One More for Happy Horrors

Cutting it close again, but here's another entry into the Oddball Art Happy Horrors Challenge using image #424 Cat Lady.  She's colored with Copics, fussy cut and hiding in a dimensional graveyard sticker from JoLee's.  Puffy sentiment sticker is from Momenta and ancient papers from my stash.

I'm also adding this to the Simon Says Wednesday Halloween/Spooky challenge and the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG.

Happy Horrors Meets Wednesday Sketch

I'm trying to sneak in a few challenges before October ends and I'm doing double duty here with an adorable newsletter Freebie from Oddball Art Stamps for their October Happy Horrors Challenge and the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge, both of which end today.  I've colored the cute kitty in the pumpkin with Copics and added a black doily and die cut web.  Ribbon is from Mike's, Flower from Prima and little spider from Fabulous Findings.

Here's the Sketch.

I'm entering this in Simon Says Wednesday Halloween/Spooky 

Cat Lovers Hop 2018 Day 5 Halloween Pinwheel

It's Day 5 of the Cat Lovers Blog Hop at Her Peaceful Garden and I'm hanging in there.  And looky, looky, it's another project that involves REAL stamping from one of the sponsors of the Hop, Stampendous. WooHoo! I've made a Halloween pinwheel using a discarded piece that I found on one of our walks last year around this time.  Of course it's been laying on my table since then.  I used the kitty face stamp and die from a set by Fran from 2015, sadly no longer in the shop.  I glued a Halloween straw into the pinwheel where, I assume, the original had gone.  One of my artist made felted kitties looks pretty excited to be holding it while I tried to blow on it to take a video, but try as I might, I couldn't manage that to work so you've got to take my word for it that it spins.

Here's a closeup of the pinwheel with the stamped and cut out kitty face from the set and the bow.  I stamped with Memento, colored with Copics, added googly eyes and a little witch hat sticker from JoLee's.  The bow was stamped on patterned paper and cut using the coordinating die.

Thank you Stampendous for sponsoring the 2018 Cat lover's Blog Hop at Her Peaceful Garden!  There's still another day to hop and you can comment through Sunday to win! FAQ HERE and sign in HERE.

I'm also entering this in the  SUYP Furrything Goes/Meowloween Challenge, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG/w Critter (5/5), Crafty Animals #19 AG w/Animals, the DL.Art October Linky Challenge, The Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Simon Says Monday Halloween/Spooky, Simon Says Wednesday Halloween/Spooky,

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

A new challenge starts to day on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the fabulous new theme...

Take a wild guess which one I chose. I've combined the gorgeous Remembrance with the skull cropped from Memento Mori.  The design idea is sort of a personal one, as I've not been sleeping all that well lately and hope that creating this will be a bit cathartic.  Don't worry, I won't bore you with details, you can use your imagination and come up with nightmares of your own.  LOL  The DP is from the BoBunny Serenade collection and I've used the Sleepy Hollow Oval Frame die, from Memory Box, to nestle the skull and poppies as if they were resting among the roots of a tree.  The Skeleton Hand die is also from Memory Box and the clock embellishment up top is from Recollections.

Here's a closeup, all colored with Copics with the addition of the Colorless Blender and cotton swab technique to blur and texture parts of the background.  I so enjoy combining portions of Mitzi's images to create a totally different vision and thrilled that Mitzi encourages people to be creative and have fun like this with her images.  The skull from Memento Mori, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy is not only cradled by the poppies from Remembrance, but also appears in the background.  When printing this page I lightened this skull to a pale gray give it the dreamlike effect.

Here is Remembrance, available HERE on AuroraWings.com and HERE on Etsy, as it appears for sale.  As you can see this image would be beautiful for any occasion.  I'd hate for you to discount the image, just because I've creeped it up a bit with skulls and such.

And finally, here's the sentiment from Tim Holtz.  I search and searched for something that was appropriate and almost gave up.  Then I found this.  Perhaps I'll rest easier tonight.

Please be sure to visit the Challenge Blog to see the fabulous inspiration from my Stella team mates.  I promise there are some sweet dreams, as well.

Also, there is an exciting coloring contest in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group with an adorable freebie available to participate.  Coloring only or full project with fabulous prizes!  Not a member?  Just ask to join.

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 adding this to the DL.Art October Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #255 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG/opt Fall holiday,  Dream in Darkness October AG dark, A Perfect Time to Craft Oct #10 AG, the Classic Design Team Challenge Oct (2/3), Crafts Galore Encore #56 Oct AG, Die Cut Divas Autumn or Halloween, ... and more in a few

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, ...

New images for September from Aurora Wings

Just in time for next month's spooky season we have some new skullie goodness from Aurora Wings on the Showcase Blog today and of course I couldn't miss these!  I happen to love me some skulls year 'round, but if they don't float your boat, stay tuned for some new Sprites and an amazing new Moth Fairies, as well.  This gorgeous image is called Necromantica and I've made a slightly, okay, well yeah, pretty dark home decor wreath I like to call "Eternally Yours".  I had some nifty black Spanish moss that conveniently had touches of red glitter that went perfectly with my color scheme and added some tulle and gorgeous red crinkle ribbon from DL.Art.  Nice for Valentine's Day, Anniversary, or even a wedding for the right couple, don'tcha think? (You know who you are.) 

Here's a closeup of Necromantica prior to fussy cutting.  I've colored with Copics in my fave color scheme and tried to darken up the wings a bit using an almost full complement of Neutral Grays.  Of course the roses just had to be red.  Sooo romantic!  The leaves blend in a bit, but I was trying to minimize the green.  I generally don't write down my colors, but I believe I used YG99, YG63 and YG61, just enough colors to give a bit of contrast.

Necromantica is available HERE on Aurora Wings.com and HERE on Etsy.

I'm entering this decor piece in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Dream in Darkness AG Dark Dreams, Your Scrapbook Place September AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG, An Inky Mess (AG mixed media), the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Altered Eclectics Sept (AG mixed media, upcycling, etc)...

Here is the second gorgeous skull image premiering today, called Skull and Roses.  I'm afraid I only have a coloring for this image because I really wanted to color it on darker paper with pencils.  As I'm only a beginner with pencils, It takes me forever, but I do thoroughly enjoy the process thanks to the classes at Kit and Clowder.  This is the first time I've done a Design Team project using my Prismacolors and hopefully won't be my last.  Just gotta remember to start EARLY if I want to get it done in time.  You'll be seeing a project with this fabulous image sometime later next month, I promise.

Skull and Roses is available HERE on Aurora Wings.com and HERE on Etsy.

For those of you who are a bit squeamish about skull images,  There are several more new images on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog that might be more to your liking.

And of course here's a COUPON good on ANY digital images through the weekend and this time, an adorable Gift with Purchase image, as well.  Find out more in my second Showcase post HERE.

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

Sandra Caldwell Holiday Halloween Challenge

Sandra Caldwell is having a 3 part Holiday challenge in her Stamp Fans FB Group and this is for the Halloween leg that ends the 10th.  I've used #390 Eddie Cutz (one of my all time faves!) and the new #2381 Rose Bee Witch.  They're colored with Copics with silver gel pen on Eddie's scissor hand and buckles and I've added an iridescent epoxy sticker to the wart on Rose's nose.  The sentiment was computer generated and I've added 3 large faceted Halloween gems to embellish.

I.m also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday 3 of one item, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #89 AG (3/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #250 AG (1/3), The Crafter's Cafe 3 of something (2/3), If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG, ...

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).

Just a Little Late for Halloween

Yeah, I totally missed Halloween AND Dia de Los Muertos.  What can I say?  Too much going on these days.  I did, however, manage to use this cutie from Sandra Caldwell called #1905 Frankie Treat for her FB challenge that just ended and I'm ahead for next year, right?  He's colored with Copics and fussy cut.  Dug deep in my stash for old DCWV Fall Glitter stack papers and used my new pumpkin dies from Gina Marie.  Added a couple of glitter crows from Recollections and a computer generated sentiment and called it done. 

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG challenge, DL.Art November Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG and Aud Sentiments #193 AG + Sentiment.

Another Quickie for the Cat Lovers Hop

Last night as I was about to head downstairs I noticed some scraps on my desk that got me thinking about another quickie for the Cat Lovers Hop at Her Peaceful Garden.  Today is the last day to link up projects, but you can still comment and play in the daily games through tomorrow which is NATIONAL CAT DAY!  WOOHOO!   I will be so sad to see it all end.  Goliath and Jezebel, however, were quick to point out that EVERY DAY is CAT DAY so there ya go.

Anyway, here's the card.  The frame was the negative from a previous project and I'd already die cut the tree but decided not to use it on something.  I'd been sorting through my Halloween crafting goodies and forgotten about these adorable kitty stickers from Recollections.  I do use embellishment stickers occasionally, but rarely as the main deal on a card (doesn't keep me from buying them though, especially KITTIES!)  Well, the tree (from Memory Box) fit purr-fectly in the frame so I cut a moon and assembled the Halloween kitty stickers for a Meowloween party under the harvest moon.  The sparkly crow and Halloween banner sentiment are from Recollections too.  Purr-ty cute, eh?

I'm also adding this to the SUYP October Furrything Goes/Meowloween challenge, Simon Says Wednesday AG, and Lil Patch of Crafty Friend #68 AG.

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

WooHoo!  New challenge at Aurora Wings with the fun and exciting theme of

You know this is one of my faves, but you need not be as creepy as I've been.  Any Halloween, or dark fantasy image is fine (even creepy cute).  But I just couldn't resist goring up the gorgeous Siren, available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  I first became a little obsessed with the idea of a "blood moon" and looked up images to serve as a background on Yahoo.  I colored that first, in case I screwed up.  Filling in an entire background takes a bit of time, and I found that stepping away every so often and continuing to layer colors as needed kept me from tossing it in the bin.  After all that work, I decided that I would keep this rather CAS but couldn't resist adding the tiny Bat Confetti from Um WOW.  Had to use tweezers and a toothpick to apply the glue but I think they added just the right touch.

As for the gorgeous Siren, here's a closeup.  She's shaded with Copics in grayscale with a bit of the R 20-29 on her embellishments.  I love that Mitzi is open to creativity with her images, so I made her live up to her macabre legend by cropping the skeletal part of Ghost Bride's face and sizing it to fit.  I later decided that the hands caressing the skull from Secret Kisses would really complete the picture so I went back to my printing program and flipped and sized them accordingly, then fussy cut them to add to the scene.

The sentiment was computer generated and cut and embossed with a Cuttlebug Emboss Plus folder, then inked with Distress and stamped with the Inky Dreams rubber set by Smeared Ink (NLIB, sniff, sniff), my "go to" for blood splatter.  Beware, indeed!

Finally, I glittered her up with Stardust Stickles and used Glossy Accents on her eyes, lips and the starfish in her hair (which for some reason is showing pink in the pic at this angle).  Perfect Pearls and Nuvo Drops added a bit more texture.

YAY!  I'm thinking this was just what the doctor ordered to jump start my mojo after a couple weeks of recuperation from our party planning and other events.

Hope you enjoy this fab challenge as much as I did and just so you know, the current FB challenge is Make It Creepy so your entries will work for both.  

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 October Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG Challenge, Dream in Darkness Oct, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #201 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG, Pile it On #135 Fantasy, Crafty Friends #68 AG, The Fairy and the Unicorn Anything Mythical Goes, Crafting-With-Friends #52 AG, CCC Digi Creations Fantasy, the Classic Design Team Open Challenge Oct AG, the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #27 AG, TTPH #135 AG, 613 Avenue Create AG/Optional male card, Glitter 'N' Sparkle #261 AG, TTRCD AG week of Oct. 9th,

Guest Designing for DL.Art Thankful Thursday #213 - Halloween

I'm thrilled to be joining the DL.Art team as Guest Designer for the Thankful Thursday Halloween Challenge (but, of course, thank you cards are always welcome if Halloween doesn't float your boat).  DL.Art has some fabulous new Halloween bundles and I got to play with the Neon Green Plus Bundle which offers  5 yards each of black/white and orange/white twine, 4 yards each of Neon Green and Black crinkle ribbon and 2 fab Halloween buttons.  The Neon ribbon actually glows in the dark under a black light.  EEEK!  How cool is that!? 

I've made a little Halloween decor piece.  This is actually a large clothespin I've painted black and covered the front with some Halloween DP.  The medallion is made with the Neon Green Plus bundle goodies and backed with a small black doily from Doodlebug.  I used a Tim Holtz Bigz Die and cut "Boo" 3 times and layered and bats cut and embossed with a Cuttlebug set to fly above on wire. That top part is removable, in case you want to hold a recipe or other type of Halloween greeting.

Here's a closeup of the medallion.  I punched a large circle, covered it with transfer tape and pleated the crinkle ribbon in layers with one of the buttons in the center.  To make the tassel, I just wound both colors of twine around 3 of my fingers, tied it through the top loop and then again partially down the strands, cut through the bottom loop and trimmed to length.  Easy peasy.  Here I used a black Doodlebug doily as a backing, but wouldn't it be cool to use lace instead and make it a wearable brooch accent for a coat or jacket?  For a romantic twist, how about Diana's Intimate bundle,  where the centerpiece is already made for you.  Check that out HERE.  OOH, la la!

There are a number of options available with these fabulous new Halloween bundles.  And even if you don't have a black light, the neon colors just POP, all on their own.  So bright and fun.

The Neon Bundles offer 4 yards each of black and 4 yards of your choice of Orange, Green, or purple Neon ribbon.

The Neon Plus Bundle offers one of the ribbon bundle colors and adds 5 yards of both orange/white and black/white twine and two Halloween buttons.

And the Neon Premium Bundle adds two more buttons to the Neon Plus assortment.  WooHoo!

Use this coupon ( HALLOW20) for 20% off the Plus and Premium Bundles the first week of the challenge and be sure to check out the fabulous projects by the DL.Art team!

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Anything Goes Challenge, Crafty Creations #351 AG, Crafty Gals Corner #142 AG, Creative Moments #127 AG, Crop Stop September Linky Party #32 AG/CropStop products, Simon Says Wednesday AG, the Crafty Addicts Buttons or Brads, the Sisterhood of Crafters Use Your Dies, and TTRCD AG week of Sept 26-Oct 2.