Oddball Dots and Doodles

Here's what I came up with for the Oddball Art Stamps Dots and Doodles Challenge.  I really love the set of Jar Full of Dreams Stamps and decided to fill one of them with #283 Pugsy Bugsy.  Chay is here to help from the 10th edition of the Creepy Cute Chronicals.  Fabulous freebies every Friday.  Subscribe on the Oddball Art Stamps Forum.  I've colored those cuties with Copics and added Stardust Stickles to their wings and a digital sentiment to the tag on the jar.

I removed the inside of the jar in my Printmaster Platinum program so it would look clear and show the digi papers I used in the background.  The background  is from the WeAre3 Burlap Beach collection and the dots (are also digi paper I've cropped to circles and resized over and over in my program).  I doodled around them with a Memento black dual marker and added a little gel pen, too.  The "table" was cropped from the Textures set with a little shading from Copics.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, and Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#244 AG

Ike's World Challenge Christmas in July

Nothing like last minute!  Honestly, the Ike's World Christmas in July Challenge ends in just a few hours and although I've had this cute kitty from the Kitten Kristmas set of 6 at Ike's Art for more than a week, life got in the way (besides the fact I didn't know what I wanted to do with him).

Decided on a shaker just this morning using dies from Precious Marieke, Lawn Fawn, Spellbinders, and Gina Marie and packaging from a tape roll.

Here's a closeup.  He's colored with Copics with fur detail with Prismacolor pencils.  Sorry for the short post.  Hubby is waiting for me and I haven't even taken a shower yet.  Eiyiyi!

I'm also entering him the SUYP#32 challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, Aud Sentiments Christmas in July+Sentiment, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #244 AG, the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Animals Challenge, Crafty Gals Corner #170 Christmas in July.

Bugaboo Christmas in July Day 1

Well, this is my last for the Bugaboo Christmas in July Challenges, as hubby is clamoring for dinner and the rest of the themes require more thought and time than I have.  I'm obviously getting tired and although my designs and coloring won't win any awards, I allowed myself to just go with it and have fun.  That's the point, isn't it?  And considering I only was aware of it today after the newsletter, because I've had lots of stuff going on, I'm not going to beat myself up.  I've used one of the images from the adorable Snowmen Set 02, colored with Copics and again, digital papers from the Winter Sunshine collection from WeAre3.  Only after I'd colored the little guy in blue, I realized he was a penguin. (Duh!) Still works for me, though.  The sentiment is chipboard from my stash. I had the appropriate sentiment printed from the set and somewhere it got lost in the shuffle.  EIYIYI!   Four out of seven ain't bad though, especially when I started at 2:30 pm my time, don'tcha think?

Christmas in July Day 1

I'm also adding this to the Outlawz Monday Greetings Card for a Child, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, Aud Sentiments Christmas in July + Sentiment,     

Bugaboo Christmas in July Day 4

Here's another for Bugaboo Christmas in July.  Day 4 is Bingo and I've used the Bugaboo Subscriber's Only Freebie I got TODAY in my newsletter and added my own sentiment (although there are sentiments included, as well).  I again used digital paper from WeAre3 (Winter Sunshine) and colored the image with Copics.  My Bingo row is the center across: Patterned paper, Bugaboo Christmas image, 3 colors (Blue, Orange, Gray), or also diagonal from top right: Sparkle (stickles on snowmen and snowflake),Bugaboo Christmas image, and Bling or Pearls (Liquid Pearls on the snow drops in the image).

I'm also adding this to the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86, Aud Sentiments Christmas in July + Sentiment,  

Bugaboo Christmas in July Challenge Day 5

Working on the Bugaboo Christmas in July challenges and this one is for Day 5.  I told ya they might not be in order.  LOL  Gotta go where the mojo flows.  This one is Make a humorous project.  I'm ALL over that!

Used the pre-colored version of Crabby Dog and added a Santa hat I cropped from Stocking Santa Sack.  Yellow snow and hat were colored with Copics with Digital Paper form the Winter Serenity and the Christmas Tree Card Kit from WeAre3.

I'm adding this to the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, Aud Sentiments Christmas in July + Sentiment,   C.R.A.F.T Challenge #877 Christmas in July, Crafty Gals Corner #170 Christmas in July, and Ike's World Challenges #110 Christmas in July (in case I don't finish my Ike's art card), Simon Says Wednesday AG.

Bugaboo Christmas in July Day 7

Sometimes I think I'm getting a little too serious about my crafting and am overthinking and second guessing myself way too much.  So today I decided to join in the Bugaboo 7 Day Christmas in July challenges and see what I can get done in just an hour or two as it ends today, and I just now saw it in the Bugaboo newsletter.  I'm starting with Day 7 and hitting the ones I have immediate ideas for so here we go.

Using Tropical Santa Buried, colored with Copics.  Digital paper from the Warm Sand and Burlap Beach from WeAre3 and loads of embellies from my stash.

Day 7 Photo inspiration 

I'm adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Festive Friday Christmas theme, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack #244 AG, Aud Sentiments Christmas in July + Sentiment,  C.R.A.F.T #477 Christmas in July, the ABC Christmas Challenge "O" is for "on" (the beach!), Crafty Gals Corner #170 Christmas in July, Simon Says Wednesday AG.

Exciting New Release Showcase at Aurora Wings plus Coupons!

It's another exciting day for Aurora Wings as we're introducing brand new Sprites and the final image in the Four Seasons series on the Aurora Wings 
Showcase Blog.  First off I have Forget Me Not Sprite.  I had to do her first, because we have a patch of these beauties hidden in the garden and I think they're the sweetest ever.  Gorgeous die cut by Jeanine's Designs, and ribbon by DL.Art.  Sentiment from Elizabeth Crafts.  The scattered Forget Me Nots were colored by me with the same Copic blue and a white Posca pen to match.  The centers were done with Nuvo drops as were the tiny centers on Forget Me Not Sprite.

Here's a closeup of Forget Me Not Sprite.  I colored her with Copics in the most common blues, because that's how they appear in my garden, but there can be multiple pinks, lavender and blues, even from the same plant (although mine don't seem to have gotten the memo LOL).  She's fussy cut and popped for some dimension.  

Forget Me Not Sprite available

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

I'm entering this in the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, World Wide Design Team Open #07 AG (7/15-8/12,

And here is the new Succulent Sprite.  I've used the png version so I could print her on digital paper from the Burlap Beach collection and the Christmas Tree Card Kit (neutral textured background behind Sprite)from WeAre3 with graphics from Whimsical Digitals to create a little digital scene for her and added texture via a box top I distressed, a page from the Corrugate Neutrals stack from DCWV and some cool ribbon from May Arts.

Here's the closeup of Succulent Sprite, I've flipped her, colored with Copics using the colors from the watercolor clipart images from Whimsical Digitals.  The sentiment is a Small Talk sticker from Tim Holtz.  I am amazed at the array of colors these beautiful plants come in.  Be sure to check out the Showcase Blog to see the fabulous inspiration from the Showcase team.

Succulent Sprite available

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com     PNG at AW Etsy

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, the Corrosive Challenge AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, 613 Avenue Create #211 AG/Create your own Design Paper (I assembled mine digitally)

And yes, there's one more new image that you'll have to visit the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog to see the inspiration.  As I mentioned before, the final image in the Four Seasons Series is Icicles and Crystals, and she is stunning indeed.

Available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy (jpg only)

Now about those Coupons I mentioned.  How about this?  Available in both shops for all digital images, not just the new ones.  You can shop 'til you drop through the end of the month!

AND if your purchase qualifies AFTER the discount you'll receive Puppy Sprite via email within 24 hours.  But hurry, this offer is only good through the weekend.* 

*Gift with Purchase offer has expired but Puppy Sprite is available exclusively HERE(jpg) and HERE (png) at AuroraWings.com.

Discount coupon is good through 11:59 PM EDT US July 31st

(3:59 AM August 1st GMT)

Digital Stamps, only)

Sorry, only a coloring with Copics, but Goliath and Jezebel put up such a fuss that I haven't finished a project with Kitty Sprite yet that I dare not continue until that one is done.  Even cat lovers gotta admit, these guys are as cute and can be!

Don't forget we have an Anything Goes Theme on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog through August 18th.  Hope to see you there!

Anything Goes at Aurora Wings

WooHoo!  A new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with everyone's favorite theme,

I've created an easel card using Steampunk Angel available HERE on AuroraWing.com and a new die from Crafter's Companion.  My photo box is still packed away in the attic since our July 4th party so I photographed my project in front of a clock my Daddy made that sits on the desk in that guest room.  The wooden casing he made is not evident in the pic and the glass door is ajar to eliminate some of the glare but it's still one of my most treasured possessions from him.  He was an engineer, artist and meticulous craftsman and this was one of the last things he was able to create before Alzheimer's took it's tole.

Here's a closeup of Steampunk Angel.  She's colored with Copics and metallic gold and silver gel pens and also available as a 2-pack with Steampunk Owl HERE on Etsy.  My original plan was to use them both, but the size required to fit them both in was beyond my eyesight capability to color them decently. Oh yeah, I also gave her some fishnet stockings with my fine point pen. Hee, hee! You can also see here the intricacy of the die overlay, which was not the easiest to cut, and the metal gears and clock hands I've added from Tim Holtz.

The sentiment was computer generated and cut and matted using a Spellbinders Labels Four.  All were inked with Distress and popped with foam.  The metal wings and all metal gears are also Tim Holtz.

Please check out the fabulous creations by my Aurora Teammates and come play along.  Up to THREE creations if ALL are Aurora Wings but only ONE if not.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through August 18th)

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 July Linky challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 AG, The Outlawz Festive Fridays Birthday theme, The Corrosive Challenge #7 July AG, C4C443 Shaped Cards, Colour Crazy Challenge Week 28 AG, Crafting With Friends #71 AG, Creative Fingers #150 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#242 AG, Simply Papercraft #59 AG, Crafting by Designs AG, Dies R Us #101 Birthdays, the World Wide Design Team Open #07 AG (7/15-8/12)... 

Happy 4th!

Ummm, well...  Apparently I didn't finish all I had planned, nor recover as quickly from our 4th of July party and just managed to sneak in this tag in time for a few challenges.  I'll definitely be ready for next year though, eh?  The American Flag Quilt die is from Gina Marie minus one of the stripes so I could fit in on the triple banner tag die from Sizzix.  The ribbon and sequin cluster is actually a ponytail holder I had bought on sale (when???) for just this kind of crafty project.  WooHoo!  

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge, the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Red White and Blue Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#241 AG, Shopping Our Stash Geometric Patterns, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #85 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Red, White, and/or Blue, Happy Little Stampers AG/Dies, 

Mid-Challenge Inspiration for "Once Upon a Time"

We're still reading Fairy Tales on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with our lovely theme of 

I really went to town this time after deciding that I'd try and combine several of Mitzi's images to make a project inspired by "The Elves and the Shoemaker" by the Brothers Grimm.  Sorry that this will be one LOOOONG post but this project grew and grew, so grab a cuppa and relax (or just skip to the end and say nice things, please.)  LOL

Here's a closeup of the combined images.  The boot is from Puppy in a Boot, a Freebie offered exclusively in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.  Not a member?  Well, why the heck not?  There's more where this came from so come join us!  I've cropped out the puppy in my Printmaster Platinum Program and went on the lookout for some elves.

Little Tomte was easy, she's an exclusive on AuroraWings.com and converted her to a png file in LunaPic and cropped off the fuzzy part of the dandelion seed she carries to make it look like a needle for sewing the boot.

The other elf is from the Lost in the Woods Stamp set, another Aurora Wings.com exclusive.  This fabulous set comes with a full background with all the elements, two separate floral corners and the little elf and snail alone, without the background as well.  I closely hand cropped and flipped just the head and arms of the elf so I could pop her in the boot to look like she's a he (she's got a dress on in the original version) and was pointing out where to stitch.

I've colored it all with Copics, with a silver gel pen on the "needle" and I've cut the whole shebang out with my new Antique Frame set by Penny Black and pierced the eye of the needle so I could thread some of the twine I'd wound on the wooden spool through the holes. 

So yeah, what about the dimensional boot?  No, I didn't saw my shoe in half, it all started out with the dealie they stick in the toes of boots so they don't get crushed in the box and some scrap leather I'd purchased at Britex in SF eons ago.  Obviously I used the unprinted side.  Yikes!

I really had no plan as to how this was gonna go.  Here's the stuff I began to assemble.  I began cutting pieces of leather with stitched dies so it would give the appearance of actual sewn pieces.  I stretched and taped the pieces to the form with Sookwang tear tape.  That stuff is strong but still allowed me to re position my pieces if needed.  I punched holes and added eyelets for the shoe laces.  I had a pack of corrugated paper that I taped to two thicknesses of black foam for the sole and used seam binding stapled over fairly heavy wire to go between the sole and boot itself.  As you can see above, that form has quite a curve to it, the sole had to be somewhat flexible.

Here's a side view.  I'd cut a slit in the card board toe base so I could add the images and matting.  Since it's only the toe of the boot, the eyelet pieces were longer and allowed me to tape the end to the end of the base of my project.  I trimmed the corrugated pieces Starkist tuna in a pouch display packs use for reinforcement and added another mat underneath the boot.  I used another stitched tag die and strung it on the shoe lace which is actually a jewelry bag drawstring I pulled out and dyed with Copic re-inkers to look like those I'd colored the image. 

I thought the whole project had a masculine air about it and might be cute for a birthday or anniversary 'prise for my man which is why I turned that elf in the boot into a boy.  Since the back of the boot is actually open, you can stick a little gifty back there, and I got a kick out the the punny sentiment I used.  (It was late when I finished.  What can I say?)

Okay, then.  This post took me almost as long to write as it did to finish the project.  (JK!)  Hopefully you're not bored to tears. It's been awhile since I did anything this involved and it felt good.  Hope you like.

Be sure to check out the lovely projects by my Stella Sisters and please come play along. This challenge runs through Saturday July 14th.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through July 14th)

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 July Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #85 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG (5/5), the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #240 AG (3/3), the July Classic Design Team Challenge #27 AG, Simply Papercraft #59 AG, 613 Avenue Create July #211 AG, the World Wide Open DT Challenge #6 (June 15-July 12) AG, A Perfect Time to Craft July #7 AG, TTRCD Week of June 26 AG, More Mixed Media June AG/optional purple, Altered Eclectics July AG, Crafts Galore Encore July AG, Creative Craft Cottage #108 Eileen's Challenge AG, Die Cut Divas July  Anything but a Card, Your Scrapbook Place July AG, Crafty Gals Corner #168 AG, Morgan's Art World Open Challenge, Love 2 Create #10 AG creative/mixed media,...