Friday Freebie - Festive Gift Set

Hi Everybody,

For today offering I have a Christmas themed set of die and stamp set.

You can adapt this set easily to work all year round for you and you will lots of ideas in the magazine.

Christine Smith from Crafti Potential is the master at turning these into cards for all occasions and she has an article inside for you to follow.

Now if this is something that you would enjoy playing with, then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME.

Be sure to come back and check if your name is shown as the winner and I will send the prize to your straight away

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Paint Pouring with Arteza

Hi Everybody

The painting is finished and today my eldest daughter came to collect it.

She is going to put it in her dining room and she is thrilled to bits with it.

You can see from her holding it just how big it is but I am really pleased with the way it turned out.

So covering up the Audrey Hepburn painting underneath has worked out well in the end and Mandi now has a more modern painting to add to her home

I should have signed it for when I get to be a famous artist  !!

There is a lot of Arteza Metallic Colours in there as well as the gold but I have also added the Gold Leaf which shines brightly in the picture.

I used a really thin brush to create what look like gold veins in the colours.

And then it has had two coats of varnish to seal it all.

Oh well I am pleased that Mandi is pleased with it and it has now gone to its new home.

I have another one on the go at present which is for Griffs eldest daughter Nicola and that has also got gold leaf on it.

Its not as big as this one and I will show you that next week once the varnish is dry

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Craft Stash 5th Birthday Week

HI Everybody,

This week is the fifth year that Craft Stash have been operating and they are having lots of celebrations over on their website.

 All week there have been some wonderful offers and prizes for you and this coming Friday we are going to be having a special Craft Stash Facebook Live.

If you get their email in your Inbox then you will know that I have a video on there today using the newest addition to the card making Magic Ranges.  

This came about because I was asked by a reader if I could bring out

Lower Case Letters that would compliment the Upper Case Letters that were released last year.

Well the answer is yes and they are now available on the Craft Stash Website.

They open up so many new opportunities for you to add names, occasions, greetings and sentiments to your cards, and the video will show you some of the ones I have done.

I am really excited about this new addition and all I can say is if you aren't part of their club to get their emails then WHY NOT !!. It's very easy to do ... just leave your email address and they will notify you of any changes, competitions and special offers as they happen.

And don't forget Craft World too. This is the newest place to go to meet people who have the same interests and enthusiasm you have for all things crafty, and it's FREE

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Beautiful Layered Roses

Hi Everybody,

This is a die set from my collections that has been out for some time now and it will help you to create some lovely Roses that can be used all year round to good effect

 In this video I have created three cards of varying sizes and all different themes 

I have enjoyed playing with this set over the last few days and I hope you will enjoy the video that I have put together for you to view

I have linked to all the products I have used both at the end of the blog post and under the description on YouTube so that they are easy for you to find.

Now,  I have used pens to colour my flowers but you can use whatever you have to hand and still get a beautiful look to the roses. I have used other leaf sets though to give me a variation with them so use any that you have in your own collections.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Paint Pouring with Arteza

Hi Everybody,

My eldest daughter likes my paint pouting efforts and she has asked me to do one for her dining room, and her favourite colours are green and purple

 I thought it would be about 12x12" and so I said yes.

 Then she said "It's the one with Audrey Hepburn on it " and I knew that it was a biiiiig canvas.

This is it and it is a good 30" square and you can just make out the print underneath.

 I have painted over it with white paint to block out the print.  Sorry Audrey !!

I used a really cheap house paint to do this as the canvas is so large and it would have been very expensive with acrylic

Once that was dry I did the base coat in white paint ready for the pour.

I had to lay this out on my garage floor because of the size and make sure that it was all level before I poured otherwise it would just run off the sides.

Once the Paint is spread out evenly I can get ready to work on it.

Then I had to mix my colours ready to work with. I used Arteza Acrylics and I mixed two shades of purple, and one of them was metallic, into separate  cups.

I mixed up three different shades of green and a beautiful gold and one of pewter

 Stupidly I started to pour and forgot to take photos of it as I did and so I have nothing to show you of that part.

But this is a section of it as it was tilted and once it is completely dry I am going to add Gold Leaf to  highlight the gold in it.

And I really hope she will like it when I give it to her to hang in her house.

 I will take a complete picture of it once it is finished to show you the end result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine in the UK on this Bank Holiday weekend. Ruby and I have been in the woods this morning while it was cool and it is so peaceful in there and we love it.

But apparently tomorrow it is going to be cold again so make the most of it while the sun is still here

I have done the draw for yesterdays Chloe kit and the the lucky winner is ....

Lucie Hale

Please would you send me your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to you straight away.

Be sure to let me know when it arrives with you and I hope you will enjoy playing with it.

I have lots of good quality stuff for future "Give Aways" so make sure you come back each week and see what is on offer. You never know you could be the winner next week.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Chloe Kit

Hi Everybody,

Today's offer is a bumper gift and it is from the lovely Chloe Endean.

There is no card or video to go with this but the kit consist of Stamps, 2 stencils and an embossing folder + a beautiful paper pack

You will find lots of inspiration in the pages of the magazine, so relax and have a read to your hearts content. 

The housework can wait until tomorrow ....

This would make a super addition to your crafting stash and so if this is something that you would like then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post.

You must add your FULL NAME or your entry will not be added. 

This helps to make sure the correct person gets their prize.

Be sure to come back and see if your name is listed as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers - Triangles

Hi Everybody,

Today's video is one that has been requested and it features the Triangles.

In this video I have created two cards from the same set of dies ... one is a 5x7 and the other is a square card.

And both look very different and very pretty. 

You can of course use any of the dies in this new collection to create any style of card and they are a lot of fun to play around with.

So I hope you enjoy  the video and will give these dies a try for your self.

There are a lot of dies in each set so that you can arranges your patterns and layers any way you wish and why not try mixing and matching them with the other sets that you may have too

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers - Circles

Hi Everybody

Today's card is created with the Perfect Panels and for this one I have used the Circles to produce this really pretty A2 card

I have used the doily pattern and also cut a layer to sit under it in a contrasting colour and added it partially to the left side of the card front.

For the stripes I have used a stamp that I have had for a long long time from My Favourite Things.

It is one of my favourite stamps for creating a background and it has been well loved over the years. 

Although I have searched I cannot find the link to this particular stamp but there are many alternatives for a striped stamp set

I have also produced a video for you and someone has asked me for one with the Perfect Panels Triangles and so tomorrow that is the video that I will add to the blog.

I hope you are all keeping safe and enjoy the video ... it will give you enough time to chillax for  while

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Filigree Fancy Dies & Beautiful Verses Stamps - Butterflies Card 2

Hi Everybody,

Here is the second of the butterfly videos that I promised yesterday and I have to say that this card is my favourite in this mini -series of butterfly cards

It is soft and delicate and I always think that Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch and Wilted Violet are a beautiful combination when blended together.

It is a colour scheme that I like to use often on my creations.

The text stamp that I am using is ancient and has been used so much it is now falling to pieces, but I love the look of the text.

It is such an easy way to create a visual background for any project.

Almost all my supplies are from Craft Stash and the service is second to none.

Although I have shown in the product list Ink Duster Blending Brushes, the ones I use are actually from Aldi quite some time ago and they were three in a pack. But because they are not always available I linked to the others instead as they are and they work in the same way

More tomorrow  ...

Hugs xx

Filigree Fancy Dies & Beautiful Verses Stamps - Butterflies Card 1

Hi Everybody,

Today I have a card and matching envelope to share with you and these are just ordinary shop bought DL supplies

I have used the Butterflies that are part of the Perfect Panels and Lovely Layers Die Sets and I am quite pleased with the result.

The verse and frame are from the
Beautiful Verses Stamp Set

I have also stencilled the background and the envelope for a soft and delicate look

The video will show you how I made this card and if I can add anything else it would be to cut the butterflies from a thinner card stock like 160 -250 gsm card

The rest of the card would be fine with the  300 gsm but the thinner card would reduce the bulk in the butterflies and help it to fold neater.

Tomorrow I have another card for you using the same dies, stamps and colours for a totally different look ... which is my favourite one out of the two.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

Today the sun is shining and it is lovely and fresh outside. Maybe a little trip to the woods is on the cards for later for Ruby and me .... who knows.

Thank you so much if you joined us on Craft Stash Facebook Love yesterday. 

And congratulations if you are the winner of the fantastic prizes they offered to four lucky people. 

I am sure that you will enjoy your prize and make some beautiful projects with it. 

The draw has been done and the winner for yesterday’s offer here on my blog and the name is ...

Sue Manning

Please can you email me your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and it will be on its way to you straight away.

Please let me know when it arrives with you and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Bright Rosa Panel Die

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with the panel die from Bright Rosa and I have used Gilding Flakes with mine.

The video will show you how I made it and it could be one that you might like to try

Bright Rosa Geometric Panel

The card is part of the offer this week and also the magazine which is sure to give you lots more inspiration.

So if you would like to win this 7 piece die set set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post. Please add your FULL NAME as this helps to identify the correct winner, and be sure to come back and check over the weekend if your name is shown as the winner.

I am happy to send the gift wherever you are, so what are you waiting or ... add your comment and full name to be in with the chance

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Money Pocket

Hi Everybody,

What a lovely way to give some one money or a gift card for any occasion and far better than just handing it over. 

This little envelope was created from just one piece of blue card and the Perfect Panels Rectangle added to the top

I coloured the flower petals and the leaves with alcohol markers and slipped a little white card behind the detail panel.

I went over the flower with a clear glitter pen to add some subtle sparkle and added the words from the Ultimate Word dies

The top flap is held down with some small Velcro dots, that I bought in a pack of many, very cheaply from the Range, ages ago and they will last me a long time. They come in black and white.

And just to let you know that I will on Craft Stash Facebook Live this coming Friday at 1 pm.

I have done a video demo to show you the new collection and I will be chatting to Lou Collins 

via Skype .... hopefully !!

So be sure to join us as there will be some good prizes for you to win

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Thank You Cards

Hi Everybody,

There are so many people who deserve our thanks at the moment and it is impossible to thank every one of them. 

But I have been busy making some little cards that I can give to the postman, milkman, refuse collectors and the delivery drivers who bring packages to my door. 

All these people are still working hard for all of us and so I batch made lots of these and will hand them out as the person arrives.

They were quick and easy to do and all I need to do is write a little personal message inside and then pop them in an envelope.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers - Square Card

Hi Everybody,

Today is the turn of the Square card and I have used another of the panels dies from the Rectangle Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers Set

This has been teamed with the 6x6 Complete Card & Box Set and has used one of the dies from the original sets to get the Lacey Border.

With any of the new sets they can be adapted to suit any style card that you want to make and they are all easy to work with

And they all work well with other dies from Card Making Magic, or indeed any other dies that you may have in your collection 

Try out the concept that I explain to you in the video about having a dry run with your dies so that you get some idea of what the card will look like when it is done.

This is something that I have done for a long time ... though don't show on camera, but it really does help me to decide what looks best or even if I should leave it out of the design altogether.

Take a photo of the layout with your phone or camera just in case you have to leave off and return later. It will jog our memory as to what it was you wanted to create.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

It is a beautiful day here in sunny Blackpool and I shall be beach walking with Ruby after this post.

We are so lucky living right near the beach and it is just five minutes from my house to get there.

Ruby loves it and I love seeing her run around. And we don't see a soul most of the time

At the moment she is in her basket at my side ... snoring her head off.

The draw for the Friday Freebie has been done and the name this week is ...

Valerija Jakolic

would you email me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to you as soon as I can.

I hope you are all keeping well wherever you are in the world and not feeling too down if you have to stay isolated. Keep smiling ... keep crafting and hopefully this will come to an end in the not too distant future.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - 3-D Basket Die

Hi Everybody,

Today I have a really pretty die that will help you to create some beautiful 3-D projects very easily and this was designed by Simply Made Crafts 

These would be perfect for a child's party or as favour baskets on a wedding table. 

It comes with the magazine that is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try and there is a video to show you how I used the die set. 3-D Easter Basket  

Now would you like this set in your own personal stash ? 

The if you would all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME to be in with a chance.

From those comments one name will be selected at random and announced in a blog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is listed.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers A2 Card Size

Hi Everybody,

So once again as promised I am adding another video from the Rectangle Perfect Panels Collection.

This one uses another set of the panels, that I have added to an A2 sized card, and it is a very elegant card that would suit many occasions.

For this I have also used the A2 Complete Card & Box Die Set and in particular the flowers, leaves and Lacey border that is in the set.

Change the colour scheme and leave of the flowers and this would be just as suitable for any male card too

So I hope you enjoy this video for another size to create from the same die set

It's not a long video ... just enough time for a cuppa and relax.  Then make it for your self and send it with love. And look out for the video on Sunday creating a square card with the same die set for yet another look for your cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Panels & water colour

Hi Everybody,

Today I am showing you another card created with the rectangles and this one has used the

5x7 Complete Card & Box Die Set 

to make the base and the Trellis panel on the front

To the top of this I have added to the centre of the card the Rose detailed die from the

  Perfect Panels Rectangle Dies 

 and you can see how well they all play together.

This centre rose panel has been water coloured and then layered with another cut panel and all of it then added with foam tape to give it dimension

The sentiments is from the Box set and fits very well with the card and I have used some parchment behind it just to make it stand out a little more with our disguising the Roses beneath it.

I will be showing how I made this card in a video coming soon as well as featuring the other dies in the collection too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers - 5x7 Card

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday I promised you a video using the new dies from Card Making Magic.

I have made this in a different colour to yesterdays card but it is just as lovely once it is finished.

And because of the depth in both yesterdays and today's cards I have created the box to go with them.

I have tried to explain how these new dies are designed to work and it is important other wise you may think that there is a fault in the manufacturing of them 

These new dies are so detailed and beautiful but just as easy to cut and use. All the measuring and layering is done for you and they are designed to work with all the Complete Card & Box Die Sets. So whichever sets you have you will be able to get beautiful creations for your self.

I will be adding more vidoes with this new collection and don't forget that these dies will play really well with any of the other dies that you may have from Card Making Magic.

I am so excited about this latest addition and I really hops you enjoy them as much as I have.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Turquoise Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers

HI Everybody,

Over on Hochanda last Friday and Saturday we had a very successful launch of the newest collection from Card Making Magic and I have to say that I am overjoyed that you like them. I think they are wonderful and I have so much enjoyed playing with them 

I have been asked by a reader, who has bought the complete One Day Special that was on offer, if I would do some videos with lots of flowers, ribbons and pearls.

Now who am I to refuse a request like that and so today I am going to be doing a video of the card shown over on the right.

I will do lots of videos and feature all the new parts to this fabulous collection but for this first one I have used the Rectangular Panels Die Set and Embossing Folder.

Perfect Panels & Lovely Layers Collection are now available to purchase so if you missed them last week they are now waiting for you on the Craft Stash Website

I will do the card in a different colour with a different arrangement of flowers but I am sure it will be just as beautiful as this one.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Walk In The Woods

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday my mum and I went to the beach and I had a really good run around and got full of sand.

My mum washes my feet when we get home to get rid of the salt and that is nice with the warm water. I usually settle down for a little nap when we are home again

But today we went to Witch Wood and this has to be my very favourite walk. There are all sorts of things to sniff at. 

My mum likes it too and she says it is very peaceful, until I bark at something, and that is usually a squirrel.

But I am a good girl and I don't chase them I just look at them really and they look back at me

Here I am rummaging around the tress and plants to see what I can find.

My mum carries on walking but I never let her get far away and then I race after her.

Some times she hides behind a big tree and I have to find her. I always do though and then she makes a big fuss and gives me a cuddle

I sat down in the sun here for a little rest in amongst the blue bells but my mum said that although they are lovely flowers I am the most beautiful one ... and I believe her.

We have a lovely time in there and can spend a good hour or so wondering through the trees. 

Sometimes we take Dougal with us and he loves it in the woods too. But today he is busy and couldn't come

Any way soon it as time to go home and I was getting ready for my dinner too.

On Thursday all my lovely food from Butternut Box was delivered and because it is frozen it has to go straight in the freezer.

But I need to check it all first to make sure they have sent me the flavours that I like ... and yep! everything seems to be in order. So now I have to decide what I would like for my lunch and then I will have my nap.

See you all again soon

Lots of Love Ruby xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

So another bright and breezy Saturday dawns and Ruby and I are going for a stroll along the beach shortly. Se has been giving me "The Look" for the last half an hour. The look that says "Come on Mum lets go " and so what can I do ???

But before I go I need to tell you who has wont the Friday Freebie this week. 

The name pulled from the hat is ...

Christine Cloutier

would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and it will be on its way to you.

Please let me know that you have it and I hope you will enjoy stamping with this lovely design

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx