Time to get the address books out.

Can you even believe that it is November?
What is going on?

It is time to think about Christmas cards.
Already.
Crazy.

Good thing I have someone that can help.
She is all around talented, fun and so sweet.

Plus, she is here to take your favorite pictures from
this year and make them into something amazing.

Meet Mel.
The awesome behind MKL Designs.


"Hi Joy's Hope readers! My name is Mel and I have been married to my awesome husband Kevin for 7 years, I am mommy to 2 beautiful little girls Kate & Claire and I am middle school math teacher & soccer coach!
After my oldest daughter was born 2.5 years ago, I started designing birth announcements & holiday cards for family and friends. After encouragement from my best friend & my husband to start a business selling them, I finally did that & opened up an etsy shop last month!

MKL Designs is my new etsy shop where I design & create Holiday Photo cards, Birth Announcements, Shower Invitations, Save the Date cards & Birthday Invitations.
Good thing I am a night owl, because I stay up WAY too late every night! I create cards & invitations late at night when my girls are sleeping. Who needs sleep when there is coffee (which I love and can't live without!)

Other things I love are pizza, brownies & ice cream and the color pink. I am obsessed with shopping at Target. I love watching all sports, especially college football (Go Buffs!) I was born & raised in California & love living here. I love Jesus & strive to live my life for him even though I fall short each day. Cooking, baking & entertaining other brings me joy!
2 things I wish I was good at: singing & sewing. I have a terrible singing voice & I can't even sew a button. Hopefully the later will change, I am getting a sewing machine for Christmas & receiving sewing lessons next month!

I am passionate about photography & almost always have my camera in my hands. A perfect vacation for me is sitting on a beach in Hawaii, reading a good book & drinking something tropical. I am so blessed with an amazing family & awesome friends. Life is good!
I am so honored to be a part of a Joy's Hope giveaway!
Enter for the chance to win one of my digital designs & 25 cardstock prints!"


How scrumptious is this card that she custom designed for me? Hello aqua, Honey Script and the sweetest.family.picture.ever. taken lovingly by the ever so rad DrewB? Tiny three week old Janey... Hold on a second. I might just have to slink off and cry.

Crying spell over.
On to the details.

How can you win your own set of cards?
So glad you asked.
(Remember, leave a separate comment for each entry.)

1. Visit Mel's etsy shop
come back to tell me which design is your fave.
2. follow her lovely blog.
Be sure to leave comment love &
CRAZY DELICIOUS!
3. follow her on twitter (she is a wonderful twitter friend!)
4. make a purchase from her etsy shop.

Winner will be announced on Saturday November 14th.

Now go take a great family pic!


Posted in

106 Comments

  1. SherryNovember 7, 2009 at 12:27 AM

    following!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SherryNovember 7, 2009 at 12:27 AM

    Loving the polkadot snowflake...but really, it's so hard to choose!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CarlaNovember 7, 2009 at 3:40 AM

    I love the Floral Damask Birth Announcement for a girl. Beautiful!

    carlamo (at) ymail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kelly O.November 7, 2009 at 3:54 AM

    I'm liking the black damask holiday photo card--tough to choose!

    ReplyDelete
  5. KNovember 7, 2009 at 3:56 AM

    The Peace, Love and Candy Canes Holiday Photo Card is great!

    ReplyDelete
  6. KNovember 7, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    I am following her blog both through Google Friends and Google RSS Feed

    ReplyDelete
  7. KNovember 7, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    I am following on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Chubby DoveNovember 7, 2009 at 4:04 AM

    Love her Damask Border Holiday Photo Cards!

    So proud of her for taking the advice of her best friend and husband and opening her Etsy shop.

    Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AmandaNovember 7, 2009 at 4:33 AM

    Oh! I love the Colorful Snowflake Holiday card!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AmandaNovember 7, 2009 at 4:34 AM

    I am following her on twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AmandaNovember 7, 2009 at 4:34 AM

    and on her blog!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love Being A NonnyNovember 7, 2009 at 4:51 AM

    Love the Victoria birth announcement!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. B.janeNovember 7, 2009 at 5:05 AM

    Cool...this is just what I was looking for. A modern..fun ...and fresh Christmas card. I like all her designs and I'm following her!

    Buffy

    ReplyDelete
  14. EricaNovember 7, 2009 at 5:20 AM

    I love the merry merry christmas one, your is beautiful too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. EricaNovember 7, 2009 at 5:21 AM

    following her blog!

    ReplyDelete
  16. EricaNovember 7, 2009 at 5:22 AM

    following on twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mary ElizabethNovember 7, 2009 at 5:46 AM

    I love that argyle christmas card in with the brown background ... makes me feel all warm inside .. what a great shop! thanks for sharing with us.

    Julie - I love the card you designed for your family - makes my heart melt inside - I love how Joy is so part of your everyday. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mary ElizabethNovember 7, 2009 at 5:49 AM

    I am following her blog now as well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Angie MaeNovember 7, 2009 at 5:49 AM

    I love the Peace, Love, Joy one! I have three pictures for it that would be perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mary ElizabethNovember 7, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    I am following on Twitter now! I love tweets :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. SarahJarnaginNovember 7, 2009 at 5:56 AM

    SO many cute cards! I love the pink and damask birth announcment for my upcoming bundle... I love the snowflake border holiday card for Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  22. SarahJarnaginNovember 7, 2009 at 5:57 AM

    I'm following her on Twitter. My user: sjarnagin

    ReplyDelete
  23. Angie MaeNovember 7, 2009 at 6:02 AM

    Following!

    ReplyDelete
  24. SarahJarnaginNovember 7, 2009 at 6:06 AM

    Following her too!

    ReplyDelete
  25. ~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~November 7, 2009 at 6:34 AM

    I would choose the Christmas design that has the black snowflake border and the red box for the text. Choosing a pretty card is the easy part . . . getting the cute family picture is the challenge. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. RebeccaNovember 7, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    i like the black damask holiday print. these are so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  27. CatherineNovember 7, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    I love the baby announcements, but sadly my baby is 10 months old already and so her announcements have already gone out. I'll have to remember MKL designs for next time!

    I think my favorite is the Love, Joy and Peace card for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 7:16 AM

    I love the brown/blue holiday card! Also, anything blue and red! Love them all!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Melissa AbbyNovember 7, 2009 at 7:17 AM

    I love the colorful snowflake ones!

    ReplyDelete
  30. cNovember 7, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    I like ALL the Christmas designs. The argyle one is fun. It would be hard to pick a favorite. Very nice cards.

    ReplyDelete
  31. KatNovember 7, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    My favorite is the Joy's Hope card that was designed for you. It's so fresh and cheerful.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Allikaye's MamaNovember 7, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    I like the black damask card...and yours!! Need these!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. JeanetteNovember 7, 2009 at 7:44 AM

    Cute shop! My favs are either the polka dot snowflake or the love, joy and peace. Thanks for the chance to win! jeanette at splendidthings.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. JulieNovember 7, 2009 at 7:47 AM

    I like the "Love, joy and Peace" card. It would be perfect for our Christmas cards.

    ReplyDelete
  35. MJ @ 517 CreationsNovember 7, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    I love the black damask holiday card and the brown and blue holiday card...LOVE them!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. RayshaNovember 7, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    I really like the Black Damask Holiday Photo Card.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Tanya November 7, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    I love the Holiday blessings card in red and brown. Actually love all the brown designs for Christmas! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Tanya November 7, 2009 at 8:18 AM

    Following on twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Tanya November 7, 2009 at 8:18 AM

    Following on her blog. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  40. bethanyNovember 7, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    Love the Wonder of Christmas Holiday Photo Card!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. SoSoBellaNovember 7, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    following :O)

    ReplyDelete
  42. SoSoBellaNovember 7, 2009 at 8:28 AM

    I Have to say I think I like yours the best but they are all great. The Happy Holiday one is great too.

    ReplyDelete
  43. AmyNovember 7, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    Love the Merry Merry Holiday one. Wishing I would have found her before I ordered Gretchen's birth announcements.

    ReplyDelete
  44. MJ @ 517 CreationsNovember 7, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    I'm a follower of her blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. VindicitiNovember 7, 2009 at 10:11 AM

    I love the Snowflake Border Card with Red background! It's got the holiday colors (red and green) and snow, which we don't see down here in the south! I miss snow.

    I REALLY love the wording on the Joy's Hope card, though!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. SheybNovember 7, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    I like the Happy Holidays custom photo card. So cute!

    I also like...

    Cursive Christmas
    Damask Border
    Damask Border RED

    Do I seriously have to choose? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  47. SheybNovember 7, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    I already follow Mel on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  48. Lisa HNovember 7, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    I think I like the Charlotte Holiday card the best...but it's hard to decide! They're all so cute! :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. CynthiaNovember 7, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    Ok, i just spent waaay to much time over there trying to decide on my favorite, but i have decided on the Black Damask Holiday Photo Card

    ReplyDelete
  50. CynthiaNovember 7, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    I follow her blog (and yours too!)

    ReplyDelete
  51. CynthiaNovember 7, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    I follow her twitter ;)

    ReplyDelete
  52. AshleyNovember 7, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    I love them all, but my favorite one is yours. The aqua and font are great, but the best is the saying!

    ReplyDelete
  53. AshleyNovember 7, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    I'm a follower of her blog.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Nicole-LynnNovember 7, 2009 at 2:58 PM

    Great giveaway! I love the Joy's Hope Holiday Photo Card! :) The aqua sold me :)

    seasidesmitten@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. LoriNovember 7, 2009 at 3:36 PM

    LOVE the Merry & Bright cards! She's very talented!

    ReplyDelete
  56. LoriNovember 7, 2009 at 3:36 PM

    Follower!

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 4:32 PM

    loving the holiday damask...totally going to do Christmas cards this week...I need to jump on that bandwagon!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    following her blog...got is saved to my favs!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. LeighNovember 7, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    I love the Merry and Bright Holiday Card!

    leighdusek@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. LeighNovember 7, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    I am now a follower...

    leighdusek@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. LynetteNovember 7, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    I love "Holiday Blessings!"

    ReplyDelete
  62. LynetteNovember 7, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    following!

    ReplyDelete
  63. KimNovember 7, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    Victoria baby announcement is too cute, and I love the colored snowflake, and the Black Damask holiday ones too- So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Karin SchuellerNovember 7, 2009 at 6:33 PM

    love love love the baby shower invite in pink and green!!! the argyle one is a close second. gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Karin SchuellerNovember 7, 2009 at 6:34 PM

    Following her blogarooni...

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 6:57 PM

    I love the snowflake border photo card in red. ADORABLE!
    What a talented woman!

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 6:57 PM

    I am following her blog!

    ReplyDelete
  68. AnonymousNovember 7, 2009 at 6:57 PM

    I am following her on twitter! Huzzah!

    ReplyDelete
  69. AshleyNovember 7, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    I am now a follower of Mel! Yay

    ReplyDelete
  70. AshleyNovember 7, 2009 at 7:30 PM

    I follow her on twitter now

    agarrett22

    ReplyDelete
  71. AshleyNovember 7, 2009 at 7:30 PM

    My favorite holiday christmas card is the colorful snowflakes.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Beth RobertsNovember 7, 2009 at 8:05 PM

    LOVE the snowflake border with black background. SO cute!

    tbmroberts at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. ragamuffinbeautiesNovember 7, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    following...by the way my Momma's b-day is 11.13, maybe I'll get lucky! woot, woot!

    ReplyDelete
  74. ragamuffinbeautiesNovember 7, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    LOVE yall's...is that okay, or weird?!

    ReplyDelete
  75. LynetteNovember 7, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    I actually love the Joys Hope card!

    ReplyDelete
  76. LynetteNovember 7, 2009 at 9:05 PM

    Following the blog!

    ReplyDelete
  77. nursenickiNovember 7, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    I LOVE the Peace & LOVE card :) Thanks for a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  78. EllenNovember 7, 2009 at 11:54 PM

    I love the Merry and Bright card. I wish she could take my pictures. I love your card in her site too. So sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  79. EllenNovember 7, 2009 at 11:56 PM

    I visited her blog too. I want to be able to take pics like that!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Beki - TheRustedChainNovember 8, 2009 at 6:53 AM

    Love the polka dot snowflake.

    You have the BEST giveaways!

    Oh and I follow her on twitter too. Because I follow only rad people.

    ReplyDelete
  81. DaniNovember 8, 2009 at 9:55 AM

    Love the 3 picture holiday card...but I just had a baby girl and love the bright polkadot baby announcement. So hard to choose!!!

    ReplyDelete
  82. DenissaNovember 8, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    This is a hard choice...I love the polka dot snowflake, and the Joy's Hope! :)

    ReplyDelete
  83. TheFancyFritterNovember 8, 2009 at 5:56 PM

    I like the black & white damask holiday card! So classic! :)

    Thanks!

    thefancyfritter@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. TheFancyFritterNovember 8, 2009 at 6:01 PM

    I'm a follower of her blog & left some comment love! :) Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  85. TheFancyFritterNovember 8, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    Following her on Twitter! (stacygibbs)

    ReplyDelete
  86. Mrs. HNovember 8, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    BIG fan of the monogram birth announcement - making this a favorite to remember for my one-on-the-way!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Mrs. HNovember 8, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    Now following her on Twitter (I'm hmommy).

    ReplyDelete
  88. Ms MaeNovember 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    I like the snowflake photo design. Think that can be tweaked to make a birth announcemtn too?

    ReplyDelete
  89. mrstolliNovember 8, 2009 at 8:03 PM

    I LOVE the black damask holiday photo card!!!

    ReplyDelete
  90. LaceyNovember 8, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Love the peace, love, and candy canes and the polka dot snowflakes!!! So fuN! I can't wait for Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  91. LaceyNovember 8, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Follower of her blog!! Added to my favorites too!

    ReplyDelete
  92. JenNovember 9, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    i love the happy holidays with the snowflakes.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Stephanie C.November 9, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    Nearly impossible to choose a favorite! But right now my favorites are the Polka Dot Snowflake holiday card and the colorful snowflake holiday card. I think...

    ReplyDelete
  94. Stephanie C.November 9, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    following on twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHYNovember 9, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    I LOVE the Black Damask Holiday Photo card!! I love damask stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHYNovember 9, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    I am now following her blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHYNovember 9, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    also following her on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  98. LauraNovember 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    YOUR DESIGN is my favorite!!!!!!!!! LOVE the COLOR! And love that the mention of JESUS is ON THE CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHRISTMAS IS HIS BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    LOVE IT.

    ReplyDelete
  99. LauraNovember 9, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    I am following, and the pumpkin bread is about to go in the oven (not really....but maybe later...)

    ReplyDelete
  100. LauraNovember 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    uh oh...I am a twitter virgin...do I need to start twittering...I really do want these cards...

    ReplyDelete
  101. Heather | Cookie MondaysNovember 9, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    my fave has to be the joy's hope! how can you resist turquoise and polka dots?

    ReplyDelete
  102. Heather | Cookie MondaysNovember 9, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    following her blog!

    ReplyDelete
  103. Heather | Cookie MondaysNovember 9, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    definitely my twitter friend!

    ReplyDelete
  104. SarahNovember 10, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    There are so many beautiful cards its too hard to just pick one, but I really like the Victoria Birth Announcement. :)

    ReplyDelete
  105. SarahNovember 10, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    Following her on Twitter! :) sarahbelle528

    ReplyDelete
  106. AnonymousNovember 11, 2009 at 11:43 PM

    My fave:
    Simple 2 Picture Holiday Photo Card

    ashley
    jepeuxetsy @ yahoo .com

    ReplyDelete