An Engagement Card for a Friend

A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of helping a good friend's daughter celebrate her engagement. We had a truly wonderful evening with the happy couple, their families and friends.

Congratulations Nicole and Darren

This is the card I made for them - using an image from my stash from Spesch Stamps. The card was cut using my Cameo and you can find the shape in the Silhouette Store. The papers are digital papers from Bearly Mine Designs. It's so sad both Spesch Stamps and BMD are no longer available - but it was fun to use them again.

A Dragon Baby Card in a Box

Recently my London based daughter asked me to create a couple of baby cards for an expectant family member in the UK. This was the first of the 2 cards and my daughter specifically requested this cute image - she remembered him from when I worked with Spesch Stamps - his name is Draggy. This is one of the very first Sylia Zet (now Wee Stamps) digis I owned! 

I have recently discovered this Card in a Box fold and LOVE them - they have such depth and are such fun with the acetate strips letting butterflies and sentiments flutter in the breeze.

They are designed to fold down flat for postage and there is room on the back panel for a personal message too - or you could pop one under one of the fold down flaps. I hope the new parents like it :)

All of the dies used in my project are from La-La Land Crafts.

Copics Used - E11, E00, E000, R20, R11, YG07, YG05, YG03, YG01, YG0000, C2, C0, V17, V15, V12, Y19, Y13, Y00

Harry Potter Comes to Spesch Stamps

When I was a member of the Spesch Designer Stamps DT there was some friendly rivalry between the Twilight and Harry Potter fans. I'm definately on the side of the HP fans having read all the books and I'm currently re-living ALL the previous movies on DVD prior to seeing the latest instalment when it's released in Australia this Thursday - and YUP - I already have my tickets booked - LOL.

So when Tracey from Spesch Stamps emailed me asking if I'd like to be her GDT for her Harry Potter release how could I say no?!?!?!

Here I've merged all three main characters into one scene - there is also a stamp with the group already together! These guys have their wands at the ready - and if you look closely you can see there are sparks (glitter) starting to fly at their tips - they must sense trouble ahead - or is it just Draco Malfoy?!?!?! I used my Tim Holtz brick wall die and some chalk inks to create the wall entrance to Diagon Alley. And to show what a true HP tragic I really am - I used the HP alphabet stickers I already had in my stash - LOL.

The spider was cut using my craft robo and glittered up.

xXx

Spesch Stamps Mid-Month Release

Today is release day over at Spesch Designer Stamps - and it's also my last post for the Spesch Stamps DT. I wanted to take this opportunity to say thanx to Tracey and the other gals for having me on board for the last 4 months and to wish the newbies on the team good luck and happy colouring!

I'm showcasing 2 of the new images that are available from today - and I have to admit they are some of my favourites from Spesch.

This is "Draggy" - such a little cutie - I loved her as soon as I saw her!!! I had a ball bringing her to life with a bit of colour and texture. Look at that sweet expression on her face.

And this image is called "Forest Elf". Who wouldn't love to find this cutie floating around the bottom of the garden gathering blooms. The flowers at the top are part of the same image but I decided to cut them out separately for some added interest.

You can check out the rest of today's new releases over at the Spesch Stamps Blog - I'm sure the rest of the DT have created some fabulous cards to showcase these gorgeous images.

xXx

Spesch Stamps New Releases

It's release day over at Spesch Designer Stamps and there are 4 new images available now. I've used 2 of them here.

This cutie is called "Birdy in Love" and I came up with a little sentiment which suited it perfectly - LOL. I used my MS corner punch to add some details to the DP and CS - it's quite a simple layout but the punched details add a great framing effect.

 And this adorable gal is called "Princess with Cake". Don't you just love that cute little puppy hoping she'll share the cake - or drop it - LOL. I used my sizzix flourish die to add some swirls to the frame. The DP is from 7 Gypsies. I've added some crystal effects to the rubies in her crown and the cherry on top of the cake.  All the golden parts of her dress have been coated with my clear spica pen for added princess glam!

Check out what the rest of the DT have done with these gorgeous images, and the other 2 new releases - at the Spesch Stamps blog.

xXx

Spesch Stamps Newest Release

It's release time for some new images from Spesch Designer Stamps and this time we're covering the 4 seasons. I got to use the fabulous Winter image - an icy blast in the middle of all my recent Summer cards - LOL.

This card is all about Winter glitter and texture - with the fabulous central figure tying it all together. To embellish I used 2 layers of my Spellbinders snowflake die and topped it off with a punched snowflake and ice blue rhinestone. Each layer is smothered with icy glitter - as is the blue ice along the top of my card. Some lace and dry embossed snowflkes add some texture while my clear spica pen has been used over Winter's cape and ice shards for a more subtle Winter ice sparkle. 

Brrrrrrr - have I made you shiver yet - LOL.

The fabulous 4 seasons are now available over instore HERE - and you can check out the rest of the DTs cards with Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn at the Spesch blog HERE.

xXx

It's New Release Day at Spesch Stamps - Birthdays

It's the start of the month so that means release day for new digi images at Spesch Designer Stamps. This release focuses on birthdays and have all been designed by Spesch's artist Max. I chose to do a boy's card and a girl's card - that way I've covered all my bases - LOL. If you want to check out some other fabulous cards using these images - and the other new releases - check out what the rest of the DT have done with them at the Spesch Blog HERE.

I've used Basic Grey DP on both of my cards - and quite a bit of stickles on my girl's card - I know girls love a bit of bling but my son assured me boys didn't - LOL. One thing I've found with stickles is that they don't coat large areas terribly well - I realised I should have put a second coat on these butterflies after I had uploaded the photos - have done it now!!! The sentiment is from Stampin' Up - as is the build-a-brad I used on the boy's card!

xXx

More Winter Fun from Spesch Stamps

Today I'd like to show you another one of the Winter release images by Spesch Designer Stamps. This little cutie is Samantha - although I've coloured her up in Coraline colours here - LOL. I was trying to find some small buttons to go on teddy's eyes but I had to settle for adding buttonhole dots instead!

My DP is from Basic Grey - I love using stripes - they are sooo versatile as design features!

For more inspiration from the DT with the Winter release stamps check out the Spesch Stamps Blog.

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Spesch Stamps Celebrates Winter

Well it's well and truly Winter here in Melbourne - the nights are spent enjoying a nice bowl of soup while snuggled up under a blanket. At the start on June Spesch Stamps celebrated Summer for those of our friends in the Northern Hemisphere - but now it's our turn - LOL.

The Winter release from Spesch Designer Stamps is available today - this cutie is called Dana - and she actually comes with a bag of marshmallows too! Here I have her sitting on a wind swirl in front of some DP from October Afternoon! If I'd done Dana as a blonde she could be my daughter - Sarah can often be found snuggling up in a scarf with her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea!

I'll be back tomorrow with another card featuring a different Winter image from Spesch Stamps and in the meantime you can see some other wonderful inspiration from the DT on the Spesch Stamps Blog HERE.

Stay Warm

xXx

Spesch Designer Stamps Summer Release

YAY - it's release day over at Spesch Designer Stamps and Tracey has a fabulous selection of Summery images for you to enjoy. Now here in Australia today is our first day of Winter - so I'm looking longingly at these images as I'm snuggled up with the heater on - LOL. I've merged 2 of the new release images here - Summer Boy and Summer Girl - they make a great pair! I've used some fabulous Jackson Lodge DP that I got from Delicious Papercrafting.

I gave the young man a real bleached blonde surfie look - and he looks pretty cool with the crystal effects on his sunnies. And there must be a lovely Summer breeze swirling around as the young girl has to hold on to her hat as her dress flies around! To add to the beachy feel I've popped some small shells amongst the flowers.

You can check out some more of the fabulous new images and what the DT has done with them at the Spesch Stamps Blog. All images are available as digis and selected images are available as clear stamps in the store HERE. Now Tracey hasn't forgotten us Southern Hemisphere dwellers - stay tuned for the Winter release on June 15th!!!

xXx

Another New Release From Spesch Stamps

This is another of the latest "Wedding" release from Tracey at Spesch Designer Stamps. This image is the second of 2 from this release that will be available in clear polymer in limited numbers as well as being digital. The sentiment is also by Spesch Stamps and has been designed to compliment the images - there are a number of different sentiments in the set. Check out the complete release at the store HERE or at the blog HERE.

For my card I've used some DP from Kaiser and my heart CB embossing folder. The flowers were made using my Nellie Snellen flower punches and some pearls. A touch of lace finishes everything off.

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Spesch Stamps "Wedding" Release

One thing I LOVE about Tracey at Spesch Stamps is that she has realised there just aren't many - if any - engagement images around and she has tried to fill that void. Last month I showed you THIS fabulous image for an engagement and this month Tracey is releasing this one - along with some other FABULOUS images for weddings, bridal showers and pregnancy. Tracey also has a fabulous set of sentiments to go along with these images! Go and check out more of this new release and see what the DT has come up with at the Spesch Stamps Blog and check out the new store HERE - just be aware this site is only new so there may be a few teething problems.

This image is one of 2 from this release that will also be available in limited numbers as a clear polymer stamp - along with Bonnie from an earlier release.

For my card I've used some Basic Grey DP and some chipboard corners which I have sprayed with gold glimmermist. The diamond ring has dazzling diamonds on the "stone" and I've used my gold spica pen for the band.

I'll have another card to show you using an image from this release - I'll be back with that tomorrow.

xXx

It's Blog Candy Time at Spesch Stamps

Tracey is offering this fabulous Blog Candy to one lucky person over at Spesch Designer Stamps. It's very easy to enter - all you need to do is post this candy on your blog and leave a link in Mr Linky HERE of your post. Tracey will draw a winner on the 15th of May - the same day as Spesch Designer Stamps have their next release.

What's in the candy????

- Spesch Stamps Bonnie Clear Stamp
- Spesch stamps up coming release clear stamps x 2 (they're a surprise for now).
- 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 (not in the 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

So pop on over and GOOD LUCK!

xXx

Spesch Stamps Blog Hop

Hi and welcome to Spesch Designer Stamps first ever blog hop. You should have arrived from Paola's blog - however if you haven't, you can always hop back HERE to the Spesch Stamps Blog and start the hop from the beginning.

Today I'd like to introduce you to Kei - isn't she just the sweetest!!! Everyone on the DT will be showcasing this cutie - but they're not all the same! This one is Kei with Butterfly Balloon. I have used a square doily behind my Webster's DP - I loved the fact that there were butterflies flying in the background. The base DP is from Basic Grey - you can just see it peeking out from behind the doily.

Your next visit on the hop is Tracey's blog.

And just as a little sweetener for stopping by - someone who leaves a message on all of the DT posts has the chance to win the entire collection.

Have fun!

xXx

Mother's Day From Spesch Stamps

Yesterday Tracey sent her Spesch Stamps DT an email saying she wanted to release this gorgeous Mother's Day image today and if anyone had a chance could they put a card together - after all - Mother's Day is only a couple of weeks away here in Australia. This beautiful image would also be gorgeous for a baby card.

I already had her printed out ready to colour - and a bit of time - so off I went for a play! She was just FABULOUS to colour and everything just seemed to work - don't you love it when that happens - just wish it happened more often!!! And having just checked the Spesch Stamps Blog I can tell you the DT have done a fabulous job to come up with some truly gorgeous cards. But if you get a great image half the battle is done!

My layout was inspired by one of Mo's Challenges DT - Sandy - when I saw her DT card for this week's challenge I knew I would have to CASE her layout sometime - I just didn't think it would be this quickly - LOL.

My DP is from Stampin' Up - I just loved the colours - I am a bit of a green lover though!

xXx

Spesch Stamps Introduces "Engagement"

YAY - I made it onto Tracey's Spesch Stamps DT for the next few months - Yipppeeeeee. Not only do I think she's found some fabulous artists to design for her - but she's also a lovely lady and I wish her every success in her new venture!

I'm not due to start my DT spot until May but when Tracey sent us this image I couldn't help but colour it up and help her introduce it's release. I have an engagement to go to today of a young lady we've lived next door too for 17 years. Kate has always been a sweetheart and I'm soo happy that she's found someone spend her life with - you're a lucky guy James!

I decided every gal needs a ring with bling so I used my Gold Spica pen on the ring band and dazzling diamonds to make the stone sparkle -  you can see it better in the picture on the left. Some stickles on the flowers and the red rhinestones add some more bling to help celebrate this happy event.

When I asked my neighbour if she had any ideas for an engagement  present for Kate and James she told me they were saving for a new TV and would appreciate a gift voucher for one of the electronic stores so they could pool them together - EASY! I decided to incorporate a gift card holder into the inside of the card - just to make the presentation a little more special!

My sentiment is computer generated and the DP is - of course - from one of my Basic Grey paper pads - but I've forgotten which one - oops! I should have posted this on release day yesterday, but my neighbours know I blog so I didn't want to risk ruining the surprise! I've scheduled this to post as we are partying along next door - am sure I'm currently chatting someone's head off while sipping a champagne or two - LOL.

Because I'm posting this today I'm also going to enter this into this week's Totally Gorjuss Challenge - this week the theme is "Charming" - to use charms on your card.

xXx

Oh, Alice Chapter 6 - The Red Queen's FINE PRINT...

This week's Oh,Alice challenge is to create a card using SOME form of printed text on your card or project!

I found this "conversation" on the internet and printed it off and then made my little "tea party". I have used 2 images from Spesch Digital Stamps to help create my scene - Hatter and Bonnie. I thought Bonnie made such a cute Alice - especially as she's giving the "White Rabbit" a big Wonderland hug - or is that the March Hare - LOL. The Basic Grey cupcake background worked well too. Some funky colours and colourful buttons finish everything off.

Apologies this is short and sweet - life is a little hectic at my place atm!

Take care and hope YOU have time for a tea party.....

xXx

Oh, Alice Chapter 5 - Whooooo Rrrrrrrrrrr Youuuuuuuuuuuu?

This week the Oh,Alice crew are celebrating Spring - even though that's 6 months away for us Aussies - LOL!!! To this end we needed to create a card using a caterpillar or butterfly on our projects this week! Now I have all sorts if winged images - fairies, butterflies etc - I could have used but I wanted to stay within the "Alice" theme - so I've used the White Queen from Spesch Digital Stamps (although she's a little off-white here - LOL). I have the queen wandering through her Spring garden - with sparkly butterflies fluttering about. And LOOK - I managed to figure out some pastel shades - but do have a few more on order!!!!

Last weekend my son went to a classmate's 12th birthday party - and it was one of the girls - and boy did my daughter get some teasing time in over that - LOL!!! It also made me realise I needed more cards suited to younger girls - I think this one fits the bill pretty well! The other thing I was trying to be careful about was not putting too much height on this card. Recently I had to find a card in my stash to send off quickly - and they were all festooned with bulky flowers, bows and bling!!!  NOT easy to pop in an envelope and send off - but what can I say - I DO love that look and usually have to send them off in specially made or bought boxes - LOL! At least these butterfly wings will fold down, the ribbon has a knot instead of a bow, and the bling is all small - mission accomplished.

My DP is from my Basic Grey Kioshi paper pad - this is such a BEAUTIFUL range!

xXx

Oh, Alice Chapter 4 - Picturing Wonderland

This week's Oh,Alice challenge is another sketch. I was still in party mode after our wonderful MDUC 1st Birthday Blog Hop yesterday and decided these 2 gorgeous Wonderland images from Spesch Digital Stamps could party on for this challenge! BTW - if you like these images Tracey is having a DT call HERE! Unfortunately the colours haven't come out quite the same in the picture as they are IRL - the pink on the Cheshire Cat is more of a "hot pink" - but hopefully it's not too bad! Interestingly the picture looks completely different between my laptop and PC!

For the "rabbit hole" I've used concentric black circles cut using my nestabilities which I've then glued on top of each other at one spot on the side - it's gives the "hole" a bit of depth I think. I've intertwined the Cheshire Cat through the circles because cats love to wind themselves around things as they purr away! I did have to flip her over so she was facing the right way though!The funky DP is from one of my Basic Grey paper pads and adds to the sense of fun and spirals.

Hope you enjoyed my bit of Alice fun!

xXx