Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

August 31, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - Snow Buddies

Hi Everybody,

The stamp I have used for todays card is from Woodware and called Snow Buddies.

It is one that I bought at the craft show last weekend and it is about 3x7" in size so makes a really good card front.

I have added both onto a long card base that will fit neatly into a DL envelope.

The one on the left has been coloured with pencils and the one on the right is water coloured with Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Markers

I much prefer the vibrancy of the right hand card and I really enjoyed the water colouring too.  I have added extra sparkle to both cards with glitter on the bobble hats

This cute stamp set really caught my eye  as the characters are already stacked for you and so very easy to produce aaaannnddd  ... it was only £5.50 .. a real bargain !!

Which is your favorite from the two??

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 30, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Frames and Apertures

Hi Everybody,

For this card I am using a mixture of dies ... some old, some new to create this really charming card in subtle colours. It has several levels created with the frames and it is much better in the hand.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With die #7 from Matting basics A create a hinged card in white
(Die #1 is always the smallest)
With #7 from Matting basics B cut the layers as follows :
1 in plain peach
1 in patterned peach 
1 in parchment
1 in plain white
With the plain peach layer use the Grate Effect die to cut a pattern into it
With the white layer use another Matting basics die to create a frame to the thickness you would like and add foam pads to the back of the frame
From the circles dies take nos: 4,5 & 6
Use 4 and 6 to create another frame from white card and add foam pads to the back of the circle frame
Keeping the parchment and the Grate Effect panels together use #5 to cut a circle from the two layers. 
Keeping them together ensures that they will line up on your card
With a thin bead of glue around the edge glue these two together 
Still on the edge of the previous panels add narrow foam pads so that they cannot be seen from the front
Glue the patterned peach panel to the base card and then add these two layers on top
Add these two raised frames to the parchment panels neatly to cover the apertures
Cut the flowers and leaves from the Make A Wish die set and use Distress Inks to add some colours
I used Tattered Rose which is a lovely peachy pink and Crushed Olive with Bundled Sage 
Add some Wink of Stella clear glitter to all the shapes and allow to dry
Arrange the flowers and leaves as you like around the central aperture
Cut the word Blessed from the Botanical set three times in black card and glue them together for strength and glue them into the position you would like 
Dress the edges with pearls
The top card is peach and the bottom card is created in greens 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




August 29, 2016

Shabby Chic Birthday

Hi Everybody,

This really pretty card is in very subtle shades of green and is one of the paper stacks available from AnnaMarie Designs

They are the Blissful Paper Pads and they come in several different colours and sizes so there is sure to be a size that suits your needs.

I have added lots of layers to the card and distressed the edges of some of them and I have lined the inside of the card to match

The leaves are cut from the papers with the Foliage die from Spellbinders and the paper is substantial enough to make into leaves

The wooden tiles are also from AMD and I have added them with hot glue to keep them in place

The flowers and the miniature picture frame, which I have filled with pearls,  are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they have a new range of flowers on their website that are simply gorgeous.

I have added the sparkle to the petals with Glitter Magic   and the pearls are from Want2Scrap

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




August 27, 2016

Card Winner Today ...

Hi Everybody,

Sorry for the late post but I have had a lovely day in Harrogate at the Great Create Craft Show buying lots of "goodies" to use on my cards.

I also had fun catching up with my crafty friend AnnaMarie and it is always a pleasure to see her.

In the background is AnnaMaries stand at the show and she has some beautiful items to make lots of wonderful creations ... and they are also on her website at AnnaMarie Designs 

But now that I am back home again I have finally done the draw for Fridays card and the winner this week is you ...

Margaret Corgi Owner
please email me your postal address 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 with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 26, 2016

Friday Freebie 133

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is one that I coloured in the early days with Spectrum Noir and I cannot remember the colours I used

It is a 5x7 inch card and the inside is finished on this one. It says "With Love" on the front but that could easily be changed if you wanted to use the card

The spotty card is from AnnaMarie Designs  and there are some lovely patterns and colours on her website

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts with sparkly glittered petals and white ribbon from Meiflower

It is better in the hand than the photo shows and I don't think you will be disappointed with it.

So if you would like to own this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment and come back tomorrow to see if it is your name chosen from those comments to win the card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




August 25, 2016

Beautiful Tags

Hi Everybody,

In todays new video on  YouTube  I have created a Shabby Chic Tag from start to finish and the reasoning behind this is that shop bought tags are either too small or too flimsy and I need something a lot more sturdy,

The picture shows you the tags in three different colours but they are all made using the smae ingredients  with just the odd adjustment made here and there.  
The video is called  Shabby Chic Floral Tags and I hope you will enjoy it.
Please give it the "Thumbs Up" if you do and don't forget to leave me a comment ... Pretty Please !!
I have used the flowers, flower centres, wooden sprays, lace and metal embellishments that are all from Wild Orchid Crafts and they have a wonderful selection for you to choose from


They have all been sparkled with Glitter Magic and the pearls are from Want2Scrap

All the card that I have used in lovely pastel colours  is from Papermill Direct

They all look  really special but the pink one has to be my personal favorite and the finished size of each one is 3 1/2 x 7" so a good sized tag to add to the larger gift, or simply add it to a card front if you preferred

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


August 24, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - Floral Card

Hi Everybody,

I have been plaing again with Ink Smooshing and this is the result for todays card.

It is a mixture of  Dusty Concord, twisted Citron and Broken China Distress Inks and the effect is quite vibrant once it is dry.

I flicked some ink splatters onto the card with some Silk Lustre from Spellbinders Celebrations Collection

I have used the floral stamp set from Sheen Douglass and it was available on Crafters Companion website

But I cannot find it any more to link too so I am afraid you would have to do your own search if you wanted to find it.

I  have stamped the sentiment onto some parchment and embossed it with white powder and then wrapped it around the water coloured panel

I add some silver glitter tape along the left side and rounded one of the bottom corners  before attaching it to my card base.

A few enamel dots added to the centre of the flowers completes the card for today.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 23, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Floral Sapphire Card

Hi Everybody,

Did you manage to get the little Sapphire Machine when it was offered on C&C?
 It really is a useful machine and takes up no space at all on your worktop. And yet it has the ability to cut through card like butter with any small dies that you may have in your own collection.

It was offered for sale with Set B which is 13 dies that you can use as soon as you get the machine.
It is with this set that I have made this small but really pretty clean and simple card
If you didn't get one and the Sapphire is now sold out then there is an alternative with 
Spellbinders Prizm

Spellbinders Supplies:

Other Supplies:
With die #7 (from the main dies only) in Matting Basics A cut two pieces and create a hinged card
With die # 7 in Matting Baiscs B cut another panel to layer onto the base 
From the rectangles in the Sapphire B set use the largest and place it into the mat panel and cut 
There is no need to emboss this as we are going to do that in the next step
With your embossing folder add the card and run it through your larger machine
Add foam pads to the back of this panel especially around the aperture to support it.
Find some pretty paper that will sit inside the aperture and glue this direct to the base card so that it can be seen through the opening
The foam pads will keep the embossed panel raised away from this paper panel as you add it to the base card
Stamp the sentiment of your choice onto some white card and cut it out with the middle rectangle die from Set B and add a foam pad underneath this too
Position this into  the centre of the aperture

Decorate with Diamante around the opening and add a Diamante flourish to look as if it is running through the opening

Decorate further with flowers and glitter and the shiny centrepiece to the flower and that's it ... clean and simple, quick and easy !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


August 22, 2016

Spellbinders Tuscany Strip

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using one of the newer dies from the Renaissance Collection and this one is called 

I have designed it in a pale buff colour with turquoise and the overall effect is rather nice. I have done it with a shadow effect and dotted each of the spirals with a diamante

The words are from the Wedding Collection by 
Becca Feeken

There are some really pretty and intricate dies around at the moment and I have always enjoyed working with large and fancy dies

This card is a 5x7 and there are several layers to it.

The flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts  and just one is my statement piece for this card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




August 21, 2016

Apologies for Late Post ,...

Hi Everybody,

I am so sorry to be this late with the winner of the Friday Freebie card but it has been a really busy day here.  But at long last I have got round to it and a name has been chosen. So without further waffle here it is ...

Pat S Witney
the card is yours and if you could email me please
christina@card-making-magic.com 
it will in the post first thing tomorrow morning

I hope that you will like it when it gets to your home and please let me know when it arrives.

If you still want to take advantage of the offer from Craft Stash then you will find the link to the page explaining the offer ... Here  

But if you wanted to leave your email address for the free magazine and gift ofer then you can add it here at   http://www.craftstash.co.uk/pearl

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 20, 2016

Special Offer from Craft Stash

Hi Everybody,

Just a short word from me today as the video says it all about this special offer from Craft Stash.
They are a relatively  new UK company who will supply you with just about every crafting "Goodie" that you would like to make beautiful cards



Their Mailing list will keep you up to date with all the new products that arrive on the Craft Stash website each day

Add your email address at  http://www.craftstash.co.uk/pearl  and you will be sent a code that will enable you to get your free magazine and the attached gift and all you need to do is cover the cost of the postage at £1.99 ... the magazine is worth £5.99 and the free gift £12.99 so a great saving for you

Using the link above tells them you came from me The offer closes on the 30th September

I have only shown you a small portion of the things inside the pages so when it arrives  through your letterbox then grab a cuppa and relax as you browse the pages

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx






August 19, 2016

Friday Freebie 132

Hi Everybody,

This pretty cream and gold card has numbers on the front that can easily be removed if you wanted to use it for another occasion

It has a really pretty textured background and lots of flowers along the side that have been sparkled

It is a 6" square and is much nicer in the hand.

Would you like to win this card 
Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

Please come back tomorrow to see if you have won and I will send the card anywhere at my expense.

I don't think you will be disappointed with this card as the photo does not do it the justice it deserves ... but if you win it then you will see for yourself !!

The winner of this card won't be announced until Sunday because I have a Special Offer for you tomorrow from Craft Stash that I hope you will take advantage of

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 18, 2016

New YT video

Hi Everybody,

Today there is a new video on YouTube for you to view

This is featuring another magazine freebie that will be on the shelves next week the 25th August.

It is Papercraft Essentials 137 and the gift with the mag is the Birch Tree Embossing Folder and Cute Stamps

This stamp set can take you all through the year and cover many occasions from Spring to Winter


In the video I have tried to show you some of the ways that you could use it but I am sure that you will come up with many more as you play.

Here are just two ideas one for Summer and the other for Christmas and it is the top card that I make in the video

Don't forget to reserve your copy at the newsagents. Or look for it in your local supermarket or craft shop.

And you can buy the magazine or a subscription from  Moremags


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 17, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - Pink Flowers

Hi Everybody,

For this card I used the Whimsical Flowers stamp set and the Pink collection of Crisp Inks from Altenew.

The stamp has a matching die to cut out the flowers and is a useful addition to your "stash"

I bought all of them and also the Hello die and stamp set from Sevenhills Crafts

It was really easy to do and I simply repeated the flower over the card and then coloured it by adding some ink to my glass mat and mixing it with water

Just a little strip of glitter tape down the side and a few sequins dotted here and there and the card was done

Quick easy and lots of fun to make and will go into my stack of ready made cards for the times when I am asked suddenly "Do you have a card for ---- "

I am sure that you know what I mean and you get asked the same question out of the blue.

It is always handy to keep some flat cards on hand that can be for lots of occasions.... Just in case !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





August 16, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Criss Cross & Flowers

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is quick and easy because the dies and the flowers do all the work for you .. all you have to do is add them to your card. 
 I am using an older background die so if you have this in your collection then now is the time to get it out again 
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With die # 7 from Matting Basics A cut two panels in white and create a hinged card
 (Die #1 is always the smallest)
Hand cut another panel in lilac that will sit on to the base card leaving a small border around the edge
Hand cut another piece of white that will sit on the lilac panel again leaving a small border around the edge. and into the centre of this add the Criss Cross Pattern 
Cut and emboss this panel
Cut the butterfly out three times ... one in lilac card and the other two in parchment
Glue them together along the body line only and then cut them in half between the antenna and along the body line.
Arrange the flowers as you like them and add one half of the wings to each side of the display.
I added rose buds onto the antenna 
Sparkle the flowers and the butterfly wings with fine glitter
Add the diamante at the bottom of the butterfly as its trail
Raise the sentiment up with foam pads and add to the bottom of the card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 15, 2016

International Ambassadors Informal Blog Hop - Debi Adams

Hi Everybody,

Each month we like to get together and share with you the things that some of the Ambassadors have created.

We also try to have a theme and over the last few months we have featured our makes using dies from some of the Designers for Spellbinders.

We have featured Stacy Caron and Seth Apter dies and stamps and this month we have decided to go with Debi Adams.
  I have chosen to use her stamps and matching dies named  Floral Devine

I have teamed them with some other dies and embossing folders to get the look I wanted

The top card is a 5x7 and the bottom one is a 6" Square.

 Both have added pearls to add that little bit more

I have water coloured both cards and then added the flowers and leaves with different thicknesses of foam pads underneath to give height

These hops are to show you what we create and to thank you for all your support during the year so please pop along and see what the others have to offer you this month  as there is sure to be something that catches your eye

Linda Lucas     Australia
Christine Emberson   UK
Yvonne van de Grijp  Netherlands
Christina Griffiths ... You are here !!

They will be delighted that you stopped by and please leave them comments if you do.



More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 14, 2016

More Shabby Chic Cards to Imspire

Hi Everybody,

Today I have added yet another video to YouTube with more of the Shabby Chic cards that I really enjoy making

Cards to Inspire You Pt 9 Shabby Chic  is the ninth one that I have added and the link is permanently in the top left hand corner

Hopefully it may give you some ideas when the MoJo has gone walkabouts and you are stuck for something to create

I hope you enjoy the cards and please leave me a comment if you have.

That lets YouTube know that you enjoy this type of video and enhances my standing with YT for the future

YT is one of the ways that I earn an income and advertisers pay for the space and air time on the bottom of the videos.

So if you would allow the video to run and not click the advert off then advertisers are happy ... and so am I. 
It is only a few minutes ... just time enough to make a brew ... if you know what I mean !!

Thanks for all your support 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


August 13, 2016

Todays Winner

Hi Everybody,

Another lovely day here in the North West and I have a day to relax.  I have been engrossed in the Olympics and watching the ladies gymnastics was amazing.  The tiny American girl Simone Biles was just a pleasure to behold and I swear that girl can fly

But the draw for the card has been done and the winner this week is you ...

Jan Castle
please email me with your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be on its way to you.

I hope you will like it and would you let me know when it arrives with you.
I promise you it is much better in the hand 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 12, 2016

Friday Freebie 131

Hi Everybody,

Dies from the Victorian Garden by Spellbinders have been used for this card and it is a large card.

The sentiment on the front is for a new job but that can easily be removed and your own added if you wanted to use the card.

The background is created with the glue technique that I shared in Using Glues for Fun  and it is much prettier in the hand than on a photograph.

If this is a card that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment and from those one name will be chosen

The winner will be announced in tomorrows blog post and so you will need to come back and check if it is yours

I am happy to send the card anywhere and it doesn't matter if you have won before you can still try again.

You don't need to have your own blog either so have a go and you never know it could be your name that is on the page in the morning.

YT Video

There is a new video out on YouTube today with a new collection of dies from Apple Blossom called  Botanicals Collection   ... Please leave a comment if you enjoy the video 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 11, 2016

Falling Leaves Die & Embossing Folder

Hi Everybody,

Time for another peak into what is coming with this months Die Cutting Essentials.

The video will show you lots of  ways to use the 
 and of course there will be many more in the magazine itself

For this card I have created a clean and simple design and used the leaves to accentuate my floral display. 

I have cut them in green and gold and tucked them behind the flowers and around the gold frame

With this card I have used Autumn colours and with a change of sentiment it would make a really good male card which we all seem to struggle with

The leaves could also be used on a Sympathy card on the occasion when we need to make one.

I like to have a leaf die in my crafting stash as they always come in handy and this one has several shapes to the set.


The dies will come to you joined and the video gives you a different idea that you can try while they are still in one group

Some of the looks are really simple and easy to do and once you get to play I am sure that you will discover for your self many other ways to use this versatile free gift with
 Die Cutting Essentials

It will be in supermarkets and newsagents on the 18th August and you can also buy it direct from More Mags 

That is also the link if you wished to subscribe to any of their magazines and have them delivered straight to your door.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 10, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - Friend Like You

Hi Everybody,

I love this image and I could not resist giving her a pretty floral dress to wear.  And don't you just love that the handbag matches her slippers.??

Adding clothes or changing the look of those already drawn onto the characters is so much fun and if you haven't tried it you are missing out.

I added Glossy Accents to her glasses to make them shine like lenses

It doesn't matter if you can draw or not as nothing is too fancy to achieve.

Just grab that pen and doodle away and you will be pleased and surprised at what you can come up with.

Have a look at last weeks image also as he too has been altered for a fun look ... Man and His Dog !!

This is a digital image from the CD The Next Big Thing from Just Inklined and as all companies do they have moved on and it is no longer available.

I wouldn't part with my copy for anything as there is some really fantastic characters on the disc to play with.

You may be lucky and find one on EBay that someone wants to sell on but I think you will need to search for it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

August 09, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Hello Baby Girl ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is clean and simple and ready to welcome the new baby to the world. 
I have used Spellbinders dies to create my card and the lovely baby feet card is so special from LimeTree Crafts
The finished size is US A2 and it fits into a standard sized envelope for cheaper postage costs. 
Alter the wording and it would a really lovely baby shower card too
Spellbinders Supplies:

Other Supplies:

With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces of white card and create a hinged card
With #7 from Matting Basics B cut one layer in pink
With #6 from the A set cut another layer in white and emboss with you favorite embossing folder
(Please remember that #1 is always the smallest)
With #2 from the Scalloped labels 46 cut as many shapes as you would like to ad to your card front but adding too many will spoil the look
Add foam pads to the back of these shapes and place them on the embossed panel randomly
Add some of them so that they lie off the panel
Trim around the shapes from the back and then wrap your ribbon around the layers
Add this to the pink panel and add all to the base card with foam tape underneath to give dimension
Add a small bow and glue small flowers to the centre
Sprinkle them with glitter
Cut the words from a darker shade of pink several times and glue them in layers to add to the card
Dot with pink pearls to finish

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx