October Challenge! Featuring Knzus!

[juliehclark]

Welcome to this month's "Designer Challenge"

Each month, a different designer will host a new challenge with specific rules and instructions and a freebie!

This month we have up to bat: Diana Carmichael aka Knzus!

[mh51]

Do you mean OCTOBER challenge...???

[knzus]

LOL! Please excuse Julie...yes, she typed September -- we'll give her a break...some of us know what pregnancy can do to the brain. ;)

Welcome to the Designer’s Challenge for the month of October 2007!

Instead of the usual autumn or Halloween themed layouts, we’re going to do something a little different. We are going to do layouts with a “cause” or “awareness” or “unusual/unique holiday” theme - but NOT Halloween or autumn related. For instance, October is….

Family History Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Work & Family Month
National Car Care Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month

Also, we recognize the following in October:

Make A Difference Day (Oct. 27)
National Folk Festival (Oct. 12-14)
Columbus Day (Oct. 12)
Fire Prevention Week (Oct 7-13)

The above are just to name a few and give you ideas. If you Google the words “October is” you will get 881,000,000 results; but you can narrow it down by using the terms “October is National” and you only get 548,000,000 results. Check out holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/october.htm for some bizarre and unique holidays.

So, your challenge requirements are:

1. Find a cause, awareness or unusual/unique holiday (NOT autumn or Halloween) theme for your layout. Yes, you may pick one that is near and dear to your own heart and important to you. But it MUST be recognized IN the month of OCTOBER. And yes, by all means, we want to see causes and unique holidays from around the world, wherever our SBM members live!

2. You must use AT LEAST FOUR (4) of the colors in the swatch and at least FOUR (4) of the freebies that I have provided (yes, you may use all of the freebies and all of the colors if you desire). You are to stick to the colors that the freebies are - meaning do NOT re-color them…the usual re-sizing, etc. is okay. You may use any other elements in your layout that you like (even those made by you), but you must adhere to the COLOR and FREEBIES requirements. (Color codes are provided on the swatch. The “HSL” means hue/saturation/lightness.)

3. Make your layout in ANY size that you prefer. You are not limited to only one layout…make as many as you want.

4. Upload your layout to this thread PLUS -- EITHER the extra elements that you made to go with it, OR a template of it to share with everyone (yes, you can provide both elements and template if you want, but it’s not required…one or the other is fine).

Remember to stick with the colors in the swatch and do not re-color the freebies. By the time the end of the month gets here, this ought to be a really colorful thread! So let’s see all the colors of the world! Have fun and enjoy your freebies!

If you have any problems or questions, just give a holler!

Freebie kit consists of: 1 600x600 paper (300 dpi), 1 square scalloped-edge vellum, 3 stars of different designs , 1 journaling element, and 1tag. Color swatch included.

[nanwu]

wow what a challenge, I know a few crazy holidays celebrated in Australia, but will have to check exactly what month some of them are........off to do some detective work

[sacannon]

Now this is really going to be a challenge. Will have to do some research on this and get some ideas. Hmmm. I have two weeks vacation this month too. National Sue's Vacation in October! That's it!.......Just kidding.

[crops2dawn]

Did I hear you right??? National popcorn poppin month??? LOL
Ohhh this is gonna be fun!!! Thanks Diana!!:)

[knzus]

Did I hear you right??? National popcorn poppin month???...

Yep, you heard right! The fellow who came up with that one, Dan Glickman, was born and raised here in Kansas and is well-known in the USA (you can Google his name and see the specifics...way too many to talk about here :)).

[Marion]

That was hard! I used 4 colors. for the embies I used the star, the brackets, the velum and a Background color.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/October-Challenge---natl-fire-prevention-000-Page2-resized.jpg

[pkdoll]

Wow this challenge is different. I think that it will be lots of fun to see what everyone comes up with. It sounds kinda cool and I love the colors-so that's half the battle.:)

[pkdoll]

WOW Marion-you are fast!! I love your LO! You always seem to have the right picture for everything. :):) You are good girl!!!hahaha!

[wolvsie35]

Great challenge...WOW and Marion you are way too fast..lol...Great Lo...
CROPS, I read the popcorn thingy and new your eyes would light up...lol...thanks for the freebies and will get started right away...I hope...hehe...Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with...:D

[wolvsie35]

I am very aware of this months Domestic Violence Awareness...I have written some articles and helped out with the younger women in our local shelter homes with this subject...To be honest I was embarrassed to post these photos for everyone to see...These were actually taken a week after it happened..I didn't want to show the ones from the day it happened...But he was a boyfriend of mine (an ex now), and he beat me up three times..Why I stayed? Frightened I guess...This was the last time, and I reported it...Cops took photos, etc...We ended up going to court, yadda yadda...Came to find out this was his ninth offense!!!!! Reported anyways...I almost fell over in court...The judge gave him 30 days in jail...He didn't even have to pay my medical expenses...So I ask you, where is the justice in that?
Here is my LO...Sorry to blab...:D
http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/Love_Not_Hate.jpg
and here are the elements I made and used...

[pkdoll]

Ohhhh Wolvsie--so glad you got rid of the brute!! Where is the justice?? So many guys walk away from this kind of thing-and it was his ninth offense. Are they waiting for him to kill someone before they do anything??? This is a very good awareness for everyone! Nice page-the colors and everything, not the reason. You are with a good man now and I am happy for you.:)

[sacannon]

I am glad you saw the light Wolvsie! I worked at a court and so many woman will press charges only to come back and drop them. Then the idiot goes free. Some times I think the women drop the charges because they are afraid they are going to get it worse the next time. Our court started not alowing charges just to be dropped that easy. It was required that both parties show up in court. Then sometimes it was only dropped if they went through a diversion type program. But we did get a lot of repeat offenders.

Excellant layout, just sorry that you had to go through that!

[Manatee25]

Wolvsie I greatly admire you!! That was brave to post that but I am so glad you did. That is something we should all be aware of for sure!!!

The embies you made are fantastic and I LOVE the paper!!!! Great job!

[crops2dawn]

Oooh Goody.... I have this popcorn brush that came with one of my programs, I have been dying to use it, just didnt know how... now I will get to use it...but still have to figure out HOW! lol Definately gotta do some research...
*throws popcorn at Marion* Man you are fast....lol Love that layout!!!
*just throwing pieces of popcorn at Wolvsie* looks like you have been hurt enough in your life....Your layout is awesome too, I hate to see that you had to go through that!! But I am happy you got a good head on your shoulders and didnt stay in that relationship!! It is really not fair that he only got 30 days...but dont worry, he'll get his one day!

[makeyesup]

Couldn't resist getting a little wild and crazy for this one.

Mad Hatter Day

Would love to share the template; however, believe that I would be infringing on copyrights.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16419&limit=recent

[wolvsie35]

Cute idea on the Mad Hatter...lol
Thanks everyone for the dear comments..I was leery on posting it cause it is not something I am proud of...But its nice to know I have friends like you all to make that kind of pain go away...Love ya...xo

[angelwithin]

heres my entry...my favorite cause is this month....cot death research & awareness

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/1585/wrapped-in-love-matthew.jpg

[wolvsie35]

This is beautiful Fiona...God bless all the little ones this happens too including Matthew...I'm sure there is reasons for this happening, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with...Love ya GF!!

[angelwithin]

hey its national Sarcasm month :D at last they celebrating me rofl

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/srangelwithin/quotes/dcs217.gif
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e102/srangelwithin/grahics/b4.gif

[pkdoll]

ROFL!! I can't believe they have a sarcasm month. TOO COOL!

[wolvsie35]

We should all make a page with your face on it for this...Too funny..You crack me up GF!! lol :D

[knzus]

Wow, these are all great, you guys -- I knew you'd be able to come up with ideas!

[sacannon]

Here is my try

The color was a challenge because I did one for Breast Cancer Awareness. The signiture color is pink for that. There is some pink, but I figured since it is part of the title which I got right at the NBCA website it would be ok. The Cartoon Picture is also from the website.


My Grandmother and two of my Aunts had Breast Cancer. My Grandmother's cancer spread to other parts and she didn't make it. My two aunts are survivors. I didn't use their pictures because I wasn't sure how they would feel about it.

Family history is one of the risk factors. Not having children is another. I am affected by both risks. I have also had two needle biopsies myself. Luckily I am still ok.


I did not have enough room to fit all of the risk factors, but if you want to learn more you can check out the website.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/sac_October-Challenge-000-Page-1.jpg

[Marion]

Great job all so far!!!!

[pkdoll]

WOW! These are truly great. What an awesome challenge. To make people more aware of things dear to their hearts in one way or another. Everyone of you are doing great work here. Love it!!

[sacannon]

ooops, Just noticed I typed breask instead of breast.

[sacannon]

I also meant to say great job to the others!

[sacannon]

Here are my other elements that I used. I used the stars under the stars in the kit.

[makeyesup]

Great job all.

Sue, wonderful way to portray breast cancer. That is one that is near and dear to my heart as I have been a survivor for 8 yrs. now. My Mother was adopted and I do not have any sisters so guess that I did not seem to fit a lot of the history criteria. But who cares as long as it does not hit again.
Wanted to do something for that and couldn't figure out how to do it with the colors given. You surely did great with it though.

[knzus]

Ahhh, but no one said you had to adhere to the colors of the cause...be imaginative and creative in your support!

Here's my submission...my number one "near and dear to my heart" cause. I used blue, orange, red and yellow and made two 1200x1200 papers (300 dpi), one of which I used as the background and the other as my journal area.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/knzus_oct07_challenge.jpg

[wolvsie35]

Very beautiful Knzus...All of them are so far...I will be back on Sunday, and hopefully find some more great Lo's...Thanks for the freebies everyone...:D

[pkdoll]

Very beautiful and touching knzus. Everyone is doing so good.

[CrystalInMinn]

Wonderful work everyone. TY for all the freebies.

Here is my layout. It is close to my heart and I am only posting this here, not into the gallery. This is a picture of me at about 33, a week later I sought help and was hospitalized for about six weeks. I did not know that I had been suffering with depession for most of my life. I only sought help when I was 33. By then it was much, much worse than mere depression. I have been in therapy since then and am getting better all the time. I am mostly non symptomatic now but am learning better coping skills for stress and whatever else even now.


Many famous people have suffered with these illnesses. Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Beethoven, Tolstoy, John Keats, Van Gogh, Patty Duke, Hemingway, Isaac Newton, and Charles Dickens.

Friends really make a difference. chatting, chilling,hanging, relaxing.

Here are a few USA resources...

SAMSHA Mental Health National Anti Stigma Campaign
http://whatadifference.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://nami.org/
1-800-950-NAMI

Suicide prevention helplines USA
http://suicidehotlines.com/national.html
1-800-SUICIDE

Thanks for being my friends! :D

[sacannon]

All of these are very well done! Great awareness layouts.

[CrystalInMinn]

Several Days this week in October here is one for Wed., October 10th. It's World Mental Health Day.
http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16545&limit=recent

Challenge kit by Knuzus and frame and blue stars from Sacannon. Including the template.

[mint]

Wow those are all grate. You'll came up with a lot.

[lila2002]

this is my mother reading a book with my girl.

from the 3rd till the 13th of october it is 'Childrenbooks-week' over here in the Netherlands.
to promote reading for children.
special things to do in the library, and at school all in the 'childrenbooks-week' theme.
this year the theme is 'secrets and mysteries'.
my girl loves books and loves to hear fairytales filled with mysteries and wonder.
every evening we read.
i think reading is so important!
with reading comes knowledge. and with knowledge come all the chances in life to be who you want to be!

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/1523/SBM_october_challenge_copy.jpg

[Jenna's mommy]

As alot of you know our designer the giving,loving, caring person we know as Michelle McCoy has got diabetics along with other diseases, she and i became great friends and got to know more about her and her other diseases, i hope that this will make people more aware about diabetes and cuases of diabetes,this lo is in tribute to Michelle McCoy - we love you and care for you, God bless you.

[wolvsie35]

Lindie, you sure know how to warm someones heart...This means the world to me...I posted it on my blog too...This is so very sweet of you...Not many know how Diabetes can affect someone's life...I am on 5 injectons a day, not including the meds for all my other problems..and they just get worse because of Diabetes...It is a deadly disease and I pity anyone that has it...Thanks again hon, I am speechless...
xoxo :D Love you 2..

[pkdoll]

awwww! What a wonderful tribute and page to you wolvsie. That was so sweet of you lindie. Diabetes is very common here in the states-but what people don't know is how dangerous it can also be. It's not something you can take lightly-and for you to be on 5 injections a day-that is pretty severe. Take care my friend and great LO! Lindie and everyone is doing such an awesome job on these LO's. They all have some heart touching stories-what a great challenge this is to bring awareness to so many different things.

[mint]

oct is family month for us we have the state fair here in Texas and its a big thing for our family.
http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/1992/oct_contest.jpg

[wolvsie35]

Very nice Mint....

[rosana brito]

oh!!!!!! Mint, big work, I found perfect, very colored, congratulations, girl

[knzus]

You guys are all doing great with this challenge! Keep 'em comin'!

[crops2dawn]

Good Going Girls! All these layouts ROCK!!! I didnt forget, I just had a full plate lately and will get this done before the end of the month.

[Manatee25]

I don't usually get around to completing the challenges since life keeps me busy.... I haven't scraped a page of my own in about 3 months! LOL

BUT! I did manage to get this one in!! I was curious and looked into the 'holidays' this month and found myself rolling on the floor with laughter! This site I got them from won't post them unless they are sponsored so they really do exist... though I don't know who celebrates 'Haunted Refrigerator Night!' ROFL! Anyway.. here is my tribute to all the crazy holidays celebrated during National Sarcasm Month and all I can say is...."ARE THEY SERIOUS????"

[wolvsie35]

Too cute Tina....lol...Love it :D

[knzus]

OMG, I LOVE it, Tina! Way to go! Hard to believe what some people will celebrate huh? ROTFL!

But I'm tellin' ya...it would be VERY HARD for me to appreciate squirrels...they DESTROYED my corn plants this year! ROTFL!!

I may have a haunted fridge...will have to check....

:D

[rosana brito]

oh! my God! Michelle, this and incredible girl! I can live next to you!
I made kung-fu, karate and taekow-do, I killed this that made this with you! I am rebelled! work in the police skill, and I see cases of these constantly, exist horrible things, that we cannot believe that the human being, has courage for makes it! my feelings Michelle, desire to it many happinesses and much peace ok

it knows that here in you we love ok

kisses one I hug pressed!

[wolvsie35]

HUGS to you Rosie...<wink> U R so sweet...:)

[grannywin]

I am celebrating National Fire Week with my two entries. This really was a challenge to use the colors and embies as is and not change them. I think I only qualified on the "escape plan" layout, but I liked the composition of the "volunteer" one and had to include it also. I did that one before I really read the rules. Since my family is actively involved in the local fire company, I want to offer the posters for actual use.

Don't know why anyone would want my silly little house but I included it also. Thanks so much for the use of Eyes fire.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16740&cat=500&ppuser=2621

[grannywin]

Don't know why I keep losing layouts once they are posted to the boards. I really would like the "escape plan" be visible since I used the 4 colors and 4 embellishments. Here is the link if it disappears again.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16739&limit=last1

[mint]

Its there, Mine did that then it reappeared weird.
I love it.
Girls don't for get to wear pink on friday.

[LatteDah]

Love your layout. The colors seem to go with the National Sarcasim Month Title. :)

[knzus]

Grannywin, your "silly little house" is adorable! I LOVE your pages! Very kid-friendly and understandable for them! Ingenious! Great job!

[pkdoll]

Here is my entry. Thank you everyone for the freebies.

http://www.scrapbookmax.com/gallery/data/500/cyber-protection-awareness-000-Page-1.jpg

[wolvsie35]

Pkdoll, what a wonderful page..and whats funny about it, is just yesterday I received one of these emails about my paypal account...But, it came to my email address that didn't have a paypal account, so I sent it to them so they knew about it..This is scary stuff..My cousin had someone hack into her bank account...and she lost alot of money...Cops finalyy found him and he only lived a mile away...We didn't know him either...But this guy did a 'key stroke' on her...so everytime she logged into her bank account he got the info...The bank repaid her of course, but still...You really must use caution when using a credit card and always make sure it has that little padlock on the bottom of the webpage or next to the search bar...and to delete browsing history everyday...It is the only true way to protect yourself...Great info for everyone doll...:D

[knzus]

We've had such a great response for our October Designer Challenge -- you've all come up with some wonderful layouts and awareness themes! I'm proud to know there are so many folks connected with Scrapbook MAX! who have such big and caring hearts -- and lots of humor, too!

You still have a couple days to post for this theme and then we will move on to November's Designer Challenge!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a layout and gave me such positive feedback on the theme! I appreciate your messages and emails. :D

Diana / knzus