Aloha!

Hello Readers,

For today I will playing along with Addicted to CAS, AAA Cards, and Curtain Call. All of these challenges were fantastic source of inspiration. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

Whimsical sentiment gives a sense of fun. While in contrast the hibiscus gives
a feeling relaxation.

Not centering the flower gives the card interest.
All the white space around the hibiscus and white sentiment
allow this one image to be CAS (I hope).

Such a pretty shade of pink.
I used water to control the saturation of color.

Detail images of the hibiscus and sentiment. Hibiscus was stamped then embossed using clear powder. Notice the sentiment falls off the card but only just a bit.

Oversized hibiscus stamp by Stampendous reminded me of
saying 'Aloha' in the tropical oasis of Hawaii

Challenges Entered: 

Addicted to CAS: Challenge #90- Aloha

AAA Cards: Game #66- Watercolour

Curtain Call: Tasty Tropics

      

So today my family went to teach our dog, Crown, to swim. While I was left home to create this card. Thank goodness because it has been in my head for quite some time. Anyhooo, Crown is a black labrador retriever and apparently is very adept in the water. We weren't sure if he has even experienced swimming in the water as he is a rescue dog. He was a bit scared of the waves but when he got used to it he quite literally went in head first. Splashing, swimming, and wading using his webbed paws and long legs very efficiently. It was like he was doing it all his life. So happy to rescue a dog, especially this dog. Our Crown.

Well that is it for me today! I hope you enjoyed your stay and short stories about my little life in Michigan. Thank you for joining me and until next time, take care and happy stamping!

All the best, 

Shawna 

MHKDesigns June Release: Day 3

Hello Again Readers!

Here we are at day three of the June release at MHKDesigns! This stamp set is so much fun. Even more, there are papers that go with the set. This yummy set is called 'Eat Your Veg!' and I think you will know why I enjoy it so much. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

Such a fun set! Peppers are so colorful and can
be used to make a rainbow of veggies!

 Here are the papers to go with the set. Aren't they fun!!

  
Left: Glorious Garden Patterned Paper Pack; Right: Beautifully Brocade

And now, let's talk about how to get this new 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!

Asha | Cohenna | Donna | Janie | Judy | Jerrie | Jessica | Lilian
Michele | Mynn | NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | ---->Shawna<----

While at my local produce market I took a good long look at the peppers.
What I found is that all peppers had a mix of other colors; green peppers mixed with red, red peppers mixed with yellow, yellow mixed with green. So I tried to depict the subtle tone changes of the pepper on this card.

What a fantastic sentiment for such a cute card.
This set is chock full of witty and hilarious puns.

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!

Supplies Used:

     

Eat Your Veg!

Stenciled Roses

 

One Layer Father's Day

Hello Readers,

For today I will be playing along with The Paper Players, CASology and Creative with Stamps. Summer is here, and their challenge is perfect! Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Sky was left white for a CAS look and to highlight
the white border around the scene.

Various colors of blue create the ocean water and it is
in keeping with the color challenge. 

Detail showing the blue of the sea and the texture of the sand.
I tried to make it monochromatic
due to the color restraints.  

Simple elegant (if you could a masculine card elegant, I don't know.) Father's Day card is perfect for the seafaring dad.  I really like how this turned out. 

Challenges Entered:
The Paper Players: PP299- Color challenge
CASology: Week 202- Masculine
Creative with Stamps: Challenge #3- Manly Cards (Masculine)

     

I see Father's Day honoring all the men in our lives. It can also be a hard day for men who want, but can't be father's, or maybe have suffered a loss of a child, spouse, or their father. Everyone concentrates on the woman when times are bad but men have a hard time as well. I would almost argue more so because they are the ones to be 'strong' during rough situations. They might think it is weak to express feeling of grief and sadness. So I guess this post is to remind us all to be gentle this Father's Day to the men in our lives.

I lost my father 20 years ago and I still get a pang every Father's Day, missing him. I know he is with me and for that I am happy. For those with loss I pray for a peaceful day full of calm. 

Well that should do it for me. Thank you so much for dropping by and seeing me today. Until next time, take care and happy stamping!

All the best,
Shawna 

MHK June Release: Day 2

Hello Again Readers!

Here we are at day two of the June release at MHKDesigns! This stamp set we are debuting today is probably my favorite from the release. The set is called 'Open Bloom' and I think you will know why I enjoy it so much. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

I printed out the flower at 50% grayscale. Allowing the sentiment to
still stand out among the large image.

And now, let's talk about how to get this new 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!

Asha | Cohenna | Donna | Janie | Judy | Jerrie | Jessica | Lilian
Michele | Mynn | NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | ---->Shawna<----

This card was laid out using photo editing software.
This was a single printout was colored, distressed, and dogeared.
Still crisp white with a bit of vintage flare. 

I absolutely love this sentiment because it is so true!
Detail of the colored flower and sentiment.

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! 

All the Best,

Supplies Used:


Open Bloom Stamp Set

Spotlight Butterfly

Hello Friends,

For today I am playing with Sunday Stamps and Just Us Girls. One of my favorite techniques is the spotlight technique; Sunday Stamps seemed to be the perfect sketch for spotlighting. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

I did a bit of research on swallowtail butterflies and found there are all sorts of swallowtails.
I wanted to depict the butterfly correctly so I chose the female Tiger Swallowtail.
Below you will see my color inspiration.

The larger than life butterfly is so pretty and colorful. 

Detail showing the vellum birthday banner. I chose the curvy banner
to hint of a butterfly fluttering around.

Challenges Entered:

Sunday Stamps: SSC128- sketch 

Just Us Girls: JUGS347: Spotlighting Technique

Yesterday I entertained four children; two of my own and two of my friend's children. Welcome to Summer because they were acting so strangely. When I uttered a word they all just laughed like crazy children. My friend couldn't experience this moment of summer insanity because she needed to go on some errands before her trip to Australia. I told her to pack me, but she said I wouldn't go through NSA plus she would have pay for extra baggage. Bummer. When she came back from her errands she was looking at my current project which happens to be this card. She ooo'ed and aaa'd at the design. It just so happens she has a birthday coming up. I think she will be pleasantly surprised when she receives this.

Well that should do it for me.. Thank you for stopping by little corner of the internet. Until next time take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna

MHK June Release: Day 1

Hello and welcome to TheGrandStampede!

It is that time again at MHK Designs. Our new June release is out and I am here to share the new 'Beachy Keen' digi stamp set. Here is my card for today, enjoy! 

I printed off the image then used Distress Markers and my aqua pen
to achieve this beachy scene.

And now, let's talk about how to get this new set OR the entire release for FREE! Here's what you'll need to do...

Comment here on the MHKDesigns blog.
Comment on each DT member's blog.
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!

Asha | Cohenna | Donna | Janie | Judy | Jerrie | Jessica | Lilian
Michele | Mynn | NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | ---->Shawna<----

Adding a white border layer around the image creates a 'lighter' card.
Not so visually heavy

Our little girl looking for the best spot to build her castle.

Challenges Entered:
City Crafters Challenge: Week 316- Let's Go to the Beach



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! 

All the Best,

Supplies Used:

Beachy Keen stamp set

City Scene

Hello Readers,

For tonight I am playing along with City Crafter Challenge Blog with the theme 'City Scene'. Naturally I had to play along as I love the urban landscape.

Die cut a generic skyline but with American landmarks.

 

I decided to break up the white by
adding the twine and ribbon 

Close up of the Statue of Liberty. The view point seems to be more
of a worms eye view of the iconic figure.

Entering Challenge:
City Crafter Challenge Blog: Week 315- City Scene

My husband and I love to travel to cities. In fact, our first date was five days in NYC. We each had sixty-two dollars to our name so, of course, we had to walk everywhere as we had no fare for public transportation. What a gift to be broke; walking allowed us to see the city for what it was: spaces, neighborhoods, parks, little 'mom-and-pop' shops. Each space seemed to blend into the other as if my magic. 

Back in college I was assigned a book by my Urban History professor. The book was titled The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. Did I read it, no. It wasn't until years later, staring blankly at my bookshelf, that I decided to pick it up. What a fascinating and dense read. I ate up every word and would forever look at cities differently. Also while reading, I was profusely thanking my past self for not reselling this amazing classic. Yay me! 

It is late and must get some zzzz's. Tomorrow I will looking for a piano for my son. Never in a million years did I think we would have piano, well here we are! Thank you for joining me once again.. Until next time take care.

All the best,
Shawna