Those Crisp Tubs Again ...

Hi Everybody,

Have you had those delicious crisps again this year and have you thrown away all the empty tubs ???

Oh No you are going to be so sorry about that when you see what I have done with one.

And you can do it too ....  aaaaand if you give me a little time I will do a tutorial on how I did it !!

Over Christmas Day I promised Isabella a little treasure box for her bedroom.

I asked her if she would let me have the tub once she had eaten all the crisps in it and I would dress it with flowers for her.

She very willingly ate what was left of the crisps and gave me the tub and although I had made a start on it I hadn't finished it.

So when I went to see her yesterday she asked me ... "Have you got my crispie box with flowers ??

Oh my ... How a three year old can make you feel so guilty !!

So today I have finished it off and I will take it for her the next time I see her.

I have lined it with white felt and dressed it with flowers, ribbons and pearls

It is quite sturdy but obviously it is not a toy and she can add some little trinkets that she calls her treasure.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Seasons Giving Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I have left this post going for as long as I could to be fair to everybody here and abroad.  But there comes a time when a winner has to be chosen from the many comments that have been left for me.

Welcome to the new followers and please pop over and visit my Website too ... 

Card Making Magic

You will find lots of information there and many many tutorials on lots of different aspects to cardmaking

If you took part in the Blog Hop I really hope you enjoyed it all and found lots more blogs that you will continue to visit.  Thank you for your participation and I am sure that there will be another Blog hop soon.

So the name of the winner of the wonderful prize I am giving has at long last been chosen and it is YOU ....

Cindy Wilson

Please can you email me your full postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get the prize in the post to you straight away and I hope you will like it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Special Birthday ..

Hi Everybody,

Click this link 

Seasons Giving Blog Hop  

if you would like to participate ... and wins some fabulous prizes too The Hop is open until the 5th January and then a winner will be announced later in the day

In the meantime I am showing you a card that I was asked to make for a special birthday and I was given a lovely verse to add to the inside

I used a  Debbie Moore  CD for the image and although I have added the link to her website I cannot find the CD.

It is from the Glitter and Glitz Magic Moments CD if you are looking it

But I have had it for a long time and so maybe it is not now  available to purchase.

The die  is the   French Collection - Background    and it is one of my favorites from Sue Wilson

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  and are a lovely selection of Daisies, Roses, Tulips, Chrysanthemums and Sweetheart Blossoms ... with white leaves added to the mix.

I have added fine glitter from  Glitter Magic   to strategic areas on the ladies dress and that gives added sparkle to the design.

So tomorrow is the end of the big Blog Hop for me and so I hope you will be back later in the day to  check to see if you are the winner of my prize

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Well I am so late today it's almost another day ... but better late than never.

I hope you are adding your name to the  Seasons Giving Blog Hop   and visiting the other Blogs along the way. I am sure that you will find some really lovely ones that appeal to your individual style of cardmaking and you can add them to your favorites .... but please come back to me as I don't want to lose any of you 

Should you leave a comment on any of the blogs don't forget to make a note of it and then pop back to see if you are one of the winners.  And please make sure that they will ship to UK as some of the US ones are only for US addresses.

I have gained lots of new followers  because of this hop and I would like to welcome all of you... and thank you for the comments that you have left me.  If you are new I need to let you know that each week on a Friday I give away one of the cards that I have made.

To win the card you need to leave me a comment and a winner is chosen ... by the man affectionately known as my "Film Crew"  ...  my husband Griff.  Then you will have 48 hours in which to claim it and let me know where you are

And so the draw for the green card has been completed and a name chosen by my "Film Crew" and this weeks winner is ....

Jennifer Smith-Kirk

Can you email me please

christina@card-making-magic.com

and the card will be in the post to you straight away

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 040

Hi Everybody,

Welcome to the first Friday Freebie of 2015 and this one is in a pretty shade of green and white, and is wrapped with a dark green ribbon.

There are several pearls dotted around this card and they are from Want2Scrap

The card base is from Grand Large Labels  ... but please make sure that you buy the correct size if you want this set as there are three different sized sets that all work together

I have also used the Asian Motifs but this is a die set that is being retired.

The verse is from Lili of the Valley  and has been stamped and embossed in silver.

If this is a card that you would like to win then all you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of the post ... and maybe join the band of followers.

A name will be drawn from the hat tomorrow morning and the winner announced in the blog post.

So be sure to come back and check if you have joined in.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Seasons Giving Blog Hop: Year 3

Hi Everybody Happy New Year .... and welcome to the Seasons Giving Blog Hop: year 3
This is the first time I have taken part in this and I hope you will enjoy it all

As a wonderful start to 2015 I  wanted to say a big THANK YOU to each and every one of  my loyal blog readers who have been so supportive of me over the last year.
This is my way of showing my appreciation to YOU and you can find me in other places too ...
Card Making Magic  ...   Facebook  ...   Pinterest  ...   Twitter 

I have joined forces with lots of other blogs and suppliers and every one listed below is hosting a giveaway.  All you need to do is leave  a comment  at the blogs to say you have visited.

I hope you will enjoy my Blog and come back to visit me often and join the growing group of wonderful  followers too.  Every week I give away one of my cards as a Friday Freebie and we have regular prizes to give away but you will need to be a follower for the chance to win

This is the prize I am giving away ...

Spellbinders Mix n Match Ornaments

Sheena Douglass Sea Shells A5 Stamp sheet
Pack of Wild Orchid Crafts Flowers

Lavinia  Fairy Stamps

Bo Bunny Christmas stamps

Ladybug Crafts - Nikki and Friends stamp

3 packs of Want2Scrap pearl bling

Crafters Companion Glue Runner

The winner will be announced on January 5th 2015

Everyone of the Blogs listed below will be  joining in this  give-away  so be sure to visit them all and leave your comments for a chance to win the offered prizes from each participant.
Happy New Year Everybody 

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Lawn Fawn

Spellbinders Paper Arts

Reverse Confetti

Clearsnap 

Ice Resin

My Favorite Things

Paper Smooches

Sweet & Sassy Stamps

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Avocado Arts 

A Jillian Vance Design

Latina Crafter

 Die-Versions 

 Unity Stamp Company

 Splitcoaststampers

Verve Stamps

 Latisha Yoast

 AJ Otto

Vera Yates

Julia Stainton

Judy Hayes

Kim Watson

Yana Smakula

Chari Moss

Taheerah Atchia

Shemaine Smith

Emily Spahn

Kimberly Crawford

Lee Murphy

Lovely Linda

Laura Williams

Lori Tecler

Chaitali Narla

Darsie Bruno

Lydia Fiedler

Giovana Smith 

Teri Anderson

Beth Pingry

Dina Kowal

Daniela Dobson

Lisa Adametz

Piali Biswas

Kelli Green

Keri Lee Sereika

Jocelyn Olson

Julee Tilman

Michelle Woerner

Lori McAree

Theresa Momber

Anita Autore

Melody Rupple

Sean Fetterman

Bunny Vance

Tricia Traxler

Lisa Arana

Lorena Cantó

Amy Tsuruta

Jodi Collins

Tenia Nelson

Kelly Klapstein

Jill Cornell

Emily Leiphart

Becky Williams

Margie Higuchi

Lee Ann Barrett

Lisa Hoel

Heather Campbell

Lisa Henke

Sheri Holt

Michele Kovack

Ashley Harris

Sharon Harnist

Lori Craig

Nicole Nowosad

Laurel Beard

Michele Boyer

Christiana Reuling

Laurie Schmidlin

Jennifer Priest

Stacey Schafer

Heidi Blankenship

Heather Pulvirenti

Anita Madden

Gloria Stengel

Sarah Gough

Rachel Kleinman

Natalie Dever

Lorine Mason

Loretta Lock

Meihsia Liu

Sarah Martina Parker

Angeline Choo

Christine Emberson

Karen Hightower

Sabrina Alery

Debbie Seyer

Dana Joy

Cat Tidwell

Deborah Saaranen

Ceal Pritchett

Lisa Lara

Colleen Schaan

Anabelle O'Malley

Megan Hoeppner

Monika Davis

Marisa Ritzen

Wanda Guess

Jenny Peterson

Annette Allen

Gracie Chavez

Christina Griffiths     You Are Here

Niki G

Kristi Schurr

Jennifer Ingle

Karolyn Loncon

Camille Robinson

Lindsey M-P

Kathy Clement

Maria Levine

Savitri Wilder

Savannah O'Gwynn

Teresa Horner

Laurel Seabrook

Libby Hickson

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Alice Wertz

Leigh Penner

Lisa Lee

Tina McDonald

Nina Yang

Angel Johns

Casual Santa ...

HO HO HO !!

This is Santa here just to say "Bye" for this year as my work is done.

All you good little boys and girls will have got your gifts and now it's time for me to head off back to the North Pole. 

I just had a few little repairs to make to the sleigh and then the reindeers will be able to take us home.

Christina took this picture of me while I was busy mending the sleigh ... not my usual attire but the red suit is for special days.

Mrs Santa will be waiting with a nice roast dinner and the red suit can be washed and ironed ready for next year.

The Elves will also get some time off  ... until they have to start making next years toys.

Be good and take care ...

Santa  xx

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Footnote from Christina

The image is from Just Inklined and I thought it would make a really good Santa out of his normal outfit. He has been colored with Spectrum Noir and his glasses are Glossy Accents.  I have even smudged a little black on his skin to look dirty.

Colors used ...

FS2 FS3 IG2 IG3 IG6 TN2 TN4 EB4 TB6 TB7   Blender pen

P.S.   Thank you for entering into the spirit of todays card and especially to Elaine who wrote this lovely reply to Santa and I hope she won't mind me adding it here:

Dear Santa 
Thank you so much for all your hard work 
All the Little Boys and Girls are so happy with the New Gifts they have
You did a grand job .

I hope the repairs to your sleigh are not too major 
and you have a good journey back to the North Pole 
then the reindeer can have a good long rest .

Mrs Clause will be so pleased to see you 
back home and will spoil you 
with good hot dinners 
after traveling all over the world .

Christina has taken a very good Picture of you 
( she has a new camera you know and has been practicing , isn't she doing well ? )
it is nice to see you without your splendid red suit 
but to be honest i would have known your lovely face anywhere .

Anyway Santa 
I just want to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year .

Take Care 
Elaine H X

So pleased ...

Hi Everybody,

On Christmas Day I had all my family around at my house for dinner and a very jolly affair it was too. One by one they all arrived ..  laden with gifts to be exchanged.  It was full of loud chatter and much laughter.

Griff bought himself a Christmas sweater with a big Snowman on the front ... but my youngest daughter out did him by wearing a sweater that had lights in the Christmas tree that actually twinkled.

My youngest Grand daughter Robyn ... who is 21 ... couldn't wait to get through the door to tell me her good news.  Her boyfriend Jamie had proposed to her and  given her an engagement ring as part of her Christmas surprise.

They make a lovely couple and seem so happy together and everybody was really pleased at the news.

And today I have made this card for them in  Robyns' favorite color of deep purple.  Inside here is a little tag with their names and the date on it and I know she will love it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

My gift ...

Hi Everybody,

I had to show you this beautiful gift that my Grand-daughters give to me on Christmas Day

I was not allowed to open it until they where both with me and I was so touched by this lovely gift.

It is not a card but a large picture frame and it is created by Emma Ogden

She can be found on Facebook at Made by Emma Ogden

They had it specially made and have added all our family names to it.

This includes my husband Griff, my two daughters Amanda and Victoria, two grand-daughters Ashleigh and Robyn, one grandson Jamie and one great grand-daughter Isabella.

And I love it xx

This is Isabella playing with some of her gifts at my house.

Both of my daughters are in the photo and the one bending down is grand mother to Isabella.

We had a lovely time playing with her  and the keyboard was so much fun.

And I had quite forgotten how much mess one little girl can make ripping open presents.  She couldn't wait to get to the next one ... kids !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.  I know that some of you are in deep snow and although it looks pretty it is not my favorite thing ... especially if you need to be going somewhere.  The UK seems to grind to a halt whenever we have snow.

Here in the North West it is cold ... but the sun is shining and the sky is blue

Because I was late adding the post for last weeks Friday Freebie I have allowed it to run on until today and this morning a name was chosen

The winner of the bright and sunny yellow card is ...

Ann Morris

so if you would email me 

christina@card-making-magic.com

your postal address as soon as you can I will get the card in the post to you straight away

I hope you will visit on New Years Day as there is going to be a really huge Blog Hop and the chance for you to win lots of  "Goodies" from the many designers and suppliers that are taking part in it.

It is a really nice way to show readers that they and their comments are very much appreciated and I have a lovely prize that will be on offer. 

You will be able to click links to go to other blogs and all you need to do is leave a comment.  You will find blogs that will become your favorites as you hop along ... but please come back to me as you do ... I don't want to lose any of you wonderful people 

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Made for me by Gracie and Margaret

Hi Everybody,

I have a little tutorial going "Live" today on the   Spellbinders Blog   so I hope you will pop over and take a look ... click the link on their page to expand the tutorial

Before the end of the year is with us I wanted to show you two more cards that have been made and sent to me by my readers.

All these cards are so special and I really do appreciate the time and care taken to make them for me.

The largest one in this photo was made by Grace and she is a lady who lives opposite me.  It is very pretty in silver and white.

It is layered with silver paper and a lovely silver bow has been added.

The smaller cards is a beautiful hand painted picture of Grasmere Church

It came to me with a little note to say that this water colour ... painted by Margaret ... was sent to me because Margaret doesn't feel that any of her cards are good enough.

I think it is beautiful and I have taken it from the card Margaret and I have a silver frame that I am going to add it too

It will be a permanent reminder that although we have never met you took the time to paint this and send it to me and I thank you very much.




And as final note to this post can I say to all you cardmakers out there in the world .... NEVER ever under estimate your own work ... it is all wonderful .

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 039

Hi Everybody,

This is the last Friday Freebie for 2014 and so I have chosen a lovely bright and cheerful one to remind us that spring is on the way.

The card is completed in a sunny yellow and white with an easy sentiment added for any occasion.

The die that I have used is the really beautiful Fleur de Elegance   from Spellbinders

I love this die as it is so versatile and quite large too.

I have added in Flowers  in various shades of yellow and they are from Wild Orchid Crafts

The satin Ribbons I have wrapped around the layers  adds  interest to the front

The Pearls that adorn my card is from Want2Scrap 



These three elements are items that I use on most of my cards and of course give me the title for my Blog ... Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls

So if you would like to win the last FF card for this year then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

As it is so late in the day that I have added this post  I will keep this offer open until Sunday morning and then I will announce the winner.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

To Everybody ...

Whatever the season means to you I hope it is a good one xx

Made for me by Mary and Brenda

Hi Everybody,

Over the last few days I have shown you some cards that have been made FOR me and not by me. Because I make cards I find that at Birthdays and Christmas time people won't make and send me cards because they don't make them like I do.

It wouldn't do for us all to make cards the same and the simple fact that it is handmade by YOU makes it super special to those that you give them too. Give the cards that you make with love and be proud of them.

Earlier this year I started a Card Class in my own home and most Wednesdays we have met and made cards.  I regularly post on these pages the cards that my two lovely ladies make.

Here are the ones that they have made in their own homes and gave to me at the last class for this year.

So you can see that I have a beautiful collection of cards that are there for all who visit my house to see.  I will be keeping each and every one of them as "Keepsakes" and thank you for taking the time to make me these lovely cards.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Made for me by Kim and Jenny

Hi Everybody,

Today I would like to show the cards made and sent to me by two more ladies who regularly visit my pages and leave me comments or send me emails.

I am so grateful for the support that ALL of you give to me in all the places that you can find me ... Website ... Blog .. Pinterest ...  Etsy ... Facebook ... Twitter and of course with Spellbinders. I couldn't do this without you

So here are the cards sent to me from Kim and Jenny

The gold one is made by Kim.   Griff and I met Kim and her husband Mick a few years ago on a cruise ship holiday and we all got on quite well.  We have kept in touch since the holiday and have met up again  and  have plans for more visits in the  New Year.

Jenny made me the silver card and she visits my blog regularly.  We made arrangements to meet when Jenny came to Blackpool for a visit with her husband Jim.  It was lovely to meet her and she gave me the warmest hug when I met her it was as if we had known each other for ages.

Thank you ladies the cards are on top of the telly ...

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx