Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Here's a quickie for the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.  This fab event happens 4 times a year for coffee, tea and cocoa lovers and the inspiration and sponsors are beyond amazing. However, I've been having so much fun hopping that I haven't posted any cards.  Yikes!  Of course I could have made a head start, but that's not my system.  So here's a quickie using the hilarious Lost Tea digi from Bloobel Stamps.  Obviously from the sentiment, my chick isn't spitting out tea, but that coffee impostor, also known as DECAF!  She's colored with Copics and cut with a Double Stitched Circle die from super sponsor Kat Scrappiness.
*EDITED*  I FOUND the DIGI PAPER! Yay, me!  HERE it is!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #60 AG  and Simon Says Wednesday Use Pattered Paper.

Pigs Might Fly

Here's one for the Bloobel Progressive challenge on FB.  Of course I picked out my free stamp for joining in the previous month, but I also felt compelled to purchase any others that may be used for the challenge.  You can see them all HERE and use the coupon FANTASTIC50 to get 50% off one or all until the end of the month.  I chose this one to do first because I suggested a flying pig way back when and the quirky Pigs Might Fly image was the original result (Lisa said, at the time, she didn't know how to draw a pig.  LOL).  Well, the suggestion was made again for the Progressive challenge, and lo and behold, meet Fairy Pig. Just had to put them together and it gave me a chance to try the clouds and sky background from the August 2016 Monthly Marker class from Kit and Clowder. Yup, all colored with Copics. Way fun!  Yay, me!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #60 AG.

Bottoms UP! (for the Sisterhood)

As soon as I saw the current challenge at Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers I just knew I had to play along. I did not, however think it would take me until today, with a little less than 6 hours to go (and it's a 2 week challenge) to get this done.  But I finally DID!  Yay, ME!  So here ya go for D is for DRUNK.

I hate to say this is semi autobiographical, but my BFF from college and I sure used to attract the LOSERS when we hit the bars for "girl's night out".  We'd even make bets on which gross dude would ask us to dance first.  Edna would not be amused.  Not necessarily THIS Edna, my MOM Edna.  (But she didn't know shit since I was hundreds of miles away, so there ya go.)

Anyway, my little dive bar scene is comprised of stamps from Bloobel.  What a RIOT, eh?  We've got Barney Beer, One Glass of Wine (One?  Nah, this is a job for a bottle or two at least) and a cropped version of All Shades of Green (flipped because even though she's a thought bubble, actually looking at the dude might cause her to...)  Okay then, I'm done.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #60 AG  and Simon Says Wednesday Use Pattered Paper.

WooHoo!  It's GOOD to be QUEEN!

Last Day for Kat Paws Challenge

All good things must come to an end, and today is the last day for my Kat Paws challenge in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group and the 50% off sale on Etsy.  You can see the 6 kitty stamps chosen for this challenge HERE, but it all ends at midnight PDT.  This final cutie I'm sharing is #1607 Birdy Snack Kat, one of the two brand new kitty stamps Sandra drew for this challenge.  She's colored with Copics and the ancient DP from DCWV did all the rest of the work, except for the computer generated sentiment.  Even the sparkle is part of the paper.  WooHoo!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, SUYP (cats only) Furrything Goes #19, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG, Crafting by Design Animals,and Simon Says Wednesday Use Pattered Paper.

The 'Purr'incess is Not A'mews'ed

Only two more days for my Kat Paws Challenge in the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group which means the sale of the 6 kitty stamps ends too.  You can see them all HERE.  I'm showcasing #482 Kitty Angel Princess sitting on her Sizzix throne and looking a bit peeved.  She's colored with Copics with gold gel pen detailing on her crown.  She's fussy cut and popped on the seat with a Spellbinders Fancy Label die featuring a computer generated sentiment in her lap.  The "throne" die comes with an embossing folder and I've used Core'dinations Cardstock which I've sanded for details.  'Purr'haps I should have used a background with more contrast, but my Jezebel insisted on PINK. HURRY!  Sale and challenge ends at June 22 at 12:00 am PDT.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, SUYP (cats only) Furrything Goes #19, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG, Crafting by Designs Animals, Inspiration Destination #130 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Use Pattered Paper, Shopping Our Stash #308 Think Pink.

Merry Christmoose

Y'all know I love playing on the Outlawz Forum and here's a card I've done to fit 3 of their current challenges, Wednesday Sketch, Twisted Thursday/Christmas Twist, and the Festive Friday Christmas theme using the sponsor image Bugaboo.  This little guy is called Moose Present, but he's either retired, or not in the new shop yet.  I think he's adorable.  I've colored with Copic and used a white Posca paint pen for the dots and highlights.  This seems to work better than a gel pen when coloring over darker colors.  The Rick Rack is velvet from my stash, sentiment is computer generated and the DP is from Echo Park.

  Here's the sketch.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #60 AG, Dream Valley #158 Square Cards Only, Cutie Pie All Creatures Great and Small, Weekly Christmas Card Challenge #15 AG, Happy Little Stampers June Christmas challenge, CHNC #338 AG Christmas, CHNC June Christmas Extra, 12 Months of Christmas Link up AG/ Fur, fluff Feathers, or Fins. 

Under the Sea at Aurora Wings

Our new challenge starts to day at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog with the theme of

Easy peasy, or maybe not so much, considering all of the gorgeous digis from Aurora Wings.  In the AW digi shop the gorgeous stamps are conveniently catagorized so you can see all the fabulous mermaids in one spot HERE.  I've chosen the beautiful Jellyfish Dance and made an Altered Double Display Card from a tutorial on Beccy's Place Blog.  The gorgeous digi papers on the front and inside sides are Watercolor Batik from We Are 3 in The Stamping Studio. I've also used DP from Carta Bella and Graphic 45 for the die cuts.

Here's a closeup of Jellyfish Dance, currently only available only on AW.com. She's colored with Copics with accents from Perfect Pearls in both White Opal and Platinum Pearl.  The jellyfish sparkle with Stardust Stickles and I've done the background technique using a Q-tip and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol after coloring with my Copics.

On the left, the seaweed die is from Gina Marie with waves from the Big Splash Border from Memory Box.

On the right, a fan coral die from Gina Marie and another wave border.  Both sea life corners on the second tier are also from Memory Box.  Although a bit delicate, this card still does fold flat for mailing.

Be sure to check out the lovely inspiration from my Aurora Teamies for our new Under the Sea challenge and we hope to see you join in.  And there's also still plenty of time to enter our June FB contest, Something Blue, that ends June 30th.

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 (newly revamped!)

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #60 AG, Pile It On Fancy Folds and/or Birds, Dragonfly Dreams Add Sparkle, the Corrosive Challenge June AG, the Classic Design Team Open June #16 3/3, Crafts Galore Encore June AG, Creatalicious #117 AG/opt. die cuts and punches, Not Just Cards #45 Summer/AG, World wide Open Design Team Challenge #23 (6/15) AG, Your Scrapbook Place June Summer is here, TTRCD AG June 13-19, The Fairy and the Unicorn Challenge #4 AG, Scrapping4Fun Challenges Different Shapes and Folds, Happy Little Stampers June AG with Dies, Sweet Stampers #8 Dies/and or Punches and the Outlawz Tuesday Color Tic Tac Toe Right Column Down.

The Candy Man Can!

It's New Release Day for Sandra Caldwell and I'm showcasing quite the dapper gent.  Meet #1624 Candy Man Hippo.  I wanted to play with a new card design and happened to find fabulous instructions with measurements (in INCHES!) on Beccy's Place blog.  This is my first Bendy card and although I normally would probably change the measurements and play around with it a bit more in the future, the size as is worked for the small amount of the DCWV glitter Sweet Shop DP I had left in my stash.  Hmmm, guess I should have taken a side view of the bends, as the middle bend is not that apparent.  Well, you get the idea. The sentiment was cut from an old Sizzix Halloween die.

Here's a closeup of  #1624 Candy Man Hippo.  He's colored with Copics in candy colors because he's a stylin' guy.  I love his derby, just the kind my grandpa used to wear. (I still have it, although it's not turquoise, LOL)  He's kind of a smooth operator with his winking eye and diamond in his tooth, don'tcha think?
Be sure to check out the design team inspiration from all of the team on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group. 

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky challenge, Crafting with an Attitude #28 AG, Crafty Girls Creations June AG, Creatalicious #117 AG/opt Die Cuts and Punches and Your Scrapbook Place Summer is Here.

While you're there, take a look at the current Kat Paws challenge (I happen to be hosting), nab a couple of the specially discounted kitties HERE and come join in.  This kitty is my namesake, #1052 The Donna Kitty, drawn by Sandra especially for me.  The challenge runs through June 22nd.  Hope to see you there.

Another for Kat Paws

I'm hosting the monthly challenge, Kat Paws June 8-22, in the Sandra Caldwell Stamps Fans FB Group and I've chosen 4 stamps + two bonus new release stamps Sandra made just for the challenge. They are on sale for only $1.50, now through the duration of the challenge.  You can find them all HERE.

This may be my fave of all of them, a new digi Sandra drew just for the challenge called #1606 Fairy Kat.  I rarely color animals in fantasy colors, but I thought she had to be PINK!  She's colored with Copics with the dots done with white gel pen.  I've used Stardust Stickles on her wings and tiny drops of Nuvo on her antennae.  She's fussy cut and popped atop a mat embossed with an old Cuttlebug folder that looks like dandelion heads (you know, the kind you blow to make a wish) and used clear Glitter Nuvo drops for more sparkle.  I cut the sentiment in two shades of pink (also from Cuttlebug) and dotted the "i" with another Nuvo Drop.  Inside it says I'm your Furry Godmother.  HeeHee!

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, SUYP (cats only) June Furrything Goes, Crafty Friends #59 Make it Pink, June Crafty Critter Crazies (3/5), Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #59 AG, Dragonfly Dreams Add Sparkle and Animal Friends June Animals with Wings.

Kat Paws Challenge at Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB Group

I'm hosting the monthly challenge, Kat Paws June 8-22, in the Sandra Caldwell Stamps Fans FB Group and I've chosen 4 stamps + two bonus new release stamps Sandra made just for the challenge. They are on sale for only $1.50, now through the duration of the challenge.  You can find them all HERE.  This inspiration card features #1078 Cat with no Tail because it reminds me of my Goliath who is a "Pixie Bob" with a naturally bobbed tail.  I couldn't resist the "Jingle Bells" reference and made a Christmas card to enter a number of challenges.  Not sure Goliath loves having teeny bells tied to his tail but I think he looks pretty cute.  Come check out my Kat Paws challenge and play with me.

I'm entering this in the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, SUYP (cats only) June Furrything Goes, Kerst/Christmas June FB challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #59 AG, CHNC 337 Non Traditional Christmas Colors, June 2 Crafty Critter Crazies, 12 Months of Christmas Link up AG/ Fur, fluff Feathers, or Fins 
and Sweet Stampin' Monochrome.

Primrose Sprite 3K Members Celebration Freebie from Aurora Wings

Everyone has had a ball at the 3K Members Celebration in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group and here is the Sprite you've all been waiting for.  Meet the adorable Primrose Sprite, a gift for you, available for 24 hours only, on the special Showcase Premier of this cutie.

Here's a closeup of this sweetie, colored with Copics and a white gel pen.  With so many colors of primroses available, I had a hard time choosing, but these bright sunny colors make me happy just looking at them.  Again, she is available for 24 hours only so click HERE to claim her for yourself.

*edited*  I'm sorry the Freebie offer is no longer available, but Primrose Sprite is now available at a reduced price HERE.

Please treat this digi like any other from AuroraWings - Personal use only, and absolutely no sharing of the uncolored image by posting on the web.  If you'd like your friends to have this digi, simply point them to the Showcase blog post so they can get her themselves.  

Don't forget, this coupon will be available through tomorrow on any of the digital images on both AW Etsy and AW.com and if you haven't seen the gorgeous new drool worthy images yet, be sure to check out yesterday's Showcase Extravaganza.  

My little tag was made using the using the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art June Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #59 AG and Create and Inspire #63 AG/ Optional Tag.

3000 Member Celebration Showcase for Aurora Wings

It's an exciting day at the Stamps by AuroraWings Facebook Group as we're celebrating 3000 members with a party and Special Showcase Extravaganza. The Showcase, Aurora and Stella teams have come together with an amazing assortment of new images you're sure to fall in love with.  What better way to get this party STARTED!

I'm thrilled to be showcasing Rococco Cinderella Full Version available exclusively at AW.com HERE.  This gorgeous image prints beautifully as a full coloring page or can be resized for smaller projects.  I printed mine half size and matted with several design paper patterns from K&Co, making it suitable for framing.

Here's  Rococco Cinderella Full Version uncolored.  What a great scene for practicing your backgrounds and light source.

Here's a closeup.  I know such large expanses of background can seem daunting, but by breaking it down, and working a section at a time, it's not only manageable, but a fun way to relax and get lost in the magic you're making.

I've colored entirely with Copics, including some of the fluorescent to capture the glow of her enchanted carriage.  It would be lovely cropped for a card or done in the Spotlight technique too, don't you think?

I'm entering this in the World Wide Open Design Team 15th May Challenge #22 and the Classic Design Team Open June #16.

And what would a celebration be without some new little Sprites?  I've made a CAS card with the png version of Lupine Sprite, available HERE on Etsy and HERE on AW.com by cropping, resizing, flipping and layering bits of the original image to resemble a lovely natural cluster, perfect for a thank you card.  Before printing, I recolored just the cropped lupine flower head digi lines to a soft gray in my Printmaster Platinum program and colored them lightly with Copic V20 and BV01 to keep Lupine Sprite the star.  It was serendipity that the cluster (with sentiment, no less!) fit perfectly in the center of the Grace's Frame Cuttlebug embossing folder and all I had to do was add a mat and pop it all on a 5x6 1/2" card, et voila!  Don't you love it?

I'm entering this in the Outlawz CAS Fave Technique challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Patriotic (or thank you) and Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #59 AG.

Are you excited yet?  Well, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Click HERE to check out the fabulous inspiration of all SIX of the new images by participating members of ALL the AW teams and a sneaky peek silhouette of the freebie that will be available on the Showcase Blog (for 24 hours) in a separate post after the FB party on Saturday at 6:00pm EDT.

In the meantime, here's the coupon for partygoers, good throughout the weekend at both AW.com and AW Etsy.

Now, shall we all head back to the AW FB Group Celebration to play?  Best of luck and have fun!