Love Bugs Banner Hop

Participating in the Christmas Banner Hop felt so rewarding, we decided to do a Valentine's Day Banner using "Love Bugs" as our theme.  Adorable, right?  If you've come over from:  http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com/ you're in the right place.  If not, and you want to start from the beginning head on over to: http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ to join in ALL the fun!

Here are the main supplies I used.  Ka-Zoo 12 x12 paper pad by K & Company. Create a Critter and DoodleCharms cartridges (most images were cut at 3.5", but 1-2 were cut at 3.75")

Here is the front of the banner in whole. Hard to see, but I wanted you to see how "fun" the colors were, not just lovey-dovey.

Here's a close up of the back side, the Critter/bug side.

Here are the rest of the critters/bugs.

I finally used my Gypsy to create this sentiment! I used Turquoise Stickles to really make the letters pop against the busy paper.  I also used black pen and added faux stitching around the letters/words.

Around the darker background papers, I added white faux stitching.  (Yes, I did accidentally adhere the "W" on the lion paper upside down. Arg!)

The Turquoise Stickles really helps the letters pop out on each piece.

Here are the last 3 letters. The banner spells out, "Have a sweet day".

Now, head on over to: http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/  .

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. 

Christmas is For Kids Banner Blog Hop

Welcome to Day #2 (Sunday) of the Christmas is for Kids Banner Hop!  Did you remember to set your clocks back one hour early this morning, when Daylight Savings Time ended?  So you've got an extra hour to spend with us on this hop, YAY!  Grabba cuppa coffee and enjoy!!   

It is my pleasure to host the CHRISTMAS is for KIDS BANNER HOP, where fantastic and generous crafters donated their talents, time and holiday 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. On this hop, we have 34 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:

One winner will receive four free digi-images of their own choosing from www.MeljenDesigns.com!

www.HappyScrappy.us will provide one winner with a code valued at $20 toward your purchase from their terrific site!

Beautiful ribbons, embellishments, charms and more are on the http://meiflower.co.uk site.  They'll be giving a voucher valued approx $32 USD.

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. Random.org will choose the winners, subject to verification that winners have met the above-stated criteria. Without further ado, here is my banner:

I used Meljen's Designs for the digi-art Santa's sleigh collection. I colored each image using Copic markers, and mounted each member of the herd on a snowflake cut from American Crafts glitter stock, using a Sizzix die.  Here is detail from each of the reindeer:

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. Thank you (!!!) to each of the crafters who has made a Holiday Banner. Please stop by each of their blogs to send them some love.  Today (Sunday, November 6), please hop to the following blogs:

1. Ellen ♥ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com                   YOU ARE HERE! 
2. Michelle - http://peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Tonya - http://creativeaddictiontopaper.blogspot.com/
4. Carol Carlson - http://cardstockscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
5. Debbie Trevenen - http://debbiescrafttime.blogspot.com/
6. Linda Simpson - http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com/
7. Rachelle - http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com
8. Jamie - http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/
9. Jess - http://www.KinderStampO.com
10. Sandra - http://www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com
11. Cher- http://www.cherevansstudio.blogspot.com
12. Lori - http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
13. Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com
14. Sandie - http://sandieshores.blogspot.com
15. Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com
16. Lisa L - http://craftylam.blogspot.com
17. Janet S - http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com
18. Beckie - http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com

...and if you missed yesterday's banners and beautiful blogs of the crafters who created them, be sure to scroll down to my post from yesterday to see the full line-up.  NOW for my personal Blog Candy (as your reward for reading THIS far!!) ... I have assembled a Christmas stocking full of scrappers' goodies including a Cricut cartridge ("Wrap It Up") and other goodies!!  It will be won by one lucky person who is selected at random (by www.Random.org) from a FOLLOWER HERE who leaves a comment on THIS blog answering the following question:  Of the 9 reindeer Meljen digi-stamps I've colored and shown above, which one is your favorite, and why?

Thank you again for visiting today. I hope you're inspired to make your own Holiday Banner ... let your inner Elf emerge!

Hi there! This is Lisa from "CraftyLam". I am so honored to be part of this special blog hop.  Below is the banner I created.  If you have visited me before, you will know I like to make things fairly simple.  Enjoy!

For the trees, using "Album, Christmas Tree" by Sizzix Bigz Die and a olive colored card stock from the Earth Tones Textured card stock 12x12 pack from Best Occasions. (The olive papers were cut to 5"x5" to fit the tree base adequately.)  Cut out 14 trees. (I used my Epic Six die cutter.)

Using the Cricut Expression, Hannah Montana cartridge and random sheets of decorative paper from DCWV's "Christmas Combo 180 stack", cut out the letters for "Merry Christmas".  The letters were cut at 2.5".  I cut the patterned papers into strips of 3" wide by 4" long to accommodate each letter. (Note: some of the letters cut really low and wide so have extra paper handy in case of mistakes.)

Using Stickles and Studio G brand glitter glues, I bling'ed up the letters.  Colors used, Studio G: red, peach, brown, purple and yellow.  Stickles brand: Holly, Goldenrod, and green.  These are the ONLY colors used across all the letters.

Using the same Stickles & Studio G glitter glues, I decorated the front of the trees.  Let them dry.  I flattened them over night since the glitter glues like to warp the papers.

Using mini brads and a mini hole punch, attach the letters. Then using curling ribbon, loop & knot the ribbon through the holes in the tops of the trees. (I used tape and folded it slightly to make a faux needle tip to thread through the holes.) Keep the ribbon ends long so you can try to match them up & curl them.  Attach the top layer ribbon (going through "Merry") ends to the bottom layer (going through "Christmas") and knot. Allow ends to dangle.

Below are close ups of the letters and the final project.
;

Sorry, this is as close as I could get to the banner without cutting the ends off in the picture.  My banner ended up measuring 39 1/2" in total length.  I also added an extra strand of ribbon to each end just to add a little oomph. Enjoy!

Thanks again for stopping by and enjoy the blog hop.  Your next stop is Janet S.