Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

December 20, 2013

A2 Cards ...

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday someone sent me a plea to make some videos with cards in a smaller size ... namely A2 as she had bought this size Spellbinders and was not very happy about it.

Please don't be despondent about your purchase  Fizz as there is so much you can do with this size die and hope fully I can give you some ideas.

I also had emails from several  other people this week with the same request.

So I am going to do some tutorials to show you what you can achieve with the smaller dies.

Fizz  you also asked me about sizes and weights and so this video will explain some of the basics ... because as a new card maker it can be confusing.



Both of the cards on todays post are also using the Matting Basics A and B sets in the A2 size.    Just because the card is small doesn't mean it can't be dressed up as the larger ones.

The list at the bottom of the page will show you what some of the other A2 Card Creator dies look like ... and these are the ones I will be using in the next few videos.

I am   NOT  for one minute suggesting that you go and buy all these dies ... only that I will be giving some ideas with them

The videos will be with you soon and I hope they will help.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





December 19, 2013

We are Special ....

Hi Everybody,

Cream is the order of the day for this little card but it has lots of layers to it.

I have teamed it with a really pale shade of green with paler cream flowers on it and it works quite well together ... though the green is not really showing on the photo.

The verse is from the Every day sentiments from   Lili of the Valley  and is just one of a set of lovely verses on one sheet

The dies have  been layered with foam tape, and with  Satin edged Organza ribbon wrapped around the bottom.

The single rose is from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have sparkled it with fine glitter from  Glitter Magic

The beautiful pears are from  Want2Scrap  and I have added tiny ones all around the Scalloped edge

Please Note ...

I have been using the older Spellbinders in many of the latest cards that I have been showing as they are such a considered purchase,  and they are some I have had for a long time.

We all need to get as much use out of the SB's that we buy,  after all  you don't buy a set of dies for a one time use only. 

But I must stress to you that you can get them cheaper if you shop around .... Ebay, Amazon, Save on Hobbies, Sunrise Crafts, Once Upon a Stamp and many many more discount places.

The list of the dies that I add at the end of each post is there for information  purposes only to show you the dies available ... so that you know what to look for when you go shopping.

Do your research and find the best possible  price for your self ... you owe it to yourself to get the bargains.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





December 18, 2013

Spellbinders Flower dies

Hi Everybody,

Thank you for your comments on the flowers added yesterday ... it seems I am not the only one to like flowers.

So here is another tutorial on using Spellbinders dies to create some very pretty ones for your cards.

There are lots more videos on the website using different materials to create even more ...  and  not just with Spellbinders.

If you have the time pop over there for a browse around.

Here are some links for you ...
Organza Flowers ...  Felt Flowers with SB  ...  Ribbon Rose  ...  Paper Roses  ...  Enameled Roses




Below you will find a list of some of the dies that I have used to create flowers on some of my cards over the years.
  Many of these dies are available at a very good price from   Save On Hobbies   

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx



December 17, 2013

Flower Power ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using a die that has been around for quite some time.

But having said that it does make some really pretty flowers.

I have just created a single flower and added it to the Bella Rose flourish and I am pleased with the look of the card.

The sentiment is from the Sentimentals range from Crafters Companion  and there are lots of lovely words in the sets.

It has been heat embossed in silver.

The Aster Flower die is available from  Save On Hobbies  and is on a sale price at present.

The making of the card has been filmed to show you what I did and I hope you will enjoy the short tutorial






The only die I have used that I couldn't list for you was the little corner one that was used for the pocket and in the sentiment frame.... and it was the Filigree Corners from JustRite.

More tomorrow ...

December 16, 2013

Smile ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

This lovely card is created with lilac Centura pearl and white card and is one I have added to my Etsy Shop.

It really is very pretty with all the embossing which is created from the Ornate Butterflies folder from  Crafters Companion

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they are a mixture of Roses, Carnation, Chrysanthemum and Aster.

They have been sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic  and I have added in Diamante from Want2Scrap

But the touch of luxury is the ribbon and Diamante buckle along the bottom of the card that is my finishing piece.

The swirl ribbon is from Reasonable Ribbon and is part of their monthly ribbon club.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



December 15, 2013

It's all white ...

Hi Everybody,

A card that is very simply an A4 cut  in half and a hinge added at the top giving me lots of space to dress it.

I have used the Tied Together embossing folder from Sunrise Crafts  and this is a folder that sells out time and time again.

The flowers are from a stamp from   Stamps by Chloe and the centres are little pearl clusters from Wild Orchid Crafts

But what I would like you to take a closer look at is the edge...

This is created using one of the Stitches dies from Tattered Lace  ... and there are six different stitches in the set

They make a very pretty look and as I use the others in the set I will be sure to show you.

And they save all that messing  about with a ruler and a Poky tool trying to get the edges straight and the corners to line up correctly .... pain!.

This will give to a  quick, clean and straight edge to your cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 14, 2013

Rose garden ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card uses just the matting basics sets and the small labels.

The Trellis card is from AnnaMarie Designs and I have used Diamante to stud the framework.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have the addition of fine glitter on them from Glitter Magic

The lovely sentiment is from Crafters Companion and is one of the Sentimentals range and there are lots of lovely words in whichever set you choose

I have embossed it in silver and then added Diamante from Want2Scrap  to the label

I hope you enjoy browsing the websites I have linked you to for some really pretty finds for all your cardmaking.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





December 13, 2013

Letterpress ...

Hi Everybody,

This lovely card was created using the Letterpress Technique

On this particular card I have used Spun Sugar Distress Ink and the result is very subtle

The Diamante flourish is from Want2Scrap  ... and the ribbon is from my "Stash"

The beautiful flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they are perfect for this very feminine card.






You can use any embossing folder that you already have in your collection ... the list at the bottom is just to show you what I used for the  card at the top

Experiment with your folder as you will get a different look with the ink from each side ... and one may please you more than the other.

Have fun !

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




December 12, 2013

Fancy cards ...

Hi Everybody,

This is a card I did quite some time ago and I am now being asked how to do it.

And so the video is added here to show the steps.

And the beauty of this is that it can be done from any die that you already have in your "Stash" that  has a fancy edge to it and you will get the same result.

This card is using the 5x7 Detailed Scallops and the card it creates is a nice size to add things to in layers.

I have created the hinge at the top but it could just as easily be hinged to make it landscape style.





This is a smaller card created from the Decorative Labels Eight but the effect is just as pretty.

Grab your cuppa and take time to relax ... and then enjoy making the card for yourself.

You may need to pass the card through your machine a couple of times to get the layer on the hinge to cut ... depending on which die cutter you use

But persevere and then gently ease it from the die and you will be delighted with the result.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx