Is there a Jan 2011 sketch challenge?

[Deloris T]

I didn't see one for Jan. Just wondering if we will have a sketch this month?

[Renee]

I'm wondering that, too. Hoping a company steps up and does one.

[XrayAmy]

Unfortunately I didn't get any company to sign up for January. In fact, I haven't had any signs ups for 2011...period. Sorry, I know how much you all enjoy it.

[Inky Whiskers]

What about just posting sketches, but no prizes? Those want the fun & challenge can have it, plus it takes the heat off the vendors to come up with a sketch and a goodie. Just thinkin' out loud here after reading that most of the participant just do it for fun anyway. :D

[XrayAmy]

We can definitely revamp it. Would you want anyone and everyone to be able to start a thread with a sketch challenge instead of just a company owner?

[piecesandpom]

There are so many company blogs and other sites doing sketch challenges that I'd be really afraid of opening the sketch challenge thread up to anyone and everyone to start. I can't remember what blog I was on but they had a list of about 40 sketch challenges for the week - yipes!

I think I'd like to have one person host, for a short period of time like three to six months, and then move to another host. I do like that it's a monthly challenge.

And, I guess that means I need to volunteer as the first host, if I can search for a sketch and get it up on the thread, but only if folks are okay with this idea.

[XrayAmy]

I think that sounds good Karen. Let's have some more people weigh in with opinions too.

[Deloris T]

Sounds good. One thought, could we have A2 regular size layouts? It costs .25 to buy square envelopes and extra postage to mail a square card, so I don't make many square cards.

I volunteer to do 3 months as sketch hostess if you need help.

[piecesandpom]

I agree with the A2 layouts. I like that folks can take that to ATC-size so we get a two-for-one out of the layout which is really hard with a square or larger sketch.

[donnarie]

I love the idea of an A2 sketch challenge with a rotation of hosts. I would be willing to be on the hosting roster!

[hbrown]

This sounds like a great idea! I love sketch challenges!

[fab]

Yea for all the volunteers! I love seeing what others are doing and sometimes find time to participate. All who do share there work are real winners anyway. I think A2 is a great idea and the sketches will also work for those who choose to work in a larger rectangular format or in ATC size.

[Spideycindy]

I love, love, love the mental challenge and it is such a relief from my day job and times are certainly tuff. I do play for the love of the challenge. And for everyone there is the look and learn from each other aspect. We can certainly revisit the sketch section as well....Karen you are brave and talented! I would love to see the challenges continue.
Thanks
Spidey

[Deb Lovett]

Great idea. It took me a while to find the Sketch Challenge (because I wen to the Art Shop). Here is the thread in "Card Exchanges, Swaps & Challenges":

http://www.rubberstampchat.net/showthread.php?t=4274

[Spideycindy]

As I was doing the mountain of dishes I was thinking how great it would be if we did a vendor appreciation challenge on our own....Take each vendor in order and post some cards inspired by their stamps, stamp styles etc. Just cause we love them and cannot do without them. That does not mean if we do not own a stamp from that company we cannot play. It would simply cause us to really check out their line and honor those stamps in like style? Or if we can afford to buy a stamp we have been admiring ...well why not. No prizes just the pleasure and if the owner of the stamp company would be kind enough to tell us about the company they own and how they got started and inspired in the company we all learn more about the company and their passion?
Some companies carry alot of varied stamps and styles, some cater more to a specific style or scenic venue all to the good and all great chances for stretching our experiences?
So what do you think? The list is good size and it would take a while to get through the list but what a great journey!
Could be a win/win experience for us all!

[fab]

Why not?

[Mrs. H.]

Spidey ----

Wow - that was well written!!! And a brilliant idea! What a jouney indeed!

[piecesandpom]

I didn't have access to the Art Shop, so I posted in Swaps and Challenges. Thanks for the catch Deb!

I'm hoping that Xray Amy will continue to pull the sketches and put them in the sketch challenge area as I don't know if I can post there either.

I also think Spidey's idea is a really neat idea, too!

[Spideycindy]

Maybe we can have a separate thread and call it "In The Spotlight" and ask the Vendor of the Month to tell us a little something about their site and business and we in turn could make and post cards for the month to honor them? Freestyle and just fun?
Amy does that sound ok or hokey? No strings attached but an opportunity to explore the site of each vendor and post cards that inspire us?
win/win for everyone to learn and enjoy and experience?

[Renee]

What a terrific learning experience! IMHO, any day you learn something new is a good day. Especially if it has to do with stamping!

[fab]

Would this be in addition to the thread already started with a no-prize challenge that runs to Feb. 15 or so?

[wolfeyesone]

wonderful ideas on how to keep the brain cells charged & fun rollin !

[Spideycindy]

Would this be in addition to the thread already started with a no-prize challenge that runs to Feb. 15 or so?

I tossed the idea out there and maybe (I) need to see if Amy is ok with something else....a spotlight section or some such and even if this would be of interest to the RSC Community...
I will send a PM to Amy and ask her.

[Spideycindy]

I tossed the idea out there and maybe (I) need to see if Amy is ok with something else....a spotlight section or some such and even if this would be of interest to the RSC Community...
I will send a PM to Amy and ask her.

It makes no sense to get too many irons in the fire. We can all honor the vendors with each and every card we make and post into our gallery. The energy needs to be kept on the efforts of the RSC Member run Monthly challenge as it really is looking wonderful and the multiple swaps and challenges going on each month.
My concern would be that perhaps a particularly busy or crazy month might not garner alot of support given life and we certainly would not want to imply that any one vendor is more special than any other. We love you ALL and thank you all very much!

[JadeBuddah]

I won a very nice stamp prize 2 conventions ago that I will not use and I think it would be fitting to donate it back to the cause. The postcards sound wonderful and maybe at the end of the year people could vote on their favorite of all time? That one would win the prize.

[XrayAmy]

I'm still thinking about this. January is just a really busy month for me every year. My thought is to continue the Sketch Challenge in the Art Shop each month. Instead of having it hosted and sponsored by a company, I would do everything and just get prize donations from companies in exchange for a little free advertising for them in the challenge thread and the email that goes out to all members. I probably can't pull it together in time for February though.

[fab]

We will hang out and play while you pursue this new path. Sounds fine to me.

[piecesandpom]

I re-read Amy's post and it sounds like she won't get a sketch challenge together until March.

I'll try to post a February sketch challenge later this evening before I head up north for family business, if that's okay with folks.

[fab]

Thanks!

[Deb Lovett]

This has been a lot of fun -- and that is "prize" enough in itself.
Here is an idea -- if you do get prizes, what do you think about giving the price to the one who came up with the design for that month? That might entice people to step up and take a month??? Just an idea.



I'm still thinking about this. January is just a really busy month for me every year. My thought is to continue the Sketch Challenge in the Art Shop each month. Instead of having it hosted and sponsored by a company, I would do everything and just get prize donations from companies in exchange for a little free advertising for them in the challenge thread and the email that goes out to all members. I probably can't pull it together in time for February though.

[AndreaR]

I'm happy that the sketch challenges will continue, eventually...I really enjoy them, and they make me creative at home, even if I miss the deadline to participate in RSC. I'm also happy to see people cogitating about ways that challenges can be presented...cool ideas, everyone!