Thursday, November 30, 2017

Holiday Sprites New Release Showcase


What an exciting day for Aurora Wings Fans!  The Holiday Sprites New Release Showcase is finally here.  THREE brand new Holiday Sprites and SIX that were previously available only in the Christmas Sprites Coloring Book are making their debut as stand alone digis at both AW.com and AW Etsy.  WOOHOO!



I have the pleasure of showcasing the beautiful new Sugar Plum Sprite available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy, and used a collection of papers from Recollections The Ballet stack to create a scene from the beloved Nutcracker. 



The tree was fussy cut and I've added glitter epoxy ornaments, and Nuvo drop garlands along with a jewel star and candle flames.  My mother recalled having to always have someone in the living room watching the tree as a young child because of the real candles, rather than lights.  Can you imagine?!?  I used my craft knife to cut around the holly in the DP to slide the tree under.  The glitter nutcracker was also fussy cut from a tag and popped.



Here's a closeup of Sugar Plum Sprite.  Isn't she just every girl's dream?  I've flipped her to face the tree and colored her with Copics in the plum shades of the DP, then added translucent glitter Nuvo drops to her tutu, hair and jewelry and a jewel crown. Jewel and glitter snowflakes complete the scene.


 Here are the links for Sugar Plum Sprite in either jpg or png for both shops.
          

And here are peeks at the two other newest Holiday Sprites.

Hot Cocoa Sprite

Snowflake Sprite
  
EEEK!  aren't they adorable?  You can find inspiration from the teams and links to these cuties on the AW Showcase Blog HERE.  But that's not all.  Here are pix of 4 previous projects I've done using 4 of the 6 Sprites formerly only available in the Holiday Sprites Coloring Book.

Stocking Sprite

Gingerbread Man Sprite

Candy Cane Sprite

Holiday Wreath Sprite

Also available are

Amaryllis Sprite

Candle Angel Sprite

Again, please visit the AW Showcase Blog HERE for info and links to these cuties.  But can you believe there's MORE?

How about a COUPON?  Yeah, you betcha!


And better yet, purchase ALL NINE of the new release Sprites in either shop and get 40% off with the code VIP2017, valid the same terms as above.
Mitzi and all the AW Teams wish you Happy Holidays and Happy coloring!





Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Winter Sprite for The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch


In my previous post I'd mentioned that I'd planned to use another of Mitzi's sweet Sprites on my DT project but decided against it.  Well, here she is, on a project of her own.  This li'l darlin' is Winter Sprite currently ON SALE for only $2.00 HERE on AW.Com.  I've used 3 (yeah, that blue behind her is actually a watercolor effect DP) non traditional colored papers from the Winter Bauble paper pack from Wild Rose Studio and followed the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  The stripes in the sketch covered the star sentiment in the DP, but fortunately I had another piece so I could fussy cut and pop it over.  The pretty crinkle ribbon bow is Powder Blue from the Blues Bundle at DL.Art.



Here's the sketch. (obviously I flipped it to allow for the sentiment)



Here's here's Winter Sprite prior to fussy cutting.  She's colored with Copics and I've used Sparkly Fluff on her fur trim and glued tiny pom poms to the ends of the ties.  I just LOVE her!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art November Linky ChallengeCHNC #360 AG/Use Something BlueCHNC Christmas Extra November, AG ChristmasJo's Scrap Shack FFC #215 AG, A Snowflakes Promise #46 AG,  Creates and Makes Challenge 16, Coloring in Scrapland Winter is Coming, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #70 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Dragonfly Dreams November Winter, The Ribbon Girl Nov. Any Image, Crafty Creations #355 AG, and Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #217 AG ...



Monday, November 20, 2017

New Challenge at Aurora Wings



Our brand new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of 



I've recycled a candy box (yeah, I'm still recycling...) into a Winter Wonderland using the adorable Little Santa available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  I covered the inside with blue glitter paper and the outside front edges with strips of white glitter paper cut with a Tim Holtz On the Edge Snowflake die.  I've added metallic and beaded metallic snowflakes to a few of the front flakes and a metal sentiment from Colorbok to the bottom.

I've made a lamp post by knotting the cord of a metallic lantern from Tim Holtz to the top of a wooden skewer and wrapping it silver and white cording.  A white pompom with silver sparkles tops it off.  Behind Little Santa is an old blank CD, shiny part out.  I thought it sort of looked like a huge full moon (and it hides a surprise).  The glow you see is from the light box I've photographed in, although any light seems to make that fab effect.  Kind of looks like the Northern lights, eh?  The "snow" at the bottom is a used dryer sheet spritzed with hair spray and sprinkle with glitter.



On the back of the CD I've used several disks of adhesive foam and topped with card board and wound a string of mini LED lights between.  Since the lights are not separate from the battery pack I cut a slit at the bottom of the box and pulled the strand through before winding.  The cord for the lantern exits there too.



The sides of the box were covered in metal duct tape and ribbon.  The battery packs fit nicely in a the bottom of a jewelry box (with a small piece cut out for the lantern plug in) and I've fashioned a little pocket of silver card stock for it to fit in.  This also stabilizes the project.



Although you do need to remove the box to turn on the moon light, the box slips easily in and out of the attached pocket.



Here's a closeup of the adorable Little Santa prior to fussy cutting.  I've colored him with Copics and used a nice thick coating of white Flower Soft for the trim on his suit and hat.  The cross hatching on his sack was done with Prismacolor pencils to give a burlap affect.  My original plan was to add another of Mitzi's cute Sprite characters to the front, but for once I decided that more was not necessarily more.  But that's okay.  I've got her all set to pop on another Christmas card or project.  Yay!



So here's the "money shot".  Winter Wonderland all aglow.  BE sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the wonderful inspiration by the rest of the Aurora Team and Guest Designer.  You won't be sorry.


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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge runs through Dec 2nd)
Aurora Wings FB Group (Nov. FB Challenge runs all month)



I'm entering this in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Winter Holiday/Snow, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #70 AG, the World Wide DT Open Challenge #28 AG, The Classic DT Open #19 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #215 AG, TTRCD Week of Nov 14 AG, the Corrosive Challenge #11 AG, Make my Monday Snow Fun, 613 Avenue Create November AG, Creative Fingers #141 AG 2/3, Allsorts #442 Glitter, CHNC #360 AG/Use Something Blue, CHNC Christmas Extra November, AG Christmas, Color Crazy Week 46 AG, Simply Papercraft #52 AG, Morgan's Art World #23 AG, Crafty Creations AG, Coloring in Scrapland November Winter is Coming, Dragonfly Dreams November Winter, We Love to Create AG Mixed Media/Creative Goes, A Snowflakes Promise #46 AG and Creates and Makes #16 AG





Friday, November 17, 2017

New Little Reindeer Sprite Gift With Purchase From Aurora Wings


EEEK!  Tell me he's not the cutest EVER!  This little guy is the newest Sprite from Aurora Wings and he's being offered as a Gift With Purchase this weekend.  More about that later, 'cause there's a coupon, too.  WooHoo!  Meet little Reindeer Sprite.  I couldn't wait to color this little guy.  He looks a little sleepy, or maybe a bit wistful so I made up a story about him while making this tag.

My original thought was to do him (or her) in pastel for a "Baby's First Christmas" card, but then remembered this week's Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge that also calls for "Anything but a Card", so I used the natural browns and red and made a tag instead. 



My story is that this little reindeer is dreaming of "running with the big dogs" (or should I say "flyin' with the big DEER"?) and pulling Santa's sleigh, but he's still too little.  Santa told him to "Believe" and he will surely grow up to be one of the chosen few.  The reindeer clip and embroidered stag ribbon represent the current team and I've also added sleigh bells strung with twine from DL.Art and some punched snowflakes distressed with ink with Nuvo Drops for the centers.  The stitched ribbon has been recycled from old Anthropologie shopping bags (got LOTS of it!) and there's faux stitching on the DP, as well.



Here's a closeup of Reindeer Sprite.  He's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped on the tag.  I've used gold gel pen for his bell.



You want him, don't you?  I mean who can resist that face?  Well, as I said earlier, he's a Gift with Purchase for this weekend only with a $5.00 minimum purchase from either AW.com OR AW Etsy.  And better yet, there's a Coupon you may use in conjunction with the offer!  So hop to it!  Ya snooze, ya LOSE.

OOPS!  You missed it, but the good news is he's now in the shop HERE at AW.com and HERE on Etsy.



Here's how to keep up with what's happening at Aurora Wings.
Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge ends TOMORROW!)
Aurora Wings FB Group (Nov. FB Challenge runs all month)

I'm entering this in the DL.Art November Linky ChallengeLil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG w/Critters November #8Crafty Animals November #8 AGCHNC November Christmas Challenge ExtraAud Sentiments #193 AG w/Sentiment (5/5), Inspiration Destination #193 AGSimon Says Monday It's a Stitch Up (faux stitching on DP and stitch detail on ribbon), Simon Says Wednesday Furry Friends, the World Wide Open Design Team #28 Nov. 15, the November Classic Design Team Open Challenge #19, Fab 'n' Funky Masculine Touch (for a little guy), The Paper Shelter Challenge #318 Add Some Snowflakes, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #215 AG /Add a Tag, the Crafty Addicts November AG, TTRCD week of Nov 14th AG, 613 Avenue Create November AG, Creative Fingers #141 AG, Color Crazy Week 46 AG, Simply Papercraft #52 AG, Morgan's Art World #23 AG, Crafty Creations AG and Crafty Girls Creations November AG.





Happy Holidays


Here's another cutie called #1909 Egg Penguin, again from Sandra Caldwell.  I took quite a bit of time in coloring this little guy with Copics, using tips from the Kit and Clowder October Markers class to give his flippers some shine and round out his face a bit.  Added texture to his hat and decided to keep the card my fave color scheme of red, white and black.  I've cut him out with a Gina Marie Stitched die and used DP from the DCWV Merry Christmas Stack from a few years back and added snowflakes to match and a chipboard sentiment from Recollections.

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Happy Holidays, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG w/Critters November #8, Crafty Animals November #8 AG, CHNC November Christmas Challenge Extra, Aud Sentiments #193 AG w/Sentiment (4/5), the Paper Shelter Add SnowflakesInspiration Destination #193 AG, Simon Says Monday It's a Stitch Up (Stitched die) and Crafty Girls Creations November AG.


Santa Head Ornie


I love to recycle empty ribbon Spools and this adorable #1901 Santa Face Ornie by Sandra Caldwell was a natural to turn into an ornie to hang on the tree and keep the children in line. LOL He's colored with Copics and fussy cut to hang on a mini pine branch.  I've covered both side with DP and used marabou feather garland around the spool (for the Outlawz Festive Fridays something with feathers theme) and a wire loop, bow and  computer generated sentiment.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG, Aud Sentiments #193 AG w/Sentiment (3/5), Inspiration Destination #193 AG, Crafty Girls Creations November #41 AG... 

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Thankful!


Sharing a Thanksgiving card for the Sandra Caldwell FB challenge that just ended using #1899 Pumpkin Thankful Pie. Personally, I'm thankful that all I really have to make are the pies for Thanksgiving (and a butternut squash lasagna) because it's my friend's fave holiday to cook for.  Yay, Lisa!  Colored the stamp with Copics and fussy cut.  Papers again from some very old DCWV Fall stacks.  Love that the sentiment was right in the paper.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #216 Patriotic or Thank you, Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Thank You/Thanksgiving Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG and Aud Sentiments #193 AG+ Sentiment.

Just a Little Late for Halloween


Yeah, I totally missed Halloween AND Dia de Los Muertos.  What can I say?  Too much going on these days.  I did, however, manage to use this cutie from Sandra Caldwell called #1905 Frankie Treat for her FB challenge that just ended and I'm ahead for next year, right?  He's colored with Copics and fussy cut.  Dug deep in my stash for old DCWV Fall Glitter stack papers and used my new pumpkin dies from Gina Marie.  Added a couple of glitter crows from Recollections and a computer generated sentiment and called it done. 

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG challenge, DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG and Aud Sentiments #193 AG + Sentiment.

Friday, November 10, 2017

General Store



Yes, don't faint, friends.  I'm actually posting on a semi regular basis again after the computer fiasco, the big party I hosted and fun visit with my BFF from college. (Miss you already, Beck!) I participate in the Outlawz Challenges and was thrilled with the Progressive Challenge image from Createful Heart called General Store.  I managed to finish it just under the wire in a rush and forgot to even post it on my blog, so here it is.  I found some pretty Fall paper in my stash and colored the image with my Copics accordingly.  The image was cut with a Spellbinders Labels Seventeen and inked with Distress while still in the die.  Then I simply matted with Kraft because there was already a lot going on there.  Love the nostalgic look of this General StoreCreateful Heart Digis has some fabulous images and especially excels in vintage images (and KITTIES!).  You can check them all out HERE.

P.S. There is also a Createful Heart FB group and Challenge Blog.  

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Here Come the Holidays!


Are you ready?  Nah, me neither.  The holidays will be quickly upon us and although I love them dearly, sometimes stress gets the better of me.  That's why when I saw this fun #1898 Pumpkin Spice Latte digi from Sandra Caldwell (currently on sale for only $1.50) with a group of others for her current FB challenge HERE, I couldn't resist this sentiment.



I've colored the digi with Copics, fussy cut and put on an action wobble.  The  wreath and blank sign  are digital from Creative Market. The sentiments were added in my printing program and I attached the beverage enhancements directly to the digi.



The design is inspired by the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch (with a few tweaks and additions) and the Outlawz Twisted Thursday challenge that calls for 3 brads, flowers and pearls.  I wasn't sure if there needed to be 3 of each, but better safe than sorry.  LOL  The crinkle ribbon from DL.Art was added to hide a hole in the paper.

 DL.Art November Linky ChallengeLil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG,  Inspiration Destination #137 AG, the Color Crazy Challenge #44 AG, and Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #213 AG...

Monday, November 6, 2017

New Challenge at Aurora Wings


Today begins the new challenge at Aurora Wings.  Our theme is 'Recycled' and I've had a ball creating an underwater world for Mitzi's adorable  Little Pirate available exclusively at AW.com.  I've been saving this Amaretto bottle for just the right project and this is it. 


I liked the shape and texture of the bottle so decided not to alter that, but did fill it with sand and water (tinted blue with Distress reinker) and dropped in some tiny shells, a few skulls and a top hat Monopoly game piece to give the impression of a shipwreck.  "Yo Ho Ho" is done with Alpha Stickers and the fish are from Little B.



Here's a closeup of Little Pirate.  He's colored with Copics and metallic gel pens and I've added a metal skull and crossbones to his hat.  His chest sits on some reindeer moss "seaweed" and the treasure map behind him (a freebie from the internet) was sprayed with water, crinkled and left to dry.



I disguised the writing on the cap with washi and a skull embellie from Recollections.  The compass is Tim Holtz and the chain is from my stash.


The anchor is done in several layers with a Spellbinders die from matte metallic card stock and distressed.  Behind it you can see a real barnacle I picked off a mussel shell.



I wanted each side to have some interest so I wrapped the map around and also added moss and a small starfish.  I really enjoyed this project and I hope you do too.  Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the rest of the Stella team's fabulous makes.

Can't wait to see what you recycle and you can use your entries in the new November Anything Goes FB Challenge, too.  WooHoo!


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