Challenge Rules

This challenge blog is, first and foremost, all about sharing the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We hope that you will  use our free scripture/Word Art in your creations, but you are not required to do so in order to play along.  You can use whatever colors, shapes, templates and themes you choose, and may submit altered art, mixed media, digital projects, cards, layouts, etc.  Just let your heart guide you in making your art.  We believe that God has given each of us special gifts and talents, and we want to encourage you to use those special talents to make and share art here on our blog.  You are welcome to link up to five (5) entries per week, and you may combine our challenge with as many other challenges as you like.  As long as you use either scripture or an uplifting/encouraging quote or sentiment, and keep your entries "family friendly", that's fine.

We do reserve the right to remove any projects or links that we deem to be inappropriate for our blog.  This would include "dark" images (skulls, crossbones, demons, and spirits, or the mention of such in the blog/post). Entries also need to not contradict God's Word because it is, ultimately, our final instruction from God to help us while we're on earth.  This would include things that promote a lifestyle that contradicts His teachings (i.e. alcohol, idol worship, etc.)  We don't judge those who create differently, or those who use such images.  This simply isn't the right blog for sharing certain images/sentiments in the created art.  Please remember that if you don't like our rules, there's no reason to get upset with us. We don't dislike any person or any piece of art.  It's simply that some art projects or subject matter aren't appropriate for a challenge blog that is based on the principles found in the Word of God.   Please don't get upset with us.  After all, we didn't write the Bible - God did.  So, if you disagree with what the Bible says, that's between you and God.  Our primary goal is to honor the Lord, Jesus Christ, and we will only approve artistic creations that follow Biblical scriptural guidelines, and those that would bring Him glory, and be honoring to Him.

What IS acceptable art for our challenges?  Thank-you cards, get well cards, Birthday cards, sympathy cards, friendship cards, uplifting and encouraging cards, scripture cards, etc. using wholesome images.

What IS NOT acceptable for our challenges?  Art with skulls, skeletons, witches, images of scandalous or half-dressed women, ghosts, dark images, or anything contrary to Biblical scripture, alcohol, idol worship, homosexuality, etc.  (see above)

Please be sure to link up to the project page/corresponding post URL on your blog, and not just your home page/blog URL in general.  If you don't know how to do this (or have any linking/blogging questions), please let us know.  I'm certainly not a pro at any of this, but I'm sure happy to help when I can.

We do not allow "stacking" of entries.  What this means is that you cannot save up your five entries and add them all at once so that they all appear in a row just to increase your odds of winning.  This is NOT "a stupid rule".  We want to encourage everyone to do what is right and pleasing in the sight of the Lord, and to have an unquestionable witness.  We do realize, however, that sometimes many of us make blog posts back-to-back, and that perhaps two of our entries appear back-to-back.  That's fine.  It's just not acceptable to wait until one day to link all five posts at one time, and to "stack" all your entries in a row.  If we feel that someone is purposely doing this, we do reserve the right to remove entries and/or disqualify the entry.  We're sorry to have to make rules, but we want to be fair to everyone.  And, after all, we are representing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that we need to "avoid the appearance of evil", so even if our intentions aren't wrong, we don't ever want to make it appear to others that we have done something that is morally questionable.  We don't dislike anyone.  We don't necessarily dislike anyone's art.  There are just some projects that aren't appropriate for a challenge based on the principles in the Word of God.  We thank you for understanding.

We would be VERY pleased to have you post our Word Art Wednesday badge/button on the sidebar of your blog.  To be eligible to win, you MUST mention Word Art Wednesday in your blog post AND insert a link back to our challenge page in your blog post.  Please also remember to link to your specific blog POST, and not just your blog in general as this makes it easier for our Design Team Members to find your entry and comment on it.  I still struggle with commenting on Splitcoast Stampers, so I apologize that I can't usually comment there.

Our challenges run from Wednesday at 12:00 AM through the second following Tuesday night at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (a two-week span). If your name is chosen as the random winner(s) of our challenge, we need you to contact Karen by email before the next challenge begins.  We usually leave a message on your entry post asking you to contact us.  We also put this information on the post where we have announced the weekly winner.  Winners are also posted on the Paper Playful Blog.  If you don't email Karen by the start of the next challenge after your name has been posted as a winner, you will forfeit your prize.  We're sorry to have to make rules like this, but it is in fairness to our generous sponsors.  We feel that it's only right that we respond to them within that time frame to inform them of our winners' names and contact information.  If you have entered, it's always best to check on the following challenge to see if you have won, and to then send an email right away.  Under no circumstances are winners to contact sponsors directly.  If this happens, unfortunately, you will not be allowed to win again at Word Art Wednesday and will forfeit the prize you have won.  We also reserve the right to disqualify a prize from any winner who demonstrates inappropriate or disrespectful communication in claiming their prize.  Thank you all for being kind people.

We also send all our challenge winners and those given Top 3 honors a special "WINNER'S" badge and/or Top 3 Badge to display on their blog (if they so choose).  We always enjoy seeing the Word Art Wednesday badges out there on your wonderful blogs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email our Blog Administrator, Karen at:

karen.mycuprunnethover@gmail.com

Thank you for joining our challenges.  May God bless you as you share your art with others and spread His wonderful love.  We are SO grateful to have you share your art with us.