Friday Freebie - Spellbinders Set 2

Hi Everybody,

Here we are again with another Friday and they seem to come round so fast I barely have time to breathe.

Today we have another Spellbinders offering and this one has a cut and emboss folder with it to make some lovely cards.

Would you like to have this one ?????

Then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your 

FULL NAME

I say this every week about leaving your full name and if it is not shown then your comment will  NOT be entered into the draw. I ask for it simony because it s easier to identify you if you are the winner.

On one occasion and I had three people, all with the same first name, claiming the prize I was offering and it made it quite difficult to find the correct winner. 

And if you don't leave your full name, and the comment comes up a anonymous, then I have no chance of finding you at all.

Come back over the weekend and see if it is your name that is shown in a blog post 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment & Stencils - Wedding Cards

 Hi Everybody,

Someone has asked if I would do a card for a special occasion using the parchment and what could be more special than a wedding.

So here are two ideas that I have created and both are much better in the hand than the photograph shows.

The video will show you how I made the one to the right but you could do yours any colour you wished and to match the theme of the wedding itself.

Parchment & Stencils 

This takes me into my comfort zone again adding the flowers and ribbon onto the design.

And the embossing is an added bonus as it really enhances the card for this special time 

Click the link above and it will take you to YouTube to view the video but please be sure to come back later.

There is a whole playlist on YT with lots of ideas with Parchment ... some old ... some new ... and I will be adding more in the future.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Gift Pocket

 Hi Everybody,

This is a much prettier way to give a gift card, or even money, to your recipient, better than just handing it over or using one of the envelopes that the shop provides.

And it doesn't take a lot of  products or time to make one, and I know some of you have told me that you  have lots of parchment/vellum stuck in a cupboard in your homes .

It's time to get it out and make it work for you 

The video is available on YouTube and if you click the link it will open the window for you to view it.

Parchment Gift Pocket

It started off as a plain peice of parchment but ended up as something completely different.

The little Velcro dots I got from my local supermarket and they were not expensive. 

There are lots in the pack and so I have many left for other projects. 

The parchment series has grown over the last two weeks and there is still more to come  and I hope you are enjoying some of the ideas that I have shared with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Shaker Card

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a shaker using parchment instead of acetate to create the shaker element. 

It seems to be easier to me and doesn't need all that shaker tape to make it. I have enjoyed making these and will definitely be making some more 

Children especially seem to love them and if they have their name on them they are even more special

The name of the video is 
Parchment Shaker Card

 and it is part of the playlist I have created on YouTube to incorporate all the videos using parchment in one way or another.

I really hope you are enjoying them all and there is still ore to come in this mini series.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Making A Wrap

 Hi Everybody,  

Todays idea is using a parchment wrap around the card to hold it closed and I have also created a matching envelope for this 5x7 card.

I have used my 5x7 Complete Card and Box Die Set so if you have this set also then you are set to go. 

If you don't then you can use anything that helps you to create your own envelopes,  and I know there are many systems around that do that.

Again I have used the heavy weight parchment as this will stand up to use far better than the lighter one. And this really is the only one I use in my cardmaking. 

Here is the video ... Parchment Wrap  ... and if you click the link it opens a new window in YouTube.  Please leave me a comment and be sure to come back to the blog for more ideas, I will be adding some more ideas on ways with parchment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christi Neal - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

According to the weather forecast we are in for a few really hot days. So while it is still cool as yet I am going to take Ruby out for a walk just as soon as tis blog post is done. She is sitting here waiting patiently for me to finish.

Without further delay the draw has now been done and the name today is

Christi Neal

would you email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and it will be on its way to you. 

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

Right I am off now for walkies !!!

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Spellbinders Set 1

 Hi Everybody,

For the next few weeks I will be giving away some stamps, dies and and embossing folder all from Spellbinders.

Each one will be different but all will have the superb quality that  Spellbinders are known for.

The dies will all match the stamps that they are with and the embossing folders are from the Celebrations range and are deeply etched.

Would you like to win one of these sets ???

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 will be chosen as the winner and announced in a blog post over the weekend so please be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

Good Luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Flowers

 Hi Everybody, 

Today in the parchment series I am making some flowers to add to my cards. 

I have stamped them out and then heat embossed them with silver powder and the end result is some beautiful items to adorn my designs.

The lilac flowered card in the video is my favourite and I really enjoyed making all of them.

I will be adding more vidoes next week continuing with the same theme so I hope you will join me again then.

In the meantime here is the video to make these lovely flowers 
 Parchment Flowers

The card to the left has been coloured with different shades of alcohol markers and added to a stencilled background.

I added pink sequins to the front but I have used the same pack for my sentiments for all the cards.

I doodled around the edge and I am also going to create an envelope for each one.

I hope you are enjoying all the videos in this series  and if there is something that you would like me to cover then be sure to let me know.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Envelopes

 Hi Everybody,

This is now day three of the videos I have added with lots of ideas to use parchment.

 I decided to do them as individual videos, rather than several techniques in one, to keep them short and more easy to watch. 

So for a really delicate look to your finished cards why not make your envelopes from Parchment.

This is one of the Split Front Cards created in yesterdays video and now it has an envelope to go with it.  And the effect is really very pretty.

It would be perfect with a wedding card and with the embossing as well it looks really special. Well worth giving this idea a try.

The video for this idea is  below and it is not long and in it I also create a card to go with the pink envelope that I make.  

Parchment Ideas - Envelopes

Please join me again tomorrow for yet another way to use your parchment and we will make some more lovely cards that you will be proud to send. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Split Front Card

 Hi Everybody,

This is the split front technique and it has been around for a very long time and probably under another name. 

It is very easy to do and I have covered it before, but this time I am making use of the parchment that I have in my craft room.

This would also be really effective if done with Acetate and us well worth trying to see if you like the look.

The video will show you how I made the card and hopefully give you some inspiration to go ahead and make it. for yourself

The pictures do not do justice to the cards.

Parchment Ideas - Split Front Card

Once again I have used the gold and silver mirror card as this makes everything kook so rich and I am making use of the already die cut items that are on my desk.

I have not bought anything new for a long time and this is part of my new year plane to use up what I already have in my stash.

Another technique working with parchment will be along tomorrow ...

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Backgrounds

Hi Everybody,   

Today I am starting a mini video series that will show you some of the ways in which I have used parchment on my cards.

I get confused with what is Parchment and what is Vellum so I looked it up and I am pleased to say that there is no difference.

Both where originally made from animal skins that where scraped and cleaned ready to be used as a writing source.

Now in modern times we have papers and parchment/vellum is now made from plants, and widely available.

It is called many things ... tracing paper, translucent paper, see though paper are some of them.

Here is the video 

  Ways To Use Parchment 

and if you click the link it will take you to a new window on YouTube for you to view the video.

Please like and subscribe and leave me a comment on the channel and here on the blog.

It comes in various weights and many colours. You can get it patterned and even foiled and it has many uses.

You will even find baking parchment in your kitchen. 

And with our cards there is a lot of ways we can use it to make them special. It is an inexpensive way to add variety to your designs.

So over the next few videos I am going to show you some of the ways in which I have added this to my designs.

I hope it will inspire you to make more use of any that you may have in your collections.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winifred Kennedy - Winner

HI Everybody,

It's not quite as bright here to day but it is still warm and Ruby and I will be going out later in the day ... as long as it doesn't rain.

 I am definitely a fair weather walker and I don't like to get wet or cold. Ruby on the other hand doesn't care and she loves it when she gets home and is towel dried. Its just one big game to her.

I got the draw done earlier and the name this week is

Winifred Kennedy

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

I hope you enjoy playing with the gift and be sure to let me know that you have  received it ok/

Tomorrow sees the start of a new series of videos that are dealing with parchment in your card making, and showing some of the ways in which I make use of it. I hope you enjoy them and to keep them short I have only covered one idea in each video.

And oh dear .... it's raining !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Glass House and Feathered Friends

Hi Everybody, 
 

This week I am offering you the chance to win the Glass House and Feathered Friends die sets from Paper Discovery by Olga Direktorenko.

These will work really well together and the finished glass house makes a really impressive statement.

Use some acetate inside the framework to create a beautiful centre peice for your table, and use a small battery tea light inside it to highlight the flowers that could be added to the inside of it. 

If you would like to have this  then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME 

The name will be announced in a blog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and see if you are the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Tile Effect Cards

 Hi Everybody,

Many years ago ... more than I care to remember ... I did a  video for YouTube and called it the
                        Faux Tile Effect 

It is still there but I have decided it is time to bring old videos up to date and so this is one that has now been
 re-filmed and here it is for you to view.

It is using Distress Inks and stencils, as well as some flowers  on some of the cards, but the overall effect is just as pretty as it was back then.

Here is the more up to date video 
Tile Effect 

The top card shows the tile panel  with just the sentiment added and that way you can see what the effect is on the card.

But the pink one has all the bells and whistles added in with the flowers and the silver die cut frame around the edges.

The tile background is visible along the sided and this is a really elegant card ... much better in the hand than the picture shows.

Please leave  me a comment here and on YouTube to let me know that you have visited, and any of these pictures can be added to Pinterest as well..

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mixture of Techniques

 Hi Everybody,  

These are some of the cards I have made over the past few weeks and they have been filmed and added to the blog pages.

This one is using the Tile Effect for the die cut panel and I have embellished it with silver.

The finished card is a 5x7 and the die cut is one from the original "Christina Collection" brought out many years ago now by Craft Stash.

The alphabet letters are also an old Card Making Magic die set and I don't know if  any of the are still available.

The butterfly was free with a magazine many years ago

The card to the left is using the weaving technique and both videos that were added just days ago.

This is also a 5x7 card as I fine that size suits me the best, not too big and not too small.

It is the circle in the centre of this card that is the
Woven Panel Card 

and it is a very pretty effect what ever size you make the panel or shape.

This card is a mixture of two techniques and has a woven panel  done with the Fractured Card look.

I love the colours in this panel and they are

 Antique Linen and Speckled Egg Distress Oxides. 

 I have splattered the whole lot with gold paint before cutting it into strips to be woven.

I have edged it with gold mirror card leaving a small gap between the panel and the strip for a different kook to the fracture.

All these cards are now in my charity shop box and waiting to be taken to the store.

More tomorrow ...

 Hugs xx

Playing with inks ...

Hi Everybody,

These cards are made from the other colour way mentioned in the Three Panel Card video   that I added last week.

Experiment and see which colour combinations you like the most and make your cards with those, it is a process you will enjoy as you play.

You could also try cutting your card at a different angel to vary the look. and use any stamps that you may have in your own collections to personalise the backing.

I really enjoyed making these papers for my cards and it is something I will be doing again soon. 

You could add in some gold or silver card to enrich the design and also add in any little die cuts that you have.

It is an excellent way to use up your scraps and odd pieces that you have lying around.

But it is very addictive and I made loads ... far more than I needed, and so now I have a small box ready to use in the future.

So try really hard to restrict your self to just making what you need for the project in hand ....
 and that is easier said than done !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Everyday Items - Hole Punch Dots

Hi Everybody,

It is no secret that I love to add embellishments to my cards, whatever it is ... Flowers, Ribbons or Pearls !!

This is something that I have enjoyed doing for a long time and I know that to some people I add too much, but to me more is more.

I like the look of small pearls or enamel dots but they can get a little expensive and so I make my own.

I have in the past made them from coloured glues or the little jars of Nuvo Drops and allowed them to dry before transferring them to my cards.

And I did  a video called Create Your Own Pearls and flourishes about twelve years ago, and boy have I come a long way since that video.

It looks so old now and my cards are much better than they where back then 

I have even made the dots from wax seals in the past and left them to dry, and then added them to my designs.

But this one is so easy and uses up scraps of any kind of card that you have left over. 

You could use a die if you have one that cuts out the holes for you but the hole punch is so cheap to buy and is something that some people already have in their home office. 

Here is the video so please click the link and go to YouTube to view.
Hole Punch Dots

Please leave me a comment both here on the blog so that I know you have visited me, and on YouTube so that they know you enjoy the videos I upload. Thank you xxx

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Ethne Gloss - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

I hope you are enjoying this lovely weather at long last … we have waited so patiently for it and now the sunshine is here.  It makes such a difference when the sun is out and everything feels much more pleasant. Let’s hope it last a good while now that it is finally shining for us.

I have done the draw for the gift on offer on Friday and the name today is

Ethne Gloss

Would you email 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 it and please be sure to let me know that you have it safely 

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Glass House & Nativity Scene

Hi Everybody,

Today offering is from Olga Direktorenko and is part of her paper Discovery Range. 

It features a large glass house die that can be filled with flowers or birds but  this set it comes with the Nativity Scene.

The large glass house is 14.6 x 20.8cms so you can see how impressive this die set is.

That Nativity set can also be used alone to build up a beautiful creation for any of your Christmas projects.

If you would like to have these sets then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this 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 as I have no way to contact you should you win. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day Four Video

Hi Everybody,

I hope you have been popping over to YouTube and enjoying the videos  that I have added all this week.

They started with creating your own really pretty backgrounds and then using them in various ways to make your cards.

Far more satisfying than buying papers or card especially when there are shades and colours in that pack that you will never use.

This makes far more sense and it uses any of the inks that you have too, as well as embossing powders that can sit there for years.

So here is another idea that you may like to try.

Woven Panel Cards

This is weaving the paper that has been cut into strips. 

I used some strip dies that I have and I got mine from Amazon for a really good price point. 

I have added the link at the bottom in case you wanted to look at them.

You could use your trimmer if you preferred or simply a ruler and craft knife.

The mirror card and parchment are also from Amazon and is excellent quality. 

The video is not long as I try to keep them as short as I can but you will need to click the link to open a new window in YouTube to watch it.

Please leave me a comment here and on YT and subscribe and "Like" the video as that will help my channel to grow.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day Three Video

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards are using another of the papers to make some lovely flowers that can be added to your designs and this colour way is Chipped Sapphire and Worn Lipstick.

I have tried to come up with an unusual way to add them to this card and created a channel to suspend them across the  centre.

I have used a heavy weight acetate for the back if this panel and that will add stability to the front. 

So this video is titled

Distress Flower Cards
and it will show you three ways in which I have used them on my designs.

Again I have used the same silver Mirror card and parchment for the butterfly.

The vertical sentiment is from an old Card Making Magic set and just makes a change from using horizontal ones.

I am adding the links at the bottom simply to show you what I have used and f you have them too then that is fine.

But if you don't then simply substitute what I have  used for something that you do have and have fun creating your own unique backgrounds.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day Two Video

Hi Everybody,

Today I am using another of the papers created yesterday and this is the Seedless Preserves and Chipped Sapphire.

It has been teamed with the same silver card and butterfly as the others but for this I have added it to some heavy weight Acetate.

I have also used parchment behind the sentiment and butterfly wings as well as for  for the leaves.

The weight of Parchment and Acetate is not all the same so choose carefully when you buy. and make sure that they will die cut too.

This card is done with Worn Lipstick and Blue print sketch and gives you another look for the card. 

This has not been added to acetate first and it is done with gold mirror card.

The sentiment has a dropped shadow of gold under the white words.

The video is called the 

Torn Edge Card 

and is produced by tearing the paper towards your self to get the white edges which can be inked or not  ... as suits you. 

Clicking the link opens a new window for you to view the video on YouTube as this is the wat YT now want it to be. 

So please watch it all and if you would  "like and subscribe"  to my channel that would be wonderful

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day One Video

Hi Everybody,   

This week I am adding a video everyday to show you how I created some beautiful papers and ways in which I have used them on my designs.

I have called this video the 
Three Panel Card
and you will see why in the video.

It is not too long and I hope you will enjoy the process and maybe try it our for yourself.

 It can give you some beautiful backgrounds and you can vary the colours for your own favourites.

Don't go buying anything new either just search through your own sash and use what you have

You don't need the same stamps, inks or embossing folders that I have used to make beautiful cards.

I have teamed these cards with the same silver mirror card for a really rich look and the butterfly is the same on them all. 

I have added the links at the bottom to the mirror card and dies I have used that I have and some of them are from Amazon and they where not expensive.

Most of the die cuts have been backed with a heavy weight parchment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Stacey Kowbel - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It is really lovely here today and Ruby and I will be out for a walk later either before it gets too hot or when it has cooled down a little.  I have a tower fan in my bedroom and I have had that going for most of the night to keep me more comfortable ... it didn't work !!

So we got up early and now it's coffee time.

The draw has been done and the name this week is

Stacey Kowbel

would you please email me your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the pack will be on its way to you.

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

Next week I have a series of videos coming up .... one every day ... and I announced this too early.
I took the post down straight away but an eagle eyed reader spotted it and said she was looking forward to seeing them. 

Of course it was a  week early and they didn't show up then but they will be with you next week for certain. Please "Like" , subscribe and leave me comments here and on YouTube and enjoy all of them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - More Sheena ...

 Hi Everybody,

Today is a bumper offer of goodies from Sheena Douglas,

They consist of two A5 stamp and die sets called Still Waters and Down the Track and both will build scenes for your cards.

They are suitable for any of your male cards and they have sentiment in the packs as well.

To top this off there is also an A5 stencil that will create the backdrop for either of the stamp sets.

Now if you would like to have this  bundle 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 and then announced in a blog post over the weekend so please be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

You will have 72 hours in which to claim it and then it is gone, and will be offered again at a later date in another blog post.

Good Luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Inked Embossing Folder

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created by inking and embossing folder and running the card through the machine.

It has a very mottled look because of the way the ink was added  and I have a video to show you how I did it.

If you click the link it will open another window for you to view it on YouTube but be sure to come back here once you are finished.

Inked Embossing Folders

The parchment that I have added over the inking just diffuses the colour a little and creates a lovely backdrop for the flowers.

The whole technique is very pleasing to do and in the video you will see even more examples of cards that I have done this way.

I hope that this may be something that you will try for yourself and if you already have then let me know how it went for you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx