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!

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!

Find Love on the Path of Positivity

They say that love makes the world go round, and that's true for everyone, including this perfect pair of felines. They are definitely speaking words  of love. Love happens to be the optional TWIST at the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog this month.

My card features an image from the Cat's Meow stamp set from Beccy's Place, one of the sponsors this month. The images are called  Jasper and Meow Meow Meow sentiment. I printed Jasper twice, flipping him for the 2nd image and making him shorter (and turning him into a girl by the magic of Copics). Both cats are the same image. I am allergic to cats, and I think I have a subconscious allergy as well. I can't color a realistic cat to save my life.  Hence, the pink and blue cats featured on my card. A simple bow and a few Skittles complete my card (after adhering my sentiment). The inside sentiment reads: That's Cat Speak for I Love You

If you would like to challenge yourself, create a project to show someone special in your life just how much you love them. But remember that the optional twist is just for fun. Any types of projects or cards qualify for prizes as long as they are positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature.

Prizes this month include:
A $10.00AU gift voucher that can be redeemed for digital stamps from Beccy's Place, our guest sponsor for this month, for a 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.

February is the month of love, so let's see some love. Don't forget to link up your artwork to the Path of Positivity challenge blog for your chance to win some great prizes, too! See you on the Path!

Challenges I am Entering:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies- AG w/a critter
Card Mania -Love is in the Air
Crafty Animals - AG w/a critter
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper - AG w/patterned  paper
Creatalicious - Love/Hearts
Create with Stamps - Love
Fabrika Fantasy - AG w/optional Love

Beccy's Place Sponsors the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge This Month

Warm weather has finally set in the Chicagoland area, and I'm ready to soak up some sun, watch the butterflies float past me and drink gallons of iced tea. This attitude of mine inspired me to create a card with summer days in mind for my DT make at the Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenges this month. The challenges run monthly, and those who participate will receive the featured image each month. June's featured digital image is from Beccy's Place and is called "Gran's Chair Summer."
I set my scene by recycling the front of an old card received from a friend. After extending my card front so that the rocker wouldn't be smack in the middle of the flower garden, I colored two images so that I could pop a more detailed coloring on top of the other using dimensional dots.I embellished simply with a few of those butterflies I had mentioned above, as well as a few sequins.

My sentiment continues inside along with a stray butterfly. Now it's your turn to create and link up for your free digi image. And as always, crafters, have fun!

Challenges I am Entering:

Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Shopping our Stash - Choose 1 of the 4 Elements (I chose EARTH because "it laughs in flowers" -Kahlil Gibran)

Artistic Inspirations - Flowers