Spectrum Noir Dark Skin ...

Earlier this month I added the video for Pale Skin  and the response was very much appreciated.

But it triggered off some emails asking me to cover darker skin tones too. 

I have used another baby image from Mo's Digital Pencil and this is "Boy On the Pot"

The photo shows how the same image can take on a different look with the use of these alcohol pens.

And so Spectrum Noir Dark Skin  has been added to the series and already has several comments on YouTube.

I am really pleased with this new tutorial but agian because of the length it has had to be edited into two parts.

Part 2 will complete the card using this and the "Girl on the Pot" image as well.  I hope you will find the ideas useful and then maybe add your pictures to the Gallery Page on the Card Making Magic website.

The pens are available from Crafters Companion  and if you are in America try this link instead Crafters Companion USA    Happy Crafting ...

Hugs xx

A card for any reason ...

This is a card that is for any reason you can think of or just to tell some one that you care.

It is created with the aid of  Spellbinders  and some "Bling" from   Want2Scrap

The ribbon was from the wrapping from a new pair of PJ's  and the backing  paper was  free from a  magazine subscription.

So all  together a really  inexpensive card ....  I  just need someone to send it to now.

I have  had a  lovely day out for lunch with my friend Pat and so this card is quickie that was made earlier today and for no particular person.

But I enjoyed making it and it can go into the reseve box for whenever it is needed.

Hugs xx

I'm having a rant.....

Ooooh! I am so mad .... let me explain. I have not used my credit card for ages and so when we went to Canada I paid for the flights using it.

I emailed the credit card company to tell them that I would be out of the country until the 7th July and they acknowledged that email.

Then once the fights had been added to the card I paid the bulk of it off early and emailed them again explaining that I had done this to save any fees. That was also acknowledged.

Then when I got back I had a bill for the rest of the money so I rang them ... and I asked the woman for the exact figure to clear the card back to zero again and she gave it to me.

So I instantly paid it over the phone and asked was that the account now cleared and she said ... "Yes it was now back to zero". I wrote on the statement ... "Paid in Full" .... and patted myself on the back.

Today I have had a statement telling me that there is an interest charge .... so I have been back on the phone again very, very angry.

I asked how could there be an interest charge on a zero balance????

Apparently the interest is calculated in advance on the next statement and because I had paid it early the interest had been reduced but still added to the zero balance..... Er what!!!

I was not a happy bunny... I was being penalised for having paid off my account early.

Off she went to see what she could do ... and came back telling me that the sum had been removed and that the acount WAS now cleared.

And the moral to this story is ... don't be good and pay your cards off early .... wait for the bill and make them wait till the last week ... but avoiding any late fees ... before you settle it.

Rant over .... back to cards tomorrow

Hugs xx

Creating a Spectrum Noir background ...

Now having completed the baby image from Mo's Digital Pencil  that  I have been using over the last few videos it is now time to add the beautiful baby to a special background.

For this card I have stayed with the  BLUE  set of  Spectrum Noir  pens from  Crafters Companion   and added in some of the darker ones to get my backgound.

Click to Enlarge

If you enlarge the photo take a look at the background piece.

You will be able to see just how pretty it is...
and the   Spectrum Noir Background  video will show you how to replicate the look.

As always if these techniques are known to you then please don't think that I am talking down to you.

But many new people visit these pages and the Card Making Magic website and it is my intention to help them get a good start with their cardmaking hobby.

I know there are people in their 80's,  and some as young as 10,  that visit and make use of  the tutorials and that makes me very happy. 

And if they are happy with what they come up with then so am I.

Each of these cards has the addition of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and the  beautiful "Bling" is from Want2Scrap 

The deorative pins are hand made .... by me .... and the supplies are from the  Sparkles Group

They are created with a blank 3" hatpin and they come complete with end protectors.

You will find them in the Specialist Findings and don't forget to add  CGDIS5  at the checkout This will tell them where you have come from and will allow you to get your discount.

Hugs xx

Busy weekend ...

I didn't get to add a post over the weekend but I have not been idle.  Oh No !!!

Click to Enlarge

My "Film Crew" and I have done two more videos. 

As I told you yesterday the Spectrum Noir Clothes video had to be edited into two parts  and that was because YouTube will only allow videos up to 15 minutes long.

Longer  than that  and you get chopped off ... in your prime so to speak !!

And so here is Spectrum Noir Clothes Part 2


This one centres on using the blender pen for the first time and it creates a different look for the fabric on the babys'  dress.

It is very easy to do and the video shows you how ...  but there are lots of ways to make this blender work for you ...  and hopefully I will cover them as I go through the series.

Here is a finished card with the Blender Pen used to create the Polka dots and I have also used one of the  pens I used for the background to colour some white  ribbon and the Pearly Swirls,  which are also white to start with and from  Want2Scrap

But if you enlarge the picture take a look at the background because that is the fetaured item in the next video.... and I hope you will like it.

Hugs xx