Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

September 16, 2021

Creative Stamping 100 Issue Birthday

 Hi Everybody,

Today see the anniversary of Creative Stamping Magazine that is celebrating 100 issues of fabulous ideas and inspiration. This is a magazine that I have done many articles and videos for in the past and it is full of useful information that you can try out for yourself.

The video below was one that advertised the sale many issues ago but it contained one of my most favourite of all time stamp sets. I am adding it again so that you can see the value of the stamps that are attached to this magazine. By now of course that magazine will no longer be available to purchase.

But there is the new one in the shops now with all the Birthday wishes from designers who have contributed to the success in the past. The pages are filled with ideas for you to try for yourself that will show you how to get the best from the stamps that are attached.


So here's wishing Creative Stamping much more success for the next 100 Issues with lots more beautiful stamps and ideas for you to enjoy.

Tomorrow I will be on Craft Stash Facebook Live at 12-30 with Lou Collins, so I hope you will be able to join us then for some fabulous prizes that you can win.
You can also find Pauline on  the Craft Store at 9 am  and 1 pm. demonstrating the compete collection so make a date to watch that also 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

September 15, 2021

Altenew Project Kit

Hi Everybody,

I have decided to treat myself, on a monthly basis, to the beautiful  Create Your Life Kits from Altenew.
I saw these being shown on YouTube and I thought the kits where absolutely fabulous.

 So I toyed around with the idea and then I took the plunge and went for the monthly subscription.

 That was the best way to save a little cash as they are discounted by $10 if you take out the subscription. The shipping to the UK makes the price go up but I am still happy with the products. 

These featured cards are from the first kit and this is Seasonal Blooms. There is a large stamp set. co-ordinating dies, stencils and a 3-D embossing folder

The shaped card is the first one I made with the set and I used the  stamp as it was and just die cut it out.

I turned the die cut onto its side and made a side opening card. I used the die again to cut out the front of the card to match. This is a 6x6 card

I am very happy with the way it turned out, and it spurred me on to make some more in different colours.

For this card I have cut the stamped design up and added it to an embossed panel with foam tape. 

From that cut up stamping I made three other cards, using the 3-D folder to create the extra background. 

I added some flat backed pearls for extra decoration and the sentiment is from Card Making Magic

This card is an A2 size card which is 41/4 x 51/2 

The main bloom is a Sun Flowers but who says I have to colour it yellow.

Your flowers can be any colour you wish whatever die and stamps you are using. 

But I went with the yellow sunflowers for this card.

Once again I cut the stamped image up and added them with foam pads to different areas of the card front. 

You can get a lot of use from one stamp set by simply cutting it up and using parts of it, or all of it in different areas.

I used a different embossing folder for this one and this is 5x7 card

I will show you some cards when I use the next kit that I already have and the new one that was out on Sunday is on its way to me and I will be sure to sho you some of those too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

September 14, 2021

Festive Portals

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created from the new Festive Portals Collections. It is 6" Square and very intricate. 

I used some of the snowflakes for the inside of the frame and they are supposed to shake .... but underneath them is glitter card and so they are stuck to that. 

Plus I added far too many and so defeated the object.

But even after all that it is still a pretty card and the video will show what I did and how not to make a shaker card ... need I say more !!



The Festive Portals sets come in different shapes and each has it's own set of stamps to go with it.
 So a really useful addition to your collections and good value for money at the same time.
And either of the embossing folders will create a beautiful background for you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

September 13, 2021

Card & Matching Envelope

 Hi Everybody,

Because this 5x7" card is relatively flat I thought it would be a perfect match for an envelope, and be easier to give at the same time.

So I made myself busy and created this video  to show you how I did it and I am quite happy with the results too.

I was originally only going to make one envelope for the card but as I made four cards I carried on and made the envelopes to go with them. 

You can create your envelopes from copier paper if you prefer and then obviously they will be a lot thinner.

You could also use fancy papers too and that would make them really pretty especially if you had used some of the same paper on the card too.

Keep them clean and safe and they are always there ready to send when the need arises. 


I have added the links at the bottom of this post to show you what I used and some of them are affiliate links. All this means is that if you purchase through the links then I get a small commission and it is at NO extra cost to you.

I hope you enjoy the video and like  the results at the end and should you have the dies then I hope you will give this a try.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

September 12, 2021

Ruby Update

Hi Everybody,

Well what a lovely day we had last weekend when my mum and I went to St Annes. 

We walked along the prom and I saw all these things flying up in the air.

My Mum told me they were kites and they looked really big, but as long as they stayed up there I was OK with them. 

It was the Kite Festival and it was very busy with lots of people everywhere.

We went later in the day, once it had gone cooler. There were lots of doggy folks to say hello too and I had a wonderful time sniffing about. 

It was much quieter this week when we went to look at my duck friends. And they have really grown since the last time I saw them.

This week I went to the groomers to get my hair cut and as soon as it is done it will rain and I will be cold with short hair. Still when it does get cold and wet again I have a lovely new raincoat to wear and I will be sure to show you when I put it on.

But last night Dougal and I went with our mums to see the Firework Competition . The loud noises didn't scare us. There will be a different country giving a display each week for the next four weeks, and at the end a winner is chosen. This week it is Russia ... I think ... and that too gets very busy

Bye for now

Love Ruby XX