Parchment Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

Today's tutorial shows you how I created some lovely Butterflies from parchment and then added them to a card and a box to match. The gold card is from the craft show and I can't remember the supplier/ The parchment is also from the same craft show but I have given you an alternative with Craft Stash ... 

The links are at the bottom of the page for everything else.

This design could be used for any occasion and dressed accordingly to suit. Imagine this as a Golden Wedding Anniversary Card.  A little imagination could make this fit any bill.

Here is the video and I hope you enjoy it with your cuppa.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Fabulous find ...

Hi Everybody,

I know that many of you are not confident with ink blending and over the years I have tried to show you ways and means to get the look that you like. I have used blending tools ... bought and home made. Sponges and ink blending foam as well as a more expensive range of brushes

But yesterday I went shopping in my local Aldi store and this is what I found in the centre isle.

They are brushes that I thought would be perfect for ink blending and they came in three different sizes.

They were priced at £2.99 per pack

There was one large or two medium or three small ones in each pack and it was the three small ones that I decided to buy.

And because they are so well priced at £2.99 a pack I bought four of them.

The colours on the right of the photo are the inks I blended together with the brushes

You can see the colours that I used on each brush and I was really pleased with the result and they are the best priced item I have ever used for ink blending.

And tomorrow will see me in the store buying some more to use with my Distress Oxide Inks and at that price I can have one for most of the colours that are in my collection.

Always one to share a good find ... if you are UK based then get yourself off to Aldi for your own set of blending brushes.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Every Saturday I seem to say that it's raining ... and today is no exception.  I have spent the morning in my craft room filming some lovely videos for the coming week and I hope you will enjoy them once they are shown

The draw for the card and gift was late today but has now been done and the inner of the Time For Tea die and stamp set is YOU ....

Kewpi (Sally Morrison)

would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and both will be on their way to you straight away

Please let me know when you have them safely

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Time For Tea

Hi Everybody,

A really cute stamp and die set on offer today with lots of inspiration on the back of the pack and in the video

Time For Tea

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

From those comments a name will be drawn at random and announced in tomorrows blog post so be sure to come back and check if it is you.

Please can you add your full name so that there is no confusion of there are two people with the same first name.

I am happy to send the gift to your wherever you live and it doesn't matter if you have won before

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another Stamped Background

Hi Everybody,

Using background stamps can be a real time saver especially if you don't have papers or card that matches your design.

For this card I simply stamped the design with Versamark and used white embossing powder on Kraft Card

I coloured portions of the image with pencils.

It was quite relaxing to do it this way and it didn't take me that long.

Once it was done I dotted it with sequins and then add the little sentiment onto a parchment circle

One super easy to make card that can sit in my "To Send" folder until needed 

On another note ... have you noticed the new award in the left hand side bar ?? I have been awarded this because I am at #18 in the Top 100 YouTubers for card making. What an honour and no one was more surprised than me ... but really happy in the process !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 53 - Hello Gorgeous

Hi Everybody,

With Creative Stamping this month there is a fabulous A4 set that will suit all age groups,

occasions and seasons

It will also make cards for men and women and you will have a lot of fun creating scenes with this one too.

The video below shows you how I made a card for the men but there really is a lot that can be covered with this set.

This lovely background was using just the little floral element and colouring it with Copics but it would look equally as good with coloured pencils or water coloured.

It is an excellent way to build up your stash with quality stamps and the magazine gives you many more ideas on how to use it.

So grab your cuppa and relax for a little while as you watch the video making a card for the men in your life

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shabby Chic with Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

As promised here is a little video to show you how I created the Shabby Chic Card that I and so many of you love to do. They are truly cards for the ladies and I don't know anyone that would be disappointed with flowers and Pink has to be one of my favourite colours and so I really enjoyed making this one.

I have used items from "The Christina Collection" and all of it is available at Craft Stash

In the video I have given you a really good tip to save you some money and use something that you would throw away

So you will need to watch and see ....

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx

Floral Sketch Stamp

Hi Everybody,

This is another stamp to help create beautiful backgrounds that is available at Craft Stash.

There are ten patterns for you to choose from and this one is the Floral Print Sketch

Yesterday I showed you the Leaf Print and both are really easy to use and can give some lovely results once you start to play.

The video will show you how I created this card and in it I give you the tip about writing down any blended inks that you like and keeping them safe.

 Play with the inks that you have and see what you like  ... keep the list and your inks together and that way you can always refer back to the inks you used to create the blend again.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Backgrounds - Leaf Print Stamp

Hi Everybody,

Creating backgrounds to suit your designs is always something that I like to do. You can always be sure that it matches

And  getting value for money by using the same stamp in various ways is an added bonus too.

So when I made this card to the right with the new background stamps from Craft Stash my mind was thinking how else I could make use of these lovely stamps.effect

I really liked the Autumn look and the video will show you how I made both of these  with Distress Oxide Inks

I created them with the same technique but cutting the leaves away with scissors in one gave me another look. Both very effective and bright coloured cards that could be ideal for  the men in your family

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

These Saturdays are coming round too fast and it's almost February already. And once again it is raining. I am really looking forward to some nice warm weather and I am hoping we have a good summer this year.

The draw for the Freshwater friends die set and card from yesterday has been done and the name picked at random this week is YOU ...

Diana Lawton

please would you send me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

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

I hope you will join me next week for some really pretty cards all created in videos for you to view, and of course another card and gift offered next Friday.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Friday Freebie - Freshwater Friends

Hi Everybody,

Today's Friday Freebie is called Freshwater Friends and the card in the video is not the same one being offered with the gift ... simply because I cannot find it.

But the gift is a useful addition to any collection and you can build your own scenes as you go along.

The video Freshwater Friends is here for you to view and may give you some other ideas on how to use this set

If you would like to win this one then leave me a comment at the end of the blog post and a name will be drawn from them and announced in tomorrows blog post.

Good luck to everybody and don't forget to come back and check if it is your name that is listed

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tonic Craft Kit 06

Hi Everybody,

The new Craft Kit from Tonic will be with you in February and here is my take on the beautiful Butterfly die that inside.

The papers and card are gorgeous and the quality is second to none.

And there is so much in the kit that you will be able to make lots of cards using it.

In the pack there are some glass jars of glitter along with glitter pens that will co-ordinate with the papers

The large die makes a beautiful Easel Card and there are smaller butterflies to decorate with and they will work well with the stamps too to create backgrounds to match your designs

The kits are available from Tonic Studios
 UK & Europe  
 US & North America  

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft 173 - Butterfly Dreams

Hi Everybody,

The gift that is free with SC&P 173 this month is perfect for adding detail to any of your cards and I have had such a lot of fun playing with it.

I am more than happy with all the cards I created and I kept the colours bright and vibrant.

It will make both male and female cards ... depending on the way you dress it, but as usual I enjoy making the girly ones the most.

The embossing folder is just the right size for A2 cards and I have used it to Letterpress several of my designs with really good results

The flowers in the die set are not big but they are really pretty and you can colour them anyway you wish, or simply cut them from Coloured card


The video will show you how to get another 2 fer 1 card by thinking about placement before you die cut

So I hope you have a cuppa and the biscuits ready while you relax and view

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Aperture Card & Envelope

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is a blue "Thank You" card and because it is relatively flat it doesn't need a box

And so in this video I have used the Happy Mail stamp set to add interest to an envelope

I created a stencil from the Petal Trellis and used Blue Print Sketch to colour the back and front of it

I also used the same ink to add the label on the back of the card from the Happy Mail stamps

Both of these items make the card a little more personal for your recipient

Here is the video ...

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

2 fer 1- Negative & Positive

Hi Everybody,

Today's featured cards are another of the two for one cards that you can get by simply using the negative piece as well as the positive one.

For the first card I have used the Wonky Stitches die from Craft Stash and added Brusho Crystal Colours to some plain white card

The Hexagon shapes have been cut and added to an embossed background with foam pads beneath to raise them up.

Then with the piece that was left I have added in  ....

... some of the monsters that are available from Craft stash.

These cute characters are just perfect for children's birthdays and I had a lot of fun playing with them.

They are stamps and matching dies to make things a little easier.

And there is no waste at all from this piece of card and that has to be a satisfying feeling when you save money

I added two videos using the Wonky Stitches Collection and one with the Monsters to give you ideas.

And in case you missed them they are the Hexagons  and the Ovals   and  Magic Meets the Monsters  and here they are again for you to view

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shabby Chic with Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

Every part of my Christina Collection has been so very well received and if you bought some of it then I hope you are enjoying playing with it. 

 Over the last few months I have tried to show you just how versatile this collection of dies, stamps, stencils and folders can be.

And many of you have said that the videos help a lot in showing you new techniques or putting things together.

I have included the clean and simple cards ...

... to those with all the bells and whistles attached and both of these have been covered in videos and added to the blog.

Don't forget that there is now a dedicated page that is permanently displayed for you with all the Christina Collection Videos in one place and you will find that in the side bar to your right.

But today I wanted to share a card picture that takes the dies to another style that I really love making.

The Shabby Chic card featured below is one of my favourite ways to make a truly feminine card and on this I can add all the beautiful things I like to include on my designs Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls !!

I didn't film the making of this card but that can easily be rectified if you would like one. Just let me know in the comments underneath the post and your wish will be done

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card and Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

It's raining .... It's pouring and poor Ruby wants to go out in it for her walk ... no chance !!

Here she is being groomed instead and not looking too happy about it .

The draw for the Gnomes offered yesterday has been done and the name chosen at random is YOU ...

CraftyCoffey

Please email me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the little fellas will be on their way to you.

But if you really love them and would like some for yourself then don't forget that you can purchase the larger set from Craft Stash and they are not expensive but they are a whole lot of fun

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Enchanted Corner

Hi Everybody,

This has to be one of my most favourite free gifts ever and I had so much fun with these Gnomes.

I did a video on colouring these little fellas with Alcohol Markers and varied the look in each one

Colouring Gnomes 

The video with the magazine is Enchanted Corner 

So now I am offering this set as a give away and if you would like to have it then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

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

But if you are not lucky enough to win this gift and you love these Gnomes then you can buy your own set of stamps and dies from Craft Stash and there are more features on the bought ones.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Silver Embossed Wedding Card

Hi Everybody,

This very special wedding card is created with items from the Christina Collection 

I made the box to match it. 

 I used Versamark to Letterpress and I know that this is a new technique to some of you.

But it is quite easy to do and so I hope the video gives you a little bit of confidence to give it a try.

I did the same technique with Gold powder and that turned out beautiful also.

Uisng the stencil on the embossing sandwich in your machine will give a very pretty effect.

Not as deep as the embossing folders but just as effective

Both of the ribbons are  from Deco Fun Bowmaker

and they are a lovely quality satin 

I hope you enjoy the short video and will come back to watch more as they are added.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 33 Cherry Tree Die Set

Hi Everybody,

Die Cutting essentials will be on sale on the 18th January and has a two piece die set with it this month.

Plus the opportunity for you to get a large sentiments stamp set for half price which covers lots of occasions that you may need.

I really enjoyed playing with this die as it produces a lovely filigree panel for you to use in may ways.

There are lots more idea in the magazine for you to try with this free gift as well as other ideas

I kept my colours to shade of pink for these cards and I am not unhappy with the way they have turned out.

I hope as always that you enjoy the video and this one is not long. I am trying to keep them short so as not to take up too much of your precious time

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Coloured Leafy Embossing Folder

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday I showed you some cards made with the new embossing folders that have been added to the "Christina Collection"

Today I am adding the video to the first one and for this I have used water colours and gilding flakes for a really pretty look to the card.

Because it is not too flowery it would be suitable for the male members we need to make cards for.

But you can always dress it up anyway you like with flowers, ribbons and pearls !!

I have given you a couple of tips in the video about Gilding Flakes and the main one is that they are very fly away.  Don't use them near open widows or a fan or you will be finding them everywhere.

It is easier once opened to put them into a larger container because they do swell up quite a lot once they air gets to them. It only looks a small amount in the pots they come in but there is really a lot and it will go along way. There are many different mixes as well as the plain gold or silver so have a look and see what you like 

I hope you enjoy the video and will give the flakes a try. They will give you a luxury look to any of your designs.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Embossing Folders

Hi Everybody,

I have been playing with the new embossing folders to the Christina Collection and I wanted to share some new photos with you before I add them as videos. 

 Each one has been a pleasure to work with and I have enjoyed seeing what I can come up with

The first photo is using the Leaf folder and on this I have embossed it and then water coloured the leaves.

Once it was dry I added glue pen to outline some of the leaves and I added Gilding Flakes to them.

I  matted the panel on to some green card and surrounded the edge with diamante.

The verse has been stamped and foiled and added to a silver label with foam tape between the layers.

This one has been Letterpressed  and I used the Happy Birthday folder.

I trimmed it down and added it with foam tape to another Quatrefoil embossed layer. 

I dotted it with pearls to highlight the pattern and ran pearl strips down each side.

The ribbon, bow and dazzler just add that little bit extra to an easy to create birthday card

This one is a little more elaborate and for this I have used the Flourish folder which I Letterpressed with Versamark and then heat embossed with sparkly powder

The Autumn coloured flowers are added around the foiled sentiment and the lace, ribbon and pearls are a luxury touch to the card. 

Very pretty and feminine and sure to please.

Make a box to match this and give it with love

So each of these cards will be added as a tutorial  to the Blog pages as they are done

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  

Letterpress Birthday Card

Hi Everybody,

Today I am using the new embossing folders available in the Christina Collection and I have made a card for the men in your life.

With the stamps in  the Masculine Additions you can swap out dad for son or brother if you preferred.

I used Blue Print Sketch ink because it blends nicely with the card that I have used and that is Marine Blue from Papermill Direct

The video is not long but I hope you enjoy it and will try out some of these ideas in your own cardmaking

The finished card is still a 5x7 but is flat enough to fit into an envelope and so save on postage

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Embossing Folders & Stamps

Hi Everybody,

The launch for these new additions to my collection went very well yesterday on Facebook Live and if you joined in then I would like to thank you.

But I realise that many of you don't have FB or you live at the other end of the world and can't watch.

So I am adding a video to introduce to you the new pieces that make up the third wave and I hope you enjoy it.

The die element of this wave was shown a few days ago but here is the link to that video in case you missed it .... Introducing Nesting Dies 

The embossing folders are a new line and I am so delighted with them. 

They are going to enhance any of my backgrounds so quickly.
The collection is available exclusively through Craft Stash who will ship world wide and accept PayPal 

Please join me for lots of videos that will be added with these new items as well as the other two waves that have already been released. They will all work so well together

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Launch Day of Nesting Dies ...

Hi Everybody,

I am so happy to announce that the third wave of
  Dies, Stamps and now Embossing Folders
from Card Making Magic is being launched today on the Craft Stash website and you can find me on their Facebook Live page at 10 am. 

I am really excited about this release as they will make such a difference to any designs especially the romantic floral cards that I love to make

And so I have the first video featuring the Nesting Ovals to share with you today and the card is really lovely and I am so pleased with the result

I will be making many more using my collection and there's still lots more to come in further waves

So I hope you will stay with me to share the wonderful news as it happens and watch my collection continue to grow 

The list below will link you to the new wave but be sure to check out the rest as it is growing into a large complete collection to cover all your 5x7" card and box needs.
They are available on the Craft Stash website now.

 The embossing folders are a new line of  5x7" designs and they are lovely.
 I am absolutely delighted with everything and I hope you will be too.
Come and join us at 10 am Craft Stash Facebook Live

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Dies to "Christina Collection"

Hi Everybody,

Tomorrow sees the launch of the third wave of dies to my collection and this one is some really beautiful nesting dies. I am so excited about these as they are going to add some wonderful dimension to any of your creations

These are Nesting Rectangles. Pennants and Ovals and I have some lovely videos to share with you using each one of these sets, combined with the rest of the collection.

I am going to be on the Craft Stash Facebook Live  page tomorrow (12th Jan)  to show you some of the samples I have made with these dies so please join us for an hour of fun and chat

I have so many ideas for these dies and the possibilities are endless.

From beautiful romantic floral cards to the ever popular shaker cards.

So I really hope you will join me on this new stage of my collection with these nesting dies.

There is a lot more to  come and I don't think you will be disappointed with any of them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Essentials 155 - Fairy Die

Hi Everybody,

This months Papercraft Essentials 155 features this little die from the Signature Collection by Joanna Sheen.

Here I have simply cut it in black as a silhouette and sat her  on the toadstool.

The door to her fairy home is behind  and I have hand drawn the scene around her and coloured it with marker Pens

But whilst I was making another card I made several mistakes.

One was using card to make a stamp for the fairies wings and the other was not using anti static on my card to remove any grease marks.

Another one was pressing too hard on the old mouse mat when I stamped and so making my block touch the card.

Once I had added the silver powder and saw the result I was really disappointed but I just couldn't throw it away without trying to salvage if first.

So I pressed on regardless and the card on the left is the end result

So I thought I would show you the mistake in the video and what I did to rectify the mess. I was really happy at the end and nothing was wasted ... Here's the video

Crafters don't make mistakes ... they have Happy Accidents

(That's my exscuse and I am sticking to it )

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx