frida faces

the new two week challenge at tag tuesday is "faces."  i took the opportunity to use my new frida face stamp which was given to me over the holidays -- but in an unusual way...

the background paper is from sabor papel (purchased from altered pages).  the moon face stamp is from inkadinkado, frida is from 100 proof press and the crow body and heart are from silver crow creations. 

here the background paper is from gecko galz although the trim at the bottom is also sabor papel.  frida and the hawk body are both from 100 proof press.

some years ago i was in an ATC swap where the theme was "bird people."  we could either do bird bodies with people heads or people bodies with bird heads.  i thought this would be a fun way to use my frida face stamp especially since frida is such a mysterious figure who often worked with nature and animals in her own art.

the new challenge will run for two weeks from today so feel free to link up!

love to all.

viva la bride of frankenstein!

earlier this month i visited las vegas and while there i checked out the viva las vegas stamps store.  i bought several stamps but 3 were especially for hallowe'en and since the prompt this week at tag tuesday is also hallowe'en that gave me the perfect opportunity to show off my new treats.

the bride of frankenstein, the "boo" and the "happy halloween" are all from viva las vegas stamps.  other elements for these tags included papers by gecko galz, papers and die cuts by sabor papel (purchased through altered arts) and other die cuts, stickers and ribbons from my stash.

i'm linking to the "scary and weird" contest at lost coast portal to creativity. 

i had fun playing with my new toys.  the viva las vegas stamps store is a little hard to find and from the outside it seems tiny.

but inside it is crazy-full of awesomeness....

so that was also fun!
please come back here on october 27, that's the start of the gecko galz blog hop.  there will be a free collage sheet at every stop on the hop as well as the chance to win additional prizes.  so see you soon!

love to all.

trick or treat!

the other day i posted an ATC i submitted to the altered pages blog as a part of their customer ATC link up.  this afternoon i was inspired to make another ATC which i've sent along as well.

the background paper and the flowers die cut are by sabor papel, purchased through altered pages. the rest are bits from my stash, die cuts, a mummy brad, a vintage little clown.

i'm linking to the hallowe'en party at moo mania and more.

have a great week.  i'm posting a lot this week and of course the gecko galz blog hop starts on thursday so please be a frequent visitor -- prizes and fun are coming!

love to all.

eat drink and be scary

the altered pages blog has offered customers the chance to submit ATCs for the blog.  i used the altered pages "falling for fall" collage sheet to make a simple ATC with some fun hallowe'en elements on it.

the background paper is from gecko galz.  the stamp in the bottom corner is from 100 proof press and the rest are die cuts from my stash.  

i'm linking to the "scary and weird" contest at lost coast portal to creativity!

enjoy; love to all.

bird on a pendant

i've got one last inspiration piece for you for the lunagirl moonbeams "spring flowers and birds" challenge this month.  another pendant:

this is a one inch pendant using a frame, glass and chain from a kit offered at altered pages. the bird image is from the "birds #2" collage sheet by lunagirl.

you are invited to link up to the challenge and you have until the end of the month.  you do not have to use lunagirl images to join the challenge but if you do your entry is counted twice!  giving you two delicious chances to win shopping credit at the lunagirl store! there are many bird theme collage sheets here.  and keep an eye on the lunagirl blog -- karen often offers freebies on the blog.

love to all.

gecko galz inspiration continues -- domino pendant

i'm excited to be sharing my first ever domino pendant!  i am so pleased with how it turned out that i am eager to make more and to get more elaborate.  but for now, i hope you like this first simple one.

the background is paper from the "floral symphony" paper pack by gecko galz.  the foreground face is from the "face to face" jewel it collage sheet.  other than that i have a little prima flower and lots of diamond glaze! i'd actually purchased a domino pendant kit from altered pages and followed their tutorial to create this piece.

here is the back side just in case you don't believe it is a domino!

i'm also reminding you of the "hearts and kisses" challenge at the gecko galz customer challenge blog.  you have a bit more than a week remaining to link up a creation featuring hearts and kisses or other valentine-y theme for the chance to win a prize from gecko galz.  as always you must use at least one item from gecko galz but in addition to the awesome products at the etsy shop there are always freebies on the pinterest page.  i hope you will play along.

love to all.

t is for turtle

today i'm sharing another alphabet ATC, this time featuring a turtle.  for the month of august you are invited to link up an animal themed creation to the lunagirl moonbeams challenge blog for the chance to win the prize of shopping credit at the lunagirl store.

this ATC has a vintage image (the turtle) from the lunagirl "woodland animals" collage sheet and also includes stamping.  i started with designer paper from my stash adhered to my ATC base.  I stamped the waves which are from meer image.  i fussy cut and applied the turtle and then also stamped the bubbles from G-rated stamps.  i then added the ribbon and the letter T (from a set purchased from altered pages).

you have until the end of the month to link up.
enjoy; 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.

altered pages mother's day link up party!

mother's day may have come and gone but the mother's day link up party at altered pages goes until the 15th!  to play you must use items from altered pages and the good folks there were kind enough to offer some free collage sheets to help participants play along.  i made a card using images from both of the freebie sheets.

my collaged piece also includes several digital designer papers and a bingo card from gecko galz.  this was fun to make and I like the results.  i actually started off making an ATC but it ended up being a full sized card.

enjoy; love to all.

insects

at tag tuesday this week we are working with the theme of "insects."  i have a stamp from stampington that i was eager to use for this prompt and i played with it twice to make two tags this week.

this first tag is tiny, about 1 by 2 and a half inches. i covered the tag base with french language print designer paper, added a letter from an alphabet sheet by altered pages , stamped my insect and added a bit of cavallini and co. washi tape at the bottom.   edges were distressed with ink.

this second tag is larger, about 1 and a half by 4 inches. i printed the skull image from dover publications (from thei weekly free samples) onto designer paper by gecko galz.  i stamped my insect onto the skull and i used postal washi tape on this one.

this stamp came from a set and i can't say whether i'd used it before but i must say i like it a lot.
enjoy; love to all.

check out altered pages artsociates giveaway

here is a fine blog and a giveaway you might wish to visit and learn more about: altered pages artsociates blog.

the blog and also the site altered pages offers challenge, products and inspiration.  enjoy!
love to all.

a color challenge at the cheerful stamp pad

the new challenge at the cheerful stamp pad is "black, white and a dash of yellow."

my ATC features an image from our challenge sponsor altered pages. yep, from the "gypsies, tramps & thieves" collage sheet! she is dancing so joyously that i realized she must be dancing with a butterfly...  so she is placed on two bits of designer paper, one is black and white, the other has black, white and yellow with additional distressing with a mustard yellow distress ink.  ok, so the butterfly has a some green in it.  it was for the sake of art...

hope you'll join us.  unlike most cheerful stamp pad challenges this one lasts only one week.

love to all.

pink saturday ATC

as i am still enjoying playing with images from the altered pages "gypsies, tramps & thieves" collage sheet i thought i'd dash off an ATC in celebration of the weekly pink saturday link up.
and while at it to play along with passion parade friday since i can't get enough gypsy images or ATCs!

enjoy; love to all.

one last gypsy for this week

another from the altered pages "gypsies, tramps and thieves" sheet:

as usual, i kept it simple with black card stock, some decorative paper, flower sticker, little fabric flower and the dream stamp by inkadinkado. 

in honor of the theme that seems to have taken me over, (and because the song keeps running through my head) please enjoy this 70s flashback classic by Cher:



love to all...

gypsies, tramps and thieves...continued

the "gypsies, tramps and thieves" sheet from altered pages has lots of great images.  i promised more creations from this sheet and here's another, this time a tag.

the tag itself is stamped with a word stamp from stampendous.  there is a decorative paper layer back there as well then the main image from the collage sheet and the letters from some batch of goodies or the other.  the ribbon and the little red metal flower came from the goodies from gerri's play date last month -- i still have leftover treats from that challenge.

as i've posted before, the challenge at the cheerful stamp pad is "from the past" and the challenge sponsor is altered pages.  hope you'll join the fun.

enjoy; love to all.

more vintage goodness...

for week 2 of the "from the past" challenge at the cheerful stamp pad.

the central image is from the altered pages "gypsies, tramps and thieves" collage sheet. altered pages is the sponsor for the "from the past" challenge. 

my base here is black card stock, the decorative paper layer is a torn vintage advertisement sheet.  additional embellishments include tissue tape, butterfly and dragonfly stickers and a pretty decorative circle.

come back later this week to see more creations using the "gypsies" sheet!
love to all.

cheerful stamp pad #40 -- from the past

for the next two weeks at the cheerful stamp pad our challenge is "from the past."  you've got full creative license to work into your art, a theme whether ancient or recent history.  sounds like fun!

our challenge sponsor is altered pages a source for gorgeous collage sheets and other goodies.  the randomly selected winner gets 4 collage sheet which means lots of mixed media fun!

my main image is from the altered pages "flower maidens" sheet. i've collaged her with a variety of papers and other embellishments from my own stash.

please come out and play!
love to all.