Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

May 08, 2017

Little Boxes with Tonic .. In two styles !!

Hi Everybody,

Little boxes are always handy for those small gifts we like to give  Or as favor boxes at Weddings or Christenings. Fill them with sugared almonds for each guest. Decorate them with flowers, ribbons and pearls.in the colours to suit the wedding.

This comes to you as a kit from Craft Stash and it is the Tonic Cardmaking Collection Issue 2

It consists of the Tonic die,  an embossing folder and some stamps for you to decorate the boxes that you make

In the video I show you two different ways to make the boxes

This four panel box is big enough to hold perfume, jewellery or maybe some tea lights.

You could even fill it with confetti for your guests to throw ... the confetti not the box !!

I have lined this two panel box with gold and added a  pearl string handle and some flowers

Perfect for adding a bridesmaid gift too, of maybe a little necklace to celebrate the wedding.

So many different way to use these and so many ways to decorate them
This two panel box has been decorated with the stamps in the kit and would be perfect for a childs party.

Fill them with sweets or a small toy for each child

Add their names to really make them feel special

This one has had some of the embossed panels added to it and they have been enhanced with the stamps

The video
will show you how to create both of these styles 


And once you have the die then you can make these any time you need them for any occasion.

And that  has to be less expensive than going out to buy them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 06, 2017

Three Winners Today ...

Hi Everybody,

Good morning to you all on this bright and cheerful morning and I am up with the lark today and the draw has been done already.  Three names have been chosen at random to win the cards on offer from yesterday and they are ....

June Horrocks 
Kricket
Annamieke
I need each of you to email me your postal address please to 
christina@card-making-magic.com
and the cards will be on their way to you.

I don't know which one you will get so I hope you will like the one that you get.

Shabby Chic ...

This is a video that I added some time ago and it features some of the Shabby Chic cards that I made. I added it into the section Cards to Inspire You and this was part eight.
The reason I am adding it again is to encourage you to watch because all the cards that are in this video I will be giving away over the next few weeks.



The only thing I don't have from that film is the tag as that was given away in another FF but I am sure that there will be something there to catch your eye and there will be eleven cards on offer over eleven weeks 

I will add the pictures individually and then you can leave your comments.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

May 05, 2017

Friday Freebie 017 - Three to go ...

Hi Everybody,

This week I am giving away the three cards pictured here to three winners, but I can't guarantee which one you will get

They are all really pretty with flowers and one of them has a hatpin tucked into the display.

The petals are all sparkled with glitter and they are a small US A2 size.

They look much better in the hand so I don't think you will be disappointed with any of them

If you would like one of these cards than all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

Please come back to see if you are the winner when the name is announced in tomorrows blog post.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 04, 2017

Papercraft Essentials 146 - Floral Wishes

Hi Everybody,

May is now with us and the days are getting warmer and this months Papercraft Essentials 146 will be in the shops today.

The free gift is Floral Wishes and consists of an embossing folder, stamp set and three small dies

On this card I have created a background with the flowers and leaves and enclosed them in an oval frame

This idea and others can be seen on the video Papercraft Essentials 146 - Floral Wishes

This is the card created in the video with a bow background in bright colours

Very easy to do and relaxing at the same time. Card making should be fun and this free gift will help you to enjoy the process.

The magazine itself is full of useful information and ideas on getting the look that you want.

There are lots more photos of cards created with the free gift so you will never be stuck for ways to use it

So get a cuppa and enjoy the read.



More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



May 03, 2017

I Know .. I Know ...

Hi Everybody,

I know it's not Christmas but this image is one that has been sitting on my desk and so I thought I would add a little water colour to her and make her into a card.

I have used some of the card stack that I bought from the £££shop as a layer on both of the base cards

The background to my image is created with a light water colour wash and then the stars added with a stencil and embossing paste
The bears have been coloured with Gansai Tambi water colours and then I added glue pen and glitter to the hats and stocking tops

The one on the left is slightly different colours for bear, mouse and background but the stars are done the same way.

On both of the card bases I rounded two opposite corners.

Both panels are cut with a stitched border die from the Stitched and Pierced Collection  from Craft Stash and there are lots of shapes for you to choose from



More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

May 02, 2017

Tuesday Tutorial - Arched Diamonds

Hi Everybody,

As you build your collection of dies it is good idea to add one large statement piece, and with that one die there is so much variation that can be done
For todays card I have used such a die to show you different ways to alter your design.  
I have used the Arched Diamonds from Spellbinders along with the Border Sentiments for both cards and varied them in colour and style one for men and the other for women 
It is quite a large die and will make a perfect focal point for your creations
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
  • Card
  • Flowers
  • Ribbons
  • Pearls
  • Glitter
  • Distress Ink
Instructions:
With white card create a top folded base that measures 5x7" in landscape
Cut a smaller mat in deep turquoise and another smaller one in white to leave narrow borders around each edge
Layer these panels onto the base
With the die cut the white card twice and ink through the die before removing the card.
Add foam pads to the back in strategic places so that they can not be seen from the front
Layer these two panel onto the base layers
Die cut the Happy Birthday from the border sentiments three times and glue together for strength
Add to the card front where you would like them
I have kept this version clear of flowers for a more masculine card.
For this version I have used the 5x7 in portrait and made the layers in pink and white and embossed the smallest white panel
I have used just one die cut and added it across the card with pink ribbon around it.
The triple bow has flowers in the centre and a pearl flourish adds the extra touch.
The addition of the flowers, ribbons and pearls give it a more feminine look

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



May 01, 2017

Spellbinders Water Lilies Strip

Hi Everybody,

Today I am going to show you three different cards made using the same die set and each is very intricate and pretty in its own right,  This is the Water Lilies Strip from Spellbinders and the die is in three pieces. One central patterned piece and two separate cutting edges

This means that you can choose to  leave the pattern in the card by omitting the cutting edges or choose one edge and cut that with the patterned piece or do as I have done for the this card

For the first card I have simply used all three pieces to remove the die cut from the card and then added them, with foam pads beneath, as separate panels to the front of a layered 5x7 base


For this second card I have create a tent fold card in 5x7 and then added one cutting edge and the patterned die to the outer part

From white and pink patterned paper I have created layers to add to the left of the card and lined the inside to match

I have tied ribbon around the left panels and add a pearl string, a bow and a centre piece for the knot

The words are layered up to give thickness and the top layer is in black

The last card has had the die placed into  the centre of the A4 card to add the pattern

I cut one extra die cut patterned layer to add to the top of this for strength

Then other blue panels have been cut for back and front and embossed and the sentiment added to the front of the card

So with just one die set you can have three totally different looking cards and I am sure that you will come up with many more ways to use this versatile die

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 29, 2017

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

It's a bit cloudy here today but still pleasant enough to take Ruby into Witch Wood for a walk this morning along with Dougal and Vickie
The draw for yesterdays turquoise card has now been done and the name chosen this week is you ...

Sue MacFall 
could you email me your postal address please 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 and I hope you will like it when it does.

Next week I have three cards to give away to three winners so be sure to pop back and see which they are and if you would like to have one of them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

April 28, 2017

Friday Freebie 016 - Turquoise Thanks

Hi Everybody,

This turquoise Thank You card is on offer today and you can send it on or keep it for your self.

It has some wide satin ribbon around the centre with a lovely diamante dazzler over the knot.

If you would like to have this card then all you need to do is leave me a comment and from those comments a name will be drawn

I am happy to send the card wherever you are, even if you have won one before.

But please come back and check if it is your name that is shown in tomorrows blog post as the winner

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 27, 2017

Spellbinders Curled Grace Ovals

Hi Everybody,

Today I am joining forces with Olga Direktorenko and in this collaboration video we have each made a shaped floral card.

I have tried to use an unusual shape for mine and in the video I show you how to fold the card to get the same look

It's not new it has been around for many years and I did this in a video about six years ago now.

But this will refresh your memory if you tried it then and show you a new idea if you didn't
It is really easy to do and you can dress it up any way you like.

But if you add this many flowers to it then the chances are you will need to make a box for it even though it will fold flat.

I think it looks really attractive and would look good for any occasion.

Here is the  Spellbinders Curled Grace Ovals video for you to view


There is space on the back or the inside of the card for you to add your own verse or sentiment ... or even a note to the recipient if that is what you want to do.

But whatever you do have fun making it and leave both Olga and I a comment if you have popped along for a visit.

Here is the link to Olga Direktorenko - Flower Cart    to see what she has designed for you. 

Her Cards are so elegant and  this one is no exception  and well worth a visit


More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx