Thursday, December 28, 2017

Here Comes Santa Claws


WOW!  Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas!  We did, but crafting has definitely been put on the back burner this month.  I can't believe I haven't posted since December 10th, the longest I've EVER neglected my blog.  Well, I decided to have a little play with my Prismacolor pencils and drew Santa Claws on kraft.  I've never really colored on kraft before but it didn't turn out half bad. Since I didn't have a stamp or digital image to follow, I figured it would be easier to do the white beard on the colored stock and it definitely was.  I followed the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch and the Festive Fridays Santa Claus theme.  So I've broken the silence here.  YAY!  Feels good.



I'm also entering this in SUYP #25 Furrything Goes/Meowy Christmas, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #72 AG, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #9, Simon Says Wednesday AG, DL.Art December Linky Challenge, CHNC #365 AG Christmas, and CHNC Christmas Extra December.





Sunday, December 10, 2017

Time Out for a Coffee Break


I should be decorating.  Of course I say that from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, sooo...  Anyway, today things are not going well and the lure of the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop calls.  What can I say?  The fab retro cartoon image #1984 Santa Magoo, from Sandra Caldwell, really takes me back so I just had to heed his advice.  He's colored with Copics.  The sentiment is from Designwork on Creative Market.


Friday, December 8, 2017

New Gift With Purchase from Aurora Wings



Yes, I should be decorating, but what can I say?  This adorable Yorkie in a Stocking is a new Gift With Purchase from Aurora Wings.  Yes, I'm a cat lover, but who could resist this sweet face?  Obviously not me, but don't tell Goliath or Jezzie.  I really had fun coloring him up with my Copics (after looking at some Yorkie pix on the net) and decided to go with a red white and black color scheme that really made him pop.  BTW, he WAS popped after fussy cutting on one of my my stitched tag dies that I'd run through my Cuttlebug.  The Outlawz Monday Greetings calls for a bookmark or tag and I've added a black Alpha Bead sentiment and the Outlawz Twisted Thursday calls for a Polka Dot Christmas so I popped that on a larger stitched tag for more dotty goodness.  WooHoo!
Now YOU can get this cutie for FREE with a minimum $5.00 purchase from either AW.com or AW Etsy now through 11:59 pm EST Sunday December 10th.
And here's a coupon, if you'd like to get an even better deal.  The free digi will be emailed to you after making a qualified purchase.  
Offer extended!  WooHoo!


There's always lots going on at Aurora Wings, so here's how to keep up.


Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge runs through Jan.13, 2018)


I'm also adding this to the DL.Art December Linky Challenge,  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #71 AGSimon Says Wednesday Gift It, 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #9 Dec. AG w/a critterClassic Design Team Open December #20 AG613 Avenue Create Dec Christmas/WinterCHNC Extra December AGCrafty Animals Dec. #9 AGAud Sentiments #194 Christmas + Sentiment (3/5) Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #218 AGColoring in Scrapland ChristmasBrown Sugar Dec #273 Anything But a Card and Scrapping4Fun #105 AG.





Wednesday, December 6, 2017

One for FIVE!


As you might have guessed, I play on the Outlawz Forum frequently.  It's a fun and supportive bunch of gals and I've been a member for years.  There's a weekly challenge for every day of the week plus a monthly Progressive freebie.  As I need to get going on my holiday decorating, I tried to cover as many challenges as possible with this card.  The lovely ornament is the Progressive freebie for December from Outlawz designer Sandra van Blaricum.  Thanks so much, Sandra! (OMG, not last minute, for once)  

The colors and inspiration comes from Tuesday Color.

Sketch from Wednesday Sketch



 Also added to Twisted Thursday Anything Goes and Saturday Paper ala Mode (square card).  Yay, me!

I've colored the ornament with Copics and added Stickles and fussy cut.  I popped it on a gold mat because I thought I sized it a bit too small for the card.  Papers are from Graphic 45 and gems from Michaels.  I used a sticker sentiment I colored green with a Sharpie and the gorgeous holly came in a roll I got at the local Decor Store.

I'm also entering this in the DL.Art December Linky Challenge, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #71 AGCHNC #362 AGCHNC Extra December AG, Paper Minutes #515 Christmas Tree Balls and Aud Sentiments #194 Christmas + Sentiment (2/5).

Monday, December 4, 2017

Anything but a Card for Aurora Wings


It's our last challenge of 2017 at Aurora Wings and our new theme is



To be honest, I was a little stumped this time since my last two challenge inspiration projects have been just that, so I had to dig deep.  In fact, I started 3 different projects before finally deciding what to do.  So here's the winner!  I've made a sweet little shadowbox using the adorable Christmas Kittens available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  I've been dying to color them up since they arrived a few weeks ago.  Aren't they the cutest EVER?



Here's a closeup of the two with the tree prior to gluing on the face plate of the shadowbox from LaLa Land I've had for several years. They're colored with Copics and fussy cut and popped within the shadowbox.  The design papers are from the 6x6" Christmas pad from Graphic 45.  The "rug" is stitched felt ribbon I also trimmed the outside of the box with.  I scored some card stock to fashion a baseboard and added and cute little box of ornaments from Michael's.  The sticker pressies are JoLee's, the glitter sentiment up top by Recollections and the wreath and garland are fashioned from Tim Holtz greenery.




Here's a side view.  The project could hang or sit on a shelf with the detachable stand.



And here's another kitty (from the same digi HERE), a little like Fanta, eh Mitzi?  Love love, LOVE these KITTIES and there's lots more HERE.  OH, don't fret doggie lovers.  There's an adorable new(ish) set of Christmas Chihuahuas available, HERE too.  Now it's time for me to start my own decorating.  Hope my kitties behave.

You've got lots of time to join us for this last challenge of 2017, because we're taking a bit of a holiday break.  Hope you can have some fun with us because you have until January 13th, 2018 to get your projects in.  Be sure to visit the Challenge Blog for fabulous inspiration from my Stella teamies and we all wish you a warm and wonderful holiday season.  In the meantime...

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge runs through Jan.13, 2018)




Thursday, November 30, 2017

Holiday Sprites New Release Showcase


What an exciting day for Aurora Wings Fans!  The Holiday Sprites New Release Showcase is finally here.  THREE brand new Holiday Sprites and SIX that were previously available only in the Christmas Sprites Coloring Book are making their debut as stand alone digis at both AW.com and AW Etsy.  WOOHOO!



I have the pleasure of showcasing the beautiful new Sugar Plum Sprite available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy, and used a collection of papers from Recollections The Ballet stack to create a scene from the beloved Nutcracker. 



The tree was fussy cut and I've added glitter epoxy ornaments, and Nuvo drop garlands along with a jewel star and candle flames.  My mother recalled having to always have someone in the living room watching the tree as a young child because of the real candles, rather than lights.  Can you imagine?!?  I used my craft knife to cut around the holly in the DP to slide the tree under.  The glitter nutcracker was also fussy cut from a tag and popped.



Here's a closeup of Sugar Plum Sprite.  Isn't she just every girl's dream?  I've flipped her to face the tree and colored her with Copics in the plum shades of the DP, then added translucent glitter Nuvo drops to her tutu, hair and jewelry and a jewel crown. Jewel and glitter snowflakes complete the scene.


 Here are the links for Sugar Plum Sprite in either jpg or png for both shops.
          

And here are peeks at the two other newest Holiday Sprites.

Hot Cocoa Sprite

Snowflake Sprite
  
EEEK!  aren't they adorable?  You can find inspiration from the teams and links to these cuties on the AW Showcase Blog HERE.  But that's not all.  Here are pix of 4 previous projects I've done using 4 of the 6 Sprites formerly only available in the Holiday Sprites Coloring Book.

Stocking Sprite

Gingerbread Man Sprite

Candy Cane Sprite

Holiday Wreath Sprite

Also available are

Amaryllis Sprite

Candle Angel Sprite

Again, please visit the AW Showcase Blog HERE for info and links to these cuties.  But can you believe there's MORE?

How about a COUPON?  Yeah, you betcha!


And better yet, purchase ALL NINE of the new release Sprites in either shop and get 40% off with the code VIP2017, valid the same terms as above.
Mitzi and all the AW Teams wish you Happy Holidays and Happy coloring!





Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Winter Sprite for The Outlawz Wednesday Sketch


In my previous post I'd mentioned that I'd planned to use another of Mitzi's sweet Sprites on my DT project but decided against it.  Well, here she is, on a project of her own.  This li'l darlin' is Winter Sprite currently ON SALE for only $2.00 HERE on AW.Com.  I've used 3 (yeah, that blue behind her is actually a watercolor effect DP) non traditional colored papers from the Winter Bauble paper pack from Wild Rose Studio and followed the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  The stripes in the sketch covered the star sentiment in the DP, but fortunately I had another piece so I could fussy cut and pop it over.  The pretty crinkle ribbon bow is Powder Blue from the Blues Bundle at DL.Art.



Here's the sketch. (obviously I flipped it to allow for the sentiment)



Here's here's Winter Sprite prior to fussy cutting.  She's colored with Copics and I've used Sparkly Fluff on her fur trim and glued tiny pom poms to the ends of the ties.  I just LOVE her!

I'm also adding this to the DL.Art November Linky ChallengeCHNC #360 AG/Use Something BlueCHNC Christmas Extra November, AG ChristmasJo's Scrap Shack FFC #215 AG, A Snowflakes Promise #46 AG,  Creates and Makes Challenge 16, Coloring in Scrapland Winter is Coming, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #70 AG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG, Dragonfly Dreams November Winter, The Ribbon Girl Nov. Any Image, Crafty Creations #355 AG, and Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #217 AG ...



Monday, November 20, 2017

New Challenge at Aurora Wings



Our brand new challenge starts today at Aurora Wings with the theme of 



I've recycled a candy box (yeah, I'm still recycling...) into a Winter Wonderland using the adorable Little Santa available HERE on AW.com and HERE on Etsy.  I covered the inside with blue glitter paper and the outside front edges with strips of white glitter paper cut with a Tim Holtz On the Edge Snowflake die.  I've added metallic and beaded metallic snowflakes to a few of the front flakes and a metal sentiment from Colorbok to the bottom.

I've made a lamp post by knotting the cord of a metallic lantern from Tim Holtz to the top of a wooden skewer and wrapping it silver and white cording.  A white pompom with silver sparkles tops it off.  Behind Little Santa is an old blank CD, shiny part out.  I thought it sort of looked like a huge full moon (and it hides a surprise).  The glow you see is from the light box I've photographed in, although any light seems to make that fab effect.  Kind of looks like the Northern lights, eh?  The "snow" at the bottom is a used dryer sheet spritzed with hair spray and sprinkle with glitter.



On the back of the CD I've used several disks of adhesive foam and topped with card board and wound a string of mini LED lights between.  Since the lights are not separate from the battery pack I cut a slit at the bottom of the box and pulled the strand through before winding.  The cord for the lantern exits there too.



The sides of the box were covered in metal duct tape and ribbon.  The battery packs fit nicely in a the bottom of a jewelry box (with a small piece cut out for the lantern plug in) and I've fashioned a little pocket of silver card stock for it to fit in.  This also stabilizes the project.



Although you do need to remove the box to turn on the moon light, the box slips easily in and out of the attached pocket.



Here's a closeup of the adorable Little Santa prior to fussy cutting.  I've colored him with Copics and used a nice thick coating of white Flower Soft for the trim on his suit and hat.  The cross hatching on his sack was done with Prismacolor pencils to give a burlap affect.  My original plan was to add another of Mitzi's cute Sprite characters to the front, but for once I decided that more was not necessarily more.  But that's okay.  I've got her all set to pop on another Christmas card or project.  Yay!



So here's the "money shot".  Winter Wonderland all aglow.  BE sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog to see the wonderful inspiration by the rest of the Aurora Team and Guest Designer.  You won't be sorry.


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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (New challenge runs through Dec 2nd)
Aurora Wings FB Group (Nov. FB Challenge runs all month)



I'm entering this in the DL.Art November Linky Challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Winter Holiday/Snow, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #70 AG, the World Wide DT Open Challenge #28 AG, The Classic DT Open #19 AG, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #215 AG, TTRCD Week of Nov 14 AG, the Corrosive Challenge #11 AG, Make my Monday Snow Fun, 613 Avenue Create November AG, Creative Fingers #141 AG 2/3, Allsorts #442 Glitter, CHNC #360 AG/Use Something Blue, CHNC Christmas Extra November, AG Christmas, Color Crazy Week 46 AG, Simply Papercraft #52 AG, Morgan's Art World #23 AG, Crafty Creations AG, Coloring in Scrapland November Winter is Coming, Dragonfly Dreams November Winter, We Love to Create AG Mixed Media/Creative Goes, A Snowflakes Promise #46 AG and Creates and Makes #16 AG





Friday, November 17, 2017

New Little Reindeer Sprite Gift With Purchase From Aurora Wings


EEEK!  Tell me he's not the cutest EVER!  This little guy is the newest Sprite from Aurora Wings and he's being offered as a Gift With Purchase this weekend.  More about that later, 'cause there's a coupon, too.  WooHoo!  Meet little Reindeer Sprite.  I couldn't wait to color this little guy.  He looks a little sleepy, or maybe a bit wistful so I made up a story about him while making this tag.

My original thought was to do him (or her) in pastel for a "Baby's First Christmas" card, but then remembered this week's Outlawz Tuesday Color Challenge that also calls for "Anything but a Card", so I used the natural browns and red and made a tag instead. 



My story is that this little reindeer is dreaming of "running with the big dogs" (or should I say "flyin' with the big DEER"?) and pulling Santa's sleigh, but he's still too little.  Santa told him to "Believe" and he will surely grow up to be one of the chosen few.  The reindeer clip and embroidered stag ribbon represent the current team and I've also added sleigh bells strung with twine from DL.Art and some punched snowflakes distressed with ink with Nuvo Drops for the centers.  The stitched ribbon has been recycled from old Anthropologie shopping bags (got LOTS of it!) and there's faux stitching on the DP, as well.



Here's a closeup of Reindeer Sprite.  He's colored with Copics, fussy cut and popped on the tag.  I've used gold gel pen for his bell.



You want him, don't you?  I mean who can resist that face?  Well, as I said earlier, he's a Gift with Purchase for this weekend only with a $5.00 minimum purchase from either AW.com OR AW Etsy.  And better yet, there's a Coupon you may use in conjunction with the offer!  So hop to it!  Ya snooze, ya LOSE.

OOPS!  You missed it, but the good news is he's now in the shop HERE at AW.com and HERE on Etsy.



Here's how to keep up with what's happening at Aurora Wings.
Aurora Wings Challenge Blog (current challenge ends TOMORROW!)
Aurora Wings FB Group (Nov. FB Challenge runs all month)

I'm entering this in the DL.Art November Linky ChallengeLil Patch of Crafty Friends #69 AG2 Crafty Critter Crazies AG w/Critters November #8Crafty Animals November #8 AGCHNC November Christmas Challenge ExtraAud Sentiments #193 AG w/Sentiment (5/5), Inspiration Destination #193 AGSimon Says Monday It's a Stitch Up (faux stitching on DP and stitch detail on ribbon), Simon Says Wednesday Furry Friends, the World Wide Open Design Team #28 Nov. 15, the November Classic Design Team Open Challenge #19, Fab 'n' Funky Masculine Touch (for a little guy), The Paper Shelter Challenge #318 Add Some Snowflakes, Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #215 AG /Add a Tag, the Crafty Addicts November AG, TTRCD week of Nov 14th AG, 613 Avenue Create November AG, Creative Fingers #141 AG, Color Crazy Week 46 AG, Simply Papercraft #52 AG, Morgan's Art World #23 AG, Crafty Creations AG and Crafty Girls Creations November AG.