Tuesday Tutorial - Arched Diamonds

Hi Everybody,

As you build your collection of dies it is good idea to add one large statement piece, and with that one die there is so much variation that can be done

For todays card I have used such a die to show you different ways to alter your design.  

I have used the Arched Diamonds from Spellbinders along with the Border Sentiments for both cards and varied them in colour and style one for men and the other for women 

It is quite a large die and will make a perfect focal point for your creations

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S4-591 Arched Diamonds
• S4-512 Border Sentiments
• PL-001 Platinum Die Cutting Machine

Other Supplies:

• Card
• Flowers
• Ribbons
• Pearls
• Glitter
• Distress Ink

Instructions:

With white card create a top folded base that measures 5x7" in landscape

Cut a smaller mat in deep turquoise and another smaller one in white to leave narrow borders around each edge

Layer these panels onto the base

With the die cut the white card twice and ink through the die before removing the card.

Add foam pads to the back in strategic places so that they can not be seen from the front

Layer these two panel onto the base layers

Die cut the Happy Birthday from the border sentiments three times and glue together for strength

Add to the card front where you would like them

I have kept this version clear of flowers for a more masculine card.

For this version I have used the 5x7 in portrait and made the layers in pink and white and embossed the smallest white panel

I have used just one die cut and added it across the card with pink ribbon around it.

The triple bow has flowers in the centre and a pearl flourish adds the extra touch.

The addition of the flowers, ribbons and pearls give it a more feminine look

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shapeabilities Art Deco Arched Diamond Etched Dies	Shapeabilities Heart & Home Bordered Sentiments Etched Dies	Wild Orchid Crafts	Frilly Flourish Swirl - White Pearl
Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue	PICK & MIX	Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

InLinkz.com

Spellbinders Water Lilies Strip

Hi Everybody,

Today I am going to show you three different cards made using the same die set and each is very intricate and pretty in its own right,  This is the Water Lilies Strip from Spellbinders and the die is in three pieces. One central patterned piece and two separate cutting edges

This means that you can choose to  leave the pattern in the card by omitting the cutting edges or choose one edge and cut that with the patterned piece or do as I have done for the this card

For the first card I have simply used all three pieces to remove the die cut from the card and then added them, with foam pads beneath, as separate panels to the front of a layered 5x7 base

For this second card I have create a tent fold card in 5x7 and then added one cutting edge and the patterned die to the outer part

From white and pink patterned paper I have created layers to add to the left of the card and lined the inside to match

I have tied ribbon around the left panels and add a pearl string, a bow and a centre piece for the knot

The words are layered up to give thickness and the top layer is in black

The last card has had the die placed into  the centre of the A4 card to add the pattern

I cut one extra die cut patterned layer to add to the top of this for strength

Then other blue panels have been cut for back and front and embossed and the sentiment added to the front of the card

So with just one die set you can have three totally different looking cards and I am sure that you will come up with many more ways to use this versatile die

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

5x7 Matting Basics A	5x7 Matting Basics B	Shapeabilities Art Nouveau Water Lilies Strip Stacey Caron Etched Dies	A4 Adhesive Foam
Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue	Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine	Embossing Folders Donna Salazar Designs Medallion

InLinkz.com

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

It's a bit cloudy here today but still pleasant enough to take Ruby into Witch Wood for a walk this morning along with Dougal and Vickie

The draw for yesterdays turquoise card has now been done and the name chosen this week is you ...

Sue MacFall 

could you email me your postal address please to:

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be on its way to you straight away.

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

Next week I have three cards to give away to three winners so be sure to pop back and see which they are and if you would like to have one of them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 016 - Turquoise Thanks

Hi Everybody,

This turquoise Thank You card is on offer today and you can send it on or keep it for your self.

It has some wide satin ribbon around the centre with a lovely diamante dazzler over the knot.

If you would like to have this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment and from those comments a name will be drawn

I am happy to send the card wherever you are, even if you have won one before.

But please come back and check if it is your name that is shown in tomorrows blog post as the winner

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Curled Grace Ovals

Hi Everybody,

Today I am joining forces with Olga Direktorenko and in this collaboration video we have each made a shaped floral card.

I have tried to use an unusual shape for mine and in the video I show you how to fold the card to get the same look

It's not new it has been around for many years and I did this in a video about six years ago now.

But this will refresh your memory if you tried it then and show you a new idea if you didn't

It is really easy to do and you can dress it up any way you like.

But if you add this many flowers to it then the chances are you will need to make a box for it even though it will fold flat.

I think it looks really attractive and would look good for any occasion.

Here is the  Spellbinders Curled Grace Ovals video for you to view

There is space on the back or the inside of the card for you to add your own verse or sentiment ... or even a note to the recipient if that is what you want to do.

But whatever you do have fun making it and leave both Olga and I a comment if you have popped along for a visit.

Here is the link to Olga Direktorenko - Flower Cart    to see what she has designed for you. 

Her Cards are so elegant and  this one is no exception  and well worth a visit

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Nestabilities Amazing Paper Grace Vintage Elegance Becca Feeken Curled Grace Oval Etched Dies	Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine	PICK & MIX	A4 Adhesive Foam
Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue	Doves	Wild Orchid Crafts	Chameleon Glitter

InLinkz.com

Water Colour Wednesday . Blue Flower

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created with the gift that came free with Simply Cards and Papercraft 160

I did a video using this Hydrangea Set set in February for another way to use the stencil that came in the collection

For this card I have created a background with shaving foam and then coloured the stamped flower with water colours

I used a glue pen on the petals and then covered them with silver foil.

The outline to the flower has been done in a pale grey to shadow it and make it stand out from the background a little.

Apology ...

Now before I close todays post I have an apology to make to everybody .... and that is with regards to the floating cup I featured a while ago.

I promised to make a video on how I made this when I was given this pretty tea set by my daughter.

I took out one cup and one saucer to complete the one shown.

Then I put the rest back in the box and put it somewhere safe until I was ready to use it. And now that time has come .... and it's so safe even  I can't find it !!

I wonder how many are nodding at me now knowing that you have done the same thing ????  So once I DO find it I will do a video to show the process.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Dies and Birds !!

Hi Everybody,

I thought I would have a little fun today with the Crazy Birds and I sat and coloured some with bright water colours for this card.  I add them to some ornate dies cuts and the result would be ideal for a male birthday card

Spellbinders Supplies

• S$-383 Marvellous Squares
• 6x6 Matting basics A
• 6x6 Matting Basics B
• Platinum die cutting and embossing machine

Other Supplies:

• Crazy Birds

Instructions:

With die =7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces in white to create a base card

With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut another layer in grey 

With die =6 from the A set cut another in some patterned paper

Cut a smaller layer in another pattern and distress the edges with your scissors.

Glue these layers together

With dies #4 and 5 cut three frames and layer them together with glue

Add the smaller distressed panel to the base with foam pads underneath 

Add the layered squares to the card front with foam pads cut into strips under them

Add a Crazy Birds of your choice to a die cut circle and carefully cut around part of the wing to tuck the sentiment under it

Layer up the other birds to fit around the central image

Add to the card front with foam pads underneath to raise them up.

And there you have a fun card that would be suitable for the men in your life

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Nestabilities Marvelous Squares Etched Dies	6 x 6 Matting Basics B Card Creator Etched Dies	6 x 6 Matting Basics A Card Creator Etched Dies	Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine
PICK & MIX	A4 Adhesive Foam	Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue

InLinkz.com

Autumn Flowers

Hi Everybody,

Last week I made a card for the magazine freebies and in it I water coloured some flowers in shades of brown and mustard and I really liked the look that they gave.

The video was SC&P162 Build a Bouquet  and these are the flowers that were started in the film

So I decided to make a card from the whole panel and I quite like this one with the added lace along the bottom

I simply cut the flowers out with circle die from the piece that I started to colour in the video and then used a larger circle to cut the gold mat

I used the piece as part of my design and matted it onto more gold card

Once layered up with the circle elements no one will know that there is a hole in the under layer ... but I have made use of the embossing and splattering that was done in the film

So two birds with one stone really as nothing has been wasted, and it makes a really pretty focal point for my card.   Swap out the sentiment and it could be for any occasion

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby Update

Hi Everyone,

S'me again with more tales of my adventures this week. I am so glad that you like my stories and for those who don't know me I am Ruby the most beautiful English Cocker Spaniel  and I am now eight months old. My colouring is Blue Roan Sable

Here I am soaking up the sun in my front garden and it was lovely and warm.

I have just had a haircut and that keeps me so much cooler

 

I get up to all sorts of mischief and here I was caught in the act of shredding up this sponge all over my mums carpet

She said I looked guilty enough and she laughed at all the mess.

The other day my best friend Dougal came to play and we went to the beach.

We found an old branch on there and we tugged at it to see which of us could keep it

I won of course coz I am the boss even if he is bigger than me !!

My food had been delivered here and my mum opened up the bag so that I could smell the flavours

It was lovely and so in I went to try some more.

I am going to the vets to be weighed this week and have my regular monthly treatments so I will let you know how much I have gained next time

I will be back again soon with more stories to tell you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner Today ...

Hi Everybody,

Another bright and early start to the weekend and this afternoon we are going up to the Lake District to walk the dogs.

That will take all day as it is over an hour and a half drive away  from here and then maybe on the way back we can stop and get a lovely meal in a country pub, One that is dog friendly of course.

I cant believe just how much our lives have changed since we got Ruby. Prior to her I had a lovely tidy house and could just get in the car and go wherever we wanted

Now I have doggy toys and blankets scattered around and no matter how much I tidy them away ... Ruby gets them out to play with again.

And we have to plan days out to take the things that she will need. Water, a bowl to put it in, blankets and her doggy coat in case she goes swimming ... again !! Harness, lead and the list goes on but she is so well worth it for the fun she brings to us

And she is a thief who loves to steal socks. She doesn't do them any harm she just likes to lie on them. She steals them from the laundry basket, the drawer, the minute you take them off your feet she is waiting to pounce and she is off like greased lightning

Any way the draw has been done for the lilac card from yesterday and the winner today is you ...

Rannah Romps

would you email me please with your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be on its way to you straight away.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 015 - Especially for You

Hi Everybody,

This really lovely card is in shades of lilac and white and is lined inside too.

It has a selection of flowers along the side and I have added in a matching hat pin to the display.

The flowers are sparkled and diamante has been added to the centre and also to the double organza bow.

This is on offer today and so if you would like to own this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

From those comments a name will be chosen and the winner announced in tomorrows blog post.

I am happy to send the card wherever you live and you don't need to ahve your own blog. Nor does it matter if you have won a card before you can still enter.

Good luck everyone 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

This Months Magazines ...

Hi Everybody,

It's time for this months magazine freebies and once more there are some real quality gifts for you to choose from.  I have added two links for you .. one to buy the magazine direct from Moremags and the other to the video for you to view some of my ideas.

The first one is  Simply Cards and Papercraft 162   and this link will take you straight to the page if this is the magazine that  you want

Shown is one of the cards ideas that is in this magazines video and the link to that is ...

Simply Cards & Papercraft 162 - Build a Bouquet

There are so many ideas for this gift and you will find lots more within the pages themselves

So grab a cuppa as you settle down to relax and brows through your latest copy.

This months  Creative Stamping 42 features a large A4 stamp set called Enchantment with fabulous images for all age groups and genders.

The video to make this card is

Creative Stamping 42 - Enchantment Collection

with more ideas that you may like to try

You can have so much fun with this set of stamps creating cards especially those hard to make ones for the men in your life.

And last but not least is this months
  Die Cutting Essentials 23 - Freshwater Friends
with a fabulous 11 piece die set

You can also download some scenes to help you build the cards and the video will show you another way to create a background DCE23 Freshwater Friends

In all the mags there are step by step instructions on how to make various cards and even more on how to use your free gift and as an added bonus I am featured in two of them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx