2-4-1 Christmas Card (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a little special and will take some measuring from you to get it centred

It is well worth the effort if you do and you will get two cards for one by using the positive and  negative of the die cut

Let the video show you how I did this and then maybe you would like to try it for yourself.

This is the second card and it is really pretty with the diamanté studded around it and I am really pleased with the way both have turned out.

Make them in different colours and send them to your special friends this year.  I used Faded Jeans Distress Inks as it blends so well

The letters I have used are from Donnas' Alphas from Spellbinders and I have had this set for a long time.

I am trying to re use the older dies as I know that many of you may have them and if you do then we may as well make use of them.

The background to the second card is Grate Effect  and it makes the loveliest back drop to the words.

You can use any alphabets  that you have as they will work using the same method.

These two are created using Spellbinders Font One Uppercase and it is a finer font than the other.

The colour is Salty Ocean and I have used a Splodge Mat  to help me blend my inks ... and this company now do many stencils that you can blend with

This the same die set and the card on the left has been made into a shaker card.

The stamp set was free with Simply Cards and Papercrafts  and it has proved to be really useful 

So there you have some pretty ideas to make some of your cards and with an alphabet you can add any name or occasion that you wish.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - One Word Wonder

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is just a little bit of fun and shows you that you don't need a lot of dies to be creative. This one uses just one word but the effect is quite good and the sentiment says it all.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S4-564 Phrases Two
• GC-200 Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other Supplies:

• Distress Inks - Salty Ocean, Victorian Velvet, Milled Lavender
• Black/ White Card from Papermill Direct
• Baked Ikea Dots

Instructions:

Cut a panel of smooth white card to about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" and create your blended effect with Blenders to get a pretty finish.   Other colors will give you another look so use any Distress Inks that are in your "Stash"

With the die "Hello" from the phrases set cut it as many times as you need in white to fill the front of your inked panel. 

I added mine at an angle and cut  up the words as I needed to fill the gaps along the sides. When you are happy with the position glue them in place and trim off the overhang to neaten the edges

With the same die cut the word again in black card and I have also cut it in craft foam and glued the two together for a thicker look

Stamp any appropriate sentiment onto black card and heat emboss in white.

Trim the end into a little banner shape

Add your word panel to some black card and leave the tiniest of borders around the edge. Add it to a white  Hinged Style  base card

Add in the banner,  with foam pads underneath to raise it up, where you want it to sit on your card and  glue in place the black Hello over one of the white ones

Highlight with some black dots for a really simple card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

International Ambassadors Informal Blog Hop - Woodland Collection

Hi Everybody,

It's that time of the month  for the International Ambassadors to host another informal Blog Hop and we hope you will hop along with us again this month.

We have chosen Spellbinders  Woodland Collection 
this month and there are some really cute dies in this set to help you make some beautiful cards.

I have used several dies from the whole collection and worked them all together to build up the scene for my card

First I have used the Woodland Owl   and added large Googly Eyes to the shape, and I have him sitting on the Wreath

At the bottom of the card I have added in some of the Mushrooms  and added in some of the Grass

I  placed a couple of large Leaves  behind after inking them through the die. And the embossing folder behind the scene is Bricks and Bark folder also from Spellbinders

Start here in the UK with me and then pop over to visit

Linda Lucas  in Australia
Yvonne van der Grijp   in the Netherlands
Christine Emberson   back in the UK

All these ladies are so talented and they will have some wonderful designs to share with you. They will be happy to see you and please leave them a comment to let them know that you visited.

And if you have come to visit from one of the others then a big Hello and Welcome to you I hope you will pop back regularly

Happy Hopping !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Lonely Hearts Strip Box (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

The following video is one I was asked to do by a lady who saw me make it on Create and Craft last year and so always happy to oblige here is the tutorial.

I have used the Spellbinders  Lonely Hearts Strip  die to inlay the pattern into the box sides and the video will take you step by step on how I did it.

But you can use this idea with any strip die in your "Stash" that has a separate cutting edge

It is just the right size to add perfume, cookies or a pretty scarf too ... or chocolates ...  well anything is the right size for chocolates !!

For mine I have used scented candles and wrapped them in red tissue paper and I must admit it smells lovely.

They are really cheap from Ikea but you can get them anywhere

The card I have used to make the box is White Hammered 255 gsm from Papermill Direct and it is plenty strong enough for the job.

The Acetate that I lined the box with is from Crafters Companion

Decorate the box any way you wish and be happy to give this small and inexpensive gift to some one you know.

The die is in two parts so that you can create a solid separate layer and  once layered with the two cut together and glued on top  it is perfect for making Book marks to give as another small gift.

Hope you enjoy the video 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Another Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I hope you have had a really good day today. It has been cold and windy here in the North West but now we are snuggled up at home with the central heating on and waiting for X Factor to be on a little later.

In the meantime the draw has been done for the winner of the mint green card and the name drawn from the hat is you ...

Marion ...

can you email me please 

christina@card-making-magic.com 

with your postal address and the card will be on its way to you straight away

I hope you will like it when you get it and please let me know when it arrives with you.

I have a video tutorial planned for you in the morning so please pop in to take a look 

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx