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About Makira

I am a mother of three wonderful young teens and we live with a houseful of cats with a dog sidekick. I enjoy crafts of all kinds and have a rather large obsession with anything Disney. I host two craft challenges: Colorful Options Challenge and Park Hopping My Happy Place Challenge.

June 2023

Greetings, my dear park-loving friends! How lovely it is to have you back for another month of creativity and inspiration.

This challenge is open to anything that sparks your imagination and is inspired by or related to a theme park. What fun!

For this month, we are staying in sunny Orlando, FL, USA, and taking a refreshing dip at Blizzard Beach Waterpark, Disneyworld, FL. With the summer heat bearing down on us, a waterpark is the perfect place to stay cool. Blizzard Beach is a wintry wonderland with ski jumps, icebergs, and ski lifts, making it a unique and thrilling waterpark experience.

Park Hopping My Happy Place’s delightful supporters, in their whimsical ways, have embarked upon a delightful alteration this month. Verily, the blog hath assumed the cloak of a renowned wordsmith, with each passing moon witnessing a fresh embodiment of linguistic flair. A tapestry of verbal creativity, woven with threads of imagination, shall grace these digital pages henceforth. But lo, there is yet another transformation! The treasures to be won have multiplied twofold. Beyond the traditional inLinx entry, a prize awaits the astute mind that unravels the enigma of the esteemed author whose essence permeates these lines. Fear not, for the hand of randomness shall select the victors, granting all an equal chance to claim the coveted spoils. Thus, let thy imagination take flight, dear participants, and may fortune smile upon thee in this enchanting realm of Park Hopping My Happy Place!

The fortunate recipient of the inLinkx shall be bestowed with a treasure in the form of a $25 gift card from Scrapbook.com, where the wonders of creativity await. Yet, there is another endeavor that beckons, for the intrepid soul who unravels the enigmatic author’s identity shall be rewarded with a $15 gift card from the bountiful realms of Amazon. Such is the nature of fate’s hand, where chance and knowledge intertwine to bestow their bounteous blessings upon the worthy. May luck be your ally, dear participants, as you embark upon this quest for recognition and rewards in the world of Park Hopping My Happy Place!

Our talented designers have toiled ceaselessly throughout this month, creating marvels and wonders for your delight. Should their creations captivate your heart as they have ours, we kindly request that you pay a visit to their profiles and sprinkle them with your lovely comments.

In this fortunate time, we find ourselves blessed with the extraordinary Eden. Not only has she crafted one, but two magnificent projects this month, assuming the responsibility of both artist and guest designer. We are truly fortunate to have such a gifted soul gracing our midst.

Eden is an avid crafter. Here she clearly is inspired by The Secret Lives of Pet’s ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Eden created this card using a retired stamp set from Crafting Desert Divas and Copics. The colors and sentiment remind her of Honeydukes Candy Shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida.
Makira is a big fan of paper crafting. She created a beautiful card inspired by Figment from Epcot and the Beastly Kingdom from Animal Kingdom. Despite the fact that the Beastly Kingdom was never constructed, there are still numerous reminders of the imaginary land scattered throughout the park.

To partake in our merry company, dear artists and crafters, simply fetch your art and craft supplies and conjure something wondrous, infused with the spirit of theme parks. Share your creation by adding a link in the Inlinkz located at the bottom of this post, or grace Instagram with your masterpiece using the hashtag #parkhoppingmyhappyplace.

Ah, the thrill of anticipation! My heart leaps in joyful anticipation as I await the unveiling of your creations this month. And fear not; should you seek a gentle nudge to ignite your imagination, our inspiration page stands ready to kindle the creative fire within you.

As a jolly switch, the words to our post have transformed. They were concocted in the style of a celebrated wordsmith. Can you deduce who? Scribble down your guess below, and we shall select a particularly splendid prize for the one who gets it right.

May the enchanting allure of the theme parks you hold dear continue to bestow upon you boundless joy and serve as an everlasting wellspring of inspiration. Let the magic of your artistry illuminate the world, dear friends! Huzzah, Makira!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

May Winner & Design Spotlights

We have our Center Stage Designers for May!

#8 Becca Yarling – inspired perhaps by Winged Encouters at Disneyworld. I adore this card for it’s combination of birds and flowers. It reminds me of The Enchanted Tiki Room, my favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom.

#49 – Gail – inspired by Alice in Wonderland. I adore this ATC, such creativity with the stamping. I would not have stamped in image on a t-shirt stamp.

#51 – Aimslee– inspired perhaps by the Animal Kingdom ParkI adore this card for the use of patterned paper and it’s fun shape.

Congratulations!

If you want to be a designer for our designer spotlight, please email makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com.

So who is the lucky winner of the pin & paper?

Here is your random number:

#13 Congratulations Marlene

and here is her Mouse-inspired card…

Congratulations! Please email me at makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com with your address so we can mail your prize. Please email me no later than
June 15th with your Snail Mail address.  All prizes
not claimed will be forfeited.  Please expect international shipping to be slow as economy shipping is used.

Thanks to everyone who joined in with the challenge, and we hope you will all join in our current challenge too!

luv, Makira

May 2023

Welcome back, everyone. Let’s be inspired by our favorite parks!

This challenge is an

ANYTHING GOES INSPIRED BY or RELATED TO A THEME PARK

Park Hopping is hopping over to Epcot in Orlando, FL, USA, this month. May flowers are in bloom at Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival. Along with their normal gorgeous foliage in the park, during the Flower and Garden Festival, they add these spectacular topiaries as well. It wouldn’t be an Epcot festival if you didn’t have a chance to sip, stroll, and savor good food and beverage. Do you have a favorite Spring flower? or food? Let us know below in the comments!

Top Left: Los Tres Caballeros in the Mexico Pavillion, Top Right: United Kingdom Tea Garden, Bottom Left: A tasty morsel at the Farmer’s Feast near Test Trak, Bottom Right: Mickey and Pals at the bridge to World Showcase

Park Hopping My Happy Place’s lovely supporters love pin trading and generously give away a theme park-purchased pin and a 6×6 paper pad. This month’s pin is Hello Kitty, and the paper pad is“Floral Impressions” by Whimsy Stamps. All winners are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to win!

Our designers have been busy this month. Please remember to click on the person’s name and leave these wonderful girls some comment love.

Our guest designer for the month is Cheryl at Even More Scrapping!

Chery is an avid scrapbooker. Her designs are stunning. Here she clearly is inspired by The Secret Lives of Pet’s ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Eden’s created this card using Lawn Fawn stamps and diecuts, pan pastels, and distress oxide inks. The castle reminds her of Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld, FL, USA.
Makira loves paper crafting. This card, worthy of Owl Post, was created using Lawn Fawn stamps & Gina K’s wreath builder. It reminds her of Owl Post at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios, Orlando, FL, USA.

To join us, all you have to do is take out your art and craft supplies, make something theme park inspired, and add a link in the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post or post on Instagram #parkhoppingmyhappyplace.

I can’t wait to see what you create this month! Check out our inspiration page if you need more help to spark your creativity.

May the theme parks you love continue to give you joy and be a source of inspiration.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

April Winner & Design Spotlights

We have our Center Stage Designers for March!

#23 CardiallyYours – inspired perhaps by Space Mountain or Mission Space: I adore this card for it’s layout and bold colors.

#37 – Deanne – inspired by Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster: I adore this jar. What a fun Halloween decoration!

#72 – Suzanne– inspired perhaps by the Animal Kingdom ParkI adore this card for the use of patterned papers with a fun fold layout.

Congratulations!

If you want to be a designer for our designer spotlight, please email makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com.

So who is the lucky winner of the pin & paper?

Here is your random number:

#6 Congratulations Kathy

and here is her Noah’s Arc-inspired card…

Congratulations! Please email me at makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com with your address so we can mail your prize. Please email me no later than
April 15th with your Snail Mail address.  All prizes
not claimed will be forfeited.  Please expect international shipping to be slow as economy shipping is used.

Thanks to everyone who joined in with the challenge, and we hope you will all join in our current challenge too!

luv, Makira

April 2023

Welcome back, everyone. Let’s be inspired by our favorite parks!

This challenge is an 

ANYTHING GOES INSPIRED BY or RELATED TO A THEME PARK

Park Hopping is hopping across the pond to the UK and Legoland Mythica this month. It is located at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire.

With a bucket of Lego, you can tell any story; you can build an airplane or a dragon or a pirate ship – it’s whatever you can imagine.” – Christopher Miller

Above is the entrance to Lego Mythica with a view of the Lava Dragon play area.
Below are two magnificent lego sculptures

This themed park area lets you enjoy the imagination and creativity of myths and Legos. The sculptors’ works are breathtaking!

Mythica’s Beastly Bites will certainly vanquish any appetite. Don’t these mythical treats look delicious?! Do you have a favorite park fare? Can you pick just one??

Beastly Bites

Our designers have been busy; let’s see what they have to spark our imagination!

For our paper crafters, Makira has been influenced by the Kawaii culture this month.

Makira loves paper crafting. This Kawaii card was made using SVG cuts and a Cricut machine. Hello Kitty can be found at Sanrio Puroland in Japan and at Universal Studios, Orlando, FL, USA.

Our final designer piece is a beautiful floral scene.

Eden’s created this card using Lawn Fawn stamps, pan pastels, paint, and pencils. The flowers remind her of Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival at Disneyworld, FL, USA.

Please remember to click on the person’s name and leave these wonderful girls some comment love.

Park Hopping My Happy Place’s lovely supporters love pin trading and generously give away a theme park-purchased pin and a 6×6 paper pad. This month it is Toontown with Mickey and Pluto and “A Magical Place” by Echo Park. All winners are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to win!

To join us, all you have to do is take out your art and craft supplies, make something theme park inspired, and add a link in the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post or post on Instagram #parkhoppingmyhappyplace.

I can’t wait to see what you create this month! Check out our inspiration page if you need more help to spark your creativity.

May the theme parks you love continue to give you joy and be a source of inspiration.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

March Winner and Designer Spotlights

We have our Center Stage Designers for March!

#41 Cheryl – inspired by Legoland: I adore this scrapbook page for the use of the layout and bold colors.

#56 Dottie – inspired by Micky Mouse: I adore this card for the use of intricate dies and layers of patterned paper.

#99 Arlene– inspired by Rainbow’s End Park in New Zealand: I adore this card for the layers of stamping and die cuts.

Congratulations!

If you want to be a designer for our designer spotlight, please email makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com.

So who is the lucky winner of the pin & paper?

Here is your random number:

#20 Congratulations Meghan

and here is her PortAdventura-inspired card…

Congratulations! Please email me at makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com with your address so we can mail your prize. Please email me no later than
March 15th with your Snail Mail address.  All prizes
not claimed will be forfeited.  Please expect international shipping to be slow as economy shipping is used.

Thanks to everyone who joined in with the challenge, and we hope you will all join in our current challenge too!

luv, Makira

March 2023

Welcome back, everyone. let’s be inspired by our favorite theme parks!

This challenge is an ANYTHING GOES inspired by a theme park. And….

“Oh, the Places You Can Go!”

Park Hopping is hopping over to Seuss Landing this month to help with some inspiration. For additional ideas to spur some inspiration, check out our inspiration page.

At Seuss Landing, you can catch many of Dr. Seus’s most popular places and characters, located in Island of Adventures, Universal Orlando, FL, USA.

Entrance to Seuss Landing with a direct view of the Caro-Seuss-el
Street performance with some of Dr. Seus’s friends

This themed park area lets you enjoy the fun and silly adventures of some of Dr. Seuss’ stories. The imagination and artistry it took to bring Dr. Seus’s world to life are spectacular!

Remember, your creation can be inspired by any theme park anywhere in the world. The photos are just for additional inspiration and fun. For more ideas, please check out our inspiration page.

Here are some inspirational projects from our Designer Spotlight, Eden, and Makira.

Eden made a necklace inspired by the Evil Queen who can be found at Storybook Dining at Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge at Disneyworld, FL, USA.
Makira made a card inspired by the Flying Dumbo ride in Fantasyland, located at six Disney parks worldwide. Her elephant and background all come from various Tim Holtz products.

Please remember to click on the person’s name and leave these wonderful girls some comment love. For more ideas, please go to our Inspiration page!

Park Hopping My Happy Place’s lovely supporters love pin trading and generously are giving away a theme park-purchased pin and a 6×6 paper pad. This month it is Cat in the Hat with Thing 1 and Thing 2 and “All The Dots” by LawnFawn. All winners are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to win!

To join us, all you have to do is take out your art and craft supplies, make something theme park inspired, and add a link in the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post or post on Instagram #parkhoppingmyhappyplace.

I can’t wait to see what you create this month!

May the theme parks you love continue to give you joy and be a source of inspiration.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

February Winner and Designer Spotlights

We have our Center Stage Designers for February!

#34 Lori inspired by Remy’s Ratatouille ride in Epcot, Disneyworld, FL. I love this card for its inky background and layout.

#55 Meghan – inspired by fireworks: I adore this card for the foiled background and her Copic coloring. I love the colors she used for the girl’s blonde hair.

#59 Donna– inspired by the Busy Bee Rides at Dollywood: I adore this card for the octagonal blended background and use of die cuts.

Congratulations!

If you want to be a designer for our designer spotlight, please email makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com.

So who is the lucky winner of the pin & paper?

Here is your random number:

#15 Congratulations Grandmargaret

and here is her Little Mermaid-inspired card…

Congratulations! Please email me at makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com with your address so we can mail your prize. Please email me no later than
March 15th with your Snail Mail address.  All prizes
not claimed will be forfeited.  Please expect international shipping to be slow as economy shipping is used.

Thanks to everyone who joined in with the challenge and we hope you will all join in our current challenge too!

luv, Makira

February 2023

Hello Friends, and WELCOME to the very first challenge here at

PARK HOPPING, MY HAPPY PLACE

This challenge was inspired by the numerous crafters and artists drawn to theme parks’ fandom and artistry.

Although Bakken or Dyrehavsbakken, located in Denmark, is the oldest amusement park in the world, opening in 1583, the most well-known theme park is Disneyland.

“Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past…and here, youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.…with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”

This challenge’s theme is anything goes- theme park inspired. It is a monthly challenge, and any craft or art is welcome. For more information, check out our rules.

Here are some inspirational projects from our Designer Spotlight, Popsiclesticks, and Makira.

Popsiclesticks, made a vivid box card and peg dolls with her original artwork. Harry and Luna represent Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL, USA. She made the box card using Copic Multiliner and Copic Markers. Her beautiful peg dolls are her own creation from wood and acrylic paints.
Makira made a card using The Sassy Club’s Sassy Kiki’s stamp and some Copic coloring. Kiki and Jiji represent Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Aichi, Japan. She also added a vibrant background with Tim Holtz’s Distress Inks and Foundry Wax.
Makira made a CAS card with her digital artwork, foiling, and acrylic painting. Commander Vill represents Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, USA.

Please remember to click on the person’s name and leave these wonderful girls some comment love. For more ideas, please go to our Inspiration page!

Park Hopping My Happy Place’s lovely supporters love pin trading and generously are giving away a theme park-purchased pin. This month it is a Bo-Katan, Warrior Pin. They have also included a Starry Sky 6×6 paper pad. All winners are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to win!

To join us, all you have to do is take out your art and craft supplies, make something theme park inspired, and add a link in the Inlinkz at the bottom of this post or post on Instagram #parkhoppingmyhappyplace.

Your entry can be ANYTHING inspired by a theme park from ANYWHERE in the world. Now it’s your turn.  We can’t wait to see what you create!

May the theme park(s) you love continue to give you joy and be a source of inspiration.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=c0efdbe6b4add43dd7ef

Hello World!

Welcome to the new Park Hopping, My Happy Place

Challenge Blog

A new crafty challenge will begin on February 1st, 2023.

This will be a MONTHLY challenge with a never-ending theme of theme parks. Please check the blog’s Inspiration Page for ideas on how to incorporate theme parks into your makes. The challenge will run from the 1st of the month through the last day of the month. There will always be a random prize winner. If you would like to join our Designer Spotlight, send us a quick email at makira@parkhoppingmyhappyplace.com.

Have a magical day!