Hello All,
We are sorry but due to unforeseen circumstances this fortnights blog challenge has had to be postponed so we are taking our holiday early and we will be back on 22nd of July with Colour of love inspiration.
Big hugs Claire.
😉
Monday, 6 July 2026
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Challenge #610
I LOVE PROMARKERS
& OTHER MEDIUMS
Welcome back to I Love
ProMarkers & Other Mediums and to our brand new Challenge #610. This
fortnight our theme is Add a Button, and we cannot wait to see the gallery
filled with your wonderful button-inspired creations.
This is such a fun and
flexible theme, with plenty of room to make it your own. You might use a button
as a simple finishing touch, add several for extra texture, or make one part of
the main design. Buttons can work beautifully as flower centres, wheels,
corners, embellishments, decorative accents, or little details that bring a
project together.
Whether your style is
cute and cheerful, bold and colourful, elegant and detailed, or clean and
simple, there are so many ways to include this theme in your work. Add ribbons,
twine, stitching, layers, die cuts, sparkle, patterned papers, or keep your design
beautifully minimal with one perfectly placed button.
However you choose to
interpret Add a Button, we are really looking forward to seeing your creative
ideas and all the wonderful projects you bring to the challenge.
We are delighted to be
sponsored by Dr Digi’s House of stamps, whose wonderful digital images
are perfect for colouring and crafting.
The lucky winner of challenge #610 will receive one image to from the shop.
✨
Ways to Enter ✨
Although our challenge
has always centred around blog entries, we are also happy to welcome entries
shared through TikTok and Instagram, alongside traditional blog posts. The
crafting community shares creativity in lots of different places now, and we would
love to see your work wherever you choose to post it.
We now have a separate
page with full instructions on how to enter using TikTok or Instagram links.
Please make sure you read the guidance carefully before adding your entry, so
your link can be checked and included properly.
We are really pleased to
make the challenge easier to join in with and look forward to seeing even more
of your wonderful creations.
We are delighted to
announce that the lucky winner of the #609 is:
No. 1 Jenn
A huge congratulations to
Jenn, our winner for this challenge.
Jenn has created a
fabulous By the Sea card full of humour, colour, and personality. The bright
red crab immediately catches the eye and makes a fantastic focal point against
the cool blue background. The expression on the crab is brilliant too, giving the
whole design a fun and cheeky feel.
The colouring is bold and
confident, with lovely shading across the crab’s body and claws to give the
image shape and depth. The rich reds work beautifully against the watery blue
tones, creating a strong contrast that really makes the main image stand out.
We also loved the
wave-style background, which adds texture and movement without taking attention
away from the crab. It gives the card a clear seaside feel and helps tie
everything perfectly into the theme. The layered blue matting frames the design
neatly and gives the whole card a clean, finished look.
The sentiment is a
brilliant finishing touch. It adds humour, suits the image perfectly, and gives
the card a playful personality from top to bottom. The softly inked edges
around the sentiment panel help it blend into the design while still standing
out clearly.
A fun, bold, and
wonderfully creative card with fantastic colouring, great texture, and a
brilliant sense of humour. 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. 2 Lia
Lia has created a
wonderfully fun and playful By the Sea card, full of movement, colour, and
underwater charm. The cheerful fish immediately bring personality to the
design, with their expressive faces and bright colouring giving the whole card
a lighthearted feel.
The watery background is
especially effective. The soft blue tones, splattered effect, and gentle
blending create a lovely underwater atmosphere without making the card feel too
busy. It gives the impression of bubbles and movement, which works beautifully
with the swimming fish.
The colouring on the fish
is bright and full of character. The green and yellow tones stand out
beautifully against the blue background, while the little details on the fins,
spots, and shading help give each fish its own personality. The shells, bubbles,
and small underwater plant details add extra interest and help complete the
seaside theme.
We also loved the clean
overall layout. The open space gives the design a fresh, airy feel, while the
dark border frames the scene neatly and makes the colours pop.
A bright, cheerful, and
beautifully themed card with lovely colouring, fun details, and a fantastic
underwater feel.
No. 3
Pam
Pam has
created a beautifully coloured card with such a sweet and elegant feel. The
main image is very eye-catching, with the character taking centre stage and
bringing lots of charm and personality to the design.
The
colouring is lovely and detailed, especially in the hair, eyes, and clothing.
The soft blending in the hair adds depth and movement, while the bright blue
and yellow colour combination gives the image a fresh, cheerful look. The
delicate floral details around the character also add a pretty finishing touch
and help soften the overall design.
The
layered scalloped panel frames the image beautifully and gives the card a
polished, decorative finish. The striped background paper works really well
with the colours in the image, helping everything feel coordinated without
becoming too busy.
We also
loved the little teacup sentiment detail in the corner. It adds a fun and
thoughtful touch while balancing the layout nicely.
A
beautifully presented card with gorgeous colouring, pretty layers, and a lovely
fresh colour palette.
No. No. 6 Dreja
Front
Dreja has created a
wonderful By the Sea card with a lovely surprise element, showing both a
decorated outside and a beautifully finished inside. The whole project feels
carefully planned, with nautical papers, layered shapes, and sweet seaside
imagery working together from front to centre.
The outside of the card
has a fantastic layered design, with the whale taking centre stage against the
sailboat paper and blue crab-patterned background. The shaped panels add
movement and interest, while the circular frame behind the whale helps draw the
eye straight to the focal point. The soft blue tones give the card a fresh
coastal feel, and the added gems bring a lovely little touch of shine.
Inside, the theme
continues beautifully with the sweet sailor image framed against more
coordinating blue papers. The mix of sea creatures, shells, anchors, birds, and
crab patterns gives the card a really cohesive look, making the inside feel
just as special as the outside.
We especially liked the
construction of this card. The folded shape, angled panels, and layered papers
show lots of thought and skill, and the repeated blue palette keeps everything
tied together without feeling flat. The colouring is soft and gentle, which
works beautifully with the nautical theme and lets the patterned papers and
card structure shine.
A creative and
beautifully finished seaside card, full of detail, clever folding, and
thoughtful decoration inside and out.
Please grab your Top
Three badge from the sidebar
🎨
Design Team Inspiration
Our Design Team have been busy creating a fabulous range of inspiration for
this challenge, and there is such a lovely mix of styles and special occasion
ideas to enjoy. From birthdays and celebrations to thoughtful keepsakes and
cheerful seasonal makes, each project brings its own unique twist to the theme.
You will find everything
from bright, playful colour palettes and cute character cards to softer, more
elegant designs filled with beautiful detail. Some creations keep things fresh
and clean, while others feature layers, texture, embellishments, and plenty of
crafty charm.
We hope their wonderful
projects inspire you to get creative, celebrate those special moments, and join
in with the challenge. We cannot wait to see what you make.
Become a guest DT member.
We are
excited to introduce a new ongoing feature here at I Love ProMarkers &
Other Mediums. From now on, we will regularly be welcoming Guest Design
Team members to share their creativity and inspire our community. It is a
wonderful way to showcase different colouring styles, techniques, and fresh
ideas, and we are delighted to make this a permanent part of the blog.
If you
would like to be considered as a Guest DT member, we would love to hear from
you. Please email us using the contact details found at the top of the blog.
If you
are interested in joining our Design Team, you are also very welcome to get in
touch. Simply send us a few examples of your colouring using the email address
at the top of the blog. We look forward to hearing from you.
Guest
DT –
Our Guest
Design Team spot will return next time. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the
wonderful inspiration from our Design Team.
💖Before we
move on to our Design Team inspiration, we would like to take a moment to say a
very special thank you to Tinz, who will be stepping down from the Design Team.
Tinz has
shared so many beautiful creations with us, bringing her own style, colouring,
and creativity to each challenge. We are truly grateful for the time, effort,
and inspiration she has given to the team and to everyone who visits the blog.
It has
been lovely having her as part of I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums, and we
wish her all the very best for the future. Thank you so much, Tinz, for
everything you have contributed. You will be missed. 💖
Design
Team Makes
Now it’s
time to take a look at what our Design Team have been creating for this
challenge. They have put together a wonderful collection of projects for our Add
a Button theme, each showing a different way to include this lovely crafty
detail.
From
buttons used as simple finishing touches to designs where they add texture,
dimension, and extra charm, there is plenty of inspiration to enjoy. You will
see a lovely mix of styles, colour choices, layouts, and embellishments, all
showing how versatile this theme can be.
Some
projects keep the buttons subtle and sweet, while others use them as a more
playful part of the design. We hope their fantastic creations inspire your own
button-themed projects and encourage you to join in with us this fortnight.
✨Tinz
Tinz has created a fun
and quirky card for our Add a Button theme, using a clean layout that
really lets each detail stand out. The bright aqua card base gives the project
a fresh, cheerful feel, while the ostrich image adds plenty of humour and
personality.
The colouring on the
ostrich is lovely, with soft pink tones on the neck and legs balanced by deeper
shading through the body and wing. The image has been kept crisp and clear,
which works beautifully against the simple background.
The buttons are used
really well here, with the large patterned button acting almost like a
decorative feature in the centre of the card. The smaller button in the top
corner adds balance and ties the theme in again without making the design feel
too busy.
The glittery Thanks
sentiment brings sparkle and texture, giving the card a lovely finishing touch.
The overall design is bright, playful, and nicely balanced, with just enough
embellishment to make the button theme shine.
A cheerful and quirky
card full of character, colour, and crafty charm.
✨ Lisa
– Family commitments
✨ Caroline
Caroline has coloured a
fun and cheerful nautical image full of character and movement. The boat scene
has a lovely playful feel, with the captain at the wheel, the seagull perched
at the back, and the splashing water adding energy to the design.
The colouring is bright
and clean, with fresh aqua and blue tones across the boat that give the image a
lovely seaside feel. The softer green shades on the captain’s clothing work
well with the overall palette, while the touches of pink on the lifebuoy and
boat details add gentle contrast.
This piece has a simple,
uncluttered finish, allowing the image and colouring to take centre stage. The
open white space keeps everything fresh and clear, while the bold image brings
plenty of personality.
A bright and playful
coloured image with lovely clean tones, cheerful detail, and a fun nautical
feel.
✨ Sharon – Family commitments
✨ Clare
Clare has created a
wonderfully fun and modern card for our Add a Button theme, using a brilliant
gaming image full of personality. The main character is such a playful focal
point, and the game controller details tie perfectly into the theme with all those
colourful little buttons.
The colouring is bright
and cheerful, with fresh lime green, soft blue, and warm skin tones giving the
image a lively feel. The shading on the clothing adds lovely depth,
while the darker controller helps ground the image and keeps the focus clear.
The layered background
papers work really well together, with stars, dots, and stitched-style details
creating a playful patchwork effect. The colour choices feel youthful and
energetic, which suits the gaming theme perfectly.
The large game
controllers across the top add extra impact and make the whole design feel bold
and fun. They also echo the button theme beautifully, giving the card a clever
and modern twist.
A bright, playful, and
very creative card with lovely colouring, great layering, and a brilliant
interpretation of the Add a Button theme.
✨ Jacquie
Temp leave
✨ Caroline
T Work Commitments
✨ Helen
Helen has created a wonderfully fun and characterful card with a
lovely soft colour palette and a clean, polished layout. The quirky image
immediately brings personality to the design, with the scruffy little dog
standing in the water and holding the stick, giving the whole card a playful
and cheerful feel.
The colouring is beautifully soft, with warm neutral tones through
the dog’s fur and gentle shading to add texture without making the image feel
too heavy. The pale blue water and frame add a fresh contrast, while the darker
matting helps define the focal panel beautifully.
The layered stitched frames give the card a neat, finished look,
and the patterned background paper adds subtle interest without taking
attention away from the image. The small button-style embellishments in the
corners work nicely for the Add a Button theme, adding just enough
detail while keeping the overall design clean and balanced.
The simple sentiment finishes the card perfectly and keeps the
focus on the sweet image and soft colouring.
A lovely, cheerful card with gentle colouring, thoughtful layering,
and a sweet button detail to tie in with the theme.
✨ Ileana
Ileana has created a wonderful masculine birthday card featuring a fun barbeque theme
The cheerful grilling character takes centre stage against a textured corrugated background while the rustic sign, twine, stars and handmade flower embellishments add plenty of charm & detail
The warm earthy colours and playful sentiment make this a perfect card for anyone who loves spending time at the grill
A fantastic example of how themed images and layered embellishments can come together to create a fun and memorable birthday card
✨Judith
Judith has created a
wonderfully cute and characterful card for our Add a Button theme. The
sweet llama image instantly brings charm and personality to the design, with
its cheerful expression, fluffy texture, and playful stance making it a lovely
focal point.
The colouring is soft and
natural, with warm beige and brown tones giving the llama a gentle, textured
look. The darker shading through the fur adds depth and helps show all those
lovely fluffy details, while the bright blue eyes add a sweet little pop of
colour.
The button has been used
beautifully as part of the design, placed like a decorative detail on the llama
itself. It works perfectly with the theme and adds real texture and dimension
to the card without overwhelming the clean layout.
The overall design is
fresh and modern, with lots of white space allowing the image to stand out
clearly. The stitched border gives the card a neat finished look, while the
orange “Hello” detail adds a cheerful contrast and a fun extra touch.
A sweet, simple, and
beautifully effective card with lovely colouring, a clever button detail, and
plenty of playful charm.
✨Marjeta
Marjeta has created a
beautifully atmospheric card with a wonderful nautical feel. The image has such
a lovely sense of movement, with the little boat cutting through the water and
the captain at the wheel. It immediately gives the design character and a
strong seaside story.
The colouring is rich and
detailed, especially in the wooden boat, where the shading gives real depth and
texture. The warm sunset tones in the background contrast beautifully with the
bright blues of the sea, creating a lovely balance between warmth and
freshness. The splashing water at the front of the boat adds energy and helps
bring the whole scene to life.
The layout is very well
put together, with the stitched frame giving the image a clean, finished edge.
The dark blue matting strengthens the design and helps the coloured scene stand
out beautifully. The nautical embellishments, including the lantern, rope, and
compass detail, add extra texture and tie perfectly into the overall theme.
The small white flowers
soften the card and give a pretty finishing touch without taking away from the
main image. The whole project feels carefully layered, balanced, and full of
charm.
A beautifully coloured
and thoughtfully designed card with lovely nautical detail, strong composition,
and plenty of character.
Coming Up Next
Challenge #611
Challenge #611 is just
around the corner, and this time our theme will be Children. We cannot wait to
see the gallery filled with sweet, playful, and charming creations inspired by
childhood, family moments, and all those lovely youthful details.
There are so many
wonderful ways to interpret this theme. You might choose cute children’s
images, baby cards, birthday makes, school scenes, playful characters, toys,
storybook designs, or bright and cheerful projects full of fun. Soft pastel
shades work beautifully for gentle designs, while bold colours and playful
patterns can bring extra energy and personality.
You could add layers,
ribbons, buttons, sparkle, die cuts, patterned papers, or keep your project
clean and simple for a fresh, classic look. Whether your style is cute and
whimsical, bright and fun, or soft and sentimental, we are really looking
forward to seeing how you bring the Children theme to life.
Our wonderful sponsor for
Challenge #611 is Colour of Love, and the lucky winner will receive three
images to download, 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 in the tab at the top of the blog so
please read them carefully before entering. We cannot wait to see even more of
your creativity in even more places.
✏️
Challenge Rules
• Your project must
follow the theme or Anything goes
• 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
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
This challenge will close
on the 6th July 2026 at 8 pm.
Winners will be announced
in the next challenge post.
🔒
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 heartfelt thank you to everyone who takes part and shares their beautiful
creations with us. Your creativity and enthusiasm are what make each challenge
so enjoyable, and we love seeing the unique ideas you bring every time.
We can’t wait to explore
your entries and see how you bring this theme to life. Wishing you lots of
luck, and most of all, happy crafting!
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Challenge #609
PROMARKERS & OTHER MEDIUMS
Welcome back to I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums and to our brand new Challenge #609. This fortnight our theme is By the Sea, and we are looking forward to seeing the gallery filled with beautiful seaside-inspired creations.
This theme offers so many wonderful creative possibilities. You might choose sandy beaches, rolling waves, seashells, boats, lighthouses, beach huts, mermaids, sea creatures, or characters enjoying a day by the water. Soft blues, sandy neutrals, fresh aquas, and bright summer colours all work beautifully for this theme.
Whether you prefer elegant coastal designs, cute and cheerful characters, or playful summer scenes, there are so many ways to bring By the Sea to life. Add texture with twine, pearls, shells, shimmer, layered die cuts, or keep your design clean and breezy for a softer seaside feel.
From calm coastal cards to bright beachy makes full of sunshine and charm, we cannot wait to see the creative ways you interpret this theme.
We are delighted to be sponsored by Di’s Digi Stamps, whose wonderful digital images are perfect for colouring and crafting.
The lucky winner of challenge #609 will receive $6 to spend in the shop.
________________________________________
✨ Ways to Enter ✨
Although our challenge has always centred around blog entries, we are embracing the wider crafting community and the places you now share your work. Entries are welcome from TikTok and Instagram, alongside traditional blog posts. However you choose to create and share, we would love to see it.
Full instructions on how to submit TikTok and Instagram links can be found further down in this post, so please make sure you read them carefully before entering. We’re really excited to open things up and can’t wait to see even more of your wonderful creativity.
________________________________________
We are delighted to announce that the lucky winner of the #608 is:
No. 3 Paper Whims
A huge congratulations to Paper Whims, our winner for this challenge.
This card has such a sweet and uplifting feel, with a lovely mix of bright colour, gentle detail, and thoughtful design. The adorable mushroom scene immediately catches the eye, with the bold red toadstools creating a strong focal point against the softer floral background. The image has been coloured beautifully, with cheerful tones that bring warmth and charm to the whole design.
The layered scalloped circle works really well, framing the main image and giving it a pretty, soft finish. The floral patterned paper adds lots of colour and interest without taking away from the focal point, while the bright yellow banner behind the sentiment gives the card a lovely pop of contrast.
We especially liked the balance between playful and comforting. The Get Well Soon sentiment fits perfectly with the cheerful image, creating a card that feels kind, bright, and full of encouragement. The small flower embellishment adds a delicate finishing touch and helps bring the whole design together.
A wonderfully charming creation with beautiful colour choices, sweet detailing, and a lovely uplifting feel. Congratulations again, Paper Whims.
________________________________________
Please grab your winner badge from the sidebar and contact us to claim your prize.
________________________________________
🌟 Our Top Three
In no particular order:
________________________________________
No 1 Paper whims
Paper Whims has created such a bright and cheerful Get Well Soon card, full of colour, charm, and uplifting energy. The sweet little donkey holding the large daisy immediately brings a smile, and the simple Feel Better sentiment keeps the message clear and thoughtful.
The colouring is lovely and playful, with the bold yellow flower creating a strong focal point against the softer character tones. The little purple butterfly adds a sweet touch of contrast and helps tie in beautifully with the floral background paper.
The oval frame works really well here, giving the image a clean focal space while allowing the colourful patterned paper to add plenty of brightness around it. The yellow card base and border pull everything together beautifully, reinforcing the happy, sunny feel of the design.
A sweet, cheerful card with a lovely comforting message and plenty of feel-good charm.
________________________________________
No 2 Kathy K
Kathy K has created a wonderfully fun and colourful ATC with a brilliant playful message. The “Stay cool, stay colourful” sentiment works perfectly with the bold design and gives the whole piece such a positive, upbeat feel.
The purple colour palette is lovely and eye-catching, with the different sized shapes creating a strong focal point while still keeping the design clean and balanced. The black detailing around the edges adds definition, and the pink accents bring a great pop of contrast that keeps everything lively.
We also loved the sparkle and texture around the shapes, which gives the ATC extra interest and makes it feel bright and cheerful without overcrowding the small format. Working on an ATC size takes careful placement, and this design uses the space really well.
A bold, creative, and uplifting little project full of colour, personality, and charm.
________________________________________
No 4 Paper whims
Paper Whims has created another sweet and uplifting Get Well Soon card, full of soft colour and gentle charm. The adorable character tucked inside the teacup gives the design such a comforting feel, making it a lovely fit for the theme.
The colouring is bright and cheerful, with the purple cup creating a strong focal point against the softer pastel background. The yellow hair and delicate floral details add warmth and sweetness, while the little flower embellishment brings extra dimension and texture to the main image.
The oval frame works beautifully, giving the character space to shine while keeping the layout clean and balanced. The patterned background adds plenty of interest, with soft blues, pinks, and floral tones that help the whole card feel fresh and encouraging.
The small Feel Better Soon sentiment is perfectly placed on the banner, adding a thoughtful message without taking attention away from the image.
A lovely cheerful creation, full of kindness, colour, and gentle detail.
_______________________________________
Please grab your Top Three badge from the sidebar
________________________________________
🎨 Design Team Inspiration
Our Design Team have been busy creating a fabulous collection of inspiration for this challenge using images from Di’s Digi Stamps, and there are so many wonderful seaside ideas to enjoy. From bright beach scenes and nautical details to cute characters, sea creatures, and coastal colour palettes, each project brings its own creative take on the By the Sea theme.
You will find a lovely variety of styles throughout the gallery, including playful summer cards, fresh blue and sandy tones, layered seaside designs, and beautifully coloured images full of charm. Some projects keep things clean and breezy, while others include texture, embellishments, patterned papers, and plenty of crafty detail.
We hope their fantastic creations inspire you to dive into your own seaside-themed project and join in with the challenge. We cannot wait to see what you make.
________________________________________
Become a guest DT member.
We are excited to introduce a new ongoing feature here at I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums. From now on, we will regularly be welcoming Guest Design Team members to share their creativity and inspire our community. It is a wonderful way to showcase different colouring styles, techniques, and fresh ideas, and we are delighted to make this a permanent part of the blog.
If you would like to be considered as a Guest DT member, we would love to hear from you. Please email us using the contact details found at the top of the blog.
If you are interested in joining our Design Team, you are also very welcome to get in touch. Simply send us a few examples of your colouring using the email address at the top of the blog. We look forward to hearing from you.
________________________________________
Guest DT –
Our Guest Design Team spot will return next time. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the wonderful inspiration from our Design Team.
________________________________________
Design Team Makes
Now it’s time to take a look at what our Design Team have been creating for this challenge. They have put together a wonderful collection of By the Sea projects, each filled with its own coastal details, colour choices, and creative style.
From bright beach scenes and playful seaside characters to softer nautical designs and calming coastal colours, there is plenty of inspiration to enjoy. You will find everything from sea creatures, shells, boats, and beach huts to layered papers, textured embellishments, and beautifully coloured images full of summer charm.
Some projects keep things clean and breezy, while others bring in lots of layers, sparkle, texture, and crafty detail. We hope their fantastic creations inspire your own seaside makes and encourage you to join in with us this fortnight.
________________________________________
✨ Marjeta
We are very excited to welcome Marjeta as a new member of our Design Team. It is always lovely to have fresh creativity joining us, and we are delighted to have her sharing her inspiration with us.
For her first Design Team make, Marjeta has created a beautifully nautical card that fits the By the Sea theme perfectly. The sweet little sailor mice are such a charming focal point, and the boat scene brings a lovely sense of seaside adventure to the design.
The blue colour palette works beautifully throughout the card, giving it a fresh coastal feel. The deeper blue matting helps frame the image clearly, while the softer aqua tones in the background add movement and texture without taking attention away from the main scene.
The image itself has been coloured with lovely detail, especially in the sailor hats, boat, flag, and water. The circular aperture behind the image adds depth and gives the card a clever layered look, almost as if the boat is sailing through the centre of the design.
We also love the small floral embellishments on the side, which soften the layout and add a pretty finishing touch. The vertical sentiment strip is a lovely design choice too, helping balance the card and adding extra interest.
A wonderful first Design Team project from Marjeta, full of seaside charm, soft detail, and beautiful blue tones. We are thrilled to have her joining the team and cannot wait to see more of her creations.
________________________________________
✨ Caroline L Family commitments
________________________________________
✨ Sharon
Sharon has created a beautifully soft and charming card with a lovely gentle seaside feel. The sweet image of the little boy fishing, with his puppy beside him, gives the design such a warm and peaceful atmosphere. It fits the By the Sea theme in a softer, more nostalgic way, focusing on those quiet seaside moments rather than bold beach colours.
The colouring is wonderfully delicate, with soft skin tones, warm browns in the hair, and lovely blue shades in the outfit that help connect the image to the coastal theme. The little fish and birds add playful detail, while the puppy in the bucket brings an extra touch of sweetness and character.
The layout is very elegant and well balanced. The scalloped frame around the image draws the eye straight to the focal point, while the layered cream and neutral tones keep the whole card looking polished and calm. The background paper is especially pretty, with floral corners and soft blue details that add interest without overpowering the central image.
We also love the understated finish of this card. The design feels thoughtful, gentle, and beautifully put together, with the soft colour palette allowing the image to shine.
A lovely card full of warmth, sweet detail, and quiet seaside charm.
________________________________________
✨ Clare
Clare has created a lovely By the Sea themed card with a warm, playful feel and a beautifully balanced layout. The sweet fishing image is such a charming focal point, with the little boy, fish, birds, and puppy all adding personality and gentle storytelling to the design.
The colouring is soft and carefully handled, with lovely natural tones throughout the skin, hair, and clothing. The muted greens and yellows work beautifully with the teal background papers, giving the whole card a calm coastal feel without becoming too bright or overpowering.
The layout is very effective, with the tilted dark teal panel adding movement and depth behind the main image. It helps the focal panel stand out clearly while keeping the design fresh and interesting. The patterned paper also works really well, adding texture and detail while still feeling clean and coordinated.
The birthday sentiment in the top corner gives the card a clear purpose, while the little fish embellishments at the bottom are a perfect finishing touch for the seaside theme. They add charm without cluttering the design.
A beautifully put-together card with gentle colouring, clever layering, and a sweet seaside story at its heart.
________________________________________
✨ Jacquie Temp leave
________________________________________
✨ Caroline T Work Commitments
________________________________________
✨ Helen
Helen has created a lovely By the Sea themed birthday card with a warm, cheerful feel and a beautifully coordinated colour palette. The sweet fishing image makes a charming focal point, with the little boy, puppy, fish, and birds all adding personality and gentle storytelling to the design.
The colouring is soft and clean, with lovely natural tones throughout the image. The blue overalls help bring in that fresh coastal feel, while the red details on the shirt, hat, bucket, and embellishments add a bright pop of colour and keep the design lively.
The layered background papers work really well together. The checked panel gives the card a cosy, outdoorsy feel, while the fishing-themed paper behind it ties perfectly into the image and theme. The green matting frames everything neatly and gives the whole card a polished finish.
The stitched image panel keeps the focal point crisp and clear, and the red gems add just the right amount of sparkle without overwhelming the design. The simple Birthday wishes sentiment finishes the card beautifully and makes it feel thoughtful and complete.
A sweet, well-balanced card with lovely colouring, thoughtful paper choices, and plenty of seaside charm.
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✨ Ileana
Ileana has created a beautifully nautical card that fits the By the Sea theme perfectly. The sweet sailor mice in their little newspaper-style boat make such a charming focal point, bringing a lovely sense of seaside adventure and playful character to the design.
The colouring is soft and detailed, with the striped hat and flag adding lovely pops of colour against the gentler neutral tones of the mice and boat. The blue-green background paper works beautifully with the coastal theme, and the swirl pattern gives a subtle feeling of movement, almost like waves behind the image.
The layered net-style die cut is a brilliant touch, adding texture and helping frame the focal image without making the card feel too busy. The white stars and anchor embellishment bring in extra seaside detail, while the twine across the bottom adds a natural, beachy finish.
The clean white card base gives everything room to breathe, making the layered centre panel stand out clearly. It is a lovely balance of texture, colour, and nautical detail.
A sweet and beautifully composed card full of coastal charm, soft colouring, and clever embellishments.
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✨Judith
Judith has created a wonderfully fun and cheerful card for the By the Sea theme, packed with bright colour, texture, and playful seaside detail. The adorable mice relaxing in their oversized cocktail glass give the whole design a proper holiday feel, with the parasol, pineapple, cherry, and sleepy little mouse adding so much character and humour.
The colouring is warm and lively, with soft browns on the mice balanced beautifully by the brighter pinks, yellows, oranges, and greens. The parasol is especially eye-catching, bringing a bold splash of summer colour and drawing the eye straight into the centre of the card.
The background paper works perfectly with the theme, adding beach huts, boats, sunshine, waves, and little seaside details without overpowering the focal image. The textured beach hut border across the bottom is a brilliant addition, giving the card extra dimension and a strong coastal finish.
We also love the bold Party Time sentiment in the corner, which adds a fun celebratory touch and ties in beautifully with the relaxed holiday atmosphere.
A fabulous seaside card full of sunshine, clever layering, cheerful colouring, and playful summer charm.
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✨ Lisa
Lisa has created a beautifully soft and dreamy card for the By the Sea theme, with a lovely gentle coastal atmosphere running through the whole design. The sweet sailor mice in their paper boat make such an adorable focal point, bringing a sense of seaside adventure and playful charm.
The colouring is fresh and delicate, with soft peach tones on the mice, gentle blues in the sailor hats, and bright yellow accents in the sail and flag. The paper boat detail adds a lovely storybook feel, while the small bird and little passenger peeking out bring extra personality to the scene.
The background is especially effective, with the lighthouse, soft clouds, and large sunshine flower creating a calm seaside setting without making the card feel crowded. The pale blue and warm yellow tones work beautifully together, giving the design a light, breezy summer feel.
The layout is clean and well balanced, with plenty of open space allowing the focal image to stand out. The simple Happy Birthday sentiment adds a polished finishing touch and makes the card feel complete.
A gorgeous seaside birthday card full of softness, charm, and lovely coastal detail.
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✨Tinz
Tinz has created a sweet and clean By the Sea card with a lovely sense of calm and simplicity. The adorable sailor mice in their paper boat make a charming focal point, bringing a playful little adventure feel to the design.
The colouring is soft and gentle, with pale peach tones on the mice and subtle greens and yellows on the hats and flag. This keeps the image light and airy, which works beautifully with the seaside theme. The newspaper-style paper boat adds a lovely touch of detail and gives the scene extra character without needing lots of extra embellishment.
The blue water-effect panel behind the image is a great choice, adding movement and helping ground the boat within the scene. It gives just enough background interest while still allowing the main image to remain the focus.
The scalloped card base adds a pretty decorative edge, and the teal gem details on either side bring a little sparkle and balance to the layout. The overall design feels fresh, simple, and thoughtfully put together.
A lovely seaside card with soft colouring, clean styling, and plenty of gentle nautical charm.
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Coming Up Next Challenge #610
Challenge #610 is just around the corner, and this time our theme will be Add a Button. We cannot wait to see all the creative ways you include buttons in your projects, whether they are used as a focal feature, a finishing touch, or a clever little detail within your design.
This is a wonderfully flexible theme with so many possibilities. You might add one button as a simple embellishment, create a cluster of buttons for extra texture, use buttons as flower centres, wheels, balloons, corners, or decorative accents. Cute characters, fun scenes, bold layouts, and playful designs would all work beautifully.
You can keep things clean and simple with one carefully placed button, or go all out with layers, twine, ribbon, stitching, patterned papers, and plenty of crafty detail. Whether your style is quirky, colourful, elegant, or full of humour, we are really looking forward to seeing how you bring this theme to life.
Our wonderful sponsor for Challenge #610 is Dr Digi, and the lucky winner will receive one image to download, kindly provided by our sponsor.
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📢 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.
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✏️ Challenge Rules
• Your project must follow the theme
• 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
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📱 TikTok & Instagram. How to Get the Correct Link.
TIKTOK
HOW TO GET THE RIGHT LINK
From the TikTok app:
Open TikTok
Go to the exact video you are entering
Tap Share
Tap Copy link
Paste the link somewhere (Notes, a message to yourself, or a browser)
Tap the pasted link so it opens in a browser
Copy the URL from the browser address bar
The correct TikTok link looks like this:
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/1234567890123456789
Do not use short links that look like this:
https://vm.tiktok.com/xxxxxx
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HOW TO GET THE RIGHT LINK
From the Instagram app:
Open Instagram
Go to the exact post you are entering
Tap the three dots on the post
Tap Copy link
Paste the link into your entry
The correct Instagram link looks like this:
https://www.instagram.com/p/ABC123xyz/
or
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ABC123xyz/
Important:
Your Instagram account must be public. Stories cannot be used unless they are saved as a post or reel.
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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.
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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.
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⚠️ 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.
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📅 Challenge Closes
This challenge will close on the 21st June 2026 at 8 pm.
Winners will be announced in the next challenge post.
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🔒 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.
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💌 Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who joins in and shares their wonderful creations with us. Your creativity, enthusiasm, and unique ideas are what make every challenge so special, and we always love seeing the different ways you bring each theme to life.
We are really looking forward to seeing how you use buttons in your projects, whether as sweet little embellishments, clever details, textured accents, or bold design features. There are so many fun ways to interpret this theme, and we cannot wait to see what you create.
Wishing you lots of luck, plenty of crafty inspiration, and most of all, happy crafting!
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