Aurora Wings Heartfelt Thanks

A new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings and the theme is Heartfelt Thanks.  It seems quite fitting with the holidays fast approaching.  The weather has been gorgeous here and I wanted to keep the Autumn feel, so I chose the adorable Acorn Sprite and Acorn Sprite Riding on a Squirrel.

I stepped outside my comfort zone and decided to tackle coloring fur.  Normally I either flock it or sort of blend the colors without much texture, but thought this squirrel deserved better.  This free tutorial on Deviant Art was quite helpful. Although it focuses on digital coloring, the general techniques still apply, like the under painting and making sure you follow the direction of the fur when filling in the fine individual hair details.  I used a combination of Copics and Prismacolor pencils and am pretty pleased for a first attempt.

Acorn Sprite was also colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped atop the frame. I flipped him in my Printmaster program so he'd  be facing the squirrel.  Aren't they just darling?

The frames were cut with my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four and popped from the card base.  The sentiment was computer generated and the gold accents are stickers by Starform and Stampendous.  My AW DT sisters have done exquisite work, as always, so please visit the Challenge Blog for amazing inspiration.  Our winners for "A Touch of Darkness" are posted below and there's still time to enter our Special "All Gored Up" challenge which runs through October 31st.  Be sure to read the rules on this one.  We're looking to be terrified!  For the more timid, we also have the Colors of Halloween Contest, also running through October 31st on the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.

I'm entering this in Paper Pretties Friendship, Art by Miran ATG, A Gem of a Challenge Create a Scene, Aud Sentiments ATG w/a Sentiment, Great Impressions October Autumnal Elegance, Word Art Wednesdays ATG w/ ODBD, Crafting Musketeers October Autumn Colors, Simon Says Monday ATG and My Sheri Crafts Autumn Abundance.