Gecko Galz May Projects

Good morning everyone!  This is going to be a short post.  I just wanted to share with you some of the things I created for Gecko Galz this month.

Images from Country Charm

Image from Country Charm

Image from Country Charm

Image from Beauty Unbound

Sorry it's so short and sweet and I have no step-by-step instructions this month.  I'm dealing with health issues related to stress and with putting my house back together.  

Until later............................


Marilyn

In the Garden for Gecko Galz

Good morning everyone!  I've been busy working but wanted to stop and share some things I created for Gecko Galz using their amazing collage sheets.

This one was created using the Pretty Birds Collage Sheet.  I trimmed it up and placed it on an ATC that I edged with blue ink.  I went over the image with several different colors of Stickles that closely matched the color of the image.  This gave it a raised design and lots of sparkle.  The "chirp" was added with stick-on letters.  It's a beautiful piece in person but hard to capture with a camera.

1) Sprinkle LSG Yodeling Yellow and Oktoberfest Orange magicals onto your card and spray with water.

2) Stencil the floral image using the Floral Mini layering stencil and Coloure Arte Orange Peel Vivid Metallic.  Outline the card with same.

3) Trim a fairy from the new Fairy Magic Collage Sheet along with some of the flowers.  Place your fairy on a die cut limb so it looks as if she's sitting on it.

4) Add the words using Chit Chat stickers.

1) Spray a blank coaster with Smooch Pralines and Cream and LSG Yellow Rosee of Texas & Canna Lily Burnt Orange, in that order. Dry

2) Stencil on your design with the Woodgrain layering stencil and any permanent black ink.

3) Cut out the image from the Art Nouveau Collage Sheet and adhere to the left of the coaster.

4) Using an alpha set (Lost Coast Designs Old Typewriter was used here), stamp Kitty onto a piece of cardstock that was colored with LSG Yellow Rose of Texas and Canna Lily Burnt Orange.  Trim up the letters and place the word down the right side of the coaster.

5) Add a line of black rhinestones between your image and your word.

6) Finish off with black ribbon around all the edges.  Seal with several coats of varnish if you wish to use it as a true coaster.  Gloss works best.

This ATC was created for a swap.  I used patterned paper for the background & die cuts I was provided with by my partner.  The image is from the Sea Nymphs Collage Sheet that I fussy cut out.  "Wanderlust" is from a Travel Quotes stamp set by Lost Coast Designs.

These and more fabulous collage sheets can be found online in the Gecko Galz Etsy store.

Sparkle Forever Always for Gecko Galz

Good morning everyone!  I'm up on the Gecko Galz blog today and I wanted to share with you how I created the ATCs and tag I made this month.  Currently, most of my projects are simple to make and only require a few supplies.  I'm still operating with a minimum of art supplies since flooding in August.

SPARKLE ATC

1)  Stencil TH Flourish using modeling paste tinted with Metallique Pink Blush.
2)  Cut out Leave a Little Sparkle from the Scripted collage sheet and center it on the card.
3)  Using Prima Soft Matte Gel, add fine silver glitter around the edges of the sentiment.
4)  Using Prima Soft Matte Gel, add some pink microbeads randomly around the sentiment.
5)  Finish by going around the edges with pink chalk ink.

FOREVER ALWAYS ATC

1)  Gesso the ATC then spritz with water.  While wet, spray LSG Opal Sea Oats and dry.
2)  Stencil with TH Speckles and Stazon Timber Brown.
3)  Cut out images from Hugs and Kisses and Chalkboard Sentiments collage sheets and add to card.
4)  Rub Stazon Timber Brown ink around the edges.

BEAUTIFUL Tag
1)  I started with a pre-made background created with a Gel Press plate and random acrylic paint that I trimmed and glued to a tag.
2)  Randomly stamp a script stamp onto background using white pigment ink.
3)  Cut out your images from Scripted (I shrunk the sheet down) and Beautiful Book Marks collage sheets and add them to your tag.  I tinted the Scripted image with DI Vintage Photo.
4)  Place enamel dots in matching colors around the tag.
5)  Edge the tag with XXX ink
6)  Add coordinating ribbon to the tag and a brad to cover the hole.

For these and other great collage sheet, visit the Gecko Galz Etsy Store.
Don't forget to participate in the Gecko Galz February Customer Challenge, Vintage Valentine.  You could win a $25 Gecko Galz shopping spree.

Thank you for stopping by today.
Until later...................


Marilyn

Welcome 2017 with Gecko Galz

Good morning everyone!  I hope your new year has gotten off to a good start.  Today I wanted to share some projects I created using Gecko Galz digital collage sheets.  These are all super easy to create and can be done with a minimum of supplies.

This tag is the one I created for the Gecko Galz Customer Challenge.  Don't forget to get your entries in for a chance to win some wonderful Gecko Galz sheets.  I started off with the In Marble Halls paper pack, chosing the blue and white marbled sheet.  I then used an image from Snow Maidens & outlined it with some clear bling.  Randomly placed snowflakes and dots of Nuvo drops in Midnight Blue and Crystal fill out the tag.  I get cold looking at it.

This is a very simple ATC to create.

1)  Cut the image from the Ring in the New Year collage sheet, trimming the bottom half away.  Set aside.  Save the Happy New Year from the bottom of the image

2)  Using a Kraft ATC blank, add stenciling using a mixture of Metallique Antique Coin and translucent glossy texture paste and a squiggle stencil.

3)  Center your image on the ATC.  Add Happy New Year to the bottom and them add small brads on each corner.

I needed to create a fat book page for a swap I'm participating in and loved this image from the Ring in the New Year collage sheet.

1)  Start with a 4x4 piece of Bristol paper.  Spray the paper with some light yellow mist and then stencil the design using Metallique Emerald paint mixed with translucent glossy texture paste.

2)  Add the image to the right side of the paper leaving room for the trim.

3)  Add gold trim around all four edges.

4)  Using the same spray as for the background, spray four pre-cut cardstock photo corners and add them to each corner.

5)  Watercolor a chipboard "J" with yellow watercolor pencil and add to the left of the image.

For the last piece, I used a black twinchie as my base.

1)  Stencil on the design using the TH Tracks Mini Layering Stencil and Rosebud Nuance Powder mixed with opaque white texture paste.  Dry well.

2)  Trim your image from Dog Gone Cute Jewel It and center it on the twinchie.

3)  Add drops of Nuvo Caribbean Ocean to the corners of the image and twinchie.

4)  Scatter rhinestones randomly across the twinchie.

Yes, these were all super simple projects.  At the time I worked on these, I was (& still am) working with a very limited supply to pull from.  Most of you know I lost my entire studio, contents and building, in the Great Flood that hit south Louisiana.  I have been slowly adding supplies as funds allow and my projects should gain in complexity as time passes.  Please bear with me while I build up my stash.  I've also gone from 200 sq.ft. of building to a 5 ft. table shoved into a corner in the FEMA trailer we are living in,

Gecko Galz Blog Hop

Good morning everyone!  I'm popping back in to participate in the Gecko Galz Blog Hop.  Here goes!

Hello Everyone!

We want to welcome everyone to the

Gecko Galz 6th Annual Blog Hop

This is your Thirteenth stop on a wonderfully Tricks and Treats Blog Hop! 

We have 14 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 down load, the one here is

"Umbrella Cuties".

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 $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!

 This is a $100 value! 

First of all, you will need to visit all 16 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.

This enters you in the contest. On October 31st 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 27th of October and the 30^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) 

Please enjoy this free Gecko Galz Collage sheet

“Umbrella Cuties”

And for your viewing pleasure, here are a couple of samples I created using Umbrella Cuties!

Kind of apropos since a lot of rain fell into my life and my house flooded!  Hope you enjoyed these projects.

Now have fun visiting each Blog

Gecko Galz

Gerri Herbst

Barbara Bird

Nancy Smith

Lena Hermanson

Dana Tater

Michele Storms

Jackie Neal

Vicki Romaine

Margaret Ashby

Tracy Sagriff

Katie Lamb

Heather Hudson

Marilyn Hughes

Patti Fisher

Leanne Seed

If you did not start at the Gecko Galz Blog you might want to start there so you will not miss a thing!

Creations to share using Gecko Galz & free digi stamp

 Hi everyone!  As I am typing, we are preparing for a possible evacuation.  I live in southeast Louisiana and this area has been hard hit by rain. 

Sooooooo, here a few projects I would like to share with you today:

This was created with the Sew & Sew collage sheet.  I stenciled the background using modeling paste and a circle stencil.  I then sprayed it with Lindy's sprays and dried.  I cut out my images, edged them with Distress Walnut Stain ink and then added them to the tag.  I took a wooden spool die cut, sprayed it with Lindy's and then wrapped some thread around it and pushed a needle through it.   To finish it off, I added some roses in coordinating colors.

For this canvas panel, I used an image from the Sea Side Snapshots collage sheet.  I sprayed the 7x9 panel with some Art Anthology mists and then randomly stenciled circles using Lindy's Magicals and modeling paste.  I built up a mat for my image and added it to the canvas.  I used Soft Matte Gel to add Prills randomly over the page then sprinkled on some different colors of glitter.

I this journal page, I used images from the Japanese Traditions collage sheet.  I started by stenciling on some cherry blossoms using a TCW stencil and modeling paste.  I then sprayed it with several colors of Lindy's and dried.  I painted the blossoms I had stenciled with Paper Artsy paint.  I added some oriental lettering using a stamp and magenta ink and then glued down my images.  I edged them with watered down Paper Artsy paint then added a few jewels.

 For this ATC (which was really fun to create) I used an image from the Art Nouveau Slides collage sheet.  I then pulled several prints in random colors using my Gel Press.  Before adding anything, I added color to the ATC using Lindy's Magicals.  I knew there would be gaps and didn't want any white showing through.  I then added my image.  Next, I cut the pulled prints into strips with varying widths and laid them down on my ATC.  I then added the word "art".

This journal page was created using this month's free stamp from me.  I wanted a bright, happy page to help take my mind off the flooding so that's what I went for.  I cut out the image and painted it with Art Anthology Sorbets and Lindy's mists.  I sprayed the background with a couple of colors of Lindy's then stenciled with a Prima stencil and transluscent paste I colored with Nuance powder.  I randomly stamped some script words with a light color of ink (hard to see), then added my images.  Not my best page, but every time I look at it I smile so mission accomplished.

 Now, here is your free digi stamp:

Have a great day and until later...................





Marilyn

Ahoy Mate! for Gecko Galz August Challenge

Good morning everyone!  It's August 1st and that means another wonderful challenge from Gecko Galz.  This month's theme is Taking it Nautical and that's just what I did.

I started out by cutting out the image of the ship, compass, and Ahoy Mate from the Sail Away digital collage sheet.  These I set to one side for later.

To build up your tag, cut a piece of Graphic 45 Stampunk Splash paper to fit your large tag and glue them together.  Dry brush gesso across the tag to tone down the (quite bright) color.  Using some Paper Artsy Mud Splat and a sponge, start at the edges of your tag and blend inward.  If it's too dark, using a baby wipe to remove some of the color.  Then using the same sponge and color, run it around the edge of your tag to hide any remaining white. 

Stencil Mister Huey's Circle Graph Mask with Mint Colorbox ink and while still wet, sprinkle on some LSG Merry Go Round Greene EP in random areas then heat.  Add your images.  Rub Mud Splat across the Ahoy Mate and them immediately wipe with a baby wipe to remove most of the color.

Smudge a graphite pencil around the edges of your images, blending until the line disappears.  If it's too dark, just us a baby wipe (see a them here?) to remove excess.  Finally, add some seashell confetti and a piece of fiber.

For this image and many, many others, please visit Gecko Galz's ETSY STORE and don't forget to enter the Challenge to win a $25 Gecko Galz Shopping Spree!

 Until later.......................





Marilyn

Domestic Goddess with Gecko Galz plus a free Digi Stamp

Good morning everyone!  Today is my day over on the Gecko Galz blog and as always, I'm sharing with you here how I created everything.

To start, lay down pieces of lace, punchinella, coins, and squares.  Coat everything with gesso and when dry, spray with LSG Blingy Blonde, Merci Beaucoup Mint, Pineapple Paradise, and Tiffany Lou Blue mists.  Dry well.  Tap out some LSG Curiouser Chartreuse and Tweedle Dee Denim Magicals and mist with water. Dry.  Stencil with Stencil Girl Block stencil and embossing paste.  Cut out images from Domestic Goddess Collage Sheet and adhere to the page.  Outline Domestic Goddess with black watercolor pencil and smudge with a water brush.  Outline all squares with Prussian Blue watercolor pencil and blend with a water brush.  Using the same color, outline Domestic Goddess.  Use a liner brush and Nuance royal blue powder mixed with water to outline page.

Spray LSG Cotton Candy Pink, Pineapple Paradise, and Cheshire Cat Cherry.  Dry until it's just damp and then sprinkle with Tweedle Dee Denim Magicals and lightly mist with water.  Do a little random stenciling with the Prima Flourish stencil and transparent embossing paste (the paste wicks up the spray).  If it's a little too subtle, run some blue chalk ink over the stenciled area.  Cut out images from the Domestic Goddess Collage Sheet and add to the page.  Using a liner brush, outline the entire page with red Nuance powder mixed with water.

These magnets were a breeze to make.  Choose two images from the Let's Get Nautical Collage Sheet and cut out.  Place two pieces of 2x2 memory glass over the images, moving around until you have the composition you want.  Trace around the edges of the glass with a pencil and then trim your images.  Ink edges with Walnut Distress Ink.  Glue the images to the glass using Glossy Accents.  When dry, glue magnets onto the back.

Unfortunately, I misplaced the directions to how to create this 4x4, but I used the With A Glance Collage Sheet, some washi tape, a few words, and a fleur-de-lis stencil.  I kept the color in shades of blue with just a splash of purple.

Yep, another one I lost the instructions to.  This is an ATC I created with this month's free digi stamp available below.  I colored the background with pigment powder first.  The image was printed onto paper, colored with markers, cut out, and then added to the ATC.  I used soft matte gel to add several different colors of prills around the image and stamped DREAM at the top.

And FINALLY, here's your free digital stamp.  Enjoy!

Don't forget to check out the Gecko Galz Etsy store for more great digital collage sheets.

Until later..........................

Marilyn

Chose to Fly....Projects for Gecko Galz plus a free digit stamp

Good morning!  I'm back with you today to share a few things I created for Gecko Galz using their wonderful digital collage sheets.


First up, a rolodex card I created for a swap on the Paper Traders Yahoo group.

I started by sprinkling some LSG Magicals onto my rolodex card then spritzing with water.  I trimmed the images from the Blue Bird of Happiness collage sheet, layered everything, and then glued it down.  Easy peasy.

I went a little shabby chic on this canvas.  If you know me, then you know I can't do shabby chic well, but this little canvas practically created itself.

I started by spraying a small canvas panel with LSG Sandra Dee Sepia and Cotton Candy Pink.  I them stenciled with some translucent embossing paste and the Plastic Canvas stencil by Dina Wakley.  Once that was all dry, I randomly stamped across the background with a Prima script stamp.  I next cut strips of paper from the Ever After Paper Pack to form a mat under my image which comes from the Gilded Lillies collage sheet.

I die cut some chipboard using the Sizzix Lace Die, embossed it with LSG Angel Wings Mauve and Hibiscus Rose Orange.  I layered this under a wooden filmstrip pieces and tucked it under the edge of the image.  I then die cut several more odds and ends and tucked them around my image to build the layers.

For the final touches, I die cut a floral piece, smeared glue on it, and sprinkled it with Pink Art Sugar.  I added a few Prima flowers and then dotted here and there with Mauve mica flakes around using soft gel medium.  I apologize for the lack of the specific items I used....I can't find my other page of notes.

For my last piece, I used this month's free digit stamp & a page out of my 8-1/2x11 journal.

I started by painting the digital stamp with Silks using Love Struck, Autumn Leaf, Chestnut Brown, Black Emerald, and Yellow Rose.

Gesso the page.  Spray with LSG Greased Lightening Green and Bells of Ireland Green.  Stencil on the background using LSG Queen of Hearts Red Magicals mixed with Liquitex modeling paste and TCW's 12x12 Sketch Grid stencil.  Follow this up by stenciling with Dylusions Cut Grass paint and TCW's 12x12 Morning Vines stencil.  Outline some of the vines with a white pen.

Randomly stamp across the page using the floral image from Hero Arts Friend Collage set.  Next, stencil To Choose, To Seek, and To Hear using a StencilGirl stencil and black embossing paste.

Splatter on a watered down mixture of white acrylic paint followed by black ink.  Cut some chevrons from a piece of chipboard, emboss them with Fired Brick and Black Soot Distress EP and add them to your page.

Now, finally, your free digi stamp:

Thank you for stopping by!  Don't forget to check out Gecko Galz's wonderful collage sheets, available on Etsy.

Until later..................

Altered Cigar Box, Tag, and Journal Page plus a Free Stamp from Gecko Galz

Good morning everyone!  I have several projects to share with you today, curtesy of Gecko Galz Collage Sheets.  First up an altered cigar box:

I took a wooden cigar box and covered it with paper from the Gecko Galz Graphicals Paper Pack.  I then cut out images from Hollywood Glam, matted them on black card and arranged them until I liked the layout.  I added german scrap around all the edges, and flat-back pearls and tiny black rhinestone across the top.  The entire box is covered in the Graphicals Paper and trim.

For this bright White Rabbit tag, I used a spatula and spread Dylusions Postbox Red and London Blue paint randomly across the tag.  I splattered LSG Cheshire Cat Cherry and Art Anthology Marlin all over and stamped randomly with a couple of Finnibar stamps.  I then layered my image from the Ask Alice collage sheet on top of coordinating paper and placed it on the tag. Finally I added sequins, brads, chipboard pieces, and buttons under and around the image.  A little Texture Lux Gold was scraped around to add a little more interest and shine.

This page is pretty simple.  I sprayed several colors of Art Anthology Colorations through the Joggles Flower Patch stencil and then dried.  I outlined the page with Maya Road fabric tape.  The image is from the Fairy Land Digital Stamp Set and was fussy cut and painted.  I scattered glitter randomly across the page using Soft Gel Medium and stamped and embossed the word "Believe".  Two butterfly charms complete the page.

And lastly, a Mother's Day Card using today's Free Digital Stamp.  I printed out the image and then fussy cut the mother, child, chair, and toys.  I painted the image with several colors of Silks (since they are translucent) and then added the image to a piece of colored card that was affixed to a white card base.  Happy Mother's Day was then printed on my laser jet printer, clued down, and outlined.

Now, that you've read through all of that, are you ready for you image?  Well, here it is!

Hope you enjoyed!  For more wonderful digital paper packs, collage sheet, and images, check out Gecko Galz on Etsy.

Until later....................


Marilyn