Ay Caramba!

Yeah, I'll say!  Here I am, again nearing the last hour with another Progressive image, this time for the Ike's Art August FB Challenge.  The cute image is called Donkey Hat from Ike's Spain World Tour Series.  He's colored with Copics with hair texture from Prismacolor pencils.  I did the sentiment with Tim Holtz Label Letter stickers so I could use the appropriate beginning upside down exclamation point) loosely translates as "oh dear!"  Inside it will say "Not another birthday!"

I'm also entering this in the Ike's World Challenge #111 Anything Goes (optional Under the Sea), the Outlawz Festive Friday Birthday Theme, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #249, Simon Says Wednesday AG (3/5), .

Donut Hippo for the Outlawz

True to form, it's the last day for some Progressive challenges and here I am.  Sometimes I think I should call them "Procrastination challenges" (although that's pretty much the way I roll with all challenges). This cutie is for the Outlawz August Progressive challenge called #2248 Donut Hippo by Sandra Caldwell.  There are so many cute sentiments for this digi that I'm sure I'll be using her over and over, but I saw this hilarious one in the Snarky Small Talk stickers by Tim Holtz that I just couldn't resist.  In case you're on your phone and can't read it, it says "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a salad, asking for it to be a donut."  Had the perfect paper from the old Garden Variety stack by Cosmo Cricket and added some May arts ribbon because it sorta looked like lettuce (or my current fave baby arugula) and allowed me to enter it in the Outawz Monday Greetings challenge as well (sentiment + ribbon)  Yay, me!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#249, Simon Says Wednesday AG (2/5)

Innocent Dolls

Okay, so I'm sort of obsessed with the (optional) Lost Souls of Innocent Dolls theme over at the Oddball Art Challenge Blog.  What can I say?  I guess it's partly because I recently got a couple of new BJD's and am having way to much  fun dressing them up in new clothes and partly because I love the creepy cute style of Oddball Art Stamps.  I've used img #282 Sweet Spooky Sophia and colored her with Copics.  The sentiment was computer generated.  I had a couple of things laying on my desk that happened on land on the card, like the Memory Box die cut spider web and scrap of paper I'd played with eons ago using the shaving cream technique.  The arrow paper clips from my stash fit the theme, so....

This is the last day for the challenge and my 3rd (and final) entry.  Too bad we might not get to the 15 entries required for the team to pick a Top 3 for prizes as well as a winner, but I still had a ball with the theme.  Just in case you're reading this and happen to have an Anything Goes project (from any stamp company) why not go check it out and enter HERE.  BTW, you can get freebies every Friday by signing up for the Creepy Cute Chronicles newsletter HERE.  (It's the lavender arrow top right corner that says "SIGN UP".

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Anything Goes, Simon Says Wednesday AG (1/3),

Another Lost Soul

Well, I told you I had a few ideas for the Oddball Art Lost Souls of Innocent Dolls Challenge so here's another.  This time I used the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch for inspiration but surprised myself by really tweaking my interpretation.

Here's the sketch.  I used the sign from Oddball img# 378 Haunted Mermaid and "erased" the "directions" and added my own.  Sentiment is computer generated too.  The "Innocent Doll" is Spooky Big Eye Art img #318.  I've colored with Copics and added Skully dimensional buttons from Recollections.  DP is BoBunny.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art August Linky challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack #248 AG (3/3) ...

Lost Souls Meets Outlawz Tuesday Color

The weekend coloring plans did not quite work out, but I managed to kill two birds with one stone today.  I have all sorts of ideas for the Oddball Art Lost Souls of Innocent Dolls Challenge and hopefully I can get them all in.  Here's the first using colors from the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge (due TODAY!) 

YIKES!  I'm thinkin' this isn't quite what they had in mind from the inspiration pic, but hey, it works for me.  Definitely got the colors in and even added some butterflies and a funky flower and leaves.  Yay, me! 

That cute little Zombie gal is Oddball img #46 Lara the Lurker and Teddy.  I've had her 4EVER and love her to bits!  She's colored with Copicss and I used some mini bubble wrap inked with Distress for some background interest.  Grass and butterflies, attached with mini staples, are Martha Stewart punches. 

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack #248 AG (2/3), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #88 AG (3/3),  ...

A "Rare Oddity" by Sandra Caldwell

Today is another new release day for Sandra Caldwell and as Guest Designer was thrilled to work with #1943 Egg Old Lady Zombie.  She combines two of Sandra character themes, her "Old Ladies" and her "Egg characters" into one fun and creative image.  I thought she worked perfectly with papers from Graphic 45, as she really is a "Rare Oddity" indeed.

Here's a Closeup of #1943 Egg Old Lady Zombie.  She's colored with Copics in my fave zombie and Halloween colors (never too early for Halloween!) and a few highlights with gel pen.  You cand check out all of the new releases in Sandra's Etsy Shop babycakesdnd and be sure to check out the DT inspiration in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group. 

I'm entering this in the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, and Festive Friday Anything Goes theme, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #248 AG, Aud Sentiments #210 AG/w Sentiment (3/5), Crafting with an Attitude #42 AG (2/3), and Crafty Creations #373 AG (2/2).

Aurora Wings August Showcase

It's an exciting day in August as today there are 4 new images debuting on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog.  I'm thrilled to be joining the Showcase Team again with two adorable new Sprites.  WooHoo!  First off is this little rascal,  Dragon Sprite.  I thought is magical creature needed a magical setting, and with his fabulous wings he could soar above the clouds so I used a stitched clouds die from Mama Elephant inked with Distress as a base.  The DP is from a Christmas pack from Wild Rose Studios that conveniently fit the color scheme I'd used and the die cut sentiment (also Christmas from Tim Holtz for Sizzix) was cut three times  and layered with the top layer colored with Copics to match. The star he's holding, and those scattered in the sky have been in my stash forever.  Makes a cute birthday card or Wish Upon a Star...

Here's a closeup of Dragon Sprite.  He's colored with Copics in an abbreviated palette from this month's special Bonus Class for Kit and Clowder Monthly Class subscribers.  This one was particularly timely, as I had a ball adding dragon scales for texture here as taught in the class.

JPG at AuroraWings.com   PNG at AuroraWings.com

JPG at AW Etsy   PNG at AW Etsy

I'm entering this in the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, 613 Avenue Create AG/ optional Fantasy, the Colour Crazy Challenge wk 33 AG (2/2), the Outlawz Festive Friday Birthday or AG theme, Crafty Creations AG #373 (1/2), Crafting by Designs August (3/3), the Classic DT Open Aug #8 AG (3/3), Crafty Animals Aug AG/w Animal (U), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG (2/3), 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Aug AG/ w critters, A Perfect Time to Craft AG (1/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #247 AG (2/3), Crafting with an Attitude AG (1/3),  ...

This precious little gal is Hummingbird Sprite, a favorite visitor in any garden.  I miss the hanging fuchsia basket we had to attract these darlings, but there are still many flowers they seem to enjoy.  I planned the card design around a new flip flop card die I just received from Tonic studios.  However, when I actually cut the card base, I realized I'd printed (and colored) the digi too large for the die cut opening that flipped when the card was opened.  My heart was still set on the perfect sentiment and frame from the Tonic set that reads "It's the little things that make life Big", so I fashioned an easel card from another new die from JustRight Dies (yes, it's an addiction) that seemed to fit the garden theme and there ya go.

Here's a closeup of Hummingbird Sprite and the gorgeous fuchsia she's carrying.  What fun I had choosing colors among the many variations of the species.  Since I colored the flowers first, I went with a bold combo I found through Yahoo pictures.  Are they true?  Who cares?  The point, as always, is to have fun, isn't it?  Again, this is mainly Copic coloring with a tiny bit of detail  from Prismacolor pencils.  Then she was fussy cut and popped atop a double layer of the filigree die cut to add even more dimension.

JPG at AuroraWings.com   PNG at AuroraWings.com

JPG at AW Etsy   PNG at AW Etsy

I'm entering Hummingbird Sprite in the Outlawz Monday Greetings Just Because, Aud Sentiments #210 AG/w sentiment (2/5), TTRCD Week of August 21 AG, the World Wide Design Team Open Aug/Sept AG (2/3), Crafts Galore Encore #54 AG (3/3), the DL.Art Thankful Thursday #234 Summer, ...

This concludes my contribution to the fabulous new Aurora Wings Showcase today, but there are two more glorious stamps and amazing inspiration from the Showcase Team so be sure to check them out HERE.

And just in case you might want to nab a few of them for yourself, here's a coupon good through the weekend at both stores.

The new challenge just started on the AWCB, too.  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 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

A brand new challenge starts today on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and this time we have a sketch for you to follow.  

I'm kind of a rule follower, and not the most creative with sketch interpretations, but as soon as I saw this one I know I'd be using the AuroraWings.com exclusive digi set called Lost in the Woods.  I love the little Tomte giving directions to the snail.  The set includes them with a full background as well, but what made it so perfect for this challenge is that BOTH of the floral corners are available separately as part of the set as well, so I had all that I needed right there.  WooHoo!

Here's a closeup of these cuties.  I've colored the with Copics and cut and matted them with Spellbinders Grand Circles popped on some DP from K&Co. The snail shell was a bit of a challenge, and I have to admit, I walked away from it several times and almost started over, but I kept at it and in the end, it turned out to be my favorite part. This is a better color shot than above, as I wanted to shoot the full project outside and couldn't manage to color correct for the lighting. The shade gave everything a bit of a bluish cast but the sun either washed it all out or gave harsh shadows.  The background was done with a combo of Copics, Distress Ink and chalk to get the effect I was going for.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker.

I flipped the top floral spray vertically to better work with the sketch.  Again, I've colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped it on a frame I assembled using the Elizabeth Crafts Happy Frame XL die.

The same treatment was done with the bottom floral spray and here you have a little better view of the embossed strips I added to the dimensional frame.  When assembling I decided the dark frame with the dark circular mat wasn't gonna fly but I wasn't about to start over with the frame.  Cutting strips of a lighter green helped immensely, but I still needed some more interest so I ran them through my Cuttlebug with and older leaf folder and inked them lightly with Distress.  I decided I liked the little bit of overhang and finally tied it all together (literally) with some twine at the corners.  This way I still had a bit of the dark frame showing on the edges and also inside to further showcase the lovely images.

I hope you find this inspiring and come join our new challenge.  Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and take a look at the gorgeous work by my Stella teamies as well.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through September 15th)

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 int he DL.Art August Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #88 AG (1/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #247 AG (1/3), 613 Avenue Create #212 AG/Optional Fantasy, the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 33 AG (1/2), the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG theme, Crafty Friends #90 (1/3), Creative Fingers #151 AG (1/3), Aud Sentiment #210 AG/w sentiment (1/5), Classic DT Open #8 AG (2/3), the World Wide Design Team Open #8 (1/3), Crafty Creations#372 AG ,  Crafting by Designs August (2/3), Scrapy Land Challenge #96 AG w/die brands sold by SL (Elizabeth Crafts and Spellbinders) ...

#2369 Good Nite Kitty

I'm thrilled to be Guest Designing for Sandra Caldwell during the Month of August and even more thrilled to be introducing #2369 Good Nite Kitty.  You know I love me some kitties and Sandra's are always so much fun to play with.  Awhile ago I'd been experimenting with sprays and found this scrap buried under a pile as I was cleaning my craft table.  It looked like a night sky so I used my new  "Starry" die from Penny Black and backed it with glitter paper.  The moon was die cut and embossed with an old Cuttlebug combo die and the sentiment was done with dies from Memory Box (dream) and Recollections (sweet and the "S" added to dream) colored with a gold Posca Paint pen.  Ooh!  Look at me being all mixed media and artsy.  LOL

Here's a closeup of #2369 Good Nite Kitty.  He was colored with Copics and fussy cut to add to the scene.  BE sure to check out the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group to see more of today's new release from her fabulous DT.  Lots of cute stuff in Sandra's Etsy Shop HERE.

I'm entering this in the  DL.Art August Linky Challenge, SUYP (cats only) Furrything Goes Challenge #33, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #87 AG (2/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #246 AG,  the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, the Colour Crazy Craft Challenge wk 32 AG, Scrapy Land Challenge #95 AG with dies Scrapy Land sells, Two Crafty Critter Crazies August #17 AG w/critter, Quick Quotes Aug Friday Challeng #90...

Aurora Wings Mid-Challenge Inspiration

Well, it's hard to believe we're moving into the second week in August, but that does mean it's time for mid challenge inspiration for Aurora Wings, with the easy peasy theme of...

I've used some new dies to make a wedding card with the adorable Honeysuckle Sprite.  Doesn't she look like a bride in those sweet pastels with the honeysuckles cascading from her hair like a veil?  She even has a matching bouquet.

Here's a closeup of Honeysuckle Sprite, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.  I've colored her with Copics and carefully fussy cut and popped on the Layered Spellbinders Regular and Decorative Grand Labels One dies. The intricate floral arch is the Garden Arbour die by Tutti that I've adorned with flat back pearls.

Here's a side view of the window box style card.  The decorative gates were cut with the Pretty Piazza die set by Tonic Studios.  Because I didn't want Honeysuckle Sprite to be just floating on air (although I dare say most brides are at this point) I've added a grassy hill from one of the Lawn Cuts die set by Lawn Fawn.  The tiny (unreadable) sticker sentiment says "Best Wishes".  

There are tabs that fit though slits in the back base and larger gate so the card can be folded down to fit in an envie.  However, the added sprays on either side of the arbor make that a bit more difficult in this case.

Now of course you want to see the fabulous work by my Stella sisters, so be sure to stop by the Mid-Month Inspiration post and link up your projects.  Remember you can enter up to three separate times, as long as ALL of them feature Aurora Wings images.

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 August Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #87 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #245 AG, The Outlawz Festive Fridays Anniversary/Wedding theme, Crafting by Designs August AG, 613 Avenue Create #212 AG/optional Fantasy, Dragonfly Journeys #124 Flower Power, Hiding in my Craft Room #364 Use 3 colors (green, peachy pink, beige), the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 31 AG, Creative Fingers #150 AG,  the Classic Design Team Open #8 AG, Crafts Galore Encore August AG, Create and Inspire #76 AG, Let's Craft and Create #140 AG/Lots of Layers, World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #7 AG (7/15-8/15), and Crafty Creations AG. 

The Pick of the Litter

Okay, I lied...to my cats, anyway.  I promised them I wouldn't put the adorable new Puppy Sprite on a card until I finished one for Kitty Sprite.  My BAD!  But this one went better with the sketch I was using from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  Papers are from the Echo Park Meow (how ironic!) stack and the die cut heart paw print is from a Recollections Kitty set, too.  OOPs!  Fences are punched with a Martha Stewart punch and the tag die is Kat Scrappiness. Hmmm, maybe all of these cat references will get me out of the dog house with my kitties.  LOL   Ribbon is recycled from an old Anthropologie bag and the bone paperclip is from my stash.

Here's the sketch.

And here's a closeup of Puppy Sprite, available exclusively HERE on AuroraWings.com.  I've colored with Copics and added the background with Distress Ink.

And just in case you're more of a Crazy Cat Lady (like me!), here's my coloring of the adorable Kitty Sprite available exclusively HERE on AuroraWings.com.  (Coming to a card soon!)

Be sure to stop back tomorrow to check out my Mid-inspiration for the current Anything Goes Challenge at Aurora Wings.  Still lots of time to enter.  Hope to see you there. 

I'm entering this in the DL.Art August Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #87 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #245 AG, Allsorts #278/9 Tags, Crafty Friends #89 lace/ribbon, Di's Digi's Use Stash Items (pretty much all of it), the Color Crazy Challenge week 31 AG, Creative Fingers #150 AG, Crafts Galore Encore Aug AG,  Create and Inspire #76 AG, and Sunny Day Crafting (Always animals), Crafty Creations #371 AG and Star Stampz Things with Wings and/or Tails...