National Friendship Day

 Hi Everybody,

Today some of my friends and I are inviting you to join in with our little Blog Hop.
This is for National Friendship Day, and it is going on in many places.

We are keeping ours small and just to the Co-Brands that are with Craft Stash and so it is more personal and not a long hop that will take you hours to get through.

Helen Griffin UK - https://www.youtube.com/c/HelenGriffinUK Papercrafting with Lou Collins - https://www.youtube.com/c/LouCollins Sheena - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIB4... Sam Calcott - Mixed Up Craft - https://www.youtube.com/c/MixedUpCraft Christina Griffiths - https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristinaGr... FINALLY... Be sure to subscribe, like and comment on each video and then to enter the competition for the big craft bundle, visit https://www.craftstash.co.uk/inspirat...

You can start anywhere you like on the hop but you will need to visit everybody to be in with the chance to win. Be sure to leave a comment at each video and then enter for the big prize that will be on offer by going to Craft Stash 

Here is my video using the lovely die and stamp set "Love Is In The Air" from
Made to Surprise by Sam Calcott  ....

                       

There is sure to be something that you enjoy and so please join us

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It is a glorious day here today and I have been busy filming videos that I am hoping you will enjoy.
Ruby is waiting patiently to go out for her walk, and Ella is just playing with an empty toilet roll tube. 

I have done the draw for yesterdays give away and the name today is 

Marilyn Coombs

Would you email your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it posted to you straight away. 

It is a pretty die set and I am sure that you will enjoy playing with it.
Please let me know that you have it safely 

Dont forget to join in the blog hop tomorrow for National Friendship Day and leave comments to be in with the chance to win.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Crafters Companion Festive Die

 Hi Everybody,

This copy of Simply Cards & Papercraft has a seasonal die attached to it and it will create pretty little scenes for you to add to your cards.

The magazine is full of some lovely ideas on how you can make the most of this die, as well as other projects that you may like to try.

This could be winging its way to you to join your own collection and all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post.

I will need your FULL NAME please other wise the comment will not be added to the draw. From those comments one name will be chosen at random and the name announced in a blog post over the weekend.

So if you do add a comment be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sneaky Peak ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is a sneaky peak at a brand new collection that is due to be released with Craft Stash on the
12th August. 

I will be doing Facebook Live with Lou Collins on that day to show the new collection to you. 

There are some beautiful Frames in the set and large words for you to add to your projects.

I have used the Simply Dots embossing folder for the background to this card but there are lots of ways that any of the dies can be used, and not just in the way they are intended

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, but they no longer ship to the UK and so you would need to find an alternative source.

Make a note in your calendar to join Lou and myself on the 12th August

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Special Deal on Card Making Magic

Hi Everybody,

This fabulous deal is available across all the ranges from Card Making Magic so have fun choosing the ones you really like and get one of them for free. 

 And be sure to join me on Sunday when I am taking part in a small blog hop with the
Co-Brands from Craft Stash as part of
National Friendship Day

There will be the chance for you to win a prize that is being put together by all the Co-Brands and will be well worth winning.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

How is your weekend going ?? Well I hope, and you are enjoying some free time to relax.
It's dull and cloudy but very warm here and I have been out walking with Ruby earlier this morning. 
And I have done the draw for yesterdays Textured Owl.
So the name today is ...

Val Wallis

Would you email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it in the post to you straight away.

It is a very pretty set and so I hope you will enjoy playing with it and make some beautiful cards in the process. Enjoy the rest of the weekend

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Textured Owl

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is from the talented Lou Collins and it features her Textured Owl. This is a two piece die set and a 10 piece stamp set.

It comes complete with the Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine to give you lots of  ideas on how to create some fabulous projects.

So would you like to add this to your collection ? Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME

From those comments one will be chosen as the winner and the name announced in a blog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is listed. 

Because some of those comments now come through as anonymous you must be sure to leave your full name.  Not just your first name or initials, or your nickname ... only full names please then it will be fair to everybody.  

I am happy to send the prize to you wherever you live and it doesn't matter if you have won before.
Give it a go it could be your lucky day 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Octagon Box - Deal of the Day ...

 Hi Everybody,

Craft Stash are doing a special offer on the Octagon Box that was brought out earlier. This creates beautiful shaped boxes for you and there is also a die set that will create a card to use separately or can be fitted inside the box.

I also did a video that will show you how I made a taller version of the box that will take many different items that you may like to add.  I adapted mine to include pull out shelves and I added chocolates to them as a really special gift.

                   

The offer is for today only and so now is the chance to grab this offer while you can ...

 More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Beautiful Baubles Cards

 Hi Everybody,

Todays video features three cards that are all different sizes. It is the video that was shown on Facebook Live and I am adding it here in case you missed the show.

The card shown has baubles that have been stencilled, cut out with the dies, and added onto the front of it with foam pads, but the paper pack is a dream if colouring is not your things.

Just use the dies to cut the Baubles out and add them how you would like to your projects. Other videos will show you how they have been jazzed up to a more glitzy look.

Creating the baubles in different colours can ring in the changes too, and if you flip the round ones upside down they make fantastic balloons for a birthday theme.

 

There is a lot that can be done to alter the look of your Beautiful Baubles all you need to do is play with them and see what you can come with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mixing things up !!

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card has used some of the Creative Cuts from Sam Calcott to make the spine for this card and the result is very pretty.

I have used the paper from the pack to die cut the baubles and make the background. The spine portion has been lined with another colour from the pack and glued together.

The baubles have been added with foam pads to give varying heights and they have been decorated with gemstones.

The sentiment is also from the paper pack and so it all came together really easily without a lot of work from me.

I like it when dies from other brands play nicely together as this expands your own repertoire no end with what you can do when creating your projects. Take a look at what you already have and see what works with each other.

Below I have added the links to the products I have used and they are all available from Craft Stash. 
They are all affiliate links which means that if you purchase from those links I will receive a small commission that will not add any extra cost to you, but helps me enormously.   Thank you ...

More tomorrow ..

Hugs xx

Tree Decorations

Hi Everybody,

When I did the Christmas in July video for Craft Stash it was very well received but I added the gold embossed baubles to a card front.

But for this idea I decided to turn them into tree decorations and use gold thread to hang them from the branches.

They would look lovely on a small tree as they are not too big, and they are easy to make at the same time.

This is the video that was shown on Facebook Live so if you missed that show then here is the opportunity for you to see it and maybe give it a try for your self.

The work is mostly done for you using the paper pack and the dies, but additional decoration can be added with the stamps and the stencils too. 

Vary the look by using silver embossing powder or coloured powder to make your baubles look really individual. I have also added gemstones and pearls to some of mine.

The video is not too long just long enough for your to enjoy a cuppa and relax for a while and I hope you enjoy watching it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie Winner

 Hi Everybody,

This is a lovely day and Ruby and I are going to go walking later. I like it better once it has cooled down some and it is much better for Ruby too.  I have now started to leave the doors to the back of the house open so that Ella can wander outside too and she loves to sit in the sun under the Buddleia tree. 

The draw for the prize has been done and the name today is ...

Denise Bryant

please can you email your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it in the post to you straight away. I would be happy if you could let me know that you have it safely and I hope you will enjoy playing with the set.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Vlog Hop Winners

 Hi Everybody,

Here is the full list of all the winners that took part in the Blog Hop. By clicking the links it will take you to the actual video from that designer. To claim your gift you will need to send your details to ...

 customerservice@craftstash.co.uk 

Well done and I hope you all enjoy the prizes that you have won. 

Lou Collins

Sharon Dunn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7BrOrUW-lY&lc=UgwPMfQjMBiZyKP-XSB4AaABAg

Sam Calcott 1

Donna Jett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frUwL7G38IE&lc=Ugy82zmok_v15-6dXUB4AaABAg

Marta

Barbara Falcone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFJxEjriV8&lc=UgxcmXvNngnzgDn71uR4AaABAg

Sasha

Emma Burtenshaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8bvikE5Auk&lc=UgwpGOLFxOxatBKU_fF4AaABAg

Helen

Lyn Clifton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR1YxKh8jUE&lc=Ugzl0QuHQBsp5VgSDfN4AaABAg

Sandi

Nicola Reid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DhpdgsFc-g&lc=UgxvsV87V_JN-rvUy1F4AaABAg

Sam 2

Kim Whitehouse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnVHt4xVt3U&lc=UgxHDIqkHI8H5zmVtAR4AaABAg

Christina

Amanda Hobden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFQS93KMfO4&lc=UgwSFwlETYhT3Zo9loB4AaABAg

Sheena

Beth Rogers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNaVgrWtbf4&lc=UgwSMDTgghH8kg5fI054AaABAg

Grand Prize

Jane Scott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNaVgrWtbf4&lc=UgwBAnWDnMHdS9Ybxm14AaABAg

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Terrific Triangles

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is lovely four piece die set, and each piece has a different design on it.

This will help you to create some really unusual patterns for your projects and the magazine will give you even more ideas that you ,ay like to try.

There is also a bonus stamp set with everyday sentiments on it that can be used to finish off your cards.

So if this is something that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment with your FULL NAME ... I cannot stress this point enough that you must leave your full name. 

So if you are wondering why you never seem to win then check how you add the comment.
No nicknames, no initials, no first names ... FULL NAME please.

Please come back on Sunday and see if your name is listed as the Friday Freebie winner.

The Blog Hop winners will be announced tomorrow so be sure to check that out as you maybe one of the lucky ones

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Beautiful Baubles Launch

 Hi Everybody,

I am so glad that people are now able to leave comments again and I am relieved to have you back again.

But don't forget that because the comments can now come through as anonymous I have no way of knowing who you are.

Please leave your name especially for the Friday Freebies so that you can be identified if you are the winner.

Today I will be with Lou Collins launching the new Beautiful Baubles. This is a fabulous set and everything matches. The papers can be cut out with the bauble dies which makes things a lot easier and quicker if you need to make cards in a hurry.

Please Join us for some great prizes at 12.30 today

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Playing with glue ...

Hi Everybody,

So after tidying my desk I found these flowers lying around and decided to use them on a really simple card.

I also had some coloured glue in my glue box that was going hard and I used that to trail some worm like creatures on my background.

While it was still wet I sprinkled it with gold glitter and then let it dry. 

Then before adding in the flowers and leaves I stamped the sentiment at the top. The panel has been added to a top folded card to make a quick and simple design.

This one has just had some glue dripped horizontally on a panel and sprinkled with clear glitter and gold sequins and allowed to dry.

I stamped the sentiment and rounded the corners off and added it to the base card for another quick and easy card.

I can't really say that I like either of them but at least it got to use up some of the stuff on my desk.

Don't forget to join me tomorrow on Craft Stash Facebook Live with the new collection Beautiful Baubles

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Who is the boss ???

 Hi Everybody,

This picture shows just how far we have come in the developing relationship between Ella and her doggy friends.

Ruby in the back is my Cocker Spaniel and the white dog in the front is Dougal my daughters Cockapoo.

And smack bang in the middle of them both is my new kitten Ella. She is twelve weeks old, feisty, tiny and definitely rules the roost.

Both dogs almost six years old and are so much bigger than her, and yet they are scared of her, and when she turns to face them they run away. 

It's quite funny really to watch how she has learned that she can chase them off. 

But in quieter moments they drink from the same dish, although not at the same time and when Dougal has gone home again Ella and Ruby will sit together.

Until that is Ella puts out a paw to touch Ruby, and then Ruby gets up and walks off.
But slowly we are getting there and I still hope that eventually they will be friends.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

I really do not know what is happening on the comment front but I have had several emails from people who cannot leave comments any more. This could be something to do with Google and the way they now operate or it cold be the blog operators hem selves. I only know that I don't think it is something that I have done that is preventing these comments being shown.

However having said that I have now changed somethings and I see that it is now allowing anonymous comments to be shown. That makes it even more important to leave your FULL NAME if you want to win the Friday Freebie as there is no way I can sort out the number of anonymous comments that are now there.

So I will remind you again that if there is no full name shown,  not  just first names, initials or nicknames,  then your comment will not be entered into the draw. 
Thank you so much to those who have complied and if you haven't then you will not win so check carefully what you have put down on your comments

On to the winner this week and the name drawn at random is ...

Cathie Weary

Your comment has come through as anonymous so thank you for leaving you name.
Please email me with your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to your straight away and I hope you enjoy playing with it..

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie -

 Hi Everybody,

The Friday Freebie is back this week and this lovely set has five different flowers to it.

It can be used to produce a single bloom or a complete bouquet according to your needs. 

Plus there is the opportunity for you to download 43 matching papers and toppers to add to your designs. 

You will find some wonderful ideas on how to get the best from the dies, inside the magazine that will come with the set.

There are other projects that you may like to try as well as special offers just for you.

So if you would like to win this offering then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your  FULL NAME

It doesn't matter if you have won before and I am happy to send the pack to you wherever you live.

But be sure to come back over the weekend and see if your name is listed as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Altenew Magnolia & Blooms

 Hi Everybody,

The cards featured today are from the latest Altenew Project Life Kit and this one is named Magnolia & Blooms.

For this 6x6 card I have stamped and Gold embossed the image and then water coloured it using the Viviva water colour pad that I have 

I used the  embossing folder to add the depth and  then cut it out using the matching die. 

I have added it to another 3-D Altenew embossed panel with foam pads and simply stamped and die cut the sentiment to add to the front. 

For this one I have just used the stencil to arrange my own design on the front panel.  The base card has been lightly stencilled too to add some pattern to the card.

The little sentiment is one of several that are on the stamp sheet and they cover all kinds of occasions.

The finished size of this card is a DL and it will fit into a standard envelope .

You can use the stencil to create the pattern with the flowers anyway that you like and it is such an easy way to add colour to them without stressing about your colouring skills.

This card is a super slimline and it only measures 3x6. I have heat embossed the image in silver and added it to another embossed panel.

I have used it in Landscape and backed it with some blue card to match the colour scheme

I have inked the stamped image and coloured it with the stencil

It has been embossed  in the folder to give some depth to the die cut and then I snipped into it to fit the size of the card. 

Three cards in three different sizes and all just as pretty as each other.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A Big Thank You ....

Hi Everybody,

 This weekend saw the end of the Craft Stash Christmas Blog Hop & Giveaway, but don't worry if you've missed it, as you can still watch back all the tutorials below, and there's still time to enter all the giveaways!

Start from the beginning, subscribe, like, comment on all the videos and look for the hidden questions.

Friday 1st July - Lou Collins Textures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7BrOrUW-lY

Saturday 2nd - July Sam Calcott Mixed Up Craft

https://youtu.be/wnVHt4xVt3U

Sunday 3rd July - Marta Debicka

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFJxEjriV8

Monday 4th July - Sasha Reade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8bvikE5Auk

Tuesday 5th July - Helen Griffin Simply Made Crafts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR1YxKh8jUE

Wednesday 6th July - Sandi Nagel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DhpdgsFc-g

Thursday 7th July - Sam Calcott Made To Surprise

https://youtu.be/wnVHt4xVt3U

Friday 8th July - Christina Griffiths

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFQS93KMfO4

Saturday 9th July - Sheena

https://youtu.be/wNaVgrWtbf4

Have Fun visiting the designers

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Decoupage Delight - Camelia

Hi Everybody

I hope you all enjoyed the blog hop and all the fantastic techniques that the co-branders have shared.  And if you entered the competitions then I hope you where a winner.

This card is one that was made ages ago using the Camelia from the Decoupage Delight Collection. 

I teamed it with the Foliage panel background and twisted one of them around to create the effect. The finished card is a 5x7 with the fold at the top.

The one below is the same background with the leaves layered on top of each other this time to give you another look 

The flowers on this card is the Hellebore and I must admit that this is my favourite one.

The flowers face in three different ways and they are quite a large addition to your cards.

Just by changing the colours will create a whole new look to your designs and they look amazing added to the lids of any of the boxes that you can make from my collections.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

     

Christmas In July Blog Hop with Sheena Douglass

Hi Everybody,

So here we are at the end of the blog hop week and to take us out in style is the wonderful Sheena Douglass. There have been some wonderful prizes for you to win and if you where one of the lucky ones, I hope you will enjoy your prize. To be in with the chance to win the big prize you need to leave a comment on all the designers blog posts and to the Craft Stash Channel. All the details are below.

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

Friday 1st July Lou Collins 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka 

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th July Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July Christina Griffiths

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass (You are here)

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

Deal Of The Day

Grab this special deal for this fabulous stamp and die set that compliments the Pretty Book Collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas In July Blog Hop with Christina

Hi Everybody,

I really hope you are enjoying the Christmas In July Blog Hop and all the projects that the designers have created for you.  We are all so excited to have you with us and there are some excellent prizes to be won.

Just click the links to join in

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

Friday 1st July Lou Collins 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka  

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th July Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July Christina Griffiths  (You are here)  

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

Don't forget to join me on Facebook Live on the 20th July for the official launch of this new set.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx