Sandra Caldwell Birthday Blog Hop

UPDATE!

Winner of the Sandra Caldwell image of choice is AJ!  

Please email me at dlmundinger(at)yahoo(dot)com to collect your prize.

GOOD MORNING!
We are celebrating the very talented Sandra Caldwell's Birthday (which happens to be TODAY!)
with a birthday blog hop. Won't you please help us celebrate?!

We have each made a creation with images from her Etsy store.
If you arrived here from Cathy Preissing, YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

I've used #289 Old Lady Bat Wings.  I know Sandra has a sense of humor, or she wouldn't have drawn this hilarious image.  Gotta say, we ladies of a certain age can certainly relate.  LOL

The front of the card is a double slider and you pull the ribbon to reveal the rest of the front sentiment.  

And inside we have #799 Celebration Glamour Nana with her #896 Hot Birthday Cake.  Not as hot as you, Sandra!  Lots of love on your special day.

CHEERS!  xxxx 

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Festive Fridays Gorgeous Gramma  Day Challenge, Simon Says Wednesday ATG and DL.Art July Linky challenge.

I also created another card using the special digi I received for participating in Sandra's Birthday ATC Swap. those who participated and received this digi are all making a card and posting it on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page. It's not available in the shop, but there are all sorts of fun contests, events, new releases and inspiration on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fan FB page, so you might want to come join the Group and the fun.  For this one I used the sketch from the Outlawz Wednesday Sketch Challenge so I'll be entering it there.

I'm sorry your cards will be a little late, Sandra.  I'd like to say I was afraid to mail them too early and spoil the surprise, but...umm...

Anyway, I'm all for prolonging the birthday experience and I know you are too.

xxxxxx

Now, are you up for some Blog candy?  I know Halloween is one of Sandra's favorite holidays and she has some absolutely ADORABLE Halloween stamps in her Etsy shop. Tell me the name and # of your favorite and you'll be put in the hat to win the stamp of your choice.   Winner will be announced Saturday, July 30th, both here and on the Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans FB page.

This new one is MY current fave.  What's yours?  Hint: search Halloween to see ALL of the fabulous Halloween stamps.

In case you get lost, here is your line-up.

Start at the beginning
Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans Facebook Timeline 
Holley Tondre Barnhart

Denise Pustelniak

Cindy van Oorschot

Bonnie Irvine

Barb Poole

MaryAnn Samuelson
Dana Gebhard Johnson
Sharon Rogers 
Laine Kammeraad-Smith
Delores Miller
Cathy Preissing
Donna Mundinger 

End here and wish Sandra Caldwell a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sandra Caldwell Stamp Fans Facebook Timeline 

(Starts July 28th at 7am PDT and ends July 29th at 7am PDT)

New Release at Aurora Wings

I'm again thrilled to be joining the Aurora Wings Showcase Team with the new release of Beach Kitty in celebration of 2750+ members in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group.

Here's a closeup of the adorable Beach Kitty.  She's colored with Copics with some Rock Candy Distress Stickles on her frosty glass.  "She?", you say.  Well, I suppose she could be a little boy, but I find there are far more attractive girls with ginger hair, with the possible exception of Prince Harry, don'tcha think? LOL  I've used the png version and flipped her, but she also comes in a full beach background jpg version HERE.

I've made a cutaway card front by printing a non copyrighted beach photo from the internet twice.  I positioned Beach Kitty and lightly drew around her to cut the front mat.  Then I did the same for the card front with the mat in place.  Beach Kitty was printed 3 times, fussy cut and layered.  (There are actually 3 layers to the umbrella, which doesn't show from this angle.)  The sentiment was computer generated and popped with foam, as well.  The little flip flops are embellishments from JoLee's. Aren't they cute?

And here it is open, to reveal her lost sunglasses (also JoLee's) and the rest of the sentiment.  Be sure to stop by the Showcase Blog to see more fabulous inspiration from the Showcase Team and there might even be a surprise for you puppy lovers.  

Today kicks off our 2750 member celebration in the Stamps by Aurora Wings FB Group, as well.  Pop in for games and giveaways, contest and even a Freebie digi plus a super discount code you can use on the new releases.  Hope to see you there.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

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 July Linky Challenge, the DL.Art Summer Foods Challenge (hey, see the pineapple? LOL), Aud Sentiments ATG + Sentiment, Crafting with an Attitude ATG, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Summer Recreation, Star Stampz Summer Treats (I'd say a Pina Colada is a MAJOR treat!), Inspiration Destination ATG, Sisterhood of Crafters Animals, City Crafters Typically Tropical, Crafty Sentiments ATG, TTRCD ATG, Crafting from the Heart ATG, the Craftin' Desert Divas Beach Linky Party, Love to Scrap ATG , The Crazy Challenge Summer Fun, Eclectic Ellapu Life's a Beach, Glitter and Sparkle ATG, Corrosive Challenge July Nature/Animals, Cupcake Inspirations Tropical, Simon Says Monday Nautical/By the Sea and Craft Your Passion ATG. 

Hot Colors for The East Wind

Our new Facebook challenge begins today in The East Wind Group with the theme of Hot Colors.  Conveniently, a hot pink gift bag just happened to be laying on my craft room floor, so I decided to decorate it accordingly.  I've been wanting to color the adorable Hanna 'Wildflower' for some time and thought she'd be lovely in and array of colors from the warm side of the color wheel.  I've layered the image with mats cut from the Graphic 45 6x6 Voyage Beneath the Sea and found the perfect floral in an ancient MAMBI 8x8 stack (a truly lucky find, since I'd colored her first).  The cascade of gorgeous crinkle ribbon came from DL.Art Supplies with two colors from the Vintage Vineyard bundle, one from the Rainbow bundle, and one from Tropical Summer.  YUMBO!

Here's a closeup of the adorable Hanna 'Wildflower'.  She's colored with Copics with a few highlights done with a white gel pen.  I attempted a bit of interest in the background with drops of Copic blender.  (Very subtle, as I decided to do this after the entire image was already colored.) I still quite pleased with how it all turned out.  I hope you'll come join us on the TEW FB Group page and also check out the new Blog challenge.

Also, Unky, the artist behind the fabulous East Wind digis, is off on a meditation retreat until the end of the month, and is offering the gorgeous Aurora 'What Matters' for only $1.00 until she returns.  Don't miss it!  This is Unky's gorgeous coloring, don't you love it?

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, Decorate to Celebrate ATG, the Paper Shelter Ribbon/s Challenge, TTRCD ATG, 613 Avenue Create Color challenge using Orange, Pink and White, Love to Scrap ATG, and Coloring in Scrapland ATG. 

Tic Tac Toe for Aurora Wings

We're playing Tic Tac Toe at Aurora Wings this challenge.  Doesn't that sound like fun?  Here's our fabulous board.  You know how this goes, 3 in a row, but OUR board gives you lots and lots of options.  I've chosen the gorgeous Floral Masquerade for this challenge.  I think she's exquisite and was so much fun to color.

I've chosen the top row of purple/red/pink as well as the corresponding elements of string/die cuts/beads.  You may use the colors, the elements, or some combination of both, if you like.  Check out the Challenge blog for examples of the many possibilities.

Here's a close up of the gorgeous Floral Masquerade, colored with Copics.  She's also available in the AW digi shop HERE.  I had a hard time deciding on the color scheme, but finally chose what I thought would be most dramatic.  I'm quite happy with how she turned out, even though photographing this combo was a bit challenging.

Besides the Spellbinders Grand Ovals I used for the image and mat, I also used the Joy Crafts Billie's Flourishes for the die cut element, and a stick pin for the beads.  I layered the flower from my stash and added gorgeous crinkle ribbon from DL.Art Supplies to further the color scheme. 

The final element of thread, yarn, or string proved to be the most challenging until I found the sweet crocheted butterflies in my stash that helped carry the reds throughout the design.  I hope you're inspired to join our Tic Tac Toe 

Challenge at Aurora Wings.  

And don't forget our July Shades of Summer contest going on in the FB Group. We'll be celebrating  2750+ members the end of the week there, too.  Lots of places to play.

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

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

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 July Linky Party, TTRCD July 12-18, Dragonfly Dreams ATG, Glitter and Sparkle ATG, Lil Patch of Crafty Friends ATG, the Ribbon Girl July Any Image challenge, Crafty Calendar July Punches/and or Dies, Crafty Friends Use your Dies, ABC challenge "L" is for Lots of Layers, Chocolate Coffee and Cards Fancy and Use Pink, Crafting-With-Friends ATG, Creative Fingers ATG, Simply Papercraft ATG, Crafting with an Attitude ATG, 613 Avenue Create ATG, 4 Crafty Chicks Flowers, A Bit More Time to Craft ATG, Craft Your Passion ATG, Love to Scrap ATG, Crafting from the Heart ATG and Craft Rocket ATG.

Aurora 'Dark Pixie' from The East Wind

It's another new release day for The East Wind.  Meet Aurora 'Dark Pixie'. She's not so dark today, though.  Maybe another time.  The color scheme came about by accident.  The bubbles (?) in the image reminded me of one of the digi papers from La Isla Bonita digital paper pack from Gecko Galz, so I played with the colors in my Printmaster Platinum Program, et voila!  Most of the newer East Wind images some in a variety of formats, all for one low price, and I often use the NB (no background) png version so I can use my digi paper behind with no fussy cutting.  WooHoo!  I've matted several times, including one I'd sprayed with Dylusions spray and a pink/orange dot from BoBunny.  Just got some fab new dies, too.  This one is the Memory Box Large Ringlets.  The bright double bow is made with crinkle ribbon from the Rainbow and Vintage Vineyard Bundles from DL.Art.  YUM!

Here's a closeup of Aurora 'Dark Pixie'.  She's colored with Copics and I've added Glossy Accents to her eyes, lips and "bubbles" for shine.  Be sure to check out the TEW FB Group page for more inspiration from my teamies, our current Mini Coloring contest (Aurora Floral Kiss at discount price HERE) ending TODAY, so HURRY) Here's my version, in case you're not familiar.

Our FB contest, "Make Mine Girly Girl", runs through July 17th).  And we also have a new Blog Challenge, with a photo inspiration, that starts TODAY.  Lots going on, eh?  Hope to see you there.

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, A Bit More Time to Craft ATG, ABC "L" is for Lots of Layers, Country View Crafts Have Fun With Circles, Craft Rocket ATG and Sisters of Craft July ATG.

Another ATC for Sandra Caldwell's Birthday Swap

Hey guys, short post, but I just had to play again in the Sandra Caldwell birthday ATC swap and challenge on FB with this cutie, #933 Mad Molly. Isn't she a hoot?  I added a party hat and banner from the #862 Birthday This and That set for the birthday theme and little pressies and die cut letters from a discontinued Cuttlebug Alphabet set.  Hope she likes.

I'm adding this to the DL.Art July Linky challenge, the Fresh Brewed Designs July Birthday challenge the Cutie Pie Polka Dots (on her blouse and in the background) and Pastels Challenge, the Get Creative Celebrations Challenge and Aud Sentiments For a Girl + Sentiment. 

New "American Shorthair" from The East Wind

You know I love me some kitties so I was thrilled when Unky came up with this new digi for The East Wind.  Meet "American Shorthair". The DP on my square card is all about cats, something I've had in my stash and was waiting for just the right moment to use.  I just got a huge order of yummy hand dyed ribbon from DL.Art and couldn't wait to use it.  The fab "leaf green" from the Fall Bundle made marvelous grass and I've used "Turning Leaf" (from the same bundle) on the tag sentiment, cut from an old Cuttlebug Emboss Plus folder.  I added flowers, to join in the SUYP (cat's only challenge) which asks for them this month, also from my stash with glitter and gem centers from JoLees.

Here's a close up of "American Shorthair".  He's colored with Copics in colors my Goliath found appropriate (because they resembled HIM).  I've also added some fur detail with my Prismacolor Pencils.  When Goliath left the room, however, I accidentally colored his eyes yellow, which caused quite the ruckus because Goliath's are green.  OOOps!  No worries.  This guy was so fun to work with, I'm sure I'll be coloring him again and again.  You'd be amazed at how different he can look in different colors so check out the FB Group and see what my teamies came up with.

Here are of all the important links you need.

Challenge Blog

Unky's Coloring Therapy

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the SUYP Floral Kitties Challenge, DL.Art July Linky Party, TTRCD July 12-18 ATG, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG, the Outlawz Color Challenge, 613 Avenue Create ATG, Simon Says Monday Flora andor Fauna, A Bit More Time to Craft ATG, Left of Center Animals, Crafting-With-Friends ATG, Creative Corner ATG, Simply Papercraft ATG, Crafting with an Attitude ATG, Craft Rocket ATG and the Corrosive Challenge Nature/Animals.

Sandra Caldwell Birthday ATC Swap

OMG!  I can't believe I haven't blogged in 11 days.  Well, yes I can.  4th of July party prep and recovery took it's toll and I have been trying to keep abreast of DT projects, but not much time for just for fun stuff, until now.  This is Sandra Caldwell's birthday month and over on her FB Group page she's got a Contest/ ATC swap going and I wanted to play along.  Love the adorable #454 Old Lady Special Birthday  and thought she'd be perfect.  She's colored with Copics and I finally managed to use the Doodlebug sequins I just HAD to have (at least 6 months ago).  Yea, ME!  Sorry, short post.  I'm still gettin' back in the groove.

I'll also be adding this to the DL.Art July Linky Challenge, the Get Creative Celebratons Challenge and the Fresh Brewed Designs July Birthday Challenge.