Black Friday ....

Hi Everybody,

I am off to the first Craft Show in Leigh today that I have been to in four years, but I just wanted to pop in and tell you about the fun and frolics at Craft Stash this next week.

Starting tomorrow sees some fantastic deals on Craft Stash as they are running a Black Friday offer that will last the whole week. There will be some really good offers across hundreds of their own brand products that are featured on their website, and especially from the Co Brands.

So if you are looking for a super bargain then make sure you are signed up for their emails and if you aren't then get over there and do so now or you will miss out on the week long sale.

Here is the link to get on the email list and it will open a new window for you 
Craft Stash Newsletter 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's a beautiful day here and Ruby and I are going to go for a walk after this post is done.

At present she is barking at the postman and anybody else who dares to walk past her house.!!

Ella (cat) as always is zooming round like an idiot going up and down her cat tree.
I am the only one who is chilled in this house.

But the draw has been done and the name this week is

Valerie Steele

so if you could email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

I will get the pack in the post to you straight away.

Please let me know that you have it safely and I do know that if you are overseas then it will take a while to get to you. But at least I will know that you have it safely.

I hope you enjoy playing with it and make some lovely projects.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Trellis Stamp & Stencil set.

Hi Everybody,

Todays gift is the lovely stamp and stencil set from Card Making Magic called Trellis.

This is an A4 stamp collection with many designs and sentiment on it to suit all occasions and a DL stencil to add pattern to your backgrounds.

It comes with the magazine Creative Stamping and you will find lots of ideas that you may like to try inside the pages.

So grab your favourite drink as you browse the pages for a little bit of "me" time,

So if this is something that you would like to have join your own personal collections 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 at random as the winner and added to a blog post over the weekend, so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown.

I am happy to send this to you wherever you live at my expense.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Nestables Collection - DL + Octagons

Hi Everybody,

For this card I have used the small dies from the Octagon die set which is part of the Elegant Nestables Collection.

I have linked them all together with ribbon woven through the centre and I like the look of this card with the glitter card in the background

It is a DL size,  which is coming back into fashion again, and this is effective yet easy to do. 

I have really enjoyed playing with this new die set and there are lots of videos to showcase the different sizes in the collection. I have used every style there is now and in many cases I have mixed and matched sets as well.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

                     

Elegant Nestables Collection - 5x7 + Octagons

Hi Everybody,

Today I am featuring another one of the dies from the Elegant Nestables Collection and this time it is my favourite 5x7 teamed with the Octagons.

This style of card was one I saw Marta Debicka making in her tutorial last week and I really liked the design. I asked Marta if I could copy it and so here is my version.

For mine I have used the dies from the set and I am more than happy with the finished look. I can't wait to se what Marta thinks of it too. 

The video is not long but is another that will be added to the Elegant Nestables Playlist on my YouTube channel.

Enjoy the video ...

The links at the bottom of the screen are mostly affiliate ones which means if you purchase through them I will get a small commission at not extra cost to you.

I have added in the Wild Orchid Crafts link but sadly they do not ship to the UK at present .. lets hope that changes soon. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Nestables - 5x7 Rectangles + Circles

 Hi Everybody,

This is my favourite size of card to make and I like to keep the fold at the top as it helps the card to stand better.

For this one I have used Autumn colours and they have all been coloured by me using Alcohol Inks and Isopropyl and I have a video showing how I did that a long time ago.

Colouring Ribbons and Flowers

I have also used Kraft Card, and this is not something I use often, and it is a very useful addition to any stash. It is a cheap and cheerful card that can suit make of female designs.

So this is the video that I added to Facebook Live last Friday and I am adding it here to compliment the Elegant Nestables series that I have done and just in case you missed it 

                     

Whichever set you purchase you are sure to be delighted with it as it will make the most beautiful cards for you, and should you buy two ... or more ... then remember that they will work alone or combined to get even more for your money.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Nestables, Box Kits & Display Stands

Hi Everybody,

I am so happy that everyone seems to be enjoying the new Elegant Nestables Collection and the beautiful cards that they can make.

But don't forget that they will work extremely well with any of the other dies, from previous collections, that you may have in your stash.

They are also designed to compliment the Complete Card & Box Die Sets that have been brought out over the years and can extend your card making with many possibilities.

And there are also the card stands that can hold your card for display in a lovely way.

I have added below the links to all the Elegant Nestables and shown them alongside the relevant box collections that they will go with, complete with the stands 

These will create the basic card shape and some layers and then the box that will hold your finished card, and allow for any depth you may have added to your design,
and if you are like me it will be a lot !!!

I am loving this collection but there is a lot more to come for the future so I thank you for you support in the past and your continuing support in my endeavours.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Facebook Colour Schemes

 Hi Everybody,

Thanks you to everyone for joining in with Friday Facebook Live and it makes me so happy that many of you like the new collection. Lou gave away some fabulous prizes and one of the questions she asked was "What is your favourite colour scheme?"

There were lots of ideas and some of the colours are fantastic and so I thought it would a good idea to add a card as often as I can using some of the ideas that came in

Please forgive me if I don't add the name of the person who suggested it but I had to write them down quickly, as the show went on, and I only managed to get the choices.

This is the first one and the colours used are 
Red & Gold.
I have used the Oval Elegant Nestables and the Merry Christmas sentiment.

I used the technique of colouring the white card with the ink pad and that has been done in Festive Berries but I also found some parchment that had a gold pattern on it and so I added that to the top also.

I have used the bight gold card as the mat and for the centre of the card and the flowers are from my stash.

I added small pearls to the parchment pattern and glittered up the flowers and words.

In the show I was asked some questions and I didn't get round to answering them so I will do that here

Where do I get my flowers from?   

I got lots of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, as the choice was amazing, but then it was sold to another company and now they will not ship to the UK. I am adding the link just in case you are not in the UK and can get a shipment from them   Wild Orchid Crafts  but the price has gone up a lot !!

Another outlet I have used in the past is one I contacted through Facebook and here is the link so you can check that out ...  Samaflora

There is also a small collection of different types and colours at Craft Stash 

What colour is the glitter and where is it from ?

I get my glitter from Glitter Magic   and I usually buy it at the craft shows I visit. This is by far my favourite glitter and I buy the loose packs and tip it all into a container, as that is the best way to buy it. I use it a lot and you an see from the size of my box that I have a lot left. I have added this link to the colour I use and it is called Chameleon

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

HI Everybody,

What a lovely day it is today and later Ruby and I are meeting up with the rest of our family to remember my lovely husband Griff.

 It is four years today since he died and this has been a difficult four years. I smile and laugh and when people say "How are you"  I nod and say " I am fine" but in truth it has had some very trying moments in it. 

But today we are all meeting up and going for a lovely walk and then coffee and cake in a Lytham Hall café. The dogs will be able to run free and sniff all the wonderful things in the woods and we will all have a good natter about the things we have ben up to.

But in the meantime the winner has been chosen for yesterdays offering and the name this week is

Christine Cloutier 

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.

I hope you enjoy playing with it and be sure to let me know that you have it safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Fabulous Foliage

Hi Everybody,

It’s another Friday and this one is the launch of the beautiful Elegant Nestables. So be sure to join me on the Craft Stash Facebook Live page at 12.30 to see what we have.

Here is another chance to win this beautiful 8 piece die set called Fabulous Foliage that comes with the Die Cutting Essentials magazine.

You will find lots of ideas and inspiration in the pages and they will cover birthdays as well as Christmas for you to try.

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

From those comments one name will be chosen at random as the winner and announced in a blog post over the weekend ... so be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is listed. You will have 72 hours in which to claim and if it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another Way To Use Slimline ...

Hi Everybody,

This brand new collection will be launched on Craft Stash Facebook Live this Friday (Tomorrow 11th Nov) so make a note in your calendar to join myself and Lou Collins then at 12.30.

So for todays card I have used the small slimline die cut to produce the two panels that I have added to my card.

I have cut the layers twice in white and turquoise and added them together. Then they have been cut so that they can be added to the card front and leave a gap in the centre. 

I have added them to an embossed background and then added the Best Wishes words in the gap. 

The card has then been decorated with a pearl flourish and some Mulberry flowers at the bottom.

These flowers have been glittered up and I used a hot glue gun to hold them in place.

These are flowers that I got from Wild orchid Crafts many years ago and I have loads of them left yet to use. 

But they no longer ship to the UK and so if you know of somewhere else where they can be purchased then be sure to let us all know.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Waste Not - Want Not ...

Hi Everybody,

So after a week of intricate cards in many colours I thought I would add this one to show you how the Elegant Nestables can work as a clean and simple design.

This is an A2 sized card and the background has been embossed in the Perfect Roses embossing folder.

The word Friend is from another die set but the larger word HI is using the smaller centre part that fell out of the A2 collection.

I used the positive piece on another card but this is the bit that was left and so I formed my word and added it to the card front.

It is cut from bright gold mirror card and it seemed a shame to put it in the bin and if formed the word so well.

I like to look for other ways to use the dies and using the waste bits is one of them. That way all your precious card is used up.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Nestables - DL & Slimline

 Hi Everybody,

Todays video is to show you the difference between the DL and the Slimline version of this new Elegant Nestables Die set. 

The card shown is the Slimline version and I know that the colour scheme is perhaps a little unusual  for some people.

 But I have been using white and silver just lately and so I thought ... try a complete change of colour and see how it looks.

And although it is black based with blue mirror card I have to say I am quite happy with it. 

Both of these cards could also be used for a winter birthday too and probably other occasions with a bit of tweaking

The flowers are some that I have had in my crafty boxes for quite some time and it is about time they got used. And the die cut leaves and sprigs help to complete the look.

                                 

The video is not too long and I have covered most of the dies that are in this new collection in other videos that I have now added to the blog pages and on YouTube. 

The rest of them will follow shortly
You will find them all in a playlist named Elegant Nestables Collection.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Nestables - A5 + DL

 Hi Everybody,

Todays video uses the A5 and the DL sets from the new Elegant Nestables Collection and in this one I have used the sets separately and then combined the two for another look.

Each one is a petty card in it's own right and I have used a lovely grey and white colour scheme for all three.

                   

I have shown you a way to always have the colour card you need by using inks direct to white card and I have used the Distress Oxides to get my card. Now I know I can always have the card I want whatever I do on my designs.

In one of the cards I have used a pop of colour also to add a difference to the the look and I am really pleased with all the cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Elegant Nestables Collection - US A2

 Hi Everybody,

This A2 card is from the new collection and it creates an American A2 sized card. This is their preferred size as it keeps the postage down.

For the one shown I have added the die cut to an A2 base but in the video I have also added one to a 5x7 card as that is my favourite size to make.

All the cards are created in turquoise and a mat gold card that I got from Craft Stash. The little piece of gingham card shown here is some that I have had for a long time 

The ribbon I have also had for some time but it fitted into the slots just right and so that is why I used it on this card.

                     

Once again I hope you enjoy the video and I will be adding more using this collection.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

Another Saturday rolls up and they seem to come round so quickly I can't keep up. It's not very bright here today, but it is not cold. 

I had a bad migraine yesterday and Ruby was taken care of by Vickie, who she took her to sleep at her house. I went to bed at 7.30 but I am glad to say that I feel much better today. I have not had a migraine head headache for a while now but I know when one is on its way as my vision goes wavy and I feel really sick. They are not pleasant things to have.

Anyway the draw has been done this morning and the name this week is

Ursula Longworth

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.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and the gift and please let me know that you have it safely.

REMINDER

Don't forget to join Lou Collins at 5pm and 8pm today on The Craft Store for the launch of the new Elegant Nestables. I have some good videos coming up this week using this collection.

 More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Friday Freebie - Tropical Frame

Hi Everybody,

I have another of the Tropical Frame die sets to give away this week and it comes with the Die Cutting Essentials magazine as well

This is a  really good read that is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try.

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

I say it every week ... but if you don't leave your full name then you will not be entered into the draw. So if you feel like you never win then maybe you need  to check your comments and make sure that your full name is there.  

The reason for this is because it makes it easier to find the winner, should two or even three of you, have the same first name. So please oblige and leave your name then you will be in with the chance

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Elegant Nestables - 5x7 Rectangles + Ovals

 Hi Everybody,

Saturday the 5th November sees the launch of a brand new collection called Elegant Nestables and this is the 5x7 Rectangles.

They are being shown on The Craft Store with Lou Collins and I have sent many samples with her for you to see. 

These dies can all be used separately to create some beautiful cards and they will also work together. 

All are designed to work with all the previous box collections that have been released in the past.

I am so pleased with the delicate lacey look to this collection and I love to dress them up with flowers, ribbons and pearls.

This video will show you how I used the rectangles, and even combined it with the Ovals and I will be adding more for the other sets as I go along. 

                       

So I hope you will be able to join Lou this Saturday at 5pm and 8pm as she introduces you to the 

Elegant Nestables Collection 

from 

Card Making Magic

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More from Clever Cuts

 Hi Everybody,

Today I have been playing with the Clever Cuts Collection again and I have created two really lovely cards in more of the Silver & White.

This is such a special combination and would suit any occasion at any time of the year.

There are two cards created in the video and one is for a Wedding. 

But the other would be prefect for a winter or Christmas birthday, or even a Christmas card.

I hope you enjoy the video and all the items I have used are linked at the bottom of the page.

They are affiliate links which means if you purchase through those links I will get a small commission at not extra cost to yourself. But it does help my channel and blog to grow so it is all much appreciated.

                     

The video is not too long but yo will have time for a cuppa as you watch. 
And if you like lacey and fancy cards then this one is for you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Decorative Corners Collection

 Hi Everybody,

Today I am using an older die set from the

Decorative Corners Collection and teaming it with other dies and an embossing folder

This beautiful die set is the Celebration Corner and there are five other sets to choose from all of which will make beautiful cards

The video is not long, as I know many people prefer shorter ones, but I hope you will enjoy it any way, and maybe try this for your self.  

You could also turn this into a gift envelope if you wanted and I have videos on my channel that can show you how I did that. It would be perfect to put a gift card or money into for someone special.

                   

            

I have made mine in silver and white to use for a wedding but the colours could be matched to the wedding theme if needed.

And of course the back looks pretty too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

Well guess who forgot to alter the clock and has been all out of sync this morning because of it. Ruby and I went for a walk and got wet in the rain, only to find out that if we had waited a little longer then the rain would have passed. But because of the time difference I went thinking it was getting late when it actual fact it wasn't.

Still we are home again now and dry again and I have only just done the draw for the Poinsettia from Friday. So the name today is ...

Betty McAlister

so if you would send me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get it in  the post to your straight away.

I hope you will enjoy the gift and the magazine and please be sure to let me know that you have it safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Friday Freebie - Perfect Poinsettia

 Hi Everybody,

Today we have another Christmas Offering and this is the Perfect Poinsettia from Card Making Magic.

It comes with the magazine Die Cutting Essentials and it consist of a die and stamp set to adorn your projects.

But there is also a bonus magazine with this issue and this will give you lots of ideas as there are 65 projects for you to try on Crafts For Christmas

So if you would like this to be in your craft room then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME to be in with the chance of winning.

Then be sure to come back over the weekend to see if your name is shown as the winner as I have no way of contacting you if you are. Plus if you don't add your full name then your comment will not be entered in to the draw.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Coffee and Cream ...

 Hi Everybody,

Over the past few weeks I have been playing around with Tik Tok  with the very helpful guidance of Sam Calcott.

She uses it very successfully and she has been trying to show me what to do.

My great grand-daughter, who is 10, added the App to my phone, and did a far better job of it than I could have done.

I am not very technical and my first offerings are not that clever but at least I am trying.

This card is one of the ones I did using the Tik Tok app and with Sam's help I am improving, but it is a slow process for me.

Anyway this card used Kraft Card and to me this is an often overlooked card stock. I have teamed it with cream and I think the end result is quite pretty. Take off the flower and it would certainly suit a male card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

          

Sneaky Peak ...

Hi Everybody,

This is a new collection that will be launching soon and I am really excited as it is simply gorgeous. Very lacey, very elegant and so very very useful to create my style of cards. 

On the 5th November Lou Collins will be showcasing my latest release, Elegant Nestables, on The Craft Store TV channel at 5pm and 8pm,  and this is just to introduce you to the Elegant Nestables

The featured card is created as an A5 size in gold and turquoise card. I have used several of the die sets to show that they can all be used either together, or separately as suits you.

As we get nearer to the date I will be adding more samples to show you, but this card is just one of the ones that will be in the show.

I will also be adding videos covering all the parts to this collection from A5 to Slimline cards. 

I really hope that you will like it as much as I do and it works well with every sized box set that is also in my previous releases. I have added the links as yet but it is not released with Craft Stash until the 10th November

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Rosettes & More

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Rosettes and More from the Clever Cuts collection that has been launched, and for this card I have used the Heart as my focal point.

The background to this has been ink blended and the Heart added to the top with a light dusting of ink along the folded ridges.

I have used the Trailing Florals along the side and added the word HI at the bottom.

This alphabet is so pretty as just the centre piece on a Clean & Simple card or you can use it to create an Eclipse card.

                   

The instructions to make these rosettes are in the video but it is such an old process, that I am sure we have all made them when we were children, and probably taught our own children, and grand children how to make them too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Clever Cuts Background

 Hi Everybody,

This 6x6 Offset background is a lovely way to add decoration to your designs. You could use the die to cut the pattern into the card and so make it a see through one to ad the Trailing flowers too.

Here I have just used it as a complete background and added some designer paper to the back to peep through the Trellis.

You could colour the flowers any way you wished with your favourite medium and vary the colours to suit your creation. 

The Alphabet is also new and so pretty when the flowers that twine though it are coloured. 

It will ad any name you wish to your cards and it will also mix well with the older Alphabets that have been added to the Card Making Magic Collections. The vidoe is the one that was on Facebook Live last Friday and I am adding it here in case you missed the show or the video itself.

               

I hope you enjoy the video and it is not long so hopefully you wont fall asleep !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Clever Cuts Collection

Hi Everybody,

I  hope you managed to catch the Facebook Live on Friday and I hope you enjoyed the new Clever Cuts Collection.

There are lots of ways in which to use this set and the new Alphabet is simply gorgeous.

 I will be adding the videos to my YouTube channel this week so if you missed the show then have no fear the videos will be here soon.

This Rosette can be used as a stand alone gift also 

Here I have used the Background die and created a wall for the flowers to trail against. 

The flowers have been coloured with alcohol markers and added with foam pads to raise them up from the wall. 

I have added white gel pen to the centres of each flower to highlight the stamens and that just gives a little life to them.

I have a lot more playing to do with this set and I will show you the results as they are done.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

I hope you are all well on this fine Saturday morning. It is lovely here in Blackpool ... a good day to get your washing done !! I have been up early today and got lots of household chores done and also had time to do the draw from yesterdays offering of the Countdown to Christmas kit.

There are lots of items in this kit to help you with your design for Christmas Cards and beyond.
So the name this week is 

Linda Massey

and if you would like to send me your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get it in the post to you straight away.

I would be grateful if you could let me know that you have it safely and I hope you will enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Countdown to Christmas

 Hi Everybody,

It is never too early for some people to start their Christmas card making.

For me I am always on the last minute with my personal making as I spend a lot of the year making cards and projects for the Christmas in July feature that we do at Craft Stash.

But with this Papercraft Essentials kit everything is there for you, because in this pack you will get 30 die cut toppers, 147 printed toppers,  eleven 8x8 patterned papers and 25 foiled numbers.

And as an added extra there are also 10 foiled sentiment stickers to complete the look.
They will all make an 8x8card for you if that is a size that you like to make, if not you can always cut them down to suit the size you prefer.

So would you like this kit to help you get started? Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME.

Be sure to come back and check if your name is shown as the winner in a blog post over the weekend.

Please join me today at 12.30 on Craft Stash Facebook Live for the launch of some really pretty dies called Clever Cuts and the chance to win some super prizes 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Free Embossing Folder

 Hi Everybody,

Would you like to have a free embossing folder ?

            Then you can choose from five when you buy the Half Scallop Bundle from Craft Stash.

Embossing folders will give you such a pretty backdrop for any of you projects and they help to finish the card rather than leaving a plain blank space.

I use them a lot in my card making and there is a lot that you can do with folders once you have them 

These are the five choices that are available to you with your purchase and all you need to do is add the code CMMEF at the checkout with your choice and it will be added to your basket automatically.

I have added the links below to include the Craft Stash US website to make it easier for my  US readers.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

    

Rounded Edges

 Hi Everybody,

To me using dies is such a useful way to create my cards. And since I discovered them many years ago I have never stopped using them.  

They were very expensive at that time and I would save for moths and then go to the Craft Shows and buy what I needed.

But now the cost of them has come down so much and the shapes and styles have all taken such a leap forward that there is so much to chose from.

This card has the Rounded Edges added to each of the layers which gives it a soft and feminine feel.

In each of these new die sets ... Torn Edges and Rounded Edges  ... there are a lot of dies to produce layers of different sizes, and so giving you a lot choice and scope with them. 

For the featured card I have used he Rounded Edges as my base card and topped it with the Oval from the Nested Frames Set.

But again they could be made into a Shaker Frame or any other style of card you  prefer. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx