myasperations 9-1-25a

     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 monthly themes. The goal for 2025 is "Embrace the Unexpected in our lives." The theme for September is "Take a Walk & Find Inspiration from Something Unexpected that You See Along Your Route.” 

       The following excerpts are taken from this months introduction that Lisa  provides HERE. 

      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'."

    The optional project (or twist) for September is to actually go for a walk and pay attention to what is around you, swatching for 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 it. 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. 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"!

    On a recent walk I focused my attention on signs of beauty and life in my little world… and I found many! I was thankful for the beautiful day. The sky was a gorgeous shade of blue with a few high wispy clouds. The air smelled wonderfully fresh after an early morning shower, and a cool breeze teased my hair. Flowers added shouts of color to the neighborhood, and many birds and other critters, especially squirrels, were enjoying the day with me. This was all lovely, but I saw nothing I’d consider “unexpected” until I turned up our front walk and noticed a large yellow butterfly dancing through the flower garden that my sweet husband planted and tended for me! We regularly see bees and butterflies amid  the flowers, but I’d never seen a butterfly as bright yellow as this one, and it’s wings were not the typical shape. I paused to watch it dance from bloom to bloom, and was thankful for the bright, and unexpected, way God has wrapped up 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:  

Word Art Wednesday Challenge- Weeks #714-715 AG/Family Friendly

Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Anything Goes (Sept) (optional twist- Stripes)  

Outlawz Challenge-Sept 2025 Linky 

   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: 

Polkadoodles Challenge- Challenge 10, Week 1-AG                     

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge-AG

     This card for the Park Hopping Willy Wonka inspired challenge features donuts fussy-cut from colorful school folders! Don’t they look yummy enough to eat? The sentiments are computer generated. Easy Peasy!

Supplies: 

·    Donut photos- School folders from the local Dollar Store

·    Sentiments-Computer Generated

·    Sookwang double-sided tape- Available from several sources on the web.

·    Confetti patterned paper, cardstock, other misc. items and tools from my stash.

Entered into:  

Classic Design Challenge: Anything Goes #08-2025 Aug/Sept 

Park Hopping-My Happy Place (Sept)   Mini Donuts by Joffrey's Coffee™ at Blizzard Beach

Colorful Options Monthly Challenge: Sept Color Board (Anything Goes)