Friday, January 6, 2012

Love Bugs Banners for Kids Blog Hop - Day 2!

Please note:  If you're here for the It's Cold Outside Blog hop, please click HERE to be taken there. 

If you'd like to first swing by the Love Bugs Banners for Kids from Day #1, click HERE for yesterday's post.

Welcome to Day #2 of the LVE BUGS BANNERS FOR KIDS BLOG HOP! 

This is the THIRD banner hop where 40 fantastic and generous crafters donated their talents, time banners to the children at Pediatric Specialty Care in Bucks County, PA. (See www.PediatricSpecialty.Com) Previously, we made banners for Halloween and Christmas ... and this one's for Valentine's Day.

Before I get on to the business of this hop, let me invite you to participate in our next banner hop. Most of our talented friends who make banners will be re-joining us to make banners again this spring, with a Spring/Easter kid-friendly banner hop for special needs children. If you too would like to join us, our needs are great. Typically at our ONE facility in Bucks County, we have about 50 children. We DO have four other facilities throughout Pennsylvania, with about 50 other kids.

So right now, we focus on the largest facility (where I work) ... but if we have more crafters, we have more children who would give their most precious gift -- their smiles -- for your banner.  Please send me an e-mail (to cardmonkey@comcast.net) if you'd like to join in. You can either join our hop and post about your banner, or you can simply make/send a banner, your pick.  Will you join us??


I work at Pediatric Specialty Care as Admissions Coordinator. The children (ages 0-21) we see are medically-fragile and technologically-dependent -- many are tethered to a ventilator that runs through a tracheostomy; most are wheelchair-bound, and cognitively impaired. They are all delightful children who face life with optimism and hope for a better tomorrow.


No matter their limitations, the eyes of the kids who reside at Pediatric Specialty Care light up when given a handmade banner or card. They love the bright colors, and knowing that there are so many people from around the world care enough to send them these decorations for their rooms.


On this 2-day hop, we have 38 generous hoppers who have created fabulous banners. I've split the group in half so you're not overwhelmed with completing the hop in just one day.


So DO stop back tomorrow to visit the second set of unique and precious banners.  Please scroll down for the full list of today's hop stops.


And there's BLOG CANDY to be had!!  THANK YOU to our generous sponsors who have provided prizes to those who hop along. Here are our sponsors and their prizes:

Jellypark Digital Stamps will award
2 free digi-images to the winner of this prize!
The winner of this prize will be selected
via RANDOMdotORG from all the
comments received on Day #1.



K Andrews Designs (thank you, Kristal!) will donate
one fabulous stamp set to the winner of his prize!
The winner of this special prize will be presented
to the creator of the banner picked by the kids
at Pediatric Specialty Care as their favorite.



Robyn's Fetish Digital Designs will donate
FIVE (5!!!) digital images to the winner of this prize.
The winner of this prize will be chosen via
RANDOMdotORG from all the comments
posted on Day #2 (Saturday).

All hoppers are eligible to win.  Here's how:


Follow the blog and comment on as many projects as you choose -- the more blogs where you comment and follow, the more chances you have to win. There's just one catch: please actually comment on the project, which shows you've looked at the project, not just cut/pasting random comments ("CUTE! TYFS") only to win the prize.


Without further ado, here is my banner for Day Two:


These bugs are created by using one of my favorite clip art programs: www.ClickArtOnline.com.  This is a subscription-based clip art program ... I believe it's $39.95/year for unlimited access. Using it, I found these adorable bugs, printed them out on cardstock and fussy cut, and mounted the cuts on wide ribbon.  Quick, simple and colorful. 

I also use ClickArtOnline to find my backgrounds for my blog, and also for art with which to make blog buttons (like the one for this hop).  I don't get anything for this endorsement (I pay my own annual fee), but I thought you'd like to know one of my best-kept secrets, LOL!  Consider it your own little blog candy!!!

And in case you missed it, here's my banner from Day #1:



I alternated buggy images from Cricut's Doodlecharms cartridge (cut at 5.75") with heart charms, strung on a paper chain of red and white alternating strips. Here's a close-up:





Thank you (!!!) to each of the crafters who has made a Love Bugs Banner. Please stop by each of their blogs to send them some love.  Today (Saturday, January 7), please hop to the following blogs:
    1. Ellen CardMonkey – http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE
    2. Tami - http://tamboscreations.blogspot.com/  THIS IS YOUR NEXT STOP
    3. Jessica- http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
    4. Robin – http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/
    5. Theresa Neubaum - http://scrappyartcrafters.blogspot.com/
    6. Nicolette - http://beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/
    7. Vicki - http://scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com/
    8. Lisa T.- http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com/
    9. Jessica ~ http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/
    10. Jessica ~ http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/
    11. Jennifer ~ http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/
    12. Nancie ~ http://alittlepieceofmebynancie.blogspot.com/
    13. Tonya Wilson - http://creativeaddictiontopaper.blogspot.com/
    14. Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
    15. Rachelle- http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/
    16. Beckie - http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/
    17. Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/
...and stop back tomorrow (Sunday, January 8), I'll do a round-up of all of the banners from yesterday and today, with a SPECIAL BIT of BLOG CANDY for the commenters who visit that day ... so come back one more time then and CHECK IT OUT!!


DON'T FORGET ... TODAY, HOP OVER TO TAMI NEXT!

Thank you again for visiting us on this
very special blog hop for even more special needs kids.

Our next banner hop will celebrate
Spring holidays, flowers, Bunnies, chicks...
To be held March 25-26.

Please e-mail Cardmonkey@comcast.net
if you're interested in joining us!

27 comments:

Edwina said...

I love your banner! The butterflies, bees, and frogs are so cute! I love the colors used. Thanks Ellen for all your hard work and patience with all of us. Edwina Brown edwinabrown@comcast.net

Angel-23 said...

Oh wow love these little cuties your banner is great, I like them both just the same. Thank you for becoming a follower of my blog and yes I would like to participate in the next banner blog hop. Thanks for the opportunity I look forward to it.
Hug Rachael xx

Unknown said...

Another adorable banner!!! The colors are so bright and sure to attract the eyes of the child in the room!!!

I am so glad I stumbled across your first banner blog hop and your friendship!!! I am so humbled to be able to help out by doing something I love (paper crafting)!!! God bless you and the children in your care!

Nancie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancie said...

I love your banner, I just wanted to tell you again, how honored I am to be a part of this hop....please count me for the next one! I have enjoyed every minute of minute.

Nancie

jengd said...

I love the bugs- SO cute!

Beckie said...

And the hits keep coming!!!! This is just crazy ADORABLE ! One day I wish to be able to fussy cut even 1/2 as well as you. It always looks like you used SCAL. That clip art place appears to be wonderful. And that's cheap for a year's subscription.

Hugs!

Be blessed, Beckie

scrappinlil said...

I love your banners...very cute. I love those cute little bugs, and the heart banner. TFS

Vicki said...

Love your banner. Very cute. Thanks for the clip art secret too. I'll check it out. Thanks for hosting.

Vicki
vwilson577 at yahoo.com

Janet said...

Love your "Clip Art" banner the images are too cute Thanks for the tip on your resource I'm always looking for new places to explore. Thanks again for creating this awesome Hop I love creating the bannners !
Big Blog Hugs! Janet

JaniceA said...

Love these bugs, your banner is sure to put a smile on everyone face. Thank you for this hop it has been great!
janiceaeschliman.blogspot.com

Ruth said...

OMGoodness!! what a great idea - I am going to pursue it for the hospital(s) in my area! and/or ...
thanks for a wonderfully thoughtful projects. I don't craft to make money so this is right up with my style!!

Sweet Creations said...

I really love the frog in your second day banner my grandmother loves frogs and I just think she would love that little guy on a card. great job on both banners.
Beckypurplehaze@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Adorable! Love both your banners... Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do something good & fun at the same time... I'm in for the next one... :)
I'll have to check out the clip art site too!
www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com
craftycardgallery at gmail dot com

Linda Simpson said...

Well my dear friend you second banner is absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE IT. I has been brilliant taking part in this blog hop for those sweet children. May God bless each and everyone of them. But most of all to give you the strength to carry on doing what is a phenomenal job!!! I salute you for your dedication to these poor children.

Hugs
Linda xxxx

Cathie w said...

so so so cute

cathie
scraphappycat@gmail.com

Robin said...

Super cute banner. I would not have thought to find images on a clip art site. Thanks for the "inside tip". I also had a wonderful time making my banner for the kids.

Robin
http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com

jessica said...

I LOVE your banner Ellen! You have been amazing at organizing this awesome hop and I am so excited to be a part of it!!
Thanks for all your hard work...I know both your awesome banners will bring lots of joy to a special kiddo!
jessica
chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com
eschfamily@yahoo.com

Liz said...

Love the banner Ellen, great job the kids will love it!!!

XoXo,
Liz
beautydecade@gmail.com

Jeana said...

Another super cute banner! I just finished the hop and wanted to come back and say this has been a very fun hop!

Cely said...

AW, so cuuute! I didn't hop yesterday because my neice's 1st birthday luau was yesterday, but I'll definitely be "resting" and hopping with you guys today! Love what you're doing!

Lori Comeau said...

Very cute love the happy smiles.
http://lorisartsyobsession.blogspot.com/

Gaylynn said...

Oh I'll have to look over that site. You've made a cheerful project with it.

Cindy :) said...

the clipart is really cute Ellen, it made an awesome banner for the kids. Of the two you made I like this one best :) Great cause, the place will be so bright from all the smiles for Valentine's Day! :)
cinpot@msn.com ty for an awesome hop
Cindy

lauralee53 said...

Love your banner, especially the frogs. At first I was wondering if it was a vinyl one on the wall, till I read further.
The kids are gonna love all of these banners.

Cindy :) said...

Hi Ellen, I'm back to say thank you for a wonderful 2 day hop. There are so many amazing creations by so many fabulously crafty ladies. I feel so happy for all the kids that will receive these gorgeous banners. The smiles will make the whole facility that much brighter and the joy they will feel is the best medicine anyone could ever give them. They will be truly blessed!
I hope you get a lot of ladies and triple the banners for the next hop in March. I do have a suggestion, which you have probably thought of already :) but if your planning on doing these hops 4X a yr, you could send the banners from the first facility on to the next until you have them all covered, that way they will be getting new ones at the first and they will be new to the other facilities:)Sort of like recycling ;)
Anyway I will be replying to the email you sent me the other day asking if I would like to be a part of the next one, I would be honoured :)
yours in crafting
Cindy

Unknown said...

I Love your work. The colors and designs you used for are just awesome. I really want to appreciate your work and I also want to share this post on my company The Printed Shade Cloth website . So that people can get more creative ideas from the blog