A Round-Up of Fantastic "Love Bugs Banners for Kids"

When I'm looking for talent in the world of papercrafting, I am never disappointed by the wonderful group of crafters who generously design, make and donate banners for the special needs, medically-fragile children at Pediatric Specialty Care. 

Each of the pictures below has been watermarked with the blogger's address. Please don't forget to leave some love/comments on those blogs whose banners you appreciate.

Your comments posted on each of the blogs today do count toward the delicious blog candy our sponsors have pledged. 

Winners of the digi-art from Robyn's Fetish and Jellypark will be posted on this blog tomorrow.  The winner of the K Andrew Designs stamp set will be picked by the children at Pediatric Specialty Care, and announced as soon as possible. 

In case you missed any of the fantastic banners, here is a compendium of all of the banners that have been made for the very special kids ... They are posted in the order that they appeared in our 2-day hop.

Thank you again to our banner makers, and to you for visiting and leaving your comments!

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 L♥VE 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!

BLOG HOP: It's Cold Outside (it is???) Blog Hop - January 7 and 8

Please note: If you're here for the Love Bugs Banners for Kids blog hop, please click here to be taken there.


Thank you for joining us today on the "It's Cold Outside Blog Hop."

If you arrived here from Lissa Marie's blog, or landed here by chance, welcome -- and please hop over to the start of the hop at Z's blog (http://scrappinwithz.blogspot.com/). Zenita will tell you about the blog candy available for followers on this wintry trail.


I'm sure somewhere in what's supposed to be winter it's cold outside, but here in suburban Philadelphia, truth be told, it's unseasonably mild. The shine's shining and it's still nice enough outside to go without mittens and woolies.

Yes, that's unusual for us. And yes, most of us consider ourselves blessed.

I suppose there are some snowbunnies out there who might disagree ... but I detest snow. It may be fun to look at for a day or two especially if I have nowhere I need to go and can spend my time crafting. But after it's dingy and yellowed (ahem!), sloppy and slushy, no thank you.

So I've used my imagination this year to put on my fuzzy mittens and drink a cup of hot chocolate, and make this card for those who think the world of pretty white fresh-fallen snow:

I made this three-paneled card to feature two of the cutest snow fairies I've ever seen.  They are digi-images from Mo's Designs.  I colored them with Copic markers, and paper pieced in complementing colors. Liquid Pearl gave the snow on the wings dimension and sparkle. Stickles lightly applied to snowflakes gave them a magical touch. The stripe of glitter is double sided 1/8" tape adhered to the paper then glittered with fine Martha Stewart glitter. I strung the beautiful snowflake between panels 1 and 3, using fishing line mounted underneath the art. The snowflake is cut from glitter paper using a Cheery Lynn die.  The sentiment in the center is computer-generated with snowflake art by DaFont. 

Please jump on over to Anita's blog next to continue shooshing down the snow-covered path. I welcome your comments, and hope you'll come back often, for inspiration, a little story telling, and friendship.

In case you get lost along the way, here is the blog line up for the "It's Cold Outside Blog Hop":

1. Zenita - http://www.scrappinwithz.blogspot.com/
2. Janet Royer- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/
3. Lissa Marie - http://www.somanycrafts.com/
4. Ellen -- http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/
5. Anita - http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/
6. Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
7. Teresa - http://scrappintplace.blogspot.com/
8. Yvette- http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/
9. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
10 Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog/
11.Melissa-http://www.timeweavers.wordpress.com/
12. Pammejo- http://pammejo-scrapbookflair.blogspot.com/
13. Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
14. Jennifer - http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/

Love Bugs Banners for Kids Blog Hop - Jan. 6 and 7

It is my pleasure to host the LOVE BUGS BANNERS FOR KIDS, where 40 fantastic and generous crafters donated their talents, time and Valentine's-themed buggy banners to the children at Pediatric Specialty Care in Bucks County, PA. (See www.PediatricSpecialty.Com) 

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 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.


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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:

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 (Friday, January 6), please hop to the following blogs:

1. Ellen ♥ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ (YOU ARE HERE)
2. Sandie Dunne - http://sandieshores.blogspot.com/ (THIS IS YOUR NEXT STOP)
3. Lori Apgar - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
4. The Scrapbooking Queen~ http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/
5. Linda Simpson - http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com/
6. Lisa Lam- http://craftylam.blogspot.com/
7. Jenny (Crazy About Cricut) - http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
8. Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
9. Haidee-http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/
10. Carol - http://cardstockscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
11. Edwina - http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/
12. Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
13. Janet S - http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
14. Denise - http://vintageheartfeltdesigns.blogspot.com/
15. Jamie http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/
16. Teresa - http://scrappintplace.blogspot.com/
17. Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/
18. Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
19. Martha- http://pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com/
20. Erica http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com

...and stop back tomorrow, when ~20 different crafters will be showing their banners, and giving you more chances to win blog candy!

On Sunday, January 8, I'll do a round-up of all of the banners from both days, 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 SANDIE NEXT!

MFT Lunch Time Challenge - card in 30 minutes or less!

Today was a self- challenge day ... I had this idea in my brain, but little time to execute it. 

So my challenge was to build a step card, pick papers, select an image to stamp then paper piece and color ... get a sentiment to stand, make a paper flower with leaves .... and get it done in less than 30 minutes (my lunch break).

This is the result of that challenge.

The papers are from DCWV Sweethearts pack. Image is from My Favorite Things stamp collection by Pure Innocence. The rolled paper die  and the framed oval (rear left) are both from MFT as well. I punched the edges in MS Eyelet Lace border punch, and added some Flower Soft for a cozy look in front of the sentiment.  Oh, the sentiment was cut from Cricut's Birthday Bash cartridge.

LOTS I would do differently if I had to make it over again. First -- different print for the paper pieced dress. The way those cupcakes fall, it just looks like dirt smudges on the girl's dress.  Second, coloring. Egads, that's bad ... third, did I say how rushing doesn't work when you need ink/glossy accents/glue to dry ... and fourth, take my time to ENJOY the work!  I AM SO NOT a 30-min pressure-cooker kind of crafter!!

What's something crafty you did today -- and what would you do to improve your work?

Living on the Fringe ... in the Cold!!

Hey there, happy New Year.  

Guess what blew in for 2012?  Cold weather!!!   I'm telling you, there was quite a wind last night -- I hear up to about 45 mph, bringing in temps below freezing for the first time this winter.

It's right on time for a second hop I've joined for this upcoming weekend, "Baby It's Cold Outside Blog Hop" on Saturday and Sunday.  I'll save the whole card to show on the hop, but here's a teaser. Don't you just love this Mo Designs digi-stamp, which I colored with Copics and paper pieced, and used some Stickles and Liquid Pearls. 

While I'm up in the Paper Jungle today -- yeah, day off!!! -- I had Randy at Random.org pull the winner for this weekend's Martha Stewart Fringing Scissors.  And BECKIE, yup, BECKIE .. it's you!!!!  Send your address ASAP to my e-mail address and I'll mail it this great tool out to you this week.  Yee-haw!!

Stay warm, tuck it in and don't blow away.