Seahorse Dreaming: Challenge Prizes, Challenge Sites and freebie!

I'm back with part 1 of the list of challenge forums today. Before you start challenges though, I wanted to tell you about the common types of posting bonuses / prizes that are available. Keep reading... there's a freebie for you at the end. Once I've posted about a number of these forums, I'll put together a post with all the links in one place, and ask you to tell me if I've missed any.

Prizes and Posting Bonuses

The minikit / part of a megakit prize: some sites reward people with part of a kit for posting their layout. I love these challenges. I get a prize and they keep me coming back (and often heading to the store!). The downside: sometimes you won't like the kits.
The points system. Post a layout, get X points, and when you get enough points you can redeem them for products in the shop. You get to choose what you'd like. The downside: you have to wait until you've done several challenges to redeem your points. If you're a challenge-o-holic, though, this won't be a problem! As my 7yo says, sweet!
The big prize system. One winner, and perhaps a runner-up or two, are chosen, and they get the prize. The downside: you might not win. However, I've noticed these challenges can be less popular so there's still a good chance to come away with a prize.

Of course, many of the challenges come complete with free templates, wordart or minikits - a double bonus!

One more thing you should check... most challenge sites have rules about whether you need to use their products to qualify for the posting bonus. Some require exclusive use of their products, others ask you to use at least some elements by their designers.

If you need to buy a kit, think about whether you like it and will use it again, and whether the posting bonus is worth any expense.

Let's start on the challenge site list!

One blog entry can't possible cover all the available sites. I'll break this list down and give you one, two or three each day. That way, you'll have a chance to check them out, choose what you like, instead of becoming befuddled by too much choice. The one I've chosen to start with is a big one, so I'll just cover it for today.

Digital Scrapbook Pages (Digitals)
This is one of my favourites with more than 20 challenges each month.

Challenges include:

Scrap daily challenge (March has 31 days, make 31 layouts)
Weekly double challenge (one two-page per week)
Ad challenge
Font challenge
Quickpage challenge
Designer challenge (use a specific kit)
Swap
He said, she said - quote
Scripture challenge - quote or wordart
Sketchy challenge - template
Picture this - theme challenge
Calendar page
It's only words - wordart challenge
Scraplift
iChallenge - theme
Around the world - theme
Let's talk about - theme
Lyrics
Q&A - theme (you're asked to create a layout based on a question)
Digitals deja vu - use last month's megakit to create a layout
Simply the best - theme
Scrap therapy - theme
The whole kit & caboodle - get a bonus for posting in 12 or more challenges.

Challenges updated: monthly (beginning of the month)

Prizes: A section from a mega-kit for each challenge. One layout from the gallery is chosen each day as "layout of the day". You get a special blinkie to use if you want to!

Do you need to use their products for a posting bonus? Not exclusively. Most challenges ask that you use at least 3 elements from their designers... but they really love it if you use their products! There are a couple where you need to buy a kit, and a couple more where they give you a minikit to use for free.

The forum is extensive so check it out while you're there!

I'll have another site or two for you tomorrow. In the meantime, here's more challenge-related wordart for you. Pick it up here or simply right click and "save as".