Tonic Craft Kit 08 - Making a card with the Trinket Box Kit

Hi Everybody,

Today I am showing you my project for the Tonic Craft Kit 08 and I know that it is late this month.

These kits sell out very quickly as they are such good quality so to be sure that you get you then consider a subscription.

This kit is called Trinket Box but I have used it to make a card instead. This is just to show you the versatility of the die set

I used the papers in the kit to make my card and they are really pretty with deep texture.

The links for a subscription are ...

UK & Europe

US & North America 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Messy Water Colouring

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is so lovely and yet easy to do and you don't need any painting skills to achieve it.

And because the dies are going to cut out the flowers you don't even need to stay within the lines.

This is pink and yellow and the two mix for a lovely peach shade

Let the video show you how to create this card and experiment with the colour blends that you like 

There is nothing neat and tidy about this and yet it looks really pretty and I am sure that you will be so pleased with yourself once you have tried it.

The colours in the video are blue and lilac and I love that combination especially with the green.
The addition of the sequins is the finishing touch and they are a lucky and very inexpensive find on Amazon.

I have used the dies and stamps from my very own "Christina Collection" that is available with Craft Stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 35 - Enjoy Today

Hi Everybody,

This months Die Cutting Essentials is giving away a lovely Tonic Studios Flip Flop Die called Enjoy Today.

It's a quick and easy way to make cards with movement but it will help you to create other styles as well.

In the video I have shown you a few of the ways in which I have used it and how to make an easel card 

The magazine will be on sale today the 22nd March and it is sure to go quickly for the quality die that is being given away free

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft 175 Home Sweet Home

Hi Everybody,

The free gift with this months Simply Cards & Papercraft is a cute house that can be adapted to make so many other styles

In the video I show you ways in which to turn this into bungalows, town houses, add extensions and so much more.

There are lots of ideas within the pages of the magazine too for you to create some fabulous cards for your self.

For the card in the video I have kept it super simple with just an ink blending technique and I am really enjoying the ink blending at present.

I have been asked what is the difference between Distress Inks and Distress Oxides.  They are both made by the same company and they both react to water.  But Distress Inks are a dye based ink and the Distress Oxides are a blend of dye and pigment inks.

They blend really well and so much easier than Distress Inks and they dry to a lovely chalky appearance. They also have the ability to layer well on top of each other which Distress Inks don't do.

So really it depends on the look that you want as to which you prefer.
But for me it is the Oxides mostly for the way I like to work.
The whole collection of  Distress Oxide colours are available at Craft Stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterfly Rainbow

Hi Everybody,

Here again today with more beautiful butterflies done in rainbow colours.

I have used Distress Oxides because they are so vibrant and they dry to a lovely chalky finish.

This is another easy to make card with the "Christina Collection"  and one that I hope you will try for yourself.

I love the look of it against the white card and the base and stitched mat are done with a 300 gsm super smooth card 

The butterflies are created with 160 gsm card both from Papermill Direct, and I have used my bargain brushes from Aldi

Most of my supplies are from Craft Stash and the links are at the bottom of the page for you to see.

You could make this card for any occasion simply by swapping out the sentiment and the verse inside.

I hope you enjoy the video and like the new style introduction that I have done to show you what it is we are making 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

This card is another of the ones created with the Water Bleaching Technique  

I added a video on the process last week in different colours and they are really lovely cards and oh so easy to do. Click the link to refresh your memory 

For this one I used Fired Brick, Picked Raspberry and Worn Lipstick and blended them well together.

Then with Wilted Violet I painted in the bleached butterflies again

I used clean water to splatter the front to the card and blotted it off with kitchen towel.

This card has used a Spellbinders stamp and Mermaid Lagoon, Blue Print Sketch, and Broken China.

Then the flowers painted back with Twisted Citron

Both are lovely vibrant cards and well worth adding the technique to your repertoire of card making skills

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Crafti Potential with Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

Today Card Making Magic has come out to play with Crafti Potential to create a really pretty card for any occasion

Once again I have used Distress Oxides and they are so easy to blend together

For this card I have used the 

Damask A6 Background Stamp

 from Crafti Potential and the link will take you to Christine's Blog 

There are seven other background stamps in the collection and they are all available at Craft Stash

The video will show you how I made this card and I hope you enjoy it ...

Keep blending with Distress Oxides to get the look you want and where the two colours meet it will create a third that will diminish any harsh lines.

The sentiment is from Tonic Studios and there are 12 different ones for you to choose from.
Each one is in two parts so that you can create a coloured backdrop to your words and they look really special with a vellum layer

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Stencilled Rainbow Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

Today I have another really pretty card for you using the "Christina Collection"

This one is using the stencil to create some rainbow coloured butterflies.

I have used other elements from the collection too and I am really pleased with the result

The video will take you through the steps to create this card for your self and it's not too long.

I have used Distress Oxides as I like the chalky look they give once they are dry and they dry lighter than you think.

I hope you enjoy this technique and will give it a try 

Because the card is relatively flat I have stencilled onto an envelope to bring them together.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Bleaching ...

Hi Everybody,

This fabulous card is created with a Water Bleaching Technique that is very easy to do.

For the blue card I have used the Layered Florals from the
"Christina Collection" 

For this one I used the Layered Butterflies stamps and I decorated an envelope to go with it

The technique needs lots of ink and I find that Distress Oxides give me a better result than the regular inks

Try different colour blends and see which you prefer.

 And write them down in a notebook so that you can always refer back to your favourites 

The trick with this is to use lots of ink and to keep blending to get a really smooth look with no harsh lines, and remember that it will dry lighter.

The Video will show you step by step how to make the card and I love both of these.
It is a technique I have used many times in the past and will use over and over again in the future.

Don't forget that there is a special offer until the 17th March at Craft Stash with the
  Christina Collection 
and if you add the code CMM15 at the checkout you will get a 15% discount

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lace Background- Crafti Potential

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful Lace Background is created with one of the new stamps from Crafti Potential 

(aka Christine Smith)

It so feminine I loved adding it to my cards along with the flowers, ribbons and pearls.

And although it is an A6 stamp it can be used very easily to produce a larger pattern for your background

The video will show you how I made this card and give you ideas for several more too.

But with a change of colour it can be made to look more masculine or even be used as a Sympathy card.

 So lots of occasions can be covered with any of the new stamp sets from Crafti Potential.

They are only available at Craft Stash so pop over to their website and take a look for your self

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Crafti Potential - Layering Stamps

Hi Everybody,

I have been playing with the new stamps from Crafti Potential again today and I love the designs that Christine has come up with

For today's video I have shown you how two of the collection play really nicely together, each knowing where to fit on the other.

They are the Fleur de Lis and the Quatrefoil.

Used independently they will give you lovely backgrounds ... but use them together and the effect is gorgeous.

There are eight designs in this collection and each one is special for the type of background you may want to have.   I have used them with dies from the "Christina Collection" as well as sentiment dies from Tonic and Creative Expressions

They will suit male and female and work really well with any other stamps and dies that you may have. So pop over to Craft Stash and take a look at this brand new addition to their website

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Crafti Potential - Stamp Collection - Hearts

Hi Everybody,

This week has seen the exciting addition of some new stamps from my lovely friend Christine Smith.

Many of you will know of her from our YouTube collaborations and her blog is

Crafti Potential 

She makes the most amazing cards and we have completely different styles.

But working with her stamps has been really good and they can fit my style very easily.

There are eight new A6 stamps and there is sure to be something that you like.

Here I have used the hearts and the video will show you how I created this card.

It's not long but I hope you enjoy it all the same 

I have more videos to add using some of the other stamps from Christine's collection and we are also planning another collaboration video where we will use both of our collections together and see what we come up with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Colouring Vellum Flowers

Hi Everybody,

Many of you have been enjoying the parchment/

vellum flowers and butterflies that I have been making lately.

So I thought I would show you how I coloured the plain white vellum to suit my designs

It is not an expensive product to work with and you can alter it so very easily and it doesn't matter if it goes blotchy  it all adds to the effect.

The blue flowers are the ones I created in the video and I think this card is lovely with a really delicate look to it.

It would be suitable for any occasion with a change of sentiment.

Here  I have used the dies, stamps and embossing folder from the "Christina Collection" that is available with Craft Stash.

I hope you enjoy the video today and will give these lovely flowers a try for your self, it's not long but long enough for a cuppa.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Vellum Flowers & Acetate Leaves

Hi Everybody,

Today's card has really delicate looking flowers on it and it is easy to make

I have made mine as a Wedding card using items from the "Christina Collection"  but it could be made for any ocasion

The video will show you how this card as created along with the envelope to go with it.

But you could just as easily make a box if you preferred.

Most of the supplies that I used are from Craft Stash apart for the little Glitter balls as they are from Wild Orchid Crafts

The video is not too long and I hope you will enjoy it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 34 - Basket of Blossoms

Hi Everybody,

Create pretty baskets for your Easter cards this year and fill them with eggs or flowers.

This bumper die set consists of 21 dies for you to mix and match and create the look that you want for your own designs.

I coloured mine with Copics but you can use your favourite method or even use coloured card, as I did for the pictured card,  if colouring is not your thing.

The video will show you several ideas that you may like to try

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

One for the Boys ...

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is for the men in your life that will need a card for birthdays or other occasions where a card can be sent

I have used the dies, stamps and stencils from the Masculine Additions to the "Christina Collection" and made a quick and easy card.

Alter the greeting to suit your recipient and make the envelope match the design.
 Add the Googly Eyes just for fun

The video is not long and so make yourself a cuppa and relax for a little time to view

Use colours and patterns that are in keeping with your recipient and then send it with love 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Inlaid Butterfly Card

Hi Everybody,

Many of you love butterflies and so this card will fit the bill beautifully and it is very easy to make.

I have used the Layered Butterflies dies and stencils from The "Christina Collection" and the video will show you how I created this one

I have lined the inside of this card and made the envelope compliment the card too.

Here are a couple of different colourways and you can experiment with your own scheme to personalise your own cards

Adding a different sentiment can make it suitable for any occasion

I hope you have fun playing with the dies, stamps, embossing folders and stencils from my collection and it is set to grow in the next few weeks

Enjoy the video

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Apple Blossom Dies ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I want to share a new addition to the All Occasions Collection and this is the Spring additions

The original folder was free with a magazine and if you got yours then well done !!

It sparked off a whole new ranges of beautiful folders with lots of different patterns on them and I have done lots of videos using them.

But these new ones are really lovely and there are several new ones for you to choose from.

The video will show which ones I have used how to create make the circular card

But you can get a different look simply by inking up the folder and each side will add the ink in a different area. This is Letterpress and if you are new to card making then it really is quite easy to do

Have fun with these new folders, dies and stamps and combine them with others from the

 All Occasions Collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Valentines Day Card

Hi Everybody,

It's not far off now for you to send those Valentines cards to the ones you love

And this card is created with the Love & Marriage Additions  to the Christina Collection

This is a really useful set to have for all year round and makes beautiful Anniversary Cards

The video will show you how I made this and decorated the matching envelope

I have used Alcohol markers to colour the flower but you can use your favourite medium if you prefer.  

I do not profess to be an artist but I was quite pleased with the result

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Essentials 156 - Scenescape

Hi Everybody,

There is a bumper gift on offer with this months Papercraft Essentials 156 that will help you to make some really pretty cards.

There is Pretty Quick Scenescape embossing folder with lovely stamps to enhance the scene.

Or use them to create a background for you instead as I have done with this card.

There is also a beautiful Prima paper pack and the opportunity to get the Little Bird Die & Stamp set just by paying the postage

I did a video a while ago when the Little Bird set was offered as a free gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft and to refresh your memory here is the link to the video for you ....

  Little Bird Die & Stamp set 

But this Scenescape set is really versatile and would suit male and female cards ... and all age groups too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx