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.

Elf Antics December 23rd

Well, the elf recruits are all finding their future assignments. Feenix has been at the Elf Workshop assembling toys and organizing them for Santa's night flight on Christmas Eve.

Under the tutelage of Mrs. Santa, Mini Mystery won the Elf Bake-off with her fabulous gingerbread men and will be spending her time satisfying Christmas cravings.

I thought that we had one more day to post, but I see that's not the case so Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.  It's been so much fun!  See you all at the party at the North Pole on the 26th.

Last post for the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.  Thanks so much Diana for the fabulous time.  Merry Christmas!

Elf Antics December 22nd

Olivia was quite impressed with Erf's progress with the reindeer stable and decided he had found his calling.  She had changed into her official reindeer training outfit and thought it was time to introduce the herd.  Obviously Erf is a natural born reindeer whisperer.  See, the fawn went right up to him for a pet.  Oh happy day!

I'm entering this in the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky party at DL.Art and having loads of fun with it.  Come meet the other elves.

Elf Antics December 21st

Erf's antics have gotten him into a bit of trouble but Olivia remembered how he'd gotten along so well with Rudolph.  She assigned him to the reindeer recruit stable.  He's already chopped some wood for a fire and is busy hauling reindeer feed.

I'm entering this in the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.  Come join the fun!

Elf Antics December 20th

Elzabet explains to Feenix that even pets can get on Santa's "Naughty List".  Feenix looks horrified and promises to keep an eye out for wayward kitties. 

I'm linking this up to the 7th Annual Elf Antics party at DL.Art.  Don't your elves want to come join the fun?

Elf Antics December 19th

After his reprimand yesterday, Erf went missing!  I looked all over for him today and finally found him napping in this little nest hanging from one of the trees in the family room.  Yes, those are grape lights.  Our family room is decorated in a vineyard motif and we expand upon that during the holidays.  Good thing I found him or I wouldn't have had a pic today.  Still not done decorating...EEEK!

I'm linking this up to the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.

Elf Antics December 18th

Elzabet and Olivia decided the recruits needed a free day without chores and evaluation and took them to see the Olde World Christmas display.

It looked quite a bit like the North Pole and Olivia hoped that it would cheer them up as they were getting a bit homesick. 

All of the elves were mesmerized by the lights glistening on the sparkly snow.  But where is Erf?

He had decided to climb the mountain and get a birds eye view of the village below.  Obviously Olivia was not amused.

I'm linking this up to the 7th annual Elf Antics Linky party at DL.Art where elves abound.  Come have some fun!

Elf Antics December 17th

  

I'm not sure Tuppi was ready for such a big family first off.  She explained that Santa really wants to meet indiviually so there is no mix up when it comes to delivering gifts, but the little ones couldn't wait.

Wren and Wrascal jumped right up on Santa's toy chest, but little Arabella wasn't so sure about that.

Tuppi finally managed to get Wren and Arabella situated but little Wrascal (yeah, that's his name and he really is a rascal!) started to climb on the toys to get to Santa first.

When he jumped on Santa's rocking horse, Tuppi begged him to come down or he'd end up on the Naughty list.  Wrascal told her he asked for one just like this for Christmas and needed to test it out.  Frantic that she'd lose her job, Tuppi pleaded, but Santa just laughed and gave her a wink.  "Boys will be boys!"  I think Tuppi may just put in for another assignment next year.

BTW, in case you're wondering, I've been collecting BJD's (ball jointed dolls) pretty seriously since August of 2018.  All of these particular dolls in this post, including Tuppance, are from the same artist Rose Bbflockling.

I'm linking up to the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.  Take a pic of your elf and come join the fun.

Elf Antics December 16th

EEK!  We're being overrun by elves here!  This is Tuppance who is managing the line to see Santa.

She thought this was a great gig until she saw the number of kids standing in line.  Oh oh!

I'm linking this up to the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.  Grab your elf, take a pic and come join the fun!

Elf Antics December 15th

Erf had left the tree of their choice with the girls before leaving and Feenix decorated it right up.  But the truck was gone!

Luckily, Mini Mystery's big sister was visiting and had brought a sleigh.  Elzabet was happy to meet her and thrilled they could get the tree home after all.  Clearly Mini Mystery idolizes her big sis who is one of Santa's right hand elves.  Maybe one day she'll grow up to be one, too.  It might take quite a bit of growing, though!

I'm entering this in the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.

Elf Antics December 14

After delivering the trees, Erf took off on his own.  Olivia followed and found him having cocoa with Rudolph.  Erf seemed to get along famously with the reindeer and they both seemed to have an affinity for hot cocoa.  Rudolph was especially fond of Erf's boots.  Olivia made a mental note, as she is still assessing the new recruits for future job placement.  This might be promising.

My elves are playing in the 7th Annual Elf Antics Linky Party at DL.Art.Grab your camera!  I'll bet your elves want to play, too.