Making Boxes

Hi Everybody,

Once you have made your card you will need something to send it in and what could be better than a lovely box decorated to match the card.

There are lots of complete box kits in the Card Making Magic Collections from 5x7, Hearts and Circles to A5,  and all the shapes in between. 

The dies can create a box that is all one or another that has a separate lid to the base. 

These boxes are perfect if you like to add depth to your designs as I do.

For this box I have lined the inside and created a matching card to go with it.

Some have extra dies to the sets that can turn your box from a short one to a tall one very easily and that way you can add a gift to it and not just a card.

So for this one I have created layers and filled them with chocolates.  They won't last long !!!

Whatever the size of gift you can make a box to fit it and they are all so very easy to make.

Then you can fill them with whatever it is you have  for your recipient. This one has scented tealights in it and they smell gorgeous. 

You will find video tutorials for many of the ideas in this blog post, and much more,  in a playlist named 
   "Making Boxes" on YouTube

You can even turn them into Pizza Boxes if you wanted something different.

So take a look at the varied collection of boxes that are available at Craft Stash and never be short of a box again.

The A5 Box set is slightly different in that the main die has grooves along the sides.

These will enable you to use them to line up your card and create boxes of different sizes from the one die set.

All these boxes are made from the one die set and they range from large to small and are decorated to suit the gift inside.

The Heart Shaped box comes in two sizes and can be used for many occasions as the picture shows.

I have decorated them with other die sets from other collections. 

Some are created from double sided card so that the inside is done at the same time, though I do like to line my boxes .

And if you keep your card relatively thinner and you don't need a box then use the exact same die set and create an envelope instead.

Decorate that the  same as the card and it will be perfect to send through the post.

Leave the decoration of the front of the envelope if you are going to do and use a strong glue so it doesn't come open in the mailbox.

More tomorrow ...

                                Hugs xx                                               

Nesting Dies

 Hi Everybody,

Whenever I make a card some nesting dies are something that I invariably reach for.

They will create beautiful layers for your designs whatever the shape you wish to make. 

This card has used the rounded corners and it just gives a different finish to a 5x7 card.

There are many different sizes to a nesting set and so the size of the card can also be varied to suit what you have in mind.

In the Card Making Magic Collections there are sizes ranging from A6 to A5 and all the different ones in between.

There are lots of different shapes for you to try as well. Circles, Squares, Octagons, Torn edges as well as the rounded corners shown in the first card.

This card has just used ovals in the increasing sizes, in rainbow colours  layered together,  to get the look. 

They can create frames for you  and you can vary the thickness of the frame by adding different dies to  make them. 

Once you have the frame you can line with it acetate to create a shaker card. Or you could add this shape to another sized shape for the top of the creation. 

So if you are starting out with card making then I would suggest a good set of Nesting Dies are essential to your collection.

With these your design possibilities are numerous and you can have fun at the same time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Hatpin Cards

Hi Everybody,

Todays card has had more decoration to it in the form of a hatpin.  I used to love adding these to my cards but then they went out of fashion. 

But as they "what goes around comes around"  and so maybe I will start a new trend for these beautiful additions.

The background to this card has been done with homemade texture paste and the Plaited with Love Collection stencil.

I did a video to show you how I made the paste and it is a lot cheaper than buying it. 

         

Making Cards doesn't have to cost a fortune and using things that you can produce yourself ... like hatpins and texture paste  ,,, will all help. 

So why not give both ideas a try.
You may be pleasantly surprised at your result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Heart Shaped Boxes

Hi Everybody,

I am adding this video here again as a reminder of the beautiful Heart Shaped boxes that you can make with Card Making Magic.

They come in two sizes ... 4" and 6" ... and you can also create a matching card to fit inside each one,

Line it and decorate the boxes any way you wish and they are perfect for those small gifts you may want to give

                  

                          

And here is another video to show you something else that you can do using the same dies.
You just need to have fun and play with any of the dies that you have in your own personal collections.

                        

I hope you enjoy the videos and the projects if you have the dies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Vicki L Phillips - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It is another beautiful day today and Ruby and I will be out later.
Today is Griffs birthday and I am getting together with family for tea to remember him.
It is almost five years since he died and I have missed him so much.
 We will wish him a happy birthday and hope he enjoyed his day.

The draw for the magazine and the beautiful Botanical Wishes stamp set has been done.

 There are also Mylar templates on the back of the stamps to create the gin bottle and it is sure to be something you can enjoy for a long time to come

So this set this week is going to ...

Vicki L Phillips

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

I will also include one of the pins that I have made and you have the choice of how you use it.

Either add it to your glue bottle, add it to a card or simply add it to your lapel.
If you make your own pins then please don't be too critical of the one I send you and it you don't like it you can always give it away.  
Please let me know that everything has arrived with you safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Botanical Wishes

Hi Everybody,

Todays give away is the beautiful Botanical Wishes A4 stamp set. There are also some templates with this set to create the Gin bottle and a bottle hanger for any gift you are giving to friends and family.

There are some lovely ideas inside the magazine that you may like to try using the gift. So what are you waiting for.???

All you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME 

and your comment will be added into the draw. 

If you do not leave me your full name your comment will not be added as an entry.

Then you must be sure to come back over the week end to see if your name is listed as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Society Advent Calendar

 Hi Everybody,

With the launch of the Papercraft Society Advent Calendar and the new Tall & Elegant Collection form Card Making Magic ... plus many other excellent deals at Craft Stash, it couldn't be a better time than now to join the VIP membership and get all the extras that members get. 

The link to join the VIP's is here ...

VIP Membership

Join first and then order the box and that way you will get the benefit of the 10% discount on the launch price. The box will be delivered to you in November ready for you to make your Christmas Cards with all the goodies that you will find inside.

I have added four envelopes to the collection and we will of course be adding videos as the time gets nearer.  Have fun 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tall & Elegant Easel Card

Hi Everybody,

Today sees the launch of a new collection that I hope you will enjoy as much as I have. It is the Tall & Elegant Collection 

With this set I have made an easel card and if you have the DL Complete Card & Box set then you will be able to make a beautiful box to add the card to.

Without the flowers on it would fit into a Dl envelope but I couldn't resist adding them in to make the card even more special.

Always a sucker for the flowers.

This video will show you how I made the Easel Card and don't forget you can have an extra 10% off your order if you become a 
Craft Stash VIP member.

The little gemstones in the centre of the flowers are self adhesive but to make doubly sure they stayed put I added them with a spot of hot glue.

I think they are from the Range and I got loads in the pack and they look so much prettier than the original centres.

Red was a diversion also as it is not a colour I use that often. If you follow my blog then you will know my favourites are the pastel shade of pink, blue and turquoise.

Still a change is as good as a rest so they say. So I hope you like the card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Twinkling H20's + Papercraft Society Advent Calendar

 Hi Everybody,

Do you remember these  ... Twinkling H20's ?  Did you buy them ? ...
They were around years ago and they are something I have not heard about for a long time.
I made this video eleven years ago when they were very popular and I used them a lot. 

But other things come onto the market and then the older ones fall out of fashion. I must admit I haven't used these for a very long time. But having said that I do like the effect they gave and so I may have to dig them out again and play with them once more.

Here is the video using this product and it may just spark your interest in them once more. 

             

The storage solution was handy too and kept all the little pans of paint safe and easy to store in the craft room. 

Papercraft Society Advent Calendar 

I am adding a P.S. to this post as today sees the launch of the Craft Stash Advent Calendar to VIP members only as yet. It is an amazing box of goodies at an amazing price and Lou has done a video to tell you what it is all about. 

          

Joining the VIP membership gives you an extra 10% off the price and the postage is free for the UK and here is the link for you to become a    CRAFT STASH VIP

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sneaky Peak

Hi Everybody,

On the 6th September I will be releasing a new collection named the Tall & Elegant and this is a sneaky peak of what is in the set.

I have teamed the panel and the labels with the Simply Dots embossing folder using a colour that I don't use very often. 

But the finished result is very fresh and pretty and I really hope you will like the whole collection.

I will add more photos and videos once the collection is launched this week so please come back and see what is in it for your delight.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Samantha Dawkins - Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a surprise this late weather is and today it is gorgeous. After all that rain it is very welcome and Ruby and I will be out for a walk later today.  Ella was out in the garden just as soon as we got up and she loves sunning herself out there where it is safe and she cannot get lost.

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

Samantha Dawkins

If you could send your postal address please to me
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get the pack in the post to you straight away.

I am also adding in one of the little glue bottle pins that I have made and I hope you like it.
Please be sure to let me know that you have it ok and I enjoy playing with the Spring Garden Set

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Spring Garden

HI Everybody,

Todays offering is from Card Making Magic and it is the A4 stamp set and the blackboard panels.

You will also get the magazine which is full of inspiration for you and a bonus mag " A Year Of Cards" with even more ideas for all year round 

So if you would like this gift then all you need to do is lave me a comment at the end of the post to be in with the chance to win.

You must leave me your  FULL NAME as it easier then to find the correct winner.

Be sure to come back to the blog on Sunday and see if you are shown as the winner as I have no way of contacting you if you don't and the prize will be offered again at a later date if it is not claimed

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Alternate Stitched Dies.

 Hi Everybody,

This is a set that was released a while ago but makes a useful addition to your collection but here is a useful reminder of what they can do.

Each pack of dies has approximately 16/ 18 in it and so there is a lot of variation that you can create with your die cuts. 

The card to the right has used the squares  to create a different kind of look to the shaker element.

I have added small seed beads to the shaker box but just enough to hear them rattle when the card is shaken. 

Too many and you wouldn't get the same effect.

Here is the link to the video .... Alternate Stitched Squares

For this card I have used the circles and the squares together and I have splattered the front with white paint.

The flower has also been created using just the circle dies and the effects is very pretty.

I will be doing this again for other flowers as they can be as larges or as small as you want to make them .

Here is the link to this video ...Circles & Squares

I hope you enjoy them both.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterfly Blossoms

Hi Everybody,

I hope you have had a good Bank Holiday weekend despite the poor weather. 

Ruby and I went for a walk this morning and got wet as it started with that very fine drizzle that soaks you before you know where you are.

I wanted to share some more cards from the Butterfly Blossoms Paper Pack as this is such a gorgeous collection.

This card is an Easel card and it was so easy to do using the pre cut shapes.

 I added a video on this collection awhile ago and here is the link again in case you missed it ...

Butterfly Blossoms Paper Pack

This card has been created with the silver foiled butterfly in the paper pack laid over the dark pink one before adding it to the paper background

The sentiment is also from the pack and that has been raised on foam pads.

It is a 5x7 card with the fold at the top and I have layered it with some of the card also from the paper pack.

This pack can be adapted to any size card you are making, and very easily with the pre-cut shapes, you can create a different look for your designs

I have another paper pack coming out soon that is gorgeous and will also make some beautiful cards for you very easily. 

So keep an eye out for that one and I will be sure to show you some of the makes from the pack nearer the time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Craft Stash End of Summer Hop

 Hi Everybody,

There is no Friday Freebie this week as I am taking part in a YouTube Hop with  the Craft Stash Co-Brands and Design team members. 

We are hoping that you will join us as there are sure to be some good ideas in all the videos that you can view.

The aim of the hop is to share some inspiring videos with you all and allow you to grab a bargain too.

If you can watch all the videos listed below that would be great and if you like and comment that would be even better.

Maybe you will meet someone new to you and if you aren't already then why not subscribe to our channels and click the notification bell and then you will always be aware when a new video is uploaded.

After you have watched this video please click on the next one to enjoy more tutorials 

Craft Stash

https://youtu.be/K_H5SLADK-4 

Katie Skilton

https://youtu.be/ePtyxKdzNYA

Simply Made Crafts
https://youtu.be/c2tTlK8YUUE

Crafty Heaven - Vicky Bunn

https://youtu.be/8u-nQSJOtDc

Made To Surprise
https://youtu.be/Xz5AmFK80-U
Gemma Leigh Crafts

https://youtu.be/fTRDAjqOZro

Lou Collins
https://youtu.be/eMxF0JIc2EA

Monika
https://youtu.be/klh1wM-tEuI

Card Making Magic - Christina Griffiths     ...   You Are Here
https://youtu.be/b4cXDXazEWo

Pauline Hickey

https://www.youtube.com/@paulinehickey6330

Helen Griffin UK

https://youtu.be/Ae0T3pUkW60

Sam Calcott UK - Mixed Up Craft

https://youtu.be/_ITz0OMPHpM

To view all the products in the sale click these links ...

https://www.craftstash.co.uk/craftstash-summer-craftathon

https://www.craftstash.us/craftstash-summer-craftathon

And to become a VIP and get an extra 10% off then click here ...   Craft Stash VIP

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lower Case Alphas

Hi Everybody,

Always a useful addition to your crafting goodies and I had added quite a few videos using both the upper and lower case alphabets from Card Making Magic.

There are several different fonts to choose from in the collections but here I am featuring the Lower Case set that matches beautifully with the original Upper Case.

You can add any name you need to your projects if you have an alphabet.

I have added this video to the Playlist on YouTube so I hope you enjoy watching this short one.

You will find other ideas in the playlist that you may like to try and they are a lot of fun to work with.

And if you can't add the letters in a straight line ... then add them wonky to start and that way nobody will know any different.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Craft Stash End of Summer YouTube Hop

Hi Everybody, 

A really exciting event is coming this Friday and it is the Craft Stash  End of Summer YouTube Hop and there are 12 Co-Brands and Design Team members taking part all for you and your pocket. There will be some amazing savings and if you are a VIP member as well then you will get even more.

So I hope you will join in and visit each of the participants. 

Don't forget to leave them a comment and like the video you have watched and share it if you can to any of your crafting friends. 

And if you are not already then why not subscribe to their channels at the same time.

This link will take you to all the products that are in the Summer Sale 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Society Box 49

Hi Everybody,

Today is the day that you can order your  

Papercraft Society Box 49

This one has been designed by me and is ready for Christmas and has a beautiful array of dies stamps an papers to go with it  .... amongst other things that are inside the box.

The little booklet that comes inside the box is full of ideas from myself and other designers and is sure to give you some lovely ways in which you can use the items.

Once you start to play I am sure that you can come up with many many more.

The Papercraft Society box comes out every month and the designer is someone new each month. 
Each has a different theme and it is based on the individual designers thoughts and ideas so it will always be unique.

It can be purchased on a subscription basis and the longer you take out the subscription for the cheaper it becomes. So choose the monthly, three monthly  or the yearly option to be sure of getting your box delivered to your door each time.

To get this box you need to have subscribed before the 21st September. 

After that date you will be in line for the next designer and their beautiful box.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

 

Bag Charm Gifts

 Hi Everybody,

I have progressed from Glue Bottle Pins to these lovely Bag Charms and I am really pleased with the way they have turned out.

I have been practising the loops and knots needed to make them, and working with wire is not that easy, as my fingers can tell you.

I bought the key rings and Lobster clasps from Amazon and I chose the middle size clasp as it was not too big or small.

I have used the chain, jump rings, beads and silver ware all from Amazon and I have added as many links as I could at the end of the post.

The beads I already had, and I have literally hundreds of them since my last foray into making hatpins.

Both of these are made as Thank You gifts for the ladies who take care of Ruby at playschool every week. 

I have used small alphabet beads to add their names to the key holders and I have done them in different colours. 

I am hoping that that they will like them when I give them to each of them. 

I have enjoyed making these and I have more lined up for my family members.

They are a good way for me to relax at the end of the day and they are something I can do and watch TV at the same time.

I will show you the others as they are made. What do you think of them ??

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ann Topp - Winner

HI Everybody,

This is going to be a lovely day ... according to the weather forecast and Ruby and I will be out there later in the sunshine for our walk. I hope you are having a good weekend wherever you are. Even if you are staying home and crafting all day.

I have done the draw good and early today and this will be the first week that I give away one of the Glue Pins along with the magazine. So I hope you will like it and make the most of it in your glue bottles. 

The only problem is that I am not sure if the pins are stainless steel. 

But I am new to this so please be patient and if it should go rusty then please please let me know and I will  change the pins I am using. 

On to the winner this week ...

Ann Topp

Would you please email me your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get the pack ready to send to you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Strawberries

 Hi Everybody,

This is the gift that was offered a few weeks ago and sadly it was not claimed ... so here it is again and hopefully this time it will find a new home.

It is a very pretty die and stamp set and it comes complete with the magazine that is full of ideas and inspiration.

If this is something that you think you would like to have in your crafty kit then all you need to do is leave me a comment.

The comment must have your FULL NAME added to it or it will not be entered into the draw. The draw will be open all day Saturday and the winner will be shown in a blog post on Sunday. You must be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown and then you will have 72 hours in which to claim it.

If it is not claimed in that time span then it will be removed and offered again at a later date.
To claim the prize you will need to email me 

christina@card-making-magic.com

Please do not add your personal details to a blog comment as the whole world and his wife will be able to see it and I cannot  be held responsible for any consequences if you do.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterflies & Lace Panel

HI Everybody,

I cannot remember if I added this when it first came out and if I did then my apologies.

 But if I didn't then here is a lovely effect using the Butterflies and Lace Collection.

This card base is created using the three part layering die that was introduced a while ago and for this one I made an Ombre effect with Distress Oxide Inks.

I added a pearl to each body line and the effect is lovely.

A different look can be achieved each time with other colours. 

It is fun to also add a glitter card, or mirror card to the background

Then using the other elements in the collection you can alter the whole card once more.

There is such a lot that can be done with this set of dies and once you start to play you will find many more.

The video is not long but it may give you some ideas on how to use the die sets if you purchased them when they were launched.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Alternate Stitched Squares

 Hi Everybody,

This was a collection that was added a while ago and I have just added a vidoe to YouTube and Facebook using the square from the Collection.

I have created a very quick and easy card with the layers from the set and added a frame to go around the panel. 

It took very little time to make the card and it is a good one to have handy for those last minute makes that people ask you for.

The video is not long either so no time to get bored with it, but I hope you enjoy it just the same.

Once again it is another opportunity to use the older dies that you may have in your own collections and put them to good use.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Making Pins

 Hi Everybody,

I was going to do some filming yesterday but it was absolutely teeming down and the rain beats so hard on the glass sky lights in my craft room I couldn't hear myself think. So I gave it up as a bad job and will aim for another day instead   

But I was busy making glue bottle pins and I now have six to give away. 

So if you are already a beader then be kind if you should get one, they may not be to your standards 

I am enjoying making them but I am very new to this and I don't profess to be a jewellery maker by any stretch of the imagination. 

I did a video eleven years ago on decorating hatpins and would you believe it has had 25000 views.

So I think it maybe time to re-new that video and bring it up to date.

I also made some little Angel pins to add to a journal or scrapbook page. Or maybe add it to a lapel. 

You could also use them to add to any card that you make 

There is no other decoration on them as I didn't finish them as glue bottle pins. 

But they are just a pretty little Angel wishing you all the very best from me.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Glue Bottle Pins

 Hi Everybody,

Trends come and go and some of them are really useful and stick around for quite some time. And look pretty at the same time

At present glue bottle pins are all the go and I think they are a useful item to have. Whenever I take the pin out of my bottle I lose it in amongst all the debris on my work surface.

Or I simply forget to put it back and the glue dries up and the tip clogs up. 

I swear I can clog up any tip even those that say they are non clog. I don't know how I do it but I do ... every time.

So maybe these will help me and they are easier to find on my desk than just the pin.

But rather than buy them I decided to make my own as I have so many beads and wires, spacer beards and bead caps, it seemed silly not to.

I made one for each of my bottles and I have some left over for future bottles.

I added charms, beaded strings, glass beads and beautiful end caps to them for effect. 
And I have so many of these items left that I can make these pins for the next hundred years.

At the moment I have lots of silver but I will get some more gold stuff and then as I make more I will give them away to each Friday Freebie winner as an added bonus.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Janet Boyne - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Hope you are all having a good weekend. It has been the air show here this weekend and this after noon has been fin and dry. But this morning while Ruby and I where out walking it poured down and we both got soaked. 

It was good to get home and dry again and at least Ruby settles after she has had a walk.
Tomorrow she is at playschool and that tires her out when she runs around with all her doggy friends.

But for not the draw has been done and if you didn't leave your FULL NAME then it won't be you.

The name this week is

Janet Boyne

so if you would email me with your postal address to ...
christina@card-making-magic.com
then I will get the set in the post to your straight away.

Please be sure to let me know when you receive it and I hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Sunflowers

 Hi Everybody,

Here is another chance for you to win this beautiful Sun Flower die set from Card Making Magic that comes with Die Cutting Essentials magazine.

The magazine will give you lots of ideas on how to get the best from this die set and is always a good way to while away a few hours with your favourite cuppa.

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

It doesn't matter if you have won in the past, and I am happy to send the prize to you wherever you live at my expense so be sure to add your comment and your name to the end of the post.

Be sure to come back over the weekend to see if you are the winner and then you have 72 hours in which to claim the prize.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Adding Decoration ...

Hi Everybody,

Sometime ago I used to make decorative hatpins and add them to my cards. They were very popular and I also sold many in my Etsy shop.

I also made a video on the making of these pins but it really needs up dating now

But I stopped doing a lot of things when Griff died and this was one of them and so I had quite a few of these pins left over.

This week in my clear out I found some that I had made and I decided to add them to my cards again.

Although you may have seen some of these cards before, I am showing them again now that I have added the hatpins to them.

The pins are all nestled into the flowers on the cards and some of them have the safety cap added for protection.

Others I have had to re glue in place and so the sharp end is covered by the glue.

I have colour matched the hatpins to the flowers and they do look really pretty .

What do you think ? Is this your kind of thing or not ?

I like to add all sorts of embellishments to my designs and so these really are my style

I know that my cards are too fussy for some people but many many more like them and that is what keeps me going.

I love the flowery feminine feel to them and the pins just add that little extra.

I have so many beads and silver accessories that I will be making some more and adding them to future cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

 

Hearts and seals

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is with red and white and I have created a heart for the centre of the design. Can you see the little Ladybirds on the heart ?

These are some that I have had for a long time and I sued them on several cards years ago, These are those that I have left and I have still more that I can use yet.

The Simply Dots background is created with an embossing folder and I have used some coloured stems from AnnaMarie Designs to add to the heart.

I have quite a few of these coloured stems in other colours and I have used them with Wax Seals on some cards.

I will film the process and show you the cards once they are made and they are very girly.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx