Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

February 26, 2014

So Proud to be ....

Hi Everybody,

This card is created from a really delicate shade of duck egg blue and the card itself is silver foiled and very pretty. It was added to Etsy but sold almost immediately.

The foiled card is from Cardcraft Plus  which is based in Preston UK ... Many of you may know the shop as Inspirations and it has all manner of goodies in there.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I have added in my lovely glitter from Glitter magic to the petals

Some of you have written to me to tell me that you too have tried this glitter ... on my recommendation ...  and that you are delighted with it.

The sentiment is from JustRite Stampers and is one that can be mixed and matched with all the words in the set.  The link will take you to have a look at what is on the stamp set ..... BUT ... you can get it cheaper from more local places.

I bought mine at the craft shows I go to and I have had it for some time now and it is very useful.

The  Tattered Lace die in the background is  Double Delights and is the one that was free with the second issue of their magazine.

Now before I close for today I have to ask you all something ...  I have had emails from several people and it has been suggested that maybe I could give away one of my cards each week in exchange for a comment from you. 

 I would draw one name from those that have left a comment and the winner would get the card on offer.

What do you think of the idea and would you be interested if I did it as say a ...  Friday Freebie ??? 

 Please give it some thought and let me know please ... via a comment 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 25, 2014

Mothers Day is coming soon...

Hi Everybody,

We celebrate Mothers Day in the UK earlier than US and Canada so for us it's not that  far away.

This pretty card incorporates some of the ideas I have shared over the last few weeks.

The flowers  and the  organza  ribbon  have been colored  with  Spectrum Noir and Isopropyl ... again ... but it really works well and can give you the shade that you want for your cards.

The flowers from  Wild Orchid Crafts  were white but altered with PP3 refill ink  The sparkly bow centre is also form WOC

The ribbon from  Mei Flower  was also white and altered with the same color.

The large flower centre is altered with embossing  powder as I showed you in  Altering Metal Charms

I have used  Silver  Mirror card to make the layers and in the background to create the lacy look is a  Tattered Lace  die.

The sentiment is cut from Labels Twenty  and has the matching   Diamante  from  Want2Scrap

More tomorrow ...


Hugs xx



February 24, 2014

Deeper Blue

Hi Everybody,

This card has a deeper shade of blue to it  today but the background is still sparkled with spray adhesive and glitter from Glitter Magic

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts   ... they have been sparkled with the same glitter and the pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap

I have added in white leaves from the Foliage set to this display and I inked the card while it was still in the die.

The blue ribbon is from Mei Flower  and was already that shade when bought.

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion  and the embossing is from the folder that came with the EBosser machine.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 23, 2014

Colored Organza Ribbon ...

Hi Everybody,

This card has a really delicate shade of blue for the ribbon and the flowers and it has been colored with the Isopropyl method and Spectrum Noir that I shared with you a few days ago.

I used the TB4 refill and I am very pleased with the result.

So here is a card for Mothers Day ... which is not far away in the UK

For the background I have used the square shape from the Parisian set and cut it six times then sprayed it with adhesive and added a really pale blue glitter from Glitter Magic

I have interlocked them and added them on foam pads under the ovals.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and started off as plain white.

The diamante ribbon centre is also from WOC and I have added it n green to compliment the leaves.

The sentiment is from the JustRite Stamps and I have stamped it in blue and clear embossed it.

The diamante tear drops are from Want2Scrap

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




February 22, 2014

We have a winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Late start for me this morning ... lie in until 9am ....crumpets for breakfast ... toasted by my film crew .. and now a new winner announced for the February "Give Away"  

And the name drawn is .....

 Jenelle  Muller

You will have been notified by email and so if you could drop me a line Jenelle  I will get the prize in the post to you straight away.

You have until Wednesday  to contact me and then if the prize is not claimed it will be drawn again and given to someone else.

Thank you to all 469 of you who took part and a really big thank you if you also left me a comment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




February 21, 2014

Scalloped Posy ... another way !!

Hi Everybody,

There is no video to show this card but it is created using the same method as yesterdays card to give a pretty effect to your designs

I have used the largest die from the set and an A4 card.

The ribbon and flowers started off life just plain white but they have been colored using the technique shown in  Coloring Ribbons and Flowers   and the Spectrum Noir refill PL2

The sentiment is from  Crafters Companion  and the organza ribbon is from Mei Flower

The Babies Breath flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and all the glitter is from  Glitter Magic

Want to win some Goodies ??? then add your name to the "Give Away"   ... it ends Saturday

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 20, 2014

Butterfly Corner ...

Hi Everybody,

The Decortive Corners card that was shown a few days ago sparked off the question ... "Can you do this with any other die"  and so another video was born.

Because the answer is a resounding  "Yes"  and you just need to look at your dies carefully to see what the cutting edge is like and where it is.

This card is created using the Butterfly Corner die and that is  the only die I have used.

But by careful cutting you can have another lovely style of card ... and the video will show you how I made the card.



And don't forget that in this style of card the back is just as important as it will be seen.

You could even line the inside of the card f you wished as that too can be seen through the card as the photograph illustrates.

This is just one way that the die can be used and there are many many more ways too.

Just look at your dies, think outside the box and take the plunge .... don't be scared ... just do it ... and have fun in the process.

After all it's only card and if you make a mistake .... so what, start again

The  "Give Away"   is still running until Saturday so add your name for the chance to win some goodies


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 19, 2014

White Wedding Card

Hi Everybody,

This card is really pretty and intricate and it sold on Etsy within a few hours of being added.

There is a lot going on here and it is much better in real life than the picture shows.

The background is  embossed with an A4  folder called   Picnic Plaid  from  Crafters Companion  and it is one of my favorite designs.

The lace panel have been Sparkled with glitter from Glitter Magic  and then white organza ribbon wrapped around the panel.

I bought my glitter from them at the craft shows and I asked for the glitter that is like Glamour Dust ... and they handed me the packs ... I don't know what it is called.

So if you want the same as I have then you will need to drop Sharon an email  (sharon@glittermagic.co.uk)  
and ask her which it is and she will be more than willing to help you .... tell her I sent you.

I have tied the ribbon  into a double bow and  it is from Mei Flower



The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts   and they too have had the sparkle treatment  and there is a Diamante and silver Hatpin pushed into the corsage.

The Diamante on the card is all from  Want2Scrap

But don't ask me where the sentiment is from ... I haven't a clue .... sorreee !! The dies are listed below.

If you have the Butterfly Corner die in your collection then pop back tomorrow for another video and the card is gorgeous too

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 18, 2014

Birthday Card ....

Hi Everybody,

Yesterdays  card has been  very well liked on  here, on YouTube and on  Facebook and one or two of you have already tried it for yourselves .... and like the results.

I  knew you would love it ... Yaaaaay !!

Todays card goes back to a birthday theme and would you believe ... it's pink !!

I have used several different dies to make the card and  layered them all together with Mirror Card and foam tape.

The ribbon is from  Mei Flower  and the Diamante swirl is from Want2Scrap






The Bitty Blossoms  flowers have been glittered with a really fine blend from  Glitter Magic

And of course I had to do a video on these particular templates, and other Blossom dies,  and this video has been around now for almost two years.


Now this is the bit that amuses me no end .... it has had 8,350 views ... 27 comments ... 64 people like it ....
  and one person doesn't !!


What is there not to like ????  If it's not what they thought it was then all they have to do is leave the channel.....   Beats me !!

The  "Give Away"  is still on and will run until Saturday.  There are lots of new names on this list and please remember you need to be a follower to win ... and although 404 people have entered there are only 65 comments.

Please leave me a comment and then I will know you have been ... especially if you want the prize ... not too much to ask !!


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


February 17, 2014

Perfect for a Wedding ....

Hi Everybody,

I made this card and videoed  it to show you what I did and I can't wait to know what you all think of it.

It has been on YouTube since Friday and has had over a 1,400 views already and 37 comments ... and people seem to like it.

This picture  does not do it justice as it is a really beautiful card full of sparkle on the filigree panel



The listed die is the only one I have used and as I say in the video it can be a bit fiddly to cut.

You may need to pass it through your die cutter a couple of times.

But I tell you it is so worth it and you will be really pleased with the end result.

Now for the supplies used ....

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts   and all the glitter used on the panel and flowers is from Glitter Magic   ... and this is the glitter that is in the "Give Away"

The lovely lilac  pearls are some of the Bulk Buy "Bling"  from  Want2Scrap   and the ribbon with a silver edge is from Mei Flower

The sentiment and the  Paisley embossing folder  are from  Crafters Companion  ... and the link will take you straight to the  A4 folder.


If you haven't see the latest "Give Away" then now is the time to take a look at the prize and


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

February 16, 2014

Beautiful Ribbons ...

Hi Everybody,

As you know I love to add flowers, ribbons and pearls to my cards.  For me they really turn the card into something special.

This is a card I added a few days ago and I listed the dies used then ...  but the reason I am adding it again is because it was the one featured in a video tutorial.

It shows you how to change the color of ribbons and flowers to suit your design and it doesn't cost the earth to do it.

It also works on lace and pearls too.

All you need is an alcohol refill of your choice and a small spritzer bottle.

The  Isopropyl Alcohol is from the chemist shop and it cost me £11 but the bottle will last for ages and color many hundreds of items for me to add them to my cards





You may need to order it ... as I did ... but the chemist had it there the same day for me to collect.

The organza and satin ribbons that I use are from  Mei Flower   and just a plain white and I used Spectrum Noir refill  PP3 to change them into a beautiful delicate shade of pink.

So by making use of your refills you can always have ribbons to match your designs ... and it is always cheaper to buy white flowers, ribbons or lace and color them your self.

And if you don't have the refills then this  tip was left on YouTube and is an excellent alternative ...

 Tip from Sheila Hogg
If you don't have any re inkers, the inner of an old felt tip pen that no longer works can be used instead as there will be plenty of pigment to mix with the isopropyl. Use a pair of pliers to pull out the pen tip and crack the casing, pull out the tube inside and with the tip add to the isopropyl in the spray bottle and presto you have your own alcohol ink. Just top up with more isopropyl when needed, it will still yield more pigment.

Have you added your name to the "Give Away" yet ??  If not the click the link for your chance to win the prize on offer  ... here's the link  but you will need to be a follower and please leave me a comment to say you have been.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



February 15, 2014

Time for a "Give Away"

Hi Everybody,

Some time ago I bought the Sea Scape stamp by Sheen Douglass only to order it twice by mistake ... I know stupid girl !!

Well my mistake is to your advantage because I am giving the stamp away along with other goodies in the pack.

So what is in the prize ....

Sea Scape by  Sheena Douglass
2 sheets of patterned  Voile
3 packs  of pearls from Want2Scrap
6  metres of ribbon
I pack of the  glitter from  Glitter Magic
1 reel of  ribbon
1 set  of  See D's stamps

If you would like to win this prize then add your name to the list ... but only once please as duplicates will be removed.

If there is a red cross by the side of your name then don't worry about it. It just means that you can delete your name if you wish to and if you add it more than once then please delete one of them.  

No one else can see the cross other than you ... so no  one else can delete your name by accident.  

February 14, 2014

Charms again ...

Hi Everybody,

The other day I added the video to show you how to add charms to your cards but they were all silver and that may not be the color that you want to add.

So here is s short video to show you how to alter the color of them to suit your project.

Now I know I have said it before but I need to add it here again ... and that is if you know about these things then please ignore the video as I am  not  trying to teach experienced  card makers anything.

But there are new people coming to card making for the first time and they don't know ... and so this is for them.

To help them build the confidence they need to be as good as you ...  the seasoned card maker.




Here is a close up of a metal corner that I have covered in Pink embossing powder.

The ribbon is the one that has been colored in the next video which will show you what I did.

The beautiful flowers are from Petal Lu  and they are very delicate and pastel shades.

But you can choose colors and styles for your self from Lucindas' Facebook page.

The metal corners are from Wild Orchid Crafts  but the same technique can be applied to die cut corners as well and they look just as good.

The card is made to the Hinged card style and I have used Labels Thirty Four layered on top.

The sentiment  and the embossing folder are  from Crafters Companion  and the folder is called Regency Swirls and it is lovely.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx