Gecko Galz: Signs of Summer

 Hello

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

The theme this month is Signs of Summer..

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. 

It's a Tag Booklet:

I cut tags from cream card and used a brayer and PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints to  colour them. The paint was vibrant and needed toning down, so I stamped a wavy pattern with Versamark and used white embossing powder. Once the tags were constructed into a booklet, I used the Good Vibrations ATC set for the background images and fussy cut images from the Sweet Summer Days collage set for the focal images. I added gold sticker borders around the background images. I typed and printed some summer sentiments and cut them into strips to add to each page.

Here is the front cover:

And this is the back cover:

The first two pages:

The middle pages:

And the last pages:

And here is the tag booklet opened up:

Preparation

1. Cut Tags.

2. Brayer paint.

3. Heat Emboss to tone colours down.

4. Ink around edges of each tag in black ink

5. Bind tags together to form the booklet (painted strips of paper).

6. Add ribbon for the tie mechanism under the front and back covers.

7. Decorate with chosen images.

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I also made a wall hanging:

I enlarged images from the Beachy Jewel It collage set and mounted them onto drink mats which have a textured wood background. I distressed the edges of the images and inked in Vintage Photo ink. I made two copies of each image and fussy cut elements from the second images to add on foam tape, making each tile 3-D. I used a crop-a-dile to punch holes in the mats and threaded twine and wooden beads

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A set of note cards:

I used images from Beachy Jewel It and Beach Signs collage sets.. Some elements are decoupaged to make the images three dimension. I inked the background mats in Distress Oxides and popped them onto white cards.

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And finally, two digital scrapbook pages using the Summer Sweeties collage set:

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That's all for now!

I hope you'll join our Signs of Summer 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 in July with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Signs of Summer"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

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Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

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AALL & Create: Flourish Plaque

 

Hello

Today I have a piece of wall art to share for my GDT post for AALL & Create.

I made a wall hanging using an MDF plaque from Samantha K.

I love the #269 Flourish bird stamp by Bipasha BK and wanted to create something other than a card with it. Inspired by a Tracy Evans workshop, I made a clay bird and popped it onto some twigs, then surrounded it with moss and flowers. I am really pleased with how it turned out. Here are some close up photos:

Step by Step:

1. Texture paste was applied through the #112 Heapza Hexagons stencil and acrylic paints applied and wiped back with a baby wipe.

2. #374 Reverse Hexagons were stamped with Shady Lane ink and gold wax applied around the edges.

3. The #269 Flourish stamps were stamped and fussy cut.

4. The leaves and bird images were coloured with Inktense watercolour pencils.

5. The leaves were layered for added dimension and liquid pearls added as berries.

6. I gathered some twigs from the garden, glued them in place and surrounded them with florists' moss.

7. I stamped the bird into air drying clay. It was cut out and left to dry. When dry it was painted and waxed. The words 'little birds' which is part of the stamp was also stamped into clay.

8. The flowers were layered and placed with the leaves on the bottom part of the plaque.

9. Glossy accents was applied over the clock face and the robin was perched on the twigs.

Gold Posca pen was used to add shine to the clock surround and white Posca paint was splattered over the entire project.

Stamps Used: 

#269 Flourish by Bipasha BK

#374 Reverse Hexagons by Autour de Ewa

Stencil Used: 

#112 Heapza Hexagons by Autour de Mwa

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:

* Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #143 18/10

* As You Like It Favourite non- card project 21/10

Mixed media plaques - get displayed in craft room or given as a small gift.

Creative Artiste #65 AGMM 25/10

* A Perfect Time to Craft AG Oct 28/10

Classic Design Challenge #10 AG 28/10 Best Technique

613 Avenue Create Winged Things 30/10 TOP ROCKER

Lets Create and Craft #146 AG 31/10

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Gecko Galz: Captured Hearts

Hello!

Happy New Year!

The first month of this new year brings a brand new customer challenge at the Gecko Galz blog and this month the theme is Captured Hearts.

The DT have been busy making inspiration projects, so why not pop over to the blog to see everyone's makes.

Here are mine:

Firstly, I made a shabby chic hanging heart:

 The substrate is corrugated cardboard which is die cut and dry brushed with white paint. The edges are inked with Vintage Photo and the back has a covering of design paper. I used a beautiful image from the Hugs and Kisses collage set. I distressed and tore the edges, then inked them. I added some Nuvo Crystal drops and a pearl heart. I attached some cheesecloth and a piece of ivory lace across the heart, then glued the image down, leaving the edges loose so that the corners could be curled to add to the aged look. I had just received three packages of sari scraps from Love Me Blue and the flower embellishment was in the ivory package. The sentiment is from the Charming Words Collage set; I distressed and inked the edges, added some gems and popped it onto the heart, on foam tape, to give some dimension. A few more Nuvo drops were added to the heart and to the flower embellishment. And finally, a piece of twine was threaded through the heart and knotted on the front.

Hugs and Kisses                                     Charming Words

 

Next I made a card. This can be for Valentine's Day, an anniversary or engagement or simply for writing a love letter:

I used one of the ATCs from the Heart Strings ATC set and made it larger. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and applied Stickles Crystal glitter around each heart. I fussy cut the fun fair ride couple from the Retro Love Story collage sheet, inked the edges and popped them on for tape to give some dimension. The sentiment is from the Charming Words collage set, but I altered the colour of the background to match the ATC colours. It also is popped on foam dots and glittered around the edges.

I matted it onto red textured card and then on to dark blue satin paper.

Heart Strings ATC                                 Retro Love Story

   

I hope you'll join our Captured Hearts 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 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. 
Do come and join us!

I'll be back on the 20th with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Captured Hearts"

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:

Hanging Heart

* Creative Inspirations Something Old/Something New 31/01
old - recycled sari trim flower and corrugated card

* A Perfect Time to Craft #1 AG 27/01
* Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
* Love to Craft #42 AG 31/01
Mix It Up #33 AG 31/01

Love Birds Card
* Double Trouble #46 AG 05/01
* Love to Scrap #129AG 31/01

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

* Robin Mosaic

Hello!

Happy Thursday!

Firstly, let me welcome my new followers, Katrina Brown and Susan Renshaw. 

Today I have something a little different to share. 

I went to a mosaic workshop, run by Briony Machin, a couple of weeks ago and made this lovely festive wall hanging:

I really enjoyed making it and learned a lot. It is not, by any means, perfect, but I know what not to do next time!

The hardest part for me was cutting the glass tiles and trying not to fit too many into too small a space. 

I love the leaves and red berries, and the snowflakes are delightful! Briony's mum makes these and has a shop, Red Shed Ceramics, on Etsy.

I'm going to another workshop this Sunday and would like to make something ready for Springtime.

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1948 AG 08/12

* Fab n Funky #460 Anything but a Card 10/12
* Try It On Tuesday Inspired by a Song 10/12 TOP 5
(Red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbing along)

* Everybody's Art #459 AG 16/12
* A Perfect Time To Craft #Dec12 AG 27/12
* ABC Christmas Y for Yuletide 31/12 WINNER & TOP 3


* Ellibelle All Creatures Great and Small 31/12

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* Gecko Galz: Seaside and Nautical

Hello!

Today is my feature day on the Gecko Galz blog.

Each month we have a customer challenge and the winner gets a $25 spending spree in the Gecko Galz Etsy shop. 

This month the challenge theme is Shabby Chic Seaside. 

There are still 7 days left if you wish to play along.

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My projects today are nautical and seaside themed, though none of them are what I would call shabby chic in style. 

Here they are:

First of all, I have a wall hanging made from wooden popsicle sticks.

I made the substrate by gluing popsicle sticks together and attaching some twine as a hanging loop. I painted the sticks with white gesso, then watered down some phthalo green acrylic paint to give the sticks a wash of colour. I decided to blend some Vintage Photo Distress Ink along the edges. 
The beautiful image is from the Summer Seas collage sheet. I enlarged it and printed it onto tissue paper. I used matt medium to attach it to the sticks.
I added small and medium art stones around the image as a frame, colouring here and there with a wash of Vintage Photo ink. In the bottom corner I made a cluster of natural fibres and sea shells (which were gifted to me from overseas - I wish I could remember whereabouts they came from!), filling in any gaps with more art stones.

My second project is an altered notebook:

 This started out as an ordinary paperback notebook. I covered the front, back and spine with kraft card to make it sturdier, measuring the dimensions of the book and using my score board to make the spine folds. I inked around the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Next I distressed some papers (First Class and La Boheme paper pack) and the sail boat image from the lovely Summer Seas collage sheet and attached these with glue to the front cover. Twine ribbon was attached below the image and sticker letters were adhered  to spell out 'Daily Log'.
The fastening is twine with wooden beads at the end and a fish charm. The end of the twine was attached to the inside back cover and covered with kraft card. The twine then wraps around the book and tuck in on itself: the beads add weight and help to hold it in place.

I gave this to my friend's husband to take on their cruise so that he could keep a memory journal of each day.

  

My third project is a set of six note cards which I have packaged as a little gift set:

These were quick and easy makes on 4 inch square cards. The die cut matting and layering with kraft paper, along with the twine ribbon adds some extra interest and dimension.
The paper I used is from the First Class paper pack and the images are from the Beachy Jewels set.  The images were enlarged before printing. All the paper edges were distressed by scraping scissors along the edges. I love how these turned out! I packaged them in a cellophane envelope with a kraft card belly band and another matted shell image which had a thin piece of twine tied around and knotted in a small bow.

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I made a couple of shabby chic projects as inspiration for the customer challenge. These were posted on my blog on the 1st August and the details can be viewed here. Here is a photo of the two projects:

I hope you'll join our Shabby Chic Seaside 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 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 1st September with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Shabby Chic Seaside"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

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

Wall Hanging
* Mod Squad Travel/Vacation 27/08
* Crafty Creations #396 AG 28/08
* Penny's #444 AG 28/08 TOP 3

* Crafting by Designs Aug AG 31/08
* Creative Inspirationsn Aug Seasonal 03/09
* More Mixed Media Aug AG 04/09

Altered Notebook
* Crafty Calendar  AG 28/08
* Cassic Design Team Challenge #8 AG 28/08
* Cardz TV 96 AG 29/08
* 613 Avenue Create #224 AG 30/08
* SimplyCreate Too #152 AG 30/08
* Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #112 AG 31/08

Notecard Set
* A Gem of a Challenge #16 AG 26/08
* A Perfect Time to Craft Aug 27/08
*A Bit More Time To Craft #98 AG 31/08

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments.