Unwrapping A Little Love

Happy Sunday!  This week on Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog we have a sketch challenge!  I kept my card simple and even chose to leave off the sentiment.  The image I used, Birthday Boy Unwrapped, is actually one of the three stamps Paper Jewels is graciously giving away to this week's winner.

Copic Details:

Eyes: B91/B93

Hair: E30/Y23/YR21

Shorts: B91/B93/B95/B97

Shirt: E41/E42/E43/E44/E47

Box: YG00/YG03/YG11/YG13/YG63

Ribbon: R24/R27/R29/R59

Skin: E000/E00/R11

This beautiful patterned paper is from the Christmas Delight line from Little Yellow Bicycle and the cardstock is Bazzill, of course.  The sketch I followed is:

This card will be entered into the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge - X is for Xmas

Stamp and Create Challenges - Tis the Season

Thank you for looking!  I look forward to seeing the different interpretations of my sketch!

My Forest Elf

I love the variety of images that Tracey carries at Spesch Designer Stamps and have thoroughly enjoyed my time on their DT.  With great sadness I write my last post as a member of their design team, but it won't be my last post with the fabulous images!  In fact I am looking forward to expanding my collection of Spesch clear stamps - and if you live in Canada or North America, then check out Paper Jewels for Spesch's fabulous images in clear.  For digital enthusiasts or those living outside of North America, check out the selection Tracey carries at Spesch Designer Stamps.

Recently I have been finding myself admiring card creators using copics who are producing coloured images with drastic shading effects.  I had to try this out myself by using Lyra and Koh-I-Noor coloured pencils over top of the copic markers.  I am happy with the results on My Forest Elf:

I followed the sketch at Cute Card Thursday, distressed the edges, and used foam squares to add dimension to the card.

Her dress and centers of the flowers have been glittered with Stampin' Up! dazzling diamonds.

Copics used:

Flowers BV0000/BV11/BV13

Leaves YG03/YG17

Dress BG0000/BG000/BG10/BG72 (tip to tip BG72/BG10) (shadows added w/pencils)

Face E000/E00 (additional face shadows and cheeks added with pencils)

Hair E30/E31/E33/E35/E37 (also touched up with pencils)

Thank you for looking!  Check out the new Spesch Design Team here and the fabulous DT creations here!

Details
Image: Forest Elf from Spesch Designer Stamps
Paper: PaperTrey Ink, Bo Bunny A Gift of Love, Bazzill cardstock
Ink: Memento
Embellishments: copic markers, Koh-I-Noor pencils, Lyra polycolor pencils, Stampin' Up! border punch and dazzling diamonds, wild orchid flowers, pearls

Happy Birthday Princess - Spesch DT

After being ill and not up to card making for a few weeks, I'm excited to be back with one of the new amazing images from Spesch Designer Stamps.  Princess with Balloons is just one of the four new images being released in the Fairytale collection by artist Sylvia.

Check out the rest of the creations by the fabulous Spesch DT at Spesch Designer Stamps blog.

Tracey is looking for new design team inspiration - check out all the details of the Spesch DT call here!

Happy Birthday Princess will be entered into the following challenges:

Basic Grey - Pearls
Friday Sketchers - Sketch
Cute Card Thursday - Whateva!
Creative Card Crew - Cute & Girly
Pollycraft - Fit for a Princess

Thank you for looking!  I'll be back tomorrow.

Details
Image: Princess with balloons from Spesch Designer Stamps
Paper: Bo Bunny a gift of love Peacock Lane, Bazzill cardstck
Embellishments: copic markers, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Martha Stewart border punch, Basic Grey pearls, Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects, Stickles

You Give Me Wings

As a huge fan of fairies, this new release by Spesch Designer Stamps is simply delightful.  This beautiful fairy by Kit is simply entitled Fall:

The image worked well with the sketch at Stamptacular Sunday, once I flipped the sketch left to right to allow the beautiful My Mind's Eye paper to show. 

I lightly distressed the edges of the paper to add a more worn look which reminds me of autumn as the colours of the leaves change from bright to faded and the leaves tumble to the ground.  Stickles were added to her wings to make her really sparkle.

The sentiment was typed up in Microsoft Word and printed on my Epson colour printed in one of their standard greens.  The sentiment works well for spouses, parents, or even close friends. 

Please check out the other creations by the talented Spesch DT on the Spesch Designer Stamps blog.

Fall will be entered into the Anything Goes challenge at Stampavie and More.

Thank you for looking!

Here Comes the Rain with Spesch

Good afternoon!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their week.  With the rain driving me indoors on Sunday, I took the opportunity to colour Samantha - a Spesch image I had previously printed when I had copic-friendly printer ink.

Samantha is available in both digital and clear.  For fellow Canadians and other North American residents, Samantha can be purchased in clear from Jenny at Paper Jewels. 

Samantha will be entered in the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - sketch

Crazy 4 Challenges - two or more ribbon

Charisma Cardz - metal mickey (brads)

Papertake Weekly - in stitches

Thank you for looking!

Details

Image: Spesch Designer Stamps 'Samantha'

Paper: My Mind's Eye Quite Contrairy collection, Bazzill coloured cardstock, Close to My Heart Daisy white cardstock

Embellishments: Spellbinders Nestabilities, copic markers, unknown yellow ribbon, Bazzill tulle, Stampin' Up! brads, Making Memories vintage pin 

Birthday Celebration with Spesch

The new release images by Max for Spesch Designer Stamps are amazing!  Just what I needed to create a birthday card for my son's classmate.  I had a blast colouring Birthday Boy Unwrapped as my three year old daughter happily coloured Birthday Girl as she sat next to me!

Check out all the new birthday images by Max on Spesch Designer Stamps!  Thank you for looking.

Celebrating Winter with Spesch

For us Canadians, winter cards may seem a tad out of place this time of year.  However for Spesch Designer Stamps, an Australian company, this is their winter - although for most of us, their winter is a lovely mild summer day!  In celebration of their latest release, I dragged out paper from the Eskimo Kisses line by Basic Grey to use with this beauty:

I have followed the current skech at Lili of the Valley and used my copics (of course).  The image was just a tad too tall for the Spellbinders Nestabilities, so I popped her hat out.  I debated embellishing with Wild Orchid flowers on the card, but I'm unsure whether flowers and winter go together.

So, anyone want a chance to win a $6 gift certificate to Spesch Stamps?  In order to qualify, I would like you to leave a comment below and tell me two things:

1. Do you use flowers on winter cards?

2. What is your favorite Spesch image?

On Saturday, June 19th EST I will use random.org to select a winner from all the qualifying commenters. 

Please check out the fantastic card creations by the rest of the design team - you are sure to be AMAZED! 

Make a Splash with Spesch Designer Stamps!

The new release from Spesch Designer Stamps is AMAZING!  To celebrate the upcoming hot weather - hard to believe it snowed just two days ago! - I decided to create a long, narrow, fun card with a new beauty from Spesch:

I love her big huge eyes!  The blue design paper really shimmers when you tilt it:

On an angle you can really enjoy all the dimension with the folded ribbon, popped up image, and Stampin' Up! crystal effects on the tube:

Check out the rest of the new Summer beauties at Spesch - some of the guys are just too hot!

Fangs or Fur?

Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog would like you to show off your favorite book, poem, or fairy tale.  Talk about an easy pick for me!  My copy of Twilight has been seriously abused after multiple readings and we won't discuss the equally bad state of the other books in the series!  Most twi-fans are firmly entrenched in Camp Jacob or Camp Edward which is what drew me to the beautiful Spesch image Bella and Cubs.  Bella is sitting nicely between a lion and a wolf cub - symbolizing the two rivals of her affection.

Lots of dimension is created with the Wild Orchid flowers, Kaiser pearls and ribbon.

Bella and Cubs will be entered into the following challenges:

Friday Sketchers - sketch (rotated)

Papertake Weekly - Say It With Flowers

Stampavie and More - Flower Power

Charisma Cardz - 3D

I look forward to seeing your card creation on Paper Sundaes and reading about your favorite book, poem or fairy tale!

Thank you for looking!

Happy Anniversary with Spesch Designer Stamps

With my friend's anniversary arriving late May, the new release by Spesch Designer Stamps is timed perfectly!  Focusing on life changing events, Tracey has released two engagement images, two wedding, and one mum-to-be.  I selected one of the wedding images to utilize for the special occasion:

I typed the sentiments on the computer and finished the thought on the inside...

The paper is from the Spring collection by Dear Lizzy and American Crafts.  The lace was a gift from Alicia.

Thank you for looking!  Be sure to check out the fabulous creations by the rest of the Spesch Designer Stamps DT here!

 

Delicious Candy from Spesch

Yummy!  Tracey from Spesch Designer Stamps is offering the following delicious delights:

Tracey has included the following in the candy:

- Spesch Stamps Bonnie Clear Stamp
- Spesch stamps up coming release clear stamps x 2 (not telling what they are).
- Mad for Markers Neenah Solar white small pack of 25
- 3x Copic markers - E000, E00, E21 (the colours I use for skin colouring).
- Memento ink pad (forgot to put in picture)
- 3 x Imaginisce clear stamps
- Delish 6x6 paper pack
- Pink Paislee 365degrees 6x6 paper pack
- 1 metre of lace
- 4x bunches of gardenia's
- 7x bunches of cherry blossoms
- Pearl pin pack.
- Bella pearls
- Bella ribbon slides
- Nellie Snellen leaf punch

Anyone hungry?  It is very simple to enter.


All you need to do is post this candy on your blog and leave a link with Mr Linky on this post. Tracey will draw a winner on the 15th of May - the same day as Spesch's next release.

This will close on the 15th May - remember that Spesch is over the big blue in Australia so keep in mind that according to your time zone it may be closing on May 14th.  Good Luck!

Let's Hop with Spesch Designer Stamps!

Good day and welcome to the first blog hop for Spesch Designer Stamps!  If you have arrived here from Fran's blog, then you are on the right trail.  If not, please head back to Spesch Stamps to see what all the fuss is about! 
I am extremely excited to be introducing you to the gorgeous Kei with Flower.  This is just one of the six Kei images being released by Spesch Designer Stamps today.  With those huge eyes and butterfly friends, Kei is every inch the joyful creature her Japanese name aludes to!
I have distressed the papers from My Little Shoebox and coloured Kei with copics, of course!

Kei with Flower will be entered into the following challenges:
Flutter By Wednesday: Open
Quixotic Challenges: How distressing!
Deidrich Dare: Spring
Stampavie and More: Distressing
Lili of the Valley: Summer
Charisma Cards: Girly

Thank you for looking!  Next on the trail is Sammi with another beautiful creation featuring Kei.  Remember to leave a message on all of the stops along the trail for your chance to win the entire Kei release!

Happy Hopping!

Oh-A-Blog-Hopping We Will Go!

Oh my it is finally here!  A month ago my poor dear friend Christine really struggled to get me to calm down as I excitedly told her my idea about this blog hop.  I had just finished a sponsor recruiting blitz and was exhuberent over all the upcoming sponsors.  Well, today is THE day.  You should have arrived here from the Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog.  If not, head back there to read what all the fuss is about! 

I have two cards from upcoming sponsors to share with you today.  First up is from the amazingly talented Karen and the image is called Maggie and Me - Then:

Maggie and Me - Then will be entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Challenge - Things With Wings
Crazy 4 Challenges - Case one of the DT

Secondly, is a wonderful new image just released this past week:

Mother's Day card will be entered into the sketch challenge at Sketch Saturday and cases the colour combination by Frances Byrne at Crazy 4 Challenges.  She will also be entered into the challenges at Copic Creations (black hair), Secret Saturday Crafter (distressing - edges inked except sentiment), and Charisma Cardz (quote me - "my angel mother" partial quote from Abraham Lincoln - full quote of "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother" is on the inside).

One lucky participant/follower who leaves me some "love" will win Bonnie from Spesch Designer Stamps.

Blog Hop closes April 30th and one random commentor will be chosed by Random.org on May 1st.

Your next stop on the hop is Shanna.  Thank you for hopping with us!

Announcing Spesch Designer Stamps Newest DT Members

Last week I announced that I was mad as a hatter over Spesch Designer Stamps.  This week I would like to announce that I am mad as a hatter over their newest DT members!  Tracey picked five from the top ten to join her existing design team for a four month term commencing May 1st.  I had to do a little blog hop to check them out and I was enthralled!

Debbie
Paola
Kay
Maria
Shana

Of course I didn't bother to check out the last blog...wasn't really any point!  I already know her work and how absolutely thrilled she is with the new DT position!  In fact, I had to wait until today to share the news as I've been working on creating something for the announcement.  Meet Penny, one of Spesch's gorgeous stamps:

Penny is available both with and without the flower background.  I chose Penny with the background flower to practice my flower colouring for the Copic Creations challenge.  The layout is the current sketch at Mojo Monday.

This card features multiple layers and dimensions.

Penny is currently without sentiment, however I did finish the inside in preparation for one.

I look forward to working with this talented design team and these gorgeous images.  Please check out Spesch Designer Stamps Etsy shop for the rest of their digital images.  And please check back often as the upcoming releases are equally amazing!

http://speschstamps.blogspot.com/

Thank you for looking!

Detail

Stamp: Spesch Designer Stamps

Paper: Crate Paper Paper Doll Collection, Stampin' Up! kraft cardstock

Embellishments: copic markers, Kaisercraft pearls, unknown lace (possibly Maya)

As Mad as a Hatter!

Honestly, I am as mad as a hatter over the digital images from Spesch Designer Stamps.  I was checking out challenges when a card caught my eye and I had to follow it back to the cardmaker's blog to identify the stamp source.  That was White Queen and the card was by Sammi.  So, crazy about the images, I had to apply for their DT call.  I must be mad as a hatter!  But hey, there are seven days in the week and I still have days with nothing to post!  :)  Given the talented list of ladies already associated with the Spesch name, I was stunned and extremely flattered to be given the opportunity to work with one of their images as one of the top ten.  Waiting for inspiration to strike and the right papers to inspire, oh was time slow!  I was itching to create something bold and beautiful.  Inspiration struck in the form of Friday Sketchers and my beautiful Bo Bunny papers I was hoarding for a scrapbook layout.

I used the colours in the pattern to inspire her golden yellow hair and the blue for her eyes.  I am extremely frustrated with my R85 and E25 who have apparently lost a battle with polycolor pencils somewhere along the way.  Looking into my crystal ball, I see new nibs in their immediate future!  The sentiment is from Kimmie's Tea Sentiments available through both Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and Stamp and Create.  I used foam squares to pop up the sentiment to add more dimension to the card.

Regardless of whether I make the design team, I will follow both their designers and their new releases.  Their images are cute and work equally well for card designs for my three year old DD, my thirteen year old niece, my mother, or even my mother-in-law - age yet undetermined!   

Thank you for looking!  Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Details

Image: Spesch Designer Stamps Mad Hatter

Stamp: Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Kimmie's Tea Sentiments

Paper: Bo Bunny a gift of love and cardstock

Ink: Memento

Embellishments: Bo Bunny (flowers), Stampin' Up! corner notch, Kaiser pearls, unknown ribbon, copic markers, Spellbinders Nestabilities