Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

July 06, 2014

Card Class Contribution ...

Hi Everybody,

Last weeks card class had to be prepared the week before as we did a fun technique with some glue and of course we had to allow it to dry.

Mary went for the paler colors and Brenda the darker ones but I think that both cards look really pretty.


We used the   Scalloped Borders One   to create the layers and lined the insides with an embossed piece of card.

They have both added in one of the pearl sprays to their corsages and the flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts ... the bow centres are from WOC also

They have been sparkled with  Glitter Magic   and both have used ribbon that is from  Mei Flower 

And once again my lovely ladies have gone away with lovely cards and smiles to match.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


July 05, 2014

Two Winners ...

Hi Everybody,

Has it stopped raining where you are in the UK ??? It poured down for most of the afternoon here and the best place to be was inside.

 But it is better this morning and the draw for the two winners of yesterdays pretty card has been done and the two names chosen are ....

Helen Thompson
and 
Lynn Charman 

Congratulations ladies and now all you need to do is email me .... 
christina@card-making-magic.com 
with your postal address and the cards will be on their way to you.

Please let me know when they arrive with you and I really hope you like them.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

July 04, 2014

Friday Freebie 016

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards is in a white with a lovely shade of green peeping through

The sentiment can be for any occasion and it is dressed up with flowers from Wild orchid Crafts 

There are several layers to the card and they are embossed.

Now I have TWO cards  like this and there is very little difference between them

And so I am going to offer you two chances this week to have one of them for yourself !!

TWO names will be drawn from the hat at the end of the day and if your name is one of them then one of the cards will be yours

Just leave me a comment at the bottom of this post and please come back to check in the morning to see if your name is there.

You have 48 hours to claim the card by sending me your postal address.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



July 03, 2014

Chocolate Box Bow ...

Hi Everybody,

I know that not everybody likes to add bows to their cards and if that is you then look away now ....

But for many of us they are the perfect  addition and for those that have  asked me how I tie them then this is just for you

This beautiful satin ribbon is from  Mei Flower   and it is so  soft and  ties like a dream.

I have used about a metre to get this double bow but experiment and see what you  come up with for the size of bows that you like.

The background is using the new Tied Together  die  from  JGD Crafts  and I love the pattern that it gives





The centre of the bow is covered with a pearl and diamanté sparkler from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I use a hot glue gun to hold them in place.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


July 02, 2014

Lilac and White

Hi Everybody,

Another pretty card with the addition of the pearl flower sprays tucked into the corsage

The cards has been made in the Hinged Card  style  with the Scalloped Borders 

Along the bottom of the card I have added in the Ribbon Loops and the tutorial for that  was added the other day

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they  always look good on any card ... sparkled as always with Glitter Magic

The layers to this are embossed to add extra texture and the lilac card from Hunkydory Crafts   is foiled with a silver stripe and looks very rich

The ribbon also has a silver thread running along each edge and it compliments the card perfectly and it is from Mei Flower  and they do it several colors.

The Spellbinders I have used are listed below

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx








July 01, 2014

Pearl Flower Sprays

Hi Everybody,

It is such a compliment to me to see the pearls sprays popping up on many cards and I am so glad that you liked them enough to add them to your own designs

Well this little video takes it one step further and shows you how to create flowers from the pearls that you are finding if difficult to otherwise  make use of

Here  I have tucked them into my flowers to add that extra touch to the corsage and the size of the flowers will depend on the size of the beads that you use.

But it is an excellent way to use up all those that are sitting there and that you are thinking of simple throwing away.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and they have new flowers coming in all the time.

The pearls around the edge of the frame are self adhesive strips from Want2Scrap

This is a mixture of Carnations, Roses, Tulips and the pearl flowers and I have used Glitter Magic to add more sparkle

The background to this card is the Tied Together die from JGDCrafts




And if you don't want to add them to your flowers then simply add them to a bow to cover the knot.

The organza ribbon for this bow is from Mei Flower  and it has been tied in a double bow using a bow maker 

Another pretty idea to add to some of your "Girly" cards

And here is handy tip from Margaret Bowe who wrote to tell me that if you glue a piece of velvet to an 8" paper plate it stops your beads rolling all over the place ... and it is cheaper than a shop bought bead tray .... YaaaaY !!  Thank you Margaret

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx


June 30, 2014

Embroidered Striplet

Hi Everybody,

This lovely card is created using the Embroidered Striplet by Sue Wilson from JGD Crafts

It is a beautiful die that comes in two parts.  It has an outed cutting edge and an inner one that will just cut the pattern but leave it in the card

It  is 6" long and 2 1/2 wide and here I have used it twice side by side to cut the pattern in my background

The outer edge is cut from the Cordoba from the Spanish Collection and that leaves a pattern in what would normally be the waste.

These dies are simply beautiful and there is so much that can be done with them.

The ribbon is styled with  the Ribbon loops and it looks lovely with the silver colored buckle.

Altogether a very striking and very pink card !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



June 29, 2014

Wednesday Card Class ...

Hi Everybody,

The week that I was ill I had to cancel the Wednesday  Card Class and I was so sorry to let my two ladies down.

 I would have been no use to them at all .... but last week the class went ahead and we really enjoyed the card we made and this is what it looked like

We stamped and embossed the sentiment  from Crafters Companion to add as the focal point to the design

And then  arranged the flowers  from Wild Orchid Crafts  around it.

I have their permission to show you the cards and I am beginning to know their individual  preferences.

Mary likes the paler colors while Brenda chooses the dark dramatic ones.

Both of these cards are lovely and at the end of the class I pop the cards in a cellophane bag for them and off they go with cards and smiles.

It is a card I made in a video tutorial a good few years ago now and  here is the link to the page and the video on my website .....  Tilt Card Tutorial    

It looks complicated ... but it is actually one of the easiest folds you can do.  And if you give it a try then you can make pretty cards just like Mary and Brenda

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 28, 2014

Video Boy ...

Hi Everybody,

This is another of the images that I bought from Mos Digital Pencil and this is Video Boy.

Colors used ...

Skin    FS2 FS3 FS4
Hair    GB8  EB7 EB8
Jeans  TB3  TB5 TB6  TB8
Shirt    DG2 CG2 LG2 LG4
Shoes  IG2 IG4

I am happy that the color lists are helping  some of you with your coloring ... and this image  is colored with pens only.

I have been asked why do I use the pencils and do they have to be used with the pens.

The pencils are a stand alone product that will give you excellent results with your blends and that is especially good if you are a beginner at coloring.
So the answer is  ... "No they don't have to be used with the pens"

The  answer  to why I use  them is  because when used with the  pens to enhance the work the result is amazing.

They are soft and waxy and very easy to work with and will give you a lovely soft look.   They can be blended with paper stumps and also blending fluid  which will give you another look.

I am planning some video tutorials to show you how to get the best from  pens and pencils, working with each on their own and also together

Pens can give you some lovely effects on your designs and pencils can bring out even more detail in your coloring and the result will make you really proud of your work.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


The Card Winner is ...

Hi Everybody,

Thank you all for the comments that you have left about this lovely red card and the draw has been done by my trusty "Film Crew"  It would seem that red is a popular color and quite a few of you wanted this particular one.

But there can only be one winner and on this occasion it is you  ...

Lea Brawn

So now  you have 48 hours to claim the card and I need you to send me your postal address

Email me ... christina@card-making-magic.com  ... and it will  be in the post just as soon as I can.  

Please let me know when it arrives with you and I hope you will like it.

More Later ...

Hugs xx

June 27, 2014

Friday Freebie 015

Hi Everybody,

How about this very vibrant card for todays FF card ... which is much better in real life than the picture shows.

I have changed the two small stick pins in the bow for a much more elaborate one with a glass bead and a red pearl and I don't think you will be disappointed with it.

Kim in Glasgow ... who is new to the blog asked if I make the hatpins and Yes I do and there is a tutorial on my website to show you how I do them ...
Decorative Hatpins 

If you would like this card to be winding it's way to you then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.
And at the end of the day Griff will draw a name and the winner will be announced in the morning.

So please ... if you add your name then do come back and check to see if you are the winner.

You will have 48 hours to claim  the card if you are the winner.

You will need to email me  your postal address to ... christina@card-making-magic.com ... and within days it will be with you


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


June 26, 2014

Another way with Ribbons ...

Hi Everybody,

I have shown you this card before but the main reason for showing it again is because I was asked by people new to card making how to do the ribbon loops

So here is another video on the simple way to add ribbons other than in a bow ... a must for those who hate to tie bows

Whichever way you decide to add the ribbon it will look just as pretty



In the lilac card I have used a diamanté buckle but in the blue card I have only added a diamanté and pearls centre.

And you can add as many loops to your design as you wish and make them what ever size you like too.

You could also mix and match ribbons instead of using all the same one and that would give you the chance to use up any left over pieces you may have in your "Stash"




Y
You can add the loops with or without the tails for another look and then just glue them in place.

I use a hot glue gun as it gives a really strong bond and I am not worried that the bows, flowers, embellishments of loops will fall off.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



June 25, 2014

Those Babies ...

Hi Everybody,

The other day I added a photo of Baby Bow from Mo's digital Pencil and I gave the color list of the Spectrum Noir Pens used for the pink baby.   I   had several emails  asking if I would list  the colors of the other babies  too and so here  they are





Lilac Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4  FS5 ... gives a nice peaches and cream skin tone
Hair GB1 GB8  Pencils 086
Tutu  LV1 PL1 PL2







Yellow Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4   FS5
Hair Pencils 086  090  100  102
Tutu  CT2 CT3 CT4 OR1







Blue Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4   FS5
Hair GB1  GB8  Pencils  086  090
Tutu  TB1 TB3   Pencils   069  070  074






Pink Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4  FS5
Hair TN7  TN8  EB8
Tutu   PP1  PP3  PP4



Hope that helps you

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 24, 2014

Fun Card ...

Hi Everybody,

This is not a new technique it has been around for many many years.

It is one way of adding a marble effect to your card but a lot cheaper than the marbling kits that are on the market

I have done tutorials on using it in the past but this is bringing it up to date with some added extras

I have not used any special card either just the  White Linen effect one I use all the time for my bases from the Papermill Direct






It looks very effective and is one way to get your background to match the rest of your card ... ideal when you are searching for a paper that will go with your design


I have added in a pearly hat pin to this card and the diamanté "Bling" is from Want2Scrap

So this is the shaving foam technique in a short video format and I hope you will enjoy it as much as you have told me you are enjoying the others that I have added.

Thank you for the many comments,  emails and Facebook messages I get it is much appreciated and I hope you will give this fun technique a try ... even if it is messy

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





June 23, 2014

Adding the Pearl Sprays to Cards

Hi Everybody,

So yesterdays  video was how to create the pearl sprays for yourself and todays is showing how I added one of them to my card.

It is an easy but effective  way to make these little embellishments
and then I have added them with a hot glue gun.

I have simply pushed them into a flower display and the effect is very pretty ... but to buy these sprays in the shops can set you back a pretty penny.

You can add three or five beads ... or as many as you want to create your spray.

The card is created in the Hinged Card style and the filigree die is the Sue Wilson Seville from  JGD Crafts 



The close up shows you how it looks and I will certainly be adding them as an alternative decoration to some of my cards

I hope you enjoy the video and will give this idea a whirl and I will be back with more ideas soon

Yesterday I explained to you about why it is important to add the watermark to your creations and  Sue's Scrapping Memories asked me about it.

It is from Whimsy Stamps and the link will take you straight to the Watermarks   

 You can choose the style, font, color,size add your name and website to the mark.

They cost $5 (about £3.50 GBP)  and for that you get the watermark that is seen on my cards AND the signature that can be seen at the bottom of my web pages  (Not the blog signature)

So a real bargain and the choices are beautiful

More tomorrow ...

Hugs