December 2023 - Gecko Galz Creations

Hello friends!

Well, well, well .....

Happy December!  

What a whirlwind of a year this has been.  I'm finally starting to feel my new normal post-active cancer treatments and with that, I'm excited to announce that I have joined the Gecko Galz design team for 2024!!!  I have really missed creating and this team will push me out of my comfort zone as I create with all of their amazing digital art products!

There are a ton of Challenges for you to participate in and you can even grab FREE products from the blog to get you going! You can find the Challenge Blog HERE.  

Our theme in December is Winter Elegance. 

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!!

There is also a Facebook Challenge group for some other fun challenges - and you can find that HERE.

Onto my projects!!!

First up is my WINTER ELEGANCE project:

How cute is this? I used a variety of images from:

- Compliments of the Season

- Vintage Christmas Junk Journal

- Christmas Spirit

This is  standard sized A2 card.  I did add clear embossing powder to the Happy Holidays Sentiment (From the Christmas Spirit set).

Here are a few other projects to keep you inspired:

I made the poinsettia from a die set on this card and distressed/inked all the edges.  

Products are from: Compliments of the Season

Products: Christmas Dreams Icons image printed on glossy photo paper!

I hope you will check out all the amazing products Gecko Galz has to offer!!  I will also have a Tag post coming up today too! Enjoy and I'll see you soon!

xoxo

Jess

Cheapo Dies - Winter Tree

Hello crafty people!

Happy Wednesday!  Wednesday is my day to share with you a new Cheapo Dies creation!

Today I'm using the Winter Tree Die!  I really love that you could use this as either a Christmas Tree OR a plain old every day tree! LOL :) 

 Here is what I created for you:

I used the Santa Baby Paper line by Prima along with some Shaved Ice Glitter, Sparkling Snow Glitter, Nuvo Crystal Drops and Nuvo Glitter Drops!  I love the vintage color palette!

 If you're not familiar with Cheapo Dies, you are missing out!!!

Here's a listing of their store, blog & FB links to help you get familiar:

STORE

BLOG

FACEBOOK

Thanks to all of you for stopping by today.  Can't wait to see you again soon!

Jess

Vintage Sewing Room

Hello crafty friends!

If you love sewing AND vintage, then this project is RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY!!!  I present to you my newest Southern Ridge Trading Company project!  Isn't it just lovely?  I can't wait to tell you all about this gorgeous HANDMADE CARD.

I used the following Southern Ridge Chipboard products on this card:

Dressmaker Mix

Tombow Glue

I really loved this set of chipboard items as there were many items in one that I could use to make a card...and still have leftover pieces!!  Great value! :)

Sew.......hahaha (ok, I'm not really that funn).....your first step is the background. I actually adhered a piece of scrap fabric to a piece of cardstock for my base! Next, it was time to get my chipboard pieces all prettied up!  I used a mix of Embossing Powder and some copper Gilding Flakes to create the vintage feel on the sewing machine!

  

A key tip to working with gilding flakes - don't keep an overhead fan on with an open container (or the air conditioning/furnace vent). Just take my word for it ;)

  

Gilding flakes are also a fun way to add texture and dimension!  Simply apply a bid of adhesive, lay on your flakes and then brush off the excess. I used a 2 Way Glue Pen to adhere mine.

Once everything was embossed and distressed with gilding flakes, I added a bit of dusty rose & white lace and adhered everything to my fabric covered card.  I felt it needed a little "extra" so I used my Nuvo Crystal Drops in Pearl to create liquid pearls everywhere!  I just LOVED this sentiment which was stamped and embossed with a dark navy blue embossing powder. 

  

I thought the pearls on the mannequin were the perfect touch!

Here is the rest of my supply list:

- Cardstock

- Nuvo Medium Glue Pen

- Fabric Scraps

- Lace Trim

- Tombow Liquid Adhesive

- Nuvo Gilding Flakes: Sunkissed Copper

- SparkleNSprinkle Embossing Powders: Heliotrope, Cotton Candy, Vintage and Silver

- Nuvo Crystal Drops: Ivory Seashell

- Versamark Ink

I hope you enjoy this project - I loved making it. See you next time!

Vintage Truck

Hello friends!

I'm here today to share my final March New Reveal card for SparkleNSprinkle!

Supply List:

I Love Old Trucks Stamp Set #890

Nautical Embossing Powder EP383

Marine Blue Glitter GM2049

Gecko Glitter GM2045

Versamark Ink VM001

Nuvo Medium Glue Pen 203N

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Silver Lining 655N

Nuvo Aqua Flow Watercolor Pens - Spring Meadow (893N)

Nuvo Aqua Flow Watercolor Pens - Autumn Woodland (890N)

Nuvo Aqua Flow Watercolor Pens - Summer Holiday (892N)

Nuvo Jewel Drops - Sea Breeze 646N

Nuvo Jewel Drops - Grey Mist 648N

1/2" Tear-ific Tape SAT04

Static Free Bag 99512

Forest Green Embossing Powder EP282

Sticker Paper 99558

Tonic Studios Dies - Sunray Venus Layering Basics Die Set 1450e

Nuvo Glitter Drops - Sunlit Meadow 763n

Misc. Supplies:

Green Bakers Twine

White Cardstock

Brown Plaid Patterned Paper

Alright!  Let's get crafty!

First up, you can refer to my previous blog post, found HERE as to how I watercolored/created the truck image. :) 

In a nutshell:

1. Stamp image with Versamark Ink and heat emboss with Nautical Embossing Powder

2. Watercolor with the Nuvo Aqua Flow Watercolor Pens :)

3. Use Sea Breeze & Grey Mist Jewel Drops to create the windows of the truck (I painted them on)

4. Use Silver Lining Crystal Drops to create the "chrome" effects of the truck

  

To make my background, I first cut my card base out using the Tonic Studios Die called Sunray Venus Layering Basics Die Set.  I also cut out a piece of brown plaid patterned cardstock and sticker paper, using one of the nesting small shapes. To the exposed adhesive, I added some Gecko Glitter (soooo pretty!!!). I also added some hints of sparkle using Marine Blue Glitter to the flowers around the truck. I used the Nuvo Medium Glue Pen to adhere the glitter. 

  

  

For my sentiment, I cut out a small frame using the same die set (such versatility - everyone should stock up on all these essential dies!). I stamped the sentiment using Versamark Ink and embossed with Forest Green Embossing Powder. A matted background of sticker paper was added using Marine Blue Glitter.

Final step!  Let's adhere everything together and embellish!  Your 1/2" Tear-ific Tape will hold everything perfectly in place.  I did throw a couple pieces of the 1/4" on there too! LOL  I tied a few rounds of green bakers twine to add some other interest.

Finally, I added Glitter Drops in Sunlit Meadow to frame the final image. I just felt it needed a little more sparkle, you know? :D

  

  

I hope you enjoyed this card tutorial!  Make sure you head over to the SNS Blog to leave a comment AND leave a comment here to be eligible to win our monthly prize!!!

I have a little announcement to make here too - I am now the Design Team Coordinator for the SparkleNSprinkle Design Team!  Just wanted to share with you all!!!

See you in April for our next big reveal!! :)

MHKDesigns - Designer Inspiration - December 2017

Hello friends!

It's time to share my final MHKDesigns card for the year!  I wanted to reshare one of my faves that I made this past year, which is perfect for you holiday Christmas Card making season!

I chose to feature a new release stamp set from the past year called "Season's Greetings" for my monthly creation! I think this is such a nice vintage set to make all your Christmas cards with, don't you?

Here is the Christmas Card that I created:

It has such a retro vibe, don't you think?  I just love anything retro!

I hope you love this card as much as I do!  

See you next "year" with more beautiful MHKDesigns creations!

Season′s Greetings | MHKDesigns

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #231

Hello friends!

It's time for another great sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge! Here it is:

Here is what I created:

I've been vibing with my October Afternoon stash lately - I know I can't hoard it forever! :)  I took the sketch and flipped it on it's side. I took a few liberties, but I LOVE how it turned out! :)

I hope you will come and play along with us!

See you next time!

Jess

MHKDesigns - August Release - Sassy Sayings

Hello friends!

It's time for an amazing new release month with MHKDesigns!   
The last stamp set we are sharing is called "Sassy Sayings".  I think this might be my fave of the entire new release!

  

Here is what I created:

Hope you love it! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

And now, let's talk about how to get this new set OR the entire release for FREE!  Here's what you'll need to do...

1. Comment on the MHKDesigns blog.
2. Comment on each DT member's blog.
3. Join our MHKDesigners and Friends Facebook group and comment there.

Mynn will be choosing comments randomly from all these places after the release is over, and the authors of those comments will be our winners!  So, the best way to win is to comment every day!  We LOVE the feedback you give us! :)  Here's the list of blogs for you to visit today...

Asha | Asmah | Dawn | Judy | Jessica 

Janie | Julie  Mynn | Rocky | Shawna

Thanks for stopping by today, friends!  This was our final New Relase for June and you can find it in the  MHKDesigns Etsy shop!  Don't forget to get all your commenting in for your chance to WIN, and please do join our monthly challenge, as well!

I hope you will check in with the rest of the design team to see what they all created!

See you next time!

MHKDesigns - April Reveal - Birdcage Silhouettes

Hello friends!

It's time for the next release from MHKDesigns!  Today's stamp set is called "Birdcage Silhouettes".

Here is what I created:

I added some vintage accents to the focal image and inked up the edges!  I just love how simple and elegant this card turned out.

I hope you enjoy this card!  See you next time!