New Double Release Showcase for Aurora Wings

Mitzi, artist extraordinaire of Aurora Wings, has done it again with a fabulous Double Showcase of fantasy and magic.  I have the pleasure of joining the Showcase team to introduce Jellyfish Sprite, available HERE in jpg and HERE in no background png.  Could she be any sweeter?  Her detailed frilliness called for the girliest of colors. In my mind she just HAD to be pink (at least this time) and with her flowing tentacles floating about like ribbons, I immediately thought of the most important pink ribbon of all...that of Breast Cancer Awareness.  The beautiful pink crinkle ribbon here is from DL.Art.  The sentiment "Hope floats" seemed perfect for the digi AND the cause.

Here's a closeup of Jellyfish Sprite.  She's colored with Copics, mainly R81, R83, and R85, with a little RV 52.  Fussy cutting this intricate design was a bit of a challenge, but I suggest always cutting the small interior portions first with your craft knife and then cutting outwards from the center, without removing the excess paper until a section is finished.  If and area seems stuck, go over the it again instead of trying to pull it away, or you may end up ripping off a portion of the image.

Here's a side view on the tent card.  The window was cut with Spellbinders Labels Seventeen.  I've recolored some digital paper from Gecko Galz La Isla Bonita pack pink, in my printing program, and added some Skittles (remember those?) as dimensional bubbles.  The computer generated sentiment was cut with a Spellbinders Circle over a Beaded Circle I've embellished with pearls.

The other release is totally different in character, but just as lovely.  Stunning, really.  Be sure to visit the Showcase Blog to see the amazing projects. (Nope, no hints.  Go LOOK!)

Here's a weekend Coupon code for Etsy only.

And a fabulous Gift with Purchase available through Oct. 9th and good at either shop.

And just a little reminder:  Today is the last day to enter our FB contest, All things Autumn and tomorrow our For Men & Boys Blog challenge ends at 11:55 pm EDT.  Hope to see you there.

Here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Time Out Breast Cancer Awareness or Friendship w/optional twist use pink, Craft Rocket Ribbon and/or Lace, Simon Says Stamp ATG, Deep Ocean Challenge ATG, TTRCD Sept 26-Oct 3rd, Crafting from the Heart #129 ATG, 613 Avenue Create September ATG, the Corrosive September ATG, Inspiration Destination ATG, Creative Fingers ATG#117 ATG, Not Just Cards ATG, the Alphabet Challenge "P" for Pretty in Pink, Cut it Up challenge Pink or Breast Cancer Awareness, QKR Stampede Cut it Up, Crafty Girls Creations ATG, Crafty Ribbons Use Ribbon or Lace, Creative Crafts Creations ATG, Artistic Inspirations ATG, Di's Digi Designs Ribbon, Lace or Twine and Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG.

#623 Miss Strange Kitty

Told ya I'd be back.  Here's the second new release I'm showcasing today for the fabulous Sandra Caldwell.  Meet #623 Miss Strange Kitty.  EEEK!  Halloween AND kitties!  Be still my heart.  She does look a bit disturbed.  I think her friends are driving her batty.  I rarely color animals in colors that don't occur in nature but she sort of begged for it, don'tcha think?  Had a ball creating a night sky and found the purrfect star and moon DP that brought out her complexion.  The cool sentiment is a sticker from JoLee's and I've added one rogue epoxy bat to the corner.

Here's #623 Miss Strange Kitty's Glamour Shot.  LOL  Gotta say I was thrilled that the purple photographed well.  I did add quite the combo of V and RV Copics (too many to list, and I never keep track anyway, sorry) to keep her from just looking blue to the camera.  The majority of the brights are from the fluorescent range of Copics (including the darkest purple) and are fun to work with, especially for Halloween.  Bwa hahaha!

Check out Sandra's Etsy Shop (babycakednd) to see all the new stamps (it's a double release) or get a sneak peek on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page to see some cool projects with what's coming up today.  Be sure to scroll down to see the other kitty I'm showcasing today, too.

I'm entering SUYP #10 (Cat's only Challenge)  Furrything Goes, DL.Art September Linky party, Your Scrapbook Place ATG and The Outlawz Monday Greetings ATG Challenge.

New Release from Sandra Caldwell

It's double release day from Sandra Caldwell today and both my cards involve KITTIES!  You  know I love me me some kitties, so here's my first called #1042 Cat and Mouse Two.  I surrounded the kitty with more mice I punched with punches from Martha Stewart and used bright DP from Heidi Grace.  I figured you could interpret the punny sentiment two different ways, either "More than a housefull"( obviously a full house with all those mice running around), hence the row of houses on the DP, or "More than a mouth full" since he's got his tongue out and that mouse on his head looks pretty yummy.  Goliath and Jezebel prefer the second.  LOL

Here's a closeup of #1042 Cat and Mouse Two.  I've colored with Copics and added fur detail with my Prismacolor pencils.  Check out the Shop with lots and lots more new stamps.  WooHoo!  I'm posting my cards separately because there are some challenges I want to enter with both.

Yea!  I'm entering SUYP #10 (Cat's only Challenge)  Furrything Goes, DL.Art September Linky party, The Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode ATG Challenge, the Corrosive Challenge ATG, LTSCB #86 ATG, Your Scrapbook Place ATG and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends ATG.

Fall Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

I've been seeing my friends participate in the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and decided to join in too.  I immediately thought of #499 Caffeine Hippo by Sandra Caldwell.  She makes me laugh.  I'd sworn off coffee for several years (we drink the REALLY heavy duty stuff and I didn't like the way it stained my teeth) but eventually I went off the wagon.  I'm now the poster child for oral hygiene and my multi phased approach and pearly whites have earned me the praise and adoration of my hygienist and doctor.  Honestly, they were SHOCKED that I was imbibing again. (Oh, if ONLY I'd have my wisdom teeth removed they'd love me 4EVAH).

Anyway, Caffeine Hippo looks like she has the major jitters after cup 3.  Funny how I never got any major buzz before, nor withdrawal symptoms when I stopped, but now my friends can tell just how many cups I've had when we talk on the phone.  LOL 

I've used the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch for this week and digital paper and frames for Caffeine Hippo.  The ribbon from my stash looked like the yummy crema on top of my cup every morning.  UMMMmm....  I wasn't exactly sure how to make this a "Fall" coffee card so I used leaf brads at the ends of the ribbon.

Here's a closeup of #499 Caffeine Hippo. I colored her and her empty cups with Copics, in the warm colors of Fall, to further the theme.  Now I think I'll go have a cuppa.  Happy Day!

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge and the DL.Art "Fall" Challenge. 

The Outlawz Freebie/Progressive Challenge

This is my second month playing in the Outlawz Freebie/Progressive challenge and September's image is this adorable Sunflower Mouse from Di's Digi Stamps. I'm not sure if he was drawn especially for the Outlawz, but you can find tons of adorable mice from Di HERE, in her shop, or quickly join the Progressive Challenge to request this image.  You have 'til the end of the month to finish a project and then you'll get the next month's freebie with which to play.  Usually I don't plan my papers prior to coloring, but this time I did, but then couldn't find the paper I had in mind.  (Big surprise!)  Luckily I came across this Designer Mat Pad from K&Co with a bicycle basket of sunflowers and the perfect place to perch the little mouse.  WooHoo! Hadn't really planned to fussy cut him either, (but hey, ya do what ya gotta do) and popped him right on there and added a little twine bow from DL.Art so I could also enter it in Di's Digi Design Challenge.  I cropped the mat to a square for my card and cut off 2 butterflies from the top so I fussy cut one of them to add as well.

Here's a closeup of Sunflower Mouse.  He's colored with Copics and I've added some shading and fur detail with Prismacolor pencils.  

I'm adding him to the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday "Fall" challenge (It's actually also a Thank you card.  The inside says "Thanks a bunch!"), and Di's Digi Design Ribbon, Lace and/or Twine challenge.

"Leaf Me Alone" for The East Wind

It's time for a new FB contest at The East Wind, and our fitting theme this month is "Leaf Me Alone", so we want to see leaves, either in the image, the DP, or embellishments.  Since tomorrow is the first day of Autumn in the northern hemisphere, I chose the gorgeous Aurora 'Maple' for my project.  I can't wait until the leaves start to turn.  It's truly my favorite time of year.  I pulled a number of seasonal colored papers from my stash and added a Prima flower, silk leaf and die cut twig wreath.  The sentiment is a sticker from???

Here's a closeup of the beautiful Aurora 'Maple'. She's colored with Copics with just a touch of shading from Prismacolor Pencils and I've used a Spellbinders Grand Oval to cut her out.  Be sure to visit The East Wind FB Group to view my teamies' inspirations and please come play along.  This contest runs through October 17th and don't forget, a new digi is released every Tuesday and Friday in the Group as well.  Our current Blog challenge, I Like to Move it, Move it!  is so fun and creative so be sure to stop by there as well.  

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, 613 Avenue Create ATG/Colors of Fall, Creative Moments ATG/Fall Colors, Inspiration Destination #104, Moo-Mania and More Fall Foliage, Stampavie and More Autumn Colors, A Snowflakes Promise Seasons Challenge,  TTRCD ATG week of Sept 20, Artistic Inspirations #163, Crafting From the Heart #128, Craft Your Passion #330, and LTSCB #86 ATG.

For Men & Boys at Aurora Wings

A brand new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of "For Men & Boys".  Yikes!  Not exactly the easiest in my book, but hey, isn't that what "challenge" is all about?  This was not my original plan, but I've been in a serious Halloween mode for over a month it was only natural for me to steer in that direction.  Besides, I'd never colored the adorable Trick or Treat Boys (and their spooky little dog).  Aren't they fun?  I'd also recently acquired the Xcut Build-A-Scene Graveyard die set and what better way to break it in?

Here's a closeup of Trick or Treat Boys.  Don't they look like mischievous little trouble makers?  LOL  They're colored with Copics and you can see in the background a resin pumpkin I'd also colored orange with my markers.

I had a ball going through my Halloween stash findings bits and bobs to add to the scene.  That puppy is gonna have loads of fun with his treats if the spider doesn't get those Tim Holtz bones first.  You can also see a bit of the chalking I did to the night sky around the moon and behind the steeple.  The two layers of grass at the bottom was punched with my MS icicle die, cut with a Spellbinders Grand Labels Four die and popped with foam.

Here's the dimensional shot.  There are 5 layers to the Xcut scene and I popped them all with foam as well.  Although the foam was black, I wanted a more finished look to the side, so before layering the Spellbinders Labels Four cuts both front and back, I covered the edges with spider web washi tape.  You can almost see it peeking out between the layers near my watermark.

Finally I used a skully rosette and Halloween banner to top it all off.  Oh look! A sparkly raven has landed to survey the festivities too.  I'm hoping some little boy will enjoy this fun and spooky scene as much as I enjoyed making it.

Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the fabulous inspiration from my teamies and don't forget the current FB Contest, "All Things Autumn" that runs through the rest of the month.  Hope to see you join us.

Here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Cuttlebug Mania ATG with Die Cuts, 613 Avenue Create ATG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/Punches, the Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode Fall/Winter Holidays, Come and Get it Lots of Layers, Stamping Sensations One for Boys, Creative Fingers ATG, Not Just Cards ATG, Your Scrapbook Place ATG,  Stampart Papel Retarte #85 ATG with a Halloween Twist, Colouring in Scrapland CAS (or Fully Loaded), Little Patch of Crafty Friends ATG, Corrosive September ATG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #156 ATG, Crafty Awesomeness Sept. ATG, Happy Little Stampers ATG w/Dies, Crafting From the Heart #128, Craft Your Passion #330, LTSCB #86 ATG and Left of Center 4 Legged Creature (dog) or LOC. 

Peeka BOO!

I seem to be in full Halloween mode and had a ball with a new image from Sandra Caldwell, #1061 Jolly Jacko.  I've noticed the use of colored paper straws in crafting the and bought some Halloween ones quite awhile ago and thought I'd make a little wall for Jacko to peek over.  I trimmed them to fit the bottom of the Spellbinders Labels 28 dies I used for the image and mat of my card.  they were the perfect colors for the limited color scheme I had in mind. the mat is embossed with the Cuttlebug Polka Dots folder because I planned to enter this in the Outlawz Festive Fridays challenge again for Polka Dot Day.  I've used black Alpha Beads and buttons with the shanks removed for the sentiment.

Here's a closeup of #1061 Jolly Jacko.  I can't decide whether that smile is goofy or maniacal, but he does make me giggle.  He's colored with Copics and I've added a little array of dots in the background to further the polka dot theme.  (OOOOh, looky!  there's some on the straw, too)  He'd look equally cute peeking over a spooky fence, don'tcha think?

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky challenge, Cards und More No Designer Paper, Cuttlebug Mania ATG with Die Cuts, Stampart Papel Retarte #85 ATG with a Halloween Twist, Colouring in Scrapland CAS (or Fully Loaded),
and Come and Get it Polka Dots.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

EEEEK!!!!  Isn't she scary?  Just One Bite is the new release from The East Wind today.  I was craving some really creepy and she certainly fits the bill, eh?  I used the light lines, no background png version of the image and digital background paper from Digital Designs and Art to create the spooky scene.
  

The sketch is from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  The DP is from Graphic 45 An Eerie Tale and I've used MDF bats from UmWOW and a Tim Holtz Halloween Muse token that says "Frightful" in opposing corners.  Picot edge ribbon surrounds the image and the sentiment is from Authentique.

Just One Bite was colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils and this is one of my first attempts at "no lines coloring".  I found that skin, in particular, needs much more shading for definition, and although I definitely need more practice, it was fun, and I'm okay with how this turned out.

Our R U Kidding Me? FB Contest is still open in The East Wind FB Group and runs through Sept 17th and a brand new Blog Challenge starts this Saturday. 

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the Left of Center challenge using the LOC theme, the DL.Art September Linky challenge, Dream in Darkness September Anything (creepy) Goes, Stampart Papel Retarte 85 ATG with a Halloween twist, TTRCD 9/13-9/19, Glitter and Sparkle Add Some Metal (the muse token in the bottom right corner) and Dark 'n' Daring ATG. 

New release from Sandra Caldwell " Bearly Dracula"

This is my second week of guesting for Sandra Caldwell of the babycakesdnd Etsy Shop and I'm so excited to show you her adorable new image #1034 "Bearly Dracula".  You know I love me some Halloween, and bears for that matter, and Sandra has a whole bunch of them, for every occasion HERE.  I thought Bearly Dracula would make a cute topper for a thank you treat box.  It gave me the opportunity to use a pun that not only references Dracula, but bears as well. "Fang you beary much" is framed with a die from Memory Box.  Gotta love those paper mache coffins, made especially fab with a die cut topper from the Happy Hauntings Cricut cartridge, and no vampire image is complete without some MS Drippy Goo blood now, is it?

Here's a closeup of #1034 Bearly Dracula.  He was easy and fun to color with Copics and fussy cut and pop on his coffin.  I made him kind of pale, he's a vampire, after all, but resisted the urge to make him sparkle.  Real vampires don't sparkle now, do they?  Check out other fun projects with Sandra's new stamps on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page.

I'll be entering him in the DL.Art Thankful Thursday challenge (which happens to be Gardens, but thankfully accepts Thank You projects as well), Stampart Papel Retarte 85 ATG with a Halloween Twist, and Left of Center using the LOC theme.

Back to School with Bloobel Stamps

Had some fun today with Bloobel Stamps.  Although I don't have kids of my own, I couldn't resist these two digis, which I find particularly hilarious and of course I had to get them both to tell the story.  I'm pretty sure I'd be doin' the "Happy Dance" after a summer full of kids 24/7.  One DAY would probably put me over the edge. LOL  Besides, there are a number of "Back to School" challenges out there and I needed to get my rear in gear or I'd miss the opportunity. 

Bloobel stamps come in either png form that are totally transparent, or jpgs that are totally solid, including the background. On the latest Bloobel store, you can actually choose your option, which I totally missed until linking these images back to the site. DUH!  Most of my images are the transparent pngs, though, so to merge them, I first converted them to jpgs, then removed the background, in a photo editing program, so I could layer them before printing and coloring. The primary math DP is from the Graphic 45 An ABC Primer stack.

After converting Jump for Joy, I resized the image several times and lightened the lines of the smaller images.  I then colored her in ascending strengths of the Warm Grey Copic range in hopes of suggesting the movement I had in mind, but still keeping the image in the background.  Although she's perfect as a thrilled Mom, I can see using her for all sorts of occasions, can't you?

Can't help but giggle at this little dude.  I guess he doesn't share Mom's enthusiasm about the "Big Day".  Back to School is also colored with Copics with a little Prismacolor pencil action.  Too bad.  Summer's over!

I wanted a few embellies and when searching my stash, came across this apple button (sorry, teacher) and thumbs up (in this case down) paper clips.  Perfect, eh? As you can see above, Mama's is pointing up, WAAAY up!

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Festive Fridays Back to School Days challenge, the DL.Art September Linky challenge, Crafty Calendar Back to School, the Alphabet challenge, "N" is for Numbers, the Crafting Musketeers Sept Back to School challenge, Crafty Awesomeness Sept ATG (using sponsor's image), Through the Purple Haze "Some Attitude" and Creative Knockouts For the Boys.

Lucy Loo 'Emoticons'

I can't stop giggling at this new release at The East Wind.   Tell me Lucy Loo 'Emoticons' doesn't have major 'TUDE!  She was inspired by a trip Unky took to the mall where the new fad seems to be wearing emoticons on your head, or should I say hat.  That smiley face doesn't look like it's doing Lucy any good though, does it?  She's colored with Copics and a little pencil action here and there.  Tried to get an ombre look to her hair but could definitely use some practice there.  I made her a bit grungy and looked for some kind of graffiti background for her but instead came across these words to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".  Obviously Lucy is having none of today.  The fitting sentiment is from Ginger's House.

I'm entering this in the Left of Center Feisty Ladies Challenge, Through the Purple Haze "Some Attitude" and the DL.Art September Linky Challenge .

Don't Worry. Bee Happy!

Well, it's been awhile since I joined in the Outlawz Sunday CAS challenge, and when I saw this week's theme was Birds, Bees, Flowers and Trees, I knew just what to do.  Yeah, I can't top singin' the song now either.  LOL  It just so happens that while Sandra Caldwell in on vacation, her DT coordinator Holley planned a little contest on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page and chose 3 of her favorite "oldies" from the Sandra's Etsy Shop and reduced them to $2.00 each through September 16th.  This cutie is #565 Bernie Bee.

Okay, so this needed to be CAS for The Outlawz challenge, so I thought embossing was the way to go.  Unfortunately, I KNOW I have a honeycomb embossing folder, but could I find it?  NNNNoooooo!  It turned out okay after all, though, because in my search I came across and old Cuttlebug Emboss Plus folder (called "Carly") I'd never even used.  It just happened to have the perfect center cut out and the embossing is flowers and vines.  WooHoo!

Here's a closeup of #565 Bernie Bee.  I've colored him with Copics, fussy cut and popped him in the center of the die cut oval.  I've also added a bit of Diamond Glaze to his glasses for shine.  He was kind of floating up there so I also added a checked flower, I cut in half, for him to stand on.  The sentiment is computer generated.  You can find more info about Holley's Favorites Oldies Contest and links to the other discounted images HERE.

BTW, last night I met up with Sandra Caldwell in PERSON!  She and her hubby are such sweeties and we had the best time!  Thanks so much for taking time out of your vacation schedule to meet us, Sandra.  We had a ball!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, TTRCD ATG 9/6-9/12 and Not Just Cards ATG.

New Release at The East Wind

I'm excited to show you the latest release from The East Wind called Lucy Loo 'Dreaded'.  Isn't she gorgeous?   I've double matted her made a burlap canvas with embellishments from Tim Holtz and a tag from Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue. She looks like a free spirit to me and I thought the theme fit this dreamy eyed beauty.

Here's a closeup of Lucy Loo 'Dreaded'.  It's a softer pencil sketch than many of the East Wind images and I was inspired to color in monochromatic tones.  The majority was done with Copics, with just a few stroked of Prismacolor pencils in her hair.  BTW, the entire hairdo, including the dreads was done with one color, E32.  I was hoping to capture the texture of the dreads and remembered a tutorial I found on Rhea Weigand's Blog about using the end of a small stiff paint brush, rubbing it against the brush end of your Copic marker (I actually dipped it in Copic reinker) and pouncing it lightly on the page. Thanks, Rhea!  Anyway, that's what I did to get the sort of "fuzzy" base. Because the dreads were sort of close together, I then shaded with tiny dots in the same color until I was satisfied rather than try to pounce with a darker color and possibly losing control and blurring the individual strands.  I do really love the way it turned out.

Here are the embellies.  I imagined Lucy Loo on a journey, wandering in search of paradise, even if only in her mind.  I'm right there with her...every day.

Don't forget the current FB Contest, RU Kidding Me? which runs through the 17th and the current Blog challenge, Shine On, which runs through the 10th.  Hope to see you there.  The East Wind is also participating in the Storybook challenge in Markers! Papers! Digis! FB Group and you can grab the special $1.00 digi, Storybook Animals HERE.

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm a entering this in the DL.Art September Linky challenge, Simon Says Wednesday ATG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Fall Colors challenge, Left of Center Feisty Ladies, Creative Fingers ATG, Emerald Fairies Challenges September Monochromatic, TTRCD 9/6-9/12 and  613 Avenue Create ATG/ w optional Fall Colors.