Happy Halloween

October 31st

Well here in Australia it's already Halloween night (so Halloween will probably be over here before it even starts where most of you are!!!) I have an altered lantern to share for Halloween. My lantern came from IKEA and I painted it with a set of Vintaj Metal Patina paints which I love - I amazed myself with the transformation just by adding the paint let alone the amazing Gecko Galz Images which I printed on transparent type paper and mounted in the sides of the lantern. It looks amazing with the candle glowing inside and the lights turned off - I couldn't get as good a picture as I wanted but I hope you can get the effect!! I added some "cobwebs" as well from the packet I bought last year for Halloween creations!!!

Here's some pics of each side so you can see all the Gecko Galz images and in the picture at the end of this post you can see the plain black lantern that I started with!!

We don't really celebrate Halloween here but apparently it is becoming more popular and on my way home from work I saw a couple of families with the kids all dressed up & going into houses.

Smudgy Antics have a "Ghoul's Night Out" theme and I think the images on my lantern show some creepy characters having a fun night out at Halloween!!!

At the Haunted Design House Macabre Monday challenge there is a "Hammer House of Horror" theme and some of the spooky Gecko Galz characters are from the movies!

I'm also entering my lantern in the Creative Belli - Halloween Challenge - this challenge encourages the use of "old & forgotten" embellishments & I think my 1 year old Halloween Spiders Web certainly counts LOL!!!

The Sisterhood of Crafters have a great Halloween theme challenge too.

And as it has been a real Halloween theme this week I am also entering at Try it on Tuesday and Tuesday Alchemy in their Halloween themed Challenges!!

50% Off Dude Time Doodles Blog Hop Sale!!

31st October 2012

What better reason for a Blog Hop this week than to promote a 50% off selected items at the Dude Time Doodles Store!!!

My card uses "Santas Balls" and he is just one of the many images on sale - just in time for Xmas!!! He doesn't look very impressed does he???

You should have come to me from Nancy's Blog and now be heading over to visit Anne's Blog! If you get lost just go to the Dude Time Doodles Challenge Blog for the complete "hop" list!!

More Full Moon Inspiration

October 29th 2012

You still have time to enter our Full Moon Challenge at Wicked Wednesday!! My ATC's use some great collage images from Gecko Galz!! Wording & Raven on my "Poe" ATC are from an unknown collage sheet.

Gecko Galz Tricks & Treats Blog Hop!!!

October 26th 2012

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Gecko Galz Tricks and Treats Blog Hop

I am the next stop on your “hop” welcome to my blog! If you started here you might want to go back and start at the begining at the Gecko Galz blog so you won’t miss anything!

We have 14 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 a free Gecko Galz Collage sheet for you to download, mine is "Picture Perfect". Also make sure you collect all the secret words on each blog so at the end of the hop you can enter to win our wonderful treat. So sit back, relax, take your time and enjoy the hop!

We have FOUR amazing prizes up for grabs:

First is the ephemera collections for each month for an entire year. That is 60 different sets! This is a $120 value

Second prize is a $50 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz website….you pick it and we send it!

Third prize is one free digital collage set each month for an entire year, you get to pick the collage sheet you want each month and we send it off to you! This is a $24 value

And our Grand Prize ONE FULL YEAR of Gecko Galz COLLECTIONS!!! That will be 1 paper pack, 1 digital stamp set, and 5 collage sets for the entire year! This is a prize worth $240

Read on to learn how you can win!

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 all eleven words and at the end of the blog on the Fripperies and Butterflies site there will be a link to the Gecko Galz website where you will email us the phrase the words make up. This enters you in the contest. On October 31st we will randomly draw the 4 winners and email each of you, then we will post the winning names on our website and 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)

Finally, we are having one more give away! If you post our Gecko Galz badge (found on the Gecko Galz Blog) on your blog or website you will be entered to win a Gecko Store Gift Certificate worth $25 - super easy right? Just post a link to your blog on the Gecko Galz Blog so we can come visit :).

My Secret Word is;   YOU'VE

Now go to the next site and collect the next word plus your next FREE collage sheet.

Here is the Blog Hop Rotation

Carol Salisbury

Hazel Harler

Starr Timmons

Barbara Bird

Joan Lindle

Penny Walker

Sherri Levington

Debi Ryan

Heather Hudson

Sharon Rogers

Gerri Herbst

Jules Eickmeier

Helene Huber

Leanne Seed

Please enjoy this free Gecko Galz Collage sheet “Le Jardin”

http://geckogalz.com/lejardinfreeephemeraset.html

As well as the samples I have made using the images

Backgrounds are from the collage sheet & I added images from another Gecko Galz "Edwardian Ladies" Sheet available from the store. Some scrabble words, textured paper & charms added as embellishments.

I love to decorate candles - I printed the flowers onto tissue paper and wrapped them around the candle using greaseproof paper & then heated it all over with my heat gun to "melt" the tissue paper onto the candle. I added braid to finish it off.

A great way to use scraps of card & paper is to make Scrpalings or as I have done little Scrapling cards with a couple of little images from the Le Jardin Ephemera Sheet and patterned paper also from Gecko Galz.

My final creation uses the gorgeous peacock image which I used to make a fairly simple card with the peacock as the main focus along with embossed and coloured paper.

Full Moon

October 25th 2012

"Full Moon" is the theme of this week's challenge at Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog and we have a new sponsor "DRS" Designs so just by entering you have the chance to win some images!

I've made 2 ATC's using DRS images plus I added a little witch from Just Some Lines to the second ATC for a bit of fun!!! Get creating - we always love to see what amazing ATC's everyone makes!

I'm going to enter my ATC with the cute little JSL Witch in their current Anything Halloween Challenge!!

Bedazzled Beth

October 24th 2012

Because we have an "extra" Wednesday this month we decided to make creations just for the fun of it with some new Halloween themed images from the Dude Time Doodles Store - more samples from the rest of the DT at the Challenge Blog!!

I've used Bedazzled Beth and make her a very "pink" witch to join in with Breast Cancer Awareness this month. As usual I have fussy cut the image and added her to the card layout which is the current sketch at the I Heart 2 Stamp Blog. The Stamping Boutique also has a "Pink Halloween" challenge which I am entering Beth in!

Hugs from Lil Dracula

October 24th 2012

A new colour challenge at Jacksons Digital Expressions - see the blog for all the details. For my card I;ve used a great new Halloween design from Robert Jackson plus some paint chip samples, bats & cobweb!!

I'm also entering this at the Haunted Design House Macabre Monday "Vampires" themed challenge this week - he is fairly sinsiter looking although I've tried to "soften" him by ading the "Hugs" word LOL!!!

Vintage Christmas

October 20th 2012

New "Festive" Collage Sheets, Patterned Papers & Digi Stamps at the Gecko Galz Store!! Each month Leanne has wonderful new releases that seem better than the month before if that's possible LOL!!!

I've made these Vintage Style Xmas Cards using images from the Winter Time & Christmas Chic Collage Sheets along with background music paper from the "Grandma's House" range of patterned papers. I added some fancy die cuts and used a "Merry Christmas" Print Blocks Rubber Stamp to make the ghosting technique greeting. A sheer ribbon & pearl brad finished them off!!

Gecko Galz has a great Yahoo Challenge Group where we have some fun challenges and your chance to win some Gecko Galz products so if you aren't a member come & join us!

Butterfly Kisses

October 18th 2012

Time for another new challenge this week at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog - Butterflies! No ecxcuses for not entering this challenge - I'm sure everyone has some butterfly images they can creat an ATC with - we would love to see what you can come up with. Our sponsor and prize giver this week is Delicious Doodles and they have provided the image for my ATC.

Le Freak C'est Chic

October 17th 2012

A great new inspiration challenge at Dude Time Doodles "Halloween" - of course LOL!!! I had so much fun making this card using Mr Bone Jangles plus a skeleton hand and tombstone!! I added the words to the "Le Freak" Song - I just couldn't resist with these dancing skeletons!! Background paper which is called "Beetlejuice" and was just perfect for this creation is from Gecko Galz. Make sure you link up your "Masculine" themed creations to our blog before next Wednesday and remember to check out what the rest of the DT have made!! Dude Time Doodles Store have some fantastic Halloween images!!

I'm also entering this card in the "Orange & Black" themed challenge at Cards For Men and the "Halloween" Challenge at Creavil.

Here's a close up of the wording which is a bit hard to read on the full view card.

A New Itinerary!!

October 15th 2012

A new challenge at Desert Islands Crafters Challenge is starting today and we have a great Itinerary from one of our previous challenge winners "Katie" - she has listed 10 items of which you must use at least 3 on your entry!! All the details along with more DT inspiration are available at the challenge blog!! We are lucky to have Stitchy Bear Stamps as our sponsor this week so they have donated the prize for this challenge!!

My card for this week uses items 1. Paper Piecing (her towel) 2 Pop something up (the sentiment is mounted on foam) 6. Punches (heart and flowers) 7. Pink (patterned paper) 8. Pearls (on her towel).

And I've used the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday to lay out my card.

Birthday Reminder Post!

October 13th 2012
A reminder that there are lots of prizes up for grabs when you enter our "1st Birthday" Celebration Challenge at Wicked Wednesday this week!! Lots of great sponsors!!

I've made two more birthday ATC's - this first one uses a gorgeous Dilly Beans Clear Stamp "Marabella" which our wonderful Wicked Wednesday "Owner" Jenn posted to me - isn't she generous!!! And you will see that you have a chance to win some Dilly Beans images from Megan this week!!

  My second ATC uses a gorgeous Angel image from Michelle Perkett Studio - Michelle is a wonderful supporter of the challenge blog too!!  

  So get creating your "Celebration" ATC's and link up at the challenge blog!!!

Especially for You!

October 11th 2012

I've made this cute little "sparkly" Xmas card for 2 challenges - firstly Rick St Dennis has a new Challenge Blog and as I had just bought this Euro Clown Troupe image from his Etsy Store I decided to make a card for the challenge following their theme of "Anything Goes with Sparkle & Glitter" combined with the new sketch from the Christmas Cards (with Sketches) Challenge Blog. The card & patterned papers are all metallic sheen finish to add to the sparkle and I added some glittery Stickles in gold & clear for more shimmer!!

Wicked Wednesday is "1" Year Old!!

October 11th 2012

I can't beleive how fast the time has gone - Jenn's Wicked Wednesday Blog is "1" Year Old and we are celebrating this week so make sure you get a "Birthday/Celebration" ATC made for your chance to win one of the many prizes we have up for grabs!! My ATC uses a great image from Mayzy Art and although it's supposed to be Spring here the weather is shocking so this image "Shawna with Latte" is quite appropriate as a nice hot Latte would be nice!!! We can't wait to see all the entries this week!!

Play!

October 10th 2012

A fun "Freebie" challenge at Dude Time Doodles this week so go over to the blog and grab "Tyler Tailback" and create a male themed card/item for your chance to be our Guest Designer next month!! I've combined Taylor with "Penalty Pat" also from the DTD Store and added a little Tim Holtz Tag "Play" for some fun!! We can't wait to see what you can create and remember there is more "inspiration" at the Challenge Blog from the other DT Members!!

Who's Your Mummy??

October 9th 2012

This week at Jackson's Digital Expressions we have a sketch challenge - so pop over to the blog to grab the sketch & get creating! Robert has some great Halloween designs available at his store & I've used this great "Lil Mummy" image combined with some Clip Art Pyramids, fibres & fabric, an Ankh cross charm and hand stamped sentiment! Of course your creation doesn't have to be Halloween theme but you must use the sketch to enter!

Wicked Wednesday Reminder!

October 7th 2012

A reminder post for our current Wicked Wednesday Challenge - "Flowers with a Dark Twist"!! We would love to see your ATC creations - it's always great to see what litle works of art get created by everyone!! My ATC uses great images from a collage sheet by Lily at The Octopode Factory - I haven't used any Octopode imges lately so this was a perfect opportunity!! Remember you have until Tuesday to get your entries in!!

Forever Button Doll

October 6th 2012

A great challenge at Creavil - "Dolls" so I have made this little button doll to enter - I haven't made a button doll for awhile so it was a great excuse to join their art doll challenge!! This little creation is a great way to use up scraps & odds & sods!! Face stamp is from an Australian Company "Studio Astarte" which I believe has closed down. Buttons, fibres, card & wire all from my stash of bits & pieces!

Xmas Pillow Boxes

October 5th 2012
Make sure you check out the Gecko Galz Site and follow the 12 Weeks of Xmas Gifts!!! Can you believe Xmas is so close???

This week features my little pillow boxes using new products from Gecko Galz all ready for Xmas!!! Template can be found at Mirkwood Designs. Products used & instructions at Gecko Galz so make sure you check out the site each week until Xmas!!

I am also linking this up to the Just Keep on Creating Blog which has a Xmas inspired challenge running until Xmas!!!

Flowers with a Dark Twist

October 4th 2012

A great theme for this weeks challenge at Wicked Wednesday especially with Halloween coming up!! And this week we are lucky to have A & T Digtital Designs as our sponsor and we thank them for providing the DT with images to use & the prize for this week's winner!!

Home Improvement with the Tool Man!

October 3rd 2012
A fun "male" challenge yet again this week at Dude Time Doodles - Home Improvement! We would love to see what sort of "handyman" themed card you can come up with - should be lots of fun!!!!

My card uses Pete Plumber along with some "tool" patterned paper and some "renovation" wording created using "Wordle" - a really clever little website!!

Lil Witch

October 2nd 2012

This weeks challenge at Jacksons Digital Expressions is to alter a door hanger or coat hanger. I've altered a coaster to make a little Halloween themed hanging using a new digi image from Robert Jackson.

Halloween creations are so much fun to create & there seem to be a few creations around on blogs at the moment!