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June 2020 Challenge

This month we’re going to stretch our creative muscles. You’re probably never done a challenge like this before — but I think you’re ready for something different. 

Ok, here goes. Sometimes the craziest of things happen when we give up control. When we allow ourselves to create without any preconceived notion of what we want to end up with — in other words, when we just “go with the flow,” really unexpected and, dare I say, amazing things bubble to the surface.

So … we’re going to let the words in my journal prompts freebie tell us what to create. Randomly choosing from words or phrases not only adds the element of surprise, it forces us to let go of boundaries we might not even realize exist. Sound interesting?

Do you think you can create a page using an approach you’ve never tried before? Are you willing to try?

 

Instructions

Here are specific steps to follow — you’ll also want to watch the video below to see exactly how I made my page.

1. Open a new document in your scrapbooking software of choice, in whatever size you like.

2. Open the folder containing my June 2020 Challege Prompts

  • Windows users, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder with the Challenge Prompts and open it. From the Menu, choose View>List.  You will see a list of all the file names NOT pictures of what they are! That’s on purpose – don’t look at the the words ahead of time!

  • Mac users, open Finder, navigate to the folder with the Challenge Prompts and from the Menu, choose View>As List. You will see a list of all the file names NOT pictures of what they are! That’s on purpose – don’t look at the the words ahead of time!

3. Pick a number between 1 and 85, find that numbered PNG file and drag it into your page.

4. Repeat 9 more times, so that you have 10 randomly chosen images on your page.

5. Play with the words/phrases to form groupings that speak to you. The groupings don’t need to “make sense” or follow conventional grammar rules and there will probably be words missing. You can disregard any punctuation that may appear on the words and you may choose not to use some of the images if they don’t work with whatever bubbles up for you. You’re creating poetry — of a sort — so don’t stress over it. Just keep re-arranging them until something works.  If you get frustrate, a few more randomly chosen words and play some more.

6. Using your “poetry” as inspiration, build your page under the words, adding whatever elements and kit bits feel right. For an even bigger challenge, you can randomly grab elements that catch your attention and not actually plan which ones to choose.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with – and if this challenge spoke to you! Please let me know what you think of this type of challenge in the comments when you post your page.

As always, the Challenge Rule are below – and as always, remember that 

  • Your page can be as “arty” as you want – or not arty all
  • Ir doesn’t need to be “heavy” or “deep” — unless you wish it to be

My Challenge Page

I was really astonished at my results. When I first saw my words/phrases, I had absolutely no idea what to do with them. But as I arranged and re-arranged them, suddenly a “story” started to form and the rest fell into place pretty easily.

I used elements from my Time to Renew Collection, June’s Featured Collection, which is 50% off.  If you use mainly elements from the Collection on your page, you’ll get another entry into the coupon drawing.

The Challenge Rules

Participants in my monthly challenges are entered into a drawing for a $5.00 coupon to my shop! Challenge winners and participants may be featured on my website, in my newsletter and social media.

  • The June challenge is to use the instructions above to create a page using my Journal Prompts freebie.

  • If your page mainly consists of June’s featured “Time to Renew” collection on your page, you’ll automatically be entered a second time in the coupon drawing!

  • Any other products used on the page must be by Vicki Robinson Designs.

  • Upload your page to the Vicki Robinson Designs Gallery at Oscraps. See button below for instructions on how to do this.

  • Come back to this Challenge post and leave a comment, along with a link to your page in my gallery. See button below for instructions on how to do this.

This challenge runs through the last day of the month.  The winner will be announced on this page and notified via PM in the Oscraps forum the following week.

All comments must be approved by Site Admin before they will display below.

56 Comments

    • Vicki Robinson

      Lol – thank you! I love how your page turned out and it’s very cool you didn’t give in to temptation and get more words! Great job!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad! I love your page! Thanks for playing!

      Reply
  1. Mary Rellinger

    This was such a fun challenge! I was so excited about it as soon as I seen the blog and I watched the video. Darn it all that I had to wait almost a whole month to be able to get the kit to be able to do it but nonetheless I DID IT!!! (delayed gratification) I actually did the challenge using other kits but I knew I couldn’t post. It was just too fun not to play around with. Love this idea!!

    https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=431630

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the challenge, Mary! It was worth the wait!! Thanks for joining in!

      Reply
  2. Debbie Heller

    Thanks Vicki for the great challenge. First one of your challenges that I’ve tried. The very unique approach really caught my attention this month. I used 9 very random numbers based on days, months & years that are of importance to me! Have to admit I almost fell off my chair when I pulled the words together. I’m facing the possibility of some significant changes in my life. Some of these are going to be scary…some very difficult and some extremely amazing. I am determined to be strong as I begin this new journey and am finding that “trusting” is a big part of becoming free. So anyway, here’s the link to my layout for the challenge. Everything is from the “Time To Renew Collection”.

    https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=431590

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Debbie, I’m thrilled that you decided to participate in this challenge! Other participants have also commented how relevant their random words turned out to be. I’m so sorry that you’re going through a difficult time right now and I hope that you will continue to find some relief through your art. xo

      Reply
  3. Lori Hermanson

    This was such a fun challenge that I had to do a second take, just love how the random word strips guide the page. I used a random number generator to pick the journal prompts this time.
    I also used the Vicki Robinson Designs Time to Renew collection this go round with the June Challenge Journal Prompts Freebie.

    https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=431467&title=be-free-2&cat=1670

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so very glad you did a second page – what a great idea to use a random number generator! Great job!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Your page came out so beautifully, Alycia! Those words are perfect!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I so glad you stuck with them, because those words really work!!!! Thanks for joining in!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so happy you like the challenge! Your page is so pretty!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Thanks so much for joining the challenge! I love your page!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Your pages are always so creative and interesting, Beth! Thanks for playing!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the challenge! Thanks so much for participating!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad, Mary! Thanks for joining in! I love your page!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so happy the challenge helped with your mojo – your page is lovely!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Karen! Your page is just stunning! Absolutely! I’m so glad you enjoyed the challenge!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the challenge, Angie! I, too, tend to overthink! But I love this kind of challenge because it forces you to let go of the control factor – at least a little! Great job!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad! And I LOVE your two pages!!!

      Reply
  4. Anthea Scotte

    Here is mine – and wow – how amazing were the random words that turned out true? There is a huge long story behind this one involving 15 years of my life working towards a goal as a full time academic that just imploded due to life events that resulted in me having serious mental health issues and having to leave it all behind. This all happened some years ago now, and I have made my peace with it and moved on (digital art being my main life now) but it did rather blow me away when the words just appeared before me in Photoshop and so was cathartic and such good therapy I just went with it! Thanks Vicki, truly, for such a brilliant concept – I’m going to try it with other art that I do too and see what happens!

    https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=430748&title=june-challenge&cat=1670

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Anthea — as I said in my comment in the gallery, this page really speaks to me and I can feel the emotion behind it. AND I saw it before I saw your explanation here. It’s amazing the power of random words to draw something out of you. Your page is EXACTLY what the challenge was meant to do. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Big (virtual — the ultimate social distancing — hug to you!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Anita – it really came out well! Thanks so much for not “cheating” – lol! See how meaning the page became?

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the challenge! I love your page — thanks for joining in!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so very pleased that you are participting in challenges and thanks so much for posting your page. Your random words are very cool and your page is awesome!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      You’re right! Those words demanded Breathe! I’d love to see what else you come up with!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so glad you didn’t cheat! I love how your page turned out!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Love your page!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Your page is so great! I just love that you let the words create the page!

      Reply
  5. Jana Holden

    Sounds like a fun challenge!

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Thanks, Jana!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      No! It’s very cool, Britta!

      Reply
  6. Joan Krebs

    Well, my page did not come together nearly as fast as yours, Vicki, but it was fun. I did re-select several of the phrases, but overall, the random choices worked out well! The words began to speak (or rather sing) to me – I began thinking about my decision (several years ago) to assist as a cantor in our church. Glad I could keep it positive. 🙂
    https://ozone.oscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=430511&title=music-in-me&cat=1670

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      I’m so happy you joined in, Joan! Isn’t it funny how the words take on a life of their own? Great job!

      Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Your page is wonderful! You truly got the spirit of the challenge! I hope it wasn’t toooo frustrating for you!

      Reply

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