Simply Cards & Papercraft 188 - Altenew Layered Daffodils

Hi Everybody,

This months Simpy Cards & Papercraft has a beautiful gift from Altenew in the shape of a Layered Daffodil Die Set

It's going to be on sale on the 21st February and so if you wanted this set you will need to be quick as it will go very quickly

Altenew is one of my favourite brands and the flowers they create are gorgeous so to get one as a magazine gift is great.

Now I know it says Daffodil but you can do your flowers any colour you wish using coloured card.

And if you don't have the shade you need then you can use white card and colour it with your favourite medium to suit your own designs.

 Just have fun playing with this die set and let the video show you how to assemble the flowers 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby Update ...

Hello Everyone,

It's Ruby here today and I haven't been to visit you for some time.

I have still been having a lovely time when we go walking with Vickie and Dougal in the country or on the beach.

And as you can see from my photo I just love the mud and getting dirty.

My mum stands me in the kitchen sink and washes me all over to get the dirt off me.

Sometimes I don't smell very nice but I do scrub up well and then I am nice to be near again.

 I love going under the hairdryer too and having all that warm air ruffle my hair

And then I am clean and tidy, and all ready for a good snooze cuddled up in my blanket  ... till the next time we go walking !!

Bye for now 

Ruby xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

It's lovely here today and we are out walking this afternoon with Vickie and both dogs. I hate to say that spring is on the way as that might encourage some rain or even snow ... but we live in hopes that it will be a good summer again this year.

The draw for yesterdays card and gift has been done earlier this week and the name is 

Jane McGill

would you email me please with your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Autumnal Treasures

Hi Everybody,

This was a lovely stamp set that I really enjoyed playing with at there are some lovely images on this A4 set.

For the card that goes with the set I used gold embossing powder and it looks much better in the hand than the photo shows.

If you would like to own this set then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post and add your FULL NAME please.

For those of you who are new to the "Give Away" ... your full name is requested so that we all know exactly who has won the prize in case there are two of you with the same first name.

From the comments one name will be chosen as the winner and announced in tomorrows blog post ... so ...  no full name then no entry

If your name is listed as the winner then then you will have 72 hours to claim it by emailing me privately. Please do not add personal details to the comments box.

Good Luck everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Just For You

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is perfect for Valentines Day and the roses will never fade either. 

I have used coloured card to produce them with the dies from the collections available from Card Making Magic.

The Ribbon Threader adds that special touch especially with the bold black and white dotted ribbon.

I hope you are all having a good Valentines Day and maybe going out this evening for a special meal.

Have a good night and have a drink for me and Griff

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 48 - Tea Party

Hi Everybody,

When is a teapot not a teapot ???

When it's used to create a very pretty lace effect  background and this one looks especially good with the ink effect underneath

The ribbon and Birthday Greeting are from Card Making Magic but there is the opportunity for you to get a matching stamp set for just the P&P

Lots of little things that you can snip out of this die cut to add more elements to your designs so get busy playing. 

It will be in the shops tomorrow the 14th February so keep a look out if you wanted to add this to your collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Woven Ribbon

Hi Everybody,

Using  a Trellis dies to create the panel makes the card look extra special but have you thought about weaving your ribbon through it for another look ?

Once you have the ribbon in there you can lay it onto your card anyway round you prefer, and I have added several vidoes to show you how the look can change

For this card I have used the narrow satin ribbon from the Card Making Magic Collection and woven four different strips alternatively.

You can see the parts of the Trellis that the ribbon has gone through and the bow at the top is the finishing touch

The sentiment has been cut several times in black card and stacked together, then inked with Versamark and covered in clear embossing powder. Repeating this two or even three times will make your sentiment really sturdy and shiny/ I added mine to Vellum before adding it to the card front.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Floral "Thank You"

Hi Everybody,

A pretty card with a stencilled background created with the Spring Summer Stamp &

Die Set from Card Making Magic

The flowers, leaves and the butterfly have all been coloured with Copics and pearls added to the centres for decoration

The background was inked lightly with Distress Oxides in Abandoned Coral and then the same shade brushed through the stencil a little heavier.

I have used the brushes that I bought from Aldi last year and I have been informed that they are back in stock at present.

Just in case you can't get to an Aldi supermarket I have added in the link at the bottom to get Ink Dusters which work exactly the same ... they just cost more !!

The card and box die set that I have used is the NEW 6x6 and that now comes complete with the Trellis panel added. But if you bought your set when they first came out you can get other Trellis patterns to fit and they will also work with this one too.

So lots of choice for you to play with

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

It’s very cold and windy here today and although sunny it’s too much on the beach. 

It’s snuggle up time today with the heating on and see if the wind drops later to take Ruby out for a walk ... if only for a short one.

The draw for yesterday’s gift has been done and the name chosen this week is...

Ursula Longworth 

so would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

Please let me know when they arrive with you and I hope you will enjoy playing with them all.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Bubbles & Fizz

Hi Everybody,

This set is ideal for male cards or any wine lovers in your house.

When I took the photo I forgot to add in the other elements to this gift ... and they are a large 6x6 embossing folder which you can just make out in the background to the card shown.

There are also some fabulous stamps to it  and I used them to stamp the items on the card. The dies make it easy for you to add them to your designs.

The video will show you exactly what is in the pack  Bubbles and Fizz

So if this is a set you think you would like then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post and add your FULL NAME please.

From those comments one name will be chosen as the winner and announced in tomorrows blog post so be sure to come back and check if it is you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Birthday Flowers

Hi Everybody,

This very vibrant card is created with the Spring Summer Stamp Set from Card Making Magic.

I used the matching dies when possible and fussy cut the others after I had coloured them with Copics.

The flowers can be any colour you choose and you can use your favourite medium for your designs if you don't like Alcohol Markers

I have used the new 6x6 Card & Box die set and the Sentiment Set that also has matching dies to it.

It was very relaxing to sit and colour and I wish I had the time to do it more often. I am happy with the card and it would be suitable for any occasion with a change of the sentiment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Papercraft Essentials 170 (PE170) Butterfly Rose Cut & Emboss

Hi Everybody,

The magazine I want to share with you this week is Papercraft Essentials 170 and it will be in the shops on the 7th February.

It is a two in one folder in that it cuts and embosses at the same time to give you a really pretty look for your own designs.

The video is not long but I do make the card featured and it is really easy to do.

 So I hope you will give it a try.

It doesn't matter if the inking is blotchy because you are going to die cut into it anyway so don't worry about that aspect

Just enjoy playing and making lovely cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Blue & White Shaker Card

Hi Everybody,

Here is another video for you to view this week using the same 6x6 Card and Box die set as yesterday

This is a shaker card and if you are new to card making then please don't be intimidated as they are really easy to create

I will show you step by step how I made this one and then you can ad your own artistic flare to it and make beautiful designs

I have used only elements from the die set and a few sequins from my stash and I am more than happy with the result.

The little Easel card Stand just adds that little bit extra for your recipient to display it on their mantle shelf for everybody to see the wonderful card that you made especially for them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Teal & Pink Floral Card

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with the 6x6 Card and Box Die Set

 I have added in the flowers, ribbons and pearls from my Embellishments to make it really feminine, and combined them with others from Wild Orchid Crafts

It is in teal and pink on a white card base and it looks really special in the hand. 

I haven't made the box for this one but the flowers are deep as so you would need one to give or send the card

There are lots of layers to this card and the inside is also lined so make sure you have enough matching card before you start.

And of course extra if you wanted the box to match too.

But I am sure you will agree that is it a very pretty creation and I would be more than happy to get a card like this for my birthday 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

No lazing in bed today Ruby and I are up early and raring to go .... well sort of !!

It's icy cold out there so we won't be going far today, there's even ice on the beach.

The draw has been done early to and then name this week is ...

Anne Owens

please send your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the gift will be on it's way to you straight away

Please let me know that you have it safely

Now it's heating on and time to go and play with Ruby to stop her being bored until the ice goes a little and we can go out for a walk.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie- Teacup Garden

Hi Everybody,

Another fun stamp and die set on offer this week and this again was one I enjoyed playing with.

You can create your garden with the stamps and you will find lots of ideas on the back of the package and of course the video

Teacup Garden 

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

One name will be chosen as the winner and announced in tomorrows post so be sure to come back and check if it is you.

If you haven't claimed it after 72 hours it will be withdrawn and offered again at a later date.

So don't miss your chance.  The names of the winners each week are added to the Winners page in the side bar to your left.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Rainbow of Happiness

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is created with one of the new border dies from Card Making Magic and it was shown on the Hochanda show a few weeks ago.

It is really simple card to make and is bright and cheerful on a wt rainy day.

You can use different colours of cards or colour the card with inks or markers to get the colours you need for the rainbow.

I cut each colour with the die once in rainbow colours and then glued them onto my card layer leaving the bottom ends free.

I added a tiny gemstone to each scallop for an added touch and I really liked the result.

So why not give it a try if you like rainbows too and I promise you it is is very easy to create.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 67 - Vintage Collage

Hi Everybody,

This months Creative Stamping has a beautiful A4 stamp set that is full of images to help you create beautiful cards and it will be on sale on the 31 st January

There are 36 stamps on the sheet and so you can mix and match for any vintage look you would like to create.

I had a lot of fun playing with this and I stayed with the Vintage theme for most of them.

I did try to show you how you can get a super modern floral look with a water coloured one and it is super bright.

I have no magazine to show how it will look on the shelves but don't let that stop you.

If you would like this set then have a  good look for

 Creative Stamping 67 

on the 31 st January in a supermarket near you

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Floral Card from Card making Magic

Hi Everybody,

Today's card is another sample from the ones I made for Hochanda and once again I have used the Spring-Summer Stamp and Die set.

I have stamped all my images onto white card and then coloured them and the die cuts with Copics

This is such a bright and cheerful card and could be for any occasion.

I have used the Sentiments Stamp & Die Set for mine.

The background has been created with  stencil made from the Trellis die in the set and coloured in a very pale pink.

The flowers, bee and butterflies have been added with foam pads to give different heights 

Tiny gemstones have been used to add the sparkle to the flower centres and I would be more than happy to get a card like this for my birthday

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spring-Summer Stamp & Die Set

Hi Everybody,

This pretty layered card has used lots of dies from different sets and it shows you how well they all work together.

I love adding depth to my cards with layers and of course my trademark is flowers ribbons and pearls.

So for the card shown I have used the Card Making Magic Collection and I am very happy with the result.

Now with the new dies and stamps sets there is a lot of choice on how you put your card together

I stamped and coloured the flowers with Copics and then I did partial die cutting with the Nesting ovals, and layered them with foam tape for height.

Partial die cutting leaves part of the image outside the cut edge and gives a really pretty look to the card

The card layers are wrapped with ribbon and lace before adding them to the base and everything I used is listed below for you to view

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

How To Separate Your New Dies

Hi Everybody,

I have had several emails from people who may be new to card making and using dies, and they don't know how to get the joined dies in the new die and stamp sets apart.

And as it is always better to show you than to tell you and I have made a short video that will do just that.

Many dies these days are "Bridged" to unable the manufacturers to get more from the metal they use.  And so here is the video to show you how I do it

I hope you find it useful and you may have to buy some small snips, but it is better than ruining a good pair of scissors in the process, as the metal is probably too hard for scissors to cut through .

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

Late start for me to today as Ruby and I didn't get up till 10 am and then we had leisurely toast and marmalade for breakfast. Now she has gone back to sleep and I am here typing with her at my feet. 

But later she is going for a walk with Dougal and Vickie ... so she is just gathering her energy for a good run around the park.

The draw has been done for yesterday Make A Splash gift and the name is ....

Elaine Prendergast

would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

Tomorrow I am adding an information video to show you how to separate your new dies from Card Making Magic so please pop back then if you have had a problem or you don't know how to get them apart.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Make A Splash!

Hi Everybody,

I had a lot of fun with this stamp set when it was offered as a gift with a magazine earlier last year.

It came from Crafti Potential and it has stamps, dies and a stencil in the offer

The video will show some ideas using this set and I am sure that you can come up with many more of your own.

  So if you would like this Make A Splash set 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 name will be chosen as the winner and announced in tomorrows blog post. Be sure to come back and see if it is you as you only have 72 hours in which to claim the gift.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Blue & White Easel Card

Hi Everybody,

Today I have been busy creating this pretty Easel card and showing you how I did the water colour flowers for the front and inside of the card.

I have used Distress Oxides to do the colouring but you can use any water based inks you may have in your own stash.

I used the Ribbon Threaders as the stop for the easel and raised it up with foam tape underneath.

The shade of blue is really fresh and I have used this a lot in my designs 

The video will take you step by step through the making of this card and if you are new to this hobby then trust me ... it's really easy

I used the left over flower and leaves for the back of the easel to give 

a finished look all round 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercraft - British Garden Birds

Hi Everybody,

This months magazine Simply Cards & Papercraft will be on sale on the 24th January and it has this beautiful stamp and die set of birds common in British gardens

You can create the most intricate cards building scenes as you stamp or you can keep them quite simple

The one shown here has just used one bird and stamped it several times in different orientations and then coloured them all with Copics in pastel colours.

You need to use a water based ink to stamp your images if you wish to use alcohol inks to colour.

The clouds stencil is from My Favourite Things but you could just as easily make your own from Copy paper ... and save money in the process

I have used the Aldi brushes to add my clouds but many other types will do the same job ... brushes,

blending tools or sponges. Whichever you prefer to work with 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Adult Colouring Books

Hi Everybody,

Travelling down to Peterborough on Friday to do the "LIVE" shows on Hochanda I decided to pass the time by colouring in some items from and adult colouring book that I have.

I took some Alcohol markers along with me and got busy colouring these two sets. Then once I was home I very quickly made them up into cards

This one clearly shows some Dahlias and I partially die cut them from the book.

The other flowers are added with foam to give more depth to the card and the big yellow ribbon is from Card Making Magic Decorative Collection

This one was some little flowers that I coloured pink and added white spots to the petals with a gel pen

The Happy Birthday sentiment is cut from Glitter card and I have wrapped the card in ribbon and lace

One way to pass a train journey and productive at the same time

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Carter and Bobby

Hi Everybody,

I just had to share this photo with you all as it really made me smile.

These two little cuties are my Great Grandsons watching me on Hochanda on Saturday morning.

Carter is two and a half and Bobby coming up to be one year old... notice Bobby has his hand in Carters pocket.

They apparently where enthralled and every time I was off the screen Carter said to his mum "Gran gone" and when he could see me it was "Grans back" 

So these two are members of my fan club and how good to be able to impress a two year old ... what an achievement

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

A really big "Thank you" to all who tuned in yesterday to watch my first
appearance on Hochanda.

It was an amazing two shows and a complete sell out by the end of them both. I was really pleased that everything went so quickly and I hope you will enjoy playing with your new purchases when they arrive with you. 

The new products will be with Craft Stash this week so if you missed out on the super sale on Hochanda then you will still be able to get them here
  Card Making Magic 

I will be adding cards and videos over the next few weeks so please come back to view.

But for now the draw has been done for the Friday Freebie and the winner this week is

Marjorie Bates

please would you send your postal address to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you straight away.

You have 72 hours to claim the gift and please let me know when it arrives with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Botanical Border

Hi Everybody,

Just a reminder that I will be on Hochanda Saturday 19th January at 10 am and 2 pm so I hope you will join me then

 And so that I don't miss this give away I am scheduling the post  for this pretty gift to go out while I am away.

This is Botanical Border and I made some really lovely cards with this all in the same colour scheme

The video will give you lots of ideas and so I hope you enjoy it.

  Botanical Borders 

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

This is to save any confusion if two people with the same first name apply.

 I won't be adding names to the hat if they are not your full one so if you wonder why you're not winning then check your comment and see if you added your name.

If you are new to the give away you can enter each week and it doesn't matter if you have won one before. I am happy to send the gift to you at my expense and it doesn't matter where you live.

You don't need your own blog but you DO need to come back and check for your name tomorrow. I will announce the winner, on my return from Hochanda, in a blog Post and you will have 72 hours to claim it.

If the gift is not claimed it will be re offered at a later date

Good Luck everybody.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sneaky Peak !!

Hi Everybody,

So the good news this week is that I will be on your telly this coming Saturday with more of my new collection to share with you.

And this is a sneaky peak of one of the items in the show that will be on HOCHANDA

I am really looking forward to be being back and this is the first show I have done for well over a year. 

I have some lovely samples to show you and these are from my very own collection Card Making Magic ... and I am so excited about it.

Griff would be so proud and he would be taking photos every two minutes to show the world and his wife at every available opportunity .... at least twice !!

So please join me on Saturday the 19th January at 10 am and again at 2 pm when I will be working with Paula Pascual and showing you some of the cards we have made.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 47 - Hello Spring

Hi Everybody,

Today I am bringing you a new cover mount video and this is the first one I have covered since last year. If you are a regular reader you will know the reason for the lack of posts with the magazine gifts

But this one is for Die Cutting Essentials and it is a six piece die set called Hello Spring.

Just in time for all your flowery makes but if you leave the flowers off then it is just as suitable for any male cards.

I created this pretty background with the tiny little stamp that is part of the reader offer.

Pay just the postage and packing and the A6 stamp set is yours and it works really well with the dies.

The video will give you lots of ideas and of course you will find many more withing the pages of the magazine too

The background technique in the video is really easy to create with mini ink pads and on one of them I have used the Altenew sets which have three shades of one colour. The pink card is a kind of Ombre effect and I really like the finished card

So I hope you will give this a try and look out for the magazine in the shops tomorrow if you would like this die set.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shell Trellis & Nesting Circles

Hi Everybody,

Today's card has used lots of items from the Card Making Magic Collection which is all available from Craft Stash

I love the colour scheme to this card but you can make yours any way you wish and I used Distress Oxides

The flowers I used are the pink edged ones from the Decorative Collection and I have brushed over the edges with the same inks I used on the card

I used the Shell Trellis because it matches the Nesting Circles and that keeps everything tied together. You can stack the dies with the largest one first and make your way out to the smallest centre piece adding foam pads as you go.
That would give you a decoupaged look.

But I decided to add the smallest first and work my way out to the largest  for another way to add the interest.  The finished result is a very colourful card that started life as just plain white

Make your box for this card and ink the two pieces the same as the card. 

Add your Nesting Circle to the box front and add some flowers and you would have a lovely gift to give to some one for any occasion you need it for.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Feathers

Hi Everybody,

This card is created with some of the feathers that are from Spellbinders and they are on the front of a 5x7 card so you can see that they are quite large.

I stencilled the background to blend in with them and the die itself is in two parts.

I cut the solid piece from pink and layered the black filigree piece cut three times and stacked together over the top.

This gave me lovely deep feathers to add to my card.

The sentiment is from a stamp that was with a magazine and it just sat very neatly at the bottom of the card.

Backing the panel onto black card gave me a thin borer around the edge that tied everything together and then I added them to a white tent fold base.

Change the colours and this would be ideal for male cards and quite a good look too.

 Not too masculine but more than suitable

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card & Gift Winner

Hi Everybody,

I am sorry for the delay but yesterday I was so busy I couldn't find the time to sit down and write a post until late in the evening and so I decided to leave it till today ... and here I am. 

The draw for Fridays card and gift has now been done and the winner this week is ...

AnnLouise Harris

would you email me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and they will be on their way to you.

Please let me know that you have the gift safely and I hope you will enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Songbird Blossoms

Hello Everybody,

Today's gift consists of Stamps, Dies and an Embossing Folder and will help you to make some really pretty cards.

I have said quite a lot over the last few weeks, with regards to Christmas stuff, that it can be used all year round, if you use your imagination, and this set is ideal to use all year round too.

Turn the bird into a Robin and alter the flowers to make Christmas Roses and there you will have a card that is perfect to send.

The video to showcase this set was 

 Songbird Blossoms 

and if this is gift that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment with your FULL NAME

From those comments a name will be chosen and announced in tomorrows blog post so please come back and check if it is you

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx