PagesPat's Ponderings

Monday, October 21, 2019

It Takes Courage to Walk the Path

When was the last  time you tried something new? I mean, really stepped out of your comfort zone? It takes courage to take risks. Then again, if you never challenge yourself, you may miss the thrill, the empowerment, the satisfaction of trying something new. It could be a new crafting technique, travel, a new relationship, or going back to school.
Courage is the optional Twist at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. I created this card using an image from one of this month's guest sponsors, Beccy's Place. It's called Nell on a Bicycle. And like Nell, I've started riding my bike again around the neighborhood (minus the bare feet and pearls). It feels great - fresh air, exercise and talking with neighbors.
I also tried a new (to me) fun fold while creating my card. I cut my cardstock into a triangle and then measured out the card size, folding one point down and the other point in.
I added patterned paper to each "half". After coloring Nell with Copics (shown below), I adhered her to the top half of my card so that it would swing up easily. I also added a couple fun phrases and some adhesive-backed pearls. I wrapped a piece of cardstock around the card to keep it closed.
The sentiment inside describes Nell to a "T".
My girlfriend's birthday is coming up soon. Nell could be her twin in spirit, because that girl is Sassy, classy and still kickin' assie. She is always ready for adventure outside of her comfort zone.
The Twist this month at the Path of Positivity is for inspiration and fun. As  long as projects are encouraging, inspiring or positive, they all qualify for this month's prizes:

  • A $10.00AU gift certificate to Beccy's Place for the person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
  • ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

    Good luck and happy crafting!

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Santa is Sensational at the 12 Months of Christmas

Christmas is getting awfully close now, crafters! Do you have enough handmade cards for this year? There's still time at the 12 Months of Christmas to create your holiday cards AND have a chance to win prizes.
This month the guest sponsor is Limited Runs, and I chose to create this spin card using a digi image called Santa Cup. I printed my image twice, coloring one cup empty and the other cup with coffee. So when the card comes out of its envelope, the recipient will see it as it is above - empty.
When the card is opened, you'll see the cup has coffee - lucky for you because it puts you back on the NICE list. As the front of the card says, "NO COFFEE = CRANKY SANTA".
After creating the spin card base, I covered it with patterned paper from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Have I inspired you to create a couple more holiday cards? The theme is Anything Goes, with an optional twist of "Sensational Santa". Prizes for this newest challenge at the 12 Months of Christmas are:

Monday, October 7, 2019

Be Brave on the Path of Positivity

 Thinking about my experience of caring for my husband throughout his run with ALS, I realize how many emotions and challenges I went through -  fear, strength, humility, patience, hope, faith, loss. But in the end, I discovered a reserve of Courage that helped me stay beside him until his passing away. Being a caretaker for a dying loved one is extremely heart-breaking and difficult. Because this post is for the Path of Positivity, you can click on my personal blog, "Living with ALS", for a closer look at the everyday saints who take care of their spouses, siblings, parents, children, until the very end.
You may not know that the Sunflower is the national symbol for ALS Awareness: 

"The Sunflower," (Shirley Hoffman Schmezle) explained
“stands tall and strong, ever hopeful and ever reaching higher.
Sunflowers grow in clusters and support each other
as they grow, just as family, friends and
community offer support to those who live with ALS"
  https://livingwithlougerhrigsdisease.blogspot.com/2019/06/courage-under-fire.html

My card today is for all those courageous caretakers who choose to love those with ALS until the very end, forced to watch them slowly leave their lives. I used a free digi image from Beccy's Place, one of the guest sponsors at the Path of Positivity challenge blog this month along with Scribbles Designs.
After coloring it with Copics, I framed it with a paper doily, then used a piece of leftover patterned paper that lets the colors of my image pop. I embellished simply with a sticker sentiment, a dir-cut butterfly and 2 tiny flower jewels. Inside the card, it reads: Be gentle with yourself. You're doing the best you can.
This month's optional Twist is Courage. The challenge runs until the end of the month. Crafters don't have to use the Twist, but I hope I have inspired you to create something that will help others' find their own courage. Here are the prize details:

  • A $10.00AU gift certificate to Beccy's Place for the person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
  • ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
Happy crafting!

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Get Your Kraft On at Scribbles Designs

It's midway through the new challenge at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog, and I'm just rolling along with the optional theme of "Using Kraft Paper". Today my card uses 2 pieces of Kraft paper I found in my stash, one plain that I used for my card base, and a patterned piece that creates the scene for the images I used. They're from Scribbles Designs and called #900 Truck and #917 Coffee.

I popped a photo of me in the driver's seat of the truck, hauling my morning coffee home. When it comes to coffee, size DOES matter!! LOL Especially when I have a ton of stuff to do for the day!

I hope my card has inspired you to try out some Kraft paper. I don't use it very often, if ever. I was lucky when I found the paper in my stash! But the card turned out well, I think. You have until the 14th of the month to create and link your project with Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift certificate to the Store. Good luck and happy crafting!