Tuesday Tutorial - Floral Gazebo

Hi Everybody,

Todays tutorial is using the beautiful Floral Gazebo from Spellbinders and this can make the loveliest of wedding cards for you so easily.

Here I have dressed it up with flowers, ribbons and pearls and I am very happy with the result.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S4-535 Floral Gazebo
• GC-200 Grand Calibur

Other Supplies:

• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Glitter from Glitter Magic
• Pearls from Want2Scrap
• Ribbon from Mei Flower
• Cream Card from Papermill Direct

Instructions:

For the base I have folded an A4 piece of cream card in half along the short side and simply cut it in half. This will  give me two cards with the fold at the top to work on.  Save the other piece for another project.

I have matted and layered it with some vintage paper and cut a smaller layer 8x11 cms and layered that with the same paper

With the Gazebo I have cut two pieces ... one in card and the other in Craft Foam and glued the two pieces together.  This will make the die cut thicker as it is added to your card

Off setting the smaller panel I have added it to my card and wrapped the layers with ribbon before adding them to the base. Trim the panels as needed.

Have a practise run with where to add the bow, flowers and leaves and when you are happy with the arrangement  glue them in place.  Add in the appropriate sentiment using foam pads to raise it up.

Designers Tip:

Vary the color scheme to suit the wedding and the sentiment to suit the occasion. The die is pretty enough to blend with anything and this is the only die used on this card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Bank Holiday Winners ...

Hi Everybody,

The draw for the "Bank Holiday Goodies" has been done at random by InLinkz and the list is now closed. So if you didn't  add your name to the list then you are too late.  The emails have gone out to the two winners and you will each receive some crafting items for you to play with.

The winners are ....

Victoria Daniel (USA)

Christine Hubbard

please let me have your address so that the parcels can be posted off to you straight away.

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Brusho Crystals

Hi Everybody,

You may rememberer me showing you some Brusho Crystals that I bought at the craft show last weekend ... well here is a card that I have made using them

They are very vibrant colors and a little goes a long way so use them very sparingly.

For this card I stamped and embossed in gold the Sketchy Rose from Altenew  onto some watercolor card

Then with a wet paintbrush and some clean water I have dampened the flower staying within the lines

Then with the red, orange and yellow crystals I have sprinkled on tiny amounts.  I evened out the color with my brush and allowed it to dry.

Once dry I have cut it out with scissors staying close to the embossed edge.  I did the leaves in the same way using the green from the pack

For the background I have sprinkled a very tiny amount of crystals and then spritzed it with clean water.  Trimmed it to size and layered it onto black card.  The sentiment is stamped onto the dry background and then all the layers added to my base

The flower has been added with foam pads underneath to give it height and the enamel dots have been randomly added for an extra effect.

I will be playing with these Brusho Crystals some more and I will make a video to show you what I do.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pink and Yellow ...

Hi Everybody,

I know that this color scheme is not to everybodys  taste but I really like the look of this one.

It was just me playing around with some water colors again and for this one I have used Distress Inks. The colors I have used are Picked Raspberry and Mustard Seed

This method of adding the color to the card is one I have shared on Create and Craft and each time you try it the look will be different.

I have added in some pink and yellow flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

The little sentiment is one I had in my "Stash" and I have no idea where it is from

Around the card I have dotted some pink and yellow sequins just to add that little extra.

The sentiment is added to Standard Circles Lg  and then layered onto pink spotty card

I have then added them with foam pads to Lacey Circles to the lower front of my card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

HI Everybody,

Today I was up bright and early and it is a lovely day. A little on the cool side but I quite like that.  Yesterday I went to play with Isabella and she gets funnier every time I see her.

For new readers of my blog Isabella is my great grand daughter and she is three ... and a budding comedian. Over the last few months we have said to her when she ignores us ... "Are you cocking me a deaf ear Isabella"  and it turns out that she has what is commonly called Glue Ear and it is affecting her hearing.

She cannot pick up sound clearly and on Thursday she had an operation to put Grommets into both ears. I didn't know what the op was but it is to release the build up of fluid in the ear and create a tiny passage so that the air can make the tiny bones in the ear function correctly.

So she told us that she went to hospital and they put something over her mouth. She didn't like the smell and it made her cry.  But now everything is really loud.  She is back to being her bossy, independent  little self and she is adorable.

Enough of that ... lets get on with the draw.  The name chosen from the list of comments today is YOU ...

Debra Kenworthy...

please email me your full postal address with postcode and country to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be on its way to you and I hope you will like it.

Please let me know when it arrives with you

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - 083

Hi Everybody,

This weeks card is a vision in white and features some of the dies from the Victorian Collection from Spellbinders.

This one is  Royal Circle  and I have backed it onto some silver mirror card for effect.

I have just cut one of the circles and then cut it in half to form the semi circles on the card.

Stagger them as you add them and then across the centre I have added a white panel that is also backed with mirror card and around that I have tied some wide satin ribbon from Mei Flower

The centre to the bow is one from my "Stash"  Use any embossing folder that you have to create some texture on the base panel and then layer it onto silver card before adding it to the base card

Layer the sentiment in the same way to complete your look.

So would you like to win this one ?? Then all you need to do is join the group of followers and leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.  It is from those comments that a name will be selected as the winner

The name will be in tomorrows blog post so please make sure that you come back and check if the winner is you.  You will have 48 hours to claim the card by sending me your postal address.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Special Wishes

Hi Everybody,

This card is a little more subdued than yesterdays but uses the same dies for the sentiment and the same pink spotty card from  AnnaMarie Designs

This card is 5x7 created with  Matting Basics  and I have used both the A and B sets to give me the layers that I need.

The next layer is parchment and I have embossed it with the Tied Together folder

Now this folder sells out every time it comes back onto the market so you may need to search for it.

I have trimmed the top and bottom of the parchment with  Scalloped Borders One

I have added it to my card with foam pads that sit under the sentiment and the ribbon and lace so that they cannot be seen

Into the cross sections I have added tiny pink pearls from  Want2Scrap

The sentiment has been stamped and embossed and then layered on tot the card front with foam to raise it up and I have used Standard Circle Lg  and matted it onto Lacey Circles

Have you joined in the new "Give Away"  yet .. you have until next Monday to add your name so what are you waiting for ??

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Two of a Kind

Hi Everybody,

The Tuesday Tutorial from last week with the Scalloped Pop Up Box has been very well accepted and I have had several requests to make this box in a video tutorial.

Well what can I say except "Yes" ... I am always happy to oblige and so it will be done. 

I have some tutorials already in the pipeline but give me a little time and I will be with you soon.

Here is another variation and this was done with a darker card and different types of flowers. But it is just as pretty.  I like the fullness of both of these but as I said to you in the original post they are to full to fit into an ordinary envelope.

They are very pretty and well worth the effort of cutting the card and flowers to get such a lovely result. Watch this space the video will be with you soon

Don't forget that there is a new "Give Away" running and so if you have not yet entered your name to win the prize then click this link to go to the page ...  "Bank Holiday Give Away"

Please also join me today as I am showing you some Spellbinders dies on the Pick of the Day.  The shows are split between Ideal World and Create and Craft starting off at 8 am on Ideal World.

Send in an email to the shows and you may win one of the cards that I make.  

Also I have added a new video to the Inspiration page and if you click the photo in the top left of the screen it will take you to the page.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Grateful Lattice

Hi Everybody,

Todays tutorial is another of those that will give you two cards for the price of one .. and no waste at all.  I have created two cards one gold and the other silver and just by varying the colors and the way you add in flowers, ribbons and pearls will create a new look for you each time.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S5-164 Grateful Lattice
• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S6-002 5x7 Matting Basics B
• S4-425 Elegant Ovals
• GC-200 Grand Calibur

Other Supplies:

• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Ribbon from Mei Flower
• Glitter from Glitter Magic
• Gold and Silver Card from Craft Show
• Double sided adhesive sheet

Instructions:

With die #7 from Matting basics A create two card bases (Please remember that #1 is always the smallest die)

With die #7 from Matting Basics B and the Grateful Lattice die cut out one panel.

Carefully remove the Lattice work from the die leaving all the waste pieces in place. 

Trim away the side bits of the Lattice panel to tidy the edges.

Cover the waste pieces with double sided adhesive sheet and sprinkle with glitter of your choice

I used a fine silver glitter for mine and pressed it on to the adhesive sheet making sure that it is all covered.

Continuing with the silver panel I have got my base as a Hinged card  and to this I have cut a smaller silver panel and another in white and embossed this one.

Layer them all together using foam tape under the  Lattice panel. 

Wrap these with silver ribbon before adding to your base card

Add the full Lattice piece to some gold card using foam tape around the edges of the die cut and another in the centre to support the sentiment

Again I have added in some gold ribbon around the layers before adding them to the base card

With the Elegant Oval I have cut one gold and one silver oval from die #3 

Then I stamped and embossed my sentiments onto white card and cut them with die # 2

I have varied the orientation of these ovals to add another difference to my cards.

I added in my flowers on the gold card to frame the sentiment along the top right corner

I used a selection of Roses in gold and ivory, with  Tuscany rosebuds and gypsophilia  and all have been sparkled with fine clear glitter 

On the silver one I have added them to the bottom of the oval and used camellia, tulips, small rosebuds and gypsophilia 

And there you have two lovely cards ready to send and no waste at all from your precious cardstock.  

The same ingredients have been used for both cards but they look completely different 

Look at other dies in your collection and see if you can repeat this tutorial with them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Bank Holiday "Give Away"

Hi Everybody,


We don't seem to have had a goodie bag "Give Away" for a while and so I thought that as we head into another new month it was high time we had one.

This is a really good offer and there are all sorts of tempting things in the pack and we will have two winners

The draw is open for one week and then you will have 48 hours to claim the prize.

You could win...

1 Set of  Stamps 
1 pack of Wild Orchid Crafts flowers
1 pack of Glitter Magic glitter
1 paper stack
5 Decorative Hatpins
6 Want2Scrap packs of "Bling"  

(The flowers, stamps,  hatpins and paper stack will be slightly different in each pack, but the same high quality)

If you are not a regular follower then you will need to become one and if you enter your name then please leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.

This link up is organised by InLinkz and so you will need to click the box to add your name and email address to the list.

You do not need to have a blog to enter just leave the URL box empty  ...  and I am happy to send the prize anywhere you live.

Only one entry please and any duplicate will be removed.

Craft show ...

Hi Everybody,

I have had a really good day out at the Leigh Craft Show and if you came across to say hello then it was lovely to meet you.

You all made me feel really special and it was lovely to talk to you and hear your personal stories

Many of you said that you recognised me from YouTube and others knew me from Create and Craft and it was reassuring to know that lots of you also visit my blog and website.

But at the craft show .... strangely enough I didn't buy that much.  Here is what I did get on my day trip out

I had to have some of the  AnnaMarie Designs  card stock as I love the spotty and stripy card  that AnnaMarie produces

Another favorite is  Limetree Craft  card stock as this is excellent quality and such a good deal at 12 packs for £10

I got lots of beautiful colours from both along with Acetate and silver mirror card that can now go to refill my stocks for when I need it.

I also bought some of the new distress Ink colors from Ranger and they are always a main stay for any crafting "Stash" as there are so many ways that they can be used.

One of the new things that I bought are some of the Brusho Water Crystals and I will do some videos on these as we go along.  The backgrounds and effects that these crystals can produce will really make your cards different.

Then on the way home we simply had to stop at our favorite restaurant for Sunday Lunch and then home to settle in and watch the next part of X Factor

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

12 Card Winners ...

Hi Everybody,

Well good morning to you all on this bright and sunny Saturday.  We have had a busy morning here picking out the winners of the twelve cards on offer yesterday.

If you left me a comment then I would like to thank you very much for taking part. And if you didn't ... well you missed out !!

So without any more chat here are the names of those who will get one of the character cards and I really hope you will like them when they arrive with you.

The winners are ....      

  Tammy J

Cathie Weary

Jenny Cottam

Jennifer Smith-Kirk

Liz Turnbull

Bernie

Littlelamb

Nannapat

Guido Machado

Val Jones

Bejay Roles

Pearl Hudson

Please can all of you email me  ... christina@card-making-magic.com  ... with your postal addresses and the cards will be sent to you as soon as I can.   I am happy to send them wherever you live and please let me know when they get there.  

So tomorrow I am having a day off and going to the craft show in Leigh  ...  There,  I have no doubt, I will be buying some crafting "Goodies"  and I will be sure to show you what I buy.

In the meantime I have another  Bank Holiday "Give Away" for you on Monday with lots of crafting items to keep you busy

I am also preparing for the 

  Pick of the Day on the 1st/2nd of September 

Flitting between Ideal World and Create & Craft and I hope you will join me if you can.

Hugs xx 

Friday Freebie - Character cards

Hi Everybody,

For todays FF I thought I would give away some of the cards that I have sat and colored over the past few months. Most of them are done with Spectrum Noir pens and others have had the pencils used with them also. All are decorated and wrapped in a cellophane bag

I cannot guarantee which card you will get and you can use them as you wish. They are all different characters and you are sure to find a recipient that they will suit. Or maybe you just want to keep it for yourself.

There are twelve on offer and so if you would like to win ONE of them  then you know what to do.

Join the group of followers if you are not one already and then leave me a comment at the bottom of the post.

The winners will be chosen from the comment that are left and please enter your name carefully.  I may have two or three Marys or Jeans  ... so if you would please add your full name and then there will be no mix up.

The winning names will be listed in tomorrows blog post so please pop back to check if it's you if you add your name.

Good luck everybody

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Flower Power

Hi Everybody,

Just a simple little card for today and this one has been colored with Spectrum Noir Pencils.

I used some green stripe paper for my background and stamped Sheens Douglass'  Flower Power from her Little Bit Sketchy range.

I stamped the leaves and flourish in black and heat embossed and then colored them with the pencils.

I stamped and embossed the sentiment at the bottom of the page and one of the flowers behind it.

The rest of the flowers have been stamped heat embossed and colored then cut out and added to the card with foam pads to raise them up.

Into the flower centres I have added an acrylic flower head with a centre diamante then matted it all onto two shades of green and mounted it onto a dark green card base

Very simple .. very quick ... and pretty

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pre Loved Items ...

Hi Everybody,

Not all crafters have a die cutting machine and dies and many crafters don't want one. But they do like to add the pretty shapes to their cards that make them stand out from the crowd.  If this is you and you are new to crafting then maybe you are looking for another way to get those shapes ... and this could be the answer.

These are embossing boards that you lay your card onto and then by running a stylus into the channels  on the board you can create the pattern on your card. Once you have cut it out you layer the shapes onto your base card for a really pretty effect

You don't need a light box and it is another way to get pretty shapes and patterns into the card if you don't have a die cutting machine and dies.

I have several Glitter Girls Embossing broads that are looking for somewhere new to live and they are complete with an ideas book for you to read.

This one is Celebration and the Ideas Book shows the steps you need to take to re create the look for your self.

The Majestic board can create some lovely flowers for you and beautiful shapes to add them to as the focal point for your cards.

There are Scalloped Ovals and a scalloped border along with a pretty bow to add to the top of the oval frame and the Ideas Book will show you more

The Ultimate  has some lovely candles and Christmas baubles along with delicate corners to make your cards look different

There are mats for to layer up or even create the whole base card shape from them.

You will never be short of ideas with the Ideas Book that is with the board as it is full of things for you to create

Elegance Fantasy  can create a lovely butterfly shaped card and decorate the wings any way you wish

There are borders and petals and on the other side there is a really large fan that would make a beautiful wedding card.

The  Ideas book  will show you even more that you can do with this one

This one is the Bookatrix and the Ideas Book will give you lots of ways to dress up this card.

It is the first one I bought and I have used it many many times with beautiful results.

Sold

And this board Dress To Impress comes with the DVD and it will create the most fantastic characters for you.

You choose the character  you want as they appear on the catwalk,  and the clothes you want him/her to wear and then print it off.

Then with the board you create the outfit and add it to your character and there are many  cute ones to choose from.

Children will love this and they can choose everything for the clothing them selves, as well as the texture of the animals fur.

Each of these boards,  complete with the book or DVD  is  £12.00 + P&P 
(The cost will depend on where you live and I have just sent one of these boards to Australia and the cost of postage was £10.75)

Please email me christina@card-making-magic.com if there is something that you are interested in.

But I only have one of each so first come first served.

Once you have emailed me I will invoice you through PayPal and the board will be on its way to you once payment has cleared.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx