Decoupage Delight Collection - Camellia

 Hi Everybody,

Last week Pauline Hickey and I had a get together at my house and we decided to do a little crafting in my craft room.

 I thought it would be a good idea and a bit of fun to film the process as we made the flower.

We used the Camellia Flower to make the blooms and then we added them to our cards.

 I did one for a birthday and Pauline made a sympathy card with her beautiful lilac flower.

The video is not long but once it was done we went out for lunch and had a lovely steak sandwich.

This is one that I made later in the day after Pauline had gone back home again. I also added a wax seal to this card

                  

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Betty McAlister - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Did you manage to join the Craft Stash Craftathon Friday?? We had a great day and some winners on each hour. The demos created some beautiful projects and as soon as we have the figure I will let you know just how much money we raised for MHUK.

On the blog the draw has been done for the gorgeous Butterfly Florals stamp and die set.
The name today is 
Betty McAlister
and so if you could email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get it in the post to you straight away.

I hope you will enjoy playing with it and please be sure to let me know that you have received it safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Butterfly Florals

 Hi Everybody,

It is the turn of the butterflies this week and this pack has a lovely stamp and die, from Pink Fresh Studios, to add the butterfly to your cards.

There is also another stamp set in the pack that has text and florals as well as sentiments and the lovely squiggly butterfly trail to complete the look.

You will find lots of inspiration inside the pages of the Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine.

I personally love adding text to my backgrounds as I think it makes them look so special. But I am sure that you will come up with lots of ideas if you should win this offering.

All you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post and then be sure to come back and see if your name is shown as the winner. Your comment must include your FULL NAME or it will not be entered into the draw.

And don't forget to join in with the Live Craftathon that Lou is hosting  all day today.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Craftathon ...

 Hi Everybody,

Get ready for an amazing 8-hour Charity Christmas Craft Marathon with Lou Collins! On Friday …

Join Lou and special guests as they bring you live demos all day long. Plus, there's a chance to win fantastic giveaways worth over £100 every hour, exclusively for our viewers!  

Lou will be crafting and hosting non-stop, while guest presenters jump in with fun and exciting demos. It's going to be an event you don't want to miss! 

As part of our commitment to supporting mental health, we will donate 10% of all profits to MIND, a remarkable mental health charity. Throughout the day, our guests and viewers will engage in conversations about the positive impact of crafting on mental well-being. Join us as we explore various ways in which we can empower ourselves and others through the art of crafting.

Just click the link to join in 

Craft Stash Craftathon

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Wax Seal Cards

 Hi Everybody,

I have been busy making cards and using the wax seals that I made yesterday.  I have lots of seals left over and so I can make lots more cards

I have lots of ideas to share with you and they will be in other videos yet to be added. But for now the first four are in a video that I made for you to see.

This first one uses the three flowers that I made and trimmed down. I added them to a really old stamp set that looks like distressed paint stripes.

I add these in before I used an older embossing folder for the  the panel and added it to a green mat.  

For this next one I have used the same embossing folder from Card Making Magic called Simply Dots.

The background paper is some that I have also had for ages and bought at a craft show years ago.

I used the Dragon wax seal stamp for this one and staggered them on the banner strips

I am really happy with all the cards I made and I hope you like them too. I also hope you enjoy the video and will be sure to join me on the next one.

   

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Wax Seals ....

 Hi Everybody,

These are some of my first attempts at creating wax seals and I am quite pleased with the results.

Some of them are good others are not but there is no waste with any of the waxes as they can simply be re-melted and used again.

I did make quite a few in the video and in the next one I will add them to my cards.

There are lots of things that you can do with the seals and I will try to show you how I varied the looks as I go along. I have some special cards that I want to share with you and so more videos will be along soon.

The stamps that I used are from Easy Craft Art and they have a vast choice of stamps, wax beads and kits that may appeal to you. They are offering you a 12% discount on your purchases if you add the code Christina 12 at the checkout.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Wax Seal Kit

Hi Everybody,

I am very blessed to be in the position of being offered product to use without any strings attached and who wouldn't say yes when offered things like this.

So a few weeks ago I was asked by Easy Craft Art if I would like to choose some items from their website to try.

I had a good browse around and there is a host of things for journaling and scrapbooking and I have never done either of those things.

So I selected the items shown as I have never done anything with real wax seals in the past.

Being new to this I have to do some learning to do for myself but as I progress I will be adding the seals to my cards and I will share them with you as I do.  And if you would like to try this too then Easy Craft Art are giving you a 12% discount on your order if you add Christina12 at the checkout

                  

If you are not into the real wax seal products then in my Card Making Magic Collections I do have a faux Wax Seal Die Set that will give you a really good look to your designs, and at present Craft Stash are giving you 10% off this die set.

Please join me in the next few videos where I add the wax seals to my cards and I try to be a little different as I do.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ali Patchett - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It's a strange kind of day here. It isn't cold and not raining at present, but it is very damp. Ruby and I may go walking later but we will see how it goes. Ruby will go out in any weather, but me ???? I am a fair weather walker only.

I have done the draw for the Daffodil stamps and embossing folder and the winner will not be disappointed with their win. I add in my email address for you to reply to so please use it, and not the contact form on the blog, or even leaving your personal details on the blog pages. 

I delete those emails for safety reasons and I do not store any details about you at all.

So the name today is

Ali Patchett

Please can you email your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get the prize in the post to you straight away.
Please be sure to let me know that you have it safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Dreamy Daffodils

Hi Everybody,

Another floral  stamp set on offer this week and this one is gorgeous Daffodils to add to your designs.

This consists of an embossing folder and an A4 stamp set full of lovely images for you to stamp onto your cards. And very useful sentiment strips too.

Included in the pack are some pretty A4 papers to complete the look and they can be cut up and used for all your makes.

The magazine is a really good read and ever ready to offer you ideas that you may like to try for yourself.

So if this is something that you think you would like then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME, and then be sure to come back and see if you are the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 
 

More Altenew Flowers

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a DL size and once again I have used the Altenew Flowers Kits that I have. 

This also has a matching die to cut it out and again I have added it to an older Card Making Magic embossing folder.

This folder is one of my favourites and the effect is very subtle. It is the Simply Dots folder.

I made the colour scheme yellow as this is not a colour I use often but I do like the effect with these tulips. 

I used the stencil in the kit, before embossing it, to add some flourishes to the background under the flowers.  The pearls along the side are just a little extra decoration.

Another pretty card that would sit any occasion and is reasonably quick to make.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Altenew Layered Stencils

 Hi Everybody,

Sorry there was no post on Monday but I had a lovely day out with my youngest daughter. 

Both Ruby and Dougal go to doggy day care (Playschool) on Mon, Tues, Wed and so we took advantage and went out for the day on our own.

The weather was good all day and it was lovely to be out in the sunshine. 

This card is created with a layered stencil from one of the Altenew Project Life kits, and because it is layered it is very easy to colour.

I used Distress Oxide Inks and my blending brushes and then cut it out with the matching die.

I used foam pads and added it to a really old Card Making Magic embossing folder for a very pleasing result.

Altenew make the most beautiful floral stamps and dies and they make spectacular flowers to add to your cards. I have lots of them and use them whenever I can.

The sentiment is part of a pack of pre-printed strips that I have in my stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Varied Border Dies

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card created using a border die and this one is the Butterfly Varied 7" Border Die set.

It is one I have shown before but as I was on the subject of border dies it seemed appropriate to share it again here.

I also had a video to show the creation of this card and others using this die set and I really like the end result.

Hopefully over the last few posts I have re ignited your love for border dies and shown how versatile they can be, and inspired you to get any that you have out again and put them to good use.

I am sure that you will think of other ways in whcih to use them once you start to play.

But whichever dies you decide to play with just have fun and let the creative juices flow.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Peggy Spencer - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Thank you for leaving your comments for the Sunflower Die Set and if you are not the lucky one this time then I have another of these dies to give away later on.

 You can always try again but all I always ask is that you leave your FULL NAME at the end of the comment. If you don't and the comment is listed as Anonymous then how am I supposed to know who you are ?????

The winner this week is 

Peggy Spencer

and if you would email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
then I will get it in the post to your straight away.

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Card Making Magic Sunflowers

Hi Everybody,

This lovely die is from Card Making Magic and will give you beautiful Sun Flowers to add to your cards.

Use it to add a really decorative border along the edge or cut it all out and use it to add the full flowers to the front of your designs

It comes with the magazine Die Cutting Essentials which is always a good read

Inside the pages you will find more ways that you may like to try using it as well as other ideas for you to try.

Would you like this to add to your crafty stash???? Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME please.

Then be sure to come back and check on Sunday to see if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

I don't think you will be disappointed with the gift and I know you will get a lot of use out of it in the months to come

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creating a frame

Hi Everybody,

 

For todays card I have used yet another border die from the original collection and created a frame to fit around a central panel for my card.

This one is the Double Sided Lace Border Die

I didn't worry about mitring the corners, I just angled them to fit and the overall look is very pretty.

The flower is also from the original collection and it also had a matching stamp set to it. The Layered Florals is one I have used a lot on my cards.

I also like the colour scheme for this card and it certainly makes a change from pink.

For this card I have used the Double Sided  Border Die and cut it twice to use as a complete background for the card.

There are a lot of things that you can do with any of your border dies,  and if you have the complete box sets then you will already have a border die in the pack.

Think of different ways to use your borders as well as any other dies you may have.

Thinking outside the box will give you many many options and give you "more bang for your buck"

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Border Dies

Hi Everybody,

I am sure that we all have border dies of some description in our stash and this was one of my favourites when a whole collection of them was released.  It was part of the original "Christina Collection" when I first started on this journey many moons ago.  

There is so much that  can be done with them and not just for borders either. Add the border either vertical or horizontal on your card front.

Use them to create a whole background. Use in singles or group them together as I have done for this rainbow card, and who doesn't love a rainbow ???

Rainbows make any card look special when they are added whether it is rainbow butterflies, flowers or just bows.

 This die was the Single Sided Lace Border Die 

And no matter how you use the border it can add so much to your designs 

Here is another Single Sided Border Dies that was included in that collection and they are just as pretty.

The die in the video may be a different one, but the principle is the same and of course you can do so much more with them as you play

And I have added in a video showing how I made the card.

The die may be different but the principle is the same and of course you can do so much more with them as you play

                                                 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Altenew Whimsical Flowers

Hi Everybody,

For todays cards I am using a stamp set from Altenew that I have had for years and it is the Whimsical Flowers

It has a matching die set that can be abought to use with it, and the three main flowers face in different directions.

There are also smaller flowers and leaves in the set and so I decided to get it out and play as I haven't used this in such a long time.

I stamped and coloured lots of flowers all in the same colourway and cut them out ready to add to my cards.

I made three altogether and here are two of them for you to see.

Both have been added to an embossed background and I have also used my own Rose Flourish die set for the extra leaves I used.

As for the embossing folders one is really old Spellbinders one and the other was free with a magazine again many years ago.

Both cards are A6 but one has a pink base and the other is white.

I quite like both of them and the flowers that I have left over will go onto another project in the future.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Playing with Altenew Florals

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Altenew project life kit that I have been collecting and not using nearly enough.

This kit is the Silk Art from June 2022

For this card I created a shaped front using the die in the kit and then coloured the embossed image with the layering stencils.

I used my own Card Making Magic Simply Dots embossing folder for the background and the Perfect Roses for the inside.

The finished card is a 6x6 and I am happy with the result. The sentiment is from a pack that I bought at the craft show I went to ages ago.

This is the card from a different angle to show the shaped card front.

I stacked the die cut of the flowers three times and added it to the panel and so it is raised from the actual card base and I think you can just make that out in the photo.

It will still fit into a standard sized envelope and so the postage wont be any more expensive.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Valerie Steele - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Another weekend is here and the weather is still being kind. We went for a lovely walk around Fairhaven Lake yesterday and stopped for coffee in the little café there. We got home again before the rain started and it was very warm.

Ruby decided to go for a swim in the small duckpond there and she takes no notice of me when I call her back. Once she gets it into her head to go for a dip nothing gets in her way.
I am saying "No" and she stands on the bank and looks at me ... and then in she goes anyway.

Needless to say she had to get in the shower once we got home, as she didn't smell too pleasant after that.

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

Valerie Steele

please can you email me your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get the pack in the post to you straight away.

Be sure to let me know that you have it safely and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Noel Christmas Card

Hi Everybody,

Here is the second video from the Simply Christmas Collection and this one uses the whole frame of the die set to create the card.

In others I have cut the letters away and used them on my card and it make a real difference if you do this.

For this card I have created a cloudy backdrop with a homemade stencil and some blue ink and it just adds that little bit of atmosphere to the card.

I hope you enjoy the video and please don't forget to Like and Subscribe to my YouTube channel, and if you click the bell icon you will be notified whenever I add a new video.

The links to this collection and some from previous Christmas releases are in the box below.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Strawberries

 Hi Everybody,

Today I am offering you the chance to win this beautiful die and stamp set along with the Die Cutting Essentials magazine.

In the magazine you will find lots of fabulous ideas for this die set to create some lovely designs.

There are also other tips and tricks that you will find useful throughout your crafting journey. 

So if this is something that you would like to have in your stash then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your 

FULL NAME

Then pop back on Sunday to see if it is your name that is listed as the winner.
I am sure that you will find lots to do with this die and stamp set which will be a wonderful addition to your own personal collection.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Christmas

Hi Everybody,

 Christmas In July has now officially launched and so if you wanted to make an early start  on your cards then now is the time to do it. 

 The brand new collection is available on Craft Stash if you wanted to take a look, and there are some really good deals there for you to take advantage of .... 

Simply Christmas Collection 

I also have videos to show you how I used the dies and stencils that you may find useful, but I am sure you will have many more ideas of your own once you start to play.

 Here is one of them and I will add the other next week. I hope you enjoy.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas in July

Hi Everybody,

Today sees the exciting Christmas In July Launch with Craft Stash and this is designed to give you an early start with any of your Christmas makes. 

This card was very easy to make as all I did was cut out the letters and add them to my base. 

I have used other dies to get the flowers and the embossed background

This card took a little longer as I stamped out all the parts that I needed and then either die cut or fussy cut them out.

I used foam pads underneath areas to give them height and make them stand out on the card, and I added Accent Glaze to the lights for extra shine.

There are lots of ideas that you can try with these dies and they all work really well with last years collection too.

So no excuse to be late with cards this season, unless you are like me and cannot plan for Christmas when the sun shines. It wouldn't do for me to live in Australia.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Playtime with Altenew

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created with a really old stamp set from Altenew and I thought it was time to dig out some of my old stamps and

re-create with them. 

This one has been stamped in shade of Pink and Lilac and the same two colours splattered onto the background.

The flowers and leaves have been cut out with the coordinating die set and added with foam tape to raise them up.

I also used an old stencil, that was free with a magazine, on the background to give the diamond pattern that you can see.

The second card is using a die, stamp and a stencil from a magazine that Altenew brought out and I don't like the colours on this one as much.

I think that the blues I used are too dark.

I again used a free stencil for the background and in the set there are some leaves to another Altenew stencil which I also added to the background.

It is good to play and experiment with items and colours and that is the way I learn what I like and what I don't like.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Trellis Die Set & Brusho Crystals

 Hi Everybody,

This card shows an older die set from the Decoupage Delight Collection and this is the 5x7 Trellis.

I made lots of cards and used the Brushos on them and the video shows how I got two cards from one die cut.

It was good fun to play with these crystals again as I haven't used them in a long time, and I was more than happy with the  cards I created.

There are several different ways to use this die and each one will give you a different look. 

The top card was using the Brusho panel as my  background layer and adding the white panel to the top.

In the video I show other ways of layering the die cuts, and the card to the left is using up the pieces that fall out ... other wise known as the waste !!

But of course in this technique there is no waste just lovely cards that you can use for any occasion. 

I hope you enjoy the video and will give this a try. 

You could try the Colour Burst Powders instead if you don't have the Brushos or maybe just water colours.

So have a play and see what you can use and have some fun with them.

                    

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sharon Brand - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Another week has gone by and they seem to go so quickly. Already into July and I am still wondering where March and April went.

 But the weather is good here today and I have had Dougal overnight and so I will be taking him, and Ruby, out for a walk in a little while in the sunshine.

The draw has been done for the Beautiful Butterfly set from Friday and the name this week is .. 

Sharon Brand

Please email me your postal address and I will  get the pack in the post to you.
And can I ask that you add your full address, including the country ... You may know where your postcode is but the post office don't and they will not accept it without the country clearly stated in the address 
 Be sure to let me know when you get it and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

There is also a special offer going on at Craft Stash for this fabulous numbers set if you would like to add this to your collection. It is part of the Clever Cuts Collection that I have featured in many videos and they are all in a Playlist on my YouTube Channel. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx