Tutorial Demand

Hey everyone! Glad to hear that you all liked the leaf tutorial I posted yesterday! I've had a couple requests for tutorials and I will do my best to get them together this week. The first request was for a basics of layout creation tutorial, and the other for more about inking.

I don't profess to be an expert at layouts, (I don't really profess to be an expert at much, except chocolate chip cookies, maybe) but I'll make a video that gives you the highlights of how I create a layout and you can take what you like from it, and leave what you don't. It's always nice to have a little guidance, especially when you are first getting started! I'll also include a little bit about what items you should buy if you are thinking about getting into scrapbooking, grouping them by necessities and accessories so you can manage your initial investment into what can be a very expensive hobby.

If you guys have other suggestions, let me know! I'd be happy to make more tutorials or answer questions.

Have a great day and check back soon for another tutorial!

Fall Leaf Tutorial!

Hey guys!

I thought that since I had a little down time this afternoon between projects, I'd make a quick video tutorial on realistic-looking fall leaves for your fall projects. I LOVE fall (have I said that in every blog post since September started? If not, just a reminder, I LOVE FALL), so I love all the autumnal projects I get to make through the season. Check it out below and let me know what you think!

All You Need Is Love

Making some cards for some upcoming meetings and I love this one so much, I want to keep it for myself. Not even keep it and then give it to a couple-- just keep it. Haha

I used some pretty corkscrew paper from Lila's and a lovely new stamp I just picked up. Pretty sweet little card in warm colors! 

Branching Out!

Hey, everyone- how is this fall weather treating you? Here in western Washington, we are enjoying some very pretty weather, sunny and in the upper 60's during the day and nice and cool at night. Autumn is my favorite time of year!

I've been out pounding the pavement for McLion, working on getting local businesses to carry McLion Design products. So far, two shops in Mukilteo are/ will be carrying our items in store, Mukilteo Chocolate Company (where we've had cards for months now) and Red Cup Cafe, also in Mukilteo. I'll also be working part time with the Chocolate Company, making some holiday packaging and generally helping out. Jan, the owner, is a fellow Navy spouse and we have to stick together, you know. I have a couple meetings with wine shops/ wine bars here in the next couple of days, as well. Movin' on up, folks!

Also, and I just shared this on Facebook as well, but here is a Halloween-themed tag I made for a housewarming gift I recently gave away. Check it!

I think it turned our pretty cute! 

Have a lovely week, everyone! 

The Holidays Are Coming!

Can you believe it is halfway through September already?! Jeeze! Where did it all go?

I don't know about where you all live, but here in the Pacific Northwest, it's already fall! (Forget today which has a freak high of almost 80-- it's been in the low 60's all week!) Autumn is my favorite season, and all this beautiful fall weather has me hungry for apple and pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING. I've also gotten to work on a couple fall themed items for the Etsy shop.

"Dem Bones" Halloween cards!

These cuties could easily be adapted to a party invitation.  

"Autumn Memories" explosion box- neat little way of displaying some fun fall photos!

I've also caught the Christmas bug. I always here people griping about the Christmas decorations being put out too early-- and I'll admit, July is a bit early, guys!-- but I love the holidays so much that I don't mind seeing some lights and ornaments, or even catching a snippet of Christmas caroling as soon as the weather starts to turn. I'm also a CRAZY early Christmas gift shopper (about halfway done already). So with those two things in mind, I've also posted a ton of Christmas cards and a few home decor items. Check out this little Christmas photo display!

All of these items (and a bunch more!) can be found in my Etsy shop here.

What kind of holiday things are you guys up to?

Been so long gone!

Welcome back, me!

It has been a very eventful and insanely busy few months, but back I am. Too long a story to explain it all, so instead, let's dive into some recent designs!

A Christmas tag using Authentique's Festive line

A layout using Authentique's Festive line

Another layout using Authentique's Festive line

A layout using Bo Bunny's Serenity line

A miniature shadow box using Authentique's Enchanted line

A layout using Authentique's Enchanted line

A layout using Authentique's Enchanted line

A shadow box I made for a baby shower I'm attending next week.

As you can see, I've been mad busy the last few weeks, catching up a bit. Next on the agenda are some Christmas cards and holiday party invitations. What have you all been working on?

Wednesday 365 Cards!

It's been a little bit since I posted my card for the Wednesday design challenge over at 365 Cards. If you're new to McLion, I'm a design team member over at 365, and my cards are featured on Wednesdays. I encourage you to join in and complete some (or all!) of the challenges along with us!

This Wednesday, the challenge was to use a kite on your card. Here is my submission!

A kite-less version of this card is also for sale at my Etsy shop here. 

If you make a kite card for the challenge, remember to link it over at 365 Cards for a chance to be a featured design! 

Adoption/ Baby Shower Invitations

Good Morning, everyone!

After the hoopla surrounding the new wedding invitation line, I thought I'd wait a little bit to introduce another series of invitations-- these being adoption celebration announcements and baby shower invitations!

These are now listed online at my Etsy shop here in packs of 10 for $30. HOWEVER, if you become a new fan of our Facebook page or share one of our statuses on your page, I will send you a coupon code for $5 off! Just send me a message on Facebook or comment here to let me know and I'll send it right out!

Check out a sampling below!

All colors are customizable, of course, and I'm happy to do custom orders! 

Have a happy Monday, everyone : )

A quick note about the new McLion invitations lines

Hey everyone!

I've just posted the new lines of wedding/ baby shower/ adoption invitations and already I am getting some questions about some of the example designs. Let me be clear for a moment:

My husband and I believe in the beauty and power of love. We shared our last names when we got married to represent our belief that in our relationship we are equal partners. We donate regularly to the Human Rights Campaign, are outspoken about our strong support for families of ALL kinds and makeups, and believe in the validity of love in its many forms.

To this end, I strive to make products that support and endorse equality. Almost all of my wedding invitation lines have one example of a heterosexual couple, and one of an LGBT couple. I have also tried to provide good non-heteronormative choices for families who are adopting or having children. I was hoping that this alone would make it clear how I feel about equality, but because I was asked if I had "accidentally" used two women's names on one invitation, I thought it was important that I be more direct.

I am very proud to support equality, even in this small way. If you feel similarly, know that your purchases from McLion Design supports my family's work for equality.

Thank you!

Wedding Invitation Line Debut!

I'm so proud to announce that McLion Design is now creating and selling these lovely wedding invitations!  You can see all the new lines at my Etsy shop, but below is a quick sampling. Each line is named after and inspired by a place that is special to my husband and I-- places we've lived, visited together, etc.

To purchase a custom sample for your special day, hop on over to the shop! With your order you'll receive one custom invitation and a matching RSVP card. If you choose to order a full order, your initial sample purchase price will be credited to your order cost. And of course, I can make tons of coordinating things like escort cards, table numbers, thank you cards, etc!

 I'll be hosting a contest soon too where you could win up to 100 custom invitations and RSVP cards or 50 custom thank you cards when you order a sample invitation set!

Click here to visit the shop!

Check 'em out!

Hampstead line

Baltimore line

Jim Thorpe line

Lancaster line

Manheim line

Newport line

Philadelphia line

Pittsburgh line

Seattle line

Jackson line

All wedding invitations are now live at the shop so spread the word! If you're friends with me on Pinterest, please help me by re-pinning my work that I'll be pinning this afternoon. Thanks for your support, everyone, as McLion moves another step forward!

Woooo!

First, sorry I've been so absent lately- it's been so crazy here!

First of all, let's rewind a week and a half to the winner of the Facebook liking contest- now that Connie has received her prize in the mail, I can post some pictures of it! I gave Connie the choice between an item from the shop, the set of three Tim Holtz inks, or a custom item of her choice. Being the wild child she is, she told me to make her a custom home decor item and to surprise her with its design! Here's what I came up with: 

I'm really proud of it! 

Speaking of things I want to brag about, a local shop just ordered some of my cards to display in their store! The store is the Mukilteo Chocolate Company near the Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo. They make AMAZING chocolate truffles, fudge, and other such deliciousness. Jan, the fantastic and friendly owner, has also agreed to show some sample favor tags that I've mocked up when people come in to order wedding or other party favors. So exciting! 

I also taught my first class at Lila's this week. I taught a bunch of techniques, including wet embossing and distressing. It was a pretty small class and I've had some requests to re-teach it tomorrow night.

you're nearby and want to take the class, call Lila's at 425-355-2500 and let her know! I'll also be selling some cards at Lila's, so if you're interested, come by and check 'em out! 

And of course, I still have lots of cards up for sale on Etsy here! 

There are some other new and exciting things on the horizon as well, but I don't want to spill all the beans at once! : )

Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Hometown

A non-paper post?! Shocking, I know. Well, technically there's a little bit at the end about crafting. You'll see!

I was just thinking how strange it is to move to a new place. My husband and I recently moved to Washington from Pennsylvania (2800 miles!). We love it here, but you'd be surprised how different the east and west coasts are! I'm from rolling farmlands, frenetic cities, fast paces. Now I live in what feels like the great northern wilderness- even though I'm only 20 minutes from Seattle.

Now I have always been very involved in whatever community I've lived in, usually through community service. Now that I have a new hometown, ( and a lot of free time with my husband in the Navy ), I wanted to dive right in! Today I took some time to wander around "downtown" and check out some of the shops and parks. I thought I'd include a couple pictures because my new hometown is just gorgeous!

Um, yeah. Those are the Cascades. As a backdrop for a PARKING LOT. 

Local Cafe with a sculture of a man bursting through the ceiling to serve you coffee!

I loved poking through all the shops, meeting the owners, checking out the new community center, etc. This town has such a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. I am going back to the local chocolate store to show the owner a portfolio of my work to maybe sell some things! (See, papercrafting!)

Isn't it fun to explore your hometown?

365 Cards Wednesday Challenge!

First of all, I am so excited to be working with 365 Cards! Today is my first featured card as a member of their design team and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out! 

Today's challenge is a color challenge! The colors are below: 

I'll be totally honest- I had a hard time trying to tell if that center color was an ivory/ cream kind of color, or a very pale green. I decided on ivory after looking at that swatch about a thousand times and my card is below!

I don't usually use these colors, using jewel tones or earth tones most of the time, so this card was a real challenge for me. I think it turned out really pretty, despite my agonizing over making sure that I had the right colors, haha. I embossed the darker purple on the sentiment and the birds (which is why I included the picture where the light is shining on them). 

I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with for this challenge!