Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #144 February 2026

 Welcome to the Crafts Galore Encore February 2026 challenge. 

Crafts Galore Encore challenge theme as always is

Anything Goes 

and you can enter up to 3 different projects.

This challenge ends on 27th February at mid-day GMT.

This month our sponsor is Nikky from Polkadoodles.

Nikki is offering our random winner 3 digi stamps of their choice from her Etsy store. Head over to see the beautiful products she has in stock.

And here is what I created...

I made both of these creations by designing a card using  the digital stamps in Canva. These designs were then printed out on 110lb cardstock which I colored using a combination of Prisma colored pencils, a bit of ink and glitter.  Sadly the glitter wasn't captured in these photos. 

I originally designed the Bee Happy card but I loved that little reading bee so much I had to use him. He's just so darn cute!

I hope you are inspired to play and join in on the fun!!

Up for a Challenge?

 As always Gecko Galz hosts several challenges on their blog each month.  I'm a bit behind getting them done but there is still lots of time to play if you're so inclined!

Here is what I came up with for each of the Challenge images...

Card Challenge...

Christmas Challenge...

Fantasy Challenge...

Gothic Challenge

Steampunk Challenge...

Hope you join in on the fun!

You might just be the lucky winner of a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Gecko Galz!!

Altered Muffin Tin - Bee Happy!

 Happy Day!

The current quarterly challenge at Gecko Galz is Muffin Tins....

yes, you read that correctly - the challenge is to alter a muffin tin using Gecko Galz images. I love altering stuff...anything - if it's old and needs a new life, I'll alter it! I had this old muffin tin in my stash of stuff - it was a bit bent and worn so it was ripe for pickin'. 

And here is what I created....

Gecko Galz - What's the Buzz 

I started off by dabbing a layer of brown paint here and there then a bit of goldenrod through a honeycomb stencil.  Next I printed out the What's the Buzz collage sheet and cut the images using a couple sizes of circles. A bit of ink, cheese cloth, moss and a few bits of vintage doilies and here you have it!  It's going to hang in my kitchen to add some fun to our home!

Do you have an old muffin tin hiding in your cupboard? 

Why not pull it out, give it a renewed sense of purpose and make a lovely piece of home decor.

Winter Woods...2026

 Hello Friends!

Happy New Year!!! 

I hope you all had a save and fun start. I am happy to say that I am returning for another year on the Gecko Galz design team! I have so much fun creating with their great collage images.  I hope you enjoy seeing what I create and are inspired to make, even if it's not anything using a Gecko Galz image...it's important just to take some time for yourself and create.  

Here are a few links...

Gecko Galz Blog - Each month there are several challenges posted - the main challenge is themed (this month it is Winter Woods) plus there are several other challenges where you are provided with a free collage image to create with.

Gecko Galz Etsy Store - Where you can find the amazing collection of collage sheets, digital papers, junk journal kits and so much more!

Gecko Galz Papercrafting Challenge FB Page - This is their fun papercrafting group where you can hang out, be inspired by others and share your own Gecko Galz creations.  There are 4 challenges each month there as well which gives you a prompt on what to make or a specific challenge.  It changes each month so there is always something fun going on.  These are this month's challenges...

And here are my creations....

Driftwood Ornaments... 

Gecko Galz - Winter Birds

Twig Framed Winter Decor

Gecko Galz - Winter Woods

New Years Card...

Gecko Galz - La Chambre Rouge Paper Pack, Winter Woods 

Warm Winter Wishes card...

Gecko Galz - La Chambre Rouge Paper Pack, Winter Birds

Winter Woods Wall Hanging...

Gecko Galz - Winter Woods

Hope you have enjoyed these creations and are inspired to create...

Have a lovely day friends!

Gecko Galz 25 Days of Tags #23

 Hello Friends

Another day of the 25 days of Tags at Gecko Galz.

Today I have my final day of tags for you...

Winter Wonders

 Our theme this month at Conjure of Dreams is Winter Wonders...

I have been working on my digital skills and made several different cards and a gift tag. I am going to be printing these out and using them as cards/tags for gifts this year!

Enjoy....

Hope you have a lovely day my friends!!

Conjurer of Dreams Christmas Blog Hop 2025

 Welcome to the 2nd annual Christmas Conjurer of Dreams Blog Hop!

We have 13 fantastic DT Blogs for you to visit.

Check out their fabulous projects using the Free Design sheet we are offering you.

How to enter the Prize Draw

1. Visit each blog, become a follower + leave a comment.

Find a hidden festive phrase on one of the Blog Hop blogs and send your answer to Kim at conjurerofdreams@gmail.com

2. If you shop in the Etsy shop between Dec 15-18, you will receive an extra entry.

There will be 3 prizes awarded

1st prize-Shop Credit for $20

2nd Prize-Shop Credit for $15

3rd Prize-Shop Credit for $10

My sheet is called: Bejeweled Trees

(To download: Right click to save)

This is what I've created using the sheet....

My first project is this fun card...

Next up I made a lovely bejeweled lapel pin...

A money holder/envelope

A set of Ornaments

Pet Tree Ornaments....

And finally an altered vintage Potato Masher!!

Hope you are feeling inspired....

Here are the DT blogs for you to visit:

Conjurer of Dreams

Kim

Carole

Roni

Tanis

Robin

Mia

Bonnie

Sari

Margaret

Zowie

Angelique

Susan

Kym

Thanks for stopping by today!

Havin' a Little Fun

 Hello Friends...

I hope you are all doing well during this very busy time of the year. 

Today I have some fun challenge creations for you.  As you know each month the Gecko Galz blog hosts a wide variety of challenges. They provide a collage image and you create whatever your heart desires (well, other than the Card and Tag Challenge - they are pretty self explanatory). I love these challenges as they are a fun break from the norm.

So here is what I created this month...

Card Challenge

Christmas Challenge

Fantasy Challenge

Gothic Challenge

Steampunk Challenge

Have a little free time? Jump on over and grab your free collage images and give it a go. If you do decide to play, be sure to enter your projects on the Gecko Galz Blog and you might be a lucky winner!!

Good Luck friends and take care!

Gecko Galz 25 Days of Tags

 As I mentioned in my previous post Gecko Galz is hosting a 25 Days of Tags and today is my first offering... 

I made a beaded tag...the image was covered with micro beads to give it a "snowy" feel. 

My second tag is this darling little raccoon all ready for Christmas morning.

Be sure to check the blog each day for a new tag and new chance to win!

 

 

 

A Little Retro Christmas

 Hello Everyone...

Welcome to December!

I don't know where the year has gone but it's time for Christmas...A Retro Christmas which is our theme this month at Gecko Galz!  I love retro so this was right up my alley.  We are also having the 25 days of Tags as well so be sure to stop by each day to see all the fun tag inspiration.

And here are my creations...

I made this fun little shrine that I made by upcycling a bread crumb container!  I covered both the inside and outside using papers from the Sugar Plum Fairies ATC sheet. The  lady is from the Retro Christmas Pin Ups and he is from Retro Christmas (free sheet from 2024). I added the Be Merry banner from the Christmas Signs and Banners sheet.

Next up is this fun Kitty magnet with bells on.  I wanted something fun to hang on my fridge this season and I thought this retro kitty was just darling.  It's made using a mason jar lid that I have turned into a shaker with "faux" snow! The kitty is from the  Candy Cane Lane collage sheet.

Next up is this fun gift box using an image from the Candy Land collage sheet. I simply printed the Candy Cottage 4x and pieced them together.  There is a hidden lid under the doily that removes to show the surprise inside :)

Next up is a set of Retro Gift cards using the collage sheet - Retro Christmas Colors! There has been lots of glitter added that doesn't show up very well in the photo.

Next up I have a couple sets of ornaments both using images from the Christmas Beauties collage sheet. I just love these images...with the retro feel and classy ladies...perfection!

This set is my Jeweled Ladies...they were all mounted on a fur covered snowflake and have a jewel holding their bows.

And I'm calling these my Retro Tartlets - LOL!! These are vintage tartlet tins lined with lace, tinsel and pearls. I think the soft pastels and soft shine of the vintage pearls compliment the images so well.  

I will be back a bit later with my tags for the day!

Be sure to check out the Gecko Galz blog each day to see all of the lovely projects and fun tags.