Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

December 20, 2024

Friday Freebie - Winter Wishes

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful  eight piece die set is in offer this week and will create some really pretty cards with a winter theme,  and not just for Christmas 
 
For cordmakers Christmas is an all year round time and so this will come in handy whenever you make your cards.

If this Winter Wishes from Memory Box is something that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

Then be sure to come back over the weekend to see if your name is listed as the winner. You will have 72 hours in which to claim the gift.

You will also get the magazine that comes with it and this one is Die Cutting Essentials. The pages are full of information and tips that you may like to try as well as ideas on using the die set.

Good Luck  

Bye for now ...

December 19, 2024

Foamiran Flowers

 Hi Everybody,

During the clean up of the craft room I came across a lot of foamiran in  many colours that I have not used up.

And so I thought I would make some flowers for my playtime cards and incorporate them with the other bits and pieces I have found on my desktop.

These two cards are the results of my find and for these I have used a very pale pink foam to die cut the flowers.

I have then inked over the edges of each petal with Worn Lipstick and used my heat tool to curl them into shape.


The leaves are also cut from foamiran and  inked with dark green. I have used any dies that I came across first in my stash. 

For the top card I have added an oval die cut to the panel that cut out a lovely bird and that has been added to an inked background panel. 

The flowers and leaves have been arranged around the oval and the panel then dotted with pearls.

I lightly rubbed gilding wax over the flowers and the bird

For this next card I have used an aperture flourish die and that has also been added to an inked panel

The flowers are arranged at the top right of the card with the leaves trailing down the card.

The sentiment is from an old CMM set and I have dotted this panel with diamante. 

I am quite pleased with both cards.

Bye For Now ...

December 18, 2024

More playtime cards

 Hi Everybody,

Here are some more cards created using up the scraps and left over bits and pieces that I have lying around my craft room.

You may recognise some of the papers as they were hand made on videos to highlight  a particular technique.

I keep all the bits that are left as even some of the small pieces can be die cut into some kind of shape that can be added to a card.

I will do another video using some of the those little shapes so that you can see how I have put them to good use.

These have also been added to an embossed panel and then decorated with mirror or pearl card for the strips around the coloured shapes.

Once again I have used the Nuvo Drops, but I must admit I am not a fan.

 I prefer the flat backed self adhesive pearls that can be added, or sequins.

But I am determined to use up the items that I  already have and not buy anything new.

Bye for now ...


December 17, 2024

Playtime Cards

Hi Everybody,

It has been craft room tidying time again and these are some of the die cuts that I have found on my desk top that I decided to turn into cards rather than add them
 to the trash can.

These have used some of the hand made inky backgrounds that I have done over the last few weeks, and they have been added to an embossed panel.

I have used up any sentiments that I had lying around too and then dotted the fronts with Nuvo Drops.

They will go to fill up my charity shop box and will please somebody for the occasion named on the card. 

It is such a good way to use up leftovers and it is amazing what you find once you start.

These two are from the blue paper that I created and they have silver heat embossed text on them. 

On this bottom card I blobbed the Nuvo Drops a little to hard and it made a mess on the panel. 

But once they are fully dry I will remedy the mistake by making the mirror strip, that edges the panel, wider to cover the mark in the middle of the card.

There are always ways to hide the mistake ....  try adding a flower, leaf, heart or butterfly. ... but there is no way I am going to throw it away

Bye for now xx





 

December 16, 2024

Snowflake Card

 Hi Everybody,

These cards have been created in the same way just in different colours and  I have used any snowflake dies that I had from lots if different sets, and they are very pretty. 

They can be used as winter birthday cards as well as for Christmas, and each A6 card will fit into a normal sized envelope.

I made them in one batch and the result was very quick. And even thought they are the same pattern they will be going to different houses.

So nobody is going to know that there are several the same as theirs 

Here is the video 

The centre panels are done with ink smooshing  and the results are always unique

.Have fun and experiment with your colours.

I have used up some of the speciality card that I have in my craft room.

I just made sure that the glitter, mirror and pearlised card all blended togehter to give the overall look i wanted for my snowflakes.

And if you wanted another idea for using snowflakes take a look at this video using glitter or gilding flakes

Hope you enjoy them both 

Hugs xx

December 15, 2024

Anne Owens - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Thank you to those who have left me a comment this week both here on the blog and on YouTube.
It is very much appreciated and I look forward to reading them everyday,

It is cold and damp here but we will be going out later for a short walk. 
But fir now the draw for Fridays freebie ahs been done and the name today is

Anne Owens

so would you send me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will ger it sent off to you straight away.

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

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

December 13, 2024

Friday Freebie - CMM Festive Lights

Hi Everybody,
 

The magazine this week is Die Cutting Essentials and the gift is from Card Making Magic.

The larger version if this die set was released earlier this year with the Christmas in July launch,

You also have the chance to download papers and toppers to compliment the die

Inside the pages of the magazine you will find lots of tips and tricks on using the die and other things that you may want to try

So if this is some thing that you think you would like to have in your collection  then all you have to do is leave me a comment with your FULL NAME at the end of this post . 

You will  need to come back and see if you are named as the winner over the weekend and you will have  72 hours to claim the prize.

Good Luck

 More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 10, 2024

Ella Up Her Tree !!!!!!

Hi Everybody,

My eldest daughter has bought Ella a new cat tree as she loves to be up high and away from Ruby ... and Dougal when he visits.

Ella can feel safe up there while she surveys all that is going on around her.

I was pleasantly surprised that she took to it as well as she did and now she sits up there every day.

She can sit at different levels to look through the window and watch the birds and people as they pass by and it keep her entertained for ages.

Then when she has had enough she curls up n one of the centre parts that are enclosed and goes to sleep. 

It is quite a large tree but it fits into the bay window and doesn't block out too much light, and it keeps her happy which was my main objective.

It was a  bargain too as the lady who sold it found that her cats wouldn't use it and so she needed to get rid of it. Ella loves it 

Bye for now xx

December 08, 2024

Ann Topp - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

I am trying really hard to bring the numbers of subscribers up on both my blog and YouTube as for some reason the numbers are not rising.

 I have admitted in the past that it us very disheartening for all those publishers who work hard to add videos or posts and they do not get any response. And I am not the only one who mentions this fact.

On my Blog I have noticed, for quite some time now, that people are only leaving a comment when it is the Friday Freebie and at no other time and I feel that that is a little unfair on those that  do visit  on a regular basis. and leave me me a comment 

This is why I have said that I will give up blogging.

 But for now  I am going to try something different and that is that I will check back through the comments for the previous weeks and see what names are there and also for the Friday post,  and I am only going to add those names to the draw for the free gift.

This means that those who leave me a regular comment on my posts will see their names appearing more often as the winners on a Friday.

And this is another reason why you should leave your FULL NAME with your comment,  as some that show up are anonymous

My first one is named today and I am so grateful to these regular visitors and commenters. 

 Ann Topp

This week is for you Ann for all your support, and this is my way of saying a big thanks to you.

Please send me your postal address and I will get the pack in the post to you straight away.

Hugs.

December 06, 2024

Friday Freebie - Dragonfly Delights

 Hi Everybody,

This beautiful set is from John Next Door and it comes with the magazine Simply Cards & Papercraft

It consists of an embossing folder, some Dragonfly stamps and sentiments, as well as the Dragonfly die set 

It is sure to help you make some lovely creations for you to give to your friends and family in the coming months.

So if you would like to have this in your crafty stash then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the ed of this post with tour FULL NAME

You will need to come back and check if your name is shown as the winner and you will have 72 hours in whcih to claim it.  In the event that it is not claimed it will be offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 04, 2024

Altenew Flowers

HI Everybody,

Todays cards are all created from the same stamp set and it is one of the Create Your Life bundles that I bought ages ago.

I need to use these more to get my monies worth from what turned out to be an expensive purchase.

 It was the postage costs that pushed then over the top and so I stopped my subscription

This is the Feathered Lilies  and for the first  5x7" card I stamped it in full, coloured it with alcohol markers and then cut it out with the matching die.

Once it was cut out I added to the embossing folder and ran it through the machine to get the raised areas on the flowers.

The backgrounds panels are also embossed and the sentiments are some that I already had on my desk.

For the next two card this is the same stamp coloured again with markers  but this time  after the flowers have been embossed I have cut them in half and trimmed them down to fit an  A6 and a DL

This gives me a twofer and both look really pretty when completed , and you can see the original configuration when you look at them side by side. 

But this is a good way to make large stamps go a little further as well as vary the look for your designs, which helps to break the sameness that can sometimes happen 


I have splattered both with gold paint but on the DL one, because I was impatient, I managed to smudge the splats at the bottom of the card.

But I am not unhappy with any of the looks that I get for these cards and .they would suit many occasions if I swapped out the sentiments. 

Hope you like 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



 

December 03, 2024

Outline Dies

Hi Everybody,

A couple of weeks ago I gave away the Rose outline die from Crafters Companion and that was quite a large die.

The card shown us also using an outline die though not the same one.

 This one us a really old die that I have from Spellbinders, but it gives the same result

It has been cut from white card and added to a handmade inky background

The sentiment is cut from silver mirror card and added with small portions of foam pad underneath to raise it up.

This is the same idea with the outline die on an inky background  but the centre is cut into an oval 

I have added silver dots cut from card around the edge and it is all added to a wall patterned die cut.

The sentiments have been stamped in black and clear embossed

The top card s a 5x7 and the middle ad bottom ones are an A6, but all have used parts of the outline die cut to their panels 

The result is very pretty and you could colour into the centre of the flowers if you wished and that would make them stand out even more.
This card has used a smaller panel to add the outline shape to and placed over to the left side of the card front, and again has used some handmade paper.

So there you have three very different looking cards from one outline die and some inky papers.

You could use any dies that are in your stash that give a similar outline look so look with fresh eyes at what you already have

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



December 02, 2024

Everyday Items

 Hi Everybody,

This simple idea can give you some unusual patterns for your cards and it is using some cheap washing up liquid to create the background.

It is another item that we all have in our kitchens that can be used  in a different way,

 I have named the video
and it has been added to the  Everyday Items playlist and all the suggestions there  can give you some pretty results.

You can use the panel just as a background piece or die cut from it for shapes, flowers. leaves, hearts or even stars.

Dress the card up as much as you would like and always be sure that you have papers that will go with your creations whatever your plan.

And making your own backgrounds is far more fun and satisfying than a shop bought paper.

Give it a go I know you will enjoy playing

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




December 01, 2024

Carole Eaton - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Well it is sunny here but cold and damp and we will be going out later as long as the rain stays away.
Not long to Christmas no but at least this Birthday die takes away some of the ideas around that time.
I am sure that the winner will enjoy playing with this one when it arrives with them.

There are lots of idea inside the magazine for you to try and the draw has ow been done.

The winner thus week is ...

Carole Eaton

and so if you could send me your postal address I will get it posted to you straight away.

Be sure to let me know that you have it safely

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 29, 2024

Friday Freebie - Fancy Foliage

Hi Everybody,

Today the offering is a beautiful eight peice die set that spells out the word birthday and gives you lots of small leaves and flower shapes.

The magazine is Simply Cards & Papercraft which will give you lots of ideas and is a really good read.

So grab your favourite brew and relax as you browse the pages for some "ME" time

Would you like to have this in your home ??

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

You will need to come back over the weekend to see if you are listed as the winner and you will have 72 hours in whcih to claim it.

I am sure that this is something you will enjoy playing with and adding to your cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 28, 2024

Butterfly Easel Card

Hi Everybody,

Going back to the Easel Card theme for this card and this is created with pre shaped cards that I brought out some time ago.

The top and base layers of the detailed card have been done with teal and copper embossing powders and then dotted with the large pearls.

This gives a really pretty effect to the Card.

These are the items that where in the packs.
White base shapes, coloured base shapes and filigree tops in white and colours to add to them

You cam get these at Craft Stash and I will add the links below. If you order through the links I could get a small commission at no extra cost to you

There are several layers to this butterfly and one of them was in parchment, using the basic shape as a template to cut around.

I did some videos with these when they first launched using the shape in many different ways on my cards, and I was very happy with the look they produced. Here is the intro to the set

If you got some of these then maybe now is the time to get them out again and finish the packs to give you some really creations

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 26, 2024

Beyond the Stars - by Victoria Green

Hi Everybody,

Today I am showing you the first ever book written by my youngest daughter. (Dougal's mum)
Beyond The Stars by Victoria Green   
She has been doing a lot of studying for the past couple of years and has become an accredited NLP  practitioner 
 She is also a life coach with a speciality in menopausal women and has helped women from as far away as Brazil
This is her first book and it will be published on Amazon, and I am sure she will go on to do great things in the future.



November 25, 2024

Acetate Front Floral Card

Hi Everybody,

I first added this card to YouTube 12 years ago and I loved the comments that it got. 

So I am de-doing the video and this time I have made it a little different.

It is just as beautiful this time around though so I am hoping that you will still like it too.

I am using older dies to create the look and I still have not bought anything new, which is part of my challenge to my self.

You can use any flower, leaf, butterfly or sentiment dies that you already own.

You can make it any colour you like and so use up any older card stock or paper that you have.


I have used a heavier weight acetate for the font  of the card and to line the lid of the box, as this will hold the shape a little better.

The card that I have used has also got some stamina in it at 300 gsm as this makes everything much more stable

This photograph just shows the bevel in the acetate once it is added to the panel.

You don't really want it any deeper as it will not fit into the box if you do. 

The items under the acetate can have some dimension to the though as they are protected by the acetate.

Hope you enjoy 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 24, 2024

Marie Alder - Winner

Hi Everybody,

I hope you are all managing to weather this storm. We have been snuggled up in a warm house and watched the wind and the rain lash down. I have no plans to go anywhere until it is passed by and it is safe to go out again.  Ruby will sulk but she will have to grin and bear it until at least the wind and rain has stopped.

In the meantime I have done the draw for the lovely Rose die that was on offer with Die Cutting Essentials, and the name this week is ...

Maria Alder.

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 22, 2024

Friday Freebie - Crafters Companion Roses

 Hi Everybody,

Beautiful Roses  from Crafters Companion are the gift on offer today and they will  add such grace to your cards. 

Flowers are always  a very special way to decorate a card and they can hide a multitude is sins.

The die comes with the magazine Die Cutting Essentials and in the pages you will find lots of tips and information to help you create.

If you would like this large die set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post  using your FULL NAME

From those comments one name will be chosen at random as the winner and announced in a bog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and check if it your name that is shown.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 19, 2024

Beautiful Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

While searching through some old self adhesive "bling" I found these diamante butterflies that  have had for years. 

They are originally from Want2Scrap but they are a US company and the postage costs stopped me from using them 

Never the less I decided to use the diamante on my cards to add extra sparkle to the silver butterflies that I had already cut.

I also found some flourishes that I could use as butterfly trails and I added them to the bottom of each butterfly  

I splattered this card with some silver paint and it is just visible on the card base

Even thought the diamante doesn't fit each butterfly perfectly it is a close enough match to make them look really pretty.

I used a brick wall die to cut out of Kraft Card my background and that gave me a  two for one die cut.

I added the Kraft card to some double sided sticky sheet and then used each little brick on the top card and the complete frame on the bottom one.

I used some oval dies to cut a frame and and then a panel die to cut out the centre portion and added it to the oval with parchment behind.

Both are pretty cards and look much better in the hand, and this close up gives you a rough idea of how the diamante looks on the card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs x






November 18, 2024

Christmas Ideas

 Hi Everybody,

I made a card with red candy canes on it for my Great Grandson Bobby to give to his friends at school for Christmas, but while the die was out I decided to elaborate a little more with the canes.

And this us where the rainbow canes card came from.

Rainbow Candy Canes Card

This card could be kept as a Christmas card or used as a birthday card and children would love it with their name on it too.

The idea to video it was a last minute decision as well and it is not long, but the card is quite pretty once completed

It could be used as an adult card too and not just for children. 

It could be dressed u with real ribbons and flowers if you wanted to and adding glitter would make it sparkle 

The ideas care endless once your imagination is working and you could make this card as fancy as you liked.

Have a look through all your old dies that haven't had an airing for some time and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


November 17, 2024

Sharon Brand - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Counting down the weeks now to Christmas and if you haven't made a start on your cards by now then you need to get a move on. This beautiful  layered stencil will help you to do just that. 

You could use them as a background, or make the large snowflake the main focal point to your design.
Whatever you do your are sure to have some lovely cards made very easily that will please both you and the recipient.

A name has been chosen from the comments that where left and this week it is 
Sharon Brand

Would you email me your postal address please 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

November 15, 2024

Friday Freebie - Stunning Snowflakes

 Hi Everybody, 

Today the offering is on a Christmas theme and it features snowflakes which are always useful for the season.

The set features a layering stencil and a small stencil brush to add the colours and also sentiments to complete your designs. 

The magazine is Simply Cards & papercrafts and it is full of excellent ideas and tips for you to get the most from the gift and of course other ideas too. 

Would you like to have tis in your crafting stash ????

Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your Full Name

From those comments one name will be chosen as the winner and announced in a blog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and see if t is you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 14, 2024

Christmas Cards for Bobby

 Hi Everybody,

Sometime ago I added some
Birthday Cards
that my great grandson Bobby, asked me to make for him to give to his friends for birthdays.

Well here are some more only this time these are for him to give out at  Christmas.

I need to make many more yet but this is the start of what I intend to do for him.

Some of these are really old stamps from Crafti Potential, and some where free with magazines.

Some of the dies are those I have had for years from Spellbinders.

The reindeers are from Tonic and again very old now,  the cracker die was free with a magazine and they have all have been put to good use.


I have also used items that are left over from other projects like the Poinsettia and the Christmas lights in the deer's antlers

I spent  a morning making these and I have other stamps and dies that are suitable for children that I am going to use. 

Hopefully I can build up a good supply of cards for him to give to his friends and I hope that he likes them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 


November 13, 2024

Still Available at Craft Stash

Hi Everybody,

There is no new video today but I do have a list of older ones that are using dies that are still available at Craft Stash. 

 These are the Elegant Nestables Collection and they are some of my favourite sets to wok with and they all work with each other to make you some beautiful cards.

Elegant Nestables DL & Slimline

I have been asked what does the DL stand for and it simply means Double Length ... so the card is 4" wide by 8" length

Each card is created with two different sets to showcase the versatility of them and the videos show you the possibilities of how you can mix and match them which are limitless


This beautiful pink card is a 6x6 size and  has been teamed with cream and some mulberry flowers.

You can add any stamped or die cut sentiment to the card to suit the occasion and your recipient.

It will certainly be playtime in your craft room with these lovely dies to work with and if you got them when they were first released then you will be aware of what they can do.

If you didn't  then here is your chance while they are still available . 


I have used a matt silver card for this base and added the Octagons to the top. 

  
I hope you enjoy these older videos and die sets and if you have them in your collections then maybe it is time to get them out again for another airing. 

I am on a mission to buy nothing new and so I am also looking at what I already have and making it work for me

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



 


November 12, 2024

Christmas Easel Card

Hi Everybody,     

I made this card many years ago and I though that with Christmas coming round soon that now would be a good idea to add it again;

It also stays within the Easel Card theme that I gave been covering for the past few weeks.

 I have no photo to show you but because it is an old video at least I have been able to add the complete video from YouTube, and you can see the end result there. .


It is a lovely card created in red and gold and yet it was easy to make.
 It will be a real show stopper card for the special people you send cards to and one I am sure you will be very proud of.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 11, 2024

Quad Easel Card

Hi Everybody,  

Today I am creating a Quad Easel Card and this is a style I added to YouTube about 13years ago.

 It has been covered many times since by other people but I thought it was time for me to do an updated version of this card.

The video will show you how I got this look and it is a 6x6" card which will fit into an envelope or why not make a box for it to make it even more special.

Quad Easel Card

The top photo is the card with all the easels open but it will fold up neatly for you to send.

I have made some of my own paper to go with it and I have all sorts of bits of inked papers left over so maybe I will do a video on how to use up all these scraps.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 10, 2024

Sue Pollock - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Today it is dull damp and windy, and not the weather to go walking but if it brightens up later then Ruby will be in for a treat.  I am a fair weather walker and would much rather stay in by the log burner and keep warm, just toasting my toes.

Can I ask you all please to leave me comments when you visit the blog and check if you are still subscribed. And also check to see if you are subscribed on YouTube as YT seems to be unsubscribing people without their knowledge.

I am not the only one noticing this as other publishers have noticed that their numbers are falling even though they are adding regular content to their channel. It is very worrying and really disheartening too to see numbers going down.

 Please help wherever you can by giving the video a thumbs up, leaving a comment and subscribing ... or checking that you are still subscribed.
 Every little helps to grow the channel . Thank you xxx

In the meantime the draw has been done and the name this week is

Sue Pollock

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

I hope you enoy the gift and please be sure to let me know that you have it safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 08, 2024

Friday Freebie - Winter Wonderland

Hi Everybody, 

Todays offering is some lovely skating boots  from Spellbinders and they come with the Die Cutting Essentials magazine.

The pages are full of inspiration and ideas for you to try and there is also the chance for you to download some papers and toppers to go with the die set
 
This gift is also in time for Christmas so if you have not made all your cards yet then here are some more ideas you may like to try.

This magazine has not been out long so if you would like to win it then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your
FULL NAME

It is always worth having a try to win these gifts as they are always good quality and will fill out your own crafting stash, but you need to be in it to win it !!!

You will need to come back and check if your name is shown as the winner in a blog post over the weekend. You have 72 hours in whcih to claim it and if it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  

November 07, 2024

Easel Card Dies

Hi Everybody.

I have been covering how to make and alter easel cards in the last few videos and  hopefully shown you ways in which you can personalise it to suit you.

There are lots of dies around that can make this style of card with just a pass through your die cutting machine.

I brought out several of these type of dies while I was with Craft Stash ... but I do not know if there are any available.


I also made a video on using these dies and how you can adapt them to suit your needs. and this Snowflake die was one of my favourites.

It is a lovely die to work with and the end results are quite pretty and different., and here you can see just how different it can be,

 Did you get this die set ???

Or maybe you got one of the other styles that I brought out at the time as there where quite a few to choose from.

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx