Gecko Galz: Gnome ATCs

 

Hello

Over on the Gecko Galz blog there are image challenges, where we are given images to download, print out and make projects. 

There is a Card Challenge, the Christmas Image Challenge, the Fantasy Challenge, an ATC challenge, a Steampunk Challenge and a Gothic Challenge and a quarterly challenge,. The free images can be accessed by the tabs at the top of the main blog page. 

The customer challenge theme this month is Gatsby Girls.

The winners of the image challenges will get a $25 Gecko Galz Etsy Store voucher. 

I decided to play with the free ATC set.

Here are my ATCs:

I love the gnome, so I decided to print him out in different sizes and flipped him horizontally as well. The backgrounds are beautiful snowy scenes. I added a fussy cut snowflake on each ATC and lots of white paint splatters and glitter. I grounded the gnomes with a charcoal, watercolour shadow.

Thanks for looking.

Gecko/Galz ATC Challenge

xoxo

Free Calendar Template

 

Hello

I made a template for a 2025 calendar with a blank space so that I can place any collages or images that I choose as each month's illustration.

One version is an A4 page per month in portrait and the other version is 2 months per A4 page in landscape (so each month is technically A5 (or less, depending upon how you crop it).

If you wish to download a copy, click on the links below

A4 Page a day

or copy and paste this into your search bar:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Il9lTaVGnSTlG3SmdzU1hWS3oJCrdMmr/view?usp=sharing

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A5 sized (2 months per A4 page)

or copy and paste this into your search bar:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E9LChGzJJNDb5RNCECVqvHbhXhmBPCeX/view?usp=sharing 

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Here is my January page:

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

Path of Positivity: The Unexpected Cat

 Hello

 Today is the midway reminder for the January challenge at the Path of Positivity.

Our challenge is always Anything Goes with an optional theme. 

This year we are looking at the UNEXPECTED. 

No matter how much planning we do throughout our years on earth, we're going to come across circumstances that we can't plan for. These unexpected things may be small or they may be huge and life altering. The only thing that we can control is how we react to these events.

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I tried something new and different (for me) for my project this time (inspired by my fellow team mate, Katrina at ScrappyHorses.com) .... digital scrapbooking. I have made digital collage or journal pages before, so the process was not entirely new to me.

Here is my page:

It features our cats, Indie and Casey, because Casey was our unexpected cat.

Indie, our tuxedo cat, was about four years old and very spoiled when we noticed that his food was being stolen from the utility room. We were finding empty sachets in the garden. One day we noticed a black cat, totally bedraggled and weak, and my husband went out to look at him. He came back in to get food and took it outside. The cat must have been scared, as it attacked him, scratching his arm and making it bleed. My husband ended up in hospital with blood poisoning and was on an antibiotic drip for a couple of days. Meanwhile we called in Cat's Protection who came and caught the cat. They asked if we would adopt him once he had been to the vets and received treatment. We agreed, although reluctantly on my part..

When Casey came back to us he was a different looking cat. His fur had been cleaned up and the knots taken out. His ears and his eyes were cleaned, although he still had weeping eyes and a runny nose. He was timid at first and hid away, but eventually he got used to our voices and would venture out and allow us to stroke him.

Long story short, Casey turned out to be the gentlest, most loveable cat you could meet. He was a big, sleek, cuddle bunny who loved to gently head butt his humans and he had the loudest, softest purr and would interact with us via chatters and meows. We weren't expecting another cat to enter our lives, let alone one that would hospitalise my husband in the process, but we were so lucky that its happened.

I made my scrapbook page in PicMonkey. I used papers and elements (photo frames, masks, edges, flowers, lace, grungy marks) from Digital Scrapbook.com and Raspberry Road.

I think this could be my new pastime. It's such a pity there's only 24 hours in a day.....

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That's all for now.

We would love to see your creations! 

Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!

 The link up is here: Challenge #127 Path of Positivity.

Many thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring the challenge.

I'll be back with a another Path of Positivity project in a couple of weeks time. 

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Thanks for stopping by today!

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

PIP Challenges #2503 AG 26/01

Dream Valley #328 New 25/01 (new technique)

The Outlawz AG in a Card Free Zone Challenge 31/01

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo

Formidable Frida

 

Hello

At Kym's blog, My Soul's Dark Imagination, she's challenging us to create along the theme of Formidable Frida this week. 

I am fascinated by Frida and her life.

Here is my make:

I used an image of Frida from my friend's Etsy store. The collage set is called Frida as a Child, Teen and Adult and her store is Wendy Lynns Paper Whims. The painted, wooden plank background with flags is from Adobe Stock and the flowers, background markings and quote are from a Frida Elements Kit from Digital Scrapbook.com

I used the same collage set to make a Frida mini book about Strength and Courage a few months ago. 

It is here if you wish to view it.

Thank you for looking.

xoxo

Sunday Postcard Art: Happiness

 

Hello

I created a digital postcard for the Sunday Post Card Art challenge. The theme this week is Happiness.

How adorable are these two boys - they are from Artemis Journal's set called 'Whimsical Boy'. I removed the backgrounds and placed them on a cloudy sky paper from Creative Fabrika. I added flourishes and whimsical clouds with dangling stars from DigitalScrapbook.com to the sky and a grungy edge. The title and frame was added in PicMonkey.

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

Gecko Galz: Gatsby Girls

 

Hello

It's my DT day on the Gecko Galz blog.  

The main theme this month is Gatsby Girls.

As always, we have free images to download to make projects to enter the Card Challenge, the Christmas Image Challenge, the Fantasy Challenge, an ATC challenge, a Steampunk Challenge and a Gothic Challenge,. The free images can be accessed by the tabs at the top of the main blog page. We also have a quarterly challenge on the blog.

If that isn't enough challenges, we also have 4 Facebook challenges each month.

We hope you can find some time to join in the fun.

The winner of the Customer challenge will get a $25 Gecko Galz Etsy Store voucher and the runner up a $12 voucher. There are plenty of free Gecko Galz images if you don't already own any. Each blog post has a free image to collect and, if you sign up for the monthly newsletter, there is the chance to claim a free collage set each month.  Also if you make any purchase of $2 or more you receive a free image.

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I made a set of 3 tags, keeping with the main customer challenge theme of Gatsby Girls.

I used the delightful pastel coloured papers from the Gatsby paper pack and added a fussy cut image from the Gatsby Girl collage set. Each tag has a sticker sentiment and some pearl trim along different pear embellishments and gold trim through an eyelet for the fastener.

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Next, I made an Art Deco inspired card.

I used the same papers from the Gatsby Paper Pack and matted it onto gold paper and then black card. The. image once more is from Gatsby Girls collage set. I added some small gold coloured gemstones as embellishment.

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I also made a mini book which I blogged about HERE

For details on how I made this visit THIS PAGE.

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And finally a set of digital pieces:

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That's all for now!

I hope you'll join our 'Gatsby Girls' challenge where the winner will get a $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.

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

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a bespoke digital prize. 

Do come and join us!

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

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Challenge  "Gatsby Girls"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

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I'd like to enter these Challenges:

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

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Sunday Postcard Art: Dreams

Hello

I created a digital postcard for the Sunday Post Card Art challenge. The theme this week is Dreams.

A dream is where it all begins ....

Dream dust, dreamcatcher, pink, fluffy clouds, pink crescent moon, dreamy girl, a jar to capture dreams within: elements from Clean png 

Grungy masks and borders, gold stars: from DigitalScrapbook.com  

Watercolour style background: FreePik

Created in PicMonkey.

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

Midweek Muse: Build A Snowman

Hello 

It's been a while since I've played along with digital challenges, but today I found time to make a scene for the challenge at Our Midweek Muse. 

The theme is Build a Snowman.

The background, snowy house scene is from is from A&Jj Designs 'Whimsical Winter House' collection. 

I added the png snowman, girl and robins, along with grungy markings, snow and a title.

Thanks for stopping by today. xx

Four Seasons Challenge Jan WINTER 25/01

The Outlawz AG in a Card Free Zone Challenge 31/01

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Path of Positivity: The Unexpected Friendship

Hello

 Today is the start of the January challenge at the Path of Positivity.

Our challenge is always Anything Goes with an optional theme. 

This year we are looking at the UNEXPECTED. 

No matter how much planning we do throughout our years on earth, we're going to come across circumstances that we can't plan for. These unexpected things may be small or they may be huge and life altering. The only thing that we can control is how we react to these events.

***

I am anxious and so not very comfortable in social situations with people I don't know and, as such, I prefer to dine at a table for two when we are out or on holiday. However, that isn't always possible. Six and a half years ago, half way around the world, we were taken by the maitre d' to a table for eight people. The couple that we were sat next to recognised our accent, not just that we were from England, but the NW of England, and it turned out that they live just 10 miles from us. 

How incredible (and totally unexpected) is that?

They were very friendly, funny and easy to get along with and we became good friends on that holiday.  When it came to an end, we exchanged phone numbers, not really expecting to see them again. How wrong could I have been? We have kept in touch via social media and meet up in person several times a year for a good, old catch up.

The unexpected in this case has led to a lifelong friendship and made me take a new look at some of my fears and causes of anxiety.

This quote by Henri Nouwen is perfect for my experience:

Here is my project. 

I made a mini book from a single sheet of 12 x 12 inch black card.

The images are from Artemis Journals on Etsy. They are called Retro Besties and they are perfect for my project. I love this style of artwork, the pops of colour along with some white spaces and the retro girls are gorgeous (just like me and my friend :) ).

I matted each image onto textured sky blue paper and added a sticker sentiment about adventures, possibilities, and being open to new experiences. The booklet is tied with black polka dot ribbon.

Enjoy the individual pages:

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That's all for now.

We would love to see your creations! 

Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!

 The link up is here: Challenge #127 Path of Positivity.

Many thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring the challenge.

I'll be back with a another Path of Positivity project in a couple of weeks time. 

***

Thanks for stopping by today!

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

My Time to Craft #550 New 09/01
PIP Challenges #2501 AG 12/01
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #245 AG 10/01
A Perfect Time to Craft #1 AG 28/01

The Outlawz AG in a Card Free Zone Challenge 31/01

613 Avenue Create Jan AG 01/02

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo

Conjurer of Dreams: Winter Windows

 

Hello

Today I'm sharing some projects I made using Conjurer of Dreams images. I hope you'll pop over to the store and take a look at the Digital Art on sale for collage, scrapbooks, journals, cards and more.

We have an open, worldwide challenge at the Conjurer of Dreams Blog.

The challenge theme is always 'Anything Goes', and this month's optional theme is 

'Winter Windows'.

We hope you'll share your projects with us.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where we would love for you to share your Conjurer of Dream projects.

Here are my DT makes.

A frosty winter window with cardinals:

I wanted to have a white on white-ish background, so I used a white die cut window frame onto of white textured paper. I placed a cosy winter living room scene behind the 'frosted glass' (a piece from a clear, but textured storage envelope) and decorated the outside with die cut branches and two beautiful fussy cut cardinals from the Winter Visitor collage set. The beautiful, puffy snowflakes were gifted to me.

My Time to Craft #550 New 08/01 (new window die cuts & snowflake stickers)

Critter Crazy #94 AG Critter 25/01

Triple B Challenge Jan Bird, Butterfly or Blossoms 31/01

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A pair of cardinal Note Cards

The lovely Winter Visitor images needed no embellishment, save for some sparkle in the form of glitter on the snow. I matted them onto white glitter card and then onto a blue pearlescent card.

Creative Crafting Uncles #60 Christmas/New Year 14/01

Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge Jan CHRISTMAS/USE BLUE 06/02

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A window with a view

The stunning view is from the Frosty Winter's Night set. I made it into a shaker card and added it to a 3D embossed background coloured with oxide inks. A die cut cat sits on the window sill.

Give a Crafter a Cookie #200 AG 31/01

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A set of Gothic Window ATCs

The window frames are from the Gothic Architecture Clip Art set.

Through this window you can see a Frosty Winter's Night scene. The window is set atop a 3D brick embossed background with plant stickers on the windowsill.

Through this window is a Winter Pines snowy scene. The stonework is from a Tim Holtz 3D embossing folder colored with oxide inks.

And through the third window is a snowy, wooded scene from the Twilight set.

ATC Around the World #121 AG 31/01

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Window to Masterpieces

My next windows are NOT winter windows, but I liked the idea of looking through a window to see a facsimile of a famous painting.

Here we look through the die cut window to see Monet's bridge over the lily pond. The scene is from the Monet Inspired Mosaic Glass set and the stonework is from Distressed Colour Stone.

Here we look out to see a starry night from Mosaic Sky The stone wall is from Sandstone Backgrounds set 

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An Eclipse Card

The City Lights images are beautiful. The buildings' windows are lit up in different colours and all is reflected in the water.

I decided to try something new to me. I die cut a word 'shine' into the image to make an eclipse card. Each die cut letter was adhered onto another 4 die cuts of the same letter to give some depth and thickness to the letters. They were coated with Glossy Accents and put back in their place on the original image. along with a sticker sentiment.

(It was difficult to take a good photo in the gloom of winter and when lights were used they caused the image to lighten.) 

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And finally, some digital pieces, all using Frosty Winter's Night images:

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There is a free image give away on my DT post with Conjurer of Dreams today. 

The sample is below - please pop over to download  yours -----> free image here.

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That's all for now.

Please visit the

Conjurer of Dreams Etsy Store

Conjurer of Dreams Inspiration Group on Facebook (freebies available)

Conjurer of Dreams Blog 

CoD Monthly Challenge always ANYTHING GOES (option Winter Window

  Open worldwide to all participants, using any digis, stamping, mixed media etc

Please hop over, become a Blog Follower and join the fun.

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo