GPP Street Team

Still on Sabbatical

Hello friends.  Taking a break from the crusades was not an easy decision - it was the one commitment I could eliminate from my schedule to make room for other assignments and goals.  I promised myself I would consider reopening in the fall.  We are well into that season, and I've given it some thought, and while I would love to reconnect with this community and I just can't fit it in right now.  You can find me posting weekly on my other blog, adding new stamps and stencils at GPP, writing a column for Somerset Studio, and teaching workshops.  I also have plans to finish and self-publish a book.  Hope you are all staying plugged in to creativity and that you're practicing your best-online-reader-manners by leaving comments and words of encouragement when you visit kindred spirits.

 

If you've come here from a link, and can't find what you're looking for, there is a list of past crusades on the left.  I'd like to request that if you "pin" from here, please make sure your pin links directly to the appropriate post, thank you.

 

trivia no. 9

I didn't mean to let the crusades end on a whimper.  I wanted to go out with a bang.  I have more to post this week as I wrap up this era of the challenges.  For now, let's applaud the top nine players who participated with enthusiasm, loyalty, and creativity.

You'll see the graphic explains that not only did they play along numerous times, but often they posted one or more entries per crusade.  Bravo ladies!

trivia no. 8

In addition to sharing our work and encouraging creativity in others, we joined in on some worthy causes.  Thank you for showing up.

If you haven't had a chance yet, please visit the "Please Vote" post to read the comments and enter your opinion for Best Commenter.

trivia no. 7

Thanks for chiming in on the Best Commenter.  If you haven't offered up a name for nomination or as a vote yet please enter on the post "Please Vote". 

Today is the last day of Crusade No. 61 which will be a final challenge for a while.  We have many links in the sidebar to visit and I've heard there are a few more to arrive in the next few days.  At the end of the week I will tally up the numbers and report on the total participation statistics, as well as the Commenter votes.

As I've been reflecting and reviewing alot recently I did a little math to come up with Trivia No. 7, based on the 2300+ links that have been shared so far:

trivia no. 6

A timely bit of trivia....many many many entries for the crusades come in on the last day.  The end of the month is always a busy time for me as I try to keep the link list updated with posts as they arrive, plus I would be finishing up preparing the next crusade.  As I wrote above, I am not critical of procrastination.  In fact, did you read THIS on my main blog?  "Ode to the 11th Hour", posted on 11/11/11.

It's not about WHEN you get it done, but that you DO it.  I will be leaving this blog open while I'm on hiatus so if you take on a previous challenge just let me know and I will add your name to the appropriate link list.

Thank you for entering names for the Best Commenter title.  Keep them coming! You can nominate and vote as often as you like.  Visit the previous post "Please Vote" to enter your selections and to read the kind things that have been said about our fellow crusaders.

PLEASE VOTE

Don't you agree that receiving comments from your crusade posts really makes the effort worthwhile?  We have a great team of players who share their interpretations of the challenge but then spend alot of time tracking the other crusaders to leave kind words of encouragement.  It's nice to know there is a community of fellow artists who are trying out the same things you are which makes their comments an even more important part of the process.   It's the next best thing to gathering around a table and working together.

I love hearing that many friendships have been formed through this platform.  That only happens when we reach out with our words.  There are several crusaders who are vigilant and constant with their support.  There are some who comment even when they don't participate.  Let's give a shout out to our favorite commenters! 

 

In the comment section below, nominate a crusader who you think deserves the title Best Commenter.  You can give a reason why you are shining the light on them or just get their name out there.  As you reflect on comments received on your own site, give a thought to how much you appreciate getting them, and never forget to be a good commenter yourself.  It isn't about being eloquent, or articulate, or funny - althought all that is great, it's about waving your hand and saying "I was here, you did a good job".  In general, I think leaving comments has become a lost art, so to speak.  I notice everywhere that comments are less.  I consider that missed opportunities.  Connections are not made.  Commenting is to be applauded!

In a week a will print up the nominations and votes, and we will have another random drawing, a Top Hat Pick.  Each time I see a nominated name I will add a slip into the hat.  Once a Crusader is nominated you can add your vote and I will add another slip into the hat.  The more votes a crusader gets the more chances they have to win.

Let's celebrate this vital part of our crusading process!  VOTE! 

trivia no. 5

Did you know?  The first 29 of 61 crusades had prize packages offered for the Top Hat Pick?  It ended up being too much for me as this is an unsponsored venue so I gave up that part.  It was so touching to receive so many comments in support of my decision.  In fact, commenting has been a huge part of the crusades.  Hint: Stay tuned to my next post.....

Crusade No. 8 ~ Cheap Tricks (May 2007) was one of my favorite of the early crusades.  It was such a blast to see what non-art materials you use to assist your creativity.  I shared the guitar picks above, to use a page tabs.  It was the first time we broke 40 for participation.  HCIT?

trivia no. 4

So far we have met 472 crusaders as participants on the team.  Of these, I have met only 26 in real life.  I have made some truly special friends because of this platform.  Some I may still meet, and some I may never get to see, but that doesn't diminish the value of the friendship.  I have always said, the street team has allowed us to connect with people we might not have otherwise met. 

It's true that I wouldn't recognize some of you in passing since you don't share your likeness on your site.  In fact, Crusade No. 58 ~ Girls on Film, where we were to share photos of ourselves, and take the opportunity to get in front of the camera instead of always being the photographer, clocked in the record low for participation with only nine links (which included me).  Your faces may not trigger recognition, but your art, your style, your online persona, your perspective shared through words and visuals, have become something I CAN recognize.

trivia no. 3

The final numbers for Crusade No. 61, and therefore the grand total, will be determined after April 1st.  The first 60 crusades provided us with 2303 links to visit.  That's alot of sharing!  Some crusaders popped in for only one challenge, but many of you stuck around for ten or more.  I will post the top participants soon.  Here's what I love:  there have been numerous instances when a crusader posted more than one link for a single crusade.  That means they tried something that resonated with them and they had to have another go at it.  Nothing beats enthusiasm!

crusade reminder

This is the mid-month reminder for the final crusade.  Links are due by April 1st.