Rock On!

Hello Readers,

For today I am writing on behalf of The Male Room. There is another challenge to be had but before I reveal the theme for these next two weeks here is my card for today, enjoy!

'Rock on' seems like the perfect sentiment for a tween boy and his birthday.
I think I am going to save this one for a special someone who may not be named because he might be reading this.

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Challenge #43
(TMR#43)

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This collage type card has a lime, green, and red base. A stencil was laid over base and sponged purple. A patinaed clock and gears were distressed and then added to the design.
But what I love the most are those sneakers from Deep Red called All Star Sneakers! 

Left/Top: The 'o' is replaced with a lustery star. The circle is the 'o' of the sentiment. Right/Bottom: It is hard to see in the picture but the card base is coated with gloss sealer. It adds texture and complexity to this collage card. You can however see the lustre shine of the gears which were distressed using StazOn black ink. The star was left untouched, plain and simple.

This is actually the second card I made for this challenge. Why? Well since my husband is well.... male, I asked him if the other card was well suited for his kind. Well his answer was a definitive 'no!'. Okay, well back to the drawing board for me!! I was sifting through my stamps and saw these sneakers and knew what I was going to do.. The next morning I tentatively showed him this card. And what do you think I got? An approving nod- YES!

Well that should do it for me! I do invite you to join our challenge at The Male Room these coming weeks. I am looking forward to seeing what you create. Also, thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. I do appreciate every visit and if you aren't already a follower, I invite to join me in my adventures at TheGrandStampede. So until next time, take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna 

Coffee Crazy

Hello Readers,

For today I am on behalf of (PIN)spirational to let y'all know we have a new challenge for the next two weeks. Before I show you the inspiration pin for this challenge here is my card for today, enjoy.

I believe this girl has had too much coffee!
Her background was done using acrylic paint splattered onto cardstock.
I made this background for another challenge but didn't end up using it, until now!!

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Our sponsor for this challenge:

Little Blue Button

Challenge #173______________________________________________

Grounding this girl with a white border seemed like a good idea. I didn't want the busyness of the background to distract but draw back and compliment the colors of the girl.
The die cut is layered on itself three times for a bit of dimension.

The crazy girl was colored using Mexpy alcohol markers and
outlined with a broad marker. 

I used to drink coffee.. A lot of it, actually! All nighters in college were the culprit for my caffeine addiction. In later years, at 2:00pm my office would better have some coffee or else I would be face down passed out at my desk! But lately coffee has not liked me... Shaking, perspiring, and agitation have now become the norm with coffee.. Shame, because I love it... Its tactile pleasure is just not the same with tea.. I am really sorry coffee broke up with me because I was in this relationship for the long hall! 

Well that should do it for me. I hope you have a great day and thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. I do hope you will join us at PINspirational. It should be fun! Until then take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna

Signs of Autumn

Hello Readers,

As promised, I am here to show you more uses for your MHKDesigns digi stamps. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Fall is in the air! Nothing says fall to me then apple picking. So naturally I used the apple from the Beginnings & Endings stamp set. The apple scene was created by using the same image multiple times. By rotating, flipping, and resizing it can look like a 'natural' apple tree branch.

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MHKDesigns vintage images work so well with each other.
I invite you to check out her Etsy store and see for yourself
the versatility of stamp sets and variety of digital papers we have to offer.

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I decided to work with the power of three. First, I divided the scene into thirds. Then I took the first third and split that panel into two sections, leaving the last two-thirds alone. 

The background paper was an old sheet of resume paper I had from ten years ago. I thought it would be perfect for this application. And let's not forget the apple blossoms which is depicted around the very fitting sentiment.

So keep stopping by the MHKDesigns blog to see more inventive ideas from our design team, play along with our monthly challenge, or just enjoy a bit of eye candy. 

There is a lot more to discover at MHKDesigns Etsy Shop! Stop on over and see what we have to offer. It is certain to spark imagination. So, thank you for stopping by and hope to see you soon. Take care and happy crafting.

All the best,


Supplies Used:
  
Left/Top: Fabulous Fall stamp set; Right/Bottom: Beginnings & Endings stamp set

Amazing Teacher

Hello Readers,

Here I am again announcing another challenge at Make My Monday. Here is my card for today, enjoy...

A collage type card illustrating subjects that this amazing teacher taught my daughter
and now my son has her for this coming school year. Yippee!!

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Our challenge for the next two weeks:

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There is not one stamp applied to this card. I didn't realize it until I was done.
Still, I really like how it turned out.
The colors and style of the card come from Simple Stories called Smarty Pants.
Using the same paper pack can ensure color continuity in your design. 

Left/Top: I really enjoy seeing the map through the negative 'teacher' space. 'Amazing' is a strong color to draw attention from this busy collage card.; Right/Bottom: I really like the collage effect from the globe to the blackboard of letters and those bingo cards are just too cute.

Every year I make a card at the beginning of the year to say hello and introduce myself. So I know what it looks like to see 'Amazing Teacher' as a sentiment, brown noser! Not really.... My daughter had her and now my son is embarking his school year with her as well. We have developed a relationship so I already know she is an amazing teacher. One of the best my daughter has ever had. Brown nosing, no... Saying it how it is, yes!! It is going to be a great year. 

Well that should do it for me. I hope you have a great day and thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. I do hope you will join us at Make My Monday. It should be fun! Until then take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna

MHKDesigns August/September Challenge

Hello Readers,

Well here we are at MHKDesigns to present a new challenge for you to try. But first here is my card for today, enjoy!

This card reminds me that fall is on the horizon.
I think it may be the straw that is used in this fantastic 'Fruit Borders' digi.
Once again using several parts of one image to create this fall'ish themed card.
Keep scrolling down there is a surprise twist to this card!_____________________________________________

Check out all of MHKDesigns digital stamps

where Vintage Images Meet Modern Sentiments.

MHKDesigns Blog

introduces a new monthly challenge
for August/September. Here is your inspiration.

The prize for this challenge includes:

Pansy Corner stamp set

Positively Purple digi patterned paper pack

Link up at MHKDesigns for your chance to win these products! Make sure to review our challenge rules before you do to make sure you'll be eligible for the prize, first, though! 

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Do you see the twist to this card? The purple border is mounted to the back of the card.
It is very unexpected but so much fun when the recipient discovers it.
I have found this a way to give your cards a bit of uniqueness without looking too different.

The white butterflies were not meant to draw attention
but to blend right into the card's design. 

Challenges Entered:
Cupcake Inspirations: Challenge #372

Today I was killing time at a coffee shop waiting to pick up my son from a birthday party. The weather was bad so I pulled out my phone to check the radar. What it showed was all dark red and heading right for my house. My husband and daughter were home to hunker down in the basement and wait out the storm. 

Finally I got home. All was good until I drove down my road. It looked like all hell broke loose- Down power lines-one of which was laying on our driveway live and arching, full trees uprooted, just tons of debris EVERYWHERE. I am happy to report there was not a tornado in our area but lots of straight line winds. 

Afterwards, I was sitting down with my alcoholic beverage of choice reflecting, how exhilarating and scary it was to feel the power of nature's force and to actually be aware what was happening. Oh what a day to be alive!!

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope to see you at MHKDesigns blog and join us at our monthly challenge. No worries if you don't have any MHKDesign product yet, you can still play along. We will see you this month and looking forward to see what you create. Until then, take care.

All the best,

Products Used:

  

Left/Top: Pansy Corner stamp set; Right/Bottom: Fruit Borders stamp set

Pansy Corner

Hello Readers,

Welcome to our last day of our August release at MHKDesigns. As you may know we have been showcasing a digital stamp set a day and for today I am sharing the new 'Pansy Corner' digi stamp set. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Colorful bouquet to compliment this uplifting sentiment.

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All new eclectic stamps and sentiments

now available at MHKDesigns Etsy Store. 

Pansy Corner stamp set

Here are some digital papers that coordinate with the set.

  

Left: French Country digital patterned paper pack; Right: Damsel in Distress

Now for the giveaway!! 

Let's talk about how to get this set OR the entire release for FREE! Here's what you'll need to do...

1. Comment on the MHKDesigns blog.

2. Comment on each DT member's blog.

3. Join our MHKDesigners and Friends Facebook group and comment there.

Mynn will be choosing comments randomly from all these places after the release is over, and the authors of those comments will be our winners! So, the best way to win is to comment every day! We LOVE the feedback you give us! Here's the list of blogs for you to visit today...

Design Team Blogs:

Mynn Owner | Asha | Donna | Jerrie | Jessica | Judy | Lilian| 

NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | Shawna

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Taking a smaller section of the whole can create quite a scene. This is exactly what I did for this design. Copied the image again enlarged it and now I have beautiful
branches hanging above the rest of the image.

Thanks for stopping by today, friends! Today is our last day, but yours truly will be back soon with more inspiration to share using products from the MHKDesigns Etsy shop! Don't forget to get all your commenting in for your chance to WIN, and please do join our monthly challenge, as well!


All the best,

Primary Colors

Hello Readers,

Just a quick post to play along with The Paper Players color challenge. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Primary colors, to me, needs to be playful and what better way to be playful
then this Doodlie-Do stamp set by Papertrey Ink.

The large sentiment capitalizes on the challenge color, black.
The background images were left uncolored  except one flower.
I thought it added a bit of balance.

Close up of the central image. I stamped the sentiment panel and then fussy cut around the doodles. Then I overlaid the panel onto the already stamped card base.

Challenges Entered: Color Challenge #308- PP308

Well I have to take the kids and go 'back to school' shopping. So I should really get off line for a bit and get it done!!

Thank you so much for joining me at TheGrandStampede. I really do appreciate every single visit; comment or not! I hope this finds everyone well and healthy. So until next time take care and we will see you soon!

All the best,
Shawna

Halloween Party

Hello Readers,

Welcome to another day at MHKDesigns. Our new August release is out and I am here to share the new 'Halloween Party' digi stamp set. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Kind of creepy card and once again most of this design was done using computer
editing software. The focal image from the set is translucent allowing the color to come though.
Then all I did was print it out! Now to distressing the image.

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All new eclectic stamps and sentiments
now available at MHKDesigns Etsy Store. 

Halloween Party stamp set

Here are some digital papers that coordinate with the set.  
Left: Trick or Treat digital paper pack; Right: Very Distressing digital paper pack

Now for the giveaway!! 

Let's talk about how to get this set OR the entire release for FREE! Here's what you'll need to do...

1. Comment on the MHKDesigns blog.
2. Comment on each DT member's blog.
3. Join our MHKDesigners and Friends Facebook group and comment there.

Mynn will be choosing comments randomly from all these places after the release is over, and the authors of those comments will be our winners! So, the best way to win is to comment every day! We LOVE the feedback you give us! Here's the list of blogs for you to visit today...

Design Team Blogs:

Mynn Owner | Asha | Donna | Jerrie | Jessica | Judy | Lilian| 

NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | Shawna

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I used a distresser to fray the edges, I ripped the paper, and then sponged the panel
all around the perimeter and around the rips.
I also distressed the card base with the same black color.

Left: Look closely, can you see the card opens the wrong way! I would love to say it was intentional but it wasn't. As I was starting to swear I thought 'this is perfect for Halloween'!; Right: That fingerprint you see is mine. Also, the sentiment is from the same set! Very fun

Thanks for stopping by today, friends! We will be back tomorrow with another *NEW* set to share from the MHKDesigns Etsy shop! Don't forget to get all your commenting in for your chance to WIN, and please do join our monthly challenge, as well! Until tomorrow, happy stamping!