Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

May 31, 2014

Holiday with a difference (Day 1)

Hi Everybody,

Here I am back at home again after a fabulous week away and what an adventure this has been.   I would like to share some of my photos with you and hope that you will enjoy the journey too.  For this holiday we decided to go to Lake Garda in Italy and do it all ... by train.

We went with a company called Treyn and they provide a Tour Manager who escorts the group the whole time... and her job is to ensure that all runs smoothly.

We went via the Euro Tunnel from the very elegant St Pancras station in London into Paris and then switched to the TGV towards Italy.  

We arrived at   Gare du Nord and then had to cross Paris to the  Gare de Lyon  and this part of the journey was to take place by coach  ....  but the coach did not turn up 

Now if that  was my job I would have been in a panic but  Louise the TM ...stayed as cool as a cucumber,  did some neat haggling with a taxi driver and managed a deal that took 26 people,  in his large fleet of taxis across Paris in rush hour ... which is no mean task
This is a journey that can take up to an hour  in all that traffic ... but those taxi drivers were fabulous.

They weaved in and out of other traffic ... used the bus lanes and got us all to Gare de Lyon with about seven minutes to spare.... 
  
              Panic over ... medal to Louise !!

The scenery on the route was spectacular with white fluffy clouds covering the tops of the high mountains... as we sped past on a very fast train 

This was the first nights stop  in a pretty town called Chambery in France, with the beautiful snow covered Alps in the background.

We arrived late in the afternoon and just had time for a quick look around before going  for dinner and this picture was taken looking down one of the tree lined roads on the way to the restaurant.

The scenery was breathtaking along the way so far and tomorrow is another day of travel.

This time we go into Italy for our destination by the side of  beautiful Lake Garda for  a five night stay in a hotel by the waters edge.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 30, 2014

Californian Collection - Background

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I have used another  of the dies from JGD Crafts and this is the Californian Collection  Background die designed by Sue Wilson.

I have simply cut the pattern out of white card and then  cut it into strips and backed each one with pink card. The card is from Papermill Direct

I have mitred each corner and added it to an embossed panel
with foam tape to raise it up






There is a smaller frame over the verse and a little  pearl from Want2Scrap added to the centres of each pattern

The verse is from Crafters Companion

The tiny bows are off a new pair of pyjamas ... as they look much better on my card

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and are a lovely mixture of Roses, Tulips, Cosmos Daisies and Sweetheart Blossoms.

All sprinkled in glitter from Glitter Magic

It is quite a big card at 7 inch square but it does look very pretty.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 29, 2014

With You in Mind ...

Hi Everybody,

So here today is a pink card .... just for a change !!  And once again it has many layers

I have used California Collection - San Francisco as the topper and layered it over the second die in Elegant Labels Four.

The Sue Wilson Collections are available from JGD Crafts   and they will ship worldwide



The matching bling for the Labels Eleven comes from Want2Scrap

The lovely pink satin ribbon is from Mei Flower    and I have tied it into a double bow ... and  added three Sweetheart Blossoms from  Wild Orchid Crafts  

A really pretty card with lots of depth to it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


May 28, 2014

So Thankful ...

Hi Everybody,

The beautiful ribbon on this card has a wire edge to it which makes it easy to form into a beautiful bow.

The card is made to the Hinged Card Style  and then layered up with Spellbinders ... and the dies are listed at the bottom of the post

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  with the addition of fine glitter from Glitter Magic 

 For me the two go hand in hand for a lovely sparkly effect.
The pearl spray in with the flowers is made by me and added to the corsage along with green leaves.

The sentiment is part of the Good Friends set from JustRite Stampers

The background is embossed with the A4 folder called Basket Weave from   Creative Expressions

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx







May 27, 2014

Birthday Card

Hi Everybody,

Here is a lovely birthday card in that wonderful shade of blue  teamed with the white and there are lots of layers to the card.

The sentiment was a free die from a Simply Cards and Papercrafts magazine that I subscribe to each month.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and the large pearl centre is from Creative-Studios  ... and don't forget that these pearls can be altered to any color with your Spectrum Noir pens.
All the layers have been raised with foam pads to give depth to the card and the only other embellishments  are the self adhesive pearls in blue from  Want2Scrap

The inside is lined with a matching patterned card that is from AnnaMarie Designs

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx











May 26, 2014

Create a Card - Aurora

Hi Everybody,

This is the last of the six lovely  new dies from Crafters Companion in the Create a Card series
and this one is  Aurora

I have used the die  complete for this card  and the only  addition is the  scalloped and plain  circles at the bottom  for the sentiment.

The flowers are from   Wild Orchid Crafts   and they have the usual sparkle  to the petals with fine  glitter from  Glitter Magic

But the long stem with the berries is from   AnnaMarie Designs  and I bought these at a craft show last year

This card also has a Hatpin pushed into the bow and the knot is covered with a beautiful red and Diamante sparkler from WOC

The red flourish is from   Want2Scrap  and just fills that small gap on the sentiment tag

The ribbon is some that I bought at a craft show last year and I have doubled it around the card and added a double bow

A bit of a distance from pink ... but just as pretty

So I hope you have enjoyed seeing the new die sets and I have just used them in one way.  There are many ways to use these and  if you remember these are all scheduled posts ... so once I get back home I will make sure to put them to work and show you what I come up with

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 25, 2014

Create a Card - Enchanted

Hi Everybody,

So far over the last few days we have been showcasing the new Create a Card range from Crafters Companion.

There are six different patterns and they are truly lovely.

Now we are back to my comfort zone with this card as it is pink .... with flowers, ribbons and pearls.
My flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic

This pattern  is called  Enchanted  and it is  gorgeous

Once cut all the dies will leave a deep emboss in the card

They cut so well  and there are many ways they can be used and I will show you some in the coming months

I have  used  California Collection - Hollywood  to top the card and it gives a very frilly pretty effect

This design and others in Sues Collections are variable from   JGD Crafts  who are happy to ship abroad ... just for you

I have added in ribbon and lace as well as sparkly Diamante and another lovely hatpin.

These little addition will make the perfect small gift for any of your friends and won't break the bank either.

The base card that I use is from   Papermill Direct   and is the white linen  card at 255 gsm  which is sturdy enough to create the base and  layers and yet  supple enough to create flowers when you  need  them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 24, 2014

Create a Card - Extravagance

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is  called   Extravagance    and is  from Crafters Companion Create a Card dies

I have used Spellbinders Lattice with this and it just shows how well all dies from whichever company will all play nicely on the same card.
I have layered this in cream and white and then added it to a larger panel so that the finished card is 7 1/2 inches square.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and into the corsage I have added a lovely pearl and Diamante hatpin

The flowers have been sparkled for added glamour

The satin ribbon has a pearl and diamante centre and the pearl flourishes are from Want2Scrap.

It is  a card that would be lovely  for a wedding  with the  appropriate verse and this little verse is from   Clarity Stamps  and it comes ready mounted on a clear acrylic handle.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 23, 2014

Create a Card - Precious

Hi Everybody,

Todays featured card is from the Create A Card die called   Precious and I must admit that this is one of my favorites.

I dare you to make this and not add tiny pearls into the cross sections.  I had to add the little blue ones and they look lovely.

On the top of this I have layered the Gold Majesty Circles after I had inked through the die.

The sentiment is from my "Stash" and is one I bought a craft show quite some time ago.

The ribbon and lace around the layers are also from my bit box but the flowers and the diamante centre to the bow are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

Here is another pretty Hatpin to add that special touch and it can be removed if needed.

I like this card ... the die, the ribbon and the color and it is much better in real life.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 22, 2014

Create a Card - Decadence

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Create A Card die called Decadence    from Crafters Companion  and the central aperture to this die is square.

It leaves a deeply embossed pattern on the card that can be further enhanced by inking through the die.

I have added foam pads to raise the panel up and I have added it to another embossed panel to make the card a little larger.

Once again I have added  a Hatpin into the flowers which are from Wild Orchid Crafts

There is a layer of ribbon and lace around the card and I have used a pearl buckle to hold the ribbon loops closed.

The petals have been sparkled with Glitter Magic 

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion and I have just cut and layered it into a plain shape.

The little pearls are Mother of Pearl from Want2Scrap

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 21, 2014

Create a Card - Romance

Hi Everybody,

Over the next few days all of my Blog  posts will scheduled ones as I am travelling and will not have access to a PC or the internet.  And so because of this there will be no Friday Freebie for two weeks.

But when I get back home I will have some lovely photos to share with you of my adventures and I will also be starting the FF again and we will have a "Give Away" ... so bear with me and keep visiting as there are going to be some really pretty cards for you to see.

The cards I am featuring will be from the new dies from Crafters Companion

They are all from the Create a Card range and this one is called   Romance 

I have created this in a soft gray and silver and added the lilac flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  along the edge.


The flowers have the addition of sparkle from Glitter Magic 

Into the silver gray ribbon I have added a pretty Hatpin that can be removed as a gift... and there is a Diamante buckle to hold the ribbon layers closed.

I have used the SB Labels Thirty Three for the sentiment and that is the only other die used.

The Create a Card die has made the background and it is very pretty with deep embossing.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx







May 20, 2014

What makes you think ????

Hi Everybody,


Take a look at this and tell me .... what makes you think Griff is going on holiday somewhere ???

Could it be the smile on his face ... or could it be the casual way he is dressed ...

Or maybe it is the fact that he must have raided every cupboard in the house to find this many bags

After a lot of scuffling around he called to me  ...."Bring your camera ..."   and that is what waited for me ... so after I finished laughing I took the photo.

As I do so he says "I dare you to put that on yer blog"

So here it is ... and no he is not taking them all with him.

I will share my adventure with you when I get back 

Please remember that these are scheduled post and your comments will NOT show up until I get back ... but please don't stop leaving them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 19, 2014

Spectrum Noir ...

Hi Everybody,

Time to get the  Spectrum Noirs  out again  to play and this beautiful card would  suit all your girly friends  and would be ideal for any occasion.   Just add the appropriate sentiment.

Saturated Canary Image
Colors used ...
Skin FS2 FS3 TN2 CR2
Hair GB1 GB8 TN2
Dress PL2 PL3 BP4

The background is distress inks in Victorian Velvet, Broken China and Dusty Concord around the edge.

The white leaves and flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they and the bodice have been sparkled with  fine glitter from  Glitter Magic

The pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap

The pink ribbon is from my "Stash" and it turned out to be  a very pretty card.  I have triple mounted the image onto turquoise, pink and white glitter card before adding it to the white base card .. and that is created in the hinged card style

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


May 18, 2014

Gilding Flakes

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I added a card that had   Gold Gilding Flakes being used with the Spanish Collection - Seville  from Sue Wilson.

I had several emails asking me how I had made the card and so here is a short video to show you what I did.

The Seville die is from   JGDCrafts  and the Gilding Flakes are from  Indigo Blu  and they have many different colored mixes for you to choose from

The double sided sticky sheet I got at the craft  show but you can get than from many places

I have carried the theme through to the inside of the card so that it compliments the front

The ribbon is from my "Stash" but the flowers and leaves are from Wild Orchid Crafts

I have used the glitter from Glitter Magic to enhance the flowers

The sentiment is from JustRite Stampers





The video is only 10 minutes and I hope you will enjoy the effect once you give the Gilding Flakes a try for yourself .

Click this link for more ideas on using  Gilding Flakes   and also using them with your stamps

Millie Thomson
 don't forget to claim you Friday Freebie card .... as soon as you can please.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 17, 2014

Card Winner is ....

Hi Everybody,

The card winner post is a bit late going out this morning .... sorreeeeee !!  but I had a bit of a a lie in and shame on me I didn't get up until 8.10

Still it gave more people the opportunity to add their names to the list and now the draw has been completed and the winner chosen.

The name of  the winner of this Friday Freebie is ....

Millie Thomson 

and I am delighted to send the card to you.  
Would you please email me as soon as you can 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get the card in the post to you straight away.

There will be blog posts everyday as usual ... just no FF for two weeks so please keep on visiting 
Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls  as I have some lovely cards lined up for you to see over the next few days 

More tomorrow ...  

Hugs xx


Blue Blue ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another blue card using that pretty paper pack from Limetree Craft and the gingham ribbon from Mei Flower

There are lots of layers to this card and the frames are created with the matting basics ... but the background in the frames is the California Background from Sue Wilson

This is another card that is much prettier in real life than the photo shows

You will find the collection of Sues dies at JGD Crafts 

I know that some of you want these dies and can't get them in your own country but JGD Crafts will send the dies abroad for you ...

The little sparkly butterflies are some that I bought at the cart show and they were on a roll for 50p .... so a real bargain

It is worthwhile rummaging around the baskets at craft shows as you never know what you will find.

The flowers and the white leaves are from Wild Orchid Crafts

The verse is from the Good Friends/Labels 29 stamp set from   JustRite Stampers

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



May 16, 2014

Friday Freebie 011

Friday Freebie 011
Hi Everybody,

Todays Freebie card is in blue Centura pearl and white and has lots of layers and embossing and is bigger than normal at 6x8 inches

It has a lovely organza ribbon wrapped around it and tied in a quadruple  bow with a large pearl centre.

The pearls are from Want2Scrap  and I have just added them in the top corner.

The verse is from JustRite Stampers   and matches the Labels Twenty Nine from Spellbinders.
So if you would like to win this card then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the post.

Then later this evening Griff will pick a name and it will be given in tomorrows blog post.

You will then have 48 hours in which to claim the card and give me your postal address.

Some people are not reading what is needed to be done to win this card or any other of the Friday Freebies.

They are just sending me their addresses simply because they want a card.   The name is drawn at random by my "Film Crew"  and announced the next day.

This will be the last FF card for two weeks as I am going to be unavailable.  But it will be back soon.

There are lots of scheduled posts coming up as I won't have access to the internet

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx