New Log Burner ... at last !!

Hi Everybody,

This is the story of the log burner starting at the very beginning. This is what the old fire was like and it has been there for a good few years.

The gas fire itself stopped working about four years ago and because we have central heating we never did anything about it.

So much to my daughters disgust I hid the fire with some flowers and they are silk and have also been there for a long time. I showered them to keep the dust at bay but they had to go ... she said they are old fashioned !!

So the workmen came along and in between copoius cups of coffee they started altering things for a log burner and bit by bit things started to go wrong.

They needed to install a new flue liner and the old chimney started crumbling. It would have eventually crumbled itself to pieces and so it had to be repaired and they did an excellent job.

I wanted the wooden surround putting back and so that was removed carefully for me

This was the state of my lounge while all this work was going on and the dust and dirt got everywhere.

But eventually we got to the stage where things are going right and the job progressed well.

Bit by bit work was completed until eventually the opening was ready to install the fire on its black slate base and the down lights illuminating everything

Once the fire was there the wooden surround could be put back and then there was instruction for me on how the burner would work.

It's very easy to set and light and easier still to control the flames but oh it is so cozy.

And so I send a HUGE thank you to Harpers Stoves for supplying and fitting my beautiful Log Burner and Clearview for making the Vision 500 in Honey Glow Brown ... it is the best investment ever

And so last night Ruby and I toasted ourselves in front of the flickering flames where it was lovely and warm and wonderful.

All it needs now is decorating !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Childs Birthday Card & Matching Envelope

Hi Everybody,

Children always like to tell the world their age and have you noticed that you always add the odd bit whenever you ask  .... "I am five and a half ...."

Here is a lovely card suitable for boy for girl and created with the dies and stamps from Card Making Magic

For this card we have made an envelope again and the card fits very neatly inside it. 

I have used the Balloons Corner Dies

and added it to an A2 Card

The Numbers set gave me the age and if you have the Alphabet set you could even add their name and at present there is special offer on at Craft Stash to buy both plain and overlay dies together in both sets

The video will show you how I made this set ... just long enough for a cuppa 

You can decorate this as you please to suit boy or girl even more

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Matching Envelope

Hi Everybody,

Every card needs a box or an envelope to send it and what could be better than one that matches the card.

I love to make cards with lots of flowers on them and they end up quite deep and so a box was the only way to give them.

But every so often I will make one that is not as bulky and for that I would need an envelope

Any of the Card and Box Die Sets can be used to create the box OR the envelope so that you can get lots of use from the die sets by Card Making Magic.

All my collection is available at Craft Stash and there is a lot to choose from ... and more to be added next month. Let the video show you how to make the envelope for your own cards

This is a bit of different colour scheme for me but one that would suit either gender for a birthday.

Dress it up more and make the box for all your female recipients and it would be just as good.

But whatever you do always enjoy your cardmaking 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card and Matching Box

Hi Everybody,

Today I am using the 5x7 Card & Box Die Set to create a box to match our card and  we are going super decorate it and add the card to it

I will be adding one video as an envelope from the same die set to show you just how versatile these dies can be.

This box or envelope can be done with any of the box die sets 5x7 ... 6x6 ... or the A2

Everything on the card is from the Card Making Magic Collection and they are all available at Craft Stash

Make this Mothers Day card in your Mums favourite colours or send it to your Gran or a favourite Aunt. Change the sentiment and it would make a beautiful Birthday card too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

The weather is getting better and lots of the trees are turning green again all ready to be dressed in their summer finery. I love the fine days when you can do so much more outside ... but not too hot for me as I simply melt.

The draw for yesterdays prize has been done good and early this week and the winner is ...

Margaret Wilson

would you email me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the gift will be on its way to you

I really hope you will enjoy playing with this wonderful set and please let me know that you have it safely

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Go Wild

Hi Everybody,

The gift on offer this week is for all you animal lovers out there and there are some fabulous images on this A4 stamp set.

If you are not in to colouring that much then these would be ideal as all the shading areas are shown to you

So you can add as much or as little as you need to create beautiful designs.

The video to show this stamp set is Go Wild A4 Stamp Set and there is a whole lot of fun 

waiting to be used.

If you would like to have this gift then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post. It is open to every body and I am happy to send you the gift where ever you live at my expense.

You don't need to have your own blog and it doesn't matter if you have won before you can still enter again for this weeks gift.  All I ask is that you leave your FULL name please with your comment because you will not be entered if you don't

Please come back tomorrow to see if it is your name that is listed as the winner in tomorrows blog post.  Good Luck everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A Card for Dad

Hi Everybody,

This really easy card is created with some of the new dies from Card Making Magic

I have used the Happy Birthday embossing folder and Letterpressed the inks onto it to give me the coloured base

The Border die has been cut twice and added beneath the central panel.

The letters have been cut from card that has been inked in the same colours and then covered with Glossy Accents.

Before the Glossy Accents have dried I have sprinkled in some gold glitter to give an added hint of sparkle.

The word has been added to the card with foam tape to raise it up, and the panel added to the base again with foam tape.

Perfect for your Dads birthday or Fathers Day or any other occasion that you may want to send your dad a card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mixed Media Card

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is created with the Layered Florals  stamps and die set to make the pretty flowers that are added to the front.

The background is stencilled with the Flourish  first with inks and then with texture paste to make the swirls 

The large Hello is stamped and the small banner is made with the Dymo printer that I have

I added some sequins for a little extra sparkle and the card is ready to send.

It is reasonably flat enough so why not   make an envelope   and stencil the front to match the card.

Change the occasion and it would be suitable for anything. Altogether a bright and cheerful card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

My apologies for no blog post yesterday but at present I have got the builders in to make things ready for my log burner and I will add the photos when it is completed, 

But there has been so much banging and drilling going on it has been impossible to film or do much work and the dust is everywhere. I was warned it was very messy so I did know it would be like this.

Anyway the draw has been done and the winner of the last Friday Freebie is ...

Sharon Brand

would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the gift will be on its way to you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - A Tree or all Seasons

Hi Everybody,

This die set is called a Tree for all Seasons because that is exactly what it will help you to do ...create a tree for your projects all year round.

And I have tried to you show you a card for each season in the video A Tree for all Seasons  and they are all really different

So this is another useful set to have and would make lovely male cards too. Would you like to have this one ??

Then simply leave me a comment at the end of the post and add your FULL NAME to be in with a chance to win it.

Be sure to come back tomorrow to see if it is your name that is listed as the winner and then you will have 72 hours in which to claim the gift.

Good luck everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

For You from Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card has used one of the Ribbon Threader dies from Card making Magic  which are all available at Craft Stash

There are four different patterns for you to use  in the one pack.

They give such a lovely effect to your designs and with four ribbon threaders to choose from you can vary the look each time you use them. 

I have added some mulberry flowers to the bottom and sprinkled them with glitter for added sparkle

Around the flowers I have added some Tear Drop Diamante

Altogether a really special card and by varying the colours you can achieve another look to the cards you create.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Textured background

Hi Everybody,

The background to the Oval shape has been created with white card and the Spring Summer Die and Stamp set.

The die cuts have been simply added to the card and give a beautiful patterned back drop to the stamps and coloured flowers

I have water coloured the flowers and then added the oval to the front with foam tape underneath to raise it up.

The design offers a different look to your cards in a very elegant way and is quick and easy to do as it is just die cutting all the leaves and adding them to your card.

You can use your favourite medium to create your stamped flowers and use one of the smaller ovals to cut it out and add to the main oval. Change the colours to suit your recipient and send with love.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Beautiful Daffodils

Hi Everybody,

Easter will soon be with us and it doesn't seem two minutes ago since it was Christmas. 

So just to be awkward I decided to make this card into a birthday one and I used the daffodils from Altenew that were the gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft a few weeks ago

They make really pretty cards and are so easy to put together and of course you can make them any colour you like.

I also used the papers from the pack because they are bight and cheerful.

I am hoping the weather gets better for the holidays too so that Ruby and I can enjoy long walks on the beach together.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Making Magic - Rainbow Card

Hi Everybody,

This bright and cheerful card is ideal for any age group male of female and can be used for lots of occasions at the same time

It is really easy to make and the addition of a little glitter makes it sparkle so much more.

The video will show you how I made this card and its matching box from the 5x7 Card & Box Die Set.

But the same idea could be made with any of the Box sets ... 6x6 or the A2

And whichever size you use you will be sure to have a lovely card that you can be happy to send.

And because the card is flat enough it will even fit into an Envelope that you can make from the same box dies

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's gone right back to winter here today and it is very windy wet and cold. What the Blackpool people would cal typical lights weather .... referring to how windy it is when the Illuminations are switched on in September ... and it's only March.

We are tucked up nice and warm today and Ruby has NO chance of going for a walk. So I have done the draw instead for yesterdays offering of the Meadow Flowers embossing folder stamps and die set.

The name this week is

Sheila McColgan

please email me your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and it will be on its way to you .

There will be no blog post tomorrow ...

See you Monday 

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Meadow Flowers

Hi Everybody,

A lovely stamp die and embossing folder is on offer today and you can make lovely cards with this gift

The card that is with it was created with an inking technique and the video will show you ideas on how I got the look

So if you would like Meadow Flowers to expand your stamp collection then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME

From those comments one name will be drawn and the winner notified in tomorrows blog post.

So if you add your name and comment be sure to come back and check if you are the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Making the Pizza Box ...without the Pizza !!

Hi Everybody,

So today we are going to use any of the Card Making Magic Box Dies that you have and we are going to create a different style for the box.

Yesterday I added the Envelope Style that is useful for flatter cards but this one can have cards or other items added to it as an alternative style and could be great for items that you sell

There are also two other ways to make the box and that video was added when the dies where first released.  But well worth a look if you are new to the concept of making your own boxes 

This has to be good value to be able to create three styles for the box and an envelope too.

And that should cover most of the things that you would need for your cardmaking 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creating an Envelope with your Box Dies

Hi Everybody,

Whichever size of box die you have from the 

Card Making Magic Collection you will be able to make three different styles of box and an envelope.

I added a video when the dies where first launched to show you the 

Two Ways To Make Your Boxes

Tomorrow I am adding the video that will show you how to make the Pizza Box but today we are focusing on the envelope

The video is not long because this is so easy to do and gives you another way to use the dies for cards that don't  have a lot of depth to them.

The more ways you can use your dies the better value they are and it is always so much fun playing and trying to come up with new ideas with anything from my collection Card Making Magic which is available at Craft Stash

More tomorrow

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner and Hochanda

Hi Everybody,

I have had a very busy weekend starting on Friday when I drove down to Peterborough to Hochanda.

I had two shows at 11 am and again at 2 pm and both went really well. 

So if you bought something from the shows I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This is one of the samples that I made using only dies that are in the new A2 Card & Box die set.

In between those two shows there was also one recorded for US TV but I don't know when that one will be going live.

I have also done the draw for the Friday Freebie since I got back and the name this week is ...

Maggie Gardner

so would you send me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to you.

My apologies to Ann Topp the winner of the Summertime Scenes because I found the package in my car and I forgot to post it to you .... I am so sorry but I will do it today.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Summer Holiday

Hi Everybody,

An A4 stamp set to remind you of all the things we enjoy in the summer months.

And think of the fun you could have creating with this one.

Bon Voyage cards, BBQ invitations, Garden parties, Summer Birthdays and lots lots more.

Use your favourite mediums to colour them in and enjoy yourself while you do.

Would you like to add this Summer Holiday stamp set to your collection ??
Watch the video to refresh your memory. 

 Then all you need to do is leave me a comments at the end of the post, adding your FULL NAME with it, and from those comments one name will be drawn to receive he gift and the card that was made with the set,

It doesn't matter if you have won before but please only enter once each time. I am happy to send the card to you wherever you live at my expense. So what are you waiting for ... get your name down with your comment to be in with a chance of winning.

But be sure to come back over the weekend to check if it is your name that is shown as you will only have 72 hours in which to claim the gift.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Apology and some news ...

Hi Everybody,

I am so sorry for my absence this week but I have been really busy preparing samples and demos for the weekend. 

I am back on

Hochanda this Saturday 

for two shows and the first one is at 11 am.  

So please join me and you can watch it on TV,  On your PC, Tablet or Smart Phone, Via the Hochanda App or on their channel

Lot of places to view and I would love to know that you are there. 

Yesterday was my birthday and I thanks you for all the birthday greetings that have been left for me.

My girls took me out for afternoon tea and it was lovely and very filling too.

Later back at home my Grand daughter and Griffs daughters came to see me with gifts and cards and we had birthday cake. I am having a Log Burner fitted later this month and some of the gifts are log burner appropriate.  

I will take pictures to show you  of that process once it starts and I am hoping that there will still be some cold weather left so that I can try it with a lovely cosy fire.

So now back to prepping and I hope to see you Saturday at 11 am on Hochanda

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shabby Chic

Hi Everybody,

Every so often I make a card that I really fall in love with and this is one of them.

I think this is so pretty and full and I would be delighted to receive one like this. 

I have added lots of flowers to this sitting around the white picture frame and I made a gold Hat Pin to add to the display

The flowers have all been sprinkled with glitter to make them shine

And I just love the lace along the bottom

But of course such a deep and decorated card would need a box to go with it and I have used the 5x7 Card & Box Die set    with more flowers added to the top.

Beautiful card and beautiful colour 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Hexagon Card

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is from the Fancy Nesting Hexagon dies by Card Making Magic and they are all available at Craft Stash

I have used Tonic Nuvo Drops to add the embellishments to it and of course it wouldn't be me with the odd flower or two .... well OK then maybe three or five

The card opens up so that you can add your sentiment or verse to the inside and it will stand unaided.

Or you could make the Easel Card Stand for it to make it extra special

It makes such an unusual focal point and I really like this card. Plus I would be very happy to get a card like this for my birthday

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Late today but no excuse really ... part for the fact that I have a new vacuum cleaner and I have been playing with it. Ruby is fascinated with it because it has headlights on the front to light under dark areas. She thinks it's great fun to chase them around.

Anyway enough of that lets move onto the draw. The name chosen to win the Summertime scenes from yesterday is ....

Ann Topp

so would you send your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

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

Please let me know that you have them safely and I hope that you will like them 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Summertime Scenes

Hi Everybody,

Another fun s die set for you this week that can be used in a variety of ways and for lots of occasions.

The video  Summertime Scenes  will show you some of the ways in which I used this but I am sure that you can come up with many more if you should win this gift

And to do that all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post and add your FULL NAME

Then be sure to pop back over the weekend to see if your name is the one shown as the winner.

Be sure to scroll through the pages if you come mid week to make sure that you haven't missed anything .. especially your name. And all the winners names are listed each week in the NavBar to your left 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 68 Furry Friends + Hello Spot

Hi Everybody,

Two stamp sets are the gift with this months Creative Stamping and they are domestic animals we keep as pets

I of course have used my Cocker Spaniel Ruby as my inspiration and tried hard to colour the image to suit her colouring

It is really a fun set to have and it will be in the shops on the 28th Feb so keep a look out for it. 

There are some cute images on there and lots of occasions are covered.

There is even a a stamp to say "So Sorry on the loss of  Your Pet"

On the cards with five dogs I used foam pads to add them at different heights but 

Princess Ruby of course is in the chair.  

The other items are also in the  A4 stamp set and I also added them in as  a fun element to the design.

The other stamps set is Hello Spot and for me it is more appropriate for children but see what you think when you get it and have fun playing with both of  them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Baby Christening card

Hi Everybody,

This card was featured in a magazine article last year and I was really pleased with the end result.

It was done with the Card Making Magic Collection dies especially for Babies brought out in 2017/18

I used the Nesting Rectangles to create the card base and then embossed it in the Basket Weave folder

The Nesting Ovals gave me the topper shape and the Baby Occasion dies provided the rest.

So with very little work from me I have a pretty card ready to send. Just die cutting and a little bit of colouring and the card was done

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Making Magic - Gatefold Card

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is a really easy to make Gatefold that can be used for any occasion

I have used the 

Double Sided Border Die  

to decorate the side panels of my card.

Everyone of the border dies has been made 7" long so that which ever size of Card & Box die you have they will fit any way round.

The video will show you how I made this but you can use any border die that you have for extra decoration

Change the colour to suit your recipient and then either add it to a box, or because it is quite flat, slide it into an envelope

Have fun

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx.

Clean and Simple

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is created in a clean and simple style using the

 Spring/ Summer Stamp and Die Set 
from Card Making Magic

All my collection is available from Craft Stash 

If something is out of stock when you view it then leave your email address and they will let you know when it is back in stock

The flowers, leaves and butterfly have all been coloured with Brusho Crystal Colours and then the flowers decorated with a white gel pen

I stamped the background leaves in Pale green directly onto the card layer and then added everything else to the top with foam pads

The pearl flourish is a little extra and I think this is quite a pretty card and still consists of flowers and pearls 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card and Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Late start today on this lovely sunny day and I have no excuse ... just being lazy.

 But lazy after a busy week so I don’t feel too guilty about it. 

The draw has been done for yesterday’s stamp and card gift and the name this week is

Vicki L Phillips
so would you email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the gift will be on its way to you straight away.

I hope you will have fun playing with the set and please let me know when it arrives with you

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Whale of a Time

Hi Everybody,

This fun stamp and die set is the gift on offer this week and the images are sure to delight any children that you make cards for. 

I created the waves for background with a stencil and different colours of ink 

The video will show you how I got the look 

Whale Of A Time 

So if this is the gift that you would like to add to your own collection then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the blog post adding your FULL NAME

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

You will have 72 hours to claim it and if no one comes forward in that time then it is with drawn and offered again at a later date. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mothers Day Card

Hi Everybody,

Mothers Day will be with us soon and so if you have cards to make for your mum or that you make for others then this is an idea that you may like to try.

I have used the
Card Making Magic Collection 
of dies. flowers, ribbons and pearls,  and I am really with the result

The video will show you how I made this card and I hope that you enjoy it.

I have used some beautiful blue card from Papermill Direct and it is a 255 GSM

Adding the die cuts stacked makes for a really strong base to your frames and the lace effect die cut too. I have added pearls to the edge of my lace and it looks really pretty.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft 188 - Altenew Layered Daffodils

Hi Everybody,

This months Simpy Cards & Papercraft has a beautiful gift from Altenew in the shape of a Layered Daffodil Die Set

It's going to be on sale on the 21st February and so if you wanted this set you will need to be quick as it will go very quickly

Altenew is one of my favourite brands and the flowers they create are gorgeous so to get one as a magazine gift is great.

Now I know it says Daffodil but you can do your flowers any colour you wish using coloured card.

And if you don't have the shade you need then you can use white card and colour it with your favourite medium to suit your own designs.

 Just have fun playing with this die set and let the video show you how to assemble the flowers 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby Update ...

Hello Everyone,

It's Ruby here today and I haven't been to visit you for some time.

I have still been having a lovely time when we go walking with Vickie and Dougal in the country or on the beach.

And as you can see from my photo I just love the mud and getting dirty.

My mum stands me in the kitchen sink and washes me all over to get the dirt off me.

Sometimes I don't smell very nice but I do scrub up well and then I am nice to be near again.

 I love going under the hairdryer too and having all that warm air ruffle my hair

And then I am clean and tidy, and all ready for a good snooze cuddled up in my blanket  ... till the next time we go walking !!

Bye for now 

Ruby xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's lovely here today and we are out walking this afternoon with Vickie and both dogs. I hate to say that spring is on the way as that might encourage some rain or even snow ... but we live in hopes that it will be a good summer again this year.

The draw for yesterdays card and gift has been done earlier this week and the name is 

Jane McGill

would you email me please with your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Autumnal Treasures

Hi Everybody,

This was a lovely stamp set that I really enjoyed playing with at there are some lovely images on this A4 set.

For the card that goes with the set I used gold embossing powder and it looks much better in the hand than the photo shows.

If you would like to own this set then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post and add your FULL NAME please.

For those of you who are new to the "Give Away" ... your full name is requested so that we all know exactly who has won the prize in case there are two of you with the same first name.

From the comments one name will be chosen as the winner and announced in tomorrows blog post ... so ...  no full name then no entry

If your name is listed as the winner then then you will have 72 hours to claim it by emailing me privately. Please do not add personal details to the comments box.

Good Luck everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx