Thursday, June 27, 2019

Aurora Wings June Showcase!

It's another exciting day at the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog where Mitzi continues with the second chapter of her newest theme, Zodiac Sprites.


Here we have Leo Sprite and what a cutie he is! And how much fun to color!  I mainly used Copics with a bit of added fur detail with Prismacolors on is fluffy mane.  I couldn't resist African inspired papers from the ancient DCWV Safari Kids stack and tried to use sentiments that reflected some aspect of each sign's personal characteristics.



And here's the closeup of Leo Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com
PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW on Etsy


Next we have Virgo Sprite.  How beautiful and fair she is!  The sheaf of wheat she's carrying brought to mind my favorite song, "Fields of Gold", (as sung by Eva Cassidy, not Sting) so I used a golden background from K&Co and colored her in a light (what you might call a "virginal") palette with Copics and glitzed out her star with Wink of Stella and a gold and white gel pen.  Both her sentiment and Leo Sprite's came from Tim Holtz's Small Talk stickers.


Virgo Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com
PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW on Etsy


The next two projects required the png version of the image because they were printed on digital backgrounds, and then colored with Copics.  I personally always use the png version, when available, because they give the most options.  I enjoy merging images, as well.  So here is Libra Sprite, trying hard to keep balance, which is more tough than ever these days, if you ask me.  Again, I've colored with Copics with gold and silver gel pen accents.

Libra Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com
PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW on Etsy


One more Zodiac Sprite for this Showcase, here's Scorpio!  I had big plans for a torn paper desert sunset background for him and then realized I had no white core paper. :(   Instead I searched for images and found this free wallpaper.  Okay then, that works, but at first I flipped Scorpio Sprite because it worked better for the placement of the sentiment (also printed right over the background) so I flipped the image.  I went to color and realized OOOPS!  That made the symbol on the star BACKWARDS!  Fortunately, I could flip the background instead, which gave more room in the lighter area for the sentiment,  (a bit of a double entendre, if you're aware of one of the Scorpio traits that wasn't mentioned in the Showcase.)  Tee hee! ;D

  
Scorpio Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com
PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW on Etsy

Believe it or not, that's not all!  One more Sprite of the floral variety can now grace your garden.  


Meet beautiful Hollyhock Sprite!  I adore Hollyhocks and there are so many gorgeous shades to color them.  I know I'll be using this beauty again and again!  Here they are in a garden setting I've fashioned from  layered Spellbinders Regular and Decorative Grand Labels One dies. The intricate floral arch is the Garden Arbour die by Tutti that I've adorned with flat back pearls.  The decorative gates were cut with the Pretty Piazza die set by Tonic Studios. I've used this combo of dies before, but it's one of my favorites for a garden or wedding theme.  Here's I've flipped one of the images so I could have them facing each other, one at each level.  


Hollyhock Sprite

JPG at AuroraWings.com
PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW on Etsy


But who are those cuties on the bottom?


Does anyone besides me remember making little dolls out of the
hollyhock blooms?  These precious girls are a surprise GWP!
See coupon below.


And for any Aurora Wings purchase this weekend, not just the new images...


Be sure to visit the AW Showcase Blog for more fabulous inspiration from my Showcase sisters and interesting information about the Zodiac signs themselves.

And don't forget, you have two more days to join the June FB Challenge in the Stamps by AuroraWings FB Group.  It doesn't have to be a full project, or even a new one!






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Thursday, May 23, 2019

Aurora Wings New Release Showcase

After a bit of a break, we're back with a fabulous new release on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog with the first installment of a new line of adorable Sprites.  WooHoo!  I'm also thrilled that although I've guested on the Showcase Blog a time or two (wink, wink) I'm now an OFFICIAL member of the Showcase team!  Thank you so much Mitzi and the DT sisters!  Now it's time to meet the newest Zodiac Sprites!

First let's meet Aries Sprite and Taurus Sprite.  Now certainly these cuties will make fabulous celestial or birthday creations, but I decided to think outside the box a bit and combine them for something a little different.  We walk past a farm with a herd of goats each morning (lots of babies now, sooo cute!) and there are cows grazing all over the hills so I created a little farm scene and couldn't resist some puns for a new home card.  The barn die is from Die-Versions, the grassy hill dies are from Lawn Fawn and the cloud is Spellbinders.

Here's a closeup of Aries Sprite.  I've colored with Copics and tried do do a different treatment on each of the different stars.  This one is supposed to look dimensional.  I had a bit of trouble with the light source here, even while holding a dimensional star and turning it several different ways and eventually came to realize that there is such a thing as too many layers of color with Copics.  LOL  


Okay now, here's Taurus Sprite and he's my FAVE because he's my sign.  Had to laugh a bit when reading the Taurus traits Mitzi cited on the Showcase Blog.  Uh, YEAH!  (But it's HER sign too.  LOL)  Again, Copic coloring but my white gel pen was dry so I couldn't put sparkles on the star. :(

Taurus Sprite JPG at AuroraWings.com
Taurus Sprite PNG at AuroraWings.com
Taurus Sprite PNG on Etsy

I'm entering this in the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG/Masculine, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #26 AG w/Critters, Crafty Animals #26 AG w/ Animals, the Classic DT Open May AG, ...


Next in line is Gemini Sprites, the Twins.  I love that Mitzi made it a boy and girl, as my hubby has a twin sister.  This could be used a a birthday card for her from him, or could also be used as an Anniversary card or for a late May-June wedding, don'tcha think?  I used the png version against digital paper here with a digital sentiment.


Again, these cuties are colored with Copics with quite a bit of gold gel pen detail.  I'm afraid it made the laurel wreaths in their hair a bit difficult to see with the hair colors I chose, but there's definitely a little sparkle.

Gemini Sprites JPG at AuroraWings.com
Gemini Sprites PNG at AuroraWings.com 
Gemini Sprites PNG on AW Etsy

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday Bright Colors Challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Birthday Card, ...


Finally, here's Cancer Sprite, the fourth in this first series of Zodiac Sprites.  I had fun creating a beach scene with papers from Graphic 45, Heidi Grace and BoBunny and some dimensional stickers from JoLee's.


Again, I've colored in Copics and realized after that this is the color crabs turn AFTER cooking.  OOPS!  I tried to make this star look a bit like a starfish.

Cancer Sprite JPG at AuroraWings.com
Cancer Sprite PNG at AuroraWings.com 
Cancer Sprite PNG at AW Etsy

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG,  Jo's Scrap Shack #282 AAG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #106 AG, the World Wide Open DT Challenge (May 15th) AG...


I know you love 'em, so here's a coupon to go and get 'em, along with any other of Mitzi's fabulous images you fancy.  Good through the weekend in both shops.

And if that isn't enough, looky HERE!  Cool gift with purchase star backgrounds FREE with the purchase of 3 or more of the new Zodiac Sprites!  (Be sure to purchase the PNG versions of the Zodiac Sprites for ease of use with these fabulous backgrounds.)  This is graphic coming up rather small, so be sure to click the pic for a larger version to read the details.

One more announcement for those of you who have been missing our challenges.  Although we've closed the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog, we will resume challenges in June in our Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.  Hope to see you there.  xx
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Saturday, April 27, 2019

Photo Inspiration at Catch the Bug


It's the last April Challenge at Catch the Bug and this week here's the lovely photo to use as inspiration. It's also my last post as Guest Designer and I want to thank Jodie and the Bugaboo DT for having me.  It's been wonderful.

I'm afraid I wasn't exactly creative in my interpretation here, but I loved the colors, beautiful flowers and butterflies so much that my card is quite literal.  I already knew I'd be using DP from the K&Co Specialty pack by Susan Wright because of the colors.  All I had to do was make a choice of image, which proved to be quite difficult since there are so many lovely florals at Bugaboo Stamps.  You can check them all out HERE.  I finally decided on the rectangular image from Floral Set2 and colored with Copics (new eye prescription so I hope to be coloring more soon).  I remembered some sweet butterfly dimensional stickers from Little B and miraculously they fit exactly over the butterfly images in the digi, so WooHoo!  Today happens to be my birthday but couldn't find a birthday sticker so it ended up a "thinking of you" card that can be used for many occasions.

 Be sure to stop by Catch the Bug and check out the fabulous inspiration from the Design Team.  You may use anything in the photo as inspiration, so let your creativity go wild.  (If it's not obvious, you might mention it, though.)  So please come and play along.

 I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #104 AG, the Outlaw Twisted Thursdays AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #279 AG, ..
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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Bugaboo Bingo at Catch the Bug


WHAT???   It's the day before Easter and I'm posting Christmas?  To be honest, I did have an Easter image all printed out for this week's challenge at Catch the Bug but some eye issues have impeded my coloring, so I did a little experimenting and went a different route, using the beautiful Snowflake Reindeer Silhouette.  With the png version of the image (both jpg and png are included) you can layer the image any way you want and, in this case, I changed the color of each in my Printmaster Platinum Program.  I was going for the "reindeer really know how to fly" affect.  Kinda cool, don'tcha think, although the colors didn't print exactly as expected, but still...

So here's the Bingo Board.  I chose left row vertical, of Die/Punch, Bugaboo Image, Ribbon.  The reindeer were cut with an Antique Frame from Penny Black and inked with Distress, the Stitched Snowflake dies are Lawn Fawn with Nuvo Drop centers, ribbon from Recollections and DP from MME. Hope you come play with us at Catch the Bug this week and Happy Easter.

 I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, the OUtlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, ...





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Saturday, April 13, 2019

Back to Nature with Bugaboo Stamps



I'm here guest designing again for Bugaboo Stamps and this week's challenge at Catch the Bug is Back to Nature.  I'm featuring the beautiful  Roses and Butterflies, a gorgeous stamp that can be used for so many different occasions.
Here I've chosen a Thank you card with sweet paper from my stash and a sticker sentiment I colored black with a Sharpie.  I've colored the image with Copics in fresh Spring colors but it's amazing how different this stamp can look in a variety of shades for every season.  Bugaboo has a large selection of gorgeous florals you can find HERE.  Please visit Catch the Bug to see the lovely inspiration from the fab design team and come play along.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #242 Anything Spring, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #103 AG, Allsorts week 515/516 Blossoms, Butterflies and Bugs, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Anything Goes, the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Spring, ...
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Thursday, March 21, 2019

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.


 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!
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Saturday, March 16, 2019

Bugaboo Bingo at Catch the Bug


It's time for Bugaboo Bingo at Catch the Bug and I'm happy to be continuing my Guest Designer position.  Here's the fun Bingo board and you know the drill...

I've chosen the diagonal bottom left to top right (twine, 2 images merged, and Bugaboo image) and used Crabby Dog and the Oh Crap Set (both personal faves).  What can I say?  Both images were colored with Copics and I've also used one of the 3 sentiments included with the Oh Crap Set.  I thought the ancient grass paper from my stash was rather fitting and kept the card masculine with a karft mat and corrugated craft for some texture. 

 Would be great for a co worker perhaps or to make hubby smile at the end of a particularly difficult day, don'tcha think?  So why not give our Bingo board a go and have some fun?  A Bugaboo image is not required, but we'd love to see them.

 I'm entering this in the DL.Art March Linky Challenge, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #24,  Crafty Animals #24 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #101 AG and Kitty Bee Designs #138 Animals. 
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Monday, March 4, 2019

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.



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Saturday, March 2, 2019

Anything Goes at Bugaboo


The first challenge at Catch the Bug each month is Anything Goes so here's my Bugaboo Guest DT inspiration featuring the adorable Alice in Wonderland.  I thought it would made a cute belated birthday card so I chose the option where I could add my own sentiment.  There are also versions with "We're all Mad here!" in the 4th box as well as pre colored versions, great when you're in a pinch. Such a deal to have all that included and it happens to be on SALE HERE.

 I colored with Copics and added some funky die cut tea cup silhouettes from XCut Build a Scene dies (trimmed a bit).  The flair button is from one of the Wonderland sets at DL.Art.  I always chose the pin back version so it can be removed from my card and worn on a jacket or hat.  The little flower on the Hatter's hat was from my stash.  Come take a look at the fab DT inspiration and join us this week at Catch the Bug.

 I'm entering this in the DL.Art March Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #100 AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Birthday, Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes, Crafts Galore Encore #61 AG, the Fairy and the Unicorn March AG/Optional Alice in Wonderland....
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Thursday, February 21, 2019

Aurora Wings February Showcase

It's a Happy Day on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog with the release of 4 new Sprites!  I'm thrilled to be joining the Showcase team to introduce the newest of the Baby Animals Sprites.

First off we have Chicken Sprite.  This little cutie took me awhile.  I couldn't decide which breed of chicken to choose.  So many fun options, I know I'll be using her again and again.  I printed this one in a lighter gray for a semi no lines approach but with the black and gray color scheme I finally chose, it's not as evident.  She's colored with Copics and a Memento dual marker for some crisp detail.  People who know me will not be surprised at the sentiment.  ;D



And here is sweet Lamb Sprite.  Animals babies are Springtime's promise of new beginnings.  I've used papers from the Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime pack to make a sweet wall hanging.  Flowers are from Recollections and gorgeous crinkle ribbon is from DL.Art.




It's been lovely weather for ducks here lately, so Duckling Sprite fits right in.  I colored this sweetie with Copics in colors that match the adorable ducklings at Blackhawk Center in Danville.  Such a delight!  




And finally, we have Llama Sprite.  Hubby and I wave to her every morning as we pass the herd on our walk.  I couldn't help but use a Spanish sentiment pun and bright papers from K&Co.



Of course it wouldn't be a Showcase without a coupon, so here ya go, good at both shops through Sunday, February 25th.  Be sure to stop by the Showcase Blog to see the fabulous inspiration by the Showcase Designers and guests.

Don't forget our new challenge, Over the Rainbow, now going on at the Aurora Wings Challenge blog.  Hope to see you there.
Here's how to keep up with what's happening at Aurora Wings.



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