Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

May 25, 2013

Beautiful Blue

 Hi Everybody,

This card is much prettier in real life and the colours are soft and delicate.

The papers are from the Floriography CD from My Craft Studio and there are lots and lots of really beautiful ones on that disc.... I use it a lot for gentle girly cards.

There are a lot of layers to this card with a mix of the dies listed below,  and I have used foam pads to separate them for extra height.

It is another Hinged Card as I really like the style
The inside has been lined with the same papers and the ribbon is from my "Stash"

The Pearls are as always from  Want2Scrap  and the solitary flower is a really old one from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I don't even think they do them any more.

I like this card ... it is easy on the eye and the colour is very pretty for any occasion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




May 24, 2013

Ruby Red ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards uses lots of different Spellbinders in a layered look and they are all listed below for you.

It was a card that I didn't like as I started to make it.

But I persevered and added stuff .... and the more I added the more I liked it.  

The hearts have been added with foam tape and they really stand out from the card ...  which is not obvious in the photo.

The finishing touch was adding in the bow,  made from the ribbon that was one of the best bargains I have found in a long time.

I have created a double bow  Using a Bow Maker  and to the centre I have added a small rose from Wild Orchid Crafts

I made this card for no particular reason but I added a sentiment to it from Lili of the Valley   that says "Together Forever"  

Around the edge of the centre piece I have added in some red self adhesive gemstones from  The Hobby House


May 23, 2013

Gorgeous Green ...

Hi Everybody,

My posts for the next few days will be scheduled so I hope they work OK.

My "Film Crew" and I are going to Whtiby on Friday until Monday and I am really looking forward to this short break.  So fingers crossed that everything works as it should until I am back home.

Do you like Green ???

This card was made with the Matting Basics to create the Hinged Card  and the white layer was embossed.

I created a frame from the Radiant Rectangles and added it to the top with foam pads.

The tiny Diamante stones were added to each to the scroll parts.

The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed in silver ...  and that too is on foam pads.


The large Diamante flourish is from Want2Scrap  ... and they have now started to add the option to buy some of their gemstones by 1/2 cups  and that is a really cost effective way to get some.

The Dazzler in the bow is from Creative Studios. and these can be bought in different shapes and sizes as well as colours to match your theme.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and to the bow I have added in a collar for extra effect.

And just to add in a little extra I have embossed the envelope to the card.

  I have left space for the address and stamp but the rest of it matches the pattern on the card.   The finished card will fit into a standard sized envelope for posting.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx








May 22, 2013

The Art Studio ...

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to be part of a team that produces online  classes in many different subjects.

The classes will be from instructors with many lovely skills and cover lots of areas that may be new to you ... and some of the names may even be already known to you in the crafting world.

It is my pleasure  to tell you that I have joined the team of instructors for  "The Art Studio"  and the subjects I have chosen to teach are Spellbinders and Spectrum Noir .... so no surprises there then ....

The Art Studio is part of the  largest online magazine Scrapbook News and Review.

The first class is for Spellbinders and will be in video format  .... from yours truly.

It is designed to show you how to get the most from these wonderful dies.  I will take you step by step through making many different styles of cards using the dies that I have in my collection.

A list of the Spellbinders that I am using will be available so that you can follow along with me as we make two or three cards each time.

I am hoping that you will join in and create alongside me ... and let me know of any particular Spellbinders sets that you want to work with that you aren't too sure about ... and if I have them as part of my collection then I will be happy to show you.

The first class will be going live on the 1st June and the link to The Art Studio Blog will keep you up to date with everything that is new and the classes that will be available,  from me and the other instructors,    for you to purchase.

Excited hugs xx



May 21, 2013

Un published Comment



I have had a comment from someone earlier today,  who has more or less told me off about copying and yet not crediting my cards as based on someone elses'  Spellbinders cards ....  and I would like to get something very clear ....


There are hundreds of different dies and hundreds of people who use them to make their cards ... and so hundreds of people can all have the same or similar idea at any one time.  I am in the very  lucky position to have many many dies and I like to play to come up with these ideas that are pleasing and easy to recreate by anybody.

The Spellbinders blog has many tutorials on how to use  their product and get the best from them ... and there are hundreds ... if not thousands ... of YouTube Videos on how to use them too.  All there for everybody to take and use in their own special way.   I myself  have many videos on using Spellbinders on YouTube that have been around for a few years now.

I mean no disrespect to lots of very talented cardmakers ... who also use these dies ... but I have no need to copy their work and claim it as my own.    The cards I make are from my head and having the time to play around with all the different shapes ... seeing what works with what and putting them together.

I  always take the time to credit items or ideas on my blog to the people who deserve the credit and I have hundreds of links to other blogs, websites and companies both on here and on Card Making Magic that can attest to that fact.

I have not published the comment as I find it quite offensive and it's not the first time this person has written to me on the same subject.  

Lots of people take my ideas, or my free papers and use them   and I don't get upset or expect it when I don't get the credit for that.   So please no more comments or emails ... I find them very tiring.  And how would you know that the idea didn't come from me in the first place ?????










One die ... 2 cards

Click to Enlarge
Hi Everybody,

The two cards featured today are another example of how one die can look so totally different when used in another way.


The die in question is the  Layered Scallop Posy

In the first card I have cut it out twice to form an elongated circle and then embossed a centre strip and wrapped the ribbon around it. 

The bow is a Double Bow with Tails made using the Bow Maker
and the centre has the addition of a
 Wild Orchid Flowers


In the second card I have again cut the shape out twice but used it  as a filigree insert for the Elegant Labels Four 

Both are done in the same blue and white card.

The ribbon on the second card is a thin Gingham and it has been  made following the    Ruffled Ribbon Technique  with a tiny bow added to the top

The addition of some small Want2Scrap   pearls are the finishing touch.

Important News

The   Discount Offered   for the CD "Wishes and Kisses" will run until the 2nd June so grab it while you can  (click the  discount link) 

Then go to the Funky Hand website and use it at the checkout to get £6.00 off your purchase...

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  





May 20, 2013

Remember that Ribbon ???

Hi Everybody,

A couple of weeks ago I told you about a fantastic ribbon bargain I bought at the Craft Show in Manchester.
Click to Enlarge

Well for these cards I have kept to the plain white theme again but simply added in some colour using the ribbon

The Spellbinders used on the cards are listed below and they have all been made to the Hinged Card  style.

This bow is a Double Bow with Tails and  has been created with the  Bow Maker   that is now for sale in My Shop

I have used is a good quality 300gsm  card  that I bought at the craft show and it is from Anna Marie Designs

It is pure white, super smooth  and can go through some printers and the finished effect is excellent ... aaaaaaand it looks wonderful when embossed !!

The flower on this blue ribboned card was one of many that I sat one night and created while watching the telly.

I had some buttons in my "Stash" that can be covered and so I used the same ribbon to do that too and added it to the flower centre.

But it just shows what a difference a little colour can add to an all white card.

Quick and easy to do if you need a card in a hurry.

Then with the addition of some pearls ...  or the Diamante buckle the card can look really special for you to give with love ....

So there we have three plain cards all created to the same style ... all kept to basic white ... but all looking totally different to each other.

Important News


Don't forget the discount offered from Funky Hand if you wanted to buy the CD "Wishes and Kisses" (Click the discount link)

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 19, 2013

Important News ...

Hi Everybody,

I have just had a lovely email from Anice the owner and designer of Funky Hand and she has offered anybody that wants to buy a copy of any of her CD's a really good deal.

If you wanted to purchase the featured CD "Wishes and Kisses" ... then Anice is giving you £6.00 off a copy of that .... or any of her other discs from now until the 2nd June.  

So you have two weeks in which to get this lovely CD for your self at a really good price of £9.99 instead of £15.99 .... an offer not to be missed.

All you need to do to get the discount is add the code   FRP05   at the checkout and the discount will be applied automatically.

Hope that helps..... more tomorrow

Hugs xx


Plain to Pretty ...

HI Everybody,
Click to Enlarge

Well that was a very successful draw yesterday and the "Wishes and Kisses" CD is an excellent prize to win.

So if you didn't  win you can still get a copy if you pop over to Funky Hand   and  treat yourself.

Todays card is on another note altogether and I know I said that flowers make the difference but  there's not even a flower on this one.

What I wanted to do was show how a pretty card can be transformed into something special without them or a lot of embellishments.

This is a 5 x 7 Hinged Card    and the background has been embossed with the Regal M-Bossabilities  folder.

Then 20 small pearls from Want2Scrap  are  all it took to make it look so much better.

I have kept to an all white theme and this could suit many occasions.

The  pretty white ribbon has embroidered hearts and is from The Ribbon Room

The sentiment is from Clarity Stamp which is another UK based company for beautiful quality stamps.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx