Final Gecko Galz post

It's with much sadness that I am posting my final Gecko Galz post. This design team has been wonderful to be on - from the great images to my very inspiring team members! I have been a Gecko Galz dt member for 4.5 years. Due to family obligations I am stepping down from all my design teams at this time.

Now for my final GG projects - 1 card and 5 tags.
First up are three tags featuring images from December's "Greek to Me" collage sheets.

Next is my Christmas tag. I used a lovely image from December's "Snow Maidens" collage sheet.

I also made a tag using an image and papers from the December kit "Czarina".

The card I made also uses an image from the Czarina kit.

Below is your free Gecko digi - please enjoy!

Happy Holidays!!

Wings at Christmas

Hi! I am sharing a new theme at Make My Monday this week - "Wings at Christmas". I made a card using a stamp by Dare 2 Be Artzy. I colored the image with chalks and added copper Stickles around the halo.

Please join us here and link up a project of your own - we'd love to see what you create!!

White Christmas

Well, since I can't get the real thing - it's going to be in the 60's this weekend! - I chose "White Christmas" as the theme this week at Make My Monday. We hope you will join us with a project of your own.

I have always loved snow and winter in Ohio. Seems like we always had snow for Christmas when I was a child. That's why I put the words "Happy Memories" on my card. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Stamping without a stamp!

That's the theme for Make My Monday this week: stamp but don't use a stamp. Check out all the cool ideas from the design team!

I used the end of a bunch of celery. Adding some marker highlights made flowers! Then I drew on stems and leaves, added a bee sticker and a photo of spring brunch, plus a yummy breakfast casserole recipe.

We'd love to have you join us with your own projects.

November at Gecko Galz & a Free Digi

Creating with Gecko Galz images is always easy - that's because they are so lovely! This month I made Christmas thank you notecards using the November "Blue Christmas" kit. I kept them simple, with a white card base and the same blue cardstock as a background for the images (from Blue Christmas ephemera sheet #2 & Icons sheet #2).

My next project is a Sugar Plum Fairy card. I began with a purple cardstock base and Blue Christmas paper #6 for the background. The fairy is Icon #16 with Icon #15 behind her. The brown heart is from Autumn Harvest papers #10. The blue hearts are from the Winter Wonderland papers, "Winter Garden". Lastly, I added a Tim Holtz word sticker.

And this month's free digi stamp for you from Gecko Galz. Please enjoy!

Christmas cards

Today's post includes two Christmas cards that I've made. One is for Ooh La La and the other for Make My Monday.

This is for the "Let it Snow" challenge at Ooh La La Creations, which is my last post for the design team there. It's been great working with their wonderful products and fun challenges!

For the card above, I used a lovely image from the Passion For Fashion CD called "Victorian Winter". It was backed on two patterned papers, white cardstock and a green card base. Wooden snowflakes were added. Finally, I cut the words "Winter Greetings" from the Shawn Jenkins Collection CD, (under Sentiments & Tags).

At Make My Monday, our challenge this week is "Oh! Christmas Tree". My card uses a green die cut tree on a red card base. I added a piece of green patterned paper behind the tree, gems and the word peace from Jillibean Soup.

Happy Monday!

Ooh La La Creations has a new theme up on the blog: "Pearls & Lace". We hope you will join us by linking up a project of your own.

I made a collage to share, using an image from the Say it with Words CD, called "A Woman with Good Shoes".

The background paper is #11 (Say it with Words CD), which has the lovely butterflies on it. I then punched butterflies from Page Curl #5 and die cut a pink butterfly to add to the page. The smaller background papers are #60 (green checked) from Passion for Fashion and #'s 6 (brown dotted) & 15 (blue) from Yesterday's Memories. The pearls are gems I added to the pink ribbons around the waist and in the hair.

At Make My Monday this week, the theme is "Many Thanks". I used a pretty Gecko Galz image and added layers of blue on a brown card base. The sentiment is a Jillibean Soup sticker. Simple, but I just love blue and brown and am quite happy with the finished card.

We hope you will join us at Ooh La La and Make My Monday. Have a wonderful week!

Shabby Chic

For Make My Monday this week the theme is Shabby Chic. I made a journal page for this challenge. The journal I used is my favorite size to work in. It is 9" x 9", made by Aquabee and has heavy grade paper (93#).

I began by spraying the page with Tattered Angels glimmer mists in Vintage Pink, It's Blue and Atlantic. After the sprays dried, I used a damp paintbrush and applied Tim Holtz Picket Fence over the page to tone down the glimmer. Then I stenciled on some leaves and flowers.

I used an image of a little girl who looks to me as if she is praying. The words on the image say "My Papa". I added wings to her and a pink doily behind her. I used a Spellbinders die to cut the heart. A piece of music paper which I stamped with leaves was also added to the page. Finally, I tore a piece of tissue paper and glued it to the top left corner of the page.

We hope you will join us this week with a Shabby Chic project of your own!

Gecko Galz Blog Hop

Hello Everyone!

I want to welcome everyone to the Tenth destination of Gecko Galz 5th Annual Blog Hop.

If you started here you might want to go back and start at the beginning at the Gecko Galz blog so you won’t miss anything!

We have 14 AMAZING blogs for you to visit this weekend, each with some gorgeous projects created using the Gecko Galz exclusive blog hop collage sheets, that we are giving you for FREE! Each blog you visit will have another free Gecko Galz Collage sheet for you to grab, the one here is "REGENCY LIFE".

Here are my Gecko Galz projects, using images from the Regency Life sheet. First up is a card.

My second project is a journal page.

I used one of the images to make a Christmas card.

I added the images to small bottles.

Finally, I made an ATC.

Also make sure you collect all the “secret” words on each blog so at the end of the hop you can send in the phrase to enter our drawing for a wonderful treat. 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 $50 Shopping spree with Gecko Galz.

· Third prize is a $25 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, a new paper pack each quarter and a kit club pack each quarter! This is a $150 value! Plus you get a prize pack from some of our favorite sponsors worth $150!

Read on to learn how you can win!

First of all, you will need to visit all 14 blogs and leave a comment on each blog :) **This is important so we know you have been to all the blogs **. Collect all 14 words (one on each blog site except the home site) and at the end of the blog on the Fripperies and Butterflies site there will be a link to email the phrase to Gecko Galz.

This enters you in the contest. On November 2nd 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 29 of October and the 1st of November and your name goes in again for a better chance of winning (each purchase you make that weekend gives you another chance to win).

Your Secret Word is: MAKE

Now that you have it go to the next blog on the list below:

Vicki Romain

Nancy Smith

Heather Hudson

Leanne Seed

Thank you for joining the hop and enjoy your free collage sheet and my samples.

It's Monday!

Monday and time for two new challenges! This week at Make My Monday we have a recipe challenge. Use teal and/or turquoise, sequins and twine on your project. Here is what I came up with.

I used a Gecko Galz image on the card (from the Flower Girls collage sheet) and matted it onto turquoise cardstock. That was layered onto teal patterned paper and a white card base. I added the word love (T. Collins punch), white twine and a button. Finally, I put some teal sequins on her flower hat.

The next challenge is at Ooh La La and runs for two weeks. It's embossing - dry, heat or faux. Join us with your embossed project - we'd love to see what you make!

I used an Oriental lanterns embossing folder by Cuttlebug and my Big Shot to create the embossed background. The beautiful lady image is from the Passion for Fashion CD. The gray paper is also from this CD. Finally, I added the word "love" punched in green paper.

Thanks for stopping by - check out the DT's samples at Make My Monday and Ooh La La for great inspiration!

Autumn Colors - Gecko Galz

Up on the Gecko Galz blog are three cards I made using the October products. Gecko Galz images are always top quality and great to have on hand when you need to make a card, ATC, journal page, etc. The Gecko Galz Etsy shop can be found here.

Now for my cards! First up is a fall card, using an image from the "Fall into Nature" collage sheet. The card background was embossed with a woodgrain embossing folder by Sizzix and then inked with brown chalk ink. Final touches were a leaf button by Zappy Dots and the "Great Outdoors" sticker.

Next is a card that features an image from the La Boheme Craft Kit. The focal image was printed twice, in two sizes. The smaller size was fussy cut and then pop dotted to the larger one. The only other thing I added was a heart with the word "forever".

My final card uses an image from October's "Beautiful Music" collage sheet and background paper from the "Autumn Harvest" papers. I sized the image in Photoshop and then backed it with cardstock and a brown doily. The ribbon is from Stampin' Up and the word Dream cut from a Tim Holtz ticket.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!!

Inchies or Twinchies!

Can you believe it's Monday already?! For Make My Monday's challenge this week, we all made projects using inchies and/or twinchies. Check out the great dt inspiration here.

For my card, I cut the blue cardstock into 2" squares (twinchies). The squares with the women on them are 1.5" in size. They are made of chipboard which I covered in paper, inked the edges and added rub ons. The pictures of the women were sized in Photoshop, fussy cut and adhered to the chipboard squares.

These were layered onto the blue squares and then onto patterned paper. The card base is brown, with a SU seam binding ribbon at the top. The words "home is where your story begins" is a sticker from my stash.

I added the words "love" and "family" to two of the ladies. One of them has the number 3 on her square (three sisters). These women were sisters in real life - I purchased an old picture at an antiques store with their names written on the back. I often wonder how their lives turned out. Did they ever marry? Have children? I guess I will never know...

Colorful Post

Good morning and welcome to my "colorful" post this Monday!! I am sharing two cards, for two design teams, with two different color schemes. First up is "Pretty in Pink" from the Ooh La La team.

I used the #8 image (Black & White) from the Yesterday's Memories CD. The image was die cut and edged with pink chalk ink. The background paper and the small hearts were cut from Paper #40 on the Passion 4 Fashion CD. The lovely pink checked paper is from the Shawn Jenkins Collection CD (under Butterfly Vanity, #3).

My second card is for this week's challenge at Make My Monday: use black and orange, spooky or not! I used items from my stash for the card. I've had the Trick or Treat words and black pumpkin forever! (They were actually one long die cut, but I cut them apart). Using a black card base, I added orange background paper, the words and black and orange enamel dots. Simple, but cute!

Please stop by both design team blogs and see the great projects from the rest of the team members. Don't forget - you can enter projects of your own for both challenges!

Cats - Big or Small

Hello and welcome to a new week at Make My Monday! Our theme this week is "Cats: Big or Small". I chose to make a tag with a black cat.

This tag was colored with shimmery spray ink. Then I added a few strips of paper, the image, word "BOO" and twine. Simple tag, but fun to make!

We'd love to have you join us at MMM. Also, check out the rest of the design team projects - fantastic, as always!

Autumn Projects

Hello! Today I'm sharing two projects - one for Make My Monday and one for Ooh La La Creations. First up is a collage I made for MMM, with the theme (picked by me!) of Autumn Colors.

I stenciled the background, using Tim Holtz distress inks. Then I added stamps, ephemera & a vintage image. The pink leaves are also vintage and are stapled with the tiny attacher. The words are cut from Tim Holtz tickets.

Next is a card for Ooh La La, where the theme is Let's Get Krafty. I used a kraft card base, layered with paper and image from the "Say it with Words" CD. The paper was corner punched with a Martha Stewart punch. A flower was punched from kraft cardstock and the background paper.

Please join the challenges at both Make My Monday and Ooh La La. Also check out the work of both design teams - it's fabulous!

Gecko Galz feature

Hi, today my projects are featured on the Gecko Galz blog. I am also sharing them here, so let's get started! (Be sure to get your free Gecko Galz Halloween digi image below this post).

First up is a card, using paper from the Freak Show paper pack for the background. Next, I cut a scalloped circle from black cardstock and also added a gold doily. The image was sized in Photoshop and is from the Halloween Kids ephemera sheet #2. Final touches were three black enamel dots and letter stickers to spell "BOO".

My second project is a journal page. Here is the supply list and directions:

Gecko Galz - Arsenic and Lace paper #7, Icons #9, #15 and #22, Freak Show paper #2, Hocus Pocus paper pack (Harvest Moon)

My stash - large Dylusions journal, Dylusions ink sprays, bow, black & purple patterned papers, cage skirt die by Character Constructions

Directions: I began by spraying the journal page with orange and black inks. I let the page dry overnight, then applied the large piece of patterned paper for a background and cut strips from the Arsenic & Lace paper #7. The strips were tucked along the sides of the background paper. The lady (Icon #9) was sized in Photoshop, fussy cut and added to the page, along with a cage skirt die cut in the Harvest Moon paper. I added purple patterned paper under the skirt for a pop of color. The orange flower (Icon #15) was sized, fussy cut and pop dotted to the skirt. I didn't use the witch's hat included with the lady; instead I cut the orange feathers from the hat and added them to her hair. Finally, I sized the moon (Icon #22) and printed it on the Freak Show Harlequin paper. I cut the moon out and added a black bow.

My last project is a "BOO" wall hanging. Here is the supply list and directions:

Gecko Galz - Arsenic & Lace Icon #23, Background paper (Arsenic & Lace #3), Arsenic & Lace #7

My stash - ribbon, orange brads, flower die (Tim Holtz) & punch, Thickers (BOO), October 31st flair, orange papers, black cardstock

Directions: I cut black cardstock to 8" x 8" and adhered the background paper to it. The image was sized to 4.25" x 5.25" and layered to a black panel, orange panel and the Arsenic & Lace paper #7. Black netting from my stash was folded into a bow and the flair added to it. The flowers were cut and layered with an orange brad in the center. These were adhered to the plaque, along with the word "BOO". Finally, black ribbon was added to the back.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Nature

I love this time of year - the end of summer and the beginning of fall. I'm ready for less heat and less bugs! The bees have been especially numerous this year. When the theme of Nature for Make My Monday was announced, I decided to make a bee card.

This bee stamp has been in my stamp cabinet for a long time and I'd never used it before. (One of my goals - use my stamps!!!). The stamp is from Stampers Anonymous. I colored the bee, foliage and ribbon with Stampin' Up markers: Baked Brown Sugar, Hello Honey, Bliss Blue, Green Galore & Tangelo Twist. Then I die cut the stamped piece with a scallop die by Lifestyle Crafts.

I used black cardstock to make the card base, which was layered with a yellow paper from Authentique. The blue doily was cut using a Sizzix die.

Please join us at Make My Monday this week by linking up a nature themed project that you've made. Also, check out the rest of the design team's awesome nature cards! Thanks for stopping by today.

Two to share...

Hello! Today I'm sharing cards I've made for two design teams I'm on: Make My Monday and Ooh La La Creations. First up is this week's card for MMM - the theme is "Black & White with another color".

I used a black card base and added an embossed white cardstock piece. Then I cut flowers from pink patterned paper, using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die and layered them to the front of the card. I added a SU button to the flower center and finished the card with two stickers from Kaisercraft.

Next up - my card for Ooh La La - where the theme is "Ribbons and Bows".

I used a dark blue card base, adding papers and the image from the Yesterday's Memories CD. I also added doilies and a sticker from my stash. Finally, I added the black bow in her hair. This image is so sweet - wouldn't it be great for cookie party invitations or Christmas cards?

I hope you will check out the rest of the design teams' work and post a project of your own.

New challenge!

Hi, after taking the month of August off, Make My Monday is back with a new challenge. It's called "F is for..." and was picked by team member Marina. Speaking of team members, we have 4 new dt ladies. Check out the Make My Monday blog to see the gorgeous works by my fellow designers.

For my card, I used Moxxie's "Grid Iron" collection to make an "F is for Football" card. I die cut the players using the Sizzix tickets die set. The banner flags are from the sticker sheet, as is the word football.

Thanks for stopping by today and please join us in this week's challenge.

New Ooh La La challenge

Hi, everyone - starting today there is a new challenge up on the Ooh La La Creations blog. The theme is Signs of Autumn. We'd love for you to create an autumn themed project and link it up.

I just couldn't resist using this adorable little witch from the "Say it With Words" CD. I used the bookmark that is in the CD and layered it onto paper #4. Next I added a black cardstock layer. The card base is orange. The card was photographed on paper #3. I added some enamel leaves and an acorn that have been in my stash forever!

Check out the beautiful Autumn designs by my fellow team members - they are awesome! Thanks for stopping by.

Gecko Galz - samples & free digi image

Today I'm sharing my Gecko Galz projects for August.

First up are three cards I made using the fabulous Gecko hot air balloon images. The cards were quick and simple - I used a black card base for each and the same purple paper background. I added a balloon image and a Tim Holtz word ticket (or the word cut from a ticket). The balloons are from the Up, up and away sheets.

Next, I made a collage piece. I used the girl with wings image from the August kit called Curiosity Shop. I also used the moon icon. These were layered onto one of the Curiosity Shop papers. I added flowers, a bird cage, and a butterfly transparency from my stash.

Finally, I made a clown tag. The manila tag (from Ranger) was sprayed with inks. I sized the clown image in Photoshop, fussy cut and pop dotted him to the tag. I added a scalloped circle cut from the Trapeze paper (Life is a Circus paper set). I used a chipboard piece that says "this Rocks" in the center of the circle and added yellow enamel dots to the clown's shoes and hat. Some brightly colored fibers and an orange sticker that says "giggle" finish the tag.

Here is your free digi image from Gecko Galz - please enjoy!!

One for the Boys

The title of our new challenge at Ooh La La is "One for the Boys". My card is below. I used an image (called Fishin' & Relaxin') from the Boys to Men CD. The green checked paper is also from that CD, which is available at Ooh La La Creations for purchase. I stamped the fish and pop dotted them to the card. The word sticker is from Jillibean Soup.

Check out the fabulous creations by the rest of the design team. Please join us by creating and linking up your own card at Ooh La La Creations.

Ooh La La

Hi! Today I'm posting a card I made for the Ooh La La Creations blog. The pretty image caught my attention right away!

To make the card, I began with a light blue cardstock base. Next I added two darker blue mats of cardstock. The image I used is from the Shawn Jenkins collection. It's called "Nautical". Isn't it lovely?!

The layers are called Pyramid Decoupage, which I cut into the diamond shapes. The shapes get smaller as you build the image. The "Relax" button is from my stash.

Please visit the Ooh La La Creations blog to see the beautiful Nautical creations created by my teamies!

Make My Monday...

Our theme this week is "Flowers". We hope you will join us at the MMM blog and submit a flower themed project for a chance to be in our "Top 3".

For my card, I used a blue cardstock base, covered with Kaisercraft paper. I then added a few layers - orange paper and a piece of white mulberry paper. For the image, I used a flower stamp, coloring it with SU markers. Finally I added the sentiment sticker from Jillibean Soup.

We will be taking a break during the month of August. In September, the Make My Monday team will return, along with 4 new DT members! So get ready for lots of fun new challenges and projects in the fall!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!