DESIGN OF THE DAY.........Donna Mundinger

Today we have a beautiful paper artist to focus on

Design Team Member

DONNA MUNDINGER

PRETTY GIRLS COASTERS

Gecko Galz Coquette Collage sheet from the Feb Coquette Digital Crafting Kit (only available with the subscription) 

Other: Printing Program (I use Printmaster Platinum), 4x4" travertine tiles, tissue paper, temporary adhesive (spray or tape), brush, Matte Mod Podge, water, 600 grit sand paper, felt (for back of coasters)  and matte acrylic sealer or hangers if using for wall tiles.

Choose and size Coquettes from Collage Sheet to 3 1/2" square (you may have to stretch some in one direction or the other)  Add text box sentiments, making the background of text white, rather than transparent.  Print on inexpensive regular white smooth card stock.  (I have a laser printer, I'm not sure how Mod Podge reacts with Inkjet printers.  Best to test to see if it bleeds)   Cut smooth white tissue into squares and use removable spray or tape to adhere them to the card stock (If using tape, be sure it does not cover the image anywhere).  Print again.  Trim images.

Cover tile with a medium coat of matte Mod Podge and carefully add image, smoothing any wrinkles or bubbles as best you can.  Let dry.  Add at least 3 coats of  Mod Podge to top, letting each coat dry before adding the next.  Wet sand with 600 grit sandpaper to remove any brush strokes, wiping off the milky residue with a wet paper towel.  Make sure you do not sand too deeply or you will remove any portion of the image that may have bubbled or wrinkled   Your image will appear cloudy, but will eventually dry clear.  Add more coats as needed and sand until smooth.  If using as coasters, seal with acrylic sealer.  Glue felt to the back to protect your table from scratches.  Not need to seal if just hanging as wall decoration.  Glue hanger to back of these.

Note:  I used tissue because I wanted it to appear as if the images were part of the tile.  You can see the variations of color through the images.  You may use regular copy paper which will be more opaque (and easier to smooth out without tearing) but more coats may be required.  Alternatively, use Gloss Mod Podge and sealer if desired.

GATHER YE ROSEBUDS DIGITAL CARD

All digital creation using Beautiful Borders and Feb Coquette Club Kit icons

February Answers: I guess I'd have to describe my style as eclectic.  I enjoy them all, elegant, cute, shabby, vintage, dark, you name it.  I struggle with CAS because I love to pile on the stuff and no matter what I'm doing, you're bound to see some dimension. Oh, and I love to inject some humor whenever I can.  I'm just now dabbling in all digital creations so we'll see how that goes.

Working with ephemera is new to me and I'm loving it.  I started my paper crafting, however, with a Cricut electronic die cutting machine and worked exclusively with that for several years.  Then I found digi stamps and I've amassed quite the Copic collection.  I've always loved to color.  Now the majority of my die cutting is done with a hand crank machine.  I love the Spellbinders Grand Caliber because of the large format and love the intricate dies from Spellbinders, Tattered Lace, Memory Box, Cheery Lynn etc.  And they just happen to work so well with Gecko Galz products.

I KNOW I SHOULDN'T CARD

REVENGE WALL HANGING

LOVELY TAG

PARIS WALL HANGING

Gecko Galz supplies:  Parisian Dreams Paper Pack, 6 stamps from the French Connections Digital Stamps set. 

Feb Customer Challenge Tag

Supplies

Gecko Galz :  February Coquette Club Kit Papers and Icons, Pretty Victorians Collage sheet

Other: Card Stock-Mocha and pink ,  Dies-Spellbinders Grand labels Four, Heartfelt Creations (filigree

shapes), Embellishments-White marabou trim, Prima mini roses and Say it with Pearls Flourish, 7gypsies

velvet leaves, Beige crinkle seam binding,  Tape, glue, Fun Foam (tan) and 4" wide 3M Transfer tape 

(to make colored foam for adding dimension), Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink

Use Spellbinders Label Four (3rd from the smallest die) to cut label base from mocha card stock. Leave paper in die and ink lightly inside the die with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink. Print Paper from Feb Club Kit Coquette Papers ( COU5) and use next smaller Labels Four die to cut mat.  Ink this layer the same way.  Tape or glue to base.  Cut filigree shapes from pink and glue to top and bottom of tag.

Re size and print fan from Coquette Icons, fussy cut, ink edges with Brushed Corduroy and glue or tape marabou trim on back.  Use printing program to move the word "lovely" onto the bow (both from Coquette Icons)  size, print, fussy cut and ink. Print lady from the Pretty Victorians 1 Collage sheet (top right) 3 times.  Fussy cut image as shown, ink and decoupage using foam for dimension. TIP:  I make my own colored dimensional foam using sheets of craft foam (Fun Foam) and 4" wide (3M)  transfer tape to adhere to both sides.  It can then be cut or punched to any size and virtually disappears when your project is viewed from the side.  Avoid buying foam that is already adhesive on one side.  Whatever they use loses it's stick very quickly.

Use tape and foam to adhere fan and lady to tag.  Attach seam binding to back of bow and use foam (at center point only) to pop, then attach small rose.  Cut apart pearl swirl and add to tag base.  Attach velvet leaves to top of tag with roses beneath.  Loop seam binding through top of filigree element.

DESIGN OF THE DAY......Amanda Phillips

Today we are please to show off some amazing work by

Design Team Member

AMANDA PHILLIPS

CLASS & SASS CARD

For this Black & white card I used the collage sheet from the Coquette craft kit

The amazing thing about our graphics ?? Is that you can use a little of the sheet or the whole lot sizing my sheet to a 5x7 for print today I have used it all /added with an extra little blurb because Class and sass truly are timeless.

BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL CARD

This was out of the birdy paper and using a 2 in paper punch fit them to my card on angle and adding a few stems from the bush outside") Have fun

LADY IN BLUE CARD

Is out of our beautiful Cloquette set, I copic colored this truly soft /romantic image and then because our kits make everything so easy added my papers and embellies. 

DESIGN OF THE DAY.......Leanne Seed

Today we are shining the spotlight on

Design Team Member 

LEANNE SEED

CLASSY AND FAB BIRTHDAY CARD

Coquette Digital kit stamps

Paper by Paper Studio & Canvas Corp

Paper Doilie

Viva Pearl Pen

Distress inks in pool and vintage photo

Red Line Tape

Ink blending tool

This is a pocket card so you can place a gift card or money in a creative way!

cover your cream card base with the blue and brown print paper from Paper Studios then ink the edges using your brown ink and ink blending tool. Next print digital stamp onto white card stock and cut out to 3" x 5" and ink gently with your two colors of ink.

layer onto cream and black dot paper from Canvas corp and ink the edge of that paper with the blue. Using your red line tape adhere side and bottom to center of card (this will form the pocket). Place doilie down inside the pocket and go around sides and bottom of pockets with your pearl pen.

LOVE LIFE CARD

Cream Card Base

Gecko Galz Coquette stamps from Digital kit

Gecko Galz Paris Dreams Paper

Printed Canvas by Canvas Corp

paper doilie by wilton

Pink, yellow and skin color Copic markers

Distress ink in vintage photo

vintage velvet flower

seam binding in lavender

Viva Pearl Pen

Ink blending tool

Start by placing your Gecko Galz rose print paper on the top of your cream card base and ink the edges using your brown ink. Next cut a strip of printed canvas and run that down the center of the card. Print your digital stamp onto white bristol paper and color using your copic markers. Cut out image then take doilie and distress with your brown ink and layer on your digital stamp to the center. Place image in center of card front and go around outer edge with your Viva pearl pen as well as the printed canvas strip. Layer on velvet flower and tie lavender ribbon around inside edge and finish off into a bow.

SIMPLE STYLE CARD

Gecko Galz Coquette Digital Stamps from kit

Yellow and Grey paislee paper by Paper Studio

Distress ink In Vintage Photo

Corigated Card board paper by Canvas Corp

Glimmer Mist in Bronze by Tattered Angels

Pearl Pen by Viva

Cream Seam Binding ribbon

vintage pearl buttons

Cream card base

For this card I started with a cream card base and covered with the printed paper by Paper Studios and inked the edges with my brown ink. Next I printed my digital stamp onto card stock and sprayed it lightly with my glimmer mist at the same time spraying my card board piece and cream ribbon. Once it is dry I layered on the card board piece pulling it to the right of the card then added my stamp image to the left after I inked the edges using my brown ink. Next I added my pearl buttons down the card board piece and added my pearl pen in the holes and along the top and bottom of the card board piece.

To finish I tied my seam binding around the inside and finished in a bow.

We wanted to ask some questions so you could get to know Leanne

BESIDES GECKO GALZ PRODUCTS WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO UES?

There are so many amazing products out there but I love adding amazing products to enhance designs like Glimmer Mist, pearl pen, smooch inks....and as everyone knows Alcohol Inks , the story my craft friends tell people is if you stand still long enough Leanne will alcohol ink you..lol!

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR STYLE IS?

My style is a bit eclectic I would say if I had to put it in a box I would say it is boho shabby chic.

DESIGN OF THE DAY......Barbara Bird

Today we take a peek at some amazing designs by

Design Team Member

Barbara Bird

GARDEN BIRDS CARD

- For the card base I use a light blue cardstock and the card front

  is from the Feb. product - coquette papers.

- the images are from Feb. product - Garden Birds collage sheet.

- The words Garden Birds I cut out and pop dotted on the card.

- The bird on the left was cut out and pop dotted  and the leaves

  were glued behind him. The butterfly was cut out and glued to

  bottom right bending the wings up.

- Everything was inked in brown.

PRETTY AS A PICTURE CARD

- Cream cardstock was used for card base.

- Card front was a piece from my scrap stash.

- Image was from Feb. product Pretty Victorians 2 collage sheet.

- The image is matted in a dark pink cardstock and put on a light

  pink doily, then place on the card front.

- The two blings on each side are from my stash.

I printed the saying on the computer. and pop dotted it under the image.


We wanted to let you get to know Barbara and asked her the following questions

BESIDES GECKO GALZ PRODUCTS WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO UES?

Well beside Gecko Galz (because we have so many things to choose from), I love Ranger products - mainly Tim Holtz items. There is a new stamp set that I am waiting for and so excited about. It is called Crazy Birds. Actually any product that is bird related or strawberries I will love having in my craft room. Heart felt Creations have brought out a beautiful bird collection I have on order.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR STYLE IS?

Gee I hate the question about what my style is cuz I never quite know how to answer it, I have never been into labeling things. I have always thought I was eclectic (think that is the correct spelling) but now I have heard the title of CAS (Clean And Simple) I know consider myself as the QUEEN of CAS ! lol

DESIGN OF THE DAY.......Lisette Baker

Today our spotlight is on an amazing Paper artist

Design Team Member

LISETTE BAKER

ALTERED HOUSE

Supplies

Chipboard house (I used Tim Holtz Altered Dwellings Alterations die)

Walnut Stain distress ink

Paper from Parisian Dreams paper set

Image from Cute little coquettes in the Coquette Kit

Lace scraps

Organza rose trim

Cut out words

Buttons

Paper heart

Paper number 

VINTAGE BEE CARD

Bee image from French Connections digital stamp set

Antique Linen & Victorian Velvet distress inks

Seam binding coloured with Victorian Velvet

Small paper rose

Glue pen

Gold glitter

JE T'AIME CARD

Paper from Parisian Dreams paper set

Sentiment (cut from paper in Parisian Dreams)

White crochet lace

White net lace

Die cut heart

Small paper roses

White Annenomes card

Paper from Coquette Kit papers

Image from Flower Garden 1x1 jewels

White card

Flower trim

VALENTINE POSTCARD

Paper from Parisian Dreams set – printed to postcard size

Image from Pretty Victorians collage set

Walnut Stain, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Inks

Ivory heart shaped doily

Seam binding – coloured with Broken China Distress Stain

Blue paper roses

CRAZY GIRL CARD

I saw this idea in an issue of Craft Stamper magazine and thought it would be perfect for this month’s images and papers from the Gecko Galz

Supplies

Image from French Connections stamp set printed onto white card plus additional image on copy paper

Broken China & Worn Lipstck distress inks

“speckled” effect stamp

Papers from Parisian Dreams paper set

Lace scraps

Selection of cut out words to suit the occasion/recipient

How to

Cut around the edge of the copy paper image – you don’t need to be too accurate but go as close as you can. Use this as a mask to protect the image printed on card and then stamp the splatters in pink and blue. Dust on a little extra ink around the edges of the card.

Choose your favourite papers from the paper set and tear into strips. Apply these below the image. Add the lace scraps and the words.

MUSIC HALL TAG

Tag from Vintage Tags collage sheet

Image from Pretty Victorians collage sheet

“Lovely” image from Coquette Icons

Organza rose trim – coloured with Worn Lipstick distress ink then spritzed with water

Seam binding – coloured with Worn Lipstick distress ink then spritzed with water

Assorted sized pearls

Crystal glitter glue

To get to know Lisette we asked her the following questions

BESIDES GECKO GALZ PRODUCTS WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO UES?

I love to work with stamps and am going through a Stampotique phase right now. I also like using Bigz dies and chunky chipboard - perfect for covering with Gecko Galz papers.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOUR STYLE IS?

I don't really have a definitive style I like to try everything and everything from CAS to heavily loaded vintage!

DESIGNS OF THE DAY......Terri Burnett

Today's spotlight artist is

Design Team Member

Terri Burnett

SPRING TRIPTYC

Products used:  1 x 1 flower garden jewels, Coquete papers 2 (Feb Kit Klub), flowers, die cut vines, chipboard, lace.

To make this I cut 3 chipboard squares 3 x 3 and rounded the edges.  Wallpaper the front of each with the Blue print Coquete paper 2 from the February Kit Klub.  Ink the edges and the back of the chipboard with Faded Denim Distress Ink.  Print 2 copies of 3 of the hydrangea images from the 1 x 1 flower garden jewels so that they are 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 each.  Round the corners and ink edges of one set of images.  Fussy cut just the flower part of the remaining 3 images.  Using foam dots adhere the fussy cut images on top of the matching images.  To make the 3 panels  into a trio, add scor tape to the back of a 1 x 2 piece of lace.  Adhere the lace to the front of the panels overlapping between 2 panels.  To finish the trio add small glittered flowers and a few die cut vines.

ROSE PENDANT

Product used:  1 x 2 flowers Jewel It, Art Impressions bezel, glass glitter, Ice Resin, beads, chain

To make:  Print a flower image from the 1 x 2 flowers Jewel It.  Trim it to fit within the bezel you choose and adhere it to the inside of the bezel with a small amount of glossy accents.  Run a small line of glossy accents to the inside edge of the bezel and add glass glitter.  Allow to dry.  Add Ice Resin to the bezel according to manufacturer specs.  Allow to dry completely.  Add beads and pearls to chain and you are ready to go!

FRIENDSHIP CARD

Supplies:  Gecko Galz images from Vintage Tags, French Connection Stamp Set 2, Beautiful Borders 1, and Coquete papers 2 from the February Kit Klub, white card base, vintage grey lace, silver organza ribbon, lavender sheer ribbon, grey silk ribbon, grey pearls, 2" wide packing tape, distress markers in tumbled glass, peeled paint, scattered straw, and frayed burlap, and matte medium.

To make:  Begin by matting your white card with pale grey cardstock.  Cut another mat that fits just inside the grey mat from the Coquete Papers pink lace print and adhere to card base.  Cut tags from the Vintage Tag sheet (the lavendar roses, the Music note, and the lavendar hydrangea).  Also cut the purple floral frame from the Beautiful Borders 1 set and mat it on pale grey cardstock.  I wanted a bird image on the floral tag.  To do this I did an image transfer using packing tape.  Print your bird stamp (sized to fit the tag) and place a piece of clear packing tape over the image.  Burnish the tape very well to the paper.  Spritz the back of the paper with water and use your finger to rub all of the paper off.  It may take more water to get it all off.  You are left with the bird image on the tape.  Using your distress markers color the bird on the reverse side (the sticky tape side).  You will have to use a stipling motion to get the color where you want it.  When you are happy with what it looks like on the front then adhere it to the tag.  Mine was sticky enough to stay in place.  Add a layer of matte medium over the top of the entire tag to help the image stick and also to take the gloss from the tape area.  Distress ink edges with frayed burlap distress ink.  Mat the bird tag with the pink print Coquete Paper.  Print or stamp saying and mat on grey cardstock.  Add vintage lace to the lower edge of the floral frame.  Assemble card pieces according to the photo layering as you go.

YEE HAW CARD

To make:  Cut white cardstock 5 x 12 and fold in half to make a card.  Next cut the blue Coquete papers from the February Kit Klub to a 4 3/4 x 5 3/4.  Print your vintage cowgirl image sized 3 x 4.  Mat your image with white sparkle cardstock and then again with a deep blue cardstock.  Cut saloon doors using image from Silhouette.  I chose to back my doors with a dark brown.  Attach tiny brass brads to the hinges and adhere them to the edges of the doors and then to the back of the blue print paper.  Adhere the paper to the front of the card and add your matted image to the center front of the card.  Stamp or print the "Yeehaw" and "It's Your Birthday" on white cardstock.  Trim and mat with deep blue cardstock.  Add the Yeehaw to the front of the doors and the Birthday to the inside.  To finish the card add brown fringe ribbon at the bottom edge of the saloon doors.

DESIGNS OF THE DAY........Yvonne Garner

Today our samples come from an amazing paper artist and member of our

Design Team

Yvonne Garner

COCO CHANEL CARD

Supplies: Gecko Galz Coquette Paper Pack (02), Coquette Stamp Set (01), Stamp - Oxford Impressions, Paper Hearts - Martha Stewart, Pearl Paint - Viva Décor, Seam binding bow and paper doily from my stash.

Instructions:  Print Coquette Paper (02), trim, mat and adhere to card front.  Print Coquette Stamp (01), trim and layer onto paper doily and then onto card front.  Stamp corners.  Trim sentiment from Coquette Stamp (01), mat and add to card front.  Add heart stickers and black pearls.  Finish with black seam binding bow. 

MR. DARCY CARD

Supplies:Gecko Galz Parisian Dream Paper Pack (07, 10), Gecko Galz Pretty Victorians 1, Oxford Impressions - Stamp and Sentiment, Viva Décor Pearl Pen,  Ranger Distress Inks (Festive Berries and Vintage Photo), Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Seam binding, card stock, black paper, and glitter heart from my stash. 

Instructions:  Print Parisian Dream Paper (10) and trim, distress edges with ink and mat and layer to card front.  Layer a red paper doily next.  Print Pretty Victorian, trim, distress edges and layer onto doily as shown. Print Parisian Dream Paper (7) and trim Eiffel Tower and "Paris," distress with ink and add to card front.  Tuck glitter heart behind Eiffel Tower.  Stamp man and sentiment onto card.  Water color man with, distress edges of sentiment and mat.  Add man and sentiment to card.  Tie repurposed seam binding into bow and add to card front.  Add red pearls to corners of card.   

DESIGN OF THE DAY........Gerri Herbst

Today our design come from another talented member of our 

DesignTeam

Gerri Herbst

CHANCE DESIRES CARD

Used the  Gecko Galz Victorian Ladies and the Beautiful borders collage sheets. There is hand stamping of scrip and a red feather  to add dimension. The images were  layered on painted card stock, red patterned paper then  trimmed with gold fiber trim, metal corners,  and glittery Stickles. The hand cut sentiment reads "I feel the weight of chance desires:my hopes no more must change their names."

STRANGE FITS OF PASSION CARD

Here is a card I made using the Coquette Kit

To make this I used the coquette female image  and the layered the peacock frame around her. This was placed on an ink stained card and then embellished. The accents include rhinestones, water color paint, gold german scrap and gold glittery Stickles. The hand cut sentiment reads:

Strange Fits of passion I have known and I will dare to tell."

SUNBEAMS CARD

Used the  Gecko Galz Victorian Ladies and the Beautiful borders collage sheets. There is hand stamping of roses to match and then watercolored painted. The images were layered on  gold striped paper, painted card stock then trimmed with yellow lace, gold german scrap and glittery Stickles. The hand cut sentiment reads "Of all the sunbeams that ever did shine, the very sweetest had to be given to thee."

DESIGN OF THE DAY........Michele Storms

Today our spotlight turns to the a very talented 

Design Team Member

Michele Storms

DANCING GIRL CARD

Supplies:

Gecko Galz “Coquette Icons”

Gecko Galz “Coquette Papers”

Heart Sticker

Distress Inks

Instructions: This card is part digitally created.  I started with selecting one of the Gecko Galz “Coquette Papers” and arranging 2 images from the “Coquette Icons” onto the paper and printing it.  I printed a third image (the pink border) separately.  I cut and adhered the first piece to card stock and then cut and added the border piece.  The heart was the last thing I added.

JE T'AIME CARD

Supplies:

Gecko Galz “Pretty Victorian” Collage Sheet Image

Gecko Galz “Coquette Icons 2”

Rogue Redhead Stamps “Je t’aime” stamp

Designer Paper

Lace

Flower and pearl

Distress Inks

Instructions: First I covered my card stock with the designer black lace pattern paper and distressed the edges.  I printed and cut out the images from the “pretty Victorian” collage sheet and the “coquette icons 2” collection.  I stamped “je t’aime” onto the coquette icons image.  I arranged the images on the card stock and adhered them.  I added the lace at the bottom and the flower and pearl at the top.

LOVE ME CARD

Supplies:

Gecko Galz “Royal Beauties 2” collage sheet

Gecko Galz “All you need is love” digital stamp set

Gecko Galz “Love Potion #9” Paper Pack

My Artistic Adventures Vintage Valentine Sweethearts Bitty Collection Paper Pack by Heather Hudson

Pink Paislee “Queen” stamp

Felt Lace Border

Washi tape

Distress Inks

Instructions: Card stock was covered with one of the papers from the Vintage Valentine Sweethearts Bitty Collection and distressed with ink.  The “love me” digital stamp was printed on one of the papers from the Gecko Galz love potion #9 paper pack.  I cut out the digital stamp and the image from the royal beauties collage sheet.  I stamped the queen stamp on another paper from the Vintage Valentine Sweethearts Bitty Collection paper pack.  I arranged everything to my satisfaction and then glued it all down and finished with the border and washi tape.

We asked Michele the following question

WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU LOVE TO WORK WITH (besides Gecko Galz)?

 Well I do love Gecko Galz – they have such a variety of wonderful images.  But I also love images from Lunagirl, Alphastamps, and French-Kissed Postcards to name a few.  I love rubber stamping and there are so many stamp companies to love – Rubber Moon, Rogue Redhead Designs, Leavenworth Jackson, 100 Proof Press and Character Constructions are some of my faves.  Some of my favorite pens are Pro-markers and Molotow pens.   Prismacolor pencils are a staple.  Oh, now that I’ve discovered Scor-tape I can hardly live without it!

IN A FEW WORDS HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP YOUR STYLE?

 I don’t know what my style is but what I love is collage.  I love to take the beautiful images from Gecko Galz and other companies and put them together in a pleasing way, with papers, ephemera, embellishments, etc.  It is like a puzzle to me and I get great satisfaction from taking all these different bits and making something entirely new with them.