Ruby Update ...

Hello Everybody,

It's me Ruby and I thought I would pop in to say Happy New Year to everybody and let you see how I have grown.

I am now 16 months old and I am a very happy 

English Cocker Spaniel 

Here I am sitting on the footstool in my house waiting for my mum to give me some of that biscuit that she has in her hand 

I had a lovely Christmas and got some new toys and I had some turkey as a special treat. 

I also got a new coat and a harness for when I go walking with my mum and dad.

We had lots of visitors over the holiday and they all made a fuss of both me and my very best friend Dougal.

Our mums took us on the beach a lot and into the park too where people make a fuss of us because we are so beautiful.

I may be growing into a big girl but I can't seem to catch up with my ears.

My mum says I look like Dumbo and maybe I could fly with them if I flapped them fast enough 

When ever I have a drink they get wet even though my mum bought me a special Spaniel bowl 

But I love it when she dries them for me and I can chase the towel 

But now that we are coming into the New Year I need to watch my weight and so I am getting stuck into this bag early 

I hope you all have a good year and I will be back again soon.

Bye for now 

Love 

Ruby xx

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Not long to go now to the start of another New Year and I have a feeling that this one is going to bring some exciting things.  The opportunities that I was given in 2017 have been amazing and they look set to continue with some new additions to the "Christina Collection" coming soon.

As we come to the end of this year my little Ruby will be back tomorrow to tell you what she has been up to and then on New Years Day I have a video for you and a little "Give Away" so I hope you will pop by and say hello.

The draw for yesterdays gift has been done and the name this week is you ...

MariaM 

please can you email me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and your prize will be on its way to you straight away.

I hope you will have fun playing with this set and please let me know that you have it safe

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Enjoy the journey

Hi Everybody,

This is the fun gift that was with Die Cutting Essentials 25 and I made lots of cards with this

Here is the link to the video for you to view and refresh your memory

DCE25 Enjoy the Journey

Now if you would like this gift to be on its way to you then you know what to do !!!

Leave me a comment at the end of the post and one name will be drawn from those comments and the winner notified in tomorrows blog post.

I am happy to send the gift wherever you are in the world but you only have 72 hours in which to claim it by email to christina@card-making-magic.com

If it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date

 As we go into the New Year are you happy for me to continue with the card and gift as a Friday Freebie ??

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tonic Hearts in Gold and White

Hi Everybody,

Just lately I have been enjoying playing with beautiful dies from Tonic Studios and this Heart is one of the latest.

This is the Thank You Blossom Dies Set and I have used Gold and White to make my design.

I teamed it with another Tonic die for the sentiment and I love the finished card. It is one of those that are better in the hand than a photograph

The completed size is 5x7 and I will be making a matching box from my own 

"Christina Collection" 

The video will show you how the card was made and the little centre to cover the knot in the bow is from an inexpensive bracelet that I bought really from Primark

I hope you enjoy the video and will give some of these ideas a try in your own adventure into cardmaking

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft 172

Hi Everybody,

There is a  really useful stamp set that comes free with this issue of Simply Cards & Papercraft and the wave stamp in the set fits the All Occasions embossing folder too

There are some Tags and Frames also included plus some templates for you to create a Pillow box or a Pop Up Box.

There are lots of ideas and inspiration both inside the magazine and on the back of the package so you should be able to adapt these to suit your own way of working.

In the video I give you more and together we can work through making another in easy steps to create a really pretty card in muted colours

Thank you for your answers to my video vs written question for tutorials and  l will be doing more videos in the New Year

You need very little of the Cosmic Shimmer Mica Powders and they will last you a long time. They come complete with the little brush and a spray bottle for you to use them in other ways too 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tonic Studios - Romanesque Bracket Corner

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful cards is created with the new Romanesque Bracket Corner Die Set from Tonic Studios

It is a lovely die and cuts so easily and I have added two to my card.

There are lots of ways to use this die and I will feature it in future videos.

But for today I am sharing the making of this card and I have used a selection of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

I hope you enjoy the video and it is not long so won't take up too much of your day ... but thanks for watching this and all my other videos. There are now well over 500 for you on YouTube

This is the second Tuesday where I have done a video tutorial instead of a written one. Which do you prefer? Video vs Written ... let me know your thoughts and I will do my very best to oblige 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tonic Craft Kit 05

Hi Everybody,

Tonic are a wonderful brand that can be purchased from anywhere in the world ... and the dies are quality and cut beautifully every time.

Their craft kits are well worth the subscription and you will be really pleased at the amount of stuff that you get in the box.

This month is no exception and it is full of florals and leaves for you to create the most beautiful additions.

The card shown is using just Kit 05 and I am really pleased with the result.

The video can be viewed below and the kits are available from Tonic Studios

UK & Europe 

US & North America 

The kits can be bought as a one off purchase or you can enrol to get them delivered to your door each month and save even more money.  They are an affordable way to build up your crafting stash with dies, paper & card, embellishments as well as tools.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Three Videos

Hi Everybody,

The first thing I want to do is wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas wherever you are in the world and how ever you celebrate it

I am going to be scheduling blog posts for the next few  days so that I can get some time off to be with my family.
But I will be back with even more good things to share with you.

Any comments that you kindly leave will be added as I come back to my PC

I hope you will stay with me through the New Year and continue to enjoy the videos

Talking of which I have three to add here ... just to keep you going ....

Merry Christmas xxx

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

A really quick post today as I have lots to do before the big day.  I did all my shopping yesterday but you can sign your name in the dust in my house and so to get that in order is the main task for today.

But the draw for a winner has been chosen at random to receive the card and gift from yesterday. It was the lovely nesting Family Ties dolls and sentiments.  The name chosen is you ...

Maggie Gardner

please will you email me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

I hope you will put them to good use and please let me know when you have them safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Family Ties

Hi Everybody,

This little stamp and die set came free with Simply Cards and Papercraft 164 and was really popular.

It is one that can be used all year round and for many occasions and I had a lot of fun creating, from card, dolls that nested inside each other

Here is the video to show you how I did that 

SC&P 164 - Family Ties

I am offering you the chance to win the gift of dies and stamps along with the card I made using it.  And all you need to do is leave me a comment if you would like it

From those comments a name will be drawn and the winner announced in tomorrows blog post.

You will have 72 hours in which to claim it but if you know you are going away and won't be here to claim it then PLEASE don't add your name 

And only add your comment once please ... they will not show up until they have been moderated and duplicate entries will be removed  that keeps it fair for everybody

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Being Creative ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I am using up all the little left over die cuts that I have sitting around in my craft room and making four cards with them.

 These are all extra pieces that are left over from making cards with my own collection and I cannot throw them away.

So a video as in order to show you how I used them all up and made a lovely background to go with them all.

The video is here for you to view

 Being Creative Using Left Over Die Cuts 

and  these are just two of the cards.

I hope you will have time to watch in this busy run up to Christmas and it's not long I promise you.

Just enough time to have a brew and relax for a little bit

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Bumper magazine freebies ...

Hi Everybody,

This months issue of Die Cutting Essentials 32 is a bumper issue of goodies just for you.

Not only do you get the free gift of a seven piece Woodland Friends die set but there are also stamps with it too. They can help you to make cards like the one on the right.

You also have the opportunity to download some woodland themed papers and I have used them on the featured card

Then on page three of the magazine you can choose one of the four dies on offer and all you need to do is pay the postage of £2.49

There are three sentiment dies to choose from in that offer and they would make an excellent accompaniment to any design.

The video for this gift is here for you to view and in it I make a Shaker Card ...

It's not a long video and I hope that you enjoy it.

The magazine will be on  sale tomorrow the  21st December 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Layered Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

For today's card I am using the Layered Butterflies from my own "Christina Collection" that is available from Craft Stash.  I have used Teal and Pink with a White base for my design and the ribbon is from my bits & bobs

Supplies Used:

• Complete Card & Box dies set
• Layered Butterflies Dies
• Layered Butterflies Stamps
• Layered Butterflies Stencils
• Fancy Flourish Stencil
• Cosmic Shimmer dries clear Glue
• Foam sheets
• Distress Oxide Inks - Peacock Feathers & Worn Lipstick
• Pink ribbon
• 10mm roses from Wild Orchid Crafts 

Instructions:

Create a top folded base in white by folding the A4 card in half and placing the three cutting edged die with the non cutting edge over the open ends and die cut.

Score one of them about half an inch down and add glue to this narrow strip.

Adhere the two pieces together to create the base

Cut another mat in white using the stitched edge die and this is the layer we are adding the design too

Hand cut another mat in teal to fit between these two layers

On the white mat randomly stencil the tiny butterflies in Peacock Feathers

Lightly Stencil the Fancy Flourish to one side

Using the largest butterfly stamp and the two inks add the pattern over the card leaving some to overhang. Add to the teal mat once the ink is dry and wrap these layers with pink ribbon

Cut in Teal and Pink the other elements that you need and layer up the butterflies gluing along the body line only to allow the wings to be free.

I decided to leave out the two small tags and I cut two of the larger labels in White and Teal 

I cut the Teal one in half and created a shadow around the sentiment

The butterflies are dressed with tiny 10mm pink roses and they are then glittered for extra sparkle

This could be for any occasion by simply changing the sentiment

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Copic Colouring

Hi Everybody,

I have been Copic Colouring again and this is one of the images from Saturated Canary.

This beautiful image is called Eggstra Special  and at the moment the stamp is on special offer.

She was a delight to colour and it was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

There are many images for you to choose from so it's worth having a browse around their website.

This card is a 5x7 so quite a large one to send but it still fits inside an envelope for easy posting

Another one was this lovable Elephant from Whimsy Stamps  and the completed card is a small A2 size

Both of these images will be linked below so that you can take a look at them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Wonky Stitched Dies

Hi Everybody,

As promised yesterday I have two new videos for you to view over the weekend.

The one yesterday featured the Wonky Stitches - Nesting Hexagons

They are some of the new dies in at
Craft Stash and they are part of the
 Wonky Stitches Collection  

This one is the Ovals and this is always a useful shape to have in any collection.

There is a lot that can be done with any type of Nesting Dies from creating frames and layering to making a stunning focal point for the card and maybe adding flowers to it.

Both are dies that will be used time and time again and they are not expensive either which makes them a great way to build up your own collection with basic shapes

Take a look at the Craft Stash website for other dies in the same vein, to help you make some really lovely cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner ....

Hi Everybody,

Hope the weekend finds you all well and keeping warm. It's sunny but cold here in the North West and I have a filming day ahead and so it won't really bother me.

The draw for the card and gift from yesterday has been done and this one is going to Spain ... to you

Val Jones

so would you send your postal address please to me

christina@card-making-magic.com

and both will be on there way to you straight away.

Over this weekend I have two new videos for you and these are featuring some of the newest dies in at Craft Stash called Wonky Stitches.  The first one is Hexagons and in this I have used the Stamps Monster Madness to make a fun card.

In tomorrows post I will add in the Wonky Stitches Ovals to show you another look from these really useful dies

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Safari friends

Hi Everybody,

Safari Friends was one of my favourite gifts when it was offered with 

Papercraft Essentials 145

It was another one that I enjoyed playing with and it is great for children's cards.

The video is here to show you what I did with this fabulous gift 

Papercraft Essentials - Safari Friends 

Is this a card and gift that you would like ??

If so then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post and a name will be drawn from those comments and announced in tomorrows blog post.

Some people seem to be a little confused and email me saying they would like the card but that is not how it works.  You need to add your comment here to be in with the chance. And please add your full name as there could be three or four people with the same first name as you.

Good Luck everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The Greatest Gift

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked by a USA company if I would like to take a look at their product.  The Greatest Gift   is a journal that you fill in secretly with all the things that make you appreciate one special person.

  

I am a great believer in showing Gratitude for all the good things that come into my life and just being thankful for the people who are there for me everyday and all the things that they do.

But not being a journal writer or even a scrapbooker I thought that this was something I may struggle with. 

Never the less I agreed and Amir sent me the parcel and the resulting video is what I found 

I was really pleased when I opened the box at the quality and so I did a video to share with you.

It doesn't do the gift justice as the quality is really excellent. And there are pages for you to add photos as well as write about the experience. There are lots of inspirational quotes, stickers and labels for you to add to your pages, as well as frames and picture corners to dress up the book.

I have someone in mind that I would like to create this Gratitude Journal for but it will take me a while to do so. But as I say in the video there is no time scale. You can take as long as you need to complete this really special gift.

You could give this to anyone you appreciate  ... friends, family,  work mates and the booklet inside will give you ideas and inspiration on every page so that you will never be lost for words.

Maybe you are not a journaller either but as a crafter you will have lots of ideas on how to fill your own journal.  Use your stamps embellishments to make this truly unique.
Or maybe you know someone who likes to keep a journal.... and Christmas is on the way. This would make an excellent gift for them to use for some one that they appreciate.

The Greatest Gift 
This link is an affiliate link so for every one you buy it gives me a small percentage at no cost to you.   Also every purchase will go towards helping someone else so that they can benefit too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Essentials 154 - Heart & Flowers Embossing Folder

Hi Everybody,

Issue 122 of Papercraft Essentials sparked off a whole new range of items from the embossing folder that was given free with it.

It was called  "All Occasions" and I did some videos using it.

It was so popular it sold out time after time, and now there are dies, stamps and even more folders in that collection

Did you get "That Embossing Folder" ?

Well here is the opportunity for you to expand your collection because another one is being given away this month.

The video ...   The Hearts & Flowers Embossing Folder & Stamp Set  will show you how I made this card and there are lots more ideas for you to try inside the magazine

It will be on sale tomorrow the 14th December so keep a look out for it as it is surely going to sell out quickly.  

And pop over to Craft Stash to see the other items in this ever growing 

All Occasions Collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Muscle Man ...

Hi Everybody,

Today's Tuesday Tutorial is in the form of  a video and I am keeping with the male theme that we have been using for the last few days.

This one is using the Masculine Additions from the "Christina Collection" and it is another one that I hope you will enjoy

It is easy to do and uses a technique that we have used in the past. And Blue Print Sketch is fast becoming my "go to" shade of blue 

It also blends really well with the new shade of blue card that is with Papermill Direct called Marine Blue

This is definitely a card for the men in your life and would be really well received by the gym enthusiasts 

It's not a long video and I will move onto a more feminine theme soon but I hope you have enjoyed the ideas for male cards as I know it is something I get asked about quite regularly

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

You're a Star ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card from the Masculine Additions that are with the "Christina Collection" that is available with Craft Stash

Now although this would make an excellent card for the men in your family it could equally as suitable for the females too.

So this is quite a versatile collection to have and you can dress it up any way you wish and the video

Masculine Additions - You're a Star 

shows you how I made this one 

I have simply done a starry backdrop to the card and used bright silver mirror card for the centrepiece.

I hope that with this run of male cards that I have given you some ideas for your own designs and how to adapt them to suit the recipients that you wish to send them too

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another for the men ...

Hi Everybody,

Seems I am not alone when it comes to making cards for men and many of you struggle with them too.

So here's another that is especially for them made with the Masculine Additions to my new collection that is available with Craft Stash 

This one features the dies and I have added them to the Cube Trellis background

You have the choice when you are making this card of dark glasses or regular spectacles which is what I have done for my card

I thought it was pretty cool once it was finished and as Griff has a moustache and glasses he liked it as well.

Below is a list to all the supplies I have used over ALL the masculine cards I have done the videos 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner is ...

Hi Everybody,

It's very cold here today and I am going to snuggle in the warmth this afternoon. Got some shopping to do and then I am hibernating for the rest of the day.

 And I might get the chance to do some colouring in the process. Bliss !!

In the meantime the draw for yesterdays card and gift offer has been done and the name drawn this time is yours

 Vicki L Phillips

would you let me have your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

As an added bonus today I am adding two videos that would make ideal cards for the men.
They are using the new Drinks Trolley Collections from Craft Stash

So I hope you enjoy them as you sit and relax this afternoon ... maybe with a cuppa and a biscuit !

I hope you enjoy both videos and the items I am using are only a small part of the big collection of the Dies, Stamps Stencils and Embossing Folders in the new Drinks Trolley Collection available only at Craft Stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Sending Christmas Wishes

Hi Everybody,

I thought that maybe this week was a good time to give this away with Christmas fast approaching.

 But it can be used all year round and is especially good for male cards.

It is the gift that was free with Papercraft Essentials 151 and there are dies, stamps and an embossing folder with it.

Here is the video to show you how I used it 

Papercraft Essentials 151 Sending Christmas Wishes

If you would like to have this gift then please leave me a comment at the end of the post.

From those comments a name will be drawn and the winner announced in tomorrows blog post.

So be sure to come back and check if it is your name as you only have 72 hours in which to claim it.

Good Luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Cards for men ....

Hi Everybody,

Making male cards is something that many people struggle with ... including my self.

And so to bring out some additions to my own collection that would help with that was blessing

The Masculine Additions were added to the original collection in November and have been really well received.

So over the next few days I am going to be adding some vidoes that will show you the ideas I came up with using the versatile stamps, dies and stencils 

The first one is the card shown here and it is 

Masculine Additions - Dad's Trophy

A quick and easy fun card that could be sent to any of the male members in your family.

I hope you enjoy the little video and the rest will follow this week 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 51 - Vintage Springtime

Hi Everybody,

There is a beautiful A4 stamp set with this months Creative Stamping and it will be on the shelves tomorrow the 7th December

The designer this month is Bee Crafty and the theme is springtime and some lovely images to help you make gorgeous cards.

Vintage Springtime has flowers and creatures and some appropriate sentiments and quotes so I am sure that you will be able to put all this to good use throughout the year

The Video Vintage Springtime  will show you how I made this card.

There is much more inside the magazine itself to give you step by step details on how to make the cards featured 

So grab your copy and a cuppa and you relax for a little while to watch the video and browse through your magazine

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Love & Marriage Card

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is really a simple wedding card that will fit into an envelope. I have used the Love and Marriage Additions set that is part of the "Christina Collection"  The dies are now back in stock and they are available only from Craft Stash

Supplies Used:

Complete Card & Box Die Set

Love & Marriage Additions

Silver Card from Craft Stash

White Card from Papermill Direct

Silver Organza Ribbon from Mei Flower

Silver and White Wedding Day Ribbon from Deco Fun Bow Maker

Silver Twine from my stash

Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue from Craft Stash

Foam tape from Craft Stash

Instructions:

With  white card and the card element to the die set create your Tent Fold Base card 

Cut another layer with the Stitched Mat die

From the Filigree Heart in the Love & Marriage set cut as many hearts as you will need to add to the stitched mat.  Glue in place allowing some of them to overhang and trim as needed

From some Bright Silver card cut a layer that will sit between the base and the stitched mat.

From the centre of this card cut the larger heart band the Mr & Mrs

You can also cut the Lock and Key from this piece. Keep the tiny hearts that come from the key and add these to the card front

Add the white heart panel to the top and once it is layered up no one will know that there is a hole in the card 

Double wrap these layer with silver organza ribbon and the Wedding Day Ribbon

Add foam tape to the back and add these to the base card

Tie a bow with the two ribbons and add the Lock and Key to some silver twine and place in the centre of the knot. 

And there you have a really pretty card to send to someone on their special day

Change the colours to suit the wedding day theme. Personalise it with their names or the date of the wedding. The possibilities are endless

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx