Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

March 16, 2017

Tonic Studios - New Style Video

Hi Everybody,

If you have had a good look through my blog pages and my website then you will be familiar with the hundreds of videos that I have done over the years.  These videos have been done with the filming and editing from my husband ... affectionately called my "Film Crew"

But a little while ago I suggested that maybe I should learn do more by myself because although he is semi retired he does like to do some jobs occasionally for family and friends.  On those days instead of putting things on hold for later I could simply get on with it and make my own films

I also mentioned this to a new friend that I have made,  through blogging and filming, and I asked her advice. Christine Smith has a fabulous YouTube channel at  Crafti Potential    and she has been really supportive  and encouraging in this my new adventure. 

So with the help that I have had from these two people ... whose opinion I do respect ... I have made a start to make my solo films. The very first one was for the new Club Create 2017 that I added to the blog on Saturday

This one is different again and an experiment to see how it goes Let me know what you think of this new style video ... and I have my fingers crossed that you will enjoy it.

 I will still be doing some the other way when Griff is free but I will be doing a lot more the new way. Here is the video ...



More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 15, 2017

Water Colour Wednesday - Poppies

Hi Everybody,



This is another image from the Just Inklined CD called The Next Big Thing and I know that many of you already have this in your collections.

But how long is it since you got it out and had a real good look at what is on the disc. 

There are a wealth of images for you to print off and colour and this is one of my all time favorite CD's

So this is Poppies and it has been coloured with Gansai Tambi Water Colours.

Then simply matted and layered with stripy card onto the A2 sized base card

I stamped and embossed the sentiment onto a banner shape of the stripey card and added it with foam underneath, then added in some  enamel dots 

And last but not least I used a glue pen to add some detail and allowed it to go tacky. 

Over the top I rubbed some silver foil to bring out the shape of the petals.

Simple card for any occasion with just a little water colouring in the process.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


March 14, 2017

Tuesday Tutorial - Two Way Street

Hi Everybody,

A pretty floral card is the order for today and this is using dies that I have used before so if you have them it's time to get them out again.
Matting Basics are always useful dies to have in your crafting collection and I use mine regularly
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:

With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two and create a cream base card
With die #7 from the B set cut one layer in pink
With die #6 from the A set cut another layer in cream
With die #6 from the B set cut another layer in pink
Cut one layer with the Two Way Street die
Stamp and heat emboss your sentiment onto some cream card and  with die #4 from Labels 33 cut two layers one from the cream sentiment card and the other in pink.
Cut the pink one in half as shown
Arrange around the cream sentiment layer so that a small border is created at the top and bottom
Layer the Two Way Street on to the pink layer with dots of glue 
Add both to the cream layer and wrap these with lace and ribbon 
Add some foam pads on the back 
Layer the next pink layer onto the base card and then add the previous step to the top
Use foam under the sentiment label and add centrally to the card
Glue a small bow in place along the bottom left of the sentiment
Arrange the flowers on to the card as you like and sprinkle them with glitter for a lovely effect.
These are the flowers I have used. Starting from the ;left they are ...
Gypsophila, Chrysanthemum, Carnation, Roses in three sizes 5/10/15 mm
 2 Tuscany Rose buds and a Tulip
Anemone and Cherry Blossom

I have two tutorials that maybe can help you with flower arranging 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 13, 2017

Pretty Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

This is one of the cards that I featured in the

It was using the die that came free with Simply Cards and Papercrafts 160 a few weeks ago

There are lots of ways to use this pretty free gift and in the video I tried to give you some options.

I used coloured inks to create the background using the stamps and then I stamped extra butterflies onto a separate piece of card and fussy cut them out

They have been added to the card just gluing along the body line and raising the wings slightly

The pearl flourish from Want2Scrap has been used to make the butterfly trails from each one

I matted the panel onto some black card and then layered it to an embossed panel before adding to the base card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 12, 2017

Ruby Update ...

Hello Everyone,

S'me Ruby here and I am now fully recovered from my operation and back to mischief again

I have discovered that I am now big enough to climb onto the back of the chair and look through the window.

And then I have a lovely time watching the world and barking at everybody who passes my house.

It doesn't matter who is sat in the chair ... I will climb on top of them to see what is going on outside.

I am so pleased to be able to play with my best friend Dougal again

He is a Cockapoo and he is alomost the same age as me.

He has just been to the groomers and had his hair cut and I think he looks really handsome

We play together really well but we get a bit noisy and rough sometimes

Our mums take us in Witch Wood and we love it in there.

It is full of delicious smells and trees and bushes that we can run through.

When it has been raining it gets really muddy and Dougal and I love to run in it and we roll each other over.

So when I get back home I have to have bath and this is me after my bath

I am having a snooze on my mums knee in my lovely warm coat and I snore like a train!!

Lots of people have been asking my mum about this coat and so she has added a link for you to see them ....Ruff and Tumble Dog Coats

More next time ...

Bye for now xx

March 11, 2017

Card Winner and a Video

Hi Everybody,

The pretty card yesterday was one of several that I made using that technique and I did them all in different colours. Over the past months I have given them all away as Friday Freebies and I hope you have liked them if you where one of the winners.

So this one will find a new home with YOU

Pearl Hudson
would you email me please with your postal address to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be on its way to you straight away.

Please let me know when it arrives with you.

New Craft Club ...

In many of the craft magazines there has been an advertisement for a new club from  Practical Publishing and they have asked me if I would do a video to show you what is in the first kit. 
The items will change every three months and they will be quality crafting goods that are better priced than buying them individually.
Here it is and all the information to join the club is in the video ... It is only open to UK residents at present.
 Here is Club Create 2017


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 10, 2017

Friday Freebie 009 - Happy Birthday

Hi Everybody,

So here we are with another of those Ombre cards created with the waste left over from the Grate Effect die from Spellbinders

It is a really easy way to use up what would otherwise have been discarded and the effect is lovely

There is a tutorial on the Tuesday Tutorials page to show you how Using the Waste  can be put to good use.

Now 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 at random and the winner announced in tomorrows blog post.

You will need to come back and check for yourself if it is yours as you will only have 72 hours in whcih to claim the card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx






March 09, 2017

A New Collection

HI Everybody,

I have some really pretty dies to tell you about today and they are all available from Craft Stash.
These are the Stitched and Pierced Collection  and this link will tke you to the full collection of thirteen different sets for you to choose.
Each edge is either stitched or pierced to alternate the look to your layers
I have done four videos to highlight some for you to see and all you need to do is click the links

The first video is the
and in the film I show you how I created this pretty card.

Use any embossing folder that you have to add texture to the card and it would look just as good in any other colour too.

The second video is using the 
and I have tried to give you some different ideas with this set of dies.

There are more ideas on the video

This pretty card is created with the 
and this is one of several ideas for you on the video.

I have added pearls to the centre of my card and on another I have created a shaker card.

And last but not least is the

In this particular video I have tried to show you some different ways to use the dies and the card to the left is the result of one of those ways

The stitching has been highlighted around the shape with a black fine liner pen

That is a really easy way to accentuate the detail on any of the shapes and sizes that you use.


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 08, 2017

Water Colour Wednesday - Albert

Hi Everybody,

Strictly speaking ... not a water colour at all but still done by me

This wonderful character is Albert from the Just Inklined CD called The Next Big Thing which sadly is now no longer around

There are so many wonderful images on this disc and it is such a shame that it has been discontinued

I coloured this quite some time ago and I really love this old man.

He is coloured with a mixture of Spectrum Noir pens and I have used this image of  him  many times in the past.

So I hope you will forgive the fact that he is not water coloured and enjoy him just the same

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


March 07, 2017

Tuesday Tutorial - Monstera Card Front

Hi Everybody,

The card today is another of those quick and easy ones to put together when time is of the essence. You could create lots of backgrounds and card fronts and store them away ready to be used when the occasion arises and then simply add the two parts and your done.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:

With the outer part of the Monstera Card Front die cut three pieces in white card  and use two of them to create the base.
With both parts together cut again in white twice and glue together for strength.
With the separate layer of white card spritz it with water and with the Crystal Colour of your choice  sprinkle the colour over the card. Blot of any excess that runs off and then dry with a heat tool ... or leave it to air dry depending on how patient you are !!
Once dry add the two glued together patterned pieces to the top with foam pads underneath in strategic places so that they cannot be seen from the front.
Brush over the leaves in the panel with a Clear Glitter pen to add some subtle sparkle.
Stamp and emboss the sentiment of your choice and add to the card front with foam.
Add to the bottom left of the card 
There you have a quick card ready to send ... vary the sentiment for other occasions

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




March 06, 2017

My day ...

Hi Everybody,

So today I am going to be busy and  later this evening I am going out for a special meal because .... It's my birthday !! And the sun is shining here too. It may not stay that way all day but for now it is there in the sky.

This was a card and gift that was sent to me by one of my readers and I asked her permission to show  it to you all.

The card has lots of beautiful flowers on it and the calendar sits on my desk

I want to say a big Thank You to Ann for making this gift and sending it to me it is much appreciated ... MWah xx

I have lots of videos to do today so must dash now and I am doing some alone as Griff is at work this week. So I hope they turn out all right and they are enjoyed as much as the others

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx





March 04, 2017

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

Well here's a surprise .... I am early today with the winner of yesterday's Friday Freebie. 
I am really organised  today and I have lots to do this morning hence the early start. 

So a name has been chosen at random for the pretty pink card and it is you ...

Lesley
Would you email me please with your postal address to
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the card will be on its way to you.

You have 72 hours in which to claim it and please let me know when it arrives with you.
I hope that you like it when it does

More tomorrow...

Hugsxx



March 03, 2017

Friday Freebie 008 - Pink Floral

Hi Everybody,

Todays card on offer is the one that I made sometime ago and was offered at the start of the year and not claimed by the winner..

It is in a really pretty pink with flowers to match tucked around the sentiment, and all the petals have been sparkled with glitter.

I have used Tulips, Roses, Gypsophila, Geums and Cosmos Daisies and all have been added with a hot glue gun so that I am certain they won't fall off.

Pink pearls are dotted around the display and on the pink ribbon there is a large dazzler

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 one name will be chosen at random and notified in tomorrows blog post. It doesn't matter where you live or even if you have won one before and you don't need to have your won blog to enter.

But once the name is announced then you will only have 72 hours to claim it by sending me your postal address by email ... so good luck !! And please check if it is your name and claim this pretty card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

March 02, 2017

Papercraft Essentials 144 - Spring Garden

Hi Everybody,

Today I am featuring the free gift that will be attached to the Papercrafts Essentials magazine

It will be in the shops on the 9th March so keep a look out for your copy if you like the gift.
The video will give you some ideas of the way I have used this set that is made up of several spring themed stamps and s little Picket Fence die

Papercraft Essentials 144 - Spring Garden   will show you how I made this card and also how to create the clouds in the sky which is something I get asked a lot about.

If you need a more detailed explanation then you will find it her ...  Cloud Effect Sky

It is a very simple technique but is very effective once completed.


Use pale blue or for a stormy sky grey works well.  But try other colours for a fantasy look too.

I hope you enjoy the video and the free gift when it arrives in your craft space

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


March 01, 2017

Water Colour Wednesday - Floral Stamp

Hi Everybody,

These two cards have been created using a  Heartfelt Creations  floral stamp called Sun Kissed  Fleur.

There are other pieces to this stamp set and also a die to cut  out the larger flowers

For the background I used the Wood Pallet Background from Altenew and stamped it in brown
The flowers have been water coloured with Gansai Tambi and I added an enamel dot to the centre flower.  
The layers have been wrapped in ribbon and then added to a bright pink card base 

The Happy Birthday sentiment is one I have in my stamp collection, but they could be for any occasion you wanted.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx