Design Team Delights for Challenge #15

It is time for my Design Team to share their favourite entries for Challenge #15.  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 June for Challenge #15.  While it is always a difficult decision, each team member managed to find a particular entry that really caught their attention.  Take a look... 

Kate a.k.a. K8--chosen by Vicky...

Vicky had this to say:
"I chose #10.  I just love how Kate states that happiness comes from her grandkids.  It's often the smallest details that bring the most happiness and what she describes here is pretty exactly this!":

"Happiness for me is to borrow my grandchildren even if the whole body aches and hurts, you take it for the joy matters more. This is my smallest granddaughter Zmilla!  She puts her head to the side and gives me the most delicious smile and say I love you grandma!!!  Then happiness is indescribable..."

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

Cheryl Ann--chosen by Monica...

Here is what Monica had to say:
"For my DT Delight I chose #16: Cheryl Ann.  The theme is Happiness and when I saw this card it made me smile. I love the little bug and the bright colors. It is a card that will make anyone happy!" 

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

Gloria--chosen by Desíre...

Here is what Desíre had to say:
"My DT Delight is #35: Gloria.  Not only is her card gorgeously cheerful but the wording inside her card is very true i.e.: You can never have too much happy."

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

Donna--chosen by Suze and Sandy...

Suze had this to say:

"My choice is #28: Donna, as this sentence really touched me":

"Sometimes we have to make difficult choices in our lives in order for Happiness to overcome Unhappiness."

Sandy said this:
"I enjoyed so much of this card… the layered embossing, the step card, all her thoughts of happiness… it hit the mark with me big time!"

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

Viv--chosen by Pat...

This is what Pat had to say:
"My DT Delight choice is #3: Viv, whose card is an eye-pleasing blend of pretty papers and pastels, lacy trim and lacy doily, and great sentiment and image. She wrote":

"Happiness is a nice cuppa and a cupcake."

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

Edwina--chosen by Lynda...

 Lynda had this to say:
"My DT Delight choice is #8: Edwina. Her coloring and design of the card keep the focus on the sentiment which is wonderful.  Her writeup about her card touched me":

"Today I made a card that means happiness to me. Happiness is found when you are content. Contentment comes from loving someone, keeping busy, and have hope in your life. If you lose love and hope you cannot be happy.   Disabled people have managed to find happiness even though they cannot do things. They use their minds and are mentally active. Yet they still have hope and some even find true love after becoming disabled. Such a thing happened for my husband and myself. We only had 4 1/2 years together, but they were happy years. I took care of him 24/7 by myself. It was a labor of love. I still miss him. My happiness was full, in him."

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

Julie O--chosen by Lisa (that's me)...

Yes it is a birthday card and some of you may be wondering what it has to do with happiness.  While, as I have indicated before, it is all about how you tie your card into the theme.  If Julie hadn't come over and left a comment (or had the statement somewhere in her blogpost), her card would have been disqualified.  However, Julie succinctly wrapped up how this particular card ties into happiness by stating: 

"It's a birthday card for my BFF. So, just the thought of creating it brings happiness. I love coloring flowers more than anything, and I used a beautiful flower image on this card. I love shaped cards, I love crinkle ribbon, and I LOVE stickpins (especially when made for me by a special friend). All those components go into this card, and just looking at it brings me happiness. When I mail it across the state to where my BFF now lives, I hope the happiness travels with it."

It isn't always about the card itself but can also be about the feelings that a person gets by creating the card.  Julie filled this card full of love and happiness by using all the things that make her happy and hoping it will spread to the recipient.  That is a lot of happiness for one small birthday card and perfectly connects to our theme.

To see the details of Julie's card, click HERE.

 Creative Congratulations to all of you!

Thank you to everyone who played on our Pathway during the month of June.  As always we greatly appreciate you sharing your incredible talents with us.  Now if you were chosen as a DT Delight, you are eligible for a special DT Delight badge.  Technically, the creations chosen as DT Delights were not supposed to start falling into our new rules, earning them an image if chosen, until challenge #16.  However, I don't think that is fair since the people in #14 were included in the draw and that would leave those in #15, just high and dry so I am going to change it and start with this challenge.

SO, that means that...

Kate, Cheryl Ann, Gloria, Donna, Viv, Edwina and Julie O.

 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.  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 #15 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#15--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 tomorrow as we will be back with the start of Challenge #17.  We hope that you will join us then to learn what the newest theme will be.

The People Have Spoken: Winners From Challenge #15

Hello and happy Monday to you all.  Before I get started, with the focus of today's post, I have some news to share with you.  In our last challenge, Gloria Shirr was chosen by the people as our Voter's Choice.  As she has already won several images from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots, she asked if she could donate the images back.  How awesome is that?!  Now she won a total of 10 images.  So, this is what I decided.  We only had seven people enter into Challenge #14.  I am going to take the images that Gloria won, plus add two more and give the remaining six people who entered that challenge, their choice of two images each.  That means that...

K8 

Deanne 

Susan K. 

 Deonna 

Zella

Edwina B.

...will need to contact me to make arrangements to choose your two images from Creative Bug Digital Stamps.  Email me at 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#14--CBD Redraw" to make arrangements to receive your prize.

Now it is time to announce the winners from Challenge #15.  So, without further ado, here are the choices...

Drum roll, please....BBBbbbrrrrrrrrr pish

Someone is definitely on a roll. The people have spoken and their choice for Challenge #15 is once again...

GLORIA

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 #15.

 

Please note that this will be the last time that there is a prize associated with the Voter's Choice Award.  From here on in, it will strictly be an honourary position.  However, participant's will still receive a special badge marking them as the voter's choice.

In the category of Most Inspiring, our winner is...

DONNA

Donna, you have won your choice of three images from Ike's Art.

Donna, you will also be getting a lovely, one of a kind personalized badge for your blog as the Most Inspiring choice for Challenge #15.

The Random Winner for this challenge (chosen by Random.com), based on all eligible participants is:

JANIS

Janis, you have won your choice of three images from Fresh Brewed Designs, our guest sponsor during Challenge #15.

Janis, you will also be getting a neat and unique personalized badge for your blog as the Random Winner for Challenge #15.

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:

Cydney F with her comment:

Lovely cards! I voted.

Cydney, you have won a selection of digital designer papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Big Congrats to...

Gloria, Donna, Janis & Cydney

Please click HERE to send us an email with the subject, "WINNER PoP Challenge #15" 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 #15 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 #15 and would like to receive a free sentiment based on the theme for Challenge #17, which starts Monday, August 4th, please click HERE to send us an email with the subject line, "PoP#15 Entrant Quote Request for #17".

 

You still have one week left to enter into this month's challenge on DREAMS.  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 coming Sunday for our DT Delights post.  Until then, 

 

 

Challenge #15 Top Seven: Voting Open July 14th to July 21st, 2014

Before I get on with today's Top Seven, I just wanted to say how happy I am.  Now I know that may sound a little cheesy given that this past challenge was all about happiness, but here is my reason why I am particularly cheerful today!

More and more we are getting participants over here who are inspired to create something specifically based on the theme of our challenge.  While sadly, I no longer have the time to comment on each and every entry, I am taking the time to check them all out.  This month in particular, I have been thrilled at the number of people who have taken the time to write in their posts about what makes them happy and how they connect their creation to said happiness.  Then, there are other individuals who may not have had the opportunity to write in their blog post, but instead come over and leave a comment with their reasoning.  Then there are those who do both!  It just thrills me to pieces that people are invested in what we are trying to accomplish with this blog:  inspiring, nurturing and providing support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time!  That is why it is always so important to check out the actual blog posts or come and have a gander at the comments that were left on our challenge blog before you vote.  It is important to see how both the project and the words the participants write come together to create an overall picture of their intentions.  We as a team are truly inspired by what we see and read and I know that you will be as well.  Now, it is time to get on with the reason you are all here today...

Welcome to the Challenge #15 PoP ToP!

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.  As I mentioned in the Challenge #16 start post, we are changing the rules as of that challenge.  However, since Challenge #15 happened prior to that announcement, the person who earns the most votes in this voting session will still receive the prize originally associated with the Voter's Choice.

Now, without further ado, please let me introduce you to the Top Seven for Challenge #15 (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 the address in your email program, with the subject "Challenge #15 Top Seven" 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.

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 happiness.  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 #15 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:
July 14th to July 21st

Come have your say in determining the Voter's Choice for Challenge #15!  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!

Link Up Below:

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #15--Midway Reflection & Voting Reminder

Hello everyone! We have reached the midway point of Challenge #15. The theme for this challenge is all about HAPPINESS. 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.

"Clap along if you know what happiness is to you"

What makes you happy?  Do you have it figured out or is it something that shifts with the times?  Or, is happiness still one of those elusive feelings for you?  There is a catchy tune out on the airwaves right now called "Happy" by Pharell Williams.  It keeps getting stuck in my head and rightly so.  The song just makes me happy!  This song makes me want to snap my fingers and sway to the music.  Wouldn't it be great if you could just snap your fingers and instantly be happy?  For some individuals, being happy doesn't come easy.  Whether it is the by product of mental illness or just having to live through difficult times in general, there are many people who aren't happy in their lives.  Now while the pursuit of happiness can be a difficult journey, there are things that you can do right now to feel happier. 

Raise Your Activity Level

Most of us hate it but studies have proven that exercise has a remarkable effect on our happiness and can indeed help to lift the effects of depression (to read more about one study in particular, click HERE).  However, you don't have to be depressed to benefit from exercise.  The fact alone that it can help one to de-stress and relax are definite steps to feeling happier.  So get up right now and move a little bit. Actually, there are many simple exercises you can do right at your desk, if you are unable to get up.  A little activity goes a long way and helps you to focus on your body and get out of your head allowing you to re-centre yourself and bring on the good cheer.  So, it is time to get those muscles moving.  How about doing your happy dance?  That is sure to do the trick!

Smile

Put a big old grin on your face and within moments you'll feel happier.  If you aren't in the mood for smiling right now, then it is even more important that you do so.  The physical act of smiling can cause Serotonin levels in your brain to increase.  The chemical Serotonin is responsible for helping to increase our mood and also help to improve our quality of sleep.  Of course, it is even more important to back up that smile with some positive thoughts.  For example, think about a happy memory or about an upcoming event that is sure to bring a smile to your face.  Get those facial muscles moving and help create a happy dance in your brain.

Practice the Art of Gratitude

I've talked about how important being thankful is in past posts but did you know that practising gratitude can help make you happier and healthier?  The key is to express how thankful you are as often as you are able to in as many ways that you can think of.  Simple ways can include keeping a journal listing things that you are grateful for each day, sharing these items with someone special, saying thank you every opportunity you get.  These are just a few ideas to start.  The key is to find a way that works for you.  While it is a simple strategy, it is an effective one.  There was a study that showed people who made note of the things that they were grateful for on a daily basis, were much happier after doing this simple activity.  The results of another study indicated that writing thank you letters increased the happiness and life satisfaction levels of the participants while simultaneously decreasing symptoms of depression.  So, if you want to be happier, improve your relationships with others, and feel better all around, start being more grateful.  You'll be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Think of Someone You Love

An almost instant way to feel happier is to think about someone you love.  Revel in the memories that you have created with this person or fantasize about ones yet to come and you are sure to get a boost of happy chemicals swimming through your brain.

Spend Time with Family and Friends

An even better way to feel happy is to actually find more time to be with those you love. Social time with family and friends is very important for helping to improve our happiness, even for introverts like myself.  Many studies have shown that the time we spend with friends and family makes a huge difference to how happy we feel in general.  The biggest regrets that people have when facing the end of their life is that they did not spend as much time as they should have with their loved ones.  Don't be one of those people.  Reach out and connect to someone you love today.

Reach Out a Helping Hand

Did you know, that according to research, spending just 100 hours per year (or merely two hours a week) helping or giving to others can greatly enrich our lives?  Whether it is spending money or time on someone other than ourselves, giving benefits the happy centres of our brains.  Even reaching out and helping someone work through a problem or offering them a solution to a current predicament can make us feel better.  Making someone else happy can make yourself happy; so be sure to put helping others on the top of your list, if happiness is your goal.


Of course there are tons more ideas for you to try to boost your happiness in life.  These are just a few simple ones to get you started.  For even more ideas you can check out the references listed below or for some really quick ideas check out, "45 Things You Can Do to Get Happy No Matter Where You Are" by clicking HERE.  Then, if you are willing to spend a little bit more effort on achieving your goal of happiness, be sure to check out, "20 Hard Things You Need to Do to Be Happy" by clicking HERE.  Once you figure you out the right combination of activities that can help you to be a happier individual, I hope to see you right there next to me, clapping along to the Happy song!

References:
Author Unknown. (2013). 10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Be Happier. Available: http://www.psychicsuniverse.com/gallery/mind-body/mind/meditation/10-things-you-can-do-right-now-be. Last accessed 14th June 2014.
Barker, Eric . (2014). Happy Thoughts: Here Are the Things Proven To Make You Happier. Available: http://time.com/49947/happy-thoughts-here-are-the-things-proven-to-make-you-happier/. Last accessed 14th June 2014.
Cooper, Belle Beth . (2013). 10 Simple Things You Can Do Today That Will Make You Happier, Backed By Science. Available: http://blog.bufferapp.com/10-scientifically-proven-ways-to-make-yourself-happier. Last accessed 14th June 2014.
Rubin, Gretchen . (2014). 9 Things You Can Do to Be Happy in the Next 30 Minutes. Available: http://www.realsimple.com/health/mind-mood/emotional-health/things-can-happy-next-minutes-10000001809876/index.html. Last accessed 14th June 2014.

To help inspire you down the path of happiness, check out the wonderful projects a few of my Design Team had the opportunity to create...

For Monica's midway project, she has chosen to work with Doxie (also called Minature Daschshund), from Ike's Art.  Isn't this puppy fabulous?!  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. 

Lynda has chosen to use Daisy Kitten, from Fresh Brewed Designs.  As I mentioned at the challenge start, if this adorable image doesn't exude a sense of happiness, I don't know what will!  If you are interested in purchasing this cute kitty, click on the watermark to head over to its location in Heather's store. 

 

Pat decided to use Alice, from Ike's Art.  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.

 

Vicky has chosen to use Relax, from Fresh Brewed Designs.  This is definitely one of my ideas of happiness.  Now if only my legs could look like that!  If you are interested in purchasing this relaxing image, click on the watermark to head over to its location in Heather's store. 

 

Finally, that leaves our...

Dawn, from Designs By Dragonfly, who is our guest designer this month, created this sweet card...

Dawn chose to use the image called Can't Wait from our second regular sponsor, Creative Bug Digis.  Doesn't she just look sooooo happy?!  If you are interested in purchasing this cute image, click on the watermark to head over to the 'Girls' page in Naomi's store.  She also worked in Daisy Kitten, from Fresh Brewed Designs.  You can find the link to Daisy Kitten a little bit earlier in the post.

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 happiness, 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 #14.  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 #14 will be posted next Monday.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE ON HAPPINESS?
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:

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:

• Sofia font created by Latinotype
• Fancy Pants font created by Nick's Fonts

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 Fresh Brewed 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.

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

We look forward to seeing you participate!