Wednesday 31 October 2018

Gecko Galz:Tricks and Treats Blog Hop



Hello Everyone!

We want to welcome you to the



This is your Twelfth stop on our Tricks and Treats Blog Hop
We have 18 AMAZING blogs for you to visit this weekend, each with some gorgeous projects created using the Gecko Galz collage sheets that we are giving you for FREE!  Each blog you visit will have another free Gecko Galz Collage sheet for you to download; the one here is
"DAY DREAMS ".

Also make sure you leave a message on each blog site you visit and on the last blog there will be a phrase that you will email to us to be entered in our drawing for a wonderful treat pack.  So sit back, relax, take your time and enjoy the hop!
We have FOUR amazing prizes up for grabs:
·        First is a Gecko Galz shopping spree for $100!
·        Second prize is a $75 Shopping spree with Gecko Galz.
·        Third prize is a $50 shopping spree!
·        And our Grand Prize is ONE FULL YEAR of Gecko Galz PRODUCTS!!! This includes the 6 new collage sheets each quarter, a new stamp set each quarter, 2 new paper packs each quarter, a ATC collection each quarter, and one jewel it collection!
 This is a $150 value! 

First of all, you will need to visit all 18 blogs and leave a comment on each blog :) **This is important so we know you have been to all the blogs **. Collect the phrase at the end of the hop on the Fripperies and Butterflies site there will be a link to email the phrase to Gecko Galz at geckogalz2014@gmail.com.
This enters you in the contest. On October 31st we will randomly draw the 4 winners and email each of you, then we will post the winning names on the Gecko Galz blog site.

For an extra chance to win make a purchase from the GECKO GALZ ETSY STORE between the 26th of October and the 30th of October and your name goes in again for a better chance of winning (each purchase you make that weekend gives you another chance to win) 


Gecko Galz
**** Carole Jones ***

I have some projects to show using the free Day Dreamers collage sheet images


 I printed the collage sheet as it comes - no size or colour alterations. I have to say that I found this a huge challenge as the images are a little 'Old Master' and not really my style. However, I hope you like what I made:

1. Lazy Hazy Days of Summer


This was the image that drew my attention, probably because it is one of the most colourful, but also, I feel, it has a more 'modern' look about it.

I cut the image and distressed the edges using a pair of scissors. I inked the edges in Memento Sand to eliminate any white card. I teamed the image with beautiful paper from the Spring Songs paper pack, this time sizing the paper (12 x 12 cm) to fit the blank card I was using. I distressed and inked the edges of the paper. I matted the image and background paper onto gold card and distressed the edges of that also.

Next I added some beautiful lace along the bottom edge of the background paper. I adhered the matted image, making sure to keep the background paper's flowers in view.
From a second piece of patterned paper, I fussy cut the larger flowers and the butterflies, and made sure to ink all the edges. I shaped the flowers using a moulding mat and a ball tool and glued them on top of the original paper to give some dimension. Green crystal gems were added to the larger flower centres. I added the butterflies by securing them down the centre only.


***

2. Golden Days


I made this thoughtful lady into a cameo-style card. I used an oval stitched die to cut the image out and matted it onto a scalloped circle of paper from the Courtly Love paper pack. Before glueing, I decided to add some gold paint, with my finger, along the edges of the image and the scallops. The background paper is from In Marble Halls and was dry embossed - again I added some gold paint along the edges and matted it onto black card. I added a strip of cream crochet lace along the bottom edge of the card and placed the scalloped circle on foam pads for some dimension.
I made some die cut paper flowers from the same paper as the scalloped circle. I carefully added gold paint along the edges of the petals, shaped them and glued them together. Golden Mini Prills were added to the flower centres. I arranged the flowers with black die-cut foliage and cream dried flowers and finished the decorations off with a hessian bow dipped in gold.


3. Snarky ladies

Mmm... what to do with these two reclining beauties?  I felt like they could be in the same room as they are both sat on green velvet chairs.
They reminded me so much of the cards you see with posh ladies making unexpected snide comments, so I thought I'd try to make something similar to bring a smile to the recipient's face.


Part of our brief for the Blog Hop was that we should make a Christmas card. I decided to make one of the reclining ladies into my Christmas card, simply by giving her a die-cut Christmas tree (with glossy sticker baubles and a star on top) and a Christmas foliage swag from the Christmas Dreams Kit. The papers are from the Victorian Christmas paper pack. I fussy cut around the sofa and cushions and made it look like she has wine-red flock wallpaper.


The other reclining lady has the same Victorian Christmas papers and a simple gold metallic trim edging to separate the two papers. Both cards have a gold textured mat beneath the patterned papers.
The speech bubbles were made on my laptop and printed. I decided to ink the speech bubble lightly with Vintage Photo to give it a more vintage look.

 

***
 4. Candle in the Wind

For my final project I used one of the images to decorate a vanilla scented candle.


I printed the image onto tissue paper, then carefully pulled the tissue paper apart along the edges of the image. I used decoupage paste to attach it to the candle and went over the top of the image with paste to secure it firmly and to make it appear part of the candle. I decided to add some crystal gems as decoration choosing chunky ones for the top and bottom and small ones for the sides. 


****
 I hope I've inspired you to make something with your free Gecko Galz collage sheet.
If you've read this, I'd love you to leave some feedback in the comments and, of course, I would welcome any new Followers!
If you are a follower or a new follower, please mention that in the comments as I have a little surprise to give away to one lucky person! 

Here is your free Gecko Galz 'Day Dreamers' collage sheet:


***
That's all from me for now!

I hope you'll join our Witching Hour challenge which runs until the 30th October - the Winner will get 
$25 shopping spree 
at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product ...
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 
Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the $1 Wednesday deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a Private Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. Come and join us!

I'll be back on the 1st November with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

***
Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo
I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

Monday 29 October 2018

* Vera Lane Studio: Peachy and Perfection

I am having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

Hello!

It's my DT day at Vera Lane Studio and I'm back with a second post. 

Not long ago we had Just Peachy and Pearfection released and I made a couple of small cards with them.


I coloured the images with Copic markers and added some white Posca pen highlights. I fussy cut them and ran a black Copic marker along the cut edge to conceal any white card. I used small scalloped edged kraft cards from LCD as the base. I chose some design paper, distressed and inked the edges with Vintage Photo. I added some jute twine tied with a bow and popped the images on foam pads. The sentiments were glued directly to the papers.





Just Peachy                            Pearfection 
  

I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane. 
It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  


Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge #230 AG 02/11
Corrosive Challenge #10 AG 02/11 (#3)
Crafting from the Heart #226 AG 04/11
Cutie Pie Challenge #128 Going Girly 05/11

I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

* Vera Lane Studio: Charlie


I am having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

Hello!

Here in the UK our clocks went back an hour on Saturday night. It meant we could have an extra hour in bed on Sunday morning if we wished...yay!!! However it does mean that it will go dark really early - sunset today is at 16.45.
I mention this because I've been taking my photos outside for quite a while and today I noticed a big difference in the quality of sunlight and the shadows.  

It's my DT day at Vera Lane Studio and we have a new release today! It is Charlie, and she's a fashion girl!

The digi set comprises of 3 black and white Charlie digis for you to colour, 2 black and white cupcakes and 5 Charlies with pre-coloured collage-style dresses, plus a sentiment - a total of 11 digital stamps!

 My first project with Charlie is a 5 x 5 inch card:



I used one of the pre-coloured images.
 Before printing I decided to place a black and white png cupcake on top of her head. I resized her so that she would fit down one side of my card. I coloured her with Copic markers and then fussy cut her leaving a thin white border.
I found her a green gelli print background and inked the edges with Black Soot Distress Oxide to make a frame. I added some white heat embossing using a Tim Holtz background stamp. Charlie is popped up on foam tape. Since I have a fussy background I added some shading around Charlie with a Stabilo pencil. The sentiment was cut into strips, adhered and outlined with fine liner pen.



I'll be back with a second Vera Lane DT post later this afternoon.

Charlie



I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane. 
It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  


Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Jo's Scrapshack #257 AG 02/11 (#3)
A Gem of a Challenge #230 AG 02/11
Crafting from the Heart #226 AG 04/11
Cutie Pie Challenge #128 Going Girly 05/11
Crafty Cardmakers Explosion of Colour 11/11


I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

Sunday 28 October 2018

* Gecko Galz: Vintage Snarky


I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments without moderation. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***
Hello!

At the Gecko Galz blog the 2018 Tricks and Treats Blog Hop is running from October 26th until 31st. Hop on over - there are free collage sheets, prizes, craft ideas and so much more!

This is one of my DT cards using the free collage sheet I gave away on my main post which you can find here.

Mmm... what to do with the two reclining beauties?  I felt like they could be in the same room as they are both sat on green velvet chairs.
They reminded me so much of the cards you see with posh ladies making unexpected snide comments, so I thought I'd try to make something similar to bring a smile to the recipient's face.


Part of our brief for the Blog Hop was that we should make a Christmas card. I decided to make one of the reclining ladies into my Christmas card, simply by giving her a die-cut Christmas tree (with glossy sticker baubles and a star on top) and a Christmas foliage swag from the Christmas Dreams Kit. The papers are from the Victorian Christmas paper pack. I fussy cut around the sofa and cushions and made it look like she has wine-red flock wallpaper.


The other reclining lady has the same Victorian Christmas papers and a simple gold metallic-look trim edging to separate the two papers. Both cards have a gold textured mat beneath the patterned papers.
The speech bubbles were made on my laptop and printed. I decided to ink the speech bubble lightly with Vintage Photo to give it a more vintage look.

 

***
That's all for today!

There is still a little time to join our October Witching Hour challenge where the Winner will get 
$25 shopping spree 
at the Gecko Galz shop.

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product ...
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 
Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the $1 Wednesday deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a Private Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. Come and join us!



xoxo
I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Crafting by Designs Vintage 31/10 (#3)
Vintage Journey Autumn Splendour 02/11 (#2)
Corrosive Challenge #10 AG 02/11 (#2)
Cardz TV #71 AG 09/11 (#3)

I'd really love some feedback and welcome any new followers!  :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

Saturday 27 October 2018

* Cat Lovers Hop: Indigo Cats


I am having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments without moderation. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!
***
Hello!

It's Day 6 of the Cat Lovers' Blog Hop - the final day for link ups! 
Have you visited Janis's blog yet?  There's lots going on including giveaways, games and crafting ideas! Pop over and take a look! 

 I'm back to share another of my makes - this time a card using the iconic Laurel Burch Indigo Cats.


I went for a more subdued colour palette today, but one that used the rich golden tones of autumn. Mama and baby cat are coloured with Copic markers and fussy cut. They are popped onto a background made with Distress Oxides spritzed with water. I dipped the mixed media card into the inks trying to get the lightest colours in the centre. Dipping, dabbing and drying in-between colours is the only way to go! When I was satisfied with the coverage, I added some Vintage Photo Distress Oxide around the edges of the card to deepen the border area, then I inked the edges with Ranger black ink. I decided to add some gold paint through the stencil which comes with the Indigo Cat stamp set. The paint didn't show up as well as I wished, so I went around the shapes with a black fine liner pen. I swiped some gold paint along the edges too.  I added some sequin waste to the base of the card and popped the cats on foam tape for a little dimension.



That's my last card link up.

Come and take a look at what we got up to!



xoxo
I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Cat Lovers' Blog Hop
Just Keep on Creating AG 31/10 (#2)FEATURED ARTIST

Crafty Catz #435 AG 01/11 (#2)
My Time to Craft #382 Halloween or Cats 01/11 (#2)
Jo's Scrapshack #257 AG 02/11 (#2) WINNER

SUYP #35 Furryanything 5/11 (#3) WINNER

As You Like It Favourite Autumnal Colours 07/11 (#2)
I love golden yellows and oranges as they are rich, opulent and warm.
Cardz TV #71 AG 09/11 (#2)

I'd really love some feedback and welcome any new followers!  :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments.