Ruby Update ...

Hi Everyone,

Well here I am again and I am now five months old and I still look like butter wouldn't melt in my mouth.

I am waiting here for a treat that my mum has in her hand and it's sausages and I looove sausages !

I have had quite a few adventures since I was last here and one of them is that I now go to Puppy Training classes every week

I am learning to be a good puppy but sometimes it is hard especially because Dougal ... my very best friend ... is also there and all we want to do is play.

We have so much fun together and the other day my mum and Dougals mum Vickie, took us in Stanley Park.

We ran around and played in all the leaves and mud we could find and we were both really dirty

But I stood on something that I though was grass and it wasn't

It was what my mum called the algae on the lake and I fell in ....  I soon found out that I could swim

I had my lovely blue jacket on and my mum thought it might drag me under and she was calling my name from the side.

I tried to swim towards her but there was some wood in my way and when I touched the wood it moved so I had to take the long route and swim around it.

My mum was hopping about on the waters side and Dougals mum kept calling "Don't panic Mum ... Don't panic... " to my mum.

Coz of course my human mum is Vickies mum too.

As soon as I got close to my mum she scooped me out of the water and hugged me really close.. I had to take the jacket off and she put me in her coat to keep me  warm.

I was praised for swimming so I might just have to try that again some day ... but when the weather is warmer.  And I was really clean of all the mud when she got me out.

Once I warmed up I wanted to go and play with Dougal again and after the panic my mum and Vickie ended up laughing about her trying to get me out the water ... she can't swim as well as me !!

More next time ...

Hugs xx

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Late post today as I was busy this morning taking my daughter to collect her new car and she is one happy girl. I took Ruby with me of course and we had a lovely ride out, and she is so good in a car.
She has a story to tell you tomorrow so I hope you will join me again then.

Anyway on to the winner of the pink chalk card. The name drawn this week is you

Linda Batson

So if you could email me please

christina@card-making-magic.com

I will get the card in the post to you straight away

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 003/17 - Pink Chalk

Hi Everybody,

Todays card was featured in a video a little while ago using chalks and the effect is a soft and gentle look

The video ... Create a Chalk Background  .. uses some pastel chalks that I have in my stash and they are something that was really popular a few years ago.

It seems to have gone out of favor and so I thought it time that I got mine out again and use them.

I bet you are like me in buying things,  using them for a while and then something else takes your eye and you move on,  and forget about the other stuff you have

Well if you have chalks then give them an airing and you are sure to like the effect.

But don't forget that can of cheap hairspray to spritz the card as that will set the chalks and stop them rubbing off the card again and spoiling the look.

Now if this is a card that you would like then all you have to do is leave me a comment and come back tomorrow and check if it is your name that is listed as the winner. You have 72 hours in which to claim the card and then you will be too late

I am happy to send the card anywhere you live and you don't need to have a blog of your own either
I add a card every Friday so just add your name and you never know YOU could be the winner

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Collection from Craft Stash

Hi Everybody,

Today sees the launch of more new dies from Craft Stash and this is the Daisy Chain Collection. I have four new videos showing how I have used this set and they are all ready for you to view.

The first one is to create a background with the stamp set

I have used a favourite trick of muting the background with parchment for a subtle look

The video is Daisy Stamped Background  and will show you how I made this card.

This circular card is created with the dies cutting white card and some colour added for effect.

I love the sentiment on this and it is part of the stamp set .."Goodbye Tension - Hello Pension " a good one to send to many of your retiring friends

For this card I have used the Daisy Chain Border   which gives a really pretty look to the edges of the card.

I have used the glitter card that I featured in a video a few weeks ago and it is available from Craft Stash

And with this card I used the embossing folder to create a Letterpress look for the background to my card

Altogether this is really versatile collection and you will be bale to make so many different looks for any occasion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday-Tropical Blooms

Hi Everybody,

This little stamp set was free with a magazine and it was featured in the video

 Apple Blossom - Tropical Blooms

It is a really versatile stamp set and as a free gift it was such a bonus as there are so many on the A4 sheet

For this card I stamped the flower and then masked it off and add the image again.

I used other parts from the set to add more interest around my flowers and then I painted them with Gansai Tambi watercolours.

I added some white dots to the flowers and that brought them more to the forefront of my picture

Dotted with sequins as a finishing touch and the card is ready to send. Vary the sentiment to suit the occasion  and the recipient

You will find more of my ideas using this stamp set in this months
Die Cutting Essentials 20 magazine on sale on the 26th january 17.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Flowers & Lace

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I am using some old and new dies together and creating a really pretty design with only card elements on it. I like to add lace and flowers to my creations and with these dies I can add both and it doesnt cost the earth. 

And with dies I can re create the whole look time after time just altering the colours in the card or the inks I use.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S4-710 Two Way Street
• SEL-008 Medallion embossing folder
• S4-708 Graceful Floral Lattice
• S5-272 Nouveau Florals
• S4-564 Simply Said Phrases
• PL-001 Platinum Machine

Other Supplies:

• Cream/Pink card from Papermill Direct
• Glossy Accents
• Abandoned Coral and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks

Instructions:

With die #7 from the matting basics cut two pieces in cream and create a hinged card

Hand cut a slightly smaller layer in pink to leave a narrow border around the edge

Hand cut another slightly smaller layer in cream and emboss this in the folder

Glue the two hand cut layers together

Cut one layer in cream and hand cut a layer in pink to fit beneath the die cut

Glue these two together just around the edges then add foam tape at the back

Select the florals that you wish to use and cut them in cream

Ink through the die before you remove the card. Abandoned Coral for the flowers and Mowed Lawn for the leaves

Cut one strip of the Graceful Floral Lace and use small foam pads in strategic places to the back of the die cut so that they cannot be seen from the front

(I love this die and it looks really pretty if you ink through it before removing the card)

Add the Two Way Street panel to the embossed layers and wrap the lace strip around them all.

Add small foam pads to the florals that you cut and arrange them and the leaves onto your card as you like.

Cut the sentiment of your choice form the Phrases several times and glue them together for strength.

Add to the card front as you like .

I then added Glossy Accents and Glitter to my die cuts 

Vary the florals, sentiments, arrangement and the colours for another look to your card 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping free gift ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I have yet another video for you to view and this one features another free gift.

The video is called Creative Stamping 39 - Truly Scrumptious  and there are so many images for you to play with.

I had so much fun with this as you will see from the samples in the video and there are ,many many more ways for you to use it

You can mix and match to your hearts content with this gift.

It will be on sale on the 26th January so keep a look out for it in your local shops ans supermarkets

Or you can get it direct from Moremags 

Most of the images have been coloured with pencils but they would look equally as good with paints or markers whichever you prefer to work with.

Just have fun with your creations and see what you can come up with.

This Jelly Baby has simply been stacked one on the other to create a fun card that would be prefect for a childs birthday.

You can change the items that are arranged on the cart too and alter the sentiments to go with each one you stamp.

The free gifts in these magazines just seem to get better and better and are the perfect way to build up your own crafting supplies.

There are more idea in the magazine too as well as tips and information to help you create cards that you will enjoy making

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Die Cutting Essentials 20

Hi Everybody,

Another fantastic freebie is on offer with this months Die Cutting Essentials and the video to show you the gift is called Butterfly Wishes

The gift consists of two dies  ... a fligree butterfly and the solid layer that can be used with the filigree or create a stand alone shape but both look good used independently

There is also a stamp set that can be used to compliment your design and there are lots of ways to use them. Stamp the butterfly and then use the die to cut it out

In the video I have tried to show you some variations that you may like to try but I am sure that you will come up with many more once you start to play

Here I have stamped and water coloured the butterfly and then once I have cut it out I have curved the wings and added them to my card front.

The sentiment is die cut that is available from Craft Stash

Todays video makes ten that I have added this week and I really hope you have enjoyed them all,

If you left your comment on YouTube then thank you so much it is much appreciated.

In the magazine you will find some more of my ideas an page 25 featuring the Tropical Blooms stamp set that I videoed a little while ago. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Simply Cards & Papercrafts 159

Hi Everybody,

The gift this month with my favorite magazine  is really useful and can help you to make some really pretty cards.

The video to show this set is called  SC&P 159 - Time for tea  and I have had some fun working with this stamp and the teacup die.

There are so many ways that this can be used for you to change things up with every card that you make.

In the stamp set there is a bird, flowers, a macaroon and a little teabag that you can add tiny sentiments too There are lots of other sentiments that you can create your own greeting with

The flowers can be used in either the tea pot or ta cup and the little bird perched on either as well and the tea cups can be stacked together as you wish

The video will give you some ideas that you may like to try and I hope you enjoy the ideas and the video

This little card is very soft and gentle and I really liked the finished effect.

I stamped the flowers in Antique Linen Distress Inks and then used the palest pencils in peach and light browns, pale sage green and a really pale pink to get the look

I splattered the card with another pale colour and wrapped the peach ribbon around the layers

I cut a circle of parchment and stamped and heat embossed the sentiment

The sequins add that little extra to the card and I perched the bird onto the parchment circle with foam pads underneath the raise it up

So because of all the video releases  there is no Friday Freebie card give away for this week  ...  but it will be back soon 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Quick - Stained Glass Dies

Hi Everybody,

Late yesterday I added four new vidoes for you to see and they are featuring new die collections from Craft Stash  Today I am adding four more with the Pretty Quick dies titled Stained Glass.

The first one features the Stained Glass Rose and Chalks and the pastel chalks give this a really pretty effect.

It is easy to do so if you have them grab the chalks and have a go.

This one is the same die but really quick with just some pretty paper.  Stained Glass Rose and Designer Paper

Dig out those lovely background papers that you have been saving and make this card in noi time at all/

Keep a batch of them ready for those last minute occasions

Next we have the  Dove and for this one I have used coloured pencils and a little blending fluid

But this is yet another quick and easy cards which is after all what these dies are there for ... Pretty Quick cards with no hassle

Stained Glass Dove and Pencils is the video

And last but not least we have the Dove added to some beautiful mirror card that is also available from the Craft Stash website

I featured the mirror and glitter card a little while ago in another vidoe and it comes in a mixed colour pack of ten sheets

So I hope you have enjoyed all eight of the videos that I have added and there are lots more on the way soon as it is time to show you what the freebies are for January in the magazines

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Honey Bee Haven Collection

Hi Everybody,

Today I would like to share with you a brand new collection from Apple Blossom called the  Honey Bee Haven  

 This collection can be bought as one set and used all together to create really pretty card and it is now available to buy from Craft Stash 

To show this collection off to its best I have not one but FOUR new videos that you can view which will highlight each part individually

The first video features the Hexi Die  and I have used this to create this bright and colourful card using the waste pieces.

Keep the positive piece for the next card and the video is Hexi Effect 

I also used the stamp to add the pattern to the hexi shapes.

Here I have used the positive piece so in effect we get two cards from one cut but the background is embossed with the HoneyBee Folder

I also used the Beehive Buddies on this card too and the video is named  Honeycomb Aperture

And here are those Beehive Buddies on a complete card and I really enjoyed working with this whole set

The video is called Busy Bees

And last but not least we have the Hexi die made into a stamp to add to the background with the rest of the Honey Bee Stamp Set used to create the rest of the scene

The video showing the making of this card is named Honeycomb Stamp

I hope you will enjoy the videos and not mind the croaky voice too much as these were filmed while I had my chest infection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Moon Monsters !!

Hi Everybody,

I had fun creating this bright card using Gansai Tambi watercolours and a stamp set that I bought from a craft show last year.

It is from Woodware and is called  "The Blimps" and there are three different creatures in the set.

So for the card I created the background with Faded Jeans Distress Inks and then spritzed it with water to create the sky.

The bottom part of the card is grey for the moon that they are standing on

The sentiment stamp is from a free set that I showed you in a video is called  Up In The Air

The world is a die cut from Spellbinders World View  and I simply added that with foam pads underneath.

Stamping the images, colouring them and then cutting allowed me to add more foam pads under them to raise them up

And I added Glossy Accents to the eyes for effect.

I really like this card and I think it is one that children will love as a birthday card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Ovals & Rectangles

Hi Everybody,

I thought for todays card I would dress it up with some pretty peach coloured flowers and use some of the older Spellbinders die sets. This card is a 5x7 and I have used the dies that will create a card that size without any measuring from me.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S6-001 Matting Basics A
• S6-004 Detailed Scallops
• S4-425 Elegant Ovals
• S4-139 Scalloped Ovals
• S4-110 Classic Ovals

Other Supplies:

• Flowers from Wilr Orchid Crafts
• Ribbon from Mei Flower
• Glitter from Glitter Magic
• Dotty Card from AnnaMarie Designs
• Woodware Sentiment stamp
• Corner Rounder

Instructions:

Create a base card with the largest die #7 from Matting Basics A

Hand cut another layer, with peach patterned card, to leave a really thin border around the edge

Round the corners

With the largest dies from the Ovals and rectangles sets cut panels in plain peach coloured card

Add foam tape to the back of each of these panels

With the ovals cut a scalloped layer in peach.

Stamp and heat emboss a verse onto white card and cut with the oval to match the scalloped one

Layer together with foam pads between the layers

Layer everything together and wrap with ribbon before adding to the card base

Add the oval sentiment to the top 

Choose a selection of flowers in peach and white varying the styles and sizes

Add these to the top right of the card. I use a hot glue gun to add my flowers as I don't want them to fall off the card once given

Dot the flowers with glue and sprinkle with glitter to finish

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Magazine Feature ...

Hi Everybody,

Wow! I am so happy to have been featured in the magazine and so I just had to tell you about it and show you the pages

You may have had your copy as it was on sale at the end of December.  

The magazine was Die Cutting Essentials Special Vol 3  and I hope you liked the cards.

 But maybe you didn't realise that it was me !!

Well here I am and I am really honoured to be in the magazine.

And I have been asked to do more for next months mag too Special Volume 4

I really enjoyed making these cards and the feature was to use an embossing folder in different ways 

There is also a link for you to go to their website and see five more cards that I made for the same project

It was really exciting and this is the first time I have done something like this ... so wish me luck 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

International Ambassadors Informal Blog Hop

Hi Everybody,

And welcome to a New Year of Ambassador Blog Hops.

This is where some of the Spellbinders International Ambassadors like to say thank you to each and every one who takes the time to visit us and leave comments on a regular basis.

Our theme for this hop was to show you some of the new dies that are coming from Spellbinders and for mine I am using the lovely

 Party Kids

I had to trim it down to make it fit the front of my 5x7 card and I added it with foam pads underneath to raise it up.

Adding lace to my cards gives them an extra touch and the one along the bottom is created with white card and the

  Graceful Floral Lace  

It was a quick and easy card to make but I think it looks really pretty 

So why not pop along and see what the other Ambassadors have created for you  ... I know you won't be disappointed with the talent that they all have

Linda Lucas  Australia
Yvonne van de Grijp  Netherlands
Christine Emberson   UK

You know we are very happy for your visit especially if you leave us a comment.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx