November Challenge Contest - Try it you might like it!

Happy post Halloween!  Did you get enough of the kids candy stashed away for yourself?   Or maybe you're still going through the bags looking? ;-)  We live in the country so mom and/or dad drive the kids door to door.  If the porch light is on they stop and let the kids out to trick or treat.  Then back in the car to the next house.  Last night we saw someone driving a car with a flashing light on top.  We weren't sure what that was all about. lol

Now it's the first of another new month again and we have the start of our Nov. challenge contest.  I thought I would do something a little different.  No.  Not like last month.  And actually it's two things different.  First I am not giving you just an image but more of a vignette to work with.  And I decided to take a break for December so I'm not giving you a week's deadline.  I'm giving you the whole month of Nov.!  Now, is that long enough for those of you who find a week way to short? :-)

The same rules apply just the dates are different and
IN THIS CHALLENGE CONTEST WE HAVE ONLY 3 SIMPLE RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your creation.

2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.

3. This contest ends midnight Nov 30. All entries will be posted Dec. 2 and ready for voting.
The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Here is the image you have to work with.    The word prompt is TIME, you can use it in your work or not, but let it inspire your mind to wander...maybe somewhere you might not normally go. 

Creating is like a muscle.  If you use it, it grows and becomes strong.  Look to that which is within you.

So go.  Create!

Can't wait to see your inspirations!

hugs

Gail

October Challenge Results

Everyone has voted, either by leaving a comments here on the blog or emailing me.  And we have a winner.  This months challenge challenged you and I thank those who rose to the challenge and entered.  What fun!

Congratulations to Penny Plum!  Our winner this month!   Anni Ploug and Joy Northrup are our runners up!  Congratulations ladies!  Penny wins a $20.00 shopping spree at Shabby Cottage Studio and Anni and Joy both win a free collage sheet of their choice.  I will be in touch ladies!

I thank each and every one of you so much for stepping outside your comfort zone and joining in the fun this month!

Happy Arting!
Gail

Now THIS was a Challenge! Let's Vote!

Okay!  So I think I took a lot of you out of your comfort zone. :-)  Our amount of entries dropped tremendously and I found this to be an interesting experiment and not necessesarily a negative one.  Those who did brave the image, step out of their box and enter the challenge, cracked me up with their email entries and their "take" on what the image was before they figured out that it actually was a bumble bee on a thistle. 

Check out what  Lisa and Penny wrote on their blogs to get a feel for what was  in some of the entrants thoughts this month!  And while you are reading, dig out the nugget of truth Penny left for us to remember;-)

A BIG HIGH FIVE to those who entered!!!!!!!!  You guys are great!
So let's get to the voting!!!!!!!!

HOW TO VOTE:
1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight Oct. 15, 2009 and winners will be posted Oct. 16, 2009.
(If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy: Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.)
Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.
So let's get started! Below are all the entries.

Penny Plum  Palaver from Pellie & Ghengis Khat.blogspot.com/

Lisa Mallette studio rose

Joy Northrup  Joy to the Blog

Gale

Birgit  Swapping Howdies

Anni Ploug  Anni's Art

Where can we find inspiration?

Everywhere!

if we remember to crack our

Minds Wide Open!

Gail

October Challenge Contest

I want to thank all of you who satisfied my curiosity and left a comment in answer to my question about the challenges.  It looks like we will continue on as we've been going.  This month I did try to change it up a bit and throw out something  a little different and I will continue to do that as I can.  But my problem is that I design what I like and use images I myself like to use in my own art.  So I find it difficult to create anything I don't like. ;-)  My perogative as an artist I suppose.  I never get tired of the image of a vintage woman or children or flowers.  I'm also one of those that believe art CAN be pretty.  For myself I belive there is nothing wrong with pretty, there is enough ugliness in this world.  When I painted furniture and walls I painted pretty designs and today as I work more in the  mixed media world I still do pretty.  It is what I like to surround myself with.

As always this Challenge is really all about getting you to stop and smell the roses.  To stop and take some time for you.  And yes I am a broken record because this is something I believe in passionately.  If we treat ourselves well and believe that we also deserve some time to do something just for us, it truly does manifest itself in doing good for others.  I am definitley not advocating selfishness.  No, just some time here and some there to do something for ourselves that makes us happy.  We deserve to be as happy as we make the people around us!


IN THIS CHALLENGE CONTEST WE HAVE ONLY 3 SIMPLE RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your work.
2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.
3. The contest ends midnight Oct. 8. All entries will be posted Oct. 9 ready for voting.
The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

So here is our image for October.  And I am giving you no word prompt this month.  I'm really excited to see what you all do with this!

Happy Arting!

Gail

We have a Winner! And a Question!

Wow was it close this month!  And we have three runners up because they all TIED!  Yep, all three of them!  But our winner for the September challenge was Pam Marostica!!!  So let's give her a round of applause and a hearty congratulations! Pam will receive a $20.00 shopping spree at Shabby Cottage Studio.

And our three runners up who all tied are Lilibulle, Veronique and Rose!  All three of them will be able to choose a free collage sheet of their choice.

I will be in touch with all of you ladies.  CONGRATULATIONS to each of you.  And CONGRATULATIONS to each of you who, took the time,  took up the challenge and entered!!!

I received an email the other day that has made me curious.  Rather than remain simply curious I will just ask you...are you tired of this challenge contest?  Is it getting boring?  Predictable?  Unchallenging?  Do we need to find a way to give it a new twist?  Keep on keeping on or simply let it go?  You tell me.  I'm curious. :-)  And since I'm a woman who tries to listen, tune in the first of next month and I will try to have something a little different for you. :-)

I hope everyone is getting a little creative love
Gail

The Entries Are Up...Come Vote!!

Already we're rushing through September! I finish one thing and turn around to be faced with something else that needs to be done. Hurry, right away, right now.... STAT! LOL At least that's how it feels sometimes. So I'm thrilled some of you were able to step out of the fast lane for a little while this week and join us in the MWO Challenge! I hope you had fun and enjoyed yourselves in the process and let your Creative Muse soothe you amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. My thanks to each and every one of you!

If I missed anything, an entry, a blog address, (some of you did not send me a blog address, so if you just forgot, send it on and I will add it) a misspelling of a name, please let me know and I will happily correct it. If you have sent in more than one image it is at my discretion as to whether I post one or two of them.

So let's VOTE!!!!!!!!

HOW TO VOTE:

1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight Sept. 15, 2009 and winners will be posted Sept16, 2009.

(If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy: Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.)

Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

So let's get started! Below are all the entries.

Rose


Tracy

www.tracykaufman.blogspot.com

Tina Wilson www.gardengoose.blogspot.com


Veronique http://avalonnescrappe.canalblog.com


Robin http://thriftymissprissy.typepad.com/


Rebecca Smith http://www.patinamoon.blogspot.com


Pam Marostica


Mary Albrethsen www.marysrosecottage.blogspot.com


Louloupi www.louloupi.org


Lisa Mallette http://studiorose.wordpress.com/


Lilibulle http://123lilibulle.canalblog.com


Jenny http://suppliesoverflowing.blogspot.com/


Jann Cook http://www.a-vintage-heart.blogspot.com/


Cecilia Swatton http://heartworkbycecilia.blogspot.com


Carolyn http://littlegreteldolls.blogspot.com/


Alison Mayes http://alis-space.blogspot.com/


Create with Love
Gail

The Challenge is up. Let's Get Started!

So here we are. September. Poised on the brink of Fall. We've all been busy with summer and all to soon fall activities will have us dancing through yet another whirlwind season. Our lives have become so busy anymore that sometimes it's hard to remember what it's like to not be so busy to slow down, to be quiet inside and out. As I age I find it more difficult to keep up with everything. And then I ask myself...do I want to? And do I have to? When it all gets a bit to overwhelming I walk away from the news, the television, the computer, the noise, and go into my studio and close the door for whatever time I can squeeze out to enjoy the simple quiet bliss of creating.

And so I always hope that for those of you who might feel the same way this Challenge offers you the opportunity to do just that, slip away to the studio and for a short while experience your own quiet bliss of creating.

IN THIS CHALLENGE CONTEST WE HAVE ONLY 3 SIMPLE RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your work.

2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.

3. The contest ends midnight Sept. 8. All entries will be posted Sept 9 ready for voting.

The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

And here is your Challenge image. Remember you must use the image in your creation. The inspirational word prompt is Daughter. It is optional whether you use the word prompt in your entry.

Have fun, enjoy and

Create with Love

Gail

Be Amazed!

A friend shared this with me in an email and I just HAD to share with all of you because I thought it absolutely amazing!


Talk about being good with digital!

Create with Love
Gail

You have voted!

It was such a beautiful summer day today I couldn't bring myself to sit down at the computer since it seems I've done nothing this past week but deal with "computer issues". So the day is coming to a close and a new week starts in only hours and I figured I better get over here and tell you who won this months Challenge Contest!
:-)

We had a lot of close votes again but our clear winner this month is Myrna Ernst http://more-than-heirlooms.blogspot.com/!

Our two runners up are Lynn Stevens http://trashtotreasureartblogspot.com and Anni Ploug http://annisart.blogspot.com/!

Myrna wins a $20.00 shopping spree at Shabby Cottage Studio and our runners up each receive a free collage sheet of their choice. CONGRATULATIONS and ladies I will be in touch!

The rest of our entrants all posted beautiful work and you know our voters always have a difficult time choosing...just read the comments. So I thank each and every one of you fronm teh bottom of my heart for participating this month and I hope we see you again next month when we do it all over again with a new image.

Create with Love
Gail

Time to Start Voting!

And so summer is starting to wind down. I noticed yesterday that our little garden path between my house and my mom's was strewn with leaves and that our shade garden was also filled with leaf debris. So naturally I thought of Autmn. And then I thought... goodness, already so close? I hope that everyone is having fun enjoying these soon to be dog days of summer because we all know how swiftly they will pass.

I want to thank all the participants for taking time out of their busy summer days to create an entry for this challenge. We did a little twist this month by not giving a word prompt along with the image. Just to do something a tad different. :-) You guys are great and I adore you all!

If I missed anything, an entry, a blog address, (some of you did not send me a blog address, so if you just forgot send it on and I will add it) a misspelling of a name, please let me know and I will happily correct it. If you have sent in more than one image it is at my discretion as to whether I post one or two of them.

So let's VOTE!!!!!!!!

HOW TO VOTE:

1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight Aug 15, 2009 and winners will be posted Aug 16, 2009.

(If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy: Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.)

Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Here are our entries!

Myrna Ernst http://more-than-heirlooms.blogspot.com/


Lynn Stevens http://trashtotreasureartblogspot.com


Lisa Mallette http://studiorose.wordpress.com/


Linda www.myhappyplace-linda.blogspot.com


lillibulle http://123lilibulle.canalblog.com


Jenny http://suppliesoverflowing.blogspot.com/


Dorthe Hansen www.denlillelade.blogspot.com


Donna Cook http://bonniebluedenim.blogspot.com


Bevie http://dreamsofpurelove.blogspot.com


Anni Ploug http://annisart.blogspot.com/


Create with Love
Gail

August Challenge Contest

I had company for a few days and when that happens my schedule gets a bit erratic as I try to corral my brain back into work mode rather play and have fun mode. So I just realized today is actually the second day of August already and methinks I must get the challenge up! ;-) So here we go!

WE HAVE ONLY 3 SIMPLE RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your work.

2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.

3. The contest ends midnight Aug 8. All entries will be posted Aug 9 ready for voting.

The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.


This month I'm adding a tiny twist...no word prompt! Let's see what you come up with using only the image and your imagination. And have fun!



Happy Creating
Gail

Free Crackle Demo

Hi Everybody. So many of us are familiar with crackle and it's many forms, after all it's been around a long time, but I got to thinking about those who come to our art world all brand new and bright eyed and eager to learn and who may not be familiar with how these different products work. So here is a video demo I put together demonstrating 4 different crackle products. You can also find it by clicking on our Free Tutorials badge, but I thought it'd be fun to add it here in a blog post too for those who might not click on the badge. Hope you enjoy.
Happy Creating!
Gail

Drum Roll Please........

So today I count up the votes and we find out who won! As I mentioned in the call for entries post...this is our one year anniversary Challenge. This Challenge and this blog kind of took on a life of it's own from the very get go...which was very interesting and exciting to watch happen.

We have some amazing talent come through here and it makes the voting difficult for so many of you. But because you vote don't you think it slows you down a bit and you actually "look" at the art being displayed here rather than gloss over one on your way to view another? If I could vote I know it would slow me down because I would only have one vote and would want to make it count. :-)

This month we actually have a TIE! Which I think is pretty cool being the anniversary month! So our two winners of the $20.00 Free shopping spree at Shabby Cottage Studio are Stacey and Lisa Jurist!!! YAY Stacey and Lisa and CONGRATULATIONS! I'll be in touch with the both of you to tell you what you need to do to claim your prize.

Okay but I'm not finished so hang around a moment more. If you've been following this blog you have probably seen me say many times how I think everybody who enters the Challenge Contest ROCKS! And how each one of you is a WINNER in my book! I mean, I say it all the time to the point of, yeah, yeah Gail, get on with it.

Now no I'm sorry I wish I could, but I can't afford to give each of you a $20.00 shopping spree (but I absolutely would if I could!). But I am giving everyone else who entered this Challenge a FREE DIGITAL COLLAGE SHEET! Because I think you guys ROCK and are all WINNERS in my book!!! :-)

The way to claim your prize is to go to Shabby Cottage Studio and choose the collage sheet you would like to have and then email me at shabby@lgschmidt,net with your selection and it's yours! :-) From me to you in gratitude.

Thank you one and all for playing along and supporting and blessing this blog and this Challenge with your amazing creations.

xoxo

Gail

Come On Let's Vote!

I'm sure you all have had those days...you wake up and that turns out to the biggest accomplishment of your day...no matter what you do? So yeah, I had one of "those" days. And totally forgot to post our entries!!!!!!! Oh gosh beat me with a wet noodle and call me bad names! I deserve it. But at least I remembered before the day faded from memory right?! I apologize for my lateness.

If I missed anything, an entry, a blog address, (some of you did not send me a blog address, so if you just forgot send it on and I will add it) a misspelling of a name, please let me know and I will happily correct it. If you have sent in more than one image it is at my discretion as to whether I post one or two of them.

So let's VOTE!!!!!!!!

VOTING RULES ARE SIMPLE:

1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight July 15, 2009 and winners will be posted July 16, 2009.

(If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy:Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.)

Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

BUT THIS WEEK IS A BIT DIFFERENT FOR THE ENTRANTS! SO! If you entered the challenge you must come back here on the 16th to see who won because I have a surprise and if you don't check back you'll miss it. That's all I'm sayin'. ;-)

Each entry had to use the same image I presented in this blog last week and our inspirational word prompt this week was Contentment...and I wish it for each and every one of you! Enjoy perusing all this marvelous creativity

Happy Looking and Voting (I know it's hard!)

Gail

Sue Ann Lommler http://wwwsueann.blogspot.com/

Stacey http://www.primprimitives.blogspot.com/

Penny Plum http://palaverfrompellieghengiskhat.blogspot.com/

Nan Neely http://nansniche.blogspot.com/

Mary T rosecottagetreasures.com

Mary Stowers

Lorraine Stobie http://www.creativedaily.blogspot.com/

Lisa Mallette http://studiorose.wordpress.com/

Lisa Jurist http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Eyles http://ruralmainelife.blogspot.com/

Joy Northrup Joy to the Blog

Joan http://joanshomestudio.blogspot.com/

Jenny Folker Supplies Overflowing!

Gale

Donna Cook http://bonniebluedenim.blogspot.com/

Diane goodmourningglory.blogspot.com

Debbie Freeman http://lifegoesondeb.blogspot.com/

Birgit http://swappinghowdies.blogspot.com/2009/07/contentment.html

Amada Lebel
http://overthetopstudios.typepad.com/