Lets try some Faux Effects...

Last month on the Blog I mentioned  Creating Clouds  as a background to your cards ... well over the next few days I would like to cover some more Faux effects that can give another look to your designs.

There are lot of them around and they are techniques that have been used for a long time. But maybe some of them are new to you and you would like to give them a try.  There is no right or wrong way to do these and I am no expert ...this is just the way I do it and it is very easy.

This is the  Faux Tile Effects  and it can just be seen in the backgound.  It gives the look of tiling and is done with clear embossing powder. Click the link for a more detailed explanation on what to do.

It has a very pretty look and will suit cards for any occasion ...male or female so no problems there.

Tomorrow I will add another effect that you may want to try... and I hope you will tell me what you think of the effect if you give it a try.

Hugs Christina xx

Diamonds are a girls best friend...

This card looks far more dificult than it is and it can all be made from one piece af A4 card.

The back and the front can be decorated to match and there is plenty of space on the inside of the card for a verse or a sentiment.

The panels have been embossed and the butterfly is a die cut  from Marianne Creatables  and is cut from Glitter card with a pearly buttefly trail.

The ideal way to send this would be to create your own box and that too could be decorated to fit in with the scheme of your card.

Add flowers, ribbons and pearls from your "Stash" and make the card as pretty as you would like.

There is a video on the website to help you create this Diamond Top Card

The large Paper Rose  is also in a video and these are such a pleasure to make.

That way you will always have flowers to match your projects ... all you need now are the ribbons and pearls to go with them.

Now just before I go can I add a reminder that the winner of the Blog Hop Candi was Suzanne and as yet she still has not claimed the prize.

Can you let me have your shipping address please Suzanne and then I can post the stamps out to you.

But if they have not been claimed by the end of this week then I will draw another number for a new winner.


Hugs Christina xx

Craft Show Goodies

What a lovely day this has been ... but then whenever I go to a craft show it is always a lovely day. It rained quite heavily but nothing was going to spoil my day.

I tried ever so hard not to spend any money ...  but I couldn't resist some of the goodies on offer.  I was very good and didn't spend too much.

These are some of the things I bought and you will see right in the middle are some Spellbinders. Now those I can never resist as I love the effects I can get with them. 

Just to the right is a stamp from  Just Rite.  It is made for the Labels 20 shape and there are several sentiments on the sheet that will  then fit inside the stamped image.  I can't wait to have a play with that.

I bought some large pearls, diamante ribbon sliders, silver and gold Mirror card and some gorgeous pastel coloured feathers that you can see on the left of the photo.... and boy ! am I going to have some fun over the next few weeks with my "Stash"

Just a few feathers placed here and there can make your cards look really feminine.

The pale pink feather, and the pink ribbon,  are for a special Christening card that I have been asked to make and it is inspired by the one I have made for Isabellla.  The order was made because they liked that one so much.

But tonight it is going to be feet up, glass of red wine and some telly... so more tomorrow.

Hugs Christina xx



Blog Hop Prize Winner is ....

The Blog Hop winner has been chosen and the prize of the three clear stamps will go to ....Suzanne !!

If you would like to email  me  with your snail mail address then I will get your prize in the post to you straight away.

And congratulations I hope you enjoy the stamps.

Are you getting ready for Mothers' Day?    Here in England it is on the 18th March so not long to go.

This is a card that would be perfect  for that occasion and I love the colours of it.

The hearts are layered with lace in between each one and the swirly Gemstone embellishment is just gorgeous.

It came on a sheet in large swirls,  but I just cut it into the size that I needed for my project. This is one of three cards that I have been commisioned to make for the day.

The next one is going to be featured in a video on using the same set of dies that have been used in  all the Spellbinder Tutorials  and it is so pretty.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  in a lovely shade of lilac and white and I have sprayed them with Perfect Pearls to make them look .... er Pearly!!

I am off to a craft show this weekend and I have no doubt I will be buying some stuff. The weather forecast is quite good too and so it should be a really enjoyable time. I will show you what I buy on Monday.

The show is one of many organised by  Sincerely Yours  that are held around the country... aaaand if you buy your tickets on line then not only do you save money ... you also get FREE tea or coffee all day.

 Have a look there may be one coming near you somewhere in the UK.

Hugs Christina xx

Blog Hop is closed

That was my first ever Blog hop and it was so good to take part. It has brought me 20 new followers so ...  Hello ladies and it's good to have you on board.

The draw is now closed and so no more comments will be included. I will add the two days as one and the draw for the stamps will take place later today. I will let you know the winners name tomorrow.

Earlier in the Blog I added a card that had been featured in one of the Spellbinder Videos

When I made that card I just added an everyday sentiment but I liked it so much I decided to turn it into another Christening Card for my Great Granddaughter  Isabella.

I added her names to the front of the card and a lovely verse inside and I was very pleased with the result... and of course it had to have a box with it, so I carried the theme of the card through to the front.

I'm sorry to repeat myself with cards but I love this card and it is for my daughter (Grandmother) to give at the Christening later this Month... I know these cards will be treasured and shown to Isabella when she is old enough to understand.

And now I am off to the hairdresser to get a trim and then this evening I am going out for dinner to my favorite restaurant. Mmmm Mmmm!

Hugs Christina xx