Guest Designing for DL.Art Thankful Thursday #213 - Halloween

I'm thrilled to be joining the DL.Art team as Guest Designer for the Thankful Thursday Halloween Challenge (but, of course, thank you cards are always welcome if Halloween doesn't float your boat).  DL.Art has some fabulous new Halloween bundles and I got to play with the Neon Green Plus Bundle which offers  5 yards each of black/white and orange/white twine, 4 yards each of Neon Green and Black crinkle ribbon and 2 fab Halloween buttons.  The Neon ribbon actually glows in the dark under a black light.  EEEK!  How cool is that!? 

I've made a little Halloween decor piece.  This is actually a large clothespin I've painted black and covered the front with some Halloween DP.  The medallion is made with the Neon Green Plus bundle goodies and backed with a small black doily from Doodlebug.  I used a Tim Holtz Bigz Die and cut "Boo" 3 times and layered and bats cut and embossed with a Cuttlebug set to fly above on wire. That top part is removable, in case you want to hold a recipe or other type of Halloween greeting.

Here's a closeup of the medallion.  I punched a large circle, covered it with transfer tape and pleated the crinkle ribbon in layers with one of the buttons in the center.  To make the tassel, I just wound both colors of twine around 3 of my fingers, tied it through the top loop and then again partially down the strands, cut through the bottom loop and trimmed to length.  Easy peasy.  Here I used a black Doodlebug doily as a backing, but wouldn't it be cool to use lace instead and make it a wearable brooch accent for a coat or jacket?  For a romantic twist, how about Diana's Intimate bundle,  where the centerpiece is already made for you.  Check that out HERE.  OOH, la la!

There are a number of options available with these fabulous new Halloween bundles.  And even if you don't have a black light, the neon colors just POP, all on their own.  So bright and fun.

The Neon Bundles offer 4 yards each of black and 4 yards of your choice of Orange, Green, or purple Neon ribbon.

The Neon Plus Bundle offers one of the ribbon bundle colors and adds 5 yards of both orange/white and black/white twine and two Halloween buttons.

And the Neon Premium Bundle adds two more buttons to the Neon Plus assortment.  WooHoo!

Use this coupon ( HALLOW20) for 20% off the Plus and Premium Bundles the first week of the challenge and be sure to check out the fabulous projects by the DL.Art team!

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Anything Goes Challenge, Crafty Creations #351 AG, Crafty Gals Corner #142 AG, Creative Moments #127 AG, Crop Stop September Linky Party #32 AG/CropStop products, Simon Says Wednesday AG, the Crafty Addicts Buttons or Brads, the Sisterhood of Crafters Use Your Dies, and TTRCD AG week of Sept 26-Oct 2.

Crop It! for AuroraWings

Our new challenge starts today on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the theme of Crop It! 

For those of you who know me, and my recent computer situation,  you're aware that this post is sort of a miracle, as for once I worked ahead and had this completed before the crash.  Yay, me!   I've used the adorable Little Kitsune Anko (simple version) available HERE on AW.com and HERE (jpg only) on Etsy.  I thought this little cutie would be adorable not only peeking out from behind her fox mask, but also a very detailed fan cut with a die by Tattered Lace from specialty crinkle matte gold paper.  I've made a little tassel from two shades of red floss to dress up the end.  The screen die behind her is Die-versions.  The card is triple matted in the colors of her kimono and the corners dressed up with Asian inspired stickers and a small sticker sentiment.

Here's a closeup of Little Kitsune Anko (simple version) available HERE on AW.com and HERE (jpg only) on Etsy.  I chose the simple version so I could paper piece the sleeves of her kimono with one of the papers from the Mori Girl paper pack by Gecko Galz. 

I printed a cropped version of her arms and mask twice so I could pop them for dimension.  Her face and mask were colored with Copics.  I've positioned her arms and mask closer to her face so that she looks like she is peeking out from behind.  Kitsune is the word for fox in Japanese and is a frequent character in in Japanese folklore.  This fantasy creature can have up to nine tails depending on her age, wisdom and power.  This little chickie is just a beginner, I'd say having only one tail so far (and it's cropped out!)  

If you'd prefer to have fun with coloring a more detailed version of her kimono, you can find the fancy version HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  Either way, I think she's a doll, don't you?

Be sure to check out the AW challenge Blog to see the creative takes on this challenge by my Aurora Teamies.  We can't wait to see what you come up with.

The new September Rainbow Inspired FB challenge is in full swing as well. Hope to see you there. 

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

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 to the DL.Art September Linky challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #66 AG, TTRCD Week of Sept 12 AG, Aud Sentiments #188 AG w/Sentiment, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #206 AG, Creative Fingers #136 AG, the Corrosive Challenge September AG, Kitty Bee Fairytale/Fantasy, Colour Crazy Week 37 AG, Crafting -With-Friends Challenge 50 Extra AG.

Kitty Easel for a Bunch of Challenges

Well, I'm still not fully operational, but I do have a new pc.  Have not been able to retrieve files from the old computer nor do I have my printing program back, but I did have this adorable image called Cat, by Anne Fenton, already printed and ready to color prior to the computer catastrophe.  It is the September Progressive Challenge Freebie on the Outlawz Forum.  In light of this fact, I've tried to construct my card to fit as many of the weekly challenges on the Outlawz Forum as possible, as well as a few others I regularly participate in.  I'm quite busy with party plans for my BFF's 60th birthday September 30th, on top of all the computer woes, so time is limited.

First of all, I've used the Wednesday Sketch challenge, but also made it an easel card for the September/October special challenge at TTRCD in Autumn colors which is one of the themes.  Here's the sketch which I've obviously turned upside down.

Monday Greetings has Tic Tac Toe board with a Thinking of You theme and I've used the diagonal from top left of Flowers, Image, and Ribbon.  The gorgeous crinkle ribbon is from DL.Art Halloween Bundle and the dimensional flowers are from K&Co.  Fortunately, I had a sticker sentiment in the right theme since I'm not even hooked up to the printer yet.  I've colored it brown with my Copics to make it stand out a bit more.

Saturday Paper Ala Mode wants your project to Pop Up, either with pop dots or to actually pop up inside. Both the orange mat and sentiment are popped for dimension, as well as each flower his raised with two pop dots apiece. Twisted Thursday is always AG but the twist this week is Leaves.  Well, I'm not sure this qualifies for the twist, but it flies for AG.  Yay!

Here's a closeup of Cat by Anne Fenton.  I totally LOVE this image and really enjoyed trying the no lines technique by printing him in a light brown and practicing the fur techniques from Kit and Clowder using my Copic markers.  Thanks so much Anne for this delightful image.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art September Linky challenge, SUYP (cats only) September Furrything Goes, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #66 AG, TTRCD Week of Sept 12 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies September 4/5, Aud Sentiments #188 AG w/Sentiment, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #206 AG, Creative Fingers #136 AG, Colour Crazy Week 37 AG, the Corrosive Challenge September AG, Fussy and Fancy #196 Fall Colors, Crafting-With-Friends Challenge 50 Extra AG.

Christmas Package Kat

Here's a new release by Sandra Caldwell called #1772 Christmas Package Kat, in her Etsy Shop today, along with a whole bunch of new cuties.  I though he'd make an adorable Christmas tag and used papers from Peppermint Forest and my Stitched Tags dies from Gina Marie.  The crinkle ribbon is from DL.Art.

Here's his closeup.  I colored him with Copics using colors from the DP and decided to make him a Siamese, in honor of my very first kitty, Twinkle and also my friend Fiki's very "purr"sonable kitty, Coffee.

I'm also sad to say that this is my last post as a Design Team member for Sandra Caldwell, but certainly not the last creation I'l be making with her fun and amazing digis.  I plan to remain an active member of the FB Fan Group and friends with the lovely gals I've met there.  Thanks so much for your support and friendship.  The rest of September AND the year is going to be a busy time for me so I've decided to lessen my DT responsibilities for now. 

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, SUYP (cat's only) September Furrything Goes, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Fur, Fluff or Fins, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies September (3/5), Kerst/Christmas September FB challenge, CHNC September Christmas Extra, CHNC September Patterned Paper Challenge, A Snowflakes Promise #43, The Paper Shelter #308 Lots of Layers, The Merry Christmas Challenge #33 AG Christmas and The Holly and the Ivy #14 AG Christmas ...

Yellow and Orange for the Outlawz Festive Fridays

Just got back from our little overnight for our 42nd Anniversary but still wanted to sneak in at least one of the themes for the Outlawz Festive Fridays.   I chose the adorable image, Candy Corn Fairy by Aurora Wings, available  exclusively HERE on AW.Com, for the Yellow and Orange theme.  I used the png format so I could crop digital paper from AMBillustrations into circles, resize them, and arrange them behind the stamp in my Printmaster Platinum Program.  I also added the sentiment digitally before printing.  Then I colored her with Copics, cut her out with a double stitched rectangle die from Kat Scrappiness and added a little star to her wand.  Found the perfect DP in my stash et voila!  A quickie CAS card that I think turned out pretty darn cute.

Don't forget our current Anything Goes Challenge on the AW Challenge Blog and the September Rainbow Inspired FB Contest in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.  See ya'll there!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, TTRCD AG for week of 9/5, Crafting with an Attitude September AG, Aud Sentiments#188 AG w/Sentiment, Cute Card Thursday #484 Autumn, and Creative Knockouts #210 Something to Say. 

Anything Goes at Aurora Wings

We're back on track this month on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and our first challenge of September is the ever popular

For me this theme is the most difficult with so many gorgeous Aurora Wings stamps to work with and so many ideas in my head, I have the hardest time making a decision (especially when it's been as freakin' HOT as it's been the last week).  So I've noticed that there seems to be a bit of Halloween activity here and there and decided to get a jump on it and color up this cutie called Bat Flower Sprite available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  Isn't he cute? 

Here's a closeup of Bat Flower Sprite.  He's colored with Copics and I drew color inspiration from the photos of actual Bat Flowers found HERE.  I really love the all black ones, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to get the definition and detail of the image with my coloring. (Gonna try it next time, though. ;D)  I generally buy the digis that are available in the PNG format so I can play with digital backgrounds and printed him first on sort of a vintage moon tag.  The problem was the background printed much darker than the preview and you couldn't see the dangly bits, so that was a "no go".  

I'd also printed him by himself so I went ahead and colored that one.  Had to fussy cut, though.  EIYIYI!  I used my kraft knife and worked from the body down the long strands and didn't remove the pieces until they all were cut.  This kept the image more stable when I had to go over several places that didn't initially cut through.  I found the already cut groove, held the pieces together ABOVE the knife and carefully re cut.  Definitely a labor of love, but the white outline made him stand out from the background, too.

So now what?  This time the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch saved me.  Cool spider web doily is from my buddy Creepy Glo, crinkle ribbon from the Halloween bundle at DL.Art, DP from my stash, distressed with Black Soot Ink and scissors, and a bat embellie from Recollections.

Be sure to stop by the AW Challenge Blog to see the fabulous projects from my Stella teamies and come play along.  Fun new challenge in the FB Group too.

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

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 DL.Art September Linky challenge, Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG/AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG (5/5), Colour Crazy Craft Challenge wk 35 AG, Crafting from the Heart #173 AG, 613 Avenue Create September AG/optional Distress it, the Classic Design Team Open #17 AG, Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge Sept., the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #25, and TTRCD August 29-Sept 5.

   

He's Gonna Find Out!

I'm lucky to be showcasing another of Sandra Caldwell's new releases and also one you may not have seen.  Thought it would be fun to tell a little story using both together.  The brand new one is #1690 Kookie Kitty and the startled look on his face gave me the idea.  Isn't he cute?  I made an easel card using DP from my stash to look like a wood floor and wallpaper and then added #1285 Face It Santa peeking in the window cut with a Heartfelt Creations die.  I turned a brad that said Ho Ho Ho upside down on the shutter to make it Oh, Oh, Oh. LOL

Here's a closeup of #1690 Kookie Kitty.  He's colored with Copics with some fur detail using Prismacolor pencils.  I swear every time Sandra releases a new kitty I fall in love all over again.

And here's #1285 Face It Santa, again colored with Copics.  He was perfect be peeking through the window to complete my little scene.  Hope you check out Sandra's Etsy Shop and stop by the FB Fan Group to see more inspiration using the new releases.

I'll be adding this to the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greetings AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG 4/5, SUYP (cats only) August Furrything Goes, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #6 Sept AG, Christmas with the Cuties #9 Cutie Couples, Crafty Hazelnuts September Christmas Challenge Extra, Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge Sept., Sparkles Christmas Christmas Animals, the Outlawz Festive Fridays under the Christmas theme...

Hippo Stein LIVES!

It's new release day for Sandra Caldwell and my first creation is the fun new #1909 Hippo Stein.  Tried to get a mad scientist's laboratory feel using cool shaker specimen jars from K&Co and fun papers from my stash, apropriately distresses.  The Light bulb is from Junkyard Findings and says LIVE.  Fun, eh?

Here's a closeup of #1909 Hippo Stein and was he a blast to color with my Copics.  I've never seen a green hippo with yellow eyes, but considering he's coming back from the dead, why not eh?  You can check out all of the new releases with inspiration from my teamies on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Saturday PAM AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, World Wide Open Design Team  Challenge #25, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Sept AG, TTRCD Aug 29-Sept 5 AG,...