Friday, December 15, 2023

SAS4Kids: November Nuggets!

Hi, everyone! It's time for a few SAS4Kids shout-outs! 

Our November gallery was filled with cheery snowmen, Christmas critters, and holiday gnomes. Even Santa stopped by for a visit! A big thanks to everyone who played along with our Happy Holidays Challenge. 

Here are a few sweet cards that caught our DT's eyes. 


Our team loved this fun tri-pattern background.
It certainly serves as a perfect backdrop for Donna's sweet snowman!


Deanne and that Cricut machine of hers did it again.
Deanne's gingerbread man is as sweet as can be... and her dp is just perfect!


Speaking of doing it again, Trina's made another amazing one-layer card. Amazing!
She is an absolute genius at creating dimension through meticulous coloring.

Congratulations, ladies! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us. Be sure to grab our Top 3 badge to display on your blog.

Our current Winter Cards 4 Kids Challenge runs until January 5. While we appreciate seeing any and all papercraft creations, please keep in mind that only handmade CARDS are eligible for SAS4Kids Shoutout recognition. 

It is not required that you donate your card after entering, but a young patient in one of our SAS4Kids hospitals would surely love it if you did. For information about donating cards, click on the tabs at the top of our blog. Please check our shippers' needs before sending cards their way... and our Valentine's Day January 15th deadline will be here in the blink of an eye.

As always, thank you for bringing smiles to hospitalized kids. All of us at SAS4Kids wish you the happiest of holidays. 

Saturday, December 2, 2023

SAS4Kids: Winter Cards 4 Kids

Hi, everyone! Yes, it is the first Saturday of a new month. Around these parts, first Saturdays mean it's time for a new kiddie card challenge. But before we get to this month's theme and DT cards, we have a bit of bittersweet news to share here at SAS4Kids. 

This challenge marks Karen Hasheck's last as a Design Team Member... and boy, oh boy, are we ever going to miss her. Jen and I fondly have referred to Karen as our fearless leader. For a decade or more, Karen single-handedly coordinated all things SAS4Kids. Moreover, she orchestrated the transition when Jen and I took over SAS4Kids operations. While we are sad for us, we are thrilled for Karen knowing she will have even more time for teaching her wonderful card classes and enjoying those amazing grandkids' visits. If you have a moment, please stop by Karen's Kreative Kards and thank her for all she's done to bring big smiles to faces of in-patient little ones. 

Now, without further ado, this month's theme is Winter Cards 4 Kids. Something tells me we have a few snowpeople and a few cute critters in our future.  :)

You have until January 5 to play along with this month's challenge. While we are featuring winter cards this month, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up to play along. Even though you don't have to send your card to SAS4Kids to join in the challenge fun, an in-patient child/teen would love it if you did. 

A quick reminder: The deadline for getting Christmas/holiday cards to the shippers is actually this Tuesday. If you have last minute cards you were planning on sending to a shipper, please reach out to her ASAP. If you have a little bonus crafting time and want to get a head start on those 2024 Love/Valentine cards, the deadline for getting those to our shippers is January 15. 

Lastly, I know we say this every month, but we are so appreciative for your support of Send a Smile 4 Kids. I remember being overwhelmed with gratitude when I packed up holiday cards to send to the kids at Nationwide Children's. Each card we send out is a work of heart and we thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. 

All of us here at Send a Smile 4 Kids wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season! See you in the new year!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Saturday, November 18, 2023

SAS4Kids: October Shout-Outs!

Hi, everyone! It's time for a Shout-Out Saturday here at SAS4Kids!

Last month's gallery was a holiday mash-up. There were fall/Halloween cards and winter/Christmas cards. Here are three cards that caught our DT's eyes.

This gorgeous Christmas tree is a pop-up card. Yes, you read that right.
Maria Giselle really outdid herself when she created this interactive masterpiece!

Valerie's card is so special. "Snow" special!
That fun edge, her colorful dp, and two sweet creatures make for one fab card. 

Andrea employed seriously precise techniques to create this whimsical shaker.
How clever to use clear seed beads to replicate snowflakes. Really clever!

Congratulations, ladies! Great job!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us. Be sure to grab our Top 3 badge to display on your blog.

Our Cards 4 Kids Challenge runs until December 1.
 However, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for the challenge. It is not required that you donate your card after entering, but a young patient in one of the SAS4Kids hospitals would surely love it if you did. For information about donating cards, click on the tabs at the top of our blog. Please check your shippers' needs before sending cards their way. 

As always, thank you all so much for your support of SAS4Kids. And, on behalf of all of us here at SAS4Kids, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving. 

Saturday, November 4, 2023

SAS4Kids: Happy Holiday Cards 4 Kids

Hello, everybody! Today is the first Saturday in November, which means it's time for a new challenge here at Send a Smile 4 Kids. Today we are focusing on holiday cards 4 our kids.

Even more exciting than writing about a new challenge is announcing that Melanie Hungerford has joined our Send a Smile 4 Kids Design Team! Melanie has been a loyal supporter of SAS4Kids for a while now... and has earned multiple Design Team Shout-outs. So, we are thrilled that Melanie has joined our team and know that you will love her adorably sweet kiddie cards. Welcome, Melanie!!! 

Our shippers have already turned their attention to reindeer, snowmen, and Santas. And, our DT's cards are brimming with holiday cheer. 'Tis the season!









While we are focusing on holiday cards 4 our kids this month, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for this month's challenge and you have until Friday, December 1 to share your creation. While you aren't required to donate your linked-up card to SAS4Kids, one of our hospitalized patients surely would love it if you did. Card submission information can be found by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page.

Upcoming Deadlines:
* Christmas and winter cards: December 5
* Valentine's Day: January 15

As always, thanks so much for your support of SAS4Kids. Hope to see you in our Holiday Cards Gallery!


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Saturday, October 21, 2023

SAS4Kids: September Sweeties!

Hi, everyone! A HUGE thanks to everyone who linked up a card for our Cute Fall/Halloween Challenge. There were so many adorable cards. Soooo many! I can only imagine how many big smiles these "wicked cute" cards are going to bring to little faces. 

It's time for a few SAS4Kids shout-outs. Here are three cards that caught our DT's eyes. 


We were blown away by all the dimension Trina achieved on this one-layer card.
Yep, one layer. What a phenomenal job of masking and coloring!

Pumpkins, Black Cats, and Ghosts... Oh, my!
Who doesn't love a fun box card? We surely fell in love with Carol's boo-eautiful creation.

Enchanted. Magical. Other Worldly. 
These are three words that describe Rachelle's gorgeous background. Gorgeous!

Congratulations, ladies! Great job!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us.

  • Be sure to grab our Top 3 badge to display on your blog.
  • If you would like to join us as a Guest Designer for a future challenge, email Karen at  cards[dot]by[dot]sybrina[at]gmail[dot]com. Please include SAS4Kids DT in your email subject line.

Our current Holiday/Celebration Challenge runs until November 3. However, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for the challenge. 

It is not required that you donate your card after entering, but a young patient in one of the SAS4Kids hospitals would surely love it if you did. For information about donating cards, click on the tabs at the top of our blog. Please check your shippers' needs before sending cards their way. 

Again, thank you all so much for all the smiles your cards bring to our SAS4Kids kids and their families. We certainly appreciate it here and know they do, too.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

SAS4Kids: Holiday/Celebration Cards 4 Kids

Hi everyone! Happy World Cardmaking Day! 

It's the first Saturday of October... which means it's time for a new challenge here at Send a Smile 4 Kids. 

The holiday rush is in full swing here at SAS4Kids. Our shippers are busy putting final touches on those Halloween boxes. Then they will be getting right to work on their Christmas boxes. And, even in the midst of holiday shipping, birthday cards are always needed. So, this month we are featuring Halloween and Christmas and birthday cards for our kids!!! 


Holiday Deadlines: 

- Cute Fall/Halloween: October 5*
- Christmas/Winter - December 5
- Valentine's Day - January 15

* Please note that the Fall/Halloween deadline was Thursday. If you have cards you were planning on mailing in, please contact your favorite shipper(s) ASAP.








Whether you're working on Halloween cards or getting an early jump on Valentines, remember any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for this month's challenge. You have until Friday, November 3 to link up your creation. While you aren't required to donate your linked-up card to SAS4Kids, one of our hospitalized patients would love it if you did. Card submission information can be found by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page.

Thanks for all your help in making the holidays a little merrier for our kids. We so appreciate it. Hope to see you in our October Gallery!


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Saturday, September 16, 2023

SAS4Kids: August Accolades

Hi, everyone! A big thanks to everyone who played along with our August Birthday Card Challenge. 

It's time for a few SAS4Kids shout-outs. Here are three cards that caught our DT's eyes. 


11. Lorraine

Speaking of shouting it out, Lorraine's little bunny is getting the job done!
And you all know how much we love shaker/interactive cards here.  :)


12. Valerie

Valerie's party animal couldn't be any sweeter, and
we loved everything about her CAS design. EVERYTHING about it!




Darnell's flying-high balloons are practically bursting with happiness!
This ink-lifting technique (aka faux bleaching) made for a wonderful focal point.  

Congratulations, ladies! Great job!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us.

  • Be sure to grab our Top 3 badge to display on your blog.
  • If you would like to join us as a Guest Designer for a future challenge, email Sybrina at cards[dot]by[dot]sybrina[at]gmail[dot]com. Include SAS4Kids DT in the subject line.

Our current Cute Fall/Halloween Cards 4 Kids Challenge runs until October 6. However, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for the challenge.

It is not required that you donate your card after entering, but a young patient in one of the SAS4Kids hospitals would surely love it if you did. For information about donating cards, click on the tabs at the top of our blog. Please check your shippers' needs before sending cards their way. 

As always, thank you for all you do for SAS4Kids. We so appreciate it!

Saturday, September 2, 2023

SAS4Kids: Cute Fall/Halloween Cards 4 Kids

It's the first Saturday in September... which not only means it's time for a new SAS4Kids challenge, but also time to watch some football, get in one last visit to the local neighborhood pool, and grill up some hotdogs. We send greetings to all for a happy Labor Day weekend. Moreover, we send our thoughts to all those affected by Hurricane Idalia.

Around here September means it's time to ink up some jack-o-lanterns and cut out some autumn-colored leaves. Yep, it's time to make some cute fall/Halloween cards to send to our SAS4Kids shippers. Our shippers are looking for cute, fun, whimsical fall/Halloween-themed cards that loved ones and hospital staff can give to the kids. 

    Upcoming deadlines:
    Cute Fall/Halloween - October 5
    Thanksgiving - November 5
    Christmas/Winter Cards - December 5

This month, we have two SAS4Kids cardmakers joining us as Guest Designers. Lucky, lucky us! 

We are thrilled to welcome back Deanne, who has a real knack for creating cute kiddie cards and has guested with us several times before. Deanne's adventures in crafting, where she shares adorable cards like the one below, can be found at A Little Bit o' Paper

And, we are thrilled to welcome Maria Giselle as a first time SAS4Kids Guest Designer. Maria Giselle's cards are delightful and we were so excited when she accepted our invitation to join us for today's challenge. You can see more crafty creations like the card below at Maria Giselle's Creative Cuts.

We can't tell you, Deanne and Maria Giselle, how much we appreciate you. Thank you for joining us today! Thank you for all you do for SAS4Kids!  



While we are featuring cute fall/Halloween cards this month, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for this month's challenge and you have until Friday, October 6 to link up your creation. While you aren't required to donate your card to SAS4Kids in order to play along, one of our hospitalized patients would love it if you did. Card guidelines and shipper information can be found by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page.

As always, thank you for joining us here at SAS4Kids. We can't wait to see your creation in our September gallery. And, we hope you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Saturday, August 19, 2023

SAS4Kids: July Jewels

Hi, everyone! Oh my gosh! There were so many cute cards in our Christmas in July Gallery last month. We card makers sure do love making cards for the holidays, don't we?!

A huge thank you to everyone who played along with us. Here are three cards that caught our designers' eyes.


5. Cornelia

Fabulous single-layered CAS cards are always works of art...
and these beautifully-colored critters are adorable. Terrific job, Cornelia!


8. Chris

Chris's snow family is sure to bring a huge smile to a little face,
and we know kids of all ages love fun-folds. 

15. Rosi

Rosi offers up a punny sentiment that a tween/teen is sure to appreciate.
And, that fussy-cutting is amazing. Seriously AMAZING!


Congratulations, ladies! Great job!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us.

  • Be sure to grab our Top 3 badge to display on your blog.
  • If you would like to join us as a Guest Designer for a future challenge, email Sybrina at cards[dot]by[dot]sybrina[at]gmail[dot]com. Please include SAS4Kids DT in your email subject line.

Our current Birthday Cards 4 Kids Challenge runs until September 1. However, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for the challenge.

It is not required that you donate your card after entering, but a young patient in one of the SAS4Kids hospitals would surely love it if you did. For information about donating cards, click on the tabs at the top of our blog. Please check your shippers' needs before sending cards their way. 

Again, a huge thanks to everyone who played along last month. And, as always, thank you for all you do for SAS4Kids. The hospital staffs and our patients' families so appreciate it!

Saturday, August 5, 2023

SAS4Kids: Birthday Cards 4 Kids

 Hi, everyone! 

Thank you for joining us for a new challenge here at SAS4Kids. Hope you are enjoying these lazy, hazy days of summer... and that you are finding ways to stay cool during these dog days of summer.

We have one more month before we start focusing on fall and winter holidays. Today we are featuring birthday cards 4 kids... in the hope of helping our shippers stock up on birthday cards to include in their holiday boxes.

    Upcoming deadlines:
    Cute Fall/Halloween - October 5
    Thanksgiving - November 5
    Christmas/Winter Cards - December 5

For today's challenge, we are thrilled to welcome back Melanie as a Guest Designer. Melanie's creations are such a delight and we are always thrilled when she shares her cardmaking talents with us. You can follow along with Melanie's crafting adventures at Cards by Melanie.

So, let's take a look at what Melanie and our SAS4Kids DT have created this month!




While we are focusing on birthday cards this month, any kiddie-appropriate card can be linked up for this month's challenge and you have until Friday, September 1 to link up your creation. While you aren't required to donate your linked-up card to SAS4Kids, one of our hospitalized patients would love it if you did. Card submission information can be found by clicking on the tabs at the top of this page.

As always, thanks so much for your support of SAS4Kids. Hope to see you in our August Card Gallery!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter