September Inspiration from Gecko Galz and a Freebie

Here's a few samples using the fabulous new products from Gecko Galz this month.  Thought a couple of Halloween party invitations would be fun.  The designs are quite simple so I'll spare you the step by step.

Gecko Galz products used:  Arsenic and Lace Papers, Wicked Words, Apothecary Labels, Halloween Night Collage set  Other:  Mustard card stock, epoxy bat,

Gecko Galz Products used: Arsenic and Lace Papers, Arsenic and Lace icons, Wicked Words Other: Taupe card stock, adhesive stars, dimensional pumpkin Sticker from JoLee's.

And finally, a spooky little "Good Luck" card again using Arsenic and Lace papers and an image from the Fortune Jewels set.  I've added a striped ribbon looped around an eyeball faceted gem sticker, 2 jewels, a bit of trim cut with my Martha Stewart Drippy Goo punch and a peel off sticker sentiment.

Here's a little Freebie stamp to enjoy for Halloween and beyond.  Thanks for stopping by.  Check out all of the Gecko Galz Blog posts from September to collect all of the free stamps offered this month by the DT members and be sure to check out our new Customer Challenge coming October 1st.  

Still a few more days to sneak in the September Tricks and Treats Customer Challenge.  It ends TOMORROW! You can find out details for my Challenge project HERE.

Ya Gotta Spread Those WINGS!

Giving a little inspiration on the Sparkle and Glitter Blog today using Cabaret Broadway Chorus Girl from Rick St. Dennis MFA.  Isn't she a hoot?  I'm pretty sure she's a firm believer in "If you got it, FLAUNT it".  Just look at her 'tude!

I can just hear her belting out a tune a la Ethel Merman (who, I might add, was quite the looker in her day, although her costumes were never quite so risque). She was a ball to color with Copics and Prismacolor pencils.  My original plan was to use teals and purples, but then the wings gave me a monarch sort of vibe so I chose the yellows and oranges of Autumn and I love how she turned out.

She's fussy cut and popped on DP from making Memories with double mats. The sentiment is computer generated, matted and also popped a top a gem swirl. The tiny wings on either side of "wings" is an MS punch.    There are more fabulous Broadway Chorus Girls in Rick's Zibbet Shop so be sure to check them out by typing "Broadway" in the search bar.

And for all the exciting things happening, here are the important links.

Sparkle and Glitter

Airless Chambers

RSD MFA Blog

RSD How2 Tutorial Blog

Rick's Zibbet Shop

Rick's Etsy Shop

FB Fans and Friends

Where to find Rick's Coloring Books

New Release at The East Wind

I told ya September is an especially great month at The East Wind.  Here's another of the fabulous new releases called Day of the Dead.  I've made a banner to add to my traditional Dia de los Muertos decorations.  The colors reflect the giant marigolds that adorn the grave sites in Latin countries.  There are picnics and music and story telling. This is a day of celebration of the lives of the departed and is not a sad or morbid occasion.  Ofrendas (altars) are set up in rememberance in homes, as well.  See some of my personal celebration treasures HERE.
  

Here's a closeup of the gorgeous new stamp. She's colored with Copics and fussy cut.  Face painting is another popular tradition, although I've yet to try that myself.

The sentiment was computer generated and means "Always in my heart" in Spanish.

Check out more inspiration and our Blog and FB challenges by clicking the links below.  

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the Outlawz Saturday Paper a la Mode Autumn Challenge, Crafting from the Heart ATG, Dream Valley Challenges Autumn Colors, Our Crafty Corner (Color challenge), Sassy Studios Have a Banner Day, Left of Center using the LOC theme, A Step in the Dark FB Contest and Forever Dark ATG. 

Anything Goes at Aurora Wings

After a little break at Aurora Wings, our brand new challenge starts today with the theme of Anything Goes.  This is probably the hardest theme for me because finally deciding on an image takes me forever!  Yes, I should be thinking Fall, but with the weather in the 90's upwards, I'm still in a summer mode, so I couldn't resist one more card featuring my favorite flowers, hydrangeas.  

I started out with the sweet Hydrangea Fairy 2, just one of the fabulous digis featuring this flower.  She's colored with Copics and fussy cut.  I kinda think Mitzi must have a bit of a soft spot for hydrangeas too, seeing all of the gorgeous stamps she's drawn with them.  You can find them all HERE.

The card fold is one I got from an Aussie friend who no longer crafts nor blogs. I used the measurements from another card I made several years ago.  Hopefully these measurements will help.  I don't even remember the name of the fold.  You start with a piece that's 5x12".  You'll be scoring along both the dotted and solid lines.  This is the inside view and the dotted lines are valley folds, the solid are mountain folds.  I've cut a slit in the center to insert the semicircle die and another slit 3/4" down to insert the fairy image.   the card still folds flat for mailing.  Die cuts are all from Heartfelt Creations.

Each side features additional flowers.  On the left is Hydrangea 2

and on the right, Hydrangea 1.  Both are available for a discount price HERE.  I love using Mitzi's flowers in conjunction with the AW fantasy stamps, but they are beautiful on their own, as well.  You can find the whole collection in the Aurora Wings Etsy shop by searching by type of flower or in the Floral Collection of the AW Website's Digital Stamp Shop.  There is more gorgeous inspiration on the AW Challenge Blog so please stop by and join our challenge and don't forget to check out the newest releases on the AW Showcase Blog.

Always lots happening at Aurora Wings so here are the important links.

Aurora Wings Challenge Blog

Aurora Wings Showcase Blog

Aurora Wings Etsy Shop

Aurora Wings Digi Shop

Aurora Wings FB Group

Aurora Wings FB Fan Page

I'm entering this is the Crafting With Dragonflies Something Magical Challenge, Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Celebration Challenge (Birthday), Crafty Catz Special Occasion, Creative Fingers ATG, ArtbyMiran ATG, Cut it Up Oh Brother Challenge (something for a sibling or someone who is like a sibling)  This card is for my BFF whose birthday is Sept 27th, Crafting with Friends ATG, 613 Avenue Create Women's Friendship Day (this is for my BFF), Fussy and Fancy Fantasy, Crafting With an Attitude ATG, Crafty Girls Creations ATG, Southern Girls Layer it Up, Creative Craft Cottage ATG, Crafty Boots Monochrome, TTRCD ATG Sept 15-21, and SLS Lines Monochrome.

New Facebook Contest at The East Wind

Today a new Facebook Contest starts on TheEastWind Group page with the theme of Lovin' the Animals.  Big surprise I've chosen a kitty, eh?  This is Big Furry Cat Nap and surprise! it comes in two versions, one of them COLORED. WOOHOO!  Now I love to color, but in this case, Unky's version was just how I would have colored it on my own, so hey, why not use it?  Besides, what an easy way to make multiples for Christmas, don'tcha think? After printing it was cut with a Spellbinders Deckle Oval.  I chose some ancient DP that resembled a quilt, punched holes with a needle along the lines and added faux stitching with a gel pen.  I matted it with solid and then dotty DP and popped it on an A2 card. The sentiment was computer generated.  Just one little snowflake sticker and I was good to go.

Unky's got loads of cat stamps HERE and plenty of other animals (if you insist) in the East Wind Etsy Shop so come play along.

Check out all of the fun stuff happening in our East Wind Community below.

Here's the important stuff:

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the Kraftyhands Sept Quilts and Patchwork Challenge, the Outlawz Monday Greetings Card Christmas Card Challenge, Creative Fingers ATG, Simply Create Too Early Holiday Wishes, Shopping Our Stash/Jingle Belles Bonus challenge Christmas in Sept (DPs, die and snowflake are all well over a year old 'cause that's how I roll. LOL) and Vice Versa here.

New Release at The East Wind

It's Friday, and that means another new release at The East Wind.  Gotta say, Unky has outdone herself this month and certainly doesn't disappoint with today's fabulous Chief.  I kept the card quite simple because of the striking image but added the tribal references with the DP, woven raffia and feathers.

Here's the closeup.  She was so much fun to color!  Chief is done primarily with Copics with just a bit of detailing with Prismacolor pencils.  I love the brights next to her dark skin and the fabulous details in her headdress and necklaces.  I actually get shivers when I look at her, she's so regal and beautiful.

Lots of TEW fun happening all over the place so...

Here's the important stuff:

Challenge Blog

Show Room Blog

FB Group

FB Fan Page

Etsy Shop

I'm entering this in the 613 Avenue Create ATG challenge, the Outlawz Twisted Thursday ATG, Aud Sentiments ATG/w Sentiment, Crafting with an Attitude ATG, Fan-tastic Tuesday ATG/w Bright Colors and Inspiration Destination ATG.

Girls, Girls, Girls at Julia Spiri

I'm honored to be guesting at the Julia Spiri Challenge blog where the new theme is Girls, Girls, Girls.  In my mind, nothing is girlier than fashion so I've chosen the adorable Chic Girl.  The DP's are all from the All About Girls mat stack from DCWV.

Here's a closeup of Chic Girl.  She's colored with Copics according to the colors of the DP and I gotta say her curly hair was so much fun.  You can find more of Julia's adorable stamps in her Etsy Shop.  A huge thanks to the talented DT at Julia Spiri for letting me join them today.  Be sure to check out the fab inspiration HERE and leave them some love.

I'm entering this in the Cards in Envy Inspired by a Song (Uptown Girl), Crafting for All Seasons Layer it Up, the Outlawz Friday Coloring Hats Challenge, and TTRCD Sept 15-21 ATG. 

RSD MFA Sept Progressive Challenge Part Two

It's the midway point for the RSD Sept Progressive Challenge on Sparkle and Glitter and as always, the theme is ATG using an image by RSD MFA.  I've gone a little darker than normal for this challenge but hey, ya gotta go where the mojo flows.  I love the Memory Box background DP and couldn't resist some Spanish moss.  The letter stickers are from Authentique. 

This spooky lady is Bayou Witch, available HERE in Rick's Zibbet Shop and HERE on Etsy.  She's colored with Copics, cut with my Spellbinders Labels 17, and inked with Distress while still in the die.

I've made a sort of talisman created by wrapping toothpick with twine and topping it with a large bronze charm.  Beads, skulls and faux wishbone (from Tim Holtz) are from my stash and the real bird foot and feather are Goliath's contribution.  Be sure to visit the SNG Blog for further inspiration and add your entry up top to receive the free stamp for next month's challenge.

Here are all of the important links:

Sparkle and Glitter

Airless Chambers

RSD MFA Blog

RSD How2 Tutorial Blog

Rick's Zibbet Shop

Rick's Etsy Shop

FB Fans and Friends

Where to find Rick's Coloring Books

I'm entering this in Left of Center  Die Cuts and/or Punches, Sept Dream in Darkness ATG, Sept. Forever Dark ATG and A Step in the Dark Sept FB contest.  

The Nights Are Drawing In at HDH

OOOps!  Spent yesterday on the return trip from Santa Fe and still recovering, so I'm a day late at posting my project for the new challenge at HDH.  As the days are getting shorter we dungeon dwellers are thrilled that The Nights Are Drawing In.  Feel free to interpret this theme in any way you like, as long as it's creepy rather than cutesy.  I've been tripping over this piece of kraft DP with the flocked haunted house from the MME Haunted Collection since last Halloween and thought it just might work for this project, with a bit of distressing with scissors on the edges and some inking with Black Soot.  Not sure what would be worse, staying out as darkness descends, or risk going inside.  If you dared knocked on the door, who would answer?

My inspiration came from the fab Monster In My Closet from Delicious Doodles. Would this be the welcoming hand you'd see beckoning you in?  EEEeek!!!!

I printed the image 4 times on kraft and fussy cut and popped the appropriate parts.  With all that fabulous shading, no coloring needed, except a bit of blood red dripping from his mouth. The sentiment was done with word stickers from the Enchanted Collection from Authentique, and to answer that question....... ...YES!!!!!  BE sure to pop by HDH for further inspiration and do come play along.

I'm entering this in the Delicious Doodles September Make it Dark Challenge, Left of Center using the LOC theme, Sept Dream in Darkness ATG, Sept. Forever Dark ATG and A Step in the Dark Sept FB contest. 

My 40th Anniversary Card

Yup, do you believe it?  Today David and I are celebrating 40 years of marriage. WOW time sure does fly.  I've had this card in my head for awhile and just couldn't resist.  The fab image is Lucy Loo 'Love Me' from The East Wind.  

And inside.  There's a lot of things that contribute to a lasting marriage and one of them for sure is a sense of humor.  Actually, he tells me this all the time, so I'm sure he'll smile.  That's all for now.  We've got some celebrating to do.

Another Naughty One!

Colored up another of the fun images I won during the Karleigh Sue FB party and couldn't resist making another card for the August Sexy Challenge.  The image is called "Hump Day"  and when thinking of a sentiment, I decided to turn her into a little witch using felt stickers for her hat and shoes.  I've added a punched fence and row of pumpkins to the DP to  complete the scene.  I left the sentiment off the front purposely so I could enter the current Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers I is for Image Only challenge.

Okay, so here's the inside.  Yeah, I know I just used this same sentiment recently but this image gives it a whole new meaning.  Don'tcha think?


I also thought I'd pop this in at Left of Center using the LOC theme.

Tricks and Treats at Gecko Galz.

Our new monthly Customer challenge begins today at Gecko Galz with the theme of Trick and Treats.  

Yeah, we're all so excited about Halloween that many of the new GG products for Sept are perfect for that theme, so you have plenty of time to create for the big day.  I've made a cute little decor project using child's blocks I've recolored with Sharpies on the front and painted with black gesso on the top and sides. The papers on top are digital from the new  Freak Show Digital Paper pack and a freebie from the Gecko Galz Pinterest page.  The adorable little Trick or Treaters were fussy cut from the from the Halloween is for Kids Collage sheet, backed with black card stock with toothpicks sandwiched in between.  Holes were drilled in the top of the blocks to hold them upright.

After trimming the sentiment from the new Wicked Words sheet, I backed it with 2 layers cut with Spellbinders Labels Seventeen, held with a card holder from Alpha Stamps.  On top are criss crossed spider web banner die cuts from Magnolia with a little jack-o-lantern sticker in the center.  The card holder was inserted in the hole drilled in the center block and embellished with an orange bow.  Be sure to visit the Gecko Galz Challenge Blog to see the fabulous inspiration from my teamies.  Hope you'll play along to win a wonderful prize from Gecko Galz.  We can't wait to see what you create.

The important links:

Gecko Galz Challenge Blog

GG FB Group

GG Etsy Shop

GG on Pinterest

I'm entering this in the Craftin' Desert Divas Just for Kids Linky Party, and Not Just Cards ATG.