Friday Freebie - 12 Days of Christmas

Hi Everybody,

This weeks gift is a mega bundle of A4 stamp sheets. All the rhymes for the twelve days are shown and it is such a lot of fun to play with. Somebody is going to be truly delighted with this "Give Away"

and that is a promise.

I really enjoyed all the cards I made with it and you can see in the video that I made a many to show you. But it is stamp set that can be used all year round and make lovely cards for you to send

The video 12 Days Of Christmas  will show you some of the ways that I used the stamps and you can use your favourite medium to colour them in

Would you like to have ALL these stamps in your collection ??

Then leave me a comment with your FULL NAME and be sure to come back tomorrow to check if it is you named as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft 192 Nautical Scenes

Hi Everybody,

Another little scene builder die set is the lovely gift with this months Simply Cards & Papercraft and it will  be in the shops on the 30th May.

The coloured scene is added to a 5x7 card base and I used Spellbinders Matting Basics to make the frame

The video will show you how I did it and it's not a long one today.

Don't forget that the second Box Kit from Card Making Magic is also on sale on the 30th and is well worth taking a look at.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Card Making Magic Box Kit Issue #2

Hi Everybody,

So I hope you can join me on Hochanda over the two days ... 29th and 30th May.
I will be there at 6pm and 8pm on the 29th and at 9am 1pm and 5pm on the 30th.
 I am  really looking forward to showing you the new collection and I hope you like it as much as I do.

I also want to tell you about the new box kit that will also be on sale also on the 30th May.

It will be shown on Hochanda but if you miss that it will be in the shops as well or you can get it from Moremags.com

There are some lovely items in this new kit and I hope you will enjoy both playing with the goodies and reading the articles too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lacey Collection Nested Rectangles

Hi Everybody,

This week is going to be a busy week for me and I have lots of samples to make for the Hochanda show later this week.

Also the second box kit will be out for you to buy, but more about that tomorrow.

This card is really pretty and made with the A2 

Lacey Nesting Rectangles from the Craft Stash

and the bear is an image from my stash, and she is raised up with foam tape to create shadow and interest 

I used my new Arteza Water Colour Brush Pens to water colour her and they blended really well for a lovely effect.

I threaded all the Rectangle Frame with pink organza ribbon and added a bow at the bottom. The verse is from the new ones Set 2 in this Lacey Collection.

It's a fun card that I enjoyed making and  I am sure with a Birthday Sentiment it would please some little girl  for her special day

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

I am late again and it's raining too so nothing new there. 

Being busy is an understatement at the moment  as I don't seem to have enough hours in the day to get everything done.

But eventually I get to do the draw and this week the name that came out of the hat is 

Carole Eaton

would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and it will be in the post to you as soon as I can.

I hope you will enjoy playing with the set and please let me know that you have it safely.

And "No" I can't name all the reindeer ... only the one with the red nose !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Festive Friend

Hi Everybody,

This little fella can be your friend and all you have to do is stamp him out and colour him then use the die to cut him out and he is ready to add to your creations.

There are items within the stamp set that you can add to your reindeer such as a hat, scarf and place a sack in his hand that could be full of gifts.

If you would like to have this  Festive Friend  stamp and de set then all you need to do is leave me a comment with your FULL NAME at the end of the post and pop back tomorrow to see if you are the winner. 

You have 72 hours in which to claim the prize and it doesn't matter if you won before or where you live.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lacey Nested Rectangles

Hi Everybody,

Today it is the turn of the rectangles from the Lacey Collection and these are a really useful set to have

In the video I have shown you how I made the frames and to layer them up so that they are on different levels

This means that you can see into the depth of the card and it gives a lovely effect

The colour scheme is a bit bright but a change is as good as a rest from the soft pastel that I like to use ... especially pink !!

So with this colour palette I decided to make one for the girls and one for the boys and it works for both cards.

The pretty flowers are from Petal Lu and they can be seen and bought on Facebook.

I am really pleased that you seem to be liking the new Lacey Collection and I will be on Hochanda next week with the One Day Special on the 29th May. I Hope you can join me 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 52 Creative Corners

Hi Everybody,

The exclusive gift with Die Cutting Essentials this month is a really useful corner die that can be used for male and female cards

It is called Creative Corners and you can cut the pattern out of the card or leave it in if that is the look you're after.

The choice is yours but either way it will give you a pretty result

The magazine is going to be on sale tomorrow the 23 rd May so keep a look out. Or you could take out a subscription and that way you are always sure of your copy.

I have shown you several ways in which you can ring the changes to your own designs and it can be used for any occasion. 

To colour this card I used Spectrum Noir Pencils and the result is a lovely vibrant card that I then dotted with gemstones

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Birthday Circle

Hi Everybody,

Today's card uses part of a Lacey nested Circle to great effect, and I really love these pastel colours together.

The spotty card is some that I bought from AnnaMarie Designs at the craft show I went to last year.

I embossed the large patterned circle in the Flourish Embossing Folder before I added it to the card and I placed some foam tape to keep it raised off the spotty card.

I wrapped the spine with white ribbon and added the flowers to the top to trail down the left hand side.

They have been sparkled with glitter and dotted with pearls around the outside.

I love this  Lacey Collection ... it is so pretty and very girly, and such good value for money with lots of dies to give you lots of ideas 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lacey Circles Secret Pocket Card

Hi Everybody,

Staying with the Lacey Circles I wanted to show you this pretty card in turquoise and cream

But the difference to this one is the little pocket on the front of the top layer.

A very soft and pleasing colour scheme.

I used a larger circle to cut the base and then added the other layers to the top, mixing the colours as I went along.

For this I have cut a tag and added a sentiment that can be tucked into the pocket.

I used a hole punch in the tag and then threaded ribbon through so that it can be removed by the recipient to read the message.

I used one of the Lacey Ribbons to add extra decoration to the pocket and then dotted the front with pearls.

Just a little unusual for the front of a card and the flowers make it truly feminine

Adds that little bit of fun for whoever you give the card too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lacey Circles Gatefold Card

Hi Everybody,

Time to move on now to another shape from the Lacey Collection and for this card I used the Circles to create a Gatefold Card.

I chose a lovely shade of blue and teamed it with white for a really fresh look

The card is not a free standing one so you will need the Card Stand to display it

The stand is a really useful addition to your own cardmaking stash and makes a really pretty display from any card.

The Card Making Magic card stand can be used across all the different sizes and it will fit neatly into box with the card for you to give

It is a very easy card to make even with the different layers.
 But, if a card is worth making, it is worth making to the best of your abilities and with the best products that you have. 

So I don't mind adding layers and flowers, ribbons and pearls because I like to give a beautiful card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's a lovely day here by the coast and lots of people are sure to come for the day out to take in the sea breeze.  Ruby and I have just had a walk down to the sea front and it was very pleasant.

The draw for yesterdays gift has now been done and the winner this week is 

Maureen Wood

would you email me please with your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

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

You have 72 hours in which to claim it and please let me know when it gets to you.

Have fun making snowflakes

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Sparkling Snowflake

Hi Everybody,

Another Christmas gift again this week and this one is a really large snowflake that comes in two parts.

It can be cut from the card by using the outer edge or left in the card if you use just the patterned piece

Looks really pretty which ever way you decide to use it and certainly makes a statement piece on the front of your designs. Cut it from Glitter paper for a spectacular look or double sided sticky sheet to create your own special look for your own Sparkling Snowflake 

So would you like this die to add to your collection??

Then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

One name will be chosen and announced tomorrow so please come back and check if it is your name that is shown. You will have 72 hours in which to claim the prize

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Last Oval ... for now !!

Hi Everybody,

So far I have shown you how to mix and match the ovals in the new set and the older set with beautiful results.

But how about mixing in some of the stamps that are in the collection.for yet another look to your designs.

For this card I have used only the oval dies that will cut the pattern but leave it in the card and so giving me the pierced look for my oval shape

Then I have used the plain dies that will fit inside these open cuts to create the frame I needed in red.

I embossed this frame in the Flourish Folder and added it to my card with foam tape underneath. And it fits just on the inside of the oval shape. I added one of the Lacey Ribbon dies to the bottom of the oval and used the smaller ribbon die to add across the front of the oval

I stamped and die cut the flowers onto water colour card and coloured them with water colour pencils and a water brush. I added black pearls to the centres of each and added them with foam tape.

The sentiment was cut several times and stacked together for depth. I covered it with Glossy Accents and allowed it to dry overnight before adding it to my design

This card gives you a different look ... it uses other items from your collection ... and it gives you a lovely card that will fit into an envelope. What more could you want ???

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Making Magic Lacey Nested Ovals

Hi Everybody,

Thank you for the lovely comments about the new collection and I am so happy that you seem to like it.

Today I am adding a video to show you how I created this card which is another Oval but using it in a different way.

And because there was not a lot of depth to it I was able to add it to an envelope that I decorated to match

I used a lovely cream and pink colour scheme and it is very soft on the eye.

If you add plenty of glue to the seams of the envelope it is sturdy enough to go through the post, and you can add an address label to the front for delivery.

Much nicer than those brown envelopes with bills in them !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Still with the Ovals ...

Hi Everybody,

Have you had a chance to look at the new collection yet?  

Craft Stash will be launching it officially on Thursday and I really hope you are going to like.

I think it is wonderful and takes me right back to the street I should be on ... making pretty floral feminine cards

So now I have shown you four different ways that you can use the one Lacey Oval set of dies and I am sure there are going to be many many more.

I haven't had time yet to do some videos but they are on their way ... at the moment I am simply enjoying playing with them to see what I can do.

So far I can say truthfully that I love them all and I am very pleased with all the cards that I have created with any of the new shapes in the Lacey Collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lacey Ovals - Mix & Match

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card created with the Lacey Ovals and this one is playing very nicely with the Nesting Ovals from the Original set of dies, which is in white

They are really sturdy cards because of the layers and of course it will fit really well into a box as a gift for your recipient.

I love the colour of this card and I have mixed spots and stripes in the same shade.

I have added the links to the items I have used below so that you can see what the new Lacey Collection looks like.

This is a collection that I really love and it designed to extend any dies that you may have from the original "Christina Collection" 

You can build up your own stash as you go along knowing the each piece will work with the other.

And although this Ovals set is linked to the 5x7  it will make free standing cards and can also be used on any of the other shapes too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Beautiful New Collection

HI Everybody,

For those of you with Eagle Eyes you will have noticed some new additions to the 

Craft Stash Website.

And I am so delighted to tell you that these are the new Lacey Collection that have been added to my brand of Card Making Magic

The card on the right is created with the Lacey Oval and they have been created to compliment the 5x7 Card & Box Die Set

It is a beautiful die and there are such a lot of different ways that it can be used.

Here I have added it on a 5x7 card and used one of the New Lacey  Ribbon #2  dies to create the background in the oval.

These dies are just so feminine and intricate and the cards they will help you make are sure to be beautiful. I have loved playing with them ... ALL

Here is another way to use the dies to create a stand alone card and I have added two different sized frames to surround the verse.

I have added the links below for you to see the collection and I promise you you will not be disappointed with it.

And videos will be along shortly to show you how I make my cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's a beautiful day here and the sun is streaming in through my window. 

I have been up bright and early and the draw has already been done. 

So with out further ado the winner this week is ...

Diane Brown 

and is you could mail me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

the gift will be on its way to you.

Please let me know when you get it safe and sound and I really hope you will enjoy playing with it.

Get your imagination working and there will be so many ways you can build the scenes

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Scenic Nativity

Hi Everybody,           

This lovely die set is far more useful than it appears and you have some fun creating your own scenes from it

For my card I cut it all in white card and then used my pens to add the scene and the shading and then decoupaged the layers onto my card inside the frame

I haven't made it particularly Christmassy to show you that it can be used all year round.

Scenic Nativity  is the video to accompany the card and it's not a long one but does have other ideas that you may like to try

Now if you would like this set then lave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME and one name will be drawn as the winner and announced in tomorrows blog post so be sure to come back and check

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lilac Thank You !

Hi Everybody,

Sometimes it is nice to send a "Thank You" card in stead of just saying it. 

It gives the person something tangible as a keep sake and so you want to make it as pretty as you can.

This one is created with the

Layered Christmas Rose Stamp Set

and all I used was the small bud and the leaves to make the background

When you make the background to your card yourself you are always sure that the colours will go together.

Better than trying to match inks with papers that you already have. I have used Lilac card in the layers from Papermill Direct

The sentiment is a chipboard word that I had in my "Stash" and I embossed it in gold powder  before adding it to my card front.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Birthday Wishes

Hi Everybody,

This was a card I made some time ago with a subscription gift from Card Making Magic  and I used a peach and green colour scheme.

The finished card is A2 size but it is too deep to go into an envelope.

I stencilled the background and there is a lot of glitter on the flowers.

The word and the stamps are from a set by W+9 and they can be mixed and matched together as the mood takes you.

Word dies are always useful and I use them quite a lot because my handwriting is terrible.

I can't write neatly to save my life,  and the more I write,  the faster I write and the scruffier it gets ... so it's sentiment dies and stamps for me if I want a neat finish.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gold & Cream Wedding Card

Hi Everybody,

This lovely gold and cream card has been made using the Love & Marriage Collection 

I used the Flourish Embossing Folder to make a Letterpress background with gold embossing powder

It has been made to the 5x7 Card Size and it will fit into the box that can be made from the Card & Box Die set

The lovely satin ribbon is from Deco Fun Bowmaker  .... I have linked this bow maker to Amazon and it comes with some free ribbon for you to play with.

Line the inside of the card to match the front and decorate the box too and line that with some gold tissue paper and you will have a really pretty set to give to your recipients on their special day.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a beautiful day it is here and hopefully it will stay this way for the bank holiday. I have been up early getting my house clean and tidy  and now I am doing the draw for yesterdays Classic Christmas Scenes prize from yesterday.  Last Weeks  prize has not been claimed and so that will be back on offer at a later date.

So the winner this week is ...

Sue Cockerham 

would you email me please your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the prize will be on its way to you straight away

Please let me know that you have it safely and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Classic Christmas Scenes

Hi Everybody,

With this beautiful set there is the added bonus of a die set from John Next Door and all the little scenes will fit inside the circle die

The video will show you how I made the card and give you some ideas for others you may like to try.

Classic Christmas Scenes  is the gift on offer this week. I am trying the give away in a different format to make things as fair as I can and I am using InLinkz to keep track of things.

All you need to do is to leave me a comment at the end of this post.
You don't need to have a blog, or be in the UK to be in with a chance of winning it.
 And it doesn't matter if you have won before.
 BUT you will need to leave your FULL NAME  and only add your comment once.
Duplicates will be removed

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ribbon Threader

Hi Everybody,

The new Ribbon Threaders have been a very popular addition to the Card Making Magic Collection and they can be used in a lot of different ways.

For this card I created a top folded A2 size and another panel just slightly smaller. 

I embossed this panel in the Flourish Folder and then I used a soft rollered Brayer to add two different shades of ink to the top and bottom

I cut one of the designs in the ribbon threader twice from white card and stacked them together and wove some lilac ribbon through the centre and tied it into a bow.

I placed this across the join in the ink colours with foam pads positioned under the ribbon so as not to show from the front.  You can add any sentiment you have in your own collection to suit the occasion for which you have made the card.

For this layered card I have used another of the dies and cut it three times and then spaced it evenly across the grey panel.

I dotted it with gemstones and added the sentiment at the bottom, layered onto parchment that has been wrapped around the layers. 

So there you have two very simple cards that are quite effective, using the border dies in different ways

One for the boys and one for the girls and I am pleased with the results of both of them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft 191 Build A Flower

Hi Everybody,

The exclusive gift with this months

 Simply Cards & Papercraft is this beautiful Build a Flower die set with 14 stamps to accompany it.

You can create some unique backgrounds with the stamp set and  mix and match the sentiments to suit your own design.

In the video I have shown you several ways that I have used this gift to make my own cards and each one is very individual.

The magazine will be on sale on the 2nd May in selected supermarkets, so if this is one that you would like to have then you will need to be quick as floral dies and stamps are always a best seller.

Here is the video to give you more ideas and of course you will find lots more inspiration inside the magazine ... 

I love the contemporary colour scheme of this card and it is inked with the 

Distress Oxides Worn Lipstick and Wilted Violet

Should they be out of stock then leave your email address and Craft Stash will notify you once they are back on their website

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx