Friday Freebie - Sent with Love

Hi Everybody,

This fabulous little die set will make some great cards for you. It may be small but it is full of impact.

There is a stamp set also that will add even more to your designs and the magazine is sure to give you more ways in which it can be used. 

Is this something that you would like to have ???

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

It needs to be your full name and not just nickname or initials so that you can be identified if you are the winner. And be sure to come back on Sunday to see if it is your name that is shown. 

You will have 72 hours in which to claim it and if it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date. So get busy and leave your comment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Playing with Altenew

 Hi Everybody,

These two cards are from one of the Craft Your Life Kits by Altenew. 

I used to get these kits on a monthly basis and they are lovely to work with, giving you the complete set of everything that you need.

There are dies, stamps, stencils and an embossing folder that all work together.

The only thing stopping me from continuing with my subscription was the cost of the postage as it was almost as much as the kit itself.

This set was the Water Coloured Flowers from December 2022.

I have coloured the flowers with inks and the layering stencils and used the dies to cut them out.

Then I have added them in a different orientation  with foam pads on each card. Both cards are 6x6.

I used the same background stencil, which is not from Altenew, and added the little die cut sentiment which is.

I added tiny white pearls to each card front but they don't show up very well on the photos

I am happy with both cards and I will make sure I get a lot of use from the kit.

I won't be getting them any more because of the postage so I will have to get my monies worth from the ones that I already have

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More Boxes ...

 Hi Everybody,

I have added Decorative Hatpins to many of my floral cards and they look extra pretty and ready to send

But of course with the depth of the flowers they will into fit into an envelope of any description. 

So I have been busy making boxes for them and these are just some of the ones that I have made.

 I have a lot more to make yet before they are all complete. 

For these cards I have used a varied assortment of the box dies in the Card Making Magic Collections and it is a lot less expensive than going out to but them. 

I grant you it is taking time to make them but it is worth it in the end as shop bought boxes are very expensive even for the small ones, and as I already heave the dies I will continue to put the to good use

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Pretty Book Collection

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I have used the Additions set to the Pretty Book Collection. and made some A6 sized cards

I have coloured the flowers with inks and blending brushes and added them at varying heights on top of the diamond shapes.

The bow has been cut and shaded with inks and then I have used some Accent Glaze and sprinkled it with glitter. 

You will need to leave it on one side to dry or the glaze will smudge if you catch it.

The sentiment and banner are also form the set and that has been added with foam pads underneath to raise it up over the edge of the flowers.

This card has been created using the same dies I have just added them to my base card in an alternative pattern way making each one look a little different.

They could have any sentient added and that would alter the occasion for which he card is given. 

Both have been added to the Trellis embossing folder background and the card to the left has been lightly brushed over with some pink ink left over on my blending brush.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pink Butterfly

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using a beautiful butterfly and I chose the deep pink and white colour scheme.

 I have added it to panels that have been embossed in the Perfect Roses folder background.

The panels have ben cut from more card and layered onto the front and the butterfly has gold gilding flakes added to the wings.

I cut it with the largest solid die and inked the card in pink before adding in the text stamp.

I then used the detailed wings as a stencil to apply the glue to them ready for the gilding flakes.

The roses have been glued into the bodyline and the pearl trail has been added from the bottom.

The centre panel has been added with foam pads underneath to give height and he sentiment is from one of the small strips that I have in my stash.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Marie Quick - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Another weekend rolls by and there are not many more to Christmas.
 At least with this gift you can make cards that are not Christmas themed.
I don't know about you but it seems to start earlier every year, and by the time it comes around I am so fed up with it I can't wait for it to be over with.

So next weeks pack is also non Christmas themed  so come back and try for that too.

This week the winner is 

Marie Quick

and if you would email your postal address please to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get it sent off to you straight away.

The extra gift, of the glue bottle pin, is tucked inside the pack with the magazine and I hope it is OK for you.

As I explained in another post I am not sure if the pins are stainless steel so fingers crossed.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Shine Bright

Hi Everybody,

Today offering is a gorgeous Light house in the form of a stamp and a die along with some sentiment stamps to complete your cards.

The magazine will give you some ideas on how to use this set and I am sure that you will come up with many more when you start to play.

The magazine is Die Cutting Essentials and is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try.

If you think you would like to have this set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with our FULL NAME to be in with a chance. Leaving your full name makes it easier to identify the correct winner in the event that two people have the same first name. And that has happened in the past.

You will need to come back on Sunday and see if your name is listed as the winner, as I have no way to contact you. And if the prize is not claimed then it will offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterflies

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a bit of mixed media with stamping, text stamps, ink blending, Washi Tape, texture paste with gold embossing powder and a pearly flourish to add to the look.

The end result is very pretty and I love how the colours all go together.

I have used some home made texture paste on the butterfly and the Basket Weave stencil from the Plaited with Love Collection, with gold embossing powder.

I added a video a while ago to show how I made my own paste and I will ad the video again here in case you wanted to give it a try.

 Homemade Texture paste is created  easily and none of the ingredients are expensive. 

I used a really cheap talcum powder, white paint and the largest bottle of school glue I could find from The Range

Keep the paste in an airtight jar and only mix up as much as you need, but it will last for months in the jar and is a lot cheaper than buying a branded name.

                       

The sentiment is from a pack of strips that I cut up and I got these from a Craft Show I visited a while ago. 

They came in black and white and a very useful when you don't feel like getting out the stamps and inks. 

There are loads in the pack and they will last me a long time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Clever Cuts

 Hi Everybody,

This is the Clever Cuts Collection and the finished card is a  5x7 with the Rosette attached to the front.

I have lightly brushed over the Rosette once it has been folded up and the ink just catches the ridges on the heart shape.

The letters are stamped and coloured and die cut from the Alphabet in the collection and added to the card with foam pads underneath to give them height. 

I have used the brushes to blend in the ink colours to the background before I have embossed it and then again lightly gone over the top with sandpaper to remove some of the card to lighten the effect. 

The embossing folder I have used is from an older collection but you can use any that you have in your own folders

There is a complete Playlist on YouTube using the Clever Cuts Collection, and some of it in different ways than you may have thought about. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Grey & White Elegant A5 Card

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created with the Elegant Nestables and it is the A5 size.  This is the perfect answer to make those larger cards.

I have chosen the grey and white colour scheme to keep the card looking as Elegant as I could and the yellow flowers just set it all off.

Tucked along the side is a small organza butterfly in the same vibrant yellow and I have had some of these for a long time.

I cannot remember where they are from but there are several in the pack in different colours, and they always look really pretty when added to a card.

             

These dies where released a while ago but they are some of my favourite dies to use.
The video shows you how I created the card and is a good reminder should you not have seen it before.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sue Cockerham - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

These weeks come round far too quickly and before you know it Christmas will be here ... again !!

It seems like it was only six months since the last one.

I have done the draw for the Friday Freebie and is is a fantastic prize.
The stamps will surely help you get started on your water colours and I hope you enjoy the process too.

Todays winner is ...

Sue Cockerham

and so if you would email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com

 I will get the pack in the post to you straight away .

Be sure to let me know that you have it OK

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Water Colour Set

Hi Everybody,

This pack is fantastic and gives you everything you need for water colouring the stamped images. Even a water brush is included in the pack.

There are some beautiful images for you to create Christmas Cards and another set of stamps with large sentiments attached.

The magazine is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try out using this set and other ideas too.

I am sure you will be able to create some stunning cards with this pack , so if this is something that you would like to have in your home then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME to be entered into the draw.

You will need to make sure that you come back on Sunday to see if your name is listed as the winner and then you will have 72 hours in which to claim it. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Making Boxes

Hi Everybody,

Once you have made your card you will need something to send it in and what could be better than a lovely box decorated to match the card.

There are lots of complete box kits in the Card Making Magic Collections from 5x7, Hearts and Circles to A5,  and all the shapes in between. 

The dies can create a box that is all one or another that has a separate lid to the base. 

These boxes are perfect if you like to add depth to your designs as I do.

For this box I have lined the inside and created a matching card to go with it.

Some have extra dies to the sets that can turn your box from a short one to a tall one very easily and that way you can add a gift to it and not just a card.

So for this one I have created layers and filled them with chocolates.  They won't last long !!!

Whatever the size of gift you can make a box to fit it and they are all so very easy to make.

Then you can fill them with whatever it is you have  for your recipient. This one has scented tealights in it and they smell gorgeous. 

You will find video tutorials for many of the ideas in this blog post, and much more,  in a playlist named 
   "Making Boxes" on YouTube

You can even turn them into Pizza Boxes if you wanted something different.

So take a look at the varied collection of boxes that are available at Craft Stash and never be short of a box again.

The A5 Box set is slightly different in that the main die has grooves along the sides.

These will enable you to use them to line up your card and create boxes of different sizes from the one die set.

All these boxes are made from the one die set and they range from large to small and are decorated to suit the gift inside.

The Heart Shaped box comes in two sizes and can be used for many occasions as the picture shows.

I have decorated them with other die sets from other collections. 

Some are created from double sided card so that the inside is done at the same time, though I do like to line my boxes .

And if you keep your card relatively thinner and you don't need a box then use the exact same die set and create an envelope instead.

Decorate that the  same as the card and it will be perfect to send through the post.

Leave the decoration of the front of the envelope if you are going to do and use a strong glue so it doesn't come open in the mailbox.

More tomorrow ...

                                Hugs xx                                               

Nesting Dies

 Hi Everybody,

Whenever I make a card some nesting dies are something that I invariably reach for.

They will create beautiful layers for your designs whatever the shape you wish to make. 

This card has used the rounded corners and it just gives a different finish to a 5x7 card.

There are many different sizes to a nesting set and so the size of the card can also be varied to suit what you have in mind.

In the Card Making Magic Collections there are sizes ranging from A6 to A5 and all the different ones in between.

There are lots of different shapes for you to try as well. Circles, Squares, Octagons, Torn edges as well as the rounded corners shown in the first card.

This card has just used ovals in the increasing sizes, in rainbow colours  layered together,  to get the look. 

They can create frames for you  and you can vary the thickness of the frame by adding different dies to  make them. 

Once you have the frame you can line with it acetate to create a shaker card. Or you could add this shape to another sized shape for the top of the creation. 

So if you are starting out with card making then I would suggest a good set of Nesting Dies are essential to your collection.

With these your design possibilities are numerous and you can have fun at the same time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Hatpin Cards

Hi Everybody,

Todays card has had more decoration to it in the form of a hatpin.  I used to love adding these to my cards but then they went out of fashion. 

But as they "what goes around comes around"  and so maybe I will start a new trend for these beautiful additions.

The background to this card has been done with homemade texture paste and the Plaited with Love Collection stencil.

I did a video to show you how I made the paste and it is a lot cheaper than buying it. 

         

Making Cards doesn't have to cost a fortune and using things that you can produce yourself ... like hatpins and texture paste  ,,, will all help. 

So why not give both ideas a try.
You may be pleasantly surprised at your result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Heart Shaped Boxes

Hi Everybody,

I am adding this video here again as a reminder of the beautiful Heart Shaped boxes that you can make with Card Making Magic.

They come in two sizes ... 4" and 6" ... and you can also create a matching card to fit inside each one,

Line it and decorate the boxes any way you wish and they are perfect for those small gifts you may want to give

                  

                          

And here is another video to show you something else that you can do using the same dies.
You just need to have fun and play with any of the dies that you have in your own personal collections.

                        

I hope you enjoy the videos and the projects if you have the dies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Vicki L Phillips - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It is another beautiful day today and Ruby and I will be out later.
Today is Griffs birthday and I am getting together with family for tea to remember him.
It is almost five years since he died and I have missed him so much.
 We will wish him a happy birthday and hope he enjoyed his day.

The draw for the magazine and the beautiful Botanical Wishes stamp set has been done.

 There are also Mylar templates on the back of the stamps to create the gin bottle and it is sure to be something you can enjoy for a long time to come

So this set this week is going to ...

Vicki L Phillips

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

I will also include one of the pins that I have made and you have the choice of how you use it.

Either add it to your glue bottle, add it to a card or simply add it to your lapel.
If you make your own pins then please don't be too critical of the one I send you and it you don't like it you can always give it away.  
Please let me know that everything has arrived with you safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Botanical Wishes

Hi Everybody,

Todays give away is the beautiful Botanical Wishes A4 stamp set. There are also some templates with this set to create the Gin bottle and a bottle hanger for any gift you are giving to friends and family.

There are some lovely ideas inside the magazine that you may like to try using the gift. So what are you waiting for.???

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

and your comment will be added into the draw. 

If you do not leave me your full name your comment will not be added as an entry.

Then you must be sure to come back over the week end to see if your name is listed as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Society Advent Calendar

 Hi Everybody,

With the launch of the Papercraft Society Advent Calendar and the new Tall & Elegant Collection form Card Making Magic ... plus many other excellent deals at Craft Stash, it couldn't be a better time than now to join the VIP membership and get all the extras that members get. 

The link to join the VIP's is here ...

VIP Membership

Join first and then order the box and that way you will get the benefit of the 10% discount on the launch price. The box will be delivered to you in November ready for you to make your Christmas Cards with all the goodies that you will find inside.

I have added four envelopes to the collection and we will of course be adding videos as the time gets nearer.  Have fun 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tall & Elegant Easel Card

Hi Everybody,

Today sees the launch of a new collection that I hope you will enjoy as much as I have. It is the Tall & Elegant Collection 

With this set I have made an easel card and if you have the DL Complete Card & Box set then you will be able to make a beautiful box to add the card to.

Without the flowers on it would fit into a Dl envelope but I couldn't resist adding them in to make the card even more special.

Always a sucker for the flowers.

This video will show you how I made the Easel Card and don't forget you can have an extra 10% off your order if you become a 
Craft Stash VIP member.

The little gemstones in the centre of the flowers are self adhesive but to make doubly sure they stayed put I added them with a spot of hot glue.

I think they are from the Range and I got loads in the pack and they look so much prettier than the original centres.

Red was a diversion also as it is not a colour I use that often. If you follow my blog then you will know my favourites are the pastel shade of pink, blue and turquoise.

Still a change is as good as a rest so they say. So I hope you like the card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Twinkling H20's + Papercraft Society Advent Calendar

 Hi Everybody,

Do you remember these  ... Twinkling H20's ?  Did you buy them ? ...
They were around years ago and they are something I have not heard about for a long time.
I made this video eleven years ago when they were very popular and I used them a lot. 

But other things come onto the market and then the older ones fall out of fashion. I must admit I haven't used these for a very long time. But having said that I do like the effect they gave and so I may have to dig them out again and play with them once more.

Here is the video using this product and it may just spark your interest in them once more. 

             

The storage solution was handy too and kept all the little pans of paint safe and easy to store in the craft room. 

Papercraft Society Advent Calendar 

I am adding a P.S. to this post as today sees the launch of the Craft Stash Advent Calendar to VIP members only as yet. It is an amazing box of goodies at an amazing price and Lou has done a video to tell you what it is all about. 

          

Joining the VIP membership gives you an extra 10% off the price and the postage is free for the UK and here is the link for you to become a    CRAFT STASH VIP

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sneaky Peak

Hi Everybody,

On the 6th September I will be releasing a new collection named the Tall & Elegant and this is a sneaky peak of what is in the set.

I have teamed the panel and the labels with the Simply Dots embossing folder using a colour that I don't use very often. 

But the finished result is very fresh and pretty and I really hope you will like the whole collection.

I will add more photos and videos once the collection is launched this week so please come back and see what is in it for your delight.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Samantha Dawkins - Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a surprise this late weather is and today it is gorgeous. After all that rain it is very welcome and Ruby and I will be out for a walk later today.  Ella was out in the garden just as soon as we got up and she loves sunning herself out there where it is safe and she cannot get lost.

So the draw has been done and the name this week is 

Samantha Dawkins

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

I am also adding in one of the little glue bottle pins that I have made and I hope you like it.
Please be sure to let me know that you have it ok and I enjoy playing with the Spring Garden Set

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Spring Garden

HI Everybody,

Todays offering is from Card Making Magic and it is the A4 stamp set and the blackboard panels.

You will also get the magazine which is full of inspiration for you and a bonus mag " A Year Of Cards" with even more ideas for all year round 

So if you would like this gift then all you need to do is lave me a comment at the end of the post to be in with the chance to win.

You must leave me your  FULL NAME as it easier then to find the correct winner.

Be sure to come back to the blog on Sunday and see if you are shown as the winner as I have no way of contacting you if you don't and the prize will be offered again at a later date if it is not claimed

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx