I LOVE PROMARKERS
& OTHER MEDIUMS
It is lovely to have
you back with us at I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums, and we hope you are
ready for another month of creativity and inspiration. Welcome to Challenge
#619, where our new theme is Dogs or Cats.
This is such a fun
theme because there is so much personality to work with. You might choose a
playful puppy, a sleepy cat, a cheeky kitten, a loyal dog, a much-loved pet, or
a humorous character with plenty of attitude. Your dog or cat can be the main focus
of your project or simply part of a larger scene.
Whether your style is
cute and cheerful, elegant and detailed, bold and colourful, rustic and
textured, or clean and simple, there are plenty of ways to make the theme your
own. Add layers, patterned papers, ribbons, die cuts, paw prints, bones, fish,
gems, texture, or keep things minimal and let your chosen animal take centre
stage.
However you choose to
interpret Dogs or Cats, we would love you to join us. Have fun with the theme,
add your own style, and share your project in the challenge gallery. We cannot
wait to see all those wagging tails, twitching whiskers, and wonderfully characterful
creations.
We are delighted to
be sponsored by Colour of Love, whose wonderful digital images are perfect for
colouring and crafting.
The lucky winner of challenge #619 will receive 3 images to download from
the shop.
We’re on TikTok!
Did you know that I
Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums now has its own TikTok account?
You can find us at @theloveofcolouring,
where we share challenge updates, Design Team creations, winners and Top 3
selections, colouring inspiration, and some of the wonderful projects created
by our crafting community.
TikTok gives us
another way to keep you up to date with what is happening on the blog and,
hopefully, introduce even more crafters to our challenges.
Follow us here:
https://www.tiktok.com/@theloveofcolouring?_r=1&_t=ZN-9BIEq1EDuNu
You can also simply scan
the QR code below with your phone or tablet and it will take you straight
to our TikTok page.
Come and join us,
give us a follow, and help us spread the love of colouring even further.
✨
Ways to Enter ✨
While
our challenge began with traditional blog entries, we are also very happy to
welcome projects shared through TikTok and Instagram. Crafters
now share their work in all sorts of places, and we want the challenge to feel
open and accessible wherever you prefer to post your creations.
We
have a separate page with full instructions explaining how to enter using a
TikTok or Instagram link. Please take a moment to read the guidance before
adding your entry, as this helps us make sure we can view your project and
include it correctly.
We
love being able to welcome entries from beyond the traditional blogging world
and hope this makes it even easier for more crafters to join in, share their
work, and be part of the challenge.
We are delighted to
announce that the lucky winner of the #617 is:
No 2 Pams Pearls
A
huge congratulations to Pams Pearls, our winner.
Pam
has created a fantastic set of four coordinated cards using the same witch
image, but each one has been given its own colour palette and personality. It
is a brilliant example of how one image can be reworked several times without
the finished projects feeling repetitive.
The
colouring is one of the strongest features across the set. Pam has changed the
hair, clothing, hat, pumpkin, and smaller details on each card, creating four
very different looks from the same design. From rich purples and oranges to
bright turquoise, pink, grey, and softer lilac tones, each version feels
distinct while still belonging to the same collection.
There
is also some lovely matting and layering throughout. The decorative
frames around each image help define the focal panels, while the patterned
papers behind them have been chosen to complement the colouring rather than
compete with it. The kraft card bases give the whole collection a consistent
foundation and help tie the four designs together.
Small
embellishments have been used sparingly, adding colour and dimension without
overwhelming the artwork. We also really like the contrast between the more
decorative patterned backgrounds and the cleaner white space surrounding the
main images.
What
makes this entry especially effective is the way Pam has shown just how much
difference colour choice and presentation can make. The same character feels
playful, elegant, bold, or quirky depending on the palette and background
treatment.
A
creative and beautifully coordinated set from Pams Pearls, with confident
colouring, strong layering, and four very different interpretations of one
image. A very deserving winner.
Please grab your
winner badge from the sidebar and contact us to claim your prize.
🌟
Our Top Three
In no particular
order:
No. 11 Vee
Vee
has created a beautifully bold floral card, with the poppies taking centre
stage against a crisp white background. The strong red-orange flowers
immediately draw the eye, while the fresh green foliage gives the design a
lovely natural contrast.
The
colouring is simple but very effective. Vee has used deeper tones through the
folds and centres of the petals to give the poppies shape, while the darker
flower centres add definition and help each bloom stand out clearly. The leaves
and stems have been kept bright and fresh, which balances the stronger reds
beautifully.
The
stitched-effect edge around the image panel adds a neat decorative detail
without making the card feel busy. Vee has then used matting and layering
with green and black card to frame the artwork. That dark outer border gives
the whole design real impact and helps the colours look even stronger.
We
also really like the clean layout here. There are no extra embellishments
competing with the image, so the flowers remain completely in focus.
A
striking and beautifully balanced card from Vee, with confident colouring,
strong contrast, and a clean presentation that lets those gorgeous poppies do
all the talking.
No. 9 Meg
Meg
has created a beautifully expressive floral birthday card, with the large
central bloom immediately drawing the eye. The loose, painterly style gives the
design plenty of movement and makes the flowers feel lively rather than overly
formal.
The
colouring is especially striking. Rich oranges and reds have been layered
through the main flower, while fresh greens, yellows, purples, and deeper berry
tones add contrast around it. The darker outlines help define the individual
leaves and petals, while the brighter highlights keep the arrangement feeling
energetic and full of colour.
We
really like the way Meg has kept the rest of the card very clean. The large
amount of white space around the floral image gives it room to breathe and
makes the colours appear even stronger.
The
sentiment, Birthday wishes coming your way, sits neatly in the top
corner and balances the floral arrangement without competing with it. Its
simple black lettering works particularly well against the brighter image
below.
A
vibrant and beautifully composed card from Meg, with confident colour choices,
expressive floral colouring, and a clean layout that lets the artwork take
centre stage.
No.
5 Sarah R
Sarah
has created a beautifully detailed card with such a sweet, gentle feel. The
little girl and unicorn make a lovely focal point, and the interaction between
them gives the image a real sense of connection and personality.
The
colouring is one of the strongest features here. Sarah has used warm browns
through the hair, soft greys and lilacs on the unicorn, and brighter reds and
blues in the clothing to create contrast without losing the softness of the
scene. The finer details in the hair, scarf, and unicorn mane have been picked
out carefully, which gives the image plenty of texture and depth.
The
background has been kept light, with soft blue vertical shading and subtle
greenery around the base. This helps create a scene without overwhelming the
central characters.
Sarah
has also made effective use of layered framing. The curved white frame
around the image creates a strong focal area, while the patterned papers and
scalloped green border underneath add structure and colour around it. The
repeated heart details help tie the outer layers back into the sweeter feel of
the image.
The
raised sentiment, Reminder: You’re Amazing, sits neatly across the top
and gives the card a lovely positive message without covering too much of the
artwork.
A
beautifully composed card from Sarah, with thoughtful colouring, strong
layering, and a charming central image that gives the whole design plenty of
heart.
A quick reminder about our challenge dates
Just a quick reminder that each of our challenges now
stays open for 4 weeks.
We wanted to give everyone a bit more breathing room,
because crafting is supposed to be enjoyable, not another deadline glaring at
you from across the room. The longer challenge period means you have more time
to plan your project, finish your colouring, and join in when it suits you.
Whether you create something straight away or need a
little longer to get inspired, your entry is welcome any time while the
challenge is open.
We hope the extra time makes it easier to take part and
gives even more crafters the chance to share their work with us.
Design Team Inspiration
Our Design Team have been busy creating a fantastic collection of inspiration
for Challenge #619 – Dogs or Cats, and there is such a lovely mix of
characters and styles to enjoy.
From playful puppies and cheeky kittens
to loyal companions, sleepy pets, and more characterful designs, each project
brings something different to the theme. You will find beautiful colouring,
clever layouts, layered elements, patterned papers, die cuts, embellishments,
texture, and plenty of thoughtful finishing touches throughout the gallery.
Some of the team have made their dog or
cat the main focal point, while others have included them as part of a larger
scene or story. That is what makes this theme so much fun, because there are so
many different ways to interpret it.
We hope their creations give you plenty
of ideas and encourage you to join in. Whether you love cute and cuddly, funny
and mischievous, elegant and detailed, or something a little more unusual, we
would love to see your take on the theme.
So choose your favourite dog or cat
image, add your own style, and share your project in the challenge gallery. We
cannot wait to see all those paws, whiskers, wagging tails, and wonderfully
creative makes.
Become a guest DT member.
We would love to welcome some new creative faces to I Love ProMarkers
& Other Mediums, whether you would like to join us for a challenge as a
Guest Design Team member or become part of our regular Design Team.
If
you love colouring, enjoy creating, and like sharing your work with others, we
would genuinely love to hear from you. You do not need a huge following, years
of Design Team experience, or a perfectly polished portfolio. We are much more
interested in your creativity, enthusiasm, and the individual style you bring
to your projects.
Our Guest
Design Team spot is a great way to dip your toe in without making a
long-term commitment. You can join us for a challenge, create alongside the
team, and have your work featured here on the blog.
If
you would prefer to become part of our regular Design Team, we are also
very happy to hear from you. Simply email us using the contact details at the
top of the blog, include a few examples of your recent colouring or projects,
and tell us a little about yourself.
If
you have ever looked at a Design Team and thought, I would love to try that,
this is your invitation.
Come
and create with us. Your style might be exactly what our team is missing.
Design
Team Makes
Our Design Team have
been busy creating a fantastic collection of inspiration for this challenge
using images from our wonderful sponsor, Last Minute Manda. With Dogs or Cats
as the theme, there is such a lovely mix of playful, sweet, quirky, and characterful
projects to enjoy.
You will find
everything from cheeky kittens and loyal dogs to cute companions and fun animal
scenes, each brought to life in the team’s own style. There is plenty of
beautiful colouring, clever layering, patterned papers, die cuts,
embellishments, texture, and thoughtful finishing touches throughout the
gallery.
One of the things we
love most about this theme is how much personality it gives you to work with.
Dogs and cats can be cute, mischievous, elegant, funny, sleepy, energetic, or
completely chaotic, which means every project can feel very different.
We hope the Design
Team creations give you plenty of ideas and encourage you to join in. Pick your
favourite dog or cat image, add your own creative twist, and share it with us
in the challenge gallery.
✨
Caroline S
✨
Clare
Clare has created a really sweet make for our Dogs or Cats challenge, with the little puppy and oversized mug giving the image plenty of charm and personality. The expression on the dog is especially cheerful, and the marshmallows add a playful little story to the scene.
The colouring has a
lovely hand-worked feel, with visible pencil texture helping to give the fur a
softer appearance. Clare has used warmer golden-brown tones through the puppy,
with deeper brown around the ears, face, and body to add definition. The bright
blue collar gives a cool contrast, while the vivid green mug immediately
catches the eye.
The pink marshmallows
add another soft pop of colour and work really well against the stronger green.
Clare has also added a grey shadow beneath the image, which is a simple but
useful technique for grounding the puppy and mug so they feel connected to the
page rather than floating against the white background.
The clean
presentation works particularly well here. With no patterned papers or extra
embellishments competing for attention, the colouring and character of the
image remain completely in focus.
A cheerful and
uncomplicated make from Clare, with soft pencil shading, strong colour
contrast, and a cute central image that fits the theme perfectly.
✨
Jacquie
✨ Helen
Helen
has created a lovely clean birthday card for our Dogs or Cats challenge, with
the little puppy placed right at the centre of the design. The image is simple
and cheerful, and the neutral brown palette gives the whole card a soft,
coordinated feel.
The
puppy has been coloured using warm tan and brown tones, with slightly deeper
shading around the ears, body, and paws to give the image more shape. The
darker nose, eyes, and outline create definition, while the pale grey shadow
beneath the puppy helps ground the character so it does not appear to float on
the page.
Helen
has used a circular focal frame around the image, which draws the eye straight
to the puppy. The stitched-effect detailing around the circle adds interest
without making the card feel busy, while the paw prints and bone motifs carry
the dog theme through the rest of the design.
The
background papers have been layered in coordinating browns, with the spotted
pattern adding texture and contrast behind the cleaner central panel. The
darker brown matting helps separate each layer and gives the card a neat,
finished structure.
The
simple Enjoy your Birthday sentiment sits neatly beneath the focal image and
keeps the layout balanced.
A
clean and well-coordinated card from Helen, with thoughtful use of neutral
colour, simple layering, and themed details that keep the focus firmly on the
little puppy.
✨ Ileana
Ileana has created a cheerful
Christmas card for our Dogs or Cats challenge, with the little puppy
pulling the snow globe making a lovely playful focal point. The image has
plenty of movement, and the expression on the puppy gives the whole design a
really happy feel.
The colouring is soft and nicely
controlled, with warm beige and brown tones through the puppy, balanced by the
cooler blue of the scarf. The deeper shading around the ears, body, and paws
helps give the character shape, while the bright red sleigh adds a stronger pop
of colour and ties in beautifully with the red border and embellishments.
The background has been kept
fairly simple, which helps the main image stand out. Ileana has used a textured
or embossed white panel at the top and bottom, with a soft star-patterned
strip across the centre to add interest without overwhelming the design.
The layered stars above the image
introduce more pattern and texture, while the small red gems help carry the
accent colour around the card and create balance.
The Xmas sentiment in the
lower corner keeps the seasonal message clear without competing with the focal
image.
A fun and nicely coordinated card
from Ileana, with soft colouring, simple layering, and well-placed
embellishments that keep the design lively without making it feel too busy.
✨Judith
Judith has created a
sweet card with a lovely hand-coloured feel. The little lion holding his
balloon makes a very simple, friendly focal point, and the soft browns paired
with the purple accents give the design a gentle, playful look.
The colouring appears
to have been built up with pencil work, leaving some of the natural texture
visible rather than blending everything completely smooth. That works well here
because it gives the lion’s mane and body a softer, more tactile appearance.
The deeper brown around the mane helps frame the face, while the purple
balloon, nose, and paw pads add a clear accent colour and tie the image
together.
The background has
been lightly shaded around the edges in warm yellow and ochre tones. This
creates a subtle vignette effect, keeping the centre lighter and helping the
lion stand forward from the page without needing a heavy frame or patterned
paper.
Judith has kept the
construction fairly simple, mounting the image onto a kraft-style card base.
That neutral background suits the brown tones in the lion and keeps the overall
design cohesive.
The three pearl-style
embellishments in the lower corner add a small touch of shine and balance the
balloon at the top of the image.
A charming make from
Judith, with visible pencil texture, gentle shading, and a simple layout that
lets the character remain the main focus.
✨Marjeta
Marjeta has created a wonderfully cheerful card for our Dogs or Cats challenge, with the little puppy watering the garden giving the design a sweet storybook feel. The playful bees and the Bee Happy sign add extra character and make the whole scene feel bright and uplifting.
The colouring is soft but nicely varied. Warm peach and brown tones have been used on the puppy, while the yellows and blacks of the bees give a stronger contrast. The pale blue background keeps the scene light and airy, and the vivid green grass across the front helps ground the image and brings in a fresh garden feel.
The card construction adds a lot of interest too. Marjeta has used a layered, dimensional format, with the central panel standing forward and the floral side panels visible behind it. This gives the design more depth than a flat card while still keeping the focal image easy to see.
The grass along the front has been built up as a separate layer, creating the effect of the puppy sitting within the scene rather than simply on top of it. The rounded, brightly coloured shapes along the bottom add another playful element and help carry the cheerful palette across the card.
The floral papers at the sides soften the stronger central colours and link the garden theme back into the overall design.
A bright and imaginative make from Marjeta, with clever layering, cheerful colouring, and a lovely sense of depth that gives the whole scene plenty of personality.
✨
Lisa
Lisa
has created a bright, cheerful card for our Dogs or Cats challenge, with
the little puppy and oversized yellow flower making a lovely focal point. The
image has a sweet, playful feel, and the bold yellow immediately lifts the
whole design.
The
colouring is clean and well controlled. The puppy has been kept in soft cream
and beige tones, with slightly deeper shading around the ears, face, and body
to give the character shape. The flower has been coloured in strong yellow with
a deeper centre, creating a clear contrast against the more neutral animal
tones.
Lisa
has used patterned-paper blocking very effectively in the background.
The dark green floral paper and cream polka-dot panel create two distinct
sections, while the repeated green tones help tie the background back to the
image. This gives the card structure without making it feel too rigid.
The
puppy and flower appear to have been fussy cut and layered over the
patterned background, which gives the main image extra dimension and helps it
stand forward from the card.
The
two butterfly die cuts add another decorative layer and soften the straight
lines of the background panels. The pearl details placed on the butterflies and
flower add a small amount of texture and shine without overwhelming the design.
The
separate Just for You and With Love sentiment panels balance the
layout nicely and echo the dark green used elsewhere on the card.
A
bright and beautifully coordinated make from Lisa, with strong contrast, clever
paper placement, and thoughtful layering that keeps the puppy firmly at the
centre of the design.
✨ Sharon
✨
Caroline L
✨
Jenn
Jenn has created a
cheerful card for our Dogs or Cats challenge, with the little puppy
splashing through the water making a wonderfully lively focal point. The image
has a real sense of movement, and the raised paws and flying water droplets
give the whole design plenty of energy.
The colouring has
been kept soft and friendly, with warm grey-brown tones through the puppy and
brighter touches of blue and yellow-green in the water and wellington boots.
Those cooler and brighter colours help lift the more neutral dog tones and keep
the image looking fresh.
Jenn has used a layered
arched focal panel, which works really well with the vertical format of the
card. The stitched-effect edging adds definition, while the floral border
around the arch introduces a softer decorative detail without competing with
the main image.
The plaid background
paper brings in the same blue, green, and yellow tones used elsewhere in the
design, helping the whole card feel coordinated. This repetition of colour is a
simple but effective way of tying the focal image and background together.
The You are my
sunshine sentiment adds a sweet message and sits neatly at the top of the
design, while the little sun embellishment at the bottom helps reinforce the
theme and balance the layout.
A bright and playful
make from Jenn, with good use of colour repetition, layered framing, and a
lively central image that gives the card plenty of personality.
Coming Up Next Challenge #620
Get ready to hit the
road, take to the skies, set sail, or travel in whatever direction your
creativity takes you, because this time our theme is **Transport**. We cannot
wait to see all the different ways you bring movement, journeys, and vehicles
into your crafting.
There are so many
ways to interpret this theme. You might choose cars, buses, trains, bicycles,
motorbikes, aeroplanes, boats, tractors, caravans, hot-air balloons, or even
something a little more unusual. Your chosen transport can be the main focus of
the project or part of a larger scene.
Whether your style is
cute and playful, bold and colourful, vintage and detailed, masculine and
structured, or clean and simple, there is plenty of room to make the theme your
own. Add patterned papers, maps, road signs, ticket details, die cuts, gears, clouds,
waves, texture, or keep things minimal and let the vehicle take centre stage.
We are really looking
forward to seeing the different journeys, colour palettes, and creative ideas
you bring to **Transport**. So choose your favourite way to travel, make it
your own, and add your project to the challenge gallery.
Our
wonderful sponsor for Challenge #620 is Dr Digi, and the lucky
winner will receive 1 image, kindly provided by our sponsor.
📢
Ways to Enter
While our challenges
have always been blog led, we know many of you now share your creative work
across different platforms. From now on, you are free to enter using any
colouring medium and share your work on the platform that suits you best.
Full instructions on
how to submit TikTok and Instagram links can be found further down in this
post, so please read them carefully before entering. We cannot wait to see even
more of your creativity in even more places.
✏️
Challenge Rules
• You may use any colouring medium
• You must link directly to your individual entry
• Please mention our challenge in your post
• Multiple entries are allowed unless otherwise stated
COMMON MISTAKES
(ENTRIES MAY BE REMOVED)
Do not link to your
profile instead of the post.
Do not use TikTok short links (vm.tiktok.com).
Do not submit screenshots without a clickable link.
Do not use private Instagram or TikTok accounts.
If we cannot click
the link and see your entry, we cannot judge it.
FINAL CHECK BEFORE
SUBMITTING
Make sure your link
opens the exact post.
Make sure it opens in a browser.
Make sure it can be viewed by someone who is not logged in.
If all of the above
are true, your entry link is correct.
⚠️
Posting Your Entry Links
• Blog posts must
link directly to your project
• TikTok and Instagram entries must use the correct full URL
• No profile links
• No screenshots
• Accounts must be public
If we cannot access
your entry, we cannot judge it.
📅
Challenge Closes
Challenge #619 will
close on the 06th December 2026 at 8 pm.
Winners will be
announced in the next challenge post after the closing date.
🔒
Privacy Policy Notice
By entering this
challenge, you agree that your name and entry link may be published in our
winners post. Please ensure your entry is dated within the challenge period.
We do not accept
back-linked entries.
💌
Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who has joined us for our Dogs or Cats
challenge and shared their creations with us. We always enjoy visiting your
entries, and it has been lovely seeing the different ways you have brought the
theme to life.
From playful puppies
and cheeky kittens to loyal companions, sleepy pets, and more unusual
interpretations, you have shown just how much personality this theme can
inspire. Thank you for putting so much time, creativity, and care into the
projects you share with us.
Your continued
support of I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums really does help make
the challenge a friendly and enjoyable place for crafters to share their work
and inspire one another.
Wishing you lots of
luck and, most importantly, happy crafting.
Our next challenge
will be Transport, so get ready to hit the road, take to the skies, set
sail, or travel wherever your creativity takes you. We hope you will come back
and join us again.
