Magazine Feature ...

Hi Everybody,

Wow! I am so happy to have been featured in the magazine and so I just had to tell you about it and show you the pages

You may have had your copy as it was on sale at the end of December.  

The magazine was Die Cutting Essentials Special Vol 3  and I hope you liked the cards.

 But maybe you didn't realise that it was me !!

Well here I am and I am really honoured to be in the magazine.

And I have been asked to do more for next months mag too Special Volume 4

I really enjoyed making these cards and the feature was to use an embossing folder in different ways 

There is also a link for you to go to their website and see five more cards that I made for the same project

It was really exciting and this is the first time I have done something like this ... so wish me luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

International Ambassadors Informal Blog Hop

Hi Everybody,

And welcome to a New Year of Ambassador Blog Hops.

This is where some of the Spellbinders International Ambassadors like to say thank you to each and every one who takes the time to visit us and leave comments on a regular basis.

Our theme for this hop was to show you some of the new dies that are coming from Spellbinders and for mine I am using the lovely

 Party Kids

I had to trim it down to make it fit the front of my 5x7 card and I added it with foam pads underneath to raise it up.

Adding lace to my cards gives them an extra touch and the one along the bottom is created with white card and the

  Graceful Floral Lace  

It was a quick and easy card to make but I think it looks really pretty 

So why not pop along and see what the other Ambassadors have created for you  ... I know you won't be disappointed with the talent that they all have

Linda Lucas  Australia
Yvonne van de Grijp  Netherlands
Christine Emberson   UK

You know we are very happy for your visit especially if you leave us a comment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Two Winners ...

Hi Everybody,

After a  really busy day I have just got round to adding the names of the FF winners who will each get a pack of the Birthday Cards from yesterday.  So my apologies for being so late but here are the names ...

Anne McCahill

Di

would you please email me  your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the packs will be on their way to you.

You have 72 hours in which to claim the prize and I hope that you will like it when it arrives with you.

On another note ... the card from last week that was won by Riekie has not been claimed nor has the lovely prize from the Seasons Giving Blog Hop on the 1st January won by Chris Handy. So sorry ladies but you have both lost out but both  "Giveaways"  will be offered to someone else at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 002/17

Hi everybody,

For todays FF I am giving away two packs of cards all created with the same stamps and the making of them was covered in  the video
Batch Card Making

These are really pretty cards and all especially for birthdays  and there are six cards complete with envelopes in the pack

The colours in the pack are different and they are all cellophane boxed ready to use

So if you would like to win one of these packs then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

The TWO names will be chosen at random from the comments and announced in tomorrows Blog post.

PLEASE come back and check if it is your name that is listed as I have no way to chase you up if you don't come back.

I am happy to send them anywhere that you live and you don't need to have a blog to enter.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tonic Studios - Numbers

Hi Everybody,

Numbers are always a useful addition to your crafting stash

These are from Tonic Studios and they are quite large.

They can make a complete focal point on your cards to celebrate that special birthday or anniversary.




This is the complete set of numbers from 0 - 9 and of course the number 6 can be turned up side down for the 9

Each number is in two parts to help you create different looks


In the picture below count the shapes from left to right  1 - 5...

Cutting the solid one alone from designer papers can give you a really pretty look (1 &2)

Cutting the patterned one alone will add some interest for you.(4&5)

Cutting the two together will give you a really thin frame that you can add to the number (2,3 & 4)

For my card I have cut the solid number from beautiful Blissful papers from AnnaMarie Designs

Then I cut the patterned die from white card and added it the top. I dressed it with flowers and stamped the other sentiments from various sets onto some white card and added them with foam pads

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Bear Hugs

Hi Everybody,

This pretty little Bear Hugs card would be ideal for a childs birthday.

 The bear stamp and dies are from Clearly Besotted and their store is due to re open again in April

There are lots of sentiments that you can buy to match with it and dies to cut out both the bear and the banner

I created the background with Distress Inks and a blending tool and then took a block Birthday stamp and in the same colour ink simply stamped over the blending

It leaves a very feint impression that can be seen better when the card is in the hand.

The bear has been coloured with Gansai Tambi  water colours and cut out with the matching die. 

Both sentiments have been stamped and cut out with dies and all the die cuts have foam pads underneath them.

The balloons are from a panel that I had already created with Brusho Crystals and I cut them with a little balloon die that I have in my "stash" and I used a white Sharpie pen to add pattern to some of them

I trimmed down the panel to fit the front of an A2 card and left a small border along one edge

Another quick and easy card to make

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial-Sapphire Basic Set A

Hi Everybody,

This little starter set of small dies are designed to be used with the Sapphire, but they can be used in any of the small die cutting machines that are on the market.  

These little machines are so handy to keep on your work top to cut sentiments, tags or even some flowers. They take up no space at all but are just as strong as the bigger die cutters

You may have been lucky enough to get your Sapphire from C&C and this is the set of dies that came with the machine at that time. That machine is exclusive to C&C but the Prizm is the same concept and both are by Spellbinders

So here is a really quick and simple card idea for those little dies

Spellbinders Supplies:

• Prizm Die Cutting Machine
• Sapphire Basic set A
• S5-131 A2 Matting Basics A
• S5-132 A2 Matting Basics B
• SCF-001 Framed Canvas EF (Retired)

Other Supplies:

• Blue Dotty Card from Anna Marie Designs
• Any embossing folder that you have
• Blue Ribbon from Mei Flower
• Black flourish from Want2Scrap 

Instructions:

Cut two panels with die #7 from Matting Basics A and create a hinged card

With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut another panel in dotty blue card

With die #6 from Matting Baiscs A cut another white panel and emboss in the folder that you have

(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)

Add the embossed panel to the dotty card with foam pads between the layers

Cut all the square dies together to create two frames and the other pieces as you need

Stamp your sentiment onto the small oval and layer it onto the tag die

Add the tag with foam pads to the embossed panel

Add ribbon through the loops on the tag and secure behind the panel

Layer up the frames to overlap each other with foam pads were needed

Layer up the butterflies along the body line and add the flourish as the butterfly trail

Add all this to the base card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Let me tell you a story !!!

Hi Everybody,

I have a really lovely family story to tell you and I know you will say "AaaaHhh!!"

So if you have followed me for a while you will know about my handsome Grandson Jamie opening his first restaurant just before Christmas.

I am so happy to say that he is doing really well and building up that reputation for excellent food and good service.

We all worked really hard to refurbish it and none worked harder than Jamies girlfriend Jasmine. She has stood by him through thick and thin.

She has put up with his tantrums when things weren't going right, comforted him in his frustrations at  the many unforeseen problems

Endlessly moved rubbish in her car and scrubbed and cleaned anything she could see.  

She has helped him night and day and she has and laughed with him when it all came together.  She has even waited tables for him once he opened and gives her service  to customers with a smile and cheery word

They arranged to close the restaurant for a few days after New Year to give them both a well earned rest

So as part of his Christmas gift she booked a surprise trip for them both to Paris for three nights  and they went this week

He was very emotional when she told him but quite excited at the same time as neither have been to Paris

Now unknown to her he planned a little surprise of his own ...

On the first night they arrived they went out to dinner to a really lovely restaurant ... and he asked her to marry him.  

He had asked her parents secretly before they went and he bought her the most beautiful engagement ring ... and she said YES!! 

I could not be happier as they are so well suited and she is a real treasure and we all love her too.

So I wish them all the very best in their new future together and this is the card that I have made for them. Thank you for reading my story and I am sure you will wish them all the best too

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Express Yourself - Make It Personal

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was sent a variety of handmade stickers by a small paper crafting company asking me to try out their products and see what I think. 

So this week I have been busy making up some samples of clean and simple cards that will show off the stickers and how easy they are to use.

There is a vast selection for you to choose from for every occasion and the company is called  .... Express Yourself - Make It Personal

Here are a few of the cards that I have made quite quickly using the stickers

These have just been added to a script layer on my white base card

This is using the Macaroons and Teacups for my Birthday card 

For this next card I have simply used the  Summer Flowers 

I have added them to my embossed panel  and used one of the Especially For You  stickers from another pack

Add in some enamel dots and add the whole topper to the base card for a quick and easy card.

The butterfly is one I cut from the pack that is shown in the next card.

There are three sets of 3 Butterflies in this multi pack and on this card I have used two complete stickers for the front of the card.

The third set I have cut up and one single one is placed on the edge of the sentiment and  another is used on the card above

Quick easy and very effective cards and the stickers will work really well on scrapbook pages too.

The Happy Birthday is part of the Mini Captions 

This multi pack is Cake With Candles  and the Numbers are glitter stickers and the ones I used are silver

So I hope you have enjoyed the few ideas for cards that I have shown you here

The links to the products I have used have also been added.

They are an inexpensive way to add that extra touch to any of your projects and I hope you will pop over to their website and see for your self.

And while you are there have a look at their blog post in which they have added me as one of their top five favorites   Express Yourself MIP  and I am very honoured to be featured

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

FF Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I have another winner to announce and this is for the Friday Freebie card from yesterday. The draw has been done good and early today so that I have a free afternoon. I have lots to do and it is raining here so not quite so nice to take Ruby to the beach 

The name chosen at random for this first card of 2017 is you ...

Riekie

if you could send me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

the card will be on its way to you.

You have 72 hours in which to claim it and I hope you will like it when it arrives with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Seasons Giving Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

The Seasons Giving Blog Hop is a really big hop and it is very successful each year that we do it.   It is my way of saying "Thank You" to all my readers and to welcome new ones gained from the hop.

And there have been quite a few this year that have joined the merry band of lovely followers who visit me almost every day.

 If you are new then I hope you will pop back regularly as each week we have a blog most every day which includes the ...Tuesday Tutorial ... Water Colour Wednesday ... and a Friday Freebie 

So the winner of the prize offered in the SG Blog Hop  is YOU ...

CHRIS HANDY

and if you would kindly email me please

christina@card-making-magic.com

the prize will be on its way to you straight away

The picture will refresh your memory as to what was offered ... and there maybe a little extra in there too !!

If you are looking for the  Friday Freebie  it is still running and this is just an extra post to tell you the name of the winner of the Seasons Giving Blog Hop 

Come back tomorrow for the FF winner

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 001/17

Hi Everybody,

Here is the first Friday Freebie of the year and we start with this really pretty pink card.

The flowers on the front are roses, rosebuds. Sweetheart blossom and Gypsophilia and all have been sparkled with glitter.

If you are new to my blog then this is what you need to do to be in with a chance to win this card.

Leave me a comment at the end of this post and from those comments one name will be drawn and announced in tomorrows blog post.

You have 72 hours in which to claim the card and YOU will need to come back and check if it is your name that is shown.

I cannot chase you up to collect it so if you dont check then you will lose it after that time and it will be offered to someone else.

I will send the card to you wherever you live and you don't need to have your own blog to enter. And even if you have won a card last year you can still try again asd some of my readers have actually won two or even three cards from the FF

Good luck everybody.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Magazine Freebie ...

Hi Everybody,

Today over on YouTube I have a new video that gives you a sneaky peak at the magazine freebie with Papercraft Essentials 142.

Meet the Perfect Pandas  and this really cute stamp set can be used to create cards for many different occasions.

There is a 5x5 embossing folder with it too.

Here I have made a shaker card but in the video I create a really simple Wedding Card

With a little lace and some faux stitching this has been turned into an anniversary card and all I have used is the rose stamp

So I hope you will enjoy the free gift with Papercraft Essentials and it will be on sale on the 12th January

You can get the magazine from supermarkets and craft shops as well as WHSmiths.

Or direct from  Moremags where you can also take out a subscription to your favorite one

 With your imagination there are many other ways that you can put this gift to work

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Colour Wash Alphas

Hi Everybody,

This was a really easy and quick card to make and I have used a large Alphabet Stamp to make the letters.

I simply colour washed a piece of card in pale blue paint and then stamped over the top of it with a script stamp.

Using the alphabet I stamped the words that I needed in black ink and heat embossed them with clear powder

I cut them out with scissors and added foam pads to the back and then added them to a panel of dotty card created with a stencil and embossing paste

After the paste is dry it leaves a raised effect and I layered this with turquoise card and once the letters are in place I added in some sequins

The "Wishes" is from the stamp and matching die set called That Is All by W+9

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Floral Trellis

Hi Everybody,

This is the first tutorial to start off the New Year and I thought we would make this one in lilac and add those beautiful flowers to it.  I even used the same die to create the box and I have many tutorials on boxes of different shapes and sizes on Card Making Magic

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S4-643 Floral Trellis
• PL-001 Platinum Die Cutting Machine

Other Supplies:

• Dotty Card from AnnaMarie Designs
• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Diamante/Pearl strip from Want2Scrap
• Ribbon from Mei  Flower
• Glitter from Glitter Magic
• Best Wishes Sentiment from Tonic Studios
• Glitter Card from Craft Stash

Instructions:

With white card create top folded base card measuring 41/4 x 6"

With the Dotty card create another mat slightly smaller to leave a thin border around the edges

With both oarts to the Trellis die cut one panel in white and add small pieces of foam tape around the edges and onto the floral parts 

Add this to the Dotty card and trim around the edges

Wrap these panels with ribbon and add to the base card with foam pads

With the sentiment die cut twice in white and once in silver glitter card and layer them together with the silver glitter card on the top 

Add this to the  trellis just above the ribbon 

Tie a neat bow and add to the ribbon

Dress with flowers as you like and sprinkle them with glitter.

Use the inner portion of the Trellis die to make the panel in the top of the box and line with acetate

Use the Dotty card for the lid and white card for the box base

Dress with flowers to match the card if desired.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs