New release for AuroraWings

 

Okay, don't faint.  I know it's been forever since I've actually done a coloring post, especially since the AuroraWings challenges have moved to FB and the AW Showcase Team has been on hiatus for several months, but there is an unannounced new release from AuroraWings and I thought you might like to be aware.  Currently I see the majority of them only on Etsy HERE.  There are 4 new Christmas Sprites, as well as a new Flower Sprite, so check them out.  They are cuteness overload.  This little sweetie is Icicle Sprite and I couldn't resist coloring her first, mainly because I was a skater as a child and it brings back many fond memories.  Here are the others new ones available.

Christmas Tree Sprite2

Little Drummer Sprite

Penguin Sprite

Again, all can be found in the New Release section of the AW Etsy store HERE and I'm expecting another one coming soon that will be as much of a surprise to me, as you.

Wishing all of my crafty friends a very happy holiday season and hopefully a much better New Year.  xxxxx

Happy Year of the Rat

Happy New Year!  It's officially the beginning of the Year of the Rat, the first animal in the Chinese Zodiac and kicking off the Spring Festival in Asian countries, celebrating family and good fortune for the coming year.  This is the 3rd in the series Mitzi has drawn for AuroraWings, available HERE in png and HERE in jpg at AuroraWings.com.  Also available on Etsy in png HERE.

As soon as I saw this image, though, I thought it would make a fabulous retirement card or congrats on a new job card, using either the sentiment "Congratulations on leaving the rat race. Happy retirement" OR "Congratulations on your new job. You've officially entered the rat race." I really think it's suitable for a male or female and quick and easy to color, too.
I used Copics and a sticker sentiment and corners and kept it CAS for a change.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #123 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Besotted with our Pets, Classic Design Challenge January 2020 AG, and 2 Crafty Critter Crazies January.

My Wish for 2020

So sorry I haven't been around.  The holidays were a blur and I was late with everything, as usual.  Not a whole lot of crafting being done, either.  However, the FB challenge at the Stamps by Aurora Wings Group page is in full swing and here is my DT inspiration.  We are no longer offering Blog Challenges, but the monthly FB challenge gives you the same opportunities to win prizes, with the exciting twist that you can now enter past projects, as well as coloring only, which we hope will encourage more people to share their beautiful work.  

The gorgeous image I've used is Abundance, available exclusively HERE at AuroraWings.com.  Here is what Mitzi says about the inspiration for this image.

"Abundance" ©Mitzi Sato-Wiuff/Aruarian Dancer Created for the Enchanted Visions Project's monthly theme, "Abundance". Inspired by the ancient Chinese art of placement, Feng Shui, this image incorporates many items deemed auspicious according to Feng Shui -- goldfish for wealth and prosperity, peaches for health and longevity, peonies for beauty and romance, all presented in the shades of red and gold, which are believed to be the colors that activate positive chi.

I've colored in Copics, using the approximate colors in Mitzi's original.  I've wanted to attempt this image for quite awhile and really enjoyed the challenge.  I thought is was perfect for a New Year's Wish, although it would also be perfect for Thanksgiving using a "Thankful" sentiment, or any occasion you want to offer heartfelt wishes.

Here's a closeup of Abundance.  I've cropped the image to focus on the central portion of the design.  After coloring, I decided the fade out I'd done around the edges tended to wash out the important elements so I fussy cut around the fish tails to fit the Spellbinders Grand Oval I used to mat it.  "Wish" is a Tim Holtz die and "my" was done with the "Haunted" alphabet die from QuicKutz.  I backed the textured metallic cuts with a deep red to help them stand out a bit more.  The lovely DP is from K&Co.

Wishing you all Abundant Blessings in 2020!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art January 2020 Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Celebrate or AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends C#122 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Fun with Florals, 613 Avenue Create AG w/optional Twist-Make it shiny and Classic Design Challenge #1 January.

Aurora Wings FB Challenge Inspiration

Since closing the Aurora Wings Challenge blog we've resumed our Facebook challenges in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group with relaxed rules.  Our theme is always Anything Goes and you need not submit a complete project, coloring only is acceptable. In fact, your project does not even have to be new! 
You may enter with work you done previously, even if you had entered it in our Blog Challenge.  Can't get any easier than that, can you?

My Design Team inspiration, however is new and was quite a challenge for me.  The gorgeous image is La Fee Verte, one I've had for awhile but had been a bit intimidated to try to color.  I took a look at Mitzi's gallery for inspiration and then did sort of a quick color blocking with my lightest Copics so the page did seem as intimidating and went from there.

Here's a close up of La Fee Verte.  She's available exclusively HERE on AuroraWings.com.  After adding layers upon layer of color with my Copics, I decided the central image did not stand out enough so I shaded around the fairy and central roses with a dark umber Prismacolor pencil.  I deepened potions of the black with the bullet tip of a black Memento marker and finally added highlights with a white gel pen.  Ahhh, much better.  The background is a combination of Copics and chalk.  Then matted in black with DP from K&Co.  Although it took me awhile, in the end I was quite pleased.

Here's what's happening with AuroraWings.

Stamps by AuroraWings Fan page

Stamps by AuroraWings FB Group 

(inspiration, challenges, special events and freebies))

AuroraWings Showcase Blog

(new release inspiration)

AuroraWings.com

AuroraWings Etsy

I'm adding this to the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG (no twist), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #112 ATG, the World Wide Open DT Challenge August/Sept, the Classic DT Open August Challenge, Crafting by Designs August ATG ...

Remembering Aletha

If you are following the Remembering Aletha Blog Hop, you already know we are celebrating the life of Aletha Jane Williams, an amazingly talented artist and friend who we lost on May 5th, 2019.  A number of her former Design team sisters and friends are honoring her here today in conjunction with the very special remembrance celebration her husband Bob is holding in their home town of Tulsa Oklahoma.

I had the pleasure of working along with Aletha on a number of Design Teams and was always inspired by her amazing coloring ability and sweet and helpful nature.  We shared a passion for AuroraWings right from the get go and Aletha was particularly fond of Mitzi's Sprites.  She brought them to life using the deep rich colors she was know for, until they literally popped off the page.  How fitting for Mitzi to honor her memory with Passion Flower Sprite, available in jpg during the two days of the hop for free.  What a perfect flower choice, as Aletha's passion and joy in life was especially evident in her art.

I used the png version of this digi (available at AuroraWings.com HERE) because I wanted to use her with a celestial digital background.  I chose the purple because Aletha so often used this rich jewel tone.  From now on, when I look at the sky, and see an array of gorgeous colors I will imagine Aletha happily at work.  I'm sure she's one of the brightest stars in the sky.

Alison Heikkila 

Mitzi Sato-Wiuff

Suzi Baker McKenzie

Marion Lones

Silvia Sencaka

Ann-Marie Johansson

Jane Bradshaw

Creepy Glowbugg

Donna Mundinger (you are here)

Susan Salyer

Cristena Concialloni-Bagne

Jan Thompson

Happy Birthday AWCB

If you follow the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog you may already have read the Farewell Post.  We've had a hard time with Facebook not allowing links to the blog in our Stamps by AuroraWings FB Group but you know you can always come here to find out what's up.  Yes, we're celebrating 5 incredible years of challenges and I'm so honored and proud to say that I've been a part of it since Day 1.  I've made many friends through my association with the Aurora Wings family of designers both past and present and I can't even begin to tell you how Mitzi's talent, support and special friendship has inspired me throughout the years. Oh oh!  Here's where I'm getting a little teary eyed so I may have to cut this post short.  Anyway, after careful consideration, we are closing the AW Challenge Blog, but it will be business as usual in the FB Group, AuoraWings.com, AuroraWings Etsy, etc.

Last Monday, the 3rd Monday in March was our 5th Anniversary of the AWCB and had we continued the challenges, it would have been the ever popular Sprite Delight.  In celebration of those 5 fabulous years, Mitzi is offering this special Birthday Cake Sprite as a freebie in both jpg and png form through the end of the month HERE.  I've colored this cutie in png format with Copics in order to combine her with lovely Birthday Bouquet digital papers from WeAre3.

We also have a coupon goin' on through March 24th (plus the opportunity to guess the SECRET COUPON CODE) so be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to collect your freebies and maybe get an even bigger discount if you shop.

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Special 8th Birthday Challenge (using sponsor papers from We Are 3), the DL.Art March Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #102 AG,  ...

WINNER!

Mid-Month Inspiration for Over the Rainbow at Aurora Wings

It's time for the Aurora Team to bring you some additional inspiration for Challenge #75 at Aurora Wings.  Our theme is

and what do you find at the end?  Why a pot of gold, of course.  I've used the adorable Little Leprechaun available exclusively HERE on AuroraWings.com and paired him with Shamrock Sprite available HERE on AuroraWings.com and 
HERE on Etsy.

I made a little scene using a variety of dies and some glitter flowers and foam shamrocks from my stash.  I thought the computer generated sentiment would not only be cute for St. Patrick's Day, but also for a March anniversary or birthday, as well.

I've colored these cuties with Copics and fussy cut and popped them for dimension.  Here's a closeup of Shamrock Sprite.  Both images were flipped using my Printmaster Pro program to work with the dies and design.

And here's Little Leprechaun's closeup.  What a sweetheart!

And finally, the dimensional shot.  It's been awhile since I've created a little scene like this, and it was fun.  Be sure to stop by the AW Challenge Blog to see the rest of the Aurora Team's awesome projects and come on Over the Rainbow with us.

Here's how to keep up with what'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 March Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #101 AG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Happy St. Patrick's Day, Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes, Stamping Sensations Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #2 (2/3), A Perfect Time to Craft March AG, Crafts Galore Encore #61 AG, Oddball Challenges AG/ opt Life Sized Leprechauns and Unlucky Clovers...

Over the Rainbow with Aurora Wings

Our new challenge #75 begins today at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the beautiful theme of

With the dismal rainy weather we've been having, a rainbow would be a welcome sight, but coloring in rainbow hues was the next best thing and lifted my spirits immensely.  We always welcome creative interpretations of our themes at Aurora Wings, but since it's been awhile since I've colored in gradations, I thought that's how I'd go.  The beautiful image is Poppies, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.

I've colored Poppies with Copics in more colors than I could count.  The sequence doesn't exactly follow the colors of the rainbow, but more that of the color wheel, as I wanted to go from light to dark.  My craft room has been in even greater disarray than usual, since having company come, so I printed my image before even attempting to find an appropriate die.  But lo and behold, the crafting gods were with me and she fit perfectly into the center of a new and unused Spellbinders frame from the Designer Series Chantilly Paper Lace.  WooHoo!  

I didn't want to detract from the vibrant colors so I matted with white as well but added some texture with my Swiss dots Cuttlebug folder and popped it on a light blue card base that fairly closely matched the subtle chalk background I'd used around the image.  The only embellishment is a tiny yellow dimensional butterfly sticker from Little B.  The sentiment is a sticker from the Tim Holtz Small Talk collection that reads "give out what you want to come back".

Be sure to stop by the AWCB to see the lovely inspiration from my Stella teamies and why not follow us Over the Rainbow and come play along?

OMG!  Hubby just came in to tell me there's a double rainbow outside!

Not the best pic, but before I could even get it uploaded it started to thunder and hail!  Yikes! 

Okay then, here's how to keep up with what'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 February Linky Challenge, the February Classic Design Team Open Challenge #2, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #100 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #269 AG, the Outlawz Thursday Twist AG/Say it with Flowers, A Perfect Time to Craft February #2, the World Wide Open DT Challenge (2/15), Path of Positivity #66 (opt. twist Love)...

Mid-Challenge Inspiration for Aurora Wings #74

It's time for a little mid-month inspiration from the Aurora Team for our Anything Goes Challenge #74 at Aurora Wings.  Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I decided to do a Valentine using a non-Valentine image, Kitty Sprite, available exclusively HERE at AuroraWings.com.  Who doesn't love a pile of kitties?  Well, you KNOW I love ME some!  I'd found in my stash some mini conversation hearts that fit purrfectly with the adorable kitties, so there ya go!  The DP is from an ancient K&Company stack and the punch out sentiment and little "smitten" sticker (couldn't resist! it rhymes with kitten) is from a Valentine crafting bundle kit from Authentique.

Here's a closeup of Kitty Sprite, colored with Copics.  Gotta say I get all warm and fuzzy just looking at this purrecious digi!  You've got a better view of the teeny hearts, too.  Pretty sure they're from Mike's, at least a year ago and I loved their smaller size and the cute, more traditional sayings without things like "text me".  Sorry, I don't find that romantic in the least.

Now, you've GOT to go visit the Challenge Blog and see the spectacular projects from my Aurora sisters.  I PROMISE you won't be disappointed!  And hey, why not come play along?  Still lots of time.  Pop on over to our FB Group, too.

Here's how to keep up with what'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 February Linky Challenge, SUYP #38 Furrything Goes/Meuw Year, the February Classic Design Team Open Challenge #2, 613 Avenue Create Feb AG/Use a Critter, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #99 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Love is in the Air, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG with critter, CIC #463 (see below), Dragonfly Dreams Include a Heart, Allsorts #505 Love, ...

First Challenge of the New Year at Aurora Wings

Happy New Year everyone!  It's not only the first Challenge at Aurora Wings, but the first post from me in the new year.  YIKES!  I've never let my blog go this long without a post, but there's nothing better than to come back ready and refreshed for the fun new challenges we have in store for you this year at Aurora Wings.  The teams have had a break too, so we're easing into the new year of challenges with the all time favorite theme of Anything Goes.

My project just happens to be a Chinese New Year's project, which falls on February 5th, celebrating Mitzi's new image for Year of the Pig, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.  Here's the closeup of this adorable image, the 12th sign of the Chinese Zodiac with the Chinese character for pig in the background.   While doing a bit of research I noticed that most of the images for this Year of the Pig were in reds and golds.  The Feng Shui lucky colors for the Lunar Year 2019 for those born in the year of the pig are Vermilion Red and Venetian Yellow, so I colored with Copics accordingly.  If you'd like to read more about the lucky colors for all signs of the Chinese Zodiac for 2019 click HERE.

I fussy cut and popped the image and cut some textured gold paper with the Oriental Fan die from Tattered Lace in the background.  My hubby was born in a Year of the Pig and he received a special gift from a Chinese woman who worked for him when we had her and her family over for dinner during the holidays many years ago.  He holds an honored place in our dining room hutch and will be especially lucky this year all shiny and gold.

So there you have it!  A brand new challenge at Aurora Wings for a brand new year.  Be sure check out the fabulous inspiration by the Stella team HERE and come play along.  It's Anything Goes!

I'm adding this to the DL.Art January Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #98 AG,  The Classic Design Team Open Challenge Jan 2019, and Ike's World #116 A is for Animals.

Holiday Spirit Mid-Challenge Inspiration

We're on the last leg of the last challenge of 2018 at Aurora Wings with the festive theme of

I've made a shadow box card with a die from Sizzix that folds flat for mailing.  I thought it would be the perfect winter scene for Mitzi's adorable Reindeer Sprite.

Here's a closeup of Reindeer Sprite, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.  He's colored with Copics, fussy cut and added to the scene between the drifts of snow.

Here's a side view on the card.  It's leaning a bit because I was testing out the collapsibility of it.  Hmm... the verdict is still out on that aspect, but it was sure fun to make.  Please be sure to check out the fabulous inspiration from my Aurora DT sisters and come play along.  This challenge closes at 11:55 pm Saturday December 15th so there's still plenty of time to play.

Here's how to keep up with what'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 December Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #95 AG,  Simon Says Wednesday AG (5/5), the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG,  613 Avenue Create #216 Dec AG, Your Scrapbook Place Dec AG, the Classic Design Team Open #12 Dec AG, As You Like it Rubber or Digi? (I prefer digis because of the options for sizing and flipping the image), ...

Holiday Spirit at Aurora Wings

Happy Thanksgiving week to all my U.S. blogging friends.  Christmas is fast approaching and what better theme could we possible have for our new challenge at Aurora Wings than

With so many gorgeous Christmas images available at Aurora Wings, I had a hard time making a decision, but finally decided upon this lovely Rose Angel.
The design was a bit of a compromise.  After coloring, I really wanted to inlay the outline of the Peaceful Dove die cut from Poppystamps directly into my coloring, but after cutting it out of the white, with the tiny pieces flying everywhere, I thought it best just to glue it on top.  The Peace sentiment is from Tim Holtz for Sizzix, cut twice in silver and white and the card is bordered with peel off stickers  and a mat of metallic blue card stock.

Here's a closeup of Rose Angel.  She's colored with Copics and I'd say she's mid-way on the difficulty scale of the Aurora Wings angels and easily suitable for multiple cards.  She's available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy and I chose her because she's praying, which seemed especially appropriate for the sentiment.  Aren't we all?  You can see all of the AuroraWings angels HERE.

The color scheme is my second favorite for Christmas and I was swayed by a new angel outfit for one of my BJD's (ball jointed dolls).  Yup, I collect all kinds of stuff!  This little sweetie is Tuppance, by Rose Bbflocking and I just love her to bits.  Her outfit was done by my friend Rachel Fisher of myownlittleworld bjd.

So I hope you're all in the Holiday Spirit and will visit the AWCB to see the gorgeous inspiration by my Stella DT sisters and will come play along.  The challenge runs through Saturday December 15th, with a mid inspiration post on December 3rd, so there's plenty of time to join in.

Here's how to keep up with what'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 the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #260 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #94 AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, 613 Avenue Create AG Christmas/Winter, Die Cut Divas November AG (w/die cuts), TTRCD Week of Nov. 13th AG, A Perfect Time to Craft #11 AG, Whoopsie Daisy AG/opt Monochrome, the Classic Design Team Open #11 AG (3/3), the World Wide DT Open Nov 15-Dec 11 (2/3), Your Scrapbook Place November AG, C.R.A.F.T. Challenge Christmas, ...