Christmas in July Blog Hop with Helen Griffin

 Hi Everybody,

Say hello to Helen Griffin today as you visit her post in this week long Blog Hop. I am sure you have enjoyed all the ideas shown so far and the week isn't over yet. There are some great prizes to win so don't forget to join in 

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

Friday 1st July Lou Collins 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin  (You are here)

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th  July Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July Christina Griffiths

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas in July Blog Hop with Sasha Reade

 Hi Everybody,

Into the fourth day already and today sees the lovely Sasha Reade taking her place to show you what she has for you. Sasha does many videos on YouTube Channel with her fun Saturday Night Live and you are sure to learn something each week if you join her with your favourite brew.

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

Friday 1st July Lou Collins 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade (You are here)

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th July Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July  Christina Griffiths

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

Deal Of The Day

This die and stamp set is only available at this price today over at Craft Stash so pop over now while it's there 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas in July Blog Hop with Marta Debicka

 Hi Everybody,

Another fantastic designer is waiting for you today and this one is the lovely Marta Debicka. She is sure to amaze you with what she has to offer so click the link and pop over there to join in and win some prizes too. 

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

Friday 1st July Lou Collins 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka  (You are here)

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th July Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July Christina Griffiths

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas In July Blog Hop with Sam Calcott

Hi Everybody,

Today it is the talented Sam Calcott here to share her video with you and you will not be disappointed  with what she has to show you. Don't forget to visit the others as the week moves on as there is the opportunity for you to win some wonderful prizes. 

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

Friday 1st July Lou Collins 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott  (You are here)

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th July  Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July Christina Griffiths

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas In July Blog Hop with Lou Collins

Hi Everybody,

Today sees the start of a fabulous week long blog hop and there are prizes to be won everyday to tempt you to join in.  The Friday Freebie has been postponed until later this month so don't worry it will be back soon, but for now enjoy the hop and all the videos the designers have created for you.

Welcome to the CraftStash Christmas in July Blog Hop and Giveaway! Find all the details on the CraftStash Blog www.craftstash.co.uk/inspiration

Each day we will release a new video featuring a Christmas themed tutorial from the Exclusive brands and designers at CraftStash! You can shop all the exclusive ranges here

UK - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

US - https://www.craftstash.co.uk/exclusive-brands

       Friday 1st July Lou Collins        (you are here) 

Saturday 2nd July Sam Calcott

Sunday 3rd July Marta Debicka

Monday 4th July Sasha Reade

Tuesday 5th July Helen Griffin

Wednesday 6th July Sandi Nagel

Thursday 7th July Sam Calcott

Friday 8th July Christina Griffiths

Saturday 9th July Sheena Douglass

How to Enter

Simply subscribe to this channel and to the CraftStash channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CraftStashCoUktv , watch, like and add a comment on all of the videos before the closing date of July 15th!

There will be prizes everyday including a grand prize of CraftStash vouchers worth £100!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Making Magic & Made to Surprise

Hi Everybody,

Today I have a video with a difference as this is a collaboration with Sam Calcott of Made To Surprise.

Sam and I have completely opposite styles but we have swapped some dies with each other to see what we come up with.

I have used the Creative Cuts that Sam has designed which will leave a beautiful pattern on your cards and although this is not a new technique Sam does make it easier with her dies. 

Enjoy the video and then pop over to Sam's
  Made To Surprise YouTube Channel
to see what she has to offer you, and it sure to be amazing.

Here also is the link to Sams blog Made to Surprise for you to visit 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Altenew Always Sunshine

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards is using the Altenew Craft Your Life kit for May named Always Sunshine 

There are stamps, dies, stencils and a 6x6 3-D embossing folder and the possibilities are endless.

For this card I used the stencils to colour the die cut flowers and an embossing folder for the background. The finished card size is 5x7 and my colour scheme is lilac and white.

I used Distress Oxides to colour the flowers onto a cream card stock, with some blending brushes from Craft Stash. 

Craft Stash has some card and matching envelopes in the large A5 size if you prefer not to fold your own, and these of course can always be trimmed down to the size you want.  

For this card I used only the embossing folder and ran some pale blue cardstock though the machine.

If you spritz the card with a little bit of water first it helps to get a deeper indentation in the card and prevents it from cracking

Alternatively wipe over both sides of the card with a baby wipe and that has the same effect.  

Make sure that the card is dry before moving on to the next step.

And for that all I have done is lightly sweep over the raised areas of the card with white pigment ink.

Both cards would suit any occasion and the bottom less intricate one would even be ok for a male card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Using Baby Wipes

 Hi Everybody,

This little card was covered a while ago in a background  using Baby Wipes and I did a video on the method as well.

I am adding the link to the video again for those people that are new to my blog.

It can also serve as a refresher if you have forgotten about the idea which can give some lovely results. 

I made several cards and this is just one of them. Vary the colours for a different look to your own designs and use different stamps to for another look 

I have added a piece of parchment behind the oval on this card top give a muted look to the flowers but you could add acetate or turn this into a shaker card if you preferred.

And if you wanted another idea on using really cheap Baby Wipes then here is another video that you may enjoy.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby & Ella

 Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would pop in  and tell you the latest on my new sister.  So this is Ella and she is a tiny tortoiseshell kitten with white paws.

Here she is scaring herself with her own reflection in mums bedroom mirror. She was spitting and hissing at it but it wasn't frightened of her.

I am still scared of her especially when she moves fast towards me ... I tend to run away ... but she has taken to following me everywhere and every time I move. 

She can't get through the cat flap door into the garden yet so at least I can escape out there for a while. I suppose I will get used to her eventually.

Here she is trying to get close to me while I am in my bed.

 She sneaked right up to my tail and I put up with it for a while and then I got out, but she still followed me as I jumped up on the sofa. 

I know all she wants to do is snuggle and be friends but I am not ready for that just yet. 

I get the feeling that she won't give me much choice.

Here at last was peace when she curled up and went to sleep on mums lap.

Now I can stretch out in my bed again and have a snooze.

More next time ...

Love Ruby xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend wherever you are. 
We are all fine here and I have done the draw for the winner already so that I can get the blog post done.

It is  lovely stamp set this week and it comes with the magazine so a really good read for you. There is also a little article from me whcih I hope you will enjoy.

So the name today is  

Mavis Lynch

and if you could email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get it in to the post as soon as I can.

My apologies to last weeks winner as I haven't posted off your prize yet.
I have it here ready to go but I was not allowed to drive this week after the cataract surgery.
It will be on its way to you along with the one for Mavis this week.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Beautiful Bouquets

 Hi Everybody,

Hasn't the weather been kind to us this past week and lets hope there is more to come.

 I must admit though that I don't like it when it is too hot and neither does Ruby.

But she had a trip to the groomers yesterday and now her coat is short and she will be cooler.

So on to todays give away and I have another of those stamp sets named Beautiful Bouquets.

As well as the stamps there is also a plastic template attached so that you can cut out the mason jar to add the flowers too, as well as flowers leaves and a label to complete the look.

I will send you the magazine so that you can sit and browse the pages too and that is always a good read full of ideas and inspiration.

If you would like this set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME and from those comments one will be chosen at random as the winner, so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Feathered Lilies

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Feathered Lilies from Altenew. It is one of their Craft Your Life Kits and this was January. 

These kits are such good value as they have the stamps, stencils, dies and embossing folders all to match.

The downside is the cost of postage from the USA which is extortionate.

I have used my own Leaf stencil and grey ink for the background and added splatters with gold paint. 

The flowers have been water coloured with Arteza 36 pan set,  and then cut with the matching die and added with foam pads.

The finished card is a slimline and from the die set I can create an envelope that will hold the card perfectly.

This size of card is lovely as it is not too large and overpowering, and yet still leaves enough space to add the things I like to add to my cards.  

It could also be used for any other occasion with a change of sentiment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty In Pink

Hi Everybody,

Thank you all for your comments on my surgery and I am pleased to say that it gets better each day.

 The eye patch is now off and my vision is so much clearer. 

So today I am adding a card that I made last week and this is using the Altenew Craft Your Life Kit for April called Fragrant Florals

I have used an old stencil and a text stamp to add interest to the background

The flowers are cut out with the matching die and mounted on foam pads.

I add the black dots to the flowers with a fine liner pen, and the completed size is 6x6. 
I have made this a birthday card but it would suit any occasion with the appropriate sentiment added

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Well good morning and it is now 24 hours since I had the cataract removed.  I was very anxious about it but the people at the CHEC clinic where very reassuring and made me feel more at ease. It was not a painful procedure, but it is uncomfortable and a lot of water is used to irrigate the eye.  

My face was covered with something and my eye was exposed through the covering. I had to lie perfectly still but in fifteen minutes it was all done. An eye shield was placed over the eye for protection and it has to stay on until this morning and then be worn at night for the next week. 

The vision will clear over the next few days but even through the eye shield I can see colours are a lot brighter. The next move is an appointment with my optician for a check up and then the second eye can be done.

This is how I have found the surgery and I have been really honest with you. If you are going for a cataract to be removed you will probably be as nervous as I was but don’t worry …. All will be well.

In the meantime I have done the draw for yesterday’s offering and the name today is

Barbara Youngs

Would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to you straight away.

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Fabulous Feathers

 Hi Everybody,

When you make a mistake on your cards then feathers, butterflies, flowers or leaves can do a great job at covering them up.

But they do also make excellent focal point in their own right and this feather die and stamp set is no exception.

There are actually two sets in this collection.

 One is the small feather with its matching die but there is also another stamp set with several feathers in different sizes, shapes and patterns on it, as well as several large sentiments for you to add to your creations

You can also download some papers to compliment your designs and the instructions on how to do that will be in the magazine Simply Cards & Papercraft.
There will be lots of ideas on how to use the set inside the pages too.

So if you would like this set to come and live with you 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 listed as the winner in a blog post over the weekend

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Apologies ...

Hi Everybody,

Sorry for my absence this week but I have been busy kitten playing. And she is a lot of fun.

Even Ruby is trying to play with her now and she hasn't been here a week yet.

 It's so lovely to watch them getting to know one another and I really hope they will be friends.

So on to todays card ... this is created with the Altenew Craft Your Life Kit for May 22 and it is called Silk Art 

I have coloured these flowers with just the Layered stencil and I love the delicate look  The sentiment is also from the same kit and there are quite a few to choose from.

The finished card is A2 and the corners have been rounded with a punch. I have done several cards with this set and I will show them to your over the coming days.

On Saturday I am going to have my Cataract done and because in the past I have had Laser eye treatment they will do one eye at a time. So the right eye is being done first and the left in a couple of months time. 

Thank you for all the reassurance about the coming surgery from ladies who have already had this treatment. It is very welcoming and puts me at ease a lot. 

More tomorrow ...

Hug xx

Ruby Update

Hi Everybody,

It's me Ruby and I am really well and going out into the sunshine later with my mum for a lovely walk. Maybe we will go to the beach or even the woods. I love sniffing about in the woods and looking for squirrels. 

Today I wanted to introduce you to my new sister and this is Ella.  She is a tortoiseshell kitten and she is eight weeks old.

She is very tiny, not quite as big as my head,  but she is weaned and house trained. 

I have tried to steal her food several times but my mum won't let me.

Ella is a bit strange to me and I am not ready to play with her yet. But I have had a good sniff of her and she smells ok so I suppose I will get used to her. 

I must admit though that she is nearly as pretty as me .... nearly !!

I barked at her when she first came and she spit at me and then ran away. She may be tiny but I am frightened of her to tell the truth.

My mum told me to be quiet and not to frighten her. So when I am nice to her I get a treat for being a good girl. I suppose being nice to her will be lovely in the long run.

I will let you know how we get along and my mum is hoping that we will be good friends as we get used to each other.

See you soon

Love Ruby XX

 

Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a beautiful day it is here today and Ruby and I will be out walking later.  I went to the Eye Clinic on Friday and the surgeon is gong to do my cataracts later this month. He is planning on doing both eyes at the same time and has told me I will be out of action for roughly two weeks until my blurred vision clears.

I am apprehensive about it all but excited at the same time and it will be good to be able to see things close up again. At present it is a real struggle to use the computer or make cards .... but not for much longer !!

The draw for the lovely Tropical Frame has been done and the name this week is 

Ali Patchett

would you email me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and it will be on its way  to your straight away.

Please let me know that you have it safely and I really hope you enjoy playing with it all.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Tropical Frame

Hi Everybody,

Today I have a really pretty set called Tropical Frame on offer, and this is an eight piece die set that will make lovely flowers for your designs.

You can add the frame also and dress the flowers around the edge,  but you will find lots of ideas inside the magazine Die Cutting Essentials that also comes with it.

There is also the opportunity for you to down load some papers that will match the cards, and it will tell you how to do that in the magazine.

So if you would like this set to join your collections than all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

One comment will be chosen as the winner and added to a blog post over the weekend. You don't need to have a blog or be in the UK to enter, and I am happy to send the package to you wherever you are.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Flower Cards & Brushos

 Hi Everybody,

I know that not everybody likes to colour in their images and so this is a really easy option to get bright and vibrant colours in your designs ... especially your flowers.

I have used the Brusho Crystals that I have had for years, and such a little amount is needed to get a beautiful look, that they are going to last me for many more years yet.

In the video I share how to get the look for these flowers and leaves and I am not disappointed in any of the cards I made.

The one to the right is using flowers of a red and purple colour scheme and they are added to an embossed background

The card to the left is a DL size and uses the other colour scheme of orange and yellow 

Again added to an embossed panel for the background as this makes such a difference.

I have added some of the flowers on foam pads to give depth and dotted it with sequins.

You can make lots for flowers and leaves and save for another project those that you don't use. 

I have loads left over and I will use them at a a later date and probably mixed in with other flowers too.

The dies are the Perfect Christmas Rose and the matching stamps but these flowers can be used all year round as you can see.  

This last card uses both colour ways together

And so there are lots of ways to mix and match your flowers and each one will give you a different look.

I hope you enjoy the video

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Layered Florals & Creative Cuts

Hi Everybody,

I am enjoying playing with these lovely dies from Made To Surprise.

They are the Creative Cuts from Sam Calcott and the die that I have used as a border is called the Circles and Tall Arrows Set.

I have teamed it with my Layered Florals Die & Stamp Set which has been water coloured, and extra leaves from the Rose Flourish Die Set added to the display.

The Arrows Die has been used to create the border and I have added that at an angle to the card front, with the flowers arranged around it. 

The whole lot has been splattered lightly and I am really happy with this slimline card result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Cuts

Hi Everybody,

Today I am using dies from Creative Cuts by Made to Surprise and teaming it with the Butterfly Trails Die and Stamp set from Card Making Magic.

Sam has some wonderful videos on her Blog to show you how she has used these fabulous Creative Cuts die sets,  but for mine I have used the Square set in a different way.

I have made mine into a central panel from white card and backed it onto some blue. 

Then as the squares are tucked under, the bottom colour will show through. These dies are slim enough to go through any of the smaller die cutting machines 

I added some splatters to this card panel and then stamped, die cut and coloured my butterflies to coordinate with the rest of the design. I added them with foam pads to give height

A very quick and easy card to make but with quite an impact using the Creative Cuts panel.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Winner

Hi Everybody,

I hope you are enjoying the Jubilee weekend. I watched the Party at the Palace last night and what a fantastic show that was. The artists, the settings, the light show and the atmosphere. But the Queen herself stole the show having tea with Paddington Bear.

He is well known for having his marmalade sandwiches in his hat ... but I bet you didn't know that the Queen keeps hers in her handbag ... for later. What a star she is 

Now for the winner of that fabulous Birdcage Collection that is on offer this week. 
The draw has ben done and the name is ....

Jacqueline Koendering

Please can you email me your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get the pack in the post to you straight away.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx