Frame It for Aurora Wings

A new challenge begins today at Aurora Wings with the theme of "Frame It". 

Instead of literally framing an image, I tried to come up with a creative interpretation using Mitzi's gorgeous Pansy, available HERE on Etsy and HERE on AW.com.

My immediate thought was to use the "Spotlight technique" where a die cut portion of the image is colored and placed atop the rest of the uncolored image. However, I wanted the colored portion of Pansy framed, so I chose a Spellbinders Labels One die that fit a number of fancy frames and printed her out twice, in an appropriate size.  I positioned the die on one of the images, cut, embossed and then colored her with Copics.  I added some Diamond Glaze to her eyes and lips and flat back pearl earrings.

However, when I placed her on the completely uncolored version, the contrast was too harsh, so I colored the background version with the Copic Warm Gray range, and added Nuvo Jewel Drops in translucent Sea Breeze to the dew drops. Then I chalked around the image subtly. When finished, I die cut with a Spellbinders Grand Stately Circles and popped it atop a (barely visible) Grand Scalloped circle in the same very light blue for stability and also to enhance the lacy border.

I tried 4 different die cuts before finally choosing one to frame the colored portion of Pansy.  The ornate white version covered up too much of the gray scale image, but because that was my original choice, I also tried it in vellum which just muddied it up.  Since the vellum was out, I tried the smaller, simpler Scalloped Labels One but I didn't get the "Frame" effect I was going for.

However, the solid white version did the trick, especially after cropping and printing the orange pansy and butterfly 3 times and coloring and fussy cutting them to extend beyond the frame and add additional dimension.

Here's the full dimensional shot.  The "Bloom" die cut sentiment from Echo Park was cut 6 times and glued together for a chipboard effect and colored in a gradient with Copics.  To balance the design I added gorgeous crinkle ribbon bow from DL.Art and some punched butterflies from Martha Stewart.  Again, I colored with a gradient and added black centers to anchor them to the design.   Popping all of the layers added to the "framed" affect and I'm really pleased at how it all came out.  Be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the gorgeous inspiration from my Stella Teammates.  We hope you'll come play along.

The new AW FB contest will begin shortly, but in the meantime, here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

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I'm entering this in the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Color Inspiration Monday #21 AG, Crafting from the Heart AG, 613 Avenue Create AG/Spring, Make my Monday May Flowers,  the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Crafty Friends #56 AG, the Alphabet Challenge "D" is for Decoupage, Crafting-With-Friends #42 AG, Creative Fingers #129 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#186 AG, Morgan's Art World #8 AG, TTRCD week of April 25th AG, Craft-Dee Bowz AG/w handmade bow, Classic Design Team Open Challenge May #14, Crafty Creations AG, A Perfect Time to Craft Open May AG, Craftaholics R Us May Spring Colors or Flowers and Really Reasonable Ribbon Put a Bow on it.