Digis for Debbie Fund Raiser with Fresh Brewed Designs

Good morning and welcome to the Digis for Debbie Fundraiser Blog Hop. Recently, we learned that Mrs. Debbie Lynch, the beautiful and loving mother of Heather Dennis, owner of Fresh Brewed Designs, was diagnosed with a rare form of uterine cancer. As most of you may know, cancer related medical costs can be quite expensive in the United States, and Mrs. Debbie currently has no medical insurance, which makes the cost significantly higher. Therefore, we have decided to help raise enough money to cover these medical expenses, as well as aftercare expenses, by creating a digi shop. All the proceeds of the Digis for Debbie Fundraiser Shop and the Fresh Brewed Designs Store will go directly to Mrs. Debbie to fund her lifesaving surgery and the aftercare necessary to bring her back to wellness. Furthermore, Heather has created a Give Forward Account to assist her mother. 

If you would like to help, please stop by the Digis for Debbie Fundraiser Shop, the Fresh Brewed Designs Store, and/or the Give Forward Account. For those of you who are not able to contribute monetarily, we would love for you to add Mrs. Debbie to your prayer list. If there is one thing we know, prayers can work miracles that money cannot and healing and wellness is what we are praying to receive.

The hop launches today, Tuesday, July 14th on the Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Blog, and will run until Tuesday, July 28th @ 11:59 PM Eastern Time. All participants can be found in the linkies section of *THIS POST* on the Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Blog, and we would love to have you join us! We do ask that you use a digi from the Digis for Debbie Fundraiser Shop or the Fresh Brewed Designs Store, and the theme is Anything Goes, and you can enter as often as you would like. Two prize packages will be awarded, one prize for a digi purchaser and one prize for a blog hop participant. Winners will be chosen on Saturday, August 1st. The prizes will consist of stamps, papers, ribbon, embellishments, etc.; plus, some random prizes will be offered by some generous blog hop participants along the hop.  Also, Cara is offering one random commenter a 12-month subscription to her awesome on-line crafty magazine, Through the Craft Room Door.  It is filled with creativity, inspiration, crafty techniques, and loads of helpful information to fuel your artistic mojo.  

Thank you for dropping by and for helping us with our fundraising efforts; and again, we ask that you keep Mrs. Debbie in your prayers. Have a wonderful Tuesday, crafty friends! We look forward to admiring your creations! :)

I know all too well the ravages of cancer as it has affected and / or taken many of my family members.  My own mother battled and won her fought with vaginal cancer and continues to battle her fight with skin cancer on her scalp.  Thankfully it has been almost two months since her surgery and while she remains sore, she is healing.  Better yet, the biopsy came back with all the margins being cleared.  We are lucky in Canada that the majority of our medical costs, especially for surgeries and such are covered by our government.  Sadly it is not the case in the US.  I have heard of many families going bankrupt just to pay their medical bills so if there is any way you can help out, please do so.  Remember, even if you can't assist monetarily, helping to spread the news of this special hop and or including Debbie in your prays can still help out a lot.

I have created a special sentiment set for the hop along with a special set of papers that will hopefully be added to the fundraiser page very soon.  The sales from either of these sets will go towards the fundraising efforts.  Once again you can find all the images available for sale in the Digis for Debbie Fundraiser Shop.

Here are my contributions...

I will also choose a random person who leaves a comment on this post between now and July 28th to receive the sentiment set for free and another person to receive the paper set for free; so, be sure to leave me a comment for your chance to win!

Here is the card I have created for the hop.  I will also being sending it to Heather so that she can forward it to her mother...

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• I have used two images from Fresh Brewed Designs. One is the wonderful Heart Hot Air Balloon that I adore so much.  I coloured this image with Copic Markers.  For the second one I took the tree image from the fundraiser set and duplicated the tops of it a few times so that it looked like my balloon was floating above the trees.  I coloured this image with coloured pencils.

Embellishments: 

• The half pearls were purchased at Dollarama. 
• The tag is a digital shape from Marisa Lerin, Pixel Scrapper, that I duplicated, added the sentiment to and then fussy cut.

INSIDE

Digital Image Details:  

• I have used one of the images from the fundraiser set to serve as accent pieces on either side of the sentiment.

OVERALL
Digital Sentiment Details:

•  My own from the sentiment set I created for the fundraiser.  Preview and details above.
  

Paper Products: 

• Card, image and sentiment bases: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.
• Designer Papers:  The floral paper and the piece on the bottom are from the Recollection's The Sweetest Thing paper pad. The yellow striped paper is from the Recollection's Bold Basics paper pad.

Challenges I hope to enter... 

***Please note that if the word verification appears, ignore it and simply click the 'publish' button***

• Word Art Wednesday -- Anything Goes
• http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes but must be a card
• http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes but no digital colouring
• http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.ca/ (3E) -- Always Anything Goes (2nd entry)
• http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Always Anything Goes
• http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.ca/ (2E) -- Always Anything Goes (first entry)
• http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ -- It's a Triple Play (I have used three different digi images.  I have also used three brads on the front of my card)
• http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Anything Goes
• http://alphabetchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ --  K is for Kind Thoughts (offering up hope to someone going through a challenge serves as a kind thought)
• http://graphitmarkers.blogspot.co.uk/ -- SHADES OF PINK, YELLOW or ORANGE (my DP has all three colours and the image has been coloured with pink and yellow as well)

Thanks so much for popping over today.  I hope that you get the chance to join in our hop and give to the cause if you are able.  It is always wonderful when the crafting community is able to come together for events like this!

Click HERE to join in now!

Until next time,

Motivational Monday: You Gotta Have Hope

If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Mondays, please go HERE.

What exactly is hope?  I guess the best place to start is with the definition of the word. According to Miriam Webster, hope means:

1.  to cherish a desire with anticipation

2.  to desire with expectation of obtainment

3.  to expect with confidence 

So, hope isn't about wishing, because wishes are just about wanting a fantasy to come to pass.  To actually hope for something one must strongly believe that the end result will be a positive one; that if we truly believe, we will achieve our desired outcome.  Hope is isn't a passive activity, it is hard work.

Why do we need hope?  Well, believe or not hope is the one thing that can help us reach the other side of whatever trouble we are facing.  Unfortunately, for many people, life isn't always glamorous or easy.  Many of us encounter difficulties throughout our lives.  I doubt that there are very many people who have skated through live unscathed.  When we encounter those difficulties we need to find something to latch onto and for most of us, that is hope.  I came across this quote while doing some research, "As humans, we need hope. We can't live without it. It is the lifeblood to our spiritual survival, and the only thing that pulls us out of the deep trenches of the pain and hurt of life." (Goins, 2009, para. 4).  Without hope in our lives we would spiral down into a state of despair.  I've been there and it is no place to be whether for a short stay or a long term visit.  Thankfully, I managed to pull back out, reach out and grab onto a sliver of hope. Know that when you need to draw on it, hope can be there for you too.

Not only is hope good for our soul but it is also good for our mind and body.  Studies have been shown that people who have hope in their lives have a different neurochemistry than those who don't.  Hope has been shown to act like a narcotic by blocking pain.  Other studies indicate that our respiratory and circulation systems, along with our motor functions can also be impacted by the concept of hope.  Think of what that could possibly do for someone experiencing pain on a daily basis or someone facing the effects of a deadly disease.  Now, it is still possible that your body will give in to the condition you are facing BUT think of what hope can do to prolong our existence and keep us from giving in to the deleterious effects of what we are facing.  In other words, isn't it better to face our days in hope rather than in fear?

HOPE--it really does make a difference.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Right about now I should be heading out to have a wonderful supper with my hubby.  If you missed my earlier posts, today we are celebrating the 26th anniversary of the day we started dating.  So, I am hoping that this post goes out as scheduled.

Over on the Path of Positivity, we are looking for posts or projects that epitomize the concept of Hope which is our theme for this month's challenge.  I have also included this essay as part of the midway post over on PoP so if you are in the habit of checking in over there as well, you'll be able to skip the top half of that post.  I've also offered a free motivational quote on hope for you to download as well.

To help inspire you down the path of hope, I invite you to go and check out, not only, the wonderful creations some members of my Design Team had the opportunity to create over on the Path of Positivity (click HERE for the midway) but also some of the great entries into this month's challenge (click HERE for the challenge).  I also invite you to come over and enter a project yourself, if you haven't already. Additionally, there are still three days left to vote on the entries in Challenge #6.  To vote, click HERE.

Have a wonderful week everyone.  May you always find the well of hope full to draw from when you need it the most.  

Until next time,

 

Card Design: Ike's World Challenge #2...Awareness

I am so pleased to announce to you all that I am now a proud member of the new and wonderful...

I am thrilled to bits to be part of this amazing group of talented women and it is always cool to be part of an inaugural team.  If you've happened to have seen all my Saturday Showcases, then you already know how much a fan I am of the incredibly talented woman Ike, and her work.  I've spotlights some of her amazing creations in at least three showcases over the past year!  I've even managed to use some of her digis in my creations.  I've wanted to do more but my DT work with other artists always keeps me hopping.

Well, they say that when one door closes another opens.  While I haven't personally announced it yet on my own blog, some of you may have heard that San from San's Design is taking a break for personal reasons (however she is keeping the store open).  Since I will no longer be creating regularly scheduled cards or posts for that team in the foreseeable future, I jumped at the chance to apply for Ike's World Challenges.   And, YaY!  I actually managed to make it!

So starting today, expect to meet some of the outstanding artwork from Ike's Art making an appearance on this blog every two weeks.  I am soooooo excited!!!!!!!!!  Ike got such a huge response that she has divided the team into two groups.  This way you will get to see some fabulous creations every single week on the challenge blog.  Cool eh?!

So without further ado, how about I show you what I created for my first ever Ike's World DT submission...

General Information:

• For my first project, I decided to incorporate an image that I coloured into a digital layout.

Digital Image:

• Awareness:  This stunning image is called 'Awareness' and you can purchase it in the store by checking out the 'My Latest Designs' section.  I've linked the watermark below to go straight to the store.

• I've coloured the image using Copic Markers.  Skin:  E000, E00, E02, R20.  Ribbon:   RV00, RV02, RV04.
• If the image looks familiar to you, it might be because you saw it on a card I did for the Path of Positivity challenge when we did the theme of  'Strength'.
• After the images was printed out and coloured, I then scanned and uploaded it to my program so that I could incorporate it into a digital layout.

Digital Sentiment:

• The digital sentiment is one I created but haven't released yet.

Other Credits:

• All of the remaining digital elements that I have used for this layout (except for the darker pink frame which I created myself) are from the kit called 'Another Tea Party' created by Correen Silke, a contributor to {computer}scrapbook.com.

Challenges I hope to enter:
I hope to be able to enter some challenges later this week and/or month with the help of a friend.

So be sure to come and play along with us during the next two weeks over at Ike's World Challenges. You can find out everything you need to know in order to play, by heading to the challenge blog.  I've linked the logo below to take you there.  While you are over there, please be sure to check out the incredible creations offered up by my fellow DT members.

Until next time,

 

Hope is Not Enough, But it is a Start...

Hope is not enough to change the world, to bring peace, to end starvation and poverty, to provide a decent education for all children, or to prevent nuclear holocaust. Yet it is a critical starting point for building a better and brighter future. All of us are challenged to connect hope to action until we have created a mighty river that will carve a new path to the future. ~David Krieger

Before I publish this week's Wonderful Wednesday post, I feel the need to say a few words regarding the latest tragedy that has befallen us.  It is very hard to celebrate amidst the chaos going on in our world.  For the last several years, I have to hold my breath and hope and pray that another tragic event doesn't happen during the week of my birthday.  Needless to say, another one has hit and more people are dead as a result.

The trend seems to have started with the terrible events that occurred in Waco, Texas so many years ago in 1993.  Can you believe it will be 20 years on April 19th since Waco?  This event ended in the deaths of over 75 people.  Then two years later, 168 more people lose their lives and 680 were injured in the devastating events surrounding the Oklahoma City bombings.  I cried on and off for days over that one.  On April 20th, 1999 we saw the first of what has begun a series of terrible school shootings all beginning in Columbine.  12 more people no longer in this world because of the senselessness of what seems to have started because of bullying.  Then, April 16th in 2007 we experience the unimaginable killing spree which resulted in another 32 people dying for no sensible reason at all with the Virginia Tech shootings.  We had gone six whole years without some terrible event occuring during the third week of April.  I was so hopeful.  Then some terrorist has to try and prove something to the world and three more people are gone, one a child, and so many injured just like that.  There is wide speculation as to what it is about this time of year that draws out so much evil but I guess we'll never really know what propels people to do such horrendous acts.  

Now please know that I am aware that the world doesn't revolve around me and my birthday, it would just be nice not to have to spill many, many tears during a time when it would be nice to celebrate.  All I can do is pray for those people involved and hope for a more peaceful world.  I believe it is appropriate to once again introduce one of my older quotes.  The sentiment is certainly appropriate for this time.

Nikki from Melonheadz has created a beautiful image in tribute of this latest tragedy.  Do go check it out when you have the chance.  You can find it HERE.

  
 

References:  

Escobedo, Tricia . (2011). What is it about mid-April and violence in America?. Available: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/19/april.attacks.conspiracy/index.html. Last accessed 17th April 1013.

Paul, Mark. (2010). April's Third Week: Time of Tragedy in America. Available: http://voices.yahoo.com/aprils-third-week-time-tragedy-america-5956646.html. Last accessed 17th April 1013.

Motivational Monday: November 26, 2012

Inspiration can come from the oddest sources.  My favourite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on television late Friday night (go ahead laugh it up).  It is the musical episode called "Once More With Feeling".  There were two quotes towards the end of the episode that I thought would be perfect for Motivational Monday.  I am going to share one of them with you today.  The quote is "where there is life--there is hope".  Pretty profound for a science fiction show, wouldn't you say? 

Now actually, I didn’t take it for granted that the quote was original to the show so I went looking for the source.  Apparently, the expression originates in Ecclesiastes and is based on the Latin proverb “Dum vita est, spes est” --while there's life, there's hope.  However, where it comes from isn’t as important as the meaning it conveys.  While you still have a single breath left in you, then there is chance for change.  Today though, I am not focusing so much on the message of the quote but rather on where inspiration comes from. 

Inspiration can be found in many places.  It can come from our own imaginations or from the world around us.  You just have to start looking.  Our senses play a huge part in our inspirational journey.  We can be inspired by things that we see, things we hear, things that we touch.  We can even be inspired by the way something smells.  So if you are looking for inspiration, interact with the world around you.  You never know where your next idea may come from.

When you come across an idea, write it down.  I used to keep a journal where I would cut things out from magazines that inspired me to create.  These days I keep most everything in folders on my computer.  However you choose to store the ideas that encourage you, make it a system that works for your own lifestyle.  The more organized you are, the easier it will be to find the things that move you and get the creative juices flowing again when you are stuck for ideas.  

Inspiration is not just about helping us with our creativity though.  Sometimes, we need a little extra encouragement to help keep us motivated to get through the day, a project or another complexity we are facing in our lives.  During those situations, I find it best to turn more towards nature and the wonders of the world around you or to the thoughts and words from others (i.e. quotes).  It doesn’t matter what it is, just find something that you can grasp onto to help you navigate your way through the difficulties.

Whether it is in your personal life or your professional one, continue to look for things that inspire you to be better & do better every single day.  It won't be easy but nothing in life ever is.  You'll need to work at it.  Try an idea out, play around with the concept in different ways.  Sure, you'll probably be frustrated but that is part of the process.  You need to go down different alleys, knock on a few doors, and even get turned away until you finally come to your destination.  The key is to never stop trying.

So, where do you get your inspiration from?  I’d love to know.

Before I go, here is your motivational quote for this week.

If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

Until next time, 

Clipart Information:

The graphic of the hands is a public domain image which can be found at Free Clipart Now. 

Fonts Used: 

• Big Lou

• Brock Script

Click the font name to take you to a download location.  The Brock Script font is considered free for commercial use and the Big Lou font is free for personal use.  According to 1001 Fonts, 'personal use' typically refers to any use that is not meant to generate profit. So, I believe that I am safe in using it here in these designs and offering it to all of you.

If you haven't already, please become familiar with my terms of use found in the copyright tab at the top of this page.  I have included a quick summary below.   If you are not sure how to copy the image, check out the download instructions page.  
  
Quick summary of Terms of Use:

• Do not claim the image as your own.
• Credit 'Decosse's Dynamite Doodles' somewhere on your creation
• Do not share my images with family, friends, etc.  Additionally, do not post any images to file sharing services like Pinterest®, 4-Shared®, etc.  Instead, please direct people to my blog so they can grab the image for themselves.
• If I have signed an image, do not delete my signature.
• Leave a comment on my blog.  It is currently the only way for me to know if any of my freebies are being nabbed.  Additionally, it will help to inspire me to continue to create and offer future freebies. 

References:

Author Unknown. (2009). Latin Proverbs: Motivational Latin Proverbs. Available: http://latin-proverbs.com/phrases/while-there-is-life-there-is-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Author Unknown. (2012). while there is life there is hope. Available: http://www.answers.com/topic/while-there-s-life-there-s-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Meindl, Anthony . (2012). Where Does Inspiration Come From?. Available: http://www.dailyactor.com/2012/11/acting-advice-where-does-inspiration-come-from/. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

“Once More With Feeling”.  Buffy The Vampire Slayer.  UPN.  Much More Music, Toronto, ON. 23 November 2012. 

Rose, Gene. (2008). Where Does Inspiration Come From? . Available: http://governmentcommunicators.blogspot.ca/2008/04/where-does-inspiration-come-from.html. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Xerri-Brooks, Sally. (2012). Where does inspiration come from?. Available: http://sallyxerribrooks.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/where-does-inspiration-come-from/. Last accessed 25th November 2012.