Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

January 03, 2016

Sunny Yellow ...

Hi Everybody,

This is my style of card and I love making these ... full of flowers, ribbons and pearls, and I will be showing you more of this style this week.

The sentiment if from JustRite Stampers and is one on the sheet of many really useful wordings

The background is Spellbinders   Grateful Lattice  and it creates a really pretty backdrop that has been layered over the  Daffodil Yellow card.

All the card I have used is from   Papermill Direct  and is one of their summer colours of 255 gsm card stock.

Clicking any of  the underlined words will take you to the page to view the product featured.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and are a lovely mixture of Roses, Carnations, Camellias, Apple Blossom and they have all been sparked with Glitter Magic

The organza ribbon is from Mei Flower and it has been tied in a double bow. Into the bow I have pushed one of my handmade HatPins and it matches the colour scheme

The  flourish coming from the flowers and the edging pearls are from Want2Scrap  anmd add the finishing touch to a lovely card.

Don't forget that the prize on offer in the Seasons Giving Blog Hop is still there until midnight tonight so if you haven't added your link now is the time to do it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx








January 02, 2016

Cute Bunny ...

Hi Everybody,

How cute is this image and it has been coloured with Gansai Tambi water colours.

I added the stripes to the shirt with a white gel pen and the background is created freehand with the paints.

The flower and the patches have been sparkled with the Wink Of Stella clear glitter pen.

The fence and  the birds free hand drawn with a black fine liner to add a little more to my scene

I really enjoyed colouring this one and it took me ages to finish the card.

I added it all to a piece of white craft foam and then layered it onto the base which is a top folded card

This would be ideal for a childs birthday and I will be playing some more with these lovely water colours ... and doing some videos too.

Don't forget to add your name to the  Seasons Giving Blog  list if you would like to win some "Goodies"

More Tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 



January 01, 2016

Seasons Giving Blog Hop year 4

 This is the time of year when I would like to wish you all a really
  Happy New Year 
and to say a massive
Thank You
to every one of you for all the support that you have shown me throughout the past year. 

You are the ones that make all the tutorials, videos and blog posts worth while.

I love to read the comments, that you make the time in your busy days, to leave for me and this is my way of saying a huge thanks to you

 Last year I took part in a really huge Blog Hop that went around the world and introduced you to some really talented artists in many different areas.

This year we have joined forces again to show all our followers how much we care and to take you on a hop to delight your senses.  Many of the people and companies taking part will be giving a little something back as a way to say thanks.

The list is long but a whole lot of fun and please leave them a comment as you visit, and if you would like to leave ME a comment here then please do so at the end of the post. 

You can also become a regular follower by adding your name to "Join This Site"  in the left hand column.

So my "Give Away" for this year to one lucky winner will be the following items....

2 pks Hobby Craft Rhinestones
2 pks Creative Expressions Pearl flourishes
1 pk Glitter
2 Humphreys Corner  un-mounted Stamps
4 reels of ribbon
1 metre length of Guipure Lace
5 Decorative Hat pins

Just leave me a comment and add your name to the InLinkz box at the end of the post  and one name will be chosen from the list and the winner announced in a blog post so please come back and check if it is your name that is shown

The draw will be open until midnight on the 3rd January and then one name will be chosen at random

The winner will be notified by email and the name announced in the blog post on Monday the  4th Jan 2016

It's time to go hopping and I hope you will enjoy the others ...

Christina Griffiths   (You are here)

December 31, 2015

Water Coloured Peonies ...

Hi Everybody,

Water colouring is fast becoming my way to relax and I am thoroughly enjoying playing with the new Gansai Tambi set that Santa brought me

The image is from the stamp set Peony Scrolls from Altenew and it also has a matching die set.

I bought mine from Make the Day Special and at present they are upgrading their website so I will link to them for the stamp and die at a later date.

So tonight is New Years Eve and if you are out and about then take care and have a good time

Please come back to visit tomorrow as there is a really good prize of crafting "Goodies" on offer for you to start the New Year

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx




December 30, 2015

Not a Square !!

Hi Everybody,

On Monday  I featured a card that used the Square dies from Craft Stash and this card is using the exact same dies.

I have used them in a different way that disguise the fact that it is a square die set.

Here we have the Scalloped Square Frames cut across the diagonal and added with foam pads into a diamond shape and added to the top and bottom of the 5x7 card base

The background panel has been dry embossed with European Tapestry  from Spellbinders.

The Diamanté flourish is from Want2Scrap and I have added it either side of the sentiument.

The   "Thank You"  is part of a set of dies also from Spellbinders called Phrases Two  which I have cut several times out of silver mirror card and craft foam to give it height

A pretty card with lots of texture to it and that makes it more interesting than flat, plain, empty spaces.

About Tutorials ...


The other day I gave you the link to the tutorial that was on Spellbinders Blog Post and it did not work ... my apologies ... here it is again 

Making a little gift box with the Flourish Frame Pocket  

Please remember that all the tutorials that I have done are clickable links for you to go to that page

They are also added to the appropriate  sections titled Video Tutorials at the top of the page or Tuesday Tutorials in the right hand column and they will always be accessible for you to use.  The list of tutorials is getting long and I hope you will revisit them for ideas if ever you get stuck

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx.


December 29, 2015

Tuesday Tutorial - Floral Burst

Hi Everybody,

Do you have any of the Cut, Fold and Tuck dies in your crafting "Stash"? This one is the Floral Burst from Spellbinders and it has been around for quite some time.  

But for me it is time to revisit some of these older dies and put them to good use and for this card I have used several different sets.
I am sure that many of you will have dies that have not seen the light of day for some time too
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
Instructions:

With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces of white card and Create a Hinged Card
With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut another panel from some patterned paper
(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)
Hand cut another layer in plain card to sit in between the die cut ones
Glue the two layers together but don't add to the base card yet

With the largest die from Detained Scallops and Decorative Labels Eight  cut one panel in white and add thin foam tape to the back of each
With #5 Labels Eight cut another plain panel in white and dry emboss this

With Luscious Lime cut the Floral Burst and fold each petal back and tuck under the previous one
Place small foam pads in strategic places at the back of the shape
Stamp and heat emboss the sentiment onto some parchment that is long enough to wrap around all the layers. I placed mine at an angle for a different look this time

Have a practise run to see how you would like the card to look and when you are happy with it remove the backings from the foam tape and complete.

Finish the card with any embellishments that you have 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx
















December 28, 2015

Friendship Card ...

Hi Everybody,

This card is another one that I made as part of my commitment to  Craft Stash 

With the  Scalloped Square Frames  set I have threaded some thin blue satin ribbon around the edge and added a triple bow to the side.

The centre piece of the set has been cut three times and layered up ... off setting each piece to make it look like a round centre.

The single Lily is from Wild Orchid Crafts and that is all the card really needs to complete the look.

The blue pearls are from Want2Scrap  and are dotted in each corner of the embossed back panel.

Many of the cards that I have made are featured on their Facebook Page so please pop over and take a look


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



December 27, 2015

The Isabella Show ....

Hi Everybody,

There have been no blog posts for a couple of days but I have not been idle in the background. 

Yesterday  my blog post for Spellbinders went "live" and I did a tutorial creating a really pretty box with   Flourish Frame Pocket

Fill these with anything that you like and they are the perfect small gift for any time of year.



Yesterday was spent with family and having fun with Isabella. If you have followed me for a while then you will know that Isabella is my adorable and much loved 4 year old Great Granddaughter

 One of her Christmas Gifts was a microphone on a stand and she invited us all to the    "Isabella Show"  where she sang "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"  and "When Santa got stuck up the Chimney" amongst others.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas Everybody ...



This is to each and every one of you and may your Christmas be all you hope for.

Much Love

December 24, 2015

Friends Are ...

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is one that I made as part of my commitment to Craft Stash and this and some of the other that I have made are featured on their Facebook Page

This die is the Scalloped Circle Frame  and I have cut the large circle several times and layered them together to give height to the die cut.

The sentiment has been added to the centre of the circle and some gingham ribbon placed at the top.

The buckle is from Wild Orchid Crafts and makes a pretty addition to the ribbon which is from Mei Flower

I have cut several flowers from the smaller die in the set and layered them onto the circle with some white leaves

The leaves and the glitter ball centres to the flowers are both from WOC

I have used Spellbinders  5x7 Matting Basics A&B  to create the hinged base card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



December 23, 2015

Pretty Girl ...


Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with watercolours and I have used once again the Japanese Gansai Tambi paints.

The more I play with these the more I like them and all thirty six of the colours are very vivid and creamy.

The  digital image is from Saturated Canary and there are lots of really cute images for you to choose from ... you will be spoilt for choice

This one I have dressed with flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and matched them to the colour scheme of my card. The pearls are self adhesive from Want2Scrap

The background to the card is the embossing folder Shady Allure  and I have inked over the raised pattern

The card itself is created with 5x7 Matting Basics A and B and is much prettier in the hand

The sentiment is from the Phrases One  set by Spellbinders and I have cut it from card and craft foam to give it height.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





December 22, 2015

Tuesday Tutorial - Edgeabilities

Hi Everybody,

Adding a decorative edge to your cards can be easily obtained with the aid of a die, and Spellbinders have several sets that all mix and match together.  This pretty card has been created with one of those sets but the same result can be done with any that you have in your crafting "Stash"

I am aware that these are old dies but some of you may have them and it is always good to re visit the older ones. After all you bought them because you liked them and you may as well put them to good use.

I have linked below to another style that is still available and at a really good price but these dies are being retired and so if you don't  have one,  but like the idea then grab them while you can.
 My apologies that I cannot link to the actual Classic Triple Scallop set that I have used.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces and  Create a Hinged Card  for your base
With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut one more layer and dry emboss this with any folder that you have in your "Stash" 
(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)
In between these two layers you will need to hand cut another in the colour of your choice so that it leaves a tiny border around the edge. These layers can all be glued to the base card
I chose a deep pink for mine
With die #6 from 5x7 Matting Basics A cut two panels and these are the ones we are going to work on first. The edges on the long sides will be cut with the die so there is no need to emboss
Looking at the dies you will be able to see the difference. The one on the left is the cutting edge and the other two are the inserts to give you the pattern.  Any of the Classic Edges  will be the same and there are several insert sets that can be mixed and matched
With one of the white layers we have just cut and the  cutting edge die I have cut the card on one long side and then flipped it over to cut the other side.
Try to keep the pattern as symmetrical as you can.
Then with some deep pink card and the same die cut along one side.

Using the white panel as your guide place it so that a small border is visible and reposition the cutting die along the other side leaving the same size border.  Tape it in place so that it doesn't slip
Add these two together with foam tape in between the layers. Set aside
On the second white panel place the cutting edge on the outside and choose one of the inserts and tape together to cut. 
Make  this panel a little narrower than the other panel we have just layered and flip the two dies to the other side and cut this edge also. 
Keep the dies as level as you can on either side and once cut I have dry embossed my panel
With some deep pink card I have repeated the process from a previous step to get a small border around this embossed panel 
Layer these two together with foam tape.
I double layered wide and thin ribbon and added a bow at the bottom of the card
Here's a tip for you ... by adding the ribbon vertically down the centre top panel it will detract the eye away from any un-evenness in your edges 
Secure the ribbon at the back of the panels
Stamp and heat emboss your sentiment onto some parchment and layer it on to the same coloured card you have used. Wrap this also around the panels and secure at the back. 
Add all these layers to the base card and dress with the flowers
Push a hat pin into the knot of the bow for an added extra

This effect can be achieved if your dies have a separate cutting edge and fancy inserts to them. Take a look at what you have and improvise ... but most have all have fun making pretty cards for yourself.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

















December 21, 2015

Gansai Tambi Water Colours

Hi Everybody,

The card today is a complete change from Christmas and it is one I really enjoyed water colouring.

I used the Japanese  Gansai Tambi  water colours from  Kuretake  and they are amazing.

This is another Christmas present from ME to ME and I was so surprised when they came in the post. !!  Honest I was !!

They are so creamy and the colours are very vibrant. A little goes along way so use them sparingly

There are 36 pans in the set that I bought with some lovely colours that can be used as pastls by adding in more water.

In this set there is  a Pure White, Gold, Bronze and Pearl and they sit at the bottom of the display

They can be mixed with any colour to give a really pretty look and of course you can mix any of them to create your own colours in a separate palette

The images is called  Big Shoes   from Mos Digital Pencil and  will cost  you $3 which is about £1.75.

It is with you instantly so with no postage costs I would call that a bargain.  Save it to your PC and you can use it time and time again.

I really enjoyed playing with these images and paints and I will be doing a lot more. I find it so relaxing to sit and colour with whatever medium I happen to have in hand


December 19, 2015

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Here we are on the run up to Christmas and I hope you are all ready for it.  I won't be doing a Friday Freebie next week but will be back in full swing in the week after.  
There is no blog post tomorrow either so I will be back on Monday with more to share.

I have a few last minute things I need to buy still but the day will be spent with family all enjoying the roast turkey. 

So the name for the orange card has been drawn and this weeks winner is ...

Amy Higgins 

please would you send me your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be on it's way to you.

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

More on Monday ...

Hugs xx


December 18, 2015

Friday Freebie 098

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card that is on offer this week and this one is in a lovely orange shade.

It has paper lace and pearls along the edges and is dotted with sequins.

The pearls are from Want2Scrap and are self adhesive

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they are chosen to blend in with the colour scheme

If this is a card that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the page

Then come back tomorrow and see if your name is in the blog post as the winner.

You will have 48 hours to claim the card by sending me your postal address if you are the winner

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx