Popsicle Toes

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

I'm entering my Treat Bag in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, the Outlawz Festive Friday AG, Altered Eclectics Sept (AG mixed media, upcycling, etc), Jo's Scrap Shack #252 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #90 AG, ...

New images for September from Aurora Wings

Just in time for next month's spooky season we have some new skullie goodness from Aurora Wings on the Showcase Blog today and of course I couldn't miss these! I happen to love me some skulls year 'round, but if they don't float your boat, stay tuned for some new Sprites and an amazing new Moth Fairies, as well. This gorgeous image is called Necromantica and I've made a slightly, okay, well yeah, pretty dark home decor wreath I like to call "Eternally Yours". I had some nifty black Spanish moss that conveniently had touches of red glitter that went perfectly with my color scheme and added some tulle and gorgeous red crinkle ribbon from DL.Art. Nice for Valentine's Day, Anniversary, or even a wedding for the right couple, don'tcha think? (You know who you are.)

Here's a closeup of Necromantica prior to fussy cutting. I've colored with Copics in my fave color scheme and tried to darken up the wings a bit using an almost full complement of Neutral Grays. Of course the roses just had to be red. Sooo romantic! The leaves blend in a bit, but I was trying to minimize the green. I generally don't write down my colors, but I believe I used YG99, YG63 and YG61, just enough colors to give a bit of contrast.

Necromantica is available HERE on Aurora Wings.com and HERE on Etsy.

I'm entering this decor piece in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Dream in Darkness AG Dark Dreams, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, An Inky Mess (AG mixed media), the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Altered Eclectics Sept (AG mixed media, upcycling, etc)...

Here is the second gorgeous skull image premiering today, called Skull and Roses. I'm afraid I only have a coloring for this image because I really wanted to color it on darker paper with pencils. As I'm only a beginner with pencils, It takes me forever, but I do thoroughly enjoy the process thanks to the classes at Kit and Clowder. This is the first time I've done a Design Team project using my Prismacolors and hopefully won't be my last. Just gotta remember to start EARLY if I want to get it done in time. You'll be seeing a project with this fabulous image sometime later next month, I promise.

Skull and Roses is available HERE on Aurora Wings.com and HERE on Etsy.

For those of you who are a bit squeamish about skull images, There are several more new images on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog that might be more to your liking.

And of course here's a COUPON good on ANY digital images through the weekend and this time, an adorable Gift with Purchase image, as well. Find out more in my second Showcase post HERE.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Wait Your Turn!

So this is the second leg of the Holiday Challenge on the Sandra Caldwell Stamps Fans FB Group and I've made an 8x8" fat page. I've cut up some glitter DP from an old Debbie Mumm Stack from JoAnn's and added it to and 8x8" page from Graphic 45. I've used #1955 Turkey Hunter (not in shop at the mo) and #1978 Santa Claus is Here. I thought the sentiment was hilarious, as the Christmas season seems to begin earlier and earlier every year.

Here's a closeup of #1955 Turkey Hunter. I've colored with Copics and added real feathers to his wings. He's cut with a Penny Black Antique Frame and inked with Distress.

And here's #1978 Santa Claus is Here. He looks a bit startled, don'tcha think? I've also colored him with Copics with some details in metallic gel pens and a white Posca paint pen. Gotta say, I had a ball with this one.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art Thankful September Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday #235 Always Thankful, The Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG (without the pearl twist), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #251 AG (3/3), Crafting by Designs Sept AG (2/3) and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG (5/5).

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Dragons Fly

This cutie dragon, img144 Dragons Fly by SheepSki Designs was colored in monochrome blues for the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge using the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge. I took a few liberties with the sketch substituting clouds for the arrow like shapes, but I thought it turned out cute and would make a sweet baby card or birthday card for a little boy. Don't you?

Here are the color shades.

and here's the sketch.

I just so happens I chose this particular cute image because is also fit the current SheepSki Designs FB challenge (AG/ with optional twist of wings) AND the SheepSki Designs Blog Challenge #18 For the Kidz. Isn't it fun to multitask?

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #251 AG (2/3), If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG (4/5), and 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #18 (2/5).

Monday, September 17, 2018

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

Our new challenge begins today on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the exciting theme of

Any music works here, a movie or TV series soundtrack, a nursery rhyme, classical or popular, with or without lyrics. We're excited to see what inspires you.

They say "Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express." The beautiful thing is music is like a time machine. One song... the music, the lyrics, the mood...can take you back to a moment like nothing else can. My inspiration comes from Elton John, he definitely takes me back. To be honest, my initial choice was "Your Song", which has special meaning, as it was a surprise gift (a 45 record) and Elton John's first hit, from my first serious boyfriend in 1970. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite come up with an appropriate image, so I chose my next favorite by Elton, "Tiny Dancer".

No problem there, as Mitzi, a former ballerina and ballet teacher, has many beautiful images to choose from. Star Dancer won out as it evokes the pure joy of the dance and looks like someone you could fall in love with completely. She's colored in Copics, fussy cut, glued to a black background, and fussy cut again for stability and drama.

Here's a closeup of the dimensional adhesive stars and Stardust Stickles I've used to bling Star Dancer up. She's pure magic, isn't she?!

I've used a piano die from Marianne Creatables to make the shaped card. Elton's piano was such a love of mine that I bought sheet music of my favorites of his to learn myself. Unfortunately, they were not piano solos and required sung lyrics which is certainly NOT my forte. I cut the die with substantial matte card stock and again in glossy black like our grand piano at home. Star Dancer is attached to the intricate die cut music stand that came with the piano die, which I then glued to a Spellbinders Labels Two die, again for more stability.

Although there was another die that was supposed to hold up the piano lid, I didn't need it, and to be honest, couldn't figure out how it was supposed to be attached. No instructions included with the die, so I had to wing it. I decided to make this a birthday card and added curved silver sentiment stickers and a musical die by Tutti cut in silver metallic card stock.

I know I've mentioned this before, but when working with glossy or metallic card stock especially, I prefer to use my Xyron machine to apply the adhesive to avoid messing up the glossy finish. My trick is to use a small stylus and go around all of the edges of the die, as well as the interior portions, before removing the top layer to avoid those icky "strings". It helps that the weather is getting cooler, as well.

Inside, I cut down the right angle edges of the piano die to make a mat and printed the sentiment on my computer. I added star corner stickers and additional stars to embellish. From here you can see that I attached Star Dancer underneath the interior mat, and between two layers of the Labels Two, with a strip of acetate. The back of the digi and the die cut music stand looks finished, as well. Happy that I didn't have to use the mystery die to prop the lid because it popped right up automatically, as did the music stand with my "tiny dancer". WooHoo!

The good news is, it folds flat for mailing, as well. Well, thanks for hanging in there for this epic post (believe it or not, this was edited severely, but as they say, "One song... the music, the lyrics, the mood...can take you back to a moment like nothing else can.")

Be sure to visit our new Challenge and the fabulous musical inspiration from my Stella sisters.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #90 AG (1/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #251 AG (1/3), the Outlawz Festive Fridays Birthday theme, 613 Avenue Create September AG, A Gem of a Challenge #227 One for the Girls/Ladies, the Colour Crazy Challenge wk 37 AG w/coloring (1/2), the Classic DT Open #9 AG (2/3), Creative Fingers #152 AG (1/3), Crafts Galore Encore Sept. AG (2/3), the Corrosive Challenge September #9 AG (1/3), A Perfect Time to Craft September #9 AG (1/3), Always Happy Birthday September (1/3), Crafty Girls Creations #50 AG (1/3), Create and Inspire September #77 AG/Inspired by a Song (1/3), CCC Digi Creations #96 Use Pearls/Gems (1/3 hope those stars count), Daisy Chain Challenges September #23 Birthday (U), If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG, Let's Craft and Create #141 AG/option Best Friends, the World Wide Open DT Challenge #09 (Sept/Oct) AG (1/3), Simon Says Wednesday Pop it Up (1/5)

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Playing on the Outlawz Forum (again!)

Okay, then. Just finished this one up for the last day of the current Sketch Challenge on the Outlawz Forum using the lovely Winter Cardinal Image, from Anne's Digital Art, who happens to be the challenge sponsor. I've colored the image with Copic markers and added some Copic Opaque White on the pine needles for snow. In keeping with the rustic feel, I've added a dimensional sticker by Jp Lee's (I think) and tore the edges of the stripes like they are in the sketch to simulate washi. (Do you believe I have NO Christmas washi tape?)

Here's the sketch which I've flipped left to right.

Conveniently, since I'm a little off my crafting game, this also works for the Outlawz Monday Greetings Christmas Comes Early, Twisted Thursday AG/opt. 3 of Something and Festive Friday Christmas.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #250 AG (3/3), The Crafter's Cafe # of Something (stripes 3/3)...

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Guest Designing for the Outlawz Sunday Songs and Rhymes

As you know I play regularly on the Outlawz Forum, a fun and friendly craft forum with 7 challenges a week plus a monthly Progressive challenge, so there's always lots going on. If you're not a member, why not check it out. You'll be glad you did. This week I'm Guest Designing for Sunday Songs and Rhymes and our song is:

Song: Happy Birthday

You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
'Cause we all know in our minds, etc

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Who doesn't need more birthday cards in their stash? As you may already know, I'm a monthly subscriber to the Kit and Clowder Coloring Classes for both Markers and, more recently, pencils as well. As a subscriber, Alyce also sends out a free monthly bonus class, theme voted on by the current members and this one was coloring dragons (still available if you subscribe before the next monthly class, but HURRY!). The dragon here was provided in the class and this was my first "practice" shot at the class. OMG! I had soo much fun with this! I purposely scaled it (ha, ha, I made a funny) to be card size and colored it with Copics, according to the class colors and set it aside.

The image was perfect for my birthday card for today as the colors also fit the current Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge and birthday twist, so I fussy cut him out and added him to the fun striped paper by Queen and Co. The birthday sentiment circle and cupcake are new to me from Simon Says Stamp. The sentiment circle was cut in purple, but I cut the cupcake in white and colored it to match the scheme and give the "frosting a bit of dimension.

I've been making a lot of square cards lately, but the Outlawz Monday Greetings challenge called for a rectangle, so rectangle it is. Yes, if your card fits more than one challenge on the Outlawz Forum, you may enter it wherever it fits. Only once on the sitewide monthly Linky though, where you can win even more prizes. WooHoo! Don'tcha want to join in?

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #250 AG (2/3), 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #18 (1/5) and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG (2/5).

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Sandra Caldwell Holiday Halloween Challenge

Sandra Caldwell is having a 3 part Holiday challenge in her Stamp Fans FB Group and this is for the Halloween leg that ends the 10th. I've used #390 Eddie Cutz (one of my all time faves!) and the new #2381 Rose Bee Witch. They're colored with Copics with silver gel pen on Eddie's scissor hand and buckles and I've added an iridescent epoxy sticker to the wart on Rose's nose. The sentiment was computer generated and I've added 3 large faceted Halloween gems to embellish.

I.m also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday 3 of one item, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #89 AG (3/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #250 AG (1/3), The Crafter's Cafe 3 of something (2/3), If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG, ...

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Naughty Gnomes

Today is our 43rd (YIKES!) Wedding Anniversary and I was a bit stumped for a card for hubby. Thought I'd do something cutsie and funny in conjunction with the Oddball Art Stamps September "Naughty Gnomes" theme and this is what I came up with using img #463 Ol' Gnome Love. (Fitting, eh?) I used the Heart Puzzle die by Elizabeth's Craft for the first time and assembled it in pieces so I could separate it and put the Gnomes in the center. They're colored with Copics and attached to the center puzzle pieces and popped. Nice fit! (Any symbolism was purely unintentional, LOL) The sentiment on the front was computer generated.

Inside I used the sentiment that came with Ol' Gnome Love, although I changed the "we" to "I" and added some epoxy hearts and xoxox's. Papers are from the old DCWV Madly in Love Stack. He got a kick out of it.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Festive Friday Anniversary theme, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #249 AG (3/3), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #89 (2/3), Crafting by Design AG (1/3 sponsor image), A Gem of a Challenge #226 Wedding Anniversary, Wedding Day, Engagement...

Monday, September 3, 2018

Mid Challenge Inspiration for the Aurora Wings Sketch Challenge #70

EEEEK! It's September! Do you believe that Fall (my favorite season) is almost here? The Aurora Team is back with the Mid-Challenge Inspiration for our fabulous Sketch challenge so I'll refresh your memory by re-posting this beautiful versatile sketch.

As I've said before, I'm sort of a rule follower, especially when it comes to sketches, but I'm always in awe of those who can tweak the "blueprint" in intriguing ways without losing the essence of the design, so feel free to do so.

I've again used my Marianne Creatables die for the base of this card. Not only does it showcase Mitzi's beautiful images perfectly, but it was perfect for the sketch, too. The upper left image is Hydrangea Fairy and the bottom right is Hydrangea 2, both available exclusively on AuroraWings.com. Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers and you can see the whole collection of them from Aurora Wings HERE.

Here's a closeup of Hydrangea Fairy. She's colored with Copics in the more subtle hues of Summer's fading blooms. The flowers are sprinkled here and there with Nuvo Drops and I've glittered her fairy Wings with Stardust Stickles, then fussy cut and popped with foam.

I've used the single Hydrangea 2 for the bottom corner. Again, it was colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped. The Spellbinders sentiment was cut 5 times and glued together to add dimension, as well. I've added it at an angle to reference the sketch somewhat.

Here's a better dimensional shot. Each layer was popped with foam and, as you can see, I wasn't completely satisfied with the coloring alone and decided to fussy cut additional blooms and a few petals of her skirt. This made a huge impact IRL, but maybe not so much here. I'm also a bit disappointed the the embossing details of the background die are barely visible in the pix, but they are beautiful.

Of course I had to do the same for Hydrangea 2 but the size of the individual petals required reading glasses OVER contacts as I struggle to cut and paste. After the 5th, my eyes (and fingers) said "No more!", but all in all it was worth it (to me anyway).

My Aurora Team sisters have some phenomenal inspiration for you in the Mid-Challenge Post so I hope you stop over and take a look. This challenge runs through September 15th so there's plenty of time to join in.

I hope everyone who celebrates is having a fabulous Labor Day weekend and I'd like to remind you that this is the final day for the Labor Day sale on Etsy. Digi stamps on AW Etsy only through today with an additional 10% with SAVE10.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through September 15th)