Dec 16 2011
Inkspirations Christmas Challenge #100……
Hello stamping peeps,
How are you all? Going stir crazy with Christmas craziness, or lapping up the festive season? I have to confess, i haven’t got there yet….it is has been hard to get into the season with so much else going on here. My parents hope to fly over for Christmas and New years, and to help with the house building so that should be very special for all of us.
School holiday update, the kids are still loving the points system and it has already been two weeks since they began! I am now starting to the think the 8 weeks of holidays is going to fly by!
Okay so back to the topic! Today is Friday, and that also means it is Inkspirations Challenge day!
Today is a BIG day for the Inkspirations Challenges for a few reasons…..
1. It is challenge #100!
2. We are doing a Christmas themed Challenge, to launch ourselves into the festive season!
3. This is the very last Inkspirations Challenge…
Okay to explain each three points for you..
Point 1: - Challenge #100! woo hoo. Originally when i started the challenges we did them as colour #1, then sketch #1, inspiration challenge #1…..so we really have done more than 100 over the time that we started, more closer to 170 challenges, over the time, firstly on my own site, and then for the past year on the Inkspirations Challenge website on blogger! It sure has been a fabulous ride, and it really couldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for all you wonderful stampers joining in each week! Some of you only once, others more and others 50+! Always feels great to reach to a milestone and perfect timing for the end of the year!
Point 2: - Christmas Themed Challenge….
Okay so this weeks challenge is Christmas themed….. We would like to see all those items you have been making for the Season this year! There is no limit to your links, so that means you can show it all! 
Your family’s Christmas card, your 3D items, your ornaments, or Christmas favors….we would love to see them! So get to the Inkspirations Challenges Website to link up your creations and be inspired as well!!!
Point 3: - Last Inkspriations Challenge 
Hope you haven’t dropped of your chair when you read that one! YIKES, now that could be funny! Well you probably have noticed my lack of posts on the Blog-o over this past year, and sadly a lot of my posts have only been because of the challenges…..you are probably now wondering if you will ever hear from me ever again?! LOL! Nope that is not the case, but i do want to explain. I have been running challenges of various types for 4 years and 7 months! Yes that sure is a long time. It has been a blast, but i am a little tired, and a little uninspired. So I have thought for a little while, that when you are uninspired you need to mix things up a little bit.
As you know we as a family have had the HUGEST year! We started the year with moving house, surviving a catergory 5 cyclone, hubby starting a new job, in-laws living with us for a month, doing business paperwork again and again….. Hubby starting a new job, more visitors from the West, having a new baby, a surprise visit to Perth, selling the pool business and training the new owners, start building a new house, another trip to Perth as Bridesmaid for my dear friend Monnie moo… All of us travelling to the US for my brothers wedding… more house building, year 6 graduation, school play, more building of the house….and on and on. I feel dizzy just thinking about all that this past year has brought! No wonder it feels like it has just flown by! So with all of that, and my lack of inspiration due to fatigue, or not having enough time to even think about it, my heart has called me to know that it is time to close the challenges. I am not viewing it as a bad thing, rather an end to something that has been a very exciting part of my life. I feel great peace about this decision and I hope you do too! Seriously there is also no lack of challenge websites out there, so one less really won’t hurt! LOL!
So at this time i would like to say a very BIG THANK YOU, to all of you that have played the challenges on and off over the past 4+ years…. it sure has been a blast, and without you it wouldn’t have been possible from the start.
Also another very BIG THANK YOU to my fabulous DT, for all their amazing inspiration and weeks and weeks of wonderful creations to make you drool, or be inspired to pull out the cardstock and get creating! It has been a wonderful addition to the challenges for the past 2 years!
So at this point i should share with you my own Christmas creation! I made some teacher gifts for the kids to give their School teachers at the end of the year. They are called Holiday Baking jars…. so fun and really easy to do too!
I made 7 of these jars, and decorated them with ribbon and hand made tags that have the recipe instructions on them….
A close up of the tags…..
A side view of the yummy layered ingredients…..
According to the kids, the teachers loved them! They really are quite simple and just something fun for them to do.
The DT have some other FABULOUS creations to share over on the Inkspirations Challenges Website, so be sure to pop on over and see what they have made and to link up your very own Christmas creations.
So there you have it peeps, a BIG post, with BIG news! I will be back again shortly with lots more to share, a new look too, and some fun things planned for the new year. Wishing you all a very special and safe festive season, and God’s Blessings in the new year!
Oh Keesh - can’t say that the news doesn’t make me sad
as I truly enjoyed the Inkspiration challenges. Indeed they were the first challenges that I participated in and being a guest designer for you was really special 
But life for me has been so busy this year I haven’t had the time to play along mostly so I completely understand where you are coming from in trying to juggle so many different demands in your life. Hope you get the time to enjoy being inky without strings attached so to speak. Take care.
Love Kim
I say a big ditto to what Kim said. Your blog was one of the very first stamping blogs that I stalked 4 years ago and I’m sure I will continue to be inspired by your gorgeous work in the future. I love the saying, “When God closes a door, he opens a window” - I hope you get a great view!! All the best and have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas with family. X Thanks for the Inkspiration.
Keesh, thank you so much for sharing your love of crafting via your blog & then the challenge site. You are such an inspiration & it’s been a privilege being part of your amazing Team!
I hope your future is full of wonderful & exciting things, but I also hope we still get to see some of your gorgeous creations here from time to time too. Speaking of which, your Christmas baking jars look absolutely scrumptious - love the big bows & sweet tags. Big hugs
These jars are fabulous, Keesh! Just love that wide, striped ribbon!! What a great teacher’s gift
Thank you again for the fabulous opportunity of being a part of your DT, Keesh! It has been an amazing ride and both a delight and an honour to be a part of it
Your creative talent is a wonderful inspiration and it has been great fun getting to know you too. How you survived the last year is beyond me! I’m exhausted just reading about it!
Huge Christmas blessings to you and your family as you celebrate the birth of Christ and may 2012 be a little slower paced and may some of your heart’s desires be fulfilled. Enjoy the rest of your summer and look forward to continuing to follow your blog. Hugest of (((hugs)))!
Wow! That was a big post Keesh! Thanks for so much inspiration over the years - it was fun being part of your DT even if it was just for a little while!
Luv Dot
PS - I wanna see pics of your new look!!:)
Oh Keesh that is some sad news! I loved being inspired by your challenges and the amazing things your DT produced.
Thank you for all the time and effort you have put in over the past years so that we could all play along.
You have definitely had a huge year and can understand why you’ve made the decision.
xoxooxoxo
Hey Keesh, your challenge blog has been amazing and I remember when it all started - I enjoyed the time I had in your DT and also the challenges you came up with each week.
All the best - hope your Christmas is special and may God continue to bless you all in 2012 - hopefully it’s a bit more slow-paced for you ☺ Take care xx
Even though I haven’t had a chance to play along, I always enjoy wandering through the challenge website. Yours was also the first challenge I ever entered cause you made me feel safe in just having a play and are so encouraging. I was so excited when I won a challenge and got to be guest DT for a week!!!!!
I so understand the need for change, I”ve often wondered how you survived the last year, let alone had time to make a card. Thanks for the ‘Inkspiration’. I hope you keep blogging, yours was the first blog I ever followed & still top in my list of blogs in my bookmarks, but even if you can’t fit it in,I feel like I have found a friend. You better stay on Facebook LOL.
Love ya mate,
Fi xox
There may be many challenge blogs out there but none are run by the most awesome Aussie like this one was. I totally understand your decision, Keesh, but I’ll miss being a part of the DT. I’ll keep stalking you on FB for your news.
Thanks so much for being my friend.
xoxo B.
Hey Keesh, whilst it is sad news to hear inkspirations challenges are coming to an end I do totally understand where you are coming from. You have had a huge year and I know you will enjoy a break and hopefully stamping can be just for a bit of fun now. You will continue to inspire those around you in everything you do, as a mum, wife, stamper and daughter of God! God bless you heaps!! Love clairey xo
Haven’t popped in for ages Keesh but wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy the changes that 2012 will bring. I too have made some changes….more scrapbooking and less card making for me these days and loving it!! Change is good:-))) God Bless! xL
Beautiful gift project! And kudos to you for running such a wonderful challenge site! I have enjoyed all of the creations by your design team - you are all so talented! Best wishes for the new year - and new endeavors!~
Thanks so much Keesh for all the challenges over the years. As Fi put so nicely, yours was the first challenge site I came across where I was inspired to have a go, start a blog, and decide to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator
I have met friends and found awesome designers to follow because of your challenges, despite not making time to play along in recent months. Thank you and God bless you & the rest of the Byl family in 2012! xx
I am really sad to see your Challenge blog go. I know how you feel about not being inspired, it has happend to me too. If you decide to bring the challenge blog back… shot us all an email and I will be there!!
Hugs
Shirley
Thanks Makeesha for all that you done for the communauty of stampers! Your creativity, your inkspirations, your sketchs and all your video tutorial!
When I began a new demonstrator for SU, I watched all the thing you teach! I’m not speak english very well so I can not find the words to tell you how grateful I am. Thanks for sharing.
A fans of your blog!
Wow Keesh, what a big decision (and what a HUGE year you’ve had). I too have loved following your blog and challenges and I still hold winning one of your early inspiration challenges one of my greatest stamping achievments to date! I have not been able to stamp and participate in challenges as much as I would have liked this year (can you believe our bubs are already over 7 months?!?)…. sorry.
All the very best and thank you for so much inkspiration over the years.
T xx