Another card for Christmas

Now I like this Christmas Card more than the one featured the other day.

This is using a Spellbinder Christmas die ...  but for the life of me I can not remember which one ... and I seem to have discarded the package when I added the die to my wall.

The centre aperture has  been cut with the largest die in the main  card panel.

A  frame has been  created from the largest and third size and then run through an embossing folder.

The stripy paper insert has been covered with Micro Glass Beads for texture.

The sentiment and the smaller  bauble have been decorated with "Bling" from Want2Scrap  and the long flourish is from the Finesse set of Diamante.

And don't forget  you can add your name to the  Want2Scrap  draw to win $100 worth of this beautiful  embellishment  by clicking this link..... Want2Scrap - Facebook Page 

Click the "Like" button and leave them a comment saying  that  Christina sent you  and you will be included for the chance to win.

Hugs xx

Spider conspiracy ...

I am sure that the spiders in my house are conspiring against me and getting me into trouble.

I think they  wait until my  youngest  daughter comes to visit  and then word gets around  them  all    quickly ...."Vickie is here ... quick get busy..."

Then while we have a chat and a brew they set about making their spiders web,   and in a fairly obvious place,  so that when she visits the  bathroom she couldn't possibly miss it.

Then I hear "Oh Mother ...." in a disdainful voice  "Come and see this"  and I think  "Uh Uuuuh! I don't want too" ... and there it is a ...  huge cobweb hanging from my light fitting  ... as if it has been there for years.

And when I say that it wasn't there yesterday she says "Yeah! yeah!" and we erupt into giggles.

This card is one that I showed,  just as an example,  on the video   Spellbinder Bargains   and it has created some interest in how it was done.

Several people have emailed me asking for the instructions ... in a video ... and so I will get to work on it shortly.

And in case you  missed the link  to some  really good Spellbinder  bargains here it is again ...Save On Hobbies ...   click the  link that takes you  through  to their shop  and have a look for what you  would like to use.

But remember that they are  dies that will no longer be made so grab them quick.

The red roses  around the  door frame are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  with a little pearly  brad for the door knob.

Hugs xx

Spellbinder Bargains ...

This is something I just have to share as I could not believe the prices on these Spellbinders when I saw them.

I was pointed in the  direction of this  wesbite by a follower on YouTube and she urged me to go check it out for my self.

So thank you Nery for the tip.

I have made a  short video  ..Spellbinder Bargains   that will  show how I have used some of the dies that I have got from them.

And I am always happy to share a really good find to all my fellow crafters... and this is no exception.

Save On Hobbies   is the website and at the moment they are updating their site so when you get there click the link to be redirected to their Shopify site and have a good browse at what they have.

There are new dies being added each week so pop back regularly to see the bargains.

This little card is using the Banner Basic 3

and I have stamped in the "Baby" letters in Victiorian Velvet Distress Ink.

I have added feathers and ribbons and a large flower from Wild Orchid Crafts

The Card Candi along the right hand side is   Craftwork Cards and is a very simple but pretty addition.

And last but by no means least I want to share with you that today I have reached the   ONE MILLION VIEWS  to my videos on YouTube.

Hugs xx

My first Christmas Card ...

Now how sad is this .... it's only the begining of August and I have already made a Christmas Card.... and probably by the time December arrives I will be all Christmas Carded out .... 

But I thought I would make an early start.  This is  a large card but it will fit inside an  A4 envelope because  it has been kept  flat.

 I have used a   Spectrum Noir Background   in the aperture,  and added   Micro Glass Beads  to the snowflakes to give them  more texture.

The pearls around the edge of the card are created with Cosmic Shimmer Glue  and the addition of the  Pierced Edges  gives  a little more interest to the  card.

The Spellbinders Labels 20 has the additon of Nestabling from Want2Scrap  ...

and to all those of you who popped over to the Want2Scrap Facebook page and clicked their like button I want to say "Thank You" and good luck in the draw to win the $100 worth of "Bling"

If you would like to be in with a chance to win then take your self over there by clicking the Want2Scrap link ... click their "Like" button and leave a comment saying that Christina sent you.... then sit back and keep your fingers crossed that you can win.

Any way now that the card  is done I don't think I like it really and it probably won't be sent to any one ... oh well back to the drawing board to make a better job of the next one.

Different style dies ...

Some time  ago I was  asked if  I would like to try out  some different  style  dies and see what I came up with.

Of course I agreed and so I was sent some all the way from the Netherlands.

So thank you Annelies for these useful additions to any craft "Stash" and today I have put them to work.

Now about the dies .... they can be used in any die cutting machine... read the  manufacturers  instructions  to adjust  the cutting  plates for your machine

The card I used to cut my shapes was a  270 gsm card ... so quite a good weight.

Because  the dies are flat they can be stored just about anywhere.

But they are metal  so make sure that you  don't bend  them or they won't cut properly for you.

You can buy them from   Crealies   and  the link will take you to the  flower shapes ... but once there have  a look around for  many many more.

In the picture you can see one of the Flowers and Doily Elements dies, with the border die on the left of the photo.

They  made  a  very clean cut in my  card and then I used a ball tool and a  mouse mat to give the flowers  some shape.

The edges to the petals have been inked with Victorian Velvet and sparkled with Glamour Dust, and a  Pearl added to the centres.

The second shape I used to edge a panel that had been embossed for the front of the card,  and two more around the edge of the sentiment.

The leaves are also dies  and there is a  good mix on the one  die plate,  and they have  been  inked with  Sage Green  and  Forest Moss  then tucked behind the flowers.

A large pink organza bow is the finishing touch and that has another pearl in the centre to hide the knot.

I think this is  a pretty card and these dies are well worth your consideration.  They are easy to use and the results are very good.

Hugs xx

Win Some "Bling"

Here is an exciting piece of news  and one I hope you will take advantage of .... Want2Scrap  are offering  you the chance to win  $100 worth of beautiful "Bling"  for you  to add to all your crafty creations.

All you need to do is  click the link  above which will take you to their FaceBook page and then click the "Like" button... and the competition is open until the 7th August.

Leave a comment saying that you have been sent by Christina  and that's it your done. You will be entered into the draw to win the Goodies ... and if enough of you enter ... then I  will win some too.

You can see many examples of their beautiful pearls and Diamante on my cards and it really is the finishing touch for all your special cards.

So why not give this a try and you can even send your non crafting friends along too.

There are many many ways in which you can use these embellishments.

Decorate your phone, glasses cases. Glass vases and ornaments.  Add it to mirrors or picture frames.  Scrapbook pages and photo albums can all be "Blinged up"

Just get the imagination going and the possibilities are endless.

These lovely images from Crafters Companion  are the  Humphreys Corner Collection   and both  cards have  the added "Bling"

So please click the link to Want2Scrap above ... and then we can both win this fabulous prize.

And believe me there is a  so much in this  $100 prize it will last you for ages on your designs.

Good Luck

Hugs xx

Kindness ...

I have  made this card for no  particular reason and the sentiment  in the  centre could be any.  I have made it with  Gold Mirror card and  layered all my white card onto it.

The background has again been embossed with a folder and the aperture has been cut with Spellbinders Labels 20


The centre piece of the card is one of the smaller Labels 20 dies and I have used a glue and gilding flake technique on this.

I took this photo in the sun and although it shows the embossing it does not show the mirror card  very clearly and so .....

...I took another one  from a different angle and now you can see the shine on the card.... but the photo  does  not  show  how lovely  the  Gilding flakes are. 

The ribbon is a mix of white and gold Organza and I have added the pearl string under the gold vintage button. 

The Pearls attached to the ribbon are from Want2Scrap  and the button is one of many that Naomi gave to me on my trip to Canada.

Hugs xx

Loved You ....

For todays card I have had a return to Spellbinders and the colour scheme is a lovely sage green and white with a green and white Polka dot ribbon around the centre.

The backgound has been embossed with a folder and this one is called  "Seedling Nouveau" from Couture Creations.   It is available from   Country View Crafts  and there are lots of different patterns for you to choose.

The Spellbinders used will be BOLD so that you will know what has been used to create the card

I have used an A4 card and the cutting edge from Classic Triple Scallop with the insert from Classic Scallop and together this gives the detail to the bottom of the card.

The centre panel is the largest die in the  Layered Scallop Posy and has been cut twice.

The centre strip is made from the Postage Stamp cutting edge and  Insert B and the ribbon has been threaded through the holes. 

The sentiment is from Clarity Stamp and it has been stamped onto the largest Persian Motifs die with the edges inked very lightly in Antique Linen.

As a finishing touch I have added a silver metal corner and an antique button to the bow.

Hugs xx

Bumble Bug

This is another line drawing from Naomi  and as yet she is free. She is  part of a collection that will be available to purchase on  Creative Bug on the Loose .... but for  now she is  .... FREE.

So if you would like to colour her in for your own use then head on over there and get her while you can.

This is Bumble Bug  and she is the third one  in the series ...  and this is my favorite one.

I have added her to a shaped card and the flowers are paper roses.

The largest one is from Spellbinders Blossom 3 and has a pink pearl centre.

The Butterfly is from my "Stash" and the diamante Swirl is from Want2Scrap  which makes her very special.

The image has been coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and they are available from Crafters Companion

You will find the videos on colouring with this system here in the Tutorials.

Hugs xx

Naomis' Freebie ....

This lovely little drawing is one of a collection of four and she can be found on Naomis' Blog  Creative Bug on the Loose 

Naomi  invited me to colour her in  and make her into a card for you to see and so here she is.

This is the first one in the collection and I think she is adorable.

She has been coloured with Spectrum Noir Pens.

For the time being she is  FREE  so head on over to Naomis' Blog and get her while you can.

Once the collection is complete they will added to the blogs online shop for you to buy.

They are line drawings and ready for you to colour in any way you want.

I have added the Lady Bug to some Rafia Lace and added  small paper Doilys behind her.

The Belle Rose Swirl is from Spellbinders.

The ribbon is tied in a bow and has the addition of a Vintage button to cover the knot. 

The flowers are tiny paper roses and I have sparkled them up with Glamour Dust. I hope you like her and will take advantage of the freebie that is on offer.

Hugs xx

Blue Jeans

Most teenagers these days like to chill about in jeans and a T-shirt  and although I am not a teenager I have lately started to wear these my self.

It is such a comfortable outfit and of course many images now also feature the same kind of outfits

And so staying with the Spectrum Noir pens I thought I would add a video that covered the colouring of Jeans.

This young man is from the magical pen of KennyK Downloads  and you will find some wonderful images there if you browse around.

And if colouring is not your thing then you can also buy them ready coloured for you just to add to a card.

I have added this Tutorial to the series on these pens and I hope you will find it useful.

Spectrum Noir Jeans  will also show you some variations in the colour scheme so that you can vary the jeans that your character is wearing.

The finished card is an 8" square and the sentiment is from the "Pretty Tuff" CD from Polkadoodles

There no flowers to tell you about on this card (Sigh!)  But there will be again soon !!

Hugs xx 

Part 2 of Dark Skin ...

Thank you so much for all the lovely comment s and emails that I have had about this series.

Both Parts 1 and 2  to this video have now been added to the website and they are on the page Spectrum Noir Dark Skin 

I have really enjoyed doing this particular card and I am very pleased with the result.

But of course the pens make it a real pleasure to blend and having the correct paper to work on makes all the diference too.

The sentiment on this card is from the "Pretty Tuff" CD from PolkaDoodles

You can buy the pen sets from Crafters Companion along with the refills and replacement nibs.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the lace was a lovely piece I found in my "Stash"

The Pearly Swirl is from Want2Scrap  and I have added them to both of these cards.

I have stayed away from the flowers for the boys card but the addition of the pearls just makes it that little bit more special.

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir Dark Skin ...

Earlier this month I added the video for Pale Skin  and the response was very much appreciated.

But it triggered off some emails asking me to cover darker skin tones too. 

I have used another baby image from Mo's Digital Pencil and this is "Boy On the Pot"

The photo shows how the same image can take on a different look with the use of these alcohol pens.

And so Spectrum Noir Dark Skin  has been added to the series and already has several comments on YouTube.

I am really pleased with this new tutorial but agian because of the length it has had to be edited into two parts.

Part 2 will complete the card using this and the "Girl on the Pot" image as well.  I hope you will find the ideas useful and then maybe add your pictures to the Gallery Page on the Card Making Magic website.

The pens are available from Crafters Companion  and if you are in America try this link instead Crafters Companion USA    Happy Crafting ...

Hugs xx

A card for any reason ...

This is a card that is for any reason you can think of or just to tell some one that you care.

It is created with the aid of  Spellbinders  and some "Bling" from   Want2Scrap

The ribbon was from the wrapping from a new pair of PJ's  and the backing  paper was  free from a  magazine subscription.

So all  together a really  inexpensive card ....  I  just need someone to send it to now.

I have  had a  lovely day out for lunch with my friend Pat and so this card is quickie that was made earlier today and for no particular person.

But I enjoyed making it and it can go into the reseve box for whenever it is needed.

Hugs xx

I'm having a rant.....

Ooooh! I am so mad .... let me explain. I have not used my credit card for ages and so when we went to Canada I paid for the flights using it.

I emailed the credit card company to tell them that I would be out of the country until the 7th July and they acknowledged that email.

Then once the fights had been added to the card I paid the bulk of it off early and emailed them again explaining that I had done this to save any fees. That was also acknowledged.

Then when I got back I had a bill for the rest of the money so I rang them ... and I asked the woman for the exact figure to clear the card back to zero again and she gave it to me.

So I instantly paid it over the phone and asked was that the account now cleared and she said ... "Yes it was now back to zero". I wrote on the statement ... "Paid in Full" .... and patted myself on the back.

Today I have had a statement telling me that there is an interest charge .... so I have been back on the phone again very, very angry.

I asked how could there be an interest charge on a zero balance????

Apparently the interest is calculated in advance on the next statement and because I had paid it early the interest had been reduced but still added to the zero balance..... Er what!!!

I was not a happy bunny... I was being penalised for having paid off my account early.

Off she went to see what she could do ... and came back telling me that the sum had been removed and that the acount WAS now cleared.

And the moral to this story is ... don't be good and pay your cards off early .... wait for the bill and make them wait till the last week ... but avoiding any late fees ... before you settle it.

Rant over .... back to cards tomorrow

Hugs xx