Saturday, September 1, 2012

Halloween Spooktacular Banner Hop for Special Needs Kids, Day 1!

If you are here for the AUTUMN COLORS blog hop, please click this LINK.

Welcome to the annual Halloween Spooktacular Banner Hop for Special Needs Children!

I am delighted to host this annual hop, and to have joining with me more than 3 dozen other women who have each made at least one Halloween-themed banner that will be donated to hang in the room of a medically-fragile child at Pediatric Specialty Care in Pennsylvania.

I am privileged to work at PSC’s Bucks County site as Admissions Coordinator. PSC is a very special place where children stay either long- or short-term, typically after hospitalization, but occasionally when their medical needs reach a point that their families can no longer care for the child safely at home. 


Most of these precious children are dependent on ventilators and other technology to survive. Some have been born too early or with genetic diseases or birth injuries.  




Other children suffer injuries later in life that require constant care later, including brain injuries from trauma or loss of oxygen (from choking, suffocation or drowning) and spinal cord injuries.


These children and their families -- and PSC’s staff -- will be thrilled to receive the Halloween banners, to help brighten the season when their friends and siblings will be out trick-or-treating.”

Here is the banner I made that I am sending to a child at PSC:


I used Meljen Designs' fantastic digital Halloween images, printed in black and white on XPress It paper, and then hand-colored each of the images using Copic markers. I mounted each of the images on cardboard, trimmed into pennants, inserted eyelets and strung them together using an assortment of holiday ribbons.  From each bow, I knotted some orange glittered styrofoam balls which I suspended from brown-and-white baker's twine -- for extra fun and glitter.  This project was really a labor of love for me!

This Hop is two days (Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2), and on each day you will see different banners. Be sure to visit on both days to see the truly inspirational work of these generous bloggers, and leave some love (comments) on as many sites as you can – because if you do, you can increase your chances to win some Spooktacular blog candy from these kind sponsors:



$25 Gift Certificate to Madge's Scrappin Lounge
(http://madgesscrappinlounge.storenvy.com/)


 $15 Shopping Spree to Scrapping With Lisa Designs
(http://scrappingwithlisadesigns.com)

Lucy Kelleher (http://lucyk.ctmh.com)
$10 Gift Certificate toward any CTMH product
Donated by Lucy Kelleher 
Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart 
Special entry requirements: To enter to win, you will need to leave a comment on Lucy's blog (http://love2createitall.com/) and become a follower of her blog. For an additional entry, "Like" her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/LucyK.CTMH
Limited to U.S. entrants only, sorry.



http://stampinup.net/esuite/home/debiweid/
 $10 Gift Certificate toward any Stampin' Up product
Donated by Debi Weidleman
Independent Consultant for Stampin' Up. 
Limited to U.S. entrants only, sorry.




Two Cricut Cartridges ("Pretty Pennants" and "Mini Book") 
Donated by Erica's Craft Room
http://www.shop.ericascraftroom.com/



$25 Gift Certificate to Paper Temptress
http://papertemptress.com


To qualify to win one of these great prizes, please leave a comment on THIS (Hop Hostess Ellen ♥ CardMonkey's) blog site and answer this question: 

What was your most memorable 
Halloween costume, and how old were you 
when you wore it?


In your comment, please leave a way for me to reach you if you're randomly picked to win one of the prizes!  Leave additional comments (leave ♥love!) on as many banner makers’ sites as you’d like for extra chances to win! 

Prize winners will be announced on Monday, September 3 on the CardMonkey site, where there will be a round-up of all of the Spooktacular banners for 2012.

Please move on your way to the next stop, which is: SANDIE!  

Here is the full line up for today's banner makers in case you get lost or find broken links. Please don't forget to stop back tomorrow, to see more banners from a different set of 20+ wonderful women.
  1. Ellen ♥ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ 
  2. Sandie Dunne - http://sandieshores.blogspot.ie/search/label/banner%20hop
  3. Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
  4. Pam - http://pammejo-scrapbookflair.blogspot.com/
  5. Janet S - http://www.ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
  6. Lucy - http://love2createitall.blogspot.com/
  7. Jessica - http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/
  8. Nancie - http://alittlepieceofmebynancie.blogspot.com/
  9. Patricia - http://blogs.papertemptress.com/
  10. Edwina - http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/
  11. Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/
  12. Beth - http://motherandaughterdesigns.blogspot.com/
  13. Theresa ~ http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com
  14. Lezlye- www.lezlyes.blogspot.com
  15. Robin L. ~ http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com
  16. Christine ~ http://thecuriouscrafter.blogspot.com/
  17. Scrappin Madge: http://www.thescrappinlounge.com 


On a very personal note, thank you again to all of the truly wonderful women who generously support the special needs children at Pediatric Specialty Care. Your love and kind spirit is unparalleled. I cannot begin to thank you enough for joining me in this cause.  The children whose lives you touch through your talent join me in gratitude....

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

29 comments:

SapphireGyrl said...

I was 8 and my mother and grandmother put a Mumu on me and gave me big boobs, a big butt, and put a wig on me.

sapphiregyrl@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Love your banner and am so honored to be in the hop tomorrow!

We always wore handmade costumes. One year I was a Raggedy Ann Doll. I must have been in 1st or 2nd grade. My dad got out his camera and spotlight to take our pictures!

Not sure why, but Halloween has always been my favorite holiday!!

Anonymous said...

My mother sewed most of our costumes, (as did I for my children). My most memorable one was a colorful, striped clown costume, complete with ruffled collar.chelsea499ataoldotcom

Unknown said...

I LOVE this!!! I love all the MelJen images!! Your coloring is fantastic!!! PERFECT banner!!

cema1cema said...

Such a wonderful idea! Love your banner! The costume I remember most my mother made. It was a cheerleader uniform I was about 7 or 8 years old. Christina
ccapps35@gmail.com

Lezlye said...

Great Banner Ellen, love all your copic coloring! Honored to be participating in this hop, look forward to participating again!

Crafty Teacher said...

Gorgeous banner! I love the idea that these are going somewhere to brighten some very special children's lives. Thank you! Halloween - my most memorable costume was dressing up as Cindi Lauper. :)
khristamcbride @ hotmail . com

silvia said...

Ellen~Fabulous banner!! LOVe your "monsters".
It is so wonderful of you to organize the banner hops :)
My most memorable costume was a 'Bare-chested, male professtional wrestler" when i was 21.

Beth said...

Ellen~ Your banner is beautiful as always! I don't know how you do all that detail work/coloring...I want to learn when I get this rotator cuff healed!

My mom made our costumes; I remember a horse costume around 2nd/3rd grade. It was fabulous and detailed with mane and all! A dice costume when I was older maybe 5th grade (I helped her with it).

We're honored to participate again in this hop this weekend!
~Beth & Emily

Star said...

I always loved being a gypsy with long skirt and dangly earrings.

ibecircled.blogspot.com said...

My most memorable costume was when I was 10 and my mom made a Dorthy costume for the wizard of oz....I cherish That moment! My mom passed last december And I miss her so! Love your banner and I have been a follower here for a while now!! What a great way to give such joy to each and every child! TFS!!!

http://ibecircled.blogspot.com
ilovetonkinese2 at hotmail dot com
Rexann♥

ibecircled.blogspot.com said...

I have just finished all the awesome blogs with so many awesome banners,it is hard to pick just one!! There are going to many smiles at Pediatric Specialty Care!! Love the one Lezlye did It just struck me as a very bright and cheerful banner....all other banners come in second!!! So hard to pick!! Thanks for doing this hop and I am interested in the christmas banner hop..I will contact you soon!! Thanks Again!!

http://ibecircled.blogspot.com
ilovetonkinese2 at hotmail dot com
Rexann♥

Jamie M. said...

Cute banner! My favorite costume had to be when I was a scarecrow when I was little.
♥ Jamie at CraftyGirl21

Tlc Creations said...

My brother and I always ended up being Raggedy Ann and Andy....With dyed matching mops for wigs...those were too cute.
Your banner is very cute....love Edwina's also.
Paulette

Crafty Teacher said...

I love all the banner's! Took me the day on and off to get through everyone's wonderful blogs. :) There isn't one that speaks to me more than the other as they are all so wonderful and going to such a special place! Thank you for the inspiration!
:)Khrista

Pammejo said...

Wow, Ellen love your banner, the images are amazing and your coloring skills are fabulous. Thank you for hosting a wonderful hop. Hugs Pammejo

Edwina said...

Absolutely adorable! i love your banner! It is so cheerful to look at. love all the cute images. Thanks for sharing. Edwina Brown edwina.brown@live.com

Edwina said...

Forgot to answer the questions. my favorite costume was a princess. Mom made made my pretty green dress with flower trim on it. i thought it was beautiful. I was about 7 years old. Edwina Brown edwina.brown@live.com

Tambo said...

IEllen, as usual your banner is spooktacular! What a cute one you have made for the kids. I have to say, I remember going trick-or-treating as a child, but for the life of me can't think of one costume! So I will say when I dressed up for work as a scarecrow, with a pumpkin hat. We were having a hat contest. I got all the votes and won! So, let's see, my age, um about 42 LOL tfs and letting me join in on such a spectacular event. Tami
Tambo's Creations!

Retta said...

I love what you all are doing and the creation of the banner is awesome. My favorite costume was one that was as an adult working in a grocery store, I went as a walking, talking grocery bag!!! I won a vcr LOL

Retta said...

I forgot to leave mey contact minioly@hotmail.com

Gloria Westerman said...

Beautiful banner!!!
my childhood costume was my mother wrapping strips of tea dye material all around me...to be a mummy....tfs

Shawnee said...

Beautiful banner, Ellen. Thank you so much for hosting this hop as you know it is near and dear to my heart. My favorite costume was being a smurf. :)

Blessings,
Shawnee

Theresa said...

what a spooktacularly fun blog hop...can't wait to see tomorrows!

i remember going out trick or treating, but can't remember one costume i wore...how sad is that?!

Theresa
scrappyartcrafters@yahoo.com

Jessica Buffa said...

Amazing showcase of coloring talent and love the Meljen Images!
:O)
Jessica S

Jessica Buffa said...

I am a little late hopping today, but had to stop over again after stopping at Ashley's blog. Thank you for sharing such a touching story about how special these banners truly are, in the eyes of the children who receive them.
Hugs!
My favorite costume as a child was the year my older sister dressed my sister and I up as fun hillbillies. Black tooth in the front and eyeliner freckles and glass frames adorned our faces. So much fun!

Unknown said...

What a cute Banner Ellen! You do such wonderful work for these kids!
Rachelle

lorby said...

I so enjoyed this blog hop as usual. The banners are all so inspirational and bright and lovely and cute. My favorite costume was a costume I made as an adult. I was a cat one year to take my son out trick or treating. He was a bug that I fashioned out of his snowsuit and I made my own ears for the cat outfit and my own tail.

Janet said...

Cute Cute Cute Love the images they are super cute and I love your added bling!! Fun banner!
Big Blog Hugs, Janet