Patchwork Card

I hate to throw away pretty paper and I always think if it is big enough to make a flower then I will keep it... and I do make lots of flowers.  But this is a little different.

Making a  Patchwork Card  is really easy and will utilise more of those scraps.

There have been several ideas over the last few days to make use of them all and this is another.

The squares on this card are not very big, about 5cms,  but once added together they can look really effective.

The papers are from a CD from Funky Hand and the centre of the flowers is a brad.

The butterfly is acetate and the trail, and the Faux Stitching are created with a Sakura pen.

Try mimicking a real quilt when you make the card for a really special look.

But this is the simple and easy variation if you are new to cardmaking.


Hugs Christina xx

Mini - Envelopes

This mini-envelope is a really cute addition to your cards and will use up those odd bits of paper that you have left over.

It is created from different folds so it is best not to use a paper that is too thick or you will find it hard to fold as it is so small.

I have inked all the edges with Distress Inks and added a small velvet brad to the opening.... it doesn't actually keep it closed but it looks pretty.

Use the same papers as the rest of the card for a coordinated look.

And if you wanted too you could add a small message to pop inside the envelope for the recipient.

The small Roses in the centre of the flat flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and they just add that extra touch.

Hugs Christina xx

Paper Weaving

This little technique will use up all your left over strips of paper and as long as the colours blend then you can use any patterns that you have in your "Can't throw away" box .... Yep I have one of those too.

And although it says Paper Weaving  this can also work well with ribbons for a really pretty effect.

These papers and the Owl are from the  Papercraft Factory CD from Funky Hand and I have added
some Googly eyes to the character.

There are several collections of papers on the CD and they are suitable for any kind of card that you want to make.

You will also find downloads available on their website ... so they are yours instantly you have gone through the checkout.

Hugs Christina xx

Paper Pleating

This lovely technique has been around for years and another I learned as a child. I really don't remember where I got it from it's that long ago.

Paper Pleating  is easy to do and yet can look so pretty on a card, especailly if flowers are added too.

The flower centres are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have been added to some silk ones that I had in my "Stash" and had forgotten about.

Amazing what you find when you have a clear out!!

The Trellis edge is a Martha Stewart punch and the butterflies are peel offs.

This a card I made quite some time ago ... long before the Spellbinder days!!

Hugs Christina xx

Paper Lace

Not to be confused with the Punched Lace I added a couple of days ago..... oh no! this one is going to use up any Doilys that you may have lurking around at the bottom of your kitchen drawers.

Paper Lace  is an easy technique to create and yet still adds a very delicate look for all your cards.

Here it has been pleated along the edge of the card and all the workings have been covered by the white ribbon for a neat finish.

The image is from  LIli of the Valley  and is very cute. I have coloured the bear in with Promarkers.

The additional flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts. 

Hugs Christina xx

Paper Folded Shirt

This is an excellent addition to all your male themed cards and is very easy to make.

You can jazz up the   Paper Shirt any way you want and use it for lots of occasion.

The card open up and any sentiment or invitation can be added to the centre

One of the things I did was to make it into an dress shirt and put a dinner party invitation inside it.

You will find lots more ways to make use of this and it is one of the things I was taught as a child and have never forgotten.

Little did I know I would ever be adding it to some cards in the future.

Make them into Father Christmas outfits and let the kids use them as their cards for their school chums... and teach them how to make them too... it will keep them quiet for a while !

Hugs Christina xx

Punched Lace

Adding lace to your cards can make them look very feminine, but it can also cost money that you may not want to spend.

So how about putting all those punches that you have in your "Stash" to good use. 

They may be flowers, butterflies, stars, hearts, leaves or any others that you may have but they can all be used to create your own lace look very easily. 

This is created from a couple of scalloped strips and then all the punched shapes added in between.

Some have been sparkled up with Glamour Dust and the odd pearl added to the centre of the flowers.

The image is Maude and I introduced you to her a few weeks ago as one of the characters from the "Wrinklies" from Just Inklined 

I think she is just wonderful and such a delight to colour in with Prmarkers.

Hugs Christina xx



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