3rd Annual Sunshine IG Hop

Hello friends; I hope you're having a great day.  We're at the middle of the week so it's plain sailing to the Bank Holiday weekend now (if you're in the UK at least).  I'm taking part in the 3rd annual Sunshine IG Hop hosted by lovely friend Kelly in honour of Skin Cancer Awareness Month. This hop was inspired by Kelly’s personal journey to raise awareness and remind everyone to prioritise skin checks.  Join us as we celebrate with sunshine-themed projects, helpful tips, and important reminders about skin health.  

As you can see from the graphic we have a giveaway of 3 amazing prizes! - a $40 Gift Certificate from @prettypinkposh, a $25 Gift Certificate from @createwithkas and a $25 Gift Certificate from @touchofmagik.  To enter you must follow @prettypinkposh @createwithkas @touchofmagik and all the hop participants.  Like the post and comment on each stop.  Rules - giveaway is open worldwide (18+), no giveaway or private accounts and ends May 28, 2025.  Winners announced via @createwithkas & @touchofmagik stories; not affiliated with Instagram. Let’s spread sunshine and awareness—don’t forget to schedule your annual skin check!

For my card I created a fun beach scene using scraps of card and some cute dies.  Hopefully it's bright enough for you lol!  

Here is my card:

A closer look at my die cuts:

I also decorated the inside:

I began by die cutting all my elements - I cut 5 white chairs and 2 umbrella bases from white card, the umbrella pole from silver mirri card and the umbrella details from yellow card.  For each chair I used 2 layers adhered with liquid glue and the same for the umbrella base.  For the umbrella details I just adhered the one layer on top of the base, again with liquid glue.  I stamped the sun with yellow ink and used the coordinating die to cut it out.  I stamped my sentiments in black ink and again used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  Once I had all my elements ready I moved onto my background.  After lots of indecision I decided to create a background from torn strips of cardstock, I think it adds texture and dimension without too much bulk.  I cut a white panel larger than what I needed and added the strips of card over top with double sided tape.   I then used a stitched rectangle die to cut it out (I perhaps should have used printer paper because it did take some fiddling to get it to cut all the way through but it did eventually).  I adhered the chairs with liquid glue to the bottom of my panel and the umbrella was added with a mix of foam squares and liquid glue.  The sentiments were adhered with foam squares and the sun was adhered to corner with liquid glue (I completely forgot to run it through with the stitched rectangle so there are no stitches on this but I think it looks ok).  I added some scrap white panels behind to add dimension and stability and then used double sided tape to adhere the panel to my card base.  For the inside I cut another white panel and again added some torn coloured card strips to the bottom with double sided tape.  I then cut this with the stitched rectangle die.  I stamped the sentiment in the upper centre with black ink and adhered one of the chairs in the lower right corner with liquid glue.  The panel was added to my card base with double sided tape.  I thought this card would make a great retirement or bon voyage card.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

CRAFT challenge - ATG

Creative Inspirations challenge - the great outdoors (the beach is outdoors lol!)

Creative Knockouts challenge - real or faux stitching (I used a stitched rectangle die)

Fab 'n' Funky challenge - add a sentiment

Inkspirational challenge - hot (my beach scene looks like a tropical paradise!)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - bright and cheerful

I thought I would add a fact about skin cancer/melanoma, which you may find interesting. I have another fact for you on my Instagram post too.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan; sun beds increase your risk of melanoma by up to 20%. Melanoma skin cancer can develop in areas that have been damaged by UV rays, which is what sun beds emit to give you a tan. They’re often marketed as a safe way of getting a tan, but they’re not – in fact, using sun beds regularly can damage your skin more quickly than the sun, leaving it wrinkled and leathery.  (source Cancer Research UK).

Please pop over to my Instagram post to join the hop or use hashtag #SCASunshineHop2025 to find us.  Don't forget we have amazing prizes up for grabs so get hopping!.  

I hope you have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me such lovely comments; I really appreciate them all. 

I'll be back tomorrow with my card for the Krafty Chicks challenge so I hope you can pop back and check it out. 

Love and hugs,

card supplies:

Gina K Designs - at the beach die set

Gina K Designs - ocean silhouettes stamp set (for inside greeting)

Gina K Designs - pocket full of sunshine stamp & die bundle (for sun and outside greetings)

Gina K Designs - Master Layouts 2 (for stitched rectangle die)

Gina K Designs - wild dandelion ink pad (for sun)

Limetree Crafts - 250gsm silky smooth white card - not currently available - they do have 300gsm bright white card available here

Versafine - onyx black ink pad

coloured card all from my scraps bin