Desktop finds

 Hi Everybody,

I am sure that there are many of you out there that have the same faults as me and the biggest one is not using up my left over pieces. I cut up some paper to use with a die cut and then put the rest of it on one side. And then when I need something else I get another piece of card/paper instead of using the piece that was left earlier. I also have lots of left over die cuts that I didn't use at the time I cut them.

So I set my self the challenge of using up some of the bits that are sitting around my desk or in boxes just waiting to be used. 

For this card I have  used some paper and die cuts and some backing paper that I created by smooshing water colours in red and gold onto my card 

This one is a 6" square twisted easel card and I added some mulberry flowers to the front and bottom of the easel. 

I also found some gold twine that I wrapped several times around my hand and then glued it in place around the flower

I added it to both cards and it goes with the gold in the red card backing paper I made and then die cut.

I have also added in some pearls as extra decoration to the cards

I have listed some of the dies and items that I have used but most of the things on these cards have been sat on my desk for a few weeks, and had to be used up.

But even though I have all these pieces and ends of paper I do not waste anything as m step daughter teaches at a special needs school and she takes all my bit box for them to use in their projects.

Waste Not, Want Not 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Perfect Christmas Rose Die & Stamps

Hi Everybody,

This 5x7 card is created with one of the beautiful die and stamps sets that was part of the Easels Collection released a while ago 

I have stamped my roses onto water colour card and after colouring them with Arteza Real Brush Water Colour Markers I cut them out with the matching dies

The background is some patterned paper that I already had in my cupboards and I have layered the flowers and leaves to the top with foam pads to give varying heights 

The sentiment has also been layered to the top with parchment underneath to make it more obvious

The butterfly is from the Layered Butterflies matching die and stamp set.

I finished the look with pink pearls added to the flower centres and some fine pink pearl circles under the flowers. Add in any sentiment that suits your occasion for a quick and easy card

Follow Me ...

At the top of the left hand side bar you may notice that I have added in a new button for you to continue to follow my blog by email. Google are removing their "Follow platform" and this is new one that will enable you to be notified of all new blog posts that I add. 

I hope you will decide to add your email to the list and continue to follow me  THANK YOU !

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

What a beautiful day it is and before it gets too hot Ruby and I have been out for our walk. We went into Witch Wood in Lytham and it is always cool in there with lots of lovely smells for Ruby to sniff at. We meander through there slowly and say hello to lots of other dog walkers and then come home for breakfast. She loves it in there and so do I.

And now it is time for the draw winner to be announced and the name this week is 

Donna Walls

Would you email me your postal address please to

christina@card-making-magic.com 

and I will get it posted off to you as soon as I can. Please let me know that you have it safely and I really hope you enjoy playing with it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Stained Glass Noel

Hi Everybody,

Another offer based around the Christmas theme and this one is from Die Cutting Essentials. 

The video that accompanies this set is

Stained Glass Noel

and there are several samples of how I used the set.

So if this is something that you would like then why not leave me a comment at the end of the post to be in with the chance of winning it

Just add your comment with your FULL NAME  and then come back to check if your name is shown as the winner. And that's all you need to do ... Easy Peasy !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Another video ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I am adding another video for you and this one is using the Circular Box Die Set,  and I still have the croaky voice.

The end result is very pretty though and so I hope my voice doesn't spoil it to much. I had to edit out every coughing spasm as I went along.

 

The box is big enough to hold items such as candles, tealights, bath bombs or soaps. You could even add cup cakes to it if you where so inclined. And there would still be room to add the card to send your greeting.

A lovely scarf would fit in there too or maybe some handkerchiefs. I can remember sending people gift packs of handkerchiefs when I was younger but they seem to have died out now. 

Maybe I could restart the trend !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tapis Builder Card & Envelope

 Hi Everybody,

Here is a new video featuring the Tapis Builder Die Set and another way to use them.

I have also created an envelope for the card from the 5x7 Card & Box die set that would be sturdy enough to send through the post if needed.

I apologise for the sound of my voice on the video but I have an awful cough at present that is keeping me awake at nights.

Cough medicines don't seem to make any difference and it is much worse when I lie down. And I cannot for the life of me sleep sitting up. Ruby gets off the bed in disgust when I start coughing as I keep her awake too. 

Any way here is the video and I hope you enjoy it all the same.

I have used some gold card that I got from Craft Stash for the card envelope and the decoration on the card front. The champagne coloured card is from Tonic and it was with a kit that was on sale years ago.

The finished result is very pretty and it could be for any occasion that you needed. And you could always make up a batch of envelopes ready to send whenever you make this flat type of card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Too Hot For Ruby ....

 Hi Everybody,

Ruby and I did our early morning walk today in the sunshine and once again it was quite busy with like minded dog walkers  

When we got home we had a long cold drink and some toast sat out on the patio.

 This at the moment is Ruby's favourite place, at the bottom of the shower, as it's cool and shaded. 

And if ever she is missing I know where she will be.

She spreads herself out and goes off to sleep, and even late in the day the sun doesn't get round to the bathroom, and so it stays cool in that room all the time for her.

There are doggy water fountains on every level in my house for her to drink from and so she is well catered for.

 And once it goes cooler later in the day she will be ready for another short walk around the park for a sniff about..... not sure I will be though.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Winner

 Hi Everybody,

Hasn’t this been a beautiful day ? Ruby and I were out walking very early this morning before it gets too hot for her. We had l lovely walk around Fairhaven Lake in Lytham and there we met lots of dog walkers all with the same idea. Then before we had tea we went out again to the local park for another little sniff about. 

In between I have tidied up my gardens back and front. I only have a postage stamp of a garden and no lawns but the plants where getting a bit over grown.

So now I have finally done the draw for yesterday’s offering and I hope the winner will enjoy playing with it. The name this week is 

Anne Forrest

Would you email me please your postal address to

christina@card-making-magic.com

and I will get it in the post to you straight away. Please can you let me know when it arrives with you.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - Santa Claus

Hi Everybody,

For this weeks offer we are on a Christmas theme and I know that many of you make cards for this occasion all year round.

So this would be a really good set to have in your own collection ready for when you make the start.

Santa Claus is coming to Town is the title of the video and you will see how I put this set to good use.

The set consist of stamps and the sleigh die for Santa to sit in and a little folder that will emboss the effect of snow onto your cards

You can have a lot of fun creating with this one and lots more ideas will come to you once you start to play. The video shows you some of the way in which I have used it and they are really cute  when combined with other dies on a similar theme that you may have.

Now if you would like this set then all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post with your FULL NAME and be sure to come back and see if you are the winner over the weekend.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Half Teardrop Vase

 Hi Everybody,

After all the waiting time for the layers of the vase to dry it is now ready to show you and I must admit that I am very pleased with the end result.

I have dressed it with faux flowers and it looks lovely in my room ... though I have not yet decided where it's permanent home will be.

I found tucked away in the back of my garage a really old ceramic plant column that used to be my mums.

 It must be at least thirty years old if not more and it was filthy with dust, dirt and spiders !!

But I am glad to say that once it was cleaned I was happy with it and when it was spray painted with the white gloss it looked amazing.

The distressed finish with the silver leaf was just what I had in mind too so I was happy that it turned out fine .

So I hope you like what I have done to show you a different way to use your die cuts, and there are many more shapes you can use to make a vase to suit your home.

And Ruby likes it too 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx