Birthday Give Away...

Hi Everybody,

This year so far has been quite hectic in one way or another and in all the activity several anniversaries are passing by un noticed

So I am bringing them to the forefront with a little "Give Away" to celebrate ...

Flowers Ribbons & Pearls was 3 on the 2nd February ..

Card Making Magic will be 6 on the 12th March

And I am 21 again on the 6th March ...and Thank you for the lovely cards that have been sent to me for my birthday

And this is what is on offer for this prize and it is all brand new

• 2 pks of Wild Orchid Flowers
• 3 pks of Want2Scrap "Bling"
• 2 sheets of Organza
• 2 stamps
• 1 pk Brads

So if you would like to be in with a chance of winning this gift then here's what you need to do ...

Become a follower and leave me a comment. Then add your name and email to the list at the bottom of the page ... and  don't forget to come back and check if you are the winner

The Card is Yours ....

Hi Everybody,

Busy morning for me and only just got the time now to announce the
Friday Freebie winner. 

 Then later it's off to play with Isabella at her Nana's house for a few hours before settling down for Saturday night TV.

The draw has been done by my "Film Crew" and the winner of the beautiful pink card is ...

Trulyblessed ...

so if you would like to email me please 

christina@card-making-magic.com

with your postal address I will get the card in the post to you straight away.

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

Tomorrow I have a brand new  "Give Away" going live with the chance for you to win some lovely Goodies  to play with. So I hope you will pop back then and add your name to the list but  please become a follower if you want to enter for that prize

And I forgot ...

to tell you that I have a new tutorial on Spellbinders Blog  to view and here is the link ... 
 Especially For You 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 048

Hi Everybody,

This is another card that is much prettier in real life and it is in a beuatiful shade of pink

The wings on the butterfly will need fluffing out again but the background is all glittered.

I have used the Sue Wilson  French Collection Background  and it is quite a substantial die.

The ribbon is from Mei Flower  and it is tied in a double bow.

The bows centre is from Wild Orchid Crafts

The verse is from Sheena Douglass  and there are several on the stamp sheet.  I have stamped it in black and clear embossed it.

If you would like to win this card then all you have to do is leave me a comment ... and please become a follower too

A name will be drawn in the morning and the winner announced in the blog post.  You will then have 48 hours to claim the card and I will send it to you wherever you live

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Birthday Card ...

Hi Everybody,

I like the shade of teal in this card as it is very pale and subtle.

The card is from Anna Griffin - Lovely Layers  and there are lots in the pack to choose from

I have used   Bracket Edge Borders Two  and created layers as I showed you in the Tuesday Tutorial on the 17th Feb

There are other tutorials with other types of border dies on Card Making Magic

The bottom of the card is created with Lonely Hearts  and I have used the inner piece to leave the design in the card

The inside of my cards is lined and created in the Hinged Card Style

The buckle and pearl centrepieces are from Wild Orchid Crafts 

The ribbon is some that I bought in  Lidl  and it is excellent quality in several colors too.  I have a little tutorial to show how I got the   Ribbons and Buckles   look for my design

And to finish the card I have added the Happy Birthday which is Spellbinders Sentiments Three

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Heartfelt Thanks ...

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card done with yellow and I must admit that this color is growing on me the more I use it.

The card is a 6" square and I have teamed it with black for a dramatic look.

I have layered parchment over the dark floral card to subdue it a little and it is held in place with eyelets in each corner

For the centrepiece I have used  Labels 42 - Decorative Accents 

This set has a plainer Labels 42  to match as well as Labels 42 - Decorative Elements  and these dies will all play nicely together

There are four dies in the pack and number one (#1) is always the smallest  so with that in mind I have cut the #4 from Black and #3 from yellow

I have hand cut the sentiment .., which was free with this months copy of Simply Cards and Papercrafts  magazine ... and layered it on to more of the yellow.

The flowers are pale yellow from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I created a matching box for the card too.

"Yes !!"  the more I look the more I like it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Gold Majesty Circles

Hi Everybody,

When Spellbinders introduced the concept of the Imperial Gold dies it was a completely new idea to the world of die cutting.

With these dies you had not only the ability to cut and emboss but now you could also deboss the design into the card for a really special look.

For this card I have used mirror card and placed a matching hatpin into the bow.

For the base  cut two #7  5x7 Matting Basics A   in white (#1 being the smallest)

In the color f your choice cut 1  #7 5x7 Matting Basics B  and between this layer and the base card I hand cut another really thin edged layer in mirror card

In a patterned card cut one #6 5x7 Matting Basics A ... I used the spotty card

This video  tutorial explains why I like to make my cards in  this particular way ...  Create a Hinged Card

With  Gold Majesty Circles  #6  cut  and emboss the base layer from Mirror  card

Then  place the dies #4  #5  #6  together on your card and cut and emboss.

You can use  a magnetic sheet to hold these dies in place as you need to make sure that they  will not slip and cross each other or you will ruin the cutting edge

These three will create the frame shown and will give you a lovely deep impression in your card

Place foam pads on the wrong side of this frame and use the wider areas so that they wont be seen.

Add this frame to the mirror card base you cut previously

Layer up the mirror card, colored card and patterned card and use foam pads between the bottom layer and the base card.

Now before I add mine I wrapped ribbon around them so that it will be hidden inside the layers.

I added foam tape to the shaped layers and then added them to my base.

I inked the edges of a sentiment that has been cut into a plain circle and then added it to a Scalloped circle.

I used foam pads behind this and placed into the centre aperture onto the mirror card.

Then with a neatly tied bow with a Hatpin and some gemstones around the edge of the frame I think this is a really pretty card.

The large dazzler has been added to the knot and some flowers are my finishing touch,

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lovin' Diamonds

Hi Everybody,

I had a lovely day out yesterday and we visited the   Sincerely Yours Craft Show   in Leigh.  These shows are held all over the country and so click the link to find out if there is one being held near you.

And a really big "Thank You" to everyone who took the time to say  "Hello"  because they recognised me from Create and Craft ... it was all  my pleasure and really nice to stand and chat with you if only for a little while

I always go armed to these shows with my pennies all clutched in my hot little hand ready to spend and yesterday was no exception.  I bought lots of goodies from my favorite suppliers and tomorrow I will be playing again with the items that I bought.

Amongst my buys are some really pretty satin ribbons from  Mei Flower  as they always tie into a wonderful bow to add to your designs.

I bought some lovely card in pastel colors  at 250 gsm from  AnnaMarie Designs   and this is excellent quality for use as your base card or for matting and layering  And craft shows are always a good place to stock up on many of your staples like glues or embossing powders, acetate or card as you are sure to save some pennies if you do.

So todays card is  from the Spellbinders Laced with Love Collection and this one is called  Lovin Diamonds    It is a 6" square card front and makes creating your card so easy.  Once cut you can add any shaped labels to the front with the verse of your choice.

The one I have used is a stamped sentiment from  Lili of the Valley  It has been stamped in pink and then heat embossed it with clear powder.

The ribbon is from  Mei Flower  and it is tied in a single bow and the dazzler in the centre of the bow is from   Wild Orchid Crafts   ... but no flowers are added to this one ... don't ask me why not !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Gift ...

Hi Everybody,

This gift started life as a really inexpensive ring bound notebook

It is ideal to be kept by the side of the phone for any messages you may need to take

I opened the ring binder very carefully and decorated it with some really pretty paper.

And what's more there is a video tutorial ... that was done some years ago by me ...  to show you the process.

I have used Spellbinders on mine simply because I have them but you  can use punched shapes or hand cut ones to create this look ... Altered Notebook

The die I used is the  A2 Floral Ribbon Threader  and added pink ribbon to the slots

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts  along with the dazzler on the bow

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Freebie Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

The sun is shining here in the North West even though it is cold and later today I am going to play with Isabella at making cakes at her Nanas' (my daughter) house

Isabella is my three year old Great grand-daughter and I bought her a cup cake  maker a few weeks ago ... and she loves it and makes cakes for everybody.  I have also got all the little sprinkles, stars and hearts that she can add to the top to make them pretty.

And so onto the Freebie card ...  a name has been picked at random for the winner of the White, Gray and Silver card from yesterday ... and this one is coming to live with you ....

Anne Owens 

please email me ...

christina@card-making-magic.com

your postal address and the card will be on its way to you.

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 047

Hi Everybody,

Todays Friday Freebie is much prettier in real life than the photo shows and I don't think the winner will be disappointed with it.

It is in silver and white and has the addition of ribbons, lace and some soft gray pearls

It has many layers  created using Sue Wilsons dies and these are from the  California Collection

The inside is lined too and the finished card is 5x7

So maybe this is a color scheme that appeals to you and if it is then all you need to do to win it is leave me a comment at the bottom of the post.

Click the word Comment and it will open another box for you to type into.  Then submit ...

But please remember your comment will only be visible once it has  been moderated ... so please don't add it two or three times

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Rosette Blooms ...

Hi Everybody

This simple card is created  as a smaller sized card using  A2 Matting Basics 

I have embossed the top layer with the  Bricks and Bark  embossing folder from Spellbinders just to add more texture to my design

I have been asked how I join the two base card pieces together ... there is a video to show you what I do and I always use a wet glue for a stronger bond

Double sided tape tends to dry out after a while and the card will start to come apart

And although in the tutorial I am using the 5x7 the principal is the same  ...  Hinged Card Style   whichever of the matting basics that you use

And if you are wondering why you would need two sets of dies that look identical  ... here is another tutorial which explains that they are not the same at all ... Spellbinders Matting Basics

I have hand cut the banner shape and topped it with the Rosette Blooms   from the  Celebrations Collection from Spellbinders

The pink ribbon has just been tied into a bow behind the bloom and some pearls added around the tag

A quick and easy card to make or keep in your "Ready To Go " box for any of those unexpected occasions when somebody needs a card in a hurry.  Add any sentiment you have to suit and there you go ...

Just A Note ...

I was due to be on Create and Craft next week but I will not be there.  It is Pats' funeral on Tuesday and I will be attending to say my final Goodbyes to my very dear friend.  

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spellbinders Labels Eight

Hi Everybody,

This card is created in my favorite style of   Hinged Card  as this works for me every time and stabilises all the embellishments that I add to the front.

I have used a deep purple for this one and I have used  Labels Eight   and the matching  Majestic Labels Eight

At the top and bottom of the Labels I have added in the pretty little Flourish Trim  as an extra

I used a lovely pearl flourish from  Want2Scrap   and I found some matching feathers in my "Stash" so they were added too.

The single flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts  and it sits on top of a lace bow.

The inside is lined and the finished card is created with  5x7 Matting Basics A & B

Buying the Labels of your choice and the Matching Accents or Elements that go with it will always give you lots of choice when you start to make your cards.

And to me it is better to have those dies that match rather than buy random ones to swell your collection.  Look after your dies and make them work ... for a lifetimes pleasure of making beautiful cards

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Border Dies

Hi Everybody,

Border dies are a useful addition to your crafty "Stash" as they can give you some really pleasing effects very quickly

For this card I have used the Scalloped Borders Three  but although there are different patterns and styles to each of the sets  they all work in basically the same way

I have also used Sentiments Three for this card but take a look at some of the others as you are sure to find some that will suit your needs

For the base cut two #7  5x7 Matting Basics A  in white

With a color of your choice  cut one #7 5x7 Matting Basics B

I have embossed this colored layer with the double sided  Garden Lattice A4 folder

Cut two more layers in white with the  #7 from 5x7 Matting Basics B

With  your choice of  Border Dies  ... add one cutting edge and one patterned piece from the set to one of these white layers

Tape securely in place so that the dies will not cross over and run it through the machine

And at the other side you will have two pieces of card with the pattern in one of them

Emboss the second white piece  of card with an embossing folder and then tape just the cutting edge to this layer

This will give you another layer that is now divided into two and this will be embossed also but will not have the cut out pattern in it

Now you need to layer them altogether so that you have a staggered look.

I have used foam tape and placed the embossed layer on the top of the lacy layer so that the pattern can be seen.

Trim the card at the top and bottom as you need to give you a neat finish and make all the card level.

Once you have wrapped ribbon around these layers add them to the base card and embellish as you would like.

I have added a simple sentiment, a bow and some pearls and that's it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Do You Remember ??

Hi Everybody,

Do you remember last year that in October last year I told you that I had been contacted via Facebook by a young woman,  Phillipa Griffin,  who asked me if  I would be willing to  help her Charity ... Festive Friends ... and make some Christmas cards for isolated and lonely elderly  people in the Northwest UK

I volunteered all of you in the blog post ...  "Will you help please ?"   ... and I was so happy with the response you  gave me as many of you said that you would.

Well today I have had a lovely message from Philippa and she has asked me to pass on her heartfelt thanks to all of you who sent her cards and here is the message ...

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

Dear Christina,

I wanted  to thank you so very much for promoting my Christmas pilot project Festive Friends. I am incredibly grateful as your support proved very fruitful, helping us to receive over 270 cards for guests of Contact The Elderly in the Northwest UK

I was overwhelmed by the generosity and creative talent of so many of your readers who took the time and energy to produce simply beautiful handmade cards, and also to write such thoughtful messages inside. Cards also came from ten different countries, so a special thank you to those who sent cards from overseas!

I wonder whether you would be so good as to promote these words on your blog/website/Facebook group to communicate my heartfelt thanks to your readers? I wrote personally to volunteers who enclosed their address, but this was a minority so there are many that I cannot thank personally.

I am awaiting a decision from Contact The Elderly as to whether they wish to expand the project in 2015, and I hope very much that the answer will be Yes. If you would still be interested in supporting Festive Friends this Christmas (although it seems like last Christmas has only just finished!) please do let me know and I will keep closely in touch.

I would also welcome any feedback, comments or suggestions from readers. There are many things that I would try to improve for 2015, but many heads are always better than one!

With many, many thanks once again for helping to cheer the Christmasses of some of Britain’s most isolated elderly citizens.

Warm wishes,
Philippa

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

Can I also add my Thank You to Philippas'  message and I know you are all wonderful and so very good to me in the way you support me in my endeavors.  And I am up for the challenge again this year and I hope you will be when I add the call again for Christmas cards this year

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

International Ambassadors Blog Hop

Hi Everybody,

The International Ambassadors are hopping again and we hope you will join us on another informal trip to see what is going on this time in other parts of the world. It is a great way for you to get to know us and see our individual styles


Our roles as Ambassadors are to introduce you  to some of the beuatiful new designs that are coming onto the market

And to show you what you can do with the dies that you buy and help you to get the most from each and every one.

There are only five of us but we are based all over the world with Christine Emberson and I based here in the UK.

I hope you will vista Linda in Australia, Yvonne in The Netherlands and Ursula in Germany.

Leave them a comm-net to let them know that you popped by and maybe you will visit regularly once you get to know them

We had so much fun last time  with the Victorian Collection that we thought  we would like to inspire you again.

This time around we are featuring the Spellbinders Laced with Love Collection
and as it is Valentines Weekend we thought it a very appropriate  set of dies to use

So this time I have the honour of starting off the Blog Hop and here are the other stops along the way ...

Christina Griffiths ... you are here
Linda Lucas  ... your next stop
Yvonne Van De Grijp
Ursula Langhammer ... not participating this time
Christine Emberson

My choice for this blog hop is  Lonely Hearts  as I just love the versatility of this die

I have a couple of photos to show you of the cards I have made and there will be more as the year goes on.

Have fun 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx