Playing with New Goodies

Went to the Scrapbook Expo yesterday and did a little shopping.  When I unpacked, it was actually less than I thought.  WOW!  Such restraint!  You should have seen last year (much of which I've still not even opened.  LOL)

But anyway, today's crap weather kept me in and playing with some of my new goodies.  Look at all that hail!

I made this male birthday card for the Outlawz Sunday CAS and also to fit in 2 of the other Outlawz Challenges, as well.  This is my second for Twisted Thursday Metallics and I finally tried some of the Nuvo Gilding Flakes I'd not opened from last year.  The third Outlawz challenge is for the Festive Fridays Lots of Glitter theme because all of that black in between the clockworks is Basic Black Silk Microfine Glitter from Elizabeth Craft, applied through a Tim Holtz Stencil.  (Sorry I couldn't get a glittery shot with my camera.)  I applied some Perfect medium to the back of the stencil so I'd be able to remove it from the tape on the card stock and then burnished silver and gold Gilding Flakes to the pattern that was left.  Then finished it off with a sticker sentiment and black border.  Definitely different than my usual style, but I can't wait to do a bit more experimenting with this technique.

I'm also entering this is the DL.Art March Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #223 AG,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #77 AG, TTRCD Week of Feb 27 AG (using Sponsor Sparkle and Sprinkle products) and Simon Says Wednesday AG. 

You Don't Look 60

It's Janis's Birthday month and she's got a fun celebration going on at Her Peaceful Garden until March 3rd.  It's nearing the end of her celebration but I've got yet ANOTHER kitty ATC for the Week One All Those Cats Challenge.  Of course there are other themes, but you know I love me some KITTIES, so there ya go.  

Besides, I just HAD to color up this cute new kitty from Bloobel called Hunting Felix Cat.  He actually comes as just the  kitty, but I thought it would be fun to have him peeking out of a birthday present so I pasted him over the little kiddle in Bloobel's Peekaboo Present my Printmaster Platinum Program and colored him up with my Copics.  I just couldn't resist some googly eyes to emphasize the computer generated sentiment.

So I was up pretty early today (3:00 am) considering going to the Scrapbook Expo in Pleasanton, hoping to score some goodies.  We'll see about that.  In the meantime, I'm also adding this to DL.Art March Linky Challenge, SUYP February AG/Kitty Love, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG,  2 Crafty Critter Crazies March AG w/critter, and Simon Says Wednesday AG.

Katurday Night Fever!

It's Janis's Birthday month and she's got a fun celebration going on at Her Peaceful Garden until March 3rd.  I'm kind of late to the game, but finally managed my second ATC for the Week One All Those Cats Challenge.  Of course there are other themes, but you know I love me some KITTIES, to there ya go. Besides, this fits a few more challenges I wanted to participate in and today is the last day for the Outlawz Festive Fridays Card with Numbers theme and the new Twisted Thursdays Metallics theme.  See that groovy disco ball?

The hilarious image is #2045 Katurday Night Fever by Sandra Caldwell, colored with Copics with a fair amount of Stickles on his suit and shirt.  The numbers are from the Winnie White Christmas Big Kahuna Download kit from Polkadoodles.

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art March Linky Challenge, SUYP February AG/Kitty Love, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG,  2 Crafty Critter Crazies March AG w/critter, Simon Says Wednesday AG, 

Winter Friends Tag

I went shopping yesterday on Digi Choosday at Polkadoodles and did some major damage.  I love the sweet images and fabulous kits and just couldn't resist the Winnie White Christmas Big Kahuna Download kit.  Not only did it have all of the adorable black and white digis I'd been eyeing, to color at my leisure, but also GOBS of papers, elements, precolored images...the list goes on and on!

I didn't have a whole lot of time, but I wanted to try out my new goodies and join in the Outlawz Festive Friday challenge using the theme Winter Friends so I opened my Printmaster Platinum program and started playing.  I digitally assembled this tag using the tag itself plus the precolored trees, and cute snowman and friends.  Thought that little bird would look cute on a branch, layered some snowflakes and printed it out.  WOW!  I was so impressed with the quality I can't wait to do more.  

I cut the tag out, punched a hole at the top and added a punched reinforcement in a coordinating print that was just laying on my table.  Strung some twine from DL.Art and added some Nuvo Drops to the snowflakee centers and Nuvo glitter glue to the snow (which doesn't seem to want to show up) and called it done.  LOVE it!

I'm also adding this to the Digi Choosday Craft Challenge #9 AG, the Friday Wk #8 AG Challenge at Polkadoodles, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, Simon Says Wednesday AG,...

Kitty ATC for Janis's B-day Challenge

It's Janis's Birthday month and she's got a fun celebration going on at Her Peaceful Garden until March 3rd.  I'm kind of late to the game, but finally managed my first ATC for the Week One All Those Cats Challenge.  Adorable image called Fluffball, is from Limited Runs and is the February Progressive challenge Freebie on FB.  If you did not play last month, you can nab it for a mere $1.00 until March 13th HERE.  I've colored with Copics and used paper and a sticker from the Meow stack from Echo Park.

Fluffball reminds me of Jezebel in what I call her "cat pancake" pose.  She is definitely a fluffball and seems to be in a ribbon phase at the mo.

And she looks MAHVELOUS!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, SUYP February AG/Kitty Love, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, and the Outlawz Monday Greetings AG.

The Outlawz Progressive from Beccy's Place

Wow, it's not even the last day and here I've finished the February Outlawz Progressive challenge with a lovely image provided by Beccy's Place.  This beautiful stamp is called Wild Rose and all of Beccy's digital images come with both line drawings and precolored versions if you need a quickie.  WooHoo!  She also has clear stamp sets for those who prefer.  Beccy also offers fabulous inspiration and freebies on her Blog and a huge number of card fold tutorials.  Thank you so much, Beccy!

I really enjoyed coloring this gorgeous image with Copics and even used a bit of white pencil for blending purposes because I gotta say, I layered lots and LOTS of colors here trying to find a pleasing mix.  I also used a white gel pen and some Nuvo drops in the centers.  When I was finally satisfied, I really lucked out in finding this Spellbinders die I'd never used and miraculously, the image fit perfectly inside.  I left the sentiment off because I figured it could work for many occasions and finished the design with 3 punched butterflies (from Martha Stewart) that I shaded with Copics to coordinate and a double bow using crinkle ribbon from DL.Art.

I'm also adding this to the Beccy's Place February Challenge, DL.Art Thankful Thursday AG challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, Dragonfly Dreams Flowers, Simon Says Monday In My Garden and the Corrosive Challenge AG.

Lucky Me!

EEEK!  I just could wait to get this cutie on a card and enter a few challenges with her.  It's the last day to get this adorable Shamrock Sprite as a Gift w/Purchase at Aurora Wings.com or AuroraWings Etsy with only a $5.00 purchase AFTER a Coupon code which also expires at midnight tonight.  Thursday's Showcase features some gorgeous new images so if you haven't checked them out, be sure you do that too.  My card is pretty simple, using Spellbinders Grand Circles and Fancy Circle dies, some peel off stickers for the sentiment, hearts, corners and borders, a few gems and a bow.

The fun part was coloring.  Here's a closeup of Shamrock Sprite.  I've colored her with Copics in rather non traditional shamrock colors but I did take a peek of images on Yahoo and found that they some in a variety of shades, not all of them being green.  Of course she's perfect for St.Patrick's Day, but she's cute for really any time you want to wish someone luck or are feeling lucky, don'tcha think? 

So in case you missed the Coupons, here they are.  Mitzi will email you a copy of Shamrock Sprite within 24 hours of purchase and in the meantime you can have fun with what you bought to get her for free.  WooHoo!

You might want to check out our current Bingo Challenge and see if you might want to enter that too.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through March 17th)

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop 

Aurora Wings FB Group 

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'll be entering the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, QKR Stampede #284 AG, and the Colour Crazy Craft Challenge Wk 8 AG, the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Lucky Green, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, TTRCD week of Feb 20 AG, Crafty Gals Corner #159 Add a heart (they're small, but they're there), Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#222 AG, Pile it On #139 Stickers or Washi tape, 613 Avenue Create AG, the Corrosive Challenge AG, ...

Celebrating with The Outlawz!

The Outlawz Forum is celebrating it's 7th birthday all month long with a Blog Hop featuring a DT member from each of the weekly challenges, games, prizes and a fabulous special challenge using the gorgeous Sunflowers image provided by Outlawz DT member Andrea Norris of SheepSki Designs.  The Challenge folder is on the Outlawz Challenges FB Group page.  Not a member?  Ask to join the Forum AND the FB Group.  It's such a fun, supportive and inspirational group.  I love playing there.

Here's a closeup of the gorgeous Sunflowers image no 112. I've colored with Copics and added some gold Stickles to the centers to coordinate with the embellies from K&Co and Little B.  I've also used the sketch from this week's Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  I never used sketches until I joined that challenge.  Now I try to never miss it.  It's saved my butt more than once.  LOL

I'm also entering the Sheepki Designs FB Challenge, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, QKR Stampede #284 AG, TTRCD week of Feb 20 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#222 AG, Pile it On #139 3D embellishments, and the Colour Crazy Craft Challenge Wk 8 AG .

A final Entry for Holley's Celebration

Holley Tondre Barnhart is celebrating her 8th year of seizure free health with a month long event on her blog.  You can get the details HERE and read about her amazing journey to health HERE.  Read it and be truly inspired!

In honor of this anniversary, Sandra Caldwell is offering 4 stamps for only $1.50, to participate in a contest with prizes.  You can find the details for the Hip Hip Hippo celebration HERE. My final card, which may or may not count because I don't see the Linky any more, features #2036 Bunni Hippo.  I've colored him with Copics and added Flower Soft to his tail.

I've used a number of dies from Gina Marie and Lawn Fawn plus some cute shaker Easter eggs I found at Target yesterday to make a dimensional card I'm also entering in the Outlawz Festive Fridays 3D Card theme.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art February Linky Party, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, Two Crafty Critter Crazies Feb AG/w Critter (5/5), and Crafty Animals AG/w animal and Pile it on #139 3D Embellishments.

Another for Hip Hip Hippo on Holley's Blog Celebration

Holley Tondre Barnhart is celebrating her 8th year of seizure free health with a month long event on her blog.  You can get the details HERE and read about her amazing journey to health HERE.  Talk about an uplifting story, WOW!

In honor of this anniversary, Sandra Caldwell is offering 4 stamps for only $1.50, to participate in a contest with prizes.  You can find the details for the Hip Hip Hippo celebration HERE.  Only a couple days left and I have a hair appointment tomorrow which, at my age, cuts into the crafting BIG TIME, so I managed a second card today using #1712 Doctor Hippo.  He's colored with Copics with a little help from a silver gel pen.  I was all set to use some cute pastel argyle DP when I started rifling around my stash and found this "Once Upon a Time" Collection from Heartfelt Creations I'd never used.  Thought it made a good Get Well card for a male, so I switched gears and roughed it up a bit.  Turned out kinda cute, I think.

I'm also entering this in the Outlawz Festive Fridays Get Well Theme, the DL.Art February Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, Your Scrapbook Place February AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#221 AG,...

Ballerina Hippo for Holley's Celebration

Holley Tondre Barnhart is celebrating her 8th year of seizure free health with a month long event on her blog.  You can get the details HERE and read about her amazing journey to health HERE.  Holley is a very special and talented lady and shares her blessings with friends, family and all who know her.

In honor of this anniversary, Sandra Caldwell is offering 4 stamps for only $1.50, to participate in a contest with prizes.  You can find the details for the Hip Hip Hippo celebration HERE.  This time I'm using #1592 Ballerina Hippo. I've colored this cutie with Copics, cut her with a Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One die (inked with Spun Sugar Distress while still in the die) and popped her on top of another Spellbinders die, Luscious Labels One.

I've followed the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch, using my "go to" ballerina papers from MAMBI, actually called  "Baby Girl".  Yummy pinks, for sure.  I've matted each print with a darker solid and strung tulle through the lacy die.  More tulle as a base for the rose all tied up with ribbon.  Don't you agree she is "tutu"cute?

I'm also entering this in the Outlawz Saturday Paper ala Mode Lots of Layers,  DL.Art Thankful Thursday #222 Pink or Red Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, Your Scrapbook Place February AG, Simon Says Wednesday Add a Die Cut, the Classic Design Team Open Feb 1st Challenge #222,  Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#221 AG, and Two Crafty Critter Crazies Feb AG/w Critter (4/5), and Crafty Animals AG/w animal.

Lets Play BINGO at Aurora Wings

Today begins a new challenge at Aurora Wings and we're playing BINGO.  This is always a fun challenge with lots of opportunities to get creative.  We're pretty lenient on how you interpret the board.  Yes, you do need to follow a row,

but you can choose any combination within, be it just the colors, just the elements, a combination, or both.  WooHoo!  

I was extremely excited by Mitzi's newest image Ice Flower, available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy and had to use her IMMEDIATELY.  She speaks to my childhood, and also to the current Winter Olympic Games, so I've followed that theme using the middle row down of yellow, pink, blue as well as glitter, die cuts and layers.

Here's a closeup of Ice Flower prior to fussy cutting.  She's colored with Copics with Stardust Stickles adorning her costume for extra sparkle. Her gorgeous layback position certainly captures the beauty and drama of the sport.

My original plan was to do the Olympic Rings in the original colors and do a Bingo color "blackout".  But the primary brights left 4 more colors to address, with purple and pink for her costume.  All together it just didn't fly so plans changed and I opted for just the middle row down instead.

I then made the Olympic Rings using Spellbinders Circle dies out of pale yellow glitter paper which was a bit too pale against the soft blue background DP so I backed each with matte gold metallic to make them stand out a bit more.  Then I positioned Ice Flower to look like she is not only embracing the Olympic Games, but reaching for gold.  The Amy Design Wintertide die hanging from the corner is another nod to the Winter Games, but also could be a hair ornament or crown for these exquisite athletes.

I added an icy swirl (also from the Wintertide collection) in blue to suggest speed and movement on the ice and carry that color through a bit more.  How convenient that I found DP with a white glitter bottom to suggest the ice gradually turning to pale blue with glitter snowflakes for the background of my piece.  Finally, I'd planned to use the sentiment "Dream" but found "Believe" on my desk, already cut in pink.  Even better!   If you don't believe in yourself, how can you ever hope to achieve your dreams?

Now, on a personal note...  Ice skating is dear to my heart because I took lessons from the time I was 5 until age 12.  It was a special Daddy and daughter time.  Here's a picture at an outdoor rink when I was just starting to skate (circa 1959 or early 1960).  I still have the sweater he's wearing and it actually fits me now.  LOL  (He was kind of a little guy)  My Dad was a fabulous skater, an ice dancer actually, and I always felt so special skating with him.  He even built a rink in our backyard for me to practice on for years when the weather permitted.  Very fond memories but I better stop now.  Getting kind of teary eyed.  Once a Daddy's Girl, ALWAYS a Daddy's Girl.  xxx

Please be sure stop by the AW Challenge Blog to welcome my new teamies and enjoy the fabulous inspiration there.  We hope you have a chance to join in, as well, since our challenges are now monthly with a mid-challenge inspiration coming up on March 5th.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge runs through March 17th)

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 February Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 AG, Simon Says Wednesday Add a Die Cut, the ModSquad Challenge Winter Theme, the Corrosive Challenge #2 AG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Winter, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC#221 AG, QKR Stampede #283 AG, Crafting from the Heart #195, the Classic Design Team Open Feb 1st Challenge #222 ...