Serenity Layout for the Challenge at Blue Fern Studios

Another layout to frame for my Oliver's memorial wall. The photo was taken after the kidney disease diagnosis, but prior to the pancreatitis and small cell lymphoma. He looked so serene back then. We hadn't started chemo yet, or had the feeding tube placed, but this was taken very shorty before all that happened. 

I will be entering this layout into the Blue Fern Studios May Sketch Challenge. Papers and chipboard are by Blue Fern Studios.  There are many online stores from which to purchase these gorgeous chipboard pieces and papers.  I got mine and the Prima flowers with my Scraps of Darkness and Elegance Kit Clubs and/or from the Scraps of Darkness online store.

Here's the sketch:

I used papers from Blue Fern Studios Timeless collection.  It's so gorgeous!  The chipboard title "serenity" is also by Blue Fern Studios as well as the rock wall pieces.  I used Tim Holtz distress embossing powder on my chipboard as well as some Kroma crackle.  Blue Fern is also now carrying embossing powders and flowers to match their paper collections!  I plan to get my hands on some soon.  Thanks for looking! 

May Samples for Gecko Galz

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.   

Vintage Visions mini paper pack

Wild Roses paper pack

Kidding Around digital collage set

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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.  

Stay Young and Beautiful collage sheet set

Kitchen Sink printable paper pack

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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.

Linen Closet mini paper pack

Spring Awakening paper pack

Colorful Cuties digital collage set

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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!

The May Challenge at Gecko Galz!

Hi Crafty Friends! This month our challenge theme on the Gecko Galz blog is "Garden of Dreams".  For my sample this month I chose to alter another of the unfinished wooden plaques that I purchased very inexpensively from Michael's.  This piece was very simple to create.  

I printed out two background papers from the Magnolia Blossoms paper collection covering the top two thirds of the piece with one and the bottom third with another.  I traced around the wooden plaque, cut the shape with scissors, applied with matte Mod Podge, and then sanded the edges smooth.  I rubbed some gesso onto the edges, then inked with vintage photo.  

I then printed out another paper from the same collection (the one with the black birdbath image).  I printed that paper smaller and square to act as a mat for my image.  Along the right hand side I used a stencil followed by ink sprays.  I didn't like the ink spray, it was too dark, so I rubbed clear embossing ink over the raised areas and embossed it in white which ended up looking great IRL.

I die cut a doily and placed it to the left of the image, and later used the other part of it under the flower cluster at top right.  After I placed the image on pop dots and adhered it, I added the resin birdbath by Prima.  Above the image I added a scrap piece of chipboard that was actually the top of a chipboard shuttered window that I'd cut off at some point using just the shuttered part on another project.  I hand painted the chipboard piece, but didn't like the colors so I sprayed over it with gold ink and I liked that look a lot better.  Below the image and to the right there was a blank space of pink paper that didn't look right.  I had planned to put flowers there, but then decided I wanted the flowers at the top instead, so I had this big pink space.  I ended up using a die cut trellis shape to fill in that area.  The dark green color of the trellis die shape was part of the printed paper that I hadn't used, so it blended in perfectly.  I had a scrap piece of a die cut flourish laying around that I'd cut for a previous project and hadn't used, so I stuck that under the image.  I added my flowers and some butterflies from Renea Bouquets and I was done.  Oh, actually not quite.  I thought I needed to bring in a little of the darker pink to the top of the piece so I rubbed some clear embossing ink on the top of the piece and sprinkled on some embossing powder in pale and hot pink and heated it.  I did the same thing along the left edge where the two patterned papers met to blend them a bit.

Whew! Now that I typed all that, it doesn't sound so simple, but really it was!

Anyway, I hope I have inspired you to join in our monthly challenge on the Gecko Galz blog.  We are accepting entries from May 1st - May 30th.  There is only one rule.  You need to use at least ONE product from Gecko Galz.  It can be one of the free products, stamps, collage images, or digital background papers.  The winner will receive a $25 Gecko Galz shopping spree!  We look forward to seeing your creations.  Please stop by the blog to see what the rest of the team has done with the  "Garden of Dreams" theme for May.  I've already seen them, and they are awesome!

Gecko Galz Products:

Magnolia Blossoms digital paper pack

Birds and Bees digital collage set

Other Products:

The gorgeous peachy pink glittered flowers by Recollections

Fine detail embossing powder in white by Recollections

Resin birdbath by Prima

Chipboard window topper by Gypsy Soul Lasercuts (cottage windows)

Glittered double layered Butterflies by Renea Bouquets

Stencil by Prima 

Sizzix thinlits Tim Holtz mixed media dies

Sizzix thinlits Tim Holtz doily die

Flourish die by Spellbinders shapeabilities "Positively Me" set

Layout - You Are Unforgettable

Welcome Crafty Friends!   Today I'm sharing another layout that I plan to frame for Oliver's memory wall.  This one features the gorgeous Serendipity papers by Blue Fern Studios as well as several awesome chipboard pieces.   I think this is number eight or nine of the 24 layouts I want to display on his memory wall.  I really enjoyed creating this one, and I like to think he's peeking through a beautiful garden.   I still miss him so much, not a day goes by that he doesn't weigh heavily on my mind.  I am entering this one into the Blue Fern Studios April sketch challenge.  I covered my chipboard pieces by first sponging on some white gesso, followed by Lindy's embossing powders. 

I am also entering into the Facebook Inspiration Challenge Board for the Scraps of Darkness and Scraps of Elegance Kit Clubs.  The mood board is pictured below.

 Thanks for looking!    

Blue Fern April Sketch

Scraps of Darkness/Elegance Facebook Community Inspiration Board Challenge

Blue Fern Products:
Blue Fern Serendipity paper collection
You Are Unforgettable Chipboard Title
Chipboard Mini Flourishes

Other:
Butterflies by Renea Bouquets
Scraps of Darkness/Elegance Kit Club papers and embellies
Fern die cuts by Cheery Lynn Dies
Stencils by Kaisercraft and Prima
Sprays by Dylusions
Trinket by Prima
Doily die by Tim Holtz Sizzix
Flowers by Prima and Petaloo and my stash
Sentiment by Deep Red Rubber Stamps

April Samples for Gecko Galz

Hi Crafty Friends!   Today I'm sharing the samples I created using Gecko Galz products for my monthly feature on the Gecko Galz blog.

Up first is a 12 x 12 layout I created for my Oliver's memorial wall.  He endured a lot over the course of his final 6 months and the treatment for several chronic diseases, chemotherapy and the insertion of a feeding tube.  In the end,  all that I did to save him wouldn't matter, and I had to let him go.

The layout is made up mostly of Gecko Galz images and background papers.  The 12 x 12 background sheet is by Mambi, from their Mixed Media paper pad.   I did add much of my own mixed media painting, stamping, and stenciling.   All paper matting and images are by Gecko Galz including the fussy cut bird at bottom right.  At the bottom left I used the same image as you see in the chipboard "birdhouse" in my next sample below.  I resized the bird head image and changed the bright blue color to a sepia toning so it would look like part of the background paper.  I used a stamp by Kaisercraft to frame the image.   The butterflies are fussy cut freebies that can easily be found on Pinterest in all colors.

Gecko Galz Products:

Blue Birds of Happiness digital collage set
Vintage Visions digital paper pack
Flower Power digital paper pack
Easter Parade digital craft kit (the blue striped paper)

Other:
Background paper by Mambi
Bird nest (bottom right) by Prima
Flourish with hearts (bottom right) by Sizzix
Paint Drips stamp by Prima
Stencil 6 x 6 hexagons by TCW
Prima Blooms spray in gold (used over the stenciling)
Sparkling H20's (also used over the stenciling)
Sizzix thinlits die scribbles and splat
Coffee stains stamp by Stamping Bella
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Next up is a chipboard birdhouse that I cut from a 12 x 12 sheet of chipboard.  The house measures approx. 5 " x 8".  I used a circle punch to cut the bird image, and used a painted chipboard chain and gears circle over the image.  The background paper is by Gecko Galz and really made the piece special and gave it a steampunk look.  I printed out the paper sized at 8 x 10 and fit most of the gear pattern to the left bottom corner.  I wanted a gear at the top so I fussy cut from another part of the paper and adhered it to the top.  I then added the gorgeous feathers that were left over from a previous Gecko Galz kit.  They were already printed but I just hadn't used them.  When looking through my Gecko Galz scrap bits, I was thrilled when I found them.  I have a tendency to print more than I need at times, or perhaps I changed my mind and used something different.  Trust me, those scraps and bits, or leftover collage sheet images are never wasted, you will find a place for them.

Steampunk digital paper pack

Blue Birds of Happiness digital collage set

Free Birds digital craft kit (feather icons)

Other

The Chipboard chain frame and chipboard gears are by Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

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Next up is an altered bottle.  I purchased the clear glass bottle at Hobby Lobby and the project was very simple.   I just covered the bottle with matte Mod Podge and ripped up hunks of tissue paper.  For more interest you can stamp on the tissue paper first.

 While the Mod Podge was still wet, I sprayed the bottle with inks sprays in shades of blue, a little copper and some gold.  I added some of the Gecko Galz Vintage Visions music paper which I printed on tissue paper.   To print onto tissue paper, I just run a glue stick over the top and bottom edge of a sheet of regular copy paper, then fit the tissue paper over that.  Trim the edges so it doesn't jam the printer and just hit print.  It's a great way to cover a wooden frame, or a glass bottle, or anything else.

When everything was dry I applied my image with more Mod Podge.  I then rubbed some gelatos in darker blue over some of the crinkles created by the tissue paper, and then rubbed the crinkled areas with gold Gilder's Paste.  I embellished with lace and flowers.  

The grapes began as purple plastic.  I sponged on white gesso followed by Folk Art acrylic paint in blue, then rubbed on some of the gold Gilder's Paste.  I colored seam binding with spray inks and wrapped it around the neck of the bottle.  I used 3 colors and dried each before applying the next color so it wouldn't end up looking muddy.  

Blue Birds of Happiness digital collage set

Vintage Visions digital paper pack

Thanks for looking!  Please visit the Gecko Galz blog to pick up your free digital stamp!

Forever Friends Layout

Hi Crafty Friends!   Today I'm sharing another layout to frame and hang on the memory wall for my Oliver.  In this photo he's snuggling on the sofa with my Chihuahua Toby.  It's painful to realize that what was once an ordinary scenario will never happen again.  I created this layout using Kaisercraft's Treasured Moments collection, so fitting for a favorite way to remember the relationship these two friends shared.  It won't be long before Toby joins his friend.  He is 19 years old, is deaf and nearly blind, and too arthritic to jump up on the couch anymore without assistance.  It amazes me just how fast the time goes.  I am entering this layout into the April sketch challenge on the Kaisercraft blog.

Thanks for looking!

It's Time for the April Challenge at Gecko Galz!

This month our challenge theme on the Gecko Galz blog is "Roses, Lace and Butterflies".  For my sample this month I chose to create a layout.  I plan to frame this page in a shadowbox behind glass to create a home decor shabby chic treasure for my bedroom wall.  This piece was created almost exclusively with Gecko Galz backgrounds and collage sheet images.  The 12 x 12 background sheet is a neutral paper from my stash that I stamped, inked, and stenciled on.  The paper layers surrounding the photo are all Gecko Galz as are the majority of the other images on the page. 

I hope I have inspired you to join in our monthly challenge on the Gecko Galz blog.  We are accepting entries from April 1st - April 30th.  There is only one rule.  You need to use at least ONE product from Gecko Galz.  It can be one of the free products, stamps, collage images, or digital background papers.  The winner will receive a $25 Gecko Galz shopping spree!  We look forward to seeing your creations.  Please stop by the blog to see what the rest of the team has done with the  "Roses, Lace and Butterflie"s theme for April.

Wild Roses paper pack

La Vie En Rose collage sheet

True Romance digital collage set

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The pale pink rose at upper right is from G45 Botanical Tea

Prima "Love" Trinket

Pink velvet flowers by Petaloo

Pale pink flower by Recollections

Butterflies by Renea Bouquets

Altered Wooden Butterfly Wall Plaque

Hi Crafty Friends!  Today I am sharing an altered wall decor piece that I have entered in the Reneabouquets March mood board challenge.  It was a simple piece to create.  I traced the shape onto my chosen design paper (products listed below), cut it out, then adhered it to the wood with matte Mod Podge.  I used vintage photo distress ink along all the edges.  I added a wee bit of texture paste through a stencil at the top right, along with a wee bit of spraying.   Using the Mod Podge to adhere, I added a couple of die cut pieces and a couple of die cut flourishes.  The image was added using pop dots for dimension, and the top banner piece underneath the image is also on pop dots.    I tucked in the flowers here and there (mainly all from the same Prima multi-colored flower package), then I tucked in the leopard butterflies, and then hot glued the dragonflies.  It was actually very simple.  Thanks so much for looking!

Wooden Plaque from Michael's (11 inches at the widest point)
Butterflies and Dragonflies by Renea Bouquets
Image freebie from Fripperies and Butterflies (weekly freebies)
Design paper by DCWV (the primrose stack)
Banner pieces and die cut images are from the same paper stack
Prima flowers - Labelle Island Mix

Gecko Galz March Samples

Hi Crafty Friends!  Here are my March samples created for Gecko Galz.   You will find a free digital stamp at the bottom of the post.

Spring Friendship Card

Kitchen Sink paper pack

Spring Beauties digital collage set

Vanity Fair digital paper pack

Happy Easter Card

Easter Parade Digital Craft Kit

Vanity Fair digital paper pack

Easter Children digital collage set

Friendship Card

Wild Roses paper pack

Bingo Cards digital collage sheet

Pixie Children digital collage set

Vintage Ladies Pocket Letter

The above pocket letter was made almost exclusively from scraps of Gecko Galz papers and collage sheets.  Some products are listed below:

Vintage Labels digital collage set

Viva Le France digital collage sheet set

Paris Dreams digital paper pack

Pretty Vintage Portraits digital collage set

Hocus Pocus digital paper pack

Pixie Children Row Houses

Pixie Children digital collage set
Vanity Fair digital paper pack
Lemonade digital paper pack
Behind Door #1 Collage sheet

Your Free Digital Stamp!

Another Journal to Share!

Hi Crafty friends!  I decided it was finally time to publish/share this post.  I created and filmed this pocket journal made from shipping tags last June, but I just never got around to linking up my products and sharing it.  Life was pretty hectic back then.  This journal went out the door today, to it's new happy home, so I figured that now is the time.  I am in various stages of creating several more similar ones for my Etsy shop (which sadly has been abandoned for some time), so keep on the lookout for some different styles and themes.  I have one in particular that I'm currently working on that I'm very excited about in a theme from a popular television show.  I don't want to give anything away, you'll just have to check back.  Thanks for looking!

I used collage sheets from the following:

Gecko Galz

Ephemera's Vintage Garden

Alpha Stamps

Dreamz Etc.