Our Old Europe

Well the Olympics are over. I really enjoyed them. Aubrey, my wife, and I talked a lot about what event we would train for and a lot about the countries represented. That brings me to the latest contest, pictures of old Europe. We all saw Europe in different ways, awesome. That's what makes these contest entries great, that not everyone is doing the same thing. Leave a comment and let each other know what you think.


Kristi G. - Germany - "I had a hard time with this one. I am not very good at landscapes or backgrounds. I wanted to do a painting of a German village with the reddish, orange rooftops. I think they are so charming. I tried lots of times, but it always turned out with too much detail and just looked too busy and messy. After reading a library book to my girls last night from Elisha Cooper - I love his simple shapes and colors, I decided to go super simple. The houses look pretty lame, but I ran out of time. Any tips on how to make backgrounds look finished without going to detailed and busy?"

Liezl G. - Eiffel Tower - "Liezl was so excited when she found out she had to draw any place from Germany (her favorite place she has never visited) or France (the fanciest place in the world). She chose to paint the Eiffel tower. She painted it like Monet's impressionist paintings after we read a story about him."

Quincy - Garden - "Quincy wanted to paint something from France. Hers is of a flower garden."

Scott W. - Sailing Boat European

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If you're paying attention I, Nate, didn't make a submission. I had started one but I didn't finish it in time for the deadline so I didn't post it. I thought it only fair since I made the rule for everyone else. I learned my own lesson. I really enjoyed this contest but in the end...I am finishing up applying to pharmacy schools and had an interview Monday and Tuesday, which threw my whole schedule off. Thank you to everyone that submitted. Great work.

Logo Contest

Hey friends of the story cyberworld. I am so busy it's not even funny, applying for Pharmacy School is such a dog show (that would be funny to illustrate!). I wanted to challenge you all to a contest, a real contest. Let's have your ideas come out and really take root. Design a logo I could put on the top of our blog that would somehow incorporate the idea of the blog; a shoebox full of dreams, pursuing dreams, something with the blog's name, etc. I was going to just do something myself for this one but I changed my mind and decided to open it up to everyone since this is a group project. I just need idea sketches this time...no time to develop it all the way down as I'm going to set the deadline for midnight March 7th. We'll vote on our favorite then work out the details of how to incorporate it. For now, just use your imagination.

Deadline: March 7th.

The Olympics are here!

Kristi Gustafson - My favorite Olympic dream growing up is when my sister and I would setup a 2x4 propped up with bricks at either end and pretend to be gymnastic girls.

Nate Stout - This was just an idea I had about a kid that decides to pursue his dream of long jumping. He decides to do a demonstration at school on the slide while all his classmates watch.

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Thank you everyone for your interest in these projects. I had a great point brought up by Scott, that I am labelling these entry opportunities as 'contests'. That would denote that there would be a winner. What does everyone else think about the option of making these "contests" into more of a competition? Leave a comment and let me know. I don't know if there could be a prize more than having the title of having received the first place in an illustration or story competition. Bring it up to me. If you have an idea that you don't want to leave as a comment, send me an email. shoeboxofdreamentries@gmail.com I'm up for a range of different, even creative ideas. Also, how could we get more people involved? Let me know if you have any ideas. I think the more the merrier and the more we can inspire each other.

Old Europe Contest

Happy New Year everyone!

Thank you for participating in 2009. I hope 2010 brings many more opportunities to grow for each of us...moving closer to our dreams. To start of the new year I want to go back in time. This contest is one of setting for those who are interested in illustration/drawing applications. Make a background for a children's book with a setting of old Europe: Germany, England, Spain, France, etc. Try to stylize it to make it yours. The background could be for an existing story, if you were asked to visualize it. A good example to check out would be the link on the right, check out the work of Alexandra Boiger. Her backgrounds help set the mood for the story work.

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If you are interested in story, make up a short story that takes place in old Europe. Find something unique and interesting. I believe in you guys, you've already submitted some great work. Thank you for your continued participation.

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Due date: Midnight, February 28th, 2010

Monsters!

Here are the Monsters! Thanks to everyone that submitted monsters for our contest. There are some fun entries, great job. They’re all in first name alphabetical order.

Sock Monster (lives in washing machine, makes socks) and Chocolate Monster

Aubrey Stout

The Parent Monster

Becca Wiser

Smarty Pants Monster, Teething Monster, and Speedy Monster

Kristi Gustafson

Bobby the Gooey Monster

Liezl Gustafson (age 5)

Garden Monster, Mime Monster, and Arctic Monster

Nate Stout

Patsy the Hairy Monster

Quincy Gustafson (almost 3)

Auguste

Scott Wiser

Modi

Scott Wiser

Man Mader (inspired by a mountain range)

Scott Wiser

Scott Wiser

Tanya Guymon

Taylor Thompson

Taylor Thompson