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)...

Mid Challenge Inspiration for the Aurora Wings Sketch Challenge #70

EEEEK!  It's September!  Do you believe that Fall (my favorite season) is almost here?  The Aurora Team is back with the Mid-Challenge Inspiration for our fabulous Sketch challenge so I'll refresh your memory by re-posting this beautiful versatile sketch.

As I've said before, I'm sort of a rule follower, especially when it comes to sketches, but I'm always in awe of those who can tweak the "blueprint" in intriguing ways without losing the essence of the design, so feel free to do so.

I've again used my Marianne Creatables die for the base of this card.  Not only does it showcase Mitzi's beautiful images perfectly, but it was perfect for the sketch, too. The upper left image is Hydrangea Fairy and the bottom right is Hydrangea 2, both available exclusively on AuroraWings.com.  Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers and you can see the whole collection of them from Aurora Wings HERE.

Here's a closeup of Hydrangea Fairy.  She's colored with Copics in the more subtle hues of Summer's fading blooms.  The flowers are sprinkled here and there with Nuvo Drops and I've glittered her fairy Wings with Stardust Stickles, then fussy cut and popped with foam.

I've used the single Hydrangea 2 for the bottom corner.  Again, it was colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped.  The Spellbinders sentiment was cut 5 times and glued together to add dimension, as well.  I've added it at an angle to reference the sketch somewhat.

Here's a better dimensional shot.  Each layer was popped with foam and, as you can see, I wasn't completely satisfied with the coloring alone and decided to fussy cut additional blooms and a few petals of her skirt.  This made a huge impact IRL, but maybe not so much here.  I'm also a bit disappointed the the embossing details of the background die are barely visible in the pix, but they are beautiful.

Of course I had to do the same for Hydrangea 2 but the size of the individual petals required reading glasses OVER contacts as I struggle to cut and paste.  After the 5th, my eyes (and fingers) said "No more!", but all in all it was worth it (to me anyway).

My Aurora Team sisters have some phenomenal inspiration for you in the Mid-Challenge Post so I hope you stop over and take a look.  This challenge runs through September 15th so there's plenty of time to join in.  

I hope everyone who celebrates is having a fabulous Labor Day weekend and I'd like to remind you that this is the final day for the Labor Day sale on Etsy.  Digi stamps on AW Etsy only through today with an additional 10% with SAVE10.

Here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through September 15th)

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 September Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #89 AG (1/3), the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Special Occasion /non birthday , Simon Says Wednesday AG (4/5), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #249 AG (2/3), Colour Crazy Challenge Wk 35 AG, Classic DT Open September AG (1/3), Creative Fingers #151 AG, Crafts Galore Encore Sept. AG, Crafty Creations #373 AG, the Crafter's Cafe #203 3 of Something (3 hydrangea blooms), Mix It Up challenge Blog Sept #17 AG + Layering, ...

New Challenge at Aurora Wings

A brand new challenge starts today on the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and this time we have a sketch for you to follow.  

I'm kind of a rule follower, and not the most creative with sketch interpretations, but as soon as I saw this one I know I'd be using the AuroraWings.com exclusive digi set called Lost in the Woods.  I love the little Tomte giving directions to the snail.  The set includes them with a full background as well, but what made it so perfect for this challenge is that BOTH of the floral corners are available separately as part of the set as well, so I had all that I needed right there.  WooHoo!

Here's a closeup of these cuties.  I've colored the with Copics and cut and matted them with Spellbinders Grand Circles popped on some DP from K&Co. The snail shell was a bit of a challenge, and I have to admit, I walked away from it several times and almost started over, but I kept at it and in the end, it turned out to be my favorite part. This is a better color shot than above, as I wanted to shoot the full project outside and couldn't manage to color correct for the lighting. The shade gave everything a bit of a bluish cast but the sun either washed it all out or gave harsh shadows.  The background was done with a combo of Copics, Distress Ink and chalk to get the effect I was going for.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker.

I flipped the top floral spray vertically to better work with the sketch.  Again, I've colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped it on a frame I assembled using the Elizabeth Crafts Happy Frame XL die.

The same treatment was done with the bottom floral spray and here you have a little better view of the embossed strips I added to the dimensional frame.  When assembling I decided the dark frame with the dark circular mat wasn't gonna fly but I wasn't about to start over with the frame.  Cutting strips of a lighter green helped immensely, but I still needed some more interest so I ran them through my Cuttlebug with and older leaf folder and inked them lightly with Distress.  I decided I liked the little bit of overhang and finally tied it all together (literally) with some twine at the corners.  This way I still had a bit of the dark frame showing on the edges and also inside to further showcase the lovely images.

I hope you find this inspiring and come join our new challenge.  Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog and take a look at the gorgeous work by my Stella teamies as well.

Here's how to keep up with all that's happening at Aurora Wings.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through September 15th)

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 int he DL.Art August Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #88 AG (1/3), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #247 AG (1/3), 613 Avenue Create #212 AG/Optional Fantasy, the Colour Crazy Challenge Week 33 AG (1/2), the Outlawz Festive Fridays AG theme, Crafty Friends #90 (1/3), Creative Fingers #151 AG (1/3), Aud Sentiment #210 AG/w sentiment (1/5), Classic DT Open #8 AG (2/3), the World Wide Design Team Open #8 (1/3), Crafty Creations#372 AG ,  Crafting by Designs August (2/3), Scrapy Land Challenge #96 AG w/die brands sold by SL (Elizabeth Crafts and Spellbinders) ...