Gecko Galz Annual Blog Hop

Hello Everyone!

We want to welcome everyone to the Gecko Galz 14th Annual Blog Hop.

 This is our 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 on each site! Each blog you visit will have a exclusive free Gecko Galz Collage sheet for you to download, the one here is

GOTHIC LOVE

(Click Right on the image below to save)

Here are the projects that I created with my collage sheet:

 

 

  

 

 

  

   

Also make sure you leave a message on each blog site you visit, and follow that design team member if you do not already 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 FIVE amazing prizes up for grabs:

        First is a Gecko Galz Kit Club for 2025!

        Second prize is a subscription to the Gecko Galz 2025 Card Topper Kits!

       Third prize is a subscription to the 2025 Tin Topper Kits for 2025!

Fourth 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 Craft Kit each quarter, a ATC collections, 1 Paper Pack each quarter, one jewel it collection, Tin Toppers, and Card Toppers!

 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 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 at geckogalz2019@gmail.com.

This enters you in the give Away. On October 28th we will randomly draw the 4 winners and email each of you, then we will post the winning names  in our Newsletter on November 1st.

 For an extra chance to win make a purchase from the GECKO GALZ ETSY STORE between the 25th of October and the 27th 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) 

 Now have fun visiting each Blog!

Gecko Galz

Kim Rayko

Robin Francini

Julia Vasquez

Tanis Buckton

Susan Renshaw

Kelly Parker 

Suzanne Franin

Carole Jones

Mia

Gerri Herbst

Jessica Kaiser

Walter Zemrock

Leanne Seed

Happy Thanksgiving - Tuesday Morning Sketches

Hi, friends!

Today’s share for Tuesday Morning Sketches is a Thanksgiving card that is perfect ro send to a friend or family member.  It’s a fun layered design full of autumnal colors and leaves.  It was inspired by the sketch you see below it.  I hope that you enjoy it!

All Things Dark and Beautiful - Gecko Galz October Challenge

Welcome back to Paper Play, friends!

October's Gecko Galz Challenge theme was a very fun one to create for - All Things Dark and Beautiful.  I have always been a fan of all things eerie, spooky, paranormal, and creepy.  I'm also a fan of anything Gothic, which i why this challenge was so much fun for me.  But what defines dark and beautiful?  It's so varied from person to person and it was fun to see how each Design Team member interpreted it.

I created five projects for the challenge - A Gothic vampire curio box and four greeting cards.

For the curio box, I used a small wooden rectangular box and painted it black.  I used a Gothic print from the Nosferatu ATC Sheet as the background and fussy cut an image from Victorian Gothic Ladies as the focal point.  Some gems were added around the edge of the frame for a little sparkle.  I love the mischievous smirk on her face!

The first greeting card that I created is a shadowbox card.  The background is a Gothic print from the Nosferatu ATC Sheet that is adhered to a black A2 card base.  The image of the woman was fusst cut from an image in the Victorian Gothic Ladies set and a crystal was glued to the center of the spider web on chest.  I cut a gold arched frame to fit around the background, glued a piece of acetate to the back of it, and adhered it to the card base with double sided foam tape.  A few gems were glued down for added effect.  She looks like she's ready to star in The Curse of the Spider Woman!

The next card is a fun trio of photos preserved in a slimline film strip frame.  I felt like these three images go together well and tell the story of a woman who is haunted by both her past and her future.  I used a die to cut the frame and added distress to it with Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, and Scorched Timber.  I also added from distress to the pictures and then adhered them to the frame.  The frame was adhered to the card base with double sided foam tape, and the sentiment made with a label maker.

The third card celebrates el dia de los muertos, The Day of the Dead.  The gorgeous image is from the Day of the Dead Card Toppers collection.  I centered the image on an arch of black cardstock and adhered it to the card base.  A gold metallic gel pen was used to outline the black rose in her hair.  I rubbed little white flowers with some Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink and glued them down around the arch.  I created a small distressed rectangle and hand wrote the sentiment of hermosa eternindad, eternal beauty, on it.  It's truly dark and beautiful!

The last card is a a Gothic Wedding card.  For the background, I cut a piece of brown shipping paper to fit an A2 card base, wrinkled up the shipping paper several times, and then adhered it down to the card base with a combination of double sided tape and craft glue.  I ran Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the card base and Scorched Timber around the edges of the card.  The blood spotted letter is from the Vampire Dreams Junk Journal Kit, and the image is from Gothic Halloween.  The skeleton mask for the husband was cut from an image from The Dark Library set.  I made a frame for it using some chipboard, gold gilding wax, and turquoise gilding wax.  The result is a perfect wedding card for a couple who enjoys everything dark and beautiful.

I hope that you enjoyed reading about my creative process for these projects.  Until next time . . . be well!

In my Thoughts - Tuesday Morning Sketches

Hello, friends!

Thanks for stopping by Paper Play.  Today’s design has a vintage feel to it.  Sometimes you need a card to let someone know that you’re thinking of them.  This classic design featuring a fountain pen, symbolic of writing someone a note, and an ink blot.  Nothing too flashy - just a simple reminder that you’re thinking of them.  Here is my card ans the sketch it’s based on:

I hope that you enjoy it!  Thanks again for stoppng by today and, until next time, be well!

Fall Friendship - Tuesday Morning Sketches

Hello, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  If it’s Tuesday it must be a post for Tuesday Morning Sketches and that’s what I have for you today.  This sketch was a tough one for me.  It’s not a card design that I would usually create.  I really wanted to feature patterned paper and decided that part of the sentiment was likely the best way to incorporate it.  I also decided to go with a fall color palette and incorporated some burlap to add texture to the card.  You may find my card and the sketch below.  What do you think of it?

Thanks for stopping by today.  Until next time . . . be well!

Spooktacular - Tuesday Morning Sketches

Hey there, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  Today’s share for Tuesday Morning Sketches is a fun Halloween card.  I thought that the circle element in the sketch lent itself perfectly to a moon.  And what better than to have a witch flying across it?  I used patterned paper from Kat Scrappiness and stamps from Heidi Swapp to create it.

Here is my card and the sketch that I had to use:

I hope that you enjoy it!  Until next time . . . be well!

Joy in the Present - Tuesday Morning Sketches #775

Hey there, friends!

Thanks for stopping by Paper Play.  Today's post is about the card that I created for this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches share.  This was an interesting sketch and, I have to admit, I struggled with it a little bit.  It's not a typical card layout that I would create.

I started my design by finding a patterned paper in my stash that I wanted to work with for the two columns in the front of the card.  I think the floral design on this paper is gorgeous and settled on using it.  I wanted to incorporate some texture into the card and thought that some burlap would pair well with the paper.

I didn't want a background that was too plain; and yet, I didn't want to use a patterned paper that would look too busy with the floral print.  I looked through my stash and found this white polka dot paper and thought it would work well.  It's actually a bag that I received from a shop!  I thought it was cute and figured that I would use it some day.  I'm glad that I did!

I used the deckle edge blade on my paper trimmer to add a little something extra to the overall look.  I also added some slight grunge around the edges using Distress Tea Dye ink, and added 5 pearl gems.

Here's my card and the sketch that it's based on.

I hope that you enjoy this design.  Thanks for reading and, until next time, be well!

Stay Wild, Moon Child - September 2024 Gecko Galz Design Team Projects

Hi, friends!

I have always been fascinated by the moon. I have so many memories of being a kid and standing outside with my telescope looking at it.  I used to hope so much to see something move while looking up there . . . and used to be disappointed when it didn't happen.  I also used to love looking for facial patterns while thinking of the "man on the moon."  These days, I find that I appreciate the symbolism of the moon and what it stands for . . . going through phases, our deepest feelings and instincts, mystery, and more.  I connect with each of those themes and probably more so than ever at this point in my life.  That's why I was so excited to see this month's Gecko Galz theme . . . stay wild, moon child.

Each of my projects this month are directly connected to what the moon symbolizes to me.  The first one is an ornament/hanging decoration that I made.  I took a small wooden circle, applied a coat of embossing paste to add some texture, and then painted it with black paint.  I then applied some glitter paste over it and applied the Geck Galz image in the center.  The hanger is stapled to the back and was made with a piece of wire.  The sentiment is one that I love - the moon will always listen.  It reminds me so much of an Elizabethan sonnet by Sir Philip Sidney called Astrophel and Stella.  It's a poem of unrequited love and, in one part of the sonnet, Astrophel essentially asks the moon if love hurts as much up there in the sky as it does down here on land.  This sonnet has stayed with me over the years, and influenced this design.

The other three projects that I made are all greetings cards.  One celebrates the moon theme of phases, another the mystery of always looking up at the moon, and the last the theme of staying true to our deepest feelings and instincts.

I hope that enjoyed learning more about what influenced these designs!  Until next time . . . be well!

A Peaceful Wish - Tuesday Morning Sketches #774

Hello, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  Today’s post is for Tuesday Morning Sketches #774.  The sketch used is the second pic below.  My card is a wish that you find some peaceful moments in your day.  The background paper is from my stash and I’m not sure where it’s from.  I thought that it’s pretty and would pair well with a beautiful pink rose.  The flower is from Little Birdie Crafts.  They have amazing paper flowers that may be used in so many different craft projects.  Last, but certainly not least, the sentiment is from a new stamp set from Altenew called Tranquil Greetings.

I hope that you enjoy today’s card.  Let me know what you think in the comments!  Thanks for spending some time with me here today.  Until next time . . . be well!

Always Together - Tuesday Morning Sketches #773

Hello, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  Today's card is my creation for this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches card sketch.  This week I decided to use some products from the 49 and Market Always Together collection.  I have lots of ephemera from the collection and I thought it would be a good time to start using it.  Seeing as though I was using a sentiment that includes the word together, I thought it would be fun to use puzzle pieces in place of the hexagons in the sketch.  The puzzle die that I used is from Sizzix.

I hope that you enjoy this week's card!  Thanks for spending some time here with me today.  Until next time . . . be well!

Dandelion Wishes - Tuesday Morning Sketches #772

Today’s card for Tuesday Morning Sketches is a simple reminder to keep dreaming and stay true to yourself.  As kids, we would pick a dandelion, blow on it, and make a wish.  Did those wishes come true? Maybe yes, maybe no - but it didn’t stop us from doing it again and making more wishes. The same holds true as we get older, make wishes  and have dreams.  Some adults lose that childlike innocence and no longer make wishes; instead viewing the dandelion as a weed.  Some adults may still make that wish and hold tight to that dream.  Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s a weed.  Keep making wishes - they may still come true.

Here’s my card and the sketch:

The stamp set is from Technique Junkies.  I also used some patterned paper, brown shipping paper, vellum, and Distress inks to create it.  It’s a simple card to create and has vintage flair.

I hope that you enjoy the card!

Thanks for spending some time here with me today.  Until next time . . . be well!