Fancy Oval Mats & Layers

Hi Everybody,

For this card I weaved some white ribbon through the detailed pattern in the die cut and that just gave it another look.

I used the Oval die set from the Look At Layers Collection to form the basis of the weaving and then added it to the Rectangles layer for more dimension.

I like to play around with the die cuts and see what different looks can be achieved by adding them at varying  angles to my card base.

Colour is another way to get variation into your designs and you only have to look at nature to see the choices that you can make there. 

Thinks of some of the more unusual combinations, Yellow & Pink, Pink & Purple, Lemon & Green, and try them on your cards.

Using inks to colour white card saves you buying lots of different coloured card as card does dry out if you have had it a long time. At least with inks it stays fresh for you to use.

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx

            

         

Ruth Scott- Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Yesterday my family and I all met up in Blackpool because we had tickets to see “ Elephant Man” at the Grand Theatre. We have had them for weeks and all ten of us were really looking forward to it. Our plan was to see the play and then go for a meal afterwards and have a good get together. 

Vickie and I took the dogs to our dog sitter for the day and off we went. We struggled to find somewhere to park, but eventually we found a space and then rushed through town to get there on time. Everybody else was already there and waiting for us.

But once we got into the theatre we found out that ….. the play had been cancelled !! What ?? Apparently the cast are all sick and couldn’t perform, but we would get our money back.

We were so disappointed and we had to go the the box office to make our claim. I can’t tell you how we all felt after looking forward to it for so long. Still I hope the cast get better soon.

As for me ….. well I have now done the draw for the Seashells pack from Friday and the name today is

Ruth Scott

Would you send me your postal address please to 

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it sent to you straight away. The little glue bottle pin will be inside the pack too.

Please be sure to let me know that you have them ok and I hope you will enjoy playing with the gift.

,More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Look At Layers Collection - Ovals & Rectangles

 Hi Everybody,

The launch of the new Look at layers Collection is here and the cards that I have made are being shared with you.

Here is a video using the Ovals and Rectangles and in that I have produced four cards  which are quick and easy to do. 

These dies will work with any other collections that you have and there are lots of word or sentiment dies that can be added to the cards for any occasion.

The video is not too long but I hope it will be enjoyable for you as you relax.

                          

I have another video that is available for you to view at Craft Stash using the Circles and Squares and creating an easel card , here is the link ...

Easel Card

The collection is with Craft Stash so please use the links below to purchase as they are affiliate links and will give me a small commission at no extra cost to yourself.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Seashells by the Sea shore

Hi Everybody,

This really lovely embossing folder will cut out a shape for you ate the same time.

There is also a separate die set with "Birthday Wishes" and a stamp that says "Sending Oceans of Love"

So lots of variety there for you to create your cards, and inside the magazine you will find lots more inspiration for how to use your set. 

I am sure that you will have fun playing with this set and so if you would like to win this then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME 

You must make sure to come back and check if your name is shown as the winner as I have no way to contact you if you don't claim it. In that event it will be offered again at a later date.

The magazine is a good read so grab a cuppa as you settle down to relax and have some ME time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Monogrammed Cards

Hi Everybody,

I have covered monochrome cards in the past where they have been just one colour for the whole card, but today I am sharing monogrammed cards using just one letter.

This one is for my eldest daughter Amanda and the other is for my youngest daughter Victoria. And I thought it was an excellent way to use  those Alphabet dies on smaller cards.

I am really pleased with the result and I am sure your recipient would be too.

I have used the solid letters and then covered them with the filigree overlays to give a lovely delicate feel to the letter.

 

You can use any flowers, leaves or shape to the background that you have in your own stash.

And the same with the embossing folders, just use any that you have. 

If you wanted to make a larger card and you also have the lower case alphabets then you can spell out the complete name

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Altenew Flowers

Hi Everybody,

This is a stamp set that I have used often in the past and it is the Whimsical Flowers  Stamp & Die set from Altenew.

I have had this a long time and I have teamed it with my on dies from the Rose Flourish die set.

I have also used the Simply Dots embossing folder for the background and the sentiment strip is from the Butterflies paper pack that was released  a little while ago.

So no matter what you have in your own stash it will all work well with something else, all you need to do is paly and experiment to see what you come up with.

And if you don't like the result then it is only card and paper and a little bit of ink. 

I no longer get the monthly kits from Altenew as the postage cost became far too high. But I have lots from the past that I can still use and make lovely cards with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Michele Coffey - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

What a gorgeous day it is here in the North West and a lovely day for walking, which of course Ruby will love. The beach is usually quiet at this time of year and Ruby a have a good run around. It's not very often we go down there and the tide is in and so it is always much too far away for her to go in the sea. And when she does I always bath her when we get home again.

So the draw for the Christmas Cheer die and stamp set has been done and this is well worth having to fill out your personal collections. The winner this week is

Michele Coffey

so would you please send me your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it off to your straight away. The little glue bottle pin will be tucked inside the magazine for you.

I hope you will like it and please be sure to let me know that is with you safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Christmas Cheer

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering comes with Die Cutting Essentials and is a beautiful one cut die set and some lovely stamps.

You also have the opportunity to download papers and toppers to match your project.

The magazine is full of ides and inspiration and I am sure you will want to try some of the other ideas that are inside the pages.

Now if this is pack 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. 

From those comments one name will be chosen as the winner and announced in a blog post on Sunday.

So be sure to come back and see if your name is listed as the winner and then you will have 72 hours in which to claim by sending me you postal address.

If it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date. 
So make sure you don't miss out.

More tomorrow  ...

Hugs xx

 

Warm Florals - Making a Card

 Hi Everybody,

This very quick card is so easy to make using the items from the kit and is perfect for those new to card making.

The video show this particular card but you would be able to come up with so many more as you played with the designs.

They are so delicate and feminine and you could add any embellishments that you have in your own stash to enhance them even more.

It is such a pretty pack and has fast become one of my favourite "Go To's" for a card in a hurry.

For more videos using this pack pop over to the Craft Stash page on YouTube and Facebook

Another beauty of this pack is the price as it is not expensive at all and it could make you lots and lots of different cards in many different shapes.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Connie Griffin - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Christmas is drawing ever nearer but the offering this week is a million miles away from that as it is beautiful flowers that you can make for yourself from the foam in the pack.
You are sure to have some fun making these blooms and here are lots of videos  on YouTube that will show you how to use the material to make the flowers.

So the name drawn at random to win this pack today is ...

Connie Griffin

so would you email me please with your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it in the post to you straight away, and please be sure to let me know when it has arrived with you.

I hope you enjoy laying with it and make lots of lovely flowers for your cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Beautiful Blossoms

Hi Everybody,

Todays pack is a bumper offer and it consists of some flower forming foam sheets and the template to create the flowers, a sentiment stamp set, a ball tool to help you shape the foam and some card stock.

Inside the magazine you will find lots of hints and tips to help you create some really beautiful blooms for your cards.

I am sure you will be delighted with this offering and enjoy a really good read at the same time.

So if you would like to win this then all you need to do is leave me comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

From those comments one name will be chosen and the winner will be announced in a blog post on Sunday, then you will have 72 hours in which to claim it by emailing me with your address.

Good luck everybody

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Beautiful Easy Cards

Hi Everybody,

Thanks you if you joined us on the Craft Stash Facebook Chat page yesterday for the introduction of the Warm Florals Paper Pack. 

This card has been created using just the pack and it is a really lovely set of papers and sentiments.

The Washi paper is so easy to use and I have used such a lot of mine to add to my designs.

The price is really good on Craft Stash too and you can get the whole kit and make beautiful cards right away. 

No dies are needed to get started.

The card in the pack is strong enough to make a complete base card from as I have done in this example to the left.

Just fold it in half and it makes the perfect DL size ready to be decorated with all the papers, toppers, ribbons and sentiments you want .

This is a pack that I have really enjoyed working  with and I still have pieces left over hat I can do even more with on other projects.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Warm Florals Paper Pack

Hi Everybody, 

Today is the launch of a brand new paper pack called Warm Florals and it is beautiful.

 Lou Collins and I will be launching this at 12.30 and we would be delighted if you could join us. And we have some videos to share with you too.

Here is the link to the launch and I hope you like the papers as much as I do.

Craft Stash Facebook Chat

There is such a lot that can be done with this collection whatever level of card maker you are. They are perfect for new card makers, or those just wanting to create a card quickly.

But the seasoned cardmaker will also be able to put them to good use in many delightful ways

 I thought it would be a good idea to team it with the die release "Tall & Elegant" from September and see what I could come up with for them.

The card to the left has used the Simply Elegant Panel die done in a tone on tone combination and added to a Simply Dots Embossed panel..

I have also used the stamps and dies from that collection to create the sentiment and then decoupaged some of the flowers from the Warm Florals to the top.

Combining these with other dies is a really useful way to get the most from any collections that you may have.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winifred Kennedy - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Well it's a bit wet and windy here today but it's not that cold so Ruby and I will be out later for a short walk. Probably just to the park so she can have a sniff about.

I have done the draw already for the Sent With Love stamp and die set that came with
Simply Cards & Papercraft
and somebody will get a really pretty gift this week. So whose name is it ???

The winner is 

Winifred Kennedy

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

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

The little pin will be tucked inside the magazine pages so be sure to look for that too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Sent with Love

Hi Everybody,

This fabulous little die set will make some great cards for you. It may be small but it is full of impact.

There is a stamp set also that will add even more to your designs and the magazine is sure to give you more ways in which it can be used. 

Is this something that you would like to have ???

Then all you need to do is lave me a comment at the end of this post with your FULL NAME

It needs to be your full name and not just nickname or initials so that you can be identified if you are the winner. And be sure to come back on Sunday to see if it is your name that is shown. 

You will have 72 hours in which to claim it and if it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date. So get busy and leave your comment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Playing with Altenew

 Hi Everybody,

These two cards are from one of the Craft Your Life Kits by Altenew. 

I used to get these kits on a monthly basis and they are lovely to work with, giving you the complete set of everything that you need.

There are dies, stamps, stencils and an embossing folder that all work together.

The only thing stopping me from continuing with my subscription was the cost of the postage as it was almost as much as the kit itself.

This set was the Water Coloured Flowers from December 2022.

I have coloured the flowers with inks and the layering stencils and used the dies to cut them out.

Then I have added them in a different orientation  with foam pads on each card. Both cards are 6x6.

I used the same background stencil, which is not from Altenew, and added the little die cut sentiment which is.

I added tiny white pearls to each card front but they don't show up very well on the photos

I am happy with both cards and I will make sure I get a lot of use from the kit.

I won't be getting them any more because of the postage so I will have to get my monies worth from the ones that I already have

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More Boxes ...

 Hi Everybody,

I have added Decorative Hatpins to many of my floral cards and they look extra pretty and ready to send

But of course with the depth of the flowers they will into fit into an envelope of any description. 

So I have been busy making boxes for them and these are just some of the ones that I have made.

 I have a lot more to make yet before they are all complete. 

For these cards I have used a varied assortment of the box dies in the Card Making Magic Collections and it is a lot less expensive than going out to but them. 

I grant you it is taking time to make them but it is worth it in the end as shop bought boxes are very expensive even for the small ones, and as I already heave the dies I will continue to put the to good use

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Pretty Book Collection

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I have used the Additions set to the Pretty Book Collection. and made some A6 sized cards

I have coloured the flowers with inks and blending brushes and added them at varying heights on top of the diamond shapes.

The bow has been cut and shaded with inks and then I have used some Accent Glaze and sprinkled it with glitter. 

You will need to leave it on one side to dry or the glaze will smudge if you catch it.

The sentiment and banner are also form the set and that has been added with foam pads underneath to raise it up over the edge of the flowers.

This card has been created using the same dies I have just added them to my base card in an alternative pattern way making each one look a little different.

They could have any sentient added and that would alter the occasion for which he card is given. 

Both have been added to the Trellis embossing folder background and the card to the left has been lightly brushed over with some pink ink left over on my blending brush.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pink Butterfly

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using a beautiful butterfly and I chose the deep pink and white colour scheme.

 I have added it to panels that have been embossed in the Perfect Roses folder background.

The panels have ben cut from more card and layered onto the front and the butterfly has gold gilding flakes added to the wings.

I cut it with the largest solid die and inked the card in pink before adding in the text stamp.

I then used the detailed wings as a stencil to apply the glue to them ready for the gilding flakes.

The roses have been glued into the bodyline and the pearl trail has been added from the bottom.

The centre panel has been added with foam pads underneath to give height and he sentiment is from one of the small strips that I have in my stash.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Marie Quick - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Another weekend rolls by and there are not many more to Christmas.
 At least with this gift you can make cards that are not Christmas themed.
I don't know about you but it seems to start earlier every year, and by the time it comes around I am so fed up with it I can't wait for it to be over with.

So next weeks pack is also non Christmas themed  so come back and try for that too.

This week the winner is 

Marie Quick

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

The extra gift, of the glue bottle pin, is tucked inside the pack with the magazine and I hope it is OK for you.

As I explained in another post I am not sure if the pins are stainless steel so fingers crossed.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Shine Bright

Hi Everybody,

Today offering is a gorgeous Light house in the form of a stamp and a die along with some sentiment stamps to complete your cards.

The magazine will give you some ideas on how to use this set and I am sure that you will come up with many more when you start to play.

The magazine is Die Cutting Essentials and is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try.

If you think you would like to have this set then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with our FULL NAME to be in with a chance. Leaving your full name makes it easier to identify the correct winner in the event that two people have the same first name. And that has happened in the past.

You will need to come back on Sunday and see if your name is listed as the winner, as I have no way to contact you. And if the prize is not claimed then it will offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterflies

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a bit of mixed media with stamping, text stamps, ink blending, Washi Tape, texture paste with gold embossing powder and a pearly flourish to add to the look.

The end result is very pretty and I love how the colours all go together.

I have used some home made texture paste on the butterfly and the Basket Weave stencil from the Plaited with Love Collection, with gold embossing powder.

I added a video a while ago to show how I made my own paste and I will ad the video again here in case you wanted to give it a try.

 Homemade Texture paste is created  easily and none of the ingredients are expensive. 

I used a really cheap talcum powder, white paint and the largest bottle of school glue I could find from The Range

Keep the paste in an airtight jar and only mix up as much as you need, but it will last for months in the jar and is a lot cheaper than buying a branded name.

                       

The sentiment is from a pack of strips that I cut up and I got these from a Craft Show I visited a while ago. 

They came in black and white and a very useful when you don't feel like getting out the stamps and inks. 

There are loads in the pack and they will last me a long time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Clever Cuts

 Hi Everybody,

This is the Clever Cuts Collection and the finished card is a  5x7 with the Rosette attached to the front.

I have lightly brushed over the Rosette once it has been folded up and the ink just catches the ridges on the heart shape.

The letters are stamped and coloured and die cut from the Alphabet in the collection and added to the card with foam pads underneath to give them height. 

I have used the brushes to blend in the ink colours to the background before I have embossed it and then again lightly gone over the top with sandpaper to remove some of the card to lighten the effect. 

The embossing folder I have used is from an older collection but you can use any that you have in your own folders

There is a complete Playlist on YouTube using the Clever Cuts Collection, and some of it in different ways than you may have thought about. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Grey & White Elegant A5 Card

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created with the Elegant Nestables and it is the A5 size.  This is the perfect answer to make those larger cards.

I have chosen the grey and white colour scheme to keep the card looking as Elegant as I could and the yellow flowers just set it all off.

Tucked along the side is a small organza butterfly in the same vibrant yellow and I have had some of these for a long time.

I cannot remember where they are from but there are several in the pack in different colours, and they always look really pretty when added to a card.

             

These dies where released a while ago but they are some of my favourite dies to use.
The video shows you how I created the card and is a good reminder should you not have seen it before.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sue Cockerham - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

These weeks come round far too quickly and before you know it Christmas will be here ... again !!

It seems like it was only six months since the last one.

I have done the draw for the Friday Freebie and is is a fantastic prize.
The stamps will surely help you get started on your water colours and I hope you enjoy the process too.

Todays winner is ...

Sue Cockerham

and so if you would email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com

 I will get the pack in the post to you straight away .

Be sure to let me know that you have it OK

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Water Colour Set

Hi Everybody,

This pack is fantastic and gives you everything you need for water colouring the stamped images. Even a water brush is included in the pack.

There are some beautiful images for you to create Christmas Cards and another set of stamps with large sentiments attached.

The magazine is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try out using this set and other ideas too.

I am sure you will be able to create some stunning cards with this pack , so if this is something that you would like to have in your home then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME to be entered into the draw.

You will need to make sure that you come back on Sunday to see if your name is listed as the winner and then you will have 72 hours in which to claim it. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

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