February Customer Challenge "Vintage Ladies"

Time for a new Gecko Galz Customer Challenge!!  

This month our Challenge theme is "Vintage Ladies!!"
Feb. 1st-27th.
Feel free to grab our badge in the left column, and share on your blogs.

There is only one rule, and that is you need to use at least ONE  product from Gecko Galz!!  

It can be one of the free products, stamps, collage images, or digital papers!!  It is up to you!!

The winner will receive a $25 Gecko Galz Shopping Spree 
I also want to announce our 
January "All we need is Love" Customer Challenge Winner
Amanda

We thought it might be fun to share a couple of inspiration pieces from the Design Team....to get your Mojo going for our

 Vintage Ladies Challenge!

You can stop by their blogs to get all the Yummy Details!!
Amanda

Barbara 

 Carol

Donna 

 Jules

LeeAnne

Tee 

Nancy 

 MICHELE

Lisette

Vicki

Joan

We can't wait to see your creations!!

Thank you for visiting!!
  You have until 11:55pm Eastern time on February 27th to play along!
You can link up your creations below or send a photo of your project to us at geckogalz2014@gmail.com.

An InLinkz Link-up

HEARTS OF A DIFFERENT COLOR.....Designs by Leanne Seed

Today we want to show you a few hearts of different colors. We are so used to valentines being done in pinks, reds, and whites but Design team member Leanne Seed has dreamed up valentines that feature colors other than the norm.

RODEO SWEETHEART CARD

So for this card I was inspired by Gecko Galz Retro Love Story collage set and went with a western theme so the colors had to match it. I used a kraft color card base, Tim Holtz paper by Coordinations, Gecko Galz Wild Wild West stamps, silver pearl pen by viva, silver beads, twine by May Arts and brown & blue ink by Ranger.

For the paper piece I mounted the image on I flipped over a piece of the coordinations paperand tore all the edges to make it look more western.

TRUE LOVES MEANING CARD

For this fun little card I adored the little Pierrots from Gecko Galz Valentine Pierrots collage sheet and took the one hotling the ring and using photo shop dropped in a stamp from Gecko Galz Heart and Soul Stamp set (you can use GIMP as well for this). I also used a left over piece of the Tim Holtz paper from the above card and a sheet of striped paper by Paper Studios. I again used the silver Viva pearl pen to add texture around the edge and a paper doilie by Wilton then from my stash added a piece of vintage black lace and pearl buttons. For amazing vintage lace and trims check out Ebay or garage sales....I love to find things and work them into designs.

LOVE SO SIMPLE....Designs by Lisette Baker

Romance is in the air and today we are sharing another beautiful design with you. This card is done by another one of our talented crafting artist Design team member, Lisette Baker. Though it might look like a simple little card it really is stunning and complex.

LOVE SO SIMPLE CARD

This clean and simple card couldn’t be easier to whip up and what’s even better is that it uses up scraps and leftovers from other projects!

First, print out the “LOVE” image from the “All you need is Love” digital stamp set and trim. Next, cut two pieces of muslin that a slightly larger than the image and fray the edges. Stick the muslin to your base card, one on top of the other and then stick the image on top. Add a scrap of crochet lace along the lower edge at the corner. Take three miniature rosebuds (or you could use one larger bud) and trim two of the stalks. Wrap the remaining long stalk around the two shorter buds to join them together and then twist the lower part around a cocktail stick to create a coil. To finish, glue the arrangement to the corner of the image. 

If you like Lisettes little card let her know by commenting on this post!

SHARING THE LOVE....Designs by Joan Liddle

Today we want to share some beautiful work from our design team member Joan Liddle. We adore Joans work, it has a magical romantic quality about it and we are very lucky to have her on our team this year!

BEAUTIFUL LOVE TAG

Supplies used:

Gecko Galz -  Beautiful Art Jewel It #1 & Love Potion paper #08

My stash -Ranger large manila tag (size #10), rhinestone flower, Lawn Fawn sequins, Jolee's large jewel & brown chalk ink

Directions:

Print out the Love Potion paper (#08).  Use a glue stick, cover the tag, lay paper face up onto tag, smooth and trim. Ink edges. Punch hole at top if you wish to add ribbon. The lady was sized in Photoshop to 5.25" tall, fussy cut, inked and adhered to tag. A rhinestone flower was added to her hair.  The large jewel and sequins were glued to tag.

LOVELY CUPID CARD

Supplies: 

Gecko Galz (Love Potion #9) icons #'s 3, 19 & 24  and  (Love Potion #9) paper #04

My stash: brown chalk ink, white doily

Directions:

  Begin with a white cardstock card base, size 5" x 6".   Print the paper (LPP04) and cut out a piece with music notes.  Size heart to 4" x 5" and ink edges with brown chalk ink.  Size cupid to 2.5" in height, cut out and ink edges.  Ticket is 2" x 1", cut out and inked.  All images sized in Photoshop. Layer pieces to card with a white doily behind top left side of heart.

If you like Joans work please let us know by leaving a comment on this post!

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND....Designs by Donna Mundinger

Today we are focusing on another amazing designer from the Gecko Galz Design team. Donna Mundinger is such a talented lady and she has created some stunning works with this months theme of love and romance!
We hope you enjoy her works as much as we do!

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND CARD

Gecko Galz products:

All You Need is Love Digital Stamp Set

Love so Divine Collage Sheet (available exclusively with the monthly kit subscription)

From my Stash:

White, red and black card stock

Digital Printing Program (I use Printmaster Platinum)

foam dots 

Glossy Accents

Starform peel off corners

In my Printmaster Program I chose 3 stamps from the All You Need is Love Stamp set (Love Makes the World Go Around, Kiss Me and the rectangular Love stamp with the filigree on each side) and sized accordingly.  I cropped the Kiss me to use only the lips and recolored it red in my program, then positioned it on the background stamp and copied and pasted the lips image again to fussy cut and pop it. I did the same for the small hearts in the background image.  I then chose 3 images from the collage sheet, resized them to fit around the main image.  I "drew" a rectangle frame around the image in my program.  I printed the design with all 3 stamps in place and the extra lips and hearts and the collage images separate.  I then coated the lips and small hearts with Glossy accents for shine. (Do this before fussy cutting to eliminate the curling of the images.) I cut the collage images and matted them with black card stock, arranged and popped those as well as the hearts and lips on the main image.  I added black peel off corners and finally attached it all to a red card stock base.

And here are some more amazing cards Donna Dreamed up!

I KNOW I SHOULDN'T CARD

From my Stash:

White, red and black card stock

Digital Printing Program (I use Printmaster Platinum)

foam dots 

Glossy Accents

Starform peel off corners

In my Printmaster Program I chose 3 stamps from the All You Need is Love Stamp set (Love Makes the World Go Around, Kiss Me and the rectangular Love stamp with the filigree on each side) and sized accordingly.  I cropped the Kiss me to use only the lips and recolored it red in my program, then positioned it on the background stamp and copied and pasted the lips image again to fussy cut and pop it. I did the same for the small hearts in the background image.  I then chose 3 images from the collage sheet, resized them to fit around the main image.  I "drew" a rectangle frame around the image in my program.  I printed the design with all 3 stamps in place and the extra lips and hearts and the collage images separate.  I then coated the lips and small hearts with Glossy accents for shine. (Do this before fussy cutting to eliminate the curling of the images.) I cut the collage images and matted them with black card stock, arranged and popped those as well as the hearts and lips on the main image.  I added black peel off corners and finally attached it all to a red card stock base.

REVENGE WALL HANGING

Gecko Galz products:

Kirchner Cuties Collage sheet 2

Love Potion #9 paper from Club Kit

Seeing Red Mini Paper Pack

From Stash:

Cream, black and dark red card stock

Spellbinders "Vines of Passion" heart die

Tim Holtz Arrow

Adhesive foam 

Distress Ink in Fired Brick and Black Soot

Starform peel off corner stickers

Melissa Frances Hanger

Cut rectangle from cream card stock and mat with black.  Cut smaller rectangle from Love Potion #9 Club Kit paper pack, ink with Fired Brick Distress and mat with a slightly larger piece of black card stock.  Attach at an angle to cream base as shown.  Cut another slightly smaller piece from the seeing Red Mini Paper Pack and ink with Black Soot.  Print corner sentiment on cream, cut, mat with black, attach at an angle on the bottom right corner of this layer and trim flush.  Adhere to to layered base.  Adhere peel of corners to top and bottom right side.  Size image from Kirchner Cutie Collage page 2 and use printing program to add sentiment. Print, cut, ink and mat and attach to base with black adhesive foam. Use die to cut a solid heart in dark red and filigree top in black.  Glue layers together and cut jaggedly in half with scissors.  Use snips to cut arrow in half, poke holes in heart pieces and insert arrow.  Use foam to pop heart on either side of image as shown.  Hanger is from Melissa Frances.

If you enjoyed learning how to make this card please leave a comment on this post!

Step Right Up for Vintage Valentine's Day Kisses by Heather A Hudson

Step right up Kisses!!

Here is a card that I designed using the new Gecko Galz 

Love Potion #9 Digital Kit (Monthly subscription)
Love Potion#9 Only Kit.
I also used the Valentine Pierrots and Seeing Red Digi Papers .
I used Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Diamond Satin Sherry to tie the top of the two tags and put across the front of my card.
Below is a photo of one of the tags pulled out.

I started out cutting a card base that measures 5 by 5 inches in black cardstock.  I used GIMP to resize the images and digital papers that I used in my card.  I used tombow foam tabs to elevate the red patterned digi paper and the cherub focal.  That way the two tags can easily slide in and be hidden.
Both Hidden tags pulled out.

Front of card with both tags removed.

Red Baker's Twine was used to tie a bow and wrap around the base of the sweet cherub image.  I used Red Iridescent Organza to create a triple loop bow with my Bow it All tool.  Tombow Foam Tabs were used to elevate all of my layers :0)

Here is a look at the inside, and I added the two tags here as an example of how one could slide in a photo or tag :0)  I cut a piece of ivory card stock to fit on the inside of the card.  I also cut a strip of one of the digital papers and glued down just the edges so one could slide in a photo or some additional tags.

The two tags alone

Back of the two tags.

Thank you for visiting us at Gecko Galz
and

Don't forget about our 

Customer Challenge at Gecko Galz

"All You need is Love"

Hugs!!

Heather

HEARTS O' PLENTY WITH DESIGNS by Barbara Bird

Barbara is one of our most prolific card makers on the Gecko Galz Design Team. It is amazing all the wonderful cards she dreams up each month and her talents are astounding!

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

- White Card base is A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) edges inked in brown

- Card front is a red piece of cardstock ( 4 x 5 1/4)

- printed paper is from Love Potion #9 papers / Lppo7 from Love Potion #9 Club Kit (3 3/4 x 4 1/2 )

- White doily inked in brown with image from Club Kit / Love Potion #9 Icons Lp15 which I punched out

  with a scalloped circle punch and inked in brown. I wrote All You Need in the heart.

- The love words I printed on my computer and cut out and inked in brown.

- Light pink polka dot ribbon is from my ribbon stash.

KISSING BOOTH CARD

- Card base is A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) / red card stock - cut from my silhouette ( Center Step Card)

 - Card front is paper from my stash

 - Back step has a white doily attached to it, which is inked with brown ink

 - Front step has image from Love Potion #9 Icons ( From Love Potion #9 Club Kit)

 - Little lips that I popped dotted to from of card I went to google images to find, printed them out and

   fussy cutted them.

So Devine Card

-Card base is A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) / white card stock inked with red ink.

-Card front is paper from January paperpack "Seeing Red Paper" / ink with red ink.

-The image which is matted in red paper is from Love Potion Club Kit collage sheet and so is the

 So Devine wording which is inked with red ink.

- The hearts on the swirls are from Close To My Heart

If you like Barbara's work please leave a comment on this post!

ENDLESS LOVE FOR THE DESIGNS BY JULES

Today we are turning our focus over to another long time design team member, Jules Eichmier whos work is a stunning example of a superb paper artist. She loves mixing mediums and is known for her stunning fabric creations!

BE MINE CARD

I printed out the Red Stripe paper onto water color paper, used a

VersaMarker embossing pen to go over the scrolls and added glitter

glass.  I cut the heart from red vellum using pinking sheers and added

the bow.  The "Be" are letter stickers from Webster's Pages and the

"Mine" are Thickers by American Craft.

VALENTINE BAGS

These Muslin gift bags are perfect for Valentine's Day.

I printed out the icons and stamps using the Kit's Love Potion #9 onto

iron on fabric.  I arranged the images and ironed them onto the bags,

and added the trim using Beacon's Quick Grip All Purpose Adhesive.

If you like these designs by Jules please leave a comment on this post!

LOVE IN A BOTTLE....DESIGNED by Teresa Hall

We are pleased to have Teresa Hall on our Design Team this year and already she has proven that she is a stunning paper crafter and designer. Her work is a blend of shabby chic beauty and vintage flair. Here is what she has dreamed up this month!

LOVE POTION BOTTLE

Potion Bottle was altered using Gecko Galz Love Potion No.9 Digital Label, Heart Stamp, and Love Ticket.

I first colored the labels with a blue marker, and  pretty blue stickles.

 I  applied a blue crochet lace adhesive trim, to frame the Love Potion No 9 Label, and set it aside for the glitter to dry.

A couple pieces of mesh ribbon material was applied using Mod Podge to adhere it to front & back of bottle. Any excess was cut off.

 A small strip of lace was added, around bottles center.   

While waiting for everything dry..

I embellished the cork lid, applying Mod Podge  to adhere a tiny piece of netting, lace trim, and crochet piece,and topping it off with a blue paper rose using a hot glue gun.

I threaded a metal heart through beige tulle and the mesh ribbon material & tied around the bottles neck. Adding a bit of the adhesive blue trim to that. Adorning neck of bottle with another rose and adding a 2" stick pin.

Finishing the front with a pink paper rose & love ticket!

The back of bottle was made,using the digital heart stamp,(colored & glittered) a small piece of crochet, blue rose, clear button, and cut pearl piece trim to adorn & finish the Love potion No 9!

Materials Used For This Project:

Glass Bottle from Michaels

Mod Podge

Mesh Ribbon Material- JKM Ribbon & Trims

Blue Crochet Lace Adhesive Trim

Beige Tulle

Blue Paper Roses

Love Potion No 9 Digital Stamp- Gecko Galz

Heart Stamp- Gecko Galz

Love Ticket Icon- Gecko Galz

Blue Adhesive Pearls

Pink Stickles

Blue Stickles 

Green Glitter

2" Pearl Stick Pin

Metal Heart

Pink Cut Out Flower

Tiny Clear Button

Small Piece of Pearl Trim

Hot Glue Gun

Hope you enjoy my Love Potion No 9 Bottle! I really had fun putting it altogether!

VALENTINE CIRCUS

She used Gecko Galz Love Potion #9 Kit and Gecko Galz Valentine Pierotts  Collage Sheet

If you like Teresa's work please let us know by leaving a comment on this post!

SMITTEN FOR VALENTINE DESIGNS......DESIGNS by Yvonne Garner

Today we are sharing some incredible design work by another talented member of the Gecko Galz Design Team, Yvonne Garner. Her work is so beautiful and each time you look at it you find another part to fall in love with!

LOVE CARD

Supplies: 

Gecko Galz Love Potion # 9 Kit Digital Paper Pack (LP05), Gecko Galz "All You Need Is Love" Digital Stamp (AYN07), Gecko Galz "Retro Love Story, wood tiles from Red Lead Paperworks, Glittered Hearts from Dollar Tree, doily, white card, black paper and seam binding bow from my stash.

Directions:

  Create 8"x8" card base from white card.  Print Love Potion # 9 (LP05), trim, mat with black paper and adhere to card base.  Layer doily onto card front.  Print focal image from Retro Love Story 2, trim, distress edges lightly with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and layer onto doily.  Print and trim digital stamp (AYN07) from All You Need is Love, distress with Festive Berries Distress Ink and mat with black paper Add to card front as shown.  Embellish card with glitter hearts, wood tiles and a seam binding bow.

Tell us what you think of this card by leaving a comment on this post!