Green, Red and Silver

Hi Everybody,

Here is another of the Christmas cards with red and green as the foundation but this time I have teamed it with Silver.

I have used once again the Mystical Embrace  as this is such an elaborate die that really makes a statement  on your cards

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and is another of their Poinsettia Flowers

I have added sparkle to their petals with fine glitter from Glitter Magic

 For the next card I have used exactly the same die and sentiment ... just altered the colour way a little.

But it gives a fresh take on things

And with the card from yesterday where I used the gold card on the design you have three different looks from one die.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  

Traditional Christmas Colours

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is for those who prefer the traditional look of red, green and gold for their Christmas Cards

All the card,  that I have used, apart from the gold, is 255 gsm from Papermill Direct   and there is a vast array of colours for you to choose from.

But it is a UK based company and maybe they will not ship abroad ... you would need to check that for yourself

The large Poinsettia flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have sparkled it with glitter.

The holly branch is from AnnaMarie Designs

The gold card has been cut with the 5x7  Mystical Embrace from Spellbinders and it creates a lovely focal point for your cards.

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion and it is one I have used many times

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Mary Border Strip

Hi Everybody,

Border strips are very popular at present,  especially those with a separate cutting edge that makes them even more versatile.  A few weeks ago I showed you how to create the box sides using another border strip but today we are going to make a card using the Mary Border Strip from Spellbinders

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S6-002 5x7 Matting Basics B
• S4-441 Mary Border Strip
• EL-002 Regal Embossing Folder
• GC-200 Grand Calibur Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other Supplies:

• Ribbon from Mei Flower
• Acrylic Centre from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Sentiment from Crafters Companion
• Pink Pearls from Want2Scrap

Instructions:

With die #7 from Matting basics A cut two and hinge them together to create your base

With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut one panel in white and emboss it with any folder that you have in your "Stash"

With die #6 from Matting Basics A cut another layer in pink 

(Please remember that #1 is always the smallest die)

With the Mary Border Strip cut the solid panel in pink with the outer cutting edge and the with both dies together cut the patterned piece. 

With small foam pads in between the layers,  add these two together

With the pink panel place the inner section of the border strip onto your card keeping it over to one side and pass it though your die cutting machine. Tape the die in place so that it won't move.

Carefully remove it and  add it to the other side of the card and keep it well over to the side.

 Place foam pads in strategic places on the back of the panel so that they cannot be seen from the front and add this to the white embossed layer

Stamp and heat emboss your sentiment onto some parchment that is wide enough to wrap around the layers and be glued on the back

Place the  separate cut out panel in between the two cut into the pink card and use foam pads to give extra height to this one.

 Adding in the foam  creates shadows and depth and makes the card look better than simply being flat

Wrap these layers with pink ribbon and the parchment strip, and secure on the back before adding them to the base card.

I have tied a double bow and added it to the ribbon with a flower centre to cover the knot.

And finally I added in the pearls at the top and bottom of the parchment strip

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Using the "Misti" Stamping Tool (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Today I am adding a new video tutorial and it is done with the  MISTI 

That stands for the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented and if you like to stamp and need some help with it then this is the tool for you.

It does not come cheap but it will aid you to improve your stamping in all different kinds of ways and over the next few weeks I will endeavour to show you some of the things that I have done with mine

For this tutorial I have started off with an Ombre Effect background using Momento Dye Ink in Angel Pink, Lulu Lavender and Summer Sky

The colours are very pale but give a lovely washed out look to my background.

I searched through my stamps to fine any small butterfly stamps that I had and they are from various sources.




But the sentiments are from Sheena Douglass range of stamps from  Crafters Companion

The Diamanté Flourish is called Finesse from Want2Scrap and I have cut it to give me the pieces that I needed on my card

This and other videos can be found permanently in the Video Tutorials  in the title bar and there are lots for you to view plus don't forget the Tuesday Tutorial as a new one is added each week

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Glitter Christmas Card (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Over the last few days we have been very busy adding in some new videos that I hope you will enjoy.

The first one is creating your own Glitter Card to be used on any of your designs for a lovely sparkly effect.

On this card I have used some gold glitter and stayed with the traditional colours that people like for the season.

The background has been embossed with the 8x8 folder  Star of Wonder   from Crafters Companion

The stamp is also from Crafters Companion and my glitter is from Glitter Magic  where you will find some really pretty colours

The red satin ribbon is from Mei Flower  and I have tied it into a double bow.

The flower centre is from Wild Orchid Crafts and I think this is another card that can go into the box of cards ready to send out this year.

Please check out the vidoes in the the Video Tutorials section in the titles bar as there are now many in there and the list is growing weekly

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx