Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

January 27, 2014

A Card for your Friend ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

Thanks you for all your comments about the cards I add to my pages and it is so humbling to know that many of you like my style.

Some tell me that my card are  OTT or that the bows are too big .... but most of you love them and take the time to let me know in comments, here or on Facebook or by email.

I had an email from a someone  last week who was unsubscribing from the newsletter  on my website because she said that my cards are too fussy  for her and she wanted something less so.

And on the same day I had ten more telling me that my cards are just what they like and they too add lots of stuff to their cards.

Some people who are new to card making  email and ask me questions and that is usually what becomes a video ... because many people .. including me ... like to learn visually.

And  a picture  paints a  thousand  words ...  so they say !!   On to todays card and the links I like to add for you

It is created in lilac Centura Pearl from Crafters Companion  and there are lots of layers to this design.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have been sparkled by Glitter Magic   The ribbon is from Mei Flower   and has been plaited through two of the border strips form the Moroccan Accents

The pearls around the edge and those to match the sentiment tag are from Want2Scrap  and the sentiment itself is from the Sentimentals  Range from Crafters Companion.

The inside has the addition of the Filigree Corners to slip a little tag into for a signature or greeting

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




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January 26, 2014

Mounting Your Stamps

Hi Everybody,

At the end of last year I added a short video with some  Tips for Stamping   to help some new ladies who had asked for help.

I have also been asked how to make rubber stamps stick to an acrylic block and so that has been the subject of another video.

The little image here is from Lili of the Valley  and is one of their cute animal range.

But in the video I use a grey rubber sheet of  Sentimentals Verses from  Crafters Companion 

You can cut  all the stamps out first individually if you prefer ... but to add the whole stamp sheet to the mounting foam is far easier to cut out.

You are going  to have some waste whichever way  you do it and this  is no more  wasteful  than any other way ... but it is a whole lot easier especially if you have dexterity problems.




 Just make sure that you don't cut into the stamp itself and spoil the image or verse that you are cutting out.

Clean the stamps when you are done and then store them safely.  And there are many ways to store them the choice is yours.

I have many of my  smaller stamps in CD cases, but the storage that I use in the video keeps all the stamps from one rubber sheet together on one plastic storage sheet  in one storage box ... and then I add the picture of the stamps to the box as my reference and I know what is in there whenever I need to use them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



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January 25, 2014

New flowers ...

Hi Everybody,

This pale blue card is using flowers from a different maker.

They are from a lady who sells her flowers via Facebook and you will find her page at .... Petal Lu 

Her flowers are all hand made and to order and they are so delicate.

I asked for pastel shades and that is what I have and they are very pretty.

I have added fine glitter from  Glitter Magic  to the flowers and they sparkle in the light.

I have also added some teardrop Diamante into the corsage for a more fancy look.

So here is the first card made with them and I love it.

The dies used are listed below and the effect is really pretty with this mix.

The lace border is created from Moroccan Accents and I have laid the ribbon on the top of some real lace running across the border.

The sentiment is from   Crafters Companion     and I have stamped and embossed it  with turquoise "Wow"  embossing powder and it looks good.

Watch out for more cards using flowers from Petal Lu in some of the other colors in my collection.


More tomorrow...

Hugs xx





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January 24, 2014

Flowers again (sigh)

Hi Everybody,

Well would you believe it ... flowers again.  This is me back in my comfort zone  and now I am happy again ...

And this card is really pretty in a deep purple and white with lots of layering and lacy panels.

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

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and there is a pearl buckle on the ribbon loops but you can't see it in the photo.

I have lined and  decorated  the inside and added lots of Gun Metal pearls from Want2Scrap

The card is a Hinged card created from the Grand Labels.

So I think there may be even more flowers on tomorrows card.

The dies I have used are listed at the bottom ... but shop around for the best deals.

 Don't forget Save On Hobbies for some good deals  and a name that many people are sending me for UK deal is  ...   Icon UK  and guess what ... I have just ordered the new 5x7  Mystical Embrace from  them and can't wait to get it and play

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


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January 23, 2014

Remember This ???

Hi Everybody,

This is the card I added a few days ago as an easy card to make ... using just an embossing folder and the matching die.

It was  a nice enough card when it was done ... but for me ... well if you read my pages regularly you will know it is not enough.

You see my problem is I can't leave things alone and I have to keep going back and picking at things.

Change a bit here ... add a bit there ...I am sure you know what I mean.

And so after looking at this card for a day or two ... and not really being excited  by what I saw ... I had to go back to it and do a bit more

Out came the flower basket and the "Bling"  box and after placing things around and seeing what went where I went to work.

And this is what I ended up with and it looks really elegant in real life.

And all this ... I might add ... was  in the early hours of the morning.

I haven't added the list of dies  ... because I did that on the original post  ... but here are the other links for supplies.

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

I changed the black pearl for a larger pearl cluster that I bought in a  pack from the local craft shop.

I pushed  two small decorative pins into the knot and there are about 50 in a box from Dunelm Mill.

The satin ribbon is from Mei Flower  and all the beautiful Diamante is from Want2Scrap

And so after messing about for an hour and a half I had the card I liked and went off to bed as happy as Larry for some sleep.

And a sleepy voice said to me .... "What time do you call this ...."   Oooops !!  Er  3.45 am

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx


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January 22, 2014

From just a pencil ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is  a stamped  Bebunni image from Crafters Companion 

It  has been achieved with the Spectrum Noir ... CR4 CR6 CR11    to get the shading on the heart ... and then a plain and simple HB pencil.

Just a pencil ... and we all have those lying around.

By varying the pressure on the lead the different shades can be added and then with a paper stump I blended the shades.

I lightly went around the image with the pencil and then used  my finger to simply smudge the shadow.

The result is quite pretty and I made it into a card using some papers that came free with a magazine.

But after all this coloring and a distinct lack of flowers on yesterdays card I think I shall have to revert back to my comfort zone and get busy

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 
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January 21, 2014

Simple Card ...

Hi Everybody,

This has to be one of the easiest cards ever to be made and  it is just one  3DM-Bossabilties folder and  the die that matches it.

These are the latest dies to come from the CHA show in California and   I bought them  from Create and Craft.

They are so new I can't show you the photo of them but if you were lucky enough to get them too then you will know how pretty they are.



They are the Labels 34 ... Decorative Labels 34 ... Gold Labels 34 and the Labels 34 Medallions embossing folder.

I have cut my base card from the  Hinged Card Style  tutorial  using 5x7 Matting basics A and B

I embossed a piece of white card and layered it onto some black and the embossing is so deep.

My stamped sentiment has been cut with Labels Thirty four and the Gold Element added to the inside and then layered again onto some black

And that is it ... and you can do this from any folder and dies that you have in your collection.   Simple but effective for a quick and easy card.

  More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx
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January 20, 2014

Bebunni ...

Hi Everybody,

This little image is from the Bebunni range from Crafters  Companion   and all the images in the stamp sets are so cute.

I have used Spectrum Noir and the colors are ...

Ears/Tummy  PP1, PP2, PP6
Rabbits          IG1, IG2, IG4
Veil/shadow   EB1  and IB1

Very simply put together using a mixture of flowers
including  Chrysanthemums,  Daisies, Sweetheart Blossoms  and  Roses from   Wild Orchid Crafts 

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and I have added  a heart shaped doily behind the image

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx






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January 19, 2014

Back to Red ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

Traditional Red, Hearts and Roses ... what more can I say.  All the new cards that I added to Etsy have now been sold ... so got to get busy and make some more

I love everything about this card from the color to the flowers it is so romantic and that verse says such a lot.

It is from   Lili of the Valley   and is one of a set of inspirational verses.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   and they are a mixture of Chrysanthemums, Roses and Carnations.

And as  always they are sparkled with fine glitter from Glitter Magic  just to give that added touch.

The background is the Botanical Swirls and there is a video to show you how to get the best from this type of extendable die.  I know I added it a few weeks ago but new people are coming to he blog everyday and may not have seen it or even know about it.





So have you made some Valentines Cards yet ??? and if not then maybe I have given you some ideas over the last few days.  But any one of these ideas can be adapted to make a card for any occasion and in any color you fancy.   Playing is such fun .... 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





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January 18, 2014

Cornflower Blue ...

Etsy Shop
Hi Everybody,

This card is non traditional colors for Valentines Day ... the red and white one yesterday sold almost straight away

I made one like this last week  and added  it to my   Etsy Shop   ... it sold within the hour and  ... and I am happy to say that this one has been bought also

This is using a lovely shade of Cornflower blue and it really is much prettier in real life.

Both of the hearts have the pearl "Bling" that matches the Spellbinders and it is from   Want2Scrap 

The background is the A4 folder  Picnic Plaid   from Crafters Companion.

The pretty blue and white Roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts

 I have used the  Ivy Leaf  die from Crafters Companion and this  is a die that you can use all year round.

The sentiment is one of the range called  Sentimentals  from Crafters Companion and there are several sets for you to choose each with a different theme.  Read the verses and decide which suit your needs.

The little butterflies I had in my "Stash" and this finished card is one of my favorites.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx






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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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