Dare to Dream

Hi Everybody,

I am due to be back on Create and Craft today at 8am 12 noon and 5pm ... please come and join me if you have some spare time

A few days ago we had a non red Valentines Day one and todays card uses red for an  ... "Any day kind of card !! "

It is quite a versatile colour and I used it for the base of the card then layered it with cream.

But the paper for the next layer was a little too gaudy for what I wanted to use and so I diffused it with a piece of parchment that I embossed and added with brads in each corner.

The framework is from the Spellbinders Regal Frame   and the central oval is from  Fleur De Elegance

The roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have mixed them with some tiny rosebuds.

The ribbon trim is netting and I have tied it in a bow with a central dazzler to hide the knot.

The verse is from a set created by Lili of the Valley  and has some really lovely sentiments on the sheet ... click the link to see the set

Whenever I make this style of  Hinged card   I use the 5x7 Matting Basics A & B sets   and I will tell you when I have used a different size.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mix & Match your Spellbinders ...

Hi Everybody,


Todays card is a real mixture of dies all put together to make one design, and the only point I am trying to make is that any Spellbinders will go with any other.

The dies in your sets are in various sizes and Spellbinders number them with number one (#1) being the smallest and using that numbering these are the dies I have used.

So for the base I started with #7 from each set of 5x7 Matting Basics  A & B  and #6 from A and layered up the pink patterned card and I have also lined the inside of the card with some cream

Then I used  #3  Heirloom Rectangle  for the next layer in pink.

The lovely Gold layer  is #5 Gold Labels Four and then topped again in pink with the next size #4  in the same set.

From the patterned  paper I cut the largest  #7 from Opulent Ovals   and then  topped that with  #2 from Elegant Ovals

The central sentiment circle is simply a bought topper that I stuck in the middle.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   and if you are new to cardmaking then WOC do a fabulous line in starter packs  to get you going

I have used Roses, Rosebuds, Tulips, Sweetheart Blossoms, Cosmos Daisies and white leaves.

I like to add some sparkle to my flowers and I use the Iridescent Glitter from Glitter Magic  ... it is the one called Chameleon that is my favorite as it blends with any color scheme you are using.

Now I was in  a hurry to take this photo and so I did not allow the glue to dry on the flowers once I had sprinkled on the glitter ... but it does dry  clear and flat and all you are left with is the sparkle on the blooms ... Promise !!

All being well I should be back on yout TV screens tomorrow with three shows on Create and Craft. They are scheduled for 8am 12 noon and 5pm so I hope you will join me and maybe send in your emails 

And finally a little reminder to Pearl Hudson ... Can you email me your address please so that I can send you the card ... christina@card-making-magic.com

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pringle Tub ...

Hi Everybody,

As promised earlier this week here is the tutorial to alter those Pringles tubs you have all been collecting

This is the one I made for Isabella and I filled it with chocolate coins for her ... and she loved it.

So here are the instructions for the
Altered Art Treasure Box

In the video I decided to go for a different color scheme and decided on Lilac.

And I lined the box too for an extra special touch.

You may notice some differences between the finished box in the video and the one pictured here.

That is because I couldn't leave things alone and had to add in more finishing touches before I was happy.

So now it is time for you to get out all those tubs you have been saving and start making them really pretty.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts

I have added the video to a  page on my website ...  Card Making Magic so you will need to click the link at the top of the page to view the tutorial

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Hearts and Flowers

Hi Everybody,

Now that the jolly season is finished with it will soon be time to start thinking of Valentines Day

Will you be making a card for the special person in your life or maybe you make them to sell.

This card is in a lovely shade of pink ... no surprises there then !!  But it just goes to show that Valentines cards don't have to be in the traditional red.

This one has used the Classic Heart  and the Classic Scalloped Heart 

I have used the matching Bling from Want2Scrap  in pink pearls.

The smaller heart layered on top is Vines of Passion and is one of the smaller Die D-Lites collection

The flowers are a selection from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have added in some of the small leaves from  Foliage

This is such a pretty card and just ready for that special day.  I will add more Valentines ideas as we go along.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

One of the questions I have been asked this week is ...  "If I was the winner of a Friday Freebie card before will that exclude me from entering again to win another"

And the answer is "No it won't ... "  You can enter as many Friday Freebies as you wish and I am happy to send the card to you wherever you are.

The same thing goes for any "Give Aways"  that I do.  I have so many pretty things in my craft room that I am happy to share some of them with all of you.

But obviously I can't share them with ALL of you and so this is why I do my little prizes every so often and choose one winner  ... to show you how much I appreciate your support

So please feel free to enter the "Give Aways"  wherever you are ... you don't need your own blog ... I don't require any postage from you (As somebody very kindly offered) ... and you can enter even if you have won before.

The only thing I ask is that you become a   REGULAR  FOLLOWER .... and not one who appears just for the prize being offered ... and leave me a comment.   I don't think that is too much to ask

This morning the draw for the Blue Card was done as usual by my "Film Crew"  and a name has been chosen.  This pretty card is coming to live with you ....

PEARL HUDSON

so if you could send me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com 

I will get the card in the post to you straight away.

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

Please also bear in mind that because the card is  wrapped in a cellophane packet and then packed into an envelope and sent through the post ... on what could be a long journey if you live abroad ... that it may be a little flattened.   But all you need to do is fluff up the ribbon and/or flowers again and it will be fine 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie Card 041

Hi Everybody,

My favorite shade of blue for todays card and it has several layers to it.

I have used Sue Wilson dies for this design and there is a good selection of Sues dies with   JGD Crafts  

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion  and it has been stamped in blue and clear embossed

The ribbon is from Mei Flower and is tied in a double bow with a large pearl and Diamanté centre

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and the beuatiful pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap

If this is a card that you would like to win then all you need to do is leave me a comment and if you were to become a follower too that would be very nice.

A name will be chosen in the morning and the winner announced in Saturdays blog post.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Labels Forty Tutorial

Hi Everybody,


As part of my commitment to Spellbinders as their UK Ambassador I write a short tutorial for their blog once a month.

It was my turn at the end of December and I created a pretty card in yellow  titled   Labels Forty - Happy Birthday Card

But I thought it would be a good idea to show another way to use the same set of dies and so ensuring that you get your monies worth from the dies that you buy.

For this card we are going to use the largest die from Labels Forty to create the base

You will need to cut two of the largest #5 and fold one of them over by about half an inch, glue them together and that creates your base.

Then with the same large die I added in the #3 from the Decorative Elements  and this made a frame in white

Using some low tack tape will stop the dies from slipping as you put them through your die cutting machine

The next step is to create the decorative frame the will sit on top of the white one you have just made.

I used the largest decorative one and added in the next size down #3 and cut this in turquoise.

Glue them both together for a really pretty frame

Both of these can then be added to the base card with foam pads and the pads  won't show through because of the white layer to the frame.

Create more layers using #2 from the Decorative Elements in turquoise and another layer in white using #2 from Labels forty.

Using foam pads between these layers will give dimension to your card and make it much more interesting

The pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap

I used flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and for those new to my blog they are a UK company but they will ship abroad

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and will visit again,  and it will be my turn  again to be add another to tutorial to the  Spellbinders Blog  towards the end of this month

I will be sure to let you know when it is due.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Those Crisp Tubs Again ...

Hi Everybody,

Have you had those delicious crisps again this year and have you thrown away all the empty tubs ???

Oh No you are going to be so sorry about that when you see what I have done with one.

And you can do it too ....  aaaaand if you give me a little time I will do a tutorial on how I did it !!

Over Christmas Day I promised Isabella a little treasure box for her bedroom.

I asked her if she would let me have the tub once she had eaten all the crisps in it and I would dress it with flowers for her.

She very willingly ate what was left of the crisps and gave me the tub and although I had made a start on it I hadn't finished it.

So when I went to see her yesterday she asked me ... "Have you got my crispie box with flowers ??

Oh my ... How a three year old can make you feel so guilty !!

So today I have finished it off and I will take it for her the next time I see her.

I have lined it with white felt and dressed it with flowers, ribbons and pearls

It is quite sturdy but obviously it is not a toy and she can add some little trinkets that she calls her treasure.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Seasons Giving Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I have left this post going for as long as I could to be fair to everybody here and abroad.  But there comes a time when a winner has to be chosen from the many comments that have been left for me.

Welcome to the new followers and please pop over and visit my Website too ... 

Card Making Magic

You will find lots of information there and many many tutorials on lots of different aspects to cardmaking

If you took part in the Blog Hop I really hope you enjoyed it all and found lots more blogs that you will continue to visit.  Thank you for your participation and I am sure that there will be another Blog hop soon.

So the name of the winner of the wonderful prize I am giving has at long last been chosen and it is YOU ....

Cindy Wilson

Please can you email me your full postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get the prize in the post to you straight away and I hope you will like it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Special Birthday ..

Hi Everybody,

Click this link 

Seasons Giving Blog Hop  

if you would like to participate ... and wins some fabulous prizes too The Hop is open until the 5th January and then a winner will be announced later in the day

In the meantime I am showing you a card that I was asked to make for a special birthday and I was given a lovely verse to add to the inside

I used a  Debbie Moore  CD for the image and although I have added the link to her website I cannot find the CD.

It is from the Glitter and Glitz Magic Moments CD if you are looking it

But I have had it for a long time and so maybe it is not now  available to purchase.

The die  is the   French Collection - Background    and it is one of my favorites from Sue Wilson

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and are a lovely selection of Daisies, Roses, Tulips, Chrysanthemums and Sweetheart Blossoms ... with white leaves added to the mix.

I have added fine glitter from  Glitter Magic   to strategic areas on the ladies dress and that gives added sparkle to the design.

So tomorrow is the end of the big Blog Hop for me and so I hope you will be back later in the day to  check to see if you are the winner of my prize

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Well I am so late today it's almost another day ... but better late than never.

I hope you are adding your name to the  Seasons Giving Blog Hop   and visiting the other Blogs along the way. I am sure that you will find some really lovely ones that appeal to your individual style of cardmaking and you can add them to your favorites .... but please come back to me as I don't want to lose any of you 

Should you leave a comment on any of the blogs don't forget to make a note of it and then pop back to see if you are one of the winners.  And please make sure that they will ship to UK as some of the US ones are only for US addresses.

I have gained lots of new followers  because of this hop and I would like to welcome all of you... and thank you for the comments that you have left me.  If you are new I need to let you know that each week on a Friday I give away one of the cards that I have made.

To win the card you need to leave me a comment and a winner is chosen ... by the man affectionately known as my "Film Crew"  ...  my husband Griff.  Then you will have 48 hours in which to claim it and let me know where you are

And so the draw for the green card has been completed and a name chosen by my "Film Crew" and this weeks winner is ....

Jennifer Smith-Kirk

Can you email me please

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be in the post to you straight away

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 040

Hi Everybody,

Welcome to the first Friday Freebie of 2015 and this one is in a pretty shade of green and white, and is wrapped with a dark green ribbon.

There are several pearls dotted around this card and they are from Want2Scrap

The card base is from Grand Large Labels  ... but please make sure that you buy the correct size if you want this set as there are three different sized sets that all work together

I have also used the Asian Motifs but this is a die set that is being retired.

The verse is from Lili of the Valley  and has been stamped and embossed in silver.

If this is a card that you would like to win then all you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of the post ... and maybe join the band of followers.

A name will be drawn from the hat tomorrow morning and the winner announced in the blog post.

So be sure to come back and check if you have joined in.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Seasons Giving Blog Hop: Year 3

Hi Everybody Happy New Year .... and welcome to the Seasons Giving Blog Hop: year 3
This is the first time I have taken part in this and I hope you will enjoy it all

As a wonderful start to 2015 I  wanted to say a big THANK YOU to each and every one of  my loyal blog readers who have been so supportive of me over the last year.
This is my way of showing my appreciation to YOU and you can find me in other places too ...
Card Making Magic  ...   Facebook  ...   Pinterest  ...   Twitter 

I have joined forces with lots of other blogs and suppliers and every one listed below is hosting a giveaway.  All you need to do is leave  a comment  at the blogs to say you have visited.

I hope you will enjoy my Blog and come back to visit me often and join the growing group of wonderful  followers too.  Every week I give away one of my cards as a Friday Freebie and we have regular prizes to give away but you will need to be a follower for the chance to win

This is the prize I am giving away ...

Spellbinders Mix n Match Ornaments

Sheena Douglass Sea Shells A5 Stamp sheet
Pack of Wild Orchid Crafts Flowers

Lavinia  Fairy Stamps

Bo Bunny Christmas stamps

Ladybug Crafts - Nikki and Friends stamp

3 packs of Want2Scrap pearl bling

Crafters Companion Glue Runner

The winner will be announced on January 5th 2015

Everyone of the Blogs listed below will be  joining in this  give-away  so be sure to visit them all and leave your comments for a chance to win the offered prizes from each participant.
Happy New Year Everybody 

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Lawn Fawn

Spellbinders Paper Arts

Reverse Confetti

Clearsnap 

Ice Resin

My Favorite Things

Paper Smooches

Sweet & Sassy Stamps

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Avocado Arts 

A Jillian Vance Design

Latina Crafter

 Die-Versions 

 Unity Stamp Company

 Splitcoaststampers

Verve Stamps

 Latisha Yoast

 AJ Otto

Vera Yates

Julia Stainton

Judy Hayes

Kim Watson

Yana Smakula

Chari Moss

Taheerah Atchia

Shemaine Smith

Emily Spahn

Kimberly Crawford

Lee Murphy

Lovely Linda

Laura Williams

Lori Tecler

Chaitali Narla

Darsie Bruno

Lydia Fiedler

Giovana Smith 

Teri Anderson

Beth Pingry

Dina Kowal

Daniela Dobson

Lisa Adametz

Piali Biswas

Kelli Green

Keri Lee Sereika

Jocelyn Olson

Julee Tilman

Michelle Woerner

Lori McAree

Theresa Momber

Anita Autore

Melody Rupple

Sean Fetterman

Bunny Vance

Tricia Traxler

Lisa Arana

Lorena Cantó

Amy Tsuruta

Jodi Collins

Tenia Nelson

Kelly Klapstein

Jill Cornell

Emily Leiphart

Becky Williams

Margie Higuchi

Lee Ann Barrett

Lisa Hoel

Heather Campbell

Lisa Henke

Sheri Holt

Michele Kovack

Ashley Harris

Sharon Harnist

Lori Craig

Nicole Nowosad

Laurel Beard

Michele Boyer

Christiana Reuling

Laurie Schmidlin

Jennifer Priest

Stacey Schafer

Heidi Blankenship

Heather Pulvirenti

Anita Madden

Gloria Stengel

Sarah Gough

Rachel Kleinman

Natalie Dever

Lorine Mason

Loretta Lock

Meihsia Liu

Sarah Martina Parker

Angeline Choo

Christine Emberson

Karen Hightower

Sabrina Alery

Debbie Seyer

Dana Joy

Cat Tidwell

Deborah Saaranen

Ceal Pritchett

Lisa Lara

Colleen Schaan

Anabelle O'Malley

Megan Hoeppner

Monika Davis

Marisa Ritzen

Wanda Guess

Jenny Peterson

Annette Allen

Gracie Chavez

Christina Griffiths     You Are Here

Niki G

Kristi Schurr

Jennifer Ingle

Karolyn Loncon

Camille Robinson

Lindsey M-P

Kathy Clement

Maria Levine

Savitri Wilder

Savannah O'Gwynn

Teresa Horner

Laurel Seabrook

Libby Hickson

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Alice Wertz

Leigh Penner

Lisa Lee

Tina McDonald

Nina Yang

Angel Johns

Casual Santa ...

HO HO HO !!

This is Santa here just to say "Bye" for this year as my work is done.

All you good little boys and girls will have got your gifts and now it's time for me to head off back to the North Pole. 

I just had a few little repairs to make to the sleigh and then the reindeers will be able to take us home.

Christina took this picture of me while I was busy mending the sleigh ... not my usual attire but the red suit is for special days.

Mrs Santa will be waiting with a nice roast dinner and the red suit can be washed and ironed ready for next year.

The Elves will also get some time off  ... until they have to start making next years toys.

Be good and take care ...

Santa  xx

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

Footnote from Christina

The image is from Just Inklined and I thought it would make a really good Santa out of his normal outfit. He has been colored with Spectrum Noir and his glasses are Glossy Accents.  I have even smudged a little black on his skin to look dirty.

Colors used ...

FS2 FS3 IG2 IG3 IG6 TN2 TN4 EB4 TB6 TB7   Blender pen

P.S.   Thank you for entering into the spirit of todays card and especially to Elaine who wrote this lovely reply to Santa and I hope she won't mind me adding it here:

Dear Santa 
Thank you so much for all your hard work 
All the Little Boys and Girls are so happy with the New Gifts they have
You did a grand job .

I hope the repairs to your sleigh are not too major 
and you have a good journey back to the North Pole 
then the reindeer can have a good long rest .

Mrs Clause will be so pleased to see you 
back home and will spoil you 
with good hot dinners 
after traveling all over the world .

Christina has taken a very good Picture of you 
( she has a new camera you know and has been practicing , isn't she doing well ? )
it is nice to see you without your splendid red suit 
but to be honest i would have known your lovely face anywhere .

Anyway Santa 
I just want to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year .

Take Care 
Elaine H X

So pleased ...

Hi Everybody,

On Christmas Day I had all my family around at my house for dinner and a very jolly affair it was too. One by one they all arrived ..  laden with gifts to be exchanged.  It was full of loud chatter and much laughter.

Griff bought himself a Christmas sweater with a big Snowman on the front ... but my youngest daughter out did him by wearing a sweater that had lights in the Christmas tree that actually twinkled.

My youngest Grand daughter Robyn ... who is 21 ... couldn't wait to get through the door to tell me her good news.  Her boyfriend Jamie had proposed to her and  given her an engagement ring as part of her Christmas surprise.

They make a lovely couple and seem so happy together and everybody was really pleased at the news.

And today I have made this card for them in  Robyns' favorite color of deep purple.  Inside here is a little tag with their names and the date on it and I know she will love it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx