Spellbinders Labels Forty ...

Hi Everybody,

I have used Spellbinders for many years now and when I first started I  bought any that took my fancy.

But as I have progressed I learned that I get a lot more from the sets by buying a little more carefully.

For example I have the plain Labels Forty   which is excellent for matting and layering ... but if you team it with it's other counterparts then it will work even better for you.

This card base is created with Labels Forty  Decorative Accents    and layered up with others in the sets.

The addition of the verse from Lili of the Valley and a little Gingham ribbon  from Mei Flower and you have a pretty card ready to give.

This one is created with  the plain Labels Forty to create the base and then layered with   Labels Forty Decorative Elements   to add the lace pattern.

The wording is Sentiments Four and I have trimmed it down to fit the card.

The single flowers is from Wild Orchid Crafts and it is sparkled up with Glitter Magic

Just some ways to use the Labels and matching dies for cards that are fancy but very easy to make.

And if you click the links you will be able to see ALL the products used on the cards 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 024 ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a beautiful shade of blue and has a lovely collection of flowers along the side that have the sparkle effect.

The flowers are from   Wild Orchid Crafts   and they are now doing smaller starter packs for those that like the flowers but don't need as many.

They are an excellent choice and a very reasonable price and the little dazzlers that sit on my bows are also in the same packs.

The fine glitter on the flowers is from  Glitter Magic   and it is something I love to do to my flowers.

The  background is Tied Together Die from  JGD Crafts   and it makes the most beautiful backdrop to your designs and is one that I use a lot of.

The little sentiment is for a Happy Birthday and is one  of a set of eight from   Lili of the Valley 

The ribbon is from   Mei Flower   and is the soft gingham that looks so fresh ... and don't forget that all these colored words are links to the websites for you to see the products and buy them if you wish

Now if you would like to own this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the post and if your name is pulled out of the hat by my "Film Crew" then the card will be on its way to you.

Pop back tomorrow to see if it is YOU and then you will have 48 hours to claim it.   Good Luck

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Using the Corners ...

Hi Everybody,

I have not had time yet to play with the craft show goodies from yesterday but I will make something with them later today.

This is a card I made  a while ago and can't remember if I ever posted it.

So if I have then my apologies ... and if I haven't then here is the card.

It is just a long thin card 21 x 14 cms  with the fold at the top.

I have layered it up with pink and black on the white base.   There are two dies in this Filigree Corners pack and  I cut several of the largest corner in white.

They have been layered onto an embossed panel and I have dotted some small pearls on the points

The Labels Eighteen has been cut around the sentiment,  which is from   Lili of the Valley   and it has matching "Bling" from   Want2Scrap

The flowers are from   Wild Orchid Crafts   and if you only want a small amount of flowers then don't forget the   Starter Packs   which are a real bargain.

So this is just a couple of ideas on how to use up those corner dies with a little difference

And the card on the left  is to add them as a pocket for you to add a little tag into

Tuck them  into the pocket as a good place  for you or any one who buys your cards to add any personal sentiment or signature

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

JustRite Custom Dies 2/Pkg-Filigree Corners

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies, Labels 18

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Believe ...

Hi Everybody,

This is a small card created using the A2 matting basics from Spellbinders.

I have added in the list of dies at then end of the post and it was a very quick card to make.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and so I can't remember who made it ... I just know it was some that I got at a Craft show.

The flowers and the bows centre are both from Wild Orchid Crafts 

The little round sentiment is from
 Lili of the Valley and I have stamped it in Aged Mahogany and embossed it in clear powder

It is a sentiment that I have used many many times as it says so much

So altogether a quick and simple card that would suit many occasions.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders S5-131 Nestabilities Card Creator A-2 Matting Basics A Die Templates

Spellbinders S5-132 Nestabilities Card Creator A-2 Matting Basics B Die Templates

Spellbinders S5-181 Borderabilities A2 Bracket Borders Die Templates

Spellbinders S4-115 Nestabilities Large Petite Scalloped Circles Die Template

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Italian Collection from Sue Wilson

Hi Everybody,

So  although I have  been busy with all the new Spellbinders  dies that have been  released  I have not forgotten  the other dies that I have in  my crafting "Stash"

This card features  Tuscany  from the Sue Wilson Italian  Collection  and this die is available from  JGD Crafts 

I have layered the white panel onto some blue card  that has been embossed with the  Regency  Swirls  folder from  Crafters Companaion

I have sanded it to reveal some of the white core to the card and layered on the other parts with foam pads.

The circle panel has been lightly inked with  Distress Inks in  Bundled Sage and  Faded  Jeans

The white satin  ribbon is from  Mei Flower  and it  is tied with a double bow.   The bow centre and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

I have sparkled up the petals with Glitter Magic Chameleon glitter   I choose this glitter because it is fine and will blend with any color scheme that you decide on and the sparkle is so pretty.

The pearls on the corners are from Want2Scrap  and the little verse is from Lili of the Valley

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tranquil Moments

Hi Everybody,

This is the Tranquil Moments die set from Spellbinders and it is a very pretty die

The link takes you to the Spellbinders page so that you can see what the die looks like but the price is in dollars so shop around and you may find it cheaper.

Here I have added it to a larger A4 card folded in half and hinged at the top.

The die itself is one of the A2 Card Creator Collections and so makes a good sized card if used alone.

The ribbon is from Mei Flower   and the centre of the bow is covered with a little pearl and diamanté flower from Wild Orchid Crafts

The sentiment is one of five on a stamp sheet from Lili of the Valley  and they are verses I am often asked about.   Clicking the colored words will take you to their websites

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Guess What ... It's Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Here we are with another Sunday morning and the start of a new week.  I hope it is a good one for you all and for me it will be a busy one.

After my escapade yesterday at the non existent craft show I thought I would make some pretty cards.

Val H   wrote that at least it showed I was human making a mistake like that.

Yes I am certainly human.  and I  bleed too   'coz  as I was cutting a lovely Fish Tail  into this ribbon ... I continued the very neat V with some really sharp scissors .... in to my finger.

I  had to stop it  bleeding with  some  kitchen roll wrapped around it  ... held in place with a  bright green  elastic band   as I couldn't find anything else  in my first aid box.

This card is created once again from the Sue Wilson dies and for this I have used the background from the Spanish Collection with the Galicia die on the top.

The sentiment is from   Lili of the Valley  and there are several on the same stamp plate.

The pearl flourishes are from  Want2Scrap  and they are around the sentiment label

I have used  Glitter Magic  on the mixture of flowers from   Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have some beautiful new products in this month that are well worth a browse

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir Skin

Hi Everybody,

I have had several emails asking me for links to articles when they are already on the page... so if you are new to Blogging then any words that are in another color are usually a link.

Hover your mouse over it and if it turns into a hand then click it and it will open another window and take you to the page for that item or article.

This is one of the images I colored with the Pale Hues six pen set
from Spectrum Noir.

I went on to make a video tutorial for  Pale Skin  using the same set and there are other videos using the other six pen sets.

It is one of the videos that got me noticed by Spectrum Noir and lead to me being an instructor for them and subsequently on the Design Team.

Now from there more exciting things have happened and I have been asked to do a workshop on these pens by

  JGD Crafts.

They are a UK based company in Sutton in Ashfield and I will be down there on September 13th

I know the numbers for the workshop are limited so if you live near there and are not in the class then just pop in and say hello.... it would be lovely to meet you.


So the image of this handsome man  from Just Inklined was made into a card and the sentiment that I added for fun is from Lili of the Valley

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lili of the Valley Rabbits...

Hi  Everybody,

A  little bit of  Spectrum Noir today and this cute image is from  Lili of the Valley.

The colors used are ...

Rabbits ...  TN1 TN2 TN3 IG1 IG2 PP1
Flowers     LV2  LV3 PP4 
Grass        DG2 CG1

The flowers are as always from  Wild Orchid Crafts and I have  picked out  lemon and lilac ones  for this corsage.

No  Hatpin today but the petals are sparkled with  Glitter Magic and it does make such a  difference to the look. 

The  lilac  ribbon has a silver edge to it and it is is from  Mei Flower  ...  I have added a little  pearl flower centre to it.

It's Friday again tomorrow and there is a real treat of a card up for grabs 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lili of The Valley

Hi Everybody,

These are some cards I made way back in 2011 and long before I discovered Spectrum Noir so no color list for this one.

But the Wild Orchid Crafts  flowers can be see in great abundance even then... as is the few Spellbinders that I had back then

The round  sentiment and the images are all  from
  Lili of the Valley

Making this style of card was covered in a video tutorial that I did at that time.

I am adding the link here for you to the actual  website page   Making a Card ... Inside and Out

I have moved on  lot from this these days but I still do a dry run with the elements before I glue anything in place.

The cards are all 15 cm squares and I also did another tutorial to follow this on making the boxes to go with this sized card.

It all seems so long ago when I watch these tutorials, but they are as useful now as they ever have been.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mounting Your Stamps

Hi Everybody,

At the end of last year I added a short video with some  Tips for Stamping   to help some new ladies who had asked for help.

I have also been asked how to make rubber stamps stick to an acrylic block and so that has been the subject of another video.

The little image here is from Lili of the Valley  and is one of their cute animal range.

But in the video I use a grey rubber sheet of  Sentimentals Verses from  Crafters Companion 

You can cut  all the stamps out first individually if you prefer ... but to add the whole stamp sheet to the mounting foam is far easier to cut out.

You are going  to have some waste whichever way  you do it and this  is no more  wasteful  than any other way ... but it is a whole lot easier especially if you have dexterity problems.




 Just make sure that you don't cut into the stamp itself and spoil the image or verse that you are cutting out.

Clean the stamps when you are done and then store them safely.  And there are many ways to store them the choice is yours.

I have many of my  smaller stamps in CD cases, but the storage that I use in the video keeps all the stamps from one rubber sheet together on one plastic storage sheet  in one storage box ... and then I add the picture of the stamps to the box as my reference and I know what is in there whenever I need to use them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Back to Red ...

Etsy Shop

Hi Everybody,

Traditional Red, Hearts and Roses ... what more can I say.  All the new cards that I added to Etsy have now been sold ... so got to get busy and make some more

I love everything about this card from the color to the flowers it is so romantic and that verse says such a lot.

It is from   Lili of the Valley   and is one of a set of inspirational verses.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   and they are a mixture of Chrysanthemums, Roses and Carnations.

And as  always they are sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic  just to give that added touch.

The background is the Botanical Swirls and there is a video to show you how to get the best from this type of extendable die.  I know I added it a few weeks ago but new people are coming to he blog everyday and may not have seen it or even know about it.

So have you made some Valentines Cards yet ??? and if not then maybe I have given you some ideas over the last few days.  But any one of these ideas can be adapted to make a card for any occasion and in any color you fancy.   Playing is such fun .... 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S6-001 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S6-002 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S5-154 Spellbinders BOTANICAL SWIRLS Shapeabilities Expandable Pattern Dies NEW 2012

*S4-136 Spellbinders Nestabilities CLASSIC HEART 6 Dies

*s4-137 Nestabilities CLASSIC SCALLOPED HEART Spellbinders

*PREORDER S5-129 Spellbinders FOLIAGE 2 Two Shapeabilities Dies NEW 2012

InLinkz.com

The Art Studio Class ...

 
Hi Everybody,

My new class ...  Spectrum Noir - Lesson Three  ...  is now available with The Art Studio.   I must apologise for the  delay in this tutorial due to the upgrade  in the pens brought  about at the end  of last year.   It is with you now and I hope you will enjoy it.

This pretty little image is Lottie from the Humphreys Corner Collection from Crafters Companion.


She has been colored with Spectrum Noir ...
Lottie/Shoes       IG1 IG2 IG3 IG5
Dress/Hat          PP2 PP4 DG2 DG4
Shadow             IB1

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley  and the papers I already had in my "Stash"

The card style is one I did a few years ago and although it is an older video it still gets the idea across  and so I am adding in the Easy Stepper Card for you to view if you wish



It is not long and I must admit I do things a little differently now but the principle to make the card is the same.  I hope you enjoy it and will give this simple style a try.

There is going to be a New Year "Give Away" starting in the morning so I hope you will join in

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A2 Locking Loops

Hi Everybody,

This is another A2 card  that has been made into a tutorial and the pretty pattern  is called Locking Loops.

It is designed by Cindi Echtinaw and I was  delighted yesterday when the lady herself  left me a comment on YouTube saying she liked the card.

What an honor to be noticed by the person who created the die.

So here for you is the short tutorial on how I made this card and it is another one to add to your A2 collection of dies.




The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and as always they have been sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic    The Diamante is from Want2Scrap  and the sentiment is one of the Inspirational Sentiments from  Lili of the Valley

Some one asked me which glitter it is that I buy and to be honest I buy loads of it from Glitter Magic when they are at the Craft Shows.

All I asked the assistant for was the one that is like Glamour Dust and she said   "You will need this one ...."  and handed me a pack so I really don't know which one it is  ... I just know I bought five packs and got one free for a fiver ... always a bargain at the craft shows.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial ...  and I have several more in the pipe line with A2 Card Creator dies ... but don't forget to shop around for the best prices to buy your dies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S5-131 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-132 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-175 Spellbinders A2 LOCKING LOOPS Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

InLinkz.com

We are Special ....

Hi Everybody,

Cream is the order of the day for this little card but it has lots of layers to it.

I have teamed it with a really pale shade of green with paler cream flowers on it and it works quite well together ... though the green is not really showing on the photo.

The verse is from the Every day sentiments from   Lili of the Valley  and is just one of a set of lovely verses on one sheet

The dies have  been layered with foam tape, and with  Satin edged Organza ribbon wrapped around the bottom.

The single rose is from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have sparkled it with fine glitter from  Glitter Magic

The beautiful pears are from  Want2Scrap  and I have added tiny ones all around the Scalloped edge

Please Note ...

I have been using the older Spellbinders in many of the latest cards that I have been showing as they are such a considered purchase,  and they are some I have had for a long time.

We all need to get as much use out of the SB's that we buy,  after all  you don't buy a set of dies for a one time use only. 

But I must stress to you that you can get them cheaper if you shop around .... Ebay, Amazon, Save on Hobbies, Sunrise Crafts, Once Upon a Stamp and many many more discount places.

The list of the dies that I add at the end of each post is there for information  purposes only to show you the dies available ... so that you know what to look for when you go shopping.

Do your research and find the best possible  price for your self ... you owe it to yourself to get the bargains.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S6-001 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S6-002 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S6-004 Spellbinders 5 X 7 DETAILED SCALLOPS Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S5-159 Spellbinders GOLD LABELS 4 Four Nestabilities Gold Imperial Dies NEW 2013

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Another Video ...

Hi Everybody,

As you know I bought the Spellbinders Crisscross  die and I really like this as it very versatile and the pattern can be used for male and female cards.

When I first got it I showed you some cards that had been made just using the die as it was ... and then came the suggestion that ribbon was added.

So as always the best way is to show you how I did it and here is the video.....  Spellbinders Crisscross    it is not a long tutorial ... just long enough for a brew.

You could ring the changes with this idea by changing the color of the card you use and also the ribbon that you thread through the grid.

I have used some beautiful foiled Hunkydory card on mine from Cardcraft Plus  and if you are lucky enough to live near Preston, Lancashire they have a shop that you can visit at the Capitol Centre.

But take your pennies you will be tempted to buy more ... how do I know this ???

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S6-001 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*S5-197 Spellbinders CRISSCROSS Shapeabilities Dies

*Heartfelt Creations BELLA ROSE Spellbinders Die Cut HCD712

*s5-031 Spellbinders FANCY TAGS THREE 3 Shapeabilities

*S4-293 Spellbinders LACEY CIRCLES Nestabilities Decorative Elements Dies

InLinkz.com

Cute Character ...

Hi Everybody,

The little girl is from the pen of Maurie Manning and the image is called in the Bath.

She has been colored with   Spectrum Noir   and the link will take you to their Tutorials page where you will find some from me.....

The colors used are ...

Skin FS2, FS3, CR2, EB2
Hair TN2 EB3
Teddy GB2, GB8, PP1
Bubbles TB2 and glitter
Bath/soap/towel IG2, PP6, PP4 and blender
Floor EB2
Zen-tangled edge to card

I have added the cut out image to a paper doily and added some ribbon from my "stash"   and the sentiment is from Lili of the Valley

The beautiful corner Diamante "Bling" is from  Want2Scrap  and there are two corners in each pack.  

The   September "Give Away"     is still on till Saturday so click the link to add your name for the chance to win some gorgeous goodies.

Pretty image ... pretty card 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

"Much Love" in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is similar to  yesterdays in that it is a   Hinged card   but of course this is a lovely fresh  pink and it is very pretty.

All the layers are from the Grand Labels but the last white layer has been stenciled

What I did was create my stencil from randomly placed letters from the alphabet set and then used the blending tool  to rub ink through it.

The blending tools are available to buy in "My Shop"

Then ... I added everything on top of it and now you can't see it ... which was rather stupid of me .... soreeee !!

But I will repeat the technique again on another card and next time you will be able to see the effect.

The sentiment is from L:ili of the Valley and has been embossed in silver and added to the Lacy Circles.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

The lovely ribbon is from my "stash"   and has two small pins pushed into it with a Dazzler to cover the knot.

The  beautiful  flourish behind the flowers is from   Want2Scrap

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx