Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

July 05, 2024

Friday Freebie - Textures

Hi Everybody,

Today I have more dies and a paper pack to give away and this one is from Textures by Lou Collins.

The die is one piece with lots of words written onto it and this will fit the whole front of a card. 

You could just cut into it if you wanted the words for your project.

The paper pack is  from the Art Deco Collection and there are some lovely patterns in this set that can be used to decorate your card front or die cut into it.

So if this is something that you think you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

From those comments one name will be drawn as the winner and shown in a blog post over the weekend so please be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is there.  

I have no way to contact you so you will need to let me know your email address, if you are the winner, and you will have 72 hours to let me know where you are

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July 04, 2024

Floral Tag Card

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is in really pretty colours of Saltwater Taffy and Shaded Lilac. 

I blended them over some white card and then added some heat embossing to the top. 

The video will show you how I got the look and I am very pleased with the result. Blending my own colours onto the paper always gives a lovely effect.

The flowers are created from the same coloured card and topped with gold mirror card and the finished card is a 5x7.

I didn't want to waste any of the card that was left and so I made another DL card using the bits I had left over.

The butterfly was cut from the back panel before is was added to the base and no one will ever know that there is a hole in this panel.

The background for this card was created with a Ribbler and it is something that I have had for absolute years ad not used for a long time,

If you are seasoned card maker then you will probably know what one is.

It is just a peice of equipment that the card is run through and it produces the rippled effect. 

Very simple but very effective and I should use it more seeing as how I  have it in my stash.



I hope you enjoy the video and you may have noticed that I am trying to remain consistent with my YouTube Channel and I  have been adding two videos every week, on Monday and Thursday, for the last few weeks.

If you  would watch them in there entirety. including the short adverts ,  it is really big help so that YouTube will promote my channel on a regular basis and it gives me a little money so that I can continue to make more videos for you to enjoy. 

Thank you for your support

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July 03, 2024

Inked Background

Hi Everybody,

For today's card I have used a background that I have created with inks and then cut into a smaller panel that has been framed with a stitched white card.

I have added this to an embossed panel and the finished card is an A6 size and is reasonable thin to go into an envelope for posting.

The blue gemstones have been added in random areas and the sentiment has been cut from the same inky background.

I used silver mirror card to cut the leaves and added them to a white base layer.

Looking back at the card now I would do the butterfly differently because I have cut it from the same inked card and it does not show up in the design.

So I decided to swap it out for one that would stand out more on the card .

Everything else is the same just the central focal point and I think this looks much better than with the blue one that was there before.

This is fast becoming my most favourite butterfly die and it is one I am using such a lot just lately.

What do you think ??? Was I right to swap it out ??

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


 
 

July 02, 2024

Blended Backdrop

 Hi Everybody,

This is another card from yesterdays video and the background for this card is ink blending. 

I started lightly in the middle and worked my way outwards fading the colour out even more as I went.

I have used Shaded Lilac in the Distress Oxides and then splattered the panel with gold.

It is a separate panel that has then been added to 5x7 card with foam tape to raise it up, and to leave a wide border around the edges.

The leaves have been cut in white, gold and some left over ink smooshed card using an assortment of leaf dies that I already have.

They have been arranged behind the ink blended  and gold detailed butterfly. The wings have been left loose to give the appearance of fluttering on the card.

And again no sentiment has been added as yet because this card would suit many different occasions.

I am deliberately using older dies and products to see just how many ways I can make my cards look interesting without buying more items to swell out my already extensive stash.

I hope you like some of my creations.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


July 01, 2024

Use Your White Scraps

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created using some of my white scraps and an inked background that has been cut into heart shapes. 

I have used the same background for the gold detailed butterflies too.

They have all been added to some gold card and then layered onto an embossed panel that has gold splatters on it.

The finished card is an A6 and I have not added a sentiment as yet because it can be for any occasion .

I like to keep some cards on one side that are ready to send, for any that I am asked for, and  all I need to do is just add a sentiment  for the occasion the person wants


This is the other portion of the inked panel and this has been used to cover this card.

I also created the flowers and some of the leaves to go on this and I added them to the gold netting.

Some of the leaves are white and others are gold as are the flowers centres.

Both are very pretty colours and just need an A6 envelope to send them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



June 30, 2024

Sue Cockerham - Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a bad nights sleep I have just had. I don't think I managed to string two hours together and I really don't know why. It's not that hot and I have nothing on my mind that is bothering me ... I just couldn't sleep. Maybe I will have a nana nap later to see if that helps.

In the meantime the draw has ben done and the bane today is ..

Sue Cockerham

would you send me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it sent off to you straightaway.

Be sure to let me know that you have it OK and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 28, 2024

Friday Freebie - Paper Discovery

Hi Everybody,

Today I have another die and paper pack bundle to give away and this one is from Paper Discovery.

The die set is the Pyramid Set and there are twelve different dies inside the pack to help you create the design you would like.
 
This would look so pretty on a Christmas table with a battery candle inside to shine thought the shaped apertures.

Or you could use the paper pack to decorate this pyramid for a nursery, again with a battery light inside that would keep the child feeling safe in the soft glow of the light.

Is this something that you would like ??? Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your 

FULL NAME

From those comments one name will be chosen at random as the winner and announced in a blog post  over the weekend so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 27, 2024

Using Shapes

Hi Everybody,

I always have bits and pieces lying around on my desk after a crafting session and  don't like to throw them away. It pays to look at what you have left and see how you can make it work for another card you may want to make

These particular cards I have created with odd die cuts that are in shapes I may have used elsewhere and they have come in handy to create these two cards shown in the video.

The one to the right has been coloured with Chipped Sapphire and this is a gorgeous dark blue that goes really well with the gold.

It has taken over as my favourite blue from Blueprint Sketch as it is a much deeper shade and looks so rich.

The other colour I have used in the video is Shaded Lilac and of course different shapes to complete the card.

This is a good way to use up any scraps of white card that you may have lying around, and as long as the die fits on the top it can be any shape that you may like.

I have also used stencil and small stamps to add the pattern into the shapes and I am really pleased with the results. I hope you like too ....

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 26, 2024

More butterflies ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty little die is one I got from Amazon some time ago and it was very inexpensive. 

It cuts the pattern into the card and I have backed the aperture with some ink blended card in red Candied Apple. 

The hearts that were cut out of the design I have also inked them in red and added them in different areas to the front.

The card is a 5x7 and I have used a smaller stitched edge die to give me the layer that I wanted for the top.

Thee sentiment is from an older stamp set and it has been stamped in black and cut into a banner shape and added with foam tape undeneath to give it height. 

This was a quick and easy card to make using items that I already have in my stash and nothing new has been added to make it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 25, 2024

Ancient Dies ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created with dies and an embossing folder that must be at least ten years old and has been in my stash ...  for ever. 

The embossing folder is called Need A Rope and it is from Spellbinders and I have used cream card to make the layer and base card.

I have then ink smooshed a panel and added a  newer netting die to the top, again cut in cream. 

On the top of that I have used a flower from a Spellbinders set called Make A Wish and again this is ancient too and I don't know if they are still available.

But even though they are old the card is still really pretty and one I would be happy to send or receive.

Swap out the sentiment to fit your occasion. The one I have used is a sticker type that  I have added to some cream card and cut out. 

I must admit that I am am enjoying playing with my older stuff and it is fun finding things that I had forgotten about stuffed in drawers and cupboards. And I am not spending any money. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


 

June 24, 2024

Creating an Aperture

Hi Everybody,

This die cuts an aperture into the card layer and I have ink smooshed the front of it to give some colour.

I have backed it onto some silver card and added a silver Birthday sentiment for a lovely effect.

I am sure that you also have many dies in your own collections that will cut  the aperture, leaving the pattern in the card ready for you to decorate.

The video will help you to identify those dies that will do this and once you know,  you can go through the ones you have and distinguish them from those that simply cut the pattern out of the card.

There are many sets of dies in the Card Making Magic collections that will do both with the use of an outer cutting die and if you already have them then you are onto a winner.

This little die in the photograph is from Amazon and was not expensive. and is called the
Vintage Flower Die

But look again at the dies that you have and experiment to see what it is they will do for you, that way you will get more bang for your buck without spending more money to expand your collections.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 23, 2024

Barbara Youngs - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

What has happened to our summer? It’s damp and dull here today but I hope it will brighten up later. 

I am having a quiet day and Ruby is resting too. She had a lovely walk in the woods yesterday and had a good sniff around. She doesn’t do the full walk at present but we got halfway round and then I can tell she has had enough and it’s time to get back. 

But even this is better than not having her at all and that is something we came very close too when she was ill.

This morning I have done the draw for the lovely bundle of Sheena goodies and the name this week is 

Barbara Youngs

so if you would be kind enough to send your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
then I will get it in the post to you straight away.

I am also including the last of the Pokey Tools as I have used them all up now and won't be doing any more for a while.
I hope you will enjoy the goodies and please be sure to let me know when they arrive with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


June 21, 2024

Friday Freebie - Sheena Dies, Stamps & Paper Pack

Hi Everybody,

This week I have some dies, stamps and a paper pack to give away and these are designed by Sheena Douglas.

The die & stamps  will help you to create a scene for your cards and the matching stamps in the pack also help with that creation.

The paper is an 8x8 Christmas themed pack with six beautiful design inside giving you lots of choice for your makes.

So if you would like tis set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME

Then be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is shown as the winner over the weekend.

I have no way to contact you so if it is not claimed within 72 hours, then it will be offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 20, 2024

Everyday Items - Rolling Marbles

 Hi Everybody,

Many years ago I did a video for YouTube on the Rolling Marble Technique and I thought it was time to bring it more up to date and show it again.

The background for this card has been created with that idea and the difference with this video is that I have used Distress Oxide Refills instead of alcohol inks.

They are easier to clean up as everything can be washed off in warm soapy water once you are finished. 

And the box you used can be kept for the next time you want to try this, or indeed for anything else you may want to have a go at.

I used Blueprint Sketch for the featured card and you can add in two or three colours if you wished.

 But be careful of the colours you choose  as you don't want a muddy effect on your cards. 

I used nesting labels dies to cut out the shapes, but again use anything that you already have  in your stash rather than going to buy even more. 

The heart dies in the second card are some are some from an older set, as are both of the 3-D embossing folders that I have used  ... in fact I think one of them was free with a magazine.

So sit back and relax while you view this short video and I hope you enjoy it and will give it a try.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 19, 2024

Inlaid Leaves

Hi Everybody,

Here is another Inlaid Card and this time I have used the small leaves in my collections and added them randomly to the front panel.

This has then been layered over an ink smooshed panel that will show through the openings from the leaves.

 I used several green inks for this smooshing and splattered some gold around it as well.

I have added several taller leaf shapes clustered together and cut in white and silver as well as parchment  and they are added to two larger banner shapes cut in parchment.

They leaves sit under the sentiment banner which is offset with parchment and raised with foam pads on the front of the card. 

The finished size is DL and I have dotted tiny gemstones around the panel for effect.

The end result is very pretty and is another example of what you can do with those tiny fiddly dies that seem a bit useless.

 Try this idea with any small dies that you have as it is another way to create an aperture in your designs  and back it with pretty paper or make your own from Ink smooshing, Gelli plate papers or any technique that you may like to try.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx