Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

December 09, 2016

Friday Freebie 148

Hi Everybody,

This lovely card was made earlier this year and I used some of the beautiful blooms from Wild Orchid Crafts

If you haven't visited this website yet then you are missing out.

They have many styles of flowers and you can see them in action on most of my cards.

I also use a lot of their Guipure lace too as it is so lovely and a little goes such a long way on your designs.

So this card is in pale blue teamed with white and that little touch of yellow in the flower just adds that extra glow.

If this is a card that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment.

From those comments one name will be chosen and announced in tomorrows blog post ... so you will need to come back and check if it is yours.

The card will be sent to you straight away no matter where you live ... and even if you have won one before you can still try again for this one

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



December 08, 2016

Papercraft Essentials

Hi Everybody,

Papercraft Essentials has a special offer for you this month in the form of a numbers and celebration stamp set.

But they are also offering you the chance to get Die Cutting Essentials 11 half price.

There will be another free gift with that magazine and you can also download some lovely free papers and sentiments for you to use on your cards.

In the video PE141 Numbers Dies & Celebration Stamps you will find some ideas for easy to make cards using both free gifts and the papers.

Printing the papers off onto a 160 gsm paper will make it sturdy enough for you to die cut the circular sentiments with the plain circle die in the free gift set.

I hope you enjoy the video and the magazine will be on sale on the 15th December from sele ted shops and supermarkets.

You can also get it direct from MoreMags and if you take out a subscription you will never miss a copy.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 07, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - Train and Carriage

Hi Everybody,

This blue card would be perfect for a small boys birthday and it was quick and easy to do.

I have used some dotty blue card for the background and this one is from the Craft Shows

I wrapped it with blue ribbon before adding it to the base card

The stamp I have used is from Clearly Besotted but at the moment they are taking a break.

So the stamp won't be available to purchase until next year so keep a look out for it.

 I have simply used Distress Inks to add the colours to my train and carriages and then I used the matching die set to cut them out.  The rail is p[art of the stamp set and the wheels and piffs of steam are from the die set.

Altogether a pretty card and of course the train set could be for a girl also 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

December 06, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Romantic Vine

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is in a really pretty shade of pale green and I ahve teamed it with crisp white.
 The card itself is easy to make and is quite effective once it is finished.
 The tiny spots of pink just give it that little lift and it could be for any occasion that you wanted.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two panels in white and create a hinged card
With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut another panel in green  and emboss in any folder that you have
With die #6 from Matting Basics a cut another panel in white and emboss this also
(Die #1 is always the smallest)
With the two embossed panels remove a#bout an inch from the white one so that it will create a channel
Add foam tape to the back of each piece
Thread some ribbon though a piece of lace that will wrap around the bottom panel and secure in place then add both of these pieces to the green layer
Cut the flowers and leaves that you need and inkt through the die before removing the card to give the shade portion on the flower
Add these across the open channel in your card just adding glue to the parts that will touch the main panel
Cut the sentiment several times and glue them together for extra strength and position the words across the card front

Alter the sentiment, colours or dies for an different look but keeping the basic method the same

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 05, 2016

Tropical Blooms

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card was created from one of the new dies in the Apple Blossom range that are now available to purchase from Craft Stash

It is the  Tropical Blooms Die Set that will make layered flowers for you along with two sized leaves to complete the look.

There will also be a matching stamp set  to help you create coloured blooms that you can add to the cards and there are several sentiments in the collection too
The video on YouTube is  Apple Blossom - Tropical Blooms   and it will show you how I created this simple background

The beautiful lace is from Wild Orchid Crafts  and adds that little touch of luxury

This is a very easy layered stamp so if you are new to layering flowers then give this one a try and you won't be disappointed with the result

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

December 04, 2016

Ruby Update ...16 Weeks Old

Hello Everyone,

It's me again today Ruby and I have had such exciting times with my new mum and dad.

I am now three months old and growing even more beautiful than I was before ... and you must agree that I am beautiful ??

 Here I am in my new coat ready to go for a walk with my mum and I was so excited to go out.

We went down to the sea front but I am too young to be let off my lead yet

It was a lovely walk  and when we got home I curled up in my special bed and went to sleep
The other night my mum had some of these chocolate things and I am not allowed human chocolate.

But I had so much fun shredding the empty box that it was all over the floor when I had finished

I also like my pink toy basket that is in the background there.
But when Dougal came to play he chewed the handles off it and now there's none left.

It is still fun to sit in although I am getting a bit too big for it now.

I was weighed at the vets last week and I am a whole 5.4 kilograms so I am growing really well.

I will bring you more stories as I get bigger and thank you for reading them and writing messages back to me.

I feel really special

Bye for now xxx


December 03, 2016

Card & YouTube Winners

Hi Everybody,

I hope you are enjoying the weekend so far and have lots of nice things to do. I am going back to do more work at my Grandsons Restaurant and he is hoping to be open by next weekend ... fingers crossed

We have  done the draw for the winner of the turquoise card from yesterday and the name this week is you ...

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

I hope you will like it when it arrives and please let me know that you have it safely.

YouTube Giveaway 


Over on YouTube I did a collaboration video with another YouTuber and both of us are having a little Give away to those who left comments.

 So if you are one of them then this information is for you.

  This is the gift that I was offering and it consists of some pretty flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts   along with some pearly "Bling" from Want2Scrap along with the card and envelope created in the video

The draw  for this from the comments has now been done and the name picked is
Fran Prichuck
I will also need your postal address too to the same account

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


December 02, 2016

Friday Freebie 147

Hi Everybody,

This turquoise card is a 6" square and has several layers on it all separated with foam pads for dimension

It is wrapped with satin ribbon and a large Thank You added to the panels

If this is a card that you would like to have then all you need to do is leave me a comment and then pop back tomorrow to see if your name is shown as the winner.

I am happy to post the card to you wherever you live and then you can either re use and send it to some one or keep it for your self.

Many of you have done me a great honour by actually keeping the card that you won and framing it to hang on your wall. WOW !! what a compliment that is xxx

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


December 01, 2016

Magazine Freebie from Tonic

Hi Everybody,

With the December issue of Die Cutting Essentials there is a really useful tag set that comes free and in the new video I have tried to show you some ways in which to put it to work for your creations

The magazine will be in your shops on the 8th December so if you like the look of this free gift then place your order now ... or order it direct from Moremags

This one is truly feminine with pretty designer paper from AnnaMarie Designs as the background and blending flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts

Then with the next card I have gone for something really contemporary that would suit a teenager

I have used just the two smallest tags for this card and really bright block colours.

 You could use coloured card for this or simply colour white card with your marker pens to the colours you require

Either way it is a quick and simple card to make with your free gift and the video will show you more ideas that you may like to try....

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 30, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday-Lazy Rabbit

Hi Everybody,

This lazy rabbit just lying around is from the CD The Next Big Thing from Just Inklined

And every time I use this CD I have to tell you that it is no longer available

You may be able to find a copy if you search for it.

And if you already have it then take another look at the fantastic characters on there

It is such a good collection of all sorts from sports to florals and I use it regularly throughout the year for all occasions.

This one has been  water coloured a long time ago with Distress Inks and then mounted onto pink card.

It could do equally well for male and female cards ... obviously not with pink !!! 
 But I think this is such a cute rabbit and sat with the carrot was perfect for a friend who was retiring.  Best job in the World !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

November 29, 2016

Tuesday Tutorial - Tudor Rose

Hi Everybody,

This pretty pale blue and white card would be suitable for all occasions and is not too frill for male cards either
 It is another that is easy to do as the die does all the work  for you all you have to do is cut and assemble the layers. 
 The centre shape matches the older Labels One that you may already have in your collection
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
Instructions:

With die #7 from the Matting Basics  A set cut two pieces of white card and create the base
With die #7 from the Matting Basics B set cut one layer in blue
With the two largest dies from the Tudor Rose Card Creator cut two panels in white and trim one of them so that the bottom flower and the leaves are separate 
Add foam pads to the back of the separated piece so that they cannot be seen from the front
Add the full panel to the blue layer and add to the base card
Cut the flowers from the Tudor Rose collection that match the flowers on the separated panel
(The photograph shows you where I have attached my flowers in blue and white layers)
Stamp and emboss the sentiment and cut out with Labels One then layer that on to die #3 from Luscious Labels One with foam tape in between
This shape fits beautifully into the centre part of the Tudor Rose Card Creator
Layer up the additional flowers on to the card front as you like and trim as needed

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 28, 2016

Tonic Studios - Zip & Buttons

Hi Everybody,

This pretty baby card is created with the dies from Tonic Studios and it is such an innovative little die set that you can have loads of fun with

It is called Zip and Buttons  and I really enjoyed playing with this set.

 I used card some of the Spotty card from AnnaMarie Designs and created a little jacket with the zip and Wild Orchid Crafts Guipure some lace

The sentiments is also from Tonic and is one of the New Baby Collection and I have cut mine in silver to add to the card

I am sure that you can come up with even more ways to use this simple concept  on your own cards and have lots of fun in the process

More Tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


November 27, 2016

Video Collaboration ....

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to do a video collaboration with a fellow YouTuber and I was delighted to say "Yes"

My new YouTube friend is Olga Direktorenko and she makes the most beautiful cards.

Her blog is Building Your World and if you pop over there be sure to leave her a comment as you browse her pages.

So Olga and I decided that we would each make a card with a matching box or envelope and have a little "Give Away" at the same time.

This is the very first time I have ever done anything like this and so it is all new to me ... but I will learn how to do it better in the future

The photo shows you the set that I have made on My Video  Tonic Studios - Envelope Die Set   and I will be giving that and some flowers along with some pearl flourish too to one lucky winner. You will need to leave me a comment to win the "Goodies" 

There will also be a gift for you on Olgas Video  

The comments to win need to be left under the videos on YOUTUBE and not here. 
The winner will be announced on YouTube and I will add a blog post too on the 4th December

I hope you enjoy both mine and Olgas collaboration and hopefully there will be many more

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

November 26, 2016

Card Winner ...

HI Everybody,

An early start for me as I am going out for breakfast and then off to do some more cleaning at the restaurant. Jamie ( my Grandson) is hoping to be opening soon and I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

But I have done the draw for the Friday Freebie card this morning and the name chosen is yours ...

Judy E
could you email me your postal address please to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and I will get it in the post to you straight away

I hope you will like it when it arrives and please let me know that you have it safely 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



November 25, 2016

Friday Freebie 146

Hi Everybody,

Not many more Fridays to go now before Christmas and I hope you are all ready for the jolly season. We are frantically trying to get the restaurant ready to open and we have all been working really hard.
There has been an enormous amount of work done to make it a really lovely relaxing place to dine in 


The card that I am giving away this week is in Pink with a double tied bow along the bottom

It is really elaborate with flowers and glitter and a beautiful hatpin into the display and the photograph does not do it the justice it deserves.

The inside is lined to compliment the front and I am sure that someone is going to love this one

So if you would like to have this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

From those comments a name will be chosen and given in tomorrows blog post 

Please come back and check if it is your name that is shown. as you only have 72 hours in which to claim it

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx