Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

January 17, 2014

Valentines Card ...

Hi Everybody,
Etsy Shop
I thought I would get busy and add some Valentines Cards to my Etsy Shop   and this is one in traditional colors of red and white.

It has lots of layers to it ... and  I have used lots of dies for this and they are listed below ... but shop around for the best price before you buy.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and the red flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts    I have used a selection of Roses Poppies and Carnations and I have tucked lace leaves in tot the middle.

They have been sparkled with the fine glitter from Glitter Magic  and it makes such a difference to the look.

The background folder is from Crafters Companion and it is the Picnic Plaid  A4 folder and I love it.

The pattern is so deep and unusual and it doesn't matter which side you face outwards they are both lovely  ... and I bet you will love it too.

I have used the pearly "Bling" from  Want2Scrap   that matches the Labels Twenty and there are many that match other Spellbinders sets too.

If you have a Cricut machine and you are looking for some ideas and inspiration then take a look at what these magazines can offer you as a special offer for one month ... Something for You

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



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January 16, 2014

Saturated Canary and Spectrum Noir ....

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful image from   Saturated Canary  and my  Spectrum Noir  are a marriage made in heaven  and I love the look of  this finished card.

 Colors used...
Skin    FS4 FS5 FS7 PP1 EB5
Hair    TN2 TN7 TN8
Dress/shoes OR1 OR2 TN7 
Tights  TB2 IG3

 I have dressed the card with flowers from   Wild Orchid Crafts  to add that feminine touch and they have been sparkled with glitter from Glitter Magic

 The ribbon is organza from   Mei Flower   and the pearl flourish is from  Want2Scrap

It is just A4 folded in half and then cut and hinged at the top ... a simple design for a pretty card.

If you would like to try the magazines I mentioned yesterday then here is the link to yesterdays post for you to read what it is all about .... Something for You 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

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January 15, 2014

Something for you ...

Hi Everybody,

The New Year has started off well  for me and this is a treat that has been offered that  I want to pass on to you.

Northbridge Publishing  has given us the chance to take a look at the magazines they produce that have lots of different articles that will interest  all crafters.

They cover  not only cards but scrap booking, stamping,  and many  many ideas on how to get the best from your Cricut machine.

The magazines are viewable online ... on your ipad or iphone  ... so you can read as you travel to work, relax in the garden or just to pick up a magazine in the evening.

You will find some really good ideas for the layouts of your designs inside the pages and for any occasion you can think of. 

Northbridge Publishing  are offering us  a one month pass to all the pictured  publications ... and many other titles ...  for just $1 ( about 60p to us Brits)

This pass will normally be $9.99 but for one month you can have it for the one dollar !!

So why not pop over to their website and find a magazine there that would interest you. 

Click this link
and try it for one month.  You can cancel your subscription at any time.

Then if you like the magazine ... come back next month for a "Give Away" that will be for an annual subscription worth $59.99 to all the magazines they have ... and there may be more than just one winner !

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


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January 14, 2014

Pure White

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created in white linen effect card from the Papermill Direct.   and all the layers are cut from this card.

The dies used are listed below and I have used foam tape in between the layers to raise them up.

The beautiful flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts   and so is the pearly spray that has been tucked into them.

The smaller pearls around the frame are from Want2Scrap 

The embossing folder that I have used is from Crafters Companion and is the Chantilly Corner  and you can just make it out in the lower right corner.

And the  embossing  folder that I used on the Valentines Day  card  and have been asked about in a few emails was the  A4 Picnic Plaid   from Crafters Companion and it is one of my favorites.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



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January 13, 2014

Another in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

For the background to this card I have used the Grateful Lattice in Pink Centura Pearl card and added tiny pearls to each of the cross sections.

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts   and I have tucked once again the Ivy leaf from the Christmas Range from  Crafters Companion. 

The petals have been sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic and if you wanted to buy this particular glitter it is the one that is like Glamour Dust.

The butterfly has the addition of the matching Diamante from Want2Scrap

The card is made to the   Hinged Card Style  and the  Fame   is created to surround the lattice.

The "Give Away" prize has been successfully claimed and is winging it's way to Australia as I wrtite ... hoep the winner will enjoy all the goodies in the pack

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





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January 12, 2014

Beautiful Blue ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

The Ivy leaf on the flower  corsage is one of the  Die' sire Christmas  range from  Crafters Companion 

But it is such a versatile die that can be used all year round and it will make all your floral displays look really pretty.

Now I know you are going to ask me what the background die is ... but I can't remember the name ... only that I got it from  US a while ago.

I have trimmed it down to fit my card front ...  but it does look very nice under the flowers.

They as always are from Wild Orchid Crafts

The ribbon is some from my "Stash" and has been tied in a double bow.

The sentiment is from the Sentimentals Range from Crafters Companion  and cut with Labels Twenty Three

The matching "Bling" is  from  Want2Scrap  which is a US based company.   You may be able to buy their products  in this country and you will need to  research suppliers.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


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January 11, 2014

"Give Away" Winner

Hi Everybody,

The winner for the January Give Away has now been done at random by InLinkz  and the lucky person is ......

Cathy Cates

There are lots of wonderful  "Goodies"  in this pack to make some lovely additions to your cards. 

And many of them have been shown on cards that I have made over the past year.

 Maybe  some of the items are not available  in other parts of the world and that will make this prize    . and indeed any other "Give Away" even more of a win.  I only hope that you enjoy the prizes when you get them.

So Cathy if you can drop me a line at  ....  christina@card-making-magic.com  .... with your land address I will get the prize in the post to you straight away.

You have until Wednesday to claim it so please get in touch soon.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx
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January 10, 2014

Back to Pink ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

 Well here I am ... back to flowers, ribbons and pearls ... so no surprises there then !!

I can't stay away from this type of card for long as I just love making them.

The card with the hearts on the front  that was added yesterday sold withing an hour of it going into my Etsy shop.

This is another in my favorite Hinged Card Style  and it has lots of layers with Pink Centura pearl from Crafters Companion   and white linen effect card from the Papermilll Direct

It seems that many of you like the Papermill Direct and loved the shops they had a few years ago.  I always went to the one at the   Freeport  Designer  Village  and bought my card by the  Mega box.

When they closed their shops ... in favor of online ...  I bought a shed load of card which lasted me a long time.  I had all the colors they made and still have some of it years later .... I bought that much.

But the online service is excellent and usually delivered to your home within a couple of days ... UK buyers that is.   The card is still really good quality and makes a wonderful base for any of your cards.

Have you added your name for the "Give Away" yet ??  You only have today to do it as the winner will be chosen in the morning ... so here's your chance    but only add your name once please as duplicates will be removed.


So more tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



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January 09, 2014

Soon be Valentines Day ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

I know it's not red but I thought this would make a very pretty card for Valentines Days all the same.

So it is in a deep lilac colour and I have added this to my Etsy Shop.  I will be doing it again in red and that will also go into the shop.

The lilac and the white go together so well and I have used the pearl "Bling"  from Want2Scrap that matches the heart shapes

I turned the largest heart in to a frame and added the lattice behind it .. and the smallest heart has just been embossed with the  Regency Swirls  from  Crafters Companion.

The sentiment is one of the Sentimentals Range from Crafters Companion   and I stamped it in blue and embossed it in clear .... less messy that way.

The beautiful embossing folder is also from Crafters Companion and is called the large A4 Picnic Plaid ... and it is beautiful

The two butterflies on each heart are a very fine organza and I bought those at the craft show last year... and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



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January 08, 2014

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   





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January 07, 2014

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



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January 06, 2014

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




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January 05, 2014

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


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