Monday, May 26, 2014

Winners! Plus - Some Changes...

Hello players! We're overdue with some winners for the last two challenges, so let's get right to that before I let you know some other things of interest! First, for our 30th Challenge, we are excited to announce our winner:


We loved Julia's take on the star from the photo on her woodgrain backdrop!

And for our last challenge, we chose this beautiful card:


We loved the graphic design of Lizzie T's card!

Congratulations ladies! Please send me an email at delightfulwaste@gmail.com and I'll get you your blog badges!

So turning things to some business!

As you may or may not be aware, about a year ago, my family and I a moved to a house that was built in the sixties - the only update that we know of was the carpets in the eighties. Yep, we had three different coloured bathrooms (purple toilet, anyone?), every shade of paneling you've ever seen, and I don't think a drop of paint has touched the walls in over a decade. The entire thing needs to be torn apart and put back together, and we try really hard not to pay other people to do anything we think we're capable of... so that leaves it up to us.

We're on our second bathroom renovation since January. There are 2 of us, and our 2 little ones when they are patient and willing to learn. It's a lot of work, and currently my entire days revolve around trying to balance the work we're doing and all the other things that life with 2 young daughters entails (ballet, tap dancing, field trips, making lunches... laundry!)

And we've barely begun.

Why am I telling you all of this?

You may have already noticed I am not around as much as I once was. I am stretched so thin, and it's starting to become difficult to manage it all. It doesn't sit well with me when I can't do everything properly, so I knew it was time for a change.

I approached my *amazing* team of designers and they all rallied and asked what I needed. So after some consideration and much mulling, we've reached a solution that I feel will work well for everyone.

As of right now, Ardyth will take over running the challenges, and organizing the team. She'll be in charge of giving out the blog badges for the future winners, and she'll be the general go-to for the challenge in the interim. She is incredibly organized and works so hard for this challenge, and I am so thankful for her generous offer to relieve the pressure for me! I know that both you the players, and my wonderful design team are in good hands with Ardyth!

Once I get my renovations done (and it's looking like it will be about a year or more), then we'll re-evaluate. At this point, we've talked about me taking everything over again, but a lot can change, so I don't want to make any concrete statements at this point!

If you have any questions about anything, just pop me an email - I'm still online, I just may not get back to you as quickly as I normally would! As players, you should notice no real difference - I will still contribute cards to as many challenges as I can, and the other ladies will keep you inspired. I don't promise to keep up with commenting on your wonderful entries, but that doesn't mean I'm not watching you!

Thank you so much for your continued support of this challenge, and I can't wait to see all of you for our upcoming challenges!

5 comments:

anja curvers said...

Oooohhhh I wish you all the luck with the renovation and thanks to Ardyth for taking over. It would be such a pity when the blog wouls close down. I so love taking part in all the challenges and haven't missed a single one yet but we are all busy and I completly understand that there have to be made decisions that are very hard sometimes.
I have much admiration for you keeping up all that work.

Ardyth said...

So glad I can help, Meredith and I'm excited to step up and keep Festive Friday going strong until your return!

Julia Aston said...

So thrilled to find my star card was chosen the winner for that challenge Meredith - and welcome Ardyth to organizing this wonderful challenge - so glad it's going to continue - can totally understand why you don't have a minute Meredith - and I wish you a fast and happy renovation! it will be worth it in the end but I know it's a long arduous journey!!

Deborah Frings said...

Meredith - good luck with the renovation (don't know how anyone could live with a purple toilet!!!). I'm surprised you've managed for as long as you have. Looking forward to pictures of the new look home when it's all done.

So glad that the challenge will continue with Ardyth looking after it all - hopefully, I'll actually get to play along again soon. Hugs xx

Nancy Penir said...

Nothing is more fun, and frantic than a redo. Very familiar with the challenges. May it all come together with joy in the end! Meanwhile, speaking of joy, hope this 'vacation' helps, and try to enjoy the process!
Hugs!