captured hearts twinchie #2

i have one more 2 by 2 inch "twinchie" to share for this month's gecko galz customer challenge:"captured hearts." challenge closes on the 29th!

like yesterday, background paper is from the "smitten" paper pack at gecko galz. foreground female image is a freebie this month at the gecko galz blog (there are free images on the blog about every other day!). the rest is stash goodies.

enjoy; love to all.

steampunk saturday

2 steampunk goodies today, one for the "industrial" challenge at tag tuesday and one for the anything goes twinchie challenge at the gecko galz facebook page...

background paper is from the gecko galz steampunk paper pack, on which i stamped a compass by leavenworth jackson. the balloon is from the gecko galz up up and away collage sheet. the lady, wings and sentiment are from various tim holtz ideology packs, the rest are items from my stash.

everything is from either the gecko galz steampunk paper pack or from the curiosity shop digital pack. the sentiment is tim holtz ideology.

love to all.

here comes santa claus...

today is my feature day at the gecko galz blog so i have 2 creations to share -- one is on our customer challenge theme this month "santa claus lane" and then another goodies just for fun.

supplies: gecko galz "dashing through the snow" paper pack; gecko galz "christmas chic" collage sheet; gecko galz "santa clause jewel it" collage sheet; ATC base; embellishments from my stash

instructions: i glued the paper to the ATC base and distressed the edges.  i added a die cut "flag", a paper flower, enamel dot and the sentiment (which i also distressed around the edges). after fussy cutting the woman and santa i glued them on last.

supplies: 2x2 twinchie base; gecko galz "dashing through the snow" paper pack; gecko galz "sparkle and shine" collage sheet; inchie arts base; embellishments from my stash

instructions: i covered the twinchie base with the paper and distressed the edges. i fussy cut the woman (josephine baker!) and glued her on.  i added the word and sparkly bits to finish the piece.


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 november 30!

love to all.

more fun by the shore

today is my feature day at the gecko galz customer challenge blog on our theme of "by the shore."  i'm sharing another twinchie (2x2 inch creation) and an ATC.

"hula girl"

supplies: inchie arts twinchie base; gecko galz by the shore paper pack; gecko galz sunny summer jewels collage sheet; gecko galz seaside paper pack (from seaside splendor digital kit); distress ink.

instructions: i covered the twinchie base with the designer paper and distressed the edges.  i fussy cut several images from the collage sheet and a butterfly from the seaside paper pack and adhered them to the base.

"mermaid dreamer"

supplies: cardboard ATC base; gecko galz seaside paper pack (from seaside splendor digital kit); gecko galz charming words collage sheet; gecko galz pretty mermaids digital collage sheet; distress ink.

instructions: i covered the ATC base with paper from the seaside paper pack and distressed the edges.  i also cut several other images from that paper pack (bird, shell).  i fussy cut the mermaid and adhered her along with the bird, shell and the word.

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(hey: go over to the gecko galz blog today to get yourself a digital freebie!)

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how to play along with the customer challenge: 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 august 30!

wishing you happy seaside dreams!
love to all.

by the shore at gecko galz

happy summer, happy august!  this month at the gecko galz customer challenge blog our theme is "by the shore." link up a seaside creation for the chance to win a gecko galz prize!

i've made a little "twinchie" to get this started -- a 2x2 inch creation...

"summer memories"

supplies: inchie arts twinchie base; gecko galz beachy keen paper pack; gecko galz sunny summer jewels collage sheet; distress ink.

instructions: this was the simplest creation to make.  i covered the twinchie base with the designer paper and distressed the edges.  i fussy cut three images from the collage sheet and adhere them to the base.  i'd intended to do more with this but i looked at it and felt satisfied so i stopped!

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how to play along with the customer challenge: 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 august 30!

come back here on august 14 for some additional "by the shore" inspiration!

love to all.

what a soldier yearns for

here is one last creation for the lunagirl moonbeams fathers and brothers blog challenge, my final "twinchie."

i've never been a soldier but i imagine the thing a soldier yearns for is home, especially when they spend so much time traveling the world, encountering danger and being far from comfort.  the man in this creation is from the lunagirl african american CD on a background from the lunagirl "maps" collage sheet. as always, i wish for peace for everyone.

the twinchie base is from inchie arts and the word sticker is from tim holtz.

you have a bit more than a week to join this challenge.  here is how to play:

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

Challenge ends at 3:00 pm CST on June 30

Any craft or medium is welcome.

ENTER UP TO THREE PIECES!

Vintage style is encouraged but not required.

Use a Lunagirl image and your entry will count twice in the drawing!

Link to this blog and to Lunagirl.com on your site if you have one.

Prize: $10 e-gift certificate to use at Lunagirl.com! Winner will be selected by random drawing.

love to all.

there is always reason to hope

on this third week of june and the third week of the fathers and brothers challenge at lunagirl moonbeams i'm sharing another twinchie from the vintage fathers collage sheet by lunagirl.

these vintage photos are so full of story.  in the eyes of this father i see struggle and stoicism and then there is his little girl clinging to him with such trust. i felt there was hope within them and so i chose the background sun from the lunagirl "wind roses compasses" collage sheet and added the hopeful word from a tim holtz sticker set.  the 2x2 base is from inchie arts.

here are the details to play along with this challenge:

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

Challenge ends at 3:00 pm CST on  June 30

Any craft or medium is welcome.

ENTER UP TO THREE PIECES!

Vintage style is encouraged but not required.

Use a Lunagirl image and your entry will count twice in the drawing!

Link to this blog and to Lunagirl.com on your site if you have one.

Prize: $10 e-gift certificate to use at Lunagirl.com! Winner will be selected by random drawing.

love to all.

we are family

no one will ever doubt that this man is the father of this baby! when i saw this image on the lunagirl vintage fathers collage sheet i had to create with it!

this 2x2 inch creation is hopefully another piece of inspiration for you to join the "fathers and brothers" challenge at lunagirl moonbeams.  in addition to the vintage image from the fathers collage sheet i used the lunagirl "wind roses compasses" collage sheet as well as a twinchie base from inchie arts and a word sticker by tim holtz.


here are the details to play along with this challenge:

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

Challenge ends at 3:00 pm CST on  June 30

Any craft or medium is welcome.

ENTER UP TO THREE PIECES!

Vintage style is encouraged but not required.

Use a Lunagirl image and your entry will count twice in the drawing!

Link to this blog and to Lunagirl.com on your site if you have one.

Prize: $10 e-gift certificate to use at Lunagirl.com! Winner will be selected by random drawing.

love to all.

a man of industry and invention

at the lunagirl moonbeams blog last month we celebrated mothers and sisters -- so this month it is fathers and brothers.  link up your creation on our all about men theme for a chance to win shopping credit at the lunagirl store.

since i did twinchies for the mothers and sisters at lunagirl last month i'm back to the 2x2 inch creations for the men as well.  the man is from the lunagirl african american CD.  he looked to me like he could be an inventor so i was inspired to use background paper from the journeys #1 collage sheet also by lunagirl.  my twinchie base is a precision cut 2x2 square from inchie arts.  the word sticker is from tim holtz.

here are the details to play along with this challenge:

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

Challenge ends at 3:00 pm CST on  June 30

Any craft or medium is welcome.

ENTER UP TO THREE PIECES!

Vintage style is encouraged but not required.

Use a Lunagirl image and your entry will count twice in the drawing!

Link to this blog and to Lunagirl.com on your site if you have one.

Prize: $10 e-gift certificate to use at Lunagirl.com! Winner will be selected by random drawing.

love to all.

love for mom

i've made another twinchie to celebrate mother-daughter love, in time for mother's day and as inspiration for you to join the "mothers and sisters" challenge at lunagirl moonbeams!

the vintage image is from the lunagirl "just us girls" collage sheet. the background paper is by jodie lee designs.  i added a little washi tape on the side.  the butterflies and letters are from a kaisercraft sticker sheet and the border is from my stash.  my twichie base is from inchie arts.

link up a creation on our theme for the chance to win shopping credit at the lunagirl store, where you'll find a wonderful selection of drool-worthy collage sheets on pretty much any subject!  a reminder of the challenge guidelines:

Challenge ends at 3:00 pm CST on May 31

Any craft or medium is welcome.

ENTER UP TO THREE PIECES!

Vintage style is encouraged but not required.

Use a Lunagirl image and your entry will count twice in the drawing!

Link to this lunagirl moonbeams and to Lunagirl.com on your site if you have one.

Prize: $10 e-gift certificate to use at Lunagirl.com! Winner will be selected by random drawing.

love to all.

mothers and sisters

happy month of may!  at lunagirl moonbeams our month-long challenge is "mothers and sisters," just in time for mother's day. link up a creation on our theme for the chance to win shopping credit at the lunagirl store.

i've made a twinchie to get this challenge started, a 2x2 inch creation.  my twinchie base come from inchie arts.  the women are from the "sisters" collage sheet by lunagirl.  the background is paper by jodie lee designer papers.  the moth and word are from tim holtz with a bit of border from my stash.

mother's day is a good time to celebrate any people who mother or nurture others.  the sister relationship can be a very loving and supportive one, and is a lovely thing to celebrate.

i hope you'll join our challenge; you have all month!  here are the guidelines:

Challenge ends at 3:00 pm CST on May 31

Any craft or medium is welcome.

ENTER UP TO THREE PIECES!

Vintage style is encouraged but not required.

Use a Lunagirl image and your entry will count twice in the drawing!

Link to this lunagirl moonbeams and to Lunagirl.com on your site if you have one.

Prize: $10 e-gift certificate to use at Lunagirl.com! Winner will be selected by random drawing.

love to all.

rubber mooning

i'm in a rubber moon art group, sponsored by rubber moon art stamps. one of the members challenged herself to create new piece with rubber moon stamps every day this month.  that was more than i thought i could handle but i decided to strive to do something weekly.  i've done three art squares (twinchies) so far, am sharing them all today.

 

all stamps are by rubber moon.  the backgrounds are all watercolor inks spritzed over stencils.  i used colored pencils on the middle square.  also the squares themselves are all really fabulous pre-cut squares from inchie arts.

 

with 3 of these done now and today being the 7th i'm obviously ahead of the weekly challenge i gave myself.  but it was so much fun.

 

love to all.

faeries and mermaids, 4

there is just a week remaining to enter the lunagirl moonbeams challenge blog faeries and mermaids challenge.  please consider linking up your own creation featuring mermaids or faeries for the chance to win shopping credit at the lunagirl store. here are 2 more pieces from me -- a final twinchie (2x2) and an ATC.

 

both pieces include a variety of lunagirl images from many of lunagirl's wonderful collage sheets.  i hope you will win the shopping credit prize so that you can enjoy working with these wonderful images for yourself.

 

as for me, i can never quite get enough of faeries and mermaids. so it has been an enjoyable month of creativity on this theme.

 

one last week to link up.

love to all.

september gecko galz inspiration (and a freebie!)

hello friends.  this is a reminder of the customer challenge at the gecko galz blog -- link up a creation on our theme of "tricks or treats" for the chance to win a prize from the gecko galz etsy shop.  please remember that your creation must include at least one item from gecko galz.  we also have brand new products this month, designed with hallowe'en in mind.  here are two twinchies to inspire you.

supplies and instructions:  i started with a 2 inch by 2 inch base from inchie arts. i covered the base with paper from the new gecko galz "freak show paper pack" and i distressed the edges with black ink.  i used a large silver spider web sticker as the second layer. the vintage image at left is from the gecko galz "fortune jewel it" collage sheet and the "sands of time" image is from the gecko galz "apothecary labels" collage sheet.  the chandelier sticker and enamel dots are from my stash.

supplies and instructions: working with another 2x2 inch base from inchie arts, i covered this one with another gorgeous paper from the gecko galz "freak show paper pack" and distressed it with black ink.  my second layer is some black spidery lace.  the beautiful vintage woman is from the gecko galz "fortune jewel it" collage sheet and the moon is from the "moonlight" collage sheet which was a freebie offered from gecko galz last october.  i added black leaf lace at the right and a prima flower to finish.

i promised a freebie didn't i?  well here it is, courtesy of gecko galz!

you could certainly use this for our "tricks or treats" challenge! remember that you must use something from gecko galz for the challenge.  for freebies check out the gecko galz pinterest page, or the blog, or sign up for the monthly newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet each month.  i hope you will play along!

love to all.

faeries and mermaids, 3

week three of the month-long faeries and mermaids challenge at lunagirl moonbeams is here! join our challenge for the chance to win a shopping credit at the lunagirl store.  here is my third piece: 

yes, it is yet another twinchie, a 2x2 inch creation, featuring a mermaid from the "mermaids 2" collage sheet by lunagirl.  the background paper is a freebie long ago offered at the lunagirl blog.  i added a sea star, shimmery border paper and some little enamel dots "bubbles" to finish the piece.

you do not have to use a lunagirl image to enter the challenges but if you are eager to have one,  here's a faerie freebie for you! (hint: if you search the label "freebies" at the lunagirl blog you'll find many many more wonderful images free for your use!)

enjoy; love to all.

faeries and mermaids, 2

the challenges at the lunagirl moonbeams blog now run for a full month so i'll be posting another creation every week.  this is week two of our faeries and mermaids challenge.  you are invited to post a creation to the blog featuring a faerie or mermaid.  you'll then be in the running for a prize of shopping credit at the delightful lunagirl store. 

this week i am sharing yet another twinchie (2 x 2 inches) this time featuring a faerie from the lunagirl faerie fantasy showgirls collage sheet.  the wings i gave her are from the lunagirl fly away home collage sheet.  the background paper, prima flower, leaf ribbon and text are from my stash.

three more weeks to link up a creation, i hope you will!
love to all.

faeries and mermaids, 1

faeries and mermaids, oh how we love them!  they are the theme for the new challenge at lunagirl moonbeams (find a lunagirl faerie freebie here).  i still have beach and ocean and other summery thoughts in my mind so i am starting with a mermaid for my first DT piece.

this creation is a "twinchie," just 2x2 inches -- if you saw my earlier post today you saw twinchies there as well.  stay tuned, september is gong to be a very twinchy month!

the mermaid is from the lunagirl "mermaids 2" collage sheet.  the papers in the background came from a magazine article and a seashore sticker set.  the only other embellishment is distressing and enamel dots.  oh, and a little fish sticker swimming to the mermaid!

please consider linking up a faerie or mermaid creation of your own at the lunagirl blog for the chance to win the prize of shopping credit at the lunagirl store!

love to all.

gecko galz september customer challenge -- tricks and treats

happy september! as always on the first of the month we introduce a new customer challenge at the  gecko galz challenge blog.  this month the challenge is "tricks or treats."  link up a creation on our challenge theme, be sure to use at least one item from gecko galz and you'll be eligible to win shopping credit and other prizes from gecko galz.

a new month also means new products at the gecko galz etsy shop. i made twinchies for my DT pieces this month and i'm sharing two of them here today.  twinchies are creations that are 2 inches by 2 inches.  it is a small canvas yet it has a surprising amount of room for creativity.

supplies and instructions: i started with a twinchie base (2x2) from inchie arts. i covered the base with paper from the new gecko galz "arsenic and old lace" paper pack. i distressed the edges with black ink. the next step was adding a spidery die cut.   i fussy cut the fortune teller from the "fortune jewel it" collage sheet by gecko galz and put her on top of the die cut though i saved a little bit for the bottom corner.  i added a paper flower, an enamel dot and the word "caution" which was in my stash of hallowe'en items.

supplies and instructions: for my second twinchie i started with another 2x2 base from inchie arts and covered it in paper from the new gecko galz "freak show paper pack."  i distressed the edges with black ink.the next layer i added was a piece of silver "magic mesh." "alexander the man who knows" also came from the gecko galz fortune jewel it collage sheet.  the star and the antique key are from my stash.

if you don't own anything by gecko galz there is lots of great stuff at the etsy shop but there are also always freebies on the pinterest page, on the blog, or by signing up for the monthly newsletter you'll get a free collage sheet each month.  i hope you will play along!

love to all.

little bits of art

somehow i never managed to post the last two twinchies i made for the gingersnap creations swap a couple of months ago.  oops!

well i know i didn't post the first one and i'm feeling a little fuzzy about the second.  these 2 inch by 2 inch creations were a hoot to make.  i don't know if i would ever have tried it had it not been for the swap.  images by lynne perella.  plus random papers and embellies.

enjoy; love to all.

got my twinchies in the mail!

joy joy!  my gingersnap creations twinchie swap treats arrived in the mail yesterday thanks to our US host ali manning who wonderfully coordinated everything.  here they are!

left to right, these beauties come from shelly schmidt, sabrina, and cathy peper.
but that's not all!

the second set came from artists nancy johnson, gerri herbst and "unknown" as the last one was sadly blank on the back.

as i've said before, swaps are great to do.  they make you stretch yourself and then in return you get wonderful art you can touch and feel and be inspired by.  i hope you'll visit the blogs of the fine artists posted here.  such beauty!

good stuff.
love to all.