Yupo Flowers

Hello Everybody,

Gosh it's cold here today and wet and windy. Definitely the day to stay home with the heating on

Here is a card I made a while ago when I was playing with Yupo paper and Alcohol Inks and with the scraps I decided to make some flowers.

It's a really simple card and I surrounded the flowers with leaves from Spellbinders

The oval has been added to an embossed panel for a little more decoration and you can add any sentiment to the front of the card that suits your occasion.

Friday Freebie 

I will be starting the card and magazine gift "Give Away" again this week so please be sure to add your comment if you would like the gift.

  And my apologies go to Jean Marmo who won the last prize because I still haven't sent it to you. 

But it is in the pipeline Jean and I promise I have not forgotten about it xx

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pink "YOU"

Hello Everybody,

Today's card is a hastily made one and for this I have used pre-coloured card that I bought a a raft show a long time ago.

It is a n A5 size that I have made into a gatefold style and I have lined the inside with some striped card in the same shade of pink.

The die cut "You"  has been layered four times in black and added to one side of the gatefold so that it can be opened.

The pretty floral panel is from the Layers of Flowers by Spellbinders and you can get this set from Craft Stash

An easy card to make for those super quick moment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gilding Flakes & Glitter Snowflakes

Hi Everybody,

As promised here is the video to show you how I made the beautiful snowflakes with glitter

and also gilding flakes.

They are very easy to make and I made loads of them in an afternoon and then got busy and made my cards.

So guess what the theme for my Christmas Cards is this year .... Yep ! Snowflakes

But every one is different depending on how you stack them together, and they can also be used as Birthday cards or invitations to your party too.

So I hope you enjoy the video and will make some of these for your self. 

You can always use pre-glittered card if you preferred or mirror card for a shiny look to your design

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Floral Oval

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with one of the new dies from Spellbinders and it is the Floral Oval designed by Marisa Job

The finished card is an A2 size and I have backed the trellis with parchment. I have also added it to a silver oval but I can't remember the name of the die

The flowers and leaves have been coloured with Copics and the whole effect is very pleasing

Add in a different sentiment and it would be suitable for any occasion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

All You Need is ....

Hi Everybody,

Today's card has combined dies from Crafti Potential and Spellbinders and the brick stencil from Craft Stash.

The result is a pretty simple card and you could add any word you wanted to the design to suit the recipient and the occasion.

With the stencil I inked the pattern and then I embossed it in the die cutting machine to impress the pattern into the card for a lovely effect.

I matted it onto some Kraft card to enhance the brickwork and added the flowers with foam pads underneath

Dot with a few pearls and the card is finished.

Quick, easy, clean & simple !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Distress Inks .....

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created by playing around with Distress Inks to create this Bokeh Effect background for my card.

This is a technique that has been around for ever and it is very easy to do.

Translated Bokeh simply means Blurred and it is a photographic term.

Have you ever looked at a film,  a photo or a magazine page when they have all the lights in the background blurred and running in to each other?   Well that is Bokeh

The sentiment is stamped onto a  Classic Circle and then mounted onto  Spellbinders  Symbology Frame

I have simply turned the orientation of the frame around for a different look

Around the sentiment I have added in some faux stitching and tucked some silver twine behind it

Then I dotted sequins around the card and mounted the panel onto black card before adding to my base.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Two Ways to Use ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty die template is the Spellbinders Butterflies and is one of their expandable range

I have been informed that this die is available and so if you see it grab it quick as once it is gone ... it will be gone forever 

Helen Aiken has just found it here at Sunrise Crafts  for you   Butterflies Pattern

Todays post is to show you two different ways in which I have  used  this die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For this one I have simply cut the whole die from some pink card and used it as it is, and teamed it with a soft cream

I created a frame around the cut piece with Matting Basics and added it on foam pads to give dimension

I wrapped it all in pink ribbon before adding it to my base card.

Then I  added the bow with a dazzler for the knot and a little sentiment that can be for any reason you wish.

The outside edge of the frame has been surrounded by a white pearl strip that is self adhesive and it is from Want2Scrap

I have added a small heart to each of the Butterflies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the second card I cut the whole piece in green and then carefully cut out the butterflies.

I spattered the butterfly embossed background piece of  cream card  and added it to the same green card as the Butterflies.

The Butterflies have been layered two together and the wings bent upwards slightly

Each Butterfly has a pearl body and small trail just to add the finishing touch

The verse on the second card is from Sheena Douglass  "Little Bit Sketchy" range

And there you have a very easy card that looks nothing at all like the first card and yet uses the same expandable die template.

I hope you will enjoy playing with any of the Spellbinders that you have in your collection and looking at them in ways other than their intended use.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Ovals ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using some very beautiful Anna Griffin papers and a lovely blue ribbon and in a style that maybe you wouldn't associate with me

This one is very vintage and I have woven the ribbon through each other on the bottom edge.

I have tied a double bow and added a gemstone to cover the knot and just tucked it in place under the sentiment.

The bas card is blue  but the sentiment tag is also from Anna Griffin and I must say it makes a very pretty card.

Maybe not quite my style but one that I am quite pleased with all the same

The only Spellbinders that I have used on this card is the Elegant Ovals and I have cut the largest #4  in the same blue as the base and #2 in cream and layered them together

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Laced with Love

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is another from the recent Create and Craft shows and features the "Laced with Love" Collection.

These  beautiful  Spellbinders die templates will help you to create the most elegant cards

For the next three weeks they are exclusive to Create and Craft 

This one is the Lonely Hearts and I have glittered it up for extra effect

I have dressed this up with organza ribbon and pretty flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

Into the flowers I have added in a pretty hatpin that I have made and you can also make your own and the Decorative Hatpins Tutorial  will show you how I did them

I buy 3" silver hatpins with end protectors from the Sparkles Group  and if you add the code CGDIS5 at the checkout then you will get a discount on your purchase.

Don't forget the  Spellbinders Sneak Peak  contest that is running until the 5th December for the chance to win the featured die template.

The entry form is HERE  click the link to fill out the form and submit it for your chance to win

Please visit the other Design Team members blogs for more chances to win

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Tips ...

Hi Everybody,

Over the last few weeks I have had several emails asking me about die cutting

The problem seems to be with the more intricate dies that are on the market and they can be from any company that make dies

Most people want to know how to get their card out of the die without tearing it in the process and  wasting your precious supplies

And  what better way to explain some of my tips than to make  .... a video!!

So this morning my "Film Crew" went back up his ladder with his camera to film what I wanted to share with you about die cutting

The card I use most of the time is the Hammered White  from the  Papermill Direct  and it is really good quality  255 gsm card and ideal for your card base.

It is a UK company ...  which is great if you are in the UK but if you live abroad then  you will need to check if they will ship to your country

It is the one I use in the tutorial and on Create and Craft TV and it cuts really well in the Grand Calibur.





The die  used is  Spellbinders 5x7 Detailed Scallops   and the wax paper is a Cornflakes packet !!

The beautiful flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  with the addition of Glitter Magic to add the sparkle

The organza ribbon is from MeiFlower  and it is tied in a double bow  using a bow maker

Give these tips a try if you are having problems with any of your dies but whether you use wax paper or not  then turning the die and shimming only the areas that won't cut are sure to work for you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 026

Hi Everybody,

Gosh these Fridays are coming round quick ... too quick !!

But here we are with another one and this time I have chosen a pale blue and white ... with an enormous double bow ...

Sorreee if you don't like big bows ... next week I will find a smaller one especially for the FF

This card has a lovley verse on it for your friend and so I am sure that some one will enjoy giving it to someone special in their lives.

It uses  Seville from the Sue Wilson Spanish Collection and it is a die that I really love.

My ladies used it to add to boxes and I added their designs to the blog yesterday for you to see.

So if you would like this card to be on its way to you then just leave me a comment at the end of the post and a name will be drawn later.

I am not going to draw the winner until tomorrow to give those who live at the other end of the world  time to add their comments.

But if you have left one please come back and check if you are the new owner of this card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

In the Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Scalloped Borders and Elegant Ovals layered over the top of the Matting Basics to create a really pretty Hinged Style card

The little set of sentiments give a nice neat finish and are so easy to cut.  I make a very feint pencil line to get the words straight and then erase it once they are in place.

Both the embossing pattern are from folders from Crafters Companion and both make a very neat textured finish to the card.

The beautiful flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts ... and don't forget they are now doing smaller Starter Packs of flowers and embellishments

I have sparkled them up with Glitter Magic Chameleon glitter   The ribbon is from Mei Flower and is a soft gingham that is tied in a double bow.

There are video tutorials for both the Scalloped Borders  and how to use the Matting Basics   and if you click the colored words they will take you to a new page for the either relevant information or the website so you can see the products named

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders S6-001 Nestabilities Matting Basics A Die Templates, 5 by 7-Inch

Spellbinders S6-002 Nestabilities Matting Basics B Die Templates, 5 by 7-Inch

Spellbinders S5-182 Borderabilities A2 Scalloped Borders Die Templates

Spellbinders S4-425 Nestabilities 'Elegant Ovals' Scrapbooking Template

Spellbinders Die D-Lites - Die D-Lites Sentiments 1

InLinkz.com

Flower Starter Packs ...

Hi Everybody,

Have you seen them ???   The beautiful starter packs of flowers and embellishments that Paul from Wild Orchid Crafts has put together for us.

He very kindly listened to my suggestion  that was based on some of the comments that many ladies wrote and said that this is what they  wanted

A small selection of different sized flowers and styles that you can add to your cards and at a cost that was reasonable

This is what he has come up with and what a really good price

I think he has done us proud ... so please pop over and take a look at the Flower Starter Packs  

The featured card shows some of WOC flowers and the rhinestone embellishment is in the bow to add that luxury touch to the design and these are available in the Mixed Flowers and Rhinestone Packs  but there are other combinations and colors for you to choose from

I hope you will like what Paul has done ... I certainly do ... so Thank You Paul for your  doing this for us

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Turquoise Gingham ...

Hi Everybody,

This is a  card using  the Grand Squares and I have layered up two shades of turquoise with white.

The pretty Gingham ribbon is from Mei Flower  and I have tied it into a double bow and added a glittery centre from Wild Orchid Crafts

The flowers are a mixture of WOC flowers but also the large one  that has been rolled from Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion  and it has been stamped in turquoise and clear embossed.

It is a pretty card as always looks much better in real life.

The flowers are sparkled with Glitter Magic

I hope you will pop in tomorrow for the Friday Freebie and leave me your comments if you want to win

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*LF-126 Spellbinders GRAND SQUARES Nestabilities Calibur Dies

*s4-126 Spellbinders Nestabilities CLASSIC SQUARE LARGE

*PREORDER S4-389 Spellbinders ADORNING SQUARES Nestabilities Majestic Elements Dies NEW 2013

*S4-351 SPIRAL BLOSSOMS 1 Rolled Flowers Spellbinders New 2011

InLinkz.com

Book Card ...

Hi Everybody,

This card is made from the Grand Labels Four and is also one of the items that is sold in
My Shop  in kit form.

I have added  the flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and sparkled with Glitter Magic

Into the corsage I have added another item from My Shop which is one of the Decorative Hatpins.

The card stand is from Joy Crafts and I bought mine from Ebay and  it is just the right size to hold this style of card.

I have also created a box to compliment the card and I lined it with pink tissue paper.

I decorated it with the same embellishments to match the card.

The pearls are from Want2Scrap and match the Labels Twenty Three

There is also a small baby shoe added in the centre of the card.

The round sentiment is from Lili of the Valley

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*LF-190 Spellbinders GRAND LABELS FOUR 4 Nestabilities Calibur Dies

*S4-347 Nestabilities LABELS 23 Twenty Three Spellbinders New 2011

InLinkz.com

Cornflower Blue ...

Etsy Shop

Hi Everybody,

This card is non traditional colors for Valentines Day ... the red and white one yesterday sold almost straight away

I made one like this last week  and added  it to my   Etsy Shop   ... it sold within the hour and  ... and I am happy to say that this one has been bought also

This is using a lovely shade of Cornflower blue and it really is much prettier in real life.

Both of the hearts have the pearl "Bling" that matches the Spellbinders and it is from   Want2Scrap 

The background is the A4 folder  Picnic Plaid   from Crafters Companion.

The pretty blue and white Roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts

 I have used the  Ivy Leaf  die from Crafters Companion and this  is a die that you can use all year round.

The sentiment is one of the range called  Sentimentals  from Crafters Companion and there are several sets for you to choose each with a different theme.  Read the verses and decide which suit your needs.

The little butterflies I had in my "Stash" and this finished card is one of my favorites.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*LF-168 Spellbinders GRAND LARGE LABELS Nestabilities Calibur Dies

*PREORDER S5-152 Spellbinders FANCY LATTICE Shapeabilities Expandable Pattern Dies NEW 2012

*s4-137 Nestabilities CLASSIC SCALLOPED HEART Spellbinders

*S4-136 Spellbinders Nestabilities CLASSIC HEART 6 Dies

*PREORDER S5-128 Spellbinders FANCY FRAMED TAGS 2 Two Shapeabilities Dies NEW 2012

InLinkz.com

Chantilly Flourish ...

Hi Everybody,

Chantilly Flourish was one of the Tattered Lace dies in the Pick of the Week that was featured on Create and Craft TV  ... and it sold out before the week was finished.

I have cut it twice and used it as a background to the labels.

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion and is one of the Sentimentals Range  and I have embossed it in silver.

The pink pearls are from Want2Scrap  and the ribbon was in my "Stash"

The cut shapes are quite big and so I have  also cut another corner and added it to the inside of the card.

But I have only glued it on three sides then it can be used as a pocket.


The open end then will have a tag to slide inside it for the greeting to be added to.

Just a simple finishing touch but a very pretty one.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S6-001 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S6-002 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*s4-310 Nestabilities LABELS 18 Eighteen Spellbinders

InLinkz.com

Cute Character ...

Hi Everybody,

The little girl is from the pen of Maurie Manning and the image is called in the Bath.

She has been colored with   Spectrum Noir   and the link will take you to their Tutorials page where you will find some from me.....

The colors used are ...

Skin FS2, FS3, CR2, EB2
Hair TN2 EB3
Teddy GB2, GB8, PP1
Bubbles TB2 and glitter
Bath/soap/towel IG2, PP6, PP4 and blender
Floor EB2
Zen-tangled edge to card

I have added the cut out image to a paper doily and added some ribbon from my "stash"   and the sentiment is from Lili of the Valley

The beautiful corner Diamante "Bling" is from  Want2Scrap  and there are two corners in each pack.  

The   September "Give Away"     is still on till Saturday so click the link to add your name for the chance to win some gorgeous goodies.

Pretty image ... pretty card 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx