Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

April 23, 2014

New Card Class

Hi Everybody,

Some time ago I asked if anyone living near to me in Blackpool would be interested in joining a class and leaning how to make some really pretty cards.

I got a phone call from one lady who was enquiring for her and her friend and she said she would call me back.... and I thought to my self .... will she???

But she did and she booked a day and time that suited them and on the appointed day they arrived.

We made a pretty three paneled card in the first class and they seemed very pleased with what they had achieved as they are relatively new to cardmaking.

After the class they said they would let me know when they wanted to come again and of course I with self doubt thought that was it.

Later that evening one of them rang me and said that they wanted to come EVERY week and I was so pleased... and we made a regular commitment to a weekly class in my  craft room.

The featured card is last weeks make and they chose the colors that they wanted to make their card in.

This is my offering and the guideline for us to follow.

They chose yellow and lilacs for their cards and both were delighted with what they had created.

They are very willing and eager to learn and it has been a pleasure each week to work with them... can't wait till we start using the dies.

And today sees the third class ...  so I have to go now and get everything ready for my lovely ladies Brenda and Mary.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx



April 22, 2014

Valiant Honor in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is the Valiant Honor set being used again but this time the whole set and not just the tag that I used to create the fan card.

I have layered white card with pink patterned card and taken the white ribbon around all the layers.

A striking pink hatpin has been added to the bow which has a pearl centre.

The Valiant Honor is a n A2 size die and so I have added it onto the larger 5x7 matting basics.

The verse is appropriate to the added butterflies.

Now I know you are going to ask me where it is from .... and I really don't know.

It is one of a set that I bought at the craft show and it had no brand name on it.....Sorreeee!!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx






April 21, 2014

Spectrum Noir Skin

Hi Everybody,

I have had several emails asking me for links to articles when they are already on the page... so if you are new to Blogging then any words that are in another color are usually a link.

Hover your mouse over it and if it turns into a hand then click it and it will open another window and take you to the page for that item or article.

This is one of the images I colored with the Pale Hues six pen set
from Spectrum Noir.

I went on to make a video tutorial for  Pale Skin  using the same set and there are other videos using the other six pen sets.

It is one of the videos that got me noticed by Spectrum Noir and lead to me being an instructor for them and subsequently on the Design Team.


Now from there more exciting things have happened and I have been asked to do a workshop on these pens by

They are a UK based company in Sutton in Ashfield and I will be down there on September 13th

I know the numbers for the workshop are limited so if you live near there and are not in the class then just pop in and say hello.... it would be lovely to meet you.


So the image of this handsome man  from Just Inklined was made into a card and the sentiment that I added for fun is from Lili of the Valley

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

April 20, 2014

Rustic Flowers ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card with the beuatiful rustic shades.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they and the ribbon were just white until I sprayed them all with alcohol refill ink and Isopropyl.

Some of you seem to be having trouble getting hold of the Isopropyl ... but I just got mine from my local chemist shop and they were happy to order some more for me too.


The flowers have the usual glitter on them from Glitter Magic  and the leaves have been colored with Spectrum Noir DG2

The centre of the bow has the addition of a sparkler from a dismantled Primark bracelet that I showed you a few days ago and it looks really pretty.

The pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap and last but not least the sentiment is from Crafters Companion

I like to line my cards and I explain the reasoning in Making Cards My Style 

 It gives a much better appearance once it is finished off to match the front.

The base card for this one is created with the Grand Large Labels and there is also a video to show you how to   make the border that is along the bottom.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx








April 19, 2014

Spanish Collection ...

Hi Everybody,

I have another new die and this one is from JGD Crafts  a UK based company in Nottingham.

This beautiful die was created from the  new Sue Wilson dies and this is the Spanish collection called Seville.

It makes the most beautiful lacy pattern and I have only used the die set for this card.

I inked through the patterned die whilst the card was still place with Distress ink to give a subtle hint of color to the frame.

I cut the largest die twice and made a hinged base then layered up the other dies with foam pads.

The label was cut  twice  ... one to frame the other ... then stamped in color and embossed in clear.

One of the dies cuts the pattern but leaves it in the card and is excellent for creating box tops that show the card inside.

I added acetate to the top and decorated it to match the card and it is very pretty.

This is a picture of the packet that you are looking for and
JGD Crafts have the full range of Sue Wilson dies in stock.

This is a die that I will be using time after time and I love the lacy look to the card.

I have added in some pearls from Want2Scrap  and the tiny turquoise clear flowers are also from the same company.

So that the flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts have the extra sparkle I have dusted them with Glitter Magic.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx