Friday Freebie - Time for Tea

Hi Everybody,

This weeks offering is a really cute stamps and die set that would make you some really lovely cards or even invitations for afternoon tea.

There is a video to accompany this set that you may find interesting and help you see if you would like this to join your collection at home.

Time For Tea  

 If you would like this then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME

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

Now I hope you will join me tomorrow on Craft Stash Facebook Live as I show you some of the new dies that are in the latest collection. I have a little demo to show you also, and Pauline Hickey will be with Lou Collins and myself at 12.30 See you then

Friday 7th May @ 12.30 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

The New Circular Box

 

Hi Everybody,

One of the die sets in the new collection is the Circular Box and the end result is beautiful.

No more measuring and no more worrying that it will all fit together as you want it too, to suit your recipient

Just die and cut and stick and then decorate to your hearts content to suit your recipient.

For my box I have used the flowers in the dies for a truly feminine look but you can also create a more masculine feel by using the Tapis Builder Die Set that I showed you the other day.

The flowers are full and easy to make and in the video I show you how to get this look for your own designs. You could stop at the bud stage and add these to your display as well.

Enjoy the video and your box making as well .

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tapis Builder Die Set

 Hi Everybody,

Today I am using the new Tapis Builder Die Set to create this circular card and it is very effective in black with the turquoise.

I think this is such an unusual design and why don't you try adding the shapes back to your creations in a different format for effect.

I will do a video in the next few days showing what I mean and how you can make this look nothing like the one shown here. 

 

Once again I have teamed this up with the gorgeous Tall Flowers and I quite like the result. It would be suitable as a male card despite the fact that there are flowers on it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Doodle

Hi Everybody,

Once again I have been playing with water colours and this is an idea that I found on YouTube. I have found two artists that I particularly like and I have started to follow them  both.

One is Creations CeeCee and her idea was to do some loose water colouring and then doodle out of it anything that you can see. She also uses a lot of gold if that interests you

The other artist is Emma Jane Lefebvre and she does the most amazing flowers and cuteness. Have a look at both and maybe you will be inspired to have a try just like I was

So this was the first piece that I created and it was very "Loose" to say the least. I used my Arteza Paints and a #8 brush and nothing else

But I went ahead and followed Amber Rain Davis's instructions and took up the black Micron pen.

I started looking for the flowers and they just seemed to show me where they were. Once I had the basic shapes I drew in the finer lined detail 

Having got to this stage there seemed no reason to stop . So I cut out the main group of flowers and flipped it round 

And here is the first card. I added these with foam pads, to the top of an embossed background panel, with a die cut sentiment and then dotted the sequins around.

I started to add some sparkle with a clear glitter pen … but that is also water based and started to lift my water colouring so I gave that up as a bad idea.

The flower that stood outside the group I added to a smaller card and the background is embossed with one of the new Altenew folders.

I put some gold twine behind the flowers and scattered some gold hearts onto the front.

I am very happy with the way these turned out and very grateful to CeeCee for her expert guidance in helping me to achieve these cards.

When I have made a card using ideas from Emma Jane I will be sure to show you those too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Die Cutting Essentials 58 - Exquisite Edges

Hi Everybody,

This months magazine from 

Die Cutting Essentials

 has a lovely 2 piece die set attached and this will create some really pretty borders for you.

They will suit any occasion and can be used all year round.

Make the colours applicable to the season for a really lovely look and don't forget the Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls that you can add to make it even more special.

The video is not a long one but may give you some ideas that you may like to try.

But playtime is the best option and see what you can come up with.

Make the die work with others in your collection too, to create frames for some of your coloured and stamped characters

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Arteza 36 Half Pan Set Water Colours

Hi Everybody,

Today I am adding a video to share with you the beautiful water colours from Arteza that I have so been enjoying over the last few days.

This card I have created using the Spring/Summer Stamp & Die Set from

 Card Making Magic

With the card to the right I have created a background that is bright and vibrant and for the other I show you how in the video

I am adding the links at the bottom of the post so that you can see what I have used.

 Arteza are offering you a 10% discount when you add ChristinaGriffiths 1. at the checkout

My collections are available at Craft Stash and they are offering you a 20% discount on your first order with them ... so savings all round.

Both companies are affiliate links which means a small payment for me, at no extra cost to you if you use the links

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Making Magic Oval Rainbow Card

Hi Everybody,

Today I had some fun with the new A5 Nesting Ovals and created this Rainbow Card which In think would delight children if they got one for their birthday.

Their very own Rainbow and if you added their age it would be doubly delightful.

I didn't have the right coloured card so I used my pens to get the look. I only coloured the outside edges of the card as no one will see the centres.

The little die set with sun and clouds is an old Spellbinders one that I have and I couldn't find it on their website.  But the one I have linked to would still it fit the bill but the sun is a little larger than the one I used.

I hope you enjoy the video ... it's really short so wont take up too much of your evening

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Baby Book Card

Hi Everybody,

This pretty project has been filmed to show you how I made it as a really special baby card.

I used the A5 Nesting Ovals to create the pages to my book  and they play really well with older dies from the card making magic range.

All me collections are available with Craft Stash

This project can be dresses p as much as you would like for boys or girls. And it would serve a lot of other occasions too

I used to make this kind of thing with large Spellbinders dies but they were all retired and no longer available. So I think these are an excellent choice for those who like these book type cards

Have fun with it and I promise you it is not difficult or time consuming to make.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Radiant Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

A few weeks ago I told you about a free gift from Card Making Magic that was free with Die Cutting Essentials 37 Magazine 

Here is another card from that same die set and it is one that I have really enjoyed playing with.

For all the cards I stayed with the same colour scheme and it is a rich purple, blue and green.

Here I have simply stamped the butterflies in those colours and then cut out the pattern with  the die.

Here is the link to the video again to refresh your memory ... Radiant Butterflies  and I hope you enjoy it as much as you did the first time it was added. 

You can still get the magazine with the free gift from Craft Stash at this link ...

Die Cutting Essentials 37 

 and you can purchase the stamp set to match here ...

 All Around Greetings Stamp

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner ....

Hi Everybody,

Hope the weekend finds you all well and keeping warm. It's sunny but cold here in the North West and I have a filming day ahead and so it won't really bother me.

The draw for the card and gift from yesterday has been done and this one is going to Spain ... to you

Val Jones

so would you send your postal address please to me

christina@card-making-magic.com

and both will be on there way to you straight away.

Over this weekend I have two new videos for you and these are featuring some of the newest dies in at Craft Stash called Wonky Stitches.  The first one is Hexagons and in this I have used the Stamps Monster Madness to make a fun card.

In tomorrows post I will add in the Wonky Stitches Ovals to show you another look from these really useful dies

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Baby Occasions - Baby Boy card

Hi Everybody,

The other day I  showed you a baby card for little girls and today it is the turn of the boys

I used the Baby Occasions Additions from the "Christina Collection" and that is available only from Craft Stash

So this card is created using the stamped elephant for the background and I used Blue Print Sketch.

It looks like a really dark ink but it dries a lot softer than you think and it matched the blue card much better than any other shade

But today I have a special treat for you and that is to share not only my own video but also that of my lovely young friend Christine Smith from Crafti Potential
She makes the most amazing cards and this be is no exception.
 I am delighted with what she has done using the stencil from my Baby Occasions

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Love and Marriage Additions

Hi Everybody,

A really easy card today using the beautiful Love & Marriage Additions to the Christina Collection

I used the border stencil to create the coloured panels in the card and an assortment of Distress Inks

To get the blending add a little more ink as you come onto the card and then fade out to lighter strokes as you more away from the stencil.

  I used bright gold card for the heart and wedding rings and accented the panel with black

The second card was done a little more heavy handed and with some of the deeper colours but still the same technique

I add more pearls to the second one and I tried to use the same shade pearl drops as the colour they sat on

The video will show you how I got the look and it is just long enough for a cuppa and a biscuit

Love & Marriage Additions - Rainbow Wedding Card

Both of the cards are relatively flat and so will fit nicely into a standard sized envelope for posting

It is a really effective look and I was quite happy with the result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

"Christina Collection " New Additions

Hi Everybody,

Craft Stash are asking for your feedback on my new collection and so if you bought any of it please take a look at this link and let them know ..... 

Craft Stash Feedback 

Tomorrow morning at 10 am you will find me on the

 Craft Stash Facebook Page

and I will be telling you more about the additions to this collection PLUS there is going to be a mega Give Away for one lucky winner 

These are really exciting times for me and I love these new dies stamps and stencils that are being launched tomorrow.

But just to get your interest here is a little video to tell you some more

I hope you will join us tomorrow at 10 am and I really hope you enjoy the new additions as much as you have enjoyed the Complete Card and Box Die Set

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Lilac and Lemon Card & Box

Hi Everybody,

This lovely colour scheme will work for any occasion and is perfect for adding lots of flowers too

I have used the dies from the Christina Collection and they are available only from Craft Stash

The video

Lilac and Lemon Card & Box

will show you how I made both and I have to say that I am really pleased with the result.

The list of supplies is at the bottom of the post so that you can see what I have used

Maybe the colour scheme is new to you but I do hope you will give it a try as they really do work well together.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 50 Winter Warmers

Hi Everybody,

Every month this magazine brings you a fabulous A4 stamp set and this month it is Winter Warmers.

Full of wonderful characters for you to bring to life as you like and colour in your choice of medium

I used Spectrum Noir Pencils for mine and I was happy with the result as it is an easy way to colour

They are not just for Christmas either. This one would make a really good "Welcome to Your New Home" card

Add in a suitable sentiment and it could be for any occasion

The video Creative Stamping 50 Winter Warmers  will give you some more ideas that you may like to try

I hope you enjoy playing with this stamp set and if you wanted to subscribe to be sure of never missing your copy then pop over to Moremags.com

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Layered Butterflies - Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

I love the look of butterflies and I like to add this effect to my cards from time to time.

And so this creation was born using my new dies from Card Making Magic

I am really so excited about this collection and I have been playing with it so much since it arrived.

There is so much that I want I want to show you, and so many things that can be done with this whole collection and  I have lots of videos to be done.

This first lovely card is created in the video Rainbow Butteflies and it is another that is easy to re-create 

Each part of the collection can work individually but they all work so well together and will help you to make cards for all genders, age groups, seasons and occasions

The "Christina Collection" is available exclusively with  Craft Stash  and if you are an existing customer and you add the code WOWCMM10 then you will get a 10% discount at the checkout

If you are a brand new customer then you need to leave your email address at the Craft Stash website and they will email you a code that will give you a big 20% discount off your first order ... bringing the whole collection to a bargain price

The second video is creating a more masculine theme but still with the same butterfly dies and stamps.

We have a card and matching bow with silver embossing powder and the effect is much better in the hand than the video or photographs show.

I hope that these are something you will have a try at re-producing for your self and have fun in the process
Silver Butterflies - One for the men  

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A gift for Carter

Hi Everybody,

I had to show you the gift that I have made for my Great Grandson Carter who is just a year old. 

I thought that these would look wonderful on his bedroom wall and I bought the frames from Dunelm

The Critters are from Tonic Studios and they are a lot of fun to work with. You can make them any colour you wish for even more fun

They are perfect and my Grand daughter loved them for her son and she will get his daddy to put them up

Carter loves animals and is learning to say the names of them and so these should encourage him to name these too.

 I used some Spellbinders for the added pieces to the pictures like the palm fronds and the bamboo shoots

The supplies will be listed at the bottom of the page for you to see the ones I have used

And don't forget I did a video showing how I did one of the characters ... Cute Critters

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Videos ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I have some new products that are on the Craft Stash Website and these are all geared up for Christmas.

Both of these sets are Nesting Dies and they also have a stamp set that will compliment them.

They can be bought individually if you prefer but the price for the bundle is well worth considering.

The Nesting Christmas Tree has been done with Distress Inks and is in contemporary colours ... but it was fun to make and is very vibrant.    Click the links to view the videos

The Nesting Christmas Bauble has been created with Card Candi and I bought loads of this from a craft show.

I have simply glued it direct to the die cut and filled the spaces with glitter.

Another pretty card and again easy to make.

The stamps can be used as additions to any other cards you make but both work really well together.

The links at the bottom of the page ill show you the products I used to make them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tonic Craft Kit 01

Hi Everybody,

Today I am playing with the new September kit from Tonic Studios.

There are some really lovely papers in this kit full of texture and all in Autumn colours

The die set is quite big and there are seven pieces to it. There is also a stamp set and other items to add to your crafting stash.

The video 

Tonic Craft Kit 01  

is not very long and it shows you how I made this card.

The next kit will be along soon and has even more goodies in it for you to play with.

So I hope you will make a cuppa and sit and relax for a little while as you watch the video

You can find out more about the kits at by clicking the link  and watch the video on their page to see what is in the next months kit ...

UK & Europe  
US & North America

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Essentials 151

Hi Everybody,

This bumper issue of Papercraft Essentials will be on sale tomorrow and the paper pack that comes with it is lovely.

I used one of the scene sheets for my card here and added the other elements as I went along.

The video  .. Sending Christmas Wishes .. will show you what I did to make this one

It can be used all year round though so change the papers and give it some florals instead.

The postbox is really suitable for male cards too

The magazine will be in selected supermarkets and WHSmiths as well as direct from More Mags 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx