Hello Crafty Friends! Here are my May samples created for Gecko Galz. It was an off month for me, no mojo, unhappy with everything I created, but you all know how that is. Somehow I pushed my way through it. First up was my most challenging sample. We've been encouraged to create a sample using the free digital stamps that are offered monthly on our blogs. Well....I'm no colorist. I haven't got a clue about shading....so...I didn't color it, but rather fussy cut it and tried to make it look more vintage than it did already by changing the overall color to sepia tone, and I also somehow managed to thicken the outline in Paint Shop Pro. No idea what I did, I just played with different effects. In the end, I actually didn't mind how it turned out.
Wild Roses paper pack
Free Digital Stamp (grab yours below)
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Next up is one of those cards that fell together on my desk. I had already printed the background, and embossed and inked the panel behind the image, for the card using the digital stamp above. It just didn't work with that stamp at all, so I pushed it aside. I noticed then, that the collage sheet containing the image that I had printed with intent to use elsewhere, looked good against the other pieces, the whole neutral color theme seemed to work somehow, so this card was born from the throwaways of the previous card. I added the plaid strip, yet another scrap, and I die cut the hearts from more of the background paper. I used a stamp for the sentiment, and I was done.
Wild Roses paper pack
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Next up I have a retro look card for you. It's a pretty simple card, just some paper layers, doily, and image. I love the Gecko Galz image, and the whole collage set is very colorful. The background papers are also very colorful and versatile in this set, it's one of my favorites. The rose is a die cut from Marianne Creatables. I cut it out in white then inked through the die in red. This gave it a retro look that went well with the papers. The title is by Mambi, and I got it in a package along with several other sentiments, at Michael's.
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Next up is another vintage style, this one feminine. I used my square punch to cut the squares. Three across was too many, and two wasn't enough, so I added a strip to the left side. The shape under the image is a Tim Holtz "On the Edge" die. I added a doily from Gypsy Soul Laser cuts, and a flower by Spare Parts from Hobby lobby, and a few buttons, and I was done.
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Next up is a tri-fold shutter card. I was really stumped as to what I wanted to create next, and was still struggling with my mojo. I got inspired by a card I had seen on the Graphic 45 blog. It looked easy enough, and I have a score board the rarely gets used, so I gave it a go. The card measures 9 x 9. It was surprisingly easy. I filled the sections with scraps from my other creations this month. The images were mainly from one collage sheet, along with some fussy cutting from the background papers. I added a couple of chipboard miniatures from Gypsy Soul laser Cuts. Really a lot easier than it looked, and so much fun. You could easily make this from any of our collage sheets. It was so easy, you just might see another from me next month. Here is a link to the Graphic 45
card that inspired me. You will also find the template there, showing you where to cut and score.
Linen Closet mini paper pack
Wild Roses paper pack (may not be available any longer)
La Vie En Rose digital collage sheet
I hope you've gotten some inspiration, and thanks so much for looking!
