Paris in Springtime!

Hey all you crafty people,  today I am up on the Gecko Galz Scrapbooking blog with a little canvas I made using one of their wonderful ephemera pieces.  The theme for this month is Paris in Springtime.  I am going to Paris this summer so I was really excited to complete this project.

Here are the supplies that you will need.

One 4x4 canvas panel
One small embroidery hoop
Finnabair Art stones
Finnabair rust effects
Finnabair paint in copper
Viva Le France Digital Ephemera Sheet
Paint brushes and palette knives
Heavy Body Gel Medium
modeling paste

First you paint your canvas with the Finnabair Rust Effects paint until you achieve the desired effects.  Just follow the instructions on the packaging and you will not fail.
I then separated the hoop and used one half, either half will be fine.  I painted the hoop the copper color and let everything dry.  I used a heavy body gel medium to attach the hoop to the canvas.  I then added a mound of modeling paste to the bottom of the hoop and a bit on the top edge.  After that I added some large and small art stones to my liking.  I let the entire canvas dry overnight.  The next morning I came back with more of the Rust Effects paint and painted the stones to blend in with the background.  Lastly I chose my ephemera piece and using some of the copper paint, added a bit all the way around the edge of the piece.  Then using Gel medium, I glued the piece down.  I typed out my title and added the copper paint to the edges and then glued it in place.  That was it.  Easy Peasy!!

So my friends, you still have plenty of time to join in the fun!!! You never know when your art will be the favorite of the month and You will win the prize.  So, head on over to the Gecko Gals Blog and read the rules on the Gecko Galz Scrapbooking Blog and take a chance and enter.  I double dog dare you!!!

A Little Work of Art!

I just love creating wonderful works of art and creating little pieces of art helps us to use our scraps and left overs which in turn gives us an excuse to buy more supplies, lol..  Oh what a wicked way to justify my habit.

So, not only do I design for Gecko Galz Scrapbooking, I also love playing along with ladies from across the world in swapping ATC Cards.  Each month, there is a theme, and this month the theme is "Where's My Crown".  I will post my cards once I finish them.


Last month, the theme was Calligraphy  I created the following ATC Cards to send to my partner,  

 Moonglow

 Blissfull

Mandala

All three are a mixed media using sprays, inks, glitter, paint, ink, paper and sequins.  I just love them all and hope my partner does also.  

Until we craft again!!

March Customer Challenge on Gecko Galz

Over at Gecko Galz Blog  The March 'Spring Time' Challenge is on!

There is only one rule, and that is you need to use at least ONE  product from Gecko Galz!!  

It can be one of the free products, stamps, collage images, or digital papers!!  It is up to you!!

The winner will receive a $25 Gecko Galz Shopping Spree 

Hurry over, and I dare you to try!!!

Green with Envy

Good Morning my follower crafters,  today I am up on the Gecko Galz' blog sharing another ATC I made for our fantastic February Challenge.  There is still plenty of time to join in if you dare!!!

Here is the finished Card.

The supplies you will need are as follows:

1. Image from the Gecko Galz Visions in Green Digital Image Sheet
2. Base card 
3. patterned paper from my stash
4. ranger distress in Black Soot 
5. Wink of Stella in Clear
6. flower, mardi gras masks, sequins, mardi gras mask charm and jeweled flower from my stash. 

The steps are as follows:

 1. Cut out your base ATC Card to the appropriate size.  If you are unfamiliar with ATC Cards, you can go here to see what all the hype is about.  As you base card don't forget you can use old playing cards, recycled cereal or other types of food packaging boxes.  You can also use the packaging cardboard from your scrapbook supplies.  These make a good heavy weight for your cards.  You can either round your edges like I did or leave them square.

2.  Cover the front of your card with a patterned paper of your choice.  I found a nice green swirly paper in my stash but you could use this if you don't have anything in your stash. Don't forget to put a complimentary solid piece of paper on the back so you can add your information. 

The easiest way to adhere your paper to your base is to use a sticker maker.  Once your papers are adhered to your base you can move on to step 3. 

3.  The next thing I did was to fussy cut my image from the Visions In Green digital image sheet by Gecko Galz.

 

After fussy cutting my image I inked the edges with black soot using a ranger foam applicator. 

I then added fun foam to the back of my image so that it would be pooped up.  

4.  I then adhered the hologram mardi gras masks that I had in my stash on top of the patterned paper

5.  I added my image on top of the masks and then added my embellishments.  I finished off by adding a touch of Wink of Stella clear to the flower and fur trim on the image.  I think it added such an elegant pop!!! 

Here is the finished ATC Card again.  

That's it, simple as 1,2,3.  Hope you will join us in playing along with our other customers and friends.  Tick Tock, Tick Tock, the clock is ticking.  You only have 4 days left!!! 

Happy Crafting!!!

I'm Late, I'm Late!!!

We have had another set back with illness in our house.  I really can't take much more of this.  First my Grandson was diagnosed with RSV and then low and behold, the boy gave it to me.  I have been trying to cough up a lung for two weeks now, lol.  Anyway I was supposed to add the Gecko Galz Challenge Button before now but.... Better late than never, I say.  So without any further ado....

Saint Patrick's Day is just around the corner and he Ladies at Gecko Galz as put together this little challenge.  The  theme is "Putting on the Green"  Would you like to join in on our challenge, just click on the Gecko Galz challenge Button on the upper right side of the blog. 

Here is my project for "Putting on the Green"

And remember, it's not too late to enter the challenge.  You have until February 27th to enter and y'all, the prize is not too shabby.  Free product from Gecko Galz.  What we can't do with a little free in our lives. 

Courtly Love January Challenge Still TIme!!!

Hi there all you crafty people.  Today I am up on the Gecko Galz Blog to show you how you can make an easy peasy mixed media ATC Card for the January Challenge.  And yes, there is still time to make something to enter.

So here is my featured Card and the supplies you will need.

• One 3.5 x 2.5 heavy cardstock or any other material you would like to use for your base.
• Gecko Galz Iced Bound digital paper
• Xyron CreateASticker
• Neocolor II wax pastels
• Gecko Galz Digital Image Sheet entitled True Romance
• pop dots
• Art Alchemy Sparks Acrylic Paint Unicorn Hair
• glitter glass
• stickles in crystal

You can use anything you want to as a base because you will be covering it with a patterned paper.  I used a beautiful blue marbled paper called Iced Bound from the Gecko Galz Winter Wonderland paper pack.  I then used my xyron machine to make the patterned paper a sticker and then carefully stick the paper to the base.  I then added a moon glow behind where to couple would sit using my NeoII color pastels,  Next I fussy cut image of the moon and the couple from the Gecko Galz Digital Image collection called True Romance.  After that I painted the moon a shimmery silver color using Prima's Art Alchemy Sparks Acrylic Paint in Unicorn Hair. Next I added some glitter glass to give it some dimension. I then popped the image up using pop dots.   I then added the stickle dots to mimic stars and lastly added my title.

I hope you can take away a little something from this post and truly hope you visit Gecko Galz Etsy Store.

And go ahead, enter the monthly challenge, I dare ya to!!!!

Until next time...

ATC's for the Curious

So what exactly is an ATC  An ATC or Artist Trading Card is nothing more than an original piece of art made by an artist then traded to other artists like you would pokemon cards or the old fashion baseball cards.  This type of art is very fun because the cards can be made using any type of materials, media or techniques.   These cards are usually made as a one of a kind piece of art, but sometimes the artist will make a series of cards all with a similar theme.  These works of art are not usually sold but should be traded instead.  

There are a few rules where ATC Cards are concerned and they are as follows

1. The ATC must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches or the exact size of a playing card.
2. An ATC is meant to be an original piece of ART not a photocopy or print.  Some groups allow digital works of art so it would be wise to check the swap requirements. 
3. The cards must be traded for other cards—not sold.
4. The cards should be flat enough to fit into a plastic trading card sleeve. 
5. The artist should add their name, contact information, the title of your work and the date it was completed. 

So how do you make one of these beauties, well let me tell you!!

You begin by selecting a base for your card.  This could range from a cut up cereal box, to  watercolor paper, plain cardstock, canvas panel, playing cards, the cardboard you get in packaging.  After that you cut your base to the appropriate size.  Your artwork can be in a vertical or horizontal orientation. 

You would then need to decide what you will put on top of your base,  Here the possibilities are boundless.  You could cover it with a patterned paper, after adding gesso your base you could paint it, with either acrylics or watercolors, you could apply modeling paste through a stencil, you could use a rubber stamp with a glue base and emboss an image on top of your base.  Again, the possibilities are just about endless.  

After finishing your base card you can now begin the fun process of adding 2d and 3d items to your card.  These could include digital or photographed images, paper flowers, beads, sequins, glitter, ribbon, fabric trims, and small chipboard pieces.  Just remember that your work should fit in an ATC envelope or sleeve.

Once completed, you should definitely find a group of like minded people to trade your cards with.  If anyone would like to trade with me, I'm up for the challenge.  My only stipulation is that I can only do one a month.  So the first one to ask will be my partner. 

Here are some examples of my ATCs through the years 

Happy swapping my crafty peeps!!!

Gecko Glaz Courtly Love January Customer Challenge

It's time for a new Gecko Galz Customer Challenge!!

This month our Challenge theme is "Courtly Love"

Feel Free to grab our badge and share on your blogs.There is only one rule, and that is you need to use at least ONE product from Gecko Galz!! It can be one of the free products, stamps, collage images, or digital papers!! It is up to you!! The winner will receive a $25 Gecko Galz Shopping Spree!!!

Hmmm?

This ATC Card has a mixed media background also. Here I used masking tape that was wrinkled up and added to the card. Then the card was painted with heavy body white gesso. When dry I painted with Black Gesso. I then came back over the top with Art Alchemy's Wax in Vintage Silk. Think I went a bit over the top with the wax. I wanted more of the black showing, What do you think? I cut the Image from Gecko Galz Vintage Flirtations. The image was inked with brushed corduroy and added to the card. I then added some strung pearls and rosettes from my stash, the butterfly was also from my stash. then added the words.

For a list of other design team members who have created some beautiful artwork, please go to http://geckogalzscrapbooking.blogspot.com/ or Gecko Galz

We can't wait to see your creations!!

Thank you for visiting!

You have until 11:55 pm Eastern time on January 29th to play along!

You can link up your creations or send a photo of your project to us at geckogalz2014@gmail.com.