under the big top, part deux

for our june customer challenge theme at gecko galz we are celebrating all things circus.  link up your circus themed creation using at least one item by gecko galz for the chance to win a wonderful prize.  here is my 9 ATC pocket letter on our theme.

supplies: collage sheets by gecko galz including: charming words, circus circus, circus life,  clowning around, pierrot on parade (new this month) and time flies; paper packs by gecko galz: timeless mini paper pack (new this month), life is a circus paper pack and mad tea party paper pack. i've used some borders by tumblefish studio, paper flowers and enamel dots from my stash, brads and distress inks.

instructions: when i go about making a pocket letter i start by picking a variety of images that speak to me so i examined the circus circus, circus life, clowning around and pierrot on parade collage sheets and picked out several images i liked, fussy cut them and started figuring which background papers made a good match. before i actually created any of the ATCs i laid our a grid with the papers and images to see how i wanted to arrange everything.  once i settled on that i did more cutting and finally begin the actual gluing to the ATC card bases, adding borders and other embellishments.  that's the process!

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how to play along: make something on the theme of "under the big top" be sure to use at least one item by gecko galz.  you have until 11:55 eastern time US on June 30 to link up your creation at the blog, or you can email a photo of your project to geckogalz2014@gmail.com.  

if you have not signed up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter i strongly recommend that you do -- it is on the left hand side of the blog.  newsletter subscribers get a free collage sheet every month. there are also freebies at the gecko galz pinterest site (there are several albums there just keep scrolling down).

we look forward to seeing what you make!
love to all.

under the big top!

this june it is all about the circus at gecko galz customer challenge blog. you are invited to create on our circus theme for the chance to win big prizes from gecko galz!

i'm sharing a sneak peek at the top row of the pocket letter i made for the challenge.  to see the entire pocket letter of all 9 ATCs you'll have to come back on june 14!

supplies: collage sheets by gecko galz including: charming words, circus circus, circus life,  clowning around, pierrot on parade (new this month) and time flies; paper packs by gecko galz: timeless mini paper pack (new this month), life is a circus paper pack and mad tea party paper pack. i've used some borders by tumblefish studio, paper flowers and enamel dots from my stash, brads and distress inks.

instructions: when i go about making a pocket letter i start by picking a variety of images that speak to me so i examined the circus circus, circus life, clowning around and pierrot on parade collage sheets and picked out several images i liked, fussy cut them and started figuring which background papers made a good match. before i actually created any of the ATCs i laid our a grid with the papers and images to see how i wanted to arrange everything.  once i settled on that i did more cutting and finally begin the actual gluing to the ATC card bases, adding borders and other embellishments.  that's the process!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

how to play along: make something on the theme of "under the big top" be sure to use at least one item by gecko galz.  you have until 11:55 eastern time US on June 30 to link up your creation at the blog, or you can email a photo of your project to geckogalz2014@gmail.com.  

if you have not signed up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter i strongly recommend that you do -- it is on the left hand side of the blog.  newsletter subscribers get a free collage sheet every month. there are also freebies at the gecko galz pinterest site (there are several albums there just keep scrolling down).

we look forward to seeing what you make!

love to all.

pocket letter for a survivor

at the scraps of color group we were invited to make a pocket letter for a breast cancer survivor in honor of breast cancer awareness month in october.  those of us willing to participate were matched with a person and instructed how to send our creations.  here is what i sent last month.

i chose these vintage images of african-american women from the lunagirl african-american images CD as representative of the struggles these women may have faced long ago.  i used words from maya angelou, the consummate survivor, as inspiration as well.  i forgot to scan the back side of the pocket letter but in additional to covering the back sides of the ATCs with designer paper, i also tucked little cards with additional quotes from maya angelou into some of the pockets as well.  and i also tucked in a letter written by me with words of encouragement i wished to share.

the background papers and various embellishments came from a variety of sources, including gecko galz, tim holtz, twisted papers, and others.

gecko galz october blog hop is HERE!!! october 29-31!

[this post stays at the top until midnight on November 1 -- please scroll down for additional posts]
Hello Everyone!

 I want to welcome everyone to the seventh 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
 

"NOUVEAU BEAUTIES".
 

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 1^st 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:

PLAY

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

Amanda Phillips

 

Gerri Herbst

 

Joan Liddle

 

Vicki Romain

 

Nancy Smith

 

Heather Hudson

 

Leanne Seed

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

 

For my artistic contribution to this blog hop I made an autumn themed pocket letter with the Nouveau Beauties collage sheet. 

Above is a detailed look at the top row of ATCs.  Overall I used nine images from the collage sheet and adorned each ATC with background papers from other Gecko Galz products such as the "Mayflower Paper Pack, "

For the middle row I included an autumn themed poem in the center pocket.

I used lots of big embellishments on the bottom row -- flowers and butterflies from my stash.  Below is the completed pocket letter in its plastic case.

Our DT was also challenged to make at least one Christmas-themed piece for the blog hop.  Here is the piece I made, also with the nouveau beauties collage sheet.  The background paper and sheet music are also by Gecko Galz (the stamp is by creatiate):

Finally, here is the free collage sheet for you!!!

I hope you'll visit every blog on the hop -- you get a free collage sheet at every blog plus the chance to win even more prizes.  Have fun!

love to all.

july gecko galz inspiration, final trio of seaside ATCs -- and a freebie!

welcome back for my final inspiration post with products from the new seaside splendor kit at gecko galz this month.  this is also a reminder of the july customer challenge at the gecko galz blog this month which is "seaside memories."  if you link a  new creation to the blog this month on our theme, using at least one image from gecko galz, then you'll be up for a prize.  as promised earlier this month, here is the final trio of ATCs i created for my DT samples this month.

this final trio of ATCs showcasing several of the new products from gecko galz is also the bottom row of a pocket letter i created for a pocket letter swap hosted by the altered pages facebook group.  below is a final peek at the completed pocket letter.

details on these ATCs:
supplies:
gecko galz sea nymphs collage sheet (new)
gecko galz seaside paper pack (new)
gecko galz la isla bonita paper pack (last july)
altered pages freebie sheets
retro café arts die cuts
enamel dots
borders
stickers

instructions:
the backgrounds for the far left and far right ATCs are from the seaside paper pack, the ATC in the middle has paper from la isla bonita paper pack.  the mermaids for all three cards are from the sea nymphs collage sheet.  i cut out the mermaids and arranged them on the covered ATC bases.  there is also a postage stamp on the ATC at far rights which is from an altered pages collage sheets.  the seashells and sea star are die cuts from retro café arts.  the borders on all three are from my stash, i am not sure of the companies, same with the stickers at the bottom of the middle and far right ATCs.

this was my first pocket letter.  it was a lot of work.  but i love how it turned out.  i would do it again, but probably not very often!  ah, if only i could create full time!  one day...

hey, here is the promised freebie.  if you came over from the gecko galz blog i am sure you are eager to see it.  this month for our freebies the theme is "midsummer night" and so fairies are what it is all about.  enjoy this goodie courtesy of gecko galz and the design team:

i thought this digi was so sweet i had to make a card with it right away -- printing it on designer paper by gecko galz, coloring with pencils and layering on additional paper by gecko galz.  the "ecstasy" stamp is by "marks of distinction" rubber stamps.

a final reminder: to play along with the gecko galz customer challenge you must use at least one item from gecko galz.  but remember if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter (sign up available on the blog) you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  and once you get the newsletters you'll find there are often special sales at the etsy shop.  finally, there are freebies on the gecko galz pinterest page as well.  so i hope you will join up and play along.

love to all.

july gecko galz inspiration, another trio of ATCs

our monthly customer challenge at the gecko galz blog this month is seaside memories and if there is one thing i love it is the beach.   if you link a  new creation to the blog this month on our theme, using at least one image from gecko galz, then you'll be up for a prize.

here is some more DT inspiration for you this month, featuring more new products this month from the gecko galz "seaside splendor" kit:

this trio of ATCs not only shares gecko galz products, it is also the middle row of a pocket letter i created for a pocket letter swap hosted by the altered pages facebook group.  I shared the complete pocket letter at my july 5 blog post, without details on how it was made.  i'll be sharing the final row of ATCs with instructions on july 23-- check back to see the details!

details on these ATCs:
supplies:
gecko galz sea nymphs collage sheet (new)
gecko galz namaste paper pack (new)
gecko galz la isla bonita paper pack (last july, 2014)
altered pages freebie sheets
retro café arts die cuts
alpha stamps sea horse die cuts
tim holtz ideology sentiments
enamel dots
borders

instructions:
the backgrounds for the far left and far right ATCs are from the la ils bonita paper pack, the ATC in the middle has paper from the new Namaste paper pack.  the mermaids for far left and far right cards are from the sea nymphs collage sheet.  i cut out the mermaids and arranged them on the covered ATC bases.  the woman on the middle ATC is from the altered pages freebie sheet i received for joining the pocket letter swap.  there is also a carte postale and a compass on the left ATC which are both from altered pages.  the seahorses came from alpha stamps.  i arranged everything to my satisfaction and adhered it all.  the enamel dots were added last.

to play along with the gecko galz customer challenge you must use at least one item from gecko galz.  but remember if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter (sign up available on the blog) you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  and once you get the newsletters you'll find there are often special sales at the etsy shop.  finally, there are freebies on the gecko galz pinterest page as well.  so i hope you will join up and play along.

love to all.

"she dreams of the sea" -- my first pocket letter swap!

the altered pages facebook group hosted a pocket letter swap in june.  i'd been reluctant to join a pocket letter swap because it seemed like a lot of work.  you are ultimately making 9 ATCs for the swap so i knew i would need to do this when i had time to really do a good job (hello summer!).  of course i understand you don't have to actually make 9 pieces of art (18 if you consider both sides) but i couldn't be satisfied to have some pockets holding something other than art!

my vision for this piece is that the woman in the middle, despite her hum drum life, has dreams of sea nymphs and the sea.  here she is surrounded on all sides by sea nymphs who call to her in her dreams.

you can click this to make it larger but i'm also posting the ATCs separately (in sets of 3) throughout the month since they all feature brand new gecko galz products this month and are my DT samples for the gecko galz blog and monthly customer challenge (see my july1 post for info on the top row).

the backgrounds for all of the ATCs (which are covered on both sides) are by gecko galz.  the mermaids are all from the "sea nymphs" collage sheet by gecko galz, new this month.  in the center pocket the vintage image lady is from an altered pages freebie collage sheet provided to swap participants.  there are also bits from various other altered pages collage sheets on several other of the ATCs as well (more details on shared in other blog posts).

here is the back side...

i stuck with just the pretty papers for the most part, other than the middle pocket and a little sticker with my blog information at bottom.  not shown, a little handwritten note popped into the lower right hand pocket.

the back side shows all the wonderful gecko galz papers and in the middle section 2 images from the altered pages freebie sheet provided to swap participants and a shell die cut from retro cafe arts.

i hope my swap mate will like it.  i must admit i liked it so much and worked so hard on it i wasn't entirely willing to mail it off but that is the nature of a swap!

don't forget that all july the customer challenge theme at the gecko galz blog is "sea side memories" so link up a seaside themed piece, including at least one item from gecko galz, for the chance at a prize!

enjoy, love to all.

seaside memories -- gecko galz inspiration

as always, the first of the month means new products at gecko galz etsy shop -- as always there are new designer paper packs, collage sheets and digital stamps.  the new month also means a new customer challenge at the gecko galz blog and this month it is "seaside memories."  if you link a  new creation to the blog this month on our theme, using at least one image from gecko galz, then you'll be up for a prize.  here is my first DT inspiration for you this month:

this is a trio of ATCs showcasing several of the new products from gecko galz and the new seaside splendor kit.  this also represents the top row of a pocket letter i created for a pocket letter swap hosted by the altered pages facebook group.  i'll be sharing the remaining two rows later this month as well as the final product -- check back to see more!

details on these ATCs:
supplies:
gecko galz sea nymphs collage sheet (new)
gecko galz seaside paper pack (new)
gecko galz la isla bonita paper pack (last july)
altered pages freebie sheets
retro café arts die cuts
enamel dots
borders

instructions:
the backgrounds for the far left and far right ATCs are from the seaside paper pack, the ATC in the middle has paper from la isla bonita paper pack.  the mermaids for all three cards is from the sea nymphs collage sheet.  i cut out the mermaids and arranged them on the covered ATC bases.  the venus de milo and the carte postale on the middle ATC is from altered pages.  the seashells and sand dollar are all die cuts from retro café arts.  the white and blue borders are from my stash, i am not sure of the companies.

to play along with the gecko galz customer challenge you must use at least one item from gecko galz.  but remember if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter (sign up available on the blog) you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  and once you get the newsletters you'll find there are often special sales at the etsy shop.  so i hope you will join up and play along.

love to all.