New Release from Sandra Caldwell

It's Friday, and you know what that means.  New release day for Sandra Caldwell (babycakednd) on Etsy.  The patriotic holidays are coming up and I'm thrilled to be showcasing #1571 Americana Kitty.  I colored this cutie with Copics and added a dimensional star to his hat.  I used my new larger Sizzix banner dies for the background and papers from Bo Bunny's Anthem pad.  The sentiment is computer generated.  Added a couple more dimensional stars and called it done.

You can check out DT inspiration for all the new release  stamps on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group page, but also take a peek at her Etsy Shop because Sandra always sneaks in a couple extras.  Also the Steampunk contest runs through May 19th and you can find the 6 stamps to be used in the contest (or not, for that matter) on sale HERE.  Sandra is also a sponsor at Markers! Papers! Digis! and there's a huge Spring Fling event going on there through May 27th.  WOW!  Lots of fun to be had.  Hope to see you there. 

Been sort of a lean week for crafting because of a fun sort of surprise visit from one of my nieces and her friend from Florida.  Gotta say I was pretty impressed that at age 19 they planned a 3 week cross country road trip from Florida and are checking out lots of state parks and attractions along the way.  We spent a fun day in San Francisco touring Alcatraz and seeing the sights but now they're 
off to their next destination.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, SUYP (cats only) May Furrything Goes/Birthday challenge, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies May AG/with animals, Crafty Hazelnut's May Patterned Paper Challenge, TTRCD AG May 9-15, Creative Craft Cottage 3 of a Kind (stars), the Corrosive Challenge May AG, Pile it On May #130 Animal, Crafty Animals AG and Crafts Galore Encore May AG.

Take Time to Smell the Flowers

I'm joining in the Outlawz Color Challenge with this fun quirky image called Whimsical Miss Oddleigh Flower by LeighSBDesigns.  Although I do love all kinds of stamps, I really get a kick out of the unusual, quirky and imaginative ones, so I had a ball with her.  She comes holding a flower but separate garden is included in both jpg and png form so I was able to size and merge the images. I couldn't resist the sentiment, considering her rather regal nose.  LOL  She's colored with Copics using a variety of oranges and my two other colors for the challenge are yellow and green.  The twist I chose is add butterflies that I trimmed from a punched border that just happened to be on my desk (in ORANGE, no less!) Here's the inspiration photo from the Outlawz. 

I'd also like to mention that Leigh is still celebrating the Grand Opening of her Etsy Shop and there are freebies to be had by joining her FB Fan Group.  If quirky doesn't float your boat, be sure to check out her gorgeous and exotic kitties.  There is something for everyone.  You can read more about it HERE.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, Crafty Calender May Flowers, Creative Fingers #129 AG, That's Crafty! Bright, Simply Create Too #127  Must Use a Digi, Aud Sentiments #129 Flowers + Sentiment, Cute Card Thursday AG, Southern Girls Retro Challenge Use an Actual Punch and Crafting With an Attitude #27 AG.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Okay, so last year California was praying for rain, this year not so much, as we've now surpassed the wettest year since 1922.  We should be able to have lots of flowers now that the drought is over though, but my hope is that we won't be splashing in puddles again anytime soon.  I've made a card to commemorate this record wet year using the adorable #1450 Rainy Day Gal by Sandra Caldwell (and to add to the Outlawz Festive Fridays splashing in puddles and umbrella challenge).  I've used the sketch from the current (yea, me!) Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge with digital paper from AMBillustrations, and scraps on my desk from DCWV and Debbie Mumm for JoAnn Fabrics.

Here's a closeup of #1450 Rainy Day Gal where you can hopefully see the Diamond Glaze I applied to her slicker and boots after coloring with my Copics. I've used translucent blue Nuvo Drops for the puddle and raindrops too.  It's also entered in the Outlawz Name that Letter challenge where you use as many things you can think of with the first letter of your name.  Can you count the "D"'s?  (There are 8)

I'm adding this to the DL.Art May Linky challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack #187 AG, Crafting-With-Friends #42 AG, Creative Ladybirds May AG and Crafty Hazelnuts May Patterned Paper Challenge .

Bloobel Progressive Meets Outlawz Wednesday Sketch.

Well WooHoo!  The new Progressive challenge has begun on the Bloobel Stamps FB page and this fab guy, Bored at Work, is a freebie if you played in the last challenge.  If not, you can purchase him at Bloobel Stamps, join in this month and next month you too will get a freebie.  I tried to keep him pretty monochromatic (read bored), using my Copics of course.  The design is from last week's Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge (turned 45 degrees).

Capitalizing on the "counting the seconds" theme, I found some clock DP and a cool clock in my stash.  The "pearls" sort of threw me until I found some appropriate washi tape and there ya go.  Am I the only person finding it hard to keep up with coloring, creating, challenges, blogging, and social media? Eiyiyi!

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art May Linky challenge, Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge and Inspiration Destination AG/Masculine Twist.

Bloobel Baby Tag

I seem to have a problem getting things posted these days.  Kind of hot and our upstairs air has been out due to a rerouting of the air ducts in the attic project that hubby seemed to have forgotten all about...ahem.  A few sleepless nights did the trick, along with a massive cool down so here we go.  Adorable tag with this sweet Baby Giraffe image (only 1.50!  You need him!) from Bloobel Stamps with gorgeous hand dyed crinkle ribbon from Mermaid's Tale Third Edition from DL.Art.  Argyle DP from the ancient DCWV Nana's Nursery Boy's Stack. Gingham on my desk from another project?  (Hey, could have been years ago) Colors and "not a card" for the Outlawz Tuesday Color challenge.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art May Linky challenge, TTRCD May2-9 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (AG with Animals), Craft Dee BowZ May AG w/handmade bow, Crafty Animals May AG, Cute Card Thursday AG, 613 Avenue Create April AG , Animal Friends Anything but a Card and Crafty Hazelnut's May Patterned Paper challenge.

Frame It for Aurora Wings

A new challenge begins today at Aurora Wings with the theme of "Frame It". 

Instead of literally framing an image, I tried to come up with a creative interpretation using Mitzi's gorgeous Pansy, available HERE on Etsy and HERE on AW.com.

My immediate thought was to use the "Spotlight technique" where a die cut portion of the image is colored and placed atop the rest of the uncolored image. However, I wanted the colored portion of Pansy framed, so I chose a Spellbinders Labels One die that fit a number of fancy frames and printed her out twice, in an appropriate size.  I positioned the die on one of the images, cut, embossed and then colored her with Copics.  I added some Diamond Glaze to her eyes and lips and flat back pearl earrings.

However, when I placed her on the completely uncolored version, the contrast was too harsh, so I colored the background version with the Copic Warm Gray range, and added Nuvo Jewel Drops in translucent Sea Breeze to the dew drops. Then I chalked around the image subtly. When finished, I die cut with a Spellbinders Grand Stately Circles and popped it atop a (barely visible) Grand Scalloped circle in the same very light blue for stability and also to enhance the lacy border.

I tried 4 different die cuts before finally choosing one to frame the colored portion of Pansy.  The ornate white version covered up too much of the gray scale image, but because that was my original choice, I also tried it in vellum which just muddied it up.  Since the vellum was out, I tried the smaller, simpler Scalloped Labels One but I didn't get the "Frame" effect I was going for.

However, the solid white version did the trick, especially after cropping and printing the orange pansy and butterfly 3 times and coloring and fussy cutting them to extend beyond the frame and add additional dimension.

Here's the full dimensional shot.  The "Bloom" die cut sentiment from Echo Park was cut 6 times and glued together for a chipboard effect and colored in a gradient with Copics.  To balance the design I added gorgeous crinkle ribbon bow from DL.Art and some punched butterflies from Martha Stewart.  Again, I colored with a gradient and added black centers to anchor them to the design.   Popping all of the layers added to the "framed" affect and I'm really pleased at how it all came out.  Be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the gorgeous inspiration from my Stella Teammates.  We hope you'll come play along.

The new AW FB contest will begin shortly, but in the meantime, here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop (newly revamped!)

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in the DL.Art May Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Color Inspiration Monday #21 AG, Crafting from the Heart AG, 613 Avenue Create AG/Spring, Make my Monday May Flowers,  the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Crafty Friends #56 AG, the Alphabet Challenge "D" is for Decoupage, Crafting-With-Friends #42 AG, Creative Fingers #129 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#186 AG, Morgan's Art World #8 AG, TTRCD week of April 25th AG, Craft-Dee Bowz AG/w handmade bow, Classic Design Team Open Challenge May #14, Crafty Creations AG, A Perfect Time to Craft Open May AG, Craftaholics R Us May Spring Colors or Flowers and Really Reasonable Ribbon Put a Bow on it.

A little quickie for the Outlawz

I had a lovely birthday yesterday, but it didn't leave much time for crafting. Wanted to sneak in one for the Outlawz Saturday PAM Sparkle and Shine challenge and made this little card with an image I'd already colored called Kitty Fae from Faery Ink. I tried to do a rainbow coloring and added Stardust Stickles to her wings and a faceted crown and heart to her collar.  The die cuts were already laying on my desk, except for the heart because I actually STAMPED the sentiment using my Misti with a clear stamp from Stampendous. Yea, me!

I'm also entering this in the SUYP April Furrything Goes challenge, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #56 AG, Cupcake Inspirations #404 Animals, Simon Says Wednesday AG and Aud Sentiments #178 Use a Stamp for Your Sentiment.

Bloobel Stamps Meets the Outlawz Sketch

This month the Outlawz Sketch Challenge is being sponsored by Bloobel Stamps so I've tried to enter each week.  This is 3 for 3, yea ME!  This adorable little guy is from Bloobel called Party Gineau Pig (not my spelling, LOL  maybe it's French?) and I thought he'd work well with this week's sketch (which of course ends today).  He's colored with Copics and I took the colors from the digital zig zag paper from AMBillustrations.  The heart banners are by LaLa Land but I'm not so sure whose clouds those are.  The twine is from DL.Art.  

Here's the sketch.  I'm finally getting a little more comfortable with tweaking them sketch and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.  Obviously I turned it vertically and played with the embellies but I think it's still visible.  What do you think?

I'm adding this to the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, a second entry for the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Look Alike Challenge (2 banners, or hearts, or clouds), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #56 AG, Cupcake Inspirations #404 Animals and Cute Card Thursday Birthday. 

What the Cluck?

It's Friday and that means a new release from Sandra Caldwell.  This cutie is #1511 Chicken Little.  I love the distressed look on her face, like she's really upset the sky is falling (if you remember the children's story). That's what prompted me to use my new sun ray die from Gina Marie but when I got it assembled I decided it would make a cute birthday card and the pun came to mind.  I printed it on a stitched circle from Kat Scrappiness and framed the whole thing with a double stitched frame.  The grass is also from Gina Marie.

Here's a closeup of #1511 Chicken Little.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped on an action wobble.  Inside the card reads "Another birthday and you're still a Spring chicken!"  Yes, I stink at videos, and now realize that this one doesn't play.  Hmmmm....well, I hope you get the idea.  Okay, not there we go.  Kinda weak, but...

Sandra's Etsy Shop (babycakesdnd) is filled with new releases today and be sure and check out the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group for more inspiration from the DT.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG, the Outlawz Paper a la Mode Celebrations Challenge, TTRCD AG for week of April 18th, Creative Knockouts Lots of Layers, Cute Card Thursdays #474 Birthdays, Moving Along with the Times Birds and Feathers, the Cutie Pie Challenge Bunnies or Chicks, the Corrosive Challenge April AG, Crafty Girls Creations April AG, and Pile it On Interactive and/or Birthday.

Christmas: It ain't over 'til it's over.

You'd think with 3 of the 4 themes on the Outlawz Festive Fridays challenge being Easter related I could come up with SOMETHING.  Yet here I am with the 4th theme, Christmas Lights, and those who really know me, know exactly why I named the post as I did.  That, of course, shall remain our little secret, eh? The fabulous image is #747 Christmas Evie by Sandra Caldwell.  She's colored with Copics and set askew on a Bingo card I designed in Cricut Design Studio a bazillion years ago.  I wound some additional Christmas lights around from Recollections and added a sticker sentiment by Echo Park.  Hmmm, she seems a bit tired of Christmas, don'tcha think?

I'm adding this to the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #56 AG, CHNC #329 AG Christmas, CHNC April Christmas Extra AG, The Holly and the Ivy AG Christmas, Seasons Greetings AG Christmas (without twist) and Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Christmas AG.

You've got the MOVES!

It's the next to the last day for the current Old Folks Challenge in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group and also the last day for the current Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge so I decided to do double duty.  I've #1373 Old Man Dancing, one of the 5 stamps chosen for the challenge that are only $1.50 through tomorrow, so if you'd like to nab some bargains, hop to it.  P.S. there are also a few cute Easter stamps on sale too.  You can see them all HERE.

I've colored him with Copics in the colors from the retro DP I chose from the Authentique 6x6 Dapper collection.  The design is the sketch (obviously) and I used music note stickers in the corners to to further the dancing theme.  the sentiment is computer generated.  I'm planning on using it as a birthday card, but think it would make a fun Father's Day card as well, don't you?

I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #56 AG, Crafty Sentiments Men/Boy challenge,  Dragonfly Journeys It's Hip to be Square, Crafty Hazelnut's April Patterned Paper Challenge and Seize the Birthday AG Birthday.

Anything Goes at Aurora Wings

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and aren't too full of chocolate bunnies and filled eggs to check out the new challenge at Aurora Wings.  We've made it easy for you with an Anything Goes theme, so there's no excuse not to join us. The sweet smells inspired me to use the gorgeous Honeysuckle Fairy,  available HERE on Etsy and HERE on AW.com.  I've layered 2 sizes of Spellbinders Labels Seventeen with a lacy Luscious Labels One in between.  I've been hoarding that scrap of ribbon for quite awhile now and the vine motif seemed perfect for this card.

Here's a closeup of Honeysuckle Fairy.  She's colored with Copics with a tiny bit of white gel pen on the tips of the stamens.  To be honest, I thought honeysuckle flowers were mostly yellow but found a huge array of pictures on Yahoo (my go to place for photo inspiration) and was surprised at the variety.  I couldn't resist adding a little dragonfly and hummingbird to the glorious blooms. These tiny detailed stickers are from Little B and I find them so lifelike and charming.

Here's the dimensional shot.  Just a couple of pops, but I find it still adds a lot
to the overall feel.  The gorgeous background paper is from K&Co.  It's my favorite DP to use with AW images.  The sentiment is computer generated and I thought the "sweet" sentiment evoked the aroma of honeysuckle blooms. I hope you come visit the Challenge Blog for fabulous inspiration from my Aurora Teamies and please come play along.

And don't forget the new April 2017 FB contest in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.  Check it out HERE.  Did you know that you can enter the FB contests with coloring only, or even previous projects that fit the current theme?  Hope to see you there.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop (newly revamped!)

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm adding this to the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, 613 Avenue Create Spring has Sprung, Crafting When We Can #142 One for the Girls, the Corrosive Challenge April AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG, Creative Fingers #128 AG (3/3), RRR#161 Flowers (with ribbon or trim), Crafting by Designs Girls or Flowers, Crafty Gals Corner Pastels, Crafty Addicts AG/Add a Sentiment, Star Stampz Spring/Easter, Creates and Makes #10 AG/Springtime, and TTRCD Week of April 11 AG.