Friday, December 30, 2011

Final Blog Candy Giveaway for 2011!

Hi everyone!

As we near 2012 I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for following my blog this year, you have made 2011 an exciting time for me and I look forward to sharing more of my ideas and collections with you in 2012! As we bid farewell to 2011 I wanted to have my final blog candy giveaway and this one is the big one...lots of fun treats for one lucky winner.
without further ado here is the prize package;




My Candy pack includes

Inkadinkadoo Valentine clear stamps
a coaster book kit
Studio G emerald Green Bling
Studio G grass green pigment ink
Studio G lime green stickles
Viva Pearl Pen in cream
Gecko Galz Winter wonderland digital stamp disc
Gecko Galz fibers
Gecko Galz Bakers Twine
Spare Pats red wild flower pack
Flower Soft Sand
Jewlery Shoppe metal asian embellishments
Metal leaves, butterflies and flower embellishments


All you have to do to win this is.... 

- Be a follower

- Write a new post on your blog with the image below and a link to this post

- Come back here and leave us a little comment with a link to your blog

We will have the drawing on my birthday January 19th!

Good luck to everyone! And have a happy and safe New Years!
Leanne

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

December free images

Wow it is amazing how time just wizzes by during the month of December...actaully it is between Thanksgiving and New years that it just flies by. But during this time one needs to stp and look around at all the things one is greatful for....family...friends....happiness and yes even heart ache because it is the balance of things. Take a moment and hold the ones you love near and tell them every day what they mean to you for life is short....spend time with friends and laugh often because it is the best medicine for the soul and last everyday look around and find one thing that makes you happy or brings you joy this will make it easier to face each day because there is always a gift waiting for you.
I want to stop a moment and remember a most amazing women, she was not my mother rather a friends but she touched my life in a very special way with her joy and light. Her name was Emelda and she was a wonderful lady that I will miss. I always thought of her as an angel on earth because no matter how low you felt she lifted you up.
So in memmory of Emelda I thought it only fitting to share with you a collection of angels that one of my favorite artist has done her name is Elvira Amrhein in case you want to see more of her wonderful work!
I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season.






Monday, November 21, 2011

Blog Shout Out for November

Thought I would give a shout out to a wonderful blog I cam across called "The Craft Barn" and they are holding a HUGE blog candy giveaway....and who doesnt like a little candy? Pop over and check them out they have all kinds of fun things for the paper crafter in us all!


Can you imagine winning all these goodies?

They also have challenges, ideas, classes you name it. So I invite everyone to pop ove and say hi to them!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Small Business Saturday....Support your local Scrapbook stores!

I wanted to take a moment and challenge all my followers to take part in the national event "Small Business Saturday" on November 26th. Just what is this event? well in a nut shell; First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now, there's the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday, the day people support small businesses. Pledge to Shop Small on Nov 26th. If millions of Americans shop small, it will be huge. So how can we as scrapbookers and paper crafters do our part? By supporting our local scrapbook stores! So here is what I would like everyone to do leave a comment here and tell us about a local scrapbook store you support give the address if you can this will help everyone get to know about shops in their areas...or if they are travling to spend the holidays else where they know about great shops to visit.
What do you get for leaving this info? The knowledge that you helped out your local stores, plus I will draw one name who will win an exclusive holiday ephemera sheet!
So here are my shout outs to my favorite local stores

STAMP ANTONIO ARTS
5139 North Loop 1604 W, #108
San Antonio TX 78249
210-764-7900
HOURS: Tuesday through Saturday 10 - 6 

Wednesdays 10 - 9
Sunday 12 - 4

I will be there on the 26th doing an entire day of make and takes. Every hour we will be doing a prize giveaway!

Stamp Antonio

Journal Make & Take

Ornament Make and Take

Mini Book make and Take

SCRAPBOOK N MORE

Market Place Shopping Cntr
(West side of IH 35)
651 N. Bus. IH 35
Suite 410
New Braunfels, TX
78130(830) 214-1690

Monday - Saturday
9:30am -5:30pm
Sunday
12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

 We will be there on Sunday 27th doing a FREE make and take from 1-2 and then a alcohol inked ornament class from 2-5


Novel Approach

607 S. Friendswood Drive #15
Friendswood, Texas 77546
Phone: (281) 992-3137


They are having a big After Thanksgiving sale on Saturday the 26th!


By Design Scrapbook Boutique
 1131 Clear Lake City Blvd.
Houston, TX 77062
(281)488-9100

New Store Hours: Monday, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Friday 10:00 - 7:00
Saturday 10:00 - 6:00
Sunday Closed


They have new owners but the same wonderful atmosphere. This is a scrappers dream shop!


So if you can go out and support the indapendent companies help them make it through the rough times! Show what they mean to you!
And dont forget share your stores to win a prize!

 






Thursday, November 10, 2011

Silver and Gold Christmas Challenge

Hi Everyone

I got to thinking about Christmas because really it is just a month away after all and thought back to my favorite things about the holidays and I have to admit that one of my favorite things is to send and recive cards especially if they are hand made, the ideas that my crafting and artist friends come up with are just breath taking and it takes me back to when I was a child and opening gifts...there is a bit of magic to opening that first Christmas card of the season.
One of my favorite looks is when people use metalics to make their cards. I love working with metalic shimmer papers, stickles, embossing powders and metalic colored ribbons, it is a elegant way to create cards. So I was thinking not only will I share a few of my designs with you but thought it might be fun to hold a challenge and see what you all come up with. So all you have to do is create a card using metalic colors i.e. Gold, silver, copper, pewter...you get it and place a link to this posting so we can all see you design. then on December 15th one lucky person will win a stocking full of Blog Candy....including some of my favoite things like Authentique papers, Viva Pearl pen, stickles, B & J Stamping embossing powder, Gecko Galz Digital Stamp Disc, flowers from Flying Unicorn, and ribbons and lace galore. So start dreaming of a silver and gold Chistmas for a chance to WIN!
Please enjoy my cards and the free images for you to play with...who knows maybe the free ephemera images will inspire you to make a card...or tag...or gift card holder...

MY DESIGNS

Mother Mary Card

To make this card I used silver shimmer paper for my card base, reflective gold paper torn to create the belly band (I got this paper at JoAnnes, Gold and Silver pearl pens (you can get these from Scrappy Land), Metalic Antique Gold acrylic paint from Hobby Lobby that I distressed the edges of the ephemera edges, and finished it with a piece of Gold organza ribbon from May Arts (which Gecko Galz will be selling soon).



OVER THE RIVER CARD

I started with an Antique Gold shimmer card stock for the base and embossed it using the Sizzex Christmas embossing folder (you can get it at Hobby Lobby it is a two pack) and embossed the top of my card base. then I took a ephemera piece and pop dotted it to the center of the card and place decorative silver and gold ribbon at the top and bottom (I got this at Hobby Lobby). I finished it off by adding silver pearl pen to the center of the embossed flowers and gold stickles to the frame around the house scene (you can get stickles at scrapbook.com).


LET IT SNOW CARD

So for this card I started with silver shimmer card stock and using Versa Mark Ink I stamped snow flakes all over the front of the card (I used Gecko Galz Garden Mandela Clear Stamp Set for my snow flakes and center madallion) then using Rangers Ultra fine silver embossing powder I embossed the snow flakes then I took a 4"x4" square of gold shimmer paper and embossed the large snowflake using the ultra fine gold embossing powder. I cut it out and using pop dots put it on the top of my card then used silver and gold pearl pens to decorate the inside. I wanted to tell you a little trick for the pearl pens make sure you hold them at an angle like you would a pencil and squeeze lightly for small pearl shapes, the harder you squeeze the larger the pearl. Then I took Paper Studios large adhesive pearls and put them on the circles along the outside. You can add a piece of ribbon if you like but I thought it distracted from the center piece.




REINDEER GAMES CARD

I started with Antique Gold shimmer card stock as my card base and took my star hole punch (I got mine at Hobby Lobby) and punch stars on the right side edge randomly. Then I took the reindeer digi stamp from Gecko Galz and using Wild Honey Distress ink by ranger and my inking tool I cover the stamp image then I ink the edge with red radiant rain ink in Hot Cinnamon. Then I layered image on a piece of cool steel shimmer card stock and gold. Then place on left side of stamped area. Then I used the same cool steel and cut a piece to go behind stars. I finished it off with some gold and silver  ribbon I found at JoAnnes. Last add silver pearl pen in between the stars.



SIMPLE JOYS CARD

Start this card with silver shimmer card stock and emboss it using the other Sizzex embossing folder from the Christmas set. Then take your brushed metal card stock (I got this at JoAnnes) and cut a 2.5" strip to place down center of card front. Then take your Joy Domino image (this is a Stamp Antonio exclusive set by Gecko Galz) and using pop dots adhere to center of silver piece. Then using your gold pearl pen add pearls down each side of the silver strip and on the crown.  Then tie around the a piece of decorative ribbon around scroed edge and tie in knot.



ANGEL OF PEACE

Start with gold shimmer card stock for your base and your angel image (I used a piece from Gecko Galz "Angels" set ) and using antique gold acrylic paint (I got mine at Hobby Lobby) and a bristle paint brush and distress your edges with the paint and streak in down image, this will create a vintage freso look. Then take a piece of cool steel shimmer paper and streak it with the gold paint as well then adhere to left side of card. Take a piece of sliver organza ribbon and using glue dots (or gloobers) and string across the card base then ties a bow out of the same ribbon and place on right side of card with a glue dot. Cut a gold and silver mat to place behind the angel and place it in the center of your card. then using your silver pearl pen and place pearls around the right side of image.

I hope you enjoyed my cards and here are some fun images for you to create your own wonderful designs!






Have a happy scrappy day
Leanne

Monday, November 7, 2011

Here comes the Holidays!

So It is hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner and I thought I would share with everyone  some fun little cards using Gecko Galz Collage images. If you are like me I hate doing tonz of the same cards for people on my holiday card list....my list is HUGE and the idea of doing 100 of the same card is a burden so I do a number of different cards each year (this makes the ADD side of my brain happy). So the first group I always make cards for are my whimsical friends and these are the cards I came up with this year;

Christmas Diva Card

To make this card I started with red Card stock, Gecko Galz In Vogue collage Set, red stickles, red jewelry wire, red jingle bell, black card stock to make the belly band, pop dots, star hole punch and the Christmas  banner (I added it below if you wish to make this card). Just cut out all the ephemera, score your 8x5.5 red cardstock base and layer on using pop dots to adhere the lady and word banner.

Santa Clause Card

For this card I used a 8x5.5 white card base, two manila colored tags, bakers twine, Gecko Galz St. Nicholas Collage Set, Gold UTEE by B & J Stamps, May Arts Ribbon, A music background stamp, Radiant Rain in red, Pine Needles Distress ink, Versa Mark Ink, pop dots, holiday buttons I got at Hobby Lobby, Wild Honey Distress ink and ink blending tool.
score the card base then on the front use the radiant rain to edge. With Vesa Mark ink distress the Santa mandala you cut out and then sprinkle with UTEE and using embossing gun heat until it looks like molten metal. Stamp your tag with red ink and your background stamp then ink the edges with the pine needles ink. Also using your ink blending tool cover the front of your card with the wild honey ink then layer on all you embellishments using pop dots on the mandala.


Santas Secret Doorway Card

Start with a 8x5.5 card base then cut another white piece that is 4.5x5.5 with a half inch score line on the left side  (this will form the third layer which is the door) then cut 2 panels that are 1.5x 2  and 2 panels that are 1.5x1.5 that will be the door embellishments. You will also need the wreath from below and the little envelope that reads merry christmas as well as Gecko Galz "On the cover of a magazine" collage set for the santa and boy, one small christmas button, christmas flower soft, red satin ribbon,red bling, pop dots, Glossy Accents,red line tape, and red stickles to decorate the wreath.
Use you red line tape to adhere the 1/2 score area of your 4.5x5.5 card to your card base to form door then layer on your panels and wreath. After that you are ready to do the inside take your Santa image and using an exacto knife cut a slit in santas sack going around the ball image and when you adhere to card leave small pocket area so you can slip in the "Merry Christmas" tag with piece of red ribbon as handle. Finish with flower soft by adding a stream of Glossy accents under feet and press on pinch of flower soft.

Snow Baby Card

Start with 8x5.5 red card stock base and add Gecko Galz "All the Trimmings" collage set for baby and poinsettia, also flocked green mesh ribbon, a 5 1/4" x 2" white card stock embossed with Sizzx christmas embossing folder, may arts duel satin ribbon in red and green, and gold & red stickles, liquid applique for your poinsettia , glue dots, and pop dots.
Layer on all the embellishments and take your liquid applique and paint it on your poinsettia then heat with your head gun until it puffs up (do not heat to long or it will burn and turn brown).

Here are your FREE embellishments if you want to try your hand at making the cards above.




Happy Crafting to all
Leanne

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

GECKO GALZ TRICKS AND TREATS BLOG HOP

Gecko Galz Tricks and Treats Blog Hop
 I am the last 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 wont miss anything!  
We have ELEVEN 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 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
  • Second prize is a $35 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz website….you pick it and we send it!
  • Third prize is our Gecko Galz treat bag full of Gecko Galz products, kits, and other amazing products! This is a $50 value
  • And our Grand Prize ONE FULL YEAR of FREE DIGITAL COLLAGE COLLECTIONS!!! Gecko Galz puts out 5 digital collage sets each month and you will get all 5 sets for an entire year! This is a $120 value.
Read on to learn how you can win!
First of all, you will need to visit all ELEVEN 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 blinkie 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;
WIN
Now take all the words to the Gecko Galz website and email them to us using the box on the home page!


 

Here is the Blog Hop Rotation 
Now that you have come to the end of our hop go to the
and using the email box on the home page send in the phrase that your collected words spell out for your chance to win!
Please enjoy this free Gecko Galz Collage sheet
As well as the samples I have made using the images.
click on the picture for larger view then right click and save to you computer



this is a mini book I did using the ephemera, Tim Holtz film strip ribbon, May Arts ribbon, Paper Studios flowers & embellishments, 7 gypsies library pocket, Gecko Galz Fab Frames ephemera (for the poliroids), Gecko Gals "Postal" ephemera which is due our in December, Inkadinkadoo sentiment stamps.


My Friend Card
I used one of the ephemera pieces from above along with the perfume bottle from Gecko Galz "Haute Couture" set and the ribboned frame from the "Fab Frames" set. Also Tim Holts film strip ribbon, Paper studios buckle, Vivas ice white Pearl Pen, crystal stickles, Wild Honey & Vintage photo Distress inks, and Raidiant Rain blue ink dauber.


P
Picture Perfect Memory Box
I started with a pre made box and layered on the ephemera from above, Tim Hotz Film Strip ribbon, paper roses from Flying Unicorn , antique pearl buttons, cameo pen (you can use any sentimental jewlery), Ribbons from Hobby Lobby, white Viva pearl pen.

You Ought To Be In Pictures Vintage Inspired Card

I started with a cream card base and Bo Bunny paper as the base then added brown card stock, the ephemera from above, Bo Bunny flowers, wooden buttons from Oriental Trading Co. , Tim Holtz film strip ribbon, Gecko Galz Fab Frames set for the poloroids,  and paper studio star brads.
Thank you again for joining our Blog Hop!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Tricks and Treats Blog Hop Just Days Away!

Hi Everyone!

So we are just days away from the Gecko Galz Blog Hop and I am sooooo excited, I cant wait to share all my designs with you and dont forget there will be a FREE collage sheet for you to download. So here is the skinny on how this is going to work.
The blog hop is very simple just start at the Gecko Galz (there is a link below) blog on Thursday October 27th at 10 am CST and then follow the instruction on where you will go next. There will be 12 wonderful blogs to visit counting this one and on each of the blog sites you will get a FREE page of ephemera's you can save to your computer (they will all be different) also there will be a word that you collect on each one and at the end of the hop you will create the phrase these words spell out and travel to the Gecko Galz website where you will email them to us using the email form on the home page!
This will put you in the drawing to perhaps win one of the following Awesome prizes;
First 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
Second prize is a $35 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz website….you pick it and we send it!
Third prize is our Gecko Galz treat bag full of Gecko Galz products, kits, and other amazing products! This is a $50 value
And our Grand Prize ONE FULL YEAR of FREE DIGITAL COLLAGE COLLECTIONS!!! Gecko Galz puts out 5 digital collage sets each month and you will get all 5 sets for an entire year! This is a $120 value

Also when you make a purchase from the Gecko Galz website between today and next Monday you will get one entry for every $10 you spend (a great way to double your chances on winning) That sounds good and they are still doing that buy one digital collage set get one free.
And they are still having the challenge where if you put the blog hop blinkie on your blog site or website helping them spread the word about the hop you can win a prize just hop over to the Gecko Galz blog site to check out the info on that  at http://geckogalzscrapbooking.blogspot.com/


I hope to see all of you at our blog hop come Thursday morning!
Have a great day

Leanne

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Tricks and Treats with Alcohol Inks

Hi everyone!

Okay so I am finally takeing part in one of the Ginger Snaps challenges...I mean when I read that they were doing a challange using Alcohol Inks how could I not take part. As all my friends will tell you I am totally obsessed with Alcohol inks I use them in my craft projects every chance I get.....why it has been said if you sit still long enough I will alcohol ink you, lol!
So here are a few works I have done that feature Alcohol inks...enjoy!


Halloween Card
this card features Alcohol inks on
Embossed Glossy Card Stock


Le Chat ATC
I used Red Pepper & Butterscotch alcohol inks to
do the modeled background on glossy
paper, then stamped with Staz On

Parisian Nights Domino Pendents

I used egplant and pitch black alcohol inks and diluted with
the blending solution then did a rubon on top of that.


Fairy Land painted Glass

I used alcohol inks to do the background
on one side of the glass then flipped it over and used
Gecko Galz and Tim Holtz stamps and stamped
using Staz On ink.

Metal Christmas Tag

I embossed metal with cuttle bug embossing folder
then colored using Red Pepper & Butterscotch
alcohol inks.


So grab some Alcohol Inks and start creating some fun works you can give as gifts or keep for yourself!
Go check out all of the wonderful ideas on using alcohol inks at

Also I am giving everyone some great Halloween images to inspire the inner Alcohol ink artist in all of you!
Please enjoy and happy creating!