Retro Summer with Gecko Galz

I've never been to Hawaii, but I love pineapple...does that count?

With all that's burning there right now, I thought I would pay tribute to their

beautiful state...and the delicious fruit that comes from there.

I do have a pineapple plant I am growing from the top of a pineapple. I have actually seen pineapples growing in my neighbors' yards...so cool!

Being a transplant (like most of my friends here in our community) from the north, I am truly captivated by the flora and fauna here in Florida...the birds are amazing too!

Anyway...

the above card was created with some of the newest images from Gecko Galz. The background is from the, First Class Package paper pack. 

My gorgeous lady is from the, Aloha Digital Collage Set. She is framed in black to match the framed sentiment, which is found in the, Quotes to Live By set. 

I made a flower using a soda can and alcohol ink, with the Tattered Floral and Tattered Poinsettia dies by Tim Holtz. The dry embossing folder is by Tim Holtz's Alterations. It's embossed with a polka dot folder from my stash, and has Stickles by Ranger in the center. I also put Stickles on her lei, but they are difficult to see here. They look great in real life though!

The cardstock is "vintage" CTMH...years old!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Crafty Gals Challenge #167 Summer Colors

Little Red Wagon Challenge #449

That's Crafty Challenge Blog - All in a Summer's Day

Enjoy life today...and have fun!

A Love for the Past

"Thoughts of Love" featuring Gecko Galz 

Gecko Galz Products I used in the above card:

Ladies of the Court Digital Collage Set

Very Vintage Junk Journal Kit

St. Peters Square Mini Paper Pack

Hello and welcome to my studio.

It's a fresh new year!  We all have a clean slate...a chance to start again. 

In my life, and here on my blog, I have found the need to spend the next year being as purposeful as possible.

As I pondered this idea, I came up with some questions for myself. Here they are:

"What am I passionate about?"

"How have I been gifted?"

"What can I share that my family, my friends, and my followers need?"

After giving these matters some thought,  I concluded the following...First, I am passionate about the past. I am drawn to historical fact and fiction. Stories of times past draw me in...causing me to explore further. Historical sites intrigue me. I realized that I also enjoy saving and repurposing items from the past...making them useful once more, if only as décor in my home.

Secondly, I am an artist. I have been told I have an innate sense of design. I am thankful for several wonderful teachers in my younger years, who have helped hone my gift. 

These two facts bring me to the final conclusion that I can share my designs and art with those who might share a love for the beauty of our past, or who are just discovering how history is reflected in our own lives. 

So here we go! My year will be focused on using historical references to create not only art, but repurposed items which have a history of their own. I will endeavor to give them new life, new purpose. 

This excites me!  My work will not be all that different from years past, but will definitely be redefined and more purposeful. I have been self-directed toward a definite purpose. 

Items I repurposed on the above card

Aluminum drink cans (flowers)

Necklace (flower centers)

Doily

If you find that you are also looking for a directed purpose, I hope you will take a few moments to ponder the questions, 

1. What is my passion?

2. What is my talent?

3. What can I share that others can use?

Let me know what you come up with!

I hope you enjoy what you experience here this year.

Cheers to 2018!

My Vintage Winter Necklace

If you know me at all, you know I am an avid repurposer. Why just the other day our chef was cutting up asparagus, and I scored a whole handful of purple rubber bands!

So what if they have sku numbers on them...they're PURPLE!

Anyway, I have a necklace to share today. I made the tags from a metal tin...the one my Prismacolor Pencils came in.

After cutting the tags with tin snips that I got at a yard sale for 50 cents, I sanded the edges with a file, and punched holes with a nail.

 This is the reverse side:

I then printed off four images from Gecko Galz' Baby It's Cold Outside Collage Set. I made them the same size as the tin pieces. Then, I glued them in place with Glossy Accents, and did a double coat of the same on each side of the tags...one side at a time, giving them a day to dry.

I love how they turned out.
 I am entering this necklace in the following Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge #269

Be sure to visit the Gecko Galz Blog, and take a peek at all the DT blogs. Vintage digitals at their BEST.

Stay creative,