Card Class Contribution ...

Hi Everybody,

In one of my  card classes I set my ladies the task of creating some flowers from Spellbinders dies and to bring them to  a class for us to make up into cards.

They did very well and both arrived armed with pretty flowers in different colors.

The dies used were Bitty Blossoms, Aster Topper and the Spiral Blossom  One & Three  Dies

The flowers have  glitter on them for added sparkle from Glitter Magic

So these are the cards that were produced at the class and both ladies went away again today pleased with their makes.

The verses on both cards are from Crafters Companion and are part of the Sentimentals Range   They have been stamped and embossed and added to frames again created with Spellbinders

Each of these is a very pretty card and both ladies are doing really well and this is something we all look forward to each session.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Dies-Bitty Blossoms

Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Dies-Spiral Blossom 3

Spellbinders S5-102 Shapeabilities Aster Flower Topper Die Templates

InLinkz.com

So Grateful ...

Hi Everybody,

Thank you so much for all your kind comments and especially for all the emails sent into the Create and Craft show that went out "live"  yesterday on the 29th.

 I was amazed at the amount that were in that huge cup and it was lovely to see them all.

You are all wonderful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you gave me.  I have had literally hundreds of emails since I got back home and lots of you want to know when I will be back on Create and Craft.

Well you won't have long to wait as I am back there next week for the 4 Day Deal which is using the new flower dies from Spellbinders.  I thought I had one show on Monday at 8 am .... how stupid  could I be ... and the clue is in the title ....It's a  Four Day Deal !!

I have several shows on Monday to start the week off  and the deal  will run till Friday ....  unless there is a sell out and then I can go home early.  I have never been so busy so please bear with me if blog posts are late.

But once things settle down a little I will be able to plan things out a little better.  The card that was the given away on the show has been claimed and that will not affect the weekly Friday Freebie that is on the blog.

And in all the excitement maybe the winner of the July Give Away has been overlooked and some I am extending the time limit and saying again that it was won by YOU.......

                        Julie Williams 

and I need your postal address to get the parcel on it's way to you as soon as you can please.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Today is the Day ...

Hi Everybody,

Well today is my big day on Create and Craft TV  and I do hope you can be there to share it with me.

I am going to be so nervous to start but I am hoping that I will settle down as the show goes on

This card features the Peace die and this is another that can be used in many different ways.

Use it as shown here but you can also use the flourishes alone to adorn another shape ... maybe with a sentiment

The outer frame to the card is what would be the waste but I have utilised it here to add to the card

It is very quick and easy to do and maybe I will get the chance to show you

Here is another with beautiful baubles called Heirloom Reflections and I must admit to really liking this die

But things are selling so quickly that by the time I get ready they will say ... "Everything is sold out so you can go home now .... "  and that will be me done .... cut off in my prime so to speak !!

So off now to get ready ... see you at Noon

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Picture Perfect ....

Hi Everybody,

These are some more cards that are featured on the Spellbinders Pick of the Week show over on Create and Craft.

This one is called Picture Perfect and there are lots of ways that it can be used.

On this card I have cut the main part of the die in white and layered it over the starry sky.

Glitter has been added to highlight the snow area and the windows have small pieces of orange card glued behind for the light.

The pretty Gingham ribbon is from Mei Flower

And this is another way to use the die for a different  look and the bottom part of the picture is glittered with Chameleon Glitter from Glitter Magic

The added pearls are from Want2Scrap for an extra effect.

I hope you will join me on the 29th July at 12 Noon when I will be doing my very first "Live" TV demonstration for Spellbinders 

The Link is ... Create and Craft TV  and at the top of the page you will TV schedule and Watch Us Live 

Clicking the "Watch Us ..."  link will take you to the programme that is showing at the time but look for Spellbinders Pick of the Week on Tuesday and that is where I will be.

The programmes are repeated so if you can't be there at the time then you can catch it later by watching on-line

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July "Give Away" winner is ....

Hi Everybody,

I want to thank you all for your warm wishes on my news about being on Create and Craft TV ... I thought it better to tell you than to frighten you all when you see me on the screen ....  I am really excited and scared about this all at the same time  ... but what an adventure this is going to be.

For those of you who are not in the UK  you should be able to watch the show on your PC and here is the link to the C&C website for you .... then just click the  "Watch Live TV" at the top of the page and it should be there for you wherever you live

 I will be on the Spellbinders Pick of the Week Tuesday 29th July at 12 Noon

Here is the link ....     Create and Craft TV 

So now onto the news that you are all waiting for and that is the Winner of the "Give Away" for July and that name is you .....

Julie Williams 

 please email me ... christina@card-making-magic.com ... with your postal address

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Team ...

Hi Everybody,

I am so happy  to tell you that I have been invited to join  the Spellbinders Team and that many of my cards have been featured on the Pick of the Week

That in itself is a great honour but I am also excited to tell you that I will be appearing "Live"  on  Create and Craft TV  on Tuesday the 29th July at 12 Noon.

So I am asking for your support please to come and watch the show and if you can then email in  and tell us what you think

These cards feature the new Heirloom Reflections used in two different ways.

One is as a complete ornament to decorate the front of your card.

I have done these in a soft antique gold with a glitter card on top that matches.

The beautiful flourish is from Want2Scrap and adds elegance to the card.

The other is  using just the  filigree portion to create a  background and both  of   these cards are on the show.

With another sentiment on it this card could be for any occasion so don't put the dies away once Christmas is over with ... this you can use all year round

I hope you will join me on the 29th and see what we come up with on the show

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Holiday dies ...

Hi Everybody,

Have you been watching the Create and Craft Pick of the Week shows ??  And have you noticed some of the cards with big chocolate box bows on them ??  Ring any bells ??

Some of the cards featured on the show  are those that I have been busy making for Spellbinders and this is the one that has been the favourite of many people.

This is the 3-D Christmas Tree and it is selling very quickly .. so if this is the one you want then you will need to move fast before it sells out.

There are so many  ways to use this,   and indeed all of the dies that  are on the show,   and here are just two ideas  from the same tree die.

I will  show you other  ways to use these  dies over the coming weeks so if there are any that you really like I hope you manage to get them before they sell out.

I have been so busy but had so much fun with these dies and the cards are really lovely on completion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Red and White Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

It would seem that red and white are quite a favourite with lots of you and it is a mixture that I think works very well together for lots of occasions.

Thank you as always for all the comments left for this card and a name has been chosen from the hat by my "Film Crew"

The winner of this lovely card is ....

Helen Aiken

So now I need you to send me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be on its way to you 

I hope you will like it and please let me know when it arrives.

More later ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 019

Hi Everybody,

This lovely red and white card is up for grabs today and it has lots of layers to it.  It is a 6 x 8 inch card and the inside is decorated also.

It could be for any occasion that you wanted to use it for and all you have to do is change the sentiment on the front and away you go.

If you would like to have this card coming your way then all you have to do is leave me a comment.

Later on Griff will draw a name from the hat and in tomorrows post that name will be given.

So if you add a comment then please come back tomorrow and see if you have won because you will only have 48 hours in which to claim it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Best Wishes ...

Hi Everybody,

Another card using the Tranquil Moments die along with elements from other sets in the mix.

As usual it is made to the  Hinged Card   style which is so easy to work with and the card will stand despite the weight on the front

It is in pink and white .... again .... with a lovely big double bow on the front.

It is about 6 x 8 inches and the single rose sits  over the knot on the beautiful satin ribbon from Mei Flower

Don't forget that there is a  Give Away  running at the moment and if you have not added your name to the list yet then now is the time to do so.

If you would like to win some special goodies then click this link ... July Give Away   and leave your name and email address ... and leaving me a comment would be nice too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Spellbinders S5-211 Nestabilities 'Romantic Rectangles Two' Scrapbooking Template

Spellbinders Twisted Metal Tags and Accents

Spellbinders S5-148 Nestabilities Decorative Labels Eight Die Templates

Spellbinders Nestabilities Mega Dies, Labels 20

InLinkz.com

Single flower

Hi Everybody,

 There are lots of different elements to this card that has been matted and layered with white and turquoise

I have made it to the  Hinged card   style using the Matting Basics A & B ... but added the hinge on the long side so that it is a landscape card

The bottom layer has been embossed with the 3-D embossing folder called Oval Accent and I have used the  Letterpress Technique   with Broken China Distress Ink

The next layer has been cut with Romantic Rectangles Two and added with foam pads to give dimension.

I have then added in another of the Tranquil Moments shapes and on top of that with the sentiment I have used the Elegant Ovals.

I bought the sentiment at a craft show and couldn't remember where it was from ... and then Karen Gibson  has very kindly left me the link to the suppliers on Facebook.  It is one in a collection called  "Say it With Flowers" from Card-io  ...  Thank you so much Karen for the link

The ribbon is some lovely soft Gingham from  Mei Flower    The flower is created from Blossoms Five and added to the flourish that is Bella Rose.

The flower has been sparkled with   Glitter Magic  and makes a really pretty focal point

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders S5-211 Nestabilities 'Romantic Rectangles Two' Scrapbooking Template

Spellbinders S4-425 Nestabilities 'Elegant Ovals' Scrapbooking Template

New - Heartfelt Creations Cut & Emboss Dies By Spellbinder's - Bella Rose by Heartfelt Creations

Spellbinders S4-370 Nestabilities Blossom Five Die Templates

InLinkz.com

Tranquil Moments

Hi Everybody,

This is the Tranquil Moments die set from Spellbinders and it is a very pretty die

The link takes you to the Spellbinders page so that you can see what the die looks like but the price is in dollars so shop around and you may find it cheaper.

Here I have added it to a larger A4 card folded in half and hinged at the top.

The die itself is one of the A2 Card Creator Collections and so makes a good sized card if used alone.

The ribbon is from Mei Flower   and the centre of the bow is covered with a little pearl and diamanté flower from Wild Orchid Crafts

The sentiment is one of five on a stamp sheet from Lili of the Valley  and they are verses I am often asked about.   Clicking the colored words will take you to their websites

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

Give Away for July ...

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I had an email from a lady who had bought the same embossing folder not once ... but twice !!    Now that is worse than I did

But she very kindly offered to donate the extra ones to me so that I can add them to a Give Away and they duly arrived in the post.

So many thanks to  Karen Perkins  for the  Bricks and Bark  M-Bossabilites folder from Spellbinders ... your mistake is our gain.

In the pack I have added in some other "goodies" and this is what is on offer for July

Spellbinders Bricks and Bark embossing folder
2 Packs of assorted flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
2 Packs of pearly "Bling" from Want2Scrap
A pack of assorted hatpins

A really good prize to win full of useful items that can be used on your cards and I don't think you will be disappointed with them.

Another Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Thank you for all the comments to win the card offered yesterday and once again my trusty "Film Crew" has drawn the name.

The winner of FF card 18 is ...

Jenny Strachan

Please email me ...   christina@card-making-magic.com  ... with your postal address and the card will be on its way to you.  You have 48 hours to claim it and I hope you will like it when it arrives

More later ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 018

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards is in a lovely shade of teal and white and I have used the Tied Together embossing folder along the bottom.

On each of the cross sections I have added a flat backed Pearls from Want2Scrap in a matching shade

The verse is from the Sentimentals Range from Crafters Companion.  and there are lots on the stamp sheet for you to use.

They are unmounted stamps but if you are new to this type of stamp then there is a video tutorial to help you ...  Mounting Your Stamps  

Clicking the links to all the pink words   will take you to a new window and the relevant  pages

There is a little organza butterfly on the left and the inside is lined and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

They have been sparkled with the  Glitter Magic  mix called Chameleon

If you would like to win this 5 x 7 card then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post and a name will be drawn at random and the winner announced in the morning.

If you enter to win then please come back and see if you are the winner and you will have 48 hours to claim the card

Further information about Scrapberrys .... they forgot to give me the correct  link and have apologised for those who tried to find out prices.

I know have the link to their Facebook page and you can see samples of  cards that have been made with their products and it is there that you can ask any questions that you like ... here it is ... Scrapberrys  I have also amended the original post with this new link

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Yellow and Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Now I now that not everybody will like yellow and pink but it really is a winning combination if you get the shades right.

The photograph is not a very good one but the Spectrum Noir colors used are ...

Skin FS2 FS3 FS4
Hair GB2 GB8 GB9
Clothes  PL1 BP2 BP6
Boots  GB2 GB8 GB9

The background  and the ribbon have been colored with Isopropyl and  CT3 and sprayed onto the card through a mask and the technique with the ribbon  is shown in this tutorial ... Coloring Ribbon and Flowers

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and the image is from Saturated Canary and it is pretty ... it's just a rubbish photo (Note to self ... Must Do Better)

The Spectrum Noir pens and pencils are available from JGD Crafts  and I love the pencils they are so smooth to work with

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

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

Italian Background

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created using the Italian Background by Sue Wilson from JGD Crafts

I have cut the pattern twice and one of them is silver,  and layered them together with a slight offset to the one below so that the silver just shows through.

The Faux Quilled Blooms and Leaves are also designed by Sue and they have been inked with Distress Inks to add some color

The Bow and ribbon strip have also been used to finish the card and I have used some turquoise pearls to add to the centre of each flower.

Then I was extremely lazy and added in a printed sentiment that is silver foiled.

And that's it quick and easy card that looks better in the hand than it does on a photo.

More on the WOC flowers and Paul has agreed to put together Starter Packs of flowers in various sizes and styles for you to try and there will be several color ways for you to choose from.

So pop over to   Wild Orchid Crafts   later today  and have a good look and see if there is something that takes your fancy .. I am sure you are going to love them and the price too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ragged Santa

Hi everybody,

I know it's only July but I wanted to show you this lovely Santa from Mo's Digital Pencil  and colored with Spectrum Noir

Pen Colors used ...

Skin         FS3 FS6
Clothes     DR3 DR5 DR7 EB1
Boots/Belt IG2 IG5 IG7
Holly    DG2
Shadow TB1

The full range of Spectrum Noir pens and pencils can be purchased from JGD Crafts

The paper was a free paper stack and the satin  ribbon is from Mei Flower

The sparkler in the centre of the bow is from Wild Orchid Crafts

I noticed the other day some comments that you would like a sort of introductory pack of flowers

You would like them in  a mixture of sizes, styles and colors for you to try them out first 

And so I have made the suggestion to Paul at  WOC  and he is going to see if he can put something together

I will be sure to let you know if he does and give you the link to take a look.    I  am sure that you will not be disappointed.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Scrapberrys

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is made with products from a company called Scrapberrys  and their aim is to provide quality items to the European market.

There products can be found on their Facebook page  at Scrapberrys

The have several items in their catalogue from beautiful papers to character stamps and embellishments.

Click the link and see what is on offer .... you may just find the paper you have been searching for.

I also have some character stamps from the same company and as I use them I will add the link again to take you to the items

The vintage style to this card is created using the papers from the French Journey Collection 

The postcard papers I have divided and backed each one onto some gold mirror card and then added them with foam tape to create different levels

The flourishes are also from the same company and blend with the card perfectly.  I have added some to the sentiment panel and also from the flowers

The brick effect paper looks very authentic to my design and I arranged my flowers to cascade down the wall

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   The doily, ribbon and lace are from my "Stash"

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Napa Valley

Hi Everybody,

I love all the new dies by Sue Wilson but this one is Napa Valley and I fell for this as soon as I saw it.

It is just soooooo .... well simply beautiful and it cuts like a dream.

Here I have layered it with Spellbinders Matting Basics A and B as a  Hinged Card and if you click the link it will take you to the tutorial on how to make this style for yourself

I cut a patterned panel from the California background and layered it over silver

But before I added it to the card I threaded silver ribbon through white lace and added it at the bottom

The largest shaped layer is from the Decorative Frames Set B from the California Collection and then Napa Valley on the top  Layered up with foam tape between them all for dimension.

The bow is created on a smaller scale as I did the Chocolate Box Bow   but it looks just a good.  The knot is covered with a sparkler from Wild Orchid crafts

All the dies featured are available from JGD Crafts

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The winner of the card ...

Hi Everybody,

So once again this is an early morning post to announce the winner of the card offered yesterday.  It is a very pretty peach card with lots of embellishments and it looks much better in real life.

The draw has been done and the card is going to go to you ...

Diana Lawton

Please email me ... christina@card-making-magic.com  ...  and send me your postal address and the card will be in the post immediately.  You have 48 hours to claim the card and I hope you will like it and please let me know when it arrives

I have had several questions this week such as ... where I get my verses/ flowers/glitter  from  or how do you make a particular item 

When there is a paragraph on the page and it has PINK colored words in it they are the links to those items ... all you need to do is click the link.

Here is an example ...  the die used in the  Friday Freebie card was the Chantilly Heart from Tattered Lace and the link took you to where I got my die from which was JGD Crafts.  I add the links  to either  the actual product or the website

So go on click the link  ...  Chantilly Heart  ... did you get there OK ? Oh good .. so now if there is a similar thing in future posts  all you need to do is click and find the answer.

I will add links as often as I can to show you what the item looks like  and where you can get it from ... and I only buy quality items from  reliable sources.  But you can shop around for them if that is your choice.

There will be another post later today so I hope you will pop back to take a look and try clicking some of the links if the item interests you.

More later ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 017

Hi Everybody,

Todays  card is in a  beautiful  peach  color and has a  Tattered Lace background to it called  Chantilly Heart

It is available from JGD Crafts and the link will take you to a selection of  different dies

The outside of the card and the sentiment are surrounded with Diamanté that  is  from Want2Scrap

The verse is from Crafters Companion  and is one of the Sentimentals range

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and are a mixture or Roses, Carnations, Lilies  and they are all sparkled with Chameleon Glitter

The inside is lined and decorated and it is a very pretty card.

So if you would like to win this one then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.

One name will be drawn later this evening and the winners name will be on the Blog in the morning

So if you add your comment then please come back to see if you have won the card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Italian Collection ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created from the Italian Collection by Sue Wilson

The dies I have used are the Italian Background and the Tuscany and both sets are from JGD Crafts 

I have created this card as a  Hinged Card   and the link will take you to the tutorial for that style

The centre part has been colored with Dusty Concord and Bundled Sage Distress Inks and then sparkled with the Chameleon Glitter 

The link takes you to all the colors that are available in the Iridescent Glitters and there you will one I use all the time.

Slightly different mix but the Tuscany has had the same treatment but with Victorian Velvet this time and the rose is created from Felt.

Both pretty cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Chameleon Glitter ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with the Grand Squares as my base card and layered in red and white

The white layer has been embossed  and ribbon wrapped around the layers before adding it to the card

The Gilded Gate has been cut twice and  then I have sprayed it with Stick and Stay from Crafters Companion

It has then been sprinkled with the   Chameleon Glitter   from Glitter Magic ... and the link  will take you straight to the pot of glitter    It can be found in the Iridescent Glitters if you need to find it again.

The deep red satin  ribbon is from Mei Flower  and it ties in a beautiful bow.  The bow centre is from Wild Orchid Crafts

The deep red pearls are from Want2Scrap  and they have just been added to the corners and on the tag

The glitter doe not show up very well on the photo  ... but it sparkles  here in real life.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Grand Calibur Nestabilities Dies, Squares

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Die D-Lites-Gilded Gate 2 Spellbinders Shapeabilities Die D-Lites-Gilde

Spellbinders Twisted Metal Tags and Accents

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies-Labels 33

InLinkz.com

Dreamer ...

Hi Everybody,

Back to cards today and not a Spellbinders in sight.

This is simply A4 cut in half and joined together with a hinge and then each mat and layer cut slightly smaller.

The top layer has been embossed with the  Ornate Butterflies A4 folder from Crafters Companion

The inside is also embossed with the same pattern and the beautiful pearl flourish on the front is from Want2Scrap

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

The flowers have been sparkled with Glitter Magic  and I use the one called Chameleon for my cards as it goes with anything you add it to

It is a very simple card to make but how you dress it  is up to you and the embellishments that you have available to you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Little Diva ...

Hi Everybody,

This fabulous character is Diva from Mo's Digital Pencil  and it has been colored with Spectrum Noir

Colors used ...
Skin            FS2 FS3 FS6 
Hair            TN2 TN3 EB5
Dress          BT2 BT4 BT5 BT7
Shawl         PP2 PP4 PP6  and Glitter

Here is one in another colorway already made up into a card and already has a designated place to go for a birthday this year

Colors used ...

Skin            FS2 FS3 FS5
Hair            TN2 TN3 EB5
Dress          DR1 DR5 DR7
Shawl        TN2 GB5 GB8 and Glitter

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx