MHK Designs October Release: Butterfly Wisdom

Hello everyone!

This is my second post today.  To view my House of Cards post, please scroll down.

Welcome to the October release at MHK Designs!  There will be lots of beautiful projects posted, so we hope you'll be inspired.  Mynn has really put together some wonderful digi stamp sets for this month, which I wasn't surprised about.  Her stamps are really beautiful.  To visit her Etsy store, click HERE.

The first set I got to work with this month is Butterfly Wisdom.

Mynn sure knows me well, huh? lol  Here's what I created with this set.

 
When I first saw this set, I knew I wanted to use this butterfly.  I also knew that I wanted to keep the card somewhat simple, so that the image and sentiment were front and center.  I embossed the main panel with white embossing powder, and then added the main focal panel on top of that.  I printed the butterfly twice, so that I could do this...

I cut out the top wing, and added it to the main image, so that I could pop it up a bit.  This gives my one flat image more dimension.  In real life, it looks beautiful.  I love how this turned out!  Once my card was put together, I added some Pretty Pink Posh sequins, and was done.

We now have an MHK Designs Facebook page.  There will be lots more inspiration posted there, throughout the month.  You can visit our group HERE.  And one more thing.  Mynn will be giving away one of the sets from this months release, to one lucky person.  All you have to do is comment on any of the release posts on her blog.  You can visit by clicking HERE. 

I'm hoping you'll head over to Mynn's Etsy shop to see everything.  She's also got many beautiful digital papers you can choose from.  I will be back soon with my next project for this month's release.

Have a wonderful day!

 





What's In It?
Paper: SU! Whisper White Cardstock, Neenah Desert Storm Cardstock
Stamps: MHK Designs Butterfly Wisdom, SU! En Francais Background Stamp
Ink: VersaMark, Mr. Huey's Opaque White, Copics: B000, BG01, BG07, E74, E79
Accessories: MFT Zig Zag Stitched Ovals Dies, Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles Dies, White Embossing Powder, Pretty Pink Posh Aquamarine Sequins

Pile It On #86 - Birthday

Hola amigas!

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend, filled with crafty goodness.  I have been pretty busy, but I managed to get some time to myself and catch up on a few cards, and bible journaling pages.  My daughter had things to do, and and it was chilly outside, so that made perfect conditions to stay in my craft room.

Since today is Sunday, there is a new Pile It On challenge posted.  This week's theme is Birthday.  We are sponsored by Craftin' Desert Divas this week, and the prize they're offering is 4 bags of CDD sequins.  Who doesn't love sequins?!  Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge.

 
I really dig how this card turned out.  At first I wasn't too sure about the flourish, but as I look at it now, I like it.  I was hoping to create somewhat of a sunset over the beach kind of background, and think it turned out pretty close.  It's almost like looking out of a window, now that I think about it.  Either way, I love it, and will be sending this to a dear friend who lives on the West Coast.  I hope she likes it.

I'm going to enter this for the following challenges.

Virginia's View #18: Geometric Patterns
Happy Little Stampers CAS September Challenge: Colouring (I hope coloring with water colors counts)
Sunday Stamps #109: Inspiration Photo (Teal, Yellows, Orange & White)
Addicted To Stamps #161: Anything Goes
Freshly Made Sketches #203: Sketch (My interpretation)
Card Concept #39: Inspiration Photo (I was inspired by the colors)
Pals Paper Arts #267: Crushed Curry, Pool Party & Tangerine Tango (I tried to get as close as I could, with what I had)
Seize The Birthday: Anything Goes

That's all for me today.  I'm off to spend time in my craft room again, and hopefully get more stuff done.  I hope you'll head over to see what my friends have created for you over at the PIO blog.  As usual, they're all pretty awesome.

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: SU! Whisper White & Daffodil Delight Cardstock, Neenah Silver Cardstock, Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper, Vellum
Stamps: SSS Happy, MFT Grid Background Stamp
Ink: VersaMark, Staz On Teal Blue & Jet Black, Distress Inks: Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, Peacock Feathers & Mermaid Lagoon
Accessories: Detail White Embossing Powder, Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Rectangles Dies, Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Banner Duo 2 Dies, MFT Stacking Stars & Simple Leaf Flourish Dies

House of Cards July Challenge: Food and/or Inspiration Photo

Greetings my friends!

I have some exciting news to share!  I applied to be on the House of Cards design team again, and was lucky enough to be chosen to return.  I'm super excited!  I am hoping this will help me use up some of the crafty stuff I've been hoarding.  Lord knows I've got a TON of stuff. lol

This month there is an inspiration photo for you.  You can choose to use any kind of food items and/or the colors from the photo.  Here is your inspiration for July.

I love these bright, cheerful colors, and that fruit looks amazing too!  Makes me want to go make fruit salad right now. lol  Here is the card I created.

I was inspired by the colors this week, and I chose to keep it clean and simple.  I watercolored my main focal panel with my distress inks, and added some darker splatters with my Gelatos.  I then cut the butterfly out of vellum, and embossed the tips of the wings with some holographic embossing powder.  Here is a close up of the butterfly, so you can see it better.  I love how it turned out.  It's lovely!

I added the butterfly, some enamel dots, and the sentiment, and called it done.  In real life, the colors are a bit more vibrant.  I really think these butterfly dies are some of my new favorite items.  I will definitely put them to good use.  I'm going to submit this card for the following challenges too.

Freshly Made Sketches #192: Sketch (challenge is closed, but I liked the sketch)
Friday Mashup #215: It's All About 3 (I have three enamel dots)
Can You Case It #76:  Color Challenge (I got as close as I could to Mint Macaron, Watermelon Wonder & Delightful Dijon)
The Pink Elephant #305: Anything Goes
CASology Week 153:  Pop (I kept everything soft, with a pop of bold color)

The other designers have created some amazing cards for you today.  I hope you are able to check them out, and are inspired to join us this month.  You have until July 31st to play along, and I cannot wait to see what you create.  That's all for me today.  I'm off to work, and then another afternoon of softball.

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper:  SU! Very Vanilla Cardstock, SU! Watercolor Paper, Neenah Red Textured Cardstock, Vellum
Stamps:  Paper Smooches Graceful Beauties, MFT Garden Flourish Background
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Simon Says Stamp Fog Dye Ink, VersaMark, Mango Mango & Metallic Melon Gelatos, Distress Ink: Spun Sugar, Scattered Straw & Cracked Pistachio
Accessories:  MFT Flutter of Butterflies Lace Dies, Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Rectangles Dies, Freckled Fawn Enamel Dots

Thanks!

Hi y'all!

Happy Friday to everyone!!  I'm so thankful that today starts my weekend of relaxation. *happy sigh*  My daughter is headed to Minnesota, for vacation with her best friend, and won't be back until next Sunday.  I have no doubt that she'll have a blast, but I'm going to miss her.  I can't wait to hear all about it when she gets back though.

Anyway, I've been playing with my new Lawn Fawn goodies again, and made this card.

So, I'm not the best with Copics, but I did try to add a bit of shading.  These fun hot air balloons went perfectly with this cloud paper I've had in my stash for ages.  I also used the chevron stamps to create the banners, for some added interest.  I have no doubt that these stamps will be used again.  I am hopeful that the Lawn Cuts Blue Skies dies will be back in stock soon.  I really want to use them with this set.  This card will go into the card box for future use.  I'm slowly building up my stash of cards again, thankfully.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Cardabilities #77 - Sketch
DRS Designs #76 - The Letter B (I have banners and balloons)
Charisma Cardz #25 - 3, 2, 1 Challenge (I used 3 banners, 2 balloons and 1sentiment stamp, hope this qualifies)
MilkCoffee Challenge - Summer Fun (I attended many, many hot air balloon races and events during the summer, while living in Colorado, hope this is ok)

That's all for me today.  I'm off to work in a few, and am glad it's Friday.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs!

You Are My Sunshine

Hello, hello!

I'm home today with a broken big toe and cellulitis (infection).  I can't get a shoe on, or put any kind of pressure on it, so I can't drive.  I decided to make a card to distract myself from the pain, and so that I don't feel like I've wasted a whole day, doing nothing.  The doctor says I should feel better, and see a significant improvement by tomorrow, and I can go back to work then.  I sure hope so!!

I recently got some new Lawn Fawn goodies, and decided I needed to ink them up.  Here is what I created.

The sweet Lawn Fawn group were very nice, and sent me some really pretty papers, as a thank you for my order.  I've used some of them in this card.  I think they go perfectly together.  The colors are nice and cheerful, and you can tell that Kelly Marie definitely chose the design elements for them.  I made this card, along with a few others, that I will be hiding in my daughters stuff, before she leaves on vacation with her best friend next week.  This is our first week apart, for longer than a day or two, in years.  I'm glad she's going, but am already starting to feel a little stressed out by the separation anxiety. lol  With everything that's happened recently, legal wise, she's been stuck to me like glue.  We'll see how we survive...

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Our Creative Corner June Challenge - Recipe (Ribbon (twine), Wood, Inks)
Sweet Sunday Sketch #87 - Sketch
Use It Tuesday #58 - Bring on the Sunshine (I've had the twine, and bracket die in my stash for months)

I found out yesterday that I was chosen at a Top 2 at Use It Tuesday, for THIS card.  Thanks ladies!

I'll be back soon with another card.  I've received a lot of new goodies that need to be used soon.  Have a great day!
Hugs!