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).

Macabre Monday Let's Play a Game Week 2

It's the second week of our Let's Play a Game Challenge for Macabre Monday at HDH and I think the reference to the "Saw" movie franchise is scaring people off.  Yes, JigSaw has taken the helm, but we encourage any projects that reference games or game pieces so here ya go.  My wall hanging uses the fab image from Aurora Wings called Window To Your Soul (Dark Version, duh!).  Wonder why I don't have kids?  LOL

 I've colored her with Copics in sepia tones.  Sorry that my printer was being a bit wonky, hence the sort of double image, but I'd say it sort of adds to the creepiness.  There is a sweet version of the same image HERE (minus the eyeballs) in case creepy doesn't float you boat.  Fortunately the kitty is adorable in both versions. 

 I had a lovely time referencing more toys, games and game pieces including a bloody domino and some very unholy bingo numbers.

 

Looks like she hasn't been to nice to her dolly, either.  The cards are unlucky and the Scrabble letters that spell out the sentiment are splattered with blood using the Inky Dreams rubber set by Smeared Ink.  No wonder the poor dear doesn't have any friends.  So now do you get the picture?  We're counting on you to come play with us at Haunted Design House.  We might even let you win.

 

And BTW, later today (at noon EDT) the first Blog Challenge at Aurora Wings goes live.  In the meantime, there is a fab kickoff event  starting at 9:00am EDT going on in the FB Group where you can win loads of fab stuff.  Hope to see you all there.

 

I'm also adding this to the Left of Center 1st Anniversary Challenge, the CMC Copic Marker Show Some Skin Challenge and the Simon Says Monday Lucky Challenge (guess this one's UNlucky).

Aurora Wings Anti-Valentine for Left of Center

Just couldn't resist this cutie from Aurora Wings and thought she'd be perfect for the current Left of Center Cute/and or Creepy challenge. This adorable little Anti-Valentine Girl looks like she's through with love, at least for now.  Can't imagine anyone wanting to break her heart though, can you?  Wanted to do something a bit different so I made a "Spring" card, modifying it somewhat to suit my needs.

I took my colors from an old DCWV stack.  Had a ball coloring her edgy hair, well actually all of her, with my Copics.  EEEK!  Love her little kitty ears.  The fab sentiment is from Ginger's House and the adorable little Glo Skull is from Creepy Glowbugg's Etsy Shop.

I've used Nesties dies for the hearts and cut one jaggedly for either side of the base.  It helps stablize the pop up center because as usual, I've fussy cut and popped the image which made it a bit wonky.

I'm also entering this in the Corrosive Blog Feel the Love Challenge, Simon Says Monday Love Notes, Digi Stamps 4 Joy Hearts, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG w/optional twist Valentines/hearts, and the Crafty Little Fairies Love challenge . 

And now for some exciting news (in case you missed the new badges on my sidebar).  Mitzi Sato-Wiuff of Aurora Wings has opened a new monthly Challenge Blog and has asked me to join the Design Team.  Although the challenges do not start until March 17th, there will be weekly interviews of us gals until then.  Be sure to stop by and follow the blog, because Mitzi has generously offered up a Freebie and coupon code (under the "Offers" tab at the top).  Also, if you just can't wait, there is a contest, more freebies and all sorts of good stuff going on on the Facebook Group.  Hope to see you there.

Ike's World Anything Goes

Here's a little something for the Ike's World Anything Goes Challenge.  As soon as I saw this hilarious Ike's Art Kat Phish image (keep scrolling, you'll find it) I knew exactly what I was gonna do with it.  You all know I love me some kitties (and Ike does fab ones, both cute and sort of creepy) but I also consider pizza a separate food group and could probably eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner, 7 days a week.  My fave is Deep Dish Chicago Style with pepperoni and sausage, but if I ate it as often as I like, I'd weigh 1000 lbs.  Generally, I order thin crust veggie or some other travesty and then just drool over my husband's thick, juicy meat lover's pie. I just want a taste, or bite of that rich, thick crust, or perhaps one slice, if I'm feeling particulary decadent.  But NOOOO!!!!  Hubby doesn't want to share.  When he brings it home, he immediately opens a tin of anchovies and not only lays them all over every slice, but even pours the 'chovy adulterated olive oil ALL OVER THE WHOLE thing so that no morsel escapes that foul fishy taste.  BLAH!!!!!  So there ya go, my inspiration.  The sentiment is computer generated and I've colored the kitty with Copics to look like my Goliath.  I dare say even HE thinks Daddy goes overboard with the anchovies.  (BTW, the pizza slice was a free coloring digi I found on the net.)  And speaking of Freebies, Ike offers a Freebie image to use for each challenge so there's no excuse not to play along.  And it just happens to be a (really cute) kitty this time, but you have to hurry, 'cause the challenge ends early tomorrow.

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Monday A is for... (anchovy) Challenge and the Simons Says Wednesday Let's Have a Laugh Challenge.

Macabre Monday Fresh Blood

WooHoo!  The Minions of Haunted Design House have crawled back out of the dungeon for another year of creepy goodness, and in honor of our newest victim (I mean Minion Sister Monique) our challenge is FRESH BLOOD.  The interpretation is a bit up for grabs.  You may choose to do something totally new to you, or go the more literal vampish route as I did.

I chose to alter a bottle which started out like this. (Conveniently, I had to empty the entire contents before continuing (hic!).  That writing proved to be pretty stubborn and after trying all kinds of solutions that didn't make a dent, I resorted to scraping it off with the blade of a scissors.  Amazing it didn't even begin to scratch the surface of that glaze, either.

 Now here's where I wish I'd taken progress pix because I went through a bit of a rigamorole with the next step.  I've been wanting to try image transfer as in Minion Bro Mark's Tut HERE.  I used the Nosferatu Digi Image by Rick St. Dennis (which unfortunately seems to be NLA) flipped and printed it onto regular copy paper.  I cut the image out with a Nestie's Oval and used Matte Medium on both the bottle surface and the printed side of the image, adhered it to the bottle, smoothing out all bubbles, etc. and let it dry over night. (Sorry about the pic.  Couldn't seem to get one without glare no matter where I took it)  when I went to wet the paper and began to rub the top layer away, I noticed that it ALL rubbed easily off the bottle and I was afraid I would lose my image totally so I took a craft knife and cut down to the bottle through the paper and removed everything but the printed image.  Then I VERY CAREFULLY began to rub what was left over the image.  As I did this in stages, I'd blot the image periodically and could see the white haze that was left over the image from the paper.  I'd wet it again and start to rub, but noticed the haze disappeared when it was wet.  HHHmm....  When it dried again with the haze I was just about to rub it all off and start over when I decided to paint over the image with Gloss ModPodge and the haze disappeared.  Mark mentioned this in his tut but I sort of glossed over that point.  would have saved me a panic attack had I read more carefully.  LOL  A few more coats and I was good to go.  Fortunately I had stickers for the rest of the bottle and, with a little help from a friend (thanks, Sweetie!), came up with a name for this special vintage.

The vintage label was cut with my Bat Nesties (Thanks, Glo!) out of Fun Foam and adhered at the wings tips around the bottle neck.  Not pleased with the etching of the date but nothing wanted to write on that foam and all the stickers and number dies I had were too big, so it is what it is.  The blood drips were done with a hot glue gun and painted with nail poish and the bloody gums are dimensional glue dots stuffed in the open part of the plastic vamp teeth and also glazed with polish.  It felt so good getting my creep on again.  Hope you come join us again in the dungeon.  Our challenges will run for 2 weeks like last year and just a reminder that this is WEEK 2.  Please be sure to check out the fab Offering from WEEK 1 HERE (if you haven't already) as well.

I'm also entering this in the Left of Center Scary Stories (Diary of a Vampire) challenge and Simon Says Monday "A" is for...Altered (Bottle).

Dilly Beans Mardi Gras Colors

There's a new Challenge at Dilly Beans, use Mardi Gras Colors.  That means we want to see Green, Purple and Gold.  You may use any theme, but I love the festive spirit of Mardi Gras so I went quite literally with the adorable #484 Adriana's Mask Framed.  I colored Adriana with Copics and a metallic gold Sharpie for her mask.  I found some green specialty paper from M's that I've had FOREVER and thought it look a bit like fireworks but couldn't manage to make the frame work with it, so I fussy cut her and mounted her on a metallic doily.  I jazzed up her mask with some feathers and glittery metallic bow and cut the sentiment with my Cuttlebug.  Looks like she's ready to celebrate BIG TIME.  My teamies have come up with loads of inspiration so stop by the Challenge Blog and take a peek.  And did you know that you now have 2 weeks to join our challenge as we've gone bi-weekly for the new year?  Hope to see you there.

I'm also entering this in the Addicted to Stamps and More Holidays Challenge, 613 Avenue Create ATG/Party/ Celebrate, the Crafter's Cafe Bling it On, Simon Says Monday ATG, the STAMPlorations Stamps and Feathers Challenge and Digi Stamps4Joy Glitter and Sparkle.

Lacy Sunshine Valentina

Here's my card for the contest going on on the Lacy Sunshine Facebook Fan page.  Fans could email Heather for the adorable Valentina (scroll down for yours) and create a card with her. I think she's the sweetest and she was so much fun to color with my Copics, that I had to play along.   I remembered a candy conversation heart digi from ADFD and enlarged it for a background.  Changed the colors of the lettering and colored them with Copics as well.  The background mat is embossed with tiny conversation hearts too.

Just look at her sweet face.  She's fussy cut and popped and the little heart she's holding is a puffy sticker from M's I got a couple of years back.

The background hearts were fussy cut as well and I've added hugs and kisses with colored and heart shaped Alpha Beads.  Trying hard to get back into the swing of crafting.

I'm also entering this in the Lacy Sunshine ATG Challenge, 613 Avenue Create ATG/ Party/Celebrate Challenge, Simon Says Monday ATG, Suzy B's Bloomin' Cute and Sweet Challenge, DLART Thankful Thursday Hearts Challenge, Make it Monday #174 and TTRCD Jan14-20th ATG.

The 11th Day of Creepmas

Seriously?  the 11th Day of Creepmas?  Eiyiyi! I've certainly been having a ball participating in this fab Blog Hop sponsored by Smeared Ink and the fabulous Smeared and Smudged Forum.   Blog roll on my sidebar.  Well here ya go.  A snow globe easel card using the fab Evil Snowman from my HDH Minion Sister Teri at Delicious Doodles.  The snow globe itself is a digi from Lacy Sunshine.  I hope they don't have a heart attack seein' what I've put in there.  LOL

I've printed the snowman several times, colored him with Copics, fussy cut, layered, popped him for dimension and added a skull (like a snowball) in his hands cut from the Delicious Doodles Skully Xmas Wreath.  The snow globe itself is made from packaging from tape filled with Flower Soft, and Mica Flakes.

The sentiment is an ancient Rub-On and I've added some snowflakes cut with  a Tim Holtz Snowflake Die and topped with more skullies from the DD Wreath.

Here's a better shot (sort of, it's late and crappy lighting) of the dimension and easel.  I hope you all love this one as much as I do.  Now off you go to Violent Kittie.  I can't believe there's only one more post to go.  I soo don't want this to end.
 
 I'm also entering this in the Delicious Doodles White Christmas Challenge, the Lacy Sunshine Celebrations Challenge, the Simon Says Monday Use a Stamp Challenge and the Left of Center Christmas Challenge.

Down the Rabbit Hole for Simply Steampunk

Here's the last of my showcase pieces this month for Simply Steampunk using the fabulous Down the Rabbit Hole digi from the Alice in Wonderland Steampunk Style release, available only at SBS.  I knew from the get go that I wanted to do this one in a dimensional style to give the impression that Alice is truly looking down the rabbit hole so I printed the image once on white cardstock to color and then resized it and printed it on kraft to fussy cut and pop the roots.

Here's a better look at the fab digi.  I've colored with Copics and cut around the hole and glued to DP by Tim Holtz.

The fussy cut roots were popped using 2 layers of foam to give more dimension.  This made the edges  fairly unattractive so I used Washi tape around the entire thing to neaten it up.  The Alice sentiments were in my stash and of course I've added a pocket watch and gears 'cause I just can't get enough of them.  LOL

It really was too thick for a card that opened, so I decided to add an easel back, cut from a Tim Holz die, to make it a standing frame.  It folds flat for storage, but for now I'm enjoying having it sit on my desk.  (Fortunately it doesn't take up too much room.  LOL)  Be sure to visit Simply Steampunk for loads of inspiration using the Alice in Wonderland Steampunk collection all month long.  And don't forget our current Party Invitation challenge that runs through December 5th.  It can be any type of party, as long as it's in the Steampunk style so I hope you can join us.

I'm also entering thhis in the Left of Center Washi Tape or Twine Challenge (I've used Washi around the edges), Fab 'n' Funky Anything Goes, Simon Says Monday It's a Mystery (What's down that Rabbit Hole?), The Outlawz Monday Greeting Card No rubber Stamps (only digi's) Challenge, 613 Avenue Creates ATG, and TTRCD Nov 19th-25th ATG.

Outlawz Sunday CAS Challenge Bright November

I love playing on the Outlawz Forum because they have a challenge for every day of the week.  One of my faves is the Sunday CAS Challenge because CAS is REALLY a challenge for a gal who likes to "pile it on".  LOL  I was so excited to be invited to be Guest Designer for November.  The first challenge of the month is Bright November, a color challenge using some or all of the colors GREEN, YELLOW, ORANGE, PINK, and BLUE.  The card can be any theme, but must be CAS and BRIGHT.  I used a favorite Autumn quote and surrounded it by falling leaves from two different sized (ancient) punches.  The large ones were out of solid card stock and inked with Distress, the smaller punched from card stock I'd sprayed with Dylusions Sprays.  The background was also sponged with Distress.  Easy peasy and lots of fun.  If you haven't joined the Outlawz Forum, I encourage you to check it out.  It's a great group of supportive crafters and they have fabulous sponsors, as well.  Hope to see you there.

I'm also entering this in the Hiding in my Craftroom Fall Colors, Ladybug Crafts November Autumn Colors, Simon Says Monday ATG, Simon Says Wednesday ATG, Glitter 'n' Sparkle Use Some Leaves and Seemacrafts Bright and Colorful November.

Dilly Beans Fall Colors

If you're looking for the Dia de los Muertos Blog Hop, please scroll down.

OOOPS!  I'm a little late in posting my Dilly Beans this week  Friday was a very busy day.  Our challenge this week is Fall Colors.  I'm always a bit sad when a holiday passes and of course Halloween is no exception.  I have a tendency to stretch out the season so my decorations linger, and linger, and...LOL  So I couldn't help using one of the fab new images Megan has added to the shop.  This is #576 Monster's Candy Garland.  Isn't he cute?  He obviously doesn't want Halloween to end either, hence the sentiment.  I've colored with Copics and added some eyets to thread with twine through the tab.  Pretty CAS but fun to make.  Be sure to stop by Dilly Beans to see the fab inspiration by my teamies and come play along. 

I'm also entering this in the Simon Says Monday ATG, Simon Says Wednesday ATG, and Craftitude ATG with String or Twine.