Wednesday Card Class ...

Hi Everybody,

Last weeks card class was really good with my two lovely ladies.

I have their permission to blog about it and to show you what they did in the class.

And I stress that these cards are the ladies makes ... not mine ... and aren't they lovely.

These cards are Gatefold but they are held closed  with a shaped belly band around the middle.

Both have a little verse in the centre of the card that they stamped and embossed.

They enjoyed making their cards and they choose the color that they wished to use to make the weeks creation.

We  add in the  flowers   ribbons  and  pearls  as we completed the card ... and we added  in the little bit of glitter to make the whole thing sparkle.

So  far  we have  only used a  punch to get the patterned edges ...  but this week we are going to see how many ways we can use one set of dies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The Coronation Street Tour ...

Hi Everybody,

What a good day out we have had and the weather has been glorious.

Griff and I both took pictures and here are some to show you what was there.... they will bring back memories especially for those who used to live in England ... and maybe in the North West.

Here is my "Film Crew" outside the Rovers Return and as always with trusty camera in hand ...

We saw the inside of the bar as a separate scene but you are not allowed to take photos inside   ... only of the actual street

So here is the front of the pub in all it's glory.

It seemed really strange to be sitting in the one of the booths in the Rovers and see where all the filming has been done for years.

But of course the whole set has now been re built in another location.

So this tour of the old studios is only available for the next few months and then it will be gone .... forever.

 Here is the Kabin where Rita and Norris work and the window is full of really old fashioned stuff.

You can't actually go inside these buildings but there are areas that you can get to round the back of some of the houses.

Kevin and Tyrones garage is full of graffiti and looks really small.

It is right next door to  the factory called Underworld.

And of course Gails house has to share the same area at the front.

One of the sets we saw was the inside of her house and that too is really small.

Roy's Rolls where poor Hayley has just died.... and there was her flowery coffin on display on one of  the sets inside.

And if you watched those episodes of Hayley I bet you cried ... I know I did ... but behind the cushion so Griff  couldn't see me.

And last but not least here is me outside Audreys Hair dressers shop waiting to get my hair done .... but she wasn't there today !!

All in all a really good day and then home for a salad tea and to find that the postman had left me ...  lots of lovely new Sue Wilson dies.



So I guess that after my Card Class with my two lovely ladies tomorrow ... I shall be busy for the rest of the week playing with dies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Scheduled Post ...

Hi Everybody,


Todays post is a scheduled one because as you read this I will be doing the Coronation Street Tour in Manchester  and having a fabulous time with my "Film Crew"

I have wanted to do this for so long because this  street set  is closing down now that it has moved to new premises.

I will take some photos to show you for those who love to watch the programme.

But in the meantime here is todays card.... and it is a white on white theme.

The background is created using the 3D M-Bossabilities folder Framed Labels Eighteen  which has been Letterpressed with cream embossing powder

The pearls are from Want2Scrap  and match the Fancy Tags Three with the sentiment in it

The flowers and the  sparkly centre to the bow  are from   Wild Orchid Crafts

And once again I have added in a beautiful Hatpin ... and there is a tutorial to show you how I made some of this style pin  a few years ago ...  Decorative Hatpins 

So another card will be added tomorrow on my return from a lovely day out .... just hope it doesn't rain

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders S4-356 Nestabilities Decorative Elements Floral Ovals Die Templates

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Mega Dies, Fancy Tags 3

Spellbinders E3D-006 M Bossabilities 3D Framed Labels 18-Die Templates

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies, Labels 18

Spellbinders Twisted Metal Tags and Accents

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Tibetan Silver ....

Hi Everybody,

Do you remember me telling you that I had ordered a lot of Tibetan Silver from China to make my hatpins with ???

Well here it is and if you look carefully at the label you can see that I got stung by the Customs charge ... and had to pay another £28 on top of the cost of the items and postage.

I was not a happy bunny I can tell you.

Once the box was opened this is what I have and it was like Aladdins Cave.

Silver filigree beads and bead caps and spacers and pearl beads .... Oh it was fabulous.

So of course I just had to have a play with it all and see what goes with what.

The pins I used for this are 4 1/2 inches and they are from The Sparkles Group  and they are complete with end protectors.

These are just an idea of what I can make and they look really pretty.

In the box was also some beautiful glass beads as well as the pearl ones.

I am going to really enjoy making these hatpins up into lovely collections for my Etsy Shop.

There is one more box on its way and I just hope the customs man keeps his charges to himself on the next one.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spanish Collection - Seville (The Box)

Hi Everybody,

Here as promised is the box that matches the card I showed you yesterday and it is such a pretty combination.

 It stays with the Sue Wilson Craft Dies from the Spanish collection - Seville.

The die is available from JGDCrafts  and they have the full range of the new dies

I have added in the video to take you step by step through the making of the box and of course you can decorate yours any way you wish.

It just makes your card something really special to give and if you added in one of the Decorative Hatpins as well then  it is a gift as well as a card.

I have used some really lovely striped pink card that is 240 gsm for both the card front panel and the box lid.

It is a good weight to use and gives some structure to the lid when you start to die cut it.

Keep the fancy card for the top and use a plain white for the base of your box .... I used the same card for my cards base and it is from Papermill Direct




I have lined the box with pink tissue paper to keep the card clean and I must admit that I really do like this little card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Previous students of The Art Studio ...

Hi Everybody,

This is important for previous students of The Art Studio ...

so please read it carefully 

Some time ago I had to tell you the The Art Studio was closing down.    As this was the website that was offering my videos for sale it was quite a shock ...  I can tell you...  but it was something that I had no control over as it was not my website

So that other people would not buy any more videos from the  TAS   website I removed their  button from my side bar.   And I had to try and find a means to store the videos so that they could still be offered for sale as there is now no access to their pages

Over the last few weeks  Griff and I have been  re editing the tutorials  and moving them  somewhere else so that I have control over them and this has been a  major task and learning  curve all over again ....  I am pleased to say that it is now partially completed ...  but for now I have only been able to move the Spellbinders  Classes. 

I have asked for a list from   TAS of the students  that have already  purchased the  classes but as yet  I have not received one ...  and this leaves me with a big  dilemma. 

The classes were  sold on an  unlimited service with access  to the  videos  24/7  but  I have very limited knowledge  as to who has  purchased what.

So can I ask you please to let me know if you where one of the people who bought a class before

The Art Studio closed  down.

If you can email me ... christina@card-making-magic.com ... with any receipts that you had for the purchase ...  which class it was that you bought and when ...  and your full name and the customer number that you were given at the time ... then all this will help me to find you.

Together we can sort this out but it is in the early stages yet and so I ask that you be patient with me until all the glitches are sorted out ..... Thank you !

Hugs xx

Sue Wilson Craft Dies - Seville

Hi Everybody,

I really love this new die from the talented Sue Wilson .. it is so delicate and lacy and a joy to work with.

This one is from the Spanish Collection and is called Seville.

This pretty card is true to my style of flowers, ribbons and pearls and it looks so much better in the hand.

The die is from  JGD Crafts  and they have all the range in stock and they will ship abroad too... so good for all you non UK crafters

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they are sparkled with Glitter Magic

The making of this card has been filmed and is now ready for you to view.... and tomorrow I will add in the video of the box to match.

The petty  gingham ribbon on this card is from Mei Flower  and the  pearly centre to the bow is from WOC

The little  sentiment  is one from an  A5 sheet of verses from  Lili of the Valley  and I stamped it in color and embossed in clear powder.

The finished card is about 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches and looks perfect with a box

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

This weeks Card Winner ....

Hi Everybody,

Just a quick post for now ... but a lovely card and video coming up later.

This post is just to let you know where this weeks Friday Freebie is going and the name drawn is ....

Brenda Hanlon

The card is yours but I need your postal address so that I can post it to you.  

Please email me ....     christina@card-making-magic.com  as soon as you can and let me know when you get it.

More later ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 008

Hi Everybody,

This is a pretty little lemon card and it is a 6 inch square.

It has gold embossing and the background is created with a mask and some Sparkle Paste to give a raised texture.

The bow is multiple and wrapped around the layers and the centre is gold and cream.

The inside is lined and embossed and the envelope is embossed in the same pattern.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and sparkled with Glitter Magic

It is a pretty card and it can be yours for the swap of a comment.



Leave yours at the bottom of the post and later this evening a name will be picked at random.

I will let you know who has won the card in tomorrows blog post

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Letterpress Card

Hi Everybody,

This lovely card has been created using an embossing folder and a technique known as Letterpress.

Your result will depend on the folder that you use and the color of ink that you choose to ink the folder with.

For this card I have used Picked Raspberry to ink the folder Labels 34 Medallions.

This gives a lacy effect to my card.  I inked two pieces of card and cut the centre part from one of them to add with foam pads over the full panel.

The technique is easy enough to do so don't be afraid to try it if you are new to cardmaking.




The video will take you step by step through the process and I have used vibrant colors so that you can see the process.

I know you will not be disappointed with the result

Don't forget that you can add your cards to the Gallery Page on my website.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they have been sparkled with Glitter magic.

The red flourish is from Want2Scrap   and clicking the links will open new windows for you to visit their websites.

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

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New Card Class

Hi Everybody,

Some time ago I asked if anyone living near to me in Blackpool would be interested in joining a class and leaning how to make some really pretty cards.

I got a phone call from one lady who was enquiring for her and her friend and she said she would call me back.... and I thought to my self .... will she???

But she did and she booked a day and time that suited them and on the appointed day they arrived.

We made a pretty three paneled card in the first class and they seemed very pleased with what they had achieved as they are relatively new to cardmaking.

After the class they said they would let me know when they wanted to come again and of course I with self doubt thought that was it.

Later that evening one of them rang me and said that they wanted to come EVERY week and I was so pleased... and we made a regular commitment to a weekly class in my  craft room.

The featured card is last weeks make and they chose the colors that they wanted to make their card in.

This is my offering and the guideline for us to follow.

They chose yellow and lilacs for their cards and both were delighted with what they had created.

They are very willing and eager to learn and it has been a pleasure each week to work with them... can't wait till we start using the dies.

And today sees the third class ...  so I have to go now and get everything ready for my lovely ladies Brenda and Mary.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Valiant Honor in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is the Valiant Honor set being used again but this time the whole set and not just the tag that I used to create the fan card.

I have layered white card with pink patterned card and taken the white ribbon around all the layers.

A striking pink hatpin has been added to the bow which has a pearl centre.

The Valiant Honor is a n A2 size die and so I have added it onto the larger 5x7 matting basics.

The verse is appropriate to the added butterflies.

Now I know you are going to ask me where it is from .... and I really don't know.

It is one of a set that I bought at the craft show and it had no brand name on it.....Sorreeee!!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

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

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

*RESERVE S5-217 Spellbinders VALIANT HONOR Nestabilities Dies

*s4-310 Nestabilities LABELS 18 Eighteen Spellbinders

*PREORDER S4-371 Spellbinders LES PAPILLIONS Shapeabilities Dies NEW 2012

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Spectrum Noir Skin

Hi Everybody,

I have had several emails asking me for links to articles when they are already on the page... so if you are new to Blogging then any words that are in another color are usually a link.

Hover your mouse over it and if it turns into a hand then click it and it will open another window and take you to the page for that item or article.

This is one of the images I colored with the Pale Hues six pen set
from Spectrum Noir.

I went on to make a video tutorial for  Pale Skin  using the same set and there are other videos using the other six pen sets.

It is one of the videos that got me noticed by Spectrum Noir and lead to me being an instructor for them and subsequently on the Design Team.

Now from there more exciting things have happened and I have been asked to do a workshop on these pens by

  JGD Crafts.

They are a UK based company in Sutton in Ashfield and I will be down there on September 13th

I know the numbers for the workshop are limited so if you live near there and are not in the class then just pop in and say hello.... it would be lovely to meet you.


So the image of this handsome man  from Just Inklined was made into a card and the sentiment that I added for fun is from Lili of the Valley

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Rustic Flowers ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card with the beuatiful rustic shades.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they and the ribbon were just white until I sprayed them all with alcohol refill ink and Isopropyl.

Some of you seem to be having trouble getting hold of the Isopropyl ... but I just got mine from my local chemist shop and they were happy to order some more for me too.

The flowers have the usual glitter on them from Glitter Magic  and the leaves have been colored with Spectrum Noir DG2

The centre of the bow has the addition of a sparkler from a dismantled Primark bracelet that I showed you a few days ago and it looks really pretty.

The pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap and last but not least the sentiment is from Crafters Companion

I like to line my cards and I explain the reasoning in Making Cards My Style 

 It gives a much better appearance once it is finished off to match the front.

The base card for this one is created with the Grand Large Labels and there is also a video to show you how to   make the border that is along the bottom.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*LF-168 Spellbinders GRAND LARGE LABELS Nestabilities Calibur Dies

*PREORDER S5-182 Spellbinders A2 SCALLOPED BORDERS 1 One Borderabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

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Spanish Collection ...

Hi Everybody,

I have another new die and this one is from JGD Crafts  a UK based company in Nottingham.

This beautiful die was created from the  new Sue Wilson dies and this is the Spanish collection called Seville.

It makes the most beautiful lacy pattern and I have only used the die set for this card.

I inked through the patterned die whilst the card was still place with Distress ink to give a subtle hint of color to the frame.

I cut the largest die twice and made a hinged base then layered up the other dies with foam pads.

The label was cut  twice  ... one to frame the other ... then stamped in color and embossed in clear.

One of the dies cuts the pattern but leaves it in the card and is excellent for creating box tops that show the card inside.

I added acetate to the top and decorated it to match the card and it is very pretty.

This is a picture of the packet that you are looking for and
JGD Crafts have the full range of Sue Wilson dies in stock.

This is a die that I will be using time after time and I love the lacy look to the card.

I have added in some pearls from Want2Scrap  and the tiny turquoise clear flowers are also from the same company.

So that the flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts have the extra sparkle I have dusted them with Glitter Magic.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

This is the first post for today and it is just to let you know the winner of yesterdays Friday Freebie card.  

This card is coming  to live with you   ....

  Cynthia Murray 

and I hope you will like it. 

 Please email me .... christina@card-making-magic.com .... with your postal address and I will get it in the post to you  straight away.

Thanks to all of you who have left me a comment for this card and there will be another chance next week.

More later   ....

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 007

Friday Freebie 007

Hi Everybody,

This is a very pretty card in turquoise and white and it is decorated with flowers, ribbons and pearls.

The ribbon is layered over some white lace and the flowers are glittered from  Glitter Magic

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and the ribbon was some that I bought from TKMaxx.

The large pearls are from Want2Scrap  and they match the card perfectly.

The background pattern is the ever popular Quatrefoil   and it makes a really pretty backdrop to the circle.

So it is another one up for grabs and if you would like to win this one then all you have to do is leave me a comment.

Griff will draw a name  from the list later today and the winner will be announced in tomorrows blog post.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*LF-168 Spellbinders GRAND LARGE LABELS Nestabilities Calibur Dies

*PREORDER S4-388 Spellbinders STATELY CIRCLES Nestabilities Dies NEW 2013

*S4-327 Spellbinders FLORAL FLOURISHES Shapeabilities Dies

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

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