* Path of Positivity: Hope and Faith

 

 Hello

Today is the start of a new challenge at the Path of Positivity.

Our challenge is always Anything Goes with an optional theme. We have decided that our overall theme for 2024 will be THE POWER OF WORDS.

December's option is to design a project that is inspired by quotes about 

Hope and Faith

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Here is my project:

I made a Christmas banner.

I die cut the banner flags and covered with traditional coloured Christmas patterned paper. I heat embossed each banner with gold EP and punched holes for the velvet ribbon. 

I used a Sizzix die to die cut the words, Faith, Hope and Joy out of gold glitter card. I then die cut the words from ivory, pearly shimmer card to add as a shadow so the words would stand out more.

 

I made poinsettia flowers and winter foliage to add to each banner. The poinsettias were cut with a Yvonne Creations die from pearlised card and heat embossed with Cracking Campfire Distress Glaze. The result looks and feels like enamel. I popped a brad through the centre of each flower. The foliage was cut with a Tim Holtz, Sizzix die from distress oxide inked card.

I decided to add some gold, die cut garland swags from the top of each banner. and a small floral in the centre of the flags with words. The end banners have no words, so I added two die cut bells and florals. The wooden deer on the Joy flag was heat embossed in gold and has a tiny die cut flower at his neck.. To finish the florals, I added some berries - again die cut and heat embossed with glaze. 

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Here are this month's suggested quotes, for inspiration, but you can choose your own:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.” — J. M. Barrie

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” — Albert Einstein

“To live without hope is to cease to live.” — Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” — Helen Keller

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That's all for now.

We would love to see your creations! 

Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!

 The link up is here: Challenge #126 Path of Positivity.

Many thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring the challenge.

I'll be back with a another Path of Positivity project in a couple of weeks time. 

***

Thanks for stopping by today!

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Pammies Inky Pinkies Challenges #2448 AG 08/12

* A Cut Above Dec AG 28/12

* Colorful Options Dec 2024 - Red, Green Gold 29/12

* The Crafting Challenge Dec Christmas 31/12

* Pearly Sparkles Challenge #102 Christmas 31/12

* Double Trouble Challenge #181 AG 31/12

*A Place to Start Dec Happy Holidays 31/12

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo

 

* Gecko Galz: Bejewelled Tag

 Hello

Every month over at the Gecko Galz blog we have six monthly free image challenges which an be accessed by the tabs at the top of the main blog page and you are able to download the FREE image there. 

We also have the main blog challenge, posted on the first day of each month), a quarterly challenge. and 4 Facebook challenges.

A new challenge has recently started on the Gecko Galz Facebook Business Page. This is a tag challenge and a new free image is given each month. This month it is a gorgeous, mysterious girl and, as the weather has turned dismal today, I thought I'd have a go with this month's free tag image.

Here is what I made:

I die cut the largest tag, using  kraft card, from the Tim Holtz Sizzix Tag Collection die set. I adhered black mesh trim over the entire tag as this mimics the webbing on the girl's skin. Next I added gold mesh down the centre of the tag. The image was printed, distressed along all edges and 2 die cut, crochet lace edges (Sizzix die) were attached to the sides. I added circle dot trim to the top and bottom edges of the photo then glued on turquoise gems. The whole image piece was adhered on foam for dimension and I added some light taupe, scalloped lace trim below the top and bottom of the raised image. An eyelet was placed over the tag hole and some black mesh threaded through. Three larger gems were randomly added to the background and some Crystal Stickles added to the girl's eyelids, lips and rings.

We hope you can find some time to join in the fun.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Gecko Galz Business Facebook page (for free image)

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Beauty of the Far East"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***

* Gecko Galz: Mushroom Maiden Window Wallet Book

 Hello

It's March and we have a new customer challenge over at the Gecko Galz blog.  

The theme this month is Magic.al Mushrooms.

As always, we also have the monthly card challeng.e, the monthly Christmas Image Challenge, the monthly Stamp Challenge, an ATC challenge, a Steampunk challenge and a Gothic Challenge on the blog, as well as 4 Facebook challenges. These can be accessed by the tabs at the top of the main blog page. We also have the new quarterly challenge.

We hope you can find some time to join in the fun.

The winner of the Customer challenge will get a $25 Gecko Galz Etsy Store voucher and the runner up a $12 voucher. There are plenty of free Gecko Galz images if you don't already own any. Each blog post has a free image to collect and, if you sign up for the monthly newsletter, there is the chance to claim a free collage set each month.  Also if you make any purchase of $2 or more you receive a free image.

***

Here is what I made as inspiration for the Customer Challenge. 

(At the bottom of this post there are step by step instructions of how I made this.)

It's a window wallet mini book. It has an acetate window on the front cover.

The cover is a tag and the pages are an accordion.

The wallet booklet closes with twine wrapped around and tied in a bow. I used metal charms to add a little weight.

Really the photos do not do it justice. The cover and pages have a beautiful patina and shimmer.

Below are the pages in close up.

As the wallet opens the full image on the last page is revealed.

I added some die cut mushrooms and leaves (Sizzix Tim Holtz die), cut from Distress Oxide coloured card, and a tiny sentiment.

Each page has one of the Mushroom Maidens and extra foliage, mushroom and sentiment.

Here's the back of the wallet book:

Step by Step

Here are photos of each stage in the making of the booklet. They correspond to the steps listed below (individual photos are at the end of the post so you can enlarge and see the product I used and how I threaded the tie mechanism. 

First: Cut a tag. 

Mine is 8 inches x 4 inches wide. Scored at 3.5 inches and 7 inches - this forms the wallet with the end one inch as a tuck spot to keep the accordion in place when the wallet is closed.

Then: Cut 2 strips of card and adhere together to form the accordion.

My strips are 9.75 x 3.50 inches, scored at 3.25 and 6.50 inches. (Each page is 3.25 x 3.5 inches and there are 5 pages once the strips are adhered)

1. I smooshed the card into Distress Oxides (Pumice Stone first, then Frayed Burlap which oxidises to give a lovely patina) spritzed with water and used the dip, dab, dry method repeatedly.

2. a. When dry, I stamped with a PaperArtsy foliage stamp in Versafine Acorn ink.

b. The edges of the card and the folds were heat embossed in gold (for extra durability). Gold paint spatters were added.

3. Holes were punched and heat embossed for the twine tie mechanism.

4. A rectangle was die cut in the front cover of the wallet and an acetate window made.

5. The accordion was adhered inside the wallet to form the base of the booklet.

Decorate as you wish - take care to make sure your image shows through the window.

click on these preparation images to enlarge

 

Here is the Gecko Galz collage set I used:

  Mushroom Maidens  

That's all for now!

I hope you'll join our Magical Mushrooms challenge where the winner will get a $25 shopping spree 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 store!) Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month.

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a bespoke digital prize. 

Do come and join us!

I'll be back on the 10th March with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Magical Mushrooms"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

Crafty Catz #666  More than one Fold 07/03 TOP 3

My Time to Craft #528 Create own background 07/03 TOP 5

* Creative Fingers #272 AG 08/03

* PIP Challenges 2409 AG 10/03

* Creative Creases #77 AG with a fun fold 14/03 Winner

* A Perfect Time to Craft March AG 28/03

* The Outlawz Challenges Card Free AG 05/04 TOP PICK

* Mini Album Mania #4 15/04 Top Pick

Mix It Up Challenge Fancy Fold 14/05 TOP PICK

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

***

Path of Positivity: Autumn Colours

 

Hello

Welcome to the October Path of Positivity Challenge.

Our challenge is always Anything Goes with an optional theme.

This month's option is to design a project that is inspired by our Colour Palette.

Honours and Prizes include:

• $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
• A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Voter's Choice, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.

Today I have 2 projects to share :

Aren't the colours glorious!

This is our suggested colour palette, taking in the rich and yummy colours of autumn:

For the Owl journal page, I used Colourful Grunge paper and a quirky, Whimsical Bird from ChezSimoneTresors. I heat embossed some stamping in gold onto the paper and inked around the edges., adding some cross stitch stamping in diagonally opposite corners. I fussy cut the bird, stamped some grounding and adhered it to the background. I love the sentiment - I found it online.

The second card uses Sizzix dies (Funky Wreath and Funky Foliage) which I coloured with Oxide inks. A piece of inked card was placed beneath the one with die cut apertures (using (Mixed Media set #1). The sentiment is stamped using an AALL & Create stamp..

Allsorts Challenge #750 Add Texture 20/10

That's all for now.

We would love to see your creations! 
Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!
The link up is here: Challenge #116 Path of Positivity.

 

Many thanks to Scribbles Designs for sponsoring the challenge.

I'll be back with a another Path of Positivity project in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks for stopping by today!

xoxo 

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

 

* Allsorts Challenge #750 Add Texture 20/10 Top 5

* The Four Seasons Challenge Oct AG Fall 25/10

*A Perfect Time to Craft Oct AG 28/10 Honourable Mention

* Crafty Calendar Challenge Oct Autumn/Halloween 28/10

* 613 Avenue Create Oct AG/Autumn Colours 31/10

* Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #216 AG 04/11

***

* MMM Challenge #211 Autumn Colours 22/10

* Pammies InkyPinkies #2341 AG 22/10

Use Your Stuff #495 Autumn 29/10

* Daisy Chain Challenge #79 Autumn 29/10

Creatalicious Challenges #269 AG 30/10

* Dragonfly Dreams Autumn 31/10

613 Avenue Create Oct AG/Autumn Colours 31/10 Top RoCKER

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo 

Conjurer of Dreams: Fairy Fall Mouse

Hello

One of my blogging friends has recently opened a new Etsy store called Conjurer of Dreams and there she is selling Digital Art.  The images are absolutely stunning., I hope you'll pop over and take a look.

Here I used a **free image** from the Facebook Group to create a card.

Isn't she a cute little fairy mouse! 

I matted her onto kraft card and inked around the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink to darken it up a little. I chose some sunflower-yellow polkadot paper from Lawn Fawn as my background. I distressed the edges of the patterned paper with scissors, added the topper, popped on foam tape for dimension, and die cut and coloured some leaves and a flower for the cluster embellishment. I adhered a piece of brown velvet trim and a knot bow and used kraft card as a mat atop a blank white card base.

Please come and visit:

Conjurer of Dreams Etsy Store

Conjurer of Dreams Blog (freebies available)

Conjurer of Dreams Inspiration Group on Facebook (freebies available)

That's all for now.

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* The Sisterhood of Crafters Die Cuts 24/09

* Critter Crazy #78 AG 25/09

* A Perfect Time to Craft Sept AG 28/09

Classic Design Challenge #9 Sept AG 28/09

* Unicorn Challenge #91 Layer it Up 28/09

* Crafting Happiness Challenge Sept AG 30/09

* Double Trouble Challenge #148 Dies/Punches 01/10

*As You Like It Challenge Favourite harvest colour 03/10

 I love the warm yellows/oranges/reds/purples as the leaves change colour before they fall.

Crafty Gals Corner #247 Signs of Fall 10/10

Ellibelle: I Spy With My lIttle Eye Something on a Farm 15/10

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo