Card Design: Path of Positivity Ch. #49--Opt. Theme: PRESENT NOT PERFECT

Hello there my fine friends! It has been over a year since I have had the chance to create a card for The Path of Positivity Challenge and this month I'll be doing two! The first card I'm sharing is one I created for the the start of the challenge. It is the card I made for my hubby's recent birthday.

I'll also be sharing the sentiment I created for the start of the challenge, which you can find at the bottom of this post. Don't forget, even though I no longer have the time to share them here, you can always find two new free sentiments each month, always on the first and third Mondays of the month over on The Path of Positivity Challenge; so, be sure to check in over there. I'd love for you to join in our challenges as well. Things have changed slightly this year. While any of the projects entered must still be inspirational, positive or encouraging in some manner, the themes are now optional. Be sure to head on over to check out all the rules for entering.

Katrina Brown, one of my DT, came up with the optional theme and theme description this month which is all about the idea of being 'present, not perfect'. Here is the theme description to give you a better idea of what the optional theme is all about:

Have you ever been in the position where you wanted to participate, but you just didn’t feel you had the talent to compete or be accepted? Have you ever wanted to reach out, but you just didn’t know the perfect thing to say? Have you wanted to share, but simply couldn’t for fear of making a fool of yourself?

We’ve all been in one, and most likely all, of these situations at some point! The need to be perceived as perfect is so strong in some and it keeps us from being present and in the moment.

Our challenge for you this month is to step out of your perfection zone and be positive about what you have to contribute! Perhaps you visit the site and enjoy the work of others and share something with us for the first time! Maybe you’ve shared many times, but now you will try a new technique you’ve been afraid to try for fear of failing. Possibly you’ve wanted to try doing a video or pictorial teaching aid to go along with your art. Another idea, is to make a sympathy or encouragement card for someone who might need to know you are thinking of them. Don’t worry about the perfect words; a lovely picture can go a long way to convey your thoughts. Of course, you could always share a card encouraging someone else to step out of their zone or letting them know just how wonderful they are just by being present in your life!

Yes, there really is something to this saying, ‘present not perfect’ that is so positive and freeing. Just jump into the moment and give what is uniquely you!

 Cool right?! Katrina also helped me figure out how to fit my hubby's birthday card to the theme (Thanks Katrina!). Many people have the tendency to put things off thinking there will be a perfect age or time to accomplish their goals. Unfortunately, by putting things off they end up missing out. We think that a certain age or time in our life will be the RIGHT time to get things done. Unfortunately, that time comes and goes and we're nowhere further ahead. We may never have that perfect future we're looking for so we need to stop waiting around for it and start doing things NOW in the present!

When it comes to our birthday itself, we also need to stop hoping for the perfect day--the ultimate birthday. Many of us have a tendency to build up big expectations for our birthdays, especially the milestone ones. Sadly, we get caught in the idea of how we would like a certain birthday to be, instead of simply being present and enjoying the wonder of our life as we age. Having recently celebrated my 50th, I'm certainly guilty of that! I had such high expectations and as a result was a little disappointed with how the day actually went. I should have just allowed myself to be present and live in the moment instead of expecting it to be perfect. Perfectionism is a trait that I have been trying to break since I was a tween! I really need to get in the mindset of this month's theme and start thinking less of perfection and more of living in the NOW!

How about you? Do you struggle with trying to be perfect and miss out the present? We'd love for you to share your creations and stories with us this month over on The Path of Positivity!

This month our sponsors are...

Imagine That! Digistamp...

AND

Pickled Potpourri Designs...

I opted to work with an image from Imagine That Digistamp for my card for the start of the challenge. Of course what better image to use than the one that I requested Kristy make to honour my hubby and his love for frogs!

Raymond's Frogs

Here are my card and details...

General Info:

• This card was created 100% digitally and then layered in a Mock Up (courtesy of Frisk Shop). It has now been printed out and assembled.
• I was inspired by an old From the Heart Stamps sketch for this card.

FRONT

Digital Image Details:

• As mentioned above, the image is available in the Raymond's Frogs set. Click on the watermark above to find its location in the store.
• I have used the precoloured image and just created my own background. Credits include:
• sky/clouds pattern from Webtreats, Etc.

Embellishments:

• The button used in the lower right hand corner is from my Trick or Treat kit which comes with seven different sets, including the General Elements section previewed below. This bundle can be purchased in the Scribbles Designs store. You can find it HERE.

•  The three buttons used in the upper left hand area are from my A Touch of Class kit which comes with 11 different sets, including the Brads & Buttons section previewed below. This bundle can also be purchased in the Scribbles Designs store. You can find it HERE.

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment:

• The happy birthday part of the sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC. For great freebies and inspiration be sure to click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and for awesome sets for purchase, click HERE to go to the home page of the store. The top part was created by me.

OVERALL
Digital Paper Products:

• The paper used for the background on the front and inside, along with the paper used as an accent piece on the front are from the Celebrate Summer kit created by Rachel Dickson available at {Computer} Scrapbook.com. 

Digital Embellishments:

• The circle shape was created in Photoshop Elements and the stitched circle was created using Libre Office Draw.
• I have applied shadow layer styles to give certain elements some depth. These styles were designed by Sheila Reid, Pixel Scrapper.

Challenges I am hoping to enter...

• http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ (5E)-- Anything Goes
• http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
• http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes
• http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com.au (3E) (Max 10) -- Anything Goes
• http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.ca/ (3E) -- Always Anything Goes 

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Finally, that brings me to the free sentiment that was offered up at the challenge start...

Please be sure to click on it to bring it up into the lightbox in its proper size before saving it.

Additional Credit and Font Information:
 

Fonts used

• Bunthok font created by Ront Beld of GroenS
• Flamingo font created by Jumbo Design

Click on the font names to take you to a download location. The first font listed was purchased as part of a limited time bundle with an extended commercial use license. While the bundle is no longer available, you may be able to purchase the font itself from the designer. It currently isn't listed in his Creative Market store but if you really want, you should contact him through the link above to see if it is still available for purchase. The second font listed was also purchased as part of a limited time bundle with an extended commercial use license. This bundle is still available and may be accessed through the link above. It is my understanding, that I am within my rights to use these fonts in my creations and offer them to others for free or for sale. Always check to make sure the terms haven't changed before using the font on something you sell.

You will notice that the sentiment may appear huge depending on what software program you download it into. You can always reduce the size without distorting the overall look.

Credit Notes For This Creation:

© 2017, Lisa L. Décosse. PUO. However, you are allowed to use the sentiment on handmade projects that you intend to sell on a small scale basis provided credit is given. You also need to include a credit note and a link to this blog or my personal blog, Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, should you use any of my images in your creations and post them on your blog. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with my full terms of use found in the 'Download Instructions & T.O.U.' tab at the top of this page. Of important note:  Please do not share my images with family, friends, etc. Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Box®, 4-Shared®, etc. Instead, please direct people to my blog(s) so they can grab the image for themselves. If you would like to post a watermarked version of the image, please contact me to obtain one.

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I invite you to go and check out, not only, the fabulous creations the members of my Design Team had the opportunity to create over on the Path of Positivity but also the entries linked up so far for this month's challenge (click HERE for the start post). I also invite you to come over and enter a project yourself, if you haven't already. There is no better time to work on being present, not perfect. What is stopping you from entering?

Well, that is it for this one! I will be back with another post on Friday so I'll see you soon!!!

Until next time,