Happy Birthday AWCB

If you follow the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog you may already have read the Farewell Post.  We've had a hard time with Facebook not allowing links to the blog in our Stamps by AuroraWings FB Group but you know you can always come here to find out what's up.  Yes, we're celebrating 5 incredible years of challenges and I'm so honored and proud to say that I've been a part of it since Day 1.  I've made many friends through my association with the Aurora Wings family of designers both past and present and I can't even begin to tell you how Mitzi's talent, support and special friendship has inspired me throughout the years. Oh oh!  Here's where I'm getting a little teary eyed so I may have to cut this post short.  Anyway, after careful consideration, we are closing the AW Challenge Blog, but it will be business as usual in the FB Group, AuoraWings.com, AuroraWings Etsy, etc.

Last Monday, the 3rd Monday in March was our 5th Anniversary of the AWCB and had we continued the challenges, it would have been the ever popular Sprite Delight.  In celebration of those 5 fabulous years, Mitzi is offering this special Birthday Cake Sprite as a freebie in both jpg and png form through the end of the month HERE.  I've colored this cutie in png format with Copics in order to combine her with lovely Birthday Bouquet digital papers from WeAre3.

We also have a coupon goin' on through March 24th (plus the opportunity to guess the SECRET COUPON CODE) so be sure to visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to collect your freebies and maybe get an even bigger discount if you shop.

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Special 8th Birthday Challenge (using sponsor papers from We Are 3), the DL.Art March Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #102 AG,  ...

WINNER!

GIVE! 'Tis the Season

It's the last day of the Limited Runs Progressive Challenge on FB, of course, but I've managed to use this adorable Santa, just in time.  I'd planned to use him in the Coffee Lovers Hop but didn't make it so I changed gears and found a mini Bingo card from Jenni Bolen and DP with lots of presents instead.  The sentiment is a sticker from K&Co I found in my stash.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art December Linky Challenge,  the DL.Art Thankful Thursday #238 Christmas Challenge, and the Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas theme.

In the meantime, although I promised Elzabet that we'd shop today, but I don't think it's gonna happen.  She decided a shelf was more boring to wait on than a wreath so she hopped on this Santa wreath in hopes that he's a talking head.  LOL

I'm adding this to the last day of the Elf Antics Event on DL.Art.  #2/3

Another for the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

I'm beginning to forget how many days we have left in the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, but it sure is fun! (ohohhh, only two counting today!) So much going on because of the holidays I've not done as well as I'd hoped, but yesterday I was thrilled to come home from my hair appointment to find out I'd won a FLASH prize from Super Sponsor Dina Kowal Creative.  Thanks so much! 

My tag today was cut with Sponsor Gina Marie arched stitched tag dies, who I first encountered right here in one of the Coffee Hops.  WooHoo!  The cup was cut and stamped with the Latte Love set from Lil' Inker I'd won in a previous Hop.  It was stamped in Memento tuxedo black with the coffee stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa and overstamped with Stazon Opaque White.  I've colored a bit with Copics and added epoxy holly, glitter gingerbread men from  JoLee's and a chipboard sign from Recollections.  The ribbon across the top is from my stash and the red and white twine is from Hop Sponsor DL.Art.

The design was based on a previous sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch challenge that DT member Bonnie used.  I'm also adding this to the Simon Says Wednesday Wrap it Up Challenge, 

Elzabet is so excited that she wanted us to put our Santa's plate and cup out already, with the tag in place, just so he knows it's for him.  I'm adding this to Day 5 in the 12 Day Elf Antics event at DL.Art. 

'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.

"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, 

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 

2018 Cat Lovers Hop Day 6

Well I'm sorry to say it's the final day for linking up projects in the 2018 Cat Lovers Hop at Her Peaceful Garden.  I wish I'd planned in advance and had more projects to share but that's the way it goes.  Thanks so much to Janis for the incredible amount of work that goes into the Hop and the fabulous sponsors and others offering prizes on their blogs.  Gotta say I've had a ball seeing everyone's projects but glad we have another day to comment, since there's always a flurry of activity at the end.

My final project is again real stamping.  I apologize to all my digi artist friends for not managing to color any of your gorgeous images but I'm in desperate need of new glasses and the eye strain is taking it's toll.  Those who know me know that coloring is generally my "thing" so I'm really bummed I couldn't manage any during the Hop.

This cutie is Tabby Cat from Carmen's Veranda and I've stamped him with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. The card is in monochromatic blues to enter the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge. Not quite the same, but as close as I could get.

I tried to do an "artsy" background with a number of different mediums but they didn't work out so when hubby was on his way to Home Depot I asked him to nab me some paint swatches.  Trimmed and matted them several times,  fussy cut the image and added a die cut sentiment and there ya go.

Of course I'm also adding this to the Lost Coast/Carmen's Veranda Cats and Dogs Challenge, SUYP Furrything Goes/Meowloween Challenge,  the DL.Art October Linky Challenge, ...

Another for the 2018 Cat Lovers Blog Hop

I'm really enjoying all the the fabulous cat projects being linked up to the 2018 Cat Lovers Blog Hop at Her Peaceful Garden and crawling a bit out of my comfort zone and trying things I don't do often (enough) like real stamping.  Yesterday was my day to stamp but I'm just getting some of the projects finished and blogged today.  Here's a tag, or bookmark, using the beautiful Star Cat rubber stamp by Lost Coast Designs, a sponsor of the Hop.  I stamped on a small scrap of digital paper from another project.  The celestial background seemed purr-fect for this kitty.  I left off any sentiment because although he looks like he's on his way to kitty heaven, I'd prefer to think he's just star gazing.

I'm also entering this in the Lost Coast/Carmen's Veranda Cats and Dogs Challenge, SUYP Furrything Goes/Meowloween Challenge,  Crafty Animals #19 AG w/Animals, the DL.Art October Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Festive Friday AG...

Furry Friends

It's Day two of the Cat Lover's Blog Hop, at Her Peaceful Garden and of course I'm running late again.  (Not that you have to link something daily, but I was planning on doing something for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge on the Outlawz Forum so why not make it double duty, eh?) 

So, you can find out about the hop HERE and be sure to sign in HERE to be eligible for prizes, even if you don't want to craft, because there are prizes for just commenting, too.  OOOOH!  And daily prizes for answering questions.  Thank you Janis for putting this all together.

My card features two digis from Createful Heart Design, Yarn Playing Kitty and Chloe Playing With Yarn.  I just happened to find them already printed in a stack of stuff so I colored them up quickly with Copics and tried to follow the Sketch.

How did I do?  I think it's vaguely recognizable.  The DP from the Meow stack by Echo Park did most of the work, but hey!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art October Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday Animal Antics, Crafty Animals #19 AG w/animals, SUYP October #35 Furrything Goes/Meowloween, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #19 October AG/w critter,  and Createful Heart Designs #2 Add a Sentiment. 

2018 Cat Lovers Hop Day 1!!!

Eiyiyi, I almost missed it.  Today the Cat Lovers Hop begins at Her Peaceful Garden and I just by chance saw a post by one of the fabulous sponsors this morning.  I've had a hard time crafting and blogging (other than DT work) the past couple of weeks and trying to balance my life a bit by staying off FB and doing other things (like the cleaning I prefer to neglect) but I do feel guilty when I'm not supporting my artist friends, and commenting on all of the work, now posted EVERYWHERE, and joining in challenges, and, and, and...  So we'll see how I do here and I apologize for flaking on some of the things I really, REALLY wanted to join in on (you know who you are, sooo sorry!  xxx) but...

So, you can find out about the hop HERE and be sure to sign in HERE to be eligible for prizes, even if you don't want to craft, because there are prizes for just commenting, too.  OOOOH!  And daily prizes for answering questions.  Thank you Janis for putting this all together.

So I thought I might just Hop today for Cat Lovers because I did want to join in the Outlawz Color Challenge which ends TODAY, but I managed to follow their Tic Tac Toe board with a cute Kitty Cat die, from Simon Says Stamp, I've been dying to use, so WooHoo!  I couldn't resist having the kitties both coming and going...ahem ... and added the sentiment because it reminds me of how Jezebel always greets her brother.  No wonder he generally hisses at her when she comes near. 

Here's the board.  Fortunately you don't have to use BOTH the color AND the element, so I've chosen diagonal bottom left to top right, yellow, black, and lace.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art October Linky Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday Animal Antics, SUYP October #35 Furrything Goes/Meowloween, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #19 October AG/w critter and Crafty Animals #19 AG w/Animals. 

Aurora Wings Freebie and Coloring Contest

So excited to be the first to color up this adorable Day of the Dead Sprite Couple that is currently offered FREE to members of the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.  This is NOT a gift with purchase.  Mitzi is offering this image for the exciting Coloring Contest that runs today through November 1st.  The image will be available in the FB Group through October 28th so join the Group (if you haven't already), grab the freebie and enter the contest.  LOTS of prizes for both coloring only AND full project entries.  Full list of prizes in the Challenge Album in the FB Group.

Personally, I think this adorable couple could work for a wedding or anniversary.  The sentiment says "Together Forever" in Spanish.  The fun DP on the side panels is Bo Bunny and made for fabulous "wedding guests".  The arch was cut with a Spellbinders Gothic Arch and I've used one of Spellbinders Delicate Doilies as a stained Glass rosette behind.  The flowers on either side are the traditional Day of the Dead marigolds (actually Prima flowers that I've wet, smooshed and layered) and I've colored the bridal crown in the traditional colors, as well.

I've used inspiration from several of the challenges on the Outlawz forum to color and complete my card. Here's the current inspiration board for the Outlawz Tuesday Color. 

And I've also tweaked the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge for my design.  (Finally learning to use a sketch for inspiration rather than following it to the letter.  Yay, ME!)

If you think perhaps a skully couple isn't romantic, I beg to differ.  Here's an anniversary gift from hubby for our 40th.  He certainly knows the way to this girl's heart!

  

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 also adding this to the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG/opt. any Fall Holiday, the Outlawz Festive Fridays Wedding/Anniversary,  the DL.Art October Linky challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #255 AG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #91 AG, Dream in Darkness October AG dark, Colouring in Scrapland Oct. AG/opt Halloween, LTSCB #114 Fall Back (anything Fall), ...

Wait Your Turn!

So this is the second leg of the Holiday Challenge on the Sandra Caldwell Stamps Fans FB Group and I've made an 8x8" fat page.  I've cut up some glitter DP from an old Debbie Mumm Stack from JoAnn's and added it to and 8x8" page from Graphic 45.  I've used #1955 Turkey Hunter (not in shop at the mo) and #1978 Santa Claus is Here.  I thought the sentiment was hilarious, as the Christmas season seems to begin earlier and earlier every year.

Here's a closeup of #1955 Turkey Hunter.  I've colored with Copics and added real feathers to his wings.  He's cut with a Penny Black Antique Frame and inked with Distress.

And here's #1978 Santa Claus is Here.  He looks a bit startled, don'tcha think?  I've also colored him with Copics with some details in metallic gel pens and a white Posca paint pen.  Gotta say, I had a ball with this one.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art Thankful September Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday #235 Always Thankful, The Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG (without the pearl twist),  Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #251 AG (3/3), Crafting by Designs Sept AG (2/3) and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG (5/5).

Dragons Fly

This cutie dragon, img144 Dragons Fly by SheepSki Designs was colored in monochrome blues for the Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge using the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  I took a few liberties with the sketch substituting clouds for the arrow like shapes, but I thought it turned out cute and would make a sweet baby card or birthday card for a little boy.  Don't you?

Here are the color shades.

and here's the sketch.

I just so happens I chose this particular cute image because is also fit the current SheepSki Designs FB challenge (AG/ with optional twist of wings) AND the SheepSki Designs Blog Challenge #18 For the Kidz.  Isn't it fun to multitask?

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #251 AG (2/3), If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG (4/5), and 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #18 (2/5).

Playing on the Outlawz Forum (again!)

Okay, then.  Just finished this one up for the last day of the current Sketch Challenge on the Outlawz Forum using the lovely Winter Cardinal Image, from Anne's Digital Art, who happens to be the challenge sponsor.  I've colored the image with Copic markers and added some Copic Opaque White on the pine needles for snow.  In keeping with the rustic feel, I've added a dimensional sticker by Jp Lee's (I think) and tore the edges of the stripes like they are in the sketch to simulate washi. (Do you believe I have  NO Christmas washi tape?)

Here's the sketch which I've flipped left to right.

Conveniently, since I'm a little off my crafting game, this also works for the Outlawz Monday Greetings Christmas Comes Early, Twisted Thursday AG/opt. 3 of Something and Festive Friday Christmas.  

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #250 AG (3/3), The Crafter's Cafe # of Something (stripes 3/3)...

Guest Designing for the Outlawz Sunday Songs and Rhymes

As you know I play regularly on the Outlawz Forum, a fun and friendly craft forum with 7 challenges a week plus a monthly Progressive challenge, so there's always lots going on.  If you're not a member, why not check it out.  You'll be glad you did.  This week I'm Guest Designing for Sunday Songs and Rhymes and our song is: 

Song: Happy Birthday

You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
'Cause we all know in our minds, etc

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Who doesn't need more birthday cards in their stash?  As you may already know, I'm a monthly subscriber to the Kit and Clowder Coloring Classes for both Markers and, more recently, pencils as well.  As a subscriber, Alyce also sends out a free monthly bonus class, theme voted on by the current members and this  one was coloring dragons (still available if you subscribe before the next monthly class, but HURRY!).  The dragon here was provided in the class and this was my first "practice" shot at the class.  OMG!  I had soo much fun with this!  I purposely scaled it (ha, ha, I made a funny) to be card size and colored it with Copics, according to the class colors and set it aside.

The image was perfect for my birthday card for today as the colors also fit the current Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge and birthday twist, so I fussy cut him out and added him to the fun striped paper by Queen and Co.  The birthday sentiment circle and cupcake are new to me from Simon Says Stamp.  The sentiment circle was cut in purple, but I cut the cupcake in white and colored it to match the scheme and give the "frosting a bit of dimension.

  

I've been making a lot of square cards lately, but the Outlawz Monday Greetings challenge called for a rectangle, so rectangle it is.  Yes, if your card fits more than one challenge on the Outlawz Forum, you may enter it wherever it fits.  Only once on the sitewide monthly Linky though, where you can win even more prizes.  WooHoo!  Don'tcha want to join in?

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art September Linky Challenge, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #250 AG (2/3), 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #18 (1/5) and If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #102 4th Anniversary challenge AG (2/5).

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, ...

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),