Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

April 16, 2017

Ruby Update ...

Hello Everyone,

I have lots to tell you about my adventures this week. I have been up to mischief again !!

Last weekend our mums took Dougal and I to Stanah which is a lovely walk by the side of the river Wyre

We had great fun  running around and we made friends with lots of other dogs too.  I was being very good ... until I spotted the chance to try swimming again 

I dived into the river and had a good paddle around and then I got out all by my self. I was a very soggy doggy and my mum said I didn't smell very nice but I really enjoyed myself.  And this time my mum didn't panic

 Once we got home I had to have a bath to make me clean and smell nice to be near and then I was brushed 

Here you can see all my long hair but I was hot in the sun and so this week I have had my hair cut at the groomers.

It was lovely and I was bathed again and then blow dried. I fidgeted a bit while I was having my hair trimmed

But once I was done and my coat was short and shiny my mum brought me home I sat on the bench outside my house and soaked up the sunshine

I have had a lovely time and I will tell you more of my adventures next week

More from my mum tomorrow 

Hugs xx

April 15, 2017

Todays Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

I am up bright and early today and off to see a show at the Winter Gardens this afternoon with the lovely Isabella and her Nana Vickie.  Isabella is now five and she is my Great Grand daughter and we are going to have some fun today.

But before I go and do the shopping I have done the draw for the Pink card from yesterday. The name drawn from the hat today is you ...

Marilyn Mathis

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

There may be a little delay as it is Easter Weekend here in the UK and the post will be slow so please let me know when it arrives with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

April 14, 2017

Friday Freebie 014 - Beautiful Discovery

Hi Everybody,

This lovely pink card had all the things I love attached to it and the verse is just the correct one to send to a friend.

There is even a hat pin pushed into the organza bow

I have used it many times and this card was actually shown on Create and Craft when I demonstrated the dies on the TV

It can be yours if you would like it and all you have to do is leave me a comment at the end of the post.

I don't mind sending the card to wherever you live and it doesn't matter if you have won one before.

Just leave your comment and from those added a name will be drawn and the winner announced tomorrow.

When you get the card you will see that I have edged each side with pearls and the inside is lined too

Good luck everybody

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



April 13, 2017

New Collection - Videos ....

Hi Everybody,

There is a new collection of dies coming to Craft Stash and they are all based around the family theme.  They will help you to create beautiful cards for all family members and include extended families too.

There are five die and two stamp sets in the new  Silhouette Collection  and each die is in two parts. The link will take you direct to them  If you buy more than one set then the dies will mix and match with each other to create different outer patterns.

These are the videos ...

Silhouette Collection - Mother and Baby
This pretty die set could work equally as well for Aunts, Sisters, Friends, Nursery workers as well as other family members

Silhouette Father and Son  could also be two brothers or simply friends fishing together and the sentiments will help you to create the right one for the occasion

Silhouette Grandmother and Child  could also be Great Grandmother and I made the card in gold because all great grandmothers are golden

How do I know this ???? because I am one myself.

I created this next card with a Sun-ray Effect behind the Grandfather and Child as they walk away hand in hand

This is a lovely technique to re create and so I hope you will try it too.

I was really quite pleased with this card once it was finished.

The next one was the Family Silhouette  and this card has all my favorite features to it.

Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls and it's ...  Pink !!!

But in the video I have tried to show you how you can alter the look of this and indeed any of the die cuts with pens or pencils for another look

And it is really easy to do if you imagine the couple walking away from you.

That way there is no need to worry about adding features to them, and the results are quite pleasing on this too.

So there you have the links to all five videos and they will show you the dies and stamps that are available in this new Silhouette Collection

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

April 12, 2017

Beautiful Girl !!

Hi Everybody,

I am sharing this card today but it is not a water colour.

It was done quite some time ago with Spectrum Noir pens

The image is from Saturated Canary and I have had this for a long time too.

It is a digital image and stored on my PC for use whenever I need it but I don't know if it is still available.

This was one I really enjoyed colouring but I have improved since I did this one as I have had a lot more practise since then.

I will be back to water colouring though as that has become my favorite way to while away a couple of hours and relax at the same time

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 11, 2017

Tuesday Tutorial - Acanthus Leaf Card Front

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with a relatively new die from Spellbinders and this is an A2 size. To make this one I have started with the card front itself and worked my way back to make the base at the end.  The overall effect is very pretty in shades of lilac and purple
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies:
With both dies from the Acanthus Leaf cut one panel in white and ink through the die before removing the card (I used Dusty Concord)
Add foam tape to the back of the die cut in areas that cannot be seen from the front
Add this to some text paper
Layer this panel onto some darker purple paper and leave a border around the edge the size you want it to be
The paper that I have used is  called Vintage Notes and is available in the Poundland Shops in the UK
There are 32 sheets of 200 gsm paper with some lovely designs 
Wrap these with some white ribbon and secure on the back
Tie a small bow for the front
Stamp and heat emboss the sentiment of your choice
Now you can create the base card to add these layers too and make it the size that you want it to be
The flowers I have used are from left to right:
Heather, Anemone, Chrysanthemum, Tulips, Roses and Rosebuds
Add to the left of the card and tuck the sentiment in place with the flowers
Add the Dazzler to the bow
Dot the flowers with some glue and sprinkle with glitter
Line the inside of the card with the same papers for a really pretty look.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

April 10, 2017

Spellbinders Fabulous Fretwork

Hi Everybody,

Todays card has all the hallmarks of me ... with Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls added to a very pink card.

This die is so pretty and it is called Fabulous Fretwork and it is one of the newer dies to Spellbinders

I have made a video to show you the process and it can be seen here 

 I have used it to make the background to both of the featured cards.


I used circle dies and a tags die to create the sentiments and the stamps are free with the magazines

In the video I make both of these cards to emphasise that a change of  sentiment, shape and colour can make it suitable for any occasion

And it is easy to recreate so have a look at the dies you have and maybe you have one that you can use on your own cards in this way.

I hope you enjoy the video and like the cards and there is a lot more on the way.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 09, 2017

Safari Friends Papers

Hi Everybody,

Last week I did a video using the free gift with  Papercraft Essentials 145 - Safari Friends  and I created a background for the card that was made in the film

But inside the magazine is the chance for you to download six free papers that will compliment the stamps. There are three with Zebra prints on the left ... some have roses on them then there is a grass pattern and the other two are giraffe markings in two different shades

Using these papers and the stamps plus a few embellishments from my stash I have made some cards

For this one I have used the Zebra Print with the roses and it is a 5x7

 I have made into a more feminine design with the  addition of some lace and ribbon to the pattern,

The sentiment and frame are from the free gift with another magazine that I also featured last week
This one is more male themed with both the Giraffe papers layered on top of each other.

I distressed the edges and then inked it with Antique Linen and wrapped the edge of it with string.

The little paw prints are dotted around the front and I added the Lion and Tiger to the sentiment panel

On this card I again used two papers and layered them together.

I stamped the branches onto the background and then fussy cut some of the grass and added it in two payers onto the bottom of the card with foam between the layers

The Giraffes neck has been cut so that I could extend it and add the sentiment

The sentiment divides the two papers here and has been added with foam pads underneath to give dimension

I have used silver mirror card to back the Zebra Paper.

I used a 160 GSM smooth paper to print the papers onto as that gives a better feel to them and layers better as you make the card.

The magazine is on sale in the shops and supermarkets now or direct from this link ...
and the papers are free to download. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx






April 08, 2017

Card Winner ...

Hi Everybody,

It is a beautiful day here and later  we are taking Ruby out walking. But before that I have work to do and choosing the winner of yesterdays pretty card is one of my jobs. Well that has now been done and the name chosen at random this week it YOU  !!

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

I hope that you will like it and please let me know when it arrives with you.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 07, 2017

Friday Freebie 013-Autumn Flowers

Hi Everybody,

So this is card number 13 but it won't be unlucky for the winner as it really very pretty in the hand.

The background is sparkled as are the flowers and they are added to blend with the colour scheme.

The flowers are a mixture of Roses, Rosebuds and Cosmos Daisies

If you would like 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 announced in tomorrows blog post.

I am happy to send the card wherever you live and it doesn't matter if you have won one before.

But you will need to come back and check for your name as I have no way to chase you up if you don't ... and you will have 72 hours to email me with your postal address

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 06, 2017

Tonic Studios - Cake Slice Box

Hi Everybody,


A few weeks ago Tonic very kindly sent me this lovely die to use and I went ahead and created the video to go with it.



Tonic Cake Slice Box  makes fabulous boxes that are ideal for Weddings, Christening or any special occasion

Here I have wrapped mine with Bride and Groom ribbon and the large  multi layered bow was made with the

The video will show you how I created my centre piece and it took eight boxes to complete the circle

Make yours to suit the colour of the occasion and dress with flowers, ribbons and pearls for an extra special touch.


The die is exclusive to Hochanda at the moment so if you bought one then you will have seen the beauty of it demonstrated

I will let you know when it is on the Tonic website

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

April 05, 2017

Papercraft Essentials145 Safari Friends

Hi Everybody,

I have such a lot of videos to add for you this week and so there is no space to do a Water Colour Wednesday card today. 

Instead I have the latest issue of Papercraft Essentials to share with you and the video will give you some fun ideas on using this stamp and embossing folder.
There are lots more ideas with hints and tips inside the magazine and many more card ideas that you may like to try.

The magazine and gift will be in the shops tomorrow the 6th April and you can find it in selected supermarkets and craft shops or from WHSmiths.

Also direct from Moremags  for either the mag or to take out a subscription to your favorite one.

The video can be found here at ...

There are so many things that you can do with this fun stamp set and it will be suitable for lots of age groups.

I fussy cut the characters out for several of my cards and added them with foam pads underneath to give depth to my design.

But you could stamp the scene direct to card and sue the masking techniques instead.

But whatever you do have fun

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx