Practising Photography ..

Hi Everybody,

A few days ago I told you that one of the workshops we had done at the  Spellbinders Ambassadors Retreat was on photography.  I was very interested because up until then I had  simply used a little point and shoot type camera that was not expensive.

But since then I have come home and bought myself a better camera.  I am now snapping away to practise taking photos that are more interesting for the viewer.

This involves "staging"  a photo to get the best angle and light and using props to dress the area in a pleasing way.  All very new to me but very exciting ideas just the same.

 So these are my very first attempts at presenting a card in the best possible way,  with the cameras focus on the card itself and the background out of focus to enhance it.

 The dies used are not the subject for this test just the photo ... so ... What do you think about my practise shots???

The size is also not a problem as I can make them the size I want within the blog post.  It's just the idea of presenting a better shot of the subject I am asking you about and the way they have been set out to please your eye.  

I will keep on practising and I will get better

Don't forget that this is the third day of the   Spellbinders Sneak Peak and Give Away   and to be in with a chance to win the dies on Designers Blog post you need to add your name and submit it.

Here is the entry form  to win the Imperial Square that I featured and you won't be able to buy this until next spring 2015

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Laced with Love

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is another from the recent Create and Craft shows and features the "Laced with Love" Collection.

These  beautiful  Spellbinders die templates will help you to create the most elegant cards

For the next three weeks they are exclusive to Create and Craft 

This one is the Lonely Hearts and I have glittered it up for extra effect

I have dressed this up with organza ribbon and pretty flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

Into the flowers I have added in a pretty hatpin that I have made and you can also make your own and the Decorative Hatpins Tutorial  will show you how I did them

I buy 3" silver hatpins with end protectors from the Sparkles Group  and if you add the code CGDIS5 at the checkout then you will get a discount on your purchase.

Don't forget the  Spellbinders Sneak Peak  contest that is running until the 5th December for the chance to win the featured die template.

The entry form is HERE  click the link to fill out the form and submit it for your chance to win

Please visit the other Design Team members blogs for more chances to win

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Winter CHA 2015 Sneak Peak and Give Away -Day 1

Welcome to the first day of the Spellbinders Winter CHA 2015 Sneak Peak and my first attempt at showcasing for this wonderful team

The beautiful template that I am featuring is the  Imperial Square  and it is one of many being released at the Craft and Hobby Association for 2015  You will have the chance to win this at the bottom of the page. The  sentiment has been cut in silver from Sentiments One

My first project was created as a beautiful silver and white Congratulations Card that would be ideal for wedding day and the die is a pleasure to work with

 Supply List

• SKU-021 Imperial Square
• S2-082  Sentiments One - Congratulations
• LF-126 Grand Squares (Retired)
• GC-001 Grand Calibur  Die Cutting and Embossing machine

Cross Promotional Partners

• Want2Scrap    72ct White Pearls

Other Products 

• White Hammered card
• Silver Mirror Card
• White Organza Ribbon
• Heart hatpins
• Foam tape

Instructions

Cut two Grand Square #7 (the smallest is #1) to create the base and join together with a hinge

Cut two Grand Square #6 from white cardstock and emboss both peices keeping one for later

Hand cut a silver layer to fit in between these two layers to form the base.

Mat and layer the embossed white and silver card together

Cut and Emboss the entire Imperial Square die set with white card stock

Using foam tape layer this with a slightly larger piece of silver card

From the four smallest dies cut each one four times in silver

Then onto the silver and white embossed layers add the four largest  ones into each of the corners

Next take your silver and filigree layer and add it to this panels making sure it is centred and level

With the four smaller corners add them to a white centre shape securing with glue on the back.

Add this panel to the card front with foam tape for dimension.

Wrap all these layers with white ribbon and they can now be added to the base layer and the ribbon workings will be hidden in between these layer.

Cut Congratulations from Sentiments One and add it to white card

Using the centre part of the Imperial Square die set cut the word panel and then trim to fit the centre of your card.

Take the second piece of white embossed card and add it to the inside of the card to line it

I have also cut another Imperial Square and trimmed it down to fit as a pocket inside the card

Glue three sides leaving the top part open and into this slip a label shape that can be used as a greeting or for your signature.

A Designers Note...

When you are adding words to your label a good tip is to use a ruler and the grid lines on your cutting mat to help you get them straight and line them up equally on either side of your  card

And here is a second card using the same die in another way and this will be featured in a later post complete with instructions on how to make it

For you chance to win click  HERE   fill out the entry form and submit ... Good Luck   (The link is only open for 48 hours) 
(This link is now closed)

For the Official Contest Rules click HERE

Questions ?   Contest Questions    (No entries will be accepted at this email address)

To see other projects and for  more chances to win please visit  Debbie Olson at Thinking Inking  to start this brand new "Give Away"

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Card

Hi Everybody,

This is a little card that I made on the C&C shows and it was in the demo showing how to emboss the parchment that is on the front.

The flowers and bow centre are from Wild Orchid Crafts    and the  Satin ribbon is from Mei Flower

The parchment that I used is quite thick and I bought it from AnnaMarie Designs  and it embossed really well.

Altogether a really pretty card to send for any occasion.

The picture was taken early this morning and is not very clear and one of the workshops we did while I was in Phoenix was on the importance of good photos.

So I have bought my self a new camera and once my "Film Crew" has given me some lessons on how to use it properly then my photos will improve. (Fingers crossed)

Today is a day of relaxation for us as we are going to an Art and Craft fair at Salmesbury Hall.  It's not far to travel and some of our daughters will be there.  I shall be on the look out for some  unusual gifts and then it's Sunday Roast on the way home.

Spellbinders Sneak Peak & Give Away 

Please come back and visit tomorrow for a Sneak Peak of a new die that is coming up in the Winter CHA 2015

This competition will run from the 1st -5th December and if you visit the other designers taking part then you will have more chances to win the featured die template

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Home at Last ...

Hi Everybody,

Well here I am back in my own home and well rested after a good nights sleep.   I wanted to thank you all for the lovely comments and emails that have been left everywhere for me and I really value all your support.

Most of the names read out on C&C I could recognise as regular readers of my Blog and it was comforting to know that you are there watching.   I made mistakes and got things wrong but I am only human and it is scary in front of a live camera.

But overall I don't think any of the shows went to badly and some I was very pleased with. But now that I am home again I can get back to cardmaking and blogging.

And the first business in hand is the winner of the Friday Freebie card and that is YOU ....

Janice Wallace

so if you could mail me please 

christina@card-making-magic.com

as soon as you can then I will get the card in the post to you straight away.

The winners of the Spellbinders will be in the next post so that things don't get mixed up.

More later ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 035

Hi Everybody,

I have  not forgotten to include the Friday Freebie card and this one is in a lovely shade of Baby Pink.

I have used Seville from the Spanish Collection by Sue Wilson and topped it with  San Francisco from the California Collection

It creates a very pretty raised background and the verse from Lili of the Valley   has been stamped and embossed for the top.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  as is the pearl and diamanté centre to the bow.

The satin ribbon is from Mei Flower   and the pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap

If you would like to win this card then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the page and it would be nice if you became a follower too.

The winner will be announced in tomorrows Blog post and then you have 48 hours in which to claim it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lovely Weekend ...

Hi Everybody,

I have had a lovely Sunday off before the busy week ahead although Saturday was spent preparing samples for the coming shows

I really hope that you will like some of the things I will be showing you over the three days and I have kept them easy to follow for those that are new to cardmaking.

I haven't had time to make new cards so this is one that I have shown earlier this year.

The butterflies are the Martha Stewart Monarch punch and I have added gemstones from  Want2Scrap  along the body line.

The ribbon is soft organza from Mei Flower and it is tied in a double bow.

The centre of the know is covered with a beautiful pearl and diamanté dazzler from Wild Orchid Crafts   and just gives a lovely finish to the ribbon

The background to the card is created from Sue Wilsons background to the French Collection and I have covered it in Glitter.

The verse is from the Sheena Douglass collection with Crafters Companion 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Good Morning ....

Hi Everybody,

My Saturdays seem to get later each week but eventually I get up and start the day and today starts with the winner of the purple card.

My "Film Crew" has chosen the winner and it's you ...

Alifen

you have 48 hours to claim the card so if you could email me ...

christina@card-making-magic.com

your postal address then I will get the card in the post to you straight away and I hope you will like it

TV Schedule 

So just to let you know that next week I am back on your TV with the New Grand Calibur and a wonderful offer to go with it.  

Tuesday 25th November at 9 pm and 11 pm  on Ideal World

Wednesday 26 th   with 8 shows alternating between Ideal World and C&C

Thursday 27 th  at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 4pm 7pm  on Create and Craft

I hope you will be able to join me and maybe send in your emails 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 034

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a lovely shade of purple and is very regal.

I have used a die by Sue Wilson form the Italian Collection - Tuscany.  I got mine from JGD Crafts 

I have colored the centre part with Distress ink and then covered it with  Glitter

If you would like to win this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment and un the morning a name will be drawn at random and the winner announced in the blog post.

Please come back to check if you are the winner as you will only have 48 hours in which to claim the card.

Next week I am back at Create & Craft with the  new Grand Calibur and some beautiful new dies from Spellbinders

Since I got back from the Ambassadors Retreat in Phoenix I have been really busy making samples  for the shows so please come and join me and maybe send in an email and maybe you will win a card from the shows too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Altered Art ...

Hi Everybody,

A few years ago now I did a tutorial on how to alter a cheap notebook and make it some thing special

With Christmas on the way this is another project that would make a pretty gift

It and can be filled with all sorts of stuff by the recipient ... address book, To Do lists etc.

The example shows a notebook altered with Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms  and the video tutorial will show you the steps

I have added in some flourishes from Want2Scrap and some toning ribbon

But if you prefer to work without dies then  click this link  ... Altered Notebook  ... and have a go

It's not hard to do and you will have some lovely results with any pretty papers that you may have in your one personal "Stash"

But choose the booklet carefully as it needs to be the right kind of spiral along the spine for you to open up and be able to remove the covers

Don't forget to add your name to the  Give Away  for this month and be in with a chance to win some wonderful new Spellbinders

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx