After a nice summer break, it's
time for a new challenge at Path of
Positivity! I have been a regular participant here since I stumbled upon this challenge 5 years
ago, mainly because it inspires a positive mindset and encourages positive
actions! (To learn more, read the Intro provided in
2013 by POP's creator, Lisa D.)
Lisa establishes annual goals, and this year's goal is Embrace
the Unexpected in our lives. The September theme “Take a Walk & Find
Inspiration from Something Unexpected that You See Along Your Route.” Lisa
introduces this theme with this note- Henry Miller said, "The moment
one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a
mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself". This
quote is a powerful call to mindfulness and encourages us to be fully present
when interacting with the world around us. When we truly stop to discover the
myriad of riches found in the simplest of things, we discover new dimensions
within. It isn't so much that the object changes but our relationship to it
can, and often will change, when we take the time to observe it more closely.
In doing so, we can begin to appreciate the wonder that can be found in the
ordinary and unexpected alike.
Lisa details the optional project (twist) for this month, "Go
for a walk and take inspiration from something unexpected that you see along
your route. If it is too cold outside, head to the mall, a museum or another
indoor venue." For example, you may come across an old tree that you
have passed again and again but rarely paid attention to. This time
though, you might want to stop and really look at what is in front of you. Feel
the texture of the tree. Can you incorporate this same rough texture into your
creation? What colours are the leaves? Where I live, the leaves are already
starting to change colours. Think of how you can incorporate these colours into
your project. Are there any birds, animals or insects in the tree? You might be
influenced by something that lives in the tree rather than the tree itself. It
doesn't matter what it is that you draw inspiration from; just choose something
that inspires you. The beauty and magic of the universe is woven into the
very fabric of everything around us from the simple—like that blade of grass in
Miller's quote—to the profound—like the cosmos. We simply need to be willing to
pay close attention, be willing to truly see what is in front of us. There
is always more to discover, no matter how familiar something seems. (A
few added notes- the monthly twist is completely optional. As long as your creation
is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature consider
entering it into the POP challenge, and you might $6 worth of images from
our sponsor, Scribbles
Designs, and/or be honored as one of our special "picks"!
I was very mindful on a recent walk, mainly appreciating a bright day,
with a cool breeze, and still many colorful flowers adding color to the
neighborhood. The air smelled wonderfully fresh after an early morning shower,
and there were many birds and other critters, especially squirrels enjoying the
day. This was all lovely, but I saw nothing I’d consider unexpected until I walked
up our front walk and noticed a large yellow butterfly dancing through my sweet
husband’s flower garden, visiting each of the remaining blooms! We regularly see
bees and butterflies amid the flowers,
but I have never seen such a large and all-yellow one. It truly added a bright- and unexpected- end to my
walk!
Supplies:
·
Instructions for Z-fold card base can be found HERE.
·
Butterfly Digi-A Freebie from
The Graphics Fairy-
(B&W
Butterfly clip art)
·
Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique
markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·
Front Sentiment “Thinking of You” from my scrapbook stash.
·
Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.
·
Patterned paper, misc. items and tools from my stash.
Entered into:
Stop back later!
Another of my
favorite challenges is Park Hopping-My Happy Place. It's a fav mainly for two reasons- 1) the
host is one of the kindest and most generous people I know, and 2) it has helped me to develop a whole bucket list
of theme parks I want to visit before I… well… kick the bucket!
So I
was thrilled when asked to be a guest DT for the September challenge, which has
a theme of Willie Wonka, i.e. CHOCOLATE!!! I had so much fun making this card, and
not just because it required me to purchase a chocolate bar from a local
convenience store. (Note- since I don’t believe in wasting supplies, chocolate WAS
eaten in the making of this card!)
My
candy bar is dark chocolate (of course!) and although all the scoring of
squares was a bit time-consuming, the tutorial I found on the web and my old
Scor-Pal (a tool I seldom use) made it pretty easy!
Supplies:
· Tutorial for
Chocolate Bar Card found at Splitcoaststampers (I found a few
on Pinterest, too. The one here is a gift card holder!)
·
Scor-Pal (available from many shops on the web)
· Front Sentiment- “But
First, Chocolate”-a freebie from The Hungry jpeg (HERE)
·
Front Sentiment “Chocolate doesn’t ask silly questions…”- freebie from
skogstokiga.blogspot.com- (Sadly, blog is closed)
·
Inside Sentiment- Desert Diva Freebie (You did it
Congratulation-graduation)
·
Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.
·
Patterned paper, cardstock, gold foil from candy bar, and other items from my stash.
·
Cardstock, wrapper/gold foil from a candy bar, and other items from my stash.
Entered into:
Stop back later!
