Inspired while on the Path of Positivity

What inspires you to  create? Is it the list of challenges on Paper Play? A new image from your favorite store? A favorite quote, a catchy tune or something someone says to you in passing?
When I started crafting, I met a great woman online who inspired me to explore more than I was doing at the time. My style exploded, my techniques expanded and suddenly my comfort zone had no boundaries.

Her name is Holley Barnhart, and if not for a brilliant surgeon, she would not be around to share and inspire anyone, let alone me! So once a year she celebrates her "new life" with a blog bonanza. I am so happy for her, and so happy that she is in my life. Thank you Holley.

The Path of Positivity is always pointing the way toward positivity, acknowledgment and encouragement. This month's optional theme at the challenge blog is INSPIRATION. What better way to feature this theme than by using a unique, limited image from Ike's Art called "Holley's Brain."

I created a mixed media canvas with whatever I could find in my scrap pile that I felt matched Holley's personality and soul. Then I took a picture of it and mailed it to her as a thank you for helping me become the artist that I am today.

In order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes at the Path of Positivity, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. Prizes this month include:

A $15 gift certificate from Ike's Art, 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.

Challenges I am Entering:

Moving along with the Times - Have a Heart

Bleeding Art - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Not Just Cards - Anything Goes

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - ANything Mixed media Goes

Splashy Mix - ANything Goes

It's Party Time at the Outlawz Greetings CHallenge This Week

And I am ready to party hearty with a pretty little steampunk image from The Stamping Chef  called Cogsley Copperpot.

I had so much fun! making this card. First I colored her with my trusty Copics, then distressed the edges of the image and backed it with cardstock. I found some Tim Holtz patterned paper that I paired with handmade patterned paper I sprayed with my own homemade shimmer mists. Then I embossed the handmade paper with a gears embossing plate (I've been dying to use it for a while now). I also distressed another embossed paper and as I was doing so, the corner pulled apart from the rest! So I used it in the top right corner.
After adding die cut and sticker gears, I finished off my challenge card with a catchy sentiment. All cards entered into the Greetings Challenge at the Outlawz needs to have a sentiment on the front. Hope to see your card there this week!