Card & Gift Winner ....

Hi Everybody,

Hope the weekend finds you all well and keeping warm. It's sunny but cold here in the North West and I have a filming day ahead and so it won't really bother me.

The draw for the card and gift from yesterday has been done and this one is going to Spain ... to you

Val Jones

so would you send your postal address please to me

christina@card-making-magic.com

and both will be on there way to you straight away.

Over this weekend I have two new videos for you and these are featuring some of the newest dies in at Craft Stash called Wonky Stitches.  The first one is Hexagons and in this I have used the Stamps Monster Madness to make a fun card.

In tomorrows post I will add in the Wonky Stitches Ovals to show you another look from these really useful dies

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Safari friends

Hi Everybody,

Safari Friends was one of my favourite gifts when it was offered with 

Papercraft Essentials 145

It was another one that I enjoyed playing with and it is great for children's cards.

The video is here to show you what I did with this fabulous gift 

Papercraft Essentials - Safari Friends 

Is this a card and gift that you would like ??

If so then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post and a name will be drawn from those comments and announced in tomorrows blog post.

Some people seem to be a little confused and email me saying they would like the card but that is not how it works.  You need to add your comment here to be in with the chance. And please add your full name as there could be three or four people with the same first name as you.

Good Luck everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The Greatest Gift

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked by a USA company if I would like to take a look at their product.  The Greatest Gift   is a journal that you fill in secretly with all the things that make you appreciate one special person.

  

I am a great believer in showing Gratitude for all the good things that come into my life and just being thankful for the people who are there for me everyday and all the things that they do.

But not being a journal writer or even a scrapbooker I thought that this was something I may struggle with. 

Never the less I agreed and Amir sent me the parcel and the resulting video is what I found 

I was really pleased when I opened the box at the quality and so I did a video to share with you.

It doesn't do the gift justice as the quality is really excellent. And there are pages for you to add photos as well as write about the experience. There are lots of inspirational quotes, stickers and labels for you to add to your pages, as well as frames and picture corners to dress up the book.

I have someone in mind that I would like to create this Gratitude Journal for but it will take me a while to do so. But as I say in the video there is no time scale. You can take as long as you need to complete this really special gift.

You could give this to anyone you appreciate  ... friends, family,  work mates and the booklet inside will give you ideas and inspiration on every page so that you will never be lost for words.

Maybe you are not a journaller either but as a crafter you will have lots of ideas on how to fill your own journal.  Use your stamps embellishments to make this truly unique.
Or maybe you know someone who likes to keep a journal.... and Christmas is on the way. This would make an excellent gift for them to use for some one that they appreciate.

The Greatest Gift 
This link is an affiliate link so for every one you buy it gives me a small percentage at no cost to you.   Also every purchase will go towards helping someone else so that they can benefit too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Essentials 154 - Heart & Flowers Embossing Folder

Hi Everybody,

Issue 122 of Papercraft Essentials sparked off a whole new range of items from the embossing folder that was given free with it.

It was called  "All Occasions" and I did some videos using it.

It was so popular it sold out time after time, and now there are dies, stamps and even more folders in that collection

Did you get "That Embossing Folder" ?

Well here is the opportunity for you to expand your collection because another one is being given away this month.

The video ...   The Hearts & Flowers Embossing Folder & Stamp Set  will show you how I made this card and there are lots more ideas for you to try inside the magazine

It will be on sale tomorrow the 14th December so keep a look out for it as it is surely going to sell out quickly.  

And pop over to Craft Stash to see the other items in this ever growing 

All Occasions Collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Muscle Man ...

Hi Everybody,

Today's Tuesday Tutorial is in the form of  a video and I am keeping with the male theme that we have been using for the last few days.

This one is using the Masculine Additions from the "Christina Collection" and it is another one that I hope you will enjoy

It is easy to do and uses a technique that we have used in the past. And Blue Print Sketch is fast becoming my "go to" shade of blue 

It also blends really well with the new shade of blue card that is with Papermill Direct called Marine Blue

This is definitely a card for the men in your life and would be really well received by the gym enthusiasts 

It's not a long video and I will move onto a more feminine theme soon but I hope you have enjoyed the ideas for male cards as I know it is something I get asked about quite regularly

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

You're a Star ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card from the Masculine Additions that are with the "Christina Collection" that is available with Craft Stash

Now although this would make an excellent card for the men in your family it could equally as suitable for the females too.

So this is quite a versatile collection to have and you can dress it up any way you wish and the video

Masculine Additions - You're a Star 

shows you how I made this one 

I have simply done a starry backdrop to the card and used bright silver mirror card for the centrepiece.

I hope that with this run of male cards that I have given you some ideas for your own designs and how to adapt them to suit the recipients that you wish to send them too

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another for the men ...

Hi Everybody,

Seems I am not alone when it comes to making cards for men and many of you struggle with them too.

So here's another that is especially for them made with the Masculine Additions to my new collection that is available with Craft Stash 

This one features the dies and I have added them to the Cube Trellis background

You have the choice when you are making this card of dark glasses or regular spectacles which is what I have done for my card

I thought it was pretty cool once it was finished and as Griff has a moustache and glasses he liked it as well.

Below is a list to all the supplies I have used over ALL the masculine cards I have done the videos 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner is ...

Hi Everybody,

It's very cold here today and I am going to snuggle in the warmth this afternoon. Got some shopping to do and then I am hibernating for the rest of the day.

 And I might get the chance to do some colouring in the process. Bliss !!

In the meantime the draw for yesterdays card and gift offer has been done and the name drawn this time is yours

 Vicki L Phillips

would you let me have your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

As an added bonus today I am adding two videos that would make ideal cards for the men.
They are using the new Drinks Trolley Collections from Craft Stash

So I hope you enjoy them as you sit and relax this afternoon ... maybe with a cuppa and a biscuit !

I hope you enjoy both videos and the items I am using are only a small part of the big collection of the Dies, Stamps Stencils and Embossing Folders in the new Drinks Trolley Collection available only at Craft Stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Sending Christmas Wishes

Hi Everybody,

I thought that maybe this week was a good time to give this away with Christmas fast approaching.

 But it can be used all year round and is especially good for male cards.

It is the gift that was free with Papercraft Essentials 151 and there are dies, stamps and an embossing folder with it.

Here is the video to show you how I used it 

Papercraft Essentials 151 Sending Christmas Wishes

If you would like to have this gift then please leave me a comment at the end of the post.

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

So be sure to come back and check if it is your name as you only have 72 hours in which to claim it.

Good Luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Cards for men ....

Hi Everybody,

Making male cards is something that many people struggle with ... including my self.

And so to bring out some additions to my own collection that would help with that was blessing

The Masculine Additions were added to the original collection in November and have been really well received.

So over the next few days I am going to be adding some vidoes that will show you the ideas I came up with using the versatile stamps, dies and stencils 

The first one is the card shown here and it is 

Masculine Additions - Dad's Trophy

A quick and easy fun card that could be sent to any of the male members in your family.

I hope you enjoy the little video and the rest will follow this week 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 51 - Vintage Springtime

Hi Everybody,

There is a beautiful A4 stamp set with this months Creative Stamping and it will be on the shelves tomorrow the 7th December

The designer this month is Bee Crafty and the theme is springtime and some lovely images to help you make gorgeous cards.

Vintage Springtime has flowers and creatures and some appropriate sentiments and quotes so I am sure that you will be able to put all this to good use throughout the year

The Video Vintage Springtime  will show you how I made this card.

There is much more inside the magazine itself to give you step by step details on how to make the cards featured 

So grab your copy and a cuppa and you relax for a little while to watch the video and browse through your magazine

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Love & Marriage Card

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is really a simple wedding card that will fit into an envelope. I have used the Love and Marriage Additions set that is part of the "Christina Collection"  The dies are now back in stock and they are available only from Craft Stash

Supplies Used:

Complete Card & Box Die Set

Love & Marriage Additions

Silver Card from Craft Stash

White Card from Papermill Direct

Silver Organza Ribbon from Mei Flower

Silver and White Wedding Day Ribbon from Deco Fun Bow Maker

Silver Twine from my stash

Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue from Craft Stash

Foam tape from Craft Stash

Instructions:

With  white card and the card element to the die set create your Tent Fold Base card 

Cut another layer with the Stitched Mat die

From the Filigree Heart in the Love & Marriage set cut as many hearts as you will need to add to the stitched mat.  Glue in place allowing some of them to overhang and trim as needed

From some Bright Silver card cut a layer that will sit between the base and the stitched mat.

From the centre of this card cut the larger heart band the Mr & Mrs

You can also cut the Lock and Key from this piece. Keep the tiny hearts that come from the key and add these to the card front

Add the white heart panel to the top and once it is layered up no one will know that there is a hole in the card 

Double wrap these layer with silver organza ribbon and the Wedding Day Ribbon

Add foam tape to the back and add these to the base card

Tie a bow with the two ribbons and add the Lock and Key to some silver twine and place in the centre of the knot. 

And there you have a really pretty card to send to someone on their special day

Change the colours to suit the wedding day theme. Personalise it with their names or the date of the wedding. The possibilities are endless

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Baby Occasions - Baby Boy card

Hi Everybody,

The other day I  showed you a baby card for little girls and today it is the turn of the boys

I used the Baby Occasions Additions from the "Christina Collection" and that is available only from Craft Stash

So this card is created using the stamped elephant for the background and I used Blue Print Sketch.

It looks like a really dark ink but it dries a lot softer than you think and it matched the blue card much better than any other shade

But today I have a special treat for you and that is to share not only my own video but also that of my lovely young friend Christine Smith from Crafti Potential
She makes the most amazing cards and this be is no exception.
 I am delighted with what she has done using the stencil from my Baby Occasions

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Saturated Canary & Copics

Hi Everybody,

The other day when it was cold and wet I had an afternoon colouring and this beautiful image was my choice to use.

She is called Cinderella and she is from

Saturated Canary

This was a digital image and it is one that I bought some time ago. 

But they have many images now on rubber stamps and at reasonable prices

I have coloured her before but this time I have used the new Copics that I have just bought as a Christmas gift from ME to ME

There are mistakes in it but as I practise with the Copics I will improve and I really enjoyed the process of colouring her in.

I love the images from Saturated Canary as they have big eyes and lots of beautiful hair and are such a pleasure to colour.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Here we are with the weekend again and not many to go now to Christmas,  When I got up this morning there was a box behind the front door and it wasn't until I opened it that it dawned on me 

Today is my Wedding Anniversary and the card was from Griff.  

I completely forgot about it, so I sneaked up to my craft room to make one. 

But I haven't forgotten the draw for the card and gift from yesterday and the name today is...

Marjorie Bates

could you email me please with your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be in the post to you straight away.

I am happy to tell you that the "Christina Collection" of dies, stamps and stencils is now back in stock with Craft Stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie Card & Gift - Cottage Garden

Hi Everybody,

The lovely gift this week is from 

Papercraft Essentials 149 - Cottage Garden 

and this is one of the cards from the video.

It is a really useful corner die that can add a pretty finishing touch to your designs.

So if this is a gift that you would like than all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

Then Please Please Please come back tomorrow to check if it is your name listed as  the winner because I have no way to chase you up if you don't.If the gift is not claimed in 72 hours then it will be offered again at a later date to some one else.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Baby Occasions - Baby Girl Card

Hi Everybody,

Baby Cards are always lovely to make and they are something I really enjoy doing especially with flowers, ribbons and pearls on them.

But I have been very restrained with this one and kept it  soft and un-fussy ... well it is for me anyway.

I have used the new additions to my "Christina Collection" and this is the Baby Occasions set of dies, stamps and stencils

The video is not long but I hope you enjoy it all the same Baby Occasions  - Baby Girl Card

With hindsight I wish I had done the baby shoes from the stencil a little deeper in shade and maybe added a few more along the panel.

But once I came to that conclusion it was too late as the card was nearly finished.  Still I will know better next time ... live and learn !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another lovely freebie ...

Hi Everybody,

The free gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft 171 is this die and stamp set duo and there is quite a lot that you can do with it.

In the video I have tried to show you some easy ways in which to use both.

 I hope you will enjoy

SC&P 171 - Dragonfly Dreams

There are more ideas on how to use the gift inside the pages as well as other card designs you may like to try

So it's time for a break and cuppa especially if you have your own copy of the mag.

 I know you are going to enjoy reading this months.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Quatrefoil Trellis - Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

The Tuesday Tutorial is changing from this week and instead of other companies dies I am going to be featuring my own collection from Card Making Magic

This whole set of dies, stamps and stencils are available only from Craft Stash and each week I will be using a different piece to show you just how versatile it is.
More will be added to the collection in the coming months and the links to the products I have used will be at the bottom of the post 

Supplies:

• Complete Card & Box Die Set
• Quatrefoil Trellis
• Cream & White Card
• Guipure Lace
• Pearl clusters
• Altenew Inks
• Finger daubers
• Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue
• Foam Sheets

Instructions: 

With the card making element from the Card & Box Die Set create a tent fold card base in cream

Cut another in white with the Stitched Mat

With the outer part to the Trellis die cut a layer in cream and then with the two dies cut the patterned piece in cream and glue these two layers together

Wrap with the lace and glue it on the back so that the edges cannot be seen

Arrange the foam tape to avoid the lace and creating more bulk 

From the flowers and leaves in the Card & Box Die Set cut as many as you would like

Cut extra if you intend to decorate the box in the same way

Cut several Happy Birthday sentiment and stack them together for strength  

Add these to the Banner die cut

Ink and shape the flowers and leaves with a ball tool and inks of your choice

Stack them with as many layers as you prefer to create as many flowers as you need

Arrange the flowers and leaves as pleases you and glue the pearl clusters to the centre of each flower

Add the sentiment banner to the top of the lace with foam pads and a little extra glue to hold it securely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Love and Marriage Additions

Hi Everybody,

A really easy card today using the beautiful Love & Marriage Additions to the Christina Collection

I used the border stencil to create the coloured panels in the card and an assortment of Distress Inks

To get the blending add a little more ink as you come onto the card and then fade out to lighter strokes as you more away from the stencil.

  I used bright gold card for the heart and wedding rings and accented the panel with black

The second card was done a little more heavy handed and with some of the deeper colours but still the same technique

I add more pearls to the second one and I tried to use the same shade pearl drops as the colour they sat on

The video will show you how I got the look and it is just long enough for a cuppa and a biscuit

Love & Marriage Additions - Rainbow Wedding Card

Both of the cards are relatively flat and so will fit nicely into a standard sized envelope for posting

It is a really effective look and I was quite happy with the result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby Card & Tonic Craft Kit 02

Hi Everybody,

Craft Stash have a special deal on their website for the Christina Collection and the Gemini Junior Machine together and so today I have made this card using that die cutter.

I have also used the beautiful cad and papers that came in the Tonic Craft Kit and these are lovely vibrant reds and golds 

So what could be better than a Ruby Wedding Anniversary Card to celebrate forty years of being married. 

The video will show you how I made this card and the box ... Ruby Card with Gemini and Tonic   and you may have to improvise with your card if you don't have the Tonic ones that I used.

I was really pleased with this one once it was finished and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and are quite deep.

But once again it looks much better in the hand than the photo shows
To get your craft kit visit Tonic ...
UK & Europe 
US & North America 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Today's Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

This is gong to be a cold day by all accounts and the weather forecast says to keep warm.

 And as it is Formula One weekend and Griff will be glued to the TV it looks like I will have to do some crafting to occupy my time ... so no hardship there then !!

The draw for the card and gift has been done and the winner this week is you 

Christi 

so if you could pop your postal address in an email to me 

christina@card-making-magic.com

they will be on their way to you straight away.

You have 72 hours to claim the gift and if you could let me know that you have received it safely please that would be great.

Look out for another give away next Friday.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie Card & Gift - Floral Wishes

Hi Everybody,

Another free gift and card on offer this week and this is the gift free with Papercraft Essentials.

It comprise of a die to cut out the centre of the wreath, an embossing folder for extra texture to your cards and a lovely stamp set

The card that I am sending with the gift has used the little bow stamp to create a background and is the one created in the video 

Papercraft Essentials Floral Wishes

If this is a gift that you would like then simply leave me a comment at the end of the post and then come back tomorrow to see if you are the winner.

You will have 72 hours in which to claim the gift 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A Video Collaboration ...

Hi Everybody,

Today's video is in collaboration with Christine Smith from Crafti Potential and we both used the same Christina Collection to make a Pop Up Box.

It amazes me how we can come up with totally different ideas using the  same items but we have a lot of fun in the process.

So here for you to view are the two videos from myself and Christine bringing you our ideas with the Pop Up Box.

Hope you enjoy both


Christine has created her pop up box using a die and I have gone the long way round and given you the measurements. But both are fantastic creations and well worth the effort to make them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 31 - Sparkling Snowflake

Hi Everybody,

Another Christmas card today and this one is using the gift that is free with Die Cutting Essentials 31

This lovely snowflake will help you to create some really pretty designs.

For the one pictured I have used Peacock Feathers Distress Oxides to colour the snowflake

It is a Shaker card and I filled the centre with Turquoise Glitter from Tonic 

The dazzler on the snowflake was the wrong colour so I altered it with Alcohol markers

In the video I show you how to do some partial die cutting to create a different look to the front of your cards.

Die Cutting Essentials 31 - Sparkling Snowflake 

I also used the die cut as a stencil to blend the background with the front and then I decided to colour the whole die cut and add it to the card

So you see when you start to play things can develop along lines that you hadn't planned on and still give you a pleasing result at the end.

Crafters have happy accidents ... they don't make mistakes !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx