I LOVE PROMARKERS & OTHER MEDIUMS
Welcome back to I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums and our brand new Challenge #605. This time around, we are inviting you to add a banner to your creations, and we are excited to see the gallery come to life with your ideas.
Banners are such a versatile element and can completely transform a design. Whether you use them for sentiments, as a focal feature, or as part of your overall layout, they offer so many creative possibilities. You might choose soft, delicate tones for a gentle look, or go bold with bright colours and striking contrasts. Add a touch of sparkle, layer up your embellishments, or keep things fresh and clean with a simple design.
From sweet characters and playful scenes to elegant florals and whimsical details, this theme gives you plenty of freedom to experiment and have fun. However you decide to use your banner, we are really looking forward to seeing your creativity shine and how you bring your designs together.
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We are delighted to be sponsored by Dr Digis house of stamps, whose wonderful digital images are perfect for colouring and crafting.
The lucky winner of challenge #606 will receive one image from the shop.
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✨ 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.
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We are delighted to announce that the lucky winner of the #605 is no 14 Lorraine B Congratulations.
Lorraine B has created a beautifully balanced and uplifting card that immediately catches the eye with its fresh colour palette and thoughtful design.
The adorable mouse image is coloured with soft, natural tones, bringing the character to life with gentle shading and warmth. The subtle blending in the fur gives lovely texture, while the striped outfit adds a playful pop of colour. The glowing star wand becomes a perfect focal point, drawing the eye upward and adding a magical, whimsical feel to the overall scene.
The layered layout has been put together with great care. The oval frame and delicate doily die cut create a soft, elegant base for the image, while the coordinating patterned papers add interest without overwhelming the design. The choice of mint green tones keeps everything feeling light, fresh, and cohesive.
The embellishments are beautifully placed, with the dimensional flower adding depth on one side, balanced perfectly by the soft ribbon bow and sentiment tags on the other. The banner element has been incorporated seamlessly, tying in with the theme while still feeling like a natural part of the design rather than an afterthought.
Every element works together effortlessly, from the colour choices to the layering and finishing touches. A charming, polished creation that fully deserves its winning spot.
Please grab your winner
badge from the sidebar and contact us to claim your prize.
🌟
Our Top Three
In number order:
No 15 Wendy R
Wendy R has created a
beautifully clean and contemporary card with a strong sense of balance and
simplicity.
The adorable bear image
has been coloured with soft, smooth blending, giving a gentle warmth to the fur
while keeping the look crisp and fresh. The cool blue tones in the fish and
striped shorts add a lovely contrast, tying in perfectly with the subtle matting
and creating a calm, cohesive colour palette.
The layout is clean and
uncluttered, allowing the focal image to really shine. The addition of the
twine brings in a touch of texture, while the bold white anchor embellishment
adds interest without overwhelming the design. The small sentiment tab has been
placed perfectly, adding just the right finishing touch.
A stylish, minimal design
with beautifully controlled colouring and a fresh, modern feel.
No 17
The crafty den
This
beautiful tag-style design from The Crafty Den is full of delicate detail and
soft elegance.
The
floral elements have been coloured with gentle blending, creating lovely depth
while keeping the tones light and fresh. The mix of soft pinks and purples
works beautifully with the greenery, giving the piece a natural, calming feel.
The fine detailing in the petals and leaves really brings the image to life.
The
shaker window adds a fun and interactive element, filled with colourful sequins
that catch the light and add movement to the design. This is balanced perfectly
with the clean white tag base, allowing both the colouring and shaker feature
to stand out.
The
addition of soft tulle and ribbon at the top gives a lovely finishing touch,
enhancing the overall elegance of the piece. The small sentiment is placed
perfectly within the floral cluster, tying everything together without taking
focus away from the main design.
A
beautifully composed project combining soft colouring, texture, and a touch of
playful detail.
No 20 Chris
This card is an absolute
heart-tugger, the kind that stops you for a second and makes you feel
something.
The colouring is
beautifully controlled, especially in the dog’s fur where the soft grey tones
are layered with care to create texture without overworking it. The boy’s
clothing brings in warmth with those richer reds and the pop of blue from the
backpack, giving the whole piece a lovely balance of colour.
What really makes this
card land is the storytelling. That quiet moment between the child and the dog,
paired with the simple sentiment, carries so much emotion. It feels gentle,
genuine, and completely relatable. There’s no clutter fighting for attention,
just a clean composition that lets the image speak.
The framing is equally
well judged. The stitched panel adds a neat finish, while the red patterned
border gives contrast and draws the eye inward. The small embellishment in the
corner is subtle but effective, adding just enough detail without breaking the
softness of the scene.
A beautifully composed
card with strong emotional impact, thoughtful colouring, and a design that
knows exactly when to hold back.
Please grab your Top
Three badge from the sidebar
There’s a real variety
here, whether you love clean and simple designs or something with more layers
and detail. Hopefully, their creations get those ideas flowing and tempt you to
dive in and have a go yourself. We cannot wait to see what you come up with.
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 – Callum age 9 from Fife Scotland
Callum
has created such a fun and lively piece here, full of personality and energy.
That gaming character instantly grabs your attention, and you can almost feel
the concentration and excitement coming through the page.
The
colouring is bold and confident, especially in the strong red of the shirt and
the cool tones in the trousers. There’s a great sense of contrast between the
colours, which helps the character really stand out. The skin tones are handled
nicely too, giving the image warmth and bringing it to life.
What
really makes this piece shine is the expression. Those wide eyes and tight grip
on the controller tell a whole story without needing any extra detail. It’s
playful, relatable, and full of charm.
A
brilliant effort from Callum, packed with character and fun. Keep going,
because this is exactly the kind of creativity we love to see.
Design
Team Makes
Now it’s
time to take a look at what our Design Team have been creating for this
challenge, and they have truly outdone themselves.
Each
piece brings something different to the table, from playful and lighthearted
designs to more detailed and layered creations. You’ll see a mix of colour
palettes, techniques, and styles, all tied together by this theme but
interpreted in completely unique ways.
There’s
plenty here to spark ideas, whether you’re drawn to bold, eye-catching colour
or softer, more delicate finishes. Take your time, have a good look through,
and let these creations inspire your next project.
✨Ileana
This is such a playful and
cleverly put-together card, full of charm from the moment you look at it.
The colouring of the
character is beautifully done, with soft shading that gives him a lovely
rounded, almost storybook feel. There’s a real warmth to the tones, especially
in the skin and those bright little details in the outfit, which help bring him
to life without overpowering the rest of the design.
What really makes this
piece stand out is the composition. That banner element running across the card
is fantastic, using a mix of patterns and textures that add interest without
feeling busy. Each segment feels intentional, and the combination of papers
keeps your eye moving across the design.
The background layers work
perfectly too. The mix of soft blue tones with the honeycomb pattern and
kraft-style base adds depth while still keeping everything cohesive. The “LOVE”
sentiment at the top ties everything together nicely and gives the card a clear
focal message.
A beautifully balanced
design with thoughtful layering and a fun, lighthearted feel that fits the
theme perfectly.
✨Judith
This card has such a
bold, graphic impact straight away. That black and white patterned background
is a brilliant choice, giving a strong, modern feel that really makes the
coloured image pop off the page.
The colouring of the
forklift scene is fantastic. The rich reds are vibrant without losing depth,
and the softer tones in the boxes add a nice contrast while still keeping
everything grounded. There’s a lovely bit of shading in the wheels and
machinery that gives it a solid, almost dimensional look.
The banner at the top is
perfectly on theme and adds a great focal point. The “Work in Progress”
sentiment works so well with the image, tying the whole concept together in a
fun and clever way.
The kraft border is a
smart finishing touch too. It softens the starkness of the black and white
background and pulls in the earthy tones from the boxes, keeping everything
cohesive.
A striking, well-balanced
design with strong colour contrast and a really playful interpretation of the
theme.
✨ Lisa
This card has such a
rich, striking presence, with those deep red patterned papers creating an
instantly bold and elegant backdrop.
The banner detail is
beautifully done, with the vertical strips adding height and structure while
drawing the eye straight to that strong “LOVE” sentiment. It’s a brilliant
focal point and ties perfectly into the theme without overpowering the rest of
the design.
The central image is
coloured with a lovely soft touch. The warm golden tones of the robe stand out
against the darker background, giving a real sense of calm and balance. That
contrast between bold background and gentle colouring works incredibly well.
The layered circular
elements behind the image add depth and interest, breaking up the background
just enough to keep everything feeling dynamic. The sentiment at the bottom is
a thoughtful addition, bringing meaning and a softer, reflective finish to the
piece.
A beautifully composed
card with strong colour contrast, clever layering, and a confident use of the
banner to anchor the whole design.
✨ Tinz
Tinz has created a
wonderfully calm and cheerful card, centred around this peaceful, meditating
character. The soft colouring keeps everything light and relaxed, letting the
image really shine without feeling overworked.
The purple background
adds a gentle pop of colour while still keeping that soothing vibe, and it
pairs beautifully with the kraft card base for a natural, balanced finish. That
curved Happy Birthday banner at the top is a lovely touch too—it frames
the design perfectly and adds just the right amount of detail without
overwhelming the focal image.
A simple design done
right, with a lovely sense of calm and charm running all the way through.
The colouring is
beautifully handled, especially in the clothing where those rich greens and
teals are blended smoothly to give depth and form. There’s a lovely weight to
the character, with the shading adding dimension without losing that clean,
bold style.
What really makes this
stand out is the concept. That framed scene in the background adds an extra
layer of narrative, turning this into more than just a character piece. It
creates a moment, something thoughtful and slightly humorous, which makes you
stop and take it all in.
The simplicity of the
background works perfectly here. Keeping it clean allows the focus to stay
exactly where it should be, on the character and the story being told.
A confident piece with
strong colouring, clever composition, and a brilliant sense of character and
narrative.
✨ Sharon
This card is full of
warmth and everyday charm, with such a lovely, relatable scene that instantly
makes you smile.
The colouring is bright
and cheerful, with a great mix of tones across all the plants and flowers. Each
pot has its own little burst of colour, which keeps the eye moving and adds a
real sense of life to the whole piece. The character is coloured beautifully
too, with soft shading that gives her a gentle, friendly presence.
There’s a nice balance in
the layout, with the central image framed cleanly and supported by those
layered mats in blue and orange. That colour combination works really well,
giving the card a fresh, vibrant feel without overwhelming the main image.
The banner across the top
is a strong finishing touch. It ties in perfectly with the theme while also
framing the design and drawing attention to the sentiment without taking focus
away from the scene.
A cheerful, well-balanced
card with plenty of detail, colour, and personality, all brought together with
a confident and cohesive design.
✨ Clare
This is such a
beautifully grounded, cosy design with a real sense of everyday warmth running
through it.
The colouring is soft and
natural, especially in the plants where the greens have been layered gently to
give variation without losing that clean look. The flowers add little pops of
colour throughout, keeping the scene lively while still feeling calm and
balanced. The character is shaded with a light touch, which suits the relaxed
feel of the piece perfectly.
The composition works
really well here. Keeping the main image central allows all those lovely
details to shine, while the patterned background adds just enough interest
without competing for attention. The earthy tones in the papers tie in nicely
with the pots and overall theme.
The sentiment panel at
the bottom is a strong finishing touch. It anchors the design and adds a
thoughtful, gentle message that fits beautifully with the scene.
A soft, well-balanced
card with lovely colouring, a cohesive palette, and a comforting, homely feel.
✨ Jacquie
Temp leave
✨ Caroline
T
Work Commitments
✨ Helen
This card has such a brilliant mix of humour and warmth, with a
design that instantly tells a story.
The colouring is clean and confident, with soft, natural tones that
suit the character perfectly. The subtle shading adds just enough depth without
overcomplicating the image, keeping that classic, light-hearted style intact.
The layout is really well thought out. The layered frames draw your
eye straight to the character, while the blue tones paired with the plaid
background give the whole card a calm, cohesive feel. It’s simple, but in a
very intentional way.
The sentiment is where this card really shines. It pairs perfectly
with the image, adding that touch of humour while still feeling thoughtful and
kind. It’s the kind of card that would genuinely make someone smile when they
need it.
A clean, well-balanced design with great character work and a
sentiment that lands exactly right.
Coming Up Next
Challenge #606
Challenge #606 is
just around the corner. Our theme will be summertime, giving you the
perfect opportunity to create something sweet, playful, magical, or full of
charming detail. Think adorable or cheeky characters, soft pastel palettes,
bright colours, or a little sparkle. However you choose to interpret the theme,
we cannot wait to see what you create.
The lucky winner of Challenge
#606 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 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
📱
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
INSTAGRAM
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
COMMON MISTAKES (ENTRIES
MAY BE REMOVED)
If we cannot click the
link and see your entry, we cannot judge it.
FINAL CHECK BEFORE
SUBMITTING
If all of the above are
true, your entry link is correct.
⚠️
Posting Your Entry Links
If we cannot access your
entry, we cannot judge it.
📅
Challenge Closes
This challenge will close
on the 26th April 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.
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!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn The theme for this challenge is add a banner xx
DeleteThank you for the TOP 3 pick and your lovely comments on my card.xx
ReplyDeleteYour card was stunning, loved the image xx
ReplyDelete