Popsicle Toes

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

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), ...

Monday, November 19, 2018

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

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, ...

Saturday, November 17, 2018

"H" is for Home for the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers

I'm thrilled to have been crowned "Queen of Snark" at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers which means I have the honor of Guest designing for their new Challenge with the theme "H" is for Home.

Although you only have to follow the theme and not necessarily make your project "snarky", That's the fun of it, isn't it? I found this theme to be a little tricky but finally came up with a plan. It's an easel card with the home all decked for the holidays. Die cuts are from Spellbinders and embossing folder from Tim Holtz.

In case you can't quite figure it out, here's the closeup of the pertinent parts. Don'tcha just love it when guests show up empty handed? Me neither!

Be sure to visit the SOSS Challenge Blog and check out the fab inspiration by the team. And COME PLAY ALONG! You KNOW you wanna!

I'm linking this up to the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #260 AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

New Images From Aurora Wings

I'm excited to again be joining the Aurora Wings Showcase Team for the November new release. These little cuties are called Christmas Wreath Besties, perfect for your animal loving friends. I decided to go with traditional Christmas colors and cut them with Spellbinders Grands and popped them on a red and white base with a border die by Sue Wilson.

Here's a closeup of Christmas Wreath Besties. I've colored with Copics and used some white Flower Soft over Glistening Snow Writer on the fur of their caps and Nuvo Drops for ornaments on the wreath. The hardest part was deciding how to color the adorable kitten and puppy, but also the most fun. Next time I think I'll try some non traditional pastels for a totally different look.

Christmas Wreath Besties available on AuroraWings.com

in jpg HERE and png HERE

and on Etsy in jpg HERE and png HERE.

Mitzi has also added another glamorous fairy to her stunning collection of beauties. Meet Lady Rose, available in two different poses. (jpg only)

Lady Rose, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.

And Lady Rose 2, available HERE on AuroraWing.com and HERE on Etsy.

Be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog to see the stunning inspiration from the Showcase team.

And here's a surprise! Christmas Mermaid is a Gift with Purchase Special for 4 days only with a minimum purchase of just $7.00 (after discount, digi stamps only) at either AuroraWings.com or AuroraWings Etsy.

Use the coupon below for additional savings!

I'm entering Christmas Wreath Besties in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #259 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #93 AG, Die Cut Divas November AG (with die cuts), 613 Avenue Create November AG opt Christmas/Winter, the World Wide Open DT challenge (Nov 15-Dec 12) AG, Creative Moments #156 AG, Fab and Funky #416 Include an Animal, the Paper Shelter #362 Christmas is Coming, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Nov. #20 AG w/critter, Scrapyland Challenge #101, Winter Wonderland What do you love to do at Christmas? Decorate with the help of my pets. LOL, The Cutie Pie Challenge Winter Layers, Incy Wincy Designs Christmas, Sheepski Designs Anything Christmas, the Classic Design Team Open Challenge November AG, TTRCD Week of Nov 13th AG, A Perfect Time to Craft Nov. AG, Crafting from the Heart #228 AG, Crafty Animals #20 AGw/Animals, the Papercraft BusinessChallenge #12 AG/opt Christmas Animal the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge Christmas and Make My Monday Winter Foliage.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Mid-Inspiration Post for Aurora Wings Challenge #72

It's mid-inspiration post time for our Once Upon a Dream...or a Nightmare Challenge at Aurora Wings.

And surprise, surprise, I've got a DREAM for you. Well, maybe more of a nightmare for those of you who had snow in September, but for me, it actually WAS a dream I had.

Hubby and I moved to CA from Michigan in 1980. Although I love the weather here most of the time, I really was missing the idea of snow at Christmas. When we went to bed on Christmas Eve, I was wishing for snow so badly that I dreamt that night that I would wake up to snow. When I actually did wake up, the curtained window looked so bright I thought my dream had actually come true. When I was a kid, I could ALWAYS tell when it snowed because of how bright the curtains looked. Unfortunately it was not the case, but I still think it was a gift from Santa to make me happy, even if for only a minute. (Yes, I still believe!)

I've used the adorable Snowflake Sprite on one of my rather elaborate shaped card designs I did on my first generation Cricut Expression with my Cricut Design Studio software on my laptop back in 2009. It was before SVG files or any of the current fancy die cutting machines and was how I became a paper crafter.

Here's a closeup of Snowflake Sprite, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy. She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped, with Stickles and a variety of Nuvo drops adding detail.

Here's the dimensional view. With all that going on in her setting, I couldn't just leave her flat, could I?

BTW, this cutie just happens to be on sale on AuroraWings.com along with many more of Mitzi's Christmas images HERE, as well as a current 15% off ALL AW digis on AuroraWings Etsy. Use this coupon for an EXTRA discount through Sunday, November 11.

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

I'm entering this in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Jo's Scrap Shack #258 AG, the World Wide Design Team Open (Oct 15-Nov 12) AG, Die Cut Divas Nov, AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #93 AG, Papercraft Challenges #23 Inspired by a Song (Let it Snow), TTRCD Week of October 30 AG, the Outlawz PAM Cold Weather, the Classic Design Team Open Nov #11 AG, 613 Avenue Create #215 AG/opt.Christmas/Winter, and A Perfect Time to Craft November #11 AG,

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)...

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Red and White Christmas

Playing on the Outlawz Forum using the Wednesday Sketch. Decided to go through my bazillion dies to see what might look nice in the corners and came across this Sizzix Tim Holtz Christmas set with 3 different patterns I'd never used. The poinsettia one worked best and I thought a simple color scheme with just the red and white would look rather elegant, but the plain red was a bit boring. Only a very tiny pattern really worked with the intricate dies and fortunately there was a piece of card stock with a subtle darker red just laying on top of my Christmas stash. WooHoo! The Noel sentiment die is also Tim Holtz for Sizzix and I balanced it out with a few flat backed red pearls. Found a gorgeous red crinkle ribbon from DL.Art for the bow and called it done.

Here's the sketch.

I also added it to the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Shopping Our Stash #360 Red, White, & Blue (or any combo thereof), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#239 AG, the Scrapy Land challenge #92 AG w/die brands that Scrapy Land sells, Crafting by Designs Getting Ready for Christmas and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #84 AG.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Peaceful Dove

Got yet another package of new dies yesterday (yes, it's an addiction) and thought I'd do some experimenting with a CAS Christmas card using Peaceful Dove by Poppystamps. One of the themes for Festive Fridays on the Outlawz Forum is always Christmas and I love playing, there so I was eager to get this going. Maybe a card that was easily mailed might actually get sent. That remains to be seen, of course, as "postal phobia" has a tendency to rule my world.

I centered the die within the mat and cut, then colored the outline with a silver metallic Sharpie. I thought maybe I could do an inlay with the cut out white pieces but they sort of flew all over the place and many were teeny weenie so I decided to fill the void with ultra fine glitter instead.

It took me awhile to figure out that I had to apply a large enough piece of transfer tape to cover the die cut to the actual card base and remove the backing and THEN apply tape to the edges of the mat and carefully, VERY CAREFULLY! put the mat in place to get this to work. That left the open area of the dove sticky so I could place the silver outline in the cut and then fill it with the glitter. I suppose that should be intuitive, but at 4:30 am, not so much.

Here's a better pic of the sparkle. The sentiment is from the Sizzix Tim Holtz Holiday Words set and I colored that with the Sharpie as well. I used a Starform sticker outline and corners and then scattered a few of the leftover stars to fill the void and called it done. Not too bad considering. I'll be messing with this again.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #81 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #232 AG, (3/3), the Holly and the Ivy #28 AG Christmas, Scrapy Land Challenge #89 AG w/dies SL sells, the HLS May Christmas Challenge AG with Optional Stars, Incy Wincy Things That Fly and CHNC #384 AG Christmas.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Penguin Elf

One good thing about being sick is when I felt up to it, I could color. Since nothing was really "pressing" at the moment, I decided to practice pencils on kraft using the free members rewards class from Kit and Clowder I received for being a monthly class member. As long as you stay a member of the monthly classes, Alyce sends an extra free class (that members get to vote on) every month. WooHoo! This one if from last December. The adorable stamp is Penguin Elf from the Crissie Armstrong Digital Collection at Whimsy Stamps.

Here's a closeup of my coloring of Penguin Elf with Prismacolor pencils. Although I have some kraft paper that has a bit more "Tooth" it is 12x12" so I used some from my 8 1/2 x 11" pack so I wouldn't have to cut it down. Made it a little harder to blend, but I'm still pleased with the results. I added some icicles around the top and shaded to frame him in a bit more after cutting with my Spellbinders Grand Ovals.

I tried all sorts of DP, but wasn't thrilled with the way it look with the kraft. Finally unearthed my old Recollections Warm Wishes stack which was printed on kraft and went with that. It has shiny foiled hearts so I matted with red mirror card stock and added a green foil frame and glitter holly with gems for the Simon Says Wednesday Sparkle and Shine Challenge.

I'm also entering this in the Whimsy Inspiration Challenge #105 AG, Always Fun Challenges #54 Use kraft, the Outlawz Festive Friday Christmas theme, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, the {PIN}spirational Anniversary Challenge #213 AG (5/5, the ABC Christmas Challenge 'H' is for Hats 'I' is for Ice (got 'em BOTH!), Simply Papercraft #76 AG, Winter Wonderland Cute Christmas Critters, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies April #13 AG w/critter and The Holly and the Ivy #27 Anything Christmas Goes and Crafty Animals #13 AG /w Animal.

Monday, April 2, 2018

The Party Continues on the AWCB

Well I'm winging my way home from Florida and our nephew's beautiful wedding, probably as you read this, but managed to work ahead for this Mid- Inspiration Post for our special 4th Anniversary Party/Sprite Delight V Challenge. I hope you've all collected your "party favor" as she is still available until the challenge close on April 14th and look forward to you joining us with ANY of Mitzi's adorable Sprites.

Okay, I'm sure those of you have been experiencing Winter weather far longer than normal are not thrilled to see a snowy card, but I'm fond of doing Christmas year 'round and to be honest, I had a major Copic catastrophe with my original image and plan and this cutie was started for some other challenges. Pretty sure Hot Cocoa Sprite, available HERE on AuroraWings .com and HERE on Etsy could melt even the coldest heart though, don'tcha think?

Here's a closeup of Hot Cocoa Sprite. He's colored with Copics and fussy cut after gluing him on some light turquoise card stock. I then glued him to a snowflake ornament and clipped him to a double stitched tag from Gina Marie. The gorgeous hand dyed crinkle ribbon is from DL.Art.

I thought this turned out so cute that it would be fun to make him removable from the card to hang on your tree, so here he is doing just that. WooHoo!

If you're more in the mood for Springtime, be sure to visit the Challenge Blog and see the gorgeous makes by my Stella team sisters and don't forget to grab you "party favor" while you're there. Hope to see you join in our Sprite Delight V/4th Anniversary Celebration. Double prizes this time. WooHoo!

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through April 14th)