not in a position to share too much of our money these days with the financial woes that affect people across North America and beyond.  However, it isn't always about sharing our money.  The simple act of sharing a smile with a stranger can potentially help lift that person's mood.  Can you imagine if the smile you shared ended up resulting in 1000 more smiles shared due to the ripple effect it caused?!  How wonderful would that be to know that a simple act could create so much happiness.

Or how about sharing a bit of our time with someone in need?  Whether volunteering with a charitable organization or simply spending time with someone who is going through a difficult patch, taking some time out of our busy schedules to come to the aid of another is definitely another way we can share ourselves with the world around us.

As card makers, we have the ability to do so much more sharing.  Our talents can help to lift someone's spirits with a simple 'thinking of you' card.  Sending a 'get well' card to someone recovering from illness may be just the medicine they need to give them that final push back into wellness. Sharing 'birthday wishes' with someone you normally wouldn't think to send a card to may help to bring just a bit of happiness to that person.  The simple act of creating and sending a card to someone shows that person that someone cares and that they are not alone.

Whatever it is that you share--your time, your money, your talents--remember that "a joy shared is a joy made double" (Proverbs).  If you are lucky, some of that goodness will be doubled back on you.
 __________________________________________________________________________________
This month our sponsors are...
 and Limited Runs...

http://limitedrunsstamps.blogspot.ca
Next up, is the card I made using an image from Limited Runs...

True friends are a special part of life.  You can share anything with them and they won't judge you.  They'll sit back and listen.  They won't even offer advice unless it is asked for.  There is nothing better than sharing time with these special people in our lives.  As such I've created this card to share with one of the many friends I am blessed with.

General Info:
  • This card was created mostly digital and then printed out and assembled.  The hearts were added once assembled.
  • This particular layout was inspired by a From the Hearts Stamps Sketch.  

FRONT
Digital Image Details: 
  • Sleeping Mouse:   This adorable mouse was coloured with a combination of digital paper piecing and coloured pencils.  It can be found in section #51-60 of the Furry Critters category in the store.  Click on the watermark to head over to that section.
  • The blankets were digitally paper pieced using two of my papers (details below).  I just used some coloured pencils to give the blankets some shading.
  • The teddy bear was paper pieced with a texture from Texturemate.com.
  • The digital paper used to paper piece the pillow is from the Another Tea Party kit created by Correen Silke available at {Computer}Scrapbook.com.
Embellishments:
  • The satin hearts are Crafts brand and were purchased at Dollarama.

INSIDE
Digital Sentiment: 
  • This sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC.  While I picked it up a while back as a freebie, you can purchase it in the Best Friends, Vintage Digi Image and Word Art set that you can find in the store by clicking HERE or on the watermark below. Click  To find more great sets in the store, click HERE; and to check out Paulette's blog, click HERE. I recoloured it to match the colours in my card.
Best Friends, Vintage Digi Image and Word Art
OVERALL 
Paper Products: 
  • Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.
Digital Paper Products: 
  • The  paper used as a base is from my Mommy Dearest:  Patterned Papers Kit.  The two accent papers are from the Mommy Dearest:  Textured Papers Kit. 

 Challenges I am hoping to enter:
Finally, that brings me to a couple of freebies.  The first was offered up at the challenge start and the second was just offered up today during the midway...


© 2015
Font Information:
Please note that the first font listed may be a limited time freebie but was listed for commercial use at the time I downloaded it.   The second font was purchased as part of a limited time bundle with a commercial use license but may be purchased from the designer by clicking on the link above.


© 2015

Font Information:
Odalisque is a free font and was listed as free for commercial use at the time this project was made. Kathya Script is one I purchased as part of a bundle.  You can buy it through the designer by clicking the link above. This font was purchased with a commercial use license.

Please be sure to click on the images to bring them up into the lightbox in their proper size before saving them.  Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  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.

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


Credit Notes For These Creations:
© Lisa L. Décosse. PUO. However, you are allowed to use the sentiments 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(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.

_________________________________________________________________________
 I invite you to go and check out, not only, the fabulous creations some members of my Design Team had the opportunity to create over on the Path of Positivity (click HERE for the midway) but also some of the great entries into this month's challenge (click HERE for the challenge).  I also invite you to come over and enter a project yourself, if you haven't already.  There are still two  weeks left to enter and I'm sure there is someone in your life you could share a card with.

Well, that is it for this one!


Until next time,

Monday, May 25, 2015

Motivational Monday & PoP Reminder: PERSEVERANCE

 If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Monday, please go HERE.

Hello and happy Monday to those of you stopping by today.  I appreciate you taking the time to come over and read what I have to say.

This evening, I'll be sharing this month's Motivational Monday passage, along with a card I created and couple freebies at the bottom of the post.  

This post should technically have been published last week at the same time as the midway post on Path of Positivity challenge blog.  Unfortunately, even though the card was finished, I didn't have it photographed and edited and I just didn't have it in me to get it done.  So instead, I figured I would wait and post it this Monday.

The reflection, and one of the freebies were originally posted last week over on PoP; so, if you've been there already then you can just bypass most of this post.  I'm just getting the card posted today and will add it to the midway post once I am done.  

The theme this month is PERSEVERANCE. 

On with today's thoughts...

 Don't Give Up Hope


So many people around me are dealing with very difficult issues in their lives right now.  Some are battling depression, some are battling pain and other illnesses, some have family members they are extremely worried about.  When living with these stressors, day in and day out, one can start to feel the world crashing in on all sides.  Hope seems elusive at best.

I've been there.  I know just how dark things can get.

We are quick with words of encouragement like, 'don't give up hope' and 'hang in there friend'.  We certainly mean the best when we say them and while the person on the other end of these phrases may need to hear them, don't fret if the immediate response isn't an encouraging one.  It is easy for us to spout these aphorisms but we have to be ready to acknowledge that the individual on the receiving end may not be in the best place to accept them.  It is easy to say 'everything is going to be fine', but when a person feels like they are hanging on by their fingernails, in no way do they believe everything will be fine.

Just as it is important that our friends and loved ones experiencing anguish don't give up, it is even more crucial that we don't give up on them.  Keep reaching out.  Keep trying to connect with them.  Sometime it feels like they are pushing us away but that is when we must dig our heels in and fight all the more.  True friends stick around through the really bad times just as they stick around through the really good ones.

Whether you are the person facing the difficulty or trying to help someone dealing with one...
Persevere
Persist

As much as you may want to give up the fight...
Keep Going
Keep Trying

Don't let anything or anyone sway you from your goal...
Be Determined
Be Stubborn

When you feel like giving in...
Stand Firm
Stay Resolved

When you are your most afraid...
Hang In There
Hang On

When everything is at its darkest...
Reach Out
Hold Fast


Stick With It
Stay the Course
There really is light at the end of the tunnel.  You just have to hold on long enough to see it again.
 __________________________________________________________________________________
This month our sponsors are...

Next up, is the card I made using an image from Ike's Art..


FRONT
Digital Image Details: 
  • My New ShoesAs stated above, this sweet image is from Ike's Art.  If you are interested in purchasing this image, click on the watermark to head over to the section it can be found on in the store. I am so lucky that my card fits into Ike's current challenge.  Well, I think it fits the theme, I guess I have to wait and see if they agree. ;) 
 My New Shoes (located in the 'My Latest Designs' section)
Digital Embellishments: 
  • I added buttons that I created using a template from Marisa Lerin, a designer with Pixel Scrapper
  • The doily was created using a template from Sheila Reid, also with Pixel Scrapper

INSIDE 
Digital Sentiment: 
  • This fabulous sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC.  I picked it up as a freebie.  Check out Paulette's wonderful blog by clicking HERE or click HERE to go to the store.


OVERALL
Paper Products: 
  • Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, black.
Digital Paper Products: 
  • The shoe paper is from my Mommy Dearest Kit.
Challenges I am hoping to enter:
 __________________________________________________________________________________ 
Finally, that brings me to a couple of freebies.  The first was offered up at the challenge start and the second was just offered up during last week's midway...

© 2015
Font Information:




© 2015 
Font Information:
  • Odalisque font created by Nick's Fonts
  • Forum font created by Denis Masharov
Please be sure to click on the images to bring them up into the lightbox in their proper size before saving them.  Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  The first three fonts were listed as free for commercial use at the time this project was made.  The last one, Butterscotch, is one I have purchased as part of a bundle and the licence states that it may be used for commercial purposes.  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.

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


Credit Notes For These Creations:
© Lisa L. Décosse. PUO. However, you are allowed to use the sentiments 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(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.


_______________________________________________________________
 I invite you to go and check out, not only, the fabulous creations some members of my Design Team had the opportunity to create over on the Path of Positivity (click HERE for the midway) but also some of the great entries into this month's challenge (click HERE for the challenge).  I also invite you to come over and enter a project yourself, if you haven't already.  There are so many kinds of cards that would work for this theme, including encouragement, and even graduation cards.  There is still one week left to enter and I'm sure there is someone in your life who could be reminded just how important it is to keep fighting and hang on.

Well, that is it for this one!  If I can pull it off I am going to try and get one of my progressive posts published tonight. 

 

Until then,



Monday, April 20, 2015

Motivational Monday & PoP Midway Reminder: GROWTH

 If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Monday, please go HERE.

Hello and a warm welcome to those of you stopping by this Monday.  I appreciate you taking the time to come over and read what I have to say.  I also appreciate the birthday wishes that you left me.  Thanks so much for helping to make my day yesterday, a special one.
This evening, I'll be sharing a reflection on growth along with a couple freebies at the bottom of the post.  The reflection, and one of the freebies can also be found over on my Path of Positivity challenge blog as part of the midway post where the theme this month is GROWTH.  
On with today's thoughts...

Keep on Growing

It doesn't matter whether you are 25, 50 or even 75!  You are never too old to grow and develop.  We may get stuck and mired down at times during our life that makes us think we'll never reach our objectives but it doesn't matter.  We can always pick up and start again.

My husband is one example of this.  He had a difficult time as a child in school and was told by many that he would never amount to anything.  His own mother and many of his siblings would often call him 'stupid' and 'a retard'.  Both terms that shouldn't be part of anyone's vocabulary!  He dropped out of high school but later went on to complete his GED (which is a general equivalence of a high school diploma), and then put himself through night school to become a Bookkeeper all while working at the same time.  Years later, not satisfied with where he was at, he decided to go back to school--at the age of 36.  Again, amidst ridicule such as, "you're too old" and "what are you thinking".  He ended up graduating from a two year program and went on to have a very satisfying career in that field for over 10 years.

He knew what he wanted and he never gave up.  He didn't stay complacent with where his life was at.  He didn't give up and get stuck on what someone else's ideas of success meant.  Even when he struggled with reading and writing, he never gave up wanting to learn and grow.   Of course, today we know that he has both learning disabilities (visual, auditory AND kinaesthetic) and Attention Deficit Disorder having undergone testing.  Had he been properly diagnosed as a child, he may not have had as many educational struggles as he did.  However, even facing those difficulties he never gave up and continued wanting to learn and grow.

Even today, after having retired from his career at the local college, he has gone on to learn a new career as a tax professional.  This is his fifth year with the organization and each year he must learn more in order to improve his skills.  At the age of 65 (well, he will be on Wednesday),  he show no signs of ever wanting to stop the process of learning.

This is just one example.  There are many places in our lives for us to grow and develop.  It doesn't matter whether it is growth related to our career or business, our personal life or our spiritual one.  It is important that each of us continues to develop and grow throughout life.  It can be the little things we work on or it can be the bigger ones too.  The key is that you keep trying to improve yourself and work towards the person you were always meant to be!
 __________________________________________________________________________________
Here are the promised freebies.  The first was offered up at the challenge start and the second was just offered up today for the midway...


© 2015

Font Information:

© 2015

Font Information:
Please be sure to click on the images to bring them up into the lightbox in their proper size before saving them.  Click on the font name to take you to a download location.  All these fonts were listed as free for commercial use at the time each of these project were 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 these digital creations.

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


Credit Notes For These Creations:
© Lisa L. Décosse. PUO. However, you are allowed to use the sentiments 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(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.

_______________________________________________________________
I invite you to go and check out, not only, the fabulous creations some members of my Design Team had the opportunity to create over on the Path of Positivity (click HERE for the midway) but also some of the great entries into this month's challenge (click HERE for the challenge).  I also invite you to come over and enter a project yourself, if you haven't already.  

This month our sponsor is Sparkle N Sprinkle...

SNS Blinkie

With spring here for many of us, this is the perfect month to be exploring the concept of growth.  
 
Well, that is it for today!  Have a great week ahead everyone!
 

Until next time,