Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Day One

Yay!  It's the first day of the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and as usual, I didn't work ahead.  I did, however manage to finish a card with the November progressive image from the Ike's Art FB Fan page, which was due today, and make it coffee themed to combine it with the Hop so I hope you get a kick out of it.  The kitty Isn't in the shop yet, but it is available on Ike's SUYP (kitty challenge) as a freebie until the challenge closes in a couple of days HERE.  I've colored him with Copics.  The "to go" cup is pre colored from Hop Super Sponsor Limited Runs.  Sentiment was computer generated.  Gotta say, that's my expression too when I'm offered decaf. 

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, SUYP Challenge #36 Furrything Goes, Ike's World Challenge #114 AG / color challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Jo's Scrap Shack #262 AG and the Outlawz Monday Greeting Add Something Red.

P.S. SUYP is almost at 200 followers so there's some upcoming Blog Candy when they reach their goal.  If you love kitties sign up to follow.  Check it out HERE.

'Tis the Season!

This cute Snowman Couple is the November Progressive Freebie on the Outlawz Forum by Drawn by Krista.  I merged the two, colored them with Copics.

Instead of just gluing them to the background I fussy cut and made a bendy card so you could see more of it.  Quicky post and project, but I think it turned out cute.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #94 AG.

Holiday Spirit at Aurora Wings

Happy Thanksgiving week to all my U.S. blogging friends.  Christmas is fast approaching and what better theme could we possible have for our new challenge at Aurora Wings than

With so many gorgeous Christmas images available at Aurora Wings, I had a hard time making a decision, but finally decided upon this lovely Rose Angel.
The design was a bit of a compromise.  After coloring, I really wanted to inlay the outline of the Peaceful Dove die cut from Poppystamps directly into my coloring, but after cutting it out of the white, with the tiny pieces flying everywhere, I thought it best just to glue it on top.  The Peace sentiment is from Tim Holtz for Sizzix, cut twice in silver and white and the card is bordered with peel off stickers  and a mat of metallic blue card stock.

Here's a closeup of Rose Angel.  She's colored with Copics and I'd say she's mid-way on the difficulty scale of the Aurora Wings angels and easily suitable for multiple cards.  She's available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy and I chose her because she's praying, which seemed especially appropriate for the sentiment.  Aren't we all?  You can see all of the AuroraWings angels HERE.

The color scheme is my second favorite for Christmas and I was swayed by a new angel outfit for one of my BJD's (ball jointed dolls).  Yup, I collect all kinds of stuff!  This little sweetie is Tuppance, by Rose Bbflocking and I just love her to bits.  Her outfit was done by my friend Rachel Fisher of myownlittleworld bjd.

So I hope you're all in the Holiday Spirit and will visit the AWCB to see the gorgeous inspiration by my Stella DT sisters and will come play along.  The challenge runs through Saturday December 15th, with a mid inspiration post on December 3rd, so there's plenty of time to join in.

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 the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #260 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #94 AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, 613 Avenue Create AG Christmas/Winter, Die Cut Divas November AG (w/die cuts), TTRCD Week of Nov. 13th AG, A Perfect Time to Craft #11 AG, Whoopsie Daisy AG/opt Monochrome, the Classic Design Team Open #11 AG (3/3), the World Wide DT Open Nov 15-Dec 11 (2/3), Your Scrapbook Place November AG, C.R.A.F.T. Challenge Christmas, ...

"H" is for Home for the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers

I'm thrilled to have been crowned "Queen of Snark" at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers which means I have the honor of Guest designing for their new Challenge with the theme "H" is for Home.

Although you only have to follow the theme and not necessarily make your project "snarky",  That's the fun of it, isn't it? I found this theme to be a little tricky but finally came up with a plan. It's an easel card with the home all decked for the holidays.  Die cuts are from Spellbinders and embossing folder from Tim Holtz.

In case you can't quite figure it out, here's the closeup of the pertinent parts.  Don'tcha just love it when guests show up empty handed?  Me neither!

Be sure to visit the SOSS Challenge Blog and check out the fab inspiration by the team. And COME PLAY ALONG!  You KNOW you wanna!

I'm linking this up to the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #260 AG, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme.

SOSS "F" is for Fantasy

Okay, here's a quickie just under the wire for the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "F" is for Fantasy Challenge that ends in a few hours.  Since Fantasy is also my second favorite "F" word (just like Edna), I just couldn't resist.

I've had this idea in my mind for several years and just never got it together.  So sorry that Lisa, of Bloobel Stamps, is no longer in business, because her quirky images are some of my faves.

Here's a closeup since I'm not sure the "sparkle" is all that visible.  Images are colored (rather quickly) with Copics and the "sparkle" is from Stardust Stickles.  
(So THAT's where that stuff comes from.  Who knew?)

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack #260 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG w/animal, Crafting From the Heart #228 AG, and the Outlawz Monday Greetings Fantasy Challenge.

New Images From Aurora Wings

I'm excited to again be joining the Aurora Wings Showcase Team for the November new release.  These little cuties are called Christmas Wreath Besties, perfect for your animal loving friends.  I decided to go with traditional Christmas colors and cut them with Spellbinders Grands and popped them on a red and white base with a border die by Sue Wilson.

Here's a closeup of Christmas Wreath Besties.  I've colored with Copics and used some white Flower Soft over Glistening Snow Writer on the fur of their caps and Nuvo Drops for ornaments on the wreath.  The hardest part was deciding how to color the adorable kitten and puppy, but also the most fun.  Next time I think I'll try some non traditional pastels for a totally different look.  

Christmas Wreath Besties available on AuroraWings.com 

in jpg HERE and png HERE

and on Etsy in jpg HERE and png HERE.

Mitzi has also added another glamorous fairy to her stunning collection of beauties.  Meet Lady Rose, available in two different poses.  (jpg only)

Lady Rose, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.

And Lady Rose 2, available HERE on AuroraWing.com and HERE on Etsy.

Be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog to see the stunning inspiration from the Showcase team.

And here's a surprise!  Christmas Mermaid is a Gift with Purchase Special for 4 days only with a minimum purchase of just $7.00 (after discount, digi stamps only) at either AuroraWings.com or AuroraWings Etsy.

Use the coupon below for additional savings!

I'm entering Christmas Wreath Besties in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #259 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #93 AG, Die Cut Divas November AG (with die cuts), 613 Avenue Create November AG opt Christmas/Winter,  the World Wide Open DT challenge (Nov 15-Dec 12) AG,  Creative Moments #156 AG, Fab and Funky #416 Include an Animal, the Paper Shelter #362 Christmas is Coming, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Nov. #20 AG w/critter, Scrapyland Challenge #101, Winter Wonderland What do you love to do at Christmas? Decorate with the help of my pets.  LOL, The Cutie Pie Challenge Winter Layers, Incy Wincy Designs Christmas, Sheepski Designs Anything Christmas, the Classic Design Team Open Challenge November AG, TTRCD Week of Nov 13th AG, A Perfect Time to Craft Nov. AG, Crafting from the Heart #228 AG, Crafty Animals #20 AGw/Animals, the Papercraft BusinessChallenge #12 AG/opt Christmas Animal the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge Christmas and Make My Monday Winter Foliage.

Mid-Inspiration Post for Aurora Wings Challenge #72

It's mid-inspiration post time for our Once Upon a Dream...or a Nightmare Challenge at Aurora Wings.

And surprise, surprise, I've got a DREAM for you.  Well, maybe more of a nightmare for those of you who had snow in September, but for me, it actually WAS a dream I had.

Hubby and I moved to CA from Michigan in 1980.  Although I love the weather here most of the time, I really was missing the idea of snow at Christmas.  When we went to bed on Christmas Eve, I was wishing for snow so badly that I dreamt that night that I would wake up to snow.  When I actually did wake up,  the curtained window looked so bright I thought my dream had actually come true.  When I was a kid, I could ALWAYS tell when it snowed because of how bright the curtains looked.  Unfortunately it was not the case, but I still think it was a gift from Santa to make me happy, even if for only a minute.  (Yes, I still believe!)

I've used the adorable Snowflake Sprite on one of my rather elaborate shaped card designs I did on my first generation Cricut Expression with my Cricut Design Studio software on my laptop back in 2009.  It was before SVG files or any of the current fancy die cutting machines and was how I became a paper crafter.

Here's a closeup of Snowflake Sprite, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped, with Stickles and a variety of Nuvo drops adding detail.

Here's the dimensional view.  With all that going on in her setting, I couldn't just leave her flat, could I?

  
BTW, this cutie just happens to be on sale on AuroraWings.com along with many more of Mitzi's Christmas images HERE, as well as a current 15% off ALL AW digis on AuroraWings Etsy.  Use this coupon for an EXTRA discount through Sunday, November 11.

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 November Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, Jo's Scrap Shack #258  AG, the World Wide Design Team Open (Oct 15-Nov 12) AG, Die Cut Divas Nov, AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #93 AG, Papercraft Challenges #23 Inspired by a Song (Let it Snow), TTRCD Week of October 30 AG, the Outlawz PAM Cold Weather, the Classic Design Team Open Nov #11 AG, 613 Avenue Create #215 AG/opt.Christmas/Winter, and A Perfect Time to Craft November #11 AG, 

"S" is for Skulls

Feliz Dia de los Muertos!  In honor of the Day I've got a last minute quickie card for the SOSS #121 challenge "S" is for Skulls. The fun image is #1865 Old Bones Turned  by Sandra Caldwell.  I colored quickly with Copics, added a computer generated sentiment, some striped washi and little dancing skellie stickers from Recollections.

And inside (unfortunately fitting).  

I'm also adding this to the Outlawz Festive Fridays Funny Birthday theme, the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, and Jo's Scrap Shack #258  AG,