Paper Roses

These beautiful flowers can save you a fortune ... if adding flowers to your cards is what you like to do ... and I most certainly do!!

You can use up all your scraps of paper and match them to the colour scheme of the card you are making.

They are very easy to make ... even if you don't have a punch to create the petals.

Paper Roses   are such a pleasure to make and I often spend the afternnon cutting some out and making them up and then I always have flowers on hand whenever I want to add them to a specific card.

There is a neat little trick with Organza Ribbon on this video too to give a vintage look to it.

The next step is to make the flowers look like glass and for that you will need some clear embossing powder to create Enamelled Roses

But if you are having a go at this one then mind your fingers as it gets very very hot....  Ask me how I know this .... Ouch!!


Hugs Christina xx

Paper Folded Butterfly

I thought that maybe this week I would add some little tricks that can be achieved with folding paper ... or Origami as the Japanese say.

There are many intricate designs, shapes and items that can be produced but here are some really easy ones that can be added to cards.

This pretty Dragon fly started out as a Butterfly but with the addition of the swirl it somehow changed the look.

So we'll call it a Dragonfly instead!!

The   Paper Folded Butterfly   is so easy to create and can look so pretty fluttering by to land on your cards

This is another one that I hope you will try and maybe think about adding your photos to the Gallery Page  on the website


Hugs Christina xx

Zig Zag Card for another look

Today has seen me and my film crew (Griff) doing another video and this one is the Zig Zag Card. 

It is one of those folds that give you the choice of either going with the single variety or pushing the boat and out and having a double dose.

This is the single design and it is sometimes called the "Tri-fold Card" and it can be adapted to suit any occasion for male or female.

This one has been kept very simple and is all in cream, with the addition of  a  punched edge and a few butterflies  from  Martha Stewart punches. 

But if you want to go a step further then have a look at the video to make the   Double Zig Zag Card  and decorate it any way you want.

                                                                         

This is what I have done with mine and it makes a very pretty card.

The colour scheme can be any that suits the recipient and you can add any "Bling" that you have in your growing "Stash"

Grab your favorite brew and spend a few minutes watching the video and see what you think ... and maybe you would like to give it a try too.

Hugs Christina

Bespoke Envelopes

Yesterday I showed you some wordbooks made using  the CD's from Funky Hand.

But once you have made this project you may be wondering how you are going to send it to the recipient.

Well ! the best way is to make an envelope especially for it ... because until you have decided on the word you want to use ... then you won't know how big the envelope needs to be.

Making your own envelopes means you will be able to get one that fits any size or shape that you want.

And you can make them in any colour that suits your scheme.

Bespoke Envelopes will show you how to create them in easy steps and you will never be short of an envelope again .

Hugs Christina xx

Word Books

Another easy to create book that can be for lots of occasions.  These are some that I have made for my family and friends over the years and they are all made from CD's from Funky Hand

This is one that has proved to be extemely popular and I have been asked to make this several times.

They are very easy to create and as long as the word you want is not too long then you will have no trouble with them at all.

The video instructions to make them can be found  Here  ... but you will also find full instructions on the CD's and the downloads.

A very pretty project to do and you can add all the embellishments that you have from your "Stash"

Hugs Christina xx

Memory Books

This little project is a gift that can be adapted for any occasion... and it is one that will need a box to show it off to it's full advantage. 

Instructions are on the website about the making of this  Memory Book    from the cover  ...

...  to the envelopes inside that will hold all those little treasures.

It can be for any occasion that you want ... the one above is for a new baby (Not Isabella)   and the one below is one I was asked to make for a Silver Wedding Anniversary.

It is one of many easy to do projects that are covered on the website    Card Making Magic

The flowers on the anniversary card are from Wild Orchid Crafts

Hugs Christina xx

Super Easy Fold

This card is so easy to create from just one piece of A4 card... a couple of creases and the card is ready for you to shape and decorate.

I have stamped the images, from Lili of the Valley,  and coloured them in with Promarkers.

They have some lovely new designs out now and you will be spoiled for choice.

I have called this the Tilt Card  and this is the video tutorial on how to get the look for yourself.

It has been on YouTube for a little while and had a good response.

And here's a piece of news I am happy to share with you ...  that my videos have had 602,000 views on YouTube.

So who's a happy cookie then!!

The Rose is created from the Paper Roses Tutorial  and added on top of some white feathers.

The luxury foiled card for the base is from Hunkydory
and you will find some beautiful patterns for all occasions.

The image is one I have had in my collection for a long time and I can't remember where I got it from.

I hope you will give this a try.....it is easy ... honest.

Hugs Christina xx

Less Postage More Style...

I love to make cards with lots of flowers and ribbons on them which often means I have to also make a box to give the card in because of the height invloved.

But what happens if you want to post the card and the cost is too much.... Well! the simple answer is... make it flatter.

That doesn't mean that you have to lose the style, and the card can be just as pretty without the height that
the flowers give.

Cards for Posting is the latest video to be added to the website and is about creating a card that will go easily into an ordinary envelope without compromising on style.

It also covers making the card free standing which will also keep the cost down as it doesn't need an added insert.

The added pink gemstone   "Bling" is from  Want2Scrap 

And the character is from Candy Doodles CD from Polka Doodles and I have coloured her in with Promarkers.

There's not a flower in sight but I had to add the ribbons ... and I still think it is a pretty card.

Hugs Christina xx

Purely personal ...

This is the little beauty that the Christening Cards were made for and I think she is just adorable.... but then I am very biased.

Her name is Isabella and she is my Great Grand-daughter and she was born on the 16th October 2011.

.

It was her Christening yesterday 25-03-12

Isabella  looked beautiful for her big day ... but was extremely bored with the whole proceedings and went to sleep. 

She is the fourth generation to my family and here we are.

Great Grandmother (me)...   Daddy  (my Grandson) with Isabella ... and Grandmother (my Daughter Vickie)

It was a really good day and the sun shone throughout ... and the diet went out the window ... oh! well start again today!!

Hugs Christina xx

Candy Doodles CD

This is another CD from the Polka Doodles  range and they are all just filled with goodies for you to play with.

This one is from the Candy Doodles and the image was coloured with Alcohol  pens from Promarkers

The backgound is Colour Core, and it has been run through the die cutting machine, with an embossing folder, and then sanded to bring out the pattern.

The border is from the the Floral Doily Accents from Spellbinders and it has been linked over the image.  

The border around the image itself has been created using the   Faux Nestie  technique to create a thin edge to the topper.

The Nestabling swirl is from  Want2Scrap and adds the finishing touch.

And the ribbon and flower were made from some ribbon which was wrapped around a new pair of pyjamas I bought at the weekend .... waste not want not !!

Hugs Christina xx

Sugarplum Daisy CD

Staying with the Sugarplum Daisy CD from  Polka Doodles  for todays card. 

I have used the same fairy images from yesterday ... just added them in a different layout.  There are other characters for you to choose in different poses.

They come in four sizes for you to cut out and use with Spellbinders if you have them... or just mat and layer as you would like.

If you aren't happy to colour the images then they come ready coloured so you can just print them off as they are on the disc.

But if you are then you can use the line drawings
 to colour in your self.

The papers are in blue and pink and layered  onto some plain pink card.

The Lacy border is from the Persian  Accents from Spellbinders and it is cut from Glitter card, and the blue satin ribbon has been added to the top.

I thought I would add some blue buttons for a change but then decided to add the flowers as well.

Well why not???   The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts

The fairy in the foreground has been added with   Pinflair Glue Gel   to give her height, and  the  wings have been sparkled with the lovely Glamour Dust for added effect.

A very pretty card for many occasions.

Hugs Christina xx

New CD from Polkadoodles

The new CD from Polkadoodles is full of delightful images and backing papers that all mix and match together.

It's called Sugar Plum Daisy and it is a pleasure to work with... especially if you like to make really girly cards.

I have made the card with the fold at the top and matted one of the back ground papers onto some turquoise card.

The wings on the images and the flowers have had Glamour Dust added.

The flower strip at the front of the card has been attached to some acetate and bowed slightly, to raise it off the main body of the card.

I stuck it in place behind the matting and then added them all to the card front.

I cut out another of the images and added it to the acetate strip (you can just see the shine on the acetate to the right of the child)

The sentiment is from the CD and that too has been added to a strip of acetate to allow it to float over the card front.

Hugs Christina xx

Persian Motifs and Accents

This another card made featuring the Persian Motifs and Accents from Spellbinders.... I wish they would stop coming up with new ones... it's costing me a fortune ... coz I can't resist them.

But this new set is just so gorgeous it would make any card look beautiful.

I love the lacy effect from the border die and that could be threaded with fine ribbon or dotted with pearls along the edge.

My imagination starts to go into over dive when I see a new addition ot the Spellbinders range.

The background has been embossed with Flora M-bossabilities folder

The oval behind the sentiment is the Floral ovals and I have cut the largest and the next size down.

I stamped the sentiment onto the smaller one before I cut it out and turned it sideways on top of the other.

I used some Nestabling from Want2Scrap ... but I cut it up to fit behind the rotated sentiment piece.

The silk ribbon is threaded through one of the dies from the  Ribbon Buckles  with a pearl added on top... and of course the Hatpin that goes with it.

The Hatpins and end protectors are available from the
Sparkles Group and don't forget to add the code CGDIS5 for an automatic discount at the checkout.

Hugs Christina xx

Cream and Gold

Cream and Gold is such a winning combination for any card,  but really suits the wedding theme which is getting into full swing at this time of the year.

You could add any embellishments that you have in your "Stash" ... but for mine I have added the pearly Nestabling  swirls tucked under the Floral Ovals from Spellbinders.

I have added cream ribbon that is edged in gold and tied into a large bow for the top of the oval.

The sentiment has been stamped onto the oval with Versamark and heat embossed in a fine Gold detail powder.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have the addition of Glamour Dust along the edge of the petals. 

I created the Decorative Hatpin which is removable and will make a small  a gift for the recipient.

The Hatpins come complete with end protectors from the Sparkles Group  ... and if you add the code CGDIS5  then a 5% discount off your order will be applied automatically at the checkout.

Hugs Christina xx

Spellbinders and Polka Doodles...

These Spellbinders  are some of the ones I bought at the Craft show and they are the Persian Accents, and the Floral Ovals layered over the top of the Romantic Rectangles.

The background has been embossed with the Buttefly Garden Impressabilities and the pink oval with the Crackle embossing folder.

What a great combination it is with the image from the "Pretty Sweet" CD from Polka Doodles.

I have cut small slits along side the childs knees and threaded the ribbon through to make it look as if she is sat on the ribbon, and attached a large bow to the side.... with the Hatpin  added as a small gift.

The pink gemstone swirl is from Want2Scrap and is one of many beautiful designs.

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and are a mixture of Roses and Carnations, with the Foliage at the back.

They have had a sprinkle of Glamour Dust as the finishing touch.

Hugs Christina xx