International Ambassadors Informal Blog Hop

Hi Everybody,

Well this is the tenth blog hop  the International Ambassadors have done and it's amazing how time flies past.

We really appreciate that you hop along with us and leave us your wonderful comments and we really hope you will join in this month too.

The theme for this month was the Party Collection from Spellbinders
 and I have chosen to use the Fun On A String

I have used bright colours as this would be ideal for a teenagers card. The die comes with an extra backing piece that can be added to the balloons. And there are small hearts and stars for added decoration if you want to use them.

I have teamed it with the Happy Birthday Garland which I have cut three times in black and layered them together.  The tiny hearts have just been dotted around the card.

Please pop along to see what the others have come up with  and you won't be disappointed as they are very talented ladies.  Leave them a comment to let them know you visited.

Linda Lucas - Australia
Yvonne van der Grijp - Netherlands
Christina Emberson - UK
Christina Griffiths - that's me !!

I hope you enjoy your trip around the world 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

You Are My Sunshine ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards are some of the samples I will be showing you next week on Create and Craft.

It is one of the new die from the Simply Said Collection from Spellbinders.

There are several in the collection that all say different things and  this one is You Are My Sunshine 

These dies are designed to create a full card front for you in one easy pass.

I have chosen to do mine in black card and add it to a Brusho Background for a dramatic look.

The pink one is with Centura pearl card and I have inked through the die before removing the card

Very plain very simple ... no flowers no ribbons and no pearls on either of these

I hope you will join me for the 4 Day Deal  next week from the 19 th October on Create and Craft

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Happy Days

Hi Everybody,

Todays tutorial is using one of the newest die templates that Spellbinders have produced and this is one of several that will create the whole card for you in one pass.  The card will be 4 3/8  x 5 1/2 "  which is a nice sized card

I have chosen some spotty blue card for mine and I think the effect is very fresh.

 Spellbinders Supplies:

• S7-201 Happy Days
• Pl - 001 Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other Supplies:

• Wild Orchid Crafts flowers
• Glitter Magic glitter
• Spotty Card from AnnaMarie Designs

Instructions:

With the large outer frame cut one piece in white. 

This will now be scored for you in the places you will need to fold the card ... but not just yet !!

From the inner step die cut two pieces in the colour of your choice. 

I chose the blue spotty one for mine

With the same card and the square dies cut four pieces. 

They are all the same size even though there are two dies.

Cut one of the border strips twice and and as many leaves and flowers as you wish to add to your card. 

Cut the words and Ink through the die before removing the card from it.

Glue the step panels in place onto the base card and add the four squares to the centre step parts. 

Add the borders along any edges that you prefer.

Press the card base into shape by mountain folding the front score lines on the left, and valley folding the back ones on the right to create the steps.

 And your card should look like the picture once you have done that. 

I added in the inked words to the top right of my card and I chose to add the mulberry flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts to make it glamorous.  The petals have all been sparkled with Glitter Magic and I have tucked in the die cut leaves to the display

You can add in any sentiment that you have as a change and make it for any occasion.

And even with the flowers added this will fit into an envelope so no need to make a box this time !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Thinking Of You ...

Hi Everybody,

This is one of the sample cards that I made using the sentiment dies from  Craft Stash 

There are lots in the  Creative Dies - Sentiment Collection   for you to choose from and they will say just about everything that you want them to do and all at a really good price

I have used  Oval Florals  from Spellbinders for the centrepiece
and added the words cut from Craft foam to the top.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and so is the lace

The card is made from white card that has been embossed and cut with Scalloped Borders One

I have chosen a pale shade of green as my accent colour using satin ribbon from Mei Flower

The top layers have been added to the base card with a really soft gold layer in between and it just adds that little extra to the card.

The gold card is some that I bought from the craft show and the White Hammered Card is from   Papermill Direct  scroll down their page to see all the beautiful colours they produce

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Easy Fold Card (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Over the years I have done several videos on how to create a base card that you can use to decorate any way you wish  Some have been using plain smooth edged card and others have used the fancy die cuts that will make a patterned edge for your designs. 

There is even one to show you how to simply make a stand for the back of the card

Making Cards My Style

Create a Hinged Card

Filigree Hinged Cards

Creating Card Stands

I know that sometimes it is hard to get the die to cut through two layers of card to make the filigree hinges and so  today I am adding a quick video to show you an easier way to create the base.

 I thought that this may be the best way to show you exactly what it is I am doing to make two equal sized pieces of card fit together to make a solid base and it applies to any size or shape of card that you wish to make. 

        

I hope that this helps you to make some different shaped bases and gives you another way to use any of the fancy dies that you may have in your collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx