Vera Lane Xmas Snark

I am still not done trying to make Halloween schtuff,

but I'm coming to the dreaded realization that Christmas is eminent.

Gah!

I decided to have a go at transforming some Vera Lane digi images 

from their everyday quirkiness to Holiday Cheer Quirkiness.

I am always in need of last minute Christmas cards, and this little lady seemed

like the perfect focal point for a fun and simple holiday card. 

I used the Wednesday image and added a hat from the 

Boutique Hats set. I also gave her a cool sweater that was

offered as a freebie on the Vera Lane Studio facebook page.  

I went completely non-traditional with a purple and black color scheme,

and a snarky sentiment for this card. I used some TH snowflake border

and a MS skull border punch to mimic  a sweater design.

I am having a blast transforming these deliciously fun and quirky images

for Christmas cards. I may have forgotten to mention that I am using Gimp

to manipulate the images. I think I need to look for an update as my version is pretty

dated, but it still works for what I need.

I'll be back soon with a couple more cards using Vera Lane images and Gimp.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

ABC Challenge - V is for Violet 

Whimsie Doodles - Naughty or Nice? 

Glitter N' Sparkle - #164 purple and black 

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas

Anything but Cards

Today is the beginning of a new week and a new challenge at the

Aurora Wings Challenge blog. 

The new theme is Anything but Cards.

This can be quite the challenge for a lot of card makers, but it's fun to be pushed

out of our comfort zones every once in a while.

I decided to make some fun wrapping paper using the new

Christmas Lights Sprite.

I already had him colored up and scanned into my computer,

so I opened the image using Gimp, and tiled the image to look

like wrapping paper. I made a couple of different versions to

accommodate the smaller  box sizes.

I used my TH bow die for the coordinating package bows.

And I used scraps left over as the ribbons on the solid color packages.

Super cute. 

These would be adorable in a stocking, or as surprise gifts for the kiddos.

Something a little different, and very unique. 

I just wish my printer would print 11"x 17" paper...  

Please be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings challenge blog and see

what it looks like when the fabulous DT thinks outside of the box.

Did ya see what I did there?

  

Smeared Ink Monthly challenge

It's time to get smudgy again!!

Here is the newest addition to my Smeared Ink

altered board book. It's a bit on the simple side,

but I didn't want anything to compete with this incredible image.

It's called, X-Ray Monocle Raven and it's available in the Smeared Ink shop.

I painted the background black, added some stripes with Wilted Violet distress paint.

I am loving that shade of purple, and how well it shows up against the black.

Lastly, I added a rib cage stencil with silver embossing paste and splattered

some copper Perfect Pearls spray for more contrast and interest.

Here it is in the actual children's board book.

I am so happy with how this book is turning out.

Now I am always on the hunt for kid's board books at thrift stores

and yard sales. So fun and super sturdy to alter.

Be sure to check out the awesome inspiration this month at Smudgy Antics!!  

All Hail the Queen of Snark!!

I am thrilled to have been chosen as the Queen of Snark
over at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.

As the Queen I get to play along with those snarky ladies for their

newest challenge which is ...

Now you may be thinking, "What the heck does that mean?"

Basically, it can be anything to do with music. Sheet music, lyrics,

musical notes, etc...

I was struggling a bit trying find a snarky song to use as my muse,

but decided to go in a completely different direction using holiday sheet music

as my background paper. I used a snarky sentiment to fulfill my Snarky title.   

I went with the holiday standard Christmas song, "Jingle Bells". 

I pulled up some Jingle Bells sheet music and aged them to perfection.

 The stamp is called, 'Tangled Enthusiasm', from Stampotique.
The presents are also a stamp from Stampotique, called 'Piling Things'.

Perfect snarky sentiment also from Stampotique.

I had a blast coloring the Xmas lights. I hadn't given any thought as to how

to fussy cut them beforehand, but I think they turned out quite alright.

Thank you so much, Snarky Sisterhood!!

I really appreciate being recognized as a Queen, and being asked 

to join in on the snarky fun for this challenge.

Be sure to stop by the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers and see

what the real Queens of Snark have conjured up for this theme.   

Christmas Sprites Coloring Book Showcase

It seems like I have barely begun making Halloween projects, 

and here it is almost Thanksgiving!!

And even more shocking, it's time to begin Christmas shopping...

Kill me now...

I think I'll ease into the holiday with a sweet little warm up in the

shape of an adorable Christmas Sprite.

Why stop there? I have three of the cutest, and newest Christmas Sprites

to share with you today. They are part of a new Aurora Wings mini coloring book.
These three images (along with three others)  will not be sold individually as digis.

They are only available in the new Christmas Sprite Mini Coloring Book  

featuring 12 Sprites in all, which is currently available for pre-order at the 
Aurora Wings store envy shop.     

Yes, I know she's kind of sickeningly sweet (in a good way), 

but I was going for a non-traditional color scheme. 

And I think we can all agree,

this is a very nontraditional color scheme.

I wasn't actually trying for a Cotton Candy Sprite,

but this Wreath Sprite can obviously double for one

with the right colors. I used Copic RVs and some Rs

to achieve the cherry pink and baby pink coloring.

I gave the entire wreath and the stripes on her bow

a healthy dusting of  Rock Candy Distress Dry Glitter.

I also edged her furry bits with white flocking, and the stars

are covered with Diamond Stickles.  

This baby is sparkly!!

I chopped up a snowflake border and added it to the corners

to bring in the glittery gold a bit more. I had to try and break

up all that pink.  

Very fun to color this cutie!

Next up is the Amaryllis Sprite.

I am quite happy with how well this card came together.

I lucked out big time with the perfectly matching paper.

I rarely color my projects after choosing a paper. I admit it does

make for easier crafting when you choose your papers first,

but my brain is not naturally wired that way. 

.

This little bit of gorgeousness was a dream to color!

I like to google images before I start coloring flowers in particular.

I like to choose a color scheme that is not unrealistic, but more on the

non-traditional side. I immediately think of a scarlet red when I think

of Amaryllis, not a variegated red violet.    

Seemed a fitting sentiment. 

Not an obvious Christmas card, since I hid the only snowflake behind

the Sprite's head. I have a bunch of birthday's coming up, so this

will also make a perfect birthday card. 

Lastly, I have the cutest Stocking Sprite to share with you.

Super cute, right?

I went with another non-traditional color palette of

purples, yellow greens and blue greens.

I had fun coloring and decorating this stocking.

I used Liquid Applique for the snowballs and the fuzzy

parts of the snowman's hat. FYI, don't be impatient while waiting for your

Liquid Applique to run down to the tip, and decided it might be a good

idea to use your heat gun to speed up the painfully slow process.

It is not a good idea. The plastic of the pen is super thin and will,

and does melt very quickly. 

Okay, that's it for today's special sneak peek of the soon to arrive

Christmas Sprite mini coloring book.

If you just can't wait to start coloring up Sprites, there is a wonderful 

sale going on at the Aurora Wings Etsy shop.

Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Showcase blog to see all
of the incredibly gorgeous sample projects the DTs have made for this
coloring book release. And also to get more info on pre-ordering your
very own Christmas Sprite Mini Coloring Book.