Friday Freebie - Altenew Magazine

Hi Everybody,

Today I am offering you the very first magazine that Altenew did with Practical Publishing a good few years ago.

In this pack there are stamps and matching dies as well as a stencil to create the background.

Inside the magazine there are lots of ideas, on what to do with the set, as well as some papers for you to use either as they are or with the dies. Your choice !!

If you would like to have this in your own stash 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 it is you that is shown as the winner over the weekend and you will then have 72 hours in which to claim it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Braided Ribbon

 Hi Everybody,

This pretty Lilac card is created using the Landmark Collection from a good few years ago so if you already have t then maybe it is time to get it out again for another airing

The main feature on this card though is the braided ribbon that I have added around the heart shape.

It is a technique that I videoed 11 years ago when Griff did all my filming, My goodness how things have changed since then, but I thought that this too would be good to get out once again.

I am sure that lots of you may have tried this in the past and then forgotten about it. 

Many things that we do come to the same conclusion and that is such a shame as many of them are really lovely ideas.

This is the current video on this idea .. 

.

But I am also adding in the original video that was done 11 years ago

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sherry hay - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Yes!  another week has gone by and we are already into February. They say time goes faster the older you get and in my case it is whizzing past at a great rate of knots. I try to keep active and Ruby and I are going walking today, with my family, while it is fine. 

We are going to Lytham Hall and we usually stop in the café for coffee and cake at the end of the walk.
It is a good distance and we natter all the way round to catch up with each others news.

The draw for the Spellbinders die has been done and the winner this week is

Sherry Hay

would you email me with your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the pack will be in the post to you straight away.

The pokey tool is tucked inside the pack ready for you to use and I hope you like it and will put it to good use.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Spellbinders

Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is from one of the latest magazines and it is a Spellbinders die and stamp called Celebrate Everything.

 It comes complete with the  Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine that is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try.

I will tuck in a handmade Pokey Tool to the pack as well and I hope you will like it once you get it, please be sure to let me know that it is safely with you

So if this is something that you think you would like to have 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 at random and the name added to a blog post over the weekend, so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

It is  freebie that is well worth winning and I am happy to send it to you wherever you are.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Craft Stash Blog Hop

Hi Everybody,

Today there is a fabulous competition and blog hop with Craft Stash and that is to win all of the new Creative Craft Products that are on their website.

I introduced many of them to you in the Unboxing Video the other day. Well now you have the chance to win all twelve of them. 

To enter the competition you need to subscribe to the Craft Stash website, sign up for their newsletter and then leave a comment on all the blog videos that you see. 

Here is my video and I hope you enjoy it.....

           

To join in with the others taking part in the hop just click the links to their videos ...

     Gemma Leigh Crafts     

Helen Griffin

Paper Mona

Mixed Up Craft

Made to Surprise

Crafty Heaven

Card Making Magic  .... You are here

And here is the link to the Craft Stash website to see what the prize is, to subscribe to their newsletter and become a VIP member and save 10% on all your future purchases 

 Craft Stash 

Flowers & Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

The flowers and the butterflies on this card are from the Perfect Panels and Lovely Layers Collection and they have been added to a background of Elegant Nestable Rectangles.

I have chosen two shades of pink ink and a white theme for my card and the end result is an A5 sized base that looks really pretty once completed.

It will need a box to add it to, but that is no problem with the A5 Complete Card & Box die set.

I have used foam tape to give height to the layers in the card and the flowers are also raised with foam pads.

The butterfly base is cut in gold card with a white overlay, and is attached by the centre bodyline only so that the wings can be raised off the card for effect.

Some of the leaves have also been cut in the gold card and slotted behind the display of flowers.

Add the sentiment of your choice and this card could be used for any different occasions. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sue Pollock - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It is fine here today and we will be out for our walk later. With all the rain and wind this past week we haven't been very far at all so today I can make up for it and go a bit further. Ruby will think her birthday as come early.

In the meantime the draw has ben done for the beautiful Layering  Hearts set from Tonic that was offered on Friday. And the bane today is ...

Sue Pollock

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

I would be obliged if you could let me know that you have it safely and I hope you get a lot f good use out of it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Craft Products - Unboxing

 Hi Everybody.

Today I had a lovely box delivered to me from Craft Stash and it is full of brand new tools from their
Creative Craft Products Range.

These are all designed to make your crafting more enjoyable and fun with less time wasted with things like stamping and mixed media.

There is now a vast assortment of items in this Range and it is well worth a look as each one is at a really affordable price. 

So whatever it is you are looking for your are sure to find it at Craft Stash. This is just a small assortment of things that are available in this range

From ink blending tools, craft mats of all sizes and  descriptions, to cleaning and storage solutions, and everything in between.

There are all different sized blending brushes as well as bending mats to use them on.

A recent addition are the rotating cutting mats and stamp platforms.

You will find videos on the Craft Stash website showing you how to get the best from these new tools.

I shall look forward to trying out all these items in the coming months.

For all you colourists there is an exciting new addition in the form of this set of 80 Double Ended Alcohol Markers.

I have yet to put these to the test but I will be sure to let you know when I do.

I have added my affiliate links at the bottom of the page for you to take a closer look and should you buy through these links I could get a small percentage ... at no extra cost to you.

And don't forget if you are a VIP Member then you can get an extra 10% off your order.

Don't forget to scroll back to yesterday to enter the Friday Freebie Give Away

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Tonic Layering Hearts

Hi Everybody,

This lovely set is quite an old one from Tonic and it is the Layering Hearts. 

This will be just in time for Valentines Day and will make some spectacular cards for you to send to those you love.

In the set there are the Layering Heart die, stamps and an embossing folder, complete with the magazine that is full of ideas on how to use the set.

So if this is something that you think you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your 

FULL NAME

 You will need to come back over the weekend to check if it is your name that is shown as the winner as I have no way to contact you. You will have 72 hours to claim the prize and if it is not claimed then it will be offered again at a later date.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Fruit Cards

 Hi Everybody,

Just playing about with some water colours and trying ... and I repeat trying to draw some fruit.

They are not very good but I will try and get better with a LOT more practice and these are just some to be going on with until I do get better.

The top one is some mixed fruit and the bottom one is peaches would you believe.

I have used the A6 collection of dies to create the background for the top card and the bottom one has got a stencilled background 

I have made them both as Birthday cards and thought that they would suit a male theme.

Male cards are always a bit harder to do but fruit is neither one gender or the other so they make a perfect neutral base.

I don't think I will be sending these as they are more likely destined for the trash can but at least I had a go at them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shabby Chic Card

 Hi Everybody,

This card is in the Shabby Chic style and is one I haven't made for some time. I do love these type of cards with all the pretty things that can be added to them.

So for this I have created a 5x7 white base and added striped pink card to the right side.

On the left I have used grey card that has been embossed in the Perfect Rose folder. To this I have added the large flourish that was in the Landscape Collection.

This is one of those fashion dies that you need to get when they are released  because once it is not replaced

I have hot glued some Guipure lace with pink Gingham ribbon and a bow along the left.

The flowers are all paper ones and they have also been hot glued to the front of the card, as well as the little gold heart and the heart frame on the right.

The sentiment and butterfly are wooden and they have been rubbed over with Distress Inks and glued in place.

I dotted the flowers with glue and then while that and the ink are still wet I sprinkled them all with glitter.

Tiny diamante gems have been added randomly around the heart shape

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx p>

Cathy Cates - Winner

Hi Everybody,

What a wet and miserable day it is here today and the wind is howling too. So no walk for Ruby today.

I went to St Annes with her the other day and it was icy on the roads. We walked along the promenade and it was lovely ... until I slipped on an ice patch and went down with such a bang.

It was very embarrassing and a lady on the beach came running up the steps from the sand to help me get up. I grazed my knees and hands but that was all really so I was very lucky. Ruby didn't bat an eyelid she just stood and looked at me as if to say "What you doin' down there mum"

Anyway on to the draw which has now been done and the name  this week is

Cathy Cates

would you email me please with your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the pack will be in the post to you straight away.

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Life is an Adventure

HI Everybody,

Today we have an A4 sized stamp set on offer and it is full of different modes of transport. 

This set will be really useful for any of the male cards you may have to make and there are stamped sentiments to go with it.

You will also get the magazine, Creative Stamping, that you can browse at your leisure and it is full of ideas and inspiration for you to try.

Do you think that this would come in handy in your collection? 

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

FULL NAME

You will need to come back and check over the weekend to see if it is your name listed as the winner 

Good Luck everybody.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Desktop Finds

 Hi Everybody,

Today I am being very lazy and I have searched my desktop for things I can find to make a card and this is what I have come up with.

The base card was already cut with the largest die from the Nested Circles Fancy Frames Collection and that has been cut into the card front.

I have backed it with a piece of paper that was created while I was playing with some water colours.

The top two layers are cut in pink card from the smaller circle dies in the set and added with foam pads underneath them.

The butterflies are all from the glued paper napkins and then I have cut the shapes out and bent the wings up a little.
You can pick up fancy napkins just about anywhere and they are not expensive

                

Each has been partly glued to the base to allow the wings to stand proud and the bodyline of each has diamanté along the centre.

The sentiment was made from gilding flakes onto a small piece of black card and added to the base with foam pads. 

So instead of using flowers to decorate my card I have used the butterflies instead and they look really pretty as they stand up on the card base.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterfly Floral

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card features the large butterfly from the Butterfly Trails Collection.

I have cut the bottom layer of this from one if the sheets I created with the Paper Napkins and the top layer is from plain white card..

The background is created with an embossing folder and then edged in diamante, and added to some text paper, from the Pretty Book Collection, to leave a small border

I have curled the wings to stand proud from the base and that gives a lovely fluttering effect to the card. 

The sentiment is also from the Butterfly Trails collection and that has been cut twice and stacked together.

The flowers are mulberry ones and I have added a smaller flower to each of the centres.

They have then been tucked them under the wings of the butterfly.

The finished card is slightly narrower then an A5 and I have kept the fold at the top.

The flowers have been dotted with glue and glitter and I quite like the finished result, but it will need a box to send it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Carole Eaton - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It's raining today with that very find drizzle that soaks you  ... so Ruby and I are not going out until it stops. I am a fair weather walker and very easily put of with a bit of rain or wind. So fingers crossed it will dry up later and then we can go out along the promenade or even the beach.

In the meantime I have done the draw for the  Tropical Frame die set.
There are eight pieces to this set as you can clearly see from the photo. It can be mixed with any other die set that you may have and although the flowers are not very big they are very pretty.

So I hope you will enjoy playing with it and will make some lovely cards.
So the name this week is

Carole Eaton

and if you would send your postal address lease to
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will get the pack in the post to you straight away.

Please be sure to let me know that you have it safely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Tropical Frame

 Hi Everybody,

Welcome to the Tropical Frame Give Away and this is n eight piece die set that you are sure to love.

It will give you the most adorable Tropical Flowers that you can add to any of your projects. 

Combine it with any Tropical stamps that you may have and it will make a lovely summer card for any family or friend that you have in mind

You will also get the magazine Die Cutting Essentials, that you cab browse for lots of ideas and inspiration

So if this is something that you think you would like in your stash 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 as the winner and announced in a blog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is shown and you will then have 72 hours to claim it.

I am happy to send the pack to you wherever you are ad it doesn't matter if you have won before you can still have a go for this offering.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Paisley Dreams - DL Card

Hi Everybody,

This collection is  lot of fun to work with and can be coloured any way that you prefer.

I have made cards in various styles and sizes using this, from A6 to Gatefold and all are easy to achieve.

This is the video that was shown with the launch but I am adding it here in case you missed that or would like a refresher on the card itself.

You can stamp any combination for the background or simply cut the Paisley out of the papers and use that for your background instead. 

I have added pearls to some of my cards but you can ad any embellishment that you prefer. Some ribbon would look particularly good with some of the styles.

Whatever you decide to do just enjoy the process and have fun while you make. I hope you enjoy the short video

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Paisley Dreams Collection - Split Front Card

 Hi Everybody,

This style of card I have created before and done a vidoe to show you how it is done. In this video I am using the Paisley Dreams Collection that was launched last week.

For this I have used two of the paper from the pack that will blend together and I coloured the images in with pencils.

You could use your favourite medium and take your time as you colour but I used pencils for the quickness so that the video is not too long.

The paper pack is really good quality and is abut 270 gsm so quite substantial for all your die cutting.

The pattern is one that has been around for many many years and it will suit any age group or gender or style of card.

So have a go and make some really lovely cards for any of your friends and family.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  

                       

Hoop Frame Die Set

Hi Everybody,

Two cards today using the same dies and the same colour scheme of Orange, Cream and Kraft card with the odd bit of parchment thrown in to back the sentiments.

The card to the left is a DL size and the one on the right is a 5x7. Both have the folds at the top and stand in tent fold. Both have been lined on the inside to make them stronger.

The die I have used is the Hoop Frame Set from Katie Skiltons My Creative Life and is one that I fell in love with as soon as I saw it.

I have also stencilled the background on both cards with a different pattern and ink colour and some small stencil brushes from Craft Stash

The sentiments on each are from my own word die sets and I have cut them twice for depth and added them to parchment so that they stand out a little more.

But the cards look different just by altering the size and the way the colours are used and the sentiment, and  am happy with both of them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Launch - Paisley Dreams

Hi Everybody,

Last Friday saw the launch of a brand new collection from Card Making Magic called Paisley Dreams and this is just one of the cards created from that bundle.

There are Many ways that you can use it and it gives you a fresh approach to designs for your cards.

Here I have added the papers and the stamped and coloured images to a stepper card.

You can use your favourite medium to colour the stamped images and the use the matching dies to cut them out.

For this card I have added the backing papers to the 6x6 card base.

Then I used two of the larger Paisley dies to cut out frames of the design to add under the large floral image

I coloured all the images for both cards with pencils.

The sentiment is also from the stamp set and I edged this with a black pen and then added it to the base with foam pads underneath to give height.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gaynor Elder - Winner

Hi Everybody,

So today I can tell you who the new and first winner is for 2024 and thus isa really pretty gift that I hope you will like. The magazine is a good read and full of ideas and inspiration for you. I will also include one of the Pokey Tools that  I have made.

So the winner is 

Gaynor Elder
and if you could send me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
then I will get it in the post to you straight away.

Please be sure to let me know that you have it safely

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Friday Freebie - Pretty Bow Set

Hi Everybody,

Sorry for my absence this week but today I am back with a beautiful mix and match die in the shape of a bow that will make a lovely addition to your cards.

Inside the magazine you will find lots of idea on how to make the most of this die as well as other ideas you may like to try.

So if this is something that you would like to have in your collection then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post.

You must add your FULL NAME to be in with a chance of winning it and then be sure to come back to see if it is your name that is shown as the winning one.

You will have 72 hours in which to claim it.

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Christi Neal - Winner

Hi Everybody,

Well tomorrow will be another year. And time has simply flown  by for the last few years and more birthdays loom on the horizon. My fingers are healing so thank you all for your concern, but memories of the Christmas Break have not faded, and the more I think about it the angrier I become.

Still onto more pleasant things and that is the draw for the beautiful Snowdrop die and stamp set.
It  has been done, at random, and the name this week is ...

Christi Neal

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

I hope you like it and enjoy playing with it and please be sure to let me know that you have it OK.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Sweet Snowdrops

Hi Everybody,

The offer this week is from Hunkydory and it is a beautiful die and stamp set called 
Sweet Snowdrops

Just in time to herald in those spring days we are all looking forward too.

You will also get the magazine which is a good read and full of ideas on how to use your gift, as well as other things you may like to try,

All you need to do to win this gift is to leave me a comment at the end of the post with your 
FULL NAME 
and from those comments one name will be chosen as the winner and added to a blog post over the weekend.

Please be sure to come back over the weekend and check if it is your name that is shown as the winner and you will have 72 hours to claim it. And please be sure to let me know that you have received it safely

My Christmas Break

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that Santa Claus brought you what ever you wished for.

My plan was to go away for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and return home on Boxing Day and Vickie and I had looked forward to it since we booked it in September.

We took the dogs with us and planned on some long walks even if it was cold and wet.

The day before we left, the wind blew my car door shut and trapped two fingers on my right hand. It wasn't until I got inside and turned on the light that I saw that they had been cut quite badly and I was bleeding ...  but at least they were not broken.

Still off we went and arrived at 2pm, in time for a glass of mulled wine and homemade cream tea, which was lovely. Then we where shown to our room which on the face of it also looked lovely.

We took the dogs for a walk and then returned to get ready for our evening meal at 7pm. 

The next day we  walked again getting back in time to get ready.

We had family coming to join us for Christmas Dinner, for what we hoped would be a lovely day. 

 I won't go into details but it all went  very badly downhill.

 Altogether we where very disappointed with the place, the service and the food and we will not be going back again.

Jamie, who is a chef, was really annoyed at the quality of the lukewarm food, and many of our guests left what was presented to them over the three courses. I don't think Isabella ate much at all

On Boxing Day before we left to come home, Vickie asked to speak to the manager. He asked " Is there an issue ?" she said "Yes... several"

  She was very calm and polite, but by then the whole break had been ruined for us. 

And believe me it was not a cheap break and so not worth it. I would not recommend it to anybody.

I hope yours was better !!!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a really

 Merry Christmas 

and a 

Happy New Year

 from

Christina & Ruby & Ella

XXXXXXXXXX 

Maria Muller - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

It's a bit miserable here to day .... dull and damp. I hope it is better where you are and that you are enjoying the start of the Christmas break. 

 I am staring to pack up things to take with me for our weekend away tomorrow  and it will be a nice change  to just get away for a short while. 

 I am taking Ruby with me but I don't think she cares where she is as long as there is food !! Ella is being looked after by my neighbour until I get back home again on Boxing day.

In the meantime the draw has been done for the Cascading Card Kit that is on offer and the name picked at random this week is

Maria Muller

so would you please email me with your postal address to
chrisrina@card-making-magic.com
and I will send it to you as soon as I get back home again.

Have a good Christmas

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie Cascading Card Kit

 Hi Everybody,

Todays offering is something a bit special in the form of thus complete card kit. 

It has card blanks, die cut toppers, patterned papers and a little embossing folder to help with the creation of some beautiful cards.

You will also get the magazine which is full of ideas and inspiration for you, and also the chance to down load some digital sentiments

So if this is something that you would like to have in your own collection then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of this post with your

FULL NAME

Then you will need to be sure to come back and see if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

I am going away over Christmas so I will add the name in tomorrows blog post and then I won't be back until Tuesday.  

It doesn't matter if you have won before or where you live I will send the prize to you at my expense, so be sure to add your comment and leave your name then I can notify the correct person of their win.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Adding Faux Bows

 Hi Everybody,

Tus pretty card is really small and is created using the Bow Die Set from Card Making Magic.

Once again it is an older die but having a set like this in your own personal stash is always useful for embellishing your design, especially if you don't have and real ribbon on hand.

In the links below I have added in the sentiment and butterflies stamp set but the circular die that cut the pattern into my card was free with a magazine many moons ago.

For this card I have just used the plain version

I have used it for this card to the left also but this time I have added in the detailed layer.

That gives it a more feminine look and for this I have added it to the Ivy leaves from the Trailing Floral die set

I also used some patterned card in blue and white for my centre strip, added it to a white layer and then embossed both in a folder.

I think both are pretty cards and could be adapted to suit any occasion you are making the card for.

For this card I have cut the smaller bow and made the ribbon banner for it to sit on, and then used pens to colour it in to give some shape.

The bow and ribbon have then been dotted with white pen to give a spotty effect.

This one has the bow separating the two different textures to the background , and again coloured in with alcohol markers. 

Whatever your design a little bow can make all the difference to your  outcome and I am sure that you won't be disappointed with the result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

From Our House ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created with a die that I have wanted since it was first introduced a while ago from Katie Skilton. 

This is the Macrame Detail Die Set and I love it.
It is unusual and you can decorate this any way you wish.

I chose to add Poinsettias to mine as a Christmas Card and I have added glitter to the centre of the flowers, and a Large pearl to the top.

There is another set that I liked as well and that was the Homespun Hoop Die Set.

There is a special offer going on at Craft Stash so I decided to get both die sets, and with my VIP discount I got the two for the original price of one. 

I will be adding more cards made with these die sets and I will be sure to add them here when I do. 

More tomorrow ..

Hugs xx

Glitter Snowflakes

Hi Everybody,

This was a Christmas Card I made a long time ago using glitter card and snowflake dies and I thought the result was lovely.

It is just an idea that you may have tried for yourself using up any of the snowflakes that you have in your crafting stash. 

It looks amazing with any size snowflakes and at the time that I made this I added a video to show you what I had done.

So as a refresher I am adding it again here for any new people that come to my blog in the hope that you will give it a try.

        

It is such a pretty effect and it can be used for other occasions like winter birthdays also.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Barbara Kelley - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Only two more weeks to go and we will be in a new year and I hope it will be a good one for all of you. I wish there to be world peace and a lot more happiness than all the doom and gloom that is around today.
 And that children can one again play with their friends without fear of war.

The world is wonderful ... it is the people in it that screw it up.

But for now I have done the draw for the beautiful snowflakes that are on offer and this is a really pretty die and stamp set so I don't think you will be disappointed with it. The name this week is ...

Barbara Kelley

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.

I hope you enjoy playing with it and please be sure to let me know that you have it OK

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Snowflake Sparkle

 Hi Everybody,

These beautiful snowflakes can adorn any of your Christmas projects for years to come.

The smaller set has four stamps with matching dies from Pink Fresh Studios,  and the larger set has snowflake stamps and sentiments.

They would create lovely backgrounds for your cards or you could die cut the smaller ones and add them separately to the design .

The magazine is sure to give you sone ideas that you may like to try and it will be a really good read anyway. Just grab a cuppa and relax.

Is this something that you think you would like in your own personal stash??

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 at random and announced on the blog so be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown.

As an added extra gift there will be a handmade Pokey Tool from me, added to the pack and I hope you enjoy using it when ever you craft

Good Luck everybody

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx