More Pen Practise ...

Humphreys' Corner

These are some images that I coloured some time ago and hopefully I have improved since I did them.

These  images  are all  from the stamp  range Humphreys Corner  from  Crafters Companion  and  they are delightful.

Some of them are coloured with Prisma Pencils and others with Spectrum Noir Pens.

 

If you are interested in colouring in,  then these Alcohol pens have to be worth looking at for ease of use and affordability.


You will find more information on them at Spectrum Noir Introduction  and some great ways to use them too ... with more planned for the coming months.

.This is Humphreys sister Lottie and doesn't she look cute.  She could be going anywhere in her pretty dress and so she would suit many occasions

 But my favorite one is  Humphreys mum and dad on their Wedding day.     This  image  is so cute.

Now I must go as I have to do some packing to do.

 We are going on Friday morning and I have done NOTHING yet towards it.   We haven't even got the suitcases out ...  and we still need to go for some stuff to take with us. 

 

So Bye for now and if I can post again before my holiday I will ... but if not then I will try to add photos from the ship itself.   Wish me Bon Voyage !!

 

And thank you for your comments on the Origami Box. I am so glad that you liked it and found it easy to do.

 

Hugs xx





 

 

 

 

Here's the pretty box ...

I have been  making more of these boxes and it is surprising how  large they are.

You would be able  to get  lots of chocolates in there if that was the gift  you were giving,  and much prettier than  a shop bought box that they come in.

Here is the White  box that I made from  Centura Pearl card from  Crafters Companion

It is a quite a sturdy  card and as the card  was 16" square the finished   box is big... just think of the  chocolates that would go  in that one.

The only problem with  that is I would be  saying  "One for the box .. and one for me...." if you know what  I mean?????

The top to the  box has been decorated  with the  Poinsettia Flowers  and I added in some  white feathers  later.

This is  the box  that is created  on the video  and because of the time  limits with  YouTube  I have had to do it in two parts.

You can find  them both  here in this link... Origami Box Tutorial   and I hope you will  enjoy it. 

And I  wonder if  you will  spot the  deliberate  mistake  .... I forgot  to add the  tag that  I cut out for the box.

But you  can see it in the photo so  I remebered after the video was  complete.

I have  used a  double sided  good quality  paper for this so that it wouldn't  tear and the  "Bling" is from  Want2Scrap

I have  also done it in a  darker colour way as I have an  Aunt who loves  this look.

So guess  what her  Christmas prezzie  will be in this  year !!!

And it will be  filled with  scented soaps and  bath crystals as  well as a face cloth and other goodies for her to use.... coz I will have eaten the choccies !

Hugs xx

Send a card please ...

My very good friend Naomi has asked if people would be kind enough to send a card to wish her young son Michael a speedy recovery after surgery.

Michael is Autistic and is due to have an operation on both his feet to help him to walk properly as he gets older.  If you can make a card for Michael it would make his day as he loves bright and cheerful things.

Don't worry if it takes you a while to make it and send it Naomi  as he is not going into hospital until November.

If you would like to participate then please visit Naomis' blog  Creative Bug On The Loose  and she will give you her address to send the card.  Please tell her that Christina  sent you and then she will know that this is a genuine request.

I thank you for your kindness as Naomi is such a warm and caring mum and Michael will adore the cards he gets.

 Hugs xx

And yet another box ...

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 Here is another Origami Box that I made yesterday.

I have had a lot of fun making them and although they can be a bit fiddly to do ...  they sure are pretty.

I decorated this one with Red Roses  created from Spiral Blossom 3  and the leaves are from the Foliage set

The pictures show you the top, inside and side views and with this one I have threaded the red organza ribbon through the flaps.

 Over the weekend I will do a video of how to make the box .... so get your self a pretty piece of good quality, double sided paper/ light card.

Gather some flowers, leaves and ribbons and we will make the box together.

This one  is slightly smaller than the pink box because of the added lace.

But I will show you how to get the lid correct for whatever size your box ends up.

You can see the ribbon threaded through the flaps at the top of the box and I have attached a box to each side,

They have been topped with a gemstone from Want2Scrap  and the lid has a string of gemstones around each edge.

It really is much prettier in real life than the photo shows and they are quite a good sized box to send a gift in to someone really special.

 The White box on the left is the largest and for that I have used some 14"x14" Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion

That link is the UK one but if you are in the USA here is the one you need.... Crafters Companion USA

And of course because it is card it is a little harder to fold but I got there in the end.

I added feathers to each of the flaps and added Poinsettia flowers  to the lid.and it would be perfect for a winter Wedding or Birthday.

You will be able to see the white box better in the enlarged view.... just click the photos.

So video to follow at the weekend and I have a couple that I want to do ... just to keep the "Film Crew" happy you understand ... can't have him slacking.

But they will be the last videos,  just  for a couple of weeks,  as we are going on a very special holiday to celebrate Griffs'  Birthday on the 10th September  and mine on the 6th March. 

We are going cruising in the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean for two glorious weeks at the beginning of October.

 Some of the places we will be visiting are Gibraltar,  Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Majorca,  Lisbon and Vigo.

So no videos for that time and not many Blog posts either ... but I am sure you will understand why.

Hugs xx

Origami Folded Box

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This pretty box was from instructions that I found in an old magazine and of course I had to try it.

It uses a good quality double sided paper that is quite thick ...  and lots of different folds.

Then once made it can be dressed up any way you want and it is not a bad sized box either.


I added the lid to it and dressed it with the butterflies from the Les Papillion set from Spellbinders

The flowers on the top are made from felt and I used the Spiral Blossoms 3 to make three in pretty shades of pink.

The Organza Ribbon is tied in a large bow with a Diamante gemstone in the centre.

I have added smaller bows around each side and added the gemstones to them also.

Around the edges of each flap I have glued some vintage crochet lace before gluing them  in place.

On the lid I have edged it with La Creme Pearls from Want2Scrap and also along the body line of each of the butterflies.

Because the paper was double sided it makes the inside of the box just as pretty as the outside.

I will be making more of these to add gifts too for any occasion.

Hugs xx

More Spellbinders ...

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 I could not resist these Spellbinders  and I am sure it is an addiction.

So here are my latest purchases and I have already started to play.

I also bought the Marvelous  Squares  and the Venetian  Accents and  Motifs  which are not pictured.

And as it has rained all day I have taken the opportunity to play to my hearts content ... and it has been lovely.

 The first card I made was using the Marvelous Squares.

For this one I cut three frames using the second and third dies in the set.

They have only been added  at the top and bottom of each frame with  tiny spot of glue.

Then I have  weaved through them a patterned strip.

I have used some white organza ribbon to make the bow and put a square Dazzler on the knot.   The "Bling" is from Want2Scrap  and trails out from the ribbon.

For the second  I  went  mad with  lots of  butterflies from the Les Papillions  set.

I cut the under layer in pastel coloured card and the filigree top layer in white.

I layered them up and glued them to the card just on the body line leaving the wings free to be curled.

There is Diamante along each body and a trail from each butterfly.

The sentiment is stamped onto the Marvelous Squares and I have threaded lilac ribbon through the edges.  I made a ribbon Rose from some wider Organza Ribbon and added it the sentiment.

The background for both cards have been embossed to add texture.... and I think they both look very pretty.

More playtime tomorrow .... oh! how I love being retired.... it's the best job in the world

Hugs xx

Lenas' Notebook

A few years ago a lady  that visits my website  sent me a small gift that she had made especially  for me.

This Notebook has been decorated with gemstones and glitters and the photo does not do it the justice it deserves ... and it sits on my desk to hold important phone numbers.

In the package Lena also sent me some handmade papers and they are all the way from India.

The colours and the work is exquisite on these papers and I was very reluctant to cut them up and use them on cards.

But the notebook was complete and I was delighted with it.

Lena is based in Mumbai ... and so maybe popping to the craft shop is not quite so easy for her.

But the work that she does is beautiful.

She has also just started her own Blog and so is very nervous about her reception.

So please pop over and give her some of your lovely support and tell her Christina sent you too.... go on make her day.

Here is the link to Lenas' Blog ...     Lenas' Works of Heart  and look at some of the tags that she has made.   My favorite  is the Clown in the first group and he is so cute.

Hugs xx

Walking the Prom...

We took a  walk along the  promenade the  other day ... which is not  something we do very  often.

But it was a  lovely day and so we  decided to take a look at one of the  newest features  to our sea front,  and there have been  quite a few over the  last few years.

Millions of  pounds have  been spent trying to  make Blackpool  an even bigger visitor  attraction.

And the sunshine always brings the people out to walk the front just as we did.

 This is the feature we went to see and it is different jokes,  sayings and song verses...  but it is all on the floor.

You can walk over it all and read the sayings and some of them are very funny.

We bought ice cream as we wandered around for an hour or more.

It is certainly a very cosmopolitan place and it does draw the visitors in.

Even more so when we have our annual light display otherwise known as the "Illuminations"  and that brings folks in from all over the world.

We also have an annual World Fireworks Competition and that is a free show on the Promenade over four weeks culminating in a Winner being selected at the end of that time.  Some of the displays are fantastic.

But of course our biggest attraction is our tower which is now well over 100 years old.

You can go to the very top of the building and it has a glass walk way if you are brave enough to try it.

Inside there is an aquarium, ballroom and circus ... as well as places to take the weight of your feet and people watch.

Always a fascinating pass time....

Especially here where people are on holiday and enjoying the atmosphere of this very unique place.

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Bracket Edge Box

I am so glad that you liked the idea of the little boxes and they really are useful even if they are small... and here is the video to show you what I did   Spellbinders Bracket Edge Box Tutorial

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But they can be dressed up in so many ways... and have you seen the price of boxes in the shop for those small gifts that you may want to give for Birthdays or Christmas.

The little embellishments around the edge of this baby box are from the Spellbinders Play Time set  from  Save On Hobbies

These two have been dressed up as baby boxes and I had so much pleasure from creating these... especially the baby girl one and adding all the pretty stuff to it.

And this is the Wedding favor one that I made on the video and I am really pleased with this.

So I hope you like them and will give them a try.

Hugs xx

 

Little Boxes ...

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 This is a little project that I am going to use to decorate my Christmas table this year.

 It will be filled with a small gift for each person.

It could be chocolates, or some bath cubes.

And although it is a small box it is just the right size to hold three tealight candles perfectly.

It is created using the Square Bracket Edge box from Spellbinders

Although it is one of the Grand templates ...  the beauty of this die is ...

... it will go through the smaller machines.

 And here I have pictured it in my Big Shot.

The top and the base of the box will go easily through my machine  and I have even embossed them to add a lovely pattern to both.

You will need to read the instructions for your machine as to layering up the cutting plates.

I have used the  Decorative Labels 1  to add to the top of my box.

And I have added some matching "Bling"  from   Want2Scrap 

I think it will make a very pretty gift and if I add a tag with each persons name it will also serve as a  place name setting too.

Hugs xx 

Damask Accents and Motifs

I didn't add a post yesterday but not because I was being idle ... in fact quite the opposite.

The Canadian company SBI (Site Build It)  that I build my website  Card Making Magic with has introduced some real state of the art tools to create a better look to the pages.

Yesterday I made a start on converting  the pages to incorporate the new features, but it will take me weeks to complete the transition as there are a  " lorra,  lorra pages"  on the website.

Some of the changes  are very subtle and behind the scenes that will not be obvious to my visitors ...what I call my  "Back office stuff"

But others have already changed the look  and are noticeable.  My aim is to increase  my visitors participation and enjoyment when they visit.

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So all I have done is make one card  and it  is as far away from Christmas as I could get.

I have used pale Lilac and White and it is all created with the   Damask Accents and Motifs.

The large bow is from purple and silver ribbon and it is wire edged which gives it more shape.

The flowers and leaves have been created from the  Accents set... and the background has been embossed.

The centre button is from Creative-Studios  and the Diamante Swirl is from Want2Scrap

So it's now time for me to get back to work on the website as I want it to be the best experience for everybody whenever they visit.

Please take a peep and tell me what you think about the new look ... the link is at the top of the page.

Hugs xx

Traditional Red and Green ...

Traditional Christmas

So for this one I thought I would use the traditional Christmas colours and stick to red and green... and here is the card.

I have used some Holly backing paper in each of the opposite corners and it is from the Christmas Collection CD from Crafters Companion

I have cut the paper across the corner and embossed the cream card that is underneath and shows  in the centre panel.

I have covered the join with some self adhesive red and gold brocade ribbon with Christmas trees on it.

The Spellbinders I have used are the Holly Accents, Floral Oval and the Fancy Tags 3 for the sentiment,  Poinsettia again ... I love the look that this flower gives to cards, and the red card swirl is from the Belle Rose set.

I have used the matching "Bling" for the Tags and some black pearly "Finesse" swirls and  both are from Want2Scrap 

The sentiment has been raised on faom pads and has  Micro Glass Beads  added to it.

The buttons in the centre of each flower are gold metal, vintage ones and they give a really pretty touch.

But I think I need to give Christmas cards a rest now and try something more intricate for a while.

Hugs xx

Poinsettia Flower Card

It's coming up to that time of year again and I have already shown you some of the cards I am going to be sending this year. 

But lots of people have this Poinsettia Flower   set and are not quite sure how to put it all together.

So what better way to show the die than ...... a video!!

Here is my latest offering for you Spellbinders Poinsettia Flower Card  and this pink version is one of my favorites.

Who says Christmas has to be Red and Green???

Not me that's for sure and maybe you want to try something out of the ordinary too.

And here is another colour scheme of cream and gold with the Pearls from Want2Scrap  around the Labels 23 shape for the sentiment.

Thank you for taking the time to view the videos that I add.

And also for leaving me lots of lovely comments on here and on YouTube... and by email to the website.

I am always available for a  chat or if I can help in any way ...  especially the new cardmakers.

The number of  views for my videos is  now at 1,170,469  and I amazed and so very grateful for the support that you give to me.

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Square Ornament

These little  Decorations have been very well received and so here is another one using up those precious dies that you may have in your collections.

So far you have two different types
 Christmas Decorations
 Heirloom Ornament

For these pretty little baby cubes I have used the Decorative Labels 1  but you can make them from any square dies that you have.

I have even made one for a Wedding and added in some of the Organza Flowers  

The Diamante "Bling" on all the cubes is from Want2Scrap

The short video tuorial  Spellbinders Square Ornament Tutorial  has been  added to the  website today.

I have another one for tomorrow using the  Poinsettia Flower  just waiting in the side lines to be added.

But  my "Film Crew" is taking me out for Sunday Lunch and so I have to go and get ready. 

Theres just no competition when it comes to a Roast Beef dinner....I can almost smell that deliious aroma  and it has to be one my most favourite meals ever.

And at least if we go out to eat then there is no washing up either ... so double bonus.

Mmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm!

Hugs xx

Exciting News ...

I am so excited about this I just have to share....

I have had an email from the lovely Sara Davies from   Crafters Companion   and   she has been watching my videos using the  Spectrum Noir Colouring System   that her company developed last year.      

This boy is the image I coloured and he is  from Mo's Digital Pencil

Sara  asked me if  would like to become involved in the Spectrum Noir Blog and I am of course delighted to say "Yes"

 

She has added my videos on colouring in Skin with these pens to her Blog and this is the post...Crafters Companion News

 

There will be more to come but I am so pleased about this offer and it is a great honor for me to be invloved in something I love doing.

This image is from Humphreys Corner and is available from Crafters Companion.

 

The pens will be out in force now as I  practise my  colouring and I will  keep  you posted as things progress.

 

But I am sure that you can imagine my delight to get this wonderful opportunity.

 

The Angels are definitiely looking after me.

 

Hugs xx