Amy Jo's Birthday Blog Hop Day 2

It's day two of Amy Jo's Birthday Blog Hop and I hope you have enjoyed it so far. There are some "Goodies" to be won along the way.

Just become a follower of the Blogs you visit and leave them a lovely comment if you like what you see.

We don't have to make any special project ... just use Amys' favorite colours of Pink, White and Black or any character from Alice in Wonderland and it can be anything you like.

We only needed to make one thing over the two days so there was plenty of time to go hopping.

But I am adding another birthday project here in pink and white as they are my favorite colours too

This little gift incorporates some tealight candles and they smell gorgeous. 

 If you want to make one of these for yoursefl you will find the written instructions  and a  short  Video Tutorial  on the website.

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts and the candles are from Ikea... lots of them in a box .

The Pink Polka dot ribbon is from  Fantastic Ribbons and they have a lovely selection for you.

If you landed here from Anita  then you are in the right place and your next stop is at Naomis'

But if you just happened on my Blog today... or you got lost along the way then start again at Amy Jo's so that you don't miss any of the fun.

I have some "Goodies" up for grabs too and all you have to do is join the followers and leave me a comment and I will draw a name at random to win  these three sets of clear stamps after the Blog Hop is done.

Hugs Christina xx

Amy Jo's Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to Amy Jo's Birthday Bash and Blog Hop! We are so excited you could join us today to help celebrate Amy's birthday!

This is a very special unique hop and we don't have to just stick with one particular subject or theme, and we can use any of Amys' favorite things to create a card or project with that in mind.

Some examples of Amy's favorite things are the colors black, white, and hot pink, along with anything Alice in Wonderland.  Here is my card (inspired by Sue Wilson) to wish a Happy Birthday Amy Jo

If you arrived here from   Anita   then you are in the right place!

If you just happened upon my blog today, please start at the beginning with Amy Jo at Scrapping, Card Making and Living with Fibro  because you don't want to miss out on the fabulous prizes that are being sponsored!

This is a two-day hop,  however, we are only making one project. That should give you two full days to go through the entire hop and leave comments and become followers of each blog, if you are not already, to be entered to win some of our sponsored prizes!

Some of the blogs may be offering blog candy as well so this is a hop you're going to want to finish.

I am offering three sets of clear stamps to followers of my Blog so to be in with a chance to win join the gang and  leave me a comment.   The winner will be chosen at random on the 1st March.

Thank you so much for joining us and helping us celebrate along with Amy! Your next stop is the talented Naomi and I hope you are enjoying the hop.


Hugs Christina xx

Watercolouring ...

Watercolouring with Distress Inks was a series of videos I made in response to questions on how to make them work for you, as most of us have some of these ink pads in our "stash"  

I made them in three parts to cover each of the different apects such as    Skin, hair and clothes   and this link will take you to the first part.    You can access the other links from that page.

The stamp used is Day Dream Believer from the SWALK collection from Crafters Companion and the flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts

The whole process of water colouring with Distress Inks is so relaxing and once you get into it you will enjoy it.

I used a good water colour card from the same company, it was not expensive... and it will go through my printer too so I can work on digital images.



This image has the hair accentuated a little more and I prefer this project more. But it makes up into a very pretty card and would suit any occasion for a girl of any age.

Give it a try and don't forget to add your photos to the websites Gallery   page for us all to share in.

Hugs Christina xx

My First Challenge ...

The world is full of firsts and new things to do.  This was my first time at Blogging and  it was  a first when I decided to start my Website  and that is almost three yeras old now.

So the other day I tried my first Blog Hop, and this is the first card I have entered into a Blog Challenge. 

The challenge is with   Just Us Girls Challenge Blogspot  and it is challenge  #125  to create a project that features flowers, ribbons and buttons. 

So how close to the title of my Blog is that ....so I just had to try it didn't I????

I have entered a card and it is another one of the  Tag Cards  featured a few days ago.  The green one on that page also has the same ingredients but this one is in my favorite colours pink, pink, pink!!

And it suits my style of cardmaking with all the "Bling" it can take

The flowers on this card are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  The ribbon is Oraganza and the button is added to the bow with Bakers Twine.

 The papers are all from my "Stash" as is the doily in the background and of course the Hatpin sneaked it's way in to complete the look .

So wish me luck on my first trip into challenges.

Hugs Christina xx

Another Felt Flower ...

I am really enjoying making these felt flowers and I think they make the card just that little bit different.

I have today made a video to feature another card made with the Spellbinders and it includes these flowers as part of the title. It should be available tomorrow so I hope you will give it a viewing.

The background to this card is made using the Impressabilites onto some Parchment ... and the effect was very subtle. I  lightly ran over it with some distress inks and then attached it to the card base with some small white brads.

The flowers and leaves are felt and I used the Spiral Blossom 1 die and the Foliage leaf set.  The ribbon is a pale blue gingham and I havae used a pearl buckle as added decoration to the top.

The butterflies are from another Spellbinder and I have dotted Cosmic Shimmer Pearl PVA onto the body line of each one.

Now I know it's a bit early for butterflies ... but in my world there are always beautiful butterflies.

Hugs Christina  xx

Decorative Hatpins

Adding embellishments to my cards is one of the things that I really enjoy doing and I openly admit to being a "More is More" kind of cardmaker.  I just love all the pretty things that go to making a truly feminine card .... not much good with male cards!!

Yesterday I covered felt flowers created with Spellbinders and today I would like to show you some beautiful Hatpins.

These are always a luxury touch and they are not hard to do.  There is a video on the website about   Decorating Hatpins

The Hatpins that I use are 3" long and come complete with end protectors as a safety feature ... and that way the recipient cannot hurt herself on the sharp point.

I buy mine from the Sparkles Group and they are offering you a  5% discount  on your purchases.

Make your choice ... and at the checkout add the code CGDIS5 and the discount will be automatically applied. 

You will find the pins in gold and silver and in different lengths in "Specialist Findings"

Add the pins to the card ... threaded through ribbons or flowers ... but don't forget to tell the recipient that the pins can be removed and used as a lapel pin for her jacket. 

Maybe another idea for Mothers Days eh??

Hugs Christina xx

Felt Flowers

I am sure you know by now that I love to add flowers to my cards whenever I can ...  and so this morning I bought lots of felt squares in different colours.  It was not expensive (47pence) and each sheet is about the size of A4 card ... so not a bad price!

With the help of the Spellbinder Spiral Blossom  I set to and cut out flowers in most of the colours and leaves from the Foliage dies in the two shades of green .

I was very pleased with the result and used my hot glue gun to hold the flowers together ... but if you don't have one then a few stitches will keep them in place. 

On some of them I have gone around the edge with glitter glue and left it to dry and that gives a really pretty effect.

And this is the card I made with one of the flowers tucked in place along some satin ribbon.

I have added a bow and there is a piece of  Card Candi added to the centre to neaten the knot.

A miniature tag tucked under the flowers says "With Love" and then I added the  Pearls  along the edges as a finishing touch. 

A card that is very feminine and "Mothers Day" is just around the corner.

Hugs Christina xx

Windy weather...

Can you hear it??? It's blowing a gale out there and I still have to go out and do my shopping.

Yesterday I was card making again and this time I was asked to make a really special birthday card for an 80th Birthday.

The requirement was that the card had to ... be a large card (yep can do that) ... be in pink  (no problem there then)...to have ribbon on it (that's my kind of card)... to have flowers on it ...(Oh! it just got better and better) ... and to have a matching box (Oh Yes...  all sorted)

Here is the card I came up with and when the young man came to collect it he seemed quite pleased with it ... but you know what men are like... they say yes it's fine and that's it ... so who knows... but he did give his permission to show you the card so here it is....

... and here is the box to match... complete with Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls .... OooooH! that title rings a bell.

And now I am off to the supermarket for goodies....anybody fancy meeting up for a coffee????

My daughter says that pensioners (me) should only shop on weekdays and leave the supermarket free on Saturdays for those who have to work during the week ... I won't repeat what I replied.

Hugs Christina xx

Christening Card...

I have been working to prepare a very Special Christening card.   It is for my Great Grand-daughter.

She was born last October and is my grandson's first child.

The Christening is on the 25th March and she will be named Isabella Mandy Victoria and she is simply beautiful.

I have used the "Bookatrix" embossing board from the   The Glitter Girls    to create the pages and dressed up each one individually before sticking them together... but then I have added the whole lot to an A5 card with the fold at the top and this will allow the "book" to stand up.

I have made it in pale pinks and white with the addition of feathers and ribbons and a pretty pink Hatpin in the centre... and I really am pleased with the result.


The flowers on the front of the card are from  Wild Orchid Crafts.   The feathers were in my "stash"

I hope that her parents will keep the card safe for her until she gows up a little, and then show it to her and tell her it was all hand made by her Great Grandmother with lots and lots of love.

I made a box to give the card and I have lined it with pale pink tissue paper... and of course the Spellbinders came in really useful too. 

Just need to lose two stone and a new dress for the day and then I'm done....


Hugs Christina xx

I have a Blog Award ...

I have a Blog Award and I am so honoured,  especially as my Blog is so new.

But I would like to thank Sharon  at  Card creations by Sharon Joy  for this award and I add it with pride to my page....

The LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers)  and to help spread readership and joy.

As part of the tradition the award is to be passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me. 

It comes from the German meaning Dearest or  Beloved, but can also mean Favourite.

To accept the Award you must:
1. Link back to the persons blog who gave it to  you, and thank them.
2. Post on your blog.
3. Give to five other Bloggers who you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you choose and  let them know.

These are the choice I have made, and why, that I would like to pass the award on to ...

Creative Bug on the Loose  ...  Naomi as she was the one that encouraged me to start the Blog in the first place.... so this is all her fault!

Crafty Bloggers ... Kathleen as she was the one who helped me to remove the  annoying Word Verification from the Blog.

Best of Betsy'    ... Betsy  because she makes some beautiful cards.

Marisa Designs  ... because I just love the  LOVE  red box project Marisa  has made with Spellbinders.

Bless This Mess ... Denise  because she also has some pretty projects for you to try.


I hope you will pay each one a visit and see some of the things they have done, and thank you again to Sharon for nominating me for this award....

I am so pleased ... like the cat with the cream.

Hugs Christina xx

New week ...new video!

The sun is still gracing us with it's presence and it has been really lovely day.  I took my film crew (Griff) out  to lunch and he enjoyed it very much.

There is nothing like a good Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding ... unless of course you make it your self ...and I couldn't be bothered.  So it was out to the nearest restaurant for that delicacy and it slipped down very easily too I might add.

The new video has been added to the website and it features this lovely card.  It is an 8" square and I have also included how to make a feature of the back of the card too, so it looks good from every side.

You don't need to buy larger card stock for this as you can get the look from your A4 card quite easily.

And this is another idea that you won't be disapointed in if you use the Spellbinders that you have in your collection.

I hope you enjoy the video and the card that you can create.

Hugs Christina   xx

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