Aurora Wings Challenge #6 Under the Sea

A new challenge at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog starts today and the theme is Under the Sea.  I got a little carried away with my project, a tunnel book,and have gobs of pix, so sit back, relax, and hopefully enjoy.  And yes, I suggest you DO grab a cuppa, because even if you don't read all this, there is still LOTS to look at so...  As soon as Mitzi release the adorable Mer-tots, I knew I wanted to make some kind of book, and although I thought I understood the basic idea of a tunnel book, I'd never made one so I Googled it and found a fabulous 3 part tutorial on YouTube by Craft Knife Chronicles that helped me out with my construction.  Hers, however was all done with Graphic 45 papers so no coloring was involved.  This is my book standing open.  I wanted to give you the money shot right up front so hopefully you'd come see what it all was about.  LOL

But let's back track and take a look at the book closed.  Here's the front cover featuring Sea Turtle Kiss, the newest in the Mer-tot line.  The bold graphic DP is from the Gecko Galz Beachy Keen digital paper pack.  The book opens as a gate fold and the framed panel has hidden magnets that attach to the right side to keep it closed.  I've added 3 blue fish from JoLee's boutique to balance the design a bit.  The flexible sides are corrugated card stock.

Here's that Sweet Sea Turtle Kiss.  Isn't she adorable?  She also is available in the original version with 3 other turtles swimming around her if you prefer. I've colored her with Copics and given her a dotty background that reminds me of bubbles.

When you open the book, you can see the accordion structure that makes the tunnel for the scene.  DP for the accordion is Gecko Galz again, this time from the La Isla Bonita digi paper pack.  The inside cover DP is Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue 8x8.  There are 3 layers plus the back and are a bit bowed when looking from the top, because it's difficult to cut everything exactly the same, but it doesn't really affect the dimension from the front.

So here we are head on again.  Each 8x8" frame was cut with Spellbinders Grands Labels in both solid card stock and more Gecko Galz DP.  The sand is actual sand paper that I've torn and attached from behind.  The scene features Aurora Wings Mer-Baby, The Gift, and The Secret, as well as Fancy Goldfish.

Here's Mer-Baby.  Just look at this little guy sucking his thumb!  Don't you just want to take a bite out if him, he's so yummy!?  He's popped from the front panel and I've snuck a little shell under the anemone.

In this corner we have The Gift.  I just realized after posting this picture that I forgot to add a pearl to his oyster.  Fixed now, but I'm too tired to take another.  This couple was the most difficult to anchor to the frame.  At first they were only attached by her hair and tail.  Some Magnolia die cuts, that I've also colored with Copics, helped stabilize them.  On the front panel is another die and more shells by JoLee's Boutique.

And finally, The Secret completes the scene.  Looks like they're whispering about the two lovebirds, doesn't it?  these gals are attached to a transparent panel that was printed with the same digi paper as the back, inverted and taped between the frames.  The fish you see in the background here, and in the previous pic, are actually on the back wall.  If you'll notice, I kept the color scheme fairly tight.  Both redheads have the same color tails as do the boys, and the Blonde girl matches the tail of the mermaid on the front.  

Even the fish are colored in the same hues.  I used Fancy Goldfish both in the background of the scene and on the inside panels.

Since I was taking these late at night (or should I say the wee hours of the morning) I had to used my light box and for some reason the colors of the fish only came out good at these angles.  Weird, huh?

Well, we're almost there.  Finally around to the back with more Gecko Galz digi paper and Whimsical Seahorse with Wings.  Originally I planned to use a tiny version of him in the inside scene, but I ran out of room.  LOL

Have to say, I almost left him off, but now I'm so glad I kept at it.  Isn't he magical?  Not the easiest to fussy cut, though.  LOL (but totally worth it!)

Well, thanks to all (any?) of you who made it though this mega post.  It took me almost as much time to write it as it did to make the project.  (Not hardly!)  I'm really pleased with it, though.  The whole team really brought their A Game this week so be sure to visit the Challenge Blog to see why we've been burning the midnight oil. Hope to see you join in, and if you finish your project before the end of the month, you can add it to the current Aurora Wings Mermaid Madness FB contest as well.  Don'tcha just LOVE a two-fer?

I'm adding this to the 613 Avenue Create ATG/no optional Twist, Come and Get It Fish or Fishing, TTRCD ATG Aug 12-18th, Dragonfly Dreams Inspired by a Book you Read as a Child or to a Child (The Little Mermaid), Color Me Scrappy (color challenge plus Ode to Summer and Eclectic Ellapu Seaside or Nautical. 

Back to School with Lacy Sunshine

It's time for a new challenge at Lacy Sunshine and the theme is Back to School.  Where has the summer gone, eh?  There are lots of adorable Back to School stamps at the Lacy Sunshine Shoppe, but Eleanor and Pickles caught my eye.  It was the backpack.  You see, 4 years ago I made a similar backpack for one of my BFF's daughter because she was starting high school and on Wednesday, she, her Mom and I are flying to CO to take her to U of CO Boulder.  OMG!!!!  COLLEGE!  I can't believe it.  (BTW, This is the girl who invented the word "boofy", meaning beautiful, at age 3, and you all know we still use it today.  sniff sniff)  So I thought it would be fun to make her a new backpack and card.   It'll be fun to see if Hayley remembers the first one.

I made the backpack from a tutorial from way back by my dear friend DeeDee. I still had some of the cute apple DP (do you believe that!?) and dragged out my Cricut to cut the apple from the Create a Critter cartridge.  I sized Eleanor and Pickles to fit the opening and colored according to the scheme of the paper.  I also printed the image twice more, once for the card, and again to fussy cut Pickles to peek out the side.  See him up there?  I Hayley's name in Alpha Beads, just like the first one.

 Here's the side view.  It has straps and everything,  Isn't it cute?

The card is simple, as I wanted the image to take center stage.  They're colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped a top an oval cut with Spellbinders. Instead of "Back to School", it says "Off You GO".  We still can't believe it...COLLEGE!

There is tons of inspiration by the rest of the Sunshine Girls, so be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog and for a real treat.  We sure hope you join us for our Back to School Challenge.

I entering this in the 613 Avenue Create ATG challenge, TTRCD Aug 12-18 ATG, Sparkles Monthly Challenge Back to School (through 9/15),  Crafts for Eternity Something Old (the DP, backpack instructions, and Alpha Beads), Creative Corner Autumn is Coming, CCEE Stampers Saying Goodbye, the Crafter's Cafe Anything but a Card (the backpack), Digi Designs Back to School Challenge and Whimsy Stamps Back to School. 

Aurora Wings Marie Nyantoinette

There's a new release at Aurora Wings, Marie Nyantoinette.  You can find her HERE on Etsy, and HERE in the AW Web Shop. (Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog for the fabulous explanation of the name and historical background of the image itself)  My Jezebel is over the moon about her. "Look Mommy!  Mitzi drew MEEEE!!!!! and I'm sooo boofy!", she exclaimed.  "You must color me immediately and of course make me PINK."  (Jezzie's a really girly girl, and BTW, in case you don't read my blog regularly, "boofy" means beautiful).

So color I did, with my fave Copics, in all kinds of pink, from the lightest blush to the darkest I had.  I tried all kinds of backgrounds before I finally decided that a dark wine really made the image pop and set about making this wall hanging with my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four.  I considered all kinds of bits and bobs but the frothy dies from the Spellbinders Elegant Labels Four cut in pristine white, a sheer organdy bow and a one word die cut sentiment (from SU) were all I really needed.

I did, however, print the image 3 times so I could fussy cut and add dimension.  Jezebel thinks I should save this for a Valentine for her Daddy from the both of us.  However, it's pure fantasy because Jezzie NEVER let's me pick her up without all kinds of fuss.  LOL  Wish she'd be a friendly to me as she is with her Daddy.

And finally, at her insistance, is Jezebel's closeup.  Boofy she is, even though she's a brat.  Now, the fun of these showcases is seeing the image done in all different colorways by my DT sisters.  Click HERE to see Marie Nyantoinette in all her glory.  And don't forget our current Sprite Delight Challenge running through Saturday August 16th and the current Mermaid Madness Contest on Facebook.

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create ATG w/Optional Friendship Day Challenge, the DLArt August Linky Challenge, Crafty Little Fairies Cute and Cuddly, In the Pink ATG as Long as it's Pink (Happy 2nd birthday!), the Crafter's Cafe Lots of Layers, Crafting by Designs Vintage/Shabby Chic, Crafting for All Seasons "Feature a Creature", the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card How Do You Pamper Yourself Challenge , TTRCD ATG Aug 5 and Simon Says Monday In the Family.

New Challenge at The East Wind-Ribbons

WOW, this year is going fast!  It's already the first of July and we have a new Challenge at The East Wind Challenge Blog.  The DT is using the fabulous July Freebie, Belle of the Ball, that you can receive when you sign up for the newsletter (right side of challenge blog) and our new theme is

 USE RIBBON

 

 

I've made this gorgeous gal a bride to also remind you that our current FB Contest is Wedded Bliss.  Join our FB page to enter that challenge which runs through July 17th.  She's colored with Copics and I've added a tulle veil wound with ribbon and a gorgeous rose to her fabulous hair.  The DP is from the DCWV Luxury Stack and I've framed the image and done the sentiment with peel offs. Be sure to visit the Challenge Blog to see the lovely work my DT sisters have done with this gorgeous new image. 

I"m entering this in the Craft Your Passion Ribbons Challenge,  Simon Says Wednesday ATG, 613 Avenue Create ATG, the Order of Opus Gluei All Tied Up, Speedy Fox and Friends Use Mesh (I'm thinking tulle is a form of mesh), Hiding in my Craft Room Wedding Themed and the Outlawz Monday Greeting Card ATG.

Aurora Wings Challenge 2

We gals at Aurora Wings were thrilled with the turnout for our very first challenge and are excited to announce Challenge 2 today.  Our theme this time is MONOCHROMATIC.

Color schemes that are derived from a single base hue, and extended using the shades, tones and tints of that hue.

I've chosen the beautiful Steampunk Girl with Doll.  She's also available with a full background HERE.  Have to say she is about the most challenging digi I've ever colored but I'm very pleased with the outcome.  I've used about every E shade of Copics I own in keeping with the Steampunk feel.  My original plan was to decoupage her a bit, but after several days of coloring, I just added a small Prima rose (colored with Copics to match) and some pearls to her hat and earrings and called her done.  She's fussy cut and popped atop one side of a story book I cut with my Cricut using the My Community cartridge.

The other side has a variety of Steampunk die cuts from Tim Holtz and Spellbinders  grunged up a bit with Distress Ink and Rub'n Buff.  the metal bits are also Tim Holtz with flowers from Petaloo and Prima.  The hand crocheted antique doily came from a collection I brought home from my Mother-in-law's who passed away on Christmas.

Here's the dimensional shot.  The ruffled zipper trim at the bottom of her dress is from Melissa Frances and I dyed some adhesive crocheted lace with Distress Ink for the final layer underneath.  The book pages were distressed on the edges and stamped with a huge Heartfelt Creations script stamp (but only the edges of it) to look like the center of the text had been cut out.  The DP's are DCWV.  It's been awhile since I've done something this involved but I'm thrilled with how it came out.  My DT Sisters all have amazing creations so please visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to view their gorgeous projects and scroll down to see the fabulous winners of Challenge 1.  Hope to see you all again for our second challenge.

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Monday Big Stamp challenge (the large script stamp on the edges of the book pages), Fairytale Stampers Bingo Challenge (using lace, ribbon (the bookmark) and pearls), Crafty Catz "B" is for (brown or book), PunkYouGirl Lavish Lace, Really Reasonable Ribbon Monochrome and Ribbon, SanDee and amelie's Favorite Technique Goes Steampunk (3 dimensional shaped projects using die cuts, digis and metal bits and bobs), 613 Avenue Create ATG, Love to Create Monochromatic with a Ribbon Twist, and Left of Center ATG Dark themed, and Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "E" is for Embellishment (couldn't miss a challenge there, even if this one isn't snarky).

Steampunk Junk Week 2 at HDH

Well, it's our second week of our Steampunk Junk Challenge at HDH and I gotta say the Minions outdid themselves.  My teamies made some fabulously creative projects and I invite you to check them out.  Be sure to go see Week One as well.  I had a bit of a tough time deciding what to do, until hubby mentioned some old goggles he had in the attic. Old googles?  WHAT old goggles?  Fortunately he was able to find them and WHOA...PERFECT!   Thought they'd look great on my Grandpa's bowler and went to work to Steampunk it all up a bit.

All I can say is God bless Tim Holtz, LOL.  I seem to have drawers of his stuff.  Just can't resisit his bits and bobs.  First I used his tattered Clock die to add a metallic piece to the front.  The hands and gear were attached to the goggles  along with metal wings and a turnkey.  I was going for "Time Flies".

 

Then I thought a jaunty plume was in order so I plucked one from my ostrich feather duster (Lord knows I don't ever actually dust with it) and I fashioned a medallion using an Ornate Plate, more gears and brads and a word band that fit the bill.  Not nearly as creative as the imaginative pieces my Minion Sisters came up with but I have to say I do love how it came out.  Only bummer is it doesn't fit.  My Grandpa must have had a pin head because it sit's on the top of my head (and even hubby's) like Stan Laurel's  (of Laurel and Hardy  LOL)

 

I am adding this to Simon Says Monday Winged Things, 613 Avenue Create ATG/Reuse, Recycle, Left of Center ATG, and Altered Eclectics ATG.

Pat the Bunny for Wicked Wednesday

I've been wanting to do another project with the adorable Sleepy Bunny Elf from Aurora Wings and noticed that Wicked Wednesday's ATC challenge this week is Bunnies.  It's been WAY too long since I played there so it fit right in.  I knew right away I wanted to flock the image ( totally into warm and fuzzy these days)and after doing so began to peruse my stash and came upon these little blue baby hand brads.  (I'd actualy been looking for Easter egg brads but they were nowhere to be found, big surprise).  Well that got me thinking baby, which led to baby books...see where I'm going here?  Well, I'm pretty sure "Pat the Bunny" is one of the first little board books that babies receive. It has a fuzzy little bunny on it to pat and feel the fuzzy texture so THAT's where I went.

Tell me he's not the cutest EVER!  I'm getting all warm and fuzzy just lookin' at him.  Although I have lots of colored flock, I decided to use all white over the colored image to soften the effect.  Had to add a pom pom tail and some Alpha Beads as well.  Now I need to recover from all the teeny fussy cutting I had to do to pull this off.  LOL

I'm also entering this in the Sparkle N Sprinkle April challenge (ATG with glitter, flockin or embossing powder), Artistic Inspirations Easter Animal/ATG, 613 Avenue Create ATG or Sights/Sounds/Smells/Tastes of Spring (babies and bunnies), Simply Create Too Easter or Use Bunnies and DL Art Thankful Thursday Bunny Challenge.

My First DT Challenge Card for The East Wind

WOW!  It's April 1st already and that means another FABULOUS challenge at The East Wind. I'm thrilled to be posting my first official DT card.  There are new challenges on the 1st and 15th of every month and on the 1st, the DT always showcases the Freebie you can receive just by signing up for the TEW Newsletter.  Just look for the bright pink box on the right sidebar, enter your email and name, and you'll receive a fabulous Freebie each month. WooHoo!

The Challenge Theme this time is Use a Sentiment and you can use any image at all, but of course we especially love to see what you do with the fab TEW digis. (And you get to enter TWICE, if you do!)  I've made a shaped card that resembles the "panoramic" sugar eggs I had as a child.  It was designed in Design Studio and cut with my Cricut. The sentiment was cut and embossed with my Cuttlebug Emboss Plus Fanciful Labels Folder and the sentiment was computer generated.

Just look at this adorable gal!  Her name is Aurora-Easter Egg Hunt and I'm totally in love with her! She's colored with Copics and her little bunny suit and stuffed bunny have been flocked.  I printed her several times so I could fussy cut and layer her for dimension.  The grass and fence are MS punches.

As you can see there's quite a bit of depth to the card.  Don'tcha just love her little bunny tail?  I've also added a boatload of flat backed pearls to finish it off.

 

AND, I enjoyed making this card so much, I've even finished the inside (GO ME!)  The basket is a Spellbinders die exclusive to Heartfelt Creations with some Prima flower embellies.  Now hop on over to The East Wind Challenge Blog and check out the amazing creations by the rest of the team.  Then come join our challenge.  There ar FREE DIGIS to WIN!  We sure hope to see you there! 

 

P.S. There's loads of fun stuff going on on the TEW FB Group too. 

 

I'm entering in the following Challenges:

 

Artistic Inspirations Easter Colors/ATG

Craft your Passion Shaped Cards

Cutie Pie Cute with Dies and Punches

Lexi's Creations Easter challenge

Simon Says Monday ATG

Outlawz Monday Greeting Card ATG

613 Avenue Create ATG w/ Optional Color Twist (sort of Blue/Pink/White)

Hobbycutz Easter Challenge

DL Art Thankful Thursday Bunnies

Simply Create Too Easter or Use Bunnies

Crafty Boots Easter

Paper Make Up Stamps Digi Makeover Pastel Colors

The Alphabet Challenge, "D" is for Diecuts

Creatalicious Easter Wonderland

 

Exciting News!

Although it's been a totally sucky day for NCAA Tournament basketball (my alma mater MSU AND rival U of M BOTH lost today), I managed to finish a card because I'm totally thrilled to have been invited to be a part of The East Wind Design Team. WOOHOO! I fell in love with Kyra's (AKA Unky's) stamps and you will too.  We have a fab Challenge Blog, an active FB Group and fun challenges on both sites.  Our current FB Group Challenge is Magical Creatures (which runs through April 17th) inspired my card today as well as several other challenges where I play regularly.

 

The fabulous image is Lucy Loo Arabian Nights, colored with Copics (yeah, yeah, I know, red hair, LOL) and fussy cut atop a gorgeous embossed panel sent to me by my dear friend Carole, because it is from a discontinued Marianne folder.  I've been saving these embossings for a special project and THIS it IT!  Thanks so much, Carole!

 

Here's the card closed.  I spent the entire day yesterday figuring out this fold for the current Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "F" is for (fortunately not for what came out of my mouth watching basketball all afternoon) Fancy Fold.  Used my Spellbinders Gothic Arches to make it happen.  Obviously, the sentiment was inspired by their challenge, as well.  In case you can't read it, it says "To be perfectly honest, you really rub me the WRONG way". Although it's not required, I LOVE the opportunity to do SNARK.  (Especially TODAY!)  The blue scrolly stuff is cut with my Cuttlebug  Moroccan something (don't even THINK of asking me to look that up) set.  The color scheme of Blue, Purple, and Turquoise was inspired by the current challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  Although they are an ATG Challenge Blog, they always have the most creative optional twists and this one was no exception.  Always love playing there.  So there ya go.  Back to drowning my sorrows. 

 

I'm also adding this to the Allsorts Use Those Dies Challenge. 

Aurora Wings First Blog challenge EVER!

WooHoo!  Today is the day we've all been waiting for.  It's the inaugural challenge on The Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and we're so excited to announce that the theme is  ANYTHING GOES!

Hope you joined the party on the Facebook Page as well, which will continue for 3 hours.  There are prizes to be had. WooHoo! Just ask to join if you haven't already.  And for our Blog Followers, Mitzi has provided a Freebie image and coupon code.  Just check out the Offers Tab on the Challenge Blog.

I've chosen images of my favorite flower, the hydrangea for my very first project, a wall hanging, cut on my Grand Caliber using Grand Labels Four and some fancy corners from Heartfelt Creations.

The main image is the beautiful Hydrangea Fairy.  Isn't she just gorgeous?  She's colored with Copics with some of the petals fussy cut and popped for dimension.  The lace caps were detailed with Liquid Pearls as well as flat backed adhesive ones.

But I couldn't resist adding the adorable Whimsical Hydrangea Sprite.  Don't they look cute together?  He's also colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped with sparkly Stickled wings.

So here's the dimensional shot.  Head on you couldn't really see the layers.  Have to say I LOVE how it came out.  I'm sure you're all excited to see the rest of the fabulous inspiration from my DT Sisters as well as the winner of the Coloring Book Giveaway so hop on over to the Challenge Blog and see.  Can't wait to see what you come up with as well.  The prizes are spectacular and the challenge runs through April 26th.

Oh, and BTW, Mitzi does some fabulously dark images as well,  Please scroll down to see my DT project for Haunted Design House this week.  EEEK!!!  Busy Monday! 

I'm also entering this in the 613 Avenue Creat ATG/ with optional 2D or 3D Flowers, Simon Says Wednesday Mother's Day or Special Girl challenge, Digi Galore ATG, Natalie and Amy's Flowers Challenge, the Outlawz Friday Alcohol Markers Fantasy/Fairies Challenge, the CMC Copic Challenge Group Show Some Skin, and the very first Oddball Art Stamps challenge Use a Digi.

Cute Little Leprechan for Aurora Wings and a Mini Tut

Found a fun and fabulous tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers by Bibiana Martinez-Zeigler to make this 4 leaf clover (shamrock) card and thought it would be the perfect backdrop for Mitzi's Whimsical Little Leprechan from Aurora Wings.  The catch was, the card folds flat for mailing so I needed a way to attach the image without interfering with that.

I followed the tut using my Spellbinders heart dies.  Then I cut a 1" x 4 3/4" strip and scored it at 3/4" 1 1/2", 3 1/4" and 4". and folded it as shown.

I slipped the two end flaps through the bottom of the top two hearts and folded the top two hearts down over the bottom two, applied adhesive to the flaps and made sure they were straight before pressing them down.  It's ok for them to be glued right over the diagonal ribbon that laces the card, just make sure you've got it tied in a way that both allows you to stand the card up, as well as fold it flat.  If there is a teeny bit of excess along the bottom, just trim that flush with your hearts so they will stand straight. 

Now, open your card again, place it in the standing position, and put adhesive on the front of your strip.  This is where the image will go.

Here's this cutie's close up.  He's colored with Copics and I've added some glitter foam shamrocks and adhesive gems to gussy him up.  Carefull apply him to the pop out so he will be straight when the card is in the standing position.

I used a Cuttlebug Emboss Plus Fancy Label with a computer sentiment.  Tip here if you're using this particular type of folder, cut the label first, print your sentiment on copy paper and then use removeable tape for placement.  Then run it through your printer again.  Had I used Spellbinders, I would have printed first, but it's nearly impossible with this Cuttlebug folder because the only part that's open is the embossed portion.  OOPs, that was a little side track.  The point of this pic was to say that to adhere your sentiment, again leave the card in the open postion and only adhere the right portion to the bottom right leaf, making sure it's centered as you wish when the card is open.

When the card is flattened completely, the sentiment will be a bit sideways, but that's ok.  You want it to stand anyway, don't you?  The flap that the image is attached to will flatten to the left as well.

So, to fold it flat for mailing, take the two left hearts and fold them behind.

Then fold the bottom two up and there ya go.  there's plenty of room in an envie made for a 5x61/2" card.  Oh look, you can see my little "Good Luck" peelie in this pic.

I'm entering this in the Creative Corner Green challenge, Creative Fingers ATG(sponsored by Aurora Wings), QKR Stampede Anything But a Square Card, Savvy Handmade Cards Going Green challenge, Digi Stamps4Joy Use Dies or Punches, Sassy Studios Flip it or Fold it,the Outlawz Monday Greeting Cards ATG, Just Inspirational Hearts and Ribbon, Party Time Tuesdays ATG, and 613 Avenue Create ATG.