Gecko Galz 13th Annual Blog Hop

31 December 2017

Createful Heart Digis & Design "Red Foxes in the Snow"


My inspiration for the current challenge http://createfulheartcards.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/createful-heart-digis-design-challenge-9.html is Red Foxes in the Snow, available here https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/543657746/red-foxes-in-the-snow-stamp-image?ga_search_query=red&ref=shop_items_search_3. It is hard to see but I have used a white Sharpie paint pen to create snow falling, a luxury we don't experience in Australia except in the snowfields, but not at this time of the year.  We are having summer weather now.

I have entered the following challenges with this card:






https://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/december-challenge.html


Challenge update:




The Outlawz December 2017 Progressive Challenge

 This month's image is compliments of Sandra VanBlaricum, an Outlawz DT Member.  The set of three images is called Baubles.  Thank you Sandra!
http://outlawzchallenges.ning.com/group/freebie-progressive-challenge/forum/topics/progressive-freebie-challenge-december-2017


Gerda Steiner Designs "Love You Sew Much Bunny"

December 2017 Progressive Challenge image is "Love You Sew Much - Bunny". It is available to purchase here https://gsd-stamps.com/collections/shop-digital-stamps/products/love-you-sew-much-bunny. Thank you once again to Gerda for your progressive challenges each month.  If you want to join in check out her blog https://gsd-stamps.com/blogs/news. I have chosen to make a birthday card for a one year old. My link up is here https://gsd-stamps.com/blogs/news/decembers-challenge


17 December 2017

SBS Friends Christmas Card Swap 2017






I decided this year to take part in Simply Betty's Christmas Card Swap.  Betty gave those participating a free digi to work with "Stocking Elf".  It was a last minute decision when I saw a post for more Australians to enter.  I was actually given a lady I met at a retreat held near Canberra.  Not knowing anyone there, I was lucky to bunk in and sit at the table with Lea Wilkin.  Lea and I have been Facebook friends since then, and I guess you could say she introduced me into the world of digital stamping.  I hope Lea liked her Christmas swap and I will show you a photo of what I gave her shortly.  However, I would like to concentrate on my goodie bag I received from another fellow Aussie, Debbie Pamment.  Debbie lives in Victoria and from what I can see from the groups on Facebook I am in, she is such a talented colourist.  I am so lucky to have a card made by Debbie.  That's not all either, look at what else she gave me - chocolate sultanas, my fave Christmas treat, snakes (always a family favourite in this household), a string of lights, a Chrissie brooch which I will definitely wear on Christmas Day and I am off to my husband's work Christmas party today so I will have it on there too.  I not only got one stocking, but two, one with choccies. and two (not one, two) LaLaLand rubber stamps.  I am so lucky and guess what I have found another friend in the digital family community.  Thank you Betty for running this swap, you should be very proud bringing us all together at this time.  And now as promised, my gift to Lea - socks, Star Wars crackers for her grandsons, a Christmas T-shirt for Lea, a bear notebook because I know she likes bears, bananas and musk sticks and Christmas socks and of course her card and a card for her mum, Elaine, who I met on the retreat too.

 

 
 

I hope I catch up with Lea again at a retreat, quite possible as we both live in NSW,
and thank you Debbie for your gifts. I have been so spoilt. Now the lowdown on the Swap Hop.

Starts at the SBS blog:  Betty & Rio 


Gail Hutchinson  <------ you are here!

 

These ladies are sharing on the SBS Facebook Page:
Janell D'Amato Rice 
Alicia Capece-Joos 
Lea Wilkin 
Sherrie Leanne Jaramillo 


 








08 December 2017

Mari Ko Creations 1st December Release


Have you checked out Mari's new releases in her Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsbyMariK. You will find all the new images have a red SALE ticket on them, so grab them before the price changes, they are 25% off at the moment.  There is a new release every two weeks, so be quick to get a bargain on these ones. For my inspiration, I have used Roly Poly Penguin https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/561357050/roly-poly-penguin-digital-stamp-300-dpi?ref=shop_home_active_6. My first photo shows how you can merge Mari's stamhttps://www.etsy.com/au/listing/558306736/roly-poly-elves-digital-stamp-300-dpi?ref=shop_home_active_10ps so readily to create your own scene.  For my Christmas scene, I have chosen Roly Poly Elves https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/558306736/roly-poly-elves-digital-stamp-300-dpi?ref=shop_home_active_10 and Fox and his Christmas tree
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/555191412/fox-and-his-christmas-tree-digital-stamp?ref=shop_home_active_17.  It is so easy to make some last minute clean and simple Christmas cards from Mari's images so check out her Etsy shop now.  If you haven't joined her Facegroup Page yet, here is the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/109728339790268/. We would love to see you join our little group, there is always something happening, Mari makes sure of that!!


Ericraft Stamps "Santa and Kangaroo"

You could not get a more Aussie digital stamp for Christmas cards than Ericraft Stamps "Santa and Kangaroo".  This image is on sale at the moment at the Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/564115629/digital-stamp-santa-and-kangaroo-jpeg?ref=shop_home_active_2 and you can create such a clean and simple card with it, to tackle those last minute cards you forgot about.  While you are in the Etsy shop check out the other Christmas digis Erica has for sale.  She has 4 elf designs which are fantastic and 3 more Aussie Christmas scenes to choose from, so if you want a true Aussie Christmas digi, not a snowman, or snow falling, be sure to go o the Etsy shop now, especially before Santa and Kangaroo put their price up!

01 December 2017

Createful Heart Digis & Design Challenge #7/Blog Hop 2017

Hello and welcome to my blog! I want to share with you the first ever Createful Heart Digis & Design Blog Hop November 30th-December 13th, 2017!  I am so glad you decided to drop in! I hope you will not only join in the Blog Hop (DT listing below), but you will enter our current Challenge #7.  Just post your entries at the Createful Heart Digis & Design Challenge Blog!  The theme for this challenge/blog hop is CHRISTMAS.


Each challenge as an Overall Winner and Top 3, but wait, there is more! There's a Blog Hop Door Prize Winner! The winner will receive a 20% coupon towards any digi purchase of $10 or more in the Createful Heart's Etsy Store. In order to win, here are some simple rules to follow to be eligible for the Blog Hop Door Prize:


1.  You MUST leave a comment on each of the Design Team's blog, including
     the Createful Heart Blog.
2.  You MUST be a follower of the Createful Heart Blog.
3.  Winner will be announced on the next Challenge, #8 and also on our 
     Facebook Group page
4.  If you are a winner, please contact Mary Smith, owner/creator


The date of this Blog Hop will run for the duration of the current Challenge, 30th November through to 13th December 2017.  Now here is the list of our Design Team Members for you to "hop over to"!


Mary Smith - Owner/Creator of Createful Heart Digis & Design
Jeanie Ellis
Kimberly Pate
Judy Markowitz
Gail Hutchinson - YOU ARE HERE
Geneva Ellis
Jana Forrest
NanaConnie


IF YOU GET LOST, JUST COME BACK HERE!


Now let me show you what I created for the Challenge #7 Blog Hop!



For the Christmas themed card, I have chosen Hettie Hedgehog's Christmas List. I decided to go with a square card to give myself plenty of room to decorate.  I began with a white shimmer card and used some papers from the Kaisercraft Mint Wishes 6 1/2" Paper Pad to build up the layers.  I die-cut the brown doily (don't ask me the brand of die, I have so many...). I coloured Mary's image with Copics to match the colours in the paper pad, added some flowers and a flair from my stash and of course, my go-to chipboard from Make It Crafty. Christmas is coloured with a Copic and the frame is embossed with  Stampendous Fran-tage Shabby white embossing enamel and Wink of Stella to finish.  I have put an insert in the card in case my recipient would like to re-gift the card  I have used washi tape (gold with stars) so it can be easily removed and the sentiment is from good-old Google.


Well, I hope you are enjoying our Challenge #7/Blog Hop 2017 celebrating Christmas and be sure to get to "hopping" and leaving a comment on each DT's blog, as well as getting your Christmas card entered into the challenge.  Have fun!