Cute Characters

Having a focal point to the card gives the eye something to home into., and the composition of it all can make the whole lot  have the "Wow" factor .

And that is something we all want whenever we make that card.

Your focal point could be a flower, a shape, a verse or anything else that you choose to add.

But this card has had the addition of a really cute character.

She is from the "Pretty Sweet" CD from  Polka Doodles  and you will find several more little girls in various poses for you to use.

It is called a "Mini collection" but there is so much stuff on the disc that you will be amazed... and the backing papers are simply gorgeous.

The images come ready coloured  in or with a  line drawing if you prefer to colour your own.

The  Braided Ribbon is shown in a tutorial and makes a very pretty addition to your cards.

The card and the box are made from the papers and character from the CD.

I have sat this one on the edge of the ribbon and the flowers used on all the cards are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

Here is another little girl ... but if you are wanting some wee boys as well then take a look at the "Pretty Tuff" CD from the same company.

Hugs Christina xx

Here's the card...

This is the card I have been making and filming over the last weekend and I am so happy to share it with you.

This is the Pleated Centre Card with Spellbinders.

Again I have used the Labels 20 shape as it really is one of my favourite dies.  I have used all the left over bits from other cards of the Nestabling along the top edge and the effect is quite pleasing

The finished card is so pretty and the photogrpah does not do it full justice ... but I hope you like it and will enjoy the video on how to put it together for yourself.

The second card is done in shades of pink and is very girly. The flowers and leaves are all made form the same papers I used for the pleat and the frame.

The pale pink gemstone Nestabling  from  Want2Scrap   completes  my look,  along with the organza ribbon.

If you try this effect for your self then please let me know what you think.

And maybe you would like to add your photos to the Gallery Page on the website so that we can share your creations.

Hugs Christina xx

My first 100 followers ....

Have you noticed the box at the top of the page that says I now have 100 followers.... YaaaY!

Well thank you to everybody that has joined this Blog ... I am very honoured and amazed at the response.

Both of these cards are 8" squares ...  as I am in a Big Cards phase at present.

I hope you like this card using the Nestabling again and the more I use it ... the more I like it.

This is a clear Diamante swirl that I have cut to the size I needed,  and I have tucked it just under the sentiment,  to emerge from both sides.

There is also a Diamante circle around the edge of the sentiment.

Spellbinders Spiral Blossom die has once again come up trumps with the flowers and the backing paper is from the Floriography CD.

This very pink card has a gorgeous piece of lace along the bottom.

Now I know that lace is expensive to be adding to a card ... but I used such a small piece of it.

The rest will do about three more cards so it works out not too bad cost wise... and it looks so pretty.

I am just waiting for my film crew (Griff)  to do some editing on a new video and the featured card is just fabulous and I can't wait to share it with you. 

So please watch this space and come back to visit soon as the video will be added in the next few days.

Hugs Christina xx

Nestabling

It is well known that I love my Spellbinders. I talk nicely to them every day and they work really hard for me.

I look after them well and tuck them away at the end of each day so that they stay looking good.

I use them to make my cards on a daily basis and I am never disappointed in what they do, and you will find many examples of the cards I have made with these wonderful dies.

The making of this card was featured in   Gatefold Card with Spellbinders and it has had many lovely comments.

A little while ago I was approached by a company who have seen many of the videos that I have made in the Spellbinder Series.

They asked me to try out some of their products. Well I jumped at the opportunity  and over the weekend I have made two more videos using them.

The company is Want2Scrap  and the products they make are designed to work with Spellbinders.

The  Nestabling and Nestaboard    they produce is a real pleasure to work with and the results on your cards can turn them into something really special.

Both products have been used on this card but the Pearly swirl for me is perfect.

The video will explain more about this and it is well worth looking at for your creations .....aaaaand  it's not expensive ... but it sure looks it.

Hugs Christina xx

Re-draw for Blog Hop prize...

I am sorry to say that the winner of the Blog Hop prize of the three sets of clear stamps  did not come forward to claim her prize and so the names have been put back into the hat and drawn again.

I blinfolded my film crew (Griff) and got him to delve into the hat and the name that came out this time is you ...VICKI  .... so please  email me  with your postal address and I will get the stamps out to you straight away.... christina@card-making-magic.com

I am going to add the Random Number thingy to the Blog for the next prize give away so keep coming back to see what is on offer.

There are several things in the pipeline and I will tell you more later.

Once you get the stamps why not add the photos of the cards you make to the    Gallery    page on the website.

It is easy to do and you can add four photos at any one time.

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Nesties

Spellbinder Nestabilities are an excellent addition to your cardmaking "Stash" but I have to admit that they are a little on the expensive side.

So obviously you want to get as much from these dies as you possibly can.

The Labels sets ... and it doesn't matter which ones you have ... are not always the size to fit what it is you want to do.  The Faux Nesties  will show you how to make them work for you.

So imagine that you have a set with five dies in it.... the thing to do is look at them again ... carefully.

You don't just have five dies in there ... you actually have fifteen, because you can use both the inner and outer edges to give you even more sizes. 

Maybe all you want is a thin border around your image ... like the character on the right then follow the steps to get the look.

This card has had the procedure done twice to give the double layered look, and it makes the image stand out really well.

The little girl has been coloured with Promarkers, and the organza ribbon is finished with  flowers from  Wild Orchid Crafts

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Stitching

Many times I want my card with just that little bit of something on it ... and that is a strange statement coming from me as I like to throw anything and everything on my creations.

But maybe just the look of some stitching can be all that is needed and you don't need a sewing machine to get the look.

Around the edge of this card the  Faux Stitching has been created with a white Sakura pen.

These are all the same length but you can vary the length and the style of them with the flick of your pen.

Add Zig-zag stitches for another look especially good if you want to give the look of quilting squares that have been joined together.

And if you  pierce the paper as well then it will take on the look of real stictching even more.

But what ever you do with them as a finishing touch to your designs have fun ... it's all part of doodling and seeing what you can create.

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Book Card

This idea is very effective but for some reason the card does not look straight on the photo... it is I promise you  ... and it looks much better in real life than here.

The Faux Book   is very easy to create and you could make it into a book with any theme that suited your recipient.

The sentiment on this is for a happy retirement but you could make yours as a Birthday book, for a Wedding/Christening/Anniversary ... or maybe a hobby book for a motoring enthusiast or a gardener.

The flowers on this card are made with the Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Die and they have been glittered up with Glamour Dust.

The ribbon has been wrapped around the spine and the background has been created with an Embossing folder  which makes a plain background stand out more.

This one is made in a rich Burgundy colour and says        "Just for You .."   and the ribbon is organza edged with silk.                                                                            

The flowers are again Spellbinders.

But it is another very easy to make card and one I hope you will  try.

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Wood Effect

Time to get the Distress Ink out again to create this Faux Wood effect

This is another easy to produce look that can be very effective on your male cards.

The colour of the ink you use will make the look different, and by varying the lines you can produce thick or thin planks of wood depending on what it is you want to do.

Then you can add whatever embellishments you want to the front

This is another effect that can be made to look glossy by adding the clear embossing powder ... just as you did yesterday with the Faux Leather Effect.

But I have to admit that even with the addition of some flowers this would not be very feminine look on your girly cards.... so give me flowers and "Bling" any day.

This faux wood panel has been embossed in clear powder and then wrapped with string.

The boy wizard has been coloured with Promarkers and he is kind of cute.

I have added the image with Pinflair Glue Gel to raise him up for a 3D effect.

With the addition of the gemstones stars and the Birthday sentiment I am sure he would delight some smalll boy.

Hugs Christina xx

                                    

Faux Leather Effect

Here is another Faux Effect and this one uses masking tape so you will need to raid the household box.

It is another easy to create look and is really good for your masculine cards as they are not really appreciative of flowers, ribbons and pearls .... or any other "Bling"  for that matter.

You will need some Versamark and clear embossing powder too ... but the effect is quite amazing once you get the powder melted, then you can add whatever you want to the card to suit the recipient.

If you make it in paler colours then it can be adapted for your more feminine cards but I have kept these darker ... just for a change.

Back to pinks and flowers later in the week.

The  topper with the dog  has  the Faux Tile effect from yesterday, and I have used the Aged Mahogany Distress Ink for the Faux Leather Effect.

The image has been coloured with Promarkers.

This image also has the Faux Tile Effect in the background.

Both these are from    KennyK Downloads   and there you will find some fabulous images for you to colour yourself.

The shapes have been cut with Spellbinders  ...  (so no surprise there then)  and added to the card with foam pads to raise them up.

You will of course notice the absence of pretty flowers ... and it will take me a week to get over that, but I couldn't resist the ribbons and a few gemstones in the corners.

I hope you will give this effect a try and combine it with the others from yesterday and those to follow. 

Well that's my post for today and now I am going to get ready to go out to dinner because.... It's my birthday and I am going out with my lovely husband .... who bought me the Spellbinders on Saturday for the occasion. 

Hugs Christina xx

Lets try some Faux Effects...

Last month on the Blog I mentioned  Creating Clouds  as a background to your cards ... well over the next few days I would like to cover some more Faux effects that can give another look to your designs.

There are lot of them around and they are techniques that have been used for a long time. But maybe some of them are new to you and you would like to give them a try.  There is no right or wrong way to do these and I am no expert ...this is just the way I do it and it is very easy.

This is the  Faux Tile Effects  and it can just be seen in the backgound.  It gives the look of tiling and is done with clear embossing powder. Click the link for a more detailed explanation on what to do.

It has a very pretty look and will suit cards for any occasion ...male or female so no problems there.

Tomorrow I will add another effect that you may want to try... and I hope you will tell me what you think of the effect if you give it a try.

Hugs Christina xx

Diamonds are a girls best friend...

This card looks far more dificult than it is and it can all be made from one piece af A4 card.

The back and the front can be decorated to match and there is plenty of space on the inside of the card for a verse or a sentiment.

The panels have been embossed and the butterfly is a die cut  from Marianne Creatables  and is cut from Glitter card with a pearly buttefly trail.

The ideal way to send this would be to create your own box and that too could be decorated to fit in with the scheme of your card.

Add flowers, ribbons and pearls from your "Stash" and make the card as pretty as you would like.

There is a video on the website to help you create this Diamond Top Card

The large Paper Rose  is also in a video and these are such a pleasure to make.

That way you will always have flowers to match your projects ... all you need now are the ribbons and pearls to go with them.

Now just before I go can I add a reminder that the winner of the Blog Hop Candi was Suzanne and as yet she still has not claimed the prize.

Can you let me have your shipping address please Suzanne and then I can post the stamps out to you.

But if they have not been claimed by the end of this week then I will draw another number for a new winner.


Hugs Christina xx

Craft Show Goodies

What a lovely day this has been ... but then whenever I go to a craft show it is always a lovely day. It rained quite heavily but nothing was going to spoil my day.

I tried ever so hard not to spend any money ...  but I couldn't resist some of the goodies on offer.  I was very good and didn't spend too much.

These are some of the things I bought and you will see right in the middle are some Spellbinders. Now those I can never resist as I love the effects I can get with them. 

Just to the right is a stamp from  Just Rite.  It is made for the Labels 20 shape and there are several sentiments on the sheet that will  then fit inside the stamped image.  I can't wait to have a play with that.

I bought some large pearls, diamante ribbon sliders, silver and gold Mirror card and some gorgeous pastel coloured feathers that you can see on the left of the photo.... and boy ! am I going to have some fun over the next few weeks with my "Stash"

Just a few feathers placed here and there can make your cards look really feminine.

The pale pink feather, and the pink ribbon,  are for a special Christening card that I have been asked to make and it is inspired by the one I have made for Isabellla.  The order was made because they liked that one so much.

But tonight it is going to be feet up, glass of red wine and some telly... so more tomorrow.

Hugs Christina xx



Blog Hop Prize Winner is ....

The Blog Hop winner has been chosen and the prize of the three clear stamps will go to ....Suzanne !!

If you would like to email  me  with your snail mail address then I will get your prize in the post to you straight away.

And congratulations I hope you enjoy the stamps.

Are you getting ready for Mothers' Day?    Here in England it is on the 18th March so not long to go.

This is a card that would be perfect  for that occasion and I love the colours of it.

The hearts are layered with lace in between each one and the swirly Gemstone embellishment is just gorgeous.

It came on a sheet in large swirls,  but I just cut it into the size that I needed for my project. This is one of three cards that I have been commisioned to make for the day.

The next one is going to be featured in a video on using the same set of dies that have been used in  all the Spellbinder Tutorials  and it is so pretty.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  in a lovely shade of lilac and white and I have sprayed them with Perfect Pearls to make them look .... er Pearly!!

I am off to a craft show this weekend and I have no doubt I will be buying some stuff. The weather forecast is quite good too and so it should be a really enjoyable time. I will show you what I buy on Monday.

The show is one of many organised by  Sincerely Yours  that are held around the country... aaaand if you buy your tickets on line then not only do you save money ... you also get FREE tea or coffee all day.

 Have a look there may be one coming near you somewhere in the UK.

Hugs Christina xx

Blog Hop is closed

That was my first ever Blog hop and it was so good to take part. It has brought me 20 new followers so ...  Hello ladies and it's good to have you on board.

The draw is now closed and so no more comments will be included. I will add the two days as one and the draw for the stamps will take place later today. I will let you know the winners name tomorrow.

Earlier in the Blog I added a card that had been featured in one of the Spellbinder Videos

When I made that card I just added an everyday sentiment but I liked it so much I decided to turn it into another Christening Card for my Great Granddaughter  Isabella.

I added her names to the front of the card and a lovely verse inside and I was very pleased with the result... and of course it had to have a box with it, so I carried the theme of the card through to the front.

I'm sorry to repeat myself with cards but I love this card and it is for my daughter (Grandmother) to give at the Christening later this Month... I know these cards will be treasured and shown to Isabella when she is old enough to understand.

And now I am off to the hairdresser to get a trim and then this evening I am going out for dinner to my favorite restaurant. Mmmm Mmmm!

Hugs Christina xx