Feeling Blue Without You

It's the final day of the Feeling Blue Challenge in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group and now I'm in a pinch after several days of partying for my birthday.  This beautiful image is #2073 Puzzled Heart.  Colored with Copics and I fussy cut the center puzzle piece out and popped it aside.  Really love how it turned out.  New die from Joy Crafts, too.  WooHoo!

I'm entering this in the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG,  Simon Says Wednesday AG (5/5) and Jo's Scrap Shack #231 AG.

Use Your Wings

Gosh, I can't believe April is almost over!  I feel like I totally missed it and still need to finish some stuff before May Day.  Only today and tomorrow.  YIKES!  Well, here is "Cute Fairy", from Ike's Art, that is the April Progressive Challenge image for her FB Fan Group.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and I've added Stardust Stickles to her wings.  My original plan was to make a little scene some new dies I just got but they proved to be a bit more difficult to deal with than I imagined.  Instead I found this scrap on my desk that had a little vine for her to stand on and some subtle glitter flowers in the background.  WooHoo!  I added a large flower, a "fairy wand" for her to carry (also on the desk, no I don't ever put stuff away) and a sentiment sticker from Tim Holtz's Small Talk pad.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG (4/5), the Fairy and the Unicorn April, the Southern Girls Triple F challenge (fairies, fantasy and/or flowers), SOS #351 Mythical and Magical and QKR Stampede #293 AG.

Sick and Tired

Here's another for the Feeling Blue Challenge over in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group that I should have finished a few days ago, but I lost the sentiment on my desk somewhere and kept thinking I would find it.  Didn't have time the last two days to reprint so... Ummm...  Don'tcha just HATE it when that happens?  Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good now and it's my birthday and I had a few minutes before I have to get "boofy" before going out so I managed to finish this up.  The stamp is called #2108 Dang Flu Soup (obviously by Sandra Caldwell) and I never in a million years thought it would pertain to me when I bought it.  She's colored with Copics and I've ripped a paper towel for the "Kleenex".  Glad this chapter is over.

I'm also adding this to  the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG/AG, and Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #231 AG.

New Puppy

One of the four themes this week for Festive Fridays on the Outlawz Forum is new puppy. Couldn't resist this cutie from Sandra Caldwell called #1440 Naughty Puppy.  He's colored with Copics and the DP is from the old DCWV Pet Mat Stack.  In a bit of a hurry today.  Making up for lost time and having lunch with a girlfriend.  WooHoo!

I'm also adding this to  the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, the CCC Digi Creations Challenge #91 Include an Animal, Inspiration Destination #149 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG and the Crafty Animals Challenge #13.

Handmade Flowers

Well today I'll be re-entering the land of the living and getting some much needed work done on me at the hair salon.  It can only make me feel better, right?  I did manage a card for a couple of Outlawz Challenges that involved embossing,dies and a punch that I think turned out pretty neat, though.

You can enter up to 2 times for Twisted Thursday and the twist is "handmade flowers" which I mentioned before is a rarity for me. This time I pulled out my several year old (but never used) Sue Wilson 2 part flower die.  I rarely work with vellum either, but I was really impressed by designer Andrea Norris's heat embossed (yeah, I WISH I could do that) vellum flowers that I cut the bottom of the petals from vellum and layered over with blue card stock.  The flower centers are prills and I've added leaves cut from a Sizzix Dogwood die set also from vellum.  I layered them over a Butterfly Frame from Die-namites and added a Martha Stewart punched butterfly and tiny pearls.  The mat was embossed with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and I added a bow of crinkle ribbon from DL.Art.  I backed the aperture cut with a Spellbinders Oval with vellum and added a silver sticker sentiment.

This also works for the Outlawz Tuesday Color challenge Tic Tac Toe board as I used the middle row across of Emboss, Add Lace or Ribbon and Use Punch or Die Cut.  My row doesn't have a color but I picked blue from the board.  It would have worked for the left row down, as well, but I wanted to keep the card monochromatic so I cut the leaves in vellum instead of green.

I'm also entering this in the 613 Avenue Create April Challenge using the optional twist, vellum (woohoo!), the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Dies R Us #65 Springtime, Scrapy Land Challenge #88 AG w/dies Scrapy land sells and Simon Says Wednesday AG.

Feeling Blue

There's a fun new challenge going on on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page called "Feeling Blue", partly because we're all missing Sandra, as she has just undergone surgery on her hand and will be out of commission for awhile, but also to cheer her up, since blue is her favorite color.  The challenge calls for coloring any of her images in ALL BLUE shades (including faces, peeps) and making an all blue project.  LOVE it!

I've printed out a bunch and my first is using #390 Eddie Cutz.  A perfect likeness, don'tcha think?  Thought the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch would be perfect and also works for the Outlawz Monday Greetings Boys are Special Challenge.  

The paper and little tickets are from the Graphic 45 World's Fair stack and the chain was punched and colored silver with a Sharpie (one of the neutrals allowed, but only blue on the image) and I've embellished with metal screws and a light bulb, both from Junkyard Findings by Prima.  The strip of blue is smbossed with a Sizzix folder by Tim Holtz.

Here's a closeup of #390 Eddie Cutz.  He's colored with Copics using B91-B99, but pretty much any shades of blue will do.  I've used some clear Wink of Stella on his "hand".  Hope you can come join the fun.  The challenge runs through April 30th.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG,  Crafts Galore Encore April AG, and the Corrosive Challenge #4 AG 

ONE is Never Enough!

Here's one more for the LeighSBDesigns first birthday and Birthday Card Contest which ends TONIGHT at midnight PDT.  Still time to grab the FREEBIE HERE and enter for a prize.  Yesterday I went for a bit of a macabre approach you can see HERE, but today I went cute and quirky combining the freebie (ONE with cupcake) with the OddLeigh Cupcake set and adding Miss Oddleigh herself (see the whole Oddleigh family HERE) and two cupcakes that are part of the set.  I've colored with Copic in sweet yummy colors and inked the edges with Distress.  Went CAS since there was already a lot going on using a pretty pastel chevron pattern from Queen & Co.

Oh wow, and BTW, in honor of Earth Day Leigh has Just released 2 new stamps! 

Daisy Bee

And 

Kitty Cuddles

Available until April 28 at a special introductory price at LeighSBDesigns HERE.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 16, Star Stampz Pastel Colors, HLS CAS Challenge Chevrons, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #230 AG, the Corrosive Challenge #4 AG (using sponsor image) and Do Al(l) Kreatives April #16 Pastel Colors. 

Almost Late to the Party at LeighSB Designs

My dear friend Leigh Snaith-Brunton is celebrating the first birthday of LeighSB Designs with a fun Birthday Card Contest and FREEBIE to enter that I almost missed due to my illness since our trip over Easter weekend.  You can read all about it HERE and still nab the freebie and enter by midnight tomorrow, April 22nd (PDT) for a chance to win prizes.  WooHoo!  You know I love me some quirky and/or dark designs and LeighSB Designs delivers those in spades, but she also offers a number of kitties, both cute and exotic as well as some lovely traditional images of beautiful ladies and sweet holiday fare. You can see lots of inspiration on the Leigh SB Designs Blog and the FB Fan Group.

This is my first entry using the FREEBIE combined with her Alfred Hitchcock  (and friend).  They're in a festive mood, sporting party hats from the 4 pack collection HERE.  I've cropped the FREEBIE in my Printmaster Program and separated the cupcake from the "ONE" and moved it forward to allow the bird to be able to blow out the candle. I've colored with Copics in my fave color combo and inked with Distress.  I really had fun with this and hope I can manage at least one other offering before the party is over.  Hurry, and you can party too.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Creative Moments #141 AG, Crafting With Friends #65 AG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Square Cards, Dream in Darkness April AG and 2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG/w critter.

Virgo Kitty from SheepSki Designs

Sharing another card done for several of the Outlawz challenges using the sweet Virgo (image#49), available both with and without the Zodiac sign, from SheepSki Designs. It's the current offering for monthly Progressive Freebie Challenge.  Thank you so much, Andrea!  You know I love your kitties!  Since I've been practicing with Prismacolor pencils, with help from the Kit and Clowder monthly classes, I printed him a bit lighter on Mi Teintes paper so I could furry him up a bit.  Gotta say it took me all day, but I enjoyed every minute and am quite pleased with the outcome.

The colors are from the Outlawz Tuesday Color challenge and for once, I'm not last minute for that one.  I'd already started coloring the kitty and wasn't sure if that was black or brown on the swatch, but I think I've got it covered in the DP.  However, I got so wrapped up in figuring out a card design, I sort of forgot the twist, although maybe the 3D Stickers from JoLee's will work for that.

This shows the sentiment tag that slips behind the image.  I've used my Stitched Tags dies from Gina Marie again and the sentiment from Elizabeth Crafts.  I added punched butterflies like the one in the image and  colored them to match.  The crinkle ribbon is from DL.Art.

I'm also entering this in the new SheepSki Designs FB challenge which is AG with optional twist use 2 colors (maybe next time) as well as the SheepSki Blog challenge #13 Animal Magic, the SUYP (cats only) April Furrything Goes challenge, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG/w critter, Always Fun Challenges #54 Use kraft, CCC Digi Creations Include an Animal, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#230 AG, Crafty Animals #13 AG with Animal and TTRCD Week of April 17th AG.

Hello Spring

My eyes have gotten a little buggy from coloring so I took the day off and played with dies, instead.  I've got so many new ones I haven't used yet and more coming.  Eiyiyi!  The Outlawz Twisted Thursday calls for handmade flowers which I rarely take the time to do.  Got plenty of dies to choose from, though.  The daffodil here is from Spellbinders.  I think I'd never used it because there were really no instructions and they weren't immediately apparent on the site, either.  Thanks heaven for Youtube.  I did a little shading with my Copics.

The flower is so dimensional that I decided to put it on a Spring tag using layered stitched tags by Gina Marie.  I wanted to add some sparkle and shine for the Simon Says Wednesday challenge so I cut the sentiment out of green glitter paper.  "Hello" is from Elizabeth Craft and Spring is from Echo Park.  Added a jeweled butterfly from Little B, some Doodlebug sequins and two shades of crinkle ribbon from DL.Art.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art Thankful Thursday #226 Spring Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Simply Create Too April #137 Use Die Cuts, Simply Papercraft April #76 AG, Crafting with an Attitude #38 AG...

Celebrate

Since I haven't been out shopping for awhile, I've done a fair amount of shopping on the net (mostly for craft supplies, shhh!!!)  I've used two of my new dies from Tutti designs here, a maple leaf vine frame and celebrate sentiment.  That frame looked like grape vines to me, so I added some glitter and gem grape clusters and wine glass stickers and also cut a portion of the the frame again using glitter card stock and fussy cut a few of the leaves for more sparkle.  Easy peasy.  The sentiment was cut with purple mirror card stock that doesn't seem to show up in the pic.  

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Saturday Paper A La Mode Leaves Challenge, Simon says Wednesday Sparkle and Shine, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Simply Create Too April #137 Use Die Cuts and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG.

Penguin Elf

One good thing about being sick is when I felt up to it, I could color.  Since nothing was really "pressing" at the moment, I decided to practice pencils on kraft using the free members rewards class from Kit and Clowder I received for being a monthly class member. As long as you stay a member of the monthly classes, Alyce sends an extra free class (that members get to vote on) every month.  WooHoo!  This one if from last December.  The adorable stamp is Penguin Elf from the Crissie Armstrong Digital Collection at Whimsy Stamps.

Here's a closeup of my coloring of Penguin Elf with Prismacolor pencils.  Although I have some kraft paper that has a bit more "Tooth" it is 12x12" so I used some from my 8 1/2 x 11" pack so I wouldn't have to cut it down.  Made it a little harder to blend, but I'm still pleased with the results.  I added some icicles around the top and shaded to frame him in a bit more after cutting with my Spellbinders Grand Ovals.

I tried all sorts of DP, but wasn't thrilled with the way it look with the kraft.  Finally unearthed my old Recollections Warm Wishes stack which was printed on kraft and went with that.  It has shiny foiled hearts so I matted with red mirror card stock  and added a green foil frame and glitter holly with gems for the Simon Says Wednesday Sparkle and Shine Challenge.

I'm also entering this in the Whimsy Inspiration Challenge #105 AG, Always Fun Challenges #54 Use kraft, the Outlawz Festive Friday Christmas theme, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, the {PIN}spirational Anniversary Challenge #213 AG (5/5, the ABC Christmas Challenge 'H' is for Hats 'I' is for Ice (got 'em BOTH!), Simply Papercraft #76 AG, Winter Wonderland Cute Christmas Critters, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies April #13 AG w/critter and The Holly and the Ivy #27 Anything Christmas Goes and Crafty Animals #13 AG /w Animal.

Beautiful Rose from Createful Heart

Since I've been stuck inside for so long I've been practicing coloring when I was feeling up to it.  This image was part of a Progressive Sketch Challenge in the Createful Heart FB Group. It's available in the shop now available now HERE.  I took my time coloring with Copics and used colors and techniques from the Kit and Clowder Elements of Nature Class.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  The papers are from Graphic 45 World's Fair 8x8 pad and I've added crochet lace and buttons that seem to be photographing almost black instead of dark green.

I'm adding this Createful Heart April Blog Challenge AG/optional lace, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #229 AG, {PIN}spirational Anniverary Challenge #213 AG (4/5), Crafty Gals Corner Use Buttons and Craft Rocket #47 Flowers.

Jo's Daffodils

Nothing says SPRING like daffodils, eh?  In CA, the first miniature clusters appear in our yard January, with various other varieties scattered throughout the season.  This gorgeous bouquet is from SheepSki Designs called Jo's Daffodils (img #50).  I colored with Copics using colors and techniques from the Kit and Clowder Elements of Nature Class.  Although I printed it quite small, I was quite pleased at the amount of detail I achieved.  I finished it off rather simply with a rustic plaid and a bit of burlap for texture.  The sentiment is from the Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker pack.

I'm entering this in the SheepSki Designs Mar/April FB contest, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #229 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Add Some Texture, {PIN}spirational Anniverary Challenge #213 AG (3/4) and Craft Rocket #47 Flowers.

New Challenge #66 at Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

A brand new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of Black and White with or without a Splash of Color.  I decided to go with Harlequinade, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy, because I immediately think black and white for a harlequin pattern, but also because I had several option for adding a "splash" of color.  My first thought was red for the roses, but was afraid they would dominate the piece so I chose the more subtle lilies instead.

Here's a closeup of Harlequinade.  I've colored with Copics and had quite a time getting the detail I wanted in the flowers.  Because I'm still not feeling 100% I thought that printing the image smaller would be quicker and easier, but it was a bit of a struggle since the whole card itself is only 5x7".  It was the pearls, however, that gave me the most grief.

I've found that the only way to use any type of "liquid" pearls (these were done with Nuvo drops) is to apply them in stages, meaning leaving gaps between so they don't run together and waiting until those dry before filling in.  I applied them twice yesterday and again, this morning and then realized this would be a problem if I needed to die cut the image which I hadn't originally planned on.

I was sure I had black and white DP that would work but didn't check for it until after the image was finished.  What I found was that almost ALL of my B&W DP really had an ivory or cream background that looked horrible with the stark white of the image background. The only B&W pad had pretty wimpy prints so I looked for dies and settled for 2 layers from the Spellbinders Majestic Labels Twenty Five. I knew what was gonna happen when I cut the image but I prayed for a miracle.  NOPE. After cutting and embossing all my beautiful pearls were SQUISHED.  That took two more rounds of Nuvo action to recover.  Note to self, PLAN AHEAD and cut BEFORE, if you need to.

Once I found the right dies I didn't have to think much more.  My first top mat was black, but it sort of minimized the impact of the image so I tried again with gray and used black behind.  Much better.  Had I used the roses as my "splash" I probably would have printed them several times to fussy cut and pop, but the lilies were too small. I did manage to pop the 3 layers with foam and also added a crinkle ribbon bow from DL.Art backed by black tulle to finish it off.

Sorry I was so "chatty".  I think I may be reentering the "Land of the Living" so...  Anyway, my Aurora Teamies have done some exceptionally creative work for this challenge so be sure to visit the Challenge Blog and check out their fabulous creations.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through May 19th)

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

And in case you missed the new Showcase Coupon code.  It's been extended through next Wednesday.  WooHoo!  Good on ALL digi stamps in both shops.

I'm entering the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #80 AG, TTRCD April 10-16 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #229 AG, the {PIN}spirational Anniversary challenge #213 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Simon Says Wednesday Add Some Texture, Craft Rocket April #47 Flowers,  A Perfect Time to Craft #4 April AG (3/3), Craft-Dee BowZ April AG w handmade bow, the Classic DT Open April Challenge #4 AG (2/3), the World Wide DT Open (April 15) AG, HLS April AG w/dies, 

Aurora Wings New Release Double Showcase April

I'm especially thrilled today to be joining the Aurora Wings Showcase Team for the Double New Release Showcase of a beautiful new mermaid (that I actually named) and the new Summer Sprite based on a baby version of her.  Meet Marisol the Mermaid. I'm so proud!  You can read all about how and why her name was chosen in the Showcase post and as Marisol's Fairy Godmother I received her full body version before she was released to the public.

Here's a closeup of Marisol in all her glory.  She's colored with Copics and I've used clear Wink of Stella to make her scales shine.  You can find her in both shops in the links below.

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

My original plan for her was much simpler as I'd done a Brushos background on watercolor paper I thought would work, but after coloring, it just wasn't right.  Fortunately I'd checked in on The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch this morning and after perusing my Graphic 45 papers, I went to town.  This isn't the first time their sketch saved my butt and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.  YAY!

And I did say this was a DOUBLE release, didn't I?  Just look at this new little cutie.  Sweet Summer Sprite with Watermelon.  She is as precious as can be!  Unfortunately I'm still battling the cold I caught on my trip and was unable to color her up but you can see wonderful inspiration from the Showcase Team in the Showcase post.  You can find her in both shops below.

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

But wait.  Who's this?

The Summer Sprite with Ice Cream Cone is a BONUS OFFER (BOGO - Buy One Get One FREE - deal) at AuroraWings.com for one week only (April 12 through April 18, 2018).  After that period, the ice cream cone version will be an exclusive, only available at AuroraWings.com digi shop.

Click on the links below to go to the BOGO SPECIALS!

JPG     PNG

And gee, it wouldn't be a New Release Showcase without a Coupon, would it?

Here ya go!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #79 AG, TTRCD Apr 10-16 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #228 AG, QKR Stampede #290 AG,  Crafty Hazelnut's April Patterned Paper Challenge, the Corrosive Challenge #4 April AG, Inspiration Destination #148 AG, Crafting from the Heart #201 AG, Crafty Cardmakers #209 Water, {Pin}spirational Anniversary challenge #213 AG and A Perfect Time to Craft #04 AG.

Hoppy Easter!

Yeah, I know I'm a little late for Easter, but there were some challenges I wanted to enter with this adorable bunny in a basket image from Ike's Art. It is one of the exclusive new images Ike offers as a freebie in the March/April online issue of TTRCD Magazine.  It's been awhile since I subscribed and when I found out Ike was the featured artist I renewed my subscription. I'm so glad I did.  All sorts of good stuff in there, for sure.

Here's a closeup.  I just LOVE him! I've colored with Copics.  The dies I've used are all Spellbinders with the exception of the little flowers I added to the branches.  They came from a Martha Stewart punch.

Since I've been a bit behind in crafting since our trip and have caught a nasty cold, I wanted to try and cover a few bases for the Outlawz Challenges.  This is my second one for Twisted Thursday which was AG/AG, Saturday Paper ala Mode is Bunnies and Chicks, and I used the new sketch from yesterday's Sketch challenge so WooHoo!

I'm also entering this in the Ike's World April Challenge #107 AG/Photo Inspiration.  Guess I should have put this one first, eh?  Please forgive.

Also, the DL.Art April Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #79 AG, TTRCD April 3-10, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies April AG w/critter, Creatalicious #136 AG with opt. friendship, Inspiration Destination #147 AG, the Crafty Addicts #47 AG/optional April Showers, CCC Digi Creations Include an Animal and Pause Dream Enjoy #14 Color It.