Today it's my pleasure to introduce our newest Guest Designer: Dawn McVey
Many of you may know her from the beautifully happy and clean designs she showcases at her blog, My Favorite Things
Dawn shared her biography with us, so we could get to know her even better:
My name is Dawn McVey and I have been stamping for about 4 years now, however my love of all things paper, was pretty fully developed by the time I was about TWO! Ha! I’ve been making my own cards for years, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I was introduced to Stampin’ Up! and it was about a year later that I became SU! demo myself. One of the things I love about stamping is being able to use my stamps to make high quality paper-crafted items that almost look store bought! I love being able to get the same image every time I stamp it and in any color I want it! Heehee! You can’t ‘run out’ of a stamped image! It’s yours to use over and over again!
I also enjoy scrapbooking, although I haven’t been doing much of that lately, as I’ve been busy pursuing my dreams of getting my cards published. My first cards were published in March 2008. You can find my work in Cards Magazine and later this year in Paper Crafts, Paper Crafts Card Creations 6 & Paper Trends! I have close to 30 cards scheduled to be published in magazines this year and I’m just SO excited!
Bart and I have been happily married for 7 years now. He always encourages me to go after my dreams. I couldn’t ask for a hubby more perfect for me! Bart and I LOVE to travel and have been blessed to go on some amazing trips together. Riley is our 60 lb. ‘baby’ – he’s a golden lab/shar-pei mix. :) I also love photography, reading, singing & blog-hopping.
I have been so amazed at the blessings God has brought to my life. Creativity is a tremendous blessing (wouldn’t you agree, especially during those moments when you feel like your mojo is complete toast! Haha!). I’m so grateful to have such a wonderful hobby that is so rewarding! I’ve made so many friends thru paper crafting and I’ve been given some awesome opportunities – working with A Muse, being one of them. What an honor!
Before I share this installment of Dawn's A Muse designs, I wanted to invite you to leave a comment (1 only per article, please!) on any of the articles in her Guest Designer series with us cuz she's picked out her A Muse favorites for us to give away to readers! WOO HOOOOO!!!
Eiffel Tower stamp
Pink Kitchen Collection 4 Bar Note Cards
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You're a hoot!
How fun is this?! I loved how Dawn created a branch from the A Muse Twinkle Stickers for the darling owls in our Nature Set to perch upon!
The beautiful shades of cyan and moss green look wonderful against the dark green Kitchen Note.
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Sending Sunshine
I don't know what says sunshine or summer more than the fabled ice cream truck--Dawn's design here brought back plenty of great memories of my childhood when we'd all race to the change jar and slam out the front door when we heard the tell-tale tunes wafting up the street!
I love how she covered the truck with one of the Clear Scallop Square Stickers and then punched a hole and knotted some ribbon through it to create a fun charm for this design.
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Meet me . . . under the chandelier!
LOL! The mood is very "light" (hah--pun intended!) on this design, with the suggestion of a clandestine meeting under the glimmer of our elegant chandelier!
The Fancy Frame is a fabulous way to showcase it and creates a wonderful ornamental effect.
I thought it was very clever to layer the Kitchen Papers in this way to tie in all the colors used!
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Ooh la la!!!
Ooh la la is right! This is probably one of the most clever uses of our Clear Stickers that I have seen in quite some time!
The scallop circle sticker was layered over a punched out circle of Kitchen Dark Brown Paper, and then affixed atop a larger scallop circle of vanilla paper.
By trimming out and layering the Eiffel Tower over the top, it creates a whole new depth and dimension for the finished embellishment on the design-- I'm pretty keen on this and can't wait to try it myself!
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Thanks so much for poppin' in our newest Guest Designer, Dawn McVey--I have no doubt you've gotten some marvelous inspiration for your next creations! Be sure to leave a comment on this article so your name can be entered into Dawn's give away of the Eiffel Tower and Pink Kitchen Collection Notes--Dawn wants ya' to win!
--Julie See you again next week for more of Dawn's faboo designs!
I love how you use the paper on the cards, clean and fun designs. I don't know how you can choose one favorite stamp when they are all so cute.
Posted by: Laurie in MN | Monday, June 02, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Wow you have some CUTE creations!! Isn't stamping with A Muse SO FUN!!! ;)
Posted by: Lori Barnett | Monday, June 02, 2008 at 01:48 AM
Wow Dawn your cards are amazing! Love the owls! Congratulat1ons for being chosen as the A Muse guest Designer! You deserve it!
Posted by: Louise Charlton | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Wow - love the Eiffel Tower card so creative! Oh and I loved how you layered the kitchen notecard colors - such a neat way to mix colors and add depth - love it! Thanks for the inspiring cards - it makes me want to run out and start stamping cards RIGHT NOW!!! :)
Posted by: Dana Klinkner | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Anything with the Eiffel Tower is okay by me!
Posted by: Anita K` | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 08:21 PM
These cards are "simply elegant"!
Posted by: C Burke | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 07:54 PM
I absolutely love the multicolors on the chandelier card. It really "brightens" up the card. lol. Dawn is so creative!
Posted by: Lindsay | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 07:25 PM
nice cards, im really loving the ooh la la!
Posted by: Linda | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Cute cards!!! Dawn's style is wonderful
Posted by: Rachel Hope | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 06:55 PM
How wonderful for you Dawn. Your cards are just wonderful!
Posted by: Debbie | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Love all the great designs! The clear scallop sticker is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Julie Royer | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 05:33 PM
I love all the cards but my favorite is the "Owl Card" love all the bling you added and the colors you chose! Super cool!
Posted by: Cookie | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 02:17 PM
love the branch you designed for the owls!!
Posted by: Alanna | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Very nice cards!
Posted by: Bev | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I LOVE your cards Dawn. You are one talented chicka!
Posted by: Monique Van Keuren | Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 06:46 AM
Love all Dawn's cards!! Here I've been looking at her blog and I had NO idea she had cards over here too! Wow!!
Susan, aka Soozie4Him on SCS
Posted by: Susan | Friday, May 30, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Gorgeous cards! Love them all!
Posted by: Angie | Friday, May 30, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Stunning - you really make the "simplicity" pop!!
Posted by: Zarah | Friday, May 30, 2008 at 03:58 AM
i love the colors on the chandalier card!
Posted by: rose | Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 03:53 PM
ok I am not to into the owl craze right now but her owl card is really cute I just might have to jump on the wagon with that one
Posted by: Kathy | Monday, May 26, 2008 at 04:24 AM
Wonderful cards--would love to case them...but I need the stamps first--so pick me!LOL :)
Posted by: Jeanne | Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 08:26 PM
My fave is the ice cream truck.
Posted by: shirley n-w | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 01:45 PM
The Eiffel tower cars is my favorite! I love the colors you used too.
Posted by: C Burke | Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Congrats on your achievements and getting published. Your cards are great and their simplicity express so much more than many that are overly embellished and too busy. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Maria | Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 04:43 PM
I absolutly love the cherry blossoms card. I used your idea to stamp out a card and scrapbook page for my daughter. We bought her a cherry blossom tree when she was born 8 years ago. It is strong, tall, and in bloom right now-just like she is. I took a picture of her in front of it every year at the start and end of school to see how she and her tree have grown!!! Thank you for giving me such a beautiful way to share the pictures!!! Congratulations to you and all your talents!
Posted by: Brenda Norcott | Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Shout out to Dawn! Congratulations girl- you deserve it! Love those owls!!
Posted by: Kristin Moore | Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I love the simple, but elegant way Dawn fixes her cards. Simplicity to me showcases this style beautifully. Nice work you have, Dawn.
Posted by: Jane J Thomas | Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Love all these cute cards. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Janet Sisk | Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Dawn-
Love you, love your cards!
Posted by: Dana Grothaus | Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 01:00 PM
I love Dawn's creations because they are so simple and elegant at the same time.
Congratulations Dawn, you are awesome!!!
God bless
Giovana
Posted by: Giovana | Friday, May 16, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Hi Dawn, I'm a fan of all your work...love it when you use ribbon (my obsession!)
Posted by: Maureen | Friday, May 16, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Love all your cards............but the Owls are my VERY Favorite!!! :) Beautiful job on colors, etc. on each card too. Thanks for sharing your talent with us!!
Posted by: Lori Morton | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Congrat's Dawn!! I check your blog everyday! Love all your work!
Posted by: elsie | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Congrats Dawn! I read your blog all the time and now I see you're over here!! Wow! Congrats on being published! I need to get a subscription to Cards magazine - it's just too darn expensive to buy single copies!!
Susan, aka Soozie4Him on SCS
Posted by: Susan | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 09:04 PM
C'est tres jolie! Makes me think of my trip to Paris!
Your whimsical design makes me smile. Love the black ribbon accent.
Posted by: Nancy Landauer | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Great cards..you knew that though! luv 'em..keep up the great work!
Posted by: kim lenhart | Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Love the stamps and the cards. Very cute!
Posted by: Chris E. | Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I love your designs, especially the Eiffel tower card! Thank you for blessing us with your ideas and talent!
Posted by: Miriam | Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Love the owl card. Such wonderful colors!
Posted by: Dina | Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I love, love, love the Eiffel Tower card. Merci!
Posted by: Susan | Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 04:36 AM
Those are soooo cute. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Shannon | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 06:02 PM
What wonderful designs! I loved your idea with the ice cream truck! So cute and so summer!
Posted by: Snowda | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Thanks for sharing. Love the creativeness on the Eiffel Tower card!
Posted by: Linda T | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Hope it's not too late to comment. Love your designs!
Posted by: Cami | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Congratulations Dawn! what fun cards you have created here! I particularly like the chandelier one!
Posted by: Julia (Artystamper on SCS) | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Love your cards and your blog. Always get inspired by your talent.
Posted by: Ellen | Monday, May 12, 2008 at 05:41 AM
Wow, Dawn, love all the cards that involves 'dots'!!!
Posted by: Cass M. | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 07:09 PM
I love the owls. Very cute and I like the colors.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Very creative cards, Dawn. I look forward to looking for your name in the Card magazines. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Anne | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 04:11 PM
I LOVE the colors in the chandelier card! Now I have a few ideas of my own for using them together like that...thanks!
I can't wait to get to Dawn's blog to see more of her creations!
Posted by: Helen Schadegg | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Love the eiffel tower with the scallop dimension.
Posted by: Sharon Knitter | Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Congratulations, Dawn!! I love your style and your creations that you've made with your A Muse stamps! Fantastic stuff!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 09:51 PM
So fun reading aobut you Dawn, I love your blog too!! You always have such great card ideas!! I love the Eiffel tower card, looks great on the pink!!!
Posted by: Tobey Shepherd | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Dawn....you're very creative. Thanks for inspiring me.
Stamp Hugz,
Heidi Abel aka stampvamp87
Posted by: Heidi Abel | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Dawn, I love your use of color, and the color combinations you put together. I usually grab the same colors, but you have inspired me to try something new. Thanks!
Posted by: Jo Ann F. | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Love the bright colors and cute, cute layout of the cards! Great job!
Posted by: Mary Coleman | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Your cards are so cute, you are very creative!:]
Posted by: Raquel | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I just love all the polka dot note cards, don't you?! Your cards are so creative. I appreciate the chance to win some great blog candy, too!
Posted by: Janet S | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I love the Eiffel Tower, especially with pink and polka dots! Way to go, Dawn!
Posted by: Tricia | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Oh, I love Dawn's work...she has a fab blog too!
Posted by: JenMarie | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:26 PM
This is absolutely fantastic article.
Dawn, your cards are gorgeous.....can't chose a favourite. Love 'em all.
Wellll, okay, the owls....no, the chandelier.....no, the eiffel tower......nooooo. Let me think about this for awhile.
Posted by: Terry | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Yay Dawn! WTG girlie! Looking forward to seeing more designs. Can I have your autograph? Oh wait, I have it....can I have Julie's? ;-)
Posted by: Debbi | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Clever idea using Twinkle Stickers to perch the owls on! Really like your style.
Posted by: Peggy Salomonsson | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 02:18 PM
ooh la la!! love all the great designs!! the color combinations are so pretty!
Posted by: june gibbons | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I absolutely love your creations. The adorable owls are my favorite. Congrats on being published!
Posted by: Verda | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I love your colors!!! It is so fun to see the use of Amuse with multiple colored papers. Congrats on getting published!! Can't wait to see all of your ideas -keep it up !!!
Posted by: Beth Gately | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Great cards, Dawn -- as always! I am always inspired by your work. The sticker layering under the Eiffel Tower is very nice. I absolutely love the ice cream truck card. Adorable.
Posted by: Michelle | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 08:44 AM
YAY, Dawn! I'm a huge fan of her work!!
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 08:16 AM
I love the way you layered the kitchen papers! I have to run into my craft area and just try and duplicate this.
Posted by: pkbb | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Fabulous cards, my favorite is the Eiffel tower card.
Posted by: Carolyn (snowmanqueen) | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Congrats and great job. I LOVE the Eiffel Tower card, although the ice cream truck is very clever. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Barb | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 07:32 AM
These cards are amazing!!!! The owl is my personal favorite. Great work!
Posted by: mamichelle | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 06:33 AM
Love these cards - especially the owls and Ooh La la. how cute!!
Posted by: Michael Trent | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 06:27 AM
really fun cards! My fur baby is named Riley too!
Posted by: Holly | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:51 AM
LOVE the owl card!! Especially all the fun colors!
Posted by: Tracy Maiville | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Wow! Such adorable cards. So clever.
Posted by: Maggie | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Congrats, Dawn! I adore the ice cream truck- so cute! And nice color combo! Oh, let's face it, they are ALL great images and card creations!
Posted by: Donna | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 05:16 AM
Congrats on having your cards published!! Thanks for sharing your awesome creations with us! I love your blog. Beth G.
Posted by: Beth G. | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 04:50 AM
Very cute!!!
Posted by: Amanda Angert | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 04:44 AM
fsb cards - makes me wanna go create right now!!
Posted by: Beverley Todd | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 01:24 AM
Congratulations,
I always visit your blog! I just love your cards. I love A Muse stamps and it is always fun to see new ways to create beautiful cards!
Posted by: Simone | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Congratulations Dawn! I love your work, especially the card with the great owls on it!
Greetings from Belgium, Annelies
Posted by: Annelies | Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 12:48 AM
I love the OOh La La, simple yet elegant. This is my kind of card and my kind of designer. I can't wait to see even more work by Dawn.
Posted by: Carey | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 11:24 PM
How cute! I love the colors on the owl card!
Posted by: Jennifer Love | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 11:09 PM
You made some nice cards... cute ideas!
Swedie
Posted by: Swedie | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Congrats Dawn..great work! 'Love your creations!
~Brenda H.
Posted by: Brenda H. | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Great cards, Dawn. Congrats on being the guest designer.Great use of the stickers.
Posted by: Sandy Heringer | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Great Cards!! Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Posted by: kim3timemom | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 09:18 PM
I love how Dawn used the Twinkle Stickers as a branch for the owls. Great idea. The colors used are fun too. Thanks for offering some great candy.
Posted by: Sheila | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Dawn, your work is amazing! You know I love it. I bought another Elzybell today at my local LSS. They are too stinkin' adorable!!
Posted by: Charlene Austin (Willow01) | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Congrats on the upcoming publications -- that's sensational! I like your style. Keep on stampin'.
Karen
Posted by: Karen | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Love the cute samples! Now I need the Eiffel tower!
Posted by: Kristin O | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 07:51 PM
I love the Eiffel Tower card! It reminds me of our trip to Paris in 2006! Dawn is so creative and I've really enjoyed receiving her blogs by e-mail. Keep up the great work, Dawn!
Posted by: Jennie | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 07:48 PM
I'm just loving your Owl card and the others are great, too! Congrats on being Guest designer! I check out your Blog frequently!
Posted by: Connie | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Wow, your cards are AWESOME!!! Congrats on all your cards being published, and keep sharing with us! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Love the way she uses the clear stickers.
That fancy frame ROCKS, and it really makes the chandelier stamp WORK! fun!
Posted by: Julie (Joypup on SCS) | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 06:26 PM
More cards from Dawn?! What could be better?! I love the Eiffel Tower card! A very good friend of mine just moved back after three years living and teaching in France. She would flip over this stamp set. I am definitely inspired to try these clear stickers. What a cool effect!
Posted by: Kelly McMillen | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Oooh! I love all of the these creations by Dawn! I think that my favorite one is the chandelier card! I can't wait to see what she does next!
Posted by: Leslie | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 05:48 PM
big congrats on being guest designer, dawn! i love all of your cards. especially that owl one--cool colors and design! :) lexi
Posted by: lexi | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Dawn is such an awesome artist. She will fit in perfectly with A Muse! I would be interested in what sparks your ideas for such beautiful creations. All of the designers are overflowing with talent and creativity. I can only hope to learn from all of you and the use of great images! Welcome Dawn!
Posted by: CeeCee Barrington | Friday, May 09, 2008 at 05:36 PM