Simply Succulent

 Hey, hey, hey!

Look who's guest designing for Aurora Wings!!

I am thrilled to be playing along with the amazing DT and being

a part (if only temporarily) of one of the best design teams out there.

Mitzi is an amazing artist to design for.

      

I have the extreme pleasure of working with one of the newest sprites,

the Succulent Sprite!! Isn't she just too die for? 

So beautifully rendered and on trend right now.

The current challenge is a sketch, which I find so helpful with designing.

Takes most of the guess work out of it for me. I tend to get caught up in the 

minutia of laying out a design, more than anything.

I used quite a few reference photos of succulents to choose my palette,

which was nearly the death of me. Sooo many options, but not sure how to 

actually achieve what Mother Nature painted so beautifully with my

measly old Copic markers. I managed to pull it off pretty well, I think.

I love how the clear Nuvo Drops give such great texture to her String of Pearls.

After I finished coloring and embellishing her, I started working on the background.

I glued a sheet of burlap to a corrugated cardboard substrate, and gessoed the entire

piece. After it was dry I used a stencil and some crackle paste to add interest and depth.

Once dry, I spritzed it with Lindy's sprays hoping to capture some iridescence on 

the crackle. I think it looks like lace for the most part, which adds to the

shabby chic feel I was going for. 

Following the sketch, I arranged my flowers, doo-dads, and pearly bits

around the colorful focal image. With the addition of an easel back, this

creation is complete!

I do hope you'll pop over to the Aurora Wings Challenge blog to see all of the

inspiring projects on display for this challenge. You just might be inspired to play

along and possibly win yourself some AW gold!

I'd love to enter this project in the following challenges:

   

More Aurora Wings Springtime Beauties

Two days in a row?! Right? 

Don't get used to it, but I'll keep trying to create

and share here as often as time allows.

I have another Aurora Wings Mother's Day card to spotlight today.

I chose to use one of my favorite mermaid images,

The Princess of the Sea .

I colored this beauty using Toner Grays and Blue Green Copic markers.

Pretty much my go to coloring medium. And BGs being some of my favorite

hues in the Copic collection.  

 I used some coordinating background paper and cheesecloth

for an ocean feel. Even tossed in some sequins for sparkle,

along with Stickles for more bling factor.

My MIL loved it.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge - Black, White, splash of color (optional)

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes 

Double D Challenges - Bling it Up (see mood board)

Coloring in Scrapland - Anything Goes with hand colored image 

I'm not entering these cards in any challenges, but wanted to share them.

I chose this image for Grandma's card. 

This adorable family is called, Mushrooms.

Colored with Cool Grays and Violet Copic markers.

Kept this one in Grandma's favorite color, purple.

I really like how the foiled card plays nicely with the grays.

And as usual, this is Stickled for sparkle.

Meditating Mushroom is colored in Warm Grays and Yellow Red Copics.

I cropped the image for quicker coloring and better fit on the smaller

4.5 X 5.5 card. I added some Stickles to his 'bumps', 

and then covered them with clear Nuvo drops for an interesting texture.

 Used some lace and sequins to finish this one off.

Last, is little Poppy Sprite. Also cropped.

So sweet and fun to color using Cool Gray and Red Violet Copic markers.

Grosgrain ribbon, metal embellished ribbon, and black half pearls

compliment this foiled background paper and cute image perfectly.

Thanks for dropping by today.

I'll be back tomorrow with another project for your amusement.    

    

Aurora Wings for all the mothers!!

It has been a long time since I have created using Aurora Wings images.
Far too long, but life really gets in the way of creative time if you let it.

But now that I have cracked the door on my pent up mojo, the flow of 

creativity is starting to pour out. 

I've been wanting to join in on some challenges, and was inspired by the 

current challenge AW theme of black, white, and a splash of (optional)color.

I decided to make all five of my Mother's Day cards using Aurora Wings 

images in this theme.

First up is the adorable Jasmine Sprite.

With so many cards to make, I decided to crop the images, which

also helps to create more visual impact on the smaller cards. 

Plus, it doesn't take as long to color the images.  

I kept it pretty simple with Copic coloring, some coordinating background paper,

and a big fancy ribbon. Added some Stickles for some sparkle, too.

I did make five cards to give away, but this one was one of my favorites,

so I held onto it. Good thing too, since it was the ONLY Mother's day 

card I received. Don't even get me started...

I'll be back tomorrow with another Mother's Day card.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog- Black and White with optional color

Lemon Shortbread challenge - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown - Crop your image

Addicted to Stamps - Ribbons Galore

Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Close to Nature

Under the Sea with Aurora Wings

Today is the start of a new challenge theme at 

the Aurora Wings challenge blog.

The theme is "Under the Sea", which sounds wonderful 

since it's 105 degrees outside right now.

What could possibly be better than a seahorse?
Two seahorses!!

I had one of these lovelies colored up in the jewel tones of purple, 

blue green, and yellow green. Then I thought this horsey needed an 

unconventional color scheme like pink and gold. WAY outside 

of my usual coloring comfort zone, but I think it works. 

I scored some new bits and pieces of ephemera that were perfect

for this project. I used a journaling card for my background. I think it's from

7 Gypsies. I paired it up with some die cuts and a bit of the highly coveted

Graphic 45 Voyage Beneath the Sea paper.

This gorgeous image is available in the Aurora Wings shop.

This version was created using the exact same embellishments,

but with the journal card in a different color to match my seahorse. 

Same image, done very differently.
Which is your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by today.
Be sure to stop by the challenge blog for lots of deep sea inspiration.
We also have a very interactive facebook page to share your makes and
find more inspiration here. 

Aurora Wings: #46 Sketch Challenge

Just wanted to pop in quickly today with my card for the new theme at 

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog.

The theme is actually a sketch, which I have decided I am rather fond of.

I struggle so  much with the layout of a card, it's nice to have the guess work

taken out for me with a sketch.

I decided to use the sweet Pierrot Sprite for the card.

Such an adorable and painfully sweet image.

Great for so many sentiments, but unfortunately

it is perfect for a sympathy card. I have the need 

for a few of those this month.

Thanks for dropping by today.

Be sure to pop by the challenge blog and check out the fun and inspiring sketch,

along with all of the fabulous DT samples.

  

Ch.44 Aurora Wings - Anything Goes

Good morning!!
I am here today to share my card for the new challenge theme at
Aurora Wings Challenge Blog.
The theme is, 'Anything Goes', which you would think would be
pretty easy. No rules, just us any Aurora Wings image.
That's like choosing your favorite child. Mitzi has created so many
adorable, beautiful, and whimsical images, it is so hard to choose
just one.

I managed to finally decide on using one of the newer Fruit Sprites, 

Cherry Sprite.

Cherry Sprite is adorable, and so very perfect for
Grandma's Birthday card. 

I colored her up in pinks and fuchsias, as I thought red would be too obvious.

I splattered some Worn Lipstick distress ink and some Perfect Pearls Mist

in Biscotti on the background paper to sort of bring everything together.

I also used some fabric trim for a bit of texture and interest.

And I Stickled the heck out of her dress. She is a Sprite after all. 

And Sprites must 

SPARKLE!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge Blog for more

inspiration and eye candy from the talented design team. 

Aurora Wings Challenge #42: Asian Inspired

Wow! Here it is 2017, and my very first post in months.

I have missed sharing my art, but since I started working 

last September, I wasn't able to create much, so there really

wasn't much to share.

I quit my shitty job, and am getting ready to embark on a new 

career path very soon. In the mean time, I have located my mojo,

and am creating like a mad woman. I even finished some older

projects that have been collecting dust for months, if not a year or more.

The new challenge over at the Aurora Wings challenge blog is 

'Asian Inspired'.   

I have loved this image since I first saw it, but when my incredibly talented

DT sisters have created with it they do such an amazing job I was afraid I

couldn't do it justice. I gave it a go anyway...

I have used the beautiful, Chrysanthemum Festival image,

available in the Aurora Wings etsy shop.

As is my usual style, I have chosen to work with very non traditional colors.

I'm in the mood for some bright, springtime colors. 

I used pinks to give a nice contrast to the heavily saturated purple and blue green.

After coloring, I used some stitched rectangle dies and a complimentary

designer paper to finish it all off.

I have such a hard time embellishing these gorgeous images. 

I think they stand alone as a stunning focal point to any project.

And besides, I don't have any cool Asian themed dies or embellies, anyway...

Thanks for stopping by today.

Be sure to drop by the Aurora Wings challenge blog to see more

eye candy and samples for the new theme of 2017!!     

  

AW Anything Goes

Just a quick share today of my DT sample for 

Aurora Wings Anything Goes.

Since I'm already lacking greatly in the Halloween makes this year,

I decided to have a go at making this into a Halloween themed thank you card.

My sister in law just took me to the Sinister Creature Con yesterday.

I think she deserves a nice card.

I used the adorable Day of the Dead Marigold Sprite. 

Another of my very favorite Sprites.

  I used a card base that was a sample of my new Color Burst powders.

So much fun to play and create with those! The card base already had

spider web embossing on the edges so it worked perfectly with that

Stampin' Up web doily.

 I colored this cutie up using Copics in my Halloween go to colors

of purple, green and orange. Topped everything off with a healthy

does of various colors of Stickles, and this card is ready for the post

office.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Be sure to check out all of the creative eye candy being shared over

at the Aurora Wings Challenge blog. 

  

For the Boys and Men

The new theme at Aurora Wings is 

"For the Boys and Men".

Now, I usually craft with a fairly masculine energy. No subtle colors

or super sappy baby images for this chick. BUT, I do have a problem

crafting specifically for men or boys in mind. So, this theme did kind of

throw me for a moment. Then I remembered that I have been wanting to

color in that adorable Zombie Puppy of Mitzi's. He goes purrfectly with the 

Zombie Kitty that I colored up so long ago here.        

I went with a Golden Retriever color palette for this undead pup.

I also just went for it and started my Halloween cards for the season.

It's never too early for me, ya know. In fact, I'm actually running

a bit behind this year...

I thought the feel of this card was pretty masculine, but I did have to

stop myself from adding some Stickles to the green goo dripping out 

this pup's mouth. Some habits are hard to break.

C'mon, even for a zombie puppy this guy is ADORABLE!!

I colored him with Copics and made sure to make his stitched-on leg

a bit discolored to mimic either a different breed of dog, or just a leg well

past it's "best by" date. 

I used various random Halloween papers from my ever growing scraps box

and collection of Halloween themed papers. And the googly eyes are a new

addition to my "collection". I had to use them in some way. I just had too!

I popped on some die cut bones and a spider web for balance and to add more

lime green to the project.

I think any boy, man, woman, or girl would love this card. And now the seal has been 

broken, so get ready for more Halloween themed projects from now until November.

Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings Challenge blog and check out all of the 

incredible inspiration projects for this new theme.

  

Aurora Wings B+W+ One Color

The new challenge at Aurora Wings begins today.

The new theme is 

Black, White, and One Color.   

I struggled a bit at first because I always think of vibrant colors when 

I think of Aurora Wings images. I ended up going with a color I don't

always use and picked my Blue Violet Copics as my color choice.

I typically reach for Yellow Greens, Violets, and Red Voilets, so this

was a nice departure for me.     

I chose to work with a cropped version of 

Crimson Wings. I love this image, but found it a bit

intimidating with all of her beautiful details. I find a cropped

version to be less intimidating and less difficult to work

into a card design. I usually print out my images quite large (4" x 6")

so I can see them and work with them easier. Then I have a hard time 

making a card smaller than 5" x 7". I'm sure I make it way more 

complicated than it actually is, but I am very happy with how the

cropped versions are working for me. Just another perk to using digi

images. Such versatility in sizing and cropping. 

Once I had chosen my one color, I used my Neutral Grays to 

color in the hair and shade the skin tones. Then, I had to come up

with a complimentary paper. Yikes! I lucked out and pulled out

an older paper pad from Me and My Big Ideas of black and white papers.

I colored the mainly gray scale background paper using BV Copics 

to make it all cohesive. I popped some rarely used Dark Blue Stickles

into the middle of the flowers to add some bling. I have to have some bling

ya know. Then I watched three different You Tube videos on how to use my

Bow Easy before I mastered that bow. Geesh! I feel so dense and 'sausage-fingery'

sometimes! But in the end I persevered and a little bow was born. 

Be sure to pop over to the AW challenge blog and see how the other talented

DT members interpreted this fun and inspiring challenge.      

Aurora Wings CAS

Today is the start of a new challenge at Aurora Wings.

The new theme is Clean And Simple (CAS).

Honestly, this is my preferred way of creating with the gorgeous

images of Aurora Wings. Once I finish coloring an image, I am usually at

 a loss as to how to assemble a card around it's detailed beauty without

detracting from it.

I had a bit of an epiphany, and edited some of the more involved images

using Gimp. I chose the focal point I wanted to highlight and cropped the image.

Sometimes I am intimidated by the images with so much detail that coloring

seems like a never ending process. It usually takes me at least an hour (usually longer)

to color an image. So, the thought of coloring one image for hours seems a bit daunting.  

I love the Santa Muerte image, but I have always been too scared to try and do it

justice with my coloring. I found the face to be the most beautiful part, so I cropped her

face to give me the impact I needed for a perfect CAS card.  

I still toiled over which colors to use and how to use them, but it

took me less than two hours to create this entire card, which is pretty good for me. 

 I am actually quite pleased with how this worked out and am eager to 

make more CAS cards using cropped Aurora Wings images.

I want to use the dragon from the 'Dragon Lore' image next.

Keep an eye out for that one. 

Be sure to stop by the Aurora Wings challenge blog to see all of the 

inspiring CAS samples the design team has created for this theme. 

They're stunning!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes   
Our Crafty Corner - Anything Goes 
Creatalicious Challenges - Anything Goes + no dp papers
Dark'n'Daring - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes

April Showers Bring Many Flowers

Now that California has finally gotten a considerable amount of rain

my garden is in full bloom! Sadly, this is the only Iris plant of mine to 

produce flowers so far, but I'll gladly take what I can get.

In keeping with the flowery theme, the new challenge at Aurora Wings is

Say it with Flowers.

You really can't go wrong there. Mitzi's artwork is full of delicious

flowers of all kinds. Take your pick!    

Since I am still working on the wedding album for my Aunt and Uncle, 

I decided to go with the new hibiscus set available in the Aurora Wings Etsy shop. 

It's almost like Mitzi created these gorgeous flowers especially for this Hawaiian wedding.

They are perfect!  

This border design is probably my favorite of the four images

offered in this set.  

How cool to have a ukulele player and a conch blowing officiant

presiding over your wedding! Can't get much more Hawaiian than that. 

This cluster of three hibiscus is just what this page needed.

Honestly, the hardest part of coloring these flowers was choosing

the color scheme. There were so many options, but I tried to stay true

to the Hawaiian Hibiscus colors. I started off with a hot pink flower with a bright

yellow edge, but was unable to get the blend to work. I'm kind of glad now,

as I'm not sure that combo would have worked well with these photos.

Everything happens for a reason, right?    

Thanks for stopping by today.

I hope you'll take a moment to drop by the Aurora Wings challenge blog

and check out the flowery feast the DT have created featuring various

flower inspired projects showcasing Mitzi's gorgeous images. 

Mahalo!

Still pluggin' away...

Yup, I'm still working on the wedding album I started last year

for my Aunt and Uncle.

Slow and steady wins the race, right? 

I should have this album finished by their third anniversary if

I keep at it. That's September of this year. 

I had better not put it away or I'll forget I'm working on it, again. 

It's a good thing the new challenge at the Aurora Wings Challenge blog is

Anything Goes.

In keeping with the Hawaiian/ocean theme I have used the adorable

Sea Turtle Kiss image from Aurora Wings.

I decided to crop the image to keep it small enough to fit into the layout,

and large enough to color it well with my aging eyeballs.

Reader glasses are my saving grace when it comes to coloring images

these days.

Using the same image, I separated the sea turtles and used them 

by themselves for added interest and to make the two pages cohesive.

I added lots of circle punches to give the feeling of bubbles, and some

branch die cuts to mimic coral. I have been collecting a TON of

charms and brads and schtuff for this project, and I finally managed to 

work in one of the fish charms as a cute dangle from the sentiment tag.

I'm trying to keep the dimensions to a minimum or the book will never 

close properly.

That's going to do it for me today. 

I hope you'll pop by the challenge blog and check out all of the 

incredible inspiration pieces my DT sisters have created for this

new Anything Goes challenge.