Gecko Galz Tricks and Treats Blog Hop

Hello Everyone!

We want to welcome everyone to the

Gecko Galz 9th Annual Blog Hop

This is your eighth stop on our Tricks and Treats Blog Hop! 

We have 12 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 (found below my samples) is

"COLORS OF THE WIND".

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 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 12 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 geckogalz2019@gmail.com.

This enters you in the contest. On October 28th 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 24th of October and the 27^th 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) 

***

Here are my samples using the free Colours of the Wind collage sheet:

1.  A set of framed pictures on stands:

I bought two wooden blocks from the craft store. I painted the inside black and the outside gold using Winsor & Newton Acrylic paints. The images were enlarged and cropped to fit the aperture. I printed two of each image so that the focal figure could be fussy cut, have the edges inked for definition and adhered (decoupage style) inside the frame. I had some die cut greyboard shapes that I cut apart to fit the top and bottom of the frame and I die cut some leaves from kraft card. I decided to heat emboss these with fine gold powder and glued them to the frame sides. I also bought some wooden craft spools and painted these gold and adhered them to the base of the frame to act as stands for the pictures.

 

2.  A decorated notebook:

My notebook was an ordinary paperback note book which I first covered with kraft card, making sure to sandwich a piece of ribbon between the original notebook and the kraft cover so that it could act as a closure. I chose some patterned paper from the Gypsy Market paper pack. I distressed the edges of the paper and the image and layered them onto the front cover adding some black mats. I spelled the word Journal with some alpha stickers and added a strip of daisy lace, popping a flat back pearl, which I coloured with Copic markers, into the centre of each. The words are from the Journal Toppers Kit. 

3.  A Boxed Mini Journal with coffee stained paper

My box is a large matchbox which contained Cooks Matches. I like to recycle and repurpose where I can! It also has a handy ready-made drawer.

I started by covering the outside of the matchbox with paper from the Solarium paper pack. I distressed the edges of the image and lightly inked them (and the box edges) with Vintage Photo. I added lace and cheesecloth beneath the image and finished off with a lace flower and pearl, a ribbon bow and words from the Journal Toppers kit.

Next I covered the drawer section of the matchbox with printed tissue paper and added a button and a brad to act as a drawer handle.
I made a tiny journal from coffee stained paper, hand stitching it to the kraft card cover. Lace, cheesecloth and pearls were added and then the distressed-edged image. The word 'secrets' is a Tim Holtz chit chat sticker.  Ribbon closes the journal.

4.  Christmas Shaker Card

This last project shows how you can take almost any image and make it into a Christmas card.

I chose to make a shaker card with this beautiful lady. I inked around the edges of the image with Peacock Feathers DO to add a little more colour. I die cut a frame from heavy teal card and made the shaker element with sequins. I found some beautiful silver card which I used for matting and also die cut a snowflake banner. I added gems to the centres of the snowflakes for a bit more sparkle. Finally I added a silver, die cut sentiment.

I hope you like what I made with the free collage sheet - it is very beautiful! I would LOVE to see what you make with it, so please tag me in on social media or, better still, join our Facebook Group and post your projects there. It is a very friendly community and you will be warmly welcomed! We also have four challenges each month with prizes.

And here is the FREE collage sheet for you to enjoy

"COLORS OF THE WIND".

(Right click on the image below to save)

 

Now have fun visiting each Blog:

Gecko Galz

Katie Lamb

Patti Fisher

Vicki Romaine

Mia

Rene Van Wyk

Betsy Davis

Laurie Davis

>>>Carole Jones<<<

Amanda Hamilton

Gerri Herbst

Cathy Norton

 Leanne Seed

Visit Gecko Galz at

https://www.etsy.com/shop/geckogalz

To Join Our Newsletter and Get your Free monthly Collage Sheet go to

http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=emaoj9gab&p=oi&m=1106836390276&sit=8t6hzcggb&f=a2170b0d-05fa-4dd7-b606-1140d5ffbb14 

Gecko Galz Give Away Winner

Hello!

 Gecko Galz is 8 years old today and we've had a huge birthday give away!

Be sure to check today's Gecko Galz blog post to see if you are one of the lucky 8 winners receiving a $50 spending spree!

Also this month there is a Buy One Get One Free offer on all Gecko Galz products!

The winner of my $25 Gecko Galz spending spree goes to .....

Christi Neal

Congratulations, Christi.
Select the items you would like from the Gecko Galz Etsy Shop to the value of $25, then email your list to Leanne at
geckogalz2019@gmail.com

xxx

Gecko Galz: Dapper Flappers and a Giveaway

Hello!

I'm delighted to tell you that Gecko Galz is 8 years old this month and so we are having a huge birthday give away!

* Each of the Gecko Galz DT members will select one winner from their blog followers and/or commenters. 

* On the Gecko Galz blog, on the 15th May, there will be a give away of 8 prizes, each worth $50 in Etsy store vouchers. 

* On top of all these, there will be a Buy One Get One Free event at the Gecko Galz Etsy store until the 15th May.

How to win my $25 Gecko Galz gift voucher

In order to be in with a chance of winning my $25 prize, please leave me a comment saying "Happy 8th Birthday Gecko Galz" and consider becoming a follower. You do not need to have a blog, but if you do, please share the badge above and link it back to this page on my blog. 

The winner will be announced on my blog on the 15th May.

***
Now on to my samples for inspiration for this month's Gecko Galz customer challenge. The challenge theme for May is Dapper Flappers - think about the 1920s, Jazz, The Great Gatsby, Charleston ...

I have 2 samples - a trio of ATCs and a card.

First the ATCs:



I love making ATCs - I think it's working on a small scale that I enjoy! 
I used three of the ATC backgrounds from the Dapper Nouveau ATC sheet as my background papers. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress ink. The Flappers are from the Fab Flappers Collage Sheet. I fussy cut them and inked the edges. I added some gold mesh trim to the backgrounds before attaching the ladies on foam tape for added dimension. I embellished with pearl trim, ribbon and craft feathers and also added Tim Holtz Chit Chat stickers. To finish the ATCs I matted them onto black card. Below are close up photos of each ATC:







Gecko Galz products used:
Dapper Nouveau ATCs            Fab Flappers
   



And now my card:



I love this image of the Flapper reclining on cushions and drinking wine. Look at her rosy cheeks - she's obviously having a good time! She is from a fabulous collage sheet called Funky Card Toppers and I shall be using more of these for my DT samples on the 22nd May. The background paper is from one of my favourite GG paper packs called First Class.
I printed the image three times and cut as shown below so that I could decoupage and make it 3 Dimensional.



The edges of the images were each inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and, using foam tape, they were stacked on top of each other. The 3D image was then matted onto black card. The background paper was matted onto black card also . Pearl trim was adhered along the left hand side and the image topper adhered to the background. 
The photo below shows the dimension a little more.



Gecko Galz products used:
Funky Card Toppers       First Class Paper Pack

     

That's all from me for now!

I hope you'll join our Dapper Flapper 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 weekly $1 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 22nd with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Dapper Flappers"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges: 

ATCs

* Creative Moments #167 AG 05/05

* Crafty Sentiments Lace or Ribbon 07/05
* Crafty Creations #389 AG 07/05
* Cardz4Galz #95 Ribbon or Lace 08/05
* Cardz TV #88 AG 09/05

* Crafting from the Heart #242 AG 12/05
* A Bit More Time To Craft #91 AG 14/05
* A Perfect Time To Craft #5 AG 27/05

Card
* Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #104 05/05
* Moving Along With The Times #96 Floral 08/05
* CRAFT Challenge #511 Distress IT 08/05
* Aud Sentiments #226 Feminine + Sentiment 13/05
Creatilicious #162 AG/Option Flowers 14/05
* Crafting by Designs May AG 25/05

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments.