Molly Harrison Moonlight Solstice - Fairy, Polar Beat and Copics

"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination.”

I admit, I'm a wimpy Californian who never sees snow unless I seek it out in some distant nether region,  but I still remember how mounds of soft white snow look and feel.  I spent many delightful wintry days growing up in Utah and I reminisce about how beautiful the mountains and fields around me looked with a fresh new layer of untouched, sparkling snow. I wouldn't want to go back to the icy roads, slippery sidewalks and freezing extremities now, but as I colored this image, I could imagine being this lovely fairy on a still winter night with the beautifully sparkling northern lights  around her and I drew a peaceful breath. 

The magical fairy image is this digi art featured in the January 2017 Kit and Clowder online coloring class.  I followed along with the video and I'm pretty happy with my results but, as usual, I made plenty of mistakes so I think I'll practice on this image a few more times.  I enjoyed learning how to do the Northern Lights sky and I'm excited to use this technique again on some other mystical night scenes.  It's really not difficult to accomplish, although it takes a little time and concentration.  This card is 5 x 7 but some parts of the image are small and I struggled to get the contrast I wanted on the fairy. However, I got some much needed practice using a light  touch with my copics.  Alyce Keegan is such a genius at this and I really enjoy learning from her. 

When I spend time and effort coloring an image, I always want it to be the focal point of my card, but I still couldn't resist framing it with something glitzy. That vivid sky just begged for it.  I used a Spellbinder frame die to cut this glossy gold frame and added some magenta rhinestones for a little bling.  It's my thing. 

I feel like I've paid my yearly homage to the joys of winter...now I'm going to dream of a sweet early  California spring.  

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something beautiful.

Nancy

Playing along with:

        

        Your Next Stamp Challenge 108

        CCEE Challenge #1909

        Krafty Chicks Challenge #444

        Little Red Wagon Challenge # 486 - Love It (Northern Lights Technique)

        Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge #409

        Aurora Wings Challenge # 75

        Double Trouble Challenge #22 (diagonal tic tac toe and magic)

        Dream Valley Challenge #196

        Use Your Stuff Challenge #348