Everyday Items - Paper Kitchen Towel

Hi Everybody,

In this little series I am using items that you will find in your own home that can be used to create different  looks for your designs. 

So far I have used Tin Foil to create a really pretty background  and in this video I am using paper towels to do the same thing.
And the result is lovely.

I am going to do more videos to show you how I have used up ordinary things to create something pretty for my cards that won't break the bank, and that you probably already have in your home.

                   

It is worth having a look around to see what you have and then give it a try. If it doesn't work out for you that's ok you can always try something else. 

But you never know you could be very pleasantly surprised with what you get.

Here is a reminder of what the tin foil card turned out like, and who knows what I will use next !!!

The link will take you to the video in case you missed it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's very dull here today but at least it is dry. I am going to get my wellies on later and give all my back garden  a good jet wash. I need wellies because I always end up soaked and paddling in water but at least my garden will be clean again.

In the meantime the draw for yesterdays prize has ben done and without further ado 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 posted off to you as soon as I can.

If you are in the UK then it will be soon but if you are abroad then I don't know as the cyber attack is ongoing as yet.  But it will get to you eventually.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie -Memory Box Set

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is from Memory Box and it is a beautiful stamp and die set with a spring theme and there is the chance for you to download some papers to go with it.

The magazine is Die Cutting Essentials and in there you will find ideas on how to use the set as well as hints and tips for other things that you may like to try.

So if this is a set that you would like to have in your collection then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

 Then you need to be sure that you come back over the weekend to see if it is your name that is shown as the winner. You will have 72 hours in which to claim the prize.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterfly Cards

 Hi Everybody,

For both of these cards today I have used butterflies that where simply lying in my bit box.

I have used two of the shapes and layered them together so that the wings are layered and the top wing has been curled a little to give movement.

I also found some Diamante butterfly shapes that I have added to the top of the wings and that gives a beautiful shimmery effect.

The leaves in the background are from a layering die set that I have water coloured to give the shading.

The flower on this card has been stamped and heat embossed in white powder and the water coloured.

I have added a pearl centre to the petals and then foam pads to raise it up from the card.

Both are far prettier in the hand and sparkle really well in the light.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Deal Of The Day

Hi Everybody,

Just to let you know that there is a special offer on these word dies at present and they are always handy items to have in your own collections.

They can be used to make a real statement on your designs or if needed you can cut them up to use just a portion of them 

These words have been cut in white card but they would look very classy in glitter or mirror card depending on the style of card you are creating.

Sometimes a water coloured back ground can look amazing with just a word greeting on the front but whatever you decide to do with them the choice as always is yours.

Just have fun and get the imagination going to produce some spectacular card for all your recipients.

Click the link above to go to the Craft Stash page with the offer and there is also a video to show you how I have used this set.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

              

Black & Silver Card

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is another from the ones made with black card and this one also has a foamiran flowers added to the front.

For the back ground I embossed a separate panel in the flourish fold and then swiped over the top of it with a silver ink pad.

This left a very light dusting of silver ink on all the raised pattern to the panel, and it is an ink pad that I have had for many years.

I added this to the base card with foam tape to give some height. 

From the same black card I used a Fancy Nested shape to cut two layers that have been glued together and these are also added with foam. 

The sentiment is from the set that I bought at the craft show and they can be cut don and used as you like them. 

The flower has been cut from the foam three times, using the Layering Flower dies, and heated to soften the foam with an iron. They can then be rolled into shape, and the stamens pushed through the three layers of the flower.

I have also shaped the leaves the same way and glued them under the actual bloom. The edges to the petals has been lightly dotted with glue and then sprinkled with a fine silver glitter.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Black Group

 Hi Everybody,

I have been known to create black cards in the past but they have usually been sympathy cards.

But for todays group I have chosen the black and used up all the spare die cuts that I had on my desk. Some of them are from projects done quite some time ago.

For some of them I have added in handmade foamiran flowers and for others I have used some stamped and some just die cut.

This is the one with the die cut flowers and they are in cream and gold.

I will link as many of the products that I have used at the bottom of the page and if you have them then maybe you would be inspired to get them out again.

Each one of the cards has a panel that has been embossed in a folder for added texture but it doesn't show up very well on the photos.

They are all different sizes and orientations too as I had all the card bases ready folded so it made sense to use up what I had done.

For this card I used Broken China to add the cloudy look to portions of the background, over the embossing, with a small brush so the colour wouldn't be too deep.

I do quite like them all but this one with the three flowers on it is my favourite. 

They are created from Foamiran with extra inking on the petals and of course the added glitter.

Hope you like at least some of them 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

 I took Ruby for a walk this morning coz it said it wouldn’t rain and guess what …. it did and we both got wet. It was that very fine drizzle the seems to get everywhere. 

So once we got home again I coaxed Ruby into the shower and gave her a good shampooing.  Now she is in her fluffy jacket to keep her warm till she is fully dry.

 I know it’s late but I have just done the draw for the Water Colour kit. 

This is a super prize and the little pad of water colour sheets will last you some time as you need very little of them to paint with.

So the name has been chosen and I have to tell you that I don’t know when you will get it if you live abroad as the Cyber Attack on the Royal Mail is still causing problems.

 I have two packs here that are due to go to New Zealand and Australia, and as soon as I can I will post them.

If you are in the U.K. then there is no problem.

ANNE OWENS

You are my winner this week so would you please send your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the pack will be in the post to you just as soon as I can

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Water Colour Kit

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is for those who would like to try water colouring but don't want the expense.

With this kit you can try it and see if it a medium that works for you with the Viviva Mini Colour Sheets.

These little sheets are something that I have featured on my blog in the past and they are really good to have in your stash as they don't take up a lot of room.

Along with these paint sheets you will get a water brush and some pre printed images for you to colour in.

There is also an A$ stamp sheet so there are lots for you to try your skills at. The magazine will give you more ideas and tips that you will find useful as you go along. 

So if this is something that you would like to try then leave me your 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 added to a blog post over the weekend, so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

All Occasions Collection - Shaker Card

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Squares and the 5x7 dies from the All Occasions Collection to create this very pretty shaker card. 

I have used some beads that I have had for years in my drawer and forgot all about them.

I have added my shaker panels to an embossed background as this helps them to stand out more. 

I have used the Perfect Rose folder but you could use any that you have in your own collections.

The blooms on this card are Mulberry Flowers that I bought from Wild Orchid Crafts years ago and sadly they do to ship to the UK anymore

In this collection there are some really useful words dies that will build up into sentences for you to add to your cards.

They will cover many many occasions for you from Christenings to Sympathy and lots more in between.

Here is the video to show you how I made this elegant Shaker card and I hope you enjoy the process.

                          

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

All Occasions Collection

 Hi Everybody,

At present at Craft Stash website there's a special offer going on for the All Occasions Collection. 

This set of dies are an addition to your core sets and will build on all of the previous collections that I have, so if you enjoy layering your designs as much as I do then this will right up your street. 

I also have some videos that you may like to view and they were originally shown on the Facebook Live that I did a few weeks ago.

 I have also shared how I created the flower for my card using the smaller circles in the set.

                    Here is one of those videos for those who couldn't join in with Facebook, and for this one I have used the circles to create a really pretty card. 

               Just time for a brew as you watch 

                 

I hope you enjoy it and I will add the other video tomorrow using another set of the dies to create my card and I will make it in a different style.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Three Flowers !!

 Hi Everybody,

For todays card I thought it would be nice to add three different flowers to one card rather then three that are all the same. It gives a new look to the display

And so that is what I have done with foamiran, and stamens or pearls for the centres. 

They have all been dotted with glue and sparkled with some glitter and added to the panel with hot glue,  to be sure they stay put

The background is created by stamping the sentiment along the edge of some Washi Tape that has then been secured by wrapping it around the back of the panel and then embossed in the folder.

This makes sure that the washi tape is well and truly attached to the card panel and wont come off to spoil the look.

This panel has been added to the base with foam tape to give a little depth to the card.

I have used different coloured foamiran to create the flowers and three different dies to alter the shape of the petals.

Little finger daubers have helped me add some ink to the centres of the petal for depth to the flowers.

I have splattered the background with some white gouache and some gold paint to add extra effect, and the gold paint highlights the gold in the Washi Tape

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Foamiran Poinsettia

Hi Everybody

Christmas may be gone but for cardmakers it is never out of mind and for this card I have used some foamiran to create my large Poinsettia

The background has been embossed in my folder and then with a finger dauber I have lightly gone over the pattern with some gold gilding wax.

The flowers and leaves have been added with a hot glue gun to the left of my panel and a pre printed sentiment has been added to the right with foam tape. 

I have dotted the flowers with glue and sprinkled them with glitter and once they are dry the glue will dry clear and the glitter will sparkle on the petals.

Don't forget to add your name to the list to be notified when the new VIP Club is starting and be in with the chance to win some goodies 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

I have tried again to send the pack to my winner based in New Zealand and as yet the post office will not accept it. The UK winner has already got hers. So if you are based abroad then there will be some delay in you getting the pack and there is nothing I can do about it except reassure you that once this situation is resolved the pack will be sent to you.

The winner today is ...

Cathy Cates

and I am hoping that you are UK based. Please send me your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the gift will be with you just as soon as I can get it to you, and please let me know once you have received it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie -Perfect Pillow Box

 Hi Everybody,

This is another seasonal gift that can be used all year round and will create some really pretty little pillow boxes for you.

Use other items in your crafting stash to decorate the box like flowers, ribbons and pearls and it would be prefect for adding a small gift to throughout the year.

Add an appropriate sentiment to it  and the job is done.

If this is something that you would like then all you need to do is lave me your comment with your 

FULL NAME  

From those comments one name will be chosen as the winner ... so no name then no win.

The magazine is full of inspiration for you and you are sure to find it interesting with lot of tips and prizes to be won.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Valentine Heart

Hi Everybody,

No sooner are we over one occasion than we are on to another and of course the next big one in the calendar is Valentines Day.

For this card I have created a 5x7 base and added an embossed panel to it using foam tape to raise it up.

The heart has been stamped with the Altenew Whimsical Herring Bone design, coloured with Alcohol markers and then cut out with the die. 

That has also been raised up with foam tape.

The tiny hearts on the front of the card have been cut from some left over gold glitter card and simply glued in place.

Quite clean and simple but just as effective as a red heart which is mostly the colour that get s used at that time.

Have you started to make any Valentine Cards yet or will you wait until a little nearer the time??

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

All Occasions Collection

Hi Everybody,

This is a collection that does what it says on the pack and it covers "all occasions". 

I am sure there are lots of instances when a card like this would be very welcome ... as well as exams and graduations too.

You can spend an evening cutting these words out ready to use, and then make up the sentences as you need them to add to your designs.

They also match with other words dies in other collections and so give you even more scope to work with.

This card has used the flower foam again and I have really enjoyed making these flowers. Another job that can be done in a n evening if front of the telly. Use your inks to add shading to the petals and the stamens.

I have added glitter to these flowers as I usually do and that gives them extra sparkle for your creations.

The ribbon is wrapped around the layers and fastened safely on the back for a neat effect.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Craft Stash VIP Club

 Hi Everybody,

 Something exciting is coming! 

Have you signed up to the free waitlist yet for early bird access and rewards?..  

You're going to love the savings this year - giving you more spare £ for your favourite craft goodies!

Join the waiting list here - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/joinvip

#craftstashvip #craftstash #savemoney

And by joining the waiting list early you will be in with the chance to win even more goodies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Thank you for joining in yesterday with the Facebook Live and I am so happy that you liked the collection. And also for the comments on Ella’s appearance in the video. She was at the vet on Thursday to be spayed and she is feeling a bit sorry for her self at present. But it is better than unwanted kittens and she will be fine in a couple of weeks.

The draw for the gift offered in the Friday Freebie has been done and as I explained I am unable to post it to you as yet because of the Cyber attack on Royal Mail.

But I promise you it will get to you eventually.

So the name this week is

Val Wallis

So if you could email your postal address please to me

christina@card-making-magic.com

and then be patient until it gets to you. Be sure to let me know when you do have it and I hope you enjoy playing with it once you do.

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Magic Moments

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is from Simply Cards & Papercraft and is a fabulous die, stamps and embossing folder based on a music theme, from Tonic

This is another set that can be used all year round especially for the music lovers in your family. 

The magazine is full of ideas and inspiration as usual and you are sure to enjoy settling down with a cuppa to browse the pages.

If you would like to have this one in your personal stash then all you need to do is leave me a comment with your 

FULL NAME to be in with the chance to win this. I am sure that you won't be disappointed.

If you add your comment then be sure to come back and check for your name as the winner over the weekend. 

And as an extra note there will be some delay in sending the pack to you as my post office have told me that the Royal Mail is under cyber attack and no international post is being accepted at present. Be assured that I will send the prizes out to you just as soon as I can.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More foam flowers

Hi Everybody,

Tomorrow sees the launch of the new All Occasions Collection on Facebook Live and I will be there with Lou Collins at 12.30 so I hope you can join us then.

For this card I have cut the panel out with the Alternate Stitched 5x7 and used double sided tape in two different widths.

I have rubbed some purple foil over the top to leave the stripes.

The panel has then been embossed in a folder for texture before being added to the card base.

The banner has been cut with both the Stitched layer and the plain and they has also been embossed in the folder. 

The flower is created from some lilac foam using an old die that I have had for years and the layers are simply held together with a flower brad.

 I have a couple of demos to show you tomorrow and there will  be some prizes for you to win so don't forget to make a note in your calendar to join us tomorrow

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Embossing Folder & White Ink

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is so easy to make and uses just an ordinary embossing folder and some white ink.

The folder I used for this card is the Perfect Roses from Card Making Magic

I embossed the design onto some pale blue card and then carefully went over the raised areas with the white ink.

I use a small brayer for this as that only caught the top most areas with the white ink and made them stand out against the blue.

Once the ink was dry I trimmed the panel down to layer onto some more of the blue card and then made the whole lot fit a 6x6 white card base.

The panels were wrapped with blue parchment before being added to the base and the sentiment verse was added to another pale blue panel and then added with foam pads to the side. 

The blooms are from my large stash of flowers and I used white leaves to accompany these. They have all been dotted with glue and sprinkled with glitter.

This couldn't be easier to create and you can use any folder that you have in your own collections.  Using the brayer helps with the placement of the white ink much better than a brush of blending tool.
You could use stamped floral images, foamiran flowers or bought Mulberry ones as I have here.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Everyday Items - Tin Foil Card

 Hi Everybody,

When you look around your home there are lots of different things that can be used to craft with. Ribbon from clothes that are no longer worn. Buttons from a garment that is old.

Sponges and bubble wrap can all be used to create beautiful effects for your designs. Salt is a really good one for getting a lovely texture and for this card I have used Tin Foil for my background.

The video is not long, and has very relaxing music being played through its entirety, so grab your favourite cuppa for a few minutes of relaxation.

The dies that I have used are all from my stash so there is nothing new on this card at all. But the end result is a card that can be used for any occasion.

The verse is from a stamp set from the Card Making Magic collections that I have stamped and then enlarged in my printer. Hope you like !! 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Over the Rainbow

Hi Everybody,

Here is a little card with a difference and this has been created with the new circle dies once again.

I cut them from white card all at the same time and then coloured them with alcohol markers to give the rainbow look.

I used a cloud embossing folder that I have had for years on a slightly smaller panel and arranged the rainbow to the top of it. 

Two of the clouds have been added either side of the rainbow and glittered just a little.

All the rainbow has been covered in Accent Glaze from Made to Surprise and the birds are simply "V"s hand drawn on to the sky.

The verse is from an old stamp set that was free with a magazine a good few years ago.

Great little card to give someone that lift they may need.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

 

Birthday Poinsettia

Hi Everybody,

It's still raining here and I still have the leak in my bedroom ceiling but at least I have had someone round to tell me what it is and it is coming from the roof.

I only had a new roof put on less than two years ago and apparently it has not been sealed properly at the sides and that is allowing the water to track in.

I am not a happy bunny I can tell you after paying thousands to get a new roof on I expect it to be correct.

I have got some one to come and fix it but of course he can't go up on the roof in the wet weather as it is far too dangerous and so as soon as we have a dry day he will be here.

Anyway this petty card is created for a winter birthday and I have used the Nested Alternate Stitched Circles and these will be officially launched this Friday on Facebook Live at 12.30pm so I hope you can join me then. 

These are core items that will compliment any collection and I will be doing a couple of demonstrations to show you how I have used them. There will be prizes for you to win so make a note in your diary of this Friday 13th January.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Today it is pouring down and I have sprung a leak in my bedroom ceiling. There was a steady drip over the bed last night and it woke me up. Ruby, Ella and I all ended up sleeping in the back room and now I need to get it fixed. The strange thing is that there is no water in that area in the craft room above so I don’t know where it is coming from.

So the draw has been done and the name today is

Margaret Hawthorn

So would you please send your postal address to me

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the pack will be in the post. Please let me know when you have it safely and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Seasonal Scene

Hi Everybody,

For the first Give Away of 2023 you may think that Christmas is done with, but I have quite a few magazines to give away yet that are still linked to the season. 

This is one that creates a really pretty small panel scene that you can add to your designs along with some sentiment stamps.

 But if you leave off the snowflakes and the greeting then it can be used all year round.

It comes with Die Cutting Essentials which is always a good read and is full of ideas and inspiration for you to browse. 

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

And the same rule applies .... leave your FULL NAME to be in with the chance of winning.
 No name ... no entry to the draw. Simples !!

Be sure to come back over the weekend to see if yours is the name listed as the winner and it doesn't matter where you live I am happy to send the pack to you at my expense.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

YouTube Blog Hop Winners

 Hi Everybody,

So here without further ado is the list of the Blog Hop winners that we put together before Christmas.

I am sorry for the delay but they have only just been announced. Below is the list and can my winner please send your email address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and your voucher will be sent to your inbox straight away by Craft Stash 

Winners names are ...

Mixed Up Craft - Maureen Christie @maureenchristie4003

Gemma Leigh Crafts - Lynn Spinks @TheSpinky13

Lou Collins - Karen Reeves @karenreeves3958

Helen Griffin - Nancy Lynn @NancyLynn

Christina Griffiths - Sparky Lady @sparkylady1162

Made to Surprise - Sharon Slatter @Hauntedplacesinvest

Craft Stash - Krafty Wytch @Kraftywytch7175

Crafty Heaven - Susan Menzies @susanmenzies4311

Sheena - Glenda Wagstaff @glendawagstaff7114

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Easel Card

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a round easel card and to this I have added some of the foamiran flowers created a before Christmas.

The dies that have been used to make the card and some Nesting Alternate Stitched dies that are going to be launched on Create and Craft this coming Friday with Ruth Mackie McCarten.

I hope you will be able to join her as she shows you some of the ways in which all these dies can be used, and they will form some of the basics core dies that you may need in your collections

As for the flowers that have been made from Foamiran, well I think they look really good and I will be adding many more as we go along, and they are quite easy to make.

The centres of these flowers have been inked with lilac stamens pushed into them. You could add anything you liked to the centre of the flowers, gemstones, pearls, another small flower, buttons or you could simply leave them open as you wish. Make them as personal as you like to add to your own projects.

And here is little snippet of news ... there is something really new and exciting on the way from Craft Stash that is sure to benefit you all.
Stay tuned as more details are made available and I will be sure to keep you all up to date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx