Halloween Sprite Gift With Purchase from Aurora Wings

You've seen my contribution to the Aurora Wings September Showcase in my other post HERE, and this little cutie is a Gift with Purchase now through Sunday, September 30th.  Meet Halloween Sprite!  I've used her to decorate a little witch's broom Halloween treat bag and decorated it with bits from my stash.  Had fun setting up a bit of a photo shoot with some fun candles.  The little ghost on the right was actually mine as a child which makes it vintage, for sure!

I've made a number of these broom bags using regular brown lunch bags.  You use two layers of bags, one for the treats and then a second that you cut all around from top to the bottom in strips.  The you fill the bag, stick in a stick for a handle, and pop the filled bag into the uncut base and gather up the strips with a ribbon.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize how large my bag was compared to my little Halloween Sprite.  She looked lost on that big broom, so off I went to Michael's and amazingly, I was able to find little 3.5 x 2 x 6.75" bags that did the trick.  Usually, I just leave the broom paper bag brown, but I also bought the small bags in black too and fancied this one up by cutting a black bag as well and removing a number of the strips and twirling them (they are brown on the inside) up to the top for some added texture. 

Here's a closeup of Halloween Sprite, yours as a Gift with Purchase of just $5.00 USD (after Coupon, if you choose to use one).  Isn't she precious with her little kitty? (Also know as a "familiar" in witch speak.  LOL) Of course she's a good witch, she's definitely too cute to spook.

Now I mentioned in my other Showcase post (the spooky one) that there was more to this Showcase than skulls.  How about another Sprite?  

WooHoo, you say?  That's for sure!  Also available today is the new Pumpkin Spice Sprite.  MMMmmm...!!!!  I can just smell the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.  Be sure to check out the fab inspiration by the Showcase team HERE.

JPG at AuroraWings.com     JPG at AW Etsy

PNG at AuroraWings.com   PNG at AW Etsy

And there are two more new images that just got inked and added to the shops, but no one has has a chance to color her, (not even Mitzi!) the gorgeous Lady Luna and Lady Luna 2.  Could they be more exquisite?

Lady Luna at AuroraWings.com
at AW Etsy

Lady Luna2 at AuroraWings.com
at AW Etsy

  So I'd say a bit of shopping might be in order, so here's that Coupon, good at BOTH shops through the weekend on ANY of Mitzi's digital images. 

All customers who make a qualifying digital stamp purchase of $5 USD (before tax) will have this Halloween Sprite gift digi file sent to you via e-mail.  Please allow up to 24 hours for processing.  The gift-with-purchase offer can be combined with one of the saving codes during the special offer period (Sept. 27 through 30, 2018).  And if you have a preference between JPG and PNG, send Mitzi a note during checkout, indicating your choice.

And just a little reminder, our current Challenge Blog theme is "Inspired by Music" and runs through October 13th.  Check out the lovely inspiration HERE by the Stella team and stay tuned for our mid month reminder and more glorious projects by the Aurora team on Monday.  Come join us.  Hope to see you there.

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 my Treat Bag in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, the Outlawz Festive Friday AG, Altered Eclectics Sept (AG mixed media, upcycling, etc), Jo's Scrap Shack #252 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #90 AG, ...

It's Christmas at Aurora Wings

Our brand new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of Christmas.  EEEk!!! so many fabulous AW Christmas digis from which to choose. I finally narrowed it down to something that had to do with the Nutcracker ballet, certainly a beloved Christmas tradition, and then on to the adorable Nutcracker and Chipmunk Ballerina, furthering the fantasy.  So here I am with a gift bag again.  OOps, I did one for the last challenge as well, but that's how it turned out.  What can I say?  All the Dp came from The Ballet stack from Recollections, a pad I've had for at least as few years.

Here's a closeup of Nutcracker and Chipmunk Ballerina taken under my Ott light on my desk before attempting the fussy cutting.  (Trust me, I was sweatin' it!) I've colored with Copics and added some shading and fur detail with Prismacolor pencils.  I really had no plan when I started this project, except that I wanted to use the Ballet papers, so I colored accordingly, but printed much smaller than I usually do (since I had no idea what I was doing.  A card maybe?..NOT!).  This is about 3 1/2 by 4 1/2" so it was not only a bit of a challenge to color with detail, but also to fussy cut.  I'm happy that this photo picked up the sparkle of the gel pens I used in silver and gold.  Not so much of the Stickles on the tutu, but I'm still quite pleased.

Speaking of fussy cutting, the term really refers to cutting details from printed paper or ephemera, I'm sure before digital stamps were even invented. Everything you see here was cut from the pages of The Ballet Stack.  In this case I've cut around a portion of the holly at left to insert the sentiment, which I've also fussy cut from a square tag.

And here's some more fussy cutting for the entire area on which I've place the Nutcracker and Chipmunk Ballerina.  Fortunately this was a 12 x 12" pack so it was easy to fussy cut additional elements, like the two holly sprays on the right and left to balance the design and the strips at the top and bottom of the bag to finish it off.  Wow, not necessarily my usual style but the project came together nicely and I have one less present to wrap.  LOL  Be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to be inspired by the rest of the Aurora Team's gorgeous projects.

And don't forget to enter our current FB Contest, Nature's Bounty, now through November 30th.

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

I'll be adding this to the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Christmas Magic Challenge, C.R.A.F.T Christmas, Crafting by Designs Little Animals 3/3, Simon Says Wednesday Christmas Critters 3/5, 613 Avenue Create November ATG, CHNC Cute or ATG Christmas, Creatalicious ATG /Optional Use a Sentiment, CHNC November Christmas Extra Anything Christmas, and CHN November Patterned Paper Challenge.

My Favorite Quote for Aurora Wings

A new challenge begins today at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the theme of "My Favorite Quote".  I've made a gift bag using the gorgeous Mask of Leaves.  Autumn is my favorite season and I tried to capture the beauty of the season using the colors and textures that Autumn brings to mind.  There are many beautiful quotes about Autumn, but I was especially touched by one from John Donne.  I'll speak a more about my choice a little later, if you don't mind. I think it deserves a paragraph of it's own.

I've cut the image and matted using my Spellbinders Grand Labels Four.  The gorgeous paper is another oldie from Kay&Co.  I've added texture with paper leaves from Recollections as well as real copper toned skeleton leaves.  I've distressed the May Arts mesh ribbon.  (Actually I was looking for my cheesecloth and couldn't find it in my stash.  Big surprise!)  the lovely deep rust crinkle ribbon that holds the tag sentiment is from DL.Art.

Here's a closeup of the gorgeous Mask of Leaves.  She's colored with Copics with just a touch of shading with Prismacolor pencils.  I've used Autumn hues, but you can see the versatility of this image on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog HERE.  I see a Christmas card in her future for sure.

I've added the quote as a tag cut with Spellbinders Labels Eleven.  The back was cut from corrugated cardstock packaging with leaves between the layers and a copper heart charm.  The beautiful quote is by John Donne.
  

"No spring nor summer beauty has such grace

as I have seen in one autumnal face."

I love it because it not only speaks of the beauty of Autumn, my favorite season, but also of the beauty and grace he sees in his love's face as she ages. It kind of brings tears to my eyes.  Love goggles?  Maybe, but one can only hope for such everlasting love and devotion.

Please visit the Challenge Blog to be inspired by the Stella team's choice of quotes and beautiful projects. the new November FB Contest, Nature's Bounty, is also in full swing in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.  We hope you come join the fun.  

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

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create November ATG Challenge, the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, the Corrosive November Fall/Autumn challenge, Dragonfly Dreams Autumnal Colors, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #45 ATG, Crafts Galore Encore ATG, Creatalicious ATG/optional Not a Card, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends ATG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG/Make a Tag, Dies R Us November Thankful for Nature Challenge, Crafty Calendar November Autumn Colours, Crafting with Friends ATG, Creative Fingers #119 ATG, Scrapyland ATG + Dies Sold by Scrapyland and the Alphabet Challenge "R" is for Recipe (using Sentiment, Ribbon, Digi and Dies).

Butterfly Kisses and Springtime Wishes

A new challenge starts today at Lacy Sunshine.  The new theme is Butterfly Kisses and Springtime Wishes and I've recycled a gift bag.  The DT is using stamps from the adorable Flower Pot Pretties and I've chosen Tina Tulips, one of the first flowers of Spring.  She also just happens to be the Loyalty Program digi for thhis week, so if you used a Lacy Sunshine Stamp in the last challenge, you can email Audrey for free (see BLOG) or purchase her at a 50% discount for the duration of this challenge HERE.

Tina is colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils.  I've been trying to take more time and add more depth and shadows to my coloring.  I hope it shows. LOL  She's fussy cut and popped and I've added a bit of reindeer moss to the bottom of the pot.

We also have a new Lacy Sunshine recipe cards that we'll be filling out for each projects listing our supplies and the colors we've used.  Hope you find that helpful.  Feel free to enlarge the card and copy and print it if you wish.

Here's the dimensional shot.  The DP I've used is from the DCWV Mariposa Stack.  I've fussy cut just around the wings of butterfly on the DP and bent them up to show the mat underneath and added additional butterflies fussy cut from one of the other papers in the stack.  I've also added die cuts on opposing corners from a Tim Holtz die and the For You sentiment from Die-versions.  Be sure to visit the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog  for fabulous inspiration from the team.  Can't wait to see what you create. 

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create ATG challenge,  Sentimental Sundays Springtime flowers (plus sentiment-For You), the Corrosive Challenge Hop into Spring, the Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge ATG, Di's Digi Designs Spring is Here, QKR Stampede Add a Sentiment, Aud Sentiments ATG + Sentiment, Crafting with an Attitude ATG, Simon Says Wednesday ATG and  Graph'It Markers Springtime.

Simply Steampunk Showcase Featuring Monster Mr. Roberts

I'm so excited to showcase the fabulous Monster Mr. Roberts from the Steampunk A Roberts Halloween range on the Simply Steampunk Challenge Blog.   It's so hard to find images for mature male projects and I think he's just perfect!

This gift bag started out as a wine bag.  I loved the dark castle image but didn't want the bottom 3rd so I cut it apart and glued it back together.  Better size anyway, as far as I'm concerned. 

 

I printed the image on kraft paper and colored him with Copics.  The gravesones are a combination of punches and dies, also out of kraft and distressed.

 

The sentiment is from the Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells.  Perfect, don'tcha think?  This was a fun one and can't wait to fill it with creepy goodies.  Be sure to visit Simply Steampunk Challenges.  We have additional inspiration all month long and our current Layers Challenge runs through Oct 3rd.  Hope to see you there.

 

I'm entering this in the Whimsy Stamps Masculine Challenge, Ruby's Rainbow It's a Male Thing, and The Squirrel and the Fox It's Raining Men challenge and the DLArt September Linky Party and Desert Island Crafters Challenge #61 using #'s 2,3,6 and possibly 8.

A Sweet Altered Gift Bag.

Here's a little gift bag I've altered using the aldorable Little Lavinia from the Classic Steampunk Collection at Simply B Stamps.  I thought I'd show her sweet side, coloring her up with the candy colors of the background from the 8x8 Sweet Stack from DCWV.

Isn't she the cutest thing EVER?   She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped.  Her lollipop is a brad.

I've added a lidded google eye to her eyeball balloon to make it more whimsical than creepy and used it as part of the computer generated sentiment. 

A Sizzix die cut completes the sentiment and the lace border is an MS punch topped with a ric rac one from EK Success.  Be sure to stop by Simply Steampunk Challenges for more fabulous inspiration from the DT.  We showcase images all month long, and don't forget our current Frame It Challenge HERE which runs through June 6th. 

I'm entering this in the DL Art May Linky Party and the Forever Friends Pastel Colors Challenge.

Bermuda Bag Using the New CTMH Artiste Cartridge

Here I am with 3 DT projects due by Monday and I'm messing with my new Close to My Heart Artiste Cartridge but I just couldn't help myself.  The whole package of goodies is a crafter's paradise filled with chipboard pieces and coordinating stamps as well as the Cartridge, but while flipping through the book, one little bag in particular caught my eye and sent me on a trip down Memory Lane.  My first love in high school had a sister whose hubby was in the Navy and they were stationed in Bermuda.  On one of her trips to visit them, his Mom came back with the most adorable handbag for me as a gift.  It had wooden handles and was made of white embroidered linen which buttoned to the frame so you could actually switch out different fabrics.  I adored that bag and when came to page 32 of the handbook, I had to recreate it.  I chose to make it white on white becasue that's what my bag was, but I also cut it in a light brown and trimmed it for the handle and embossed it with the Tim Holtz Woodgrain folder.

To add interest, I used two different textures of white card stock and cut the bag a second time, slightly smaller for a second layer and trimmed and embossed it with Swiss Dots.  The beautiful motif on the front is also from Artiste (Accent 3, page 44).  The shadow was cut with the base texture, the top layer with the other.  To add more dimension, I popped the motifs.  Then I added buttons along the top, just like my bag had.  I'm really thrilled with how it came out.  Now I can't stop thinking about island breezes, gorgeous sunsets and the pink sand of Bermuda, as I was lucky enough to visit with his family the next summer. 

Hope you like my little bag and my little story.  There are tons of fab 3D projects on Artiste and really something for every holiday or special event.  I can't wait to play with it some more.  My dear friend and DT sister Susan is my CTMH consultant so please stop by her blog to see some amazing projects using this cart.  She has info about the special CTMH deals this month that I'm sure you won't want to miss.

I'm entering this in the Sugar Creek Hollow something Old (the embossing folders), Something New (my Cricut Artiste cartridge) Challenge, Dutch Dare Anything but a Card Challenge, Fab 'N Funky Anything but a Card Challenge, Anything Goes Let's Not be Square Challenge, and Ruby's Rainbow anything but a Card Challenge.

Bitten By The Bug 2 In Style Challenge

By now most of you have probably heard that Regina, our dear leader and originator of BBTB, has stepped down to focus on her fabulous printable stamp store The Cutting Cafe. It is with great sadness we say farewell but Regina has passed the torch to our wonderfuly talented DT Sister, Heather Binnie, so the fabulous team can continue our weekly challenges at Bitten By The Bug 2. YEA HEATHER!!!! (BTW, Regina still continues as a DT member to join in the challenges when she's able so Woo Hoo!) This week Heather chose the In Style cut from Graphically Speaking. I was so hopeful that my Forever Young cart would come before this challenge but that was not to be so instead I used the sassy girl from Hannah Montana to grace the front of the handbag from Plantin Schoolbook. There's loads of girly goodness here. Satin ribbon and pearls and PINK! The DP is from Making Memories Sabrina and the card stock is Bazzill. I have to laugh a bit because the hair here reminds me of Heloise (as in "Hints from..."). This chick looks primaturely grey but I didn't want to mess up my color scheme. LOL

There's no welding or anything for this design and just a little bit of dmension. The purse was cut at 12 3/4", In Style was cut at 4 3/4" and "Heloise" was cut at 5 1/2". This makes for a really decent size gift bag to make some girly girl very happy. Now be sure to pop over to BBTB2 to see the fabulous projects by the rest of the team and be sure to sign up to follow and come play along.