Life's a Beach!

There's a new Challenge at The East Wind Challenge Blog and as usual, since it's the first of the month, the DT has showcased the adorable Freebie available by signing up for the TEW newsletter (Look for the the big hot pink sign on the left of the sidebar).  Hurry to sign up, if you haven't already, because I'd hate to have you miss Aurora Bubblegun and Mint Chocolate (two of her fave flavors).  Have you guessed the challenge?  We are looking for a Beach Theme.  I've really been having fun with the no background PNG format of the newest TEW stamps and put Aurora right on the beach boardwalk in my Printmaster Program.  Wouldn't this be fun for a layout?  That's why I added the deckle edge with my decorative scissors.  I was going for a vacation photo vibe.

Here's a closer look at Aurora with her fave ice cream flavors.  I've added some Stickles to the scoops on her cone (on the die cut ones from Cottage Cutz, too) and Glossy accents to the chocolate coating....Yumbo!  The cute flag banner is from La La Land and the sentiment is computer generated. The Beach themed DP is an oldie from The DCWV Summer Stack. 

Sure could use a double dip.  It's been so HOT there with no end in sight.  My DT sisters have all done an amazing job with Aurora Bubblegum and Mint Chocolate so be sure to check out the Challenge Blog and come play along.  Remember, the theme is BEACH.  You needn't use this adorable freebie, (although I can't imagine why not, she's so cute!) nor even a TEW stamp, but if you do, don't forget to enter your project twice, once linked to the post, the second to your Blog so you can double your chance of winning.  The challenge runs through Aug 10th, but you can get the Freebie all month long and a new one each month thereafter if you sign up.  And don't forget our current FB contest, Just for a Laugh, which runs through Aug 17th.  Is is really August???

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Wednesday ATG Challenge, the Fairytale Sun Beach, Sea Challenge, the Love to Create Summer Lovin' Challenge, the A Creative Romance Fun in the Sun Challenge, Creative Corner Summer Challenge, Stampin' with the Dragon Sun Sea Sand and the Paper Shelter Summer ATG Challenge.

Anything Goes at A Step in the Dark

Today is my final challenge as GDT at ASITD and I want to thank the lovely ladies for letting me hang with them.  It's really been fun!  The challenge this fortnight is ATG, sponsored by Smeared Ink.  To tell you the truth, I had so many ideas I got a bit overwhelmed with making a decision  (I've got TONS of Smeared Ink Stamps, both digi AND rubber!), but I had a particularly rough day and this was the result.  It's a simple AJ page using, one of the digi papers from the Cranium Pack.  The image is from the Chicks Dig Guns set, colored with Copics and fussy cut.  I changed the color of the paper in my Printmaster Program to a lovely blood red.  The sentiment is computer generated.  Guess which "spree" I chose.  LOL   Be sure to stop by ASITD to see the fab makes by the DT and come play along.

I'm also entering this in the Smudgy Antics Challenge on the Smeared and Smudged Forum.

The Devil Wears Nada for The East Wind

OOOh, I've got a naughty one this morning!  HeeHee!  There's a new character at The East Wind and she debuts today!  Meet Twisted Venus "The Devil Wears Nada".  Isn't that the cutest name?  You'll be seeing more of Twisted Venus in the weeks to come.

Here she is in all her glory, colored with Copics. Thought it might be fun to color her up in red with her drape looking a but singed.  I've made the flame shaped card with my Cricut using matte metallic and orange glitter card stock so it really glows.

My original thought was to have a sentiment about hot flashes (which is why I colored her red to begin with) but then decided on this one. 

Here's the dimensional shot.  I really got a kick out of this one.  You can see more fab examples of this new cutie on The East Wind FB Group Page and don't forget the Just For Laughs FB Contest going on NOW!  The WINNERS of the It's Getting Hot Blog Challenge have just been posted and be sure to come back Friday for a brand new challenge.  If you haven't signed up for the newsletter (top right hand side of the Blog page) You're gonna want to do that now 'cause  the new Freebie that's you'll see Friday is a real sweetie.

I'm entering her at Left of Center (under the LOC theme).

Beachy Keen Challenge at Gecko Galz

I belong to a fun group FB group called Gecko Galz Papercrafting that has some great challenges for using the fabulous stamps, collage sheets and papers from the Gecko Galz Shop.  The July Gecko Galz Customer Challenge is Beachy Keen, found on their Blog.  This month's new Ephemera included the Splish Splash collage set and I immediately thought of making one of those souvenier postcards books with the fabulous images.

The galz from the sheet looked like thay were having a ball, perhaps in Atlantic City so I Googled "Greetings from" and voila! here was exactly what I was looking for for the cover.  I fussy cut one of the ladies from the Splish Splash sheet to the bottom and it was the perfect start for my project.

There was another "Greetings from" that also filled the bill which I decided to use on the back part of the cover.  Seemed like a simiar vintage. 

I printed this one twice so when you opened the cover, you still saw the entire image.  The top inside of the cover is from Splish Splash over my "go to" beach photo from the net and the sentiment is computer generated.  Mini magnets hold the booklet together.

Fully open, I've decorated the bottom inside of the coover with more images.  I've used a deckle edge scissors so they looked like photos.  Inside is the accordian of postcards with images from Splish Splash.

The first two...

 The next...

And finally...

 

Miraculously when I looked for a blank vintage postcard back, I found one on Postcards, etc. from Atlantic City!  I added a little note to the galz on this one and printed the blank back several more times to back each of the individual cards so they could be cut apart and used.  I really had a ball doing a project that's a bit of a change of pace for me, but I certainly plan to do more.  I love the vintage images and fun papers and other goodies at Gecko Galz and their Christmas in July sale (buy one, get one of equal or lesser value) is still going on.  WOOHOO!

Challenge #5 at Aurora Wings

So excited about the new challenge at the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog!  

Can you guess what it is?

Yes!  It's Sprite Delight, those adorable little creatures that have won the hearts of all Aurora Wings fans, and this month we want to see them on your project.

I've made an oh oh... I've forgotten what this card fold is called, and, for that matter, where I found the instructions (if someone could help me out on this, I'd appreciate it).  To be honest, I made the base well over a year ago and it's been rattling around my craft room, waiting for the right project, since then. This was IT! I do know that I decided to try jazzing up the top by punching with a large MS flower punch before assembly and it worked pretty well.  The filligree half round behind is a die from Heartfelt Creations.

 
 So enough of that, let's get to the Sprites! Here we have (from the top down)Kawaii Fairy, Wisteria Sprite, Hydrangea Sprite, and Dahlia Sprite.  I've kept the base all white so as not to detract from the adorable Sprites, but added various punched and dies for added texture among the folds.

And on this side, Morning Glory Sprite, and Calla Lily Sprite.  I've chosen all of these flowers because they grow in my garden and I've colored them with Copics in the same hues I see in my backyard.  Then each was fussy cut and popped on the card.

 

 In the center I have Tiger Lily Sprite, colored as a Stargazer, another Kawaii Fairy (with Stickled wings) and finally Petunia Sprite.  I wish I'd had more room because there are many more Sprites that grow in my garden and you can see them all HERE in the Etsy Shop or HERE in the Aurora Wings Digi Shop.  I remembered the little poem I've seen flitting around on fairy projects on the net and thought it would be perfect for this project.  The die is a Spellbinders Floral Oval. 

I really had fun with this Challenge and my DT sisters obviously did too.  Please visit the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the gorgeous inspiration there.  And there might just be a little surprise for YOU from our dear and generous Mitzi, so don't miss out!

I'm entering this in the Simon Says Monday Mid-Summer's Challenge (inspiration, my garden in bloom), Digi Makeover Use Punches and Dies, the Outlawz Friday Coloring challenge, the Use Your Stuff Layers challenge, Bearly Mine Let's Go Digital and Scrappers Delights ATG w/Cute & Girly.

  

 

Under the Sea Christmas at Lacy Sunshine

There's an adorable new release at Lacy Sunshine called Christmas Under the Sea (in the New section) and a Christmas in July Challenge on the Blog with the same name.  HAD to play along and used both Sheldon and Shelley C Turtle (with the 3D elements) for this fun card.

No need to crop the image and print over and over with the 3D stamp as Heather has isolated the parts to pop so fussy cutting is easier (and you KNOW how I love to fussy cut and add dimension). The two of them are colored with Copics and I've added some Sparkle Fluff flocking to Sheldon's hat.  I bought the cool waves die by Memory Box yesterday just to complete this card and added it the the window cut with my Spellbinders Grand Ovals.

 

Here's the dimensional shot.  The little starfish and crab are JoLee's Boutique as is the Christmas embellie in the corner which I thought looked a bit like seaweed.  I finished it off with a computer generated sentiment and epoxy dots for the bubbles.

Gotta say I should have said "Belated" Season's Greetings because hubby and I (well, that would be ME) stink at sending Christmas cards.  Inside would then read "Hope your Holiday was filled with all good things."  Love from the Mundingers (aka the "Slowski's")   LOL

I am entering this in the HIMCR Christmas in July Challenge, the CHNC Layer it Up Challenge, the CNCH July Extra Challenge, the Inkspirational Word Prompt Splash Challenge, My Sheri Crafts Christmas in July, Cut it Up Under the Sea, the Stamping Boutique Christmas in July, Aud Sentiments Christmas in July, Hobbybook Designer Challenge Christmas in July, Great Impressions July Animal Friends and C.R.A.F.T. Challenges Christmas in July.

Professor Loo from The East Wind

This is for all my friends who teach.  Admirable job.  Couldn't do it myself.  So this latest make from the new release from The East Wind, Lucy Loo 'Professor Loo' is dedicated to you.  I used the png transparent background again to  merge her with the blackboard (retired from Tiddly Inks) then fussy cut around her skirt to add it to the background that was embossed at the bottom with the Tim Holtz Bricked folder.

Here she is!  I've been practicing my coloring and had so much fun with brown hair (for a change) and the folds of her top.  The East Wind artist Unky has done her first video on coloring hazel eyes (watch it HERE) and I even tried that, although it's hard to see on such a small scale, and added Glossy Accents to her glasses and lips.

AND, because I so wanted to enter the current Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "B" is for Brads or Buttons Challenge,  I risked my HOURS of coloring to punch a hole in Lucy's badge and add my VERY LAST little skully brad to her jacket and a couple more to the corner of the card.  See ladies, ya know I luv ya!  (I'll take the one on the left.)

Even think my computer generated sentiment has just the right amount of snark.  Do kids actually speak to each other any more?  Or hand write ANYTHING?  Don't get me started on this.  As if teaching kids isn't hard enough...shudder!

You can see more fabulous makes with 'Professor Loo' on THE East Wind FB Group page where you'll see new releases every Monday and Friday.  Stay tuned for the winners of our FB Contest and the new one starting soon.  And don't forget our "It's Getting Hot" Challenge (open to interpretation,  LOL) on the East Wind Challenge Blog running through July 25th.  Hope to see you soon.

I'm also entering this in the Fan-tastic Tuesday #44 (must be square or rectangular) ATG Challenge, Bearly Mine Let's Go Digital, Crafting by Designs Use a Sentiment, Digi Galore ATG and Paper Pretties Red, Black and White.

New Challenge at A Step in the Dark

I'm so enjoying my GDT gig at A Step in the Dark and a new challenge starts today.  Such a fun and talented group!  As always, the projects may be ATG on the dark side, with the option, this fortnight, of adding metal.  Our fabulous sponsor is Ike's Art, a fave of mine, and I've chosen the gorgeous Sinful Beauty (scroll to 4 of 8 to find her) for my project.

I've made a tag with a flames background I found on the net backed by gold foil card stock.  Quite dramatic and apropos for such a hot babe.  Don'tcha think?

Here she is, colored with Copics and a bit of metallic gel pen for her chains.  "Hot" is spelled out in gold metal letters and I've added a metal ball chain through the top hole fitted with a large enameled metal eyelet. 

The fun sentiment is another fave, from Ginger's House.  It's cut with a Spellbinders Label and inked with Distress. Be sure to stop by ASITD to see the fabulous projects by the DT and enter for a chance to win.

It's Getting Hot at The East Wind.

It's the 15th of the month and that means a new challenge at The East Wind Challenge Blog.  This fortnight the theme is "It's Getting Hot".  Indeed it is.  Our air has been on since early this morning and I don't see much relief in sight.  Sure wish I were at the beach like the Ghetto Fabulous Ashley 'I Love my Life'. 
The East Wind Ashley line is particularly special to Unky, as it is inspired by her friend Ashley who is currently battling cancer.  This girl's got some 'tude and 50% of the proceeds from the sale of these stamps go to help Ashley pay some of her medical bills.

Just look at this sassy gal!  Fabulous she is!  She was so much fun to color with my Copics and I've added some Glossy Accents to her shades.

She's fussy cut and popped atop some really ancient DP from the DCWV Summer Stack.  Been hoarding these prints for just such an occasion.  The sun was done with two layers of Spellbinders Pinking Circles and the sentiment uses colored Alpha Beads with a computer generated translation.  Hope you go visit the Challenge Blog to see the hot makes by my DT sisters and are inspired to play along.  Be sure to scroll down to see the Winners from Our Use Ribbon Challenge, as well.  See you there!  P.S.  Our Wedding Bliss FB contest runs through July 17th.  Check out the Group HERE.

I'm entering this in Artistic Inspirations 100th Challenge (WooHoo!) ATG, Craftin' Desert Divas Summer Linky Party, Digi Makeover Girly Girl, Fairytale Stampers Summer, Crafty Calendar July Summertime Fun, the Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge At the Beach or Pool, and The Stamping Boutique Fussy Cut Something on Your Card or Project.

Special Presentation of Marie Antoinette for Aurora Wings and Showcase Design Team Call

Today we have a special presentation of the fabulous Marie Antoinette on the Aurora Wings Showcase Blog.  All of the DT just swooned when Mitzi released this gorgeous image and we each came up with our own rendition.  I immediately thought of Marie with a fan so I put her one one of my own design using my Cricut, Design Studio and a hand mirror cut from the Sentimentals cartridge. The top layer is embossed with one of the Cuttlebug Companion folders to Sentimentals and I've further enhanced it with dies from Spellbinders Floral Ovals.

I've finally gotten a new printer and Marie is the very first image I've printed with it.  WooHoo!  No more blurry lines and ink blobs and it easily takes my thicker blending card stock.  I so enjoyed coloring her with my Copics.

The details of her hair and ornaments are amazing.  Couldn't resist adding tiny adhesive pearls where they were drawn.  Just look at the butterflies, flowers and yummy cupcakes.  Wouldn't this be a fab theme for a girly birthday party?

I've added a silk ribbon sash to finish off the bottom of the image.  The 5 separate cuts of the fan are held together by a beautiful brad and organdy bow.

Here's the dimensional shot.  I had so much fun with this gorgeous image which besides the AW Etsy Shop is also available at the AW Digi Shop.   Please visit the Showcase Blog to see the glorious creations by my DT sisters.  It's so amazing to see all the different colorations in one place.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Open Call for Aurora Wings Showcase Designers. What a fabulous opportunity! Read all about it HERE.

And don't forget, you still have time to enter our No Lines or Color Bingo Blog Challenge HERE which runs through Saturday, July 19th (new challenge begins Monday July 21st) and the current Christmas in July FB Contest HERE (running now through July 31st).  Hope to see you there.

I'm entering this in the following Challenges: 613 Avenue Create ATG/w optional Shaped Cards, Anything but a Card ATG, Simons Says Monday About a Face, Fun with Shapes Vintage or Shabby, Fussy and Fancy "It's All About Girls", Crafting by Designs Use Dies Challenge, Digi Makeover Girly Girl challenge, The Stamping Boutique Fussy Cut Something on your Project and Artistic Inspirations 100th Challenge (WooHoo!) ATG. 

No Peeking!

Here's a little Christmas project I just finished for the Lacy Sunshine Blog using the adorable Bows Santa's Little Helper available in the Seasonal section of the Lacy Sunshine Shop.  At my house I always store presents in the guest bedroom and wrap them there as well.  They are not always hidden away, so I thought it might be fun to make a little door hanger that warns the hubby not to go in there or he'll ruin my surprises.

Isn't Bows the cutest ever!?  She was so much fun to color with my Copics in the traditional red and green to match the fun DP all covered in wrapped gifts.  I've added some mini jingle bells to her top and one of her bows,

and to make sure I hear any snoopers, I've added a whole row of jingle bells with jump rings to the bottom of the hanger.  When I'm done wrapping, I can use this as a tag for a giant present.  Those bells ought to deter any shaking, don'tcha think?  Hope you like my little project.  It's never too early to be thinking about Christmas and you can find so many adorable Christmas digis in the Seasonal Section as well as the fabulous new Under the Sea Christmas Collection in the New Section of the shop.  Check out this month's Challenge and examples of the new cuties HERE.

I'm entering this in the CHNC Glam it Up Challenge, CHNC July Challenge Extra, Sweet Stampin Christmas in July, Simply Create Too Christmas in July, Christmas Stampin' All Year Long ATG, DTBST Christmas in July, Inky Chicks Christmas in July, Jingle Belles Shopping our Stash (everything but the larger jingle bells and the image is more than a year old)  and Shopping Our Stash (see previous list for stash) , Polkadoodles Add a Twinkle and Completely Christmas ATG.

A Little Siesta

It's my turn to post at The East Wind Show Room Blog and I've done another card using a new digi format available when you purchase the latest digis at The East Wind.  Previously, the stamps came in jpg (solid) and png (totally transparent) format.  The newest stamps now also come with light lines for coloring with the "No Lines" technique as well as the png Transparent background, which allows you to print your image directly over digital paper or a photograph.  Here I've used the adorable new Aurora 'Siesta' which debuted this past Monday in The East Wind Shop.  She's printed over a digi paper all ready for coloring.  No fussy cutting required.

And here she is all colored up with Copics. Isn't that fun?  Although I've added some matting and cut out my computer generated sentiment, you can easily do a one layer card that is much easier to mail.  The possibilities are endless. Each Monday and Friday a new stamp debuts in The East Wind Shop. Be in the know by joining our FB group where we share our fabulous East Wind creations and LIKE The East Wind FB page. Our Wedded Bliss contest is still open through July 17th on FB and look for a new East Wind Blog Challenge July 15th (shhh...not telling. LOL) See ya there!