Nestaboard ... Labels 2

This is another shape from the Nestaboard  family and this one is the Labels 2 that matches the Spellbinder die.

With this one I have inked it up with Versamark and covered it in red embossing powder then heated it and sprinkled in some Glamour Dust while it was still hot.

Around the back of the shape I have added some white lace and  on the front I have used a red Rose  from Wild Orchid Crafts  and curled  the wire from the flower around a  cocktail stick.

Once added to a card it looks totally different ... and with this one I have used a white square doily in the baackground.

The ribbon technique is explained in the tutorial   Ruffled Ribbon  and  is very easy to achieve.

The Nestaboard and the Pearly Swirls are from  Want2Scrap and make a real statement to any card.

Hugs xx

Nestaboard ... Scalloped Hearts

This is a product called Nestaboard from  Want2Scrap

It is compressed board that is used to match ... or instead of the Spellbinder dies. 

It is an excellent alternative to buying the dies ...  as they are pricey and you may not want to buy them.

But these are much less expensive  .... and they give a really pretty effect that you can dress  up anyway you like.

There are several shapes in decreasing size to each packet for you to create your own toppers.

And the company will ship worldwide too.

This is the largest one from the  Scalloped Hearts  I have covered the shape in  pretty pink paper and then edged  it with the matching  pink gemstones from  the same company.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and this is the topper that was made using all these wonderful products.

But when added to a card front with a lacy square doily in the background and  the result is very pretty.

The addition of the organza ribbon and the punched butterfly add the final touch and is a card I would be very happy to send for any occasion.

Hugs xx

Matting and Layering

A cardmakers term that  needs to be explained as many new  cardmakers are stopped in their  tracks by words  that those of us who know  how to make cards use  willy nilly.

I remember going to a computer  class many years ago and being asked by the tutor  "Do you know anything about computers?"    To which 80% of the class said a most emphatic "NO!!!"

She then proceeded to tell us to use the mouse to add the cursor to the search box ... and click,  add the title  "Whatever it was.... "  and hit enter.

Most of us spent the next few minutes looking for furry creatures running around, wondering what a cursor was,  why we needed to hit anything and  where and what it was we were entering. 

So a not very  helpful tutor and a not  very explicit lesson, as she clearly didn't understand  the answer "NO" to  her own question in the first place.

I know when  I started to make cards it was something I had never come across and I  couldn't find a detailed answer to  my question   "What is matting and layering?" ....

Having been asked the same question ...  and  not wanting to be tarred with the same brush as  my earlier  tutor with the PC's, ...  I decided to make a short video to explain  exactly what  Matting and Layering   is.

It is aimed at those people new  to this hobby  who don't know all  these terms  that are bandied about.

It has had a good response from lots of people ...  so I seem to have hit the correct level and I am happy to be of use to the many many  people joining the growing band of new cardmakers every single day.

It is for  You  that  Card Making Magic   was born.

Hugs xx

Choosing Colours

Some of the questions I have been asked lately ...  in emails to the website ... are concerning colours and patterns for the cards that I make. 

"How do you choose colours?"

"How do you know which patterns work together?"

"Do clashing colours work with each other?"

If you are a seasoned card maker then maybe to you the answers are obvious.

But the website is created for those that don't know the basics and so I tried my best to answer these questions as easily as I could.

I kept in mind that many people are a little scared of colours and patterns ... unlike me who goes ahead and tries anything with anything... and I wanted to build up that spirit of adventure in the newest of cardmakers so that they will be happy with what they come up with.

So I have done two more videos that will deal with this subject,  and maybe answer some of the concerns that arise when someone is faced with any array of colours, patterns and textures and they don't know where to start.

And judging by the response on YouTube ...  and in yet more emails it has been very well recieved.

Choosing Colours  is under five minutes long  and yet I hope it gives the information that a "Newbie" will find useful the next time they want to make a card.

And this card proves the point of not being afraid of colour and just playing with the papers that you have in your own "Stash" and seeing what works together.

The image is from Humphreys Corner  from Crafters Companion and has been coloured with Spectrum Noir pens. 

Floral Ovals from Spellbinders has been used to layer the image

The "Bling" as always is from Want2Scrap and is well worth checking out.

Hugs xx

Pretty card ....

Back to the pretty girly card for this one and I thought I would make it for a young birthday.

This one is pink .... well no surprise there then .... and the Teddy Bear was free with a magazine.

I have layered him onto a Spellbinder Floral Oval and then added the lot to the card with foam pads.

I have added Glossy Accents to the balloon and sprinkled in some Glamour Dust whilst it was still wet.

The background has been created with embossing folders and the ribbon is from   Fantastic Ribbons   where you will find some wonderful lace and buttons, as well as many coloured ribbons.

The number three was created from that useful little addition the Card Candi ... and you can get many colours, patterns and sizes from   Craftwork Cards

There are many things that you can do with this little embellishment and using it to make the number is just one of them.  I have added them to this card with tiny foam pads and I have used the pink polka dot ones for effect.

Hugs xx