Introducing Four New Sprites from Aurora Wings!

It's a happy day on the AuroraWings Showcase Blog where four new Sprites are making their debut.  I'm thrilled to be joining the Showcase team to introduce the newest members of the Sprite family.  Here's the adorable Trumpet Honeysuckle Sprite.  Isn't she sweet?  These flowers need some support via trellises or other structures so I've added a trellis die cut across from Spellbinders along with a fancy trellis medallion from Heartfelt Creations. 

Here's a closeup of Trumpet Honeysuckle Sprite.  I've colored her with Copics in the colors that a neighbor has covering his mailbox.  Hope the mailman doesn't get stung when delivering the mail there, as these flowers are often teeming with bees.  But I'm sure they're the friendly ones like the brads I've added to my card.  They're a favorite for butterflies and hummingbirds, as well.

Trumpet Honeysuckle Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

I've used the new sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge for the design.  They've helped me out countless times when I've been struggling with a design.  I've substituted a die cut sentiment from Die-versions for the banner up top and added quilling strip streamers at each end, like those I've woven through the trellis.

Now are you ready to see the rest of the adorable new Sprites?  Of course you are!  How about a peek?  Here are the colored samples of the other 3 Sprites being Showcased, but you'll have to visit another post to see the finished projects.

  Buttercup Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

See my full project with Buttercup Sprite HERE.

Thistle Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

See my full project with Thistle Sprite HERE.

Honeysuckle Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

Tell me you're not excited about these cuties!  Check out the fabulous inspiration from the AuroraWings Showcase team on the AuroraWings Showcase Blog and then hop to it.  You know you want 'em so here's a Coupon good in both AuroraWings shops through the weekend.  WooHoo!

 OMG!!! There's MORE!!!!

Gotta say any of this beauties would be perfect for our current Joyous Occasions Challenge on the AWCB.  It ends at 11:59 PM EDT this Saturday so there's still time.  Hope to see you there.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #84 AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, Dare 2B Artzy Bright Colors, Crafty Calendar 3 of Something (bees) 2/3, Crafty Gals Corner summer Colors, Inspiration Destination AG, Little Red Wagon To Bee or Not to Bee, The Crafty Addicts Say it With Flowers, the Corrosive Challenge #6 June AG, Dragonfly Dreams June AG, A Bit More Time to Craft #69 AG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Die Cuts, ...

Another for the Outlawz

Today I've one for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge on the Outlawz.  It's funny how I never followed sketches until I joined the Outlawz.  Now I love them, although I'm still pretty literal when following them, but I gotta say, they've saved my butt more than a few times when I've been stuck for a design.  I found the coordinating papers from MAMBI while looking for pink polka dots for the Color Challenge yesterday.  I was going for a two-fer but decided that there were too many other colors here to fit the tic tac toe board so I quickly made another card for a better fit.  The lime doily is Doodlebug, Celebrate is a by Tutti Designs (and comes with two sizes and this is the larger one) and the Heart Balloons is Die-versions, cut 4 times in coordinating colors to layer over the white.  The little hearts at the bottom were punched.

Here's the sketch.  Like I said, I'm not all that creative in interpretation, but it worked.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #84 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#237 AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, Scrapy Land Challenge #91 AG w/ die brands SL sells, Dare 2B Artzy Bright Colors, and Crafty Calendar 3 of Something.

A Quickie for the Outlawz

Yikes, it's been a week since I blogged!  Very unlike me, but what can I say?  I took some time to work on some of my pencil classes from Kit and Clowder but haven't finished and this last weekend was the 100th year of the Livermore Rodeo.  YeeHaw!  I've got a BIG post coming up on Thursday so stay tuned.  In the meantime here's a quickie I did for the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge.  It's a tic tac toe board and I chose the top row.

Here's the board.  I had one heck of a time finding pink polka dot paper.  Really?  And the dots aren't white but will have to do.  The "grass is a Martha Stewart icicle punch that I more often use for grass.  The heart is the outside of an elaborate Spellbinders die, embossed with a Cuttlebug folder, the cute kids are from Die-versions and the sentiment is from Lawn Fawn.  I think it makes a sweet anniversary card.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #84 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#237 AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, Scrapy Land Challenge #91 AG w/ die brands SL sells.

Another Joyous Occasion for Aurora Wings

It's time for the mid-challenge inspiration on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and we're celebrating Joyous Occasions.  This time my occasion is a little more off-beat, but definitely joyous!  Can you think of anything more fun than getting a NEW PET?  (Preferable a kitty, or two, or three, but maybe that's just me.)  I've used the adorable Can I Keep Them, currently available exclusively HERE at AuroraWings.com and geared it more for a child, using cute paper from an old Heidi Grace stack that reminded me of a child's drawing or book illustration.

Here's a close-up of Can I Keep Them.  I've colored with Copics with a little bit of fur detail from my Prismacolor pencils.  I still remember picking out my first kitty for my 4th birthday and having the hardest time with all those cuties running around.  I finally decided on a little boy I named Twinkle.  I was soooo excited and happy!

The kitties at her feet are Kitten Smitten Shape Sprinkles stickers from Doodlebug.  The colors and expressions seemed to match the image kitties and to be honest, I could only find that scrap of grass on my desk and the dies were nowhere to be found (at least for now) and they helped fill up some space in front of the MS fence I'd punched.  Anyway, the more kitties the merrier, in my book, but the harder to choose, for sure.

Since I'd printed Can I Keep Them so big, I used Spellbinders Grand Oval for the upright scene, but did not have paper large enough to cut the base of the easel with the ovals, as well.  Instead I used Grand Circles but had to trim a bit for the edges not to show from the front.  The fence goes all the way around the oval matting and is attached to the back.

The sentiment is a sticker from Echo Park's Meow Pack.  It's popped on foam to hold the easel upright.  The first line is hard to read because it's so light, but says "I just want you to know".  This could be referring to the chosen kitty, and in fact, my Twinkle was indeed a Siamese, like the one there, but it could also work as a birthday card for a kitty loving little girl.  You could easily add a "Happy Birthday" Sentiment under the little paper clip sun (also Doodlebug) at the top of the oval, if you wish.

Finally the entire card does fold pretty flat as the only popped elements are the mat on the oval and the sentiment on the base.  Both the fence and the sweet girl can be pushed to either side to flatten further for mailing.  (I've fashioned a strip of cardstock into an open rectangle to put behind her head to keep her in line with the fence where she is attached at the bottom.  So there ya go.  Took a bit of unexpected engineering but I'm pleased with the outcome.

Please be sure to check out the Joyous Occasions my fabulous Stella DT sisters are celebrating on the AWCB.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through June 16th)

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm adding this to the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #84 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG/AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #15 AG w/Critter, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#236 AG (3/3), A Bit More Time to Craft #69 AG (U), World Wide Open DT Challenge May 15 AG 2/3), Classic DT Open June #26 AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, Crafting With Friends #68 AG (3/3), KBD #119 AG/optional Congrats, QKR Stampede #298 AG, A Perfect Time to Craft Open #06 AG, CCK Inspiration and Challenge June Cats or Dogs, Crafty Animals June #15 AG/w animals, Crafty Girls Creations June #48 AG (1/3), Colour Crazy Challenge #21 AG/w coloring (2/3), Creative with Stamps #27 Cute Animals, Die Cut Divas June Animals or Pets, Fabrika Fantasy June #21 Animals, Creative Crafters #4 AG, 613 Avenue Create #210 AG, Simon Says Monday All Things Bright and Beautiful, Dare 2B Artzy Bright Colors and SUYP (cats only) challenge #30 Furrything Goes.

Last one for the Hop (I think)

Couldn't finish my coffee cards for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop until I did one with a digi from Bloobel Stamps.  These fun quirky stamps are some of my faves and I'm crushed to see that she's closing up shop on June 18th.  The good news is that all stamps are now $1.50 with and additional 30% discount on the top of the store page, if you purchase $5.00 or more.  This digi is called Scared of Mice.  No, she seems to be scared of decaf.  Click HERE if you'd like to see the Bloobel Coffee Themed digis.  I've used a few of them in past Hops.  Like this one,

  
and this one (clearly I have an issue with decaf)

  

and this one.

So I hope you go and take a look around Bloobel stamps.  The first page of digital stamps has two cute freebies.

The cup and steam on today's card were done with stamps from Super Sponsor Verve Stamps.  EEEK!  They are also closing up shop and have a 55% discount store wide (except the two new limited edition sets).  I've already placed my order and stuff is selling out fast. 

I'm kind of sad now, not only because of the store closings, but because the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Hop is almost over.  Thanks so much to Amy, the Super Sponsors and all involved with making this such a fun and inspiring event.  Looking forward to the next one already.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #82 AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #236 AG (2/3), Crafting With Friends #68 (2/3), ...

Great Ideas

It's the final day of the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and I still have loads of ideas.  This one I got from a coffee meme featuring Albert Einstein which reminded me of the fabulous #2102 Einstein digi by Sandra Caldwell .  I found a copyright free backboard image with mathematical stuff on the net and added the coffee equations in white with my Printmaster Platinum Program.  I colored Einstein and a stamped coffee cup from Verve stamps with Copics and stamped a Verve sentiment (both from the Coffee set).  So sad to see that Verve Stamps is closing it's doors.  Funky DP is from my stash.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #82 AG, Simon Says Monday Masculine (4/5), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #236 AG, Crafting by Designs For the Boys, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG theme, Crafting With Friends #68 AG (1/3), Color Crazy Challenge Wk 21 AG, the Creative Crafters #4 AG, 

Half-o-ween Blog Hop with LeighSBDesigns

OMG!  I almost missed it!  I've been so involved with coffee that I spaced out on the Half-o-Ween Blog Hop sponsored by LeighSBDesigns until just now.  EEEK!  Do you believe that we're half way to Halloween already?  Be still my heart.  So here's a quickie using Miss Oddleigh Witchiepoo.  I've used the png version so I could drop her in some digital paper.  (I know it's was called Nebulous, but for the life of me, I can't find where I bought it.)  Anyway, I've colored Witchiepoo with Copics and added a sentiment sticker from Tim Holtz Small Talk.

Although the Half-o-Ween Blog Hop is a one day thing (for entries), you have until June 3rd to make the rounds and comment on the projects, so be sure to check it our HERE.  You might win a prize!

I'm also entering this in the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #82 AG Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG (5/5), Dream in Darkness May is the Word (my word for the year is "plan", yeah right), Simply Papercraft Challenge 58 AG, 

With a Latte Love

Here we go with another for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.  These stamps and die are from the very first prize I ever won on the Hop a few years ago from Super Sponsor Lil' Inker designs.  The stamps are all from the Latte Love Set and I've cut the cup with the Latte Love coordinating die.  I stamped the cup and coffee interior with Memento Rich Cocoa Ink and over stamped the coffee with Versa Magic Cloud White to look like crema.  I masked the "a latte" from the birthday wishes stamp  (oooh!  Look at me stampin'!) to use with the "with a latte love" stamp.  I tried to keep it monochromatic and masculine so I colored the cup brown with my Copics.  Guys never actually scrub their cups and they end up brown anyway, so there ya go.  I thought the swirly DP from Prima looked like steam.

I'm also entering this in the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends challenge #82 AG, Simon Says Monday Masculine (3/5), Simon Says Wednesday AG (4/5) and Dream Valley Challenges #180 for a Man or Boy (3/3), Crafting by Designs For the Boys and the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG.

Elegant Perfume

Don't faint!  It's not a coffee card.  It's the last day for the Outlawz May Progressive challenge so I thought I'd better get going, eh?  The gorgeous image is from Sandi's Samples and I really enjoyed coloring it with my Copics.  The scheme is like an antique reproduction bottle I have at home, but I'm sure I will try my hand at this image many more times.  It's so beautiful and feminine.  I've also added flat backed gems to jazz it up further. Thank you, Sandi Hugget!

I also have to give a shout out to the Kit and Clowder online coloring classes.  The color combo I used on the "gold" on the bottle was from the December 2017 Monthly Markers class.  I'm now a subscriber to both the markers and pencils classes and even if you don't manage to finish a monthly class, the techniques and color combos Alyce provides (along with art fundamentals and personal feedback) can be used with any images and has helped me improve and enjoy my coloring immensely.  If you're not yet willing to commit, be sure to check out the free classes HERE.

After coloring, I wasn't sure what to do with it, but the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge saved the day (again!).  DP is from the new Graphic 45 Flower Shop pad.  Image and scalloped mat cut with Spellbinders dies.  Gold mesh ribbon and copper metal medallions are from my stash.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #82 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, Double D Challenges Bling it Up...

Got Coffee?

Here's a quickie I did after my hair appointment because I wanted to sneak another entry into the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Butterfly theme, or should I say Coffee theme with butterflies?  LOL  Of COURSE it's Coffee themed for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and again I used real stamps from Super Sponsors Verve Stamps (for the cup and steam) and sentiment from A Creative Journey with Melissa.  The cup was stamped with Memento so I could color with my Copics and I used Pumice Stone Distress Ink for the steam.  The sunflower sticker is from JoLee's and I've cut and matted the image with Spellbinders Postage Stamp dies.  The butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch and the DP is from Authentique.

I'm also adding this to Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #82 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, ...

A Cup of Kindness

It's probably gonna be a lean day today for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop because I have a much needed appointment at the salon, and it takes forever to bring this gal back to an acceptable state of boofiness.  LOL  I do, however, have something to share, again using stamps from some of the Super Sponsors.  The beautiful image is last year's Jessica Lynn Originals Coffee Lovers limited edition digi .  I've colored with Copics and cut with a Kat Scrappiness double Stitched Rectangle.  The sentiment is from the Coffee Helps set from Verve Stamps.  I die cut a second frame (I think perhaps also from Kat Scrappiness but I can't find the packaging) and added it on top at an angle and popped the whole shebang with foam on some pretty sparkly DP from SEI.  Finally, I added two more punched butterflies for the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Butterflies challenge.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #82 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Simply Papercraft #58 AG, 

A Good Day

Well yeah, it's a good day for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is that this is my 3rd post of the day for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.  WooHoo!  In case you've noticed, it's ALL about the COFFEE this week so it's only natural that my entry for the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge is just that.  Here's the Sketch.

To be honest, I was having a bit of problem with it until I remembered the cool graphic coffee sentiments I had from Designworks at Creative Market.  It's dedicated to my hubby who makes my coffee every morning (mainly because his grinder and espresso machine is beyond my patience level, but still... I appreciate it greatly).  I rotated the sketch a quarter turn, printed the sentiment in brown and used scraps on my desk.  Added some rick rack and and Doodlebug clips to the top and bottom of the sentiment and called it done.

I'm adding this to the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends challenge #82 AG, Simon Says Monday Masculine (it IS for my hubby), and Dream Valley Challenges #180 for a Man or Boy.