Aurora 'Swim with Betty'

There's a new release at The East Wind today and it's perfect for summer.  Meet Aurora 'Swim with Betty'.  I've made a shaker card, although it wasn't my original plan, but the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers new challenge is "S" is for Shaker and when Edna says "Shake", I SHAKE! (Probably 'cause Edna was my mother's name. Old habits die hard)  LOL

Here's a closeup for the lovely Aurora and Betty.  I used the NB (no background as opposed to fully transparent) png version of the stamp and printed it atop digital paper from the Gecko Galz La Isla Bonita paper pack.  Many of The East Wind images come with several different printing options for the same low price (WooHoo!) so be sure to check the listing to see what is available. Then I colored her and Betty with Copics and Prismacolor pencils and added some epoxy bubbles.

The shaker itself was made from Cricut cartridge packaging.  I cut a window with my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four and scored and folded the card stock around the packaging.  I was adhered to a back panel after filling it with sand and beads to shake.  The die cuts, both inside and out) are Magnolia and I'v'e also added a seahorse, shells and a starfish from Jolee's. The sea floor at the bottom is a piece of kraft card stock that I covered in transfer tape, sprinkled with more sand and tore across the top.  The sentiment is from Graphic 45.  I really love how it came out.  (Thanks to you, SOSS!)

 Lots of TEW fun happening all over the place so...

Here's the important stuff:

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm also entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Water theme challenge, Craft Your Passion ATG, Digi Choosday Animals, TTRCD July 28-Aug 3 ATG, Crafting from the Heart ATG, MarkerPOP! ATG, and Animal Friends at/in/on the Water.

The Original Morning Goddess

Yeah, that's me, curlers, robe and slippers with a cat at my feet and a cup of??? I'm hosting Sparkle and Glitter today.  Don't I look thrilled?  JK, Just feeling a bit snarky today.  Of course, I love ALL of the RDS Blogs. The image is The Original Morning Goddess by RSD MFA and she's still my fave. Look at that 'tude!  Lots more Goddesses though, in Rick's Zibbet Shop.   Be sure to check them out.  She just begged for a snarky sentiment, don'tcha think? I've made a fairly CAS card because of all the flocking and paper piecing I did.  Just some simple matting, some DP and a few buttons for interest.
  

First she's printed on white card stock, with the computer generated sentiment and colored with Copics. I've flocked the robe by then printing the fabric on pink card stock and running it through my Xyron face down.  I find that even when flocking with a color, having the image colored makes for a more even coverage.  Then I printed the image in white again and fussy cut the cuffs (including the left hand) and tie belt and ran them through the Xyron as well. One more printing for the left hand again, which I colored with Copics and laced it on top, then I adhered the white parts to the pink and then sprinkled the whole thing with white Fun Flock. It softened the pink color a bit and fuzzied up the white as well but the hand had no adhesive so it remained unflocked.  This does mute the digi lines, but you can regain a bit of detail using a fine stylus on the lines and I also used some Prismacolor pencils to add a bit of shading over the flocking.  Don't use your Copics or you'll end up with a mess.

Finally, I colored and fussy cut the kitty and flocked him in gray, but added a fussy cut colored bow before flocking him.  Again, I used a stylus to uncover more of the digi details after flocking.  Then I cut a glitter pom pom in half and kept it together by gluing the cut edge with Glossy accents to add to her slippers. OOps, I almost forgot that I added Glossy Accents to her coffee cup, as well. Such fun details.  Gotta love her.

There's still time left in our July Progressive ATG with an RSD image so be sure to join in so you can get the freebie for the next leg. Always fun stuff going on.

Here are all of the important links:

Sparkle and Glitter

Airless Chambers

RSD MFA Blog

RSD How2 Tutorial Blog

Rick's Zibbet Shop

Rick's Etsy Shop

FB Fans and Friends

I'm adding this to the Sparkle N Sprinkle ATG with loose Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking, Left of Center Use Texture, Crafting with Friends ATG, the Outlawz Monday Greeting Cards Use Buttons and Patterned Paper, Aud Sentiments ATG with a Sentiment, and Creative Knockouts Paper Piecing (all of the flocked elements are paper pieced, just not with patterned paper).

It's the SHITS, Gettin' Old! (Warning, some Profanity...DUH!)

It's my turn to post on Airless Chambers, the RSD MFA Dark Blog, so here's a little wall hanging I did using the fabulous HaunTed OUTHOUSE, just ONE of the amazing outhouses available in Rick's Zibbet Shop. I've removed the background from Madama de la Noche in my printing program and added her to the steps. This idea came to me after repeating my mantra, more than several times this week, for one reason or another.  Yeah, it's the SHITS, gettin' old, alright!

Here's a closeup of the combined images, colored with Copics with a touch of Prismacolor pencils here and there.  I've added spiderweb die cuts (I always think of then when I pass an outhouse (don't you?  EEEK!!!), some epoxy bats and edged the banner with my trusty Drippy Goo punch. 

The TP roll is from a design by Marlene Shaw who had a wicked sense of humor and gave out freebie stamps for years, but sadly, no longer blogs.  I added my own sentiment to the roll.  The spider came from a an experience I had as a teen.  I traveled to Bermuda with a high school boyfriend's family to visit his oldest sister and brother-in-law.  Fabulous trip, except for the BUGS!  One day, I was in the bathroom and when I pulled out the TP, the biggest palmetto bug (think the most GIGANTIC COCK ROACH EVER) rolled out with the sheet and my scream was heard round the WORLD!  Okay, not a spider, but close enough. Actually, a spider might have been better, except the one's there are HUGE and all hairy and shit, EEEWWW!!! 

The language goes even further South from here, so if you're easily offended, better stop reading NOW!

I've been missing the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers a fuckton and am thrilled to join in their current challenge

And as much as I love a good F-Bomb (well, perhaps I already got that covered), gotta say this lovely banner did influence my project a tad. Ya think?

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Use 3 of Something challenge, not only because I used 3 spiders, but also 'cause those chicks can take a few choice words, Forever Dark ATG, and Dream in Darkness ATG.

New Challenge At Aurora Wings

Our new challenge starts today at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the theme of "Anything with Wings".  This will be a 2 month long challenge as we are taking a break for the end of summer vacations and back to school preparations so it will run through September 19th.  It was tough choosing an image this time because there are sooo many gorgeous ones in the Aurora Wings shops, both Etsy and the Aurora Wings.com Digi Store, that fit this theme.  I finally settled on one that I've adored all along, but was a bit intimidated by, called What Dreams May Come. It features Little Elf Kia being carried through the air by a flight of dragonflies.  How MAGICAL!

Once I started coloring, I was pleasantly surprised.  Kia came together quite nicely, in fact she was a joy to color.  The trick is not to print the image too small, (mine is approx 6 1/2 x 6 1/2", yeah, I could have gone a bit smaller, but I be old and my eyesight is failing) and to start with the vines and leaves of the swing since they go right over the top of her curly hair.  I almost missed the tip of her little elf ear on the other side of the vine, initially coloring it as a leaf, but that's what colorless blender is for.  LOL  Here's a closeup.  All done with Copics.

The dragonflies are amazing, aren't they?  I chose two of my fave colorways for these critters that matched the colors I'd started with on Kia.  I've also added Glossy Accents to their eyes and Stardust Stickles to their wings.  I thought that a bit of cheesecloth gave some nice texture and reminded me of the pattern in their wings, as well.  Both DP's are old K&Co and the blue pattern has some glitter which led me to distress the edges of the paper with the edge of my scissors and Stickle around it too, but not until I'd filled in some of the white space with my dotty background around the images and inking the edges with Distress in Tumbled Glass.

The sentiment was computer generated, cut with a Spellbinders Label 4 and inked with Tumbled Glass Distress after embossing while still in the die.  The metal dragonfly was from a set of bug paperclips I got on clearance eons ago at Starbucks.  I freed him from the clip, stickled his wings, colored him with Copics and added some gem eyes.  I thought the yellow bow helped bring some of the color from the flowers (all Prima) to the top right of the design.  That's why I added the second pattern, as well.  It needed something to break up all that blue.  So aren't I the little chatty one today?  Can't help it.  I'm pretty proud of myself for not shying away from an image I thought would be too difficult and I'm more than pleased with the results.  Also, I've already seen the gorgeous creations by my DT Sisters so be sure to visit the Challenge Blog and prepared to be amazed.

Here are all the links you need:

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in the Dragonfly Dreams Midsummer's Delights, Hiding in my Craft Room Lots of Layers, Open Minded Crafting Kids Just Want to have Fun, Graph'it 2 Color Tones (blue and orange), Crafts Galore Encore Use a Stamp or Digi Anywhere, Dream Factory A Midsummer Night's Dream, Paradise of Stamps July ATG, DL.Art July Linky Party ATG, Inspiration Destination ATG, Crafting with an Attitude ATG, TTRCD July 14-20 ATG, and Simon Says Monday i scream for...(i is for inspire).

New Sprites at Aurora Wings!

I'm so excited to be joining the Aurora Wings Showcase Team today for the Double Release of two NEW Sprites!  Grab a cuppa.  this is a long post!  First off, here is the adorable Ladybug Sprite.  Sure to become a FAVE!  Gotta say, I squealed when I saw this one.  I considered using some non traditional colors for her, but Red, Black and White is also one of my FAVE color combos, so there ya go.  DP's are from the Everlasting 6x6" pad from Authentique and I used the MS Ladybug Punch around the Page to frame her.  Had to punch it in both black AND red and fussy cut the wings and back the holes with black (what was I thinking?) but I love the way it turned out.

Here's the closeup.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped and I've added 2 layers of vellum wings under the dotted top and Glossy Accents to the eyes on her hood.  The bashful Ladybug Sprite is available as a JPG digi here or as a PNG digi here.    JPG version is also available at the www.AuroraWings.com's digi shop. 


I'm adding this to the Alphabet Challenge "K" is for Kind Thoughts, 613 Avenue Create ATG, Simply Papercraft ATG, Simon Says Monday ATG,  As You Like it Favorite Color and Why (Red, since I was a little girl, so bright and vibrant.  I even color my hair red now, and when I took a What Color is your Personality? test it came up RED, too!  But I already knew that.  LOL), the DL.Art July Linky Challenge ATG, Crafting with an Attitude ATG and Inspiration Destination ATG.

I was equally excited to showcase Columbine Sprite, not only because I love the flower, but she completes another page in my Garden Journal.  See the entire project HERE.  Again I've used the png version of this Sprite and printed her directly on the page from the Cottage Garden printable journal from Ephemera's Vintage Garden. 

She is colored with Copics in the soft colors from the journal page to look as if she were a part of it.  The Columbine Sprite is available as a JPG digi here and as a PNG digi here at AW Etsy. Remember, you can easily tell the png version of Aurora Wings stamps by the colored dot background on the listing.  The JPG version of her is also available at the AW web site's digi shop.  Please visit the AW Showcase Blog for more fabulous inspiration.

I'm adding this to Crafting With Friends ATG, FAb 'n' Funky Flower Delights, and TTRCD ATG.

 If you're heading out to go shopping, don't forget to use code DIGISAVE25 for 25% OFF with minimum of $10 USD in digital stamps purchase at AW Etsy. This code is good this weekend, through Sunday at 11:59 pm EDT US. As always, the code is for digital items in the shop only.  Use of this code on orders that include non-digi items will result in the cancellation of such items, followed by a refund of that portion of your order.

Don't forget about your chance to save an endangered species (an adorable one, too!) AND get a chance to win $30 USD in digis of your choice OR one of Mitzi's coloring books, with international shipping covered!!   Please check out COLOR FOR A CAUSE!  A special summer event sponsored by Aurora Wings to help the fundraiser for Project Numbat, an Australian non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native marsupial, the numbats. Here's mine, where's yours?

And finally, the current Sprite Delight II Challenge ends at 11:59 pm EDT TOMORROW.  There's still time to grab a Sprite and get coloring!

Rick St Dennis July/August Sparkle and Glitter Progressive Challenge

It's Team B's turn to inspire for the RSD Progressive Challenge on the Sparkle and Glitter Blog.  The July challenge is ATG (with a RSD stamp) and those who join in will receive the free image for August to play along.  I've made a wine bottle tag using Baccus and several of the Bushel of Grapes images.  I've merged the images in my Printmaster Pro program, resizing one of the bushels to enlarge. Did you know that there are quite a few inexpensive images in the Elements Section of Rick's Zibbet Shop that can help round out your design and many are only $1.00?  You can find additional elements sold as sets by typing "Set" in the search bar on Zibbet.  Definitely worth a "look see".

Here's a closeup of the fabulous images.  This little piggy is definitely in "Hog Heaven."  LOL  I've colored with Copics with additional shading with Prismacolor pencils and added Glossy Accents to the wine glass and top of the glazed jug in the basket. I'll be keeping this wine tag handy for parties where there's always someone who wants to hog the primo bottle of wine all for himself.  There's lots more to see on SNG by the RSD EDT, so check it out and come play along. Everyone wins!  You add your projects to the folder HERE (up top on the Blog).

Here are all of the important links:

Sparkle and Glitter

Airless Chambers

RSD MFA Blog

RSD How2 Tutorial Blog

Rick's Zibbet Shop

Rick's Etsy Shop

FB Fans and Friends

I'm adding this to the TTPH July Something Funny Challenge, Simon Says Monday ATG, 

The East Wind ABAC

There's a new challenge at The East Wind with the Theme of ABAC (Anything but a Card).  Awhile back I won a fabulous "Steampunk Treasure Box" on my Gecko Galz DT sister Amanda's Blog and this fabulous burlap canvas with the travel Ephemera on it was one of he goodies.  Thanks so much, Amanda!  It was the inspiration for my challenge project and I thought that 'Lucy Loo' Voyage was the perfect image for it.

Lucy Loo is colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils.  To be honest, it took me awhile to figure out how to do her hair since the steamer trunk was behind her and the hair is drawn as strands, rather than closed waves or sections.  Finally I tried coloring the trunk with my Copics all the way to her face and then filling in the hair with very sharp pencil strands.  I added more shading with the pencils after coloring the rest of the image with Copics, as well.  I hough the little button on her jaunty beret was a nice touch (so very FRENCH, no?) and the ticket with the lettered sentiment is also Tim Holtz as is the Philosophy tag on the ribbon top left.  BE sure to visit The East Wind Challenge Blog and see the wonderful ABAC projects from my teamies and if YOU would like to join the fabulous TEW DT family, there's is currently a DT call, but hurry! only a few days left.  Check out the deets HERE.

Here's the important stuff:

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create CYOC (Square, Thinking of You and Burlap), Crafting with an Attitude ATG and Simon Says Monday ATG, 

Aurora Wings Coloring for a Cause

What's a numbat?  That's what I said.  This cute little guy is an endangered species indigenous to Australia and he needs our help.  Mitzi Sato-Wiuff, artist/ owner of Aurora Wings has set up a Color for the Cause event to help fund Project Numbat.  You can read about it HERE.  With a donation of any amount, you will be sent this adorable exclusive Numbat Fairy digital stamp, and that's not all.  Make a project with this digi and enter a special Color and Craft Contest on the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB page.  Winner will receive either $30 (USD) in Aurora Wings digi stamps OR one of Mitzi's gorgeous Coloring Books shipped anywhere in the world.  I've made a little tag to get the ball rolling using DP from MAMBI and die cut letters from my Cuttlebug Typwriter Alphabet.

Here's a closeup of Numbat Fairy.  Isn't he adorable?  He's colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils for fur detail and I've added a Prima flower to the stem he's holding with an adhesive bead center.  I hope you love him as much as I do and will join the Cause.

I'm entering this is in the Aurora Wings Special Summer Color and Craft  for a Cause FB Contest, Aud Sentiments Animal(s)+Sentiment, Simon Says Wednesday Furry Friends, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/Use Die Cuts, Time Out Challenges Nature with the Option of Animals, Inspiration Destination ATG, TTRCD ATG, Crafty Sentiments Sweet Challenge (just look at that sweet face!) and 613 Avenue Create ATG. 

I Love Rock & Roll at HDH

Oops!  A little late here for this month's new Challenge at HDH,  I LOVE ROCK & ROLL!  Yup, we're looking for something music inspired and you know the drill, no "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows".  Keep it dark, please.  I was having a bit of trouble with this one until  the Alice in Wonderland Blog Hop and afterwards, Minion Sister Teri, of Delicious Doodles, (or in this case Darkness) came up with a new Zombie version of Alice. Several other of her designs and several from Minion sister Ike, of Ike's Art, made it all come together so here ya go.  In case you haven't guessed the song, it's "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.

Here's the fab new Angry Zombie Alice.  Hmm... she seems to be having a bad trip.  All images were colored with Copics with additional shading with Prismacolor pencils.

Upper left we have the Cheshire cat (who isn't in the song, but I thought Teri's Witch's Cat made such a lovely Chessie...)  I've used only the head.  Kinda surreal, eh?

Bottom left we have Teri's Skully Pawn Chess Piece.  This was formerly done for Smeared Ink but since their closing, it is available in Teri's Etsy Store.  She has a whole set too. (Click HERE for the fab deal)  The amazing chess board background is a Freebie available on the Delicious Darkness FB Group page.  (Scroll down for yours)

On the right side is the fabulous Queen of Hearts from Ike's Art.  Looks like she's been a busy gal, too.  LOL  Did Alice help?

Finally, here's the White Rabbit (AKA Zombie Bunny from Ike's Zombie Pet Shop Part 2)  For the super deal on both parts click HERE!  My hubby fills his own capsules with herbal supplements so there's no shortage of pills in this house. Came in handy for this project.  Be sure to check out the rest of the Minion Team A projects at HDH and leave them some love.  Team B will be posting on the 20th with even more inspiration.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.

I'm entering this in the Left of Center Challenge #85 under the LOC theme, the Delicious Doodles July FB challenge, Ike's World Fantasy Challenge, Forever Dark #2 ATG, Dream in Darkness ATG, and A Step in the Dark July FB Challenge.

July Inspirations from Gecko Galz and a Free Stamp!

If you're looking for the Alice in Wonderland Blog hop, it's HERE.

Sorry for the slight delay today but I'm still recovering from our annual July 4th party and company just left.  My July inspiration pieces are up on the Gecko Galz Blog and I'm showcasing some of the the gorgeous new products now available at Gecko Galz.

I don't know about you, but I struggle with male cards.  The new Seaside Splendor kit, however, has many papers, stamps and icons that are perfect for male cards for any occasion.  This card features one of the fab digi papers that comes with the kit.  I've printed the image, distressed it with scissors and  and attached it to a kraft card base to which I've added torn cheesecloth that I've inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. 

The 3 icons across the top are from the Beachy Jewels Collage set.  Again, I've distressed each with scissors and matted them on kraft.  I've attached the star fish charm with twine that I threaded through 2 tiny punched holes in the DP.  (Do that before attaching to card base.)

Next is my fave!  This tag is mounted on some corrugated kraft card stock using papers and icons and paper, again from the Seaside Splendor kit, as well as a sentiment (WISH) enlarged, fussy cut and popped from the Beachy Jewels Collage Set. The DP is matted and attached to the tag on top of some netting I found on the ground during one of my morning walks. (Always on the lookout for possible craft materials.  LOL)

Here's a closeup of the main image.  Lots of fussy cutting and popping for dimension.  All in all, I used 5 icons, #'s SS106, SS118, SS120, SS122, and SS123.  I've also added some Frantage and tiny beads under the main image.

Here's a dimensional shot.  All of the icons for the main image were layered in my printing program on the digi paper first and printed for the base.

And another from the other side.  Then the sweet girl in the shell was printed 3 more times, fussy cut, inked and popped with either foam or Pinflair.  The starfish up top was printed after, fussy cut and popped, and a hole was punched through all of the layers to thread the ribbon and fiber through.

Last minute, just for fun I created this all digital project in my Printmaster Platinum program using 2 different digi papers from the Seaside Splendor Kit, an Icon from the kit, mermaids from the Sea Nymphs Collage set, and the sailboat from the Beachy Jewels Collage set.

Don't for get our July Customer Challenge, Seaside Memories, going on now. This is my Challenge Project.  Further info on this one can be found HERE.

Thanks for hanging in there.  Here's the sweet little freebie I'm offering from Gecko Galz.  

Visit the Gecko Galz Blog all month to see each designer's inspiration pieces and find the link to their personal Blogs and fabulous freebies.

150th Anniversary Alice in Wonderland Blog Hop!

Happy 4th of July!  In addition, today we are celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, and what better way to do that, than to share lots of creative projects inspired by this wonderful story.

Not only will you see lots of amazing artwork throughout the Hop today, but you can also win prizes from the following amazing companies;

The Stamping Boutique

Rick St Dennis MFA

Faery Ink

That Craft Place

Ike's Art

Delicious Doodles

Sweet Pea Stamps

Sassy Studio Designs

Vera Lane Studio Digital Stamps

Prize winners will be selected from Random blogs throughout the Hop using Random.org to select each winner.  In order to be eligible for a prize you must visit all stops on the hop and leave a comment. The prize draws will be open until July 18th so you have plenty of time, with winners announced on July 20th.  Hopefully you've arrived from Milo's inspiring Blog.  If not, perhaps you'd like to start at the beginning.  See list below.  Here's my Alice in Wonderland inspired project.

  Gotta say, red is my favorite color, so the Queen of Hearts is one of my fave AIW characters.  I've made a wall hanging using the fabulous Queen of HeArts 2013 by Rick St Dennis MFA.  I've used all Spellbinders Dies  to create this wall hanging with a computer generated sentiment and black beads and swirls from Recollections.  

Here's a closeup of Queen of HeArts 2013.  She's colored with Copics with some additional shading with Prismacolor pencils.  Obviously she's in a good mood.  No beheadings today, me thinks.  This is just one of the fabulous Queen of Hearts stamps available in Rick's Zibbet Shop and there are many more Alice in Wonderland inspired stamps there as well.  Keep hopping and you'll have a chance to win a few, or something from one of our other exceptional sponsors.  Next stop is Leigh.  Prepare to be amazed.  Here's the entire list, in case you get lost or want to start at the beginning.

Blog Hop List

Suzi

Alison

Trudie

Sharon

Milo

Donna You are HERE!

Leigh

Claudia

Leadonna

Nan

Jenn

Nikki

Black Dragon

Teresa

Ike

Creepy Glowbugg

Shelley

Alana

Harp

Lori

Monica

Kemly

Margaret

Julie

Katie

Julie W S

Kathi
Karen
Corrie
Emily
Geraldine
Carol
Avril
Lisa
Kim
Mo
Lorraine

Gotta say I'll be hopping a bit later myself as we're having company for our (mostly annual) 4th of July bash.  Enjoy your weekend everyone and stay safe.  xxx

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Paper a la Mode ATG Challenge, Crafting by Designs July ATG, and Inspiration Destination #40 ATG.