Parchment Ideas - Split Front Card

 Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

The pictures do not do justice to the cards.

Parchment Ideas - Split Front Card

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

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

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

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Ideas - Backgrounds

Hi Everybody,   

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

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

Both where originally made from animal skins that where scraped and cleaned ready to be used as a writing source.

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

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

Here is the video 

  Ways To Use Parchment 

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

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

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

You will even find baking parchment in your kitchen. 

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winifred Kennedy - Winner

HI Everybody,

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

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

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

Winifred Kennedy

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Glass House and Feathered Friends

Hi Everybody, 
 

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

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Tile Effect Cards

 Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

Here is the more up to date video 
Tile Effect 

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Mixture of Techniques

 Hi Everybody,  

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

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

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

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

The butterfly was free with a magazine many years ago

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

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

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

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

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

I love the colours in this panel and they are

 Antique Linen and Speckled Egg Distress Oxides. 

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

 Hugs xx

Playing with inks ...

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Everyday Items - Hole Punch Dots

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Ethne Gloss - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

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

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

Ethne Gloss

Would you email your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to you straight away. I hope you enjoy it and please be sure to let me know that you have it safely 

More tomorrow…

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Glass House & Nativity Scene

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

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

Be sure to come back and check if your name is shown as the winner in a blog post over the weekend as I have no way to contact you should you win. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day Four Video

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

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

Woven Panel Cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day Three Video

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

So this video is titled

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

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day Two Video

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The video is called the 

Torn Edge Card 

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Day One Video

Hi Everybody,   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Stacey Kowbel - Winner

 Hi Everybody,

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

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

The draw has been done and the name this week is

Stacey Kowbel

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

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - More Sheena ...

 Hi Everybody,

Today is a bumper offer of goodies from Sheena Douglas,

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

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

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

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

From those comments one name will be chosen at random and then announced in a blog post over the weekend so please be sure to come back and check if it is your name that is shown as the winner.

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

Good Luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Inked Embossing Folder

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

Inked Embossing Folders

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

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

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

6x6 Paper Pack

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using a paper pack that I have had in my craft room for absolute years. 

I have used some of it but I still have quite a bit left over and so that is why I made the card.

I don't remember exactly where it is from but I think it is a Daisy Mae paper pack.

 I have teamed it with white, parchment and silver card in the shapes of leaves and flowers, with the silver heart added to the front.

I have used one of my Card Making Magic Decorative Corners dies to create the panel for the front.

The flowers dies are from the Tall Flowers die set that was brought out a long time ago now, and they are cut in silver.

The finished card is an A6 and will fit into a standard envelope.

You could add any sentiment you needed to the front of this creation and it would suit any time of year.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More Fractured Cards.

 Hi Everybody,

Today I have more ideas on the Fractured Card design thar I featured last week.

This video dress up the cards a little bitt more and the one shown is my favourite.

I used some paper using Distress Oxides and gold splattering for this one and I think it kooks really pretty against the black strips.

Here is the video link and if you click it you will open a new window for you to view it.

More Fractured Card Ideas

I am trying really hard to increase my following on YouTube and any help you can give me by watching the videos on there will be a big help.

You may need to watch the adverts but they are not long and it all shows up in the YouTube algorithms that are applied. It helps YT to know that you enjoy the videos and they then support me by recommending my videos to other like minded people.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Fractured card

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card used to be known by another name, years ago, but I cannot remember what it was. 

Today it is called the Fractured Card Technique and so that is  the name I have used to describe it.

I have a video on YouTube that will show you how I made this  one and if you would click this link it will take you straight to the channel.

Fractured Card with Frame

Clicking the link will open a new window for you to view the video but don't forget to come back here when you are done.

And please leave me a comment, like and subscribe to my YouTube channel while you are there.

I have another video coming that will show you even more ideas with this style of card and I hope you will  give it a try.

It is not hard to do and you can dress it up anyway you wish to suit you and your recipient,  or the occasion. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christine Cloutier - Winner

Hi Everybody,

This is a bright and cheerful day which certainly makes a change as the weather here has been rubbish lately. Where has summer gone with some warm sunshine ??  it is not a but like July.

I have nothing planned for the rest of the day just going to take it easy and relax with Ruby and Ella.
Ruby and I may go for a short walk later perhaps a little trek through the woods as she loves that.

In the meantime the draw has been done for the two brands on offer this week and the name toady is...

Christine Cloutier

so if you would email me your postal address please to
christina@card-making-magic.com
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 the items when they arrive.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Two Brands

 Hi Everybody,

Today I have two brands on offer that will be instantly known by many of you, and they are from Sam Calcott and Lou Collins

I have a die and stamp set from Made to Surprise and this will coordinate with her Simple Pop Ups Collection.

So if you already have some of that then this will be an extra set for you to use.

The other is a paper pack from Textures called Peacock Plume and this is 24 sheets of 190gsm designer paper.

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

From those comments one name will be chosen at random and announced in a blog post over the weekend so be sure to come back and check if it is you.

I am happy to send the pack to you wherever you are and it doesn't matter if you have won before.
Good luck everybody

More tomorrow ...

Hugs x

Birthday Cards

Hi Everybody,

Birthday Cards are my most regular makes for family, friends or simply to donate to the charity shop. And I make loads of them in the course of a month.

These are just some that I have made over the past few months and all these feature apertures in them with a bright and beautiful background.

They have all been teamed with a bright gold mirror card and butterflies are used on all of them. The season of butterflies is upon us and so why not use them in your designs.

They are something I use a lot ... along with leaves, flowers, hearts and feathers ... all of which make a beautiful additions to your creations

This card has a really delicate sentiment stamped onto the front of it with my favourite Rose Flourish leaves added behind.

For this card I have used a vertical sentiment to compliment the vertical aperture.

Again I have used gold mirror card to cut the leaves and the butterfly,  plus I have added them all to parchment.

Then I backed the sentiment onto a gold panel as well.

These cards are all 5x7 with the fold at the top,  to create a tent fold card that will stand better on it's own.

And despite having the butterflies that are reasonable flat and will fir into  standard sized envelope for posting.

This card has been created using desktop finds of the gold card and added to the design.

This sentiment is cut from a die, but the others are stamped from older Card Making Magic sets that you may have as well.

I particularly like the vertical stamps as they make a change to the way I add my greetings.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Desk top finds ...

Hi Everybody,

So this is another card using up all the left over bits that are lying about on my desktop.

 It is amazing what can be created with the bits you can find from a previous crafting session. So keep them all in one box and have a rummage when you next need something.

The background to this card is one I had left over from making my own Distress Oxide papers and using a stencil.

The smaller panel is  cut in white and added to a really old Spellbinders die and that has also been added to an inked piece of paper hat was left over.

The leaves are from my favourite die set,  the Rose Flourish, along with smaller leaf dies tucked into the mix, and they have been cut in white and gold.

The flowers are more odd bits and they have been layered together and added to the card with small peach coloured resin centres.

The sentiment is also in gold on a parchment shadow and that is an old Card Making Magic die set.

I have used the antique type of gold card for this rather than the bright gold mirror card as it seemed to fit in better with the overall look.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gelli Plate Background

Hi Everybody,

The little panel to this card is created with the use of a Gelli Plate,  Distress Oxide Inks and a stencil.

I was having a playtime with the plate and I produced quite a few backgrounds that I can use on my cards ... but I didn't film the process.

So I will get it all out again and make some more using the plates and the Distress Oxides and this time I will actually get on film what I use.

And make some cards in the process using the panels that I create.

I have had the Gelli Plate for a long time and I got mine from Amazon, but you can get an equivalent one cheaper elsewhere, and they come un lots of different sizes.

I have used it very little and I always feel a little intimidated by it, but having said that I do like the card that is shown here.

 I have used acrylic paints in the past and they I am not comfortable with as they are far too messy for me. I am not the cleanest of crafters and they are too much even for me. 

I will get lots more practice in over the next few weeks and then I will feel more confident with it to film what I am doing. 

To thus card I added a frame around the panel and then added it to some gold card for the mat.

I topped it with some feathers cut from white, gold card and parchment. 
The self adhesive  pearls I have had for a long time and they need a little extra blob of glue to help them stick.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Make the most of Acetate

Hi Everybody,

Over the years I have used Acetate in many different ways and it makes whatever you add to the card appear as if it is floating. 

It is an excellent materials for adding to boxes either as a complete lid or simply to line the top of the lid to display the beautiful card inside. 

I have even made complete small boxes and filled them with sweets for children.

Or you could make the ever popular shaker cards too.

But  I really like the look of card bases made from the thicker acetate that can be bought, and it can be frosted, embossed or left clear which ever you please

Here is the link to the video on YouTube for you to view ... Make The Most Of Acetate

I am now adding the links direct to YouTube as that will increase my viewing on that channel and I would appreciate it if you would click the link to go there and leave a comment,

The top card is left clear but the pink one has a frosted back to it and it does make such a difference.

But if you do use acetate don't make the same mistake I did.       Stupid me !!!!

 I did not remove the protective covering from the sheet and I was not happy with the look at all.

Then I realised what I had done and had a good laugh at myself,  and once that layer was peeled off I had a lovely bright acetate base to adorn and I was very relieved.

It is a very versatile product to work with and try some of the patterned or coloured sheets that are on the market for yet more ways to make your cards look different.

For the card to the right I have used an embossing folder.

I simply ran the folded card base though the machine and then removed the protective layer after.

You could also achieve another look by sanding the embossing 

More tomorrow ..,

Hugs xx<