Sunshine Day!

It's weekend and the sun is shining and I have got loads done today. Feeling quite pleased with myself on the quiet.... though none of it is housework!!

I have been filming again with my film crew (Griff) and we have two more videos ready to go.

This is one of the featured cards and I just love this pink and white colour way as it always looks so fresh and spring like.

This card is staying with the same set of beautiful dies that I have been using in all the other  Spellbinder Tutorials  as they are such a versatile combination,  and the cards that you can make will all be stunning. 

There need be no end to your creativity and you will always be pleased with the result ....guaranteed!

So I have no excuses left .... Blog done, cards made, Facebook updated, emails answered.... and now I have to go and take the vacuum cleaner for a walk around the house.... but tomorrow.... well tomorrow is Sunday and I have promised to take my film crew (Griff) out for Sunday lunch and hopefully the sun will shine yet again.

Hugs Christina xx

Spectrum Noir Pen System ...

I have been colouring in my own digital downloads, or creating paintings,  for quite some time now and I have tried lots of different colouring mediums.

I love to watercolour with Distress Inks as it gives such a lovely finish to my projects.

There are many tutorials on the subject of using distress inks  (including mine)   for some really good tips on how to get the look you want.

Over the years I have used Pastels, Oils, Pencils and Acrylics  ... but then along came Alcohol Pens and the whole world changed.

They opened up a whole new area for the colourist and they give such professional results even if you are not an artist.... and I don't for one minute claim to be an artist.

Some of the brands I have tried have been Copics, Sakura, Flexmarkers, Promarkers and Aquamarkers.

But the ones I am trying at present are the new Spectrum Noir pens  from   Crafters Companion

This is such a pleasant way to colour in, and the colours blend in beautifully ... but don't let the kids have them ...Oh No!!

The image is another of the "Wrinklies" from  Just Inklined  and this delighful character is Albert.

He has been coloured with the new pens and I am very happy with the result.

I will certainly be practising more with this system and perfecting my skills with the blending so that I can get the best results possible with these pens ... and hopefully the recipients of my cards will like what they get.

And a quick P.S.  and that is the  New Video  that I made on Monday is now on the website and I hope you will enjoy it.


Hugs Christina xx

More from Just Inklined...

These cards are more from  Just Inklined.  I got my images when they were offered for free as I always love a good freebie ... Oh Yes!!   The gorgeous Maude was also from them. 

You can buy them as indivdual images from their website,  but now they have added them all to CD's.  

There is the  "Big One" and  "The Next Big Thing"  and both offer you really good value for your money ... and if you don't feel confident enough colouring in then the digi  stamps come ready coloured too.

I have had both of these for a while now and had the chance to look around them, and there is something for every age group and gender on them.  You will be able to make a card for any occasion.

This lovely scene above is the "Terraced Houses",  it has been coloured in with Promarkers... and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   ... and of course the Spellbinders to create the shape to mount the image onto.

This one is the "Post Office" and is a very pretty scene. I have added some text paper for the backgound.

This one above is "Kiss the Cook" and would be ideal to send for a summer birthday ... especially to the man that does all the cooking at family get togethers ... like Griff!!

The background to this card is the Faux Leather Technique and the link will take you to the video tutorial for how to get the look. All you need is some masking tape and your Distress Ink.

I just love this cute character with his carrot, and I have made this up into female cards, with great success as well as this one on a more male theme.

I don't think you would be disapointed with either of the CD's  and you are sure to be kept busy for quite some time .... have fun!

Hugs Christina xx

Going Solo ...

This morning I thought I would make a video on the card I was playing with ... without the aid of a safety net and no Griff ... and this is the card I came up with.

It uses some really pretty flowers from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have been added to a large, cream  luggage Tag. 

This corsage is a mixture of  Roses and Cherry Blossoms and I think it has gone together really well.

I thought I would try green for this card as it is not a colour I would choose often ... yellow is another that I tend to shy away from. 

The Paper Doillies are coloured with  Distress Inks and added as a panel, and also on the Tag itself.

The colours I chose to distress them with are Bundled Sage and Forest Moss.

The blending tool is homemade and if you would like to make your own then have a look at Blending Tools  and save yourself some money in the process.

The  Hatpin and end protector  is from the   Sparkles Group   and you will find them under Specialist Findings. 

You can get them in several different lenghts but my choice is the 3" one as it fits very neatly onto a card front.  I have added spacers and several sizes of pearls to create the effect.

Don't forget to tell them who sent you!!

Push it through the flowers and pop the end protector back on  for safety, but remember to tell the recipient that it can be removed and then worn on the lapel.  So a card and a gift in one go ...

... and the video tutorial will be added to the website shortly. Hope you will enjoy it.

Hugs Christina xx

Happy Valentines' Day

I hope you have all had a good day so far and got lots of Valentines from the one you love.

Griff loved his card but the first thing he said was ...." Some woman has left me a card,  I think she must know my wife though coz she's left me one of hers" 

I got my card at breakfast,  along with some flowers and an invitation to dine out this evening..... of course I said Yes ... and so the diet will have to start tomorrow ..... again!

But it has pride of place ... alongside the one he bought for me on top of the TV.

Now I hope you like this very beautiful lady .....  her name is Maude Doodlebun , and she is from  Just Inklined 

You will find many fabulous images there for you to download and colour in.... my favourite section is the "Wrinklies" they are just a wonderful set of fun characters ... for people of a certain age!

Maude has been coloured with Promarkers and I have used Glossy Accents on her glasses. Once it is dry it shines and looks like the lenses.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they are a selection of Cherry Blossom,  10mm and 25mm white roses,  and some blue and white flowers that I don't know the name of.

The leaves are punched from the Ash Branch punch from   Leonie Em   You will find them in the product section under Extra large punches.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley and there are several different ones all on one sheet.  This one says ... Believe that you are wonderful..."   and I think that Maude is just that!!

Hugs Christina xx

What a cutie ...

I love to make girly cards because then I can go to town on all the lovely embellishments that I have in my  ever growing "Stash" ... you know the one I mean .. the one that spreads all over the house in no time at all ...

 Yes?  You got one of those too?

Feathers, lace, gemstones, flowers, ribbons and pearls just add the finishing touch, and if it's pink as well .... what can I say ... I am in heaven!!

But having said that I love this card I have made in blue.  It is a pre coloured image from the Pretty Sweet CD from   Polka Doodles   and there are several  little girls for you to  choose from ...  you will be spoilt for choice.

There are backing papers and sentiments for you to add to your designs to compliment the look, and with the addition of the ribbons from Fantastic Ribbons what more could you want.

There are also some un-coloured images on there too,  so that you can print them off and use your favourite medium to add the colours of your own choosing.

This one has been coloured in with the  Spectrum Noir pens from Crafters Companion  and they are very easy to use to give you professional results.

The finishing touch on both of these cards is the beautiful flowers and there is a huge selection of colours and styles from Wild Orchid Crafts 

 

 

They have flowers that will suit any season and some fabulous embellishments that you can choose to add to your cards.

 

 

And both of these cards have boxes   that have been decorated to match them as a special touch.

Hugs Christina xx

Are you ready for Valentines Days?

Today has been far from relaxing and there have been three videos made over the weekend.

The one I mentioned yesterday has now been added and if you refer back to yesterdays post then you will be able to use the link.  It will take you to the White on White card featured with the Spellbinders.

But next week is Valentines Day.  Have you got your card ready to send to the one you love?

I have and here is a sneaky preview of Griffs card.  I have kept the colours gentle (just like him) and I hope he will  like it.

The top part of the card has been embossed with an embossing folder  from  Creative Expressions    Look for "That Special Touch"  for the masks to give  some really pretty ideas. 

This one is the Vintage Plumes.

The bottom is covered with some stripey paper and the join is covered with the Hearts Border from .... Yes you guessed it ... Spellbinders!!

I have also used the Scalloped Hearts and the Classic Hearts amd added gingham ribbon for the bows, and threaded throught the border.

I'll let you know what he thinks on the 14th....

Hugs Christina xx

New video on the way ...

Today has been very busy with preparing another video that I want to add to the website and I hope you will enjoy making this   White on White Card  card.

 It is another staying with the Spellbinder theme as they have been very popular... and yep!  Griff had to get his ladder out again!!

I have stayed with the same set of dies that I suggested in the other    Spellbinder Videos   so that people will have the chance to get more comfortable using them... but it doesn't matter which sets you have they will ALL  make gorgeous cards.

The video will show you how to make this Special card and it would be lovely to give it as a Wedding Card.  You could personalise it with the happy couples names or the date of the Wedding day... and it needn't  be all one colour.

You could add in the Brides colour choice and make it even more special for her.

Or how about making it in a rich ruby red, gold, silver or pearl for those extra "Special Anniversaries"  and once again add the couples names to the front of the card. 

The list goes on and on .... and once I get started on Spellbinders there's just no shutting me up.

Hugs Christina  xx

The word verification thingy.....

As you know I am very new to the Blogging world and learning something every day.  But I was asked to turn the annoying word verification  OFF ... which apparently is on by default. 

Well! I pressed every button and link on this interface and I could not find it any where.

Blogger is now using a new style look to the Dashboard,  and as I am new,  this is the only one I have used.  So I was at a loss on how to do this.

I was sent a link from a kind follower (Thank you Wendy)  and she pointed me in the direction of another Blog that may be able to help.

So over I went,  but I couldn't follow those directions either ... because there is nowhere on the new style dashboard to  switch the word thingy off.

My little fingers flew over the keyboard to email the Blog owner for more help and she duly wrote back to me .... and she couldn't find it anywhere either....  So at least I didn't feel quite as stupid.

But   Kathleen at  Crafty Bloggers  very kindly gave me further instructions and now I am pleased to say that ... word verification is OFF. 

So thanks  Kathleen too for your help,  and if you are stuck with anything then she is willing to help you sort it out.


Hugs Christina xx

Waste not want not ...

I love to make cards with  Spellbinders  as the result is almost guaranteed.  But what to do with the little bits that you are left with when you have cut something out.

Well the simple answer is don't just throw them all away as they can be used on other projects to great effect. I am not for one minute suggesting that you keep every single bit ... but be selective and see what comes to mind.

Just get your imagination going and you can find some way to incorporate some of them onto your cards.

I cut out the large shape from the  Holly Motifs in black card for another project,  and there are some large and interesting shapes that remain... so being a frugal crafter I  wanted to make use of them.

The black edging on the left of this card has all those left over bits looped over the main card and the effect is rather good ... well I thought so!

So it pays to look at all these dies in a different way and make use of what is otherwsie known as scrap.... and create for yourself some lovely cards. 

And there is another video in the series I have done  to help you get   More from your Spellbinders

Hugs Christina xx

Freebie for you ...

Well I have been up since 5am ... couldn't sleep with things whirring round my head ... and yet I don't seem to have done very much so far.

I have all sorts of ideas buzzing away and I have to get them down on paper before I forget, ( sign of age!!) and so when I wake in the middle of the night the brain starts going and that's it for me ... no more sleep.

So rather than lie there thinking  ... go to sleep, go to sleep, I may as well get up and get something done.  So this is what I have achieved this morning.

These young men are more of the digital drawings from  Showers of Cards and Flowers  and they are "freebies" so grab them while you can.  They have been coloured in with Distress Ink ... and there's not a flower in sight, not even a trace of pink. (Sigh!) 

I have covered the process of using these fabulous inks to water colour with and the tutorial is in three parts.  One features the skin, the second the hair and the third the clothes.

 I don't profess to be an artist but this works for me and so this is how I go about
                          Colouring with Distress Inks

The backgrounds to both been done with the   Cloud Effect   which makes them look as if they are outside ... maybe waiting for pals to come out for a game of football... who knows.

Now because they are digital images they will need to be printed onto your paper, and off course printer ink and water don't mix.

Your work will bleed and look awful, but there is a way to stop this and it is very simple.... cheap hairspray!!

Works wonders at sealing the ink quickly, cheaply and efficiently... and that way you won't have a spoiled image.

 I have used a light card of 160gsm as that goes through my printer with no trouble at all.

On the first spine has been wrapped with rafia and the sentiment  and the footabll are from the Pretty Tuff CD from   Polka Doodles.   Just the finishing touch a boy needs.

The second card has some Spellbinder borders and the sentiment is red ... but it looks pink!!


Hugs Christina xx

Another Competition ...

Last year I seemed to have got the bug for entering competitions. 
A few days ago I showed you a card that I entered into one of them ... and I didn't win.

         Well this is another card I sent to yet another magazine and ....

                            ... I din't win this either (Sob! sob!)

 But at least I had a try ... and I thought this card was so lovely.

I was so pleased with the end result that I did a video on how to make this Mosaic Card  and it uses some gilding flakes  and a piece of double sided adhesive sheet to  get the result.

Much prettier in real life than the photo shows.

The image and the sentiment are from Lili of the Valley  and their stamps are utterly gorgeous. You will be spoilt for choice if you visit so be warned.

The flowers and the pins are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and are such a beautiful addition to any card

But I also entered yet another competition with these three card projects and this time I was ....

 ..... no not the winner ... but one of the Runners up!! And guess who was really pleased with herself.

I went around with a smile on my face for days and showed the picture of my cards, in the magazine, to anybody that would take take a look.

Even the postman was treated to this exclusive look at my cards.... I think he thought I was mad!

And again Lili of the Valley stamps for the rabbits and the child and the Poppies are from Clarity Stamp  ... Another website with an amazing array of stamps.

So maybe this year will see me entering all over again and who knows what will happen this time.

Hugs Christina xx

... Panic Over!

Whew! thank goodness for that.  After the problems yesterday when trying to add the new video I am happy to say that it is now sorted.   And so this where you will find the tutorial to create this
                              Aperture Card with Spellbinders.

The videos will now be in High Defintion to show more detail and the music in the background has had to be changed as the other one was lost along with the software used for editing them.

But the new piece is vey pleasant and relaxing so I hope you will enjoy the tutorials just the same.

So this is the card that I wanted to share with you and this is the lilac version of it.  But it would look just as good in any colour. Imagine it all in white for a really special wedding card.

There are some neat ideas for the ribbon as well and it gives a real vintage look to organza.

The flowers and leaves are all cut from Spellbinders and you will find here the tutorial to show you how to Create Your Own Pearls

I am going to de stress now with a nice cup of Cappucino ... any body want one???

Hugs Christina xx

Video Hitch ...

Over the three years that Card Making Magic has been around I have made several video tutorials that have been added regularly.  Just short ones so that you don't have time to fall asleep ... but long enough to show you what I am trying to achieve.

We have had slight hitches along the way but usually things go well.  So let me tell you how they are produced.   My husband (Griff) stands on his little ladder and films over my shoulder ... and whenever my head gets in the way he pulls my hair to get me out of the shot.... and sometimes he misses and oops! there's my head. (Soreeee!)

We laugh and we argue while these films are being made but  hopefully you  find them enjoyable.

So yesterday we made a video of the making of this card and I was hoping to add it to YouTube later in the day. Everything went well and the cards turned out very pretty .... but when we came to the editing of it something went really wrong.

As the PC was turned on the message read that there was an error and that the software used to edit the video was irrepairably damaged and should be removed. So what should have been a relatively quick task turned into an all day job and at the end of it .... still no video was produced.

So this morning the task is on to start again and hope fully Griff  (who does the editing) will be able to sort things out.  But we think that the music will be lost and all the start and end bits to the videos will have to be done again so it may take us a little time to get sorted.

The card itself is another one using my Spellbinders and is one of a series that can help you with  Starting Your Spellbinder Collection 

The links to the other two tutorials are on that page.

It is a much prettier card in real life than the photo shows and as soon as I can I will get the video on the card onto the website..... once my production team (Griff) gets things as he wants them again.

In the meantime have a really good day.

Hugs Christina xx

Hello Ducky!!

This lovely little chap is a free download from   Showers of Cards and Flowers 

Naomi is just venturing out into the world of creating digital images and there are more for you on her pages.
This is my interpretation of her lovely duck and I have used a template for Creating Clouds

 Pay her a visit and see what else is on offer as a "Freebie"  .... I love a freebie!

There are two images for you to download and one of them is already coloured. The other is a line drawing that you  can colour your self and make the most of any of the colouring mediums that  you have ...  and make him a her if you wish....there's nothing wrong with a pink or a blue duck!!

The flying birds are hand drawn,  just little "V" with a fine liner pen, and the fence is a small stamp from one of the sets from Polka Doodles range of stamps. All the individual elements in the collections can be used on other designs with great effect.

With the addition of some Googly eyes and ribbon from my "Stash" I think he looks rather cute and ideal for a small childs' birthday..... but what do you think?

Hugs Christina xx