I LOVE PROMARKERS & OTHER MEDIUMS
Welcome back to I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums and to
our brand new Challenge #613.
This fortnight our theme is For
the Boys, and we cannot wait to see the gallery filled with
wonderful creations made with boys, men, dads, grandads,
brothers, sons, nephews, and male friends in mind.
This is such a fun and flexible theme, with plenty of room to
make it your own. You might choose sports, hobbies, gaming,
cars, tools, animals, outdoor adventures, cute characters,
birthday cards, Father’s Day-style makes, or something clean,
bold, and modern.
Whether your style is cute and cheerful, rustic and textured,
bright and playful, or simple and stylish, there are so many ways
to bring this theme to life. Add layers, stars, buttons, twine, die
cuts, patterned papers, texture, or keep your design fresh and
clean with a strong focal image.
However you choose to interpret For the Boys, 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 Sheepski Designs, whose
wonderful digital images are perfect for colouring and crafting.
The lucky winner of challenge #613 will receive three images to
download 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 #611 is:
No. 7 Diane A
A huge congratulations to Diane A, our winner for Challenge #611 –
Children.
Diane has created a beautiful card with such a soft and heart-warming
winter feel. The sweet child in the fluffy hat, cuddled up with the little
bunny, makes a wonderful focal point and fits the Children theme
perfectly. The image has a gentle innocence to it, with the child’s
expression giving the whole card a calm and tender feel.
The colouring is absolutely lovely, especially in the child’s face, eyes, and
the soft fur of the hat. The shading gives the image real depth without
losing that delicate softness. The bunny has also been coloured
beautifully, with warm golden tones and gentle detail that make it look
wonderfully fluffy and lifelike.
The winter background works perfectly with the image, using cool blue
tones and snowflake details to create a fresh, seasonal feel. The soft
peach tones in the clothing and matting add warmth and stop the design
from feeling too cold, giving the whole card a lovely balanced colour
palette.
The snowflake embellishments add sparkle and texture, while the Warm
Winter Wishes sentiment finishes the card beautifully. Everything feels
carefully coordinated, from the image and papers to the soft framing and
seasonal details.
A stunning card full of warmth, softness, and beautiful colouring. 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. 12 Aunty Sue
Aunty Sue has created a lovely festive card that fits the Children theme
beautifully. The three sweet characters dressed for Christmas make
such a cheerful focal point, with their singing poses, festive outfits,
and playful details giving the whole card a joyful seasonal feel.
The colouring is soft and charming, with gentle skin tones, pretty hair
shading, and lovely festive colours throughout the outfits. The red
Santa dress and hat add a bright Christmas pop, while the teal outfit in
the centre gives the design a fresh contrast. The reindeer hat is
especially cute and adds plenty of fun character.
The layout is clean and effective, allowing the main image to stand out
clearly. The green matting frames the image beautifully, while the
patterned background paper adds a strong festive feel without
overpowering the colouring.
The Happy Christmas sentiment works perfectly above the characters
and helps complete the cheerful carol-singing scene. The little music
notes around the image add movement and make the design feel even
more lively.
A sweet, festive, and beautifully coloured card full of childhood
charm, Christmas cheer, and lovely detail.
No. 9 Paper Whims
Paper Whims has created a sweet and delicate card that fits the Children
theme beautifully. The little fairy image has such a gentle, whimsical feel,
making it perfect for a child’s birthday card.
The colouring is soft and pretty, with lovely green tones throughout the
dress, shoes, and flower crown. The pale skin tones and soft hair
colouring keep the image light and delicate, while the tiny bees add a
playful touch and bring extra charm to the design.
The button detail across the flower crown is a lovely feature, adding
texture and dimension while drawing attention to the character’s face.
The scalloped image panel frames the fairy beautifully and gives the card
a soft, finished look.
The embossed background adds quiet texture without overpowering the
image, and the clean layout allows the fairy to remain the main focus.
The simple Happy Birthday to you! sentiment finishes the card perfectly.
A sweet, fresh, and beautifully gentle card with lovely colouring, delicate
detail, and plenty of childhood charm.
No. 10 Jane Savage
Jane has created a wonderful card that fits the Children theme
beautifully. The three little dancers make such a sweet and lively focal
point, with their ballet poses, pretty outfits, and musical details giving
the whole design a lovely sense of movement and joy.
The colouring is bright and cheerful, with the turquoise and pink
dresses standing out beautifully against the softer floral background.
The shading on the dresses adds depth and sparkle, while the skin
tones, hair details, and little bows give each character her own
personality.
The card shape is especially effective, with the step-style design
allowing the dancers to be placed across different levels. This gives the
whole card extra dimension and makes it feel almost like a little stage
scene.
The soft floral papers, delicate music-note detail, and layered
sentiment all work beautifully together. The Put your best foot
forward message is a perfect finishing touch and suits the dancing
theme so well.
A bright, playful, and beautifully detailed card full of movement,
colour, and childhood charm.
Please grab your Top Three badge from the sidebar
We are delighted to announce that the lucky winner of #612 is:
No. 8 Elaine Stark
A huge congratulations to Elaine
Elaine has created a bright, cheerful card that fits the theme
beautifully. The bold pink background immediately catches the eye,
and the fun sunglasses pattern gives the whole design a playful
summer feel.
The sweet bunny image is full of charm, especially with the colourful
bow and little inflatable ring. The colouring is clean and happy, with
the fresh green and yellow tones adding a lovely contrast against the
pink background. The touches of colour in the unicorn float and bow
help bring extra fun and personality to the design.
The layout is simple but very effective, allowing the patterned paper
and main image to stand out clearly. The white sentiment strip breaks
up the bold background nicely and gives the card a clean, finished
look.
The Sending sunshine sentiment works perfectly with the bright
colours and playful image, giving the card a warm and uplifting feel.
A fun, colourful, and wonderfully cheerful card with a brilliant use of
pink. 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. 5 Astrid
Astrid has created a beautiful card for our In the Pink theme, with a
wonderful fairytale feel and so many pretty details to enjoy. The
princess, castle, crowns, frogs, hearts, flowers, and soft pink papers all
work together to create a magical and feminine design.
The colouring is lovely, especially on the princess image, where the
soft pink dress fits the theme perfectly. The gentle shading gives the
dress shape and movement, while the touches of green and yellow add
a fresh contrast and help the image stand out.
The card layout is full of interest, with different panels, patterned
papers, and layered die-cut shapes giving the design lots of depth. The
castle on the left adds a strong storybook element, while the lace-style
frame and heart embellishment on the right bring extra elegance.
The flowers, pearls, ribbon, and pretty decorative borders all add
texture and softness, making the card feel very carefully put together.
The Happy Bday sentiment finishes the design sweetly without taking
attention away from the main images.
A magical and beautifully detailed card with lovely pink tones, sweet
fairytale charm, and plenty of creative layering.
No. 10 Pam’s Pearls
Pam has created a fun and cheerful card for our In the Pink theme, with
a lovely beachy scene and a bright, playful feel. The caravan image makes
a brilliant focal point, full of little details that give the card plenty of
character and summer charm.
The colouring is soft and fresh, with warm peachy-pink tones on the
caravan and background papers tying the design nicely into the theme.
The blue sea and sky add a lovely contrast, while the greens, yellows, and
brighter accents help bring the scene to life.
There are so many sweet details to enjoy, from the bunting across the
caravan to the beach umbrella, surfboard, sandcastle, and little seaside
sign. These details all help create a lively holiday scene without making
the design feel overcrowded.
The layered papers work beautifully together, adding colour, pattern, and
structure around the main image. The sentiment in the corner is a
perfect finishing touch and suits the image brilliantly.
A bright, happy, and beautifully detailed card with lovely colouring,
seaside charm, and a great use of soft pink tones.
No. 2 Paper Whims
Paper Whims has created a sweet and charming card for our In the
Pink theme, with a lovely soft birthday feel. The cute giraffe image
makes a gentle and playful focal point, and the little bird, flowers, and
delicate details add plenty of character.
The colouring is soft and pretty, with warm yellows and gentle pinky-
brown tones on the giraffe. The pink bird, flowers, and background
details tie beautifully into the theme, while keeping the overall design
light and delicate.
The oval frame works really well, drawing the eye straight to the image
and giving the card a neat, polished look. The stitched detailing adds a
lovely finished edge, while the pink matting helps the image stand out
against the kraft-style background.
The dotted background paper adds texture and interest, and the small
flower embellishment gives a sweet finishing touch. The Happy
Birthday to you! sentiment keeps the card cheerful and perfectly suited
to the image.
A soft, sweet, and beautifully gentle card with lovely pink details,
delicate colouring, and plenty of birthday charm.
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 brilliant mix of For
the Boys projects to enjoy. From cute characters and fun birthday
makes to hobbies, animals, bold colours, and more masculine-style
designs, each creation brings its own unique take on the theme.
You will find everything from playful and cheerful cards to cleaner,
more classic designs filled with colour, texture, and crafty detail. Some
projects keep things fresh and simple, while others feature layers,
patterned papers, die cuts, embellishments, and plenty of thoughtful
finishing touches.
We hope their wonderful projects inspire you to get creative, think
about the boys and men in your life, 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.
Design Team Makes
Our Design Team have been busy creating a fabulous range of
inspiration for this challenge, and there is such a brilliant mix of For the
Boys projects to enjoy. From cute characters and fun birthday makes to
hobbies, animals, bold colours, and more masculine-style designs, each
creation brings its own unique take on the theme.
You will find everything from playful and cheerful cards to cleaner, more
classic designs filled with colour, texture, and crafty detail. Some projects
keep things fresh and simple, while others feature layers, patterned
papers, die cuts, embellishments, and plenty of thoughtful finishing
touches.
We hope their wonderful projects inspire you to get creative, think about
the boys and men in your life, and join in with the challenge. We cannot
wait to see what you make.
✨Marjeta
Marjeta has created a fun and sporty card for our For the Boys theme,
with a brilliant climbing image as the main focus. The design has a lovely
energetic feel, making it perfect for an active child’s birthday or for
anyone who enjoys outdoor adventure.
The colouring on the climber is bright and clear, with the red shirt
standing out beautifully against the softer blue background. The
climbing holds add little pops of colour and movement, helping to bring
the scene to life and giving the image a real sense of action.
The patterned background paper works really well with the theme,
adding a bold, modern feel to the card. The bunting and star details
across the top add a playful birthday touch, while the flowers soften the
design without taking away from the sporty style.
The large number 2 makes the card feel personal and celebratory, and
the banner sentiment finishes the layout nicely. Everything is layered
well, with plenty of detail while still keeping the main image clear.
A bright, playful, and energetic card with lovely colouring, fun birthday
details, and a great take on the For the Boys theme.
✨Jenn
Jenn has created a fun and characterful card for our For the Boys
theme, with a lovely playful gnome image as the main focus. The little
gnome swinging upside down from the branch gives the card such a
cheerful and cheeky feel, making it perfect for a light-hearted
masculine or boy-themed project.
The colouring is soft and well balanced, with the blue hat standing out
beautifully against the autumn leaves and natural brown tones. The
branch, swing ropes, and falling leaves help create a lovely outdoor
scene, while the warm yellows, oranges, and greens add seasonal
colour and interest.
The textured background on the left works really well with the image,
adding a rustic, woodland feel that suits the theme perfectly. The kraft
card base and earthy tones give the whole design a more natural,
masculine style, while the red and yellow matting adds just enough
contrast.
The sentiment, Just swinging by to say... Hi!, is a brilliant finishing
touch and matches the playful image beautifully. It gives the card
personality and keeps the whole design light and fun.
A charming and playful card with lovely colouring, rustic texture, and
a great outdoor feel for the For the Boys theme.
✨ Lisa
Lisa has created a bold and colourful card for our For the Boys
theme, with a brilliant group of cheeky gnomes as the main focus. The
image is full of fun and personality, and the sentiment Let’s Paint
This Town Boys ties perfectly into the theme.
The colouring is bright and lively, with each gnome given its own
strong colour, from blue and green to orange, red, purple, and brown.
These bold shades help the characters stand out beautifully and give
the whole card an energetic, playful feel.
The layered papers work really well, with stripes, dots, and patterned
panels creating lots of movement and interest. The darker matting
gives the design a strong frame and keeps everything looking sharp
and well balanced.
The tilted layers add a modern, fun feel, while the simple birthday
sentiment finishes the card clearly without taking attention away from
the main image.
A bright, playful, and characterful card with bold colouring, great
layering, and a fun take on the For the Boys theme.
✨ Caroline L
Caroline L is sharing a beautifully coloured image for this challenge,
featuring a fabulous feline character with plenty of style and attitude.
Dressed in a tall top hat, round glasses, and a striking green bow
detail, this fun design has lots of personality and makes a brilliant focal
point.
The warm ginger tones of the cat have been coloured so nicely, with
soft shading that gives the fur a gentle, textured look. The rich brown
hat works really well with the bright green accents, creating a bold
colour combination that really pops. The pale blue background keeps
everything fresh and light, allowing the image itself to take centre
stage.
The quirky character design gives this piece a fun and playful feel,
while the clean presentation keeps all the attention on the colouring. It
is a great example of how a strong image and confident colour choices
can create plenty of impact.
A fun and characterful piece with warm colouring, lovely contrast, and
lots of crafty charm.
If you want, I can keep going and do the next DT make too.
✨ Sharon
Sharon has created a sweet and beautifully layered card for our For
the Boys theme, with an adorable puppy image as the main focus.
The little dog peeking out from the kennel gives the card such a gentle
and friendly feel, making it perfect for a cheerful hello card.
The colouring is soft and fresh, with warm brown tones on the puppy
and lovely aqua shades on the kennel and background. The coral roof,
frame, bowl, and sentiment add a bright contrast and help lift the
whole design beautifully.
The layered die-cut frames are especially effective, giving the card lots
of depth and detail while still keeping the layout clean and balanced.
The white decorative frame adds a lovely crisp finish and helps the
central image stand out clearly.
The paw-print background paper ties perfectly into the puppy theme,
and the small gem details add just a touch of sparkle without
overpowering the design. The Hello sentiment finishes the card
sweetly and keeps the overall feel friendly and fun.
A bright, clean, and beautifully detailed card with lovely colouring,
sweet puppy charm, and a great take on the For the Boys theme.
✨ Clare
Clare has created a striking and characterful card for our For the Boys
theme, featuring a wonderfully quirky cat image with a steampunk
twist. The top hat, goggles, and gear detail give the design a fun and
unusual feel, making it a brilliant choice for a masculine birthday card.
The colouring is clean and effective, with warm ginger tones on the
cat paired with cool blue-green shades on the hat, helping the image
stand out beautifully. The little cog-style bow tie adds an extra touch
of charm and ties in perfectly with the steampunk style.
The background paper works really well with the theme too, with its
subtle mechanical and gear-inspired design adding interest without
overwhelming the main image. The layered framing helps draw the eye
straight to the centre panel, while the soft olive and neutral tones keep
the whole card looking balanced and masculine.
Finished with a simple Sending You Birthday Wishes sentiment, this is
a great example of how a fun image and well-chosen background can
come together to create a card that is both playful and stylish.
A fab masculine make with plenty of personality, lovely colouring, and
a brilliant take on the For the Boys theme.
✨ Jacquie Temp leave
✨ Helen
Helen has created a lovely card for our For the Boys theme,
featuring an adorable sleepy puppy snuggled up in front of his
kennel. It is such a sweet image and makes a perfect choice for a
masculine birthday card, especially for any dog lover.
The warm brown colour palette works beautifully throughout the
design, giving the card a soft but masculine feel. The spotted
background paper adds a fun touch of pattern, while the scalloped
matting and stitched detail help frame the main image nicely and
add extra depth.
The colouring has been kept clean and simple, allowing the cute
dog image to take centre stage. The little dog bowl and kennel add
plenty of character, and the circular Happy Birthday sentiment
with the paw print is a brilliant finishing touch that ties the whole
design together perfectly.
This is a fabulous example of how a simple layout, coordinated
papers, and a charming image can create a card that is both playful
and perfect for the For the Boys theme.
✨ Ileana
Ileana has created a fabulous card for our For the Boys theme,
featuring a striking vintage-style car as the focal point. It is a brilliant
masculine design, full of character and finished with plenty of stylish
detail.
The bold green car immediately catches the eye and has been
beautifully coloured to stand out against the softer background. The
image has a fun retro feel, and the added decorative details on the car
give it even more personality. It is a great choice for a masculine card
and would suit so many occasions.
The striped background paper works really well here, adding colour
and interest without overpowering the main image. Ileana has also
included some fantastic embellishments, including the large clock-style
die cut, film strip detail, and star accent, all of which give the card
extra texture and a slightly vintage, mechanical feel. These elements
work together so well and add lots of depth to the overall design.
The DREAM sentiment is a perfect finishing touch, tying in
beautifully with the stylish and imaginative feel of the card. This is
such a creative and eye-catching make, and a wonderful example of
how to interpret the For the Boys theme with a strong masculine look
and plenty of crafty flair.
If you want, I can keep going and do the next DT write-up in the
same style.
✨Judith
Judith has created a brilliant card for our For the Boys theme, with a
strong climbing image full of movement and energy. The climber
reaching for the next hold gives the whole design an active,
determined feel, making it perfect for someone who enjoys sport,
adventure, or outdoor challenges.
The colouring is bright and clean, with the green clothing standing out
well against the simple white background. The different coloured
climbing holds add playful pops of colour and help bring the image to
life without making the design feel too busy.
The layout is fresh and effective, allowing the image to take centre
stage. The dark zigzag border frames the card beautifully and adds a
bold masculine touch, while the clean white space keeps everything
sharp and uncluttered.
The Never Be Afraid to Stand Out sentiment is a great finishing touch
and works perfectly with the climbing image. It gives the card an
encouraging message and adds extra impact to the overall design.
A bold, energetic, and uplifting card with lovely colouring, clean
styling, and a brilliant take on the For the Boys theme.
Coming Up Next Challenge #614 Use a Christmas Image
Challenge #614 is just around the corner, and this time our theme will
be Use a Christmas Image. We cannot wait to see the gallery filled
with festive creations, from cute and cheerful Christmas characters to
elegant seasonal designs full of sparkle and winter charm.
There are so many lovely ways to interpret this theme. You might
choose Santa, snowmen, reindeer, Christmas animals, festive children,
winter scenes, angels, Christmas trees, presents, baubles, or cosy images
full of seasonal detail. Traditional reds and greens work beautifully, but
icy blues, soft neutrals, golds, silvers, and pretty pastels can all make
stunning Christmas projects too.
You could add layers, ribbons, twine, glitter, snowflakes, die cuts,
patterned papers, gems, or keep your project clean and simple with a
strong festive image and a classic layout. Whether your style is cute and
playful, traditional and cosy, elegant and detailed, or bright and cheerful,
we are really looking forward to seeing how you bring the Use a
Christmas Image theme to life.
Our wonderful sponsor for Challenge #614 is Last Minute Manda,
and the lucky winner will receive three sets 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
• No backlinking allowed
• 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
This challenge will close on the 13th September 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 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 always love seeing the
unique ideas you bring every time.
We are really looking forward to seeing your festive entries and all the
wonderful ways you use a Christmas image in your projects. Whether
your creation is cute, traditional, elegant, sparkly, or full of winter
charm, we cannot wait to see what you make.
Wishing you lots of luck, plenty of festive inspiration, and most of all,
happy crafting!
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