January 8th – January 13th

This weeks guest judge: ME!
This weeks challenge: Resolutions.
The challenge: The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid… or puppy… or kitty) for this shot. It’s the new year! Is there anything your baby/puppy want to work on or improve for the new year? Potty training? Cartwheels?

{My 365 on Flickr}

Here’s my poor baby girl with a cold… again! We all had this cold within the last week. Our third cold since September. I know Mike and I must be bringing these nasty colds into the home. We aren’t as healthy as we’ve been in the past… we’re clean and all… but:

My resolution: I want to walk more. I want to stretch more. Get better sleep. Eat better. I want to take better care of me. If I can start taking better care of me… I know it will benefit Ruari. 

What’s your resolution?



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Here are a couple links to some free photo editing software if you don’t already have something:
Picnik 
Picasa
Gimp
Pixlr

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Remember: my photo challenges do require you to have either your children or one of your furry children (pets) in the photo. It could be just one finger… or a toe… but, they must be there.
There always has to be rules… I know, boring right? But, it’s to help me and you. Click on the link for more details… Each entry does need to link back to my blog… All photo entries need to be in by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on January 13th…
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Winners so far:
Resolutions: … no one yet …
A different view: … no one yet …
Friends: … no one yet …
Birthday: … no one yet … 

And, if you all get a moment…. I’d LOVE a vote!

This weeks guest judge: 
Ashley Sisk!
This weeks challenge: Sparkly.
The challenge: The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid… or puppy… or kitty) with something shiny and pretty… sparkly.

• First: 

Why Ashley chose this photo: “I love everything about this picture from the colors to the way the light draws me in.”

{Inspire Me}

Congrats! Please feel free to grab a “fact: I’m awesome … #1 winner” button below. Because: you ARE awesome! And, thank you SO much for participating!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5084702563_b6c1682861.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

• Second:

Why Ashley chose this photo: “Something about the baby with the chandelier is really beautiful. She sparkles!.”

{A day in the life of the Rikkers}

• Third:

Why Ashley chose this photo: “I love that the sparkle is a bit unexpected. I love the depth of field in this photo as well as the way the bubble sparkles”

{The Daily Wyatt}

• Fourth:

Why Ashley chose this photo: “Let’s be honest…I love those eyes and the bow adds the perfect touch of sparkle.”

{Window to My Soul}

• Fifth:

Why Ashley chose this photo: “This poor dog cracks me up. It’s tough being a pet to an owner who loves photography…I’m just saying.”

Congrats to the top 5 winners! Great job, and please feel free to grab the top 5 button below! You’re all awesome!

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5085298170_31cb9fb3a9_z.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

{Inspire Me}

{Bunch of Barons}

{Being What I Want To Be}

{A day in the life of the Rikkers}

{Captivus Living}

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com”><img src=”http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5084702705_ebcd889293.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”150″ /></a>

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Winners so far:
Resolutions: … no one yet …
A different view: … no one yet …
Friends: … no one yet …
Birthday: … no one yet …

And, if you all get a moment….
I’d LOVE a vote!

Alright everyone… It’s TIME! Time for this years 
Valentines Photo Challenge!

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So, onto the details…

Rules:

• The creation must include a photo (the photo does not have to be taken by you, but you need to have permission to use it). It can be edited to your hearts desire… but, there MUST be a photo.
• BUT, the photo does not have to be a card. You can just enter a Valentine’s themed photo if you’d like.
• You need to be the creator! I’m sorry: you can’t have someone else create it for you. Your own design.
• This card can be digitally made, or handcrafted. Whichever. Don’t forget to include a photo in your creation!
• A blog post (with a photo of your Valentine’s card) will need to be linked to the linky below to be entered into the challenge.
• One entry per person.
• PG please. Maybe PG-13… Let’s keep it kid friendly.
• I do have the right to delete or disqualify any entrant if I feel it doesn’t follow the rules.
• Again, don’t forget it must have a photo!
• You can link up your photo through February 4th, 2011 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 
• Top 20 winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and me… then voted on by all of you. Voting starts on February 5th, 2011 and ends on February 7th, 2011 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
• All blog post entries should link back to this Valentine’s Challenge post. You can grab a button below. Thanks! 

<a href=”https://thepapermama.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-challenge.html”><img src=”http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5318445025_6973e4766c.jpg” alt=”The Paper Mama” width=”150″ height=”200″ /></a>

YUP! You can win some goodies! There will be FOUR… yes 4 winners! First, second, third, and fourth place! Here’s a list of the prizes and sponsors:

– AMP: $100 gift code to the AMP store (for one winner)!

– The Album Cafe: A $75 gift certificate to the Album Cafe(for one winner)!

–Totally Rad: Winners choice of one action or one preset(for one winner).

– Photoframed.com: $50 gift certificate(for one winner).

– The Vintage Pearl: A $25 gift certificate(for one winner).

– Mel [V]: A beautiful handmade camera strap cover(for one winner).

– The Olive Bungalow: The Sweetheart Stack ring! Beautiful ($148 value)(for one winner)! AND, she’s offering a discount for my readers through the end of January. 10% off code: PM0111

– Mossy Oak Design: A Lovely handmade 4×6 frame(for one winner). AND, they’re also offered a 10% discount to my readers. Just use this code during checkout: papermama10

I’ve signed up! And, now I’m ready to PAY IT FORWARD!
So, I will attempt to get my stuff out by the end of February. I think that’s realistic!

I’m adding ONE more rule though…. you must have a blog. Sorry. I want to know who you are! Ok…. Ready, set, GO! I’m off to bed. Can’t wait to see who the first 3 commenters are!