Gorgeous Green ...

Hi Everybody,

My posts for the next few days will be scheduled so I hope they work OK.

My "Film Crew" and I are going to Whtiby on Friday until Monday and I am really looking forward to this short break.  So fingers crossed that everything works as it should until I am back home.

Do you like Green ???

This card was made with the Matting Basics to create the Hinged Card  and the white layer was embossed.

I created a frame from the Radiant Rectangles and added it to the top with foam pads.

The tiny Diamante stones were added to each to the scroll parts.

The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed in silver ...  and that too is on foam pads.


The large Diamante flourish is from Want2Scrap  ... and they have now started to add the option to buy some of their gemstones by 1/2 cups  and that is a really cost effective way to get some.

The Dazzler in the bow is from Creative Studios. and these can be bought in different shapes and sizes as well as colours to match your theme.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and to the bow I have added in a collar for extra effect.

And just to add in a little extra I have embossed the envelope to the card.

  I have left space for the address and stamp but the rest of it matches the pattern on the card.   The finished card will fit into a standard sized envelope for posting.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The Art Studio ...

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to be part of a team that produces online  classes in many different subjects.

The classes will be from instructors with many lovely skills and cover lots of areas that may be new to you ... and some of the names may even be already known to you in the crafting world.

It is my pleasure  to tell you that I have joined the team of instructors for  "The Art Studio"  and the subjects I have chosen to teach are Spellbinders and Spectrum Noir .... so no surprises there then ....

The Art Studio is part of the  largest online magazine Scrapbook News and Review.

The first class is for Spellbinders and will be in video format  .... from yours truly.

It is designed to show you how to get the most from these wonderful dies.  I will take you step by step through making many different styles of cards using the dies that I have in my collection.

A list of the Spellbinders that I am using will be available so that you can follow along with me as we make two or three cards each time.

I am hoping that you will join in and create alongside me ... and let me know of any particular Spellbinders sets that you want to work with that you aren't too sure about ... and if I have them as part of my collection then I will be happy to show you.

The first class will be going live on the 1st June and the link to The Art Studio Blog will keep you up to date with everything that is new and the classes that will be available,  from me and the other instructors,    for you to purchase.

Excited hugs xx

Un published Comment

I have had a comment from someone earlier today,  who has more or less told me off about copying and yet not crediting my cards as based on someone elses'  Spellbinders cards ....  and I would like to get something very clear ....


There are hundreds of different dies and hundreds of people who use them to make their cards ... and so hundreds of people can all have the same or similar idea at any one time.  I am in the very  lucky position to have many many dies and I like to play to come up with these ideas that are pleasing and easy to recreate by anybody.

The Spellbinders blog has many tutorials on how to use  their product and get the best from them ... and there are hundreds ... if not thousands ... of YouTube Videos on how to use them too.  All there for everybody to take and use in their own special way.   I myself  have many videos on using Spellbinders on YouTube that have been around for a few years now.

I mean no disrespect to lots of very talented cardmakers ... who also use these dies ... but I have no need to copy their work and claim it as my own.    The cards I make are from my head and having the time to play around with all the different shapes ... seeing what works with what and putting them together.

I  always take the time to credit items or ideas on my blog to the people who deserve the credit and I have hundreds of links to other blogs, websites and companies both on here and on Card Making Magic that can attest to that fact.

I have not published the comment as I find it quite offensive and it's not the first time this person has written to me on the same subject.  

Lots of people take my ideas, or my free papers and use them   and I don't get upset or expect it when I don't get the credit for that.   So please no more comments or emails ... I find them very tiring.  And how would you know that the idea didn't come from me in the first place ?????

One die ... 2 cards

Click to Enlarge

Hi Everybody,

The two cards featured today are another example of how one die can look so totally different when used in another way.

The die in question is the  Layered Scallop Posy

In the first card I have cut it out twice to form an elongated circle and then embossed a centre strip and wrapped the ribbon around it. 

The bow is a Double Bow with Tails made using the Bow Maker

and the centre has the addition of a
 Wild Orchid Flowers

In the second card I have again cut the shape out twice but used it  as a filigree insert for the Elegant Labels Four 

Both are done in the same blue and white card.

The ribbon on the second card is a thin Gingham and it has been  made following the    Ruffled Ribbon Technique  with a tiny bow added to the top

The addition of some small Want2Scrap   pearls are the finishing touch.

Important News

The   Discount Offered   for the CD "Wishes and Kisses" will run until the 2nd June so grab it while you can  (click the  discount link) 

Then go to the Funky Hand website and use it at the checkout to get £6.00 off your purchase...

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx  

Remember that Ribbon ???

Hi Everybody,

A couple of weeks ago I told you about a fantastic ribbon bargain I bought at the Craft Show in Manchester.

Click to Enlarge

Well for these cards I have kept to the plain white theme again but simply added in some colour using the ribbon

The Spellbinders used on the cards are listed below and they have all been made to the Hinged Card  style.

This bow is a Double Bow with Tails and  has been created with the  Bow Maker   that is now for sale in My Shop

I have used is a good quality 300gsm  card  that I bought at the craft show and it is from Anna Marie Designs

It is pure white, super smooth  and can go through some printers and the finished effect is excellent ... aaaaaaand it looks wonderful when embossed !!

The flower on this blue ribboned card was one of many that I sat one night and created while watching the telly.

I had some buttons in my "Stash" that can be covered and so I used the same ribbon to do that too and added it to the flower centre.

But it just shows what a difference a little colour can add to an all white card.

Quick and easy to do if you need a card in a hurry.

Then with the addition of some pearls ...  or the Diamante buckle the card can look really special for you to give with love ....

So there we have three plain cards all created to the same style ... all kept to basic white ... but all looking totally different to each other.

Important News

Don't forget the discount offered from Funky Hand if you wanted to buy the CD "Wishes and Kisses" (Click the discount link)

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Important News ...

Hi Everybody,

I have just had a lovely email from Anice the owner and designer of Funky Hand and she has offered anybody that wants to buy a copy of any of her CD's a really good deal.

If you wanted to purchase the featured CD "Wishes and Kisses" ... then Anice is giving you £6.00 off a copy of that .... or any of her other discs from now until the 2nd June.  

So you have two weeks in which to get this lovely CD for your self at a really good price of £9.99 instead of £15.99 .... an offer not to be missed.

All you need to do to get the discount is add the code   FRP05   at the checkout and the discount will be applied automatically.

Hope that helps..... more tomorrow

Hugs xx

Plain to Pretty ...

HI Everybody,

Click to Enlarge

Well that was a very successful draw yesterday and the "Wishes and Kisses" CD is an excellent prize to win.

So if you didn't  win you can still get a copy if you pop over to Funky Hand   and  treat yourself.

Todays card is on another note altogether and I know I said that flowers make the difference but  there's not even a flower on this one.

What I wanted to do was show how a pretty card can be transformed into something special without them or a lot of embellishments.

This is a 5 x 7 Hinged Card    and the background has been embossed with the Regal M-Bossabilities  folder.

Then 20 small pearls from Want2Scrap  are  all it took to make it look so much better.

I have kept to an all white theme and this could suit many occasions.

The  pretty white ribbon has embroidered hearts and is from The Ribbon Room

The sentiment is from Clarity Stamp which is another UK based company for beautiful quality stamps.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

The winning name is ....

Hi Everybody,

The week has been devoted to  Funky Hand     and the digital designs that this UK company produce.

These particular papers are from the CD "Wishes and Kisses" and it is one that you will not be disappointed with.

I had only one copy of the disc to "Give Away"   that was very kindly sent to me by Anice the owner and designer of Funky Hand ... and 425 of you want it.

The draw is now closed so    "Thank You" Anice  for this very successful offer and the winner is .......

June Coulson  

I will leave this open for one week so please email me as soon as you can with your land address and I will get it sent off to you straight away.

Todays card is using up all the bits I had left over from making the other cards featured this week ... and they are too good to waste.

So for this card I have created panels from three papers that work together and matted them on to a scalloped panel.

Then the three have been added to a white embossed panel  and layered onto a deep teal card base.  To the back I have added a  Card Stand     so that the card can be displayed.

The deep teal ribbon has been added around the panels and the pearly swirl added to add interest.

The banner sentiment is one that can be printed from the CD and made to any size that you need for your card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

New Home ...

Hi Everybody,

This is another element from the CD "Wishes and Kisses" that is from Funky Hand 

There are many other titles for you to choose from... and all will work beautifully with each other.

There are many occasions you could want to make a card for that are covered ... with lots of beautiful papers that you can print off whenever you need them.

So far I have covered Baby cards in pink and blue and the more personal feature which was the Wordbooks.

Then there was Birthdays and feeling under the weather and todays card is for those moving house.

You may also like the idea of having templates that will help you to make Exploding Boxes or Spiral Flowers.

And the flowers on this card are from a whole sheet of them that you just need to print out, cut out and layer up.

I have matted and layered several papers and added them to the card front at jaunty angles and then added the cat in the window on top.

There is no end to the cards that you can produce and you still have the chance to win a copy of ...

 "Wishes and Kisses" 

Add your name and email address to the list and join the band of followers ... but only once please as duplicates will be removed.   And please leave me a comment and then I know you have visited. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Get Well ...

Hi Everybody,

This cute image is one of the many that can be re-sized to suit your designs from the CD "Wishes and Kisses" from Funky Hand 

The papers have been added to a Hinged Card  and then simply had scalloped and plain circles added with foam pads to the top.

 I have added in is some Googly Eyes to the Monster and coloured in some shading around the figure.

The sentiment is from the CD and I have added glitter to the words to make them sparkle.  

The Card Candi is in the right hand corner and I have tied the bow    from satin ribbon ... with a Card Candi centre.

The chance to win this lovely CD  "Wishes and Kisses"   is still open to you.

All you need to do is become a follower and leave me a comment.  Add your name and email address to the list ... and if you don't have a Blog then leave the URL box blank.

Once the draw is done on Saturday the 18th you will have one week in which to claim your prize or it will be re drawn.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

More Choices ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I thought I would add some Birthday cards I have made using the CD from Funky Hand

The CD is called "Wishes and Kisses" and one copy has very kindly been donated by Anice for this months "Give Away"

And if you would like to win a copy then you need to add your name to the list ... so click this link  and leave your name and email address.

 If you don't have a blog then just leave the URL box blank

The card has been created using the Labels One dies in both the small and the Grand sets.

I have cut the base as a Filigree Hinged Card  and then simply layered all the smaller shapes on top.

And the inside has been lined with the paper and some ribbon wrapped around it.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts    The Pearls are from Want2Scrap

I have used several of the papers from the  "Hey There Baby" collections to show how they can mix and match with each other.

The sentiment has been printed from the Writer section on the CD which means you can add in anything that you would like to personalise your design.

The card to the right has used the  "Hey Baby Boy" collection and the papers are so fresh and some of my favorites.

With the addition of  Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls from my "Stash"  I have got some very pretty cards to send for any occasion in the card making calendar.

I have kept the cards easy to assemble so that you can see the beautiful papers that are available on the CD ... which is well worth buying even if you don't win the copy that I have.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Baby Wordbook

Hi Everybody,

Do you like to make your own wordbooks ??

Well with the  Wishes and Kisses CD from Funky Hand you will be able to do just that.

Here I have used the papers from the Hey Baby Girl collection and all the rest is done for you.

The CD is so easy to use and to make the wordbook the hardest decision you will have to make is which of the collections you wish to use.

I added a Website page a long time ago on how to create .... Wordbooks  and it is also in Video format too ... click the link to the Video on the page .

You have the chance to win this disc but you will need to add your name to the growing list.    Add your name once only please as duplicates will be removed.

The draw will run for one week until the 18th and then you will have one week to claim your prize ... before it is offered to someone else.

The card has the additions of Bling from Want2Scrap and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx