Lets eat Cake!

Crafting is sporadic due to health issues, Pernicious Anaemia flare ups have been really bad over the last couple of months, coupled with the fact that a doctor I have never met, or spoke too (dr surgery merged) has decided because as my B12 level is 2000 I am not deficient, never mind its a false high as I get injected with it every eighth week (for 20 years) and it shouldn't even be re tested for that reason. 

Quoted 'NICE' guidelines to the receptionist who duly sent a note to the Dr, Dr now is insisting I am not B12 deficient and never have been.....never mind the fact that she missed my iron and folate levels are actually showing  as deficient as well from the same blood test... off to the doctors I go, armed with 'NICE' guidelines.... my illness, my life.

Anyhoo, back to crafting.

Over on Facebook, Gecko Galz asked for  "invitaion/celebration of afternoon tea or birthday party".

So I went with the traditional 'Let them eat Cake' theme.

Thanks for reading!

       Amanda 

Black and White

 Well this happened today.

Created for Gecko Galz Papercrafting Challenge Group over on Facebook. The theme was Black and White with a pop of colour. 

Recipe - Love Potion Craft Kit

Paper sheet number 4, turned black then copied and placed to so the music fills the right hand side.

Paper sheet number 2 turned black, cropped, edges roughened

image number 3, cropped, flipped to look right, copied and turned black.

Heart from copy of image cut out and placed over original image.

Merry Mermaids

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of AUGUST is 'Merry Mermaid'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

I used the Mermaid Dreams Junk Journal Kit for my digital page, with vintage pictures and embellishments, this kit is really versatile.

The backing ground is actually the two matching triangle corners merged together and the main pihcture placed on top, I just played around with the transparency on both items till I liked the result. I turned the mermaids into Sirens.

"In Greek mythology, The Sirens lived on a rocky island in the middle of the sea, possibly near Italy. They sang melodies so beautiful that sailors passing by couldn't resist getting closer to them. Following the sound of music, the sailors would steer their boats towards them or jump in the water to get closer. Either way, it always ended in disaster on the rocks."

 I hope you'll join in the 'Merry Mermaid' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

Sea of Dreams

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of July is 'Sea of Dreams'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

I guess its safe to say 90% of the population has been dreaming of the sea these last few months - 

I'm definitely dreaming of the sea as we go away for 5 days next week, camping to the seaside!! Seahouses in Northumberland - expecting it too be windy and probably a bit chilly as Northumberland often is, but the campsite is by the beach/sea and I don;t care waht the weather is, though whether I have a paddle or not is debateable! 

My Customer Challenge sample is 3 digital atc's - my printer ink decided to run out, so I had to change what I was going to do, but I still loved doing them. Once I get round to buying ink I will print them out, as the mermaids decoupaged will look great I think.

Mermaid Dreams Junk Journal

I hope you'll join in 'Sea of Dreams' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

The Secret Garden

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of May is 'Secret Garden'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

My design work for today - I used four separate images, lady, writing paper, seed packet and bluebird/clock. 

I put the seed packet down first, then layered the writing paper over it and applied a transparency filter till I got the writitng where I wanted it to show, then I put the lady over the top, I decided it needed a little something else so had a mosey round my files till I came across the pretty bluebird with clock, the colours would fit perfectly, so I fiddled around with a different transparency filter to get the look I wanted.

Love how it turned out, the colours are so soft and pastel.

I hope you'll join in 'The Secret Garden' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

Blooming Beauties

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of April is 'Blooming Beauties'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

image from Stay Young and Beautiful

backing paper overlay from Neverland Digital ATC Collection

splats & embellishments from CraftArtist

Gone yellow for this challenge, my favourite flowers are daffodils so wanted to bring their colour into my sample.

I hope you'll join in 'Blooming Beauties' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

Walk with Nature

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of March is 'Walk with Nature'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

Late with my sample as my laptop decided to crash and burn, taking all my work with it, luckily I back up my Gecko Galz design kits & sheets, but not my actual makes - normally upload to here, Facebook and then Flickr so never save them......

image from Natures Sketch Book

other bits from Steampunk Curiosities Digi Kit by Daisy Trail

I hope you'll join in with this Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

 If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super monthly deal and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

 If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two.

 If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

Love through the Ages

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of Febuary, is of course love related - 'Love through the Ages'. If you fancy a play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

Using Hugs and Kisses I chose the main image, from The Written Word Paper pack (now an atc kit) I chose the letter for the background, I love playing with the transparency filters on Craft Artist, this took me about two hours to do, but I love how dreamy and vintage it looks.

(I actually printed this out onto aged antique 'fluffy' paper what I got from Amazon, orignally for Santa letters, and it looks even more dream like, something I will use for a Valentine decorartion once I have embellished it - I have a few dried rose flower heads off of a plant, so am going to have a play with those)

I hope you'll join in 'Love through the Ages' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop).

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

Feature Day @ Gecko Galz

Today is my day to feature my Design Team project for the month of January over at Gecko Galz. 

Staying digital, I made a quick and simple design, this image is so lovely and it would be lovely to fussy cut round, perfect for Mothers Day! Mmmmm.......

I hope you'll join our Far East Beauty challenge where the winner will receive a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop. The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product, which can be something you purchased from the shop or a freebie. 

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the weekly Super Sunday Deals! 

Why don't you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see all the fabulous designs by the very talented Design Team, don't forget to grab the free digi stamp on each post! 

We also have a Facebook Group where there are more monthly challenges for you to play in, each with a Design Sheet to win. 

 Amanda xx

Far East Beauty

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of January is 'Far East Beauty'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

Well, I made it through a very hectic Christmas at work, unfortunatly my role as Community Champion has meant that I've lost most of my crafting time ;(  these last few months but I'm hoping to make more time in this new year, I forget how how much I love designing something, whether it be phsyical or digitally, I've even started embroidering an old hankie of mums, its a printed flower design so I'm just going to sewing over the print and embellishing here and there, but at least its getting me crafting!

I got digital for this challenge, doing two postcards, using the newly released Far East Craft Kit and Postcards for You craft kit.

I hope you'll join in 'Far East Beauty' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

Amanda xx 

White Christmas @ Gecko Galz

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of November is ''White Christmas".

So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

A twisted oak digital page, with the same image copied and turned around and also overlaid on its self, left the little gnome in, sitting there surveying all the lovely snow.

I hope you'll join in 'White Christmas' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

 If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

 If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

 Amanda xx 

Gecko Galz Blog Hop 2020

Hello Everyone!

We want to welcome everyone to the

Gecko Galz 10th Annual Blog Hop

This is our Tricks and Treats Blog Hop! 

We have 15 AMAZING blogs for you to visit this weekend, each with some gorgeous projects created using the Gecko Galz collage sheets that we are giving you for FREE! Each blog you visit will have another free Gecko Galz Collage sheet for you to download, the one here is

"Dark Beauties".

(Click Right the image below to save)

Also make sure you leave a message on each blog site you visit, and follow that design team member if you do not already and on the last blog there will be a phrase that you will email to us to be entered in our drawing for a wonderful treat pack.  So sit back, relax, take your time and enjoy the hop!

We have FIVE amazing prizes up for grabs:

·        First is a Gecko Galz shopping spree for $100!

·        Second prize is a $75 Shopping spree with Gecko Galz.

·        Third prize is a $50 shopping spree!

Fourth prize is a $25 shopping Spree!

·        And our Grand Prize ONE FULL YEAR of Gecko Galz PRODUCTS!!! This includes the 6 new collage sheets each quarter, a new stamp set each quarter, 3 new Craft Kits each quarter, 3 ATC collections, A Sentiment pack each quarter, and one jewel it collection!

 This is a $264 value!

First of all, you will need to visit all 15 blogs and leave a comment on each blog :) **This is important so we know you have been to all the blogs **. Collect the phrase at the end of the hop on the Fripperies and Butterflies site there will be a link to email the phrase to Gecko Galz at geckogalz2019@gmail.com.

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  in our Newsletter on November 1st.

For an extra chance to win make a purchase from the GECKO GALZ ETSY STORE between the 29th of October and the 31st of October and your name goes in again for a better chance of winning (each purchase you make that weekend gives you another chance to win) 

Now have fun visiting each Blog

Gecko Galz

Kim Rayko

Robin Francini

Vicki Romaine

Mia

Beverly Cole

Rene Van Wyk

Kelly Parker

Zowie Dixon

Cathy Norton

Carole Jones

Amanda Hamilton  

Gerri Herbst

Connie Schramm

Leanne Seed

Dark Beauties by Gecko Galz

'Strange Times' digital kit

Daisy Trail 'Midnight Treasure' digital kit

Amanda xx

Happy Haunting

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of October is 'Happy Haunting'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

Went digital today, 6x6 page done in Craft Artist. 

Of Past and Present 

(aka The Sorting Hat having a bad day)

The Witches

Scripture mini paper pack

Oxford Great Hall by Waldo Miguez on Pixabay

I hope you'll join in 'Happy Haunting' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday monthly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

Pop over to the Gecko Galz blog and you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

Happy Haunting

 Amanda xx 

Summer Love

Wow! A new month already, which means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of AUGUST is 'Summer Love'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop! 

The past month has been interesting, what with mini lockdowns ending and new rules when you go places, hairdressers finally getting to open up - though I've not yet made an appointment, keep forgetting.

So with a bit more freedom and shorter hair, everyone can look forward to some good old Summer Love!  

A 100% digital piece this month, it looked simple enough to do but it wasn't, but the more time I spent on it, the more the chap looked like Gordon Ramsey. Eek. Thankfully I've recovered!

 

image from Retro Flair

background from The Written Word Atc set

I hope you'll join in 'Summer Love' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop). 

 If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet. 

 If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two. 

 If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet. 

Amanda xx 

Feature Day @ Gecko Galz

Today is my day to feature my Design Team project for the month of July over at Gecko Galz.

A couple of cards done using Gecko Galz images.

Man o Man digital collage set

I hope you'll join our Welcome to Wonderland challenge where the winner will receive a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop. The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product, which can be something you purchased from the shop or a freebie.
 If you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the weekly Super Sunday Deals!
 Why don't you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see all the fabulous designs by the very talented Design Team, don't forget to grab the free digi stamp on each post!
 We also have a Facebook Group where there are more monthly challenges for you to play in, each with a Design Sheet to win.

 Amanda xx

Feature Day @ Gecko Galz

Today is my day to feature my Design Team project for the month of June over at Gecko Galz.

I've done a basic 6 x6 scrapbook page using Craft Artist, using an image from Poolside Princess as my photo and the backgrounds from Ocean Breeze by Rosie H. Obviously you'd use your own photo, but it gives you a layout idea which you could use as is or add stuff to it.

I hope you'll join our The Color of Summer challenge where the winner will receive a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop. The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product, which can be something you purchased from the shop or a freebie.
If you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the weekly Super Sunday Deals!
Why don't you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see all the fabulous designs by the very talented Design Team, don't forget to grab the free digi stamp on each post!
 We also have a Facebook Group where there are more monthly challenges for you to play in, each with a Design Sheet to win.

Amanda xx

Vinatge Botanical @ Gecko Galz

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of May is 'Vintage Botanical'.
So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop!

This month I've gone digital again and created three postcards using images from the following design sheets:

Postal

A Rose is a Rose

Provence Garden

Butterfly Wings

I hope you'll join in 'Vintage Botanical' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop).
If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet.
If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two.
If you haven't a blog/and or/ on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet.

Amanda xx 

Springs Muse @ Gecko Galz

A new month means a new Customer Challenge at the Gecko Galz and the theme for the month of April is 'Springs Muse'. So why not play along - join the challenge with the chance to win $25 at the Gecko Galz shop!

As the world is in a state of turmoil and anguish with the pandemic causing havoc & heartbreak amongst us all, I thought I'd do something bright and cheerful for my sample, luckily I have a garden and am surrounded by countryside but not everyone is as lucky, so I did bright and beautiful. Not sure about the bottom flower....

Dreams of Spring Paper Pack

Victorian Spring Kit

Time Flies

Postcards from Abroad

March 2015 email freebie

I hope you'll join in 'Springs Muse' Challenge, where the Winner gets a $25 shopping spree to spend at the Gecko Galz shop. (The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product... this can be one of the freebies, or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy shop).
If you sign up for the Gecko Galz monthly newsletter, you'll be kept up to date with new releases, Super Sunday weekly deals and be able to claim a free digital collage sheet.
 If you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog, you will see all the fabulous designs by the Design Team - and maybe grab a freebie or two.
 If you haven't a blog or you're on Facebook, head over to the Gecko Galz Papercrafting Group where there are more monthly challenges, with the chance to win a digital collage sheet.

Stay safe

Amanda xx 

Feature Day @ Gecko Galz

Today is my day to feature my Design Team project for the month of February over at Gecko Galz.

In keeping with Valentines Day, I decided to do something with Paris as a feature, so flicking through my Gecko Galz folders I came across this gorgeous image of the lady with parasol against The Eiffel Tower, unfortunately the design sheet 'Parisian Dreams' is no longer available. I also used the Silent Lullaby paper from Words and Music Paper Pack as the background.

I hope you'll join our ''Age of Aquarius' challenge where the winner will receive a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop. The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product, which can be something you purchased from the shop or a freebie.
If you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the weekly Super Sunday Deals!
Why don't you pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see all the fabulous designs by the very talented Design Team, don't forget to grab the free digi stamp on each post!
We also have a Facebook Group where there are more monthly challenges for you to play in, each with a Design Sheet to win.

Amanda xx

A brand new year @ Digital Whisper

Got a few days off for the New Year so thought I'd grab an hour or two today sorting and saving all  my Gecko Galz images... I have a USB specifically for them, but I don't back it up often enough. Must try better! So then I decided to finish loading all the digi kits into Craft Artist 2, which have been sat waiting forlornly in their file for about one year. Anyway, jobs done, I thought I'd have a little play and do something for new year. 

I keep seeing my favourite vintage shops on FB with photos wishing its the roaring twenties we are about to revisit not the 2020's, so I put this with a Gecko Galz image and this is the result. 

Any spelling mistakes are down to a glass of red, well I was raising a glass like it said.

couples image from 'Shall We Dance' Gecko Galz (discontinued)

clock image from 'Time Flies'  Gecko Galz

fireworks from pixabay

entering into Digital Whisper - A brand new year