Water Coloured Peonies ...

Hi Everybody,

Water colouring is fast becoming my way to relax and I am thoroughly enjoying playing with the new Gansai Tambi set that Santa brought me

The image is from the stamp set Peony Scrolls from Altenew and it also has a matching die set.

I bought mine from Make the Day Special and at present they are upgrading their website so I will link to them for the stamp and die at a later date.

So tonight is New Years Eve and if you are out and about then take care and have a good time

Please come back to visit tomorrow as there is a really good prize of crafting "Goodies" on offer for you to start the New Year

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Not a Square !!

Hi Everybody,

On Monday  I featured a card that used the Square dies from Craft Stash and this card is using the exact same dies.

I have used them in a different way that disguise the fact that it is a square die set.

Here we have the Scalloped Square Frames cut across the diagonal and added with foam pads into a diamond shape and added to the top and bottom of the 5x7 card base

The background panel has been dry embossed with European Tapestry  from Spellbinders.

The Diamanté flourish is from Want2Scrap and I have added it either side of the sentiument.

The   "Thank You"  is part of a set of dies also from Spellbinders called Phrases Two  which I have cut several times out of silver mirror card and craft foam to give it height

A pretty card with lots of texture to it and that makes it more interesting than flat, plain, empty spaces.

About Tutorials ...

The other day I gave you the link to the tutorial that was on Spellbinders Blog Post and it did not work ... my apologies ... here it is again 

Making a little gift box with the Flourish Frame Pocket  

Please remember that all the tutorials that I have done are clickable links for you to go to that page

They are also added to the appropriate  sections titled Video Tutorials at the top of the page or Tuesday Tutorials in the right hand column and they will always be accessible for you to use.  The list of tutorials is getting long and I hope you will revisit them for ideas if ever you get stuck

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx.

Tuesday Tutorial - Floral Burst

Hi Everybody,

Do you have any of the Cut, Fold and Tuck dies in your crafting "Stash"? This one is the Floral Burst from Spellbinders and it has been around for quite some time.  

But for me it is time to revisit some of these older dies and put them to good use and for this card I have used several different sets.

I am sure that many of you will have dies that have not seen the light of day for some time too

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S5-113 Floral Burst
• S6-004 5x7 Detailed Scallops
• S5-148 Decorative Label 8
• S5-019 Labels Eight
• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S6-002 5x7 Matting Basics B
• E3DS-006 Need A Rope embossing folder
• SCP-016 Celebrations 
• SCP-007 Luscious Lime 

Other Supplies:

• Parchment
• Dazzler
• Diamanté from Want2Scrap

Instructions:

With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces of white card and Create a Hinged Card

With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut another panel from some patterned paper

(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)

Hand cut another layer in plain card to sit in between the die cut ones

Glue the two layers together but don't add to the base card yet

With the largest die from Detained Scallops and Decorative Labels Eight  cut one panel in white and add thin foam tape to the back of each

With #5 Labels Eight cut another plain panel in white and dry emboss this

With Luscious Lime cut the Floral Burst and fold each petal back and tuck under the previous one

Place small foam pads in strategic places at the back of the shape

Stamp and heat emboss the sentiment onto some parchment that is long enough to wrap around all the layers. I placed mine at an angle for a different look this time

Have a practise run to see how you would like the card to look and when you are happy with it remove the backings from the foam tape and complete.

Finish the card with any embellishments that you have 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friendship Card ...

Hi Everybody,

This card is another one that I made as part of my commitment to  Craft Stash 

With the  Scalloped Square Frames  set I have threaded some thin blue satin ribbon around the edge and added a triple bow to the side.

The centre piece of the set has been cut three times and layered up ... off setting each piece to make it look like a round centre.

The single Lily is from Wild Orchid Crafts and that is all the card really needs to complete the look.

The blue pearls are from Want2Scrap  and are dotted in each corner of the embossed back panel.

Many of the cards that I have made are featured on their Facebook Page so please pop over and take a look

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The Isabella Show ....

Hi Everybody,

There have been no blog posts for a couple of days but I have not been idle in the background. 

Yesterday  my blog post for Spellbinders went "live" and I did a tutorial creating a really pretty box with   Flourish Frame Pocket

Fill these with anything that you like and they are the perfect small gift for any time of year.

Yesterday was spent with family and having fun with Isabella. If you have followed me for a while then you will know that Isabella is my adorable and much loved 4 year old Great Granddaughter

 One of her Christmas Gifts was a microphone on a stand and she invited us all to the    "Isabella Show"  where she sang "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"  and "When Santa got stuck up the Chimney" amongst others.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Merry Christmas Everybody ...

This is to each and every one of you and may your Christmas be all you hope for.

Much Love

Friends Are ...

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is one that I made as part of my commitment to Craft Stash and this and some of the other that I have made are featured on their Facebook Page

This die is the Scalloped Circle Frame  and I have cut the large circle several times and layered them together to give height to the die cut.

The sentiment has been added to the centre of the circle and some gingham ribbon placed at the top.

The buckle is from Wild Orchid Crafts and makes a pretty addition to the ribbon which is from Mei Flower

I have cut several flowers from the smaller die in the set and layered them onto the circle with some white leaves

The leaves and the glitter ball centres to the flowers are both from WOC

I have used Spellbinders  5x7 Matting Basics A&B  to create the hinged base card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Girl ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with watercolours and I have used once again the Japanese Gansai Tambi paints.

The more I play with these the more I like them and all thirty six of the colours are very vivid and creamy.

The  digital image is from Saturated Canary and there are lots of really cute images for you to choose from ... you will be spoilt for choice

This one I have dressed with flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and matched them to the colour scheme of my card. The pearls are self adhesive from Want2Scrap

The background to the card is the embossing folder Shady Allure  and I have inked over the raised pattern

The card itself is created with 5x7 Matting Basics A and B and is much prettier in the hand

The sentiment is from the Phrases One  set by Spellbinders and I have cut it from card and craft foam to give it height.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Edgeabilities

Hi Everybody,

Adding a decorative edge to your cards can be easily obtained with the aid of a die, and Spellbinders have several sets that all mix and match together.  This pretty card has been created with one of those sets but the same result can be done with any that you have in your crafting "Stash"

I am aware that these are old dies but some of you may have them and it is always good to re visit the older ones. After all you bought them because you liked them and you may as well put them to good use.

I have linked below to another style that is still available and at a really good price but these dies are being retired and so if you don't  have one,  but like the idea then grab them while you can.

 My apologies that I cannot link to the actual Classic Triple Scallop set that I have used.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• E8-005 Classic Postage Stamp
• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S6-002  5x7 Matting Basics B 
• PL-001 Platinum Machine

Other Supplies:

• Oragnza and Satin Ribbons from Mei Flower
• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Pink Pearls from Want2Scrap
• Hat Pin handmade by me
• Embossing Folder

Instructions:

With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces and  Create a Hinged Card  for your base

With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut one more layer and dry emboss this with any folder that you have in your "Stash" 

(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)

In between these two layers you will need to hand cut another in the colour of your choice so that it leaves a tiny border around the edge. These layers can all be glued to the base card

I chose a deep pink for mine

With die #6 from 5x7 Matting Basics A cut two panels and these are the ones we are going to work on first. The edges on the long sides will be cut with the die so there is no need to emboss

Looking at the dies you will be able to see the difference. The one on the left is the cutting edge and the other two are the inserts to give you the pattern.  Any of the Classic Edges  will be the same and there are several insert sets that can be mixed and matched

With one of the white layers we have just cut and the  cutting edge die I have cut the card on one long side and then flipped it over to cut the other side.

Try to keep the pattern as symmetrical as you can.

Then with some deep pink card and the same die cut along one side.

Using the white panel as your guide place it so that a small border is visible and reposition the cutting die along the other side leaving the same size border.  Tape it in place so that it doesn't slip

Add these two together with foam tape in between the layers. Set aside

On the second white panel place the cutting edge on the outside and choose one of the inserts and tape together to cut. 

Make  this panel a little narrower than the other panel we have just layered and flip the two dies to the other side and cut this edge also. 

Keep the dies as level as you can on either side and once cut I have dry embossed my panel

With some deep pink card I have repeated the process from a previous step to get a small border around this embossed panel 

Layer these two together with foam tape.

I double layered wide and thin ribbon and added a bow at the bottom of the card

Here's a tip for you ... by adding the ribbon vertically down the centre top panel it will detract the eye away from any un-evenness in your edges 

Secure the ribbon at the back of the panels

Stamp and heat emboss your sentiment onto some parchment and layer it on to the same coloured card you have used. Wrap this also around the panels and secure at the back. 

Add all these layers to the base card and dress with the flowers

Push a hat pin into the knot of the bow for an added extra

This effect can be achieved if your dies have a separate cutting edge and fancy inserts to them. Take a look at what you have and improvise ... but most have all have fun making pretty cards for yourself.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gansai Tambi Water Colours

Hi Everybody,

The card today is a complete change from Christmas and it is one I really enjoyed water colouring.

I used the Japanese  Gansai Tambi  water colours from  Kuretake  and they are amazing.

This is another Christmas present from ME to ME and I was so surprised when they came in the post. !!  Honest I was !!

They are so creamy and the colours are very vibrant. A little goes along way so use them sparingly

There are 36 pans in the set that I bought with some lovely colours that can be used as pastls by adding in more water.

In this set there is  a Pure White, Gold, Bronze and Pearl and they sit at the bottom of the display

They can be mixed with any colour to give a really pretty look and of course you can mix any of them to create your own colours in a separate palette

The images is called  Big Shoes   from Mos Digital Pencil and  will cost  you $3 which is about £1.75.

It is with you instantly so with no postage costs I would call that a bargain.  Save it to your PC and you can use it time and time again.

I really enjoyed playing with these images and paints and I will be doing a lot more. I find it so relaxing to sit and colour with whatever medium I happen to have in hand

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Here we are on the run up to Christmas and I hope you are all ready for it.  I won't be doing a Friday Freebie next week but will be back in full swing in the week after.  

There is no blog post tomorrow either so I will be back on Monday with more to share.

I have a few last minute things I need to buy still but the day will be spent with family all enjoying the roast turkey. 

So the name for the orange card has been drawn and this weeks winner is ...

Amy Higgins 

please would you send me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be on it's way to you.

Let me know when it arrives with you and I hope you will like it.

More on Monday ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 098

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card that is on offer this week and this one is in a lovely orange shade.

It has paper lace and pearls along the edges and is dotted with sequins.

The pearls are from Want2Scrap and are self adhesive

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they are chosen to blend in with the colour scheme

If this is a card that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the page

Then come back tomorrow and see if your name is in the blog post as the winner.

You will have 48 hours to claim the card by sending me your postal address if you are the winner

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Greetings to you ...

Hi Everybody,

I will move away from Christmas cards shortly I promise,  and start with spring flowers and summer displays again ... definitely my favourite type of card.

But for now this Christmas flowery card has used some of the beautiful Poinsettias from  Wild Orchid crafts

Into this mix I have added Roses and a little Holly Sprig

The background is created with  Grate Effect   which has been layered over Antique Gold card and then I have added in  Fleur de Elegance  also in gold

The little die cut sentiment is from Craft Stash  and there are lots of different phrases for you to choose

The cheery red ribbon is tied into a single bow with a shiny dazzler in the centre to cover the knot.

Altogether a pretty and traditional type of card and if you swap out the sentiment it could be for any other occasion

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

International Ambassadors Informal Blog Hop

Hi Everybody,

Here we are again with another blog hop brought to you by the International Ambassadors and once again we hope you will join in with us

The theme for this month was Christmas Tags as we are so close to sending out all the lovely gifts for friends and family.

Here I have created a set of little tags that have used the same dies throughout. 

I used the plain edge to the Build a Tag  to create the base shape and then added the Snowflakes from the Flurries  set.

Each tag has one of the Fancy Trio  attached and decorated with gemstones,  then threaded with red ribbon, to make the attachment to your gift. Very quick and easy to do as the dies do all the work for you.

I am sure that the other Ambassadors will have some delights for you to see so pop along to each one and leave them a comment.

Yvonne Van der Grijp The Netherlands
Linda Lucas  Australia
Christina Emberson  UK
Christina Griffiths     (you are here)

This is our way of introducing you to each designers individual style and helping you to get to know us a little better.  Thank you for taking the time to visit and for all the comments you so graciously leave

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Pierced Rectangles

 Hi Everybody,

Adding some accent to the sides of your cards can make them really pretty and with dies that give you the pierced edges it is very easy to achieve. 

There are circles, squares, ovals and shapes that all have this look to them and today I am using the Pierced Rectangles from Spellbinders Celebrations Collection.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• SCD-012 Pierced Rectangles
• SCD-026 All You
• SCF-001 Framed Canvas
• Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other Supplies:

• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Simply Said YOU Stamp set from Avery Elle
• Pearls from Want2Scrap
• Handmade Hat Pin by me !!

Instructions:

With die #6 and #5 placed one inside the other onto some white card,  cut and emboss the panel

This will create the pierced edge around the rectangle.

Repeat the process with #4 and #3 to make a smaller panel. 

Stamp your chosen sentiment in the position you want it on the smaller panel and then use any embossing folder you have to add texture.

 (Stamp first as it is harder to stamp on an uneven surface once you have embossed)

Create a base card in blue that is slightly larger than the largest pierced panel.

Create another mat in blue that is slightly larger than your embossed panel

Glue each of the white layers to the blue and then layer them together with foam pads in between

Cut the word "YOU" from some blue card and again from some double sided adhesive foam. remove the top backing sheet and layer the two together.

Remove the backing from the other side and add it to your card in the position you want it near your stamped sentiment.

The position will depend on which one you chose to use as there are many on the stamp sheet

Vary the  stamped sentiment and the colours and the flowers to suit the recipient for a new look each time you make the card ... and make a batch of them in one go so that you always have some ready for that unexpected request 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Houndstooth Background

Hi Everybody,

This pretty background is created with the new Houndstooth  Card Creator from Spellbinders.

It is in two parts giving you a complete cutting frame that can be used separately to make the base.

Cut it twice and  Create a Hinged Card and you are ready to go.

I used the  Letterpress Technique with Black Soot Distress Ink on the patterned piece and this is the result.

I added in some  Feathers  and this would be extremely well suited to any male cards that you have to make.

I dressed this one up with flowers from   Wild Orchid Crafts  and a black pearl flourish from  Want2Scrap

The sentiment has been cut with  Lacey Circles  which is a really old Spellbinders die but it is one I use time and time again

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Todays winner is ...

Hi Everybody,

Been doing a little Christmas shopping today but I was glad to get home again into the warmth out of all that cold and wet.  I haven't put the tree up yet but that is on my list for next week. 

 Finally got the decorating completed and the carpets shampooed so Santa can come whenever he wants to now.

We finally did the draw for the card on offer and many of you have seen it as black and white ... so whoever wins it I hope you won't be disappointed  with it because it is dark brown and cream. 

 The cream card has a lovely fine silver line foiled through it.

The name chosen this week is you

Addieper

so if you would email me please 

christina@card-making-magic.com

with your postal address then I will get the card off to you straight away.

You have 48 hours to claim it and I hope you will like it when it arrives. Please let me know that you have the card safely.

No blog post tomorrow but I will be back with you on Monday

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 097

Hi Everybody,

This is a card that I made earlier this year and once again I have used several different ides to create the look.

One of my favourite dies is the one that creates the fancy edge I have added to the top.

It is  Petite Monarch  and it is such a useful little die  to add that finishing touch.

I have also used the  Baby Bunting  and layered it with foiled card.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and are a mixture of roses and Gypsophillia

The pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap 

So if this is a card that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment and pop back tomorrow to see if your name is the one drawn from the hat.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Adding Foil

Hi Everybody,

 A few weeks ago I treated myself to the  Heidi Swapp - Minc Machine  which  through a heat process adds foil to cards for a really lovely look

As soon as I can I will add some videos to the blog to show some of the things I have done with my new toy but this week it is decorating and carpet shampooing .... busy busy busy !!

This card has the foil added to the background panel and is a really shiny hot pink shade.

Over the top I have layered  Medallions Three and added it with foam tape to give height.

The white Hammered card is from the Papermill Direct. and creates a good base for most of my designs.

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

The little sentiment is from  Clearly Besotted Stamps  and I have just bought a whole load of new stamps and matching dies from them which I will also show you over the coming weeks. They are gorgeous too.

So Santa came early to my house and I am really pleased with my gift

 .... from me  .. to me!!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

White Christmas ...

Hi Everybody,

Last week I showed you three cards all made with the same set of dies but varied  the colours in each one for a different look

This card is still with the same set of dies but I have kept this one all white.

So once again I have create the base card with  5x7 Matting Basics A&B and added another white panel which I have embossed.

Then I used the Mystical Embrace  and added it with foam tape underneath to raise it up.

The next layer is Victorian Bow and another plain oval in which I have stamped and heat embossed the verse

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

Adding in the foam tape or pads to the layers gives the card more depth and creates shadows.  They don't need to be really thick ones just enough to give that interest

If you are going to stamp and heat emboss your sentiments then it is less messy if you stamp in the colour you want the words and then heat emboss in clear.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Fluer de Elegance

Hi Everybody,

For todays tutorial I thought I would mix several dies together.  All the dies that you may have in your own "Stash" will be so versatile and will work together ... it's only fear that stops you from experimenting, especially if you are new to card making

  But remember that it is only card and paper and if it doesn't work then start again.  

For this card I have mixed old and new dies and the result is very pretty

 Spellbinders Supplies:

• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S6-002 5x7 Matting Basics B
• S4-475 Fleur de Elegance
• S4-493 Oval Majesty
• S4-139 Petite Ovals
• S6-050 Cinch and Go Flowers
• PL-001 Platinum Machine

Other Supplies:

• Ribbon from Mei Flower
• Co-ordinations Peach Card
• Regency Swirls Embossing Folder
• White Hammered Card 
• Peach Craft Foam
• Pearl Brad from Wild Orchid Crafts

Instructions:

With #7 Matting Basics A and white card cut two and hinge together to form the base card

With #7 Matting Basics B cut another layer in orange Co-ordinations card and with any folder that you have emboss and sand this piece

(Please remember that  #1 is always the smallest die)

With #3 Fleur de Elegance cut  and emboss the largest panel in white

With #2 from the same set cut two in white and stamp and heat emboss one of them 

With =4 from Oval Majesty cut one piece in white

With any oval die that you have cut another panel in orange that will sit in the centre of the oval

Cut all the petal pieces from the Cinch and Go Flowers from the peach Craft Foam and layer them together securing with a large pearl brad

Cut the flourishes in green card

Layer all the pieces together using foam tape in between the layers and adding in the ribbon so that it can be secured on the back.

Add them all to the base card for a neat finish.

Add the smaller sentiment at an opposite angle for a different effect.

Add in the Craft Foam flower and the flourishes to the card and finish with a small bow 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Visit to Santa ...

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday my youngest daughter Vickie and I took Isabella to see Santa. Here they are !!

Vickie is Grandmother and I am Great Gran to the beautiful four year old Isabella and we had a lovely day out.

The weather was really kind to us after all the rain on Saturday and it wasn't all that cold either.

We wrapped up warm and off we went

 We took her for afternoon tea in a really quaint little cafe am the man that served us had a turkey hat on which highly amused Isabella

The afternoon tea was served on layered platers and it was plentiful

Jelly and Ice cream were served to her in little buckets complete with spade and she ate most of it too

And in the cafe Isabella and I sang "Happy Birthday dear Nana"  to Vickie as it was her birthday that day

 Then it was off to ride the land train into Astley Park as Santa was at the big old house inside the park.

She was so excited to see the train .. Vickie I mean and Isabella loved it too ..... and me !!

We waved to everybody that we passed as we drove through the streets to the park and as we got nearer to the house Santa was waiting at the door to greet us.

All the children on the train were so  pleased to see him and they were all calling out to him

Face painting was the order of the day before Isabella went to see Santa and it was part of the cost of the ticket

There where several options for the design but Isabella was set on having Santas face.

The lady said she would do a special one with some flowers for her and this was the end result.

Of course we had one really pleased little girl for the rest of the day.

So now with this pretty paint work it was off to visit Santa in his Grotto

She was very quiet when she met him but said "Thank you  Santa " for the gift he gave her.

Then once outside she couldn't wait to open it.

In another part of the park there was an exhibition of the the artist who had painted the Gruffalo and we went to see that too.

The artwork is lovely and of course Isabella knew who the character was

This is Vickie reading the story of "Room On The Broom" to us but Isabella wanted to be off exploring .... I thought it was very good though !!

Then  all too soon it was time to get back on the land train and head back into town, and by now it was going dark.

Chorley is lit up with Christmas lights and it looked really pretty as they twinkled in the growing darkness.

Vickie and I started to sing some songs and to our surprise others joined in too. So if you where on the that train listening to the catawailing then you have my sympathy

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Away in a manger and others were all sung loudly

On the way back home in the car we sang several verses of "If Your Happy And You Know It" and we each made something up for the song to be happy about.

There was a lot of noise and laughter on out day trip and we took Isabella back to her mum tired and happy. She was a pleasure to take out and a joy to be with and Vickie was a good girl too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx