Gecko Galz 4th Annual Blog Hop

Hello Everyone!

I want to welcome everyone to the 8th destination of

Gecko Galz 4th Annual Blog Hop

If you started here you might want to go back and start at the beginning at the Gecko Galz blog so you won’t miss anything!  

We have 21 AMAZING blogs for you to visit this weekend, each with some gorgeous projects created using the Gecko Galz collage images, that we are giving you for FREE! Each blog you visit will have another free Gecko Galz Collage sheet for you to download, The one here is

"WINTER MAGIC".

Also make sure you collect all the “secret” words on each blog so at the end of the hop you can send in the phrase to enter our drawing for a wonderful treat.  So sit back, relax, take your time and enjoy the hop!

We have FOUR amazing prizes up for grabs:

·        First is the Kit Club for each month for an entire year. This is exclusive sets for club members which include a paper set, stamp set, and collage images in each set! That is 12 different sets! This is a $144 value!

·        Second prize is the monthly collage sets for an entire year! Each month you will receive all 4 sets absolutely FREE! This is a $96 value.

  ·        Third prize is all of the individual collage sheets each month for a year, this includes the jewel it sheets! This is a $90 value!

·        And our Grand Prize ONE FULL YEAR of Gecko Galz PRODUCTS!!! That will include the Kit Club Set, 4 individual collage sheets, Jewel it set and 4 collage sets each month for the entire year! This is a prize worth $330!

Read on to learn how you can win!

First of all, you will need to visit all 21 blogs and leave a comment on each blog :) **This is important so we know you have been to all the blogs **.   Collect all 20 words (one on each blog site except the home site) and at the end of the blog on the Fripperies and Butterflies site there will be a link to email the phrase to Gecko Galz.  This enters you in the contest.  On November 3rd we will randomly draw the 4 winners and email each of you, then we will post the winning names on the Gecko Galz blog site.

For an extra chance to win make a purchase from the Gecko Galz site and your name goes in again for a better chance of winning (each purchase you make that weekend gives you another chance to win).

 Your Secret Word is;

FIRE

Please enjoy this free Gecko Galz Collage sheet

“Winter Magic”

 as well as the samples I have made using the images!

(Just click on the picture for link to full size sheet) 

   

If You missed checking out one of the blogs or want to go through them again here is the rotation

Here is the Blog Hop Rotation

Sharon Rogers

Joan Liddle

Vicki Romain

Jules Eickmeier

Patti Fisher

Heather Hudson

Diane Bove

Yvonne Garner

Michele Storm

Jessica Moore

Helene Huber

Terri Burnette

Lisette Baker

Barbara Bird

Gerri Herbst

Amanda Phillips

Carol Salisbury

Wendy Waldorf

Leanne Seed 

 

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Finally another Christmas card!

 Hi All, and thank you to all of you who are still with me.  I apologize for falling behind on my visits to your blogs, I hope you will forgive me.  I have just had too much on my plate of late and I just can't seem to get caught up.  

Here is a card I made for the Gecko Galz Design Team using
Gecko Galz Snowbabies image and  Song in my Heart papers.  Sorry I could not find the exact set we were given for the cross promo, but there is a link to the shop and all of the papers there are quite beautiful.  I also used red card stock and rhinestones.
Directions
Print Song in my heart paper 5 x 7 on Staples matte photo paper, print 4x6 on copy paper, glue 5 x 7 image to card front.
Crop Snowbabies image in Pic Monkey, add decorative borders, print on Staples matte photo paper and mount to card front.  Cut pinwheels on Zing, fold and glue, add rhinestones and mount to card.  Glue envelope liner to envelope.

That's it for today, thank you for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Gecko Galz Song in My Heart

Hi All, sorry I have been MIA a bit here, too much going on and not enough hours in the day to handle it all.   Here is a card I made for the Gecko Galz cross promotion with Song in my Heart papers.  Sorry I could not find the exact set we were given for the cross promo, but there is a link to the shop and all of the papers there are quite beautiful.

Products used
Song in my heart paper
Image from Gecko Galz Snowbabies

3 pearls, white glitter ribbon, poinsettia and white flock

Directions
Print Song in my heart 5 x 7 on Staples matte photo paper and 4 x 6 on copy paper for envelope.
Bring image into Pic Monkey, crop then add decorative borders Print on Staples matte photo paper, cut and mount onto card stock.  Add ribbon, pearls, flock and poinsettia.

That's it, thanks for looking.~Diane

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A lot of Sparkle.

 Hi All, just a quick post today as I am behind in catching up with all of you and your blogs.  I made this card for the Gecko Galz DT using the Gecko Galz Chalkboard Sentiments,

tiny 2mm rhinestones and some glitter tape.  I framed it with a refractive metallic shirt box cardboard using my Perfect ruler .  For the background I used  one of Monica's Creative backgrounds, cut on white card stock, mounted on black card stock.  For the envelope liner I made a copy with my printer of the page before I added everything else.  That's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Honing my skills

 Hi All, sharing a Gecko Galz DT card I made in Word.  I have found that I can make a black frame and also I can print in white.  I love learning new ways to do my editing in Word. 

 Products used:  Gecko Galz Fall color Jewel it and pearls.  

Instructions:  Bring image into Word, add sentiment and black border
print on Staples matte photo paper mount on to 5 x 7 card base add pearls
print paper liner for envelope and glue in place. easy peasy!

Well, that's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Back to school

Hi All, for everyone going back to school this month I thought this would be a good reminder.  I made this Gecko Galz DT card using 
Products used:
Gecko Galz Coven paper pack
Gecko Galz Chalkboard Sentiments

red and white ribbon
red ribbon
red cardstock
jewel heart from Blue Moon

instructions:
Print papers
mount on red card stock, use Perfect ruler to cut 1/8 inch border
mount to Coven paper
run ribbons through Xyron stick to front
mount on to 5 x 7 card base
place and glue lining into envelope.

That's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Fun Fall colors

Hi All, I am sharing my DT piece for Gecko Galz today.  I love this image, the colors are so vibrant!  Here is the recipe to make this card.  Products used:
Gecko Galz Fall color Jewel it
Yellow Stickles
Yellow rhinestones
I am linking to the challenge at Three Muses, Autumn Colors.

Also linking up to Addicted to Stamps, their challenge is Anything goes with a get well twist for their teamie Marie.  Hope this makes you feel better Marie!

Instructions:
Bring image into Word and add sentiment and black border.
Print card cover on Staples matte photo paper
glue to 5 x 7 card base
add yellow Stickles to flower center
add rhinestones
print envelope liner and cut and glue to envelope.

Well that's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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The many beautys of Japan

  

 Hi All, hope you are enjoying what is left of the summer where you are.  I am sharing my Gecko Galz DT card with you today using some old and some new products.  Products used: Gecko Galz Solarium paper the green house, both images from  Japanese Traditions and rhinestone jewels. Instructions:  Print Solarium paper the green house 4 x 6 on copy paper for envelope liner, cut and glue into envelope.  Insert 5 x 7 Solarium paper the green house, and both images from Japanese Traditions in Word, add black border and print on matte photo card stock, cut and place on card front along with rhinestones.  That's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Raspberry Roses

Hi All, I made this card with 3 challenges in mind.  City Crafter is looking to see Roses,
 Craft Hoarders Anonymous is looking for us to up-cycle something,
 and I used the sketch inspiration from sketch #26 at  Seize the Sketch.  

For the paper I used Gecko Galz Floral Symphony papers, printed the sentiment from Word.  The lace was an old faded pink from my stash that I dragged through some Vivid raspberry ink to get the right shade.  The up-cycled item is the Fleur de Lis, I bought a while back from Salvation Army thrift store for, it was a paint-able wallpaper border in its last life, I was sure I could make it into a card somehow.  I fussy cut this piece from the border as it was quite large, I love the texture on it.  I tried spraying it with Tattered Angels Glimmer mist but it did not grab the color that well so I then used some of the Vivid raspberry ink on it too..

Well, that's it for today, thanks for stopping by,  ~Diane

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Itkupilli Imagenarium meets Gecko Galz

  

 Hi All, this month we get the opportunity to work with the wonderful Itkupilli Imagenarium company and show how beautifully their products work with Gecko Galz products. 

 Products used
Itkupilli primavira papers
Primivera Icons Flower 06, Parrot 01, Shadowbox
Female Image from Gecko Galz Japanese Traditions
Tim Holtz worn lipstick pink distress ink
Instructions:
Print Itkupilli primavira paper 4 x 6 on copy paper, cut and glue into envelope
In Word Insert image of Itkupilli primavira papers re size to 5 x 7.  Insert Shadowbox click on place image in front of text, insert image from Japanese Traditions, click on place image in front of text and place in shadowbox, do the same with the Parrot 01.   Insert the Primivera Icons Flower 06, click on flip horizontal, then click on place image in front of text.  Right click and copy Primivera Icons Flower 06, drag it off to the side of the page and print on matte photo card stock.  Fussy cut the flowers, edge petals with Tim Holtz worn lipstick pink distress ink and attach with foam dots to front of image.  Cut image to 5 x 7 place on card front and glue down. 

That's it, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

Just want to say thanks to Amy @ All things Beautiful for putting this in her Feature Friday post, she is such a sweetheart, pop on over and say hello. 

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Very Vintage

 

 Hi All, here is my Gecko Galz DT piece for the August Very Vintage customer challenge.
Products used
Image from Gecko Galz La vie en rose
Paper from Gecko Galz Mori Girl paper pack
ribbon from my friend Valerie and die cut borders made using Make the Cut and my KNK Zing.
Instructions
Print Paper image on copy paper for envelope liner, printed another on Matte photo paper.  Glue die cut border on background, tie ribbon on, mount onto a folded card.  Print image with border glue to front of card.

Thats it, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Tag, you're it!

Hi All, I am so excited to be a guest designer over at Gloria Stengel's Craft Hoarders Anonymous challenge this month.  Gloria has a fun challenge using our hoarded items, boy I have lots of those!   I hope you pop over and meet Gloria and her talented design team they are such a sweet group, you will love them, so come join the fun. Thank you Gloria for inviting me to be a part of this too.

Gloria Stengel's Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #11 Tag, You're It!

Use a tag on your project. Create a handmade gift tag. Create a tag mini album. Add tags to your scrapbook layout or your card. You may use some hoarded tag-shaped packaging or you may cut tags from scrap paper using a die cut template. Maybe you hoard shipping tags of all sizes. As long as your project contains some sort of tag, you will meet the requirements to play along!

It was so much fun digging through my stash looking for some hoarded items to make this.    The little fishes and seaweed are from a scrapbook border I bought 2 years ago, the string goes all the way back to 2000, when I first started playing with paper.  The beads in my shaker are part of a grab bag of jewelry find I bought for $2.50 because I wanted the dice for DD's classroom.  I used a plastic box for the shaker that had some really old hardware pieces in it.  For my papers I used an old set of Gecko Galz Beachy Keen papers and 1 new piece from La Isla Bonita Papers.  My sweet little beachcomber is from a Gecko Galz July 2013 free newsletter collage sheet.  I cut the tag on my Zing using a die cut design from Krewella Kreations.  Well that's it, thanks for stopping by and thank you for your sweet comments too.  ~Diane

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Art Deco Vamp

 Hi All, today I am sharing my Gecko Galz DT piece using an image from this months Deco Art Collage sheet along with the papers from Gatsby .  The beautiful card jacket was cut with my KNK Zing from a free SVG cut file from Monicas Creative Room,   I used these same card jackets for bridal shower invites I cut for my daughters friends shower.  I adjusted the size slightly with the MTC software as they wanted a 5.5 x 8.5 card.That's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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And the Winner is.....

Hi All, so happy to see you all participate in the giveaway.  The winner of the free stamp set of your choice is:  Nancy!  Congratulations, and thanks to all of you for stopping by and participating!

 Please contact me by email (my sidebar) and I will get you in contact with the very generous Kimberly of My Craft Spot  to choose your prize.

I just had to show you 1 more card I made with this fun Birthday Wishes clear stamp set.

For this card I used Cromwell Digital paper along with my favorite image from the Gecko Galz Retro Style collage sheet.  Different paper and sentiment, but I do love that image and that color combo too!  It seems that the sentiments in the  Birthday Wishes clear stamp set. 

really inspired me to make these fun cards!

Be sure to stop by My Craft Spot and see all the gorgeous designs done by the talented Design Team over there, be sure to check out all the items they have like the sweet metal dies that match up with the stamps and the awesome deals on twine too.  That's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  

Sorry I have been absent all week, our daughter came up for a visit and spent the week with us so I have not had a chance to stop by and see any of you.  I spent the whole week just enjoying her company, I'm sure you all will understand.  ~Diane

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My Craft Spot Giveaway Day 3

Hi All, so I told you I just love this  Birthday Wishes clear stamp set. from My Craft Spot, I just can't stop creating with it!  Today is the last day to enter the contest for your chance to win one of these gorgeous stamp sets too.  All you have to do for a chance to win a free stamp set of your own is check out all the gorgeous stamp sets over at My Craft Spot, then leave me a comment and tell me which stamp set you like best (a difficult decision, I know) and you may be chosen as the winner on Monday!

For this card I used Crafty Secrets Classic papers for the background and envelope liner both along with a Gecko Galz image from Birthday Bash set.  I think the Birthday Wishes clear stamp set. sentiment worked perfect with this image.  I added some rhinestones, a flower and glitter from my new glitter stash and voila, done deal!

Be sure to stop by My Craft Spot and see all the gorgeous designs done by the talented Design Team over there, be sure to check out all the items they have like the sweet metal dies that match up with the stamps and the awesome deals on twine too.  That's it for today, thanks for stopping by and best wishes in the draw!   Remember you can enter all 3 days to increase your chances of winning!   ~Diane

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My Craft Spot giveaway day 2

 

 

Hi All, I am so excited to have one of my favorite stamp company's My Craft Spot, sponsor a giveaway here on my blog, and today is day 2.   In case you did not read yesterday, I will be sharing some of the cards I made with the  Birthday Wishes clear stamp set. .   All you have to do for a chance to win a free stamp set of your own is check out all the gorgeous stamp sets over at My Craft Spot, then leave me a comment and tell me which stamp set you like best (a difficult decision, I know) and you may be chosen as the winner on Monday!  I got really carried away with this set so I will be posting more cards using this versatile set tomorrow for more chances to win!  (Contest open to US residents only).

The minute I saw this set I had a ton of ideas for all the great Gecko Galz collage sheets that would work perfectly with this set!  I love the this picture, something really speaks to me here I think it must have been an advertisement from the late 60's or 70's, I remember seeing it in my youth, I guess that is why it is so fun to work it into a really fun card.  I used Birthday Wishes clear stamp set. for the fab sentiment, Gecko Galz Retro Style collage sheet for the fab ladies and their "Party Hats".  I printed the image on Staples matte photo card stock twice, fussy cut the middle hat and added some foam dots underneath for added dimension.  I trimmed the cut edges of the hat with distress ink, added some liquid pearls for the earrings and a big silk flower and some beads!  The stamped sentiment has been cut with a spellbinder die and trimmed with a coordinating Staples gel pen.  The back ground paper is the Windsor digital paper pack from Sassy Designs.  I used my Perfect Paper Crafting Mini Rulers to get the blue background trim around my image.

Be sure to stop by My Craft Spot and see all the gorgeous designs done by the talented Design Team over there, be sure to check out all the items they have like the sweet metal dies that match up with the stamps and the awesome deals on twine too.  That's it for today, please stop by tomorrow, thanks for stopping by and best wishes in the draw!   Remember you can enter all 3 days to increase your chances of winning!   ~Diane

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My Craft Spot sponsoring a cool giveway here!

  

Hi All, I am so excited to have one of my favorite stamp company's My Craft Spot, sponsor a giveaway here on my blog.  Not only that, but I am the Guest Designer on their blog today too, how cool is that!  All you have to do for a chance to win a free stamp set of your own is check out all the gorgeous stamp sets over at My Craft Spot, then leave me a comment and tell me which stamp set you like best (a difficult decision, I know) and you may be chosen as the winner on Monday!  I got really carried away with this set so I will be posting more cards this weekend for more chances to win!  (Contest open to US residents only).

On to the card I made using one of the 11 awesome stamps that came in the Birthday Wishes clear stamp set.  I really love how these stamps are perfect for mixing with my digital hybrid printing, they take to ink really well too, I used Memento tuxedo black ink, I love the clean crisp look.   I printed the background paper from Gecko Galz ATC Papers In Dreams along with the image from the Ever After set on to Staples photo paper.  Those life like flowers were printed from the Optic Illusions Measure of Time set.   I added a little bling with some Waterfall Stickles and printed my envelope liner in the matching paper.  I used my Perfect Paper Crafting Mini Rulers to set the Night of Navy trim and to space out the area to trim around my stamp too.

Be sure to stop by My Craft Spot and see all the gorgeous designs done by the talented Design Team over there, be sure to check out all the items they have like the sweet metal dies that match up with the stamps and the awesome deals on twine too.  That's it for today, please stop by tomorrow for another card and another chance to win!  Thanks for stopping by and best wishes in the draw!  ~Diane

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Stars and stripes, glitter and spice

 Hi All, I am sharing this card I made for the Gecko Galz design team using this months image from Little Miss Firecracker, this image really spoke to me.  I added some lace Stickles to the stars, I cut a few extra stars for embellishments then sprinkled with some clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  I mounted it to a Night of Navy blue card stock with my Perfect Rulers, then mounted that to my white card base.  For the envelope I used some tissue paper to make the matching liner.

So where is the glitter and spice you say?  My friend Debbie saved these awesome spice containers from her husbands clearing out spree.  I'm so happy he decided she did not need them any more, but even happier that she knew I would find a way to re-purpose them.  I packaged up the spices and passed them on to my son and his girlfriend, washed out the jars and filled them with GLITTER!  The tops are perfect for sprinkling or pouring and the nice wide mouths make them perfect for pouring the glitter back in.   I just love looking at them, I even mixed a few glitters together, I love the new blue I came up with!  Next week I will show you a card I made with the new blue glitter too.  Well that's it for  today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Playing with Embossing Paste

Hi All, this is another Gecko Galz DT piece I made this month trying to incorporate the use of some Dreamweaver embossing paste. This works out perfectly with the NBUS 1st challenge at at djkardkreations, since this is the first time I have used this "Schtuff".  The theme is anything goes with the emphasis on Friendship, I like to keep some cards in my stash that I can send to friends for no reason at all, other than the fact that I am thinking of them, so this will do for the theme I think. I am a bit new to working with it, so it will take me some time to get comfortable with using it I think.  I should also mention the more "virginal schtuff" I used also being the Bubblegum Stickles, that Martha Stewart bow I bought on sale at Walmart about 5 years ago, but I have used a few of them I think before.

For this 5 x 7 card I used the Carnival paper for the envelope liner and the card itself, it was such a strong and beautiful paper I felt it could hold it's own on this card.  I printed the card on Staples matte photo paper, printed an additional piece of the paper with the flower, fussy cut it and mounted it with foam.  I used some Dreamweaver embossing paste, added 3 flowers from a stencil I cut, added some pink bubblegum Stickles and clear rock candy distress glitter along with a tiny bow.  The envelope liner was printed on copy paper and glued into the envelope.  That's it for today, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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Time is on our side.

Hi All, I am sharing a card I made for the Gecko Galz DT using some of the amazing items from our partner this month Optic Illusions.   We want to show you how easy it is to blend other products with the beautiful Gecko Galz products.  This month the theme was Time, using Optic Illusions Measure of time set.  There were so many wonderful papers and pieces to this set I had a hard time choosing what one to use first, so you will be seeing a lot more of this set!

Here are my directions for this 5 x 7 card.   I used the clock charm and rusted bird cage from Optic Illusions along with the Gecko Galz image from June Dreams and the paper liner printed from the Carnival paper pack.  I printed the image on to Staples matte photo paper then added some Stampin Up crystal effects to the watch charm. I mounted this on to a piece of black card stock then on to my white card base.  The envelope liner was printed on copy paper, trimmed and placed inside the envelope. 

Well, that's it, thanks for stopping by.  ~Diane

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