Final Day of the Poe Appreciation Hop

It's the final day of the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop and this is my final project to share.  The Linky expires at 11:55pm PST TONIGHT!  It's a new one using the fabulous Poe Love Freebie from LeighSB Designs (no longer available, ya snooze, ya lose) along with the new Distressed Raven that I've cropped to sit upon Poe Love and resized and cropped to add as a sentiment up top.  The DP has done a lot of the work (Midnight Magic from Recollections), but I did cut a Graveyard Border from Tim Holtz and used it as a stencil to add headstones to the scene with Black Soot Distress to add to the eerie feel.  Check out the entire new Poe release on Leigh's Release post HERE and even if you've not posted projects during the Hop, you still win a prize by commenting on all of the Hop posts.  You have 5 more days to do that.

If you're up for a little additional creepiness, get ready for the next event Leigh has planned.  WooHoo!  But for now, let's finish this Poe Hop with a BANG! ​

An InLinkz Link-up

Remembering Lily for the Poe Appreciation Hop

It's the final day of the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop.  The Linky expires at 11:55 pm PST TONIGHT but I feel I must share at least one last past project.  My favorite of all of Poe's works is Annabel Lee and this project fills me with sadness as the artist, Lily Chilvers of the Octopode Factory, also tragically passed away in 2015.  Fortunately, her art lives on and her spirit lives in the hearts of all she touched.  The stamps are still available as a set HERE and you can read the original post and details of my project HERE. ​

An InLinkz Link-up

Hot Chocolate for Festive Fridays

Here's one for the Outlawz Festive Fridays "hot chocolate" theme using the the adorable #1967 Snowman Cocoa Cup by Sandra Caldwell.  I've made a large tag with papers from the Recollections Warm Wishes stack with a band to hold a candy cane 'cause what better way to stir up your melted marshmallows?

Here's a closeup of #1967 Snowman Cocoa Cup.  He's colored with Copics and cut with a Double Stitched Circle Die from Kat Scrappiness.  Warm Winter Wishes to you.

I'm also entering this in Simon Says Monday Tag It, the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #74 AG, ...

Another Past Project for the Poe Appreciation Hop

Kind of a busy day today, so no new project for the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop but this is one of my all time faves.  I used the gorgeous Annabel Lee 2 from Ike's Art with digi papers and stamps from Smeared Ink (unfortunately no longer trading).  See post HERE for more info and a dimensional shot of the raven, if you like.

There is still time to join in the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop sponsored by Leigh SB Designs. All the info to participate can be found HERE. Be sure to check out the cool new Poe related collection of stamps Leigh's Etsy Shop and there's also a fun Poe Freebie (for a limited time) that Leigh designed especially for the Hop HERE as well.

An InLinkz Link-up

Guest Designing for Colouring in Scrapland

I'm thrilled to be joining the team at Colouring in Scrapland as Guest Designer for the mid-way inspiration post for the January Anything Goes Challenge.  The fabulous sponsor is All Dressed Up and I've made a cheery little scene with Girl on a Bike with older papers from my stash by Heidi Grace.  I love the bright colors and thought it would be perfect with the cute stamp, don't you?

I printed Girl on a Bike quite small to fit the scale of my paper which made the coloring a bit of a challenge with my Copics but I tried my best to do at least some shading on the adorable detailed image.  I decided she was too small to fussy cut so I used a Spellbinders Circle die on top of a Scalloped Circle and "grounded" her by cutting another piece of the "grass" with my circle die to add under the wheels.  I popped the circle with foam and also a cloud I die cut from another part of the Design paper and inked with Distress.  The sentiment was computer generated with my new tiny arrow paperclips and little heart jewels on each end.  I also added a heart to the sun above.  Inside will read "and enjoy the ride".

Thank you Colouring in Scrapland for inviting me to join you this month and to All Dressed Up for the beautiful image.  The Challenge is an easy Anything Goes and the winner of this challenge may choose 2 stamps from All Dressed Up. Hope to see you there.  

I'm entering this in the All Dressed Up January #77 AG challenge, DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #74 AG, the Corrosive Challenge AG, the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 2 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Add a Sentiment.

NEW Make for Poe Appreciation Day!

Okay, so I wasn't going to craft today, but I'm lovin' the new Poe Stamps from Leigh SB Designs and could resist making a little ATC using Oddleigh Edgar Allan Poe and Raven and, because it's a PAR-Teh, they're sporting hats from the new Party Hats Fun pack.  WooHoo!  I probably should have thought the whole ATC thingy through before printing the stamps, since coloring the details was more than a bit challenging, but it was fun, if not so quick. Just don't look too closely. LOL  I just love all of the Oddleigh characters, they're so fun and quirky.

So YAY, ME!  I finally have a NEW make for the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop. There's still time to join in.  All info below. 

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An InLinkz Link-up

Day 3 Poe Appreciation Blog Hop

It's Day 3 of the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop and I thought I'd share another past make (because I can, thank God! as my crafty time is kind of limited at the mo) using the fabulous Poe Cat from Ike's Art and the raven from Ike's Poe Skull Bust.  I'm afraid I can't link directly to the images but if you check the categories on Ike's Art, there is one for Edgar Allen Poe and you can see them ALL!  This is a fave of Goliath's for obvious reasons.  The actual claw and feather embellies were his contribution to the piece.  You can read more about this HERE, if you like.

There is still time to join in the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop sponsored by Leigh SB Designs. All the info to participate can be found HERE. Be sure to check out the cool new Poe related collection of stamps Leigh's Etsy Shop and there's also a fun Poe Freebie (for a limited time) that Leigh designed especially for the Hop HERE as well.



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An InLinkz Link-up

Another for the Poe Appreciation Hop

Okay then, ANOTHER past project for the Poe Appreciation Hop, this time an actual birthday card featuring Poe and Raven RUBBAH stamps from the now defunct (sniff sniff) Smeared Ink. This was also part of a Hop for our dear HDH Minion Sister Black Dragon's b-day in 2011. More deets on my original post HERE. 

There is still time to join in the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop sponsored by Leigh SB Designs. All the info to participate can be found HERE. Be sure to check out the cool new Poe related collection of stamps Leigh's Etsy Shop and there's also a fun Poe Freebie (for a limited time) that Leigh designed especially for the Hop HERE as well.

An InLinkz Link-up

Poe Appreciation Blog Hop!

Well, of course I'm a day late for Edgar's b-day, but that seems to be my system these days.  There is still time, however, to join in the Poe Appreciation Blog Hop sponsored by Leigh SB Designs.  All the info to participate can be found HERE.  Be sure to check out the cool new Poe related collection of stamps Leigh's Etsy Shop and there's also a fun Poe Freebie (for a limited time) that Leigh designed especially for the Hop HERE as well.



I hope to do some new projects, but we'll see how that goes.  Fortunately you can link up past projects as long as they're in new blog posts so WooHoo for that.  This may be my oldest Poe related project (from 2009!) that brings me back to my Cricut roots.  You can read all about it HERE if you're interested. 

P.S. You don't have to link up, you can just Hop if you like.  

An InLinkz Link-up

A Two-fer for the Outlawz

As you all know by now, I love playing on the Outlawz Forum and enter the 7 different weekly challenges as often as possible.  Festive Fridays offers 4 theme options per week and I managed to just sneak in with a "Card with a Cardinal" last night using the adorable Cardinal Sprite from Aurora Wings available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.

Coloring Cardinal Sprite with my Copics brought back some fond memories of winters past.  There are no cardinals where we live in California and I miss the bright pop of color I used to see in our snow covered backyard in the Midwest.  I kinda even miss the snow, but certainly not brushing off the car or driving in it.  It's hard to believe it's been 38 years.  Yikes!

My original plan was to pop him in a snowy scene, but while perusing my papers I came across a mat stack with holly corners and thought it would work for the current Outlawz Wednesday Sketch, as well.  I actually had to cut and piece the mat to make it square and carefully fussy cut around the lower left holly leaf and slide the top portion in underneath, then added the checked opposite corner pieces I managed to cut from scraps on my table.  I cute Cardinal Sprite with a stitched circle and added a scalloped circle behind and I was done.  No real need for embellies since the paper did all the work.  WooHoo!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 AG, Simon Says Monday Birds of a Feather, Crafty Animals Jan.  #10 AG, ...

Got it Licked!

This hilarious new image by Bloobel Stamps, called Inappropriate Cat, made me LOL.  I'm sure all cat owners can relate. I pretty much colored him up immediately, using Goliath colors, then decided to use him for the Tuesday Color challenge on the Outlawz that I finished just in time.  

Kind of a quickie design using the colors plus the animal twist.  I added the tiny plastic spoon (recycled from a wine and soup tasting event, yeah I save anything that looks "craft worthy") filled with Nuvo drops.  Hope the sentiment gives you a giggle.

Here's a closeup of Inappropriate Cat.  He's colored with Copics using my fave cat fur combo of E41-47.  Can't wait to think up another "appropriate" sentiment for this little guy.

I'm also adding this to the SUYP (WOW, I'm on a roll this month with KITTIES!) January Furrything Goes/MeuwYear challenge, the DL.Art January Linky challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Use Patterned Paper,  Crafty Animals #10 AG, +...

Anything Goes at Aurora Wings

It's a new year and a new challenge at Aurora Wings and we've returned to our roots as a monthly challenge blog beginning each 3rd Monday, but we'll keep you inspired with a mid challenge post as well.  To ease in after our break, our theme this time is the easy peasy

It only took me about 3 tries to finally decide on the images, but I've been in a bit of a kitty mode and was excited to find the fun Ballerina Kitties 3-pack stamp set exclusively at AW.com.  I used the Accordion Flip Album 3D die from Sizzix to make a thank you card featuring all 3 of the adorable Ballerina Kitties.  Unfortunately the picture of the entire project was done in panorama mode with my camera and this was the largest I could post on my blog without it getting cut off.  You can see a better picture of my project in it's entirety, as well as those of my Aurora Teamies on the Challenge Blog HERE, or click on the pic above to enlarge it.

I did, however, takes individual pictures of each kitty before assembling the accordion card.  Each is colored with Copics and for once, I kept track of colors because I find the BV (and V ranges for that matter) can be rather difficult to use and photograph.

Although I've been "fluffing up" many of the kitties I've recently colored, these little beauties came out better for me with just some subtle shading.  When I tried adding too much texture, it looked a bit more like razor stubble, not the least bit fitting for these girly girls. 

Bodies: BV0000,000,01

Cheeks and nose: V000

Inside ear and slippers: RV91,93,95

Tuts and floral wreaths: V0000,000,01,12

Flowers on tutus: same as bodies

                                  

As you can see, the palette is somewhat limited, but I've found that the Violets, and Blue Violets especially, are often affected by the colors around them in photographs.  That's why I actually colored the die cut "Thank you" (Cuttlebug die) with the BV000 I'd used earlier instead of trying to find a colored card stock to match.  In fact, I've found it often helps when choosing design paper to snap a quick pic just to see how the colors (especially purples) photograph together before deciding.  Although it really doesn't matter if you're not planning on posting your project online, it saves a lot of time and frustration with photo editing if you know in advance how the colors work together in front of the camera.  Haven't we all been there?

                                     

The die cuts behind the kitties are cut with the Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One die using DP from a old MAMBI pad.  The swirls made me think of the beauty and excitement of the ballet and I've added some texture with my Swiss Dots embossing folder to the solid iridescent pink I've added to the frames.

The corner bouquets include large roses from Kaisercraft as well as small ones I've dyed to match the purples of the kitties using the BV01 reinker and a fair amount of rubbing alcohol to soften the color.  They are tied together with tulle to further the ballet reference.

I hope you'll check out the fabulous inspiration from my Aurora teamies and Guest designers and come join our first challenge of 2018.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge through Feb. 17th)

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 SUYP #26 January Furrything Goes/Meuw Year Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Winter or Thank you challenge, the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73, Simon Says Wednesday Use Patterned Paper,  the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 1, TTRCD Week of Jan 9th AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Jan. AG/w critter (5/5), Colour Crazy Week 1 AG, Crafty Animals #10 AG, the Corrosive Challenge AG, ...

I'm not Fat, I'm Fluffy!

Gotta say I broke out in a HOOT when I saw the hilarious Freebie from Ike's Art on the January Challenge post at SUYP (Show Us Your Pussies, ahem...CAT'S ONLY) Challenge Blog.  "I'm not fat, I'm FLUFFY!" immediately came to mind (Jezzie tells me that all the time, and how the heck would I know since as soon as my hand goes from her head to her body, she bolts.)  The theme this month is Furrything Goes/Meuw Year and me thinks someone is contemplating a Meuw Year's Resolution...Nah!  I had a riot cutting and pasting various strips of DP and adding a few stickers to the bottom of the card from the Meow pack from Echo Park  and did I ever have fun coloring "Fat Cat" up!

Here's a closeup.  I've been doing a lot of fur practice with my Copics and really, really, REALLY wanted to fluff her out, so I lightened the digi to a fairly light gray in my Printmaster Platinum program and went to town.  LITTLE ball of fur?  Hardly, but she's purrr-fect just the way she is.  Just ask Jezebel.  

I'm also entering this in the January Ike's World AG/New Beginnings challenge, the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 AG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings The Time After Christmas, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday New Beginnings, Your Scrapbook Place January AG, Simon Says Wednesday Use Patterned Paper and Crafty Animals #10 AG.

Fun in the Snow with Bloobel

Here's another for the Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge, this one for the theme "Fun in the Snow".  The adorable stamp is from Bloobel called "Kitty Snowman".  How could I resist?  I've had a heck of a time making decisions about colors and papers lately and finally found this ancient piece from the Sassafrass Lass Life is Beautiful collection in my stash that suited the cute a quirky image perfectly.  My Tim Holtz On the Edge Snowflake die with it's funky snowflakes rounded out the design.

Here's a closeup of Kitty Snowman.  I've colored with Copics with colors from the DP and even tried to do a bit of subtle crosshatching over the blue in the sky using a very light touch with my E42 in the background, like that on the DP.  The snowflakes are done with a white Posca Paint pen.  The sentiment is computer generated.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Winter challenge, the SUYP Jan (cat's only, hoping that a "Kitty Snowman" still fills the bill) Furrything Goes/Meuw Year challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 AG, Simon Says Winter Blues, Simon Says Use Patterned Paper, Star Stampz Winter, the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 1 and TTRCD Week of Jan 9th AG.

Shaker Tag for the Outlawz

The Outlawz Twisted Thursday challenge is always Anything Goes, but if you use the "twist" you get 2 chances in the draw at the end of the month.  The Outlawz Forum is a fun and supportive group with 7 challenges a week plus a monthly "Progressive" challenge and I play there as often as possible.

This time the twist for Twisted Thursday is "SHAKE YOUR CONFETTI" - make a shaker card or whatever.  It's been so long since I've done one I decided to do a (sort of) quick tag.  I noticed the graphic when "re-downloading" some of my Etsy purchases from Gecko Galz.  (No, I still haven't retrieved all my digis since "the crash") and thought it would be perfect for a shaker. The quote is from the Scripted Digital Collage set by Gecko Galz that I've printed on acetate and cut out with my Stitched tags by Gina Marie.  There are little gold dots around the quote that don't seem to show up in the pic but I kept with the metallic theme and cut the top layer in gold glitter card stock.  I used transfer tape to stick two pieces of foam together and ran them through my Grand Caliber which did jack them out of shape a bit but I was able to assemble the layers with a decent amount of Doodlebug sequins and beads in between. Punched a hole up top and added some cool metallic ribbon from my stash, et voila! 

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art January Linky challenge, and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 AG. 

Goliath's Christmas Card for Daddy (again, for NEXT year)

Well, I totally dropped the ball again.  After a dismal crafting showing in December, I started off 2018 with a bang with 4 posts in a row and now here it is the 9th, with nothing in between.  In my defense, Ou BFF's spend the holidays away so this Saturday was our "Christmas Dinner".  So Thursday was spent grocery shopping, Friday was spent cooking, and all day Saturday was spent "de-catting" the house because Lisa is allergic.  Sunday I spent binge watching "Scandal" and recovering while trying to dodge a cold (so far so good) and yesterday Goliath got on my case because I'd done a Christmas card for Jezebel to give Daddy next year, but none for him.

Okay then!  This image was a no brainer.  The quirky stamps from Bloobel are some of my faves and Christmas Present Cat had "Goliath" written all over it.

Here's a closeup of Christmas Present Cat.  He's colored with Copics in appropriate "Goliath " colors ( E41-47) and I've colored the bird as the California Jay that used to swoop down for Jezebel's food this summer while she camps in the backyard.  Unfortunately, Goliath usually goes for the smaller more tender species, but one can always hope.  Goliath is thrilled so now I guess I'll go put his away with Jezzie's card for Daddy for next year and hope I can find them when the time comes.

I'm entering this in the SUYP #26 January Furrything Goes/Meuw Year Challenge, the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 AG, the Outlawz Festive Friday Christmas theme, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #10 Jan AG/w critter (4/5), Crafty Animals #10 AG/ animal, ...

Happy New Year (of the Dog)

Happy New Year! I'm trying hard to be make up for my dismal blog showing this December and am crafting up a storm.  And no, I'm not late, I'm EARLY!  This gorgeous image, from Aurora Wings, represents the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the upcoming Year of the Dog celebration on February 16th, which will begin the Spring Festival.  The image is a special New Year's gift from Mitzi for those in the Aurora Wings FB Group and will be available there as a FREEBIE through the weekend along with a fabulous Coupon and special contest to wind $30 in AW digis.  Not a member?  Ask to Join HERE and HURRY!

The animals are from the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac and those born in any given year are said to possess the characteristics of the animal.  The dog is considered one of the most likable of those in the Zodiac and are loyal, faithful and honest and always stick to their code of ethics. Their characteristic word is action.  

Here's a closeup of Year of the Dog. Mitzi used an Akita puppy as her model and I colored him with Copics in one of the many variations of fur colors and patterns of the breed.  The Chinese character is in the image is 'Dog' and I'm guessing the plum blossoms signal the beginning of the Spring Festival, that focuses on home and family and the hope for good fortune throughout the year.

I've used the Outlawz Wednesday sketch for the card design as the image itself reminded me of the a lot of the sketch, even with no embellies.

Again, I'd like to mention that our Anything BUT a Card Challenge is still going strong on the AW Challenge Blog until Saturday January 13th and you can enter up to 3 times if you use an Aurora Wings image.  

Also, don't forget to pop over and collect this gorgeous Year of the Dog image, such a generous New Year's surprise from Mitzi, and check out the special contest (all you have to do is COMMENT) where you could win $30 in AW stamps and Coupon in the AW FB Group.  If you aren't a member yet, you might want to join. (And hurry, this ends Jan 7th!)

There's always lots going on at Aurora Wings, so here's how to keep up.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge runs through Jan.13, 2018)

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art January Linky Challenge,  the DL.Art Thankful Thursday #219 New Year Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #72 AG, Crafty Animals January #10 AG w/Animal, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Jan AG w/Critter, the Outlawz Festive Friday New Year theme, Simon Says Monday Something New, Simon Says Wednesday Something New, Crafting by Designs Jan. AG, Your Scrapbook Place January AG.

Jezzie's Christmas Card to Daddy

My kitties love to give cards to their Daddy, but Mommy doesn't always finish on time.  In fact, this year Mommy didn't finish ANY of her planned cards on time because...well, because...  

I'm usually in a tizzy right up until the BIG DAY and this year was no exception, but I get hit HARD with the Christmas spirit AFTER the big day which lasts until...(ummm, Easter?)  Well, maybe not this year, we have a wedding to go to in Florida, but certainly at least until Valentine's day.  What can I say?

The adorable image is Christmas Lights Kitty from Aurora Wings available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy (only $2.00!).  Jezzie says it looks just like her because she's so fluffy and I tried to capture that with my Copics.  I added a bit of highlight to the bulb with my white Prismacolor pencil and the glow was done with chalk.  Although I'm sure tangling the lights would be Jezebel's dream, she's actually a good girl and only uses the "big tree" as a hidden napping spot.  She doesn't bother the ornaments at all and fortunately hasn't hacked up a hair ball on the tree skirt so far.

Here's a pic of the little fur ball investigating one of Mommy's new artist made kitties (specifically commissioned to look like her).  She seems to be eyeing the competition and wondering who shrunk the cat.

Hmmm... let's move in for a sniff.  I dunno...  Well, Jezebel is pleased with her card, at least and hopes Mommy will remember where she puts it for next year, unlike the birthday card I made for Daddy in July, never to be found again.

I'd like to mention that our Anything BUT a Card Challenge is still going strong on the AW Challenge Blog until Saturday January 13th and you can enter up to 3 times if you use an Aurora Wings image.  Also, there's a little New Year's surprise from Mitzi, special contest (all you have to do is COMMENT) where you could win $30 in AW stamps and Coupon in the AW FB Group so if you aren't a member yet, you might want to join. (And hurry, this ends Jan 7th!)

There's always lots going on at Aurora Wings, so here's how to keep up.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge runs through Jan.13, 2018)

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 January Linky Challenge, SUYP #25 Furrything Goes Meowy Christmas,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #72 AG, Crafty Animals January #10 AG w/Animal, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Jan AG w/Critter, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, the Outlawz Festive Friday Christmas, CHNC #366 AG Christmas, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Jan #10.