Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

December 05, 2015

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

My what a day ... it's cold wet and blowing a gale. I am hoping it is a little better tomorrow as Vickie and I are taking Isabella to see Father Christmas. 

Vickie is the Grandmother and I am Great Gran to four year old Isabella and I don't know who is more excited about this visit than Vickie and I.  It will be wrap up warm weather but a good day out. 

It is Vickies birthday also which makes it even better

The card draw has been done for the card offered yesterday and the winners name is ...

Scrapper  
Can you email me your postal address please to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be in the post to you first thing Monday morning.

You have 48 hours in which to claim  the card and I hope you will like it when it arrives.
Please let me know when you do .

So no post tomorrow but I will be back on Monday
Have a lovely weekend

Hugs xx

December 04, 2015

Friday Freebie 096

Hi Everybody,

Pretty in pink is another of those cards created with the Lace and Frills texture plate from Spellbinders

I have added in some Guipure lace and satin ribbon for this card with a beautiful pink rose from Wild Orchid Crafts

I have tied the ribbon from Mei Flower into a single bow and threaded it with a pearl string

This card could be on its way to you if you leave me a comment at the end of the post.  One name will be chosen from the list of comments and the winner notified on the blog tomorrow.

If you add your name then PLEASE come back and check if you have won as you only have 48 hours from when it is listed to claim the card.

I do this because each week a card is given away and I don't want a back log of cards waiting to be claimed and then posted.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 03, 2015

Green, Red and Silver

Hi Everybody,

Here is another of the Christmas cards with red and green as the foundation but this time I have teamed it with Silver.

I have used once again the Mystical Embrace  as this is such an elaborate die that really makes a statement  on your cards

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and is another of their Poinsettia Flowers

I have added sparkle to their petals with fine glitter from Glitter Magic

 For the next card I have used exactly the same die and sentiment ... just altered the colour way a little.

But it gives a fresh take on things

And with the card from yesterday where I used the gold card on the design you have three different looks from one die.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  

December 02, 2015

Traditional Christmas Colours

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is for those who prefer the traditional look of red, green and gold for their Christmas Cards

All the card,  that I have used, apart from the gold, is 255 gsm from Papermill Direct   and there is a vast array of colours for you to choose from.

But it is a UK based company and maybe they will not ship abroad ... you would need to check that for yourself

The large Poinsettia flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have sparkled it with glitter.

The holly branch is from AnnaMarie Designs

The gold card has been cut with the 5x7  Mystical Embrace from Spellbinders and it creates a lovely focal point for your cards.

The sentiment is from Crafters Companion and it is one I have used many times

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


December 01, 2015

Tuesday Tutorial - Mary Border Strip

Hi Everybody,

Border strips are very popular at present,  especially those with a separate cutting edge that makes them even more versatile.  A few weeks ago I showed you how to create the box sides using another border strip but today we are going to make a card using the Mary Border Strip from Spellbinders

Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With die #7 from Matting basics A cut two and hinge them together to create your base
With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut one panel in white and emboss it with any folder that you have in your "Stash"
With die #6 from Matting Basics A cut another layer in pink 
(Please remember that #1 is always the smallest die)
With the Mary Border Strip cut the solid panel in pink with the outer cutting edge and the with both dies together cut the patterned piece. 
With small foam pads in between the layers,  add these two together
With the pink panel place the inner section of the border strip onto your card keeping it over to one side and pass it though your die cutting machine. Tape the die in place so that it won't move.
Carefully remove it and  add it to the other side of the card and keep it well over to the side.
 Place foam pads in strategic places on the back of the panel so that they cannot be seen from the front and add this to the white embossed layer
Stamp and heat emboss your sentiment onto some parchment that is wide enough to wrap around the layers and be glued on the back
Place the  separate cut out panel in between the two cut into the pink card and use foam pads to give extra height to this one.
 Adding in the foam  creates shadows and depth and makes the card look better than simply being flat
Wrap these layers with pink ribbon and the parchment strip, and secure on the back before adding them to the base card.
I have tied a double bow and added it to the ribbon with a flower centre to cover the knot.
And finally I added in the pearls at the top and bottom of the parchment strip

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



November 30, 2015

Using the "Misti" Stamping Tool (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Today I am adding a new video tutorial and it is done with the  MISTI 

That stands for the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented and if you like to stamp and need some help with it then this is the tool for you.

It does not come cheap but it will aid you to improve your stamping in all different kinds of ways and over the next few weeks I will endeavour to show you some of the things that I have done with mine
For this tutorial I have started off with an Ombre Effect background using Momento Dye Ink in Angel Pink, Lulu Lavender and Summer Sky

The colours are very pale but give a lovely washed out look to my background.

I searched through my stamps to fine any small butterfly stamps that I had and they are from various sources.




But the sentiments are from Sheena Douglass range of stamps from  Crafters Companion

The Diamanté Flourish is called Finesse from Want2Scrap and I have cut it to give me the pieces that I needed on my card

This and other videos can be found permanently in the Video Tutorials  in the title bar and there are lots for you to view plus don't forget the Tuesday Tutorial as a new one is added each week

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 29, 2015

Glitter Christmas Card (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Over the last few days we have been very busy adding in some new videos that I hope you will enjoy.

The first one is creating your own Glitter Card to be used on any of your designs for a lovely sparkly effect.

On this card I have used some gold glitter and stayed with the traditional colours that people like for the season.

The background has been embossed with the 8x8 folder  Star of Wonder   from Crafters Companion

The stamp is also from Crafters Companion and my glitter is from Glitter Magic  where you will find some really pretty colours





The red satin ribbon is from Mei Flower  and I have tied it into a double bow.

The flower centre is from Wild Orchid Crafts and I think this is another card that can go into the box of cards ready to send out this year.

Please check out the vidoes in the the Video Tutorials section in the titles bar as there are now many in there and the list is growing weekly

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 28, 2015

FF Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Gosh it's wet and windy here today and just the weather to be in the warmth at home.  Griff is glued to the telly as it is Formula One weekend and so I have some free time to do as I please.

The draw for the Teal card was done a little while ago and the winner of this pretty card this week is you ...

Gwendolyn Giles

would you email me  your postal address please to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be on its way to you.

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

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 27, 2015

Friday Freebie 095

Hi Everybody,

There will be some new videos added to the blog and website next week with some pretty cards and so I hope you will pop back to view.

The card on offer today is in Teal and has beautiful foiled card in the background.

The label shape is surrounded by Diamanté and the flowers sit alongside it in blending shades.

The inside of this card is lined and it is ready to send to who ever you wish.

If you would like to own this one then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the page.

In the morning a name will be drawn from the hat and the winner announced in the days blog post.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



November 26, 2015

More with Alphabets ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Alphabet dies that I have and this one is Donnas Alpha  from Spellbinders.

This can be done with any that you may have in your own crafting "Stash"

All you need to do is create your base card and one other layer from white card.

Mask off an area on the layer card and add ink to blend it out then remove your masking tape
Add in the word that you wish to spell so that it is half on the band of colour

Cut  it from the card... then add the cut letters to some double sided foam tape.

Emboss the lower part of the card and  add this panel flat to your base then place the raised letters back into the correct place.


Stamp and emboss your sentiment and add it to the card

Play with different words and colours to vary the look,

On the blue card I splashed some water on to the Distress Ink to bleach it out a little

Simple easy card and another way to get more for your money using dies that you may have had for quite some time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 25, 2015

Water Coloured Peonies ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is back to water colouring and this is the Peonies Scrolls Stamp from Altenew.

I bought mine from Make the Day Special and they have many dies and stamps sets that match each other.

It was lovely to sit and relax as I coloured the flowers and I used the Aqua Tints from Spectrum Noir to get the look

The finished card is 5x7" and I layered the panel onto some pale pink card.

I have used the die set   Peony Scrolls Die   to cut out several flowers and leaves, after they have been coloured and allowed to dry

I have used foam pads to layer on them onto my card front and it gives them varied heights so that some overlap others

The leaves are just tucked underneath each of the flower heads and again I used foam pads.

The sentiment is a chipboard one from Want2Scrap but I wanted to make it more glamorous so I added some gold foil  to it with the Heidi Swapp Minc Machine 

I have only had the new Minc Machine a few days and I am still playing around with it to see what I can create but I will be sure to add some videos as soon as I can.  But it looks like a lot of fun to play with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 24, 2015

Tuesday Tutorial - Arched Window One

Hi Everybody,

Todays tutorial is using the Arched Window that could be suitable for any occasion. Wedding, Christening, Sympathy or Confirmation.  I have decided to use mine for this Christmas card and apart from a little painting it was very easy to do.

 Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
Instructions:
Create a base card by simply folding an A4 piece of white card in half along the short side and then cutting it in half.  This will create two bases for you to use.
Cut another panel slightly smaller than the base card and emboss it with a brick effect pattern
Lightly rub a blender over the raised areas with a pale ink to accentuate the bricks ... I used Antique Linen
From the Arches die #3 and #4 cut them together to create the frame 
From the thin strip cut two or three to create the bars on the window.
(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)
Keep the small centre panel for another project
With any stamps that you have in your "Stash" create a little scene but make sure that it will fit inside the frame that you have just cut. 
I used a tree for mine and water coloured around it with Broken China and Black Soot.
Once it was dry I used a glue pen and dotted around the picture then sprinkled it with glitter
Create the window and add as many bars across as you like ... or leave them out altogether if you prefer.  I then added some Acetate to the back and trimmed it to fit the frame.
Add foam pads around the frame and carefully add it over your little scene and trim if needed
Add more foam pads to the back for more dimension
Wrap the twine around the bottom of the window frame and add in a couple of miniature bells
I stamped my sentiment in black and then heat emboss it with clear powder onto a strip of parchment 
Add the brick embossed panel to your base card and place the window in the position you prefer
Wrap the sentiment around the panel securing it on the back 
Add all to the base card and embellish as you like
On the card at the top of the page I used cream pearls and on the card at the bottom of the page I used white ribbon and Diamanté snowflakes
But both are really pretty cards
There is another idea using this die set for a Wedding Card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 23, 2015

Christmas in Blue

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is another non traditional coloured Christmas card and this time it is in a pretty baby blue.

It is very simply made and is a 5x7 " size

I have layered the blue with a thin layer of black and then onto white card and the patterned layer is  Grate Effect   from Spellbinders

The card is from  Papermill Direct  and it is all 240- 260 gsm.

There are some lovely colours to choose from and this is the card I use mostly for my base cards

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they have some really lovely Christmas sprays on their website at present

I have added some clear glitter stands to the petals for a sparkly look

The sentiment has been stamped onto a strip of parchment from AnnaMarie Designs  in black and heat embossed in glossy clear embossing powder from Wow.

You will find some beautiful spotty and striped card on  AnnaMaries  website so it's well worth a browse around

I have used pearls in the cross sections of the pattern and also to edge the parchment and I am very pleased with the result

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


November 22, 2015

Christmas in Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Just because it is a Christmas Card doesn't mean it has to be in traditional colours.

For this one I have used a pretty shade of pink card from  Papermill Direct   and added in a large white Poinsettia

The flowers are from  Wild Orchid Crafts and I have sprinkled them with some pink glitter strands

The dies are  Spellbinders Grate Effect  for the background and I have simply glued it flat to a piece of white card. Then layered them onto the pink base card.

The oval in pink is the Victorian Bow  and I have added hat with foam tape.  The sentiment has been stamped and heat embossed onto parchment and the strimmed to fit the front.

Each side of it has been dressed with Diamanté strips from Want2Scrap

The Flourish Trim  is a really useful small die and I have cut it twice and added to each side of the parchment strip.

So I wonder who will get this card from the Griffiths household at Christmas !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



November 21, 2015

Todays Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Do you have any snow in your area today? We don't here .. not a flake though it is cold.  But I have to say the sun is shining and it looks very fresh.  I am going to play with Isabella later today for a few hours and really looking forward to it.

The draw for the peach and white card has been done and this weeks name is ...

Sue MacFall
so if you could email me please at
christina@card-making-magic.com
I will post the card off to you straight away.
I hope you will like it when it arrives and please let me know that you have the card.

Have a lovely weekend everybody 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx