Steampunk Autumn

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

Admittedly I did struggle with this theme, I researched everything to do with steampunk, apart from losing an hour or two, I came across some gorgeous makes and photos, and also this blog with so many talented crafty people! The makes are pure eye candy!

I decided I was going to do a card with a butterfly on, with a orange/deep brown colour scheme. And this is what I came up with -

Gecko Galz - background Sentimental Celluloids ATC paper pack

Gecko Galz - steam punk butterfly Tic Toc and Cameos 

Gecko Galz sentiment - Garden Sentiments (re-interpreted by me)

Craft Box - pendant/keys/corners

gems

Crafty Individuals cog stamps

Do Craft ruler stamps

black & bronze inks

ModPodge

Lamp Black & Metallic Bronze acrylic paint

As you can see, its definitely not a card! I choose the backing paper for the card and as I was resizing it, somewhat randomly remembered I'd still got an old canvas lurking around, went to find it and turned it over, saw the hanging hook and staples and thought perfect! (and yes, there is a craft desk under there somewhere!)

So resized the backing paper, fiddled with the colour a bit, got the butterfly, came up with a quote.... and printed everything off.
Once I cut out all my bits, I placed everything down to see how best to arrange them, then stamped where the empty space would be using the ruler stamp and cogs. I stuck the butterfly down, then inked the sides of the word tabs with black ink and stuck them down. I wanted to have something shiny on the butterfly just to bling it up a bit.... this is where I lost another an hour looking through all my bits and bobs, and where I decided to use the keys and corners and the pendant with the clear stone - never thinking that you would be able to see the glue, but then decided I liked the look of it as it dried. Phew.

I put everything back into the frame and decided that the wood was to bright, so out came the acrylic paints, then once that had dried I decided that the metal embellishments need painting also, before sticking down on the frame.

Once I was finally happy (!?!)  I reassembled everything and the finishing touch was the little gold gems in the middle of the cogs.

Then I washed my hands, face and anything else I had managed to get paint on!

Its now sat pride of place on my mantelpiece, and I'm wondering how on earth I came to make something that awesome. (As you can tell I am really, really pleased with it!)

I hope you'll join in 'Autumn Steampunk' 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.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me ramble on about how much I love this frame!

Amanda xx 

Welcome to the Blog Hop!! NOW CLOSED

We want to welcome everyone to the

Gecko Galz 8th Annual Blog Hop

This is your Seventeenth stop on our Tricks and Treats Blog 

Hop! 

We have 18 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 down load, the one here is

"AUTUMN BLISS ".

Also make sure you leave a message on each blog site you visit

 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 FOUR 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!

·        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, 2 new paper packs each 

quarter, a ATC collection each quarter, and one jewel it 

collection!

 This is a $150 value! 

First of all, you will need to visit all 18 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 

geckogalz2014@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 on the Gecko Galz blog site.

For an extra chance to win make a purchase from the GECKO 

GALZ ETSY STORE between the 26th of October and the 30^th 

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) 

digital 6x6

easel card

altered mixed media canvas

card

Now have fun visiting each Blog

Gecko Galz

Katie Lamb

Kelley Biser

Patti Fisher

Vicki Romaine

Cathy Norton

Margaret Ashby

Michele Storms

Laurie Davis

Cathy Frailey

Darlene Wright

Carole Jones

Ginny Maxam

Kasia

Gerri Herbst

Leslie Turner

Amanda Hamilton

Leanne Seed

Amanda xx

I had three canvas's I bought from a charity shop which I hung in the kitchen for a few months, then decided I didn't like them so I put them in the spare room thinking I would 'do' something with them crafty wise. This was probably 2 or 3 years ago.
The start of last year i got the urge to 'do' something so out came one canvas and I white gessoed it, left it to dry then mixed black with white acrylic paint and dabbed that on the canvas.

After a few months I fished it out again and sorted out some embellishments and stuff what I wanted to put on it.

Last week whilst clearing my craftroom I found it again, sat down and finished it!

The other 2 canvas's are in the charity bag..... do I get them out to 'do' or leave them in? Mmmmm.