Two Winners ...

Hi Everybody,

Today the names for the Blenders has been drawn randomly by InLinkz and as promised we have two lucky people to win this super useful tool.

I hope both winners will enjoy using them and that they will let us know how they get on with them.

Both ladies have been notified by email of their win.

And you both need to send me your snail mail address so that I can get your prizes in the post.


Email me:- christina@card-making-magic.com

So who I hear you asking has won ????

Congratulations ....The winners are ....

Carol Parker  and  Marion  Hinchcliffe

You will receive five Blenders complete with Foam Pads for Water Based Inks and Five Felt Pads for use with Alcohol Inks

More to Come ...

This week has seen us working really hard on producing more of these Blenders to sell.

Please remember that we are not some mass producing company out to make a huge profit .... No it's just my "Film Crew" and I working in a drafty garage trying to give you the best tools we can for the the best price.

 They are all hand cut and sanded by  Griff and the handles are screwed on so as to give you good service...  The last thing you want is for one of these to fall off as you are working with them.   So they are very well made.

And then the rest of the production is down to me and I finish them off ... add the foam ... and pack them up. And we have quite a few packs ready to go very soon.

So to keep the cost really good Griff has modified the handle on them.   They have been trialed and they are very easy to use.

You will still get five in a pack ... complete with a foam pad on each one to use with Water Based Inks.

I am also including five felt pads so that you can interchange them as you need and use them with Alcohol Inks.

As soon as they are available I will give you the link to the shop page .... and keep my fingers crossed that you will buy.

Hugs xx

Using Acetate...

Hi Everybody,

No Jewel Box today because all I am  going to do is give it another coat of white Acrylic paint and leave it to dry ... so more tomorrow.

Here is a card with a bevelled front made out of Acetate and it comes complete with a video tutorial too.

The Acetate I have used for this is from Crafters Companion

The Decorated Hatpin is another tutorial

The Hatpins I have used are 3" long and come complete with end protectors and they are from the Sparkles Group

They can be found in Specialist Findings and  if you add in the code   CGDIS5   at the checkout you will get an automatic discount on your purchases.

The video is the  Acetate Front Card  and it will give you a very pretty card at the end. You will need to make a box to send it in because of the bevel in the Acetate ... but it is well worth it.

Blender tools

Because of the popularity of these little Blenders I have decided to give away TWO packs of them.  The draw will be completed tomorrow and so you now have two chances to win a pack of five Blenders.

 

If you still haven't added your name to the list then here is the link again ....Blender Give Away

 

Hugs xx

Jewel Box Saga ...Pt 2

Hi Everybody,

How are you getting on with sand papering your jewel boxes ???

I did most of mine by hand and then I remembered that years ago I bought one of those Black & Decker Mouse sanders and so off I went to search it.

I found it lurking away at the back of my cupboard and hastily dragged it out and dusted it off... and it worked beautifully.

Luckily there were some fine grade sand papers still in the box and  I set too and sanded the rest of the box with my Mouse

So now that I have it all stripped down and sanded the next thing to do was give it all a coat of paint inside and outside.

The first coat of white Acrylic paint looks awful and streaky ...  but don't be put off. Let it dry thoroughly and we will come back to it tomorrow.

In the meantime here is another card to tempt you with the Grand Decorative Ovals again.

this one is done in Orange and  Peachy colours and it is not one of my favorite colour schemes.

This is the Grand Decorative Ovals Card 3  and it is made in a somewhat different way.  Click the link for the video tutorial

The gorgeous  flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts



The beautiful "Bling" is from Want2Scrap  for the finishing touch around the ovals.

Hope you enjoy the video ...

The Blenders are still on offer and if you want to add your name click here

Hugs xx

Jewel Box Saga ... Pt1

Hi Everybody,

Lots of you were just as excited about the Jewel Box as I was.

And it seems that many of you have the same, or a similar box and  you are wanting to alter yours too.

The first thing is to take it all apart.

I have removed all the hinges, door  handles and drawer knobs and put them in a safe place.

And then I set too with some 120 grit sandpaper and rubbed all the shine off the varnish.

You don't have to be too precious about this because all you are doing is preparing the surface to take the next step.

The inside is going to be the tricky bit because all the material is stained and I don't really want to start pulling it apart.

So I will take some time and think about that bit and let you know what I come up with.

But for now .... get all those hinges and handles off and get rubbing the wood down for a nice keyed smooth finish.

Watch out for the ...  Jewel Box Saga Pt 2 ... coming soon to a cinema near you    (Joking)

If you're still looking for  the Give Away then click  Blending Tools  and add your name to the list.  The winner will be announced on Saturday 26th January ..... Good Luck 

Hugs xx

Look at this little treasure

Hi Everybody,

I visited my daughter over the weekend and I said in conversation that I was going to start going to the Car Boot sales and looking for items that I can alter

I said  I was looking  in particular for  old Jewelry boxes that I can alter into something really pretty  

And would you believe this is what she was throwing away because the hinges at the top are broken and the lid won't close properly.

My little eyes lit up when she said ... "You can have this if you want it " ... do I want it !!!

Now I ask you which Crafter wouldn't want this little treasure ????  

 It's gorgeous and oh what I am going to do to this.

It stands about 11" tall and has pewter handles and knobs

The mirror in the lid is in tact and all the linings  in the cupboards and drawers are there and will need cleaning.

The cupboards have holders for chains and necklaces and  the bottom drawer has a ring slots in it.

The top drawer doesn't open but under the lid there are compartments for earrings.

So I am going to take all the hinges off it and strip it all back to create something really lovely ..... and then..... she will want it back again  .....   NO Chance 

As I progress with this I will show you the stages it goes through and at the moment I have all sorts of ideas whizzing around my head.

Hugs xx

Another Ovals - Card 2

Hi Everybody,

Did you like the Ovals - Card 1 yesterday???   Well here is another to keep you interested in the coming draw.

This is Card 2 in Blue and I just love this one.

The verse inside is from Clarity stamp  and I have used the Big 'n Juicy Waterfall Inkpad.

The Diamante is from Want2Scrap and I have trailed it along the right hand side of the gatefolds.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and are a mix of roses and cherry blossoms with added Glamour Dust.

The tutorial for this card is Grand Decorative Ovals Card 2  

Hope you like 

If you are looking for the Blending Tool draw it is here ...   Blender-give-away   Just add your name to the box and your done 

Hugs xx

Spellbinder treat ...

Hi Everybody,

I am sorry to say that the winner of the Grand Decorative Ovals has not come forward and so I will be re opening that draw and giving some one else the chance to win them.

I can hear you all "Whooping" for joy now at another chance to get these beautiful Nestabilities. 

But it will a couple of weeks away yet as I have other things planned.

So just to wet your appetite for the Spellbinders here is a card I have made using the Ovals and it is in a Video Tutorial  for you to see.

Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals Card 1

Here is one in the ever popular White on White and the dies I have used along with the Ovals are  Labels 20, Belle Rose and the Floral Flourish

The Diamante to match the Label 20 is from Want2Scrap

The Hatpin is covered in the video   Decorating Hatpins

For this card I have used flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have added some Glamour Dust to the petals for extra sparkle.

They are a mix of roses and cherry blossoms and carnations to make a very pretty bouquet

The Gingham  ribbon is from my "Stash" and blended with my colour scheme perfectly.

This is another White on White with just one coloured rose.

It was shown in a video that I did a long time ago  Paper Roses  and shows you how to make them with out the aid of dies, punches or a safety net !!

Then once you have made them you can go one step further and make them look like glass with another one  ... Enameled Rose Tutorial

And there you can see another Hatpin.

At present the Give Away is  for the  Blending Tools  and it you are looking to add your name then  click the link.

The problem over adding your name is now sorted.  

If you don't have a Blog leave the URL Box BLANK  but  please add your name and email so that you can be notified if you are the winner.

Hugs xx

Blender Give Away ...

Hi Everybody,

Click for a better look...

Well here it is the
Give Away
you have been waiting for.... the one with Blending Tool

So here's what you will get if you win...

There are five blending blocks in the pack and each comes with a foam pad.

The Foam Pad  is the one to use to blend all your water based ink  ...  for an aged look around the edges of your card and papers.

Because they are removable for you to clean or replace I am also including five felt pads.

There is a short video that you may like to see if you are new to them ... How to use a Blending Tool.

The Felt Pads  are the ones to attach if you are wanting to use Alcohol Inks.

I write the names of the inks to the knobs.

 Then I always know which one goes with which ink and I store them in  a basket.

But  my "Film Crew" is working  on some kind of holder for  storage ... so watch  this  space.

We are also working on selling these soon.

So if you would like to win a set of these handmade Blenders then add your name to the list.

As always  no duplicate entries please  and if you see a red cross at the side of your name .... don't worry ... it just means that YOU can delete it if you wish.... especially if your name is there more than once.

If you don't have Blog it is not a problem .... just leave the URL box BLANK ... but add your name and your email so that you can be notified if you win.

Please leave me a comment and if you would add your name to the growing band of followers that would be lovely

 

Hugs xx

Good Luck ....

Just have to show you ...

Hi Everybody,

I just have to show you this .... and then I promise I will leave dress forms alone ... well for a little while at least.


This is one I have been  asked to make for a Mothers Day gift and I love, love, love it.

The dress form had to be black and silver.  I  painted the stand and hat peg in matt black and the skin has had two coats of a "Flesh"   acrylic paint.

I painted the dress shape in white for a base coat and then  I add Silver Gilding flakes to it.

The straps to the dress are Diamante  from  Want2Scrap

I even added in a necklace with some fine silver chain.

The skirt is black taffeta ruffles and along the side opening I added in some lace.

The braiding at the top of the waistband is black and silver.

The large silver flower hides the Velcro that holds the skirt together.

You can see the silver under layer in this photo.

And I added an even larger silver flower to the stand.  And then came the hat ...

This has the same black lace around the brim and lovely feathers with another silver flower in the centre.

It even has a small hat pin in there too.

And I am really pleased with this one and I know that the person it is going to will treasure it

Hugs xx

Valentines Day ...

Hi Everybody,

Are you making Valentines Day cards yet ???

I have designed many cards for    Making Handmade Cards and this is one I have done this week using the Sweetie Pie Kit.

There are a lot of papers, elements  and sentiments in this kit.

If you sign up for Claires' newsletter you will be able to download the lovely Floral Doodle kit.... for free

This kit has some really pretty papers in it that will go with just about anything.

The colour of these papers are so fresh and I love pale pink and pale green together.

For my card I have cut a paper doily in half and placed it behind a central strip and wrapped two pieces of Organza ribbon around the middle.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have added a little Glamour Dust to the petals to sparkle them up.

Hugs xx

Little Black Dress...

Hi Everybody,

This is the LBD that I started to paint in the video Painting Your Dress Form  ... and of course I had to leave it to dry and so it was never finished in time for the film.

 I thought I would take this opportunity to show you what I did to complete the dress form.

I made this a one shoulder style.

When it was dry I added some really beautiful Diamante and Black Pearl "Bling" from Want2Scrap  along the shoulder line and the hem of the dress.

Then the next thing was to give the form a skirt.

 It doesn't matter what material you use you can still follow the steps in the video I added yesterday 

 Dress Form Skirt

I am pleased with this but I have yet to add in the hat peg and the hat.

But the little skirt is all fringes and silver balls and it looks much better in real life.

This is the back of the dress and for this one I painted the top part of the form with a Flesh coloured Acrylic paint.

With all the exposed skin I thought it would look better.

This is another one that my family have claimed as theirs so once the hat is done it will be going to a new home 

Now although my "Film Crew" has been kept busy he did arrange for us to go out to the cinema and for tea afterwards.

I told you we were going to see Les Miserables

What a film ... I cried most of the way through it and then had to go out to tea with blotchy cheeks, red eyes and a runny nose and sit there and order food.

Griff said to me .... "You just want to go into a corner and cry don't you?" and all I could do was nod.

Hugs xx

I'm very surprised....

Hi Everybody,

After all the entries for the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Circles and all the congratulations that went out to the winner  .... I am very surprised that Cara B has not come forward to claim her prize. 

 It was such a fantastic Give Away and one I know that many of you wanted ..... badly.

But sadly there was only one ... and Cara was the one drawn randomly by InLinkz.... but where are you ???

The Spellbinders are waiting patiently to be posted to their new owner but you are nowhere to be found.

So all I can say is ...  that to be fair I will wait for one week from the announcement of the win ... which will take us up to Sunday the 20th January.

If they have not been claimed by Cara by  that date then  I will add them again to a "Give Away" and give someone else the chance to win them.

Does that seem fair to you??

P.S. The Blenders are being given away this weekend too so pop back and add your name if you would like to win these ... all hand made by my "Film Crews" own fair hand ... It goes live on Saturday.

Hugs xx

I love these ....

Hi Everybody,

Over the weekend my "Film Crew" and I have been extremely busy porducing  not one ... not two ... but THREE   video tutorials for you to see and I know you are going to love these.

I showed you how to get pattern on your dress form in the last video by using one of your favorite stamps and some tissues .

But you may not have a favorite stamp or even some tissue to hand ...  so how about this idea instead.

The new videos  will take you all the way through  Painting Your Dress Form   and creating this kind of look.

Then decorating it up with any pretty trim that you have in your "Stash"


The flowers I have added  are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

Then how about adding a

 Dress Form Skirt
to make it even more beautiful.

The stands are made by my "Film Crew" and the hat pegs are added by me to make them a little different and of course to add the Hat...

Which are the subject of the third video, because to me the hats just finish off what is a beautiful gift for any woman you care to give them too.

This is an alternative style for the hat we covered in Dress Form Hats

That video produced a hat with a rounded dome to the crown ...

This one gives you more of a Top Hat shape but is is just a pretty.

Please take a look at Dress Form Hats - Another Style   and then you will have two to choose from.

This is the finished dress form and has gone to it's new owner to stand on her dressing table.

And I have to say she is as pleased with it as I was.

Hugs xx

Wendys' Flower ...

Hi Everybody,

I promised to show you what I did with the crochet flowers that Wendy -- Spanish Crafter   sent to me and here is one of the cards.

I made this one a white on white but I inked all the edges with Antique Linen just to bring out the shapes.

The butterfly is from Les Papillion from Spellbinders and I have added pearls to the body and for the trail.

The centre is a mixture of Marvellous Squares, Decorative Labels 1, and  Decorative Labels 27

The leaves are from the Foliage set and again I have inked the edges.

The verse is from Clarity Stamps  and it says .... "If  I had a single flower ....."

And of course the flower is the beautiful white and silver flecked one from Wendy.

I have used silver embossing powder on the verse which ties it in with the flowers


I have added a large pearl cluster to the flower centre and a pearly trail from the flower.

Hugs xx

We Have A Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I have been overwhelmed at the number of entries to win the Spellbinders

Grand Decorative Ovals

There could only be one winner though and this morning the draw was done by InLinkz.

And so I am pleased to tell you that you .....

Cara B

are the lucky winner of the Give Away.  Congratulations 

I know you will love these large dies and the way that they can enhance your designs... and I hope you will post some of your photos in the  Gallery Pages  at Card Making Magic.

You can add four photos at a time and we would love to see how you put these beautiful dies to work.

This afternoon I am going to see Les Miserables ... and I have two boxes of tissues to take with me 

Hugs xx

Paper Creators Challenge

Today sees the launch of another challenge for you to enter over at  Paper Creators   This is the third one and this time it is set by Colette.

The theme for this one is "Love is all around" and of course with Valentines Day on the horizon what could be better.

These are the cards I have made and they are from the   "Sassy Sally" collection.

There are some really sweet images in there for all your girly cards.

And you can dress them up any way you wish.

This one has  Butterflies from Les Papillion. 

Some Gingham ribbon from my stash and a tiny button complete the look.

I have kept the colour scheme to the colours in the pre coloured image. 

(No not my colouring this time)

I have added glitter to the swirls already drawn onto the topper

There are also inserts on the sheet and this will give a really neat finish to any card.

This card has been made into an Easel Card  and if you click the link you will find a tutorial on how to make it ...  if you are new to cardmaking.

If you are not ...  then maybe you would like to try the more adventurous  Quad Easel   

Although not a video it will take you step by step through the details.

My claim to fame with this card is that it is the one that was featured on Create and Craft last year .... aaaaand I was credited with the idea.

So have  go and see what you come up with.

You will also find the links to all the other types of Easel Cards that can be made.

From Twisted Easel to Triple Easel they are all there.

Please pop over to Debbies Challenge and enter your cards.  You are then in the chance to win a prize.

Good Luck 

Hugs xx

I have a Gift ...

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday I received these lovely hand crocheted  flowers ... as a "Thank You"  to me ... from  Wendy the  Spanish Crafter   for the last Give Away.

Wendy was the lady who won the Enveloplus Board and she is over the moon with her win.

The card she sent to accompany the flowers is in the background.

I have layered up some of the flowers and added a Pearly Brad to the centres and they will grace the cards that I make in the next few weeks.

I will be sure to point them out to you when I have used them.

So Thank You Wendy  for the lovely gift ... it is much appreciated.

Now apparently when I thanked you ladies yesterday for your comments I missed out a MAN   .... so my apologies go to Mark and it won't happen again .... promise.

But if YOU are a fella then please leave a comment and make yourself known to us girls just as Mark has done ... and welcome to the Blog xx

And I have to say Girls that the "Film Crew" is NOT up for grabs.   I won't be adding him to a Give Away now or in the future .... but he will be coming up with some "Goodies" for us and I promise to tell you about them.

Hugs xx

You Are Amazing ...

Hi Everybody,

How I love you ladies ... you are  ALL  amazing and I  thank you all for your interest in the Blending Tools and that you would like to win them.

I get the message loud and clear that you would like the tools but no more comments please.
 And please stop with the compliments to my "Film Crew"  

His head is getting so big from all the praise he won't be able to get through the door.  He has had so much fun reading all the comments though.

Some of you have suggested that we go into selling them ..... now there's an idea for the coming months....   and Griff is now pricing up materials to go in to full scale production.

But that produces another question ....... What would you consider a fair prices for a pack of  5 Blending Tools ???   Bearing in mind the cost of one of them in your country... and of course P&P

Another thing Griff  has done is produce some very pretty stands for the mannequins and this is what they are like ....

I am in the process of sourcing  just the actual body forms  and the stands are what you would need to display them.

These are square and beveled along the edge to make them more interesting, and the doweling rod  is a good size too.

So this will be another give away in the next couple of months.

It will have everything you need to make the hat and the Dress Form ... including the peg for the hat.

It will need to be assembled by you and then you can decorate it however you wish.

And of course the videos on the Hats and the Dress Forms will show you how to do that.

I have done a lovely pink one just to give you an idea of how it will look when decorated.  The photograph is looking down onto the Form.

You can see the stand and they are in proportion to the size of the Dress Form.  

This one has been stained and varnished.

I have come up with a different style for the Hat too and you won't need the Polystyrene balls either.

This one is covered in felt with Maribou Feather  trim  and it looks gorgeous in real life.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   Any "Bling" is from Want2Scrap

Here you can see the two different styles.

The one on the right is domed and the other is shaped similar to a top hat ... but not as high.

Over the weekend this will be a video on how to make this one.

So I am planning some exciting 

 "Give Aways" 

over the next few months and I hope you will come and participate as they come up.

Hugs xx

I need your feedback please ....

My "Film Crew" has been very busy woodworking in the garage , and I told you that he has some surprises up his sleeve.

And  I think I have told you that he is a builder ... well he is soon to be a retired builder and ... rather than let him stagnate in a chair ... he is going to be doing projects for the website and this blog.

His talent is woodwork  and one of the things he did for me years ago was make me some Blending tools.

I like to use Distress Inks on my cards and to buy one of these blenders in my local craft shop was £4.99.

These are a very useful item for your crafting stash and the pads on the bottom are removable so that they can be cleaned or replaced.

Now I use a different blender for each ink and that would have cost me a fortune.

So I thought that for the next "Give Away"   I would put five together in a pack and send them out.





But what I need to know is ..... would you be interested in winning them ... or am I wasting my time???

Hugs xx

The Giveaway....

This is important regarding the Give Away

The draw for the Grand Decorative Ovals grows every time I look at it ... and now stands at 225 

I  very  stupidly   have made it run until the end of the month instead of for one WEEK 

Apologies for my mistake ... but I honestly did not think it would get the response that it has.
I will know better next time and not make it as long.

Anyway I was wondering  if you would like me to end it sooner and get it sent out ...  and then maybe add another one in the middle of January instead.

I will leave this question open until the end of this week (Saturday) and if you are happy with that suggestion     you don't need to do anything.... and no news is good news as they say, and if your name is already on the list then your chance  to win is safe.

But if you are really opposed to this then you have up till Saturday to let me know.
 Other wise  a winner will be picked on Sunday 13th January 

 Hugs xx

Fierce Dragon

Hi Everybody,

Many,  many years ago I used to go to a pottery class and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

It was a way to meet people and we made some lovely stuff.

Once it had been fired we could then paint our item  to our own taste,  and once dry we could take them home.

This was piece I made back then and this was long before I learned the finer points of colouring.

But I loved this Dragon and he sat on my shelf for many a long year.

Then he became outdated and sadly he was  relegated to the loft and he was ensconced in a cardboard box for many more years

And then .... Griff made the loft in to my craft room, and he was found ...among years of hoarded stuff ... still wrapped in paper ... in his box.

He was carefully removed and washed and buffed up to his finest again.

I find that I still love him even is he is dated and a little chipped in places.

So now once again despite having a broken tail,   he is allowed to sit on the shelf in my craft room ... and look as fierce as ever.

Thank you ... for all your concern over Griff falling off his bike
 ( even if you did laugh, and I bet you did...)

 But he really is OK... not even a bruise to show for it.

In fact today he has been out on his bike again complete with helmet and gloves.

As he pedaled up the street two teenage lads shouted after him 

"Whip it up Grandad... it'll go faster...."

And once again I fell about laughing.  Bless him ...

If you are looking for the Giveaway here it is for you to  add your name to the list for the

   Grand Decorative Ovals

Hugs xx

Picture this ...

My "Film Crew" ... in his retirement ... has decided that he is going to keep fit,  and so he has taken to riding his bike again.

He dons his helmet and his fingerless  "Go Faster" gloves and cycles his way around the streets.

Now we have a lane that runs behind the house that has security gates at each end and they have to be opened and closed each time.

Am I setting the scene for you with this story ???

Well Griff ... without getting off his bike ...  opened it and wheeled his way through .... then still on his bike he tried to pull it closed  behind him as he went.

But his back wheel got caught in the gate spokes and ... as he tried to pedal away  ...... He Fell Off !!

He didn't even have time to put his foot back down to save himself and so the bike just went sideways.... and so did he.

At that moment in time a lady with her children and dog walked past.

And the dog decided to cock it's leg up on the lamppost ... and so they all  had a good view.  

He hurriedly picked himself up and started fiddling with the bike.   "Chains ...." he muttered as he smiled sweetly at her.

 The kids laughed and when he told me so did I

I  had vision of the woman saying to her husband ... "I've just seen a  poor owd man fall off his bike..."

 He's not hurt I hasten to add  ... just his ego is a little dented.

The link for the   Grand Decorative Cicle    is stiil open till the end of the month

Hugs xx

I am so excited......

Hi Everybody,

As you know I have been busy adding colouring tutorials with the Spectrum Noir Pen system

The videos  have been  featured,  all of them,  on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

The link is to the latest addition to the series,  but the most exciting news was that it prompted this email.

I received  this last evening  from Jennie Black who is the director of education for Spectrum Noir and this is what she wrote .....

Christina,

I am totally thrilled with the video that is on the website today.  I would like to have you part of our teacher accreditation program, and approve you as Spectrum Noir Accredited Instructor,  as well as your Accredited Colorist Status. 

You have shown outstanding teaching skills, and we would be proud for you to hold this title.

In addition, I would be honored if you would allow me to show your video at our upcoming instructor meeting that we are holding next week.

I am thrilled with your work and so happy you are willing to share it with the world.

Jennie Black

Director of Education,  Spectrum Noir

Isn't that just the best compliment any body could get and I am absolutely thrilled.  I read it out to  Griff last night with laughter and tears at the same time.  I can't believe it ....I just wish I could be at their meeting but alas it is in America.   But what a buzz it gave me last night I can't tell you how I feel.

Now onto other things... if you are wanting to enter the draw for the Spellbinders then you have to go here ....Grand Decorative Circles   and add your name to the list .... but only once please as duplicates will be removed to keep it fair to everybody.
I believe that there have been some problems with adding your links .... well I have been onto InLinkz and they have told me how to sort it ...... so it's sorted.... I hope.

Please let me know if there are any further problems.... email me christina@card-making-magic.com ... and you don't need to have a Blog either, just leave the URL box blank

Another thing is that people think they can't enter if they live in Germany or America.  Please add your names ... you have as much chance as anybody else and I will be delighted to send you the dies wherever you live.

Coming Soon ...

My "Film Crew" is busy at the moment in the garage creating a wonderful surprise for all of you and it is something that I will be giving away to one lucky winner... and I know you will all want one when I do.  

Hugs xx

Don't forget to add our name to the Linky to win the   Grand Decorative Circles

Another "Freebie" for you...

Hi  Everybody,

This is the continuing saga of the wrong Spellbinders from Scrap-Mart.

They have given me an apology and offered me a voucher to spend in their shop.... and told me to keep the dies.

So because I now have two sets of the same dies I am offering you the chance this month to win the extra set.

The Grand Decorative Ovals   produce  quite a large oval ... which can be used to create the whole card shape or used to add matting and layering effects to your designs.

It is a set well worth having and the offer will run throughout January ... so if you would like to be the winner then add your name to the box.  The same rule applies as the last give away and that is no duplicate entries please.

If you add your name more than once it will be removed to keep it fair to everybody.  And if you are new to the Blog and wanted to become a follower then that would be very nice too.

Leave me a comment and let me know that you have entered or what you think of the blog itself.

If you don't have a blog it is not a problem  ... just leave the URL BOX BLANK  ... but please leave your name.

Good Luck 

Hugs

Another way to use ...

Hi Everybody...

I told you the story about the late Spellbinders I have only just got ...  and of course it is far too late to use the Holiday Tree on my Christmas cards.

Not to be outdone I have used it anyway.

I am always encouraging you to think outside the use for which a die is intended and this one is no different.

So I have cut it out .....

... and the turned it on it's side and added it to the corner of the card.

I then trimmed the edges to fit and glued it in place.

Click the photos .... it makes them bigger

I have added in a double layer of Gingham and some Organza ribbon and a  Gingham bow.

The tiny red rose in the centre is from
Wild Orchid Crafts.

My topper is a stamp from Crafters Companion
coloured with Spectrum Noir Pens.

Not bad eh ???

Hugs xx

Colouring with Green

Hi Everybody ...

Yesterday saw my "Film Crew" up his ladder filming the latest video in the Colour Class Series.

This fabulous Dragon is from the Just Inklined CD  "The Next Big Thing"

There are some really good images on the CD but if you click the link it will take you to their website where you can buy the  images individually.

For this tutorial I have used the six pen set and the Colour Class Greens will show you how I coloured him in.

The links to the others in the series are in the right hand column on the website,  and each will open a new window for you to view.

Once he is coloured you can decorate the card any way you wish.

The background on both cards is finished with Clouds ... and the short video will show you how to get the look for yourself.

I have added in  colour coordinated flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley

The branches are using the Spellbinders Cherry Blossom set.

And my beautiful "Bling" is from Want2Scrap

Hugs xx

Happy New Year ....

Welcome to 2013...

 

Hi Everybody

Here we are with the start of a brand new year and I hope that you all get what you want from life.  I wish you all happiness and health,  as they are the two most important things you can have.

 

I am starting the New Year with Thanks to all you lovely people who come onto my Blog pages and leave me comments on a regular basis. 
Do you know that the Blog will be ONE Year old in February? 

A big Thank You also to  the visitors to my website ... that means so much to me as the website is the thing that helped me to give up going out to work.
Card Making Magic  has been my baby now for almost four years and it just gets better and better.

 

It is all thanks to YOU ... you are what make it all worthwhile and I love it when you tell me that you are enjoying what I try to do.  There are many more things to come in this New Year .... in fact today my "Film Crew" and I are going to be doing another in the Spectrum Noir Colour Class Series.

 

This one will be with Greens so get your pens at the ready for the next tutorial.... and if you have the CD from Just Inklined "The Next Big Thing"  I will be using one of the digital Dragon Images for my project.

 

I am so glad that you liked the Dress forms and the Hats.  I love them and so do all the girls in my family ... they all want one!!  And a little note on the Dress Forms.... the SHAKER PEGS that I have used in the top of the form to hold the hat are from B&Q and you will find them in the Builders Department for building a staircase. There are 10 in a box for about £6 ... hope that helps you to find them.

 

Thanks also for ALL the support I have had ... both here on the Blog, and in emails, and on Facebook with regards my Rant yesterday. It would seem that many of you also have complaints about other big companies.

 

It has been suggested that I go direct to PayPal as that was my method of paying.   I did do that but because the order and payment were older than 45 days they could not help. So how does that leave many folks who have bought stuff online with a Pre-order.

How do you get your money back if you can't get your goods and PayPal can't help. It seems very unfair to me, and  people cannot afford to loose money in that way.

 

PayPal did suggest though that I took my complaint direct to my own bank and see if they could help.

But at the moment I will wait and see if they send me the correct Spellbinder.  Because I have now had all the dies .... ordered last July ... even though the last part of the delivery was wrong.

 

I will keep you posted.  I am always happy to tell you of companies I find that are good to deal with. But by the same token I will also tell you of those that are not.

 

 

 

Happy Crafting ...

 

Hugs xx