MBC Design Studio

Visit the Plasticquarium

2011-03-31T16:22:00.010-05:00

I love how artists can take ugly, nasty, trash and create something beautiful. Something so cool, I would actually buy these and hang them on my wall. These were found via Something To Say. The artist is David Edgar and he sells these on Etsy and also on his website, Plasticquarium. Stop by and see what's on display!

I haven't posted in 2 years??? Is it me or Mayhem?

2011-03-28T18:43:00.001-05:00

So I haven't posted in 2 years?? What's up with that? I think Mayhem is responsible. Love these AllState commercials...I guess it's time I get back in the driver's seat.

Inspire Me Thursday: Cupcake

2009-08-26T09:35:00.003-05:00

Yummy collage cupcake for Inspiration Thursday. Used a torn-up Dr. Seuss page for the icing and old recipes for the rest with a Sharpie for line definition. And because the kids' glitter was out already, why not use some for the flame. Mmmm.

Illustration Friday: Caution

2009-08-21T15:35:00.004-05:00

The prompt for this week was "caution". Maybe my interpretation is more "danger", but I was thinking, "If you see a bloody handprint on the wall you need to exercise extreme "caution".

Who's Your Daddy?

2009-08-17T15:13:00.001-05:00

Saw this Minute Maid commercial and it almost made me spit out my drink.

Let Your Love Flow...

2009-08-13T11:48:00.003-05:00

Love, love this inspiring Toyota Prius commercial. Great concept coupled with amazing visuals. I'd be interested in seeing how the commercial was made.

Edge of Motherhood Cards

2009-08-12T12:21:00.003-05:00

Found these cards on Design Mom and they truly speak to me. Maybe they will speak to you as well. This line of cards is "Edge of Motherhood" by Hallmark. These are hilarious as is..OR...on some of them you can edit the text on the front or inside. How cool is that? So when you're feeling "on edge", you now have a card that says what you feel.

Illustration Friday: Seed

2008-05-04T18:50:00.003-05:00

This is melted crayon, like I have done before (search "crayon" on this blog to see other works) on recycled cardboard. When I thought of "seed", I thought of conception. This is my take on the prompt. :-)

Illustration Friday: Wrinkle

2008-04-30T10:50:00.003-05:00

The prompt at Illustration Friday is "Wrinkle". This is a continuous line drawing where I tried not to pick up my pen. Different from a blind contour in that I looked at it the entire time. When I heard the theme was "wrinkle" it made me think of the other day when my mother pointed out I was getting a frown line between my eyes, "just like hers". Wasn't that sweet? Now that's all I can look at when I look in the mirror.

Inspire Me Thursday: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2008-04-19T20:21:00.004-05:00

These are collaged pieces of boxes that can't be recycled in our community. I've been wanting to use them in collages and now have an excuse in Inspire Me Thursday's prompt, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".

Inspire Me Thursday: Envelope

2008-04-18T16:04:00.003-05:00

The prompt at Inspire Me Thursday is: Envelope. This also deals with the "Envelope" theme from last week. I've been using scraps of old paper or in this case old receipts and tags to form a base for the sketches I've been doing. Then I add paint to add to the texture but always allowing the base to show through. I really like the effect.

Dude

2008-04-17T12:55:00.002-05:00

I'm so out of touch with tv right now I've just come across the "Dude" commercials for Bud Light. Love them! If you haven't seen the Vegas version of "Dude", here it is for your entertainment.

Illustration Friday: Fail

2008-04-15T16:44:00.002-05:00

I never actually "failed" math until college (Statistics was a bugger) but Math has never been a good friend. P.S. I eventually passed.

Letterpress Type

2008-04-15T16:09:00.002-05:00

Found these two Etsy sellers that have wooden letterpress type. They have great shops for a letterpress junkie. Angie Pea and The Type Junkie.

Project Inspiration

2008-04-14T21:59:00.003-05:00

Found these awesome type drawers with found elements placed inside the compartments over at Sweet Nothings via 52 Projects. Love this idea. I've got two of these type drawers I picked up at flea markets because I knew I'd find something to do with them. Problem solved.

Bits of Inspiration...

2008-04-14T11:53:00.001-05:00

Artist: Linzie Hunter
Found via Black Eiffel via czina likes.

Look Up At The Sky

2008-04-14T11:49:00.003-05:00

Photography by Lisa Rienemann, found via czina likes.

Wonderful Vintage

2008-04-14T09:57:00.004-05:00

Love this baby announcement I found at a flea market. You can't tell but it's only 4" x 3". Looks like it's from the 50s. The package of 12 is for sale at my Etsy shop.

Stormy Weather...

2008-04-10T19:04:00.002-05:00

Big storms brewing in the middle of the country. Here's the view from our part of the country. We've had tornado watches and flash flood warnings all day long. I really shouldn't be on the computer, I guess. :-)

Illustration Friday: Save

2008-04-09T15:18:00.004-05:00

Illustration Friday's challenge is "Save". Collage from "saved" ephemera and a marker sketch of "saving for a rainy day".

Inspire Me Thursday: Two

2008-03-29T13:58:00.003-05:00

The theme at Inspire Me Thursday is "Two". I collaged vintage ephemera in male and female images on the front and back of a shipping tag. I thought using the front and back of the tag enforced the opposites of the man and woman, even if the imagery is archaic and outdated rather than contemporary.

Photo Friday: Emotions

2008-03-28T22:10:00.004-05:00

Remember when you were little and on impulse you grabbed a red marker and colored over your entire body "just because"? My entry for Photo Friday's "Emotions" is "Creativity".

Awesome Ads...

2008-03-28T21:37:00.001-05:00

Wonderful ads for Luxor highlighters. Found via Design Crush.

PhotoSharks: Furniture

2008-03-22T15:06:00.002-05:00

On Photosharks, the challenge is "Furniture". Just a walk in spring on a pretty brick pathway with park benches along the way to let you stop and rest.

Photo Friday: Found Objects

2008-03-22T11:55:00.001-05:00

On Photo Friday, the challenge is "Found Objects". This relief was found on a tombstone over 100 years old in a little cemetary we found while hiking.

Easy Origami

2008-03-21T21:20:00.004-05:00

This is so cool. I found this via sk*rt. How to make an easy origami star. I love them. The makers of the origami star are K. Werner Design.

Illustration Friday: Heavy

2008-03-19T18:05:00.001-05:00

Illustration Friday entry for "Heavy". I've been eating lots of turkey and chicken for a good long while. So, a big, fat, beefy hamburger is definitely "heavy" to me.

Inspire Me Thursday: Inkblot

2008-03-19T16:12:00.002-05:00

Over at Inspire Me Thursday, the theme is "Inkblot". You were to use an inkblot and add to it to create your entry. My inkblot was all the black on the page except the whiskers and ears. I turned this thing every which way before the "Jacked Up Rabbit" came into view. I started out with my paper collage that I'm liking to use right now and then I blotted out the original inkblot to be more of a faint impression. I turned this thing every which way before the "Jacked Up Rabbit" came into view after the addition of eyes, nose, teeth and ears. Happy early Easter!

Artists for Obama

2008-03-18T22:11:00.003-05:00

Found via "Drawn". If you like Obama, this art print by Shepard Fairey is a great one to collect or display. You can buy it here.

Photo Friday: The Good Life

2008-03-17T20:41:00.001-05:00

Pretty simple pleasures: A nice day, a cold beverage and some hot crawfish! Sounds like the good life to me.

A Little Luck To You

2008-03-17T19:45:00.001-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Talking Stain

2008-03-11T11:48:00.003-05:00

Enjoy this commercial. It always catches my attention, even when I'm in another room.

Inspire Me Thursday: Kitchen

2008-03-10T22:09:00.002-05:00

Remember that 70s commercial for a certain perfume, was it called "Enjolie"? Anyway, I remember singing it around the house when I was little: "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never, ever let you forget you're a man! Cause I'm a woman!" This is my tribute. :-)

More Obama Swag...

2008-03-08T16:12:00.003-06:00

Thank you to the Brighter Fusion blog for linking here to share the Obama logos in vector. Also go there to find links to these neat Obama posters, available free for download.

Snowfall in March, finally.

2008-03-07T18:34:00.002-06:00

We finally get our snow...in March. I love it. It was the great "crunch" when you walk snow that makes GREAT snowballs. We had a great time. Is anyone else out there weird about messing up the perfect snow? A part of me hates to walk around in it and "mess it up". Hopefully the way it was falling it filled in the mess we made with clean snow.

Cool Caps

2008-03-06T23:53:00.003-06:00

1. my bottlecap collection, 2. 001 / Red Rice Beer*, 3. 002 / Blue Moon, 4. 003 / Killian's Red, 5. 004 / Mike's Hard Lemonade, 6. 005 / mystery cap, 7. 006 / Craftbrewed Quality, 8. 007 / the Switch*, 9. 008 / Fitz's, 10. 009 / RED POP*, 11. 010 / Lemon Soda*, 12. 011 / Grilli Lemon Soda*, 13. 012 / Bavaria, 14. 013 / Samuel Adams Brewmasters, 15. 014 / Woodpecker Hard Cider*, 16. 015 / Miller Chill
Wonderfully graphic bottle cap collection found on Flickr.com via Drawn!. These would look great framed together. I love all the different designs.

Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE

2008-03-05T13:32:00.003-06:00

So I have A LOT of cardboard that can't be recycled in our community (cereal boxes, pop-tart boxes, basically any kind of box that isn't corrugated), I can't bear to throw it away so it sits in my supply closet. So recently I was inspired by K. Barteski at I Love Life and her paintings on used materials like coffee holders and I decided I would reuse my cardboard to paint on each day. My first day, what to paint? Why the girls on The View, of course. :-) Which box to use? I think a piece from a donut box fits the theme quite nicely.

Take a Leap...

2008-02-29T22:11:00.004-06:00

My collage for "Leap". I used vintage catalogs and illustrations with bits and pieces of old papers. Then I sketched some modern day computer influences on top. It's amazing the "leap" in technology that we have gone through in society in a relatively short amount of time.

PhotoSharks: Games

2008-02-29T12:37:00.001-06:00

The Race. Ready, set, GO!

Photo Friday: Fuzzy

2008-02-29T00:12:00.000-06:00

Feathers are kind of "fuzzy", right?

Pollock Inspired

2008-02-27T20:27:00.003-06:00

Over at Inspire Me Thursday the challenge is "action painting". Kind of like a Jackson Pollock inspired creation. Here's my Pollock inspired study that I did for fun. It's done with melted crayon. Very fun to do. I remembered doing this when I was young in art class and thought it would be perfect for this challenge. All you need is a lighted candle and some crayons. It's takes a little time to determine how long to hold the crayon over the flame for the amount of drips or crayon softness you desire.

Graphic Design Bar Returns!

2008-02-20T17:54:00.002-06:00

After a long holiday break, Graphic Design Bar returns! It's a great read for graphic design professionals and anyone interested in design. Graphic Design Bar covers everything from funky fonts to cool Flickr sets to anything in between. If you've never read their blog, go check it out.

Illustration Friday: Theory

2008-02-15T14:18:00.004-06:00

Watercolor Sketch
My entry for Illustration Friday, the Theory of Fireworks.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-13T20:26:00.004-06:00

Found this great site via The Biggie Blog. Go make some valentine's hearts and give a homemade valentine this year!

Photo Friday: What Is It?

2008-02-11T16:02:00.000-06:00

Hiking through a sea of brown, we came upon this bright, green moss contrasted against the dead leaves. So pretty, yet unexpected.

Yes, We Can!

2008-02-03T22:33:00.000-06:00

When you go out to vote on Super Tuesday, just remember...Yes, We Can! "The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich vs. poor, young vs. old. And it is not about black vs. white. This election is about the past vs. the future. It's about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation, a politics of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity." Yes, We Can.

Illustration Friday: Blanket

2008-02-02T08:57:00.000-06:00

Obama in Vector

2008-01-30T09:34:00.000-06:00

I've noticed my site is getting hits from google on people trying to find a "Barack Obama Logo" in vector. I've found out a place where you can download it. There are legal stipulations in how it can be used so download with caution. You can find it here and another style layout here. I'm sure you could also find Hillary's logo in vector as well, but why would you want it? :-)

Photo Friday: The Machine

2008-01-26T21:44:00.000-06:00

An early calculator machine.

Where I Wish I Was Right Now...

2008-01-24T18:04:00.000-06:00

— MBC, Watercolor and Oil pastel sketch
On a beach watching a sunset in 90 degree weather. It's finally getting really cold and it's chilling me to my bones. Kind of reminds me of a Key West sunset.

Thursday Challenge: Small

2008-01-20T14:15:00.001-06:00

Looking down from the ferris wheel during our annual fall trip to the fair. Favorite ride? Mine's the "Scrambler", what's yours?

Photographing Snowflakes

2008-01-20T13:57:00.000-06:00

Photo by Kenneth Libbrecht
Found via Something to Say. Kenneth Libbrecht photos of snowflakes are inspirational. Go by and take a look.

Photo Friday: Mountain

2008-01-16T20:28:00.000-06:00

What looks like tree roots to a human is a colossal mountain to an ant. It's all in your perspective.

Put Your Heart In It

2008-01-15T12:36:00.000-06:00

Through a blogger search I found the Black Eiffel blog. She's having a Valentine contest. Email her your most favorite creative Valentine before February 8 and they will be judged by her readers. Sounds like fun. I always enjoy a good homemade valentine.

My New Flip

2008-01-13T15:28:00.000-06:00

I've been hearing great things about the Flip video and I'm seeing firsthand how wonderful it is. It will not replace a regular camcorder for special occasions, but it is so nice to carry around to archive and share short, everyday memories to keep for posterity. So easy to use, just pop out the USB arm and upload to your computer to save or share with friends.

Thursday Challenge: Anything

2008-01-12T16:07:00.000-06:00

Every year when we drive down to Florida I say I'm going to take a picture of the "gigantic, metal rooster". I finally did it this past summer. I wish I knew the artist's name. This rooster sits outside his studio. It's bigger than a car. I love it.

Catchy Commercials

2008-01-12T13:24:00.000-06:00

Love the commercials by freecreditreport.com. Just saw this one today and I stopped what I was doing to listen to the whole thing. They've also got one called, "The Singing Pirates". I'm not sure if this is the actual band that's singing the commercials or just actors. If you know more info. let me know. Enjoy the commercial if you haven't seen it.

Obama Logo for Everyone

2008-01-09T11:28:00.000-06:00

As you can see in the right sidebar, I'm an Obama supporter. I'm also a big fan of his logo. See how the designer(s) adapted the logo for these different groups relative to his campaign. Very clever. Visit speakup and see them all. If you need a vector version you can find it here and another style layout here.

Photo Friday: Passage of Time

2008-01-07T22:03:00.000-06:00

This painted ad itself is old enough, but you can still see a ghosted image of the Coca Cola logo that might have been there earlier.

Hitting The Backroads

2008-01-07T18:31:00.000-06:00

A good telephoto lens would help out this photo a lot, but I had to use what I had. Out driving on some back country dirt roads we came across this enormous flock of snow geese hanging out on a flooded farm field. They were so loud. We saw so many ducks and geese, probably resting from a busy hunting day.

Bloody Design

2008-01-05T22:55:00.001-06:00

Artwork by Colle-McVoy
Can you find the 25 hidden design terms in the artwork? If so, you will when a free poster! Great game and it took me many trys to get them all but I finally did it. Found via designerd.blogspot.com.

Test Your Art Knowledge

2008-01-04T17:02:00.000-06:00

Found this over at howaboutorange.blogspot.com. I too, just missed one and was amazed I did that good. Even after all the Art History, it was such a loooong time ago. Try your art knowledge here.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T21:07:00.000-06:00

If you miss out on your New Year's fireworks, here's a video to show you what you missed. Happy New Year! See you in 2008!

Thursday Challenge: Broken

2007-12-28T15:57:00.000-06:00

Broken or vandalized tombstone in century-old cemetary.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T02:59:00.001-06:00

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday!

Photo Friday: Best of 2007

2007-12-22T16:32:00.000-06:00

This has to be my best of 2007. Standing at the "Top of the Rock" in Rockefeller Plaza looking at the Empire State building and down at New York City on the second day of January, 2007 on my 10th wedding anniversary trip.

LensDay: Futuristic

2007-11-29T21:02:00.001-06:00

A very futuristic and at the same time retro robot visited us on Halloween!

Snow Miser vs. Heat Miser

2007-11-28T22:55:00.000-06:00

Every year in December I look forward to all those stop motion animated Christmas specials. My favorite is "The Year Without a Santa Claus" (It first aired in 1974). I love the Snow Miser and Heat Miser duel. Those songs are great. Here's a link to find out more about them. You know I've got all these movies on DVD, but there's something about watching them on tv that makes it better—even with the commercial breaks.

Thursday Challenge: Happy

2007-11-28T21:38:00.000-06:00

Photo Friday: Two

2007-11-28T13:49:00.000-06:00

Two thankful hands.

The Last Rose

2007-11-11T14:35:00.000-06:00

In our yard, fall is definitely here so I was surprised to find two roses still alive. I like the combination of the pink rose against the backdrop of fallen leaves.

PhotoSharks: Body

2007-11-10T20:07:00.000-06:00

Photo Friday: Dangerous

2007-11-10T15:41:00.000-06:00

Tuesday Challenge: Blue

2007-10-23T20:44:00.000-05:00

Kimono Inspiration!

2007-10-22T21:14:00.001-05:00

Seasonal Glories of the Old Capital, originally uploaded by mboogiedown.

After viewing kimonos at Yamatoku Vintage Kimonos via Something to Say, I searched and found more wonderful kimonos. Kimono Etcetera is a Flickr group with great shots of kimonos of all colors and this photo from mboogiedown on Flickr is an awesome example of her Japan related photography—definitely a must see.

Home Sweet Home

2007-10-14T22:03:00.001-05:00

"Home Sweet Home", a wonderful animation short by Gillian O'Connor. Found via "Drawn!".

Lensday: Roadside

2007-10-10T14:08:00.001-05:00

Things are often much more interesting off the beaten path. My fear is that in the near future everything will look the same as small towns and roadside joints all become chain stores, will be updated or mowed down. I love the character in these older roadside businesses.

Tuesday Challenge: Garden

2007-10-09T18:36:00.001-05:00

Thursday Challenge: Autumn

2007-10-07T17:46:00.000-05:00

Neat Nightlight

2007-10-01T08:46:00.000-05:00

Sunlight in a vintage mason jar. What a neat idea. I'd also like to see "fireflies" in a jar done this same way. Found via Something to Say. Purchase this gem from Bouf Super Boutique.

Wonderful Lego Ads

2007-09-29T21:29:00.000-05:00

These ads for Lego are great. Why do I love these Lego ads? The simplicity, the colors, the negative space, and the great concept that is truly unique. See more here. Found via Graphic Design Bar.

Forget Mr. Potato Head. Try Mr. Picasso Head.

2007-09-25T18:06:00.000-05:00

I had found this site awhile back and lost the link. If you have time to spare, go create a "Mr. Picasso Head".

PhotoSharks: Blur

2007-09-24T21:59:00.000-05:00

Photo Friday: The Beach

2007-09-24T20:06:00.000-05:00

The perfect beach...quiet, secluded, tranquil and natural.

Illustration Friday: Wedding

2007-09-15T20:35:00.000-05:00

Ok, here was my thought process. I started out thinking "bridezilla" and then realized I wanted to do a female King Kong instead of a godzilla bride. Same concept without the snappy name.

Pizza Moustache

2007-09-14T22:53:00.000-05:00

I know. ANOTHER Youtube? But I love this commercial. If I wasn't being calorie conscious right now I would definitely run out and get a Dominoe's Oreo Dessert Pizza. The spot is hilarious and the product looks YUMMY. Makes me laugh every time. Has anyone had it? Any good?

Showing My Age

2007-09-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

On this Friday night, for some reason I started thinking about the old "Schoolhouse Rock" segments from Saturday morning. These were so great. Entertaining and educational. This is the one showing "No More Kings". Brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it. :-) We even have them all on videotape. Ahhh...good times. Enjoy.

LensDay: Home

2007-09-12T20:05:00.000-05:00

A home for birds, ants, insects, bats, squirrels...you get the idea.

Tuesday Challenge: Rock

2007-09-12T19:47:00.000-05:00

Between a rock and a hard place and somewhere in between.

Thursday Challenge: School

2007-09-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

First day of school.

Design Gangsta...

2007-09-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

This is great. Got to see the gangsta for yourself...

Thursday Challenge: Outside

2007-09-10T21:16:00.000-05:00

Simply described as a throwback to Key West in the 1950s—Apalachicola, Florida.

Photo Friday: Purple

2007-09-08T20:35:00.000-05:00

I love hydrangeas.

The Many Lives of a Graphic Designer

2007-09-08T19:06:00.000-05:00

Love, love, love this poster print of "the bittersweet journey of the many lives of a graphic designer". Some of the great lines sprinkled throughout: "beat up your client in a meeting", "become a sculptor", "start a design blog", and many more you need to read yourself to appreciate. If anything, it shows how many paths a graphic designer can take during their career and some comical mishaps that could happen along the way. You can purchase a copy of this poster through johnson banks. Found via Black. White. Bliss.

Get Smorty With Your Blog!

2007-09-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

We heard you like to blog. You also appreciate money as well...like most people do. Why not combine the two and get paid for blogging. Smorty is a service that connects advertisers with bloggers. When you sign up with Smorty they analyze your blog and send you advertising campaigns for products or services that would appeal to people that read your blog. Think of it as getting paid for your opinion. Then you write a post on your blog if you accept the campaign. Accept or decline a campaign, it's up to you. Smorty pays you through Paypal if your post is accepted. Depending on your blog's rating and the campaign that's chosen, you can receive a minimum of $6 or up to $100 for a higher level campaign. You get paid weekly for each post after it's approved. It sounds like a great concept and a win-win opportunity for the blogger, the advertiser and the reader. Sign me up!

PhotoSharks: Clean

2007-09-06T14:02:00.000-05:00

Photosharks: Plastic

2007-09-03T10:33:00.000-05:00

Once you start thinking about everything that's made from plastic the list goes on forever. Once I read this article, "Our Oceans Are Turning To Plastic—Are We?" I decided to rethink what I buy and how it is packaged.

Thursday Challenge: Yellow

2007-09-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

Black-eyed Susans which are dead now from the summer heat made a nice showing earlier in the summer.

Tuesday Challenge: Paper

2007-08-29T16:47:00.000-05:00

Give a child some red, yellow and blue paint with a clean sheet of paper and their work of art is only limited by their imagination.