Where to get some "Freebies"

Hi Everybody,

This is something that is worth sharing ... and it will give you an endless supply of images and papers for all your crafting needs.

These are blogs and websites that I have used many many times and they are extra special because a lot of their goodies are FREE ... or very reasonably priced.

The card is one I made years ago and had forgotten about until I found the photo in my Picasa library.

Because it is such an old card the images that are now offered for free will be different

But it gave me the idea to write this page and to share with you some of the places I visit on a regular basis.

Free Digital Downloads   is the page on the website and all the links on the page will open new windows to other blogs or websites.

But  PLEASE read their angel policy carefully as some of the images and papers are for personal use only.

One link on the page is to some papers I played around with designing and those you can use as you wish ... they are not of the standard as some of the others designers ... but at least I had a try ... and will hopefully get better.

I have made my cards on that page from my  Free Backing Papers so at least you get some idea of what they are like

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx   

No Flowers !!

Hi Everybody,

Here I am again .... minus the flowers !!

This card is created with  white and a dark blue pearl card from  Papermill Direct  which is based in  Kendal .. and is a really thick at 300 gsm

I buy a lot of my card from there and it is always good quality,  and  I love the white card which is usually the basis of my designs.

The sentiment is one of the  Sentimentals Range  from  Crafters Companion  and there are lots of verses for you to choose.

They are a  rubber stamp that will last you a lifetime ,,, but they are unmounted.

Can I just  stress to you  that the list of  Spellbinders  that I add at the end of the  post is there for your information.

It simply shows you what the dies look like if you should wish to look for them in your local shops

I am not suggesting for one minute that you buy the dies from that list... what I do say is ...  shop round for the best price you can get.

You may get the best deal from a craft show you go to ... your local craft store ... or one of the online suppliers that are plentiful.

The dies featured  here I have bought form either  Sunrise Crafts  or  Once Upon A Stamp ... and both of these are UK companies with excellent service.

But please, please do your research for the best price possible before you buy.

Now the links that I add to the actual page are where I get the items that I have used from.

 I do not get paid for the recommendation but it is there for you to take advantage of if you wish and to know that it has come from me because I know it is good quality.  I would not add it otherwise.

Don't forget to add your name to the list for January "Give Away" 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S6-001 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*PREORDER S6-002 Spellbinders 5 X 7 MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

*S6-008 Spellbinders EXQUISITE LABELS ELEVEN Nestabilities Dies

*S5-071 Spellbinders TWISTED METAL TAGS & ACCENTS Shapeabilities Dies Samantha Walker New 2011

*S4-246 Spellbinders LABELS ELEVEN 11 Nestabilities

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And now for some boxes ...

Hi Everybody,

A question  I am often asked is ... how do  I send my cards with so much  height on them

The best and  safest way is to make a box for it and decorate it to compliment the card.

I realise that this may be the  costliest way to send the card especially  through the post.

But if you make a card that is beautiful then  it has to be worth the protection.

This card has lots of flowers from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have been sparkled with fine glitter from  Glitter Magic

The pearls are from Want2Scrap  and Sunrise Crafts have the Quatrefoil Pattern die  which is part of the background

So here is a video on making boxes for the US A2 sized cards that I have been covering just lately.



 It can be adapted to make a box for any sized card that you make though so make use of the tips when you create your own cards.

And there are other videos on different ways to make different sized boxes on the website ...  Cardmaking Tutorials

And don't forget to make use of your Acetate for the lids too.

This one has been made from some very pretty embossed Acetate that I have in my  "Stash" and it creates a whole luxury look for any of your cards.

I am being asked a lot about the sentiments I use and the one on this card is from Crafters Companion and is one of the Sentimentals Range 

There are several different sets for you to choose from so read them and see which one you prefer.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S5-131 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-132 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*S4-356 Spellbinders FLORAL OVALS Nestabilities Dies NEW 2012

*s4-112 Spellbinders Nestabilities CLASSIC OVAL SMALL

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A2 Filigree Delight

Hi Everybody,

For this card I thought I would stay away from flowers and ribbons and keep it more suited to a male theme.  I have filmed the making of it.

But I had to add in some pearls otherwise it would have been too plain.

For the card to the right I have added in the Quatrefoil Pattern in the oval space and I bought mine from  Sunrise Crafts

The addition of some flowers would change the look of the card totally

This is just a very simple idea for the Filigree Delight

But there is so much more you can do with it .. and indeed all the A2 dies that I have been showing you over the last few days.

On both of these cards I have placed some of the pearls from Want2Scrap

The sentiments for each are from the Sentimentals Range from   Crafters Companion

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S5-131 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-132 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-177 Spellbinders A2 FILIGREE DELIGHT Nestabilities Dies NEW 2013

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To Start the New Year ....

Hi Everybody,

To get the New Year off to a good start I thought I would add this fantastic "Give Away"  which really is a mixed collection of items.

So what is in the pack ...
5 Ribbon spools from Fantastic Ribbons
6 metres of Braid trim
1 pack of floral lace trim
1 pack of beaded trim
1 pack of peels offs
2 mtrs x 6 different colors of wide ribbons
Mixed pack of buckles (Diamante, pearl and wire)
1 box of felt shapes
1 box of mixed buttons
1 box of mixed charms
3 Ink Blenders with interchangeable pads
12  packs of  "Bling"
3 sheets of voile in different colors ... and last but not least
"Pretty In Porcelain" CD from My Craft Studio  .... Not a bad prize to win is it ???

But there is only one of these "Give Away" packs  this time and the offer will be open for one week.  The winner will be notified by email so if you enter then keep your eye on your inbox.  I would hate you to miss it as the email is  in your Junk mail.

You will then have a few days to claim the prize or it will be re-drawn for some one else to benefit.

The Art Studio Class ...

 
Hi Everybody,

My new class ...  Spectrum Noir - Lesson Three  ...  is now available with The Art Studio.   I must apologise for the  delay in this tutorial due to the upgrade  in the pens brought  about at the end  of last year.   It is with you now and I hope you will enjoy it.

This pretty little image is Lottie from the Humphreys Corner Collection from Crafters Companion.


She has been colored with Spectrum Noir ...
Lottie/Shoes       IG1 IG2 IG3 IG5
Dress/Hat          PP2 PP4 DG2 DG4
Shadow             IB1

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley  and the papers I already had in my "Stash"

The card style is one I did a few years ago and although it is an older video it still gets the idea across  and so I am adding in the Easy Stepper Card for you to view if you wish



It is not long and I must admit I do things a little differently now but the principle to make the card is the same.  I hope you enjoy it and will give this simple style a try.

There is going to be a New Year "Give Away" starting in the morning so I hope you will join in

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More with Acetate ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another pretty card that uses Acetate for the front and it is very easy to make.

The flowers are a mixture using Spellbinders and some from Wild Orchid Crafts

The list is at the end of the post for the dies used to create the handmade flowers.

The embossing is from a folder called Cracked Ice but I have had it so long I can't remember where I got it from.

The page on the website is Acetate Front Card Tutorial  if you should care to read it.

The tutorial is not long but it has been around for a couple of years and it has had over 46,000 views and some lovely comments too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*S4-328 Spellbinders FOLIAGE Leaves Shapeabilities

*S4-351 SPIRAL BLOSSOMS 1 Rolled Flowers Spellbinders New 2011

*S5-086 Spellbinders BITTY BLOSSOMS Shapeabilities Dies Donna Salazar NEW 2012

*E8-003 Spellbinders CLASSIC TRIPLE SCALLOP Edgeabilities Dies New 2011

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The White Card ...

Hi Everybody,

Happy New Year ...   to you all and I hope it is a very happy one for everybody.

 I am hoping that this year will match if not better the last one as 2013 was wonderful for me.

 Yesterday I added a video to  explain  why I  make my cards the way I do  and it was very well received.

But in the video there was a  white card that I had made and that has sparked quite a lot of interest.

I have had comments, emails and  requests  to  show how it was   made.

Well the good news is that I made that video almost two years ago.

So what do you need to make it ???

Well first of all you need an Easter Egg in an Acetate dome and then you will have to eat the contents .... nothing difficult there then !!

Save the Acetate casing and then follow the steps in the tutorial as you eat the chocolate .... easy peasy

Here are two versions of the card because the egg was encased in both of these domes ... so creating two cards and I have added Spellbinders Blossoms to the mix.



I have used the Classic Ovals both plain and Scalloped but you can use any oval in your collection  that will fit around the particular egg dome that you have or buy.

And these acetate domes can be bought in many sizes and shapes  from most good craft shops.




I hope you enjoy both the video and your chocolate as you make the card for your self and feel really good about your recycling efforts in the process.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*s4-113 Spellbinders CLASSIC SCALLOPED OVAL SMALL Nestabilities

*s4-112 Spellbinders Nestabilities CLASSIC OVAL SMALL

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In Response ...

Hi Everybody,

I have been  asked why I do two particular things to my cards when I make them ...

1. Why do you add in the extra hinge to your cards
2. Why do you add the lining to the inside

I explained to my enquirer why I did these things but it occurred to me that if one person was wondering about this then so may others.

And so in true Christina style I decided to do a  video and explain why to everybody.

It was one of those videos that I asked my self should I really be doing and would people think I was being to trivial.

But after just two hours on YouTube it had had 105 views and five comments from crafters saying it had helped them .. so maybe not so trivial after all.




Thank you to all those who have viewed the video and taken the time to let me know that you enjoyed it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

A2 Locking Loops

Hi Everybody,

This is another A2 card  that has been made into a tutorial and the pretty pattern  is called Locking Loops.

It is designed by Cindi Echtinaw and I was  delighted yesterday when the lady herself  left me a comment on YouTube saying she liked the card.

What an honor to be noticed by the person who created the die.

So here for you is the short tutorial on how I made this card and it is another one to add to your A2 collection of dies.




The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and as always they have been sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic    The Diamante is from Want2Scrap  and the sentiment is one of the Inspirational Sentiments from  Lili of the Valley

Some one asked me which glitter it is that I buy and to be honest I buy loads of it from Glitter Magic when they are at the Craft Shows.

All I asked the assistant for was the one that is like Glamour Dust and she said   "You will need this one ...."  and handed me a pack so I really don't know which one it is  ... I just know I bought five packs and got one free for a fiver ... always a bargain at the craft shows.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial ...  and I have several more in the pipe line with A2 Card Creator dies ... but don't forget to shop around for the best prices to buy your dies.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S5-131 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-132 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-175 Spellbinders A2 LOCKING LOOPS Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

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A2 Card Video ...

Hi Everybody,

What a fantastic night out we had last night with our families.  It was so good for us  to get together and we all enjoyed it.

After the meal we all came back to our house and ended the night playing  games with all the children.

The restaurant was very busy but the atmosphere was really welcoming and now we know why it is our favorite place.

So onto the card that is featured today...

 It is created using the A2 dies from Spellbinders and as promised it has been filmed.




The card that is produced is 4 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches ...  but I have given you an alternative idea to make a bigger card so that you are not restricted to just the small size.

I have also had several emails from my friends across the water who tell me that they cut  their Letter size in half to produce two cards and that is also called A2 size.

But this card is making the most of the A2 Spellbinders.  The sentiment is from the Sentimentals Range from Crafters Companion

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have been sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic.

The  pearls are from Want2Scrap

The large card that I showed Griff holding from his daughter was NOT made by me .... but shop bought in the UK ... and given to him by hand NOT posted.

I hope you will enjoy the short  video  and have fun making  your own  smaller cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

*PREORDER S5-131 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS A Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-132 Spellbinders MATTING BASICS B Nestabilities A2 Card Creator Dies NEW 2012

*PREORDER S5-176 Spellbinders A2 FLORAL RIBBON THREADER Nestabilities Card Creator Dies NEW 2013

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A2 Card ?????

Hi Everybody,

The other day I showed you the size of a  UK A2  card in a video and explained the size of them compared to US ones.

Well here is a UK A2 card that Griffs' daughter gave to him for Christmas and it's nearly bigger than him.

The inscription she wrote  inside was that this card was to make up for all the cards she had not sent over the years.

But he needed to keep it safe as it would have to be last for the next  ten years and be re-used every year until 2013.

We had such a laugh over this card especially as I had just done the video  ... and said that your postman would really struggle to deliver a card this size.

Thankfully she just gave it to him by hand.

Well tonight is our dinner out with both our families at our favorite restaurant and I am really looking forward to it.

Tomorrow I will take the tree down and then it is back to normal and back to some work

I have some videos on smaller cards to do and  I can't sit about here watching telly and eating chocolates all day ...  there is work to be done

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

An Early Resolution .....

Hi Everybody,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you are now looking forward to the New Year.

Thank you so much for all the good wishes sent to Griff and me.

They came from as far apart as Canada and the US, India, Sweden, Italy, New Zealand and Australia and every where else and I am so grateful for each and every one.

We had a lovely  family Christmas Dinner and Boxing Day was my relaxing day and really peaceful.

This image is just how I feel after all that turkey and Christmas pudding and mince pies and chocolates and .... need I go on ???

But I  am going to make a conscious effort in 2014 to lose some weight so that I can get back into my clothes again before the warmer weather  is with us once more.

So come the 1st January out go the things that are left over from the Christmas binge and the new regime of eating less will begin.

My first goal will be my birthday in March ... which is only nine weeks away.

I am really going to have to work hard if I want to make some improvement in the way I look for that day.... and I will of course keep you posted on my progress as I go along.   Wish me luck 'oz I am sure going to need it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

xx Merry Christmas to Everyone xx

A big thank you to everyone for all your good wishes, kind comments and support throughout the last year ... I hope you will stay with me for the next one ....

There are lots of exciting things to come 

Lots of hugs from 

Christina and Griff xxx

Just a little video .....

Hi Everybody,

Now if you have been good girls and boys over the past year you could get a little present from  Father Christmas

And if he doesn't bring you something then you may  have to buy your own !!

I have bought my self some "Crafting Goodies"  and I am going to be soooo surprised when I open them tomorrow morning.

Todays card is another one that has no flowers on it ... though I have added in the flourish from  Want2Scrap

The background flourish is a stamp from  Indigo Blu  which I have stamped in black and embossed in clear.

The two sentiment on the card are both from  Crafters Companion   and are in the Sentimentals  Range

But I really wanted to add this  short video to explain the difference between UK  and  US  card size A2 ... and it is a big difference ... as I know that when I said I was making cards in A2 some of you thought I was mad ...  let the video do the talking




I hope it goes some way into explaining the confusion that the makers of card give to use mere mortals who are cardmakers....

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx