Beautiful Ribbons ...

Hi Everybody,

As you know I love to add flowers, ribbons and pearls to my cards.  For me they really turn the card into something special.

This is a card I added a few days ago and I listed the dies used then ...  but the reason I am adding it again is because it was the one featured in a video tutorial.

It shows you how to change the color of ribbons and flowers to suit your design and it doesn't cost the earth to do it.

It also works on lace and pearls too.

All you need is an alcohol refill of your choice and a small spritzer bottle.

The  Isopropyl Alcohol is from the chemist shop and it cost me £11 but the bottle will last for ages and color many hundreds of items for me to add them to my cards





You may need to order it ... as I did ... but the chemist had it there the same day for me to collect.

The organza and satin ribbons that I use are from  Mei Flower   and just a plain white and I used Spectrum Noir refill  PP3 to change them into a beautiful delicate shade of pink.

So by making use of your refills you can always have ribbons to match your designs ... and it is always cheaper to buy white flowers, ribbons or lace and color them your self.

And if you don't have the refills then this  tip was left on YouTube and is an excellent alternative ...

 Tip from Sheila Hogg
If you don't have any re inkers, the inner of an old felt tip pen that no longer works can be used instead as there will be plenty of pigment to mix with the isopropyl. Use a pair of pliers to pull out the pen tip and crack the casing, pull out the tube inside and with the tip add to the isopropyl in the spray bottle and presto you have your own alcohol ink. Just top up with more isopropyl when needed, it will still yield more pigment.

Have you added your name to the "Give Away" yet ??  If not the click the link for your chance to win the prize on offer  ... here's the link  but you will need to be a follower and please leave me a comment to say you have been.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Time for a "Give Away"

Hi Everybody,

Some time ago I bought the Sea Scape stamp by Sheen Douglass only to order it twice by mistake ... I know stupid girl !!

Well my mistake is to your advantage because I am giving the stamp away along with other goodies in the pack.

So what is in the prize ....

Sea Scape by  Sheena Douglass

2 sheets of patterned  Voile

3 packs  of pearls from Want2Scrap

6  metres of ribbon

I pack of the  glitter from  Glitter Magic

1 reel of  ribbon

1 set  of  See D's stamps

If you would like to win this prize then add your name to the list ... but only once please as duplicates will be removed.

If there is a red cross by the side of your name then don't worry about it. It just means that you can delete your name if you wish to and if you add it more than once then please delete one of them.  

No one else can see the cross other than you ... so no  one else can delete your name by accident.  

Charms again ...

Hi Everybody,

The other day I added the video to show you how to add charms to your cards but they were all silver and that may not be the color that you want to add.

So here is s short video to show you how to alter the color of them to suit your project.

Now I know I have said it before but I need to add it here again ... and that is if you know about these things then please ignore the video as I am  not  trying to teach experienced  card makers anything.

But there are new people coming to card making for the first time and they don't know ... and so this is for them.

To help them build the confidence they need to be as good as you ...  the seasoned card maker.

Here is a close up of a metal corner that I have covered in Pink embossing powder.

The ribbon is the one that has been colored in the next video which will show you what I did.

The beautiful flowers are from Petal Lu  and they are very delicate and pastel shades.

But you can choose colors and styles for your self from Lucindas' Facebook page.

The metal corners are from Wild Orchid Crafts  but the same technique can be applied to die cut corners as well and they look just as good.

The card is made to the Hinged card style and I have used Labels Thirty Four layered on top.

The sentiment  and the embossing folder are  from Crafters Companion  and the folder is called Regency Swirls and it is lovely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A Card for children ....

Hi Everybody,

I thought I would delve back into past videos for todays post.

This card has been on YouTube for almost two years ... and I was using  flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  even then.

But it seems to be having a new lease of life as it has had lots of views in the last few weeks... and some lovely comments

So here to fascinate your children is the Magic Slider Card

I know on first glance it seems very plain but the fun starts when it is pulled open via the tag at the top.

Children love it and want to know how you did .... but don't tell 'em ... it's your secret.

The stamped Teddy Bear is from Crafters Companion  but it is such an old stamp that I don't know if it is still available.  The poppy stamp in the video is from Clarity Stamp

The video is not long but I sure hope you enjoy it and will give it a try.  

Then stand back and watch children use it, especially the younger ones,   and see the look on their little faces

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

How Charming ...

Hi Everybody,

Sometime ago I was asked to do a video on how I add charms to my cards.

I am sorry Ann that it has taken me so long to do it ... but here at last is little tutorial.

There are lots of ways to add them but I have shown you the quickest and easiest ways.

You will also notice on the mat with the charms that there is a mobile phone loop and these can also be used to attach small charms.

They can be looped over the flowers or threaded in with the ribbon and look just as good ... the only problem is they are a bit flimsy and the charm can fall off and get lost so that is why they are not included on the video.

The large key on this card is the one added in the video and I also add a small heart charm to the back of the card that says "Handmade with love"

The little hearts come in gold color as well as silver and there are many in a pack and they are quite reasonably priced.

But they do add a nice touch to your cards ... especially if you sell them .

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx