* Gecko Galz: Mushroom Maiden Window Wallet Book

 Hello

It's March and we have a new customer challenge over at the Gecko Galz blog.  

The theme this month is Magic.al Mushrooms.

As always, we also have the monthly card challeng.e, the monthly Christmas Image Challenge, the monthly Stamp Challenge, an ATC challenge, a Steampunk challenge and a Gothic Challenge on the blog, as well as 4 Facebook challenges. These can be accessed by the tabs at the top of the main blog page. We also have the new quarterly challenge.

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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Here is what I made as inspiration for the Customer Challenge. 

(At the bottom of this post there are step by step instructions of how I made this.)

It's a window wallet mini book. It has an acetate window on the front cover.

The cover is a tag and the pages are an accordion.

The wallet booklet closes with twine wrapped around and tied in a bow. I used metal charms to add a little weight.

Really the photos do not do it justice. The cover and pages have a beautiful patina and shimmer.

Below are the pages in close up.

As the wallet opens the full image on the last page is revealed.

I added some die cut mushrooms and leaves (Sizzix Tim Holtz die), cut from Distress Oxide coloured card, and a tiny sentiment.

Each page has one of the Mushroom Maidens and extra foliage, mushroom and sentiment.

Here's the back of the wallet book:

Step by Step

Here are photos of each stage in the making of the booklet. They correspond to the steps listed below (individual photos are at the end of the post so you can enlarge and see the product I used and how I threaded the tie mechanism. 

First: Cut a tag. 

Mine is 8 inches x 4 inches wide. Scored at 3.5 inches and 7 inches - this forms the wallet with the end one inch as a tuck spot to keep the accordion in place when the wallet is closed.

Then: Cut 2 strips of card and adhere together to form the accordion.

My strips are 9.75 x 3.50 inches, scored at 3.25 and 6.50 inches. (Each page is 3.25 x 3.5 inches and there are 5 pages once the strips are adhered)

1. I smooshed the card into Distress Oxides (Pumice Stone first, then Frayed Burlap which oxidises to give a lovely patina) spritzed with water and used the dip, dab, dry method repeatedly.

2. a. When dry, I stamped with a PaperArtsy foliage stamp in Versafine Acorn ink.

b. The edges of the card and the folds were heat embossed in gold (for extra durability). Gold paint spatters were added.

3. Holes were punched and heat embossed for the twine tie mechanism.

4. A rectangle was die cut in the front cover of the wallet and an acetate window made.

5. The accordion was adhered inside the wallet to form the base of the booklet.

Decorate as you wish - take care to make sure your image shows through the window.

click on these preparation images to enlarge

 

Here is the Gecko Galz collage set I used:

  Mushroom Maidens  

That's all for now!

I hope you'll join our Magical Mushrooms 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 10th March with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Magical Mushrooms"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

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Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

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

Crafty Catz #666  More than one Fold 07/03 TOP 3

My Time to Craft #528 Create own background 07/03 TOP 5

* Creative Fingers #272 AG 08/03

* PIP Challenges 2409 AG 10/03

* Creative Creases #77 AG with a fun fold 14/03 Winner

* A Perfect Time to Craft March AG 28/03

* The Outlawz Challenges Card Free AG 05/04 TOP PICK

* Mini Album Mania #4 15/04 Top Pick

Mix It Up Challenge Fancy Fold 14/05 TOP PICK

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

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* AALL & Create: Cutie Window Wallet Book

Hello!

For my guest designer post for AALL & Create this week, I have created a wallet-style mini book. I love creating mini books and Janet Klein's little cutie stamps from AALL & Create are perfect for this. 
This wallet has an acetate window in the front cover and an accordion inside. I must credit Gwen Lafleur for the inspiration to make the window wallet. The wallet closes with raffia twine thread through the cover. To make the punch holes more sturdy I used a Versamark pen and heat embossed around the holes, Pretty wooden beads were threaded onto the end of the raffia for a boho look. 

Here are the accordion pages. 
The first page features The Adventurer #295

 Next is Oh Boy #316



Then, one of my favourites, Wish #360 with a part sentiment from All Good Things #296 and a bunny from Bunny and Bunnies #354.



And next is Trail Blazer #381 - I love this little dude and the saguaro cactus!



And finally Bunny and Bunnies #354.



Step by Step:

1. On a brayer painted tag measuring 8 x 4 inches (PaperArtsy Frescos in Haystack, Butternut and Cayenne) I stencilled through the lovely Elegance #90 stencil using Distress Oxide inks to match the painted background.
2. The tag was scored and folded at 3.5 inches and 7 inches.
3. A window was die cut from the front section, and I stamped with Roundly #366 and Mesh #262. The edges and folds of the cover were inked in black. I added some white embossing to the front cover using the splodgy stamp from Background Noise #338. White paint splatters were added.

4. Five pieces of 3.25 x 3.5 inch card were coloured by smooshing in Distress Oxides. Bold Alphas #336 were heat embossed in white and Background Noise #338 was stamped around the edges in black.  White paint splatters were added.
5. An accordion was made from two pieces of card (3.75 x 9.75 inches). Each card was scored and folded at 3.25 inches along the long side. Two of the sections, one from each piece, were glued together to form the accordion). Holes were punched in three places for threading the trim through. They were reinforced with heat embossing, but a ring reinforcer would work just the same. 
6. Acetate was adhered to the back side of the front cover to act as the window.

7. A selection of Janet Klein's cuties were stamped, coloured with Copics and Polychromo pencils and fussy cut. They were affixed on the cards with washi tape for grounding. 
8. The completed cards were attached, using red tape, to the accordion.
9. The last picture was placed so that it would show through the front cover window.



The one inch flap, at the end of the tag, folds over the accordion pages, the twine goes through the back of the front cover, then beads were attached (leaving enough length to wrap the twine around the book a couple of times and tie in a bow).

Background Stamps:

#262 Mesh

#336 Bold Alphas

#338 Background Noise

#366 Roundly

Janet Klein Stamps

#295 Adventurer

#296 All Good Things (sentiment)

#316 Oh Boy

#354 Bunny and Bunnies

#360 Wish

#381 Trail Blazer

Stencil: 
#90 Elegance

To see the stamps, stencils and dies used, please visit 
AALL & Create Boutique.

You'll find lots of inspiration on the 
AALL & Create Facebook Page  and on Instagram

That's all for now.

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge Use Favourite Tool 12/08

Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Blending Tool

* Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #139 AG 15/08

* Try Stampin On Tuesday #469  Make Own Background 16/08

* We Love 2 Create #8 Mixed Media 20/08 TOP 3

* Crafty Creations #412 AG 31/08

* Creative Inspirations Summer Fun 31/08

613 Avenue Create Use Washi Tape 31/08 TOP ROCKER

* Ellibelles Crafty Wednesday Aug Letter  B 31/08
Book, Blotches, Beads and Bunnies

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