Autumn Colors

Hi Everybody,

Now I know it's cold and Christmas is on the way ... but I thought a little card in Autumn Colors would make a change

This is the  Leaves A Fallin'   die from Spellbinders and is one of the new ones from the Trendy and Simple Collection.

I have just cut the entire die out as it is and added it to my card but you could also cut the leaves out of the card and use them individually in a flower display.

I have changed the color scheme too as my usual choice is white base and a pastel color.

But for this card I have gone for deep brown and tan with a lovely olive green.

The flowers are deeper colors too and they are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have added in the sparkle with glitter from Glitter Magic

The ribbon  is some that I brought back from my trip to Joannes craft store in Phoenix  but I cannot remember where the large Autumn leaves are from.

Into the mix I have added three small Hatpins in colors that match the card and the inside has been lined too.    Sentiments Four    is cut all in one strip and so easy to apply and especially good if your hand writing is untidy ... like mine !!

Want2Scrap  self adhesive pearls are all around the frame.  Different for me but I do like the card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

This weeks Winner ....

Hi Everybody,

This is a busy week for me as I will be back on your TV next week.  I have four shows for Create and Craft and I am really hoping that you will join me... and maybe send me an email in to the show

Bur more on that later as I know that you are waiting for me to say who has one this weeks card. Well it's you ...

 EMA

and so if you can email me please ...

christina@card-making-magic.com 

with your postal address then I will get the card in the post to you straight away.

I hope you will like it and please let me know when it arrives with you.

So back to next week ... I will be with you at 3 pm and 6 pm on the 18 th and again at 10 am and 2 pm on the 19 th ... then home in time for Christmas.

I will be featuring the  new Teal Grand Calibur from Spellbinders.  I have had lots of emails about the box that I made the last time I was there and so... Fingers crossed !!  I will have the time to show you again 

I will keep you up to date with what is happening as I should have a little more time to keep on blogging this time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Friday Freebie 037

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is staying with a more laid back feel and there are no flowers on this one

It is created in peach, black and white and has a rather dramatic feel to it.

I have used the Botanical Swirls  and I also added a video to show you how to get the best result from any of the expandable dies

The Diamanté  flourish is the luxury touch to this card and it is from Want2Scrap




If you would like to win this card then all you need to do is  join the growing band of followers and then leave me a comment to let me know you have been to visit ... and would like to have the card.

A name will be drawn from the hat by my trusty "Film Crew" and the winners' name will be announced on tomorrows blog post.

Please come back to check if it's you who  has won as you will only have 48 hours in which to claim it by sending me your postal address.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Masculine Card

Hi Everybody,

Just in case you missed the update on the Butterflies die from yesterdays post ... the die is available in limited quantities and so if you see one then you will need to grab it quick

One of my readers Helen Aiken has located this die at Sunrise Crafts ... but be quick or it will be gone

I am often asked for ideas for male cards as this is an area we all seem to struggle with each time we need to make one.

Well there couldn't be a more simple card to put together than this one

All it uses is an embossed background ... a border die ... and some ribbon and a sentiment ... and that's  it ... job done.

So to be more precise I have cut my base card from brown card and layered it with a deep  leaf green.

The top layer is cut in white and I have embossed it with the Diamond Fleur De Lis EL-031 M-Bossablities folder. It gives a really deep pattern into the card and is excellent for any card

The  border is cut with   Petite Monarch  and I have added tiny pearls to each point.

The ribbon is just a thin gingham from  Mei Flower  and I have added a pearl buckle to it. The sentiment is from Anna Griffin and matches the color scheme perfectly.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Two Ways to Use ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty die template is the Spellbinders Butterflies and is one of their expandable range

I have been informed that this die is available and so if you see it grab it quick as once it is gone ... it will be gone forever 

Helen Aiken has just found it here at Sunrise Crafts  for you   Butterflies Pattern

Todays post is to show you two different ways in which I have  used  this die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For this one I have simply cut the whole die from some pink card and used it as it is, and teamed it with a soft cream

I created a frame around the cut piece with Matting Basics and added it on foam pads to give dimension

I wrapped it all in pink ribbon before adding it to my base card.

Then I  added the bow with a dazzler for the knot and a little sentiment that can be for any reason you wish.

The outside edge of the frame has been surrounded by a white pearl strip that is self adhesive and it is from Want2Scrap

I have added a small heart to each of the Butterflies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the second card I cut the whole piece in green and then carefully cut out the butterflies.

I spattered the butterfly embossed background piece of  cream card  and added it to the same green card as the Butterflies.

The Butterflies have been layered two together and the wings bent upwards slightly

Each Butterfly has a pearl body and small trail just to add the finishing touch

The verse on the second card is from Sheena Douglass  "Little Bit Sketchy" range

And there you have a very easy card that looks nothing at all like the first card and yet uses the same expandable die template.

I hope you will enjoy playing with any of the Spellbinders that you have in your collection and looking at them in ways other than their intended use.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Reflective Moment ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is  in a pretty shade of blue teamed with white  and the die used is the  Reflective Moment  from Spellbinders

If you click the link you will see what the die template looks like and it is a large 5 x7 set

I have embossed the background piece of blue and then added the die cut panel with foam tape to give dimension

The sentiment is from  JustRite Stampers  and is the one that will fit the Labels Twenty Nine

I have also added that panel with foam and then edged it with Diamanté from Want2Scrap  for a really pretty finish

The beautiful flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and as usual I have added fine glitter from  Glitter Magic

The satin ribbon is from  Mei Flower  and I have tied it in a bow and added a dazzler to cover the knot

Another card that I like and it's not pink !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Back with pink ....

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is once again in my comfort zone with Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls.

I have used the Anna Griffin papers and these are some that I got while in Phoenix.

They are from a box of 5x7 papers called Lovely Layers and the patterns, colors and quality is exceptional.

I have embossed the panel before adding it to the card front to give more texture

I cut two of the border strips Petite Monarch and added in some pearls

I have wrapped it with two types of pink ribbon and a double bow with a cluster of flowers over the centre

The flowers and the white leaves are from Wild Orchid Crafts   with added sparkle from Glitter Magic    The pearls are from Want2Scrap  and the little sentiment is also from Anna Griffin

Yes !! I like this little 5x7 card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Ovals ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using some very beautiful Anna Griffin papers and a lovely blue ribbon and in a style that maybe you wouldn't associate with me

This one is very vintage and I have woven the ribbon through each other on the bottom edge.

I have tied a double bow and added a gemstone to cover the knot and just tucked it in place under the sentiment.

The bas card is blue  but the sentiment tag is also from Anna Griffin and I must say it makes a very pretty card.

Maybe not quite my style but one that I am quite pleased with all the same

The only Spellbinders that I have used on this card is the Elegant Ovals and I have cut the largest #4  in the same blue as the base and #2 in cream and layered them together

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Good Morning !!

Hi Everybody,

Today is cold, dull and wet here in the UK but I am up bright and early this morning as I have lots to do.  The main thing is to get my Christmas Tree up with it's beautiful lights shining and then I will be on the way to being ready for Christmas.

But first of all is the draw for the lovely purple shaving foam card.  My "film Crew" pulled a name from the hat and the winner is ....

Diane Naylor

You have 48 hours to send me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get the card in the post to you straight away and I hope you will like it when it arrives

More later ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 036

Hi Everybody,

Todays Friday Freebie is a card with a background created with   Shaving Foam 

This is an old video tutorial that I did and I have added it before but for those that are new to the idea I have added it again

The Card is in a lovely deep purple with a flower corsage to match and the flowers are from   Wild Orchid Crafts

I have sparkled them up with fine iridescent glitter from Glitter Magic

The hat pin is a very feminine addition and it is removable from the card.  I use 3" hat pins with end protectors from the Sparkles Group

The sentiment is from   Lili of the Valley   and is one of a set on an A5 sheet of verses

Now if this is a card that you would like to win then all you need to do is add a comment at the bottom of the page.

Scroll down to just under my signature and there you will see the word Comments and if you click that word it will open another window for you.

A name will be chosen at random and the winner will be announced tomorrow morning in the blog post.

This is the last day of the  Spellbinders Sneak Peak and Give Away 

Click the link to see the  Imperial Square  that I featured on Monday ... the links on each designers pages are open for 48 hours for your chance to win the featured die set

 And for other die templates on offer visit the other designers blogs and enter there for more chances to win.  A winner will be drawn each day with a grand prize to be won on the last day

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders S5-160 Majestic Elements Nestabilities Opulent Ovals Die Templates

Spellbinders S6-001 Nestabilities Matting Basics A Die Templates, 5 by 7-Inch

Spellbinders S6-002 Nestabilities Matting Basics B Die Templates, 5 by 7-Inch

InLinkz.com

Card Class

Hi Everybody,

In the last card class my ladies tried their hand at creating a more masculine card with the unusual technique shown

If this is a new idea to you then maybe you would like to watch a tutorial on Faux Leather Effect

The two different color schemes make the card look totally different and you can make it suit your recipient whether male or female

It is very easy to do and I hope you will enjoy the short video  ... and I am sure that you will agree that both Mary and Brenda have made lovely cards on this their first attempt.

The Spellbinders Sneak Peak and Give Away is now in its fourth day

Click this link  HERE   for the form that you need to fill in and submit to be in with a chance

Visit the other Designer Team blogs too for even more chances to win and there are other sets on offer... and at the end of the week there will be a grand prize fro someone to win.

But remember that these dies are  being newly launched at the CHA shows in California and  they will be available for you to buy  next spring 2015

The link is open for 48 hours and is the only way to enter.  Good Luck

Thank you for all the comments on my practise run with the camera. I had some really good tips and advice from many of you and I will take each and every one on board and work with it.  Many of you preferred the third photo of the cards and that was my favorite one as well.

It was only a practise run and my first attempt with my new camera and I do intend to use other staging props and not just the ones shown.  So hopefully my pictures will get better

 All the advice given was well received by me and in the manner it was intended

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

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