girls just want to have fun -- ICAD #5 "1980s"

well, i almost didn't make it today. it has been a long work day and a long week BUT i committed to the "index card a day" challenge sponsored by daisy yellow art. the challenge is to make art on an index card (either 3x5 or 4x6) every day through July 31.  today's theme is "1980s," you don't have to follow the theme but so far i've played along. 

do not mess with my love for Cyndi Lauper. i pulled these images off the web and put them on a background from the "graphical paper" pack by gecko galz. i added polka dot washi tape, a flower and enamel dot, and the numbers/letter from holliewood studios fantastical steampunk alpha.

ready to chill for the evening and be a blob on the couch.
love to all.

more spring, more anything goes

there is one week left for the tag tuseday "anything goes" challenge, and just a few days left for the gecko galz "spring's muse" challenge. here is another tag for both challenges.

background is from gecko galz papillon paper pack. the woman is from a gecko galz collage sheet as well. words and flower/enamel dot are from my stash.

may your path be sweet; love to all.

who loves coffee?

for the next two weeks the challenge theme at tag tuesday is "beverages." you're invited to make a tag with any kind of beverage. our fearless design team leader Valerie LOVES coffee so much that she often posts photos of her coffee drinks along with her beautiful art creations. so my tag is dedicated to her!

the woman and cup images are from lunagirl; the background paper and sentiment came from one of the artists at stitchy bear digital outlet (now closed). i also have some tissue tape, a paper flower, enamel dot, ribbon and distress ink to finish the piece. 

i also love coffee, especially the smell of it!
enjoy playing along with the challenge!

love to all.

beauties under the sea

for the new two week challenge at tag tuesday chosen by dear Wendy, "sea world."

all images from various gecko galz collage sheets and paper packs.
love to all, happy swimming!

she flies over

faces, wings, gardens, flight. all good themes for springtime. here are two tags with plenty of all those things.

face stamp from lost coast designs "up close and personal" stamp set; butterfly from gecko galz "pretty little butterflies" collage sheet; sentiment by viva las vegas stamps; cloud washi tape from pipsticks; the rest of the bits are from my stash.

face stamp from lost coast designs "up close and personal" stamp set; butterfly from gecko galz "pretty little butterflies" collage sheet; flowers from gecko galz "jardin" collage sheet; background paper is also gecko galz; sentiment from tim holtz; flower and dot from my stash.

i'm always interested in using rubber stamps and collage images effectively together and am pleased with how these turned out.

challenges entered:
lost coast portal to creativity "on wings she flies;"
gecko galz customer challenge blog "nouveau garden;"
moo mania and more "spring fever;"
and a reminder there is a "faces" challenge at tag tuesday...

love to all

favourite stamp

last week a new two week challenge opened up at tag tuesday -- use your favourite stamp, theme selected by DT member joan. well, i have hundreds of stamps and am hard pressed to identify a favourite. i have always liked the simplicity of this pear stamp by rubber stampede.

the background paper is from the gecko galz curiosity shop digital craft kit and i stamped the pear on a dictionary page after spritzing it with water color inks. there's a little washi tape and enamel dots on here too.

one week to play along! please join us!
love to all.

keep on jingling...

our november challenge at gecko galz customer challenge blog the  is "jingle all the way!" there are just a couple days remaining to play along. the challenge prize will be a shopping spree at the gecko galz shop!  let's play! i've got lots to jingly goodness to share.

supplies: gecko galz "victorian christmas" paper pack; the gecko galz christmas collage sheet from the recent blog hop (see my october 26 post and pop through all the blog hop stops to find the free sheet); gecko galz "charming words" collage sheet; various laces, die cuts, paper flowers; reindeer brad, enamel dot, ATC base, etc. from my stash.

instructions: i covered the ATC base with one of the victorian christmas papers and distressed the edges. i added lace and the flower and dot.  i fussy cut the image from the blog hop sheet and glued it down. i continued to embellish with the word and the brad.

these two creations are "moos" which are little arty piece made at 1.2 x 3.8 inches. i used the same basic components on both of these.

supplies: gecko galz "christmas sprinkles" paper pack; gecko galz "snow much fun jewel it" collage sheet; and then various embellishments from my stash.

instructions: in both cases i cut a moo base out of cardboard and covered it with the christmas sprinkles paper. i fussy cut the images and arranged everything together the way i wanted and then glued it all down!

i'm linking my "moos" to the current moo mania and more challenge "trees."

for me, christmas is a holy and sacred time and one of my favorite images of christmas is the three wise men bringing gifts to the holy baby. that was the inspiration for this last ATC.

supplies: gecko galz "victorian christmas" paper pack; gecko galz "christmas days gone by" collage sheet; distress ink; ATC base; dove and heart stickers.

instructions: this was made very simply by covering the ATC base with the victorian christmas paper and distressing the edges, fussy cutting the three wise men and gluing them down; appending the lace with double sided tape and adding the stickers to finish.

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

how to play along with the challenge: create on our theme -- remember you must use at least one item by gecko galz.  if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  sign up at the blog here, on the top left. there are also wonderful freebies at the gecko galz pinterest page. and there are always wonderful deals at the etsy shop -- and if you are a newsletter subscriber you'll also get notice of the special one buck wednesday deals. hurry! for this challenge your deadline to link up is november 30.  challenge prize will be a shopping spree at the gecko galz shop!  

well friends, this is my last post as a gecko galz DT member -- after several years creating with these products and sharing them with you all i'm moving on to other things. i'll be entering the challenges myself and encourage you all to do the same -- so many great products and prizes!

love to all. 

witching hour part deux

because of the gecko galz blog hop coming up on the 26th, my feature day on the blog got moved to the 15th this month.  which is great because i am excited to share some inspiration for you to join our "it is the witching hour" challenge at the gecko galz challenge blog.  link up by the 29th for the chance to win a shopping spree at the gecko galz etsy store!

supplies: gecko galz "never more" paper pack; gecko galz "good fortune" collage sheet; gecko galz "bingo boo" collage sheet; ribbon, bat, ghost, spider web sticker, lace and paper tape from my stash.

instructions: i covered the tag base with paper from the never more paper pack and distressed the edges. i added a row of paper tape at top and some lace at the bottom. i carefully cut the images i wanted from the various collage sheets and glued them down then added the remaining embellishments.

supplies: 3x3 card stock base from inchie arts art squares (company is closed); gecko galz "never more" paper pack; gecko galz "bingo boo" collage sheet; gecko galz "black cats" collage sheet; jack o lantern from one of the monthly free collage sheets by gecko galz; mummy brad from my stash.

instructions: i covered the 3x3 base with paper from never more and distressed the edges. after cutting out all the elements from the collage sheets i glued them down and added the mummy brad last.

supplies: gecko galz "never more" paper pack; gecko galz "bingo boo" collage sheet; gecko galz "good fortune" collage sheet; gecko galz "pretty witches" collage sheet; border, enamel dots and sticker from my stash.  

instructions: i covered the ATC base with the never more paper and distressed the edges. i cut the other elements i'd chosen and glued them down.  i added the border, dots and black flourish sticker to finish. 

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

how to play along with the challenge: create on our theme -- remember you must use at least one item by gecko galz.  if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  sign up at the blog here, on the top left. there are also wonderful freebies at the gecko galz pinterest page. and there are always wonderful deals at the etsy shop -- and if you are a newsletter subscriber you'll also get notice of the special one buck wednesday deals. hurry! for this challenge your deadline to link up is october 30.  challenge prize will be a shopping spree at the gecko galz shop!  

love to all. 

hallowe'en at tag tuesday

this two week period at tag tuesday the challenge chosen by dear Valerie is "autumn or hallowe'en." i love creating on the holiday theme so i chose the latter!

background paper and vintage images from gecko galz.  die cuts and enamel dot from my stash.  trick or treat!

love to all.

travel dreams

as we continue our july theme at the gecko galz customer challenge blog:  "enjoy the journey," create on this theme using gecko galz products for the chance to win prizes from the gecko galz store.  i have a 4x6 postcard and another ATC to share today.

supplies: 4x6 cardboard base; gecko galz "parisian dreams paper pack"; gecko galz "paris dreams" collage sheet; gecko galz "charming words" collage sheet; black lace; paper flower; enamel dot; black stickers; distress ink.

instructions: i covered the cardboard base with 2 papers from the parisien dreams paper pack, distressed the edges and added the lace at top.  i fussy cut the woman and glued her on, adding the words, flower, dot and stickers to finish.

supplies: ATC base; gecko galz "parisian dreams paper pack"; gecko galz "dream girls" collage sheet; gecko galz "postcards from abroad" collage sheet; gecko galz "charming words" collage sheet; gecko galz "postcards from abroad" collage sheet;washi tape; paper flower; distress ink.

instructions: i covered the ATC base with paper from the parisian dreams pack and a torn peice from the postcards from abroad collage sheet.  i added washi take and distressed the edges.  i fussy cut the woman from the dream girls sheet and added her along with the word and the flower.

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

how to play along with the challenge: create on our theme -- remember you must use at least one item by gecko galz.  if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  sign up at the blog here, on the top left. there are also wonderful freebies at the gecko galz pinterest page. and there are always wonderful deals at the etsy shop -- and if you are a newsletter subscriber you'll also get notice of the special one buck wednesday deals. hurry! for this challenge your deadline to link up is july 30.  challenge prize will be goodies from the gecko galz shop!  

love to all. 

floral beauty

our two week challenge at tag tuesday right now is "floral" and the challenge lasts until the 16th.  here is my tag.

the lovely lady is from the gecko galz "dream girls" collage sheet.  the floral background paper and "love" ticket are also from gecko galz. the washi, paper flower and enamel dot are just goodies from my stash.

enjoy the week and may you enjoy the flowers wherever you see them!
love to all.

baby love

it was my turn to pick the challenge theme at tag tuesday for the next two weeks and with mother's day right around the corner i chose "baby love."  but really the theme can be about mothers and babies or just babies, human babies, animal babies whatever you like!  here are two tags to get this started.

i used lunagirl images on the first piece, with a beautiful little girl reading a book (from the african american CD) and her wings from the "fly away home" collage sheet.  the background paper is from jodie lee designs.  the washi tape, die cuts and stickers are from my stash.

for this piece i chose an image and paper from gecko galz.  the mother and babe are from the "mum's the word" collage sheet and the paper is from the mori girl paper pack.  the paper flower, enamel dot and lace are from my stash.

i hope you will have fun with this challenge!
love to all

garden bliss

for the month of april our new customer challenge theme at gecko galz blog is "garden bliss." link up your garden themed creations using gecko galz products for the chance at a prize. more details below.

this is a card i made modeled on a sketch pattern from paper play sketches; their sketch challenge blog is closed but there are lots of sketch inspiration patterns still on the blog site.

supplies: gecko galz butterfly dreams collage sheet; gecko galz journal toppers kit; gecko galz designer paper (can't identify the kit!); washi tape; enamel dots.

instructions: i covered card stock with the designer paper and arranged the images from the butterfly dreams collage sheet interlaced with a strip of washi tape.  all edges were distressed before adhering.  the enamel dots were the final touch.

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

how to play along with the challenge: create on our theme -- remember you must use at least one item by gecko galz.  if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  sign up at the blog here, on the top left. there are also wonderful freebies at the gecko galz pinterest page. and there are always wonderful deals at the etsy shop -- and if you are a newsletter subscriber you'll also get notice of the special one buck wednesday deals! for this challenge your deadline to link up is april 30.  challenge prize will be goodies from the gecko galz shop!  most importantly, have fun!


i hope that all who celebrate had a blessed passover and a blessed easter!

love to all. 

keeping it green!

st patrick's day is only a couple of weeks away now and our challenge theme at the gecko galz customer challenge blog has been "putting on the green." challenge entries closed on february 26 (because this is a short month!) but i still have some more goodies to share. 

supplies: gecko galz visions in green collage sheet; gecko galz butterfly kisses collage sheet; gecko galz putting on the green digital crafting kit; gecko galz it's not easy being green paper pack; enamel dots; distress ink.

instructions: i covered my ATC base with paper i printed out from the putting on the green digital crafting kit and distressed the edges. i printed the celtic symbol from the digital crafting kit on to paper from the it's not easy being gree paper pack, cut it out and glued it to the ATV.  i fussy cut the girl, printed from the digital craft kit and also fussy cut the butterfly from the butterfly kisses sheet and glued both to the ATC as well.  i added the enamel dots last. 

supplies: gecko galz butterfly kisses collage sheet; gecko galz putting on the green digital crafting kit; gecko galz it's not easy being green paper pack, gecko galz charming words collage sheet; distress ink.

instructions: i covered my ATC base with paper i printed out from the putting on the green digital crafting kit and distressed the edges. i printed the celtic symbol from the digital crafting kit on to paper from the it's not easy being gree paper pack, cut it out and glued it to the ATV.  i fussy cut the girl, printed from the digital craft kit and also fussy cut the butterfly from the butterfly kisses sheet and glued both to the ATC as well, along with the word, cut from the charming words collage sheet.   

supplies: gecko galz visions in green collage sheet; gecko galz butterfly kisses collage sheet; gecko galz it's not easy being green paper pack; paper flower, enamel dots, distress ink.

instructions: i took 4 different papers from the it's not easy being green paper pack and arranged them on the ATC base, and distressed the edges. i fussy cut the girl from visions in green and glued her on the ATC.  i fussy cut the butterfly from butterfly kisses and added that to her shoulder.  i added the paper flower and enamel dots last.

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

how to play along with the challenge: too late for february but come back march 1 to see the new challenge theme and play along with us next month!

love to all. 

use a quote

it was my turn to pick a theme for tag tuesday and because i love quotes and sayings i chose "use a quote."

the beautiful woman is matilda sissieretta joyner jones, an american opera soprano from the 1800s. the image is from the lunagirl african american CD; the wings are also from lunagirl, the rainbow wings collage sheet; the background of clouds is from a retired tumblefish studios kit.  i also used a french script rubber stamp (company unknown), paper tape and ribbon.  the quote is by maya angelou.

here we have the very famous and glamorous josephine baker, an american born entertainer, intellectual and activist.  the image is from the lunagirl african american CD; the wings are also from lunagirl, the rainbow wings collage sheet; the background is from twisted papers (i think their store is now closed); the enamel dots, felt leaf and ribbon are from my stash.  the saying come from a tim holtz ideology "small talk" sticker set. 

come by the tag tuesday site and check out this challenge!
love to all.

putting on the green!

at the gecko galz blog this month we are "putting on the green" and encouraging you to make projects for st patrick's day or at least using green! challenge rules are below.  here is an ATC by me to get this started.

supplies: gecko galz visions in green collage sheet; gecko galz darling dragonflies collage sheet; gecko galz putting on the green digital crafting kit; paper flower, enamel dot, distress ink.

instructions: i covered my ATC base with paper i printed out from the putting on the green digital crafting kit and distressed the edges. the Irish blessing was printed from the putting on the green digital crafting kit and i fussy cut that as well as fussy cutting the woman from visions in green and the dragonfly from the darling dragonflies sheet. i glued those to the ATC base and added the flower and dot last.

nothing like an Irish blessing to get things started!

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

how to play along with the challenge: create on our theme -- remember you must use at least one item by gecko galz.  if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  sign up at the blog here, on the top left. there are also wonderful freebies at the gecko galz pinterest page. and there are always wonderful deals at the etsy shop -- and if you are a newsletter subscriber you'll also get notice of the special one buck wednesday deals! for this challenge your deadline to link up is february 26.  challenge prize will be goodies from the gecko galz shop!

love to all. 

love birds

here is another card to encourage you to play along in the gecko galz customer challenge for this month: courtly love.

supplies: gecko gals courtly love paper pack; gecko galz vintage flirtations collage sheet; gecko galz victorian spring icons; gecko galz charming words collage sheet; enamel dot; die cut.

instructions: i cut out all elements, arranged them to my liking and then glued them to card stock.

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

how to play along with our "courtly love" customer challenge: create on our theme -- remember you must use at least one item by gecko galz.  if you sign up for the monthly gecko galz newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet every month.  sign up at the blog here, on the top left. there are also wonderful freebies at the gecko galz pinterest page. and there are always wonderful deals at the etsy shop -- and if you are a newsletter subscriber you'll also get notice of the special one buck wednesday deals! for this challenge your deadline to link up is january 30.

love to all.

another little love

for tag tuesday "anything goes" (you have 'til next monday to link up!)

the little girl image is from lunagirl, the african american images collection.  she is so tiny and sweet. the background paper is from the gecko galz floral symphony paper pack.  the paper flowers, enamel dots, rickrack and sticker are from my stash.

love to all.

a lime green new year

for week two of the "anything goes -- use some lime green" challenge at tag tuesday i have a happy new year tag.

the background paper, new year sentiment and characters/clock are all from gecko galz.  the rest are bits and bobs from my stash.  happy new year time really isn't that far away!  i'm hoping for a happy 2018.

love to all.

frida dreams and good news

i participated in the rubber moon mail club ATC swap in august.  here are the ATCS i sent:

all stamps are from rubber moon with accents done in colored pencil, paper flowers and a few enamel dots.  the dream die cut came from the latest rubber moon mail club package.

love to all.